Masashi Ando’s directorial debut, ‘The Deer King,’ premieres as an environmentally themed fable about the human-nature relationship and personal growth. Inspired by Nahoko Uehashi’s bestselling novel, the film follows Van, a soldier-turned-father navigating a pandemic-stricken world alongside a young girl named Yuna. Despite its inspiration from iconic works like ‘Princess Mononoke,’ the film evokes a contemporary narrative addressing current global issues, such as pandemics and war. With charming characters and breathtaking visuals, ‘The Deer King’ is a commendable addition to the evolving landscape of Japanese animation.