Ame & Yuki - Die Wolfskinder

Wolf Children, or Ōkami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki (Wolf Children: Ame and Yuki) as its called in Japan, is hands down one of the best movies I have ever seen. Not even counting its ranking among the anime category, Wolf Children takes place in my own personal hall of fame movies. In this movie, director Mamoru Hosoda completely blows away all expectations with a film that will really touch you. Wolf Children is a story of trials, perseverance, and the love of a family. For parents, you have nothing to worry about, the full extent of violence being very little. However, it is best to watch with your children, as there are a few amazingly sad moments. Wolf Children can be seen alone, or in a group with equally satisfying results. If there is one negative point I could make on this movie, it would be the first 5-10 minutes being slow, but after the first 5 minutes or so, you become completely entranced and will wish it were longer. If you come to love this movie as I do, watch "Summer Wars" by the same director, another movie both adults and children can love.

In the vein of films like Totoro, and in contrast to Mamoru Hosoda's previous Summer Wars, this film glides along without an epic struggle driving the story. Rather, the greatest moments are the depictions of family life and the picturesque sketches of Tokyo and the Japanese countryside.

The story begins with the start of the eponymous wolf children's parents' love, and progresses through births, deaths, moves, the first day of school, and their growth into adults. The story is almost too ordinary, but in its normality, its moments are universal. One can't help but stare in awe at the beauty of life as it happens, and be reminded of the beauty of one's own mundane yet special lives.

The art is also quite something. Tokyo's bustling life is reduced to warm glows of winter, and the Japanese farms and countryside is rendered beautifully whether it be in rain, sun, or snow.

Watch it. It's not of the same scale as Hosoda's previous Summer Wars or The Girl Who Leapt through Time, but it packs an emotional punch that surpasses either of them. You'll shed a few tears, and marvel at the beauty of the world and our lives.

This film was excellent, may I even say better than spirited away? Possibly. The Wolf Children was much(for lack of a better word)better than I had expected. I simply astonished me. The animation was fantastic the background was exquisite, and the storyline was moving. Mamoru Hosoda has not failed again, if you liked this I would suggest you watch "Summer Wars" or "The Girl Who Leaped Through Time".

Wolf Children is massively underrated in my opinion.

Though there is no spoiler here, I would like to say one thing about the ending, the ending is not conclusive, it is quite open, though still powerful. So because of this, some people may not like the ending, at first it had me in tears because of its beauty, but also had me angry because of the ending. But still a fantastic film.

Ratings:

Animation: 9.5/10

Storyline: 9.8/10

Background scenery: 10/10 (Amazing background scenery, greatly drawn)

Character personality: 10/10

Overall: 10/10

Thanks for reading.

• Nik

Probably the best anime I have seen recently. From the director of 'The Girl Who Leapt Through Time' gives us this wonderful fantasy-drama. This movie is kinda resembling Miyazaki's 'My Neighbour Totoro', only the place it takes place and a bit with the characters. Other than that it is an awesome movie with a totally fresh concept as per my knowledge.

All the three main characters, a mother and her two kids were lovable. Aoi Miyazaki never stops impressing me where she appears here as a mother. Her roles from various movies are always coming with a surprise who peaking high and higher, she really rocks. The two kids' characters as well very adorable. Like the two sisters in 'My Neighbour Totoro' these two made the movie look great. Actually it was a tale about a mother who raises two wolf children. As a single parent, her hard work and dedication to the kids to grow up having a normal and happy childhood she must sacrifice her life.

When her husband dies, Hana must take care of the kids where she lacks the knowledge of their kind to give support. She finds difficulties in city to raise them so she decides to move to a rural where she can cut the communications with the other humans. Growing her own vegetables in the backyard, facing the different seasons and going through all the ups and down in life she almost achieves her ambition.

It did not look like an anime movie, it looked almost a real one with many cool and colourful frames. The story commenced with a nice love story with a little heartbreak. Then the most enjoyable parts begin with lots of laughs until the approach of the end where it brings lots of emotions before concluding with a powerful howl. It had very nice background score in all the crucial portion of the tale. In other word to say, the movie was just like what I expected and more than that. I felt the movie was short and was not ready to accept the end. You know, it is better being short and sweet than with unnecessary drag in a tale. This is a movie that everyone will love, especially kids and families. Like I said if you are a die hard 'My Neighbour Totoro' movie fan then you must not miss it. So highly recommended by me.

You will after seeing the beautiful animation, and emotional purity of this film. This is a somber look at the struggles of a single mother completely out of her element, and fighting for each and every inch of ground in unfamiliar territory. While the comparison to Hayao Miyazaki is both inevitable, and present, Hosuda has established a unique style of story-telling that will help distinguish him from other animators, and hopefully bring him some much needed attention from international audiences. Never one to shy away from tear-jerking, Hosuda spins a somber tale of an unconventional family with unique challenges, and yet still makes it nearly universally relatable. While this film is technically in the fantasy genre, it is easily recommendable to fans of all film styles and all ages, with only some slight warnings for tasteful, completely non-sexual nudity.