Wolf's Rain
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225872400
2008-07-15T20:12:39Z
Collectonian
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[[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 225871820 by [[Special:Contributions/209.195.176.40|209.195.176.40]] ([[User talk:209.195.176.40|talk]]) rv; other 4 covered in OVA box
{{copyedit|date=July 2008}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| name = Wolf's Rain
| image = [[Image:Wolfsrainlogo.jpg|260px]]
| caption = Title sequence logo
| ja_name = ウルフズ・レイン
| ja_name_trans = Urufuzu Rein
| genre = [[Adventure]], [[Post-Apocalyptic]], [[Supernatural]]
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Anime
| director = [[Tensai Okamura]]
| writer = [[Keiko Nobumoto]]
| studio = [[BONES (studio)|BONES]]
| licensor = [[Bandai Entertainment]]
| network = {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Animax]], [[Fuji TV]]
| network_other = {{flagicon|Singapore}} {{flagicon|Argentina}} {{flagicon|Venezuela}} {{flagicon|Brazil}} {{flagicon|Mexico}} {{flagicon|India}} {{flagicon|Thailand}} {{flagicon|Philippines}} {{flagicon|Indonesia}} {{flagicon|Hong Kong}} [[Animax]]<br> {{flagicon|United States}} [[Cartoon Network]] ([[Adult Swim]])<br> {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Rapture TV]], [[AnimeCentral]]<br> {{flagicon|Spain}} [[La Sexta]]<br> {{flagicon|Italy}} [[MTV Italia]]<br> {{flagicon|France}} {{flagicon|Poland}} [[Canal+]]<br> {{flagicon|Germany}} [[MTV Central]], [[Animax]]
| first = [[January 6]], [[2003]]
| last = [[July 29]], [[2003]]
| episodes = 26
| episode_list = List of Wolf's Rain episodes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/OVA
| director = [[Tensai Okamura]]
| writer = [[Keiko Nobumoto]]
| studio = [[BONES (studio)|BONES]]
| licensor = [[Bandai Entertainment]]
| episodes = 4
| released = [[January 23]], [[2004]] - [[February 25]], [[2004]]
| runtime = 96 minutes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Manga
| title =
| author = [[Keiko Nobumoto]]<br/> Toshitsugu Iida (Art)
| publisher = {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Kodansha]]
| publisher_other = {{flagicon|United States}} [[VIZ Media|Viz Media]]<br /> {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Shin Vision]]<br /> {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Heyne publishing house|Heyne]]<br /> {{flagicon|Poland}} [[Japonica Polonica Fantastica]]<br /> {{flagicon|Sweden}} Manga Mania
| demographic = [[Seinen]]
| magazine = [[Magazine Z]]
| first = [[July 23]], [[2003]]
| last = [[February 23]], [[2004]]
| volumes = 2
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}
{{nihongo|'''''Wolf's Rain'''''|ウルフズ・レイン|Urufuzu Rein}} is an [[anime]] series created by [[writer]] and [[story editor]] [[Keiko Nobumoto]] and produced by [[BONES (studio)|BONES Studio]]. The series was directed by [[Tensai Okamura]] and featured character designs by Toshiro Kawamoto with a soundtrack produced and arranged by [[Yoko Kanno]]. It focuses on the journey of four lone wolves who cross paths while following the scent of the Lunar Flowers. They form a pack and decide to seek out the Flower Maiden in order to open the way to Paradise. Along the way, they must avoid a fanatical wolf hunter and the nobles who wish to use the Flower Maiden to create their own Paradise.
''Wolf's Rain'' spans twenty-six television episodes and four [[original video animation]] (OVA) episodes, with each episode running approximately twenty-four minutes. The series was originally broadcast in Japan on [[Fuji TV]] and the anime [[communications satellite|CS]] television network, [[Animax]]. The complete thirty episode series is licensed for [[Region 1]] release by [[Bandai Entertainment]], in [[Region 2]] (Europe) by [[Beez Entertainment]] and in [[Region 4]] by [[Madman Entertainment]]. The series was adapted into a short <nowiki>two-</nowiki>[[tankōbon|volume]] [[manga]] series written by Keiko Nobumoto and illustrated by Toshitsugu Iida. The manga, which was released while the series was airing, is a retelling of the story rather than a straight adaptation. It was originally serialized in ''[[Magazine Z]]'' and has been released in [[North America]] by [[Viz Media]].
