The battle scene by full-powered members of ‘Syutokei’ is one of the highlight of ‘Jin-Roh’. Though it doesn’t appear often in the whole story, it gives a strong impression. As the story is set in the 60’s, they don’t use much high-tech equipment; only infrared scopes on their heads, strong armor, communications equipment on their back and portable heavy firearms which are customized from fixed heavy machine guns. The simpleness creates vivid violence. Their pistols are the strongest automatics of their time. Either way, those firearms can kill a person from shock by only grazing and this indicates the brutal nature of ‘Syutokei’. That is to say, their purpose is just to ‘kill’ someone. In that respect, they’re pure than an ‘army’.

The brooding main character’s mind is revealed by his actions. Even after the heroine appeared half way through of the story. We only look on them and listen to their speaking a few words. It’s a calm relationship. By the end of the story, you will know their relationship is really strange. At the same time, I felt a deep sympathy for their relationship because despite being close by, they’re not truly together. We sometimes seek for things elsewhere. But it might not exist… I think I can confirm that reality.

This story has a mysterious sub-story about political strife between ‘Syutokei’ and other public organizations, and it links to the main character’s feelings near the end. This enhances the story. What I appreciate is the ability of Hiroyuki Okiura as a director. He makes the best use of the true nature of the script by Mamoru Oshii. At the same time, he completes the story of the strong personality of Oshii’s world (lengthy words by the characters, too much description of the scene, etc). It’s well organized with an introduction, development, turn and conclusion. Also, the highly detailed description of mechanic equipment is on a high level, but those scenes don’t appear often. As a whole, it focuses on a humanistic drama. This is one of the essential elements for a high level story and in this respect, ‘Jin-Roh’ goes beyond ‘Ghost in the Shell’.

Jin-Roh, The Wolf Brigade
1999 / Japan / 35 mm / color / 98 min / vista size / DTS
Original story and Screenplay: Mamoru Oshii
Director: Hiroyuki Okiura
Animation production: Production I.G
Distribution: Bandai Visual, Media Box
Production: Bandai Visual, ING
© 1999 Mamoru Oshii / Bandai Visual, Production I.G