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Wolf's Rain (ウルフズ・レイン) is a Japanese anime first broadcast in Japan on January 6, 2003. It ran for a full season of 26 episodes. Four more episodes were released on DVD in Japan in January and February 2004, completing the story.

The story was originally created by Keiko Nobumoto , a writer and story editor on Cowboy Bebop, who also later published a manga version of the story. The show is currently being released on video in the US, having been licensed for US distribution by Bandai Entertainment. Wolf's Rain currently airs as part of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim lineup. Wolf's Rain features a soundtrack composed by Yoko Kanno.

The manga version of Wolf's Rain will be published in English by Viz Communications, starting on November 3, 2004.

1 Overview

Wolf's Rain takes place in a post-apocalyptic future, where much of the world has been ecologically devastated, and most people live in poverty. A legend is told that wolves know the way to Paradise, and will lead everyone to it before the end of the world. This legend is difficult for most to believe, howewer, because wolves are believed to have been extinct for 200 years. However, the truth is that the wolves have just become very adept at hiding themselves in human society, with the ability to show a human form, including the abilities of speech and manual dexterity, while still retaining their lupine senses, agility, and natural weapons. This seems to put the show in the realm of werewolfA werewolf in folklore and mythology is a person who changes into a wolf, either by purposefully using magic in some manner or by being placed under a curse. In fictional treatments starting in the 19th century and in popular modern superstition this tran fantasy, but the wolves' human form is portrayed as more of a mental effect than a physical transformation. Wolf's Rain is also much more sympathetic to the wolves than most werewolf fiction, casting them clearly as the protagonists.

2 Characters

The story follows four young wolves: Kiba, Tsume, Hige, and Toboe. Each name is the JapaneseThe Japanese language is a spoken and written language used mainly in Japan. The Japanese name for the language is Nihongo . History and classification Historical linguists do not all agree about the origin of the Japanese language; there are several comp word for a "part" of a wolf.

• Kiba ("Fang"): The leader of the "pack", Kiba follows his instincts towards Paradise, where only wolves may go. He tends to be distrustful of humans, and in the early episodes is reluctant to take human form even in the city.
• Tsume ("Claw"): Tsume is a rough, self-reliant wolf who led a street gang (of humans) in the city in the beginning of the series. He initially doesn't believe the stories of Paradise, and only follows the others out of an instinct to protect them and stay part of a pack.
• Hige ("Whiskers"): Hige seems to know how to function the best in human society, even wearing a dog collar in wolf form (which shows in human form too) to look less suspicious. He tends to use his wits more than the others, when he's not thinking with his stomach instead. Hige is quite the "ladies' man" and is always on the look-out for a nice woman.
• Toboe ("Howling"): The youngest wolf, Toboe grew up in the city under the care of and old lady. He doesn't seem comfortable with his own wolvish abilities, having accidentally killed his caretaker and the pet bird of a girl he tried to befriend. Despite this, Toboe is the most timid and kind wolf in the pack, and has formed a particularly strong bond with Tsume.

Other characters:

• Cheza: The "Flower Maiden" - a girl who was artificially created by lost arts of science and alchemy from a Lunar Flower. She shares a special bond with the wolves and is the key to finding Paradise.
• Cher Degre: A scientist involved in studying Cheza. She is fascinated by Cheza and desires to understand her and her purpose. Also, Cheza seems to awaken some of her maternal instincts as the series progresses.
• Hubb Lebowski: A police detective and ex-husband of Cher Degre. He is still very much in love with Cher and seeks to protect her, often half-jokingly asking if they still have a chance together.
• Quint Yaiden: An ex-sheriff from the town of Curious. He now lives his life hunting wolves after blaming them for the destruction of his town and death of his family. His only concerns seem to be seeking revenge on wolves, or seeking a stiff drink.
• Darcia: Third generation of the Darcia family of Nobles. He is involved in the mystery of Cheza and Paradise, and seeks to use Cheza to somehow revive his lover Hamona, who was stricken with the "Paradise disease" and appears to be comatose and nearly dead.

• Blue: Blue was the Yaiden family pet. After the destruction of Curious and most of her family she traveled with Quint hunting wolves due to her ability as a half-wolf to find them, until Cheza awakened her as a wolf, giving her the ability to assume the illusion of a human form and communicate with humans like the other wolves.