Wolf's Rain
Reviewer: Wiggle [website] [email]Overall Rating: A+
Media Reviewed: DVD
Creator: Studio BONES
U.S. Licensed: Yes
Released by: Bandai
Run time: 30 episodes
BL Content: None (slashable)
Genre: Drama/Fantasy
Other media: English-licensed manga
The world is covered in snow, human civilization is on the decline, nobility has taken away the knowledge of higher science and alchemy from the common people, and wolves have been extinct for 200 years. Still, legends about wolves survive in the Book of the Moon, which tells of a place called Paradise where wolves rule. The Flower Daughter will lead the wolves to paradise. But of course, nothing is ever that simple.
Wolves do exist, in small groups in small places in the world, but they have learned to either live with humans and pretend to be dogs, or disguise themselves as human beings. Then a wolf named Kiba appears, searching for the Flower Daughter and willing to fight humans for her. He gathers other hidden wolves to his side: Tsume, a rough and uncaring wolf who leads a gang; Hige, happy and carefree with a truly wolfish appetite; Toboe, almost a cub with a constant optimism. Together, this little pack chases the Flower Daughter, Cheza, and searches for the promised Paradise. However, the wolves are not the only ones interested in finding Cheza and Paradise. Kiba's pack is also pursued by Cher, a scientist who studied Cheza; Cher's ex-husband Hubb; a wolf hunter; and Darcia, a noble who created the Flower Daughter for the purpose of reviving his comatose love. The action ebbs and flows between all of the major characters, shifting from one group to another. No one is ever truly "winning" or "losing." In the future world created for this series, it seems impossible that Paradise will ever be found, no matter which group reaches it first.
Wolf's Rain is a beautiful dystopian anime created by Studio Bones, also responsible for Cowboy Bebop. Gorgeous animation, excellent voice acting, unique soundtracks and a plot that walks a fine line between science fiction and future fantasy all blend into one of the best anime of any genre to appear in years. However, it's the characters that make Wolf's Rain so compelling, most notably the four bishounen leads.
The main foursome of wolves follows the typical stereotype of a guy-group in any other anime. Kiba is the idealistic, determined leader. Tsume is the cold, withdrawn type who doesn't seem to care about his fellows, yet forms a bond with Toboe. Hige is your typical talkative, always hungry boy with an eternally positive attitude. Finally, Toboe is the youngest, smallest boy, always trying to keep the group together and please the older wolves. Despite being archetypes easy to find in other anime, this mixture works well together, especially in a journeying show like Wolf's Rain. Each member has his own strengths and gets to portray them at different times.
Much to the yaoi fans' delight, the four main characters develop and form stronger bonds with one another. The most obvious friendships early in the show are between Tsume and Toboe, and between Kiba and Hige. The younger two are frequently seen helping and trying to rescue their older, more arrogant counterparts. Later in the series, however, the balance shifts to develop Tsume and Kiba's antagonistic relationship, as well as Hige and Toboe's older/younger brother dynamic. There's plenty for the slash fan to enjoy without getting in the way of the story or seeming excessive.
Everything about Wolf's Rain is beautiful and fascinating, as well as highly addictive. Be sure to check out Wolf's Rain and enjoy a nearly perfect anime.
