Customer Reviews

Wolf's Rain - Final Encounters (Vol. 7)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This DVD contains episodes 27-30, unusual numbers for a series, occasioned this time by the four episode retrospective interlude in the middle of the series. For those who thought that the spectacular visions of episode 26 were the final conflict, there are more than a few surprises ahead.

There is a complete mood change in this set as, following Jaguera's destruction the characters continue on their quest for paradise. The omens are grim as the world begins to crumble around them. Three groups, the wolves and Cheza, the Quent and Blue, and Cher and Hubb, make their way across the ice. For some the legends say there will be no entry into paradise, yet all work there way, separately and then together.

The journey, of course, is symbolic. Each character must face their inner nature and burn that part of them away. For most this means facing heroic decisions or character transformations. For the gate into the future that Cheza is destined to open is not an open doorway, but a narrow and perilous path. To the nine travelers who have some share in the light there is a tenth, Lord Darcia, twisted by grief and remorse. He is darkness and cataclysm. The end result is a lot of heartbreaking moments.

The ending, for all its poetry reminds us that new beginning is born from the seeds of loss. For wolves to find their humanity, humans must step aside, sacrifices must be made. What we have here is a modern legend without the romantic lip-gloss. It is beautiful, enlivened by Yoko Kanno's music, but it captures the tragedy of change like the short bloom of the moonflower. Paradise, Kiba reminds us, is a journey, not a resting place.

this is to all those who are doubtfull of this story's ending it may seem like a bad ending at first but once you see it for what it is, which a true work of art,you will love this series it is again related to the ending of the show Cowboy Bebop. This is because the creators of Bebop also created Wolf's Rain.Wolf's Rain is one of the best Anime Iv'e ever seen if not the best. In my opinion, it is the best.It is very deep and it is filled with poetry,despair,love and beauty.That is why it is my favorite and always will be.

These are the four episodes that were produced after the 26 episode television series. It could have ended there but the creators still had more to tell. Questions are answered, new ones are raised & fates determined. Over all I think several fans may dislike this ending & become frustrated. And they will want a second season, or a movie. If you want more, buy the manga since it is available in English now too. I found this to be an excellent and exhilarating finale. This story has been done just right to me. The director has said multiple times he didn't want to cage our imagination by nailing down the specifics.

Well, here we go with the final episodes. As I've stated before, your'e going to need a couple boxes of tissue along with this disk. I'm not going to ruin this for those of you still waiting to see the final episodes, I'll just say it's on the magnitude of the ending of the "Cowboy Bebop" series. Hint; for those of you who had seen the run of the series on "Adult Swim", pay close attention to the opening sequence (opening credits never shown on The Cartoon Network...at the end of the last episode, it will come into context. The one positive is that the ending leaves enough opening for a second season, or perhapes even a film (al-la Cowboy Bebop).
Within these episodes contain the final journey of the pack, Hub, Cheir, Blue and Quent. By the end, the surviors of the journey have ther final run in with Darshia, who with the help of a magical stone, has transformed himself into a wolf. Paradise is finally opened, but not in the way you'd expect.
Personally, I had wished for a happier ending, and one with more closure, but hopefully we will get that when and if this extrodinary series continues. The final scene between Tsume and Toboy was especially touching.
To end this series, I'd like to include some side notes. I've heard from others that this series is partially based upon Japanese Urban legend; Though wolves have been extinct in Japan for more than a century,yet from time to time, wolves seem to be mysteriously spotted in the countryside. Though that may be, this series, intentionally or not has touched upon NAtive American "mythology" as well, which is why I particularly enjoyed it. There are two particuarl legends, that of the Skinwalker and that of the final days. The skinwalker is the opposite of what was persented in this show; humans that can transform into animals, most comonly wolves and coyotes. The final days legends tell of the souls of animal spirits that are born into human form; the souls of wolves, etc, that are contained in the bodies of men.
I loved the concept of the wolves disguising themselves as humans, though I though that they could have pulled it off a bit better. I saw an interview with the director where he stated his problems with mixing sound effects, and I loved what they did in Episode #1 (When Tsume grabbed ahold of the boy, then showing him as a wolf grasping the boy with his jaws), but I think they lost focus of the details as the series went on (How could Kiba hold Chza's hand while walking?).
Finally, a few suggestions for a scond season if produced. First, show the pack more in their wolf forms. I know some people like more human-centric stories, but I think it would be more interesting and challanging to show the pack in their true formes most of the time, and give the audiance a better fell for how the pack interacts with each other. Second, Indians don't wear war paint all the time (for that matter, hardly at all). Those episodes were amon the best, but please. It's like us drawing all Japanese people as small with unusualy slanted eyes and buck teeth. Finally, give us a happy ending for once, eh? This series had the best developed and most diverse charactors of just about any series I have ever seen (animated or live). We'd like to see some of them hang around at the end.
Thanks for a truly magnificent series, and please...continue it for at least a follow up feature film!

