Therapist Reacts to KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

[@GastlyStrain]

Finally some recognition for this movie, it is criminally underrated

[@ebvethron]

All of the Laika films are criminally underrated. People often complain that there is no originality in Hollywood, and their five films are all so good. But Kubo is definitely my favorite. It's so beautiful. I'm excited for Wildwood.

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

It really is!

[@msk-qp6fn]

It really is!! It's visually stunning and the emotional protrayal is so earnest.

[@nxfelibata2403]

it’s one of my all time favorites!

[@pinkquinly7036]

YESSSS

[@BatAmerica]

Kubo and the Two Strings is admirable beyond its writing. Fun fact: The skeleton, approximately 16 feet (4.8 meters) high, is the largest stop-motion puppet ever built-another reason to marvel at this film's quality through technicality and hard work.

[@meganhirschi6248]

I have to watch that part in the credits every time.

[@ryanbeverley1546]

And the "Garden of Eyes" is the second largest stop motion puppet ever built!

[@BatAmerica]

@@ryanbeverley1546 That's cool.

[@TheInfintyithGoofball]

"suffice to say: it is one big f**kin puppet."

[@ChimeraLotietheBunny]

Yesss

[@msk-qp6fn]

I always loved Kubo's mother correcting Kubo to say grandfather instead of the moon king. It gives complexity and shows how close and intimate the cause of the wounds in Kubo's family is. Her stories aren't just stories for the fun and grandeur, they are personal accounts and real warnings. Only once the core cause is dealt with, those stories become just stories, just like with all other legends and myths.

[@devinreis5811]

It shows that she does still care about him and that it's okay to love a person at arm's length.

[@msk-qp6fn]

​@@devinreis5811 True!

[@ChincerDante]

i see it as two sides, as "he was family and hurt us, remember that" and as "this isnt a faerie tale, some mythical being, he exist and is your grandfather"

[@Moompl]

It’s like a reminder that it’s not the King who has betrayed them, but their own family.

[@team10leader1]

I interpret it as Kubo's mother avoiding the pitfall of Liar Revealed, by letting him know the truth about the Moon King from an early age. She knew that the sooner she ripped off that particular bandage, the less likely Kubo would take it badly. So instead of becoming a festering secret, it becomes a fact of life.

[@pyt5156]

Just a small thing, the instrument Kubo plays is called a shamisen and is not a guitar. Culturally, it was common for it to accompany puppet plays and folk songs due to how expressive and resonant it can be. It is also symbolic of heaven, earth and the human realm, which is particularly relevant to this story. The fact that the strings break throughout the story also relates to how during performances, the silk strings were often prone to breaking. When he restrings the shamisen with his own hair, his mother's and his father's bowstring, he's essentially connecting all 3 realms which is kind of neat storywise

[@candicraveingcloude2822]

I believe this correction is in the captions/subtitles of the video. Turn them on, and you'll see what I mean. But I really appreciate this comment, as not everyone has them turned on. Edit for typos

[@ChimeraLotietheBunny]

Yes

[@nessiemour4750]

Thank you for this beautiful context ❤

[@macdri]

Thanks. I didn't even know the real name but them calling it a guitar felt a little jarring.

[@gallaghergreen2053]

Yes! Everytime the said guitar, I wanted to slap them. LOL

[@msk-qp6fn]

Something that ought to be noted is that Kubo's mothers connection to the moon is hinted at the very scene where Kubo takes care of her. She is mute and mostly unresponsive when the sun is still up, but when it's night and moon rises somewhere, she finally becomes responsive even if for a short while. Another thing I find very interesting about Kubo's mother's side of the family is how in "canon" Japanese mythology, the god of the moon is largely seemingly forgotten by humanity in the myths and in real life too despite being one of the oldest gods in Japanese mythology. It leaves leeway for interpretation in comparison to the goddess of sun and works to Kubo's mother side being more cryptid horror like from humans/mortals point of view.

[@CroobieLetter]

I love that the sisters wear black feathered robes. At the end of the Tale of Princess Kaguya she puts on a black feathered robe and instantly forgets all about her human bonds and becomes cold like the moon.

[@msk-qp6fn]

​@@CroobieLetter The colors of the robe is never really speficied as far as I know. That being said it is interesting to see the feathered robe/cloak being used for Kubo's aunts's look. Also funny thing about Kubo's aunts lol their names are Karasu and Washi, meaning crow and paper respectively.

[@MRDraco17]

I remember seeing a comment saying that asside from her connection to the moon, the night time is also the moment Kubo was the most at risk so she was saving every bit of strenght possible during the day to be able save him if needed; I thought it was an interresting idea.

[@seasonsstarsstudios]

What I love about this movie is how accurate it is to Japanese lore and culture. It’s extremely respectful and entertaining at the same time.

[@oddish_arts3103]

As someone who’s working through a traumatic event right now, I get a lot of “you’re so strong” from my therapist, family, and friends - but when I heard the line “before you went on this adventure, you were still very much a hero ” I started crying… it healed something I didn’t know was there. I think up until this point it was hard not to associate that traumatic event with the idea that because it happened, the people that I love think that I am strong. But kubo reminded me that I was just as much like that before ;-;

[@DuelScreen]

It's easy to get caught up in the moment when dealing with trauma. What happens in the now seems so big. It fills all of our mind and vision. But if you can stop yourself and look back at all that you've overcome to get to now, and if you can look ahead at where you are working toward, then you can reset. Don't forget to breathe and to live. 🙏

[@heehoopeanut420]

​@DuelScreen yes, I like how people say it's because you lived most of your life before that event, but if you keep on living eventually you will have just as many, if not more good times and memories then you did before.

