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Wolf's Rain is a Japanese
anime first broadcast in Japan on January 6, 2003. It ran for a full
season of 26 episodes. Four more episodes are planned to be released on
DVD in Japan in December 2003. The show has not yet been released in the
US, but has been licensed for US distribution by
Bandai Entertainment.
Overview
Wolf's Rain takes place in a
post-apocalyptic future, where much of the world has been ecologically
devastated, and most people live in poverty. A legend is told that
wolves know the way to Paradise, and will lead everyone to it before
the end of the world. This legend is difficult for most to believe,
howewer, because wolves are believed to have been extinct for 200 years.
However, the truth is that the wolves have just become very adept at
hiding themselves in human society, with the ability to show a human form,
including the abilities of speech and manual dexterity, while still
retaining their lupine senses, agility, and natural weapons. This seems to
put the show in the realm of
werewolf fantasy, but the wolves' human form is portrayed as more of a
mental effect than a physical transformation. Wolf's Rain is also
much more sympathetic to the wolves than most werewolf fiction, casting
them clearly as the protagonists.
Characters
The story follows four young wolves: Kiba, Tsume, Hige, and Toboe, Each
name is the japanese word for a "part" of a wolf.
- Kiba ("Fang"): The leader of the "pack", Kiba
follows his instincts towards Paradise, where only wolves can go. He
tends to be mistrustful of humans, and in the early episodes is
reluctant to take human form even in the city.
- Tsume ("Claw"): Tsume is a rough, self-reliant wolf
who led a street gang (of humans) in the city in the beginning of the
series. He initially doesn't believe the stories of Paradise, and only
follows the others out of an instinct to protect them and stay part of a
pack.
- Hige ("Whiskers"): Hige seems to know how to
function the best in human society, even wearing a dog collar in wolf
form (which shows in human form too) to look less suspicious. He tends
to use his wits more than the others, when he's not thinking with his
stomach instead.
- Toboe ("Howling"): The youngest wolf, Toboe grew up
in the city under the care of and old lady. He doesn't seem comfortable
with his own wolfish abilities, having accidentally killed his caretaker
and the pet bird of a girl he tried to befriend. Despite this, Toboe is
the most timid and kind wolf in the pack, and has formed a particularly
strong bond with Tsume.
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