KUBO

... AND THE TWO STRINGS

Screenplay by
Marc Haimes
Chris Butler
Story by
Shannon Tindle
Marc Haimes

January 5, 2016
Director: Travis Knight
Studio: Laika

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

1/92

(0100 PRO) PROLOGUE

BLACK
A childs whispered voice HISSES through the darkness...
CHILDS VOICE (V.O.)
If you must blink, do it now!
A full moon fills the screen like a giant, unblinking eye.

An eerie wind HOWLS through the night sky, and a wave

suddenly rises in front of the moon, eclipsing it from view.

Another giant wave swells and we CUT WIDER to reveal-EXT. OCEAN - STORMY NIGHT
A tiny wooden fishing boat comes into view, tossed about by
enormous waves, cresting hundreds of feet high.
Thats when we hear it, weaving throughout the howls of wind.
Hopeful, inexplicable MUSIC. A sweet, chromatic MELODY.

*
*

It is being played by the boats lone passenger. A beautiful

Japanese woman with long black hair whipping in the wind. She
kneels as she plays a stringed shamisen instrument.

*
*
*

CHILDS VOICE (V.O.)

Pay careful attention to everything
you see and hear...No matter how
unusual it may seem.
On the womans back we catch a glimpse of a woven bag
embroidered with the image of a beetle.
Before we can get a better look, our attention turns to a
tsunami-sized wave, rising up silently in front of the boat,
threatening to consume everything in its path.
The woman raises her hand, strikes the strings on her
shamisen, and the sea literally parts in front of her,
allowing safe passage clean through the center of the chaos.
The boat floats onward, approaching a rocky coastline beneath
high windswept cliffs, and at the sight of land the woman
gives an almost imperceptible smile.
CHILDS VOICE (V.O.)
And please be warned. If you
fidget. If you look away.
(MORE)
DRAFT: 01.05.16

*
*
*
*

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2/92

CHILDS VOICE (V.O.) (CONT'D)

If you forget any part of what I
tell you, even for an instant, then
our hero will surely perish.

*
*

Before the narrator can finish his sentence, another wave,

larger than the others, surges menacingly behind the woman...
EXT. ROCKY BEACH
Propelled by that huge wave, the fishing boat violently rams
into the rocky shore, throwing the woman from the boat.
Tossed through the turbulent undercurrent, the womans head
smashes hard against a rock.
And as the ocean recedes, shes left lying in the sand, her
body limp and unmoving and blanketed by her tangled hair.

And then another sound. The CRYING of an infant.

The womans eyes snap open.
Slowly, painfully, she begins crawling across the sand
towards the crying. Its coming from inside that woven bag.
CHILDS VOICE (O.S.)
His name is Kubo. His grandfather
stole something from him.

*
*
*
*

As she reaches the bag and draws back the folds of cloth, we
see the face of a baby underneath. We can see his head is
wrapped in a bloodied bandage, covering his missing left eye.

*
*
*

We watch them from a HIGH ANGLE, like were standing

somewhere up on those cliffs, as the narrator adds...

*
*

CHILDS VOICE (O.S.) (CONTD)

And that really is the least of it.
CUT TO:
(0200 BRK) BREAKFAST WITH MOM
BLACK
GHOSTING IN TITLE: KUBO
THEN: ... AND THE TWO STRINGS
CREDITS ROLL as we slowly FADE IN, coming face to face with -A MONKEY
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KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

3/92

A serious monkey. Staring right at us. Fixed expression.

Thats because this monkey is actually a carved wooden charm,
also known as a netsuke, standing about four inches high.
Next to it a young boy, perhaps ten years old, sleeps on a
thin mat on the floor. He is curled up within a robe
emblazoned with the crest of a beetle, just like the one we
saw on the bag earlier.
The boy rolls over, revealing his left eye is covered in a
patch. He is the baby from the prologue, grown into a wiry
youth, with thick black hair tugged into a messy topknot. He
is our hero. KUBO.
INT. KUBOS CAVE - EARLY MORNING (PRE DAWN)

Kubo gets up and begins to tidy up the place, picking up

dozens of strewn pieces of paper that inexplicably litter the
ground. The paper is creased and wrinkled as if it has been
repeatedly folded and unfolded. He smooths each sheet out,
then stacks it and places it back on a shelf.

*
*
*
*
*

By the light of the full moon outside, Kubo walks to a little

kitchen area and strikes a flint, starting a fire.
He gracefully pours and heats a pot of water, preparing both
rice and tea for two place settings on the ground.

*
*

He then turns to regard a sleeping woman, lying on a mat in

the corner of the cave, barely noticeable in the dark. The
folds of her gown move gently as she sleeps.
Kubo steps over and kneels down by her side, and we see this
is the same woman from our prologue, only now she seems older
and paler. Her face is creased and wrinkled like the crumpled
paper scattered around her, and her long black hair is
streaked with silvery grey. She is Kubos MOTHER.
Kubo watches her for a moment, then gathers himself and
extends a hand to gently push her hair out of her face.
Her eyes flutter open. She sees Kubo, kneeling there, and he
gives her a small smile. An unspoken good morning.

Kubo helps her up and to the mat where the rice and tea are
waiting, her movements are slow and feeble.

INT. DINING AREA KUBOS CAVE - EARLY MORNING

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Kubo serves his mother rice, even blowing on it to cool it

for her.
His Mother eats just a little. A bit of rice falls onto her
chin.
Kubo uses his chopsticks to gently put the grains of rice
back into her mouth. There is clearly something wrong with
his mother.

INT. ENTRANCE KUBOS CAVE - EARLY MORNING

Kubo walks his mother over and she kneels on a mat in the
shadow of the cave entrance, staring down at the angry white
crests of the waves.

Kubo sits beside her. He works intently, folding those sheets

of paper he stacked earlier into an assortment of origami
figures.
There is a tiger, a deer, and a snake, each as impressive as
the next. His nimble hands make swift and expert work of it.
Its kind of incredible.
Kubo leans forward, grinning from ear to ear as he plays with
a paper samurai, showing it to his unresponsive mother.

*
*

But then Kubo stops, and gets closer to lean on his mothers
shoulder as the sun rises.

*
*

A BELL CHIMES in the distance, triggering him instantly into

action.

As the orange light of dawn begins to fill the cave,

hurries over to where the shamisen leans against the
scoops it up with one hand. He grabs the netsuke and
origami figures, hastily packs them into his bag and
his shoulder.

*
*
*
*
*

he
wall and
all his
it over

Before he leaves he notices a strand of hair has fallen in

front of his mothers face. He gently reaches out and pushes
it back into place.

*
*

Kubo looks at his mothers staring empty eyes and rests his
hand on her shoulder for a moment before running off.

*
*

(0300 JTV) JOURNEY TO THE VILLAGE

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EXT. MOUNTAIN PATH - DAWN

Kubo scrambles down the rocky path with practiced ease, his
shamisen occasionally smacking against his hip with a dull
harmonic BUMP, like when you jostle a guitar.
In the distance a cluster of buildings peek out from behind a
brightly ornate gateway. Kubo plays with his origami samurai
as he walks.

*
*

Kubo continues along the path over a bridge into the village,
to a hubbub of activity beyond --

*
*

(0400 STT) STORY TIME

EXT. CENTRAL AVENUE - DAY
Its later in the morning and the main thoroughfare has
become a vibrant pageant of peasantry and peddlers
celebrating the second day of the Obon Festival.
- A puppeteer operates an elaborate dragon marionette over
the heads of SQUEALING CHILDREN.
- FISHERMEN proudly waggle their pungent produce. Crustaceans
crawl over each other in open crates.
- A PATIENT DAD AND HIS YOUNG DAUGHTER browse the lanterns
being crafted by skilled artisans.
-HIGH CLASS LADIES barter and haggle for the most fashionable
festival garments.
- MERCHANTS pitch their wares to VILLAGERS from dusty carts.
- MEN gamble on elaborate tile games. Two old curmudgeons sit
in stony-faced contemplation over a chess-like game of Shoji.
And lining the street is the feudal Japanese equivalent of
the Venice Beach boardwalk. A row of BEGGARS and STREET
PERFORMERS, competing for coins, handouts, and attention:
- A hunched beggar woman, KAMEYO sits in the street, with a
bowl in front of her.
She smiles warmly when she sees Kubo walking toward her. She
miraculously straightens up and seems much less woeful.
KAMEYO
Well hello, Kubo!
He slides his shamisen off his shoulder and sits down next to
her. Kubo peeks over the lip of the bowl.
DRAFT: 01.05.16

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KUBO
How is it today?
KAMEYO
Not a bad crowd. I got two pennies
and a lint ball.
She fishes around in the bowl and pulls out a clump of fluff.
KAMEYO (CONTD)
This is pretty good lint.
Kubo CHUCKLES and the old woman turns to him.
KAMEYO (CONTD)
And what do you have planned today?
KUBO
Oh, you know. The usual.
KAMEYO
(grins)
Monsters?
Of course.

KUBO

KAMEYO
You think you can work in a fire
breathing chicken?
Kubo fixes her with a look.
KUBO
The chicken again?
KAMEYO
(defensive)
The chicken is funny.
Kubo rolls his eye, but hes clearly enjoying this.
KAMEYO (CONTD)
A touch of comedy to balance the
whole thing out. Theyre going to
be throwing money at you, I just
know it.
(thinks this over)
Or theyll throw something at you,
I dont know.
KUBO
(LAUGHS)
Okay, Ill see what I can do.
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7/92

Kubo stands to leave, but the old woman has one more thing.
KAMEYO
And do you plan on finishing the
story this time, young man?
Kubo just smiles and walks into the center of the square.
In one graceful motion, Kubo drops his bag of origami
creatures on the ground and spins his shamisen around.

He grabs the bachi pick from his belt and raises it into the
air, ready to strike.
KUBO
IF YOU MUST BLINK, DO IT NOW!
He then brings it down across the strings, striking a
beautifully resonant chord.
With this, the entire dynamic of the marketplace changes.
- Mid-haggle, merchants and their customers GASP.
- The Shoji players look up from their game. One takes
advantage of the distraction and cheats a winning move while
the other is facing the other way.
- Children watching the puppeteer look over and the puppeteer
turns the head of his dragon, to see what is going on before
the children cheer and run towards Kubo.
SHOUTING ceases, CHATTER trails off. Even the TRILLING of
songbirds in their cages and a distant dogs BARKING stop.
Everything is silent. All heads are turned.
Kameyo moves through the gathering onlookers, pushing a man
aside.
Kubo stands confidently in the center, his shamisen gleaming
in the sun. Excited WHISPERS ripple through the crowd.
KUBO (CONTD)
PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION TO EVERYTHING
YOU SEE AND HEAR. NO MATTER HOW
UNUSUAL IT MAY SEEM!
As he paces, Kubo sizes up the circle forming around him.
KUBO (CONTD)
AND PLEASE BE WARNED. IF YOU
FIDGET. IF YOU LOOK AWAY. IF YOU
FORGET ANY PART OF WHAT I TELL YOU,
EVEN FOR AN INSTANT...
DRAFT: 01.05.16

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8/92

And by this point, theres really no more need for Kubo to

shout. The entire crowd has fallen still and silent.
He points to a woman and WHISPERS dramatically.
KUBO (CONTD)
Then our hero will surely perish!
He suddenly shifts into a dramatic pose, plucking his
shamisen like a rock star. He strums a simple theme, and a
red blur shoots from his pack, somersaulting the full length
of the circle before landing at Kubos feet.
The crowd CHEERS at the appearance of this origami hero.
Kubo puts up a hand to silence them again, and continues:
KUBO (CONTD)
Hanzo was a mighty samurai. But he
was alone; his family taken from
him, his kingdom in ruins, and his
army destroyed by the dreaded Moon
King! You may recall, Hanzo was
roaming the distant Farlands in
search of a magical suit of armor;
the only weapon in the whole world
that could protect him from the
power of the Moon King. This armor
was made up of three pieces. The
first...
Kubo pauses waiting for the audience to participate and spins
suddenly, pointing to a group of children. HASHI is standing
behind them, pushes his way through to answer.
HASHI
Oh, oh, oh!!! I know! I know! The
Sword Unbreakable!
Kubo smiles and continues to play. A sheet of paper shoots
from his bag and forms into a samurai sword that hovers in
the air before the crowd.
Kubo sprints over to an adorable little girl, skidding to a
halt in front of her.
KUBO
The second...?
MARI
The Breastplate Imp...
(struggling)
Impen...

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9/92

Her father, HOSATO leans down and WHISPERS something into her
ear.
MARI (CONTD)
Impen-a-truh-bubble! Yeah!
The crowd LAUGHS and APPLAUDS the little girl whose cheeks
bloom red with pride.
Kubo plucks the second string and we see an ornate
breastplate form and hover next to the sword.
KUBO
And finally, the third weapon, the
final piece of the armor...
KAMEYO
I know this one! Pick me!
Kubo nods at her.
KAMEYO (CONTD)
The Helmet Invulnerable!
The expectant crowd turn to Kubo for affirmation. He plucks
the third string and a beautiful helmet forms. The crowd
CHEERS. He begins circling the audience, building the
tension.
KUBO
Before Hanzo could claim the armor
and unite the pieces to reveal
their true power, he was attacked
by the Moon Kings beasts!

Kubo plucks a dissonant chord and spins suddenly.

A sheet of paper shoots up, folding in mid air, transforming
into a monstrous spider.
The spider creature springs forward and Hanzo charges to meet
it, slashing at its legs with his little paper sword.
The crowd cheers.
KAMEYO
Whoa! Ha Ha Ha!
Kubo launches into a dizzying display, playing his shamisen
like a demon. Hes good!

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10/92

MONTAGE
In a series of quick cuts we catch various glimpses of Kubos
story... one fantastical battle after another, an incredibly
violent display of origami theatrics, with paper body parts
raining like confetti around the square.
- A FEROCIOUS SHARK swallows Hanzo whole, until he slices it
open from inside, shredding it into ribbons.
- An over-excited samurai grasps the shoulders of two women.
Oh yes!

HASHI

- A FIRE-BREATHING CHICKEN forms and belches paper flames at

Hanzo.
- The Beggar Woman CLAPS and CACKLES uncontrollably.
KAMEYO
HA HA! Kill the chicken! Rip it to
pieces!
- Hanzo runs and turns into a flat piece of paper again
shooting under the chickens legs to escape. The paper folds
back into Hanzo to the cheers of the crowd.
- Hanzo gets hit by a flying paper egg shot at him by the
chicken. Hanzo turns, runs, and back-flips over the chicken,
lopping off its head with one swipe of his sword.
- The patient dad covers the eyes of his young daughter, who
moves his hands, not wishing to miss a beat.
Oh my!

HOSATO

- The day grows later. Hashi cheers wildly and another man
gags as Kubo continues to entertain the crowd with his
performance with Hanzo.
KUBO
Hanzo was filled with rage, his
soul tormented by the grief of a
family stolen from him...
Kubo begins playing a more ominous tune and paper creeps out
of his pack, folding as it rises into the air, forming the
dark silhouette of the Moon King.
Theres a gravitas to Kubo as he continues.

