La Lluvia del Lobo

This series is absolutely beautiful! It attempts to blend cultures and legends of many countries (North America, Russia, Japan) and does so in a way that is believable. It flows nicely until the end (except for the four OVAs which are really just flashbacks of the previous episodes) and is one of the saddest, yet somehow comforting endings of any series I've ever seen. The characters are easy to relate to, and their relationships are wonderfully portrayed by both the Japanese and English voice actors. The most touching relationship in this series is that between Kiba, the alpha wolf who desperately searches for Paradise, and Cheza, the Flower Maiden who can lead him there. It is so sweet that I found myself thinking 'aww' several times while watching. Although some may be disappointed with the conclusion, I think it's one of the better ways to end a series (much better than the manga did, by the way) and leaves the viewer thinking about philosophy, religion, and spirituality. An imaginative, creative, and all around great series that everyone (especially wolf lovers like me!) should take the time to watch. If you just want to hear the story, skip the four OVAs (I believe they are the last four on the first volume). You're really not going to miss much if you cut those out.

It's not that I did not want to reward this movie with a straight forward 10. It's just out of a principle of mine that I don't give away '10-s' because I believe that a movie or series which you thought of being the best, can be surpassed by something which you just didn't happen to know yet. Or a movie which simply has not yet been made. But Wolf's Rain really gave me the feeling to release my self of that believe.

Honestly, Wolf's Rain is one of the greatest tales ever been told. In all of the 30 episodes in which it is contained, it proofed to be an overwhelming experience. This begins at the very first episode and brings the viewer to a dramatic and beautiful climactic end.

One other absolutely great anime-series has to be Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. This anime is able to bring you to the point of thinking about: intelligence, the questions: what is a human and what's not and where are the boundaries? And what's the near future like and will science-fiction turn to every-day technology. (They already have a professor in cybernetics at the University of Reading, you know.) Wolf's Rain however is all about the goals that we have to set in our lives to keep us going and all the feelings and emotions which lie on this road towards these goals. The human and emotional approach of Wolf's Rain is easier to understand for most people then the far more rational approach of the Ghost in the Shell-series. But in my point of view these two are part of the same amazing coin because these anime-series truly know how to amaze the viewer.

Anyway Wolf's Rain is a perfect example of the grand potential of the anime-genre. I'm not a person who likes to cry a lot, but I'm not ashamed to say that I had to shed a tear while watching the last parts of the series. This series will make it very clear that the power of animation is to be able to maximize the expression of every element of the story. After seeing this anime, it became one of the reasons why I am an anime-fan. Try it out let it be a great expansion of your anime-collection or let it be a superb way to get acquainted with the anime-genre.

Where do I start? There are so many great things about Wolf's Rain. From the opening strains of the opening theme song, "Stray", to the very last chords of "Gravity" in episode 30, Wolf's Rain is an experience unlike any other. The animation is superb, the characters well developed, the story chock full of action, adventure and has a mythology all its own that captivates from the moment you enter into it. You don't have to like anime or even animation for that matter, to get into Wolf's Rain. The shots are the most cinematic I've ever seen in an animated series and the music conducted and arranged by Yoko Kanno is beautiful and timeless. Also, the story leaves a lot of things open for the viewer to interpret, and delves much deeper into issues of meaning, life and nature than any anime that I've ever seen. It incorporates so much from different genres and cultures, that everyone can find something to like in this series. So, for a great experience, check out Wolf's Rain!

I first saw the previews for Wolfs Rain on CN, Adult Swim and was surprised. It's ot often that you see such an interesting plot that grabs you right from the get-go. I of course watched it and fell in love. The animation is amazing and fluid thanx to the people who also animated Cowboy Bebop. The characters are deep and interesting, and their personalities contradict each other making it a lot of fun to watch.

The music is average in my opinion but still it is above normal anime standards for good. The one bad thing is the flashback episodes 15-18. They are a waste of time and get you to forget the story. Other than that it is a spectacular series, right up there with Bebop in my opinion. I would give Wolfs Rain a 9 1/2 out of ten and a jar of cookies. I highly recommend this series to anyone who doesn't mind a little swearing and blood. ^^

Wolf's Rain follows the incredible journey of a pack of wolves who are desperately searching for Paradise, despite the crumbling world around them and the threat of extinction that haunts them. We viewers follow the emotional journey as they find Cheza, a flower maiden who is key to their dream, and awkwardly root for the destruction of humanity and salvation of the wolves. Check for incredible plot.

Next is music--Done by Yoko Kanno, THE composer of the century, there's no way that you can watch this series and not be moved by the incredible soundtrack. It fits the series to a T--and, might I add that the songs range from Latin to French to Maaya Sakamoto singing English. So no worries there.

The voice acting is one of the best that I have ever seen in anime, and trust me, I've seen A LOT. The voices are nearly perfect and fit like puzzle pieces with the tone and plot.

So now for my direct opinions. Wolf's Rain is one of the best things I have ever seen. After every episode I found myself searching for a paradise of my own and a purpose as great as the wolves'. It is an addicting series that is beautifully done--the artwork is amazing and the animation has virtually no flaws. It flows and flows, and leaves you stunned at the end. A good stunned though. An inspired stunned. Which leaves me to my last note--if you're looking for an anime where you can predict the ending, this one ain't it. If you're looking for one that will leave you with a changed perspective of everything, take the leap and watch it.

I can guarantee that there will be something you like and remember forever.