Kubo and the Two Strings

A young woman adorned with a beetle-emblem pack begins her journey across turbulent seas in a small boat. She demonstrates her magical abilities by playing her shamisen to part a massive wave, showcasing her connection to the mystical.

Just as the woman spots land, a rogue wave suddenly capsizes her vessel, throwing her into the water. After striking her head on a submerged rock, she washes ashore, where she awakens to a cry from her pack.

A decade later, Kubo and his mother, Sariatu, find themselves living in a cave where they washed ashore. Kubo, bearing a patch over his missing left eye, takes care of his mother, who remains in a semi-conscious state due to her injury.

Kubo delights the villagers with stories of his heroic father, Hanzo, who embarked on epic quests against the Moon King. Using charming origami, Kubo brings Hanzo's tales to life, yet must hurry home at the sound of the village bell.

That evening, Sariatu shares more about Hanzo's bravery and sacrifices to keep Kubo safe from the Moon King, his grandfather. She emphasizes the importance of staying close and not wandering into the dark.

During the Bon Festival, Kubo hopes to reach out to Hanzo by lighting a lantern but feels disheartened when he receives no response. Angered, he crushes his paper lantern, unaware of the danger lurking nearby.

As night falls, Sariatu's twin sisters emerge from the mist, seemingly intent on claiming Kubo. In a dramatic turn, his mother uses her magic to shield him, but in the process, she sacrifices herself.

After waking in a desolate land, Kubo meets a macaque monkey that reveals the tragic news of his mother’s departure. This monkey, embodying his mother’s magic, encourages Kubo to find safety from the Sisters.

Kubo and the Monkey venture to find Hanzo's magical armor, learning that it is their only hope against the Moon King. They hide in a whale carcass, eating stew and forging a bond between them.

Kubo and Monkey encounter Beetle, who has amnesia but believes he was Hanzo's apprentice. They agree to team up, and Beetle commits to protecting Kubo as they continue their quest.

At the Hall of Bones, Kubo and his allies face a formidable skeleton guarding Hanzo's Unbreakable Sword. Kubo realizes he is the only one capable of retrieving it, demonstrating his courage.

During their journey, Kubo is drawn into the Garden of Eyes while searching for the Impenetrable Breastplate. In a tense moment, Monkey battles one of Sariatu's sisters, showcasing her protective instincts.

As the trio reaches Hanzo's ancient fortress, they learn that Beetle is Hanzo but face a fierce attack from the second Sister. In a dramatic moment of reunion amidst chaos, Beetle is fatally wounded.

Kubo, now alone, faces the Moon King in a fierce confrontation at the graveyard filled with his ancestors. Leveraging the memories of his loved ones, Kubo turns the tide against the Moon King.

With the Moon King defeated and transformed into a mortal, Kubo takes on the role of storyteller, sharing tales of bravery with his community. He lights lanterns for his parents, symbolizing their enduring presence in his heart.