The anime series was well received in Japan, being the third ranked anime series in its time slot while airing on Fuji TV. The Bandai Entertainment English language release sold well in North America. It helped Bandai gain the 2004 Anime Company of the Year award from industry news company ICv2 in the ICv2 Retailers Guide to Anime/Manga. The manga adaptation was selected as one of their top ten anime products of 2005 and sold well in North America. Reviewers of the series gave it high marks for characterization, visual presentation, and its soundtrack, while disparaging the existence of four recapitulation episodes in the middle of the series. The manga adaptation also sold well in North America and received good reviews, though reviewers felt its short length resulted in a rushed plot and neglected supporting characters.
==Plot==
''Wolf's Rain'' begins in Freeze City, a northern city in a world where the majority of people live in poverty and hardship. According to an old legend, when the end of the world comes, {{nihongo|Paradise|楽園|Rakuen}} will appear, however, only wolves will have access to it. Although wolves are believed to have been hunted to extinction nearly two hundred years ago, they still exist, surviving by taking human form. <ref name="Ep1">{{cite episode |title=City Of Howls |series=Wolf's Rain |episodelink=List of Wolf's Rain episodes |number=1 }}</ref>
[[List of Wolf's Rain characters#Kiba|Kiba]], an injured lone white wolf, goes to Freeze City following the scent of the Lunar Flower, which is the key to opening Paradise. There he encounters [[List of Wolf's Rain characters#Tsume|Tsume]], [[List of Wolf's Rain characters#Hige|Hige]], and [[List of Wolf's Rain characters#Toboe|Toboe]], three other wolves who were drawn to Freeze City by the scent of the Lunar Flower and are now living in the city. The wolves encounter [[List of Wolf's Rain characters#Quent Yaiden|Quent Yaiden]], a former Sheriff of Kyrios, obsessed with hunting down wolves, and his dog [[List of Wolf's Rain characters#Blue|Blue]]. [[List of Wolf's Rain characters#Cheza|Cheza]], the Flower Maiden who is destined to lead the wolves to Paradise, is being studied at a laboratory under the care of [[List of Wolf's Rain characters#Cher Degré|Cher Degré]]. She is awakened by the smell of wolf's blood. As Kiba and Hige approach the lab to find her, she is stolen away by [[List of Wolf's Rain characters#Lord Darcia the Third|Lord Darcia the Third]], whose people created Cheza.
With the Flower Maiden gone, the wolves have no reason to stay in the city. Despite some initial misgivings and suspicions, they decide to stay together and follow Kiba in his search for the Flower Maiden and Paradise. As they pursue Cheza, the wolves travel through various cities and the remnants of former habitations. Cher joins the city's army to try to recover Cheza, while Cher's ex-husband [[List of Wolf's Rain characters#Hubb Lebowski|Hubb Lebowski]] searches desperately for Cher, and Quent continues his relentless pursuit of the wolves. When Blue eventually encounters Cheza, it awakens her wolf blood from dormancy and causes her to leave Quent and take on her own human illusion. She joins Kiba's pack and travels with them for a while, developing a relationship with Hige. After she becomes separated from the pack, she travels with Cher, while Hubb finds himself traveling with Quent, who is now searching for Blue as well as the wolves.
The wolves and the humans come together in Jaguara's city, where the captured Cheza is being held. In attempting to rescue the abducted Cheza, Kiba, Tsume, and Toboe are captured. Tsume and Toboe are thrown into a dungeon with Hubb while [[List of Wolf's Rain characters#Jaguara|Jaguara]] attempts to use Kiba's blood to force Paradise to open. Blue and Cher also make their way into the Keep, as does Quent. Darcia interrupts the ceremony as Kiba and the other wolves break free and rush to free the Flower Maiden. Darcia kills Jaguara and battles Kiba as Jaguara's keep collapses around them. The wolves and the humans barely escape with their lives, and Quent is gravely wounded saving Blue from falling debris.
