WOLF CHILDREN

 
Wolf Children
Released By: Manga Entertainment
Rating: 12
Running Time: 300 Mins
Audio: English DD 5.1 & Japanese DD 2.0
Release Date: Out Now!
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

Hana is a university student who falls for a fellow student, but he isn't a normal man, he is a descendant of the near extinct grey wolves of Japan. He can also turn into a wolf, and when he tells Hana of this she still finds she loves him despite his confession. He decides he has grown so fond of her that he wants to set up a family with her, and in time she gives birth to Yuki and Ame who are as different to each other as chalk and cheese, but when her husband dies suddenly, she is left alone to take care of the two children who she feels are the only connection to him.

What Hana didn't realise was that the children had inherited their father's abilities to change into a wolf. Hana's daughter Yuki narrates the story, telling the viewer about the first time she met her soon to be lover. After a while Hana slowly gets to know the solitary man who gets to go to the same seminars as her resulting in his showing her his true form one night. She believes he wanted her to accept him as who and what he really was, and the change is reminiscent of John Landis's American Werewolf in London where David Kessler's (David Naughton) hand grows long before he turns into a werewolf. Hana's lover tells her he can change into a wolf at will  he isn't influenced by the moon and doesn't go out killing people, but he can bring back a fat pheasant for their stew, so he proves he is a very competent provider for their family.

This is an interesting and hear warming anime that has a lot of scope for future series.

Bonus Material: Collector's Edition Bonus Disc Contents: US Actor & Staff Commentary, English Language Trailer, Stage Greeting SP PR Video, Director's Version 01 and 02 Promotional Video, Original Trailer and Original Teaser.

Verdict: Endearing and wonderfully animated.