[@apteryxdrake9959]

I used to hate it when people said "you're so strong" or that I should be thankful for my trauma because it made me strong. Mostly I hated it because it gave some kind of credit to my abusers, something I "should" thank them for. Left a bitter taste in my mouth (also f them). Now, after a decade of trauma therapy I've learnt to reframe that story. I'm not strong because of the trauma, the trauma was simply a challenge that brought out the strength in me that was already there. That reframing brings strength back into your possession and doesn't frame the traumatic events as being a good thing. You were always strong. That belongs to you.

[@samanthac.349]

I’ve been there. “You’re so strong” was so far from the truth. I felt more like I was broken and therapy slowly helped me put myself back together. The Japanese have a word for broken pottery that has been repaired with gold filling in the cracks. Go Google an image of it. That’s how I feel now: once broken and beautifully repaired. Now, I feel stronger, but this is after more than a decade of physically separating myself from the traumatic source and healing. I’m not perfect, but I feel more confident in moving forward.

[@crysthemist]

@@apteryxdrake9959you just reminded me of something! I’m analyzing the Minecraft end poem for a class rn and there’s a few lines that go: and the universe said everything you need is within you and the universe said you are stronger than you know … and the universe said the darkness you fight is within you and the universe said the light you seek is within you We don’t gain or build up strength through our trauma. This isn’t like bodybuilding. We go through challenges that allow us to look within ourselves and draw out the strength that is already there. We just don’t know it’s there yet. I have a feeling the poem also refers to the idea that we can choose to be anything. We aren’t simply a sum of our parts or the product of our experiences. We are who we choose to be. It sounds simple when put into words like that, but I don’t think most people know that Edit: you just helped me figure out a bit of my essay. Thanks!

[@carynfisher9463]

She's only catatonic during the day. She doesn't shut down because of trauma, she shuts down because she's a night spirit.

[@dx.feelgood5825]

Yep! It’s implied she might be Kaguya-hime, who was from the moon

[@macdri]

True, but there's a pretty good chance that they wrote that in as a way to represent both that and the trauma so it could be relatable.

[@SinHurr]

She also cracked the bejeebus out of her skull. Doesn't help the situation.

[@UnreasonableOpinions]

The point of narrative metaphor is that it makes the literal anchor the abstract and the abstract elevate the literal.

[@vivsevs1087]

@@SinHurr sorry but i loled

[@YBlvr]

That grandfather redemption scene had me crying so hard the first time I watched it. The moment the townspeople realized the grandfather wasn’t the monster he was anymore, their unconditional acceptance and redemption of him was so incredibly beautiful. Thank you so much for covering this movie - it’s my favourite stop-motion film, because it celebrates the best of humanity in such a touching way.

[@devinreis5811]

Were all those nice things they said about his grandfather and aunts BS? Complete, 100% BS. But it worked.

[@jules2440]

the fact that beetle man wants to know what Kubo was like before their heroic adventure just like Kubo wanted to know about his father before his adventures always brings me to tears as someone who didn’t know much about my father before he passed away

[@tatze2919]

What I didn't realize until now, in the end Kubo and his Grandfather are perfect mirror images from one another. Kubo is young, knows what he wants in the future, his left eye missing, black hair, and he has a general understanding for the world. His grandfather is old, he doesn't know what happened in his past or what he should do, his right eye is missing, white hair and next to no idea how life works. I love this movie for so much, but the fact that in the end, peace is restored not through violence and murder like the grandfather tried to do, but through family love and unity between Kubo, his grandfather and the entire village who just as well could have killed his grandfather for what he'd done.

[@genderenigma8276]

Kubo is an amazing film. Not only is the stop motion fricking perfect, but it also wrung tears out of my eyes. At least three times.

[@devinreis5811]

The acting and the score did it for me. I loved Charlize Theron and I loved Matthew McConnahey in this movie.

[@ethanhorn6093]

Paranorman and its central villain is one of the most gut-wrenching characters I'd ever seen in a children's movie. It's my favorite Laika film because it truly took me by surprise with its brutal nature, and I just want to state for the record: There are no bad Laika films. They were for me A24-ing before A24 was a thing. I am thankful every day no matter how long it takes that Laika is still around and making their masterpieces.

[@Zarsla]

I mean Laika still around the made missing link & a new one called wildwood is coming out next year, 2025.

[@twitchascension]

@@Zarsla Wildwood looks very interesting

[@ShadowJCreed]

That I can agree with Paramorman I expected to be bad from the commercials, but when I gave it a chance and I saw the story of the villain. I definitely was proven wrong. The story was more than I expected. My thoughts were just like Norman's when what happened to her was revealed "She was just a little girl and you all did this to her."

[@aspergianstoryteller6204]

Oo, let's see that one next!

[@puddlel1ama327]

my interpretation of Mother's catatonia is that she's fully fixated on what will best keep Kubo alive. here, that's preserving as much of her energy for night, when he's most in danger

[@seasonsstarsstudios]

Interesting theory. I like this interpretation!

[@katemiller4084]

As a British woman with a love for Japanese and Chinese culture, I still adore the cover this movie did of ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ by the Beatles. Classic British rock & roll with traditional Japanese instruments, who knew it would be such a good combination.

[@waterbat95]

I had no idea there was a Beatles cover in this movie. That's really cool!

[@cristyablad]

It is my favorite cover of that song too!

[@sigstatistics]

Regina Spektor for the win! Her music's wonderful.

[@natsukitatsumakiniji]

If you like blends, I highly recommend Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" with a 13-string koto, a 17-string koto, and a shakuhachi. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4a6qXukesZ1ipo&ab_channel=MJBeats　This video was what led me to start studying the koto a few years ago.

[@vivsevs1087]

@@sigstatistics A song by Regina Spektor for this movie couldn't have been a more perfect fit.