The wolves, now accompanied by Cheza, Cher, Hubb, and Quent, continue trying to make their way to Paradise, pursued by the now [[Insanity|insane]] Darcia. A combination of environmental factors and Darcia's hostility cause most of the characters to die, leaving only Kiba, Cheza, and Darcia alive at the place where Paradise can be opened. Darcia is killed when he attempts to enter Paradise, and Cheza's body disintegrates into seeds. Fatally wounded, Kiba concludes that his quest has failed, but as he lays dying, rain begins to fall and Cheza's seeds grow into thousands of lunar flowers.
At the series' close, Toboe, Tsume, Hige, and Kiba are in their human forms in a modern city. Kiba, walking down a busy sidewalk, begins running towards a lunar flower lying in a puddle in an alley.
===Changes in manga adaptation===
The two-volume manga adaptation includes some of the core events of the anime series with few changes, but as a whole the manga veers greatly from its anime inspiration. Many events from the anime do not occur in the manga, and some of the events from the anime that are presented in the manga are completely different in terms of dialogue, chronological sequence, and final outcomes.<ref name="Manga1" /> In particular, the second volume tells an almost completely different story, with Darcia recruiting Blue to help him open the door to Paradise with her blood. The wolves must go to Darcia's keep, rather than Jaguara's, in order to free Cheza, with Kiba missing but appearing at the end to make the final rescue effort. At the end of the manga, the four wolves and Cheza are sitting on a rock as the clouds break and sunlight streams through for the first time. The world rejoices the end of the [[Ice Age]] and rumors that Paradise has been found abound.<ref name="Manga2">{{cite book |title=Wolf's Rain, Volume 2 |last=Nobumoto |first=Keiko |authorlink=Keiko Nobumoto |year=2005-02-01 |publisher=Viz Media| series=Wolf's Rain |isbn=1-59116-718-3}}</ref>
In the manga, most of the characters are similar in appearance and personality to their anime counterparts, but some characters seen in the anime do not appear in the manga, including the Nobles Lord Orkham and Lady Jaguara.<ref name="Manga1" /><ref name="Manga2" />
==Characters==
{{main|List of Wolf's Rain characters}}
*{{Nihongo|'''[[List of Wolf's Rain characters#Kiba|Kiba]]'''|キバ|lit. "Fang"}} is a white wolf dedicated to finding the Lunar Flower and opening the way to Paradise. Kiba primarily acts on his instincts, which sometimes lead him to act rashly. Full of wolf pride, Kiba initially expresses disgust at wolves who use human disguises, but eventually realizes that it is necessary to survive. {{anime voices|Mamoru Miyano|Johnny Yong Bosch}}
*{{Nihongo|'''[[List of Wolf's Rain characters#Tsume|Tsume]]'''|ツメ|lit. "Claw"}} is a gray wolf with a scar across his chest. Rough and self-reliant, Tsume is portrayed as a strong fighter who keeps his true feelings to himself. He joins the others out of boredom and does not initially believe in Paradise. Though he frequently quarrels with Kiba over their journey, he eventually comes to believe as strongly as Kiba. {{anime voices|Kenta Miyake|Crispin Freeman}}
*{{Nihongo|'''[[List of Wolf's Rain characters#Hige|Hige]]'''|ヒゲ|lit. "Whisker"}} is a tan wolf with a carefree attitude, who seems quite comfortable living in human societies. After meeting Kiba, he goes along with the idea of searching for Paradise without much argument, though he doesn't show the same passion as Kiba. Hige wears a collar around his neck that he doesn't remember how he got. He also has the strongest sense of smell in the group. {{anime voices|Akio Suyama|Joshua Seth}}
*{{Nihongo|'''[[List of Wolf's Rain characters#Toboe|Toboe]]'''|トオボエ|Tōboe|lit. "Howling"}} is a brown wolf and the youngest of the group. He is considered a cub by the others in the early part of the series. He was raised by an old woman who found him as a very small cub outside the city, and still wears the bracelets she gave him. Due to his raising, Toboe is friendly and protective towards most humans, though he will fight them to protect himself or another member of his pack. {{anime voices|Hiroki Shimowada|Mona Marshall}}
