Wolf's Rain (ウルフズ·レイン) is a Japanese anime series first broadcast in Japan on January 6, 2003. It ran for a full season of 26 episodes. Four more episodes were released on DVD in Japan in January and February 2004, completing the story.

The story was originally created by Keiko Nobumoto, a writer and story editor (best known for her work on the popular anime series Cowboy Bebop), who also simultaneously published a manga version of the story. The series is available on DVD in the United States, having been licensed for US distribution by Bandai Entertainment. Wolf's Rain aired as part of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim lineup, and is currently being shown on Rapture TV in Northern Europe. Wolf's Rain features a soundtrack composed by Yoko Kanno.

The manga version of Wolf's Rain, made by Toshitsugu Iida, began publication in English by VIZ, LLC, starting November 3, 2004. It is 2 volumes long and is an alternate telling of Wolf's Rain.

Story Overview

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Wolf's Rain takes place in a post-apocalyptic time when much of the world has been ecologically devastated and most people live in poverty. A legend is told in the "Book of the Moon" that wolves are mystical beings who came to the world from a place called Rakuen (Paradise), at the dawn of time. It is also said that, in the future, wolves will, with the help of a mysterious woman called the "Flower Maiden" (a being created from the essence of lunar flowers), find a way to return to paradise and in doing so, bring about the end of the world. This legend is difficult for most to believe, though, because wolves were thought to have been hunted to extinction nearly 200 years ago. Some wolves have survived though and they have been coexisting with humans right under their noses. The wolves have a way of presenting themselves as being human to other humans, thus they can blend into human society with relatively little notice. This ability is in no way shapeshifting; it is a mental trick: an illusion.

It is also important to note that in the legend, wolves were set upon the land by Mother Earth to help human beings, because humans were once lowly creatures that were prey for the demons and monsters that plagued the world at the dawn of time. Once the wolves and humans defeated the monsters, they created humanity (note: meaning the creation of human society, not human beings) from a part of themselves, and taught them basically everything they know. The wolves then kept watch over the humans from afar, and didn't become involved in their affairs.

The Wolves

The story follows a pack of young wolves: Kiba, Tsume, Hige, and Toboe. Each name is the Japanese word for a "part" of a wolf.

Kiba (キバ (牙) "Fang"): The leader of the "pack", Kiba follows his instincts towards Paradise. When he was young, his pack and family was killed when the forest where he lived was burned to the ground by Jaguara's troops. He was then raised by a native who told him that he had a purpose and that's why the forest spared his life. This native told him that he would have a great journey ahead of him, and that journey was to find paradise. He begins his quest for paradise in the hope that there he will finally find peace. It is revealed later in the series that he is, in fact, the chosen one who is destined to find and open paradise. He tends to be distrustful of humans, and in the early episodes is reluctant to take a human form, even when it's more convenient.

Tsume (ツメ (爪) "Claw"): Tsume is a rough, self-reliant wolf. In the past, he was part of a pack. However, one day his pack was attacked by Jaguara's troops and many of his friends were killed. During the fight, Tsume attempted to flee, leaving all of his dead and dying brethren behind. Because of this, the rest of his group disowned him and the leader attacked him, which left him with a large X-shaped scar across his chest. He was filled with shame and for many years after, didn't associate with any other packs. However, he eventually meets Toboe, who at first really seems to annoy him greatly. But, deep down, Tsume feels sympathy and compassion for Toboe. Toboe is the one who eventually convinces him to come with the rest of the people to Paradise. He initially doesn't believe the stories of Paradise, and only follows the others out of an instinct to protect them and stay part of a pack. He often fights with Kiba. However, he does eventually become a believer and enjoy the company of his pack mates.

Hige (ヒゲ (须) "Whisker"): Hige seems to know how to function the best in human society, even wearing a dog collar, although the true meaning behind his collar is revealed later in the series. He tends to use his intuition more than the others, but only when he's not thinking with his stomach instead. Hige is quite the ladies' man and is always on the look-out for a nice girl.