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11/92

KUBO (CONTD)
At last, our hero was face to face
with his nemesis, The Moon King!
The two paper figures fly up in the air at each other poised
for battle, then as they reach fighting distance...
BONG! BONG!
Kubo turns and sees the ringing bell. He lowers his hand and
the origami figures instantly unfold and glide back into his
pack.
KUBO (CONTD)
(smiling brightly)
So be sure to come back tomorrow!
He hurriedly gathers up his belongings and collected coins as
the crowd behind him realize thats all theyre going to get
today. They give a MURMUR of disappointment.
HASHI
What? Oh come on! People like an
ending, please! Where are you
going? No....You cant leave!
(0600 FDM) FADED MEMORY
INT. ENTRANCE KUBOS CAVE - EVENING
Just as the bell finishes chiming, Kubo arrives breathlessly
at the entrance to the cave, to find his mother still sitting
there like she hasnt moved at all.
He smiles gently and sits next to her. They both stare out
at the setting sun, sinking down behind the ocean. The last
rays creep down their faces until shadow covers them
completely. Then, Mother slowly blinks awake.
MOTHER
(whispers)
Kubo.
Kubos Mother looks around the cave.
Kubo.

MOTHER (CONTD)

KUBO
Yes, Mother, Im here.
Kubo smiles softly and takes her by the hand. She smiles at
him.
DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

Hungry?

12/92

KUBO (CONTD)

She smiles and nods.

INT. DINING AREA KUBOS CAVE - EVENING
CLOSE ON A BOWL.
MOTHER (V.O.)
And even though he could barely see
his own hand in front of his face,
Hanzo and his army of loyal samurai
pressed on through the blizzard.
Theyve finished dinner and Kubo, the monkey, and little
paper samurai sit next to each other watching his mother. She
moves freely now, reminding us of Kubo during his story time.
We can see where Kubo inherited his talents as she pretends
to step through the deep snow, her arm in front of her face
protecting her from imaginary winds.
Kubo stares intently like a child watching his favorite show.
MOTHER
And suddenly, as quickly as it had
started, the storm cleared before
him. Hanzo breathed a sigh of
relief, for he was home!
KUBO
His fortress?! The Beetle Clan
Castle?!!
MOTHER
Yes! At the very edge of the
Farlands, hidden from the Moon King
by powerful magic...
KUBO
And then what happened? When he got
to the castle?
MOTHER
When who got to the castle?
KUBO
Hanzo, my father.
She is genuinely confused.

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13/92

MOTHER
Hanzo... Hanzo was at the castle?
He... Just give me a
second...Im...no, no...its gone. I
cant...Im sorry, Kubo. Perhaps I
could recall a different story?
This obviously happens a lot... her memory is deteriorating.
Kubo tries to play it down.
KUBO
Mother, what was father like?
MOTHER
(smiles)
Oh, this one is easy. Hanzo was a
mighty warrior, skilled with sword
and bow...
KUBO
No. What was he really like? When
he wasnt fighting... when he was
with us.
She pauses, caught off guard, then smiles softly. For the
first time, she seems really lucid.
MOTHER
He was just like you.
Kubo smiles.
Like me?

KUBO

MOTHER
Strong and clever and funny. And oh
so handsome!
She leans over and playfully grabs his cheek. Embarrassed,
Kubo squirms and GIGGLES and pushes her away.
KUBO
Ugh, Moth-er!
MOTHER
Aw, Come on!
She gets more serious.
MOTHER (CONTD)
Never forget how much he loved you,
Kubo. He died protecting us.

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Kubo hesitates, wondering if he should ask the next question.

KUBO
Did the Moon King-MOTHER
Your Grandfather.
KUBO
Did Grandfather and your sisters
really kill my father? It cant be
true, can it? Theyre family!
His mother is now deadly serious and grabs Kubos shoulders.
MOTHER
No, they are monsters! Grandfather
and my sisters stole your eye,
Kubo! They must never find you
again! NEVER! You must always stay
hidden from the night sky, or they
will find you and theyll take you
away from me! Promise me you will
never let this happen. Promise me
Kubo!

Kubo looks into Mothers eyes and nods timidly. She realizes
she has gone too far and calms a little, backing away.
She has a thought and reaches down to the ground, grabbing
the little monkey statue.
She holds it up to Kubo and speaks in a funny voice.
MOTHER (CONTD)
Dont be sad Kubo. Kubooo...
Kubo looks up with the hint of a grin. Sariatu continues with
the voice.
MOTHER (CONTD)
Remember what you must do, Kubo? Remem-ber?
KUBO
Keep you with me at all times, Mr.
Monkey.
Aaand...?

MOTHER

KUBO
And keep fathers robe on my back
at all times.
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15/92

MOTHER
Yes Kubo. And theres one more
thing. Never, EVER, stay out after
dark.
She leans across and tickles Kubo with the netsuke.
MOTHER (CONTD)
(in monkey voice)
Re-mem-ber?
KUBO
Yes, Mr. Monkey
Good boy.

MOTHER

They LAUGH together, until his mothers brow suddenly creases

and she stops and yawns. Its clear whatever lucidity was
there before has gone. Kubo sees this every night, but it
never gets easier.
Bedtime.

KUBO

Kubo walks her over to her mat and lays her down. She looks
up at him, innocent as a child.
He sits for a moment longer, watching as his mother drifts
off to sleep, and then he blows out the candle.
FADE TO BLACK.
A beat, and then:
(0700 MON) MOTHERS NIGHTMARE
INT. KUBOS CAVE - NIGHT
A SKITTERING sound. Kubos origami paper starts flying off
the cave shelf over Kubo, lying fast asleep.
Kubo blinks his bleary eye. Sits up.
CUT WIDE to reveal the roof of the cave is swimming with
origami. A constellation of paper bodies, magically twisting
and animating all around him in the air.
He looks over to see his mother on her mat, tossing and
MUMBLING in her sleep, clearly in the midst of an intense
dream.
Suddenly awake, he runs to his mother.
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16/92

KUBO
Mother, wake up! Youre dreaming.
No...

MOTHER

As she wakes almost instantly the paper throughout the cave

rains down, unfolded and crumpled, onto the floor.
MOTHER (CONTD)
Kubo! Kubo, is that you?
KUBO
Yes, Mother. Im here.
This seems to comfort her. A confused look comes across her
face.
MOTHER
Kubo, what happened to your eye?
Kubo just looks at her sadly and she goes back to sleep.
Kubo is left staring at the mess of strewn paper, just as
before, and now we understand exactly how it all got there.
(0800 OBF) OBON FESTIVAL
EXT. CENTRAL AVENUE - DAY
We see the market square is once again bustling with
activity. Everyone wears their finest clothes and the
buildings all around have been decorated with colorful
Japanese lamps. The Festival is underway.

*
*

Many of the village women are participating in an elaborate

line dance made up of sweeping movements and subtle gestures.
They weave and skip past camera, revealing a busy festival
scene.
Kubo stands watching all of this. He rubs his eye and YAWNS.
KAMEYO (O.S.)
Paper boy! Here! Here!

Kubo turns to see that same old woman. She gives a gummy grin
and looks suspiciously like she may have washed her face.
KAMEYO (CONTD)
Cmon, cmon. Come sit next to me.
I got us a good spot here.
Kubo ambles sleepily in her direction and sits next to her.
DRAFT: 01.05.16

*
*

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17/92

KAMEYO (CONTD)
What do you think? I got myself all
spruced up for the big day.
Kubo awkwardly grins at her.

*
*

KAMEYO (CONTD)
Ahhh... I do so love the festival.
A time to celebrate. Yknow, its a
shame you never stay past sundown.
Theres fireworks and singing and
dancing and feasting of course...

*
*
*
*

She playfully tickles Kubo.

KAMEYO (CONTD)
But the best part of all...

The beggar woman grabs Kubo about the shoulder, drawing him
in close as she gestures around the square.
KAMEYO (CONTD)
Do you see those lamps and altars?
We use those to speak to the loved
ones that left us behind.
Kubo hears this and his eye widens a little.
KAMEYO (CONTD)
We listen to their tales and guide
their safe return to the blissful
pure land.

KUBO
Really? Did you speak to someone?

KAMEYO
Yes I did. My husband! His voice
was as clear and loud as the one
you use for your stories.
(shrugs)
In seventy two years he never had a
thing to say. Now hes gone, I
cant shut him up.
She LAUGHS fruitily and Kubos eye widens more as her words
sink in. In the background, the dance concludes to the CHEERS
of the spectators.
KAMEYO (CONTD)
You have someone youd like to talk
to, huh?

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KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

Very much!

18/92

KUBO

KAMEYO
Well, whats stopping you?

Kubo looks around at all the elaborately ornamented altars.

KUBO
Dont I need a lamp?
Well...

KAMEYO

She CACKLES conspiratorially into his ear.

KAMEYO (CONTD)
I bet you could make a really nice
one with that paper folding...
thing... you do.

Kubo realizes what shes getting at. His eye darts this way
and that as his mind fills with the possibilities.
KAMEYO (CONTD)
Ysee? Not just a pretty face, huh?
She grins broadly and gives him a friendly nudge.
KAMEYO (CONTD)
Now hurry along! Go! Theres still
time before dark! Go! Get out of
here.
Smiling excitedly, Kubo runs away through the crowd, pausing
only to wave at the old woman.

*
*
*

(0900 MEA) MEETING ANCESTORS

EXT. CEMETERY - DAY
Carrying his bag and lamp, Kubo emerges from a wooded road
that opens onto a serene cemetery beside a river. Replete
with beautiful plants and flowers, theres nothing macabre
about this peaceful place.
Dozens of families are gathered among the grave markers,
setting up lamps and altars. Nearby, a HOSATO is teaching
MARI.
HASHI (O.S.)
Its so great to hear your voice.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

*
*

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

19/92

VILLAGER 2 (O.S.)
Well never forget you.
VILLAGER 3 (O.S.)
Its time to go.
VILLAGER 4
We missed you so much.
HOSATO
Place the lamp at the Alter. Ha,
very good.
MARI
What do we do next, Daddy?
HOSATO
Next we pray. We ask her spirit to
honor us with its light
MARI
(loudly)
GRANDMA, WILL YOU PLEASE HONOR...
HOSATO
(smiling)
Shhh. Softly, softly!
Kubo finds some space and fashions a rough altar from stones.
He dumps the origami out of his bag, then creates a simple
yet beautiful lamp from an ivory sheet of paper as he watches
the patient dad discuss the ritual with his daughter.

*
*
*

Then, copying the family, he gets on his knees and begins to

pray. He speaks quietly, awkwardly, under his breath.

KUBO
Hello, father.
(then)
I hope youre well. Uh. I mean, I
know youre dead, but I hope
everything is... okay...
Kubo thinks about that opening for a moment. He hates
everything that just came out of his mouth. He starts over,
raising his arms and gesturing to his baggy robe.
KUBO (CONTD)
Look. Its your robe! Mother says
Ill grow into it.
(after a moment)
She says you were a great leader
who died protecting me.
(MORE)

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20/92

KUBO (CONTD)
Saving one of my eyes. Two wouldve
been ideal, but... thanks anyway.
He smiles to indicate he is joking again, and then feels
immediately wretched. He decides to get right to the point.
KUBO (CONTD)
Father, Im worried about mother.
With every day that goes by, she
drifts further away. She talks a
lot about you, but... but I just
dont know. I dont think she
remembers whats real anymore. I
dont know whats real anymore...

KUBO (CONTD)
I just wish you were here. So I
could... could talk to you... see
you... find out what I should do.
Kubos prayer is interrupted by a gleeful SHOUT.
MARI
Daddy! Daddy! Shes here! Grandma
is here!

*
*

Kubo looks over at the family to see the wick of their lamp
suddenly burst into flame.

HOSATO
Now its time for the final part.
We have to help her get back to the
spirit world.
MARI
Oh! But she just got here.
Come on.

HOSATO

Kubo stares back at his lamp for a moment. Then he looks back
up into the air.
KUBO
Father? Hellooo?
He purses his lips. Folds his arms impatiently.
Any time.

KUBO (CONTD)

The family then brings their lit lantern down to the river,
placing it in the water and watching it float out to sea.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

*
*

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

21/92

Time passes...
Still Kubos lamp remains steadfastly unlit. The cemetery is
practically deserted by now. Behind Kubo in the river, dozens
of lit lamps are slowly floating out to sea as the village
bell begins RINGING out the fall of night.
Kubo just stands there defiantly. He glares at his altar,
patience spent. He grabs his unlit lamp and crumples it up,
tossing it angrily to the ground.
KUBO (CONTD)
Fine! I dont need you anyway!
The sun sets behind the mountains.

INT. DINING AREA KUBOS CAVE - EVENING

Kubos Mothers eyes snap open.

Kubo!

MOTHER

*
*

EXT. CEMETERY - DUSK

The bell stops RINGING, and Kubo has a change of heart. His
contorted face softens and he reaches down to scoop up the
broken lamp. Feeling vile and foolish he does his best to
unfold and smooth out the paper.

KUBO
(softly)
I... Im sorry.
(1100 MTS) MEET THE SISTERS!
EXT. CEMETERY - WOODS OUTSIDE KUBOS VILLAGE

Instantly, all along the river, each and every lamp is

silently extinguished.
Wisps of smoke curl from the charred wicks, joined by a
seeping fog that rolls across the surface of the river from
the far bank. This cheerful place has become dark and eerie.
WHISPERED VOICE (O.S.)
Kuuuuboooooo!
The voice is eerily melodic. It tingles in the air, seemingly
from several directions at once.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

Kubo!

22/92

WHISPERED VOICE (O.S.) (CONTD)

Kubo looks around, heart racing. He follows the direction of

the voice and sees, across the river, a lone woman clad in
flowing robes, billowing in the breeze.
She has long black hair and wears a wide-brimmed peasants
hat pulled low so we cannot see her face. In her bone white
hand she holds a long wooden pipe. This is a SISTER.
THE SISTERS
Little boy. What happened to your
eye?
Kubo takes a step backwards, sensing something is very, very
wrong here.
The strange woman with the hidden face LAUGHS. A horrible,
high-pitched sound, joined by another nightmarish GIGGLE as a
second woman emerges from the shadows, her face also obscured
by a wide-brimmed hat. This one is the other SISTER.
KUBO
Who are you? How do you know my
name?
THE SISTERS
Were your family, Kubo. Your
mothers sisters. And weve been
looking for you for so long.
Kubos eye widens and he takes another step back.
THE SISTERS (CONTD)
It is so lovely to meet you, Kubo.
Face to face.
As they say these words, they raise their heads in unison and
look up at Kubo to reveal their faces are covered by the
blank features and fixed smiles of terrifying NOH masks.
THE SISTERS (CONTD)
Come, Kubo. Come to your aunties.
Kubo stands frozen and horrified as they begin gliding like
the mist across the river towards him.
THE SISTERS (CONTD)
No reason to be afraid, Kubo. We
just need your other eye. Your
grandfather admires it so.
Kubo runs.
DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

23/92

The sisters GIGGLE as they watch him bolt along the path
toward the village, then one of the Sisters leisurely brings
her long pipe up to the mouth hole of her mask and takes a
deep puff.
The smoke she exhales twists and coalesces into horrible
shapes that grow and move of their own accord. They are the
DEMONS OF THE PIPE, and theyre after Kubo.
Kubo tears up the path leading back to the village, SHOUTING
at the top of his lungs.
KUBO
HELP! HELP! SOMEBODY HELP! HELP!
LOOK OUT! RUN!
(1200 SMD) SMOKE DEMONS
EXT. CENTRAL AVENUE - CONTINUOUS
Kubo staggers through the gate, leaning against it as he
finds his breath. He goes to YELL, but his warnings are
swallowed up by SHRIEKING EXPLOSIONS of fireworks as the
festival ends in noisy celebration.
RUN!

