Wolf's Rain Anime Legends Perfect Collection [DVD]

The media could not be loaded. Alright, above I have a video on the packaging for the product and I've already reviewed this anime on IMDB, so I'm going to post the review here and then review the packaging/amazon below it:*********I have never been an easy person to please. This series did just that. I do not know where to begin with the series. I marathoned the entire series because I just couldn't stop watching from the beginning. I loved it so much that this is the first review I have written for any movie/show.This has a very unusual plot line without a doubt, however, I am of the opinion that if the plot had not been as unusual as it was (wolves appearing as humans, searching for paradise) that viewers wouldn't have gotten quite the same feeling from the show, it's sort of hard to describe. I went into this thinking I would be watching an unusual action flick that simply wanted to grab audiences by saying: "look we have wolves in our story!" thinking I would be forced to give up from the awkwardness of having "wolves," and that that the writers wouldn't be able to correctly compensate.I was, to say the least, extraordinarily surprised.Throughout the series the characters are truly easy to connect to. They all interlace and mesh, they fit together well, which makes for a great altogether feeling. In the beginning of the series I felt a little bored, but only for a little while. As soon as the second episode ended I was craving for more. The story line is not for everyone, some would get bored with it. However, the fair amount of action coupled with the short (essentially 26 episode) series means that you wont be dealing with monotonous amounts of action. Overall the story is VERY original and definitely interesting, I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you like stories that can truly cause an emotional response, then this series is for you. It is extremely moving and deeply intense in its imagery.The story manages to stay simple, while explicating something extremely different than the norm. All while doing so using characters that could not possibly be easy for a writer to accurately carve. I mean, what would a wolf be like in humans form? really? You wont find any dull or pointless characters here-I think they nailed it personally.About halfway through the series you really start feeling for the characters, its then that you realize that the characters have really gotten to you-they actually mean something.As the end draws closer, you really begin to feel the darkness and dreariness of the close. Then, as the end collapses, I can say that I for one shed a tear, and not because the series ended. I believe the series was a perfect length (30 episodes, a story line lasting for 26 with 4 recap episodes-bleh). The storyline progresses well and there are not lulls where the characters are running around the country doing nothing useful, they are always going for their objective. As suddenly as you begin to become interested and pay attention, the action starts, and then all of a sudden you're at the end of the series-crying for each one of the characters. Its like a well written book, its not too long, its not too short, but just right, it tells the story and then ends.A MAJOR contributor to the series was the audio/soundtrack, it truly made for a more than just wonderful experience, it made me *feel* the emotions of the story. On more than one occasion I found myself saying "where DID they get this awesome music from!?" I have only come across a few audio tracks that rival the ones in this series, those written by John Williams (Star Wars, Harry Potter, and others), Hans Zimmer, and the soundtrack from 3:10 to Yuma. The soundtrack from this was just simply staggering. I actually downloaded it right after hearing the "heavens not enough" song near the end of the series.The art portrayed in this can be at times simple and yet beautiful. Overall the art throughout was very consistent and well made, I'm not going to say that it was unbelievable, but it was rather good. Although, the picture of the arctic wolf laying in the snow with its eyes half opened was simply amazing, and I wish I could get hold of a high quality version for use as a wallpaper. (edit: I actually got a hold of a high quality version, Google images!)Thanks to the simple yet deep characters, the secrets kept about each up until the end, the few number of main characters (protagonists-8), the unbelievable mind-blowing soundtrack, and the rather good art, this series was an overall stunner and will be recommended by me to everyone I know. I'm giving it 9*, I was going to give it 8, but I have just realized that I haven't seen anything that quite matches up, so it gets a 9.*********alright guys, that's my review from IMDB, now on for a review of the product:The product comes packaged in a black plastic extra large DVD case. It's the size of a normal PC game case (from recent times) and is put together in such a way that the discs all have holders that wont allow them to really scratch each other too much.IT COMES WITH ALL OF THE EPISODES. Every single one.The packaging is adequate, not amazing, and I also received it with a broken tab that holds in the center insert.Not a big deal though.Overall the packaging is adequate, no legitimate complaints, and the DVDs are wonderful. No problems. Better than buying each season individually.I'm attaching a video to show you guys the problem with the case as several people have asked about it.As usual, Amazon is amazing, no problems from that end.overall, I highly recommended this product.series: 9/10packaging: 6/10Amazon/shipping: 10/10If you have any questions leave a comment, and if you found this review helpful, let me know/rate the review.thanks!Lyle

I've just completed this series enjoyed it immensely. My copy arrived promptly and in perfect condition. The storyline is geared towards adults and is a bit dark (contains ample blood, violence, and death), but highly captivating.Some people have commented on the cheapness of the case and mentioned that it is easily broken.. I've found it to be quite sufficient and on par with most other large DVD sets condensed into a small box. As long as you aren't violent with it, it should be fine. The small tabs that clip the DVD inserts into place are delicate, and if you abuse them I can see that they would probably break off easily. It has not been an issue for me.I was a little dissappointed that one of the DVDs is amost exclusively clips from prior episodes. A little annoying that there is no new content on the disc, but I found it to be a good quick refresher of the storyline. The DVDs are nicely broken up into separate chapters for each Prologue, Intro Credits, Part A, Part B, Ending Credits, and Next Episode Preview. This makes plowing through episodes very easy, as you can easily skip through the intro and ending credits (the credits are beautifully done and choreographed, however, and I highly recommend watching them at least a few times). The Extra features are pretty sparse in value, and are mostly limited to textless credits. There are a few interviews with cast members on the first few DVDs, and a few more at the end.

This is one of the most thought provoking anime series' I've ever seen. You can take it at face value and watch the series literally, or you can get yourself deep into the story and symbolism it contains. Yes, it can be confusing. After reading some of the other reviews you have probably already learned that the main characters are four wolves who can take human form. Just from that you can tell that the story is a little out there. I'm telling you now, unless you hate supernatural themes, wolves, fight scenes, and/or symbolism, you will fall in love with it. I did. I don't think it's giving too much away to say that I cried like a baby during part of it :P Although I'll admit it's kind of strange to watch them eating raw meat while still in their human form...The animation is beautiful. I've never seen more spectacular wolves drawn on screen. The character design of the main four guys kinda makes me chuckle on occasion, in their tight pants and one of them with a rat-tail hairdo. But it's nothing that takes away from the story.My biggest criticism is the inclusion of a DVD made entirely of recaps. Each episode starts at the beginning of the story and follows one of the characters you've met so far. I guess it's a way to learn a little bit more about the individual people in the story, but it is mainly just a distraction from the plot. By the time I had finished watching that DVD I had started to forget important details in the plot and it was a little frustrating being put back into the story and having to catch up on everything that happened and reinvest myself into the journey. Even more annoying, even with those recap episodes you don't really get to learn much about the individual characters later in the story. I think this series deserved to be much longer than it is.So other than the pointless episodes in the middle of it, Wolf's Rain is a highly engaging story that is an artistic portrayal of a post-apocalyptic world. The simplest and easiest to identify theme of this series is something along the lines of: man destroys world, wolves are in hiding until they are driven to find paradise, man gets in the way and tries to stop them. A.K.A. people = villain, nature = victim. But that's not all it's about! It is also about redemption, hope, companionship, and perseverance.I would recommend this series if you're looking for a unique story with serious themes and artistic animation. Did I mention the wolves are BEAUTIFUL?! :D