The War of the Rohirrim: An animated return to Middle-earth

The film The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is a long-awaited return to Middle-earth, this time in a form quite different from what fans are used to. The film is directed by Japanese creator Kenji Kamiyama, known for his work on anime series such as Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and Blade Runner: Black Lotus. His experience with animated projects brings a new visual style to the world of Middle-earth, combining traditional Tolkien aesthetics with elements of Japanese animation.

The creators focused on a story that precedes the events known from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, offering a glimpse into the origin of one of the most famous heroes of Rohan – King Helm Hammerhand. They successfully captured the atmosphere of ancient legends without straying too far from the iconic visual style established by Peter Jackson's film trilogy.

The story takes place more than 200 years before the Battle of Helm's Deep, which fans know as one of the climactic scenes of The Two Towers. The main character here is Hera, daughter of King Helm Hammerhand – a strong and courageous woman trying to protect her people in the darkest of times.

I dare say that as a live-action film, the work would not have held up nearly as well as it does in its animated version, although this adaptation has its flaws. The animation sometimes feels dated and lacks the dynamics of modern animated productions. However, the film's visual style is the work of legendary illustrators Alan Lee and John Howe, who worked on the designs for the original series, and their signature is evident. Thanks to this, the work maintains continuity with the film trilogy.

The War of the Rohirrim will likely find its audience primarily among loyal fans of the Tolkien universe who crave new stories from Middle-earth. They will appreciate the opportunity to dive into the history of Rohan and learn more about its glorious times and heroes. However, it is hard to expect the widespread popularity achieved by the original trilogy. The animated format and the absence of J. R. R. Tolkien's masterful touch make The War of the Rohirrim a work that is more of a supplement for the initiated than a standalone hit.

author Jiří Reiter