I've looked over my past posts and just recently realized that I've been ranting and raving about all these awesometastic anime and manga series. And most of them ARE amazing, and most that I find are through recommendations, which means that they're worth watching. But there are a few disappointments out there- that's why we have a Worst list to the right. There ARE some bad animes- one of which I'm here to save you from.
At first glance, Wolf's Rain seems like a fun sort of anime. But it is actually a bucketful of hellish depression in disguised as a cutesy action show. It takes place in a post-war world where wolves are extinct and no longer exist. People have killed them because of their violent nature and the belief that they are demonic creatures. But only humans think that wolves are ectinct- in actuality, they are still very much alive, though fewer in number. They disguise themselves as human, so we cannot see their true form. Four wolves meet under unlikely circumstances and spend the series searching for a place the lead character, Kiba, claims is Paradise, where they can be free and happy in their true forms. We follow their journey to find the Flower Maiden, who is the key to Paradise. But they are not the only ones after the Flower Maiden, Cheza. Scientists are searching for her to disover the truth of her magic, as is the Lord Darcia, the lord of the people who created Cheza. The wolves have to fight to keep Chez alive long enough for her to lead them to paradise.
Now. The series begins well, and was even addicting to me for a few episodes. The characters are interesting, I do love the storyline, and the English dub was done as well as the animation. The script is great, and you laugh and want to cry. But then it gets tiring. There is less comedy and a lot of seriousness, not to mention a LOT of cliches and cheese. And not the delicious kind of cheese.
slight spoiler...
Then comes the monotony- simply recounting every bit of angst in this broken, post-war world, and suddenly nothing it cute or funny anymore. And that would be okay- I'm good with angst, and I'm alright with seriousness. In healthy doses. But this was just DEPRESSING. These wolves travel and starve and learn horrible truths, believe they find Paradise and are let down again and again, and there is never even a point to it, because
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER!!!!!!
they all DIE. That's right. They DIE. Of course, this is a sort of Hitchcock ending which lets you decide what you think- you see the wolves in their human form, traversing New York City as if they have reincarnated- could that have been Paradise? We have no idea. But I would NEVER rewatch this series. It was good, at least in the beginning, and I would love there to be a spinoff series simply because I loved those characters. But there was no point to that series. There doesn't have to be a happy ending- but there has to be a POINT. It has to make SENSE. And Wolf's Rain, unfortunately, did not make the cut.
*Safe to read*
And this, my dear friend, is why Wolf's Rain is, while alright to watch and definitely not the worst of the bunch, is on our Worst list.
So now you know. And now you are protected. WAYOR. Watch At Your Own Risk. I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to try the series, though! It's really not terrible. I won't say I told you so if you end up being disappointed.
