Wolf Children

Single mother Hana must bring up her wolf children away from the prying eyes of the neighbours in this stunning anime.

Hana, a student at Tokyo University, is intrigued by a mysterious man who sits in on lectures despite not being registered to attend. Before long, they fall in love and she discovers that he is a wolf-man; he has the blood of both man and wolf and, as wolves have been extinct in Japan for many years, he is the last of his kind. Before long, they bring two children into the world – Ame and Yuki – who begin to display wolf characteristics, and as such may need to be brought up away from the outside world. As they grow older they will have to deal with their differences and decide which path to take.

This beguiling, lyrical anime is a departure of sorts for Mamoru Hosoda (The Girl Who Leapt Through Time; Summer Wars) who takes a fantastical idea and makes it irresistibly touching and relevant without ever becoming a mere genre piece. The film is presented in its original Japanese language with English subtitles.