KUBO

And then it is too late.

As Kubo races through the market, the demonic smoke breaks
off from its pursuit of him, rolling like a bank of fog into
the throng of celebrating villagers.
In a storm of smoke, fire, and terrified SCREAMS, the demons
tear through the square, destroying everything in their path.
(1300 MSD) MOTHER SAVES THE DAY

*
*

EXT. MOUNTAIN PATH - CONTINUOUS

Kubo runs for his life up the long path towards his cave.
Breath coming in fevered GASPS, he risks a look over his
shoulder.
His village is ablaze, consumed in that terrible smoke,
tendrils of which are slithering up the hill in his
direction.
Kubo stumbles and falls, and before he can scramble back onto
his feet he is surrounded by the demons.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

24/92

Through their writhing, ethereal bodies he catches sight of

his masked aunts, inexorably gliding up the path toward him.
THE SISTERS
Were here, Kubo. Your family has
come for you.
Kubo recoils in horror, but has nowhere left to run.
And then a hand appears out of nowhere, pulls Kubos shamisen
out of his bag and strikes the strings!
The notes reverberate, rippling out through the demons like a
shock wave.
Kubo turns to see his mother standing over him.
KUBO!
MOTHER!

MOTHER
KUBO

MOTHER
KUBO, YOU MUST FIND THE ARMOR! ITS
YOUR ONLY CHANCE! REMEMBER THIS!
She gives him the shamisen and smacks the beetle crest on the
back of his robe, causing two flapping beetle wings to emerge
magically from the robes folds!
The wings pump furiously, lifting Kubo up into the air!
Kubo clutches at his mother, accidentally tearing out a few
strands of her hair as he rises up into the sky.
The flapping wings take him higher and higher, away from the
village and towards the ocean. All Kubo can do is watch as
below, the two masked aunts advance on his mother, one
pulling a bladed chain from her robes, the other drawing a
menacing sword.
Mother narrows her eyes and squares off against them, and
theres a strength and power to her that weve never seen
before. She pulls her own sword from her robes and raises it
defiantly.
And then, as if to conceal the horrors from him, Kubos robe
envelopes him, cocooning his body and face. The last thing it
covers is his one eye, taking us to -BLACK.
(1400 MKY) MEET MONKEY
DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

25/92

EXT. SNOW-COVERED TERRAIN - BLIZZARD

SILENCE, eventually broken by the sound of a rising wind,
creeping from a WHISPER to a WAIL as we slowly FADE TO:

A MONKEY.
A serious monkey. Staring right at us. Fixed expression. This
isnt another netsuke charm, but an actual living, breathing
4-foot tall monkey, and it SHOUTS at him over the wind in a
female voice...

*
*

MONKEY
KUBO! KUBO! CAN YOU HEAR ME, KUBO?
Kubo stares at the monkey, blinking.
backward through snow.

He immediately shuffles

MONKEY (CONTD)
I SAID, YOUR MOTHER IS GONE! YOUR
VILLAGE IS DESTROYED! BURNED TO THE
GROUND!

Monkey advances slowly.

MONKEY (CONTD)
WE LANDED HERE IN THE FARLANDS.
YOUR ENEMIES ARENT FAR BEHIND! WE
MUST SEARCH FOR SHELTER BEFORE YOUR
GRANDFATHER COMES.
He backs right into his shamisen.
disoriented.

He looks around, dazed and

As Monkey delivers this rather glum state of the union, Kubo

happens to look down and realizes he is actually sitting on a
giant sheet of snow-covered ice.
MONKEY (CONTD)
We need to go, now.

*
*
*
*
*

*
*

She turns, offering Kubo her back.

MONKEY (CONTD)
COME ON. GET UP. LETS GO.

*
*

Kubo stands for a second, still in shock, then gathers up his

shamisen and climbs onto Monkeys back.
And as Monkey races through the snow with Kubo on her back,
we PULL WIDER and WIDER and it becomes clear that shelter
might not be so easy to find, because all we can see is ice
and snow for hundreds of miles in every direction.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

26/92

(1500 SFS) SHELTER FROM THE STORM

EXT. GLACIERS EDGE - DUSK
Monkey and Kubo stand in the snow, staring at something.
MONKEY
Once were inside, you might be
tempted to complain about the odor.
CUT TO a giant whale carcass, lying ahead of them on the ice.
MONKEY (CONTD)
Keep in mind, my sense of smell is
ten times stronger than yours.
With that, as the sun begins to set behind distant mountains
of ice, Monkey motions for Kubo to follow her inside.
INT. WHALE CARCASS - NIGHT
Night has long since fallen, and theyve made camp inside the
whales belly, lit by a shaft of moonlight and a small fire.
Kubo looks less than thrilled as he huddles amidst frozen
innards.
With a knitted brow, Kubo sits and watches Monkey as she
tends to a large conch shell balanced over a small cooking
fire. She uses a splinter of bone to stir at a cloudy liquid
simmering inside.

*
*

MONKEY
You have questions. I can tell.
Kubo nods his head. He opens his mouth to speak and Monkey
puts her hand up, interrupting him.
Who-

KUBO

She holds up three fingers.

MONKEY
You get three.
KUBO
I think I have more.
MONKEY
Three. But first youre gonna eat.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

27/92

KUBO
Why only three?
She holds up one finger.
MONKEY
Okay, that was your first question.

KUBO
What?! I dont understand whats
happening. Who are you?!

MONKEY
You dont recognize me.

Kubo stares. She stops stirring and turns to assume a pose,

exactly like his netsuke.

MONKEY (CONTD)
All these years you had to keep me
in your pack. Now you know why.
KUBO
But you were a wooden charm!
(gesturing)
You were this big!
He scowls suspiciously.
KUBO (CONTD)
I called that charm Mr. Monkey.
MONKEY
If I were alive at that point, I
might have found that insulting.
Look, your mother used the last of
her magic to save you and bring me
to life.
For a moment, Kubo doesnt have anything to say. He simply
stares down at the ground with his one eye, glassy in the
moonlight. Whatever thoughts are running through his head, he
keeps them in. Whatever emotions might be at work, he buries.
Monkey watches him thoughtfully and then returns to the fire
and pours some of the mystery stew into a scavenged clam
shell. She holds it in front of Kubo.
MONKEY (CONTD)
Here. Drink.
Kubo stares at the murky liquid.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

It smells.

28/92

KUBO

MONKEY
Everything in here smells. Drink
it.

KUBO
I dont want it.
Monkey moves in closer.
MONKEY
I said drink it.
Kubo stares right back at her.
KUBO
Youre a mean monkey, arent you?
MONKEY
Yes. Yes, I am. And thats three.
Youre out of questions now, so
just listen. Im here to protect
you, Kubo, and that means you have
to do as I say. So, if you dont
eat youll be weak. If youre weak,
youll be slow. If youre slow,
youll die.
Kubo seems to accept this. She holds the shell out to Kubo
again. This time he takes it from her. He sips from the bowl.
KUBO
Its too hot.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*

A little annoyed, Monkey takes the conch from Kubo. Blows on

it pointedly. Hands it back to him.
Drink.

MONKEY

Kubo takes another sip of the soup, SLURPING it loudly,

provoking a peeved look from Monkey.
He feigns innocence.
KUBO
Oh, excuse me.

Kubo takes another sip, deliberately SLURPING louder, and

Monkey full on glares at him. Daggers.

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KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

29/92

MONKEY
Okay, You better start taking this
seriously, Kubo. This is real. This
is not a story. Those things, your
aunts, they never get hungry. They
never sleep. They will find you and
if were not prepared... theyll
kill me and take your other eye.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Kubo speaks, but more timidly now.

KUBO
What are we going to do?
Monkey is silent for a second.
MONKEY
Were going to find the armor.
Its the only thing that can
protect you.
KUBO
So its real. Really real.

Monkey nods.
Kubo notices a strand of hair from his mother on his robe and
picks it off. Monkey crosses over to Kubo and tries to grab
it. He instinctively jerks away.

*
*

Monkey holds her hand out.

MONKEY
Dont worry. Im not going to keep
it.
Kubo hands it to her.
KUBO
I pulled that from her head. I
didnt mean to.

Monkey nimbly twists and knots the hair into a beautiful

woven bracelet.
MONKEY
Your mother was very powerful. She
blessed your robes so that when the
need was most they would fly you
away. She used the last of that
power to bring me to life. This
bracelet, her hair, its a memory.
Memories are powerful things, Kubo.
Never lose it.
DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

30/92

She begins tying it around Kubos wrist and looks right into
his eye.

*
*

She crosses to the other side of the fire as Kubo stares at

the woven hair.
They sit there, silent silhouettes, shadows flickering off
the sides of their strange shelter.
KUBO
One more question?
Monkey shakes her head, admiring Kubos guts.
Last one.

MONKEY

KUBO
Do you know where it is? The armor?
Monkey pokes at the fire with a splinter of whalebone.
MONKEY
No. No I dont.
Kubo finally realizes the severity of their situation. The
uncertainty on his face betrays his age and vulnerability.
MONKEY (CONTD)
Now go to sleep.

With a SIGH, Kubo lies down and rolls away from the fire.

KUBO
(softly)
Good night, Monkey.
Monkey watches him for a moment, her stern face finally
softening now that Kubo cant see her.

FADE TO BLACK.
(1600 WHE) WHALE ESCAPE
INT. WHALE CARCASS - DAWN

Kubos eye blinks open to see Monkey through the first

strains of sunlight, filtering in through the blow hole.

MONKEY
Kubo...You were talking in your
sleep. You were dreaming...calling
out to your father.
(MORE)
DRAFT: 01.05.16

*
*
*
*

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

31/92

MONKEY (CONT'D)
And then the paper flew out of your
bag and folded itself into... him.

*
*

She is pointing at a figure, standing smartly to attention at

Kubos feet. It is LITTLE HANZO, only bigger, fashioned out
of several sheets of paper folded together.
Still a bit puzzled, Kubo steps over to inspect the origami.
MONKEY (CONTD)
Hes been standing there for hours.
Quietly judging us. Im not even
sure this counts as origami. I
could swear scissors were involved.
Kubo reaches out to touch the origami, but Little Hanzo
parries his hand, blocking it with his paper sword before
marching away somewhat huffily.
KUBO
Ow! Back home in the cave, it was
my mothers dreams that did this.
And the paper always unfolded
itself by morning.

They both look over as Little Hanzo climbs on top of Kubos

bag and strikes a regal pose, pointing his sword in the
direction of the blow hole.
MONKEY
Whats that about?
Struck by an impulse, Kubo suddenly reaches forward and turns
the bag that Little Hanzo is standing on slightly, so that
the figure is now pointing his sword in a different
direction. Little Hanzo immediately moves back into his
previous position, pointing his sword in the direction of the
blow hole.
Kubo moves the origami again, so hes pointing away from the
blow hole. And again, Little Hanzo immediately moves back
into his previous position, pointing his sword in the
direction of the blow hole.
KUBO
What are you doing?

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Little Hanzo gives Kubo the origami equivalent of an

exasperated glance, then points his sword at Kubo, and then
towards the blow hole again. He then GESTURES impatiently
with his sword, as if to say, Come on already, lets go!
Kubo and Monkey share a glance, realizing what this means.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

*
*
*

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

32/92

KUBO (CONTD)
I guess this is how my father
answered me.
Monkey takes a breath.
MONKEY
Im tempted to say that entrusting
our fate to the guidance of a small
paper man seems like a bad idea.
(shrugs)
But its the best bad idea we have.
Their diminutive guide climbs up and out of the blow hole
first, followed closely by Kubo and Monkey.
(1700 PMP) PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

*
*
*
*

EXT. FOOTHILLS - DAY

Little Hanzo remains perched on Kubos shamisen, pointing the
way beyond the glaciers broken edge. The ground rises and
rolls through a series of foothills stepping up to a
mountainous wall of cliffs, upon which snow blazes bright in
the midday sun.
Kubo looks up at the sound of melodic CHIRPING above him and
spies a bird, fluttering overhead.

Kubo has never seen anything quite like it and lags behind,
taking up his shamisen.
As Kubo plucks the strings, a few sheets of paper spring up
out of his bag, folding themselves into a paper duplicate of
the live bird, which soars up to greet its twin.
Kubo gives a joyous LAUGH that makes Monkey stop in her
tracks. She turns, scowling, only to see the boy skipping and
GIGGLING through the snow as he plays his shamisen. A
contented child, concerns momentarily forgotten.
She sits down to watch, allowing him this moment of relief.
Exhilarated, Kubo plays faster on his instrument, and more
paper shoots out of his bag, spiraling up and forming a
glorious cloud of paper birds in the sky. Startled, the bird
darts away into the clouds.
Kubos birds fly and frolic at his command, glittering in the
sunlight, pirouetting through the air in a dazzling dance of
paper wings.

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33/92

Kubo is thrilled, and from her perch across the way, Monkey
is also mesmerized.
Kubo falls on his back, CACKLING, facing up into the bright
blue sky as his magnificent flock flutters overhead.
And then Monkeys face is looking down on him. Serious, of
course, but also a little curious.
MONKEY
Youre growing stronger.
Kubo LAUGHS. He feels it.
MONKEY (CONTD)
You might not want to look quite so
pleased about that.
She sits him up, ushering him onto his feet and brushing down
his robe.
MONKEY (CONTD)
We grow stronger. The world grows
more dangerous. Life has a way of
keeping things balanced.
Kubo reacts to this cynical wisdom by making a face.
KUBO
Monkey, do you ever say anything
encouraging?
MONKEY
I encourage you not to die.

Monkey licks her hand, smooths down Kubos hair and walks
away.
KUBO
(Mocking under his breath)
I encourage you not to die.

*
*
*
*
*

As Kubo follows Monkey, something spies on them from behind a

nearby rock. Something big and spiky with freakish claws. Its
gaze seems to be fixed on Hanzo Origami.
Unaware, Kubo is hatching a mischievous idea. As he walks
behind Monkey he delicately PLUCKS the strings on his
shamisen, and one of his paper birds stealthily breaks away
from the flock and dives down from the sky, nipping Monkey
playfully on her backside.
Monkey whirls around, searching for the culprit. But the bird
has already soared up and into the clouds again.
DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

34/92

Monkey gives Kubo a suspicious look. Kubo stares back

innocently. Swats his neck as if killing a bug.
KUBO (CONTD)
Mosquitos. Annoying.
With no evidence to convict, Monkey turns back around.
But now Kubo notices that, unbidden by him, more birds are
swooping down for a second assault on Monkey, and as they
dive down they reform into three huge paper mosquitos.
Theyre already circling Monkey, but just as they get close
enough to strike, Monkey springs into action. Without turning
around, she shoots out an arm and snatches the first
mosquito, grabs the second with her foot and launches into an
amazing back flip to finish off the third.

