The Boy and the Beast
Everyone loves Ghibli movies, and for good reason. But since Miyazaki retired (or not, depending on how he feels this week), people have wondered – who will be his spiritual successor?
Titled Mirai, new anime will be a return to the “human drama” elements of Wolf Children and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.
Mamoru Hosoda has made a name for himself as one of the most respected anime directors working today, so why do most of his films lack A-list anime voice actors?
Shibuya restaurant is ready to give customers as big a smile as the rising anime director’s feel-good movies.
Mamoru Hosoda‘s The Boy and The Beast film has sold over 3 million tickets to earn over 3.8 billion yen (about US$30.5 million), 30 days after opening on July 11. It dropped from #4 to #7 at the Japanese box-office for the August 8-9 weekend. It played on 354 theaters in its fifth weekend.
Many would argue that Mamoru Hosoda is the most talented director of family anime in the industry today. That “family” classification is two-fold, by the way. Not only are Hosoda’s works appropriate for just about all ages, taking the high road by eschewing in-your-face sex appeal and gratuitous violence, the bond between family members is a recurring theme in his films. In 2009, Hosoda’s Summer Wars showed audiences an extended yet close-knit family headed by the female lead’s tough yet kind grandmother. Three years later, the focus was on a single mother raising two lycanthropes in rural Japan in Wolf Children Ame and Yuki.
Now, Hosoda is turning viewers’ gaze towards a relationship he hasn’t put the spotlight on before, with the just-released The Boy and the Beast, which asks what a boy needs to learn from his father, and also what that father can learn from his boy. So how does it answer those quesitons? Read on for the rest of our review of Hosoda’s latest hit to find out.
Mamoru Hosoda‘s The Boy and The Beast film debut at #1 during the July 11-12 weekend, topping the Japanese debut of Terminator Genisys. The Boy and The Beast opened on 457 screens, and earned 667,035,100 yen (about US$5.4 million) in its first two days. The film sold 494,170 tickets over the weekend.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
Chinese government’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning has heartwarming non-effect on Yokohama Chinatown
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
Popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran’s lucky bags are great value for money
You can now buy a Japanese train station clock in Japan
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
This one delicious Japanese dessert has at least six different names
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
As more foreign visitors visit Kyoto’s top sights, Japanese travelers increasingly staying away
A whole slew of Totoro Christmas cakes are on their way to make the season extra merry【Photos】
Weekly
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes- Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
KFC Japan introduces a new burger 8 years in the making
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro- Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Is Kyoto less crowded with tourists after China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning?【Photos】
Monthly
- Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
- Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】- Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer- Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
This one delicious Japanese dessert has at least six different names
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
As more foreign visitors visit Kyoto’s top sights, Japanese travelers increasingly staying away
A whole slew of Totoro Christmas cakes are on their way to make the season extra merry【Photos】
6 surprising things about having a baby in Japan
Studio Ghibli holiday wreath adds a touch of Kiki cuteness and good fortune to your home【Photos】
Tokyu Kabukicho Tower backtracks on its gender-neutral toilets, rejigging them to appease public
Upcoming themed cafe answers the question “What if Hokusai had opened an eatery?”
One Piece devil fruit ice cream coming back to Baskin-Robbins Japan
Cup Noodle mystery meat instant rice returns to Japanese stores after a seven-year absence
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
-
