Twenty six episodes long, Wolf’s Rain is brought to us by Bones Studio, written and edited by Keiko Nobumoto, it first kicked off in 2003 and finished in 2004. Four OVAs (Original Video Animation) were released along with the series, totaling a thirty episode series. Unlike many of the other Anime we have reviewed, Wolf’s Rain is the first to have started out originally as an Anime and would later be adapted into a Manga following on from its success. Ranked third in its time slot, the series also contributed to Bandai’s win in 2004 for Best Anime Company. The Manga also received positive reviews for its work, and is best considered a retelling of the story from the series rather than an adaptation.
Keiko Nobumoto is one of the minds behind some of the most popular Anime to ever be made, having worked on Cowboy Bebop, Tokyo Godfathers, Macross and Akira. She also worked on the Kingdom Hearts video game as a scenario supervisor.
Another well known name in the world of Anime was also deeply involved with Wolf’s Rain, Yoko Kanno. One of the most influential composers of our time, Yoko has worked on everything from Cardcaptor Sakura to Cowboy BeBop, Wolf’s Rain to Ghost in the Shell.
Her work on Wolf’s Rain is perhaps some of her most well known, the soundtrack for the series is often listed as one of its strongest points and most enjoyable.
Wolf’s Rain is set in a post-apocalyptic world; humans are living on the edge of destruction, with the majority of the world’s population living in squalor and poverty. An old legend still lives on, when the end of the world draws near Paradise will appear and only the Wolves will find the path but it is now believed that Wolves have gone extinct with none spotted in over two hundred years – but that is not true, some have managed to survive and now an unlikely pack is about to be made in Freeze City.
Kiba, Tsume, Hige and Toboe have all come to the city after following the scent of the Lunar Flower, in the city they are attacked by Quent Yaiden and his dog Blue. Still tracking the scent the wolves uncover the Flower Maiden, Cheza, the being destined to lead them to Paradise, is being held in a laboratory. As the wolves close in on her scent, they reach her just in time to watch her be snapped up by Lord Darcia the Third. Now they must track the Noble down if they are ever to rescue Cheza but with Quent so intent on hunting them down and the Nobles plot to use the Maiden for their own, the Wolves must bond together if they have any hope of ever reaching Paradise.
There is so much that we love about the Wolf’s Rain series. The soundtrack, the character development, the animation and the story – there is very little wrong or flawed in the series. Yoko Kanno’s work as composer brings some of the most haunting melodies and emotional pieces of music that seriously tug at your heart strings and sends shivers down the spine. Both plot and characters develop really well, at most we wish there was more room for some of the other characters to develop so we could learn more but watching the pack grow and evolve through their experiences is engrossing. Wolf’s Rain is more than just a story about the end of the world, it is a story about love and bonds, love between brothers and a love that goes deeper. The series allows looks at the idea of having a dream or hope and how destructive that force can be as well as uplifting and beautiful.
Good Points
Music
Characters
Plot
Bad Points
Not enough to list here!
Rating: 9.5 / 10