*{{Nihongo|'''[[List of Wolf's Rain characters#Cheza|Cheza]]'''|チェザ}} is also called the "Flower Maiden." The wolves need Cheza to find and open the gateway to Paradise. She was created via [[alchemy]] from a Lunar Flower. Originally asleep and under study in a lab in Freeze City, Cheza is eventually able to join the wolves, whom she loves. The spilling of a wolf's blood makes Cheza scream, and she has the ability to heal and put wolves into a restful sleep through her song and touch. {{anime voices|Arisa Ogasawara|Sherry Lynn}}
==Media==
===Anime===
{{main|List of Wolf's Rain episodes}}
The ''Wolf's Rain'' anime series was produced by [[BONES (studio)|BONES]] and directed by [[Tensai Okamura]]. [[Keiko Nobumoto]] was the [[writer]] and [[story editor]], while [[Toshiro Kawamoto]] created the character designs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.b-ch.com/cgi-bin/contents/ttl/det.cgi?ttl_c=154 |title=Wolf's Rain |publisher=[[Bandai Visual|Bandai Channel]] |accessdate=2008-05-07 |language=Japanese }}</ref> The series premiered in [[Japan]] on [[Fuji TV]] on [[January 6]], [[2003]] and ran for a full season of twenty-six episodes, with the final episode airing on [[July 29]], [[2003]].<ref name="ANN_MainPage">{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=1806 | title=Wolf's Rain (TV) | publisher=Anime News Network | accessdate=2007-12-28}}</ref> A four episode [[original video animation]] (OVA) was later created and released to DVD to provide a fuller conclusion to the story than the original television run did, and to make up for the four [[recapitulation]] episodes that originally broadcast in the middle of the series. The first two OVA episodes were released on [[January 23]], [[2004]], with the final two released a month later on [[February 25]], [[2004]].<ref name="ANN_NewAnime">{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2003-11-30/new-anime-in-japan |title=New Anime in Japan
|publisher=Anime News Network |date=2003-11-30 | accessdate=2007-12-28}}</ref> [[Animax]] also aired the series on its respective networks worldwide, including [[East Asia]], [[Southeast Asia]], [[South Asia]], [[Latin America]], and other regions.<ref name="ANN_MainPage" />
Except for the four recap episodes, the entire ''Wolf's Rain'' anime series aired in the [[United States]] as part of [[Cartoon Network]]'s [[Adult Swim]] lineup in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/answerman/2004-09-11 |title=Ms. Answerman: Apocalypse |first=Rebecca |last=Bundy |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=2004-09-11 |accessdate=2008-03-28 }}</ref> It was broadcast on [[Europe]]'s digital specialty station [[Rapture TV]] from [[November 14]], [[2005]] to [[July 06]], [[2006]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-11-02/fullmetal-alchemist-and-wolf's-rain-on-uk-tv | title=Fullmetal Alchemist and Wolf's Rain on UK TV | publisher=Anime News Network | date=2005-11-02| accessdate=2007-12-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-06-21/mezzo-on-rapture | title=Mezzo on Rapture | publisher=Anime News Network | date=2006-06-21 | accessdate=2007-12-28}}</ref> It also aired in the [[UK]] on [[AnimeCentral|Anime Central]] starting [[November 4]], [[2007]], with only the first 26 episodes airing.<ref name="ACSchedule">{{cite web |url= http://www.animecentral.com/news/story.aspx?ID=61 | title = New Anime Central Schedule Begins On November 4th!!!| publisher=[[AnimeCentral|Anime Central]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.animecentral.com/series/episodeguide.aspx?ID=12 |title=Wolf's Rain |publisher=[[Anime Central]] | accessdate=2008-03-28}}</ref>
