Country: Japan
Genre: Thriller
Year released: 1998
Running time: 1 Hour 43 Minutes
Director: Hiroyuki Okiura
Cast: Yoshikazu Fujiki / Sumi Motoh / Hiroyuki Kinosha
Review by: M. Douglas
Date of review: 01/18/08

Hiroyuki Okiura’s “Jin Roh: The Wolf Brigade” is a very powerful and fascinating film to say the least. With a story written by Mamoru Oshii, it delivers an extremely grim and pragmatic view into societal warfare that is so prevalently displayed within the film. The film’s opening documents this clash quite well; a resistance movement is partaking in a demonstration, which progressively devolves into violent rioting when an unfortunate bombing attack occurs unexpectedly out of the crowd—injuring the riot force. The initial scene is so deliberately choreographed; it brings to mind real world conflicts that one might have witnessed on television before, it’s that painstakingly real.

And while “Jin Roh: The Wolf Brigade” does showcase theses realistic instances quite well, it does deliver a involving story that explores the ideology of what subjective qualifications a group/individual must obtain in order to be labeled a “terrorist”. There is an instance within the film that showcases this quite clearly; when we witness governmental officials discussing amongst themselves the proposed solutions to eradicate the resistance movement—all requesting the notion of violence as the primary advocate. The film raises such questions as class obedience as well, when our protagonist is subjected to harsh scrutiny for not slaying a young girl suspected as a terrorist. To bring into question these ideals is what raises“Jin Roh: The Wolf Brigade” high above many animated films, especially with its extreme criticism of social order and the hierarchy of terrorism extending not only to what we as a civilization consider the “bad guys” (the resistance group known as the “Sect”), but also the use of terrorist atrocities mutually performed by what the film considers the “good guys” (the government in general). It’s this blurring of the line between what is considered good and evil that is so effectively on display here.

The animation of this film is beautifully done. This is no doubt due to the use of famous animation company Production I.G. to deliver what is perhaps that last traditionally animated film of the last decade. The musical score also accomplishes a riveting yet subtle approach that fits the film perfectly and composer Hajime Mizoguchi should be commended on it.

Overall, “Jin Roh: The Wolf Brigade” is an absorbing film that brings forth characters that are real, a political backdrop that showcases the drama that occurs behind the curtains, and a musical score that is hauntingly beautiful. If one enjoys adult anime, then “Jin Roh: The Wolf Brigade” is a film you will truly enjoy. If not, then look somewhere else, “Jin Roh: The Wolf Brigade” is a compelling film from start to finish. I highly recommend it.

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Final Score

A+

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Trailer

Popularity: 18% [?]