When the announcement of a new Lord of the Rings movie came out, I felt a mix of excitement and trepidation. The story of Sauron has been thoroughly explored, and I was hoping for something fresh. So, the news that The War of the Rohirrim would be set over a century before The Lord of the Rings was welcome. However, many were surprised to learn that this new project would be an anime.
At first, the combination of Lord of the Rings and anime seemed odd. The epic fantasy is deeply rooted in a medieval European aesthetic, making the use of East Asian animation techniques surprising. But on reflection, this approach offers a distinct way to differentiate The War of the Rohirrim from Peter Jackson’s movies.
Since Jackson’s adaptations, Middle-earth projects have often tried to replicate his style, sometimes to their detriment. The Hobbit films, for instance, expanded a short novel into a trilogy that many felt was unnecessary. The Rings of Power has also faced relentless comparisons to Jackson’s films. A Lord of the Rings anime, however, is so different that it avoids these comparisons altogether. This unique style might be exactly what the franchise needs right now, especially with the next live-action movie, The Hunt for Gollum, still focusing on well-known characters.
The War of the Rohirrim offers something new to general audiences, with its distinct anime style signaling a fresh take on Middle-earth. While some people might not be interested in anime and may skip the movie because of its style, this also opens up the franchise to a new audience. Anime is incredibly popular, and a Lord of the Rings anime could attract that fanbase to Middle-earth.
A significant issue with modern Star Wars movies is their incessant focus on the Skywalkers, making the stories feel repetitive. The Lord of the Rings franchise risks the same fate by constantly circling back to Sauron and the One Ring. A successful Lord of the Rings anime could pave the way for more innovative stories in the future.
Regardless of whether The War of the Rohirrim succeeds or fails, it stands out as a bold and different project. I commend the creators for taking this risk rather than playing it safe. Now, it’s up to fans who claim they are tired of the same old stories to support this Lord of the Rings anime and show that we want more innovative ideas like this.