''Wolf's Rain'' is licensed for [[Region 1]] DVD release by [[Bandai Entertainment]]. The entire series, including the four OVAs, were released in seven individual volumes that contained four episodes, except for the first two volumes, which had five episodes. With the first volume, Bandai offered a stand-alone version and a limited edition version, which included an art box, Kiba [[plushie]], and the first CD soundtrack. Bandai also released the thirty episodes in a complete series box set and in a two part "Anime Legends" collection.<ref name="AoD" /><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-08-02/bandai-october-releases | title=Bandai October Releases | publisher=Anime News Network |date=2005-08-02 | accessdate=2008-01-01}}</ref>
In [[Region 2]] (Europe) the series is licensed by [[Beez Entertainment]], which also released the entire series, including the OVAs, in seven individual volumes. In [[Region 4]], [[Madman Entertainment]] owns the series license and released all twenty-six episodes and four OVA episodes in the form of a complete series box set.<ref name="AoD">{{cite web |url=http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews/seriespage.php?series=10315 |publisher=AnimeOnDVD.com |title=Wolf's Rain |accessdate=2008-02-28}}</ref>
====Soundtracks====
[[Image:Wolf's Rain OST 1.jpg|thumb|right|Wolf's Rain Original Soundtrack, Volume 1 cover]]
All of the music for the ''Wolf's Rain'' [[soundtrack]] was composed and arranged by [[Yoko Kanno]].<ref name="ANNReview" /> The vocal songs are performed by various artists, including [[Maaya Sakamoto]], [[Raj Ramayya]], [[Ilaria Graziano]], [[Steve Conte]], and [[Joyce (singer)|Joyce]], and they were recorded around the world, including [[Japan]], [[Poland]], [[Brazil]], the [[United States]], and [[Italy]] to offer a diverse range of music and give the soundtrack an international flavor.<ref name="AFMusicReview">{{cite web |url=http://www.animefringe.com/magazine/2004/09/review/11.php | title=Wolf's Rain OST | publisher=Animefringe |year=2004 |month=September | author=Patrick King |accessdate=2008-01-03}}</ref> Two [[CD]] soundtracks, produced by [[Yoko Kanno]], [[Toshiaki Ota]], and [[Shiro Sasaki]], were released in Japan by [[Victor Entertainment]].<ref name="VictorPage" />
''Wolf's Rain Original Soundtrack, Volume 1'' was released [[March 29]], [[2003]]. It contains twenty-one tracks, including the opening and closing themes throughout most of the main series "Stray" and "Gravity" and many of the background sounds used during key points in the main series.<ref name="VictorPage">{{cite web |url=http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/m-serve/-/Discographylist2/M0036.html | title=Wolf's Rain Discography List | publisher=Victor Entertainment |language=Japanese | accessdate=2007-12-28}}</ref> The soundtrack was released in the United States by [[Bandai Entertainment]] on [[May 11]], [[2004]] under the title of ''Wolf's Rain Original Soundtrack.''<ref name="AoD">{{cite web |url=http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews/seriespage.php?series=10315 | title=Wolf's Rain Series page | publisher=AnimeOnDVD.com | accessdate=2007-12-28}}</ref>
''Wolf's Rain Original Soundtrack, Volume 2'' was released on [[January 21]], [[2004]]. It contains an additional 23 tracks, including the closing theme for the final episode of the main series "Tell Me What The Rain Knows." It also includes background music from the final episode not included in the broadcast version, and music from the four OVA episodes. The second CD has not been licensed for release outside of Japan.<ref name="VictorPage" />
===Manga===
[[Image:Wolf's Rain Manga - Japanese, Volume 1.jpg|150px|thumb|Japanese cover ''Wolf's Rain'', Volume 1]]
The two [[tankōbon|volume]] manga series was originally serialized in ''[[Magazine Z]]'', a monthly [[seinen]] magazine, with the first chapter premiering in April 2003.<ref name="ANNManga" /> The manga, which was written by Nobumoto and illustrated by Toshitsugu Iida, is an almost complete retelling of the anime story. Each chapter of the manga series is called a "grope" which is a reference to a Japanese phrase for arriving somewhere after enduring hardships.<ref name="Manga1">{{cite book |title=Wolf's Rain, Volume 1 |last=Nobumoto |first=Keiko |authorlink=Keiko Nobumoto |year=2004-11-3 |publisher=Viz Media| series=Wolf's Rain |isbn=1-59116-591-1}}</ref>
