My most recent anime film experience was 'Giovanni Island,' which didn't resonate with me much. I considered that a passable film centered on an intense WWII narrative viewed through the eyes of Japanese children. Almost six months have passed since then, and now I’ve seen this one from the director of ‘Wolf Children.’ That remains his finest achievement, so it seemed he intended to follow a similar path. The result was something with a comparable theme, although the artwork wasn't quite as appealing. As someone pointed out in an online discussion about this title, there’s a connection to the director’s previous film, much like Tarantino attempted with ‘The Hateful Eight’ and ‘Django Unchained,’ later abandoning the idea of merging characters that didn’t quite fit. Here, the difference might stem from the animation style itself. It seems geared toward teenagers and adults due to some mature content introduced in the second half. It begins with a brief explanation of the monsters and their world before shifting focus to human society and an eight-year-old runaway boy named Ren. While following some unusual creatures, he accidentally stumbles into the monster realm through a hidden portal. He then meets Kumatetsu, one of two contenders for the title of 'the great master,' who decides to take him on as a protégé. Their personalities clash initially due to their differing viewpoints, but over time they develop a strong bond. Then comes Kumatetsu’s competition, something he'd been preparing for, and the boy finds his own direction. However, an evil force unexpectedly unites them when they begin to drift apart. > "People who work hard sincerely will master it quickly." The first half felt like watching a comedy. The initial character introductions were unremarkable, but later I noticed a significant connection between them, each possessing unique qualities that made them memorable. This section is well-suited for children, while what follows feels quite different. It seemed the lighter moments had ended as new characters are introduced and the story takes a considerable leap forward in time—eight years to be exact. This middle portion felt like a fresh start, essentially launching a new narrative. As the child character transitions into a teenager, the film attempts to incorporate more adult themes, including a subdued romantic element that leans toward friendship. This is where I felt the movie faltered; it seemed like an unnecessary interruption. Considering the story’s dual-world setting, this section is essential for progressing to the third act. I think trimming about five minutes would have improved the pacing. The final act diverges significantly from what came before, featuring impressive special effects that enhance the action sequences. Unfortunately, the stunts weren't as dynamic as I had hoped; they felt too brief, especially for those who enjoy fight scenes. The pairing of the boy and the beast reminded me of 'Ernest & Celestine.' Their interactions are consistently entertaining. Ultimately, the film explores how humans can become obsessed with power, willing to go to any lengths to obtain it, sometimes by embracing darkness. I’ve already watched it twice, and my appreciation for it has grown with each viewing. It's not the director’s best work, but it’s certainly not a movie worth overlooking. Since Miyazaki announced his retirement, many anime fans, myself included, have been saddened. I haven’t found anyone who can truly replace him, but a few directors have come close, and this filmmaker is among them. He's already delivered some successful films, and now all he needs to do is maintain his consistency; eventually, his name will be mentioned alongside that of the legendary Miyazaki. It's worth noting that anime movies are becoming increasingly rare these days, so when one appears and people recommend it, you should definitely check it out. 8½/10

Source on TMDB