Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade

This is a must-watch film, and not just because the soldiers look badass or because it shows up in all sorts of places in pop culture now. This is a very heart-wrenching film which has themes so heavy that you can't help but think about where you stand on important issues long after the credits roll. The characters are all very human and the director does a fantastic job of slowly helping you see the motives and backgrounds of these highly developed characters. The visuals are great, but the writing is even better. Don't expect a clear moral here. Like good literature, you're given a story and then you are left to ponder on it, combining what you know with what you've experienced and letting that serve as a catalyst for philosophical growth. Oftentimes, there is no binary good and evil. You have to work with what you have in front of you and we're all human. We decide to commit to causes that we believe in and trust that they are correct. Like history itself, motive is often obscured and tainted by the person relaying it unfortunately. Also often is the need to decide between 'lesser evils' something many people face and this film really takes you on that journey in a spectacular way. As someone who grew up in a strict religion, as well as the current political state of my country, we need the kinds of questions this film poses on the table more than ever. There is an eternal fight between authoritarianism and vigilante individualism, one that media franchises often dangerously simplify without showing the human sides of both. This film does that and more. That's why everyone should see it.

Classic. This is art.

Jin-Roh is among those animated films that can be considered for "adults." It's slow paced and character driven, there are action scenes sprinkled throughout the film and rather violent. If you're looking for non-stop action, you better look elsewhere. But if you like political thrillers mixed with a bit of alternate history, Jin-Roh is definitely an experience you cannot pass up. The quality of the animation in this movie is superb, you could even say better than most animated films today and Discotek has done a wonderful job with this Blu-Ray transfer, the audio is equally as good allowing you to enjoy the magnificent soundtrack by Hajime Mizoguchi. As for the quality of the english dub, it's decent, certainly will allow you to enjoy the plot. There are a few extras, such as trailers and a "making-off" documentary. My only complain is that the ending theme of the film "Omega" has been silenced completely if you're listening to English audio track, but it's present on the Japanese audio track. Kind of a weird decision for that.

As with his other films, Director Okiura skillfully and vividly captures emotional changes through subtle facial expressions and gestures. For example, when the woman hands the picture book to the man on the bridge, a breeze suddenly blows upstream, tousling her hair. She gently fixes it with one hand, squinting one eye and offering the faintest smile. Or the scene where, in the middle of the night, a car’s headlights shine on her, and she squints in annoyance as she glances sideways at the light. These moments, with the woman’s subtle facial changes and casual gestures, are portrayed with exquisite detail. Without using words, Okiura allows the audience to sense her feelings. That he can express such emotional nuance through animation speaks volumes about his talent. I’ve watched this film many times, and yet I never tire of it.

One of the best movies I've seen. Top-notch in every way - story, characters, pacing, directing, cinematography, animation. It's incredible how much you're able to gleam about each character: their hopes, dreams, disappointments, etc., as well as their motivations within their relationships with one another. The themes of identity, friendship, group vs. individual, love, loyalty, it's all done phenomenally. Scenes are so well set-up, locations are evocative. There are dream sequences, a "story within the story" that is interwoven beautifully, tons of small details that come to light on a second and third viewing that enhance and deepen your understanding of characters' motivations and internal struggles. Truly a masterpiece of animation all the way around.

Yep it's new and sealed. It even came with a slip cover.

Just like Ghost in the Shell, the animation is great. The dialog is believable and well-delivered. The music is really good too and suits the movie excellently. The story is pretty straight forward but has lots of little clever twists and turns that keeps your interest. While the plot of the film isn't nearly as complex or substantial as Ghost in the Shell, it's still very good. Not nearly as much blood and violence as I was led to expect, actually a lot of politics and character building instead. I'd give it a 4.5 but I reserve 5 for the best anime and comparing Oshii's Ghost in the Shell to his Jin Roh is no contest. Still, quality film and worth the $30 price tag if you can afford it

The question proposed by Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade is simple, "Can a wolf become a man?". Unfortunately the answer is not that simple. Pure Anime Cinema.

Jin-roh è un bellissimo "Anime" ,scuola fine anni 80, realizzato da "Sensei" Mamoru Oshii( Ghost in the shell). Da vedere assolutamente, consigliato Jin-roh is a beautiful "Anime", late 80s school, made by "Sensei" Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the shell). A must see, recommended

Delighted I could get this, brilliant quality. Bought as gift

この作品のメインスタッフは、押井氏にしろ沖浦氏にしろ、自由にさせ過ぎてもダメ、 制約を掛け過ぎてもダメ、という塩梅の難しい人が多い。 にもかかわらず、この「人狼」という映画は不思議なバランスで傑作となった奇跡的な作品です。 まあ、見る人を選ぶ映画でもあるのですが(笑)。 保証はできませんが、わざわざここを尋ねてくるような人には、おそらく合うと思います。 私が購入したのは、いわゆる北米版Blu-rayでタイトルが「JIN-ROH: THE WOLF BRIGADE」 となっているもの。消費税と送料込で2249円でした。 いやー安い！LaserDisc買ったころとは隔世の感があるなぁ。 PS3（日本で普通に流通しているもの）で日本語音声の再生中に字幕を外すことが可能でした。 日本国内で発売されている「人狼」のBlu-rayには複数の種類があり、中にはいわゆる「額縁」 状態での再生になるものがあるそうです（他の版のカスタマーレビューの記載を読んだだけで、 自分で確認したわけではないです）が、この北米版は「額縁」にはなりません。

I watched the live action before this and loved the live action so i had to find the original. I've come to realize which not surprising the stories are different. But all in all this movie is phenomenal and i love both equally

"Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade" ist ein visuell beeindruckender und zum Nachdenken anregender Anime-Film, der politische Intrigen nahtlos mit einer düsteren und grüblerischen Atmosphäre verbindet. Unter der Regie von Hiroyuki Okiura und basierend auf Mamoru Oshiis Kerberos-Saga spielt der Film in einer alternativen Geschichte, in der eine stark militarisierte Polizeitruppe die Aufgabe hat, in einem dystopischen Tokio für Ordnung zu sorgen. Der Film zeichnet sich durch seine akribische Liebe zum Detail aus, von den wunderschön animierten Stadtlandschaften bis hin zu den sorgfältig entworfenen Rüstungen und Waffen der Kerberos Panzer Cops. Die Entwicklung der Charaktere ist ebenso beeindruckend. Der Protagonist Kazuki Fuse ist hin- und hergerissen zwischen seiner Loyalität gegenüber dem Staat und seiner wachsenden Bindung an ein Mitglied der Terrorgruppe, die er festnehmen soll. Die komplexe Erzählung des Films erforscht Themen wie politische Manipulation, Identität und die Konsequenzen der eigenen Entscheidungen. Er zieht den Zuschauer in ein Netz aus Intrigen und moralischer Ambiguität, was ihn zu einer fesselnden und intellektuell anregenden Erfahrung macht. Die Kombination aus tiefgründigen philosophischen Fragen und intensiven Actionsequenzen schafft ein perfektes Gleichgewicht, das den Zuschauer von Anfang bis Ende fesselt. "Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade" ist eine Meisterklasse in Sachen Erzählung und Animation und bietet ein ausgereiftes und zum Nachdenken anregendes Seherlebnis für alle, die eine dunklere und introspektivere Version des Anime-Genres schätzen. Es ist ein Film, der noch lange nach dem Abspann im Gedächtnis bleibt und viel zum Nachdenken und Diskutieren anregt.