Hirokazu Koreeda’s latest film, *Sheep in the Box*, follows Otone and Kensuke Komoto as they confront the loss of their seven‑year‑old son Kakeru two years after his death.. A local AI firm,REbirth, delivers a drone that can build a humanoid replica of Kakeru, prompting a clash between hope and horror over artificial grief counseling.

REbirth’s drone delivers a Kakeru‑look‑alike robot

According to the source, REbirth’s drone arrives at the Komotos’ home with the promise of a robot that mirrors Kakeru’s physical appearance and curated memories. the company claims the machine can help parents “relive fond memories and make new ones,” but it deliberately omits basic needs like food or water to avoid full biological simulation.

Otone embraces the replica while Kensuke calls it a “Tamagotchi”

The film shows Otone (Haruka Ayase) tentatively accepting the robot, seeing it as a possible bridge to her lingering sorrow.. In contrast, Kensuke (Daigo Yamamoto) initially rejects the idea,likening the device to a toy or a Roomba, which injects a note of dark comedy into the otherwise somber narrative.

AI grief counseling echoes global debate on embracing versus abandoning AI

As the source notes , the story lands amid a worldwide split: some advocate for AI integration because “it’s here to stay,” while others urge a complete retreat. *Sheep in the Box* positions the Komoto faamily as a test case, asking whether AI can genuinely aid mourning when placed in “proper hands.”

Robot Kakeru’s self‑awareness raises new ethical dilemmas

During the design phase, tehnicians input selected memories, limiting the robot’s exposure to negative emotions. Yet the narrative allows the synthetic Kakeru to develop his own realizations, especially when interacting with other humanoids, prompting viewers to consider whether a machine can ever truly comprehend loss.

Who decides the limits of AI‑mediated mourning?

The source highlights that the film never takes a definitive stance, instead presenting the Komotos’ evolving guilt, shame,and regret as a mirror for the audience. The unanswered question remains: who should set the boundaries for AI’s role in personal grief, and what safeguards are needed to prevent emotional manipulation?