Ranked #465

Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade

Jin-Roh, I've had this on my to-watch list for sooo long. Finally sitting down to enjoy this anime, my interest was initially piqued by the distinctive animation, and mixed with the intense realism of this sci-fi film, I instantly thought Jin-Roh would be great.

The story has direct parallels with that of the Grimm fairytale little red riding hood (not the watered down disney version), however there is no woodsman that arrives to slay this wolf. What I found most compelling about this theme in Jin-Roh is the idea that someone that you thought you could trust with your life could turn out to be a wolf in disguise; I've toyed with the idea that this is also referencing the Japanese government (then and now), or simply lovers and friends.

The animation is what first captured my attention, they actually look like real people! No gravity-defying hairstyles, eyes that would cause serious problems in a sandstorm, or bodies that could in no way hold 7m of small intestines. The use of Volkswagens, German style guns and the Panzer Cops wearing Stahlhelm helmets could simply be put off as the usual Japanese obsession with everything German. However in this context it reflects the political fears of the time, a fascist German takeover being all too real in 1960's Japan. The CAPO troops appear to be a reflection of the special police force formed after WWII, mainly because they were forbidden to raise a standing military force and simultaneously pressured by the US to prepare for communism.

The music is dark and molds itself well to the intense story and characters, however I don't think I'll remember it like I do other soundtracks.

Kazuki Fuse, the main protagonist is the tall, dark and brooding type who struggles with his loyalty to the wolf brigade and the last vestiges of his humanity. With the encouragement of Kei Amemiya his humanity is slowly revealed but is continuously beaten back by the interference of Atsuhi Henmi and his associates. It is an interesting note that Fuse's character can in the end be compared to the overwhelming conformity of the Japanese people, even when the political and social norms are due for revision.

All in all, Jin-Roh is one of the most compelling anime I have seen to date. It is further evidence that a truly great fiction must be in some way the truth, it must convince us that this could be applied to our reality, that its laws can be applied to us. I guess that's what you'd call a paradox. Jin-Roh has been one of the few anime that has actually compelled me to get up and find out what the hell is going on! (alongside FLCL)

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This movie is artistic animation. It does not have caricatures of people, use stereotypes to aid character development nor is there enough dialogue for easy digestion of characters feelings. The picture is thick of emotionally charged imagery and reflection, more clear and direct than can be done in live action. For example the fire bombs at the beginning and the reaction of the officers, the tears on Kei's face and breath of Fuze after running all cause connections with the audience instead of the usual detraction anime has.

Things like what Fuze is brooding about constantly are shown as glances into the character, you really have to be following the story to understand anything about the characters. Motivations and subterfuge are the grips of the story after viewing.

The animation is dry, on a color scale you would say that there are no 'warm' colors. Much like done in The Matrix or Gladiator, the lack of color is definitely intentional but still loses marks for art rating (made up for in char/enj).

Then there's the story, its very simple yet extremely complicated to piece together as-you-watch-it. I had particular trouble with understanding the back story, its not necessary and only briefly covered by prose. As the watcher this creates alot of interest to me, I am not given the required information to understand the entire situation going on in the government but still take blind leaps of faith into the characters, trusting them as genuine. I do not know if the good guy won in the end or if the country is worse off. But this isn't to say I felt a lack of resolution, I am very content in the story.

The character development is extremely interesting in this story, the use of imagery to portray characters as heroic, frightened, or animalistic in nature is wonderful. To play into the red riding hood theme you can clearly see at times the animation giving birth to wolf like qualities, or with the girl showing true meakness, frailty and confusion. The short dream sequence is quite graphic and horrible to fathom in reality, but shows the truth behind the story setting and how things felt to Fuze. read more