A Study in Charactor Developement
D. Allen | Sparks, Nv USA | 08/01/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Episodes 11-15. Unfortunately, these episodes wane a bit from the first 10, yet I can't feel that these episodes are the final set-up for the second half of the first season. First, you are going to get blown away when you meet "the human form" of Blue (previously the dog of the wolf hunter, now running with the pack). The next three episodes barely concentrate on the main charactors, Kiba, Tsume, Hige and Tolboy, and more concentrate on the lives of Cheir (the female scientist in search of Cheza), and her ex-husband, Hub (the detective). Also included is some of the background of the wolf hunter. I won't give it away, but the final episode winds up with the most important event of the series. Like I say, the bulk of these episodes concentrates on the developement of the side charactors; therefore, this string of episodes will be important to understanding the rest of the series. Thoug not as involved or entertaining as the rest of the series, "Loss" is well worth the price, and is a must own in one of the best anime series ever created. Do not begin with this disk. Buy "Leader of the Pack", and "Blood and Flowers" first. I may sound a little down on this disk, but overall, "Wolf's Rain", in terms of story line, animation, sound track and everything else is absolutely one of the best series ever made, animated or live action!"
Best anime. Ever.
Ky loves Kiba | Canada | 01/13/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wolf's Rain is seriously the best anime I have ever seen. If you have already seen the first two dvd's, then you MUST see this.
Things are turning pretty bad with the Nobles, and the wolves finally have their first full moon with Cheza. Bringing Darcia out to get Cheza back. Blue comes into the story too, and goes along with the others, trying to get Cheza back.
The jist of it is, this is a must see. I've watched it over and over again. You can't get enough of this amazing show. "
Exquisite
Marc Ruby? | Warren, MI USA | 03/15/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lurking behind the story until now have been the nobles a mysterious ruling class with their own agendas. We know that there is strife between then, that Cheza was stolen from the Darcias, and that Lady Jaguera hates wolves. But we don't really know much else. This DVD is there turn, even though it leaves more mysteries than it solves.
Even as the House of Lords arrest Hubb Lebowski, conflict breaks out and Lord Orkham, Cheza's original kidnapper is slain. Chaos happens, Hubb escapes and forms an uneasy truce with Quent. Darcia confronts the wolves and manages to hold off Kiba long enough to reclaim Cheza, triggering a wild hunt. Blue, whom you will recall was Quent's 'dog.' Reappears as a beautiful wolf and joins the others in their effort to save Cheza.
Complicated enough? We're not done yet, Cher rejoins Hubb and Quent, and absolutely everyone heads for Darcia's keep for what can only be describes as a near apocalyptic conflict. If I didn't know this was the middle of the series, I would have assumes that the tragic drama unfolding in this DVD's final episode was really the end, now I have to wonder how they are ever going to top it.
This series has set such a high standard for story, art, and music from the beginning that I feel foolish telling you that with every DVD it seems to get better. But one could watch this DVD in the original Japanese with no real clue what is happening and still sense that something momentous is in play. And still get lost in the gothic atmospherics of a world that seems to be dying because it's spirit - the spirit of the wolves - has deserted it.
Each character has some loss to deal with, from Darcia's towering grief to Toboe's homelessness, and out of this a story is being woven of a magical kingdom and the quest for Paradise. Is it really what the characters want? Is there a path to healing amid the moonflowers? We don't know yet. But, like Kiba, we still can hope so."