The two volumes were released in [[North America]] by [[VIZ Media]] as individual volumes in 2004 and 2005.<ref name="ICv2_MangaLicense">{{cite web | url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/5391.html | title=Viz to Publish 'Wolf's Rain' Manga | publisher=Anime News Network | date=2004-07-27 | accessdate=2007-12-28}}</ref> An exclusive edition of the first volume was released on [[November 5]], [[2004]] in [[Borders]] and [[Waldenbooks]] stores that included a collectible box to hold both volumes and a 3D [[lenticular printing|lenticular card]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2004-10-27/viz-to-release-special-wolf's-rain-manga-box-set | title=Viz to Release Special Wolf's Rain Manga Box Set | publisher=Anime News Network | date=2004-10-27 | accessdate=2007-12-28}}</ref> The Viz English release is adapted by David Ury, who also acted as translator and Egan Loo.<ref name="Manga1" /> The series has also been released in [[German language|German]] by [[Heyne]], in [[Italian language|Italian]] by [[Shin Vision]], and in [[Polish language|Polish]] by [[Japonica Polonica Fantastica]].<ref name="ANNManga" />
{{Graphic novel list/header
|Language=Japanese<ref name="ANNManga">{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/manga.php?id=2893&page=28 | title=Wolf's Rain (manga) | publisher=Anime News Network | accessdate=2007-12-28}}</ref>
|SecondLanguage=English<ref name="VizManga">{{cite web | url=http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?series_id=214 | title=Wolf's Rain manga series | publisher=VIZ Media | accessdate=2007-12-28}}</ref>
|Width=75%
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| VolumeNumber = 1
| OriginalRelDate = [[July 23]], [[2003]]
| OriginalISBN = 978-4-06-349139-5
| LicensedRelDate = [[May 3]], [[2005]]
| LicensedISBN = 1-59116-591-1
| ChapterList =
* Grope 1. A Short Story
* Grope 2. The Key to Paradise
* Grope 3. Escape From the Fortress
* Grope 4. The Fortress of Solitude
* Grope 5. The Flower That Dances in the Wind
| VolumeExtras = ;Cover character(s)
* Kiba in human and wolf form
| Summary = Kiba, a wounded white wolf, goes to a city in search of the Lunar Flower that can open the door to Paradise. There he meets Tsume, Hige, and Toboe, three other wolves using illusions to appear humans so they can live in relative safety in the city. All four soon find themselves the target of Quent Yaiden and his dog Blue, who seek to kill every remaining wolf in the world. Cheza, the Lunar Flower, awakens at Kiba's arrival, but she is stolen away by Darcia. The four wolves join together and leave the town. After a rough trip through a town that violently rejects all outsiders, the wolves are able to meet with Cheza, who sensed their presence below and jumped from Darcia's airship to float down to them.
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| VolumeNumber = 2
| OriginalRelDate = [[February 23]], [[2004]]
| OriginalISBN = 978-4-06-349161-6
| LicensedRelDate = [[June 14]], [[2005]]
| LicensedISBN = 1-59116-718-3
| ChapterList =
* Grope 6. The Spellbound Pack
* Grope 7. A Sad Song
* Grope 8. The Grave That Looks Towards Heaven
* Grope 9. The Pedigree of the Guides
* Grope 10. The Depths of Despair
* Grope 11. Rain
| VolumeExtras = ;Cover character(s)
* Kiba
* Hige
* Tsume
* Toboe
| Summary = The four wolves fight a large pack of wolves that went crazy after seeing Cheza, but Cheza realizing her wolves were losing, sang the crazed wolves to sleep. Her song also affects Blue, who realizes for the first time that she has wolf blood in her. Darcia recaptures Cheza, badly wounding the four wolves in the process. Darcia aims to open Paradise using Cheza and the blood of Blue, whom he found in the woods and recruited for the project. After a fight with Darcia that leaves Kiba completely blind, the wolves are able to free Cheza and escape Darcia's keep just before it collapses. At the end, as the wolves and Cheza sit on a rock, the sun breaks through the clouds for the first time and the Ice Age ends, leading people to believe that Paradise having been opened.