[@edo0girl2.03]

In regards to the movie being unsettling, I think a small and age appropriate dose of fear is healthy for kids. It helps them learn to deal with it in a healthy way. Not letting them be scared until they're adults leads to adults who can't deal with their fear.

[@TheInfintyithGoofball]

YEP!

[@candicraveingcloude2822]

As long as it's age appropriate it should be fine

[@j.a.shawkins7640]

I think my favorite part of the villagers telling Grandfather who he is, is it's not FOR Grandfather. It's for Kubo. A purely benevolent, loving act of kindness for this sweet child busker, whom they've watched grow, and just want him to be happy, in whatever way is possible.

[@MayFire55]

I think there is a *mostly* untapped market for children's horror films, and it's a niche that Coraline fills neatly. When I was a kid I could feel that there was something very different about Laika films, Don Bluth films, and my personal favorite The Last Unicorn. These movies scared the hell out of me but I kept watching them over and over again. I loved movies that were a little melancholy and a little frightening, and I still do. Kubo is such a beautiful example of that and I hope Laika continues making these kinds of stories.

[@faithgrins]

Oh, Alan and Jono need to do an episode on _The Last Unicorn_ so bad.

[@WalkerRileyMC]

Somewhere around the mid 90s it was universally agreed upon that kid's films couldn't be scary and I've no idea why.

[@TheInfintyithGoofball]

@@faithgrins I only know about that movie because of Gravity Falls ngl; it was scary?

[@faithgrins]

@@TheInfintyithGoofball ​ It has some moments that are a bit intense for kids, but I would also say the same for _The Princess Bride_ or _The Neverending Story,_ neither of which I would classify as "scary movies." I also wouldn't call _The Last Unicorn_ a kids' movie. It's certainly a movie that kids can watch and enjoy, but the major themes of the movie are themes I would not expect a kid to connect with. By way of example: Molly, one of the heroes of the story, is a middle-aged woman who makes her way in the world by being the maid (and implied prostitute) for a band of thugs. When she meets the unicorn, her initial reaction is rage and despair. "Why now?" she shouts, "Why not twenty years ago? Why not ten?" As a kid, I understood that that scene was sad, but I didn't know why, and none of the adults in my life were able to explain it to me in a way that made sense to me. Now that I'm much closer to Molly's age, I understand... and I would never be able to explain why to a kid. It's a fantastic movie. It's beautiful, and melancholy, and profound, and mournful, and I cannot explain it to someone who doesn't immediately understand it on viewing.

[@macdri]

​​@@faithgrinsthe test of good kids media is that, like an ogre, 'it has layers' so that can grow with a child. This fits that, as does most of my favorite media from childhood. Ever seen 'Flight of Dragons'?

[@SilverionX]

Anyone who says generational trauma isn't a thing have no idea what it means. As someone who has carried trauma from both sides of my family, both instances suck in different ways. It doesn't always have to be some extreme trauma that tears the family apart either, sometimes the constant pressure of something much less dramatic can do plenty of damage too.

[@sawanna508]

Also there are traumata that are so strong they are able to change our epigenetic. Which means those changes can even be passed on literally to the next generation. This shows how real they are.

[@Gamingbanjo]

The video was released 1 minute ago, but I’m already prepping for Alan crying Edit: I was genuinely surprised by the lack of crying

[@EikeSky]

Screw Alan, I'm prepping for ME crying.

[@PokemonDictionary]

Nah forget Allan crying I'm already crying

[@kirabowie]

I just started the video and I'm crying. 🥲😢

[@AkumaWolf13]

Yep... crying right now...

[@perevision]

A few seconds in, I join the crying club

[@abigailaceves9230]

Recommendations (if possible) - Hero psychology of Gwen Stacy: Across the Spiderverse - Character psychology of Marie: Unbelievable (8 episode miniseries) - Psychology of an antihero of Joel: HBO The Last of Us (possible Troy Baker guest star) - Nimona - Dreamworks Abominable - Psychology of a Villain: Snow from Hunger Games (both prequel & original trilogy) - As They Made Us (w/ Mayim Bialik guest star) - Psychology of a Hero; Main leads from Infinity Train - Erin Brokovish (w/ real life Erin)

[@022107]

If I may add: - Villian Psychology of Issac: Netflix Castlevania

[@TinyRoseTamer]

Hero Psychology of Yugi/Yami Yugi :YuGiOh! Character Psychology of Edward Elric: Fullmetal Alchemist Eureka Seven Trigun Recess Schools Out

[@Caterfree10]

@@TinyRoseTamer much as I want those, pretty sure they’ve said ATLA is a one off as a series due to how much more of a time commitment TV shows are compared to movies. I would do a lot for a lot of these suggestions tho (and the TLOU series too, my uh. Misgivings about Druckmann aside anyway.)

[@abigailaceves9230]

@@Caterfree10 My point exactly

[@StarlitSkvaderArt]

@@Caterfree10 Yeah I would love some of these (and Villain Therapy for Centaurworld - man I would LOVE to see Jono pick apart the Nowhere King and iterations thereof) but even a short show is a HUGE commitment - Centaurworld is short at 18 episodes, but that's still about five or six movies they could watch and make episodes about.

[@Grimmlocked]

the whole "if you treat people as if they are kind, if you treat someone as if they are good" expectations bit reminds me of the quote “Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right,” - Henry Ford just turned externally instead of internally

[@kathrynberwick6367]

It's great to see this film recognized as a masterpiece. Though it's not Laika, could you have a look at Over the Garden Wall? It's a mini-series under two hours, so it could be considered a film, but it's been hailed as a modern fairy tale, and I feel that Laika's productions are also modern fairy tales.

[@Suspicious_Kazoo_Noises]

Over the Garden wall is so good for analysis!!!

