|
|
|
Title: Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade
Genre: Action/Drama
Company:Production IG
Format:1 movie
Year:1998
The time is around 1954 and World War II has encountered an alternate ending, Nazi Germany emerging victorious.
In post war Japan reconstruction is guided not by Americans but by the
|
|
|
"You could almost smell the sadness"
|
corrupt Panzer Corps and police divisions. The restless population, guided by a terrorist organization known as 'The Sect,' is fighting an underground guerilla war against the government.
The government establishes a special division to conquer these rebels, however one of their members, Fuse Kazuki, is forced with a decision that will haunt him and challenge the very nature of his soul and being. - summary by Otaku Alex
Otaku Alex
|
Plot
|
C. Development
|
Music
|
Animation
|
Premise
|
Mean
|
|
10
|
10
|
7
|
9
|
9.5
|
9.1
|
|
I decided to write this review the day after I watched the movie, if nothing else then to honor its apparent quality.
Being a great fan of deeply psychological animés, I just could not pass over this opportunity. Jin-Roh has one of the most creative cast of characters and plots ever. Its greatest appeal comes from its setting, which is in a world
not too far from our own. In fact, it is this believability, an alternate ending to World War II, that draws the viewer into the plot. Also, its analysis of human nature, the extent of man's actual humanity versus
|
|
"We're so very wolf-like"
|
his animal instinct, gives this animé a very critical atmosphere. From start to finish you are bombarded with emotions ranging from heartfelt pain to intrinsic hope. However, its disturbing enting and symbolism may be too heavy for some, so beware.
Although that ~short~ intro probably gave you a sense for the plot and the character development, I personally believe that they still require more description. The plot, from the first viewing, is very difficult to understand. Political standings and affiliations and included
factions can sometimes become jumbled. However, this is easily remedied by a second viewing, for a clearer understand the story. The relationship between Fuze and the two girls is a developing reflection on both his inner nature and the progression of the plot. Still, the most important
plot and character developments come with Fuse's own internal struggles and character studies. Every time he decides between his humanity and his animalistic nature brings forth new twists to the story and a new vantage point to reflect upon human nature. These two categories are so
well intertwined and flawlessly executd that they alone qualify this animé for praise.
Without question this animé's greatest failure is its sub-par music. The only thing preventing music from recieving a weaker score is the fact that music chosen during climax moments was (at least and at best) decent. I felt that for such a production the filler
music could have been of a much higher quality. Animation is a completely different story. Without the animation style that was used, much of the believability (and thus quality) of this movie would have been lost. In fact it was so realistic that I occasionally forgot I was watching an animé. From
|
|
|
"Does it really look that good?"
|
the character expressions to their well choreographed movements, animation was nearly perfect.
Unlike most of the other animés that I watch, judging the premise of Jin-Roh is not in the leat difficult -- it was good. The entire exposition of the animé was devoted to revealing history to
the viewer and introducing the various organizations. Where the intro leaves off, the movie picks up, emphasizing the statements with actual scenes. As stated previously, this movie was very believable, something that adds a great deal to the 'premise' score. Although I was disappointed when the history
of the Wolf Brigade remained undisclosed, I am actually happy they ignored it. The layers of complexity that this movie presents would simply not allow for anything to be added. The only reason this category did not receive a 10 is its Red Riding Hood Motif. If I may, they beat a dead horse and then buried it
into the ground. Still, all-in-all, this is one of the most pleasing viewing experiances I have ever had. But I must warn you that the ending is disturbing beyond all belief, if you have a weak heart DON'T WATCH THIS ANIMÉ!!!!
|
|