}}
{{Graphic novel list/footer}}
==Reception==
In [[Japan]], ''Wolf's Rain'' ranked third among anime series airing in the same time slot behind [[Air Master]] and [[Dear Boys]].<ref name="ANN_AskJohn">{{cite web | url=http://www.animenation.net/news/askjohn.php?id=756 | title=Ask John: Why Was Wolf's Rain So Bad? |author=[[John Oppliger]]
| accessdate=2008-01-03 |date=2003-09-24 | publisher=[[AnimeNation]] |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060116114725/http://www.animenation.net/news/askjohn.php?id=756 |archivedate=2006-01-16 }}</ref> The series was considered "a big hit in 2004" for the North American market,<ref name="ICv2_Announce" /> selling well in mass markets as well as in on-line markets and at independent retailers. ICv2 notes that it has "a strong appeal to the growing teen and older anime audience."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/6266.html | title=ICv2 2004 Anime Awards, Part 1 | accessdate=2007-12-29 |date=2005-01-13 | publisher=ICv2 }}</ref> The series was selected as one of the top ten anime properties of 2005 for the ICv2 Retailers Guide to Anime/Manga.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/6340.html | title=Manga Market Continues Robust Growth in '04 | accessdate=2007-12-29 |date=2005-01-26 | publisher=ICv2 }}</ref> Its release was also a central reason Bandai Entertainment earned the ICv2 Anime Company of the Year award for 2004.<ref name="ICv2_Announce">{{cite web |url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/7318.html | title=Bandai Announces Complete Collections | accessdate=2007-12-29 |date=2004-08-04 | publisher=ICv2 }}</ref>
Critics have praised the series for its unusual focus on non-human characters and the interesting dynamic of wolves behaving like wolves as they interact with the human characters and environments in the series.<ref name="SciFiReview">{{cite journal |url=http://www.scifi.com/sfw/issue377/anime.html | title=Anime Reviews: Wolf's Rain | author=Tasha Robinson |work=SciFi Weekly | accessdate=2007-12-29 |date=2004-07-12 |volume=10 | issue=377 | publisher=SciFi.com }}</ref><ref name="ANNSeriesReview" />
{{Quote|"The visuals in this series showcase Studio BONES at their most imaginative, with beautiful backgrounds that depict settings from high-tech mysticism to urban decay to open wilderness. The character designs are equally striking: in their human form, the wolves wear contemporary outfits, making them the most accessible of all characters."|Carlo Santos|''Anime News Network''<ref name="ANNSeriesReview">{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/wolf's-rain/dvd-1-7 | title=Wolf's Rain DVD 1-7 - Review | accessdate=2007-12-29 |date=2006-03-06 | author=Carlos Santos | publisher=Anime News Network }}</ref>}}
The main criticism voiced about the series tends to be aimed at episodes fifteen through eighteen which are four back-to-back recapitulation episodes that interrupted the series midway through its original airing.<ref name="ANNSeriesReview" /><ref name="AoDSeriesReview" /> While the episode had a few new bits of dialog and the occasional new scene, they are primarily made up of flashbacks that "contribute precious little to the otherwise interesting narrative."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amazon.com/Wolfs-Rain-Recollections-Vol-4/dp/B000641YQO | title=Wolf's Rain - Recollections | accessdate=2007-12-29 |date=2006-03-06 | author=Charles Solomon, Editorial Reviewer | publisher=Amazon.com }}</ref> Reviewers of the [[Region 1]] DVD volume containing the four episodes recommended it be left unbought and skipped as a waste of money. Bandai's release of the episodes was also considered an improvement over the Japanese release of the series which had the recapitulation episodes spread over two DVDs requiring them to be bought to get the new episodes on the same volumes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/3481.php | title=Wolf's Rain Vol. #4 (of 7) | accessdate=2007-12-29 |date=2004-12-13 | author=Chris Beveridge | publisher=AnimeOnDVD.com }}</ref><ref name="AoDSeriesReview">{{cite web |url=http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/3823.php | title=Wolf's Rain Vol. #7 (of 7) | accessdate=2007-12-29 |date=2004-04-13 | author=Chris Beveridge | publisher=AnimeOnDVD.com }}</ref> Other critics have complained that while the show had an original and innovative storyline with beautiful visuals and appealing characters, the episodes themselves were poorly paced, undeveloped, and plagued with plot holes.<ref name="ANN_AskJohn" />
