, also known as ''Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade'' in its American release, is a 1999 Japanese
action
Action may refer to:
* Action (narrative), a literary mode
* Action fiction, a type of genre fiction
* Action game, a genre of video game
Film
* Action film, a genre of film
* ''Action'' (1921 film), a film by John Ford
* ''Action'' (1980 fil ...
political thriller
A political thriller is a thriller that is set against the backdrop of a political power struggle, high stakes and suspense is the core of the story. The genre often forces the audiences to consider and understand the importance of politics. The ...
anime film
is hand-drawn and computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japanese, (a term derived from a shortening of ...
directed by
Hiroyuki Okiura
is a Japanese animation director and animator working for Production I.G.
Career
Okiura left high school at the age of 16 and entered the animation industry as a member of the studio Anime R, where he studied under Moriyasu Taniguchi and which T ...
(in his directorial debut) and written by
Mamoru Oshii
is a Japanese filmmaker, television director and writer. Famous for his philosophy-oriented storytelling, Oshii has directed a number of acclaimed anime films, including ''Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer'' (1984), ''Angel's Egg'' (1985), ...
. ''Jin-Roh'' is the third film in Oshii's ''
Kerberos saga
The is an alternate history political thriller media mix created by the Japanese writer and filmmaker Mamoru Oshii in 1986. The most famous installment of the franchise, especially outside Japan, is the 1999 anime film '' Jin-Roh: The Wolf Br ...
'' and is primarily based on Oshii's manga ''
Kerberos Panzer Cop
''Kerberos Panzer Cop'', also known as , is a 1988 to 2000 ''Kerberos Saga'' manga written by Mamoru Oshii and illustrated by Kamui Fujiwara (Studio 2B) with mechanical design by Yutaka Izubuchi. This comic series tales events prior to thos ...
''.
The film follows Kazuki Fuse, a member of
a special police unit set during an
alternate history
Alternate history (also alternative history, althist, AH) is a genre of speculative fiction of stories in which one or more historical events occur and are resolved differently than in real life. As conjecture based upon historical fact, altern ...
of 1950s Japanese riots. Failing to follow an order to execute a frightened young girl only to see her commit suicide by detonating an
improvised explosive device
An improvised explosive device (IED) is a bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action. It may be constructed of conventional military explosives, such as an artillery shell, attached to a detonating mechan ...
before his very eyes, Fuse is put on trial and sent back to the training camp for re-evaluation. Visiting the grave of the suicide, he meets Kei, the girl's sister, who does not hold him responsible for her demise. The film proceeds as the two develop a peculiar relationship.
The film premiered on November 17, 1999, in France, and
Bandai Entertainment
was a Japanese anime, film production, and distribution enterprise, established by Bandai and a subsidiary of Bandai Namco Holdings. They focused mainly in international distribution of anime properties in North America.
Most of the anime and f ...
and
Viz Media
VIZ Media LLC is an American manga publisher, anime distributor and entertainment company headquartered in San Francisco, California. It was founded in 1986 as VIZ LLC. In 2005, VIZ LLC and ShoPro Entertainment merged to form the current VIZ M ...
licensed the film for an English-language release in North America and Europe. It has been relicensed in North America by
Discotek Media
Discotek Media is an American entertainment company based in Altamonte Springs, Florida, focused on distribution and licensing Japanese anime, films, and television series.
Formed in 2005, Discotek primarily focuses on licensing retro titles fr ...
, with a DVD released on April 29, 2014 followed by a Blu-Ray on January 27, 2015.
Plot
The story is set in alternate-history Japan in the 1950s following the
atomic bombing and subsequent
occupation
Occupation commonly refers to:
*Occupation (human activity), or job, one's role in society, often a regular activity performed for payment
*Occupation (protest), political demonstration by holding public or symbolic spaces
*Military occupation, th ...
(by a
victorious
''Victorious'' (stylized as ''VICTORiOUS'') is an American sitcom created by Dan Schneider (TV producer), Dan Schneider that originally aired on Nickelodeon, debuting on March 27, 2010, and concluding on February 2, 2013 after four seasons. Th ...
German Reich
German ''Reich'' (lit. German Realm, German Empire, from german: Deutsches Reich, ) was the constitutional name for the German nation state that existed from 1871 to 1945. The ''Reich'' became understood as deriving its authority and sovereignty ...
