Wolf Children 2013

In Tokyo, young Hana falls for a mysterious man, who later unveils his true identity as a wolf man. Their love blossoms, leading to the birth of their two children: Yuki (Snow) and Ame (Rain). Tragically, their father meets an untimely death in an accident while hunting shortly after Ame’s arrival into the world.

Now a single mother, Hana faces the formidable challenge of raising her unique children. They oscillate between their human and wolf forms, frequently getting into mischief. Following multiple noise complaints and a troubling visit from social services—who express concern over the children’s lack of vaccinations—Hana makes the decision to move the family to the countryside, seeking solitude from curious neighbors. While striving to restore their dilapidated home, she grapples with the difficulties of survival, relying solely on their own crops. With guidance from a stern yet wise old man named Nirasaki, she gradually learns the art of farming and fosters friendships within the local community.

One fateful day, while pursuing a kingfisher, Ame finds himself in peril as he nearly drowns in a river. Luckily, his sister Yuki comes to his rescue, boosting Ame’s confidence in his wolf abilities. As time passes, Yuki implores her mother to allow her to attend public school, which Hana accepts with one condition: Yuki must keep her wolf lineage a secret. At school, Yuki forms bonds with her peers, while Ame faces bullying from classmates. As he skips school more often, Ame finds solace in the forest, where he learns survival skills from an elderly fox.

In fourth grade, Yuki’s life takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of a new transfer student, Sōhei, who senses that Yuki is different. His curiosity leads him to confront Yuki, which sparks her anger and results in an unintended transformation that injures his ear. During a meeting with parents and teachers, Sōhei surprises everyone by claiming a wolf attacked him, exonerating Yuki, and paving the way for their newfound friendship.

Tensions rise as Yuki reprimands Ame for shirking school, culminating in a physical altercation between the siblings. Fast forward two years, on a day when classes are dismissed early due to a fierce storm, Hana prepares to pick up Yuki, but Ame disappears into the woods to assist his ailing fox mentor. Left alone at school, Yuki confides in Sōhei about her abilities and admits that she was the one who harmed him. To her relief, Sōhei reveals his prior knowledge, assuring her he will keep her secret.

While searching for Ame, Hana encounters a dangerous moment when she slips off a cliff. In this vulnerable moment, she glimpses a vision of her children’s father, reassuring her that Yuki and Ame will forge their own paths and that she raised them with love. Shortly after, Ame discovers Hana and brings her to safety, transforming fully into an adult wolf before dashing off into the mountains. A bittersweet farewell ensues as Hana recognizes that Ame has chosen his own journey, an acceptance marked by tears mingled with pride.

Fast forward a year, Yuki embarks on her own adventure, moving into a middle school dormitory. Meanwhile, the echo of Ame’s wolf howls resounds across the forest. Now living alone, Hana reflects on her extraordinary experience of raising wolf children, feeling a sense of fulfillment in the fairy tale she crafted with love and resolve.