*
*

She approaches Kubo, smoothing out the crumpled paper.

KUBO (CONTD)
Wasnt me. I swear.
She returns the paper to Kubos bag.
MONKEY
Paper runs out. As does patience.

KUBO
I didnt ask them to do that.
(mutters)
The second time.

Monkey gives Kubo a skeptical look.

KUBO (CONTD)
I didnt. At least, not exactly. I
mean, I felt it, but...
MONKEY
Magic is not meant to be easy. You
need to learn control. Concentrate
on what youre doing. And always
remember...
She leans in real close.
MONKEY (CONTD)
Dont mess with the Monkey.
She raises her eyebrows by way of punctuation but remains
staunchly straight-faced.
A beat, and then she nonchalantly turns and resumes walking.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

35/92

EXT. CLIFFSIDE - DAY

Fragmented remnants of colossal statues that once guarded the
cliffs litter the landscape, dwarfing Monkey and Kubo as they
approach, Monkey endlessly lecturing. Enormous heads peek out
of snowdrifts. Ancient broken limbs reach among the rocks.
MONKEY
Tread carefully, Kubo. This isnt
one of your stories.
Kubo doesnt like hearing this. He lags behind, clambering up
the broken nose to the eye socket of a wind-worn face.
KUBO
How do you know? Maybe it is. And
Im the valiant hero. And youre
the mean monkey.

Her back to him, Monkey just continues walking.

MONKEY
You may think youre the great
hero, but heroes come and go. Any
moment, something terrible could
come out of nowhere and...

She turns her head to confront Kubo and trails off. The huge
eye socket is empty and Kubo is nowhere to be seen.
MONKEYYY!

KUBO (O.S.)

*
*

Hearing Kubo in danger, Monkey gives a YELL of primal fury,

and darts across the rocks toward the statue.
Kubo!

MONKEY

*
*
*

She peers down into the hollow head, catching a glimpse of

Kubo, twenty feet below, being dragged down a sheer bank of
ice descending into the shadowy bowels of the earth.

Monkey doesnt hesitate and jumps down into the darkness

after him.

*
*

(1800 MEB) MEET BEETLE

INT. UNDERGROUND TUNNELS - CONTINUOUS
Monkey slides down the incline into a series of ancient
caverns carved with the faces of gods long since forgotten.

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36/92

Spotting Kubo and kidnapper in the distance, she takes off

again, a breakneck pursuit through a dank, crumbling
labyrinth that hasnt heard footfalls for hundreds of years.
Eventually, Monkey turns a corner and skids to a sudden stop.
INT. BEETLES CAMP - CONTINUOUS
Crouching in front of her is the creature. Part giant beetle,
part human, shell mimicking the silhouette of samurai armor.
Monkey gives a furious ROAR and rushes toward the creature.
KUBO
MONKEY! WAIT!
Kubo suddenly steps out of the darkness right in front of
her, hands raised, causing her to stop in her tracks.
KUBO (CONTD)
He wasnt trying to hurt me. He
just wanted... Hanzo.
Kubo motions down to the beetle and it becomes clear the
creature was not crouching low to fight, but to get a better
look at Little Hanzo, there on the ground.
BEETLE
(muttering to himself)
Hanzo? Hanzo...
Monkey, still wild-eyed and catching her breath, glares from
Kubo to the creature.
MONKEY
I still think I am going to stab
him.
They watch as Beetle, utterly transfixed, reaches out a claw
to gently touch Hanzo Origami. The figure seems to like him,
strolling right on to his arm.
KUBO
Why must you always assume the
worst?
MONKEY
Well, pardon me for misjudging this
giant, spiky, insect-monster that
just kidnapped you.
Kubo ignores her. Hes watching Beetle intently.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

37/92

BEETLE
Hanzo! Yes! I remember him. I think
maybe... he was my master!
KUBO
What? What did you say?
For the first time, Beetle appears to register Kubo and
Monkeys presence. He looks up at them, and theres something
a little unhinged about his eyes.
BEETLE
We had a crest! A samurai crest!
He suddenly leaps up and enthusiastically digs into the pile
of scavenged objects, pulling loose the fabric which he
flourishes in front of Kubo and Monkey. Its a large samurai
war banner, emblazoned with the familiar beetle emblem.
BEETLE (CONTD)
Have you seen this crest before?
Wordlessly, Kubo turns to show Beetle the same crest on the
back of his robe. Beetles eyes light up with excitement.
BEETLE (CONTD)
THIS IS A MIRACLE! YOU HAVE OUR
ROBES! YOURE WEARING OUR ROBES!
(suddenly suspicious)
Why are you wearing our robes?
Before Kubo can answer, Monkey interrupts.
MONKEY
He doesnt have to answer your
questions. Anyway, who are you?
BEETLE
Many years ago I was cursed,
trapped in this cursed state.
Cursed to wander the Farlands.
Cursed! Or Cur-sed.
As Beetle talks, Kubo casts a curious eye over the scattered
objects. Many have the beetle crest on them. He admires a bow
and arrow leaning against the wall.
BEETLE (CONTD)
No comrades. No master. Not even a
name or a single memory of the
noble warrior I once was.
KUBO
You used to be a man?
DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

38/92

BEETLE
Not just any man... a samurai! I
mean, Im pretty certain. Look, I
have the stuff.
(trails off)
I mean, Im either a samurai or a
really bad hoarder.
(rallies)
Either way, inside my thorax beats
the heart of a warrior!
MONKEY
(still suspicious)
If you have no memory, how can you
be certain of anything?
BEETLE
Because I get... flashes. They come
about from objects I find on my
travels. Or sometimes its a sound.
Or a smell.
Monkey SNIFFS the air.
MONKEY
(mutters)
You must get a lot of flashes.
Beetle looks sadly at Little Hanzo on his shoulder.
BEETLE
But the memories, they fade, and
all Im left with is the sense that
I was once part of something much
greater.
Kubo looks up at Beetle sympathetically, and then turns to
Monkey with a pleading face.
KUBO
Monkey! Can I tell him?
MONKEY
I really dont think thats a good
idea...
RAPID CUTTING between Kubo and Monkey:

KUBO
He has a right...

MONKEY (CONT'D)
Absolutely not!

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

But...

I...

KUBO

39/92
MONKEY (CONT'D)
No buts!

KUBO

No!

MONKEY (CONT'D)

Kubo opens his mouth. Monkey holds up a finger.

BEETLE
What? Tell me what?
Kubo turns very deliberately to face Beetle.
KUBO
Hanzo was my father.
KUBO!

MONKEY

Beetles eyes are wide.

BEETLE
Ha! This is a miracle! I HAVE FOUND
THE SON OF MY MASTER!
Beetle scoops Kubo up into an ecstatic hug, dancing him
around in a circle, then goes to do the same with Monkey.
MONKEY
Dont even.
He decides against it and goes and hugs Kubo again instead,
then abruptly drops to his knee in front of the boy.
BEETLE
Whatever brings you to these lands,
whatever your quest, it is now my
quest too. I will join you. Ill
give my life for you if necessary!
KUBO
Wow. You will?
BEETLE
(nodding vigorously)
What? Do you think thats possible?
I mean, I know how quests go.
People die all the time. They drop
like flies. But that doesnt
matter, because I have a feeling
this... is my destiny!

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

40/92

MONKEY
No it isnt! We cant trust
anything you say, because you cant
trust anything you say! We dont
know anything about you!

Kubo plucks a few notes on his shamisen and a paper bird

flies in between Monkey and Beetle to get their attention.
KUBO
Monkey, you said it yourself, our
quest is a difficult one. A
samurai, even a cursed one with no
memory that looks like a bug, could
be helpful.
BEETLE
Yes, I am certain I could be
helpful! Indispensable!
MONKEY
In what way?!
Snatching up his bow & arrow, Beetle suddenly launches an
arrow into the wall.
MONKEY (CONTD)
Firing an arrow into a wall is
hardly what Id call...
Beetle fires four more arrows rapidly, splitting the first
down the middle.
MONKEY (CONTD)
...Impressive.
BEETLE
Oh, look at that. Literally the
first time Ive ever done it.

He drops to his knee in front of Kubo, all earnest.

BEETLE (CONTD)
Just tell me of our quest, and I
will quickly demonstrate my
numerous... indispensabilities.
KUBO
Well, thats kind of a long story.
BEETLE
Youve got my attention. I promise
I wont even blink.
(MORE)
DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

41/92

BEETLE (CONT'D)
I actually dont even think I can
blink. Do I have eyelids?
Monkey rolls her eyes and takes a breath, knowing she isnt
going to win this one.
MONKEY
Fine. Walk and talk. Hanzo has
found a path.

She gestures at the little origami guide, who has positioned

himself further along the tunnel and is pointing the way with
his sword.
INT. UNDERGROUND TUNNELS, DEAD END
As they make their way through the labyrinthine tunnels, we
catch up on the end of Kubos story. Beetle is obviously
enjoying what hes hearing. Monkey, less so.
BEETLE
So you used to be a toy monkey?!
MONKEY
Kubo, I really dont see how this
part is important to the story.
KUBO
Yes! I kept her in my pocket. She
was only, like, this big...
MONKEY
Kubo, thats enough.
KUBO
Tiny. And she was called Mr.
Monkey.
MONKEY
(sulky)
I wasnt a toy, I was a charm.
Beetle barks out a LAUGH.
BEETLE
Of course you were.
Suddenly, Little Hanzo leaps from Kubos shoulder, runs ahead
to a bend in the tunnel and slips through a crack in the
wall.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

42/92

Beetle breaks through the wall to follow him, but as they

round the corner a horrifying monument is revealed: a giant
and grotesque relief carved into the rock wall. Its a dead
end, but Hanzo continues to point steadfastly ahead.

BEETLE (CONTD)
Well, that doesnt look good.
Kubo approaches the wall, squinting his eye. Beetle is close
behind him, but Monkey holds back.
MONKEY
Dont touch anything!
But Beetle is already running his hand over the rock, and
beside him Kubo is prodding his finger into the conspicuous
empty eyehole of one of the carved creatures.

Theres an ominous CLICK.

Beetle and Kubo turn to Monkey, guilt written all over their
faces. Beetle points at Kubo.
He did it.

BEETLE

And then the floor falls away beneath them and they plummet
into darkness.

(2100 ODO) ODOKURO

INT. HALL OF BONES - CONTINUOUS
In a confusion of limbs and SCREAMS they hit solid ground.
A beat, and then Kubo and Monkey slowly begin to extricate
themselves from a heap on the ground.
Kubo hears a series of GRUNTS behind him. Beetle is lying on
his back, rocking back and forth on his carapace like a
stranded turtle in a futile effort to get back on his feet.
Okay...

BEETLE

*
*

Monkey SIGHS and walks away, leaving Kubo to offer a helping

hand. Beetle waves him away.
BEETLE (CONTD)
No, no, no!

He rocks back and forth a few more times. Hed be red in the
face if he wasnt already.
DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

Yes.

43/92

BEETLE (CONTD)

Kubo reaches over and helps him up.

MONKEY
Kubo, look!

*
*

They catch up with Monkey and the three take in their

surroundings -The chamber is vast, with a shadowy vaulted ceiling above and
a floor covered in a wall to wall carpet of enormous bleached
bones. Tibias, fibulas, ulnas, all piled on top of each other
in a tangled heap. Whatever creature they belonged to was
huge. In the center of the chamber, glowing balefully under a
shaft of light, is a giant disembodied skeletal hand, and on
its palm rests a beautiful golden sword.

*
*

KUBO
The Sword Unbreakable!
Kubo steps forward towards the hand, but Monkey reaches out
and holds him back.

*
*

MONKEY
It could be a trap.
Allow me.

BEETLE

Kubo backs away as Beetle scuttles toward the hand.

MONKEY
(hisses)
What? Its not a trap if you do
it?!
BEETLE
Stealth is my middle name.

MONKEY
You dont even have a first name!
BEETLE
Dont worry! I got this!
Reaching the hand he carefully reaches across the bony palm,
and with an impressive amount of dexterity manages to grasp
the swords hilt.
He raises the sword triumphantly and turns to Kubo.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

44/92

BEETLE (CONTD)
Ha, ha, ha, HA! The mighty Beetle
is victorious!

*
*

Almost instantly, the fingers of the hand start to move and

close.
AH!

BEETLE (CONTD)

*
*
*

An eerie CLICKING sound echoes through the chamber as the

ground beneath Beetles feet begins to shake. The bones are
twisting and jittering of their own accord and rising up.

Monkey and Kubo hop around trying to retain their balance as

the bones lurch and dance under them.

Beetle hurries back to his companions, who are staring up

over his shoulder into the shadows of the ceiling. Two fires
are floating high above them... the burning eyes of a giant
skull, peering down as the other bones lock together and
begin to form a horrifying skeletal body, many storeys high.
BEETLE (CONTD)
I dont got this....I dont got
this...
Fully formed, the Odokuro comes to life with a bloodcurdling
SHRIEK, and turns his attention to the three trespassers.
MONKEY
Oh, for crying out loud.

She snatches the sword from Beetle, and rushes forward.

MONKEY (CONTD)
I INVOKE THE SWORD UNBREAKABLE!
Monkey leaps, bringing the sword down across the Odokuros
leg in an impressive slashing movement, but the blade of the
unbreakable sword shatters into a thousand pieces.
Monkey lands stunned, staring at the empty hilt.
It broke.

MONKEY (CONTD)

BEETLE
So does it just mean the handle,
or..? Im a little disappointed
with the magic sword...

*
*
*

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

45/92

MONKEY
Its not the right sword, you
idiot!

Poking out of Kubos bag right beside his ear, Little Hanzo
points his sword up to the top of the Odokuros skull.
Look!

KUBO

Kubo points, as the Odokuro SCREAMS and the flames in his

eyes explode with fury, fully illuminating his head. For the
first time, everyone sees his ghoulish crown: dozens of
swords lodged Excalibur-style in his skull.
BEETLE
The Sword! Its in his head. Hey!
Ive got a bone to pick with you!
(To Monkey)
You see, because hes made of
bones.

*
*

MONKEY
Youre an embarrassment.

Beetle lets loose a stream of arrows, one after the other,

but they bounce harmlessly off its bones or just fly straight
through the gaps.
BEETLE
Uh. This is problematic.

Odokuros outstretched hand reaches down and scoops Monkey up

into the air.

Beetle unleashes another volley of arrows. They zip past

Monkeys head as she is lifted higher.

MONKEY
Enough with the arrows!

Monkey grabs at swords from the Odokuros skull and smashes

them against the hand that is holding her. Each sword
shatters on impact.

*
*
*

Odokuro dangles Monkey over his awful maw, SCREAMING in

triumph, but before he can swallow her theres another sound.
A melodic BIRD SONG, like we heard earlier, and it signals an
entire flock of paper birds, fluttering out of the shadows
and circling Odokuros head in an angry squall.

Below on the temple floor, Kubo plays his shamisen for all he
is worth, maneuvering the origami assault while Beetle
watches on in disbelief.
DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

46/92

Odokuro stomps its giant feet down, narrowly missing Kubo.

