Wolf's Rain

Title:Wolf's Rain
Wolf's Rain (TV)
Overall:Buy
Keywords: , , , , ,
Notables: Animation - BONES
Music - KANNO Yoko

Does paradise really exist? What becomes of one in the bleakness of the future? All of these questions tends to swirl around the mind as one watches this unbelievable original anime. The future is as dark as broody as the end of the world draws near. Almost all life forms are extinct, and human beings just live life day to day just to survive. Through all the chaos a legend is still there, the legend of rakuen(Paradise)... It is said when the flowers of the moon bloom full, the wolves would arise and lead the way to paradise. It is said the wolves hide among humans, by being humans themselves.

Enter Kiba, a lone white wolf who followed his instinct into a city with no hope, only in search of something. along the way he meets up with fellow comrades from the fun loving and always for a meal Hige, the little runt and chibi of the group Toboe, to the brooding but realistic Tsume.

[26 TV episodes. See also the sequel Wolf's Rain OAV.]

Episode Details 
1
OverallArtAnimationCharacter Design MusicSeries StoryEpisode StoryReviewer
Rent 9 9 9 10 7 7 Ggultra2764 [series:604#1552]
I have heard of Wolf's Rain getting mixed perceptions from anime fans with some calling it another masterpiece and others saying while visually and aurally pleasing, the plotting and characterization of the series was a mixed bag. After watching through the entire series, I'd have to say I'm belonging to the latter side. Before I bring up my issues with the series, I'll get to the positives of it with the biggest being its presentation. The series sports some impressive visuals for a TV series with detailed and diverse settings consisting of areas such cities, forests, caves, castle ruins and icy mountain terrain. Character designs were just as detailed, especially in regard to the wolves in their true forms. Both make use of subdued colors that blend well with the post-apocalyptic world that Wolf's Rain gives off. Movements and action scenes in the series were also quite fluid and intense making all the eye-candy to the series excellent. Yoko Kanno contributes her composing talents to the series which creates powerful dramatic musical choices, especially the OP "Stray" and the ED "Gravity." In terms of characterization, many of the character developments and chemistry throughout the show's run progressed smoothly enough as the mentalities of a good number of the characters, especially the wolves, do undergo some changes as their adventures progressed on.

And now onto my major issues with the show. The plotting to the show is quite slow to the point where backgrounds to major characters are either not revealed until much later in the show (Toboe, Hige) or not at all whatsoever (Tsume). The presence of Lady Jagara in the later half of the series made her a less intriguing character than the first half's antagonist Darcia as her motivations of world conquest and dominance of the nobles felt no difference from past anime baddies I've come across. The four recap episodes found in the middle of the series and the lack of a conclusive ending were other problems I found with the show's plotting.

As it is, the premise of Wolf's Rain combined with its visual and aural presentation had potential to create an original and intriguing title. But with plotting issues and Jagara not being too original as an antagonist, I can only give this series a Rent as a result. However as I've said at the start of the review, your mileage will vary with how you feel about the series after giving it a shot.

Last updated Thursday, May 27 2010. Created Thursday, May 27 2010.
Rent 9 9 8 8 7 7 manganime [series:604#1633]
Enjoyable anime, but I'm not sure if I can watch it more than once. The Character development was great but the story developed at a slower pace. And there are like 4 episodes that flashback sumaarising the story with each characters' view. The ending however I thought was very good and the story really picked up. All in all I'm preety impressed.

Last updated Friday, June 17 2005. Created Friday, June 17 2005.
Buy 8 9 10 10 10 9 Violet D [series:604#1393]
I have watched this a couple of times when it was on Adult Swim. Each time I watched it I understood the story more. I love the wolf anyway and liked the plot of the story. I also don't fault the wolves or the ruler who is trying to keep the wolves from finding paradise. He has lost the women he loved and wants her to return to him without any illness. In the end the wolves find paradise but at a price.

Last updated Tuesday, June 14 2005. Created Tuesday, June 14 2005.
Buy 9 9 9 9 9 9 DillonSOB [series:604#1352]
A very well done, surreal anime. The characters were distinct and valuable.