Yoko Kanno's soundtrack for the series has also been hailed for its beauty and the way it adds to the series' emotional impact.<ref name="ANNReview">{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/wolf's-rain | title=Wolf's Rain - Review | accessdate=2007-12-29 |date=2004-03-12 | publisher=Anime News Network }}</ref><ref name="ANNSeriesReview" /> The instrumental tracks were found to mirror the show's tone perfectly, evoking feelings of sorrow and loss. According to one reviewer, the soundtrack "...shows [Kanno's] skills as both composer and pianist..." and is "...a treat to hear."<ref name="AFMusicReview" /> Kanno's work in the series was nominated for an [[Annie Award]] in the "Music in an Animated Television Production" category in 2006.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://annieawards.com/32ndannieawardwinners.htm | title=32nd Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners | date=2006-07-28 | publisher=AnnieAwards.com}}</ref>
The Wolf's Rain manga adaptation has also enjoyed success in the North American market, with the second volume being the ninth best selling graphic novel on the [[Nielsen BookScan]] list for [[February 13]], [[2007]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/6457.html | title=D.N.Angel Tops BookScan List | accessdate=2007-12-29 |date=2005-02-18 | publisher=ICv2 }}</ref> It was considered a "major manga hit" among manga series adapted from an anime series.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/8360.html | title='Onegai Twins' Manga From DrMaster | accessdate=2007-12-29 |date=2006-03-14 | publisher=ICv2 |quote=Both the Please Teacher and the Onegai Twins manga were adapted from popular anime series, a reversal of the usual pattern in Japan where a popular manga typically inspires an anime adaptation, but this anime-to-manga method has produced some major manga hits in the U.S. such as the ''Cowboy Bebop'', ''Wolf's Rain'', and ''Samurai Champloo'' manga series, all of which were based on anime.}}</ref> While critics praised the artwork, some felt the short length resulted in a rushed story line that made it hard to connect to any of the characters and left the impression that supporting characters, Cher, Hubb and Quent, were included "just to have them included".<ref name="AnnMangaReview">{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/right-turn-only/2004-11-08 | title=Right Turn Only | accessdate=2007-12-30 |date=2004-11-08 |first=Liann |last=Cooper | publisher=Anime News Network }}</ref> Others partially agreed, both praising the "snappy pacing" while also considering it the primary downfall of the series.<ref name="AnnMangaReview GN1">{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/wolf's-rain-gn-1 | title=Wolf's Rain GN 1 Review | accessdate=2008-03-28 |date=2004-11-18 |first=Carlos |last=Santos | publisher=Anime News Network }}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
==External links==
{{Portalpar|Anime and manga|Wikipe-tan face.png}}
* [http://www.b-ch.com/cgi-bin/contents/ttl/det.cgi?ttl_c=154 Bandai Channel's official ''Wolf's Rain'' website] {{ja icon}}
* [http://www.fujitv.co.jp/b_hp/wolfrain/index.html FujiTV's Official ''Wolf's Rain'' website]
* {{ann anime|id=1806}}
* [http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?series_id=214 Official Viz ''Wolf's Rain'' manga website]
* [http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/m-serve/-/Discographylist2/M0036.html Victor Entertainment official ''Wolf's Rain'' soundtrack] {{ja icon}}
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