Toboe (トオボエ (远吠え) "Howling"): The youngest of the group, Toboe grew up raised by an elderly woman as a pet. Because of this, he is more like a puppy than a wolf. He prides himself of protecting the elderly woman. One day, while she was bringing him his supper, Toboe jumped up on her playfully, knocking her to the ground. In doing so, he accidentally suffocates her. After the accident, his instinct to protect the humans he befriends becomes stronger. He has an affection for humans that none of the other wolves can understand - except for Blue. He looks up to Tsume and usually follows him when the group splits up. This relationship is often magnified by fan fiction authors in slash romances.

* Blue (ブルー): Half wolf, half dog who was pet to the family of Quent Yaiden. After the destruction of her home, Kyrios, and most of her family, she travels with Quent hunting wolves. She lives her life as a pet dog, unaware of her wolf bloodlines. Upon meeting Cheza, the wolf in her is awakened. Unable to continue hunting her own kind, she leaves Quent to travel with the pack to paradise. She grows especially close to Hige.

Other characters

* Cheza: The "Flower Maiden" - a girl who is artificially created from a 'Lunar Flower' by the Noble Darcia using the lost art of alchemy. She shares a special bond with the wolves and is the key to finding Paradise.

* Cher Degré: A scientist involved in studying Cheza. She is fascinated by Cheza and desires to understand her and her purpose. Cheza seems to awaken some of her maternal instincts as the series progresses.

* Hubb Lebowski: A police detective and ex-husband of Cher Degre. He is still very much in love with Cher and seeks to protect her, often half-jokingly asking if they still have a chance together.

* Lord Oakum: One of the Nobles, the leader of Freeze City, where Cher and Hubb used to live. Oakum has stolen Cheza, the Flower Maiden, from Darcia in order to discover her true purpose.

* Quent Yaiden: An ex-sheriff from the town of Kyrios. The destruction of his village and the killing of his family by who he thinks was a pack of wolves have led to his deep and abiding hatred for wolves, which is rivaled only by his perpetual desire for a stiff drink. He lives a life on the go with only Blue to keep him company and aid him in his pursuit of wolves to kill.

* Darcia: Third generation of the Darcia family of Nobles, who were said to be cursed after Darcia the First disappeared into "Paradise". Due to his grandfather's curse, Darcia is now plagued with an eye that resembles that of a wolf's. He seeks to use Cheza to somehow revive his lover Hamona, who has been stricken with "Paradise sickness", in which her soul is "taken by Paradise", causing her to fall into a coma.

* Lady Jaguara: A noble. Like all other Nobles, she covets Cheza. Jaguara wants to use Cheza to open a man-made Paradise for herself and Darcia, with whom she is madly in love. However, Darcia's heart belongs to Hamona, Jaguara's younger twin sister.

Main English Cast

* Kiba: Johnny Yong Bosch

* Tsume: Crispin Freeman

* Hige: Joshua Seth

* Toboe: Mona Marshall

* Cheza: Sherry Lynn

* Quent Yaiden: Tom Wyner

* Hubb Lebowski: Bob Buchholz

* Cher Degre: Kari Wahlgren

* Lord Darcia III: Steve Blum

* Blue: Jessica Straus

Main Japanese cast

* Kiba: Mamoru Miyamo

* Tsume: Kenta Miyake

* Hige: Akio Suyama

* Toboe: Hiroki Sjimowada

* Cheza: Arisa Ogasawara

* Quent Yaiden: Unshou Ishizuka

* Hubb Lebowski: Mitsuru Miyamoto

* Cher Degre: Kaho Koda

* Lord Darcia III: Takaga Kuroda

* Blue: Mayumi Asano

各话标题

第1话 咆哮の街角

第2话 哭かないトオボエ

第3话 Bad　Fellow

第4话 荒野の伤迹

第5话 堕ちた狼

第6话 受け継ぐもの

第7话 花の少女

第8话 眠りの歌

第9话 疑惑

第10话 Moon's D...

第11话 消失点

第12话 Don't ma...

第13话 男たちの哀歌

第14话 没落の城

第15话 灰色狼

第16话 梦の旅路

第17话 花の香り、狼の血

第18话 人、狼、月の书

第19话 オアシスの梦

第20话 CONSCIOUSLY

第21话 戦いの狼烟

第22话 流星の破片

第23话 黒い街の鼓动

第24话 罠の匂い

第25话 过ちの记忆

第26话 月光炉

另有四话未在TV上播放