One either likes or dislikes the ending. 2 weeks after watching Vol 7, I haven't decided. I just know Vol 7 could have been better. Most of the characters dead is certainly not a way to draw sympathy from me. I find it depressing at first and annoying towards the end. The change in some of the characters also adds to the irritation. Chapters 1-26, though repetitve in certain chapters mid-way, are marvellous and at times brilliant, drawing one into a world both fascinating and poignant. By Chapter 26, we know the ending could not be a happy one but Vol 7 is just too much to take even for a tragic ending. Maybe I am just too simple minded and Vol 7 is a metaphor, the beginning of another story for our 4 wolves. One can only hope!

I saw what another had written about the ending being similar to a Hollywood bloodbath. While that's not entirely untrue, it wasn't without meaning. The end also meant something, but it took a little bit of thought to uncover.

Considering how little the original "final episode" finished of the series, I was glad to see these final episodes that actually ended the story.

This is the final episodes of the series and it pulls things together a little bit. I gave the DVD 4 stars for a bad ending, but the episodes leading up to it are good. If you have been following the series, this will be the ultimate tear jerker.

When Wolf's Rain made it's original run on Cartoon Network, it was these final four episodes that I had been unable to see. But I had always wanted to see those final four episodes, so much so that I was willing to spend the hefty dollar on the Limited Complete Collection in order to get not only those last episodes, but also the first twenty-six as well. And, after finally being able to see the ending, I am completely convinced that Wolf's Rain is one of anime's standouts, standing closely next to Cowboy Bebop and Evangelion as one of the greatest series of all time.

And why do I think this? Well, namely, because of the ending. Had not I seen this, I still would have thought Wolf's Rain was a great anime, but after seeing this, I now know for sure. The series had had a lot of emotion, but in this volume, the emotions practically drip from the screen in tears of sorrow. This is one of the saddest ending I've seen on an anime, and though I hesitate to say what exactly happened, I will say that something of the inevitable happens. With the last three surviving humans, Quint, Hub, and Cher, the wolves' escape Jaguara's city and begin their final search for Paradise. But following close behind is the embittered and maniacal noble, Darcia, who seems to hold somewhat of a grudge against both humanity and the wolves. The hunt for Paradise becomes a desperate one for the wolves and the humans, and though they have the Flower Maiden in tow, it doesn't seem like Paradise will be the final conclusion... Will the world end, or will Paradise open up? The answer will surprise you, that's for damn sure.

The only thing that actually disappointed me about the ending was the ambiguity; but this has become so common in anime that I've actually grown used to it, and it only bothered me long enough to actually realize that Wolf's Rain ended--despite the ambiguous final scene--succinctly. And it didn't take away from any of the emotions I was feeling at that time. Admittedly, I was close to tears, and had not my hands been so quick, I may have spilled those tears onto my cheek.

When it comes to stories, Wolf's Rain is one of the greatest, and when you throw in the excellent soundtrack and near-perfect animation, Wolf's Rain could easily be placed on a pedestal above many of the more recent anime. I highly recommend this series to fans of anime, whether you enjoy mainstream or the more underground anime, because few can compare to what Wolf's Rain has achieved.

These last episodes are some of the most amazing (and beautiful) I have ever seen. It was dark.. surprising and amazing.

I was so intruiged by the final 4. I couldn't wait until the next week [adultswim]. By the time it was over.. I had used a couple tissues (yea.. I cant believe that..) and my mouth was hangin open. Somethings I expected... and most I did not! I dont know what will happen next.. but I can't wait. I hope there will be more!

If you havent watch much of Wolf's Rain, make sure to watch these last eps! They're incredible.

And don't forget to buy the soundtrack! The music is amazing too! Especially Heaven's Not Enough.

The last four episodes of Wolf's rain contain some of the most heart wrenching scenes I have ever witnessed in an Anime. Although most might find the final episodes a bit depressing I felt that the episodes explained and tied all the loose ends of the series, but most importantly each scene, each word spoken by the remaining characters conveyed the ever ending struggle and journey of all creatures who live in this earth seeking to find paradise. Love, Lust, loss, greed, vengeance, envy, hope, despair, rebirth, and death are all concepts that the final episodes exhibited each character lost something yet it was returned.The last parting words Cheza states to Kiba sums up this series,"the world will close up for awhile and we will be apart for a while... because you have protected this one the flowers will return and bloom once more so then the world will be reborn and when paradise opens we will meet again, this one will be waiting for you.. find this one, next time the paradise you hoped for will be..."