[@emmagaroutte9211]

Yes it is!!! …I think it’s very much worth analyzing Wirt and Greg: one who overthinks everything to the point of avoiding responsibility, and the other so full of hope and optimism, he doesn’t fully grasp the terrors of their situations. And overall, it’s got a gothic, 1930s feel to it that I wish more cartoons today were brave enough to incorporate into their worldbuilding.

[@hiitsnicetomeetyou]

I love how mesmerized Alan and Jono are by this film. Every time a clip comes on, they seem to both settle on "Commentary can wait" as they just sit and watch. It's like an accidental demonstration of Laika's storytelling abilities that make you unable to take your focus even from an isolated clip, lol.

[@vivsevs1087]

The artistry in their animation is just that good! I'm the same way with this film despite seeing it many times. I just sit there amazed at how they were able to figure out timing for every little movement whether in the hair swaying in the wind or a background character ambling about. Incredible.

[@anabellecoetzer442]

"This is the right way, and if you dont do it this way, it will cause you more pain in the long run" That is too real growing up in a house where I was told I was sensitive and that they had to toughen me up for the "real world." The funny thing is the "real world" Never seemed half as cruel and the moment I left I realized that people who grew up with a family they could get support and love from when the world got too much seemed to be more well adapted to deal with the world than I ever was.

[@TheInfintyithGoofball]

I'm so sorry you ever went through that. I hope those people learn their lesson someday, and I hope you're doing better now.

[@anabellecoetzer442]

@TheInfintyithGoofball I appreciate your kindness. It's been a really long time, and I guess in a way they might have since I decided to go no contact for other reasons. It's just weird that sometimes things come up, and you don't even realize that was part of your trauma because there was so much more you dealt with at the time. I'm sure I still need a lot of therapy, but I've at least managed to build a safe life for myself where I can process and grow beyond my past

[@stormqueen29]

Just like Frollo tells Quasimodo: "The wrold is cruel, the world is wicked, it's only me who loves you and cares for you." When in reality, it's Frollo who is the cruel, wicked and heartless one.

[@vivsevs1087]

@@anabellecoetzer442 I really feel your words. I decided to be estranged from my mom but it's a weird dynamic as my parents aren't divorced. I'm just proud of how I came out to be despite coming from a childhood with her. I am proud of you for building your own world and sense of self.

[@SonofS1lence]

This movie has some of the most beautiful stop motion ever put to film, with a beautiful story to boot

[@pwojo9776]

I love how the conflict is resolved by the end with gaslighting grandpa who has dementia into being a good person.

[@santos8468]

I have mixed feelings about that. It's certainly a unique way to take care of the villain, but he still did brainwash an old man and got everyone to go along with it, which is usually shown as a moral no-no in most things.

[@StarlitSkvaderArt]

@@santos8468 Yeah, definite mixed feelings about that. The whole 'he's evil because he's blind and therefore can't see the humanity of other people, so he's good once he has vision (and Kubo would become cold and evil if he were blind)' is a little... unfortunate... too. Still, the overall story and artistry are well done....

[@redwitch12]

@@StarlitSkvaderArt I always keep in mind that this story runs on fairy-tale logic, and that there's heavy symbolism built into it. I interpret the Moon King's situation as being "blind" to mortal perspectives, but that he has actual sight which comes through the moon itself...and that makes his detachment very logical: from such a distant, aloof point of view, how could he possibly empathize with tiny, insignificant things as humans? How could he understand the goodness of mortals and their world when he's so far away that they're little more than ants to him? His defeat, and having Kubo's eye, seems to make him become mortal as well, literally now seeing humans from a human point of view.

[@StarlitSkvaderArt]

@@redwitch12 That would work - except we are told in story that if Kubo becomes blind, it no longer matters what a good and compassionate person he's always been. He will become like the Moon King. It's absolutely a case of Blind = Evil in the text. The vilification of the disabled has been a trope as long as stories have existed, and it's present here. Does it mean it's a bad movie and we should throw the whole thing out? Of course not! It's a beautiful story, beautifully made and told! But the flaw is there all the same.

[@redwitch12]

He literally asks for it, in a way, if you run on fairy-tale logic: "I'm sorry, young man, but I seem to have forgotten my story. Can you help me?" The story they're giving him is one of being a good and kind person who loves and is loved by those around him, rather than a cold, cruel, detached god who perceives humanity as nothing but insignificant, filthy insects and even has no remorse for harming his own daughter when she refuses to obey him, turning his daughter's beloved into an actual insect, and mutilating his grandson. To repay evil with good is something that isn't easy for anyone to do, and it says something about Kubo (whose parents were murdered by this unfeeling being) and the villagers (who have been terrorized and had their poor little village trashed) that they would step forward to give him such a positive story. Mind you, it obviously IS meant to make the viewer really think, if they go deeper than the "fairy tale" and "conceptual entity" level, which is pretty darn good storytelling.

[@jamisonburton7598]

Movie Suggestion: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. There are so many relationships you can investigate, like Edmund betraying his family, or Peter and Susan with their younger siblings. Or even a villain deep dive with Jadice, the White Witch! I think it would be fun

[@jaredt.murphy8257]

This movie does emotions. I don't even have the words for it. The scene when he strikes the strings in the graveyard, it makes tears roll from my eyes on command. The grief of losing loved ones who aren't even dead is a sinister pain.

