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It's quite rare, for me at least, to discover a manga which is actually based on an anime and not the other way around. "Wolf's Rain" is a classic example of how an anime beautifully rendered in full-color can actually translate well on paper without the added flashy effects.

"Wolf's Rain" tells a really simple story which gets more and more complex as the plot gets extended. It starts with a pack of wolves who are destined to open the gates of Paradise. They are in danger though because hunters are pursuing them anywhere they go. Thankfully, they can transform into human beings temporarily to escape. Like most mangas with a storyline involving "The Great Cataclysm", Wolf's Rain handles its plot exposition fairly well. I felt compelled to read through each chapter of the manga. The whole story is told through two volumes which have 5 and 6 gropes respectively. I just found it weird that they decided to name each chapter as a "grope", but I guess that's just a triviality on my part.

Knowing that the plot of "Wolf's Rain" is centered around wolves, there's bound to be some kind of action sequence every other chapter. Well, this manga really delivers the battle scenes fast and hard, just like the anime it was based on. There are still some lulls in between which can bore some people though (especially those manga readers who have short attention spans). I wouldn't add anything more but I'll leave you with an early warning: Do not get attached to any of the wolves. I'm not saying that they will all die in the end but consider this as a friendly advice from someone who cried while reading the manga.

Another thing I liked about "Wolf's Rain" is that it has some of the most exquisite artwork I've ever seen in any manga. There are times when I find myself pausing just to admire the beautiful art. Although I initially thought it would be nearly impossible to distinguish one wolf from the other due to the manga's lack of color, I was pleasantly surprised to see each wolf distinctly drawn. The illustrator is a genius! He has put enough emphasis on their appearances as well as their body language. You will really know who is the leader of the pack, who comes off as intense & abrasive, and who is friendly to humans.

This manga is truly a worthy addition to any manga lover's collection. It has a nice combination of sentimental appeal as well as an edgy factor. To those people who have watched the anime already, there's a chance that you will still love this manga because some parts of the plot line were changed. It's up to you to find out what the differences between the anime and the manga are. All in all, this is one manga you wouldn't want to miss.

Learn more about this author, Julius Albert Custodio.
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