Ranked #481

Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade

What a unique and interesting movie...

Jin Roh tells two stories. One is the one where the main character becomes the center key to a dispute between the police forces. The second one puts the protagonists in the shoes of the characters of an older and darker version of a famous story. While we are watching the first and main story, we are slowly taken through the second one. The stories to not clash, they combine and depend on each other to exist. The second one is easy and provides most of the character development, while the first one provides the setting and the introduction and development of secondary characters. Although not bad at its roots, the movie makes the story over complicated and doesn't manage to fully fledge it out. The amount of information we receive during 100 minutes is too unequally places and vast. It doesn't help that the major opposing factions have similar names. This does not help the characters either. The ending is very good and deep, yet unable to fully give us a conclusion. We finally see the truth about the main character and the second story comes to a conclusion, while the first one is somewhat left hanging.

The style of the animation makes the characters look very realistic and less anime like. It's a win or lose situation as the style may not appeal to every viewer, but it was an excellent thing to do. It also looks old, but once again it does not stand out as a bad thing. Both of these things add to the visual experience, and truthfully it is hard for me to imagine this movie using a different animation style.
I found it interesting to note that there are almost no bright colors. The movie shifts back and forth from washed out exteriors, to the dark sewers under the city. The only brighter color is the one from the 'eyes' of the Panzer Cops.

The sound was very good. Most of the background music was well places and did its job perfectly. The voice actors were nothing spectacular, though well chosen.

There is something else about Jin Roh, that doesn't feel right though, something that keeps it from being an excellent movie, yet rising it up to being an above than average movie. I cannot explain what it is... This is one of those movies that I need see only once and be able to forget it by the time I start watching something new, yet still remember it and its most shocking moments when the right time arises.

Is it worth watching? This depends. It requires quite a bit of patience, understanding, curiosity and a liking of the genre, but watching it will definitely not be a waste of time.
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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

Jin Roh.. how can I explain it? as expected from this superb director you get a masterpiece movie, why?
Everything fits together to create this unique experience, you start by watching the background story, the development of the events, and when you reach the end everything is unveiled. The story seems good, nothing exceptional, but this is just part of the experience. Expertly guiding the viewer through the events leads to the extraordinary climax at the end, releasing all the bottled up emotions carefully placed in your mind through the characters. Only at the end you will understand what is all about and understand how amazing the movie is.
The soundtrack isn't much noticeable except the ending theme that accompanies the realization after the shock you just witnessed, it just feels right to let it play while rewinding and going thru everything that happened.
Everything else is just superb and this is one of those pieces of art that no one should miss, anime fan or not be sure to watch it. read more

I had great expectations for Jin Roh. However, after watching it I felt like a restaurant customer who was served a great appetizer and dessert with a merely decent main course.

STORY:
The general idea reflected in the story is an intriguing dillema. Unfortunately, at some point in the middle of the movie I had the feeling that its true potential was not realised to the end. Betreyal, loyalty, love and necessity are the key words for a great plot, yet in case of Jin Roh not all of them were the work of a true genius.

Some of the scenes (opening and ending acts in particular) are carved into memory the same way an sculpturer carves his work in stone, whereas others are better left forgotten.

The references to the popular story of the Little Red Ridding Hood add depth to the story, and that is one of the strongest points of this production.

The internal game between the central and local police is also interesting, though it lacks those great twists and turns, which one can expect from such a game of chess.

What brings the story down a notch is the relationship between the two main characters, which from time to time seem to be speaking different languages, because of what the emotional connection between them is lost.

Cocluding, the great potential held is not fully realised and what we get in return is a very good story, but without the element, which makes the viewer want to become a part of it.

ART:
Personally I found most of the art perfect. Especially the dark backgrounds are worth noticing, the desing of the special soldiers is remarkable and gives the image of a hell-born warrior.

The characters are design in fashion which makes them resemble natural human beings. Unfortunately sometimes, in emotional moments their faces don't give the impression one might expect.

Since emotions are crucial as well as voice acting, for they build the image of the particular character, despite the great background art I, with great regret, feel bound not to give more than a very good mark for the art.

SOUND:
The music is amazing, in pair with the background art it makes the impression as if we watched a couple dancing.

The voice play is very good, though the protagonist sometimes seems to be off his game. Besides him, all the other voice actors are doing a good job, though it does not get close to what one could describe as greateness.

CHARACTERS:
This the worst element of the picture. Supporting roles are more memorable than the main pair. While watching the two main characters in action I had serious problems establishing a lasting emotional connection with them. Simply speaking sometimes they get to you perfectly, but that connection is severed just a few minutes later.

Because of this, in the character department Jin-Roh performs fair. If it wasn't for the supporting roles I would have no regret to rating it even lower.

ENJOYMENT:
The story and art are very good, some might say great. The sound is trully creme de la creme. But the characters are more than one level below what you would expect from such an intriguing storyline. Therefore, they have negative impact on the enjoyment of the whole picture.

At one point you are completely involved in what you're watching, yet at the other you're just hoping that this boring scene will end as soon as possible.

OVERALL:
If you're not into all those police drama, betrayel, deadly game stories Jin-Roh is a great movie to watch. But if you hold some expectations before watching related to the particular genre of the production, you'll get a good show, though without any fireworks. read more

Well animated and there is a good story (albeit a complex one) at the heart of it but it's so slow and the characters seem so unemotional it's hard to care about what's happening on the screen by the time it reaches it's fascinating if rather depressing climax. There is a good film in here somewhere but it's just presented in such a dull and uninvolving way that it seems like a wasted opportunity.

Out of all the anime movies I have seen yet this year, Jin Roh is by far one of the best ones I have ever seen!

This movie pretty much has it all with fighting, action, and some romance. It leaves you at the edge of your seat wanting to know what will happen next!

A twisted little red riding hood story, even though the action is quite good, it's not enough to entertain you further that's why it Bored me because of the Drama that comes along with it wich is Are very Looooong Boring Dialogues.