Beetle draws back his bow and challenges the creature.

The paper birds dive and swoop and Odokuro SHRIEKS with
frustration, swiping and swatting at them.

Odokuro waves his arms, swatting birds out of the air. He

flails madly, dancing back and forth across the temple floor.
Kubo is in danger of being crushed by Odokuros stomping
feet, but Beetle throws himself through the air, covering
Kubo as the Odokuros foot comes down.
Oh, foot!

BEETLE

*
*
*
*

A beat, and then both Beetle and Kubo realize theyre

hovering a few feet above the floor. They are stunned to see
a pair of wings BUZZING out from beneath Beetles shell.
KUBO
You can fly?!
BEETLE
Apparently, yes!
Beetle is no less surprised but doesnt waste any time. With
a quick flex of his new wing muscles, he rockets them further
up into the air, careening wildly towards the beast.

Monkey watches, dumbfounded, as they crash upon the skull

beside her.

Odokuro ROARS in outrage, as Kubo and Beetle pull at the

remaining swords, frantically trying to find the real deal.

BEETLE (CONTD)
Are you sure it isnt the Sword
Unfindable?
Beetles hand grabs a hilt that will not budge. He gives it a
tug, but the blade is stuck tight.

BEETLE (CONTD)
I think I found it!
He pulls at it again. And again. With increasing effort. He
turns over his shoulder and YELLS, his voice cracking.
BEETLE (CONTD)
A HAND HERE!?! ANYONE!?

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

47/92

And suddenly Odokuros skeletal hand obliges, snatching him

up in its bony fingers, leaving Kubo alone upon the
creatures skull.
BEETLE (CONTD)
Ah! Thats not what I meant.

*
*
*
*
*

Odokuro gleefully squeezes Beetle and Monkey in each hand,

giving a victorious HOWL as it lifts them towards its opening
mouth.

Kubo reaches for the sword but is thrown into the air by the
Odokuros movements.

*
*

Kubo!

MONKEY

As Kubo is flying through the air, an arrow zips by and pins

his robe to the wall, saving him from the fall.

*
*

Kubos robe starts to rip and he begins to fall again. Monkey

frees herself from the beasts grip and races up the skeleton
to save Kubo. Just before she gets to him, the Odokuros hand
grabs her again.

*
*
*
*

Kubo!
Monkey!

MONKEY (CONTD)

*
*

KUBO

*
*

Kubos robe rips fully and he falls towards the ground far
below.
No!
Kubo!

*
*

MONKEY

*
*

BEETLE

*
*

Kubo falls and lands on the Odokuros skull. He begins

smashing every hilt lodged in the skull until he finds the
Sword Unbreakable and gives it a hard pull, finally yanking
it free.
Odokuro suddenly stops in his tracks, looking confused. Both
Monkey and Beetle look up and see Kubo standing victorious,
the Sword Unbreakable in his hand.
BEETLE (CONTD)
Thank goodness thats over.
The Odokuro begins coming apart, bone by bone, as if the
sword was the linchpin that was holding it all together!
DRAFT: 01.05.16

*
*
*

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

48/92

Kubos smile of satisfaction quickly fades as he realizes the

monster is literally crumbling beneath his feet, and hes a
really long way up...
In a rain of broken bones that CRASH to the ground, our
heroes topple helplessly down.
(2200 ATS) ARGUMENT ON THE SHORE

*
*
*

EXT. THE LONG LAKE SHORE - DAY

Beetle, carrying Monkey and Kubo, flies out of the Hall of
Bones and crash lands on the beach below.
Beetle lies on his side as Monkey squats behind him, slapping
mud and leaves onto his wounded wings as a bandage. Little
Hanzo sits on the horned crest of his helmet, swaying every
time Beetle winces.
They are on the shore of a vast lake that stretches so far
into the distance that its hard to pick out the horizon from
the sky. All around, great barnacle-encrusted driftwood
wrecks tell tales of feckless fishermen dashed against the
rocks.
BEETLE
Everything...turning...black...
MONKEY
Then open your eyes.
BEETLE
Uh oh. I cant feel my wings.
MONKEY
You didnt even know you had them
five minutes ago. Stop wriggling.
There... is that feeling better?
Beetle squirms under her touch, like shes giving him a
massage.
BEETLE
Yeah, a little to the left. Down
just a bit. Right there. Thats
good.
A surprising thought dawns on him.
BEETLE (CONTD)
Youre being nice to me.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

49/92

MONKEY
Shh. Dont tell anyone.
Seeing Beetle is awake, Kubo runs excitedly along the waters
edge, waving the Sword Unbreakable above his head and
shouting.
KUBO
We did it, Beetle! We got the
sword!
Monkey eyes him sidelong as she finishes dressing Beetles
wounds.
MONKEY
Put that down, its sharp.
Kubo makes a face behind her back and kicks his feet through
the loose pebbles at the waters edge.
MONKEY (CONTD)
Okay. Were done here. Get up.
She slaps Beetle gently on the back and he winces with pain.
MONKEY (CONTD)
We have a lot of walking to do.
BEETLE
You cant be serious.

MONKEY
Im always serious.

Kubo GROANS.
KUBO
Are you two going to fight again?
MONKEY
Of course not! We just need to have
a grown-up conversation.
KUBO
Youre going to fight again.
BEETLE
Kubo, just go over there and...
uh... play with something.
Kubo picks up the Sword Unbreakable.
Not that.

MONKEY

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

50/92

He grabs his shamisen instead and stomps away, sitting down

upon a rock where he PLUCKS moodily at the strings.
Beetle turns back to Monkey and HISSES quietly.
BEETLE
Monkey, this is the Long Lake. We
cant walk around it! We need to
swim across. I can carry Kubo...
Monkey cuts him off.
MONKEY
Carry Kubo?! Thats your better
idea? Look, I appreciate your help,
I really do, but when it comes to
the boy, I know whats best.
BEETLE
Is that right?
MONKEY
And whats best is to not be
fielding ideas from a talking
cockroach.

*
*
*

BEETLE
This coming from the talking
monkey.

KUBO (O.S.)
I can still hear you, yknow.

MONKEY
Then play louder.
Kubo scowls. His fingers dance across the strings. Unseen by
Monkey and Beetle, some of the scattered leaves and twigs
begin to wobble and shift and rise off the ground.
MONKEY (CONTD)
This conversation is over. Monkeys
dont swim.
BEETLE
(grinning)
Not to worry. Monkey see, monkey
do!
Monkey GROWLS, shaking her head.
MONKEY
How long have you been waiting to
say that?
DRAFT: 01.05.16

*
*

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

51/92

BEETLE (ALT)
Ever since I met you. What were we
grown-up conversation-ing about?
MONKEY
Youre ridiculous, youre just
absolutely ridiculous. Ridiculous!
Crossing the lake is a ridiculous
idea. Its not your fault...
theres no sense left in your head.

*
*

BEETLE
(frowns)
I think I resent that.
(an afterthought)
And I may not know everything...
Anything.

MONKEY

BEETLE
Anything. But I do know Kubo is
more capable than you think he is!
Youre being a tiny bit
overprotective here.
MONKEY
Im being a lot overprotective
here. Its my job to make sure Kubo
is safe. And that...
(points to the lake)
...is not safe. You...
(points at Beetle)
... are not safe!
Bigger pieces of debris are shifting now. Hunks of rotten
driftwood and uprooted bushes. They float and twist behind
Monkeys back toward Kubo as he continues playing.
MONKEY (CONTD)
Kubo is just a child!
BEETLE
And an incredibly gifted one! He
just saved our lives!
MONKEY
Yes, he is very powerful, but he
still has much to learn!
Monkey stops. Beetle is staring over her shoulder with his
mouth open.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

*
*

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

WHAT?

52/92

MONKEY (CONTD)

She turns around to see what hes looking at.

Drifting out from the shallows behind the rocks is a huge and
magnificent origami boat, created entirely out of magically
beach combed detritus!
BEETLE
Fast learner.
He nudges Monkey, whose jaw is also hanging open.
Hanzo Origami eyes the boat up and down, then gives his seal
of approval by confidently pointing his sword at the deck.
BEETLE (CONTD)
(to Kubo)
Did you know you could do that?
Kubo thinks for a beat. Then, he plucks a final note and a
massive sail woven from leaves and grass suddenly unfurls,
billowing in the morning breeze.
Monkey looks at Kubo. Shes not smiling exactly, but theres
a hint of pride.
Show off.

MONKEY

One by one our heroes hop aboard the great boat.

And as the sun rises higher in the sky, the boat sails away
across the water.
(2300 KUB) KUBOS BOAT
EXT. KUBOS SAIL BOAT - THE LONG LAKE - AFTERNOON
We can tell our heroes have been sailing for some time now.
The boat is a tiny speck on the vast lake.
Beetle and Kubo stand near the side of the boat. Beetle is
leaning over Kubos diminutive shoulders, helping him draw
back his bow and take aim.
BEETLE
Okay now, take a deep breath. Clear
your mind... guess I got that part
covered.
He throws Kubo a wink. Kubo grins.
DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

53/92

BEETLE (CONTD)
Now draw back slowly. Thats it.
Now close one eye... guess youve
got that part covered...
Kubo GIGGLES and gives Beetle a mock shove with his elbow.
BEETLE (CONTD)
Concentrate on what is directly in
front of you and let everything
else fall away... aaand...
release!
ANGLE ON a fish swimming just under the surface of the water
as it is suddenly speared by one of Beetles arrows.
BEETLE (CONTD)
Perfect shot! Perfect shot!

Monkey knuckles up behind Beetle and sits down, smirking.

MONKEY
Not bad. And whats your plan for
getting the fish into the boat so
we can actually eat it?
We see the fish float past camera, then sink into the water.
Beetle looks a little deflated but rallies with his typical
bravura.
BEETLE
Well, I said I was teaching him how
to shoot, not fish. Fishing is, uh,
tomorrows lesson.

*
*
*

Still smirking, Monkey swipes another arrow out of his hand.

MONKEY
Give me that.
BEETLE
Woah, grabby Monkey.

Monkey reaches into Kubos pack pulling out a length of rope

which she ties to the arrow, grinning slyly and clearly
enjoying herself.
MONKEY
Now try it.
Beetle takes the arrow off her, then reaches around to help
Kubo draw back the bow.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

54/92

BEETLE
Okay, now pull back and...
Zip! Bullseye! Another fish harpooned. Kubo and Beetle both
let out a CHEER.
BEETLE (CONTD)
(to Monkey)
The rope was a pretty good idea!
The rope on the arrow tightens and Beetle yanks the fish into
the boat.
MONKEY
And youre not an awful shot.
Kubo eyes the two of them, smirking.
KUBO
Okay, now you two are being weird.
EXT. BOAT DECK-MINUTES LATER
Beetle and Kubo drop their haul of fish onto the deck. Beetle
starts looking around, like hes trying to find something.
BEETLE
Were gonna need something to cut
this wi-Theres a SWISH of air and the fish is transformed into
perfectly cut sashimi.
Beetle and Kubo stare at Monkey. She shrugs.
MONKEY
Sword Unbreakable.
They all sit down together. Its a nice, quiet, gentle
moment. Our three heroes, eating under the sun. Kubo sits
right between Beetle and Monkey, but he isnt really eating.
Beetle, on the other hand, is stuffing his face. Hanzo
Origami stands on his lap, using his tiny paper sword to
lance chunks of fish from a makeshift plate and toss them up
into Beetles open mouth.
Monkey watches sourly.
MONKEY (CONTD)
Must you play with your food?
She grimaces as Beetle replies with a full mouth.
DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

Yes.

55/92

BEETLE

He notices Kubo looking at them with an odd look on his face.

BEETLE (CONTD)
Whats the matter, Kubo? You act
like youve never had a meal
sitting between a monkey and a
beetle before.
KUBO
Ive never had a meal sitting
between anyone before.
Monkeys face softens.
MONKEY
Come on. Eat. You need energy. And
this is much better than whale
soup.

Kubo smiles. Takes a bite of food. Beetle chews thoughtfully

as he stares at Kubo now, clearly thinking about his comment.
BEETLE
Kubo, question: before you started
on your heroic quest, what were you
like?
KUBO
Well, I looked after my mother,
mostly. And I told stories. About
mighty warriors seeking revenge,
with battles and monsters and
magic. I was pretty good at telling
them. Not so good at ending them.

*
*
*

Theres silence for a moment and Kubo seems lost in

recollection.
KUBO (CONTD)
Sometimes I would tell my mother
stories about little things. Like
skimming rocks across the river. Or
catching fireflies in the mulberry
fields.
Both Monkey and Beetle have stopped eating and listen
intently as Kubo goes on, his voice quieter.

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56/92

KUBO (CONTD)
And when I told those stories I
could see her eyes were mostly
clear. I could tell she saw me,
really saw me. And I could see her
too. Her real self. Her spirit.
Trying to find its way out. It was
beautiful.

Monkey & Beetle look at each other, not quite sure how to
respond to this. Finally, it is Beetle who offers...
BEETLE
You know something, Kubo? Back when
you just told stories...Before you
went on this great adventure, you
were still very much a hero.

*
*
*

Kubo looks up at Beetle, liking the sound of that. Monkey

does too. She gives Beetle an approving nod.
They go back to eating. Sitting a bit closer together now. We
hold on the moment, savoring it, until...
...its interrupted by the distant sound of THUNDER.
Monkey turns sharply and leaps onto the mast. She clambers to
the top where she sits like a silent sentinel.
Mountainous thunderclouds roll across the distant horizon; a
black smudge beneath a vast fiery sky. A storm is coming and
the sun is sinking into the ocean.
MONKEY
Were going to have to head for
shore. Find a hiding place. And...

Monkey has now switched focus to the bow of the ship.

Monkey drops down to the deck as Kubo and Beetle turn to see
Hanzo Origami standing on the very end of the ship pointing
into the dark waters.

Kubo and Beetle walk towards Hanzo.

KUBO
The second piece of armor!

MONKEY
The breastplate - its down there?
BEETLE
Okay, I got it.

*
*

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57/92

Immediately, Beetle turns, about to leap into the ocean.

KUBO
Beetle, wait!
BEETLE
Dont worry, beetles can hold their
breath underwater for a very long
time.
MONKEY
What?! Since when?

BEETLE
Its a well known fact, Monkey.

*
*

MONKEY
You dont remember anything at all,
but beetles swimming... thats what
sticks in there?

KUBO
No, Beetle. My mother told me a
story about the Long Lake. Theres
something under the water.

*
*
*
*

BEETLE
Oh, yeah? What kind of something?
KUBO
She said there was a Garden of
Eyes. Eyes that stare into you.
Into your soul. They show you
secrets, things to keep you down
there with them... forever!
Beetle and Monkey stare at him a moment. Beetle resumes his
swagger, a little hesitantly.
BEETLE
Okay. Well, I wont look directly
into anyones eyes. Even if Im
being incredibly sincere.
Before he leaps in, he looks at Monkey and winks.
BEETLE (CONTD)
Youre gonna miss me, Monkey.

And then hes gone, disappearing under the waves with a

SPLASH.

