Image: The War of the Rohirrim – Official Movie Poster
"The War of the Rohirrim" is the first adaptation of Tolkien's books since Peter Jackson’s celebrated works in the early 2000s and the "The Hobbit" trilogy. However, this film is vastly different from its predecessors, as it is an anime created by Japanese director Kenji Kamiyama. Here’s a review of the German Dub cinema version of the film, even though I will comment on some Easter eggs from the original. But more on that later - let’s dive into the plot first.
Back to Rohan: Héra & Helm Hammerhand
The story centers on Héra, the daughter of Rohan’s current king, Helm Hammerhand. It appears to be a time of peace until the leader of the Dunlendings sends his son, Wulf, to propose to Héra. Héra is already promised to a lord from Gondor - and though she doesn’t wish to marry either man, a conflict arises, escalating into a full-scale war. When Wulf’s father is killed in a duel, Wulf vows revenge. Héra and her family face an overwhelming threat against their people, grappling with loss, despair, and - ultimately - renewed hope.
You can watch the trailer here to refresh your memory:
The plot is entirely based on characters Tolkien described in the appendices of his books. Expectations were high that Helm Hammerhand would be the protagonist - which isn't the case. It's his daughter Héra instead, voiced by Gaia Romilly Wise, while Éowyn serves as the story’s narrator, much like Galadriel did in "The Lord of the Rings". Naturally, Miranda Otto was brought back for the role.
From the very first voice-over, it quickly becomes clear how much heart is embedded in the story. And this remains evident as the plot unfolds: the screenplay skillfully balances a fresh narrative within a world we already know, relying on admittedly very little source material from Tolkien. There's emotion, humor, action - now in anime style. Where I found myself bored or frowning at "The Rings of Power", here I was captivated and laughing along. Yes, a bit more depth for some characters would have been nice, and the tension curve could have been refined a little more, but all in all, I had a great time with the story.
It’s refreshing to see a compact story in the Tolkien universe without unnecessary filler, contained within a single film. No superfluous subplots or invented romances - just a focused, streamlined tale.
One might argue that stretching source material of just a few sentences into a full-length film could feel overly extended. I’m not a fan of spinning a story out of thin air either - but the source, the characters, and their story are already there. And according to Gandalf himself, good stories deserve to be embellished.
It’s also incredibly refreshing to see Héra as a female protagonist in this franchise on the big screen. This doesn’t push Helm Hammerhand to the sidelines - emotionally and narratively, Héra simply makes the better choice as the main character.
Of course, as with previous adaptations, there are a few deviations from the source material. As a fan of the books, this is always a bit disappointing, but I personally find it understandable. As with "The Lord of the Rings" films, such decisions are often necessary in a cinematic adaptation to create a cohesive story. In this case, I can accept the choices made - without giving away too much here.
Wait a minute, that sounds familiar!
Philippa Boyens, screenwriter of "The Lord of the Rings", was involved in this project as a producer, along with many other veterans who had experience with the earlier films. And it shows - mostly in a positive way. From the script to the sound effects, fans of Peter Jackson’s films will notice: “Hey, I know that!” There are plenty of nostalgic moments with little throwbacks.
At times, there might have been one or two too many lines reminiscent of PJ’s iconic films - it would have been nice to see a bit more originality here. By the way, pay special attention to the voices of two orcs later in the movie - they are voiced by Billy Boyd (Pippin) and Dominic Monaghan (Merry), two of our favorite hobbits!
Tolkien x Anime: A Success?
The introduction of Middle-earth’s map provides a beautiful opening once again, gently easing even anime newcomers into this new world. The realistic backdrops make it especially easy to immerse yourself in the Middle-earth we already know from New Zealand. The setting is entirely based on Peter Jackson’s films, now transformed into a truly picturesque landscape. This means you’ll rediscover Edoras, the Golden Hall of Meduseld, Helm’s Deep, and many other locations throughout the film.
The character design deserves additional praise, as it blends seamlessly into the environment and the culture of Rohan. The German voice acting also left a very positive impression. While a few more takes in the battle sequences would have helped here and there, I was impressed, especially compared to most modern German anime dubs.
Anime is currently trending in pop culture - but the subject of "The War of the Rohirrim" is quite niche. This isn’t about Frodo, Gandalf, the One Ring, or the elves - the franchise’s hallmark elements - but rather a historical tale of Rohan. Personally, I find this far more inventive than Disney's tendency to recycle ideas, like creating a "Lord of the Rings" anime remake or something similar.
This film may not appeal to the masses, but it will undoubtedly attract new fans who have a passion for anime!
Conclusion
Reading "The Lord of the Rings" and watching the films, I’ve always been fascinated by the depth Tolkien gave his fictional world through its rich history. "The Lord of the Rings" takes place during Middle-earth’s Third Age, and the remnants of past eras - ancient songs, abandoned fortresses, and legendary heroes - spark curiosity. With "The War of the Rohirrim", fans of Rohan finally get a chance to learn more about its history.
If you were captivated by Rohan’s people in "The Two Towers" and "The Return of the King", you should give this film a chance - even if you’re not a big anime enthusiast.
Exploring new lore and discovering new characters through books like "The Silmarillion" or new adaptations is always a treat. "The War of the Rohirrim" offers that opportunity once again.
And if you already love Studio Ghibli films or anime in general but haven’t been drawn to "The Lord of the Rings" before - this might be your gateway. Sometimes, it’s just the right medium at the right time that makes all the difference.
Above all, "The War of the Rohirrim" is a breath of fresh air for "The Lord of the Rings" franchise. It’s heartfelt, engaging, and created with expertise - a clear recommendation from me!