[@beckamstoner6555]

I LOVE THIS MOVIE, I FEEL LIKE NO ONE’S EVEN HEARD OF IT

[@beckamstoner6555]

Also I know this is a show and not a movie but I think that Charlie coxs daredevil and Vincent d’onofrios wilson Fisk are interesting enough to be covered

[@JoseLopez-us7zo]

I went to watch this movie in theaters

[@ultimatebishoujo29]

Same

[@msk-qp6fn]

At the end, if there is one lie that is not truly a lie is that the old man adored his grandchild. It takes time to sink in, but however uncomfortable it is, it rings true that he did not do what he did to Kubo out of hate towards the kid. In his limited detached godlike manner it was out of affection. (Edit) interesting thing, another thing that may not be a lie either, the moon god teaching people to swim with the whole tides of the sea being affected by the moon

[@Ari-zh1qz]

I really like that interpretation, the grandfather actively seeking to obtain Kubo's eye thus blinding him to block his way of any emotion which had made his daughter weak depicts his emotional affection towards his grandson, in a way to protect him from it!

[@rccc5806]

Why wouldn't be this recommended for children? It is highly educational, like so few of the modern entertainment is. It's a coming of age story that also combines the journey for the discovery of the self. I would definitely raise my children with this.

[@mangantasy289]

About story telling, besides agreeing with you on how powerful (and how fundamentally human and long-lasting) it is, I just had to mention Salman Rushdie's "Haroun and the sea of stories". I can't put words on how much I love his depiction of the "Sea of stories", with all the tales swirling around, mixing, splitting melting etc. One of my personal all-time metaphors I've come accross in all the movies and literature, or art frankly, I have consumed so far in my 37 years of life. Sorry if I digressed, but I thought it had earned a a little praise at the end of this movie reaction.

[@BatAmerica]

I appreciate that comment about treating your enemies with compassion. In many ways, it reminds me of Germany's treatment after World War I. The countries involved, such as England and France, were so focused on punishing Germany for its actions during World War I that Germans relied on the cruelty of its authoritarian regime during the Axis powers. While we should hold one another accountable, how can they expect their ruthlessness to die off if we are as cruel as the monsters we fight?

[@TheInfintyithGoofball]

YES! THIS! I'd highly recommend learning about the treaty of Versie to anyone who knows about Hitler, after learning about that and what it did to Germany's economy people should read Hitler's speech about the treaty of Versei, it's likely the only thing I'll ever agree with Hitler on and the same goes for any sane person who reads that knowing what he was talking about.

[@andrewflindall9048]

Yet after they were thrashed to an unconditional surrender in Round 2, they behaved much better and didn't kick off again (well, so far). Doesn't that suggest that the Armistice 'draw' and the Treaty of Versailles let them off far too easily, allowing them play the victim and deny any responsibility?

[@BatAmerica]

@@andrewflindall9048 Unlike World War I, there was a German resistance to the Axis regime. So even during wartime, other Germans didn't agree with the atrocities of that leadership.

[@macdri]

​​@@andrewflindall9048no, it suggests that the German people were so horrified when it was fully revealed all that the Nazis were guilty of that they didn't want to repeat those mistakes. There is a reason why Germany has some of the harshest punishments in the world on even racist speech; no such thing as general 'free speech'. There is no way that the first treaty could ever be confused with being too lenient.

[@BatAmerica]

@@andrewflindall9048 Unlike World War I, there was a series of German resistances that actively fought against his Regime before and during World War II. As a result, it illustrated how it was fear that kept The Axis Powers strong not patriotism.

[@kingofcatsan4551]

the whole "lying to grandpa" thing reminds me of: "Your name is toot-toot McBumersnazzle! You're a traveling banjo minstrel!"

[@kimeraclan3135]

From a technical level, this movie is a great example of blending old and new story techniques together. On the one hand it's a fairy tale, from the mechaniques of the world building and the soft magic system. And on the other hand, it uses so much dry wit and deep character moments. In one part of the story Kubo uses his magic to build a barge over the massive Long Lake, very much old school fairy tail logic. And that's followed up with funny one-liners and sympathetic reactions from Monkey and Beetle while on the barge, very much modern acting.

[@MeribelNova]

This film is one of the main reasons I decided to pursue an animation degree. It is SO UNBELIEVABLY underrated, and I'm beyond thrilled to see you do a video on it!!

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

That's so cool!

[@MeribelNova]

@@CinemaTherapyShow Actually, adding to that: YOU guys are part of the reason I'm about to add psychology as a second major. So if you see this, thank you! Thank you for tying two of my passions together.

[@mika4900]

It’s midnight here in Japan and I was just gonna sleep, why are you guys dropping this awesome video and makin’ me cryyyy

[@lightstar6301]

I love this film too much and this hits too close to home when monkey says “He doesn’t hate, he wants you to be like him”. Family is such a hard thing for me to see in a positive light. Also I love your videos Cinema Therapy ❤

[@VTimmoni]

Storytelling is the most fundamentally human of things. It is the heart of what we are and what makes us human.😊

[@TheInfintyithGoofball]

and that's why AI shouldn't replace it!

[@VTimmoni]

@@TheInfintyithGoofball I absolutely agree with you.

[@andrasbiro3007]

@@TheInfintyithGoofball AI won't replace anything we like to do. We choose to offload work we don't want to do or pay for. Computers beat the human world champion in chess almost 30 years ago, yet people still play chess, and there are even tournaments. In fact, more are playing chess now, because AI helps learning it.

[@kramermariav]

As Ursula K LeGuin said, there are cultures that never invented the wheel, but no cultures are without stories

[@hobbytan]

So great to see you covering my favourite Laika movie. Kubo is not only an amazing story and a technical marvel, but it's also a really interesting expansion to one of the world's oldest folktales (it's implied by her backstory that Kubo's mum is actually Kaguya-hime from the Tale of The Bamboo Cutter) and that is just really neat to me - a perfect encapsulation of what Kubo stands for as a character, as the movie takes a tale with an arguably very tragic ending and turns it into something filled with hope, love, kindness and compassion.

