Kyuta, a boy living in Shibuya, and Kumatetsu, a lonesome beast from Jutengai, an imaginary world. One day, Kyuta forays into the imaginary world and, as he's looking for his way back, meets Kumatetsu who becomes his spirit guide. That encounter leads them to many adventures.
Direction
Hosoda's parallel worlds feel lived-in, not just pretty backdrops.
Acting
Koji Yakusho's growly warmth makes Kumatetsu unforgettable.
Director
Mamoru Hosoda
Koji Yakusho
Kumatetsu (voice)
Aoi Miyazaki
Young Kyuta (voice)
Shota Sometani
Teenage Kyuta (voice)
Suzu Hirose
Kaede (voice)
Lily Franky
Hyakushūbō (voice)
Yo Oizumi
Tatara (voice)
Kazuhiro Yamaji
Iozen (voice)
Mamoru Miyano
Teenage Ichirohiko (voice)
Kappei Yamaguchi
Teenage Jiromaru (voice)
Haru Kuroki
Young Ichirohiko (voice)
Momoka Ohno
Young Jiromaru (voice)
Sumire Morohoshi
Chico (voice)
Keishi Nagatsuka
Kyuta's Father (voice)
Kumiko Aso
Kyuta's Mother (voice)
Masahiko Tsugawa
Lord (voice)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Hosoda deliberately mirrored Kyuta and Kumatetsu's arcs — both learning humanity from each other, neither fully beast nor fully human by the end.
The film draws from Japanese 'dan-shi' master-disciple tradition, but subverts it by making the mentor equally flawed and in need of teaching.
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