Watch The Deer King

The Deer King is a Japanese fantasy drama film directed by Masashi Ando and Masayuki Miyaji. The movie follows the story of a young boy named Ash, who lives in a remote village nestled in the mountains surrounded by a dense forest. Ash is fascinated with the forest and its creatures and spends most of his days exploring it. The village has a legend of a "Deer King" who is said to be a great and all-powerful god of the forest. However, nobody in the village has seen or heard of the Deer King for many years. One day, while exploring the forest, Ash stumbles upon a wounded deer that he takes back to his village.

As Ash cares for the deer, he realizes that it possesses magical powers and may be the legendary Deer King. The boy is determined to help the animal and bring it back to full health so it can be returned to the forest where it belongs. However, as Ash tries to help the Deer King, he discovers that there are sinister forces at play in the forest, with hunters and other creatures pursuing the Deer King for their own dark purposes.

With the fate of the Deer King and the forest hanging in the balance, Ash embarks on a dangerous journey to protect the magical creature and save the forest. Along the way, he meets a young girl named Shiki, who has her own connection to the forest and the Deer King. Together, they set out on a quest to uncover the secrets of the forest and keep the Deer King safe.

The Deer King is a visually stunning film that merges elements of Japanese folklore and fantasy with a modern storytelling approach. The film's world is beautifully realized, with intricate and lush backgrounds that transport the viewer into the heart of the forest. The magical elements are also well executed, with special effects that blend seamlessly with the live-action footage.

The actors give strong performances, with Shin'ichi Tsutsumi as Ash's father and Anne Watanabe as the mysterious forest spirit being particular standouts. Ryoma Takeuchi plays Ash with a sense of wonder and curiosity that makes the character appealing and empathetic. His journey throughout the movie is a classic hero's journey, with Ash growing and maturing as he faces challenges and discovers hidden depths within himself.

Overall, The Deer King is a captivating and enchanting movie that is sure to appeal to fans of fantasy and Japanese folklore. Its mix of adventure, magic, and wonder makes it an appealing choice for families or anyone looking for a positive and heartwarming movie experience. The Deer King is a must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of modern filmmaking and ancient legends.

The Deer King is a 2022 animated movie with a runtime of 2 hours. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 58.