, rather than the
Allies
An alliance is a relationship among people, groups, or states that have joined together for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out among them. Members of an alliance are called ...
) of the country at the end of World War II and the post-war recovery. It focuses on Kazuki Fuse, a member of the elite Kerberos Panzer Cops, a metropolitan
counter-terrorism
Counterterrorism (also spelled counter-terrorism), also known as anti-terrorism, incorporates the practices, military tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, law enforcement, business, and intelligence agencies use to combat or el ...
unit. Fuse confronts his own humanity when he fails to shoot a young terrorist that his unit traps in the storm-water tunnels. She detonates a bomb in front of him, but only kills herself. The incident damages the reputation of the unit and Fuse is reprimanded. He visits the ashes of the dead girl and meets Kei Amemiya, who claims to be the elder sister of the terrorist and they develop a friendship. Kei is eventually revealed not to be the suicide bomber's sister, but a former bomb courier coerced into acting on behalf of the Special Unit's rival division
Public Security
Public security or public safety is the prevention of and protection from events that could endanger the safety and security of the public from significant danger, injury, or property damage. It is often conducted by a state government to ensure ...
.
A trap is set by the local police forces and the Public Security Division intended to discredit the Special Unit with Kei as bait to catch Fuse, intending to show a terrorist passing a satchel bomb to a member of the Panzers. However, Fuse sneaks in, seizes Kei, neutralizes the Capitol Police agents and they escape. Later, Kei reveals her role in the deception and suggests they leave together, but Fuse decides to stay.
They make their way to the tunnels once more, where they are met by members of the Wolf Brigade, a secret, deep-cover unit in the Kerberos Corps led by Hajime Handa. They provide Fuse with a full set of armor and weaponry, before leaving with Kei in tow. Hachiroh Tohbe explains to Kei that the Wolf Brigade has used the Public Security Division's plan to flush out those who were most active in trying to eliminate the Kerberos Corps, and eliminate them in turn. Public Security agents follow a tracking device in Kei's bag and make their way into the tunnels. They encounter the fully armored Fuse, who slaughters them all.
Later, the Wolf Brigade meet in a junkyard and Fuse is ordered to kill Kei to ensure she is never recaptured by Public Security. Kei embraces Fuse and sadly recites the dialogue of
Little Red Riding Hood
"Little Red Riding Hood" is a European fairy tale about a young girl and a sly wolf. Its origins can be traced back to several pre-17th century European folk tales. The two best known versions were written by Charles Perrault and the Brother ...
, describing the grotesque appearance of the wolf disguised as a loved one. Fuse is distraught, but regardless kills Kei. Fuse is horrified at his action, but now having sacrificed his humanity, he has no other choice but to remain part of the pack. The old sergeant solemnly compares Kei's fate to the demise of Red Riding Hood and the triumph of the wolf.
Cast
*
Yoshikatsu Fujiki
, is a Japanese actor and voice actor. He is known for his roles in the ''Kerberos saga'', as Inui ('' StrayDog: Kerberos Panzer Cops''), Kazuki Fuse ('' Jin-Roh''), and Chuichi Koshiramaru (''Tachiguishi-Retsuden''), along with his unusual st ...
(
Michael Dobson in the English version) as
* Sumi Mutoh (
Moneca Stori
Moneca Stori (born January 17, 1970) is a Canadian former voice actress known mostly for her role as the original voice of Kagome Higurashi in the English version of ''Inuyasha'', as well as her lead role of Laura Haruna from the long running ...
in the English version) as
*
Hiroyuki Kinoshita
is a Japanese actor and voice actor. He was born in Saitama.
Filmography Film
*''Sennen no Koi Story of Genji'' (2001)
Television dramas
*''Tokugawa Yoshinobu'' (1998) (Prince Kuni Asahiko)
*''Aoi Tokugawa Sandai'' (2000) (Emperor Go-Yōzei)
...
(Colin Murdock in the English version) as
*
Eri Sendai
is a Japanese actress and voice-actress from Japan. Her major roles in anime include Mimino Kurumi/Milky Rose in ''Yes! Precure 5'', Saotome Rei in ''Yu-Gi-Oh! GX'', Sa Kōrin in ''The Story of Saiunkoku'', Morita Yukari in ''Rocket Girls'', Shi ...
