Synopsis
Following a brutal war, former soldier Van toils in a mine controlled by the ruling empire. One day, his solitary existence is upended when a pack of wild dogs carrying a deadly and incurable disease attack, leaving only Van and a young girl named Yuna as survivors. Finally free, the pair seek out a simple existence in the countryside but are pursued by nefarious forces. Intent on protecting Yuna at all costs, Van must uncover the true cause of the plague ravaging the kingdom—and its possible cure.
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Cast
- Shinichi TsutsumiVan (voice)
- Ryoma TakeuchiHohsalle (voice)
- Anne WatanabeSae (voice)
- Hisui KimuraYuna (voice)
- Atsushi AbeYotaru (voice)
- Yoshito YasuharaTourim (voice)
- Toru SakuraiMakokan (voice)
- Shinshu FujiOrphan (voice)
- Tomomichi NishimuraKenoi (voice)
- Tessyo GendaKing Akafa (voice)
Recommendations
- 88
LarsenOnFilm
The Deer King offers the personal touch of a hero’s journey alongside a more expansive vision of how to live in community. It’s a stunner. - 80
IGN
The Deer King may feel familiar to fans of Studio Ghibli, but it’s made with such dedication to the craft and the story that it results in a brand-new experience full of heart and action. - 80
The New York Times
The film is tenderly wrought and brilliantly animated, with transitions that emphasize the communion between the land and the human body. - 78
Austin Chronicle
Visually stunning (as can now be expected from esteemed studio Production I.G.), what truly distinguishes The Deer King is in the narrative, and how it is laid out by the co-directors, Miyaji (Fusé: Memoirs of a Huntress) and directorial first timer Ando. - 70
Little White Lies
Although occasionally let down by weak writing and erratic pacing, the film’s visuals are glorious. Unsurprisingly given its creators’ backgrounds, The Deer King is meticulously crafted. - 70
Paste Magazine
In addition to a story about a found family and the potential for a life-saving vaccine, there are more than four other stories unfolding. It’s a shame too because there’s nothing inherently bad about The Deer King—it’s simply trying to do too much. - 63
Slant Magazine
The Deer King leaves one with the impression that it hasn’t given itself enough room to truly soar. - 58
Original-Cin
These images tantalize, but without satisfying, like a trailer for a narrative that would work better as a long-form series.