[@Artemisiathefirst]

New minor obsession unlocked: Japanese folk tales. Thanks for something to keep me occupied for the next while!

[@hobbytan]

@@Artemisiathefirst​​⁠you’re most welcome :D Japanese folklore is fascinating and you can see its influence in so much modern media. Lots of fun things to discover! :D

[@lerneanlion]

I have only seen Kubo and The Two Strings once and while I like the movie in general, it wasn't what I looking for back then and I was also focusing on my study in the university at the time. But by watching it once again for the first time in this video, I found what I had been searching for for four years. The depiction of "it's not my fault but it's still my responsibility" in cultural media. By looking at this from certain point of view of Kubo, he didn't do anything wrong but yet, here he is in a mess of a life without a father and a mother with not-so-well mental state who also is gravely injured protecting him when he was just a baby while also being hunted down by those from his mother's family. But instead of becoming resentful sociopath who sees no values in life, Kubo decided to take responsibility of his own life by taking control of himself and obey his mother's orders even although what happened were never his fault to begin with. And he accomplished this by realizing that while what happened was not his fault, he also realized that he is the one who can make a choice where to go from there. And he chose to take care of his mother and be a good son to her instead of becoming a sociopath with desire for revenge like many that I've seen in other series and movies. And no, the best revenge is success is too straight to the matter because the how is completely absent. And without it, only the final destination is shown but not the way to get there. It's basically like telling someone to meet you at a certain location without telling them how to get there. P.S: I mean it when I said most movies and series portrayed antagonists as they have no other choices but to become who they are while they actually can as long as they realized that they have powers to make their own choices.

[@NobodyC13]

When this movie came out, it was right after my own mother had an accident by falling and breaking both her ankles. When we saw it, it was when we she was finally released after nearly two months stay at the hospital and rehab center, and even then she was in a wheel chair. Those moments of Kubo caring for his mother were uncomfortably close to home for me as I was the son who had to prepare the meals, help her get inside the house, do the chores, and drive her to work.

[@E_D___]

It is criminal that I didnt know this movie existed till now

[@heavycritic9554]

Brilliant movie! Laika just keep knocking it out of the park. They may not draw huge crowds, but their movies are wonderful.

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

They deserve more love and appreciation!

[@heavycritic9554]

​@@CinemaTherapyShowAbsolutely!

[@youngmaster7405]

Tiny nitpick, Kubos mother isn’t catatonic from any medical issue, she becomes active at night since she is a moon deity. It makes her almost vegetative and only able to do the bare minimum during the day. Her brain damage caused her memory loss

[@ausnetting]

If you believe punishment is to change behavior, then there is no reason to punish the Moon god. If you don’t remember your previous behavior or the reason for it, punishment serves no purpose except vengeance for the victims.

[@justthinkingoutloud2538]

16:40 I have always disliked labeling people as "good people" and "bad people". I do certainly believe in objective morality, but there is good and bad in everyone, and we ought to see the good that is in everyone.

[@chilling_koala]

Statements like that are dangerous. There is good and bad in everyone, but there are people who have objectively more bad in them, and noone is required to shy away from calling them what they are: bad people. People are not required to search for goodness in abusers or criminals

[@TheParadoxGamer1]

⁠@@chilling_koalaThis rhetoric is ALSO dangerous tho! If you apply a blanket statement to an entire classification of ‘person’, like criminals as you provided as an example, it simply makes it so that they as people can have their rights stripped from them even if they’re actually innocent. And thats a slippery slope that MANY have used to justify horrific things.

[@quilzs]

I’m so happy this movie is getting talked about again

[@victoriaeads6126]

I love the origami aspect of this movie. I'm an origami enthusiast, and I could tell that they worked with some people to get it looking and feeling right stylistically. There are traditional and more modern styles of origami, and they choose a style that works beautifully for the story. Then you add in the fantastic animation and a story that really pulls at your heart, and I was hooked.

[@directorforplastic7929]

My favorite Laika movie! So happy you guys are finally covering it

[@ayabeth5176]

I was talking to my daughter how I miss my friend that unfortunately died from a heat stroke a long time ago. My daughter is named after her because she stayed a friend to me when I needed it the most and I want her to become like her. My daughter knows this and is proud of her name. Then my daughter says "But her spirit lives in you." which broke me because it was so beautiful and unexpected. I haven't even seen this movie and the lantern scene brought me to tears and reminded me what she said, so thank you cinema therapy for reminding me how life is beautiful even after death of a loved one.

[@0OB08O]

I love how in the end they made Kubo's grandfather believe he's a good person. It made me reflect how we need to believe we're capable of good. Not that we should live a lie, but to recognize we're capable of good is imporant.

[@a_bit_n00bish]

I remember LOVING KUBO and the two strings when it came out. I was enchanted by the stylized mixed animation, and I think part of that experience is what made me want to become a part of the film industry! Awesome job CT!!

[@pockypimp]

I got to see the Laika exhibit for Kubo and the Two Strings and it was amazing. All the models and they had the town set all connected like they were setting up for a pan shot down the middle of the street. Best of all, no glass. You could get right up close and see every little detail, the little holes in the paper they ran string through, the different faces. It was amazing.

[@Time_Traveling_Corgi]

To my children: This is the best example of why we had to leave. Severing the connection killed me in so many ways, but keeping you safe and thriving was more important.

[@ohkaygoplay]

I had stopped sharing my stories online, because all I was seeing was the view count go up one or two hits, and hearing nothing back at all about them from anyone. No recognition, no acknowledgement, no interaction, nothing. I need to remember that those one or two people who consume and remain silent might be gaining something good. But please, PLEASE, if you're enjoying the stories someone is telling, PLEASE tell them. Let them know. Seeing how our stories affect people is such a strong energy transfer to keep us going when we feel used and ignored.