(
Maggie Blue O'Hara
Maggie Blue O'Hara (born March 16, 1975), born Blueberry Sunshine, also credited as Maggie O'Hara, is a Canadian actress noted for her voice acting. She is well known as the voices of List of Cardcaptor Sakura characters#Tomoyo Daidouji, Madiso ...
in the English version) as
* Kenji Nakagawa (
French Tickner
French Alexis Tickner (August 26, 1930 – August 26, 2021) was an American–born Canadian voice, film and television actor, known for his work in Ocean Productions.
Filmography Anime/Animation
* '' Death Note'' - Quillish “Watari” Wammy
* ...
in the English version) as
*
Kousei Hirota (
Dale Wilson in the English version) as
* Ryuichi Horibe (Ron Halder in the English version) as
* Yukihiro Yoshida (
Michael Kopsa
Michael Kopsa (January 22, 1956 – October 23, 2022) was a Canadian actor.
Kopsa was best known for his role as Char Aznable in the English dub of ''Mobile Suit Gundam'' and for his role as Commander Volcott O'Huey in ''Galaxy Angel''. He als ...
in the English version) as
*
Tamio Ōki
was a Japanese voice actor. He was affiliated with Mausu Promotion.
Filmography Anime
Film
Drama CDs
Video games
Tokusatsu
;1967
*The X from Outer Space (Dr. Berman (Actor by Franz Gruber)
;1976
* Choujin Bibyun ( Sakasabashira ...
as
*
Yoshisada Sakaguchi
was a Japanese actor and voice actor from Tokyo. He was a professor at Obirin University, and was affiliated with Bungakuza. He was best known for dubbing over Morgan Freeman and Chief Inspector Japp (in the television series Agatha Christie's Po ...
(Doug Abrahams in the English version) as
Production
Mamoru Oshii had wanted to do what ultimately became ''Jin-Roh'' several years prior. It was originally planned to be the third and final live-action feature film of the Kerberos trilogy, but its production wasn't possible until 1994, while Oshii was already working on ''
Ghost in the Shell
''Ghost in the Shell'' is a Japanese cyberpunk media franchise based on the seinen manga series of the same name written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow. The manga, first serialized in 1989 under the subtitle of ''The Ghost in the Shell'' ...
''. As the filmmaker wasn't able to produce two films in the same time but didn't want someone else to direct his final episode, Oshii decided that the third episode would be an anime instead.
The project was originally pitched as a six-episode
OVA
, abbreviated as OVA and sometimes as OAV (original animation video), are Japanese animated films and series made specially for release in home video formats without prior showings on television or in theaters, though the first part of an OVA s ...
as he knew
Bandai Visual
was a Japanese anime, film production, and distribution enterprise, established by Bandai and a subsidiary of Bandai Namco Holdings. They focused mainly in international distribution of anime properties in North America.
Most of the anime and ...
was interested in having him do a series for them and his original
Kerberos Panzer Cop
''Kerberos Panzer Cop'', also known as , is a 1988 to 2000 ''Kerberos Saga'' manga written by Mamoru Oshii and illustrated by Kamui Fujiwara (Studio 2B) with mechanical design by Yutaka Izubuchi. This comic series tales events prior to thos ...
manga was formed by six chapters. As he proposed the project to
Bandai Visual
was a Japanese anime, film production, and distribution enterprise, established by Bandai and a subsidiary of Bandai Namco Holdings. They focused mainly in international distribution of anime properties in North America.
Most of the anime and ...
at a meeting they instead asked him to direct ''
Ghost in the Shell
''Ghost in the Shell'' is a Japanese cyberpunk media franchise based on the seinen manga series of the same name written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow. The manga, first serialized in 1989 under the subtitle of ''The Ghost in the Shell'' ...
'' but green-lit the series for pre-production.
[Dan42's JIN-ROH lair (Interviews)](_blank)
Dan42.com. Retrieved on 2014-05-12. The production eventually evolved into a feature film following the international success of Ghost in the Shell as
Manga Entertainment
Manga Entertainment was a producer, licensee, and distributor of anime in the United States and the United Kingdom. Originally founded in the UK in 1987, the UK branch became Funimation UK and Ireland in 2021, also currently known as Crunchyro ...
wanted a similar hit and saw potential in Kerberos Panzer Cops as the manga had been published in the United States.
