Loups = Garous

Junichi Fujisaku's feature-length 2010 anime film takes place in the future after a deadly virus has killed off most of the global population. As a result of the devastation, the survivors are only able to consume synthetic food and must avoid all physical contact—in fact, the dearth of person-to-person relations has become so extreme that people are only able to communicate online. However, a group of raucous girls decide to brave the elements and secretly engage in real-world interactions—although, unfortunately, as luck would have it, a child-killer is also on the loose. While Loups = Garous, adapted from a novel by Natsuhiko Kyogoku, certainly boasts a fascinating concept, the film itself never quite finds its groove: the pacing is frequently off-kilter and the narrative lacks any genuine sense of tension or horror (this might have worked better as a live-action movie, where genuinely human reactions may have carried a more visceral punch). To its credit, however, the animation is very well done and the females are not portrayed as underage sexpots. A dual-language release, rated TV-14, extras include a pilot movie, and interviews (with Kyogoku, Fujisaku, and the Japanese cast). A strong optional purchase. (P. Hall)