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Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade
人狼 JIN-ROH
1999 102 min Japan R 16+
★6.9
Animation, Thriller, Science Fiction
Director: Kenji Kamiyama, Hiroyuki Okiura
Trailers
Description
A member of an elite paramilitary counter-terrorism unit becomes traumatized after witnessing the suicide bombing of a young girl and is forced to undergo retraining. However, unbeknownst to him, he becomes a key player in a dispute between rival police divisions, as he finds himself increasingly involved with the sister of the girl he saw die.
US Gross:
$94,591
Worldwide:
$94,072
Starring
Michael Dobson
Actor
Yoshikazu Fujiki
Actor
Sumi Mutoh
Actor
Awards
4 wins & 2 nominations total
Key opinion
Jin-Roh is a somber, politically complex anime that reinterprets 'Little Red Riding Hood' through a bleak, alternate-history lens. While critics admire its meticulous traditional animation and philosophical depth, it is frequently polarizing due to its slow, demanding, and deliberately opaque narrative style.
| Production | The film utilizes meticulously detailed traditional animation and dark, somber color palettes to ground its alternate-history Tokyo in a tactile, realistic atmosphere. | |
| Theme | The narrative draws a grim, analytical parallel to 'Little Red Riding Hood,' reframing the tale as a story of systemic manipulation rather than a moral fable. | |
| Screenplay | The plot's heavy reliance on inter-agency political intrigue and layered betrayals makes the story demanding, often requiring multiple viewings to fully grasp the motivations of the characters. | |
| Pacing | The contemplative, deliberate pace is viewed by some as an essential element of its psychological maturity, while others find it to be excessively slow and boring. | |
| Accessibility | While many expect high-octane combat based on the armored designs, the film limits action to rare, brief sequences, disappointing those seeking a conventional thriller. |