Query: Wolf's Rain

[kitsuneoni]

Well, I've recently encountered Wolf's Rain as the episodes are being shown here in Italy, and I'm very interested/inspired about it. I'm actually considering writing fanfics about it, which is a rare event for me.

The thing is, I'm having trouble just getting into the proper mood of thinking, to even begin writing.

First of all, I haven't found that many websites with helpful background info, only vague sketchy character details.

Second (and most important) of all, I'm confused about part of the story. The wolves can hide amongst humans by creating an illusion, however (as shown in the anime) they are still wolves and therefore only leave paw prints. Plus when they touch people, or grab them, they do it with their teeth.

However, sometimes in the anime they do things only humans do, such as hold hands. And in the couple fanfics I've read, authors treat them as if they are actually transforming back and forth, and therefore as if they are solid humans (that can do certain nasty things! *g*) and not just wolves projecting an "image" of themselves.

I'm confused. Anyone care to enlighten?

[KarotsaMused]

WR does take a bit of a stretch mentally to get into the swing of things, I'll give you that. I'm afraid to touch the fandom, but I'll give you my two cents' worth.

Well, considering Wolf's Rain as a visual metaphor, what we might see as holding hands may be the wolfish equivalent conveyed through the illusion. That's how I always saw it. If two wolves came up and shook hands in human illusion, they'd actually be doing something much more intimate by human standards. It all focuses on what they want you to see.

And if that illusion is indeed so pervasive then why wouldn't it influence what they want you to feel? If you want to go back to the concept of people not seeing things they don't want to see, and not feeling things they don't want to feel, because it's way outside the scope of normal, then the brain can fool itself. That quite probably helps Kiba & Co.

Plus that, the wolves, if you've noticed, aren't really touchy figures. I mean, the only times I can really remember a wolf touching a human (and some of these don't even count) are when Tsume lunges for the little boy in episode one and when Kiba's fighting Darcia. (I seem to remember the one time he does it in wolf form.) As for yanking Cheza (or however you want to spell her name XP) along, that may be her grip on Kiba's fur because he wouldn't dare put his teeth on her. And even Toboe is big enough that she might ride on his back.

And, well, it could be because the artists got lazy and wanted to convey a human level to the wolves that might not otherwise be evident. Because it's an illusion and we know it to be an illusion, it may just be suspension of disbelief.

As for character background info, I know as much as anybody else, and as much as the series will tell. But you know, speculation in itself may then be a good plotbunny

[kitsuneoni]

I'm also afraid to touch the fandom!

I'm glad someone else here knows Wolf's Rain--I was afraid that no one here did!

You see, I did originally consider it all to be an illusion, and that all touching they actually do was just a metaphor, but when I read fanfics they treated the characters as if they were solid humans that can do human-only things. As much as it'd be an easy way out, I still see it more as they are wolves and that's it, and they only project the illusion.

I suppose since the fandom and the readers appear to allow the author a free reign on this, I'll just write as I think fit and hope people enjoy it. ^^

[KarotsaMused]

You can't ever trust the fandom on stuff like that 'cause it's always someone else's interpretation. That's why, when someone comes up with something original, it's all the more special.

Go for it in whichever way you please

[kitsuneoni]

All right, will do.

It was confusing at first though. I mean, what would wolves be doing if they were kissing in human form? That's just weird... ^^

[Terra Fire]

I think that this is a very complicated series. I think that it is just an illusion. The wolves are just wolves. It's the whole concept that humans are afraid of what they don't know (which I think was on of the main points of this anime). I don't believe that their human forms are real, they are illusions to both benefit the wolves and the humans.

Am I making any sense?

[kitsuneoni lazy]

Yeah you're making sense--you said exactly what I think... However it would be fun/easy to just pretend they're solid humans when they put the illusion up.

However, that wouldn't make any sense.

Soooo... WOLVES ALL THE TIME, BABY... *is bonkers*

(Sorry for being so crazy... I'm sick (got a bit of bronchitis) so that explains everything)