The difficulty with spin-offs is always that they are based on an original work which brings the problem of how to make them stand on their own? Usually it requires that they are cohesive and artistically distinct and unique. Making an anime based on the Peter Jackson's trilogy seemed like a mad idea but it certainly tackles this problem well. The director Kenji Kamiyama is best known for his recent directive work on the Blade Runner anime spin off as well a the classic sci-fi Ghost in The Shell Stand alone complex -series (which is also a spin off from an original anime film). He has also worked on classics such as Akira and Princess Mononoke (which is certainly the most important reference point for War of the Rohirrim) in smaller roles. The animation style in terms of anime is generic (safe for western audiences) with a mix of 3D graphics with drawn animation at times. The quality varies a lot from one scene to another and on can see that the there was a limited time frame available for some specific scenes. Given that this is an anime film, it would've needed some more dynamism and creativity how it was used. The film very much follows the Jackson's story board formula with some anime tropes but I think the possibilities of an anime style were underutilized here. If one decides to make an anime film, it does not really make it any better for any audience if the end result seems a bit too subtle. The score from Howard Shore brings the epic feel of the original PJ trilogy, though otherwise the universe here feels a bit different as a more high fantasy setting. The story is based on a short appendix text from Tolkien himself so it's a very universal classic storyline, though very predictable. Aside from the main character, there are really not other interesting ones. The designs are very interesting though. I also liked the English voice acting overall. The film manages to be its own thing with it's style and story, but it is hampered down by being too safe for western audiences, as well as some of the sub-par production. I'm not sure to who was this made for? A lot of Tolkien fans are nerds who are familiar with anime so being too safe here with the style does not really make sense here. Making the animation more bland does not make it more appealing for audiences who would not like it anyway, and makes the overall film less memorable and more like a generic action animation. It's not a bad film but not a very memorable either.

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