"WOLF'S RAIN": A thorough analysis of the beautiful journey of wolves and their touching ending

Wolf's Rain - The End of the Ice Age and the Journey of Wolves

The 2003 TV anime series Wolf's Rain is an original work by BONES and Keiko Nobumoto, and directed by Tensai Okamura. The 30-episode series follows the journey of wolves in a world facing an ice age, as they search for a legendary paradise. Below, we'll provide detailed information, reviews, and recommendations for the series.

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

January 6, 2003 - July 28, 2003

■Broadcasting station

Fuji Television

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 30

■Original Story

Original story by BONES and Keiko Nobumoto

■ Director

・Director: Tensai Okamura

■ Production

Fuji Television, Bones, Bandai Visual

■Works

© BONES・Teiko Nobumoto / BV

■ Story

A planet on the path to destruction, slowly entering an ice age. The remains of a once prosperous city. A cluster of domed cities that are now half-ruined. People have accepted a passive life under the rule of nobles. One day, a boy appears in this frozen city where everything seems to be standing still. He is a wolf. His name is Kiba. He is heading for a legendary paradise that is said to exist somewhere in this world. He has only one clue: a mystical flower that is said to bloom only on full moon nights... the "Moon Flower". From the moment Kiba appears in the city, the wildness hidden within him slowly begins to melt the world. And as if responding to the chaos. The girl wakes up from a long sleep, and the truth lies deep in her crimson eyes that do not reflect reality. The ones who stayed behind will eventually start to move. Although they clash at first, the young wolves wake up to their destiny as a species, and one by one, they begin to walk with Kiba. Aiming for the legendary paradise that is said to exist somewhere in this world.

■Cast

・Kiva/Mamoru Miyano・Tsume/Kenta Miyake・Hige/Akio Suyama・Tooboe/Yuki Shimowada・Hub/Mitsuru Miyamoto・Cher/Kaho Koda・Quent/Unsho Ishizuka

■ Main staff

・Original work by BONES ・Teiko Nobumoto ・Director ・Okamura Tensai ・Character design ・Kawamoto Toshihiro ・Art design ・Okada Ariaki, Takehan Shingo ・Mechanical design ・Aramaki Shinji ・Art director ・Morikawa Atsushi ・Color design ・Mizuta Nobuko ・Director of photography ・Arakawa Kosuke ・Sound director ・Wakabayashi Kazuhiro ・Producers ・Minami Masahiko, Takanashi Minoru, Haruna Takeo ・Music ・Kanno Yoko

■Subtitle

・Episode 1/Roaring Street Corner ・Episode 2/Tooboe Doesn't Cry ・Episode 3/Bad Fellow
Episode 4: Scars of the Wilderness Episode 5: The Fallen Wolf Episode 6: The Inheritance Episode 7: Flower Girl Episode 8: Song of Sleep Episode 9: Doubt Episode 10: Moon's Doom
・Episode 11/Vanishing Point ・Episode 12/Don't make me blue
Episode 13: Men's Lament Episode 14: The Fallen Castle Episode 15*: Gray Wolf Episode 16*: Journey of Dreams Episode 17*: The Scent of Flowers, the Blood of Wolf Episode 18*: Man, Wolf, and the Book of the Moon Episode 19: Dream of an Oasis Episode 20: CONSCIOUSLY
Episode 21 / Signal Smoke of Battle Episode 22 / Meteor Fragment Episode 23 / Beat of the Black City Episode 24 / Smell of a Trap Episode 25 / Memory of a Mistake Episode 26 / Moonlight Furnace Episode 27 (OVA) / Whereabouts of the Soul Episode 28 (OVA) / Gunshot of Regret Episode 29 (OVA) / High Tide, High Time
・Episode 30 (OVA)／Wolf's Rain
※ is a compilation

■ Theme songs and music

・OP
・stray
・Singer: Steve Conte

・ED
・gravity
・Vocals: Maaya Sakamoto

Wolf's Rain Review and Recommendation

Story and Themes

Wolf's Rain is set in a world facing an ice age and follows the journey of wolves searching for a legendary paradise. The story centers on a young wolf named Kiba, who searches for paradise using a mystical flower called the "Moon Flower" as a clue. The story follows Kiba and his friends as they overcome various obstacles on their journey, depicting themes of hope and despair, friendship and betrayal, and life and death.

The appeal of this work lies above all in its deep themes. Through the depictions of humans and wolves living in the harsh environment of the ice age, it asks questions about the meaning of humanity and survival. In particular, Kiba's journey is a journey in which he searches for the meaning of his own existence, deeply moving the viewer. Also, the truths revealed as the story progresses and the characters' growth are not to be missed.

character

Each character in "Wolf's Rain" is unique and charming. The main character, Kiba, is a wolf with a strong will and pure heart, and his journey draws viewers in. His companions, Tsume, Hige, and Toboe, also have different backgrounds and personalities, enriching the story. Human characters such as Cher and Quent also gain depth through their relationships with the wolves.

In particular, the relationship between Kiba and Tsume is an important axis of the story, and their conflict and reconciliation leave a strong impression on the viewers. Toboe's purity and Hige's humor also add color to the story. The growth and change of the characters are a major factor in eliciting empathy and emotion from the viewers.

Visuals and Music

The visuals in "Wolf's Rain" are of high quality, reflecting the work of BONES. The background art, depicting the desolate world of the ice age, creates a beautiful yet harsh atmosphere, visually enhancing the story. The character designs are also unique, with the wolves' movements and expressions depicted realistically.

The music was composed by Yoko Kanno, whose unique sensibility adds depth to the entire work. The opening theme "Stray" and the ending theme "Gravity" are beautiful songs that symbolize the theme of the story and resonate with the hearts of viewers. The music in the film also stirs emotions in line with the development of the story, and the fusion of music and visuals enhances the appeal of the work.

Recommendation

"Wolf's Rain" is a work that combines deep themes, attractive characters, beautiful visuals and music, and can be enjoyed from various perspectives. It is especially recommended for the following viewers:

• Viewers looking for deep themes : "Wolf's Rain" is a work that will make you think deeply about the meaning of survival and humanity, making it perfect for viewers who enjoy philosophical themes.
• Viewers who want to enjoy character growth : The growth and changes of characters such as Kiba, Tsume, and Toboe will impress and move viewers. Recommended for viewers who want to enjoy character drama.
• Viewers who want to enjoy beautiful visuals and music : BONES' high-quality visuals and Yoko Kanno's music allow you to enjoy the work both visually and aurally. It is perfect for viewers who want beautiful images and music.
• Sci-fi and fantasy audiences : The sci-fi setting of the film in an ice age and the fantasy elements of the wolves' journey make it a perfect fit for those who like science fiction and fantasy.

Overall

"Wolf's Rain" is a work that combines deep themes, attractive characters, beautiful visuals and music, and leaves a strong impression on viewers. The journey of the wolves set in an ice age world depicts themes of hope and despair, friendship and betrayal, and life and death, leaving viewers with a deep impression. In particular, Kiva's journey is also a journey to search for the meaning of his own existence, which is a major element that moves and evokes empathy in viewers. In addition, the high-quality visuals by BONES and the music by Yoko Kanno make the work enjoyable both visually and aurally. This work is recommended for viewers who are looking for deep themes, character growth, beautiful visuals and music.