Anime fans looking to complete their collection of Mamoru Hosoda-directed steelbooks are in luck, as The Boy and the Beast is getting a new 4K Blu-ray release later this year. Priced at $37 ahead of its March 17 release–and $27 for the standard Blu-ray version— the film tells a touching story about a master and his student as they learn from each other and join forces to repel a sinister threat. This version of the film will be sold exclusively through Amazon.
$37 | Releases March 17
This new Blu-ray edition of The Boy and the Beast features artwork of the protagonists as they train on a rooftop during a Shibuya sunset. Bonus materials for this release include a “Making of The Boy and the Beast” featurette, promotional videos, cast and crew commentary tracks, and a collection of trailers.
The Boy and the Beast special features
- Making of The Boy and the Beast
- Promotional video collection
- Cast commentary
- Key staff commentary
- Teasers and trailers
$27 | Releases March 17
The Boy and the Beast will also be available as a new standard Blu-ray release. This version includes all of the extras above, and a different cover that features the protagonists Kyuta and Kumatetsu training together.
Released in 2015, The Boy and the Beast tells the story of Kyuta, a young boy living on the streets of Shibuya, after he is taken in by Kumatetsu, a rough-around-the-edges warrior from the Beast Kingdom who has been searching for an apprentice. Despite their differences and bickering, the duo quickly bonds during their training sessions and learn from each other. When an evil force arises, the pair’s bond is put to the ultimate test as the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
The movie was a box-office hit and the second film produced by Hosoda’s fledgling animation company, Studio Chizu. Almost all of Hosoda’s other films have gotten 4K steelbook releases recently, so if you’re looking to dive into expertly crafted anime movies that blend emotional storytelling with fantasy, you can pick these up for a pretty good price currently. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time put Hosoda on the map with its powerful story of time travel and teenage drama, and you can pick it up for just $34 (was $37).
Summer Wars is a 2009 movie that revolves around rogue Ai programs and fake relationships, while 2012’s Wolf Children is a heartfelt tale about motherhood and loss. The film tells the story of Hana, who falls in love with a werewolf, eventually gives birth to two half-wolf children, and must raise them on her own after her husband’s tragic death. After The Boy and the Beast, Hosoda directed several more movies, including Mirai and Belle, and his latest release, the medieval fantasy epic Scarlet, debuted in November 2025.
Mamoru Hosoda films on Blu-ray
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Author: 360 Technology Group