After reluctantly giving up the directorial role, Oshii originally thought on ''
Patlabor 2: The Movie'' animation director
Kazuchika Kise
is a Japanese director, animator, and character designer. He started working in the anime industry in 1989 with '' Patlabor: The Movie''. In 2015, he made his directorial debut with '' Ghost in the Shell: Arise''.
Biography
Kazuchika Kise was bo ...
, but he had no interest in chief direction at the time. He then committed ''Jin-Roh'' as a debut film to a trusted young collaborator, Hiroyuki Okiura, who had worked on animation movies such as ''Ghost in the Shell'' (character designer) and ''Patlabor 2: The Movie.'' Oshii considered him the most able candidate among the younger staff of the studio and both Production IG and Bandai Visual, knowing about his directing ambitions and his interest in creating a serious drama, wanted him to do his debut for them.
Oshii "begged" to at least be entrusted with the screenplay, the prospect of working with Okiura changing his previous reluctance about merely writing films. This wasn't originally in Bandai's plans for the film, but Oshii expected
Kazunori Itō
is a Japanese anime screenwriter and artist who is well known for his work in the ''.hack'' franchise and his writing for the 1995 ''Ghost in the Shell'' movie. Itō supervised the writing for the novel, '' .hack//Another Birth'' which was writ ...
, his usual screenwriter, to reject their offer as he had previously told him that he didn't want to write a story involving dogs following his work for Jin-Roh live-action prequel ''
The Red Spectacles
is a 1987 Japanese film directed by Mamoru Oshii, co-written with Kazunori Ito, and starring Shigeru Chiba and Mako Hyodo.
This is the first film of the ''Kerberos saga''.
Plot
It is the end of the 20th century. The Metropolitan Police have b ...
'', and after he did so he was offered the role. He ultimately still found the experience frustrating both through the tiping ("The moment you write, you want to direct") and after realizing the result would unavoidably be much different from what he pictured in his head. Lacking any creative control on the process, he chose to distance himself from the animation production while looking forward to the final product.
Okiura favored traditional animation, and thus the film was almost completely drawn by hand, requiring 80,000 cels.
Oshii, who characterized him as "allergic to computers", admitted that had he directed the film he would have relied in computer animation just as he did in ''Ghost in the Shell'' and no more than 30,000 cels would have been needed.
Still the celwork was subsequently processed through the Animo software in order to enhance some visual effects, textures and camerawork.
The film's musical score was composed by
Hajime Mizoguchi
is a Japanese cellist and composer.
Mizoguchi started playing piano at the age of 3, and the cello at the age of 11. From 1978–1985 he attended the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music where he majored in violoncello.
In 1986, ...
.
Release
''Jin-Roh'' was first seen in the early 1999 film festival circuit, including the
49th Berlinale and the 19th
Fantasporto
Fantasporto, also known as Fantas, is an international film festival, annually organized since 1981 in Porto, Portugal. Giving screen space to Fantasy film, fantasy/Science fiction film, science fiction/Horror film, horror-oriented commercial fe ...
in February.
It was subsequently shown in Cannes'
Marché du Film
The ''Marché du Film'' (french for "Film Market") is one of the largest film markets in the world.[Marc ...](_blank)
, which presumably netted its early French theatrical release on November 17. The Japanese preview of the film took place on June 19 in the
Roppongi
is a district of Minato, Tokyo, Japan, famous for the affluent Roppongi Hills development area and popular night club scene. A few foreign embassies are located near Roppongi, and the night life is popular with locals and foreigners alike. It is ...
20th Century Films theater.
Media
Printed media
* 2000.06: ''Jin-Roh Behind Of The Screen'' (official making book)
:Japanese text, Mamoru Oshii, Production I.G,
* 2000.09: ''Jin-Roh Maniaxx'' (mook -''magazine/book''-)
:Japanese text, Mamoru Oshii, Kadokawa Shoten,
* 2000.12: ''Jin-Roh Screenboard Book'' (official storyboard)
:Japanese text, 522p., Hiroyuki Okiura, Production I.G
:available in the L.E. DVD set only
Soundtrack
* 2000.06: ''Jin-Roh Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'' (CD)
:
Hajime Mizoguchi
is a Japanese cellist and composer.
Mizoguchi started playing piano at the age of 3, and the cello at the age of 11. From 1978–1985 he attended the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music where he majored in violoncello.
In 1986, ...
feat.
