Movie
Description
Hyakushuubou is a supporting character from the 2015 anime film The Boy and The Beast. He is a beast who takes the form of a pig and lives in the beast realm of Jutengai, where he is a monk in training. His appearance is defined by his large, rounded build and the traditional black robes he wears as part of his monastic life.
Among the beasts, Hyakushuubou is distinguished by his calm, thoughtful, and wise personality. While his close friends, the bear warrior Kumatetsu and the monkey Tatara, tend to be brash and cynical respectively, Hyakushuubou is the voice of patience and reason. He is consistently kind and friendly, showing a remarkable ability to selflessly guide others. He dedicates much of his time to helping Kumatetsu and the human boy Ren, who is renamed Kyuta, despite both of them being difficult and often ungrateful for his efforts. He is never violent, even when confronting dangerous situations, and instead uses his sharp, harsh words to scold others when necessary, such as when he fearlessly berates a group of intimidating wolves for bullying Kyuta.
Hyakushuubou plays an essential role as a mentor and moral compass within the story. When a young Kyuta first stumbles into the beast world, it is Hyakushuubou who finds him and offers to look after him, despite the general fear and distaste most beasts hold for humans. He encourages the reluctant Kumatetsu to take the boy in as his apprentice. Throughout Kyuta's training and upbringing, Hyakushuubou acts as a supportive and knowledgeable figure who actually understands how to properly raise and teach a child, in stark contrast to the incompetent and stubborn methods of Kumatetsu. Along with Tatara, he helps to educate Kyuta, and the three of them effectively become a surrogate family, raising the boy together. Another character notes how Hyakushuubou and Tatara helped educate the boy, with Hyakushuubou later remarking that it has become hard to tell who is the master and who is the disciple between Kumatetsu and Kyuta, acknowledging the mutual growth they have inspired in each other.
His key relationships are with Kumatetsu, Tatara, and Kyuta. He is the closest friend and a steadying influence on the impulsive Kumatetsu, constantly scolding him for his obliviousness and stubbornness. His friendship with Tatara is one of mutual respect, and both act as secondary father figures to Kyuta, watching over his development with pride. His bond with Kyuta is particularly strong, defined by patience and understanding. He is the most patient with the boy, never raising his voice until a moment of great desperation. When Kyuta decides to confront the vengeful Ichirohiko alone, Hyakushuubou finally yells, calling him an idiot because he is so desperate to keep the boy safe.
Throughout the film, Hyakushuubou demonstrates notable abilities that are not physical but rather intellectual and spiritual. His primary strength lies in his wisdom and his capacity for thoughtful, selfless guidance. He possesses moral authority and is not afraid to use it, earning the respect of both beasts and humans. His development as a character is subtle; he does not undergo a dramatic personal transformation but rather remains a steady, reliable pillar for those around him. His arc is seen in the growing maturity and capability of Kumatetsu and Kyuta, which are a direct result of his patient, behind-the-scenes influence.
Among the beasts, Hyakushuubou is distinguished by his calm, thoughtful, and wise personality. While his close friends, the bear warrior Kumatetsu and the monkey Tatara, tend to be brash and cynical respectively, Hyakushuubou is the voice of patience and reason. He is consistently kind and friendly, showing a remarkable ability to selflessly guide others. He dedicates much of his time to helping Kumatetsu and the human boy Ren, who is renamed Kyuta, despite both of them being difficult and often ungrateful for his efforts. He is never violent, even when confronting dangerous situations, and instead uses his sharp, harsh words to scold others when necessary, such as when he fearlessly berates a group of intimidating wolves for bullying Kyuta.
Hyakushuubou plays an essential role as a mentor and moral compass within the story. When a young Kyuta first stumbles into the beast world, it is Hyakushuubou who finds him and offers to look after him, despite the general fear and distaste most beasts hold for humans. He encourages the reluctant Kumatetsu to take the boy in as his apprentice. Throughout Kyuta's training and upbringing, Hyakushuubou acts as a supportive and knowledgeable figure who actually understands how to properly raise and teach a child, in stark contrast to the incompetent and stubborn methods of Kumatetsu. Along with Tatara, he helps to educate Kyuta, and the three of them effectively become a surrogate family, raising the boy together. Another character notes how Hyakushuubou and Tatara helped educate the boy, with Hyakushuubou later remarking that it has become hard to tell who is the master and who is the disciple between Kumatetsu and Kyuta, acknowledging the mutual growth they have inspired in each other.
His key relationships are with Kumatetsu, Tatara, and Kyuta. He is the closest friend and a steadying influence on the impulsive Kumatetsu, constantly scolding him for his obliviousness and stubbornness. His friendship with Tatara is one of mutual respect, and both act as secondary father figures to Kyuta, watching over his development with pride. His bond with Kyuta is particularly strong, defined by patience and understanding. He is the most patient with the boy, never raising his voice until a moment of great desperation. When Kyuta decides to confront the vengeful Ichirohiko alone, Hyakushuubou finally yells, calling him an idiot because he is so desperate to keep the boy safe.
Throughout the film, Hyakushuubou demonstrates notable abilities that are not physical but rather intellectual and spiritual. His primary strength lies in his wisdom and his capacity for thoughtful, selfless guidance. He possesses moral authority and is not afraid to use it, earning the respect of both beasts and humans. His development as a character is subtle; he does not undergo a dramatic personal transformation but rather remains a steady, reliable pillar for those around him. His arc is seen in the growing maturity and capability of Kumatetsu and Kyuta, which are a direct result of his patient, behind-the-scenes influence.