Kubo

appearance

Physical characteristics and abilities – Age: Around 12 years old, although his emotional maturity is remarkable for his age. – Appearance: Thin build, with straight black hair that is often worn loose and untidy. He only has one visible eye (his grandfather, the Moon King, stole the other when he was a baby). His clothing is simple, appropriate for a child from an ancient Japanese village. – Magical Ability: Kubo possesses a power inherited from his celestial and earthly lineage. Using his shamisen (stringed instrument), he can manipulate and bring to life paper and origami, creating figures that move and act out stories. This ability is not only artistic, but also powerful in combat and protection.

personality

Mindful Bravery: Kubo isn't reckless, but when the situation demands it (such as when he faces his aunts or the Moon King), he faces danger knowing what's at stake. His bravery is born out of love and the need to protect those he cares about, not a desire for adventure for its own sake. – Empathy and compassion: From the beginning, he shows deep affection for his sick and deteriorating mother, caring for her with patience and tenderness. Later, he extends this compassion to his companions—Monkey and Beetle—value their help and companionship, and to his own grandfather at the end, offering him forgiveness instead of revenge. – Imagination and Creativity: Kubo is a born storyteller. At the beginning of the film, he entertains the villagers with epic tales using animated origami figures that he creates and controls with his music. His creativity is not only artistic but also strategic, as he uses his skill to solve problems or overcome obstacles during his adventure. – Curiosity and search for identity: Throughout the film, Kubo is drawn to his father's stories and his own past, which drives him to discover the truth about his lineage. His curiosity leads him to constantly question his place in the world, which becomes a journey of self-discovery. – Emotional resilience: Despite losing his mother and facing the threat of his heavenly family, Kubo never lets sadness or despair consume him. He learns to accept pain as part of his story, transforming it into strength and wisdom. In the end, instead of seeking revenge against his grandfather, he chooses to honor his parents' memory and forge his own path. – Responsibility and Maturity: Kubo carries many responsibilities from a young age—caring for his mother, defending himself from magical threats, and seeking to save himself and his community—which allows him to mature quickly. Although he displays moments of vulnerability, he always gets back up.

time

inspired by feudal Japan

Kubo's aunts

Kubo's aunts (Daughters of the Moon King, sisters of Kubo's mother) Physical characteristics: – Identical twins, always dressed in black kimonos – They wear expressionless white masks, which gives them a disturbing appearance. – They float and move quickly, almost spectrally – They wield magical weapons (chains and naginatas) Personality: – Cold and ruthless: They show no empathy, they follow the Moon King's orders without question – Relentless: They pursue Kubo with the intention of taking out his eye without remorse – Fanatics: They firmly believe in their father's (the Moon King) vision that humans are weak and that Kubo must be taken to the celestial world, stripped of his humanity. – Sadistic: They enjoy sowing fear and destruction – No visible emotions: Their way of speaking and moving is distant and mechanical, although one of the two shows a slight arrogance (more talkative than the other)

Moon King

Moon King (Kubo's grandfather) Physical characteristics: – Elderly but powerful appearance – In his human form: a stern-looking old man – In his celestial form: a luminous, ethereal being, with an aura of greatness – Represents the moon, immortality and detachment from the earthly world Personality: – Arrogant and manipulative: He believes that human emotions are a weakness and that Kubo must join him in the celestial realm to become perfect. – Cold and distant: He shows no genuine love for his grandson; he sees him as a project to be corrected. – Powerful and dominant: He controls his daughters and commands great magical forces – Blinded by his ideology: His contempt for humanity leads him to commit cruel acts, such as gouging out Kubo's eye as a baby. – Vulnerable in the end: When Kubo defeats him without violence, he is left confused and without memory, which shows that his power was not invincible.

Kubo's father

Hanzo (Kubo's father) Physical characteristics: – Strong and agile samurai warrior – Later, it is revealed that his spirit was reincarnated as Beetle – As Beetle, he is a man with insect characteristics (beetle armor, with human personality) Personality: – Brave and noble: He was a respected warrior who fought against the Moon King to protect his family – Fun and optimistic: Like Beetle, he is clumsy but cheerful, loyal to Kubo and always trying to cheer up the group – Loyal and loving: He genuinely falls in love with Sariatu and forms a family with her, defying heavenly rules – Protective Hero: Sacrifices himself in life to defend Kubo and Sariatu – Warm father figure: His relationship with Kubo as Beetle is close, even before they know they are father and son

Kubo's mother

seriatu (kubo's mother) Physical characteristics: – At first, an exhausted woman, with a lost look, due to her weakened mind – Beautiful and strong in her youth (shown in flashbacks) – Later, he takes the form of Monkey (when his spirit is embodied in the figure of the monkey) Personality: – Protective and loving: The most important thing for her is Kubo's safety – Brave and rebellious: She falls in love with a human (Hanzo) and runs away from her celestial family, defying the Moon King – Wise and strategic: As Monkey, she guides and protects Kubo during his journey with firmness and knowledge – Affectionate but strict: As a Monkey, she is more severe than in her human form, but her toughness is born of love. – Sacrificed: She gives her life several times to save Kubo (first when she sends him away, then when she protects him from the aunts)

events

Kubo is a boy who lives alone with his ailing mother in a small village. His father, a brave samurai named Hanzo, died defending the family. Kubo has the magical power to manipulate paper using the music of his shamisen and tells stories to the villagers. His mother warns him never to stay out of the house after dark, because his grandfather (the Moon King) and his aunts, celestial beings, are looking for him to steal his other eye. One day, he accidentally breaks that rule and is attacked by his aunts. His mother sacrifices her life to save him, sending him away and giving him a warning: he must find his father's magical armor to protect himself. Kubo embarks on an adventure accompanied by a monkey (Monkey), who turns out to be the spirit of his mother, and a beetle warrior (Beetle), who later reveals himself to be his father Hanzo in transformation. Together they search for the armor: – The impenetrable height, – The invulnerable helmet, – The unbreakable sword. Along the way, Kubo faces dangers, loses his companions when they are attacked by his aunts, and finally confronts his grandfather, the Moon King. Rather than seek revenge, Kubo chooses to forgive him and, using the power of memory and compassion, defeats the darkness. In the end, Kubo honors his deceased parents and accepts his past, finding peace in his identity and in the stories that connect him to them.