Last updated Wednesday, February 09 2005. Created Wednesday, February 09 2005.
Buy 10 10 10 10 10 10 Anonymous #1292 [series:604#1292]
I love everything about this anime. I didn't even mind the recaps. It's a very well done show. I adore the characters, the story, the music, the backgrounds, the villains and more! The opening sequence is one of my all-time favorites. As for the final ending....wow, loved it! I felt it was a very nice way to end. For those who have trouble figuring out exactly what the ending means, let me say what I think. What better paradise could there be than a place where you can be with your friends and family forever? That seems to be the idea behind Wolf's Rain to me. They will meet again in paradise, just like they promised each other they would. That and, apparently, I'm sure you've all heard this before. "Heaven is a place on earth."

Last updated Thursday, March 25 2004. Created Thursday, March 25 2004.
Buy 10 10 9 10 10 9 Anonymous #1287 [series:604#1287]
I know this place is for reviewing and not for arguing, but, I still cant believe someone dared to grade Yoko Kanno's music with a 6. I mean, the background music blends PERFECTLY all the time. It probably has the best OST I've heard since FLCL's.
*spoilers*
The ending was not just "we killed the bad guy, lets go home" and stuff. They did kill the bad guy and reachead paradise, but unfortunately they died as soon as they arrived.

Last updated Monday, March 22 2004. Created Monday, March 22 2004.
Rent 10 10 10 6 7 8 pashunfrut [series:604#979]
Having just finished the final episode I have to say I was a little bit let down by the finale, I dont want to throw in any spoilers but I will say that it really felt that the story was going somewhere but it seems that at the end it was just sort of thrown together. Its not that they left certain things unspoken but its like they just threw some plot and charachter developments that really did not jive well with some of the development to date, for me it seemed to just be lurching to a halt rather than smoothly coming to a conclusion. It really seems that the creators had a strict vision when they set out but got a little caught up in themselves and sort of lost sight of the original focus. The story presents itself as a spiritual journey of self exploration but ends on a note resounding of 'well, we killed the bad guy, lets go home'.
Ok, I am done ranting. I may need to watch the ending again to re-evaluate it but my initial impression is that it really wasnt as deep as a conclusion as the series sets you up for. But the conclusion aside it definetly was a gorgeously put together anime, very little in the way of filler episodes but their are three recap episodes in a row that are told from three different charachter perspectives.
The opening and closing credit music didnt really do anything for me but the music in the episodes usually suited the mood well.
Most of the charachters I had very little trouble identifying with, and in fact their are a few very touching and human moments.
All in all I would definetly recommend the series, I know I ranted for a while about the ending but that is simply because I just finished watching it and it is fresh in my mind.

Last updated Saturday, September 20 2003. Created Thursday, September 18 2003.
Buy 10 10 9 10 10 9 Anonymous #864 [series:604#864]
What an amazing Anime. I know I will be buying this one when it comes out on DVD.

Last updated Sunday, July 20 2003. Created Sunday, July 20 2003.
Buy 10 10 9 10 10 8 The saint [series:604#815]
A very superb anime executed nicely. Maybe its just me but I do so love the wolves. In my eyes a supernatural creature.
Anyone who feels so would gladly like this anime. As for just ordinary anime watchers Feel free to watch so.
It would be everydbodies cup of tea, As the pacing of the story starts slow, much like the pace of cowboy bebop, but every episode is connected so you can't just skip one episode. The consequences would just leave so staring "Whats going on?..."
Right away from the opening sound fans are in for a treat. Produced by Yoko Kanno Opening theme "Stray" Is something different, sang in english by Steve Conte but true to the flavor of Miss Yoko. The ending theme "Gravity" will have a j pop otaku saying "Thats Maaya Sakamoto's voice!!" And indeed the illustrious Miss Sakamoto is on board.

Last updated Wednesday, July 02 2003. Created Sunday, June 29 2003.

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