[@Emarella]

It never hurts to have a little kindness offered, whether it be from a loved one or a stranger. 💜 What a beautiful sentiment, and thank you for sharing it.

[@kyothinks]

I can really relate to being afraid of things because they happened to my ancestors. There are so many things about the world I didn't know as I became an adult, because none of the adults in my family taught me, because THEY didn't know, because no one had taught THEM. My great-grandparents saw two world wars and raised my grandparents to fear anyone who was not like them, and to stay close to home and among their own kind of people (white, Christian, rural). As I grew older and read more widely and began to question what the world was really like beyond our little town, and then as I became old enough to travel, I realized that the people I had been raised to fear and avoid were just...people. Like me, like my family. That they wanted the same things for their families as I want for mine. And it turns out that they're not scary at all, actually, and now I think it's a shame that none of the adults who surrounded me as a child ever got to break out of that mindset and experience more of the world.

[@moonyollie6977]

I am SO HAPPY to see you get to the less well known (I mean apart from Caroline) of studio Laika's works, because they are SO GOOD! Please please du Paranorman for Spooky season too! Also you should DEFINITELY do Tthe Irish Folklore Trilogy: Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea and Wolfwalkers! ALSO PLEASE DO NIMONA!!!!

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

We plan, shoot, and edit our episodes far in advance so maybe for next spooky season. Nimona is coming in a couple months!

[@acrankymushroom]

The thing stringed guitar is actually a Japanese instrument called a Shamisen. It has an absolutely beautiful sound that anyone can appreciate

[@ultimatebishoujo29]

I love the Shamisen sounds

[@gemapix]

I’ve been curating a list of films for my son to watch when he’s old enough. This is on there along with ‘The Secret of Kells’, ‘Spirited Away’ and the extended Lord of the Rings movies.

[@wrestlingwithlife7297]

Attempt #(13) of asking for Spirit : Stallion of the Cimarron!! Was my absolute childhood movie growing up and the filmmaking is so beautiful with amazing scores and concepts of loss and staying true to once nature even in the face of adversity!

[@theaceguitarist]

Hello, I am literally hunting through all the comment sections to find all of these attempts. Because you’re right and you should say it.

[@arcticpossi_schw1siantuntija42]

that movie is uniquely amazing. It was really really scary, it had exquisitely detailed stop motion animation, and literally magical storytelling on more levels than one

[@joshuadtaft]

I absolutely love this movie. And this show. Fantastic job again, guys. Something that came to mind about parentification was that Kubo’s mother was very open with Kubo and didn’t seem to shut down or hide her traumas from him which is why they still had a strong connection and Kubo was able to persevere through those difficult times with her. Going back to neglect, sometimes the trauma in similar situations may not be from parents being neglectful, but not being able to be open about there own story and traumas which robs them of connection and leaves the child to feel neglected. Overall, I feel like this movie is a good example of connectedness.

[@EvGbs0110]

The first couple of sentences in the intro from Johnathan about keeping our loved ones memories alive through us immediately made me cry. My grandmother passed last Sunday and I have been so overwhelmed with grief plus my depression pushing thoughts into my mind I don’t know if I can make it through to the next day. But these videos bring me so much peace and comfort.

[@milo_thatch_incarnate]

Oooooh this is the PERFECT time for this episode!! I finally watched Kubo for the first time just last week! I've love LAIKA for years, Coraline is literally my favorite comfort movie and I put it on _regularly_ for the rainy whimsical atmosphere... but I had just managed to miss out on Kubo! I'm so glad I watched it. The FIRST SCENE where he takes care of his mother literally brought tears to my eyes. And now I get to have the Internet Dads talk about it, as a cherry on top! 😍😍

[@Mella864]

omg I adore everything that Laika studio makes thank you for taking the time to look into their works. Highly recommend Paranorman (it's so funny and also handles bullying in such a unique way), and The Box Trolls is just generally a fantastic story, funny, lightly touches on classism and also cheese (it'll make sense when you watch it)

[@blahblahblah02]

I was just talking about this movie yesterday! Such a beautiful piece. The grinch comes to mind with this movie. He was raised to be the monster, so he became one. But when one little girl saw him as not a monster, he changed. People will become the monster you wish them to be, but it takes more strength and courage to be kind and forgiving in the face of anger and hatred.

[@Donovan00]

This is by far my favorite movie ever. The animation, story, cast, and cinematography is all so incredible! I'm so glad Cinema Therapy exists.

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

It's a great movie! Thanks for watching. :)

[@ariachermansky7836]

LOVE LOVE LOVEEEEE How Kubo's idea of who his father was is represented by the origami Hanzo that follows them throughout the journey and is eventually replaced by "Beetle," the actual person he was flawed and all. Truly beautiful

[@SarahAbramova]

I remember this movie! Loved it!

[@Lolo_Sketches]

Kubo is an absolute gem and there's so many interesting things about this super underrated Laika film!

[@nefylia4037]

I LOVED this film when i was younger. I've always loved stop-motion and claymation and to see it done with such beautiful scenes (and all the origami) its amazing. I also remember the scene where the evil aunts witches confeont him all spooky like giving me nightmares. But the biggest thing for me that I always found so intersting is how when the evil Grandfather is defeated and he loses his memories, they dont say "you are evil and a monster and need to pay for your crimes" they say "you are a sweet old man" giving this amazing mercy to himand a second chance

[@ZenGaijin]

Man, I watched this movie after losing my Father.....tears

[@KiraAotsuki]

I LOVE this movie. But theres always been a part of it where ive struggled putting into words why. This helped a lot. So glad you guys covered this gem

[@chocolatesugar-lovage9678]

Thank you for covering this beautiful film! 😭👏

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Our pleasure!