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58/92

MONKEY
(quietly)
Be careful.
(2350 HSU) HUNTERS SPLIT UP
EXT. SNOW-COVERED TERRAIN - DUSK
A tiny fragment of cloth flutters in the wind, obscured by a
squall of snow. We ANGLE DOWN to follow its erratic path,
revealing where we are --

*
*

Its the same spot where Kubo and Monkey first crash-landed.
The scrap of cloth is abruptly speared by a metal spike
attached to a long chain. At the other end of it are the
sisters, drifting through the blizzard.
A Sister winds in the scrap of Kubos robe and nods.
SISTER 1
Hes searching for the armor. Just
like his insolent father.

SISTER 2
Yes, sister. Then we must ensure he
does not find what remains.
They nod to each other and turn away, lifting off into the
shadows in opposite directions.
(2400 ABB) ABOVE/BELOW
EXT. KUBOS SAIL BOAT - THE LONG LAKE - NIGHT
Rain is pouring down now, building into a full blown storm.
Kubo stares down at the water while Monkey stares up at the
moon, barely visible behind the RUMBLING clouds. Both are
clearly concerned.
KUBO
(shouting)
MONKEY, I THINK HES IN TROUBLE. WE
SHOULD HELP HIM.

*
*

Monkey stares upwards as lightning CRACKLES far above them.

MONKEY
KUBO, YOUR AUNTS ARE STILL OUT
THERE. IM SORRY, BUT WE HAVE TO
HEAD FOR SHORE.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

59/92

Theres a SPLASH of water behind her, and when she turns

around Kubo has vanished.
MONKEY (CONTD)

*
*

Monkey grabs the Sword Unbreakable, then she too moves to

dive off the boat.

Kubo!

As she jumps something snags her ankle and yanks her

violently back across the deck. Her leg is ensnared in a
chain, and a flash of lightning reveals the grim silhouette
of a masked Sister, holding the other end of it as she floats
above the boat.
The Sister stares down at Monkey, her WHISPERS inexplicably
audible over the sounds of the storm.
SISTER
Look at this. I come fishing and
all I reel in is a stinking ape.

*
*
*

She glides closer.

SISTER (CONTD)
How pathetic that this filthy
creature is all thats left of my
sisters magic.

*
*
*

MONKEY
This filthy creature will tear you
apart!

*
*
*

She suddenly springs forward, attacking with the Sword

Unbreakable.

*
*

UNDERWATER

Kubo swims through columns of kelp and schools of flitting

fish. They scatter as lightning FLASHES far above.

*
*

An unnatural light, glowing between the inky strands, beckons

Kubo deeper.

*
*

He pushes his way through the kelp and there, suspended in

the sea, is the second piece of armor! A golden, shimmering
breastplate, unmoved by the current; a white hot beacon in
the black abyss.

*
*
*
*

Kubo swims faster, reaching out for the breastplate. He then

slides his body into it, the armor magically shrinking to fit
him.

*
*
*

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

60/92

He turns to swim back to the surface, but as he does, a

second, more sinister glow glints off the breastplate.

*
*

Its a giant, luminous eye atop a serpentine stalk that

undulates with a thousand legs.

*
*

Before he can stop himself, Kubo is staring directly into it.

His eye widens. His limbs fall limp by his side. He is
transfixed.

*
*
*

The sea creatures body slithers closer and its dreadful arms
open to embrace him.

*
*

WATERS SURFACE

The storm RAGES. As does the battle on the boat between

Monkey and the Sister. Lightning and THUNDER tear apart the
sky as Monkey dodges blow after blow of The Sisters terrible
chain.

*
*
*
*

Beneath their feet the boats deck is beginning to crack and

unfold, the magic binding it together starting to fade.

*
*

Kubo!

MONKEY

*
*

The Sisters chain flies out and wraps around Monkey. The
Sister reels her in.
SISTER
I have crushed creatures who could
fit this world on their fingernail.
This victory brings me no honor.
As the Sister moves to strike, Monkey kicks her and frees
herself from the chain.
MONKEY
Imagine how youre going to feel
when you lose.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Monkey parkours herself onto the mast, flipping over the

Sisters head and landing right beside the Sword Unbreakable.
SISTER
I felt loss only once.

*
*
*

Monkey grabs the Sword and immediately launches into a

frenzied assault of her own.
SISTER (CONTD)
Eleven years ago, I lost my sister.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

*
*
*

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

61/92

The Sister is now the one dodging the blows, desperately

trying to regain the offensive.
SISTER (CONTD)
She fell in love with a fool and
betrayed our father.

*
*
*
*

They remain locked in combat, the boats slow disintegration

forcing them to become increasingly acrobatic.
SISTER (CONTD)
She was an ungrateful coward!

*
*
*

Monkey moves to strike a death blow, but the Sister suddenly

vanishes into the darkness of the torrential rain.

*
*

Monkey turns on the spot, surrounded by echoing GIGGLES, as

lightning flashes reveal strobing glimpses of the Sister
through the whipping sails.

*
*
*

MONKEY
Whos the coward now?

*
*

The Sisters familiar porcelain mask slowly rises into frame

directly behind Monkey...

*
*

The Sister lunges at her with a ROAR. Monkey pivots and

raises her sword but as she parries one piece of the broken
chain, the other coils around her body and drives her into
the deck.

*
*
*
*

Beetle emerges from the water, triumphantly holding an arrow

above his head. Its the one with the fish impaled upon it.

*
*

BEETLE
I got it! I got it.

*
*

Monkey and the Sister look up as Beetle clambers onto the

deck, proudly wielding his skewered fish.
MONKEY
Beetle! What happened? Wheres
Kubo?
Ummm....

*
*
*
*
*

BEETLE

*
*

The Sister takes advantage of Monkeys distraction and

attacks. The sword is flung from Monkeys hand and lodges in
the side of the boat near Beetle with a TWANG.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

*
*
*

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

62/92

Beetle frowns, clearly confused. The Sister has turned her

attention to him, gliding across the deck. He casts aside the
arrow and pulls free the Sword Unbreakable, squaring his
shoulders and ready to fight.

*
*
*
*

The Sister attacks Beetle and disarms him before she is

lassoed by her own chain with Monkey wielding the other end.
Monkey furiously whips the Sister through the air, hitting
her against the mast.

*
*
*

MONKEY
Get back down there! Hes in
trouble!
I got it.

*
*
*

BEETLE

*
*

Beetle takes one last, deep breath, and dives off the boat
back into the water.

*
*

UNDERWATER

The Ningen drags Kubo down deeper and deeper into the water,
its eerie light illuminating Kubos face while indecipherable
WHISPERS chatter through the gloom. As they descend, the
light reveals a massive form beneath them; a giant mouth,
rimmed with thousands of razor sharp teeth, surrounded by
dozens more of those staring eyes.

*
*
*
*
*
*

WHISH! An arrow punctures the glowing eye, and the lake is

filled with SCREAMS as Beetle appears through the water. He
follows up with a volley of arrows, spearing one eyeball
after another.

*
*
*
*

Kubo is suddenly released from the Sea Creatures grasp, and

blinks himself awake, but hes out of air and fading fast.
With a last exhalation of bubbles, his eye rolls back in his
head.

*
*
*
*

Beetle sees this and swims towards Kubo.

EXT. KUBOS SAIL BOAT - THE LONG LAKE - RAGING STORM

The boat is in shambles now, torn into little more than

stepping stones for Monkey and the Sister as they fight.

*
*

SISTER
It never fails to amaze me, how the
creatures down here fight so hard,
just to die another day.

*
*
*

DRAFT: 01.05.16

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63/92

MONKEY
Down here, there are days worth
fighting for.

*
*
*

SISTER
There is nothing down here worth
anything!

*
*

Monkey sees the Sword Unbreakable at the other end of the

boat and runs for it. Just as she reaches it, the Sisters
chain ensnares her. She continues to crawl towards the sword
and a thin trickle of blood begins to stain the white of her
fur.

*
*
*
*
*

SISTER (CONTD)
Its pathetic what happened to my
sister. I looked up to her. She was
so strong. Love made her weak.

*
*
*

MONKEY
No. It made me stronger.

*
*

Monkey takes advantage, and with a savage burst of strength

she springs into the air, and raises the Sword Unbreakable
for its killing blow...

*
*
*

UNDERWATER

Beetle is just a few feet from the surface, dragging the

unconscious Kubo when he sees the Sisters cracked mask sink
down past him, disappearing into the darkness of the water.

*
*
*

WATERS SURFACE

Beetles head breaks the surface, and he looks around to see

the scattered and fragmented remains of Kubos boat.

*
*

OVER HERE!

MONKEY (O.S.)

*
*

Monkey is crouched on a floating chunk of boat, no more than

a few feet wide, waving her arms to get Beetles attention.

*
*

Beetle drags Kubo through the water over to Monkey and hauls
his limp body up onto the wreckage of the boat.

*
*

Monkey shakes him by the shoulders but he doesnt stir.

BEETLE
The eyes. It was the eyes! They had
him in a trance.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

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64/92

MONKEY
No, no, No! Come on, come on, Kubo!
Wake up! Please wake up! Please,
please, wake up. Its gonna be
alright. Its gonna be alright. Im
here. Im right here.

*
*
*
*
*

Then, slowly but steadily, Beetle and Monkey notice the

pieces of the boat are beginning to reassemble around them.
Realizing what this means, they both look down at Kubo again.

*
*
*

He COUGHS weakly, his eye closed, and mutters as if caught in

a dream.

*
*

I saw...

KUBO

*
*

BEETLE
What? What did you see?

*
*

Kubo opens his eye and looks directly up at Monkey.

KUBO
I saw...Mother.
My son.

*
*
*

MONKEY

Monkey just reaches down and pulls Kubo up into an enormous,

tearful hug.

*
*

Beetle watches this embrace with an almost comical level of

astonishment as the boat continues to fold back together, and
as that magnificent sail unfurls, once again...

*
*
*

DISSOLVE TO:

(2500 SYS) MOTHER & HANZOS STORY

EXT. THE LONG LAKE SHORE - NIGHT
The storm has finally come to an end as Kubos boat calmly
reaches the shore of the Long Lake.
BEETLE (O.S.)
So you must look more like your dad
then?

DRAFT: 01.05.16

*
*
*

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

65/92

INT. CAVE THAT REMINDS US OF HOME - NIGHT

Kubo, and Beetle sit around a campfire, their attention is
fixed on Monkey as she fusses around the cave, trying to
avoid eye contact.
After a while the weight of their collective gaze provokes a
response.
MONKEY
Youre staring. Let me guess. You
have questions.

*
*

Monkey SIGHS and stops what shes doing. Kubo and Beetle nod
their heads in unison.
Why-

KUBO

BEETLE
Ill start. First question, if Im
Beetle, and youre Monkey, why
isnt he called Boy?

MONKEY
Oh boy. Questions can wait. We need
sleep.
Monkey spots Kubos eye on her and for a moment she holds his
gaze. She smiles, but it is tinged with sadness, as though
she would like to explain further but cant find the words.
KUBO
Tell us your story. Then we can
sleep. Please?
Hearing this last word, Monkey hesitates. She smiles and
relents, shaking her head in defeat as she knuckles closer.

MONKEY
Okay. Perhaps you can help me...
She takes Kubos shamisen from beside his bag and slides it
across the ground toward him. He picks it up, and plucks a
couple of notes.
MONKEY (CONTD)
The night I met your father...

She hesitates.
Mother?

KUBO

DRAFT: 01.05.16

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66/92

Monkey takes a deep, solemn BREATH.

MONKEY
My sisters and I went to the Temple
of Bones to kill Hanzo.
A moment of stunned silence. Kubo is still staring, in shock,
bachi pick poised upon the shamisen strings. Monkey raises
her eyebrows at him and clears her throat.
Oh. Right.

*
*
*

KUBO

He begins plucking the shamisen strings again, and a delicate

tune begins to play.
Immediately all around the cave, pebbles and twigs and fish
bones and stalactites all begin to tremble and move. Just
like when the sail boat formed, they dance and weave through
the air to illustrate her story, becoming a kind of makeshift
planetarium depicting the night sky.
MONKEY
At the bidding of the Moon King, my
sisters and I had come down from
the night sky and killed many noble
warriors. Your grandfather told us
that any man who found the magical
armor would grow too powerful and
be a threat to the heavens.
That night I arrived at the Temple
before my sisters. And there he
was. The mighty Hanzo.
The objects of the cave form an elaborate tableau of Hanzo
first meeting Mother in the Temple of Bones.
MONKEY (CONTD)
You have offended my father, I
told him. Now you must die.
BEETLE
Yeah, thats so you.
Kubo nudges him with his elbow.
KUBO
Beetle! Shhh!
The tableau Hanzo faces Mother, sword drawn. She falls upon
him with her own sword, robe and hair writhing about her.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

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67/92

MONKEY
We fought. Hanzo was strong. But
then he stopped. He looked into my
eyes and uttered four simple words.
These words changed everything.

*
*

A breathless beat.
BEETLE
I love you... Monkey?

MONKEY
You are my quest, he whispered. I
had seen the wonders of the
universe, but the warmth of his
gaze as I looked into his eyes...
That I had never known. It was his
humanity I saw. And it was more
powerful than anything in my cold
realm!

*
*

Hanzo and Mother dance, holding each other closely.

MONKEY (CONTD)
In recognizing his compassion I
recognized my own. I spared his
life. He gave me mine.
Kubo stares at the new tableau that has formed: Mother &
Hanzo holding baby Kubo in their arms.
MONKEY (CONTD)
And then he gave me you.

Meanwhile, baby Kubo smiles happily, blinking both his bright

eyes. Whatever happened to his eye, hasnt gone down yet.
MONKEY (CONTD)
But your Grandfather found us.
The Origami family falls lifeless into Monkeys hand.

MONKEY (CONTD)
His rage at my betrayal shook the
heavens.

*
*

And then the floating debris suddenly stops in place, rolling

gently in the air a beat before unraveling and falling
lifeless to the cave floor. Kubo has stopped playing the
shamisen.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

*
*
*
*

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

68/92

MONKEY (CONTD)
Your father and his army gave their
lives, allowing me to escape with
you in my arms.
Kubo looks at the shredded paper in front of him.

*
*
*
*
*

KUBO
Why does Grandfather hate me?
Monkey strokes her hand through his hair.
MONKEY
Oh, Kubo. He doesnt hate you. He
wants to make you just like him.
Blind to humanity, as I once was.
Only then can you take your place
beside him as part of his family...
cold and hard and perfect.

Kubo closes his eye tight.

KUBO
Ill never be like him! Never!
I know.

MONKEY

They sit in silence and, after a moment, Monkey realizes he

has fallen asleep in the safety of her arms.
She rises and carries him over to a corner where she uses his
robes to tenderly tuck him in.
MONKEY (CONTD)
Hes exhausted.
Me too.

BEETLE

MONKEY
Im not tucking you in.
Beetle smiles as Monkey pads back over to the fire. He
notices the blood staining her fur and her pained expression
as she sits.
BEETLE
Youre hurt.
He reaches out to her.
MONKEY
Just a scratch.
DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

69/92

She slaps his hand away, but theres no malice in it.

