Today’s quick review: Wolf Children. While at university, Hana (Colleen Clinkenbeard) falls in love with a man (David Matranga) with a secret: he is part wolf, able to change from human to animal at will. Their love blooms, and soon Hana gives birth to two children: Yuki (Jad Saxton), a rambunctious daughter, and Ame (Micah Solusod), a timid son. But when their father meets an untimely death, Hana is left to raise her two special children by herself.
Wolf Children is a Japanese animated fantasy romantic drama about a woman trying to raise two children with very special needs. Unable to control their transformations, Yuki and Ame have to be kept away from other people to hide their wolf heritage. Wolf Children follows Hana as she navigates the challenges of motherhood on her own, with the added wrinkle of her children’s canine side.
Wolf Children is a heartfelt movie with gorgeous animation. Hana makes for an excellent protagonist, a gentle mother who sacrifices everything so her children can grow up happy. Her endurance, resourcefulness, and love for her children form the emotional backbone of the movie. For their part, Yuki and Ame are charming and fun. The movie has a knack for capturing the highs and lows of childhood, and its fantasy elements give them an extra twist.
The one thing Wolf Children lacks is a clear endgame. The story flows well enough, following Yuki and Ame as they learn and grow, but it’s not built around a specific conflict. There is no single goal for the characters to achieve, just milestones on the path of growing up. This fits the organic, slice-of-life nature of the film, but it results in a relatively flat story structure where the journey matters more than the destination.
Wolf Children is a warm and uplifting movie that artfully portrays childhood and family life. Beautiful animation and vibrant characters make it a joy to watch, while its story and world show a keen eye for detail. Some viewers won’t appreciate its low stakes and unstructured story, but its pleasant tone and insightful themes give it plenty of substance. Give it a shot when you’re in the mood for something sentimental.
For a fantasy movie about childhood and family from the same director, try Mirai. For a slightly more mature story about growing up, try Spirited Away or Whisper of the Heart. For a beautiful movie with more fantasy elements and a greater emphasis on romance, try Your Name. or Weathering with You.
8.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for a sweet story with a high degree of craftsmanship.