[@SKSaooo]

I remember a couple of years ago, during a fever episode I had a very rough time getting asleep so I ended up spending most of the night mentally writing an essay about how Kubo and the Two Strings is essentially a movie about learning how to live with grief by sharing and safeguarding memory and how, even taking away part of the mythology behind it, having Granpa and the mum's sisters in the way still upheld the story's motif. So you guys doing this video brings me so much joy! Still, I wish I'd written that paper :')

[@isaackelly9445]

Honestly I would love to see a Cinema Therapy episode on Galaxy Quest!

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Good news: check back in about a week! :)

[@kramermariav]

​@@CinemaTherapyShowahhhh! That's great news!

[@Deathope1887]

This movie always makes me cry at least once no matter how many times I've seen it. The absolute love that was put into this is palpable, the voice acting, the music, the story, the stop-motion and the CGI is all top tier. My nephew was scared of the Grandfathers monster form so I showed him behind the scenes of how they did it all and now hes fascinated and loves to rewatch it with me too!

[@zetasyanthis]

This movie broke me in half. It's everything I ever wanted and never had.

[@SusanTheBee]

I just lost my mother at 29. And everything you're saying about dealing with parents who can only do so much is so impactful. You really become accustomed to what you get from them and accept what you can't as just "not today".

[@ScienceKinng]

I was having a really bad day before watching this video. I'm so glad you guys have this channel because it really is something that lifts my spirits when I'm down. Keep up the great work!

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

We hope your day gets better and better!

[@riluna3695]

That bit with all the villagers just straight-up lying to Grandpa at the end is intriguing. It's not the first time I've seen a story that seems to give "lying is okay as long as it makes people treat each other better" as the primary lesson. Avatar's "The Great Divide" did the same thing, where the two warring tribes were feuding because of something that happened 100 years in the past. Aang's solution is just to make up some bull about how the two from the story actually respected each other despite their differences, and how that means that the people of the present should totally do the same. He straight-up admits to making the whole thing up to Katara and Sokka afterwards, and he looks _so proud of this._ I've always wondered what message the writers were trying to convey, and if they'd approve of "yeah sure, lie to make the world a happier place, let's teach that to the kids". Really gets you thinking about the deeper shades of morality, and what's truly worth pursuing in this life.... But as a fun aside, one of my favorite details of that scene is that there's one part of Aang's story that no one should believe for a _second..._ and yet it's the only part that's actually true. "I may not look it, but I'm 112 years old."

[@perevision]

Goddammit just seeing those broken pieces made me burst into tears again. Thanks for making this video.

[@lyndsayhawkins8747]

I actually took a break from watching this video to see the film and it is phenomenal; I can’t believe it took me this long to watch it. Thanks Jono and Alan!

[@peluso4oso]

I'm so happy you did this movie! I've been wanting you to do it for a long time. It's one of my favorites and got me through some difficult times. This film deserved more love. I say that with a tear in my eye.

[@GoyouKun]

You don’t understand how badly I screamed. I LOVE THIS MOVIE TO THE DEPTHS OF MY HEART

[@ericthompson3982]

This is one of my favorite movies of all time, and is hands down my favorite Matthew McConaughy role. I saw it in the theater with my kiddo right after my ex and I divorced, and we both cried.

[@m3rrys0ngstr3ss]

God I adored this movie! Jon, I appreciate you making the distinction about situations of neglect/abuse vs. a parent struggling with trauma or mental illness - especially because when Sariatu *is* awake, and even more so when her mind becomes more clear as Monkey, she is ON IT.

[@trinathebookworm8977]

Usually, i watch the video, and if the movie is interesting, i might go and watch it. This time, i had to watch the movie before finishing the video. It was so good. And your analysis just made it better. Also, it's nice to see a movie where people choose kindness in spite of everything that happened.

[@jessicawills6949]

This is one of my favourite films, ever. We had bought it so many times in DVD and then lend it to friends and never get it back because it is that good!

[@FluffyTowels12]

Surprised you folks haven’t done an episode on The Holdovers yet

[@Garibaldicoyr]

Yeah, like this comment so it’s top of the list

[@yeti9961]

BRO I LOVE KUBO ITS SO UNDERRATED!!! THX FOR COVERING IT AAAA 😭😭 I remember when there were still advertisements on tv for it before it came out, when I still had cable instead of streaming. I think I saw it in theaters, but I always wondered why not more people talk about it because I think it’s a great movie! So much love effort and care went into creating it and it’s such a beautiful movie with a good message!

[@padfootthemarauder5420]

Favorite animated movie of all time!

[@Deyinel]

This is such a beautiful movie. I love it so much. I actually never thought that Kubo would continue to lie to his grandfather at the end. When the villagers say Kubo can tell him his story, I figured that what Kubo did was tell his grandfather the story we just watched, so that he was able to see it from Kubo's perspective, and understand it through human eyes, so that he learns what he was that way. Kubo telling us the story from the beginning of the movie is him telling this story to his grandfather at the end. At least, that was my interpretation.

[@022107]

5:58 It's a shamisen, not a guitar.

[@ultimatebishoujo29]

Yep

[@Ummmmmm-yes]

Another great video from Frodo Baggins and Captain Phoebus! So umm…could we get a reaction to the Diary of a Wimpy Kid films (LA ofc)?…Because if anyone needs therapy, it’s Greg Heffley XD

[@imsomehowstillalive]

I love this movie so much thank you for doing this ❤

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Our pleasure!

[@ryanjcraft]

The moment the two sisters came out saying "kubo" literally gave me chills and frightened me a lot as a kid lol at 11:30

[@FlamingGiant575]

Gandalf Sighting! 14:54

[@prenimystic]

This is an underrated GEM Thank you for covering it!! ❤