A Japanese child would see the poster for "Kubo and the Two Strings" and think to themselves excitedly, "I have another character that looks like me and shares the same culture as me!"

• http://deadline.com/2016/08/kubo-and-two-strings-protest-white-actors-japanese-characters-manaa-1201807914/

• http://www.thewrap.com/kubo-and-the-two-strings-director-defends-non-asian-cast-inclusion-matters-but-dont-reduce-diversity-to-a-hashtag/

  Kubo and the Two Strings tells the story of a Japanese boy who goes on an adventure with Monkey and Beetle to quiet a spirit he released. Through his search for his father's Samurai armor to right his wrong, he encounters gods and monsters.

  The film itself is rich in Japanese culture and has recreated the ancient setting with research and detail, creating a stop-motion animation that is both respectful and beautiful. Representation in media is important so that it is inclusive to its viewers.The audience receives it in this film through the characters' ethnic background, personality, and appearances, but Media Action Network for Asian Americans believe the filmmakers could have stepped their game up:

 “These white actors would be appropriate for probably 95% of the movies out there,” MANAA founding president Guy Aoki said in a statement. “For something specific to the Asian/Japanese culture, why not give Asian American actors — who are rarely considered for significant parts in movies — the opportunity to be part of a prestigious project that could bolster their careers?"

  Travis Knight, the director of the film and Laika CEO defends the decision by stating "And so for us, while certainly background is absolutely a consideration, our prime consideration in casting is the ability of the actor to capture the emotion with their voice."

  The film definitely did its part in representation by creating a storyline that specifically targets a specific group of minorities, but could have there been names of Asian American actors that could have used the role to receive more Hollywood recognition by being part of a film with great ratings? Perhaps by including a set of actors (Ralph Fiennes, Charlize Theron, Rooney Mara, and Art Parkinson), Non-Asian but already well-known, helped with the marketing that the movie needed and spread to a wider audience.