BEETLE
(gently)
Monkey? Why didnt you tell him
sooner... who you really are?
MONKEY
The magic that keeps me here...
its fading. Soon Ill be gone, and
then Kubo will be alone again.
BEETLE
Not alone. He is the son of Hanzo.
I will do everything I can to keep
him from harm.
Monkey appreciates this.
MONKEY
Thank you, Beetle. To know Kubo has
someone to watch over him when Im
gone. That would be a fine way to
end my story.
Beetle considers this.
BEETLE
Your story will never end.

Monkey is surprised and a little moved by his sentiment. He

looks over at Kubo as he continues.

BEETLE (CONTD)
It will be told by him. And by the
people he shares it with. And by
the people they share it with. And
by the people they share it with.
And by the people they share it
with...
Its starting to get a little awkward.
Beetle...

MONKEY

BEETLE
The point is, your story will live
on. In him.

*
*

And Monkey really likes the sound of that. She smiles.

Kubo lies in the corner of the cave on his side, sleeping

soundly.
DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

70/92

BLACK
Kubos eye blinks open.
(2600 KUD) KUBOS DREAM
EXT. TWISTED RIVER - CONTINUOUS
Kubo is lying in long grass beside a river similar to the one
at the cemetery near his home. Somewhere close by, the
plucked notes of a shamisen are playing a BEAUTIFUL SONG.
Kubo sits up and looks around and sees a figure next to him.
It appears to be a sweet old man with a smile on his face. He
plays a shamisen.
OLD MAN
Hello, my young friend. Why dont
you join in my song?
KUBO
But how did you..? Youre...
OLD MAN
Even blinder than you?
The old man smiles to let Kubo know he is being lighthearted. Never one to back down, Kubo adds...
KUBO
Twice as much. To be precise.
OLD MAN
Which means I see double the truth.
KUBO
This is all a dream.
(wary)
Is this a good dream or a bad one?
OLD MAN
See for yourself.
The man gestures across the river, which has suddenly
expanded into a giant moat, beyond which a majestic stone
fortress rises out of the mist.
KUBO
My fathers fortress.
Yes.

OLD MAN

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

71/92

The tableau continues to shift before Kubos eye, dissolving

into rows of SAMURAI wearing the beetle crest on their armor,
standing frozen like statues. They are guarding a dazzling
golden helmet, floating in the air.
KUBO
The last piece of armor! Its here?
OLD MAN
Follow the setting sun and youll
find it. In the place that might
have been your home. Claim your
birthright, Kubo! Give this
story... a happy ending!
And with that, the old man plucks a single VERY LOUD NOTE -INT. CAVE THAT REMINDS US OF HOME - DAWN
Kubo sits up, wearing a look of epiphany on his face. He
turns to look at his companions.
He rushes over to shake Monkey awake. Then a groggy Beetle.
KUBO
Mother! Beetle! Wake up!

MONKEY
Im up. Im up.
BEETLE
(groaning)
Im down.
MONKEY
(to Beetle)
Ugh. Get off.
Beetle stretches, a pained expression on his face.
BEETLE
I think I slept on something...
He reaches down and pulls out the sheathed Sword.
BEETLE (CONTD)
Sword Uncomfortable.
KUBO
The Helmet. I know where it is. I
saw it in a dream, Beetle!

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

72/92

BEETLE
A dream? Well that doesnt mean
anything, in particular. I dreamt I
fought a giant skeleton with swords
in its head.
MONKEY
That really happened.
Oh. Yeah.

BEETLE

KUBO
Beetle, Come on! This way!
Kubo picks up Little Hanzo and pops him into his bag,
fastening the flap over the top as he slings it over his
shoulder.
Kubo motions to the others. Beetle and Monkey exchange
curious glances and follow him.
(2700 ETF) ENTER THE FORTRESS
EXT. THE FARLANDS - SUNRISE
An epic panoramic landscape. The waking sun breaks through
boundless banks of cloud, and paints the landscape beneath a
blazing red. Dwarfed by the immensity of this vista are our
heroes, but their shadows grow and multiply out from the
horizon like an infinite family of paper dolls.
EXT. MOUNTAIN PASS - THE FARLANDS - LATE AFTERNOON
Our heroes hike a trail through the mountains. As they
traverse a particularly steep bluff, Beetle gamely lifts Kubo
up by his collar and plonks him onto his shoulder.
As they near the top of the mountain ridge they play a
cheerful game, spirits high.
KUBO
I spy with my one eye, something
beginning with... S.
Snow.
No.

*
*

BEETLE
KUBO

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

73/92

BEETLE
Snowflake.
No.

KUBO

BEETLE
Okay... Snow-covered trees.
MONKEY
Nothing to do with snow.
BEETLE
(looks at Monkey)
How about serious?

MONKEY
(mutters)
Stupid.

Kubo frowns. From his perch on top of Beetle he hears a

sound. Soft, indistinct, but strangely familiar.
BEETLE
Okay, I got it. Snow.

MONKEY
He said it wasnt snow.
Kubo looks up into the sky.
KUBO
Its a song.
BEETLE
Well, thats not fair! How do you
see a song?
Kubo leans over and gently tilts Beetles head.
You look.

KUBO

Above them a hundred-strong flock of birds glide beneath the

canopy of cloud. They look like herons but glow with a
magical blue light and sing a symphonic version of the song
from Kubos own dream.
MONKEY
Golden Heron. Its believed they
hold the souls of the departed,
carrying them over to wherever they
may need to go.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

74/92

BEETLE
What are they singing?
KUBO
Its beautiful.

MONKEY
Many say the songs about what
happens when we die. How we dont
just... disappear.
BEETLE
We dont? So what happens to us?
MONKEY
Like Kubos paper, we shift. We
transform. So we may continue our
story to another place. The end of
one story is merely the beginning
of another...

And at that they crest the top of the ridge to see the heron
flying over a pair of monumental stone faces, dozens of feet
high, carved into the likenesses of Hanzo and Mother. Cracked
and forlorn, they have fallen in against one another,
foreheads touching to create a crumbling arch.
A bridge painted with the beetle crest runs between them,
leading to the dark ruins of a massive island fortress. We
saw this once-majestic place before, in Kubos dream. Only
now it lists into the water, walls and rooftop shattered and
overgrown with wild bamboo. A broken home.

(2800 MEM) MEMORIES

INT. ENTRY HALLWAY BEETLE FORTRESS - DUSK
Torn banners displaying the beetle crest flap in the evening
wind as the trio moves through the ruins.
BEETLE
I remember this place.

*
*

Its clear this place was once splendid, filled with weapons
and armor and beautiful works of art. Now all that remains is
covered over in dust and encroaching weeds and bamboo.
INT. STUDY BEETLE FORTRESS - CONTINUOUS
Kubo slides open a door into a room overflowing with papers,
scrolls, and maps.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

*
*
*

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

75/92

There are drawings of Ningen and Odokuro, even sketches of

the armor itself. It seems this place was entirely dedicated
to Hanzos search for the armor.
KUBO
This was where my father prepared
for his quest.

Our heroes walk through it, gazing around in wonder at the

various memories of their journey. Monkey examines up a piece
of paper with an image of the Helmet on it.

Kubo spies a stand of intricately printed screens in front of

a doorway across the room. Upon one of them is an
illustration of an amazing golden helmet, just as in Kubos
dream! The sweeping lines of the helm curve around an elegant
war mask that mimics the facial features of Hanzo.

Kubo excitedly pushes through the screens.

(2900 UND) UNITED/DIVIDED

INT. COURTYARD BEETLE FORTRESS - NIGHT

Moonlight seeps through a tangle of high bamboo growing out

of the ragged remains of a once grand courtyard. Kubo runs
out across a floor strewn by the broken remnants of hundreds
of pieces of ornate samurai armor.

*
*
*
*

BEETLE
Theres something I dont
understand...Why would the helmet
be here?
Kubo!

*
*
*
*

MONKEY

*
*

Monkey and Beetle are right behind him, but already smoke is
seeping amongst the shattered armor, thin tendrils snaking up
beneath breastplates, gauntlets, and greaves.

*
*
*

Fingers of smoke slither up around our heroes, constricting

and hoisting them into the air. Beetles bow falls from his
hand and CLATTERS to the ground.

*
*
*

A familiar LAUGH echoes through the courtyard.

The other Sister, stark and ominous against the full moon,
floats down in front of her captives, smoking pipe in hand.

*
*

MONKEY (CONTD)
Release us!

*
*

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

76/92

She floats closer.

SISTER
Oh, Sister. I remember how we
looked up to you. Of all of us, you
shone the brightest. Such a waste.
All we ever wished was to be a
family... in our home among the
stars.

*
*
*
*
*
*

MONKEY
I think we have very different
definitions of family.

*
*
*

The Sister reaches out to Kubo.

BEETLE
Dont you touch him, you witch!

*
*

The Sister turns her horrible NOH mask to face him.

SISTER
And then theres you. The thieving
insect who stole my sisters soul.
What?

MONKEY

*
*
*
*

Noticing the confusion in Beetles and Monkeys eyes, the

Sister throws back her head and GIGGLES again.
SISTER
Oh, this is precious! Youve been
together all this time and you
havent even realized?

*
*
*
*
*
*

A beat of stunned silence.

A puff of smoke drifts from the Sisters pipe across the

ground to Hanzo Origami, and lifts him into the air. She
speaks directly to Beetle as she motions to Monkey.

*
*
*

SISTER (CONTD)
You took her from us. It was only
fitting we took something from you!
How swiftly those memories spilled
from your head. Wiping out all
recollection of your obscene union,
HANZO.

*
*
*
*
*
*

The smoke turns Little Hanzo in the air. Folding. Reforming.

Until the paper samurai has become an exact replica of Beetle
himself.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

*
*
*

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

What..?

77/92

BEETLE

*
*

Monkey turns to Beetle, confused.

Hanzo..?

MONKEY

*
*

Kubo wriggles and strains against his smoke bonds.

Beetle turns to Monkey. Neither can believe what theyre

hearing.

*
*

BEETLE
I didnt know...

*
*

Monkey looks at him with sympathy.

The Sister CACKLES, finding this scene perversely enjoyable,

and throws Beetle into a wall.

*
*

No!

MONKEY

*
*

And then she notices Kubo, frantically struggling behind her.

SISTER
(laughing)
Im forgetting what I came here
for...

*
*
*
*

As the Sister glides toward him, Kubo is finally able to

reach into the back of his belt. With a blur of his hand he
slashes at her with his bachi pick, cracking her mask in half
and breaking the pipe!

*
*
*
*

The smoke demons disappear, the source of their power

destroyed, dropping Monkey and Beetle to the ground.

*
*

The Sister SCREAMS into Kubos face, the lower half of her
mask broken away.

*
*

She tosses him across the courtyard, knocking him

unconscious.

*
*

Monkey hefts her sword and launches herself at the Sister.

Just as her blade is about to make contact, the Sister spins

and produces two crescent-shaped blades seemingly from
nowhere. Sparks flash across their faces as weapons collide.

*
*
*

The two spin, strike and dodge, a beautiful dance illuminated

by the light of their magical blades.

*
*

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

78/92

The Sisters assault is relentless, and Monkeys wound is

hampering her defense. Slowly but surely the Sister is
gaining the upper hand.

*
*
*

She rains down blow after blow, forcing the sword from
Monkeys hand, LAUGHING as she gains the advantage.

*
*

Nearby, Kubo begins to come to, groggy and disoriented. He

suddenly CRIES out...

*
*

Mother!

KUBO

*
*

Monkey sees Kubo and crawls towards him.

And then, as the Sister floats into the air preparing to

deliver a fatal blow, a rusted sword spins at her, knocking
her to the ground.

*
*
*

The projectile came from Beetle, and he grabs more swords

from the pile of armor around him.

*
*

Beetle runs to where Kubo is comforting Monkey.

KUBO (CONTD)
Shhh...its okay. Im here.

*
*

Kubo looks up to Beetle.

KUBO (CONTD)

*
*

BEETLE

*
*

MONKEY
(weakly)
Seems Im married to a bug.

*
*
*

Father!
My son.

She hesitates as she looks him up and down.

BEETLE
Yeah. A samurai bug.

*
*

She smiles grimly, holding onto Beetles arm.

BEETLE (CONTD)
You are my quest. You always have
been.
MONKEY
Hanzo. Keep him safe. No matter
what.

*
*
*

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

79/92

BEETLE
I promise I will.

*
*

Suddenly, Beetle YELLS in agony as the Sister appears behind

him and plunges her blade deep into his back.
NO!

MONKEY

*
*
*
*

Beetle slumps down beside Monkey, who looks up, dazed and
horrified, as the Sister stands over them.

*
*

She raises her blade above Monkeys head.

Monkey looks over to Kubo.

MONKEY (CONTD)
Fly home, Kubo.

*
*

Time seems to slow down. The only sound we hear is the quiet
THUMPING of Monkeys weakened heartbeat.

*
*

THUMP... THUMP...

Kubo races towards the shamisen, reaching out his hands.

THUMP... THUMP...

The Sisters sword carves through the air toward Monkeys

neck.

*
*

THUMP... THUMP...

Kubo grabs the shamisen, raking his bachi across the strings
so violently that two of them actually snap in half, and the
REVERBERATING SOUND of the shamisen swallows up everything
with a shockwave of blinding white light.

*
*
*
*

(3000 KUC) KUBO CRIES

INT. COURTYARD BEETLE FORTRESS - NIGHT

DISSOLVE THROUGH to find Kubo on hands and knees, blinking

his eye as he tries to get his bearings.

*
*

Around him are pieces of the Sisters broken mask. In front

of him lies the netsuke statue. It is broken in half.
Beetles broken bow lies next to him.

*
*

Out of silence we gradually become aware of the slight but

steady PLUCKING of a string. Dull. Empty.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

80/92

Kubo kneels, cradling the shamisen with the two broken

strings in his lap as a steady stream of teardrops fall from
his face and repeatedly strike the one remaining string.
Behind him, with the sound of each tear, shredded scraps of
paper surge up into a tiny blizzard. Within it a pathetic,
flimsy version of Little Hanzo begins to take shape.
Sensing something, Kubo turns to see the figure there. A
pitiful, torn version of its former self.
But Hanzo Origami is not giving up. Using all of his
strength, he drags himself across the floor and points his
sword again.
He slowly rises and goes over to the place where Hanzo fell,
and sees the diminutive figure, damaged but undeterred,
pointing with his sword and staring up at Kubo beseechingly.
Finally, Kubo turns to see what he was pointing at. Its an
illustration of the Helmet Impenetrable. Only from here it
looks exactly like the bell in Kubos village.
CLOSE ON his face, staring as realization dawns.
Kubo packs his bag with the sword, Hanzo Origami, and the
broken netsuke. He ties the straps of the breastplate onto
the side and then steps over Beetles broken bow. He pauses
for a moment as he looks at it. Then he kneels down and takes
the bowstring from the shattered wood and wraps it around his
wrist alongside his mothers bracelet.
And
for
the
the

then he picks up his shamisen, closes his eye, and stands

a moment in the center of the courtyard, the only sound
FLAPPING of the frayed beetle banners as they billow in
wind.

