“Ex-POW Van, bitten by fever-carrying wolves, becomes hunted for his blood as a cure.”
The Deer King
鹿の王 ユナと約束の旅
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AI-powered analysis tailored to your taste
Based on your preference for character-driven stories with layered emotional arcs, this title's exploration of identity and belonging would deeply resonate. The pacing mirrors series you've rated highly, and its thematic depth aligns with your appreciation for nuanced storytelling...
However, the slow initial episodes might test your patience given your history of dropping shows that don't hook you early. The art style shift in the middle arc could also be a concern...
Synopsis
Ex-POW Van, bitten by fever-carrying wolves, becomes hunted for his blood as a cure.
Ten years ago, the Zol Empire conquered the neighboring lands of Aquafa, forcibly merging the two nations. Though the effort was a success, the Zol invasion could not seize Fire Horse Village, where an outbreak of a mysterious deadly disease known as Black Wolf Fever occurred. Since then, the people have believed the illness has been eradicated. At a salt mine overseen by Zol authorities, Van Gansa is a prisoner of war carrying out a forced labor sentence. One night, a pack of spirit-like wolves attack the mine; while Van and a young girl named Yuna are bitten, the two escape as the only survivors. In the official investigation following the incident, the findings indicate that the wolves were carriers of Black Wolf Fever, which led to the swift deaths of the guards and workers. Eager to experience freedom again, Van wastes no time settling down with Yuna in a small farming village. However, Van does not know that he is being followed. Pursued both by those who wish to harvest his blood to cure Black Wolf Fever and those who want to stop those efforts at all costs, Van faces a greater issue plaguing the nation that may spread to countries beyond.
What people say
Community consensus
Derived from 14 sampled reviews
What 14 viewers settled on.
Polarized
σ 1.80 · split reception
4.9 pts
Recommenders 8.9 · others 4.0
↓ 1.50
Running avg · Jul 2022 → Sep 2025
- 9 “Absolutely loved this film—the art is stunning, the soundtrack hits perfectly, and Yuna is one of the cutest characters ever drawn. The second half feels a tad rushed and the plot isn’t wildly...”
- 9 “This film beautifully captures the spirit of classic Ghibli films while delivering stunning modern animation and a compelling story that resonates with contemporary themes. While some side plots...”
- 9 “Shika no Ou offers profound thematic depth exploring science versus superstition while celebrating traditional practices and paternal duty, with a particularly touching father-daughter relationship...”
Watch Order & Related
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- Format 1 × 113′ eps × min
- Total runtime 1h 53m all episodes
- Aired Feb 2022 – ongoing
- Source Movie media type
- Rated R 17+ (violence & profanity)
- Ref. BS-14226 catalog
Produced by
- Yomiuri Telecasting Producer
- TOHO Producer
- Nippon Television Network Producer
- JR East Marketing & Communications Producer
- Kadokawa Producer
- Movie Walker Producer
Licensed by
- GKIDS Licensor