Bakemono no ko, or The Boy and the Beast, is a gorgeous tapestry of teen angst, familial bonds, and fantastic beasts and magic. A young orphan runs away from home and is swept into an apprenticeship with a Master Swordsman Bear-Man (Kumatetsu) from an alternate world. The two navigate the pitfalls of sword fighting, adolescents, and the darkness that humans carry with them into the Beast World, while Kumatetsu attempts to become the next GrandMaster of the Beast World. With an elegant animation style, simple raw emotional dialogue, and a clear and concise plot, this Japanese film delicately presents a heart-wrenching tale of youthful emotion and the progression from boy to man. Directed by Mamoru Hosoda who is also known for the popular movie "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" (2006), which delivers an equally potent emotional punch, this movie showcases a lovely balance of violence and tender emotion.