Kubo plays one last note, PLUCKING the string as hard as he

can, snapping it completely.
With a RUSTLING, the beetle banners flutter more violently,
twisting and folding and breaking off their mounts. The
banners envelope him, intertwining with his own robe to
become a magnificent pair of wings that lift him up into the
air, soaring above the ruins...
(3200 RTT)
EXT. CENTRAL AVENUE - DAY

The bell rings above the village ruins. It has been utterly
decimated, like a bomb went off. The once lively and colorful
place has been burned to the ground.

*
*
*

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

81/92

Kubos new wings fly him across the landscape and land him on
central avenue near the bell tower.

*
*

Kubo struggles to his feet and stares up at the bell.

Kubo steps over to the blackened wooden scaffold of the bell

tower. Its quiet enough to hear his footsteps CRUNCH as he
walks. And then, face determined, he starts hitting the
broken tower until it crashes down with the bell.

*
*

Kubo reaches in the rubble and frees the helmet.

KAMEYO (O.S.)
Kubo? Is that you?

*
*

The voice surprises him. He turns around.

From somewhere across the other side of the main street, a

soot-stained face peeks out from the charred ruin of a house.
It is Kameyo, and she watches the unfolding scene with wide
eyes.

Behind Kameyo are Hosato with Mari, and other familiar faces
looking at him with awestruck curiosity.

*
*

KUBO
You have to leave this place. The
Moon King, he is coming.

*
*
*

The survivors see the look on his face and dont ask
questions. They hurry through the market place toward the
gate out of town.
Kubo waits a moment for them to leave, puts on the helmet and
then takes a deep breath. His hand tightens its grip on the
sword hilt, and he looks up at the full moon hanging
ominously in the sky. Unblinking.

*
*
*
*

KUBO (CONTD)
GRANDFATHER! ITS ME! KUBO! I KNOW
YOU CAN SEE ME!
Theres a moment of silence as the echoes of his shout
dissipate, and Kubo whirls around to confront the BLIND OLD
MAN from his dream. Now he wears regal robes that glow in the
moonlight.
GRANDFATHER
Hello, Grandson. Its so good to
see you at last. So to speak.
He CHUCKLES. Gentle. Winsome. Utterly insincere.

Kubo picks up a rock.

*
DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

And I
Seems
bring
after

82/92

GRANDFATHER (CONTD)
see you found the armor.
your mother had a reason to
you to this dreadful place
all.

*
*

Kubo throws the rock at Grandfather.

Grandfathers hand snatches the rock out of the air as it

comes at him.

*
*

I see.

GRANDFATHER (CONTD)

*
*

His face still placid, he calmly squeezes up his fist and

crushes the projectile to dust.
KUBO
I know you do. Thats how this all
began. You finally saw me. That was
my fault. I should have listened to
my parents.
GRANDFATHER
Kubo, we both want the exact same
thing.

*
*

*
*

KUBO
You want to take my other eye.
Thats what you want.
GRANDFATHER
Well, yes, but do you know why I
want it?
KUBO
Because youre old, and mean, and
cruel.

*
*
*

He takes a breath and smiles affably.

GRANDFATHER
Oh now, thats a little harsh. As
long as you cling to that silly,
useless eye, you cant come up to
live with me in the heavens.

Grandfather keeps moving closer to Kubo as he speaks.

GRANDFATHER (CONTD)
Youll be stuck down here in this
hell. Staring with that lonely eye
at hate and heartache and suffering
and death.
(MORE)
DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

83/92

GRANDFATHER (CONTD)
Where I want to take you we have
none of those things. It will just
be you with your family. Where you
belong.

KUBO
My family is gone. You killed them.

GRANDFATHER
No! They brought their fates upon
themselves. They disgraced me and
upset the order of everything.

*
*
*

KUBO
Thats how your story goes.
GRANDFATHER
Oh, Kubo. When youre up there with
me you will be beyond stories. You
will be immortal. You will be...
infinite.

KUBO
No, youre wrong. Not infinite. All
stories have an end.

*
*
*

Grandfather narrows his eyes. We get the sense he will only

play this game so long. Hes starting to look a little pale
and more... wrinkly... than before. Grandfathers skin is
slowly taking on the appearance of a milky cataract-like
shell. Cracks on his face splinter across the surface like
shattered glass.
GRANDFATHER
Is that right? And how does this
story end?

*
*
*
*
*

Kubo fixes his grandfather with a look filled with fire.

KUBO
I kill you!
Kubo raises up his sword, ready for battle.
GRANDFATHER
Oh, very well. Is this your wish?
To do battle with the hideous
monster who ruined your life? To
prove your worth like your doomed
father? How mortal.

*
*
*
*
*
*

(3400 SHO) SHOWDOWN

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

84/92

EXT. CENTRAL AVENUE - NIGHT

Grandfather throws open his arms and his entire body breaks
apart like a cocoon. We see the blur of a hideous head
trailing a long serpentine body as it launches a hundred feet
into the air. Seeming smaller than ever, Kubo stands there
looking up at this towering beast.
The Moon Beast LAUGHS, shaking the very foundation of the
devastated village.
Kubo YELLS, and runs at the beast, sword held high.
It lunges down at him, fangs bared. Kubo leaps, spinning over
its head and slashing at its pearly white flesh. The sword
connects with a flash of sparks, like metal on metal.
The beast recoils, but whether its out of pain or surprise
is not immediately clear. Kubo is upon it again, a dazzling
barrage of blows forcing the monster further back.
Gaining the advantage, Kubo lunges with his sword, slicing
deep into the creatures vast white eye. The beast ROARS and
thrashes, its enormous tail decimating a scorched building
behind it.
Furious, the beast twists around and comes at Kubo. He ducks
through a charred doorway and somersaults out of a window,
the creature bulldozing the entire building behind him.
Kubo jumps and weaves as the monster lashes out. Each time he
evades its claws or maw, he scores a hit with his sword.
The beast relentlessly pursues him through the blackened
shells of ruined homes. Despite his agility and tenacity,
Kubo is running out of breath. It seems hes fighting a
losing battle.
Exhausted, he stumbles, and the beasts jaws lock down around
his body. The armor buckles and cracks around him, and Kubo
is spat out, SMASHING through the remains of a wall.
Painfully, Kubo crawls back onto his feet, bruised and
bloodied.
The creature snaps its tail like a whip, coiling around
Kubos body and pulling him up in front of its terrible face.
The spiky tip of its tail hooks under the lip of Kubos
helmet and flips it off his head.
Giant tendrils of saliva fly out of its mouth as it hisses...

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

85/92

MOON BEAST
You want to be human? Then share
their weakness!
The tail around Kubo squeezes tight, crushing him.
MOON BEAST (CONTD)
Suffer their humiliation!
The spiky tail tears the patch off Kubos face.
MOON BEAST (CONTD)
Feel their pain!
The beast throws Kubo contemptuously to the ground. He lands
in the dust beside the Sword Unbreakable.
As Kubo goes for it the Moon Beast strikes him with its
enormous tail, flinging him like a rag doll through the air.
(3500 T2S) THE 2 STRINGS
EXT. CEMETERY - CONTINUOUS
Kubo CRASHES through branches and bushes, cartwheeling
through the undergrowth leading down to the riverside
cemetery outside the village.
He eventually comes to a stop, barely conscious. His bag
lands nearby, its contents strewn around him.
In the distance we hear the Moon Beast ROAR as it smashes
through the village on its way to finish Kubo off.
Kubo blinks. Slowly pulls himself off the ground.
He reaches out for his sword. From beneath his robe sleeve
the two bracelets around his wrist are exposed. His mothers
hair and Beetles bow string.
Kubos fingers pause over the top of the sword hilt. And then
withdraw.
And then, as quickly as he can, he deftly begins re-stringing
his shamisen, using both string and hair.
The Moon Beast thunders closer through the woods.
Two strings in place, Kubo stares at the empty space where
the final string should go.
The Moon Beast appears, and finds Kubo kneeling on the
ground, shamisen in hand.
DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

86/92

MOON BEAST
This is the end of your story. Now
take one last look with that lonely
eye. One last look at this wretched
place you call home.
Kubo stands up. Defiant.
KUBO
Im not leaving.
He then reaches up and plucks out a hair from his own head,
and stretches it across the shamisen.
The Moon Beast CACKLES.
KUBO (CONTD)
For every horrible thing down here
theres something far more
beautiful. My mother saw it. So did
my father. I see it, even with just
one eye.
The Moon Beast SNARLS, no longer finding this amusing.
MOON BEAST
Then Ill just have to rip it out
of your head again, wont I?

As the Moon Beast goes to strike, Kubo plucks the first

string on the shamisen, producing a single BOOMING NOTE.
KUBO
IF YOU MUST BLINK, DO IT NOW!
The Moon Beast stops, surprised.
All the dead paper lanterns in the river suddenly ignite
again, a trail of light snaking from the river all the way to
the broken lanterns scattered throughout the marketplace.
KUBO (CONTD)
I know why you want my eye. Because
without it I cant look into the
eyes of another and see their soul.
Their love.
MOON BEAST
Everything you loved is gone!
Everything you knew has been taken
from you!
When Kubo speaks, his voice is stronger than ever.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

87/92

KUBO
No. Its in my memories. The most
powerful kind of magic there is.
Kubo plucks the second string.
And now, emerging from behind trees and grave markers, come
the surviving villagers. They hold glowing lanterns as they
march to take their place alongside Kubo.
Kubo plucks the final string, producing a NOTE that echoes
endlessly, and the Moon Beast stares down with an expression
of shock. Yet more figures are joining the ranks of Kubos
army, but these are glowing with the same otherworldly light
that we saw surrounding the blue herons. These are the
spirits of the dead.
He gestures to his army.
KUBO (CONTD)
It makes us stronger than youll
ever be. These are the memories of
those we have loved and lost. And
if we hold their stories deep in
our hearts, then you will never
take them away from us.
Kubo stands there defiantly, looking up at the Moon Beast,
who has clearly heard enough. The beast rears back and
strikes down at Kubo like an enormous snake.
But as his fanged head lunges at Kubos army, it is deflected
by a field of blue light that has appeared around them, just
like the glow that protected Mothers boat in the prologue.
The Moon Beast is stunned. Shakes his head. Then he strikes
again. And again. Each time he is repelled by the field which
keeps on growing larger and brighter.
KUBO (CONTD)
And that really is the least of it.
With that, he brings his hand down on his shamisen, STRUMMING
all three strings at once.
The blue glow explodes, and everything is swallowed up in a
blinding white light.
(3700 GRR) GRANDFATHER REBORN

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

88/92

EXT. CEMETERY
The glare slowly dissipates, and in front of Kubo now stands
the sweet-faced old man from Kubos dream. He looks around,
confused.
OLD MAN
Where am I?
Kubo approaches him and kneels down.
KUBO
Hello, Grandfather.
The old man stares at Kubo. Genuinely puzzled.
OLD MAN
Hello. What happened to your eye?
Kubo stares at his grandfather, a little uncertain.
KUBO
Dont you remember?
The old man shakes his head.
OLD MAN
Im sorry, young man. But I seem to
have forgotten my story. Can you
help me?
It takes a moment for this to sink into the crowd, and then
Kamekichi pushes forward.
KAMEYO
Ill tell him. No, well all tell
him. Well tell him everything he
needs to know.
As Kubo watches, the old woman approaches the old man, warily
at first, as if testing the water.
KAMEYO (CONTD)
You... are the kindest, sweetest
man to ever live in this village.
The old man seems surprised.
OLD MAN
Oh... Oh really?
Kameyo breaks into a grin and nods vigorously.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

Yes!

89/92

KAMEYO

Other villagers around her are starting to get the idea.

MARI
(stepping forward)
Every day, you walk around smiling
and handing out coins to
children... like me!
KAMEYO
And old women!
OLD MAN
(unsure)
Oh...
Soon, each of the villagers is shouting out details of the
old mans story.
VILLAGER 1
You... you taught my kids to swim!
HOSATO
And... you give blankets to the
poor!
HASHI
Youre a good man.
VILLAGER 3
You fed the hungry.
VILLAGER 4
You always lend a helping hand!
VILLAGER 5
Youre a great example!
OLD MAN
Oh. Turns out Im pretty selfless.
YOUNG DAUGHTER
Thats why we love you!
Kameyo leans in close to the Old Man.
KAMEYO
You know, we have something in
common. We both adore your
grandson.
She gestures to Kubo.
DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

90/92

KAMEYO (CONTD)
His name is Kubo.
OLD MAN
Kubo....Im sorry, but I dont
remember.
KAMEYO
Well, your grandsons a
storyteller. Hell tell you all the
stories youve forgotten.
Really?

OLD MAN

She winks at Kubo.

Of course.

KUBO
DISSOLVE TO

(3800 FIP) FINAL PRAYER

EXT. PATH DOWN TO CEMETERY - WOODS OUTSIDE VILLAGE - NIGHT
Under the tiniest sliver of moon, a long procession of
villagers heads down the forest path leading to the river.
They hold glowing paper lanterns as they move along solemnly.
Their departed loved ones walk alongside, identifiable by a
subtle spirit glow emanating from them in the moonlight.
When they reach the river, farewells are said and lit
lanterns set adrift once more.
EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT
The last of the remaining villagers file back up the path as
Kubo assembles his new altar. On it, he places two unlit
lamps, then gets to his knees, facing them. He begins
speaking quietly.
KUBO
Hello, Mother. Father. I know my
stories can tend to get a little,
um, long. So Ill keep this brief.
Kubo pauses, thinking what he wants to say.
KUBO (CONTD)
I am very grateful. I have had the
chance to meet you both.
(MORE)
DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

91/92

KUBO (CONTD)
Hear your wisdom. Feel your
kindness. Even eat a meal sitting
between you. This was a happy
story.
(a beat)
But...It could still be a whole lot
happier.
Kubo leans closer to the altar, losing some formality now.
KUBO (CONTD)
And I dont know exactly what the
rules are or how this works. But if
there were any way to... yknow. I
still need you. So I could say this
has been a happy story. Or I could
feel it. We could all feel it. And
then we could end this story...
together.
A beat, and then he looks up again in growing wonder as a
light spills across his face.
CUT TO:
BLACK
A long silence, and then we start to hear the first few notes
The Song of the Dead.
FADE IN:
(3900 UNI) UNITY
THE MOON
Reflected in the river. Glowing blue heron sail in front of
it, singing their sweet song.
We TILT UP across the surface of the water to find where the
herons are coming from...
EXT. CEMETERY
Floating along the river, heading out to sea, paper lamps are
refolding themselves and rising up out of the water, their
light swelling brighter and brighter as they transform into
glowing blue heron.
The newly-formed paper birds then flap their wings and rise
up off the water to join the rest of their flock in the sky.
DRAFT: 01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

92/92

This wondrous sight is witnessed by three figures standing in

shadow at the rivers edge. The shortest of the figures looks
up into the moonlight. It is Kubo, his face still partially
hidden in shadow, but we can see hes wearing a huge smile.
And now we see why...
Standing on either side of him, their hands resting gently on
his shoulders are HANZO & MOTHER, young and resplendent. If
there is a spirit glow around them, we cant quite see it
in this light. They seem as alive and tangible as Kubo
himself.
His eye sparkles in the moonlight as he looks up at the heron
soaring above the sea in the night Sky.
The end.

KUBOS VOICE (V.O.)

FADE TO:

WHITE
ROLL END TITLES.

DRAFT: 01.05.16

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