The Boy and the Beast

A 2015 anime film directed by Mamoru Hosoda, blending fantasy and drama. The story follows a boy named Ren, who is left alone on the streets of Tokyo after his mother’s death. By chance, he stumbles into a parallel world inhabited by beast-like creatures, where he meets the fierce warrior bear Kumatetsu (Kōji Yakusho). Kumatetsu takes Ren under his wing, renaming him Kyuta and training him in combat. Despite their difficult relationship, the student and teacher grow closer, overcoming their weaknesses. However, when the boundary between the two worlds begins to break, Kyuta must make a choice between them and discover his true nature.