Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade
“A Group of Powerful Wolves That Don't Howl”
Where should I begin with this issue? I can't believe this has been on my watch list for the longest time. Let's start by saying that this hidden gem must reach many more people. Despite being over 24 years old, the movie remains superior to most contemporary releases. Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade delves into concepts such as war, terrorism, and conspiracies in a manner so intricately interwoven that it leaves one wondering about the optimal way to integrate these elements. It may be one of the most detailed anime plot descriptions, and you're not alone if you fall asleep while the narrator keeps going. But what follows is truly a work of art—an anime that shows that the phrase 'old is gold' is as accurate as it gets, especially in anime. Despite the movie's underappreciation, allow me to guide you through its essence.
Before becoming the masterpiece we know today, Jin-Roh underwent several fascinating transformations. Originally conceived as part of Mamoru Oshii's Kerberos trilogy, it was meant to be a live-action feature like its predecessors "The Red Spectacles" and "StrayDog." The project was then reimagined as a six-episode OVA for Bandai Visual, based on Oshii's Kerberos Panzer Cop manga. However, following the international success of "Ghost in the Shell," Manga Entertainment saw more significant potential in the property, and it evolved into a feature film.
When Oshii stepped away from directing due to his commitments to Ghost in the Shell, the project found its way to Hiroyuki Okiura, making it his directorial debut. This transition proved crucial in shaping the film's final form, with both Production I.G. and Bandai Visual throwing their full support behind the new direction.
For those wondering about the source material, Jin-Roh isn't just a standalone creation—part of something much bigger. The film adapts the first chapter of "Kerberos Panzer Cop," a manga series that is the backbone of the expansive Kerberos Saga. This multimedia franchise spans novels, manga, radio plays, and live-action films, making Jin-Roh the only fully animated entry in the saga. The manga, brought to life by illustrator Fujiwara Kamui, ran from 1988 to 2009, painting a fascinating alternate history where post-war Japan fell under German rather than American influence. While Jin-Roh exists within this rich universe, it manages to tell its own compelling story without requiring viewers to dive into the broader saga—though doing so certainly adds layers of appreciation to this already complex tale.
Soldiers Have Hearts
Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade unfolds in a post-World War II alternate timeline, where civil war and conspiracies have turned Japan into a hellish place, preventing anyone from resting peacefully. The sound of gunshots is always there to keep you on your toes, and with both the good and bad not giving the other the slightest room to breathe, desperate times call for desperate measures. Secret factions or units among police or military personnel are always present, capable of outpacing the entire country if necessary.
Well, Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade can form a corps surpassing the required numbers, as the soldiers here are genuinely formidable. Despite the rigorous training at the academy, constant orders from his platoon's superiors, and a lifetime of experiences, Fuse Kazuki finds himself paralyzed by the mercy and humanity he had to forsake to join the military in this forsaken version of Japan. The name 'Fus' has an 'e' after it. This is not Dragon Ball Z, where the characters' names include Freezer, Cooler, and Fu! Anyway, I'm coming back to Jin Roh and Fuse Kazuki.
But what does he get in return? The treatment he receives is of the "Anyone who negotiates with a terrorist is a terrorist" kind. The military academy sends the guy back for further training. However, after this move, we, along with Fuse Kazuki, uncover all the hidden happenings. Trust me, a lot is going on behind the scenes, and it's undoubtedly information that should remain hidden at all costs. The movie surprises you with its story-rich content, and a setting like this couldn't have benefited more from it. Additionally, it maintains the unique vibe that made Akira so special, and seeing similarities between the two isn't unusual.
Animation That's a Perfect Fit
Not every anime setting adopts a particular studio's art and direction style. For example, do you believe that if J.C. Staff had animated Demon Slayer, it would have achieved similar success? No, right? How can anyone even think of that? The same holds in this scenario. Production I.G., the studio behind some of the best series known to man, is responsible for Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade. Who doesn't adore shows like Psycho-Pass, Haikyu, and Kaiju No. 8? The list just goes on and on until you die. However, I appreciate the studio's outstanding work on this movie.
The animation style perfectly complements the overall theme of the series, and the cinematography effectively captures the emotions, creating a natural and heartbreaking experience in a civil war setting where certain emotions and actions often dominate from the outset. Following a similar path has always been the norm in this environment. I found this change compelling, and I'm still amazed that it's been on my watchlist for a long time. I don't know about you, but I find the entire 90's anime vibe a visual delight. Those animation frames, the hand-drawn character emotions, the cinematography—they just don't make it like them anymore, even when the future is supposed to be better than the past! Even the bullets hitting the targets, the bombs, and the riot shields leave you wondering just how hard the animators worked to bring this project from the ground up, and to see that it's still able to stand next to some of the best from the current generation blows my mind. Given its exceptional quality as an anime movie, it will leave a lasting impression on you. We need to increase the popularity of this movie significantly!
Music That Doesn't Spell Out War
The soundtrack to the movie is pretty good, too. Initially, the excellent voice acting astounded me. For example, in the iconic scene that sets the tone for the entire story, the exchange of a fundamental question that determines the value of human life, you can truly feel the pain and emotion as if it were happening in real life, right before your eyes. Not to mention, the movie boasts a compelling central theme that I'm sure I'll return to again and again. I did have some complaints about the movie's latter half with the characters and the story conclusion, but what more can you fit in that time frame? If you pace things well, you can fit a lot more in that time frame, but I'm not going to complain and rant here about something that I enjoyed, even if there are things that the movie didn't get right. Instead of blaming and thrashing something we couldn't accomplish in a million years, let's be grateful for what we have.
The 80s and 90s are full of movies that make you question just what these animators were eating back in the day. Everything feels so natural that you can’t help but see and appreciate the love and emotion that goes into making all these different series and movies. Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade is a beautiful watch-through and through. The anime does a great job taking everything at the perfect pace in the first half of the series. The characters' drawings are almost highly detailed, and their movements are awe-inspiring, unlike anything we're accustomed to in today's anime shows. But I will agree with some of you that the movie falls flat during the latter half of its runtime. I'm unsure if 'fall flat' is the correct term, as it's not a complete collapse but rather a failure to maintain the same quality that the first half of the movie retains throughout its duration.
I’ve seen how that ended up pissing a lot of viewers off, but don’t let that fool you. After completing the film, form your own opinion. As for the rating, the movie quickly gets an 8/10 in my book. After watching the movie, I've been left with a dilemma. I can’t decide whether the film would’ve benefited from a 13, or 24-episode anime series. To be honest, I lean more towards the negative answer, as I believe the movie's format works in its favor. Making this story into an anime series would have disrupted the movie's continuity and pacing, as the week-long break would drastically alter the setting. I'd like to encourage you to consider this option independently, as I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on this matter.
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