Gabriela Robin
is a Japanese composer, arranger and music producer best known for her work on the soundtracks of anime series, television series, live-action films, video games, and advertisements. She was born in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. She ha ...
, Members of Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Victor Ent. VICL-60569
* 2002.03: ''Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade Sound Track'' (CD)
:Bandai Ent.
:available in the L.E. DVD set only
Reception
An early comment on the film was given by
Blue Sky animator André Mazzone, who was shown the film in May 1999 as part of a delegation from the studio to Production IG's headquarters. He praised it for the beauty of its animation and character designs and the "subtle and crafty twists" in the story, and commented that the differing approaches to production meant directors were freed from needing to appeal to a wide target audience and allowed have a much greater creative control than in Hollywood animated features, favoring the sophisticated productions anime was known for.
The following month the film shown in Cannes' Marché du Film, where
Variety
Variety may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats
* Variety (radio)
* Variety show, in theater and television
Films
* ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont
* ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...
's Derek Elley noted it for pushing cel animation to its limits in the action scenes and for Okiura's focus on stillness in between while considering it a less complex work than its predecessor
Ghost in the Shell
''Ghost in the Shell'' is a Japanese cyberpunk media franchise based on the seinen manga series of the same name written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow. The manga, first serialized in 1989 under the subtitle of ''The Ghost in the Shell'' ...
lacking its "stomach-churning, visionary moments".
''
Hyper'' commends the film for its "art direction and character design which are beautiful examples of hand-drawn animation and the music fits the action (or lack thereof) brilliantly. However, the film's "slow, deliberate pace" is criticised.
Helen McCarthy
Helen McCarthy (born 27 February 1951) is the British author of such anime reference books as ''500 Manga Heroes and Villains'', ''Anime!'', ''The Anime Movie Guide'' and ''Hayao Miyazaki: Master of Japanese Animation''. She is the co-author of ...
in ''500 Essential Anime Movies'' called the anime "a must-see" and praised the score and the design, commenting on "some breathtakingly composed scenes".
Remake
A
South Korea
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and sharing a Korean Demilitarized Zone, land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed ...
n live-action remake titled ''
Illang: The Wolf Brigade'' directed by
Kim Jee-woon
Kim Jee-woon (; born July 6, 1964) is a South Korean film director and screenwriter.
Career
Kim started out directing theater but has worked with increasing levels of success in cinema, showing accomplished acting and a detailed stylization in ...
updates the setting from Japan to a dystopian South Korea, where the plot revolves around
plans to unite the two Koreas. The film stars
Gang Dong-won
Gang Dong-won (born January 18, 1981) is a South Korean actor.
Early life
Gang Dong-won was born January 18, 1981, in Busan, and grew up in Changwon of Gyeongsangnam-do. His father, Gang Cheol-woo, was an engineer and later vice president ...
,
Han Hyo-joo
Han Hyo-joo (Korean: 한효주; born February 22, 1987) is a South Korean film and television actress, model and singer. She is best known for her leading roles in television series such as ''Heaven & Earth'' (2007), '' Iljimae'' (2008), ''Brill ...
, and
Jung Woo-sung
Jung Woo-sung (born March 20, 1973) is a South Korean actor and the first Korean UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador.
Jung started his career as a fashion model, rising to stardom and teenage cult status with the gangster movie ''Beat'' (1997), for which ...
, and was released on July 15, 2018.
Awards
References
;Bibliography
*
* Gustav Horn, Carl (2002). "Frontiers of Total Filmmaking: Mamoru Oshii Creator of Jin-Roh." Pamphlet from DVD. ''Jin-Roh: the Wolf Brigade Special Edition''.
*
External links
''Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade''at
Production I.G
is a Japanese animation studio and production enterprise, founded on December 15, 1987, by Mitsuhisa Ishikawa and headquartered in Musashino, Tokyo, Japan. The letters I and G derive from the names of the company founders: producer Mitsuhisa Ish ...
*
*
*
{{Mainichi Film Award - Animation Film Award
1999 anime films
Action anime and manga
Bandai Entertainment anime titles
Discotek Media
Films about terrorism in Asia
Films directed by Hiroyuki Okiura
Films set in the 1950s
Films set in Tokyo
Japanese alternate history films
Japanese political films
1990s Japanese-language films
Kerberos saga
Production I.G
Political action films
Political thriller anime and manga
Viz Media anime
Japanese adult animated films