In a story set in 18th century Japan, the 11-year-old Kubo (Art Parkinson) is hiding with his mother in a tucked-away cave on the edge of a little fishing village. His immortal grandfather The Moon King (Ralph Fiennes) does not approve of his daughter's relationship with the mortal samurai Hanzo, Kubo's parents. The Moon King and his remaining two daughters (both voiced by Rooney Mara), scary creatures with Japanese Nō masks as faces, kill Hanzo and Kubo barely escapes, while loosing an eye. Kubo's only hope to survive is his father's samurai armor and finding it starts a quest he attempts with two unlikely companions, a grumpy monkey (Charlize Theron) and a curious beetle (Matthew McConaughey).

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Kubo and the Two Strings, the latest film of the Northern Californian Stop-Motion animation studio Laika, which has garnered Oscar-nominations with their previous movies like Coraline, Paranorman and The Boxtrolls, is a visual feast that dares you to blink and not miss something extraordinary. Kubo's string instrument, a shamisen, has magical powers and makes paper into life-like characters or tree leaves into boats that can carry our hero across dangerous waters. Kubo the film has received some flack, while being set in ancient Japan, for not casting any Japanese voice-talent in the major roles, however, the movie's message about the power of the love of family leaves audiences with a warm feeling in their hearts.