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. Another thing to note, I loved it so much that this is the first review I have written for any movie/show-whatever. 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 would not have felt such a sense of caring and understanding for the characters. 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!" Man, was I so so wrong. Throughout the series the characters are truly easy to connect to. They all interlace and mesh, they fit together well and are somewhat of polar opposites, 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 storyline is not for everyone, I am willing to bet that some would get bored with it, but the fair amount of action coupled with the short (30 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. 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 comes, 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 storyline 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 your at the end of the series-crying for each one of the characters. Its like a well made 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, it truly made for a more than just wonderful experience, it made me *feel* the emotions of the story. 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) 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 sometimes simple and yet beautiful, of course, 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 one picture of the arctic wolf laying in the snow with its eyes half opened was simply staggering in my personal opinion and I wish I could get hold of a high quality version for use as a wallpaper. I would like to note: if you watch this series, the original series was 26 episodes, then the studio released 4 extra episodes on DVD. These extra episodes were to make up for 4 episodes that were put into the series which were simply recaps of the past events in the series-a complete waste of time. If you watch this series, you MUST watch the 4 episodes released onto DVD, you will not have truly experienced this series until you have watched the last 4 episodes. Thanks to the simple 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.

"Wolf's Rain" is one of the most beautiful and inspiring anime shows that I've ever saw. I'm not a big fan of anime, but I loved this show. The animation, the characters, the story, and the music (The great music made by Yokko Kanno, who also made the score for very good animated shows as "Cowboy Bebop" and "Escaflowne") all was perfect.The story, despite being somewhat strange, it is captivating and wonderful since the very first moment. "Wolf's Rain" it is one of those anime shows that you could see thousands of times, and always have the same magic and charm.And about the last episodes...I know that many reviewers disliked the ending, but, personally, I thought that it was a perfect ending for a show like this, the kind of ending that is sad and emotional, but fulfilling and hopeful at the same time."Wolf's Rain" is a great anime show, and I highly recommend it to anyone.

This series is absolutely beautiful! It attempts to blend cultures and legends of many countries (North America, Russia, Japan) and does so in a way that is believable. It flows nicely until the end (except for the four OVAs which are really just flashbacks of the previous episodes) and is one of the saddest, yet somehow comforting endings of any series I've ever seen. The characters are easy to relate to, and their relationships are wonderfully portrayed by both the Japanese and English voice actors. The most touching relationship in this series is that between Kiba, the alpha wolf who desperately searches for Paradise, and Cheza, the Flower Maiden who can lead him there. It is so sweet that I found myself thinking 'aww' several times while watching. Although some may be disappointed with the conclusion, I think it's one of the better ways to end a series (much better than the manga did, by the way) and leaves the viewer thinking about philosophy, religion, and spirituality. An imaginative, creative, and all around great series that everyone (especially wolf lovers like me!) should take the time to watch. If you just want to hear the story, skip the four OVAs (I believe they are the last four on the first volume). You're really not going to miss much if you cut those out.

Wolf's Rain follows the incredible journey of a pack of wolves who are desperately searching for Paradise, despite the crumbling world around them and the threat of extinction that haunts them. We viewers follow the emotional journey as they find Cheza, a flower maiden who is key to their dream, and awkwardly root for the destruction of humanity and salvation of the wolves. Check for incredible plot. Next is music--Done by Yoko Kanno, THE composer of the century, there's no way that you can watch this series and not be moved by the incredible soundtrack. It fits the series to a T--and, might I add that the songs range from Latin to French to Maaya Sakamoto singing English. So no worries there.The voice acting is one of the best that I have ever seen in anime, and trust me, I've seen A LOT. The voices are nearly perfect and fit like puzzle pieces with the tone and plot. So now for my direct opinions. Wolf's Rain is one of the best things I have ever seen. After every episode I found myself searching for a paradise of my own and a purpose as great as the wolves'. It is an addicting series that is beautifully done--the artwork is amazing and the animation has virtually no flaws. It flows and flows, and leaves you stunned at the end. A good stunned though. An inspired stunned. Which leaves me to my last note--if you're looking for an anime where you can predict the ending, this one ain't it. If you're looking for one that will leave you with a changed perspective of everything, take the leap and watch it. I can guarantee that there will be something you like and remember forever.