Shin’ichi Tsutsumi, Ryoma Takeuchi, Anne Watanabe, Hisui Kimura
Set in the aftermath of a brutal war, The Deer King is an epic fantasy anime exploring a world fallen prey to a deadly disease.
Day after day, enslaved former soldier Van (Shin’ichi Tsutsumi) toils in a mine controlled by the ruling empire. But his solitary existence is upended when a pack of wild dogs carrying a deadly and incurable disease attack; in the aftermath of the disease – nicknamed the ‘Black Wolf’ – leaving only him and a young girl, Yuna (Hisui Kimura), as survivors. Finally free, they seek out a simple life in the countryside, but are pursued by nefarious forces. Together, they must uncover the true cause of the plague ravaging the kingdom – as well as its possible cure.
Marking the co-directing debut of Masayuki Miyaji and Masashi Andō (the animation director of anime classics including Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke and Your Name), The Deer King explores themes of found family, nature vs. industrialisation and the cruelty of conquest. Visually thrilling and meticulously crafted, it’s a sweeping tale of post-pandemic hope and resilience that will speak to young audiences (15+) and broader anime fans alike.
