"Like Calvin and Hobbes" Wolf Children: Ame and Yuki Review

By Cliff Yung on September 2, 2014

as found on wikimedia.org

A bit of a quiet film, in both the premise and within the anime community, Wolf Children: Ame and Yuki (Ookami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki) is held in a hushed hubbub of well regard. This animated film highlights the growth of the two main characters through childhood as they deal with their genetic difference of being part wolf as they are able to change between wolf and human form at will. It’s a bit hard of a premise to swallow, especially with the first reveal of the father being a wolf. Unlike many western depictions of half wolf and half human, or werewolves, the Japanese tradition often has a harmonious relationship between nature and society which translates directly into this film.

On this note, the film reminds me directly of the comic Calvin and Hobbes. Both are an odd rendition of a relationship of philosophy, freedom, containment, and childhood that intersect within each of the stories. However, the difference between the two would be that the philosophies within Wolf Children are clearly defined and are a bit simpler in comparison to Calvin and Hobbes. This is where all the differences really end. The defining craziness within Calvin and Hobbes with Calvin always crashing his sleigh, the fights between Calvin and his tiger friend Hobbes, and the defining last words “… Let’s go exploring,” are all embodied in Wolf Children. Wolf Children: Ame and Yuki is for me the closest rendition of the nature of Calvin and Hobbes in an animated form.

as found on comicsreporter.com

Wolf Children: Ame and Yuki is a beautifully created animated film with wonderfully drawn sceneries and even wonderful filmography. The creation of the effect of childhood is captured within a short two hours. It has a few shortcomings especially that may turn away many western viewers. First, would be the premise of half wolf and half humans living among the people that in the first 20 minutes may turn some viewers away with the development of the odd relationship between the father and the mother. Second, the ending is a left open and is a bit inconclusive but to good effect. Even with these small bits, Wolf Children: Ame and Yuki is a special film that truly rivals Hayano Miyazaki’s own productions.

Trailer: Wolf Children: Ame and Yuki

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