Wolf's Rain

Original Story: Keiko Nobumoto, Bones
Japanese Title: Wolf's Rain
Episodes: 30
Rating: TV 14
Release Studio: Bandai Entertainment
Release Year: 2004
Main Voice Actors:

Kiba ~ Johnny Yong Bosch
Hige ~ Joshua Seth
Tsume ~ Crispin Freeman
Toboe ~ Mona Marshall
Cheza ~ Sherry Lynn
Quent Yaiden ~ Tom Wyner
Blue ~ Jessica Straus
Cher Degre ~ Kari Wahlgren
Hubb Lebowski ~ Robert Buchholz
Darcia ~ Steve Blum
Jagura ~ Mary Elizabeth McGlynn
Hamona ~ Peggy O'Neal

Two centuries ago, the wolves became extinct in the post-apocalyptic wasteland where humans currently reside. Or so they thought. Some of the wolves managed to survive by cloaking their bodies so they can look like humans. Four wolves are drawn to a city where the lunar flower is located. The lunar flower that will lead the wolves to paradise... However, the four wolves aren't the only ones who are looking for paradise, the nobles want it too. The wolves must struggle to survive as the path before them is paved with challenges and at the end of the road is the entrance to paradise.

From the creators of Escaflowne and Cowboy Bebop comes Wolf's Rain, a unique anime with plenty to offer. Yoko Kanno is the composer here and of course, the music is done spectacularly. Before Wolf's Rain I've never seen an anime having the main characters as wolves. Now don't think this is a kiddy cartoon where animals talk and they live in a happy place and everyone gets along. It's nothing like that. The wolves are driven to paradise because the world is what it is. Challenges face them such as a man intent on killing all the wolves and the nobles who are after paradise as well. Kiba, the white wolf, won't let paradise go without a fight, even if it kills him. Kiba is accompanied by Hige, the tan wolf, Tsume, the gray wolf, and Toboe, the brown wolf.

This show is made excellently. The art is great, the music fits, the voice acting fits, etc. The storyline had a bit of a twist at the end that really took in my interest. I was pretty sad when it ended. Thrity episodes is so short when you have such a great anime. I would say this is a pretty versatile anime and probably can go to a wide variety of audiences at a reasonable age, of course (no preschoolers here). The show has a good variety of characters, both wolves and humans. Other animals pop up as well such as: a horse, caracal, owl, and a walrus. Also, other wolves come up. The anime doesn't drag on like some do and it didn't feel rushed though I still miss it to this day. The view may split into several locations following different characters at different times. The first two episodes can be a little confusing at first, but if you watch them again after you've watched a few more episodes, you'll be in good hands.

There is also a manga for Wolf's Rain having only two volumes. However, it's worth it. You get a whole new view on Wolf's Rain. The art is different, still great, just a different style. The ending is incredibly different from the anime. If you like one, you'll like the other. When I saw the cover of Volume 1, it blew me away. You want to give this manga a look.

Pick this anime/manga up, both are great.