GKids drifts a little from the name of the imprint with this R-rated fantasy epic that's much more firmly aimed at teens and adults. Sweeping in scope, ambiguous and complex, it's a movie that asks for, and will certainly bear, repeated viewings.

One is thrown right into the mix, observing slaves mining salt deep underground, a massive pack of supernatural dogs spilling from the forest on a purple tide of ectoplasm, and flashbacks to a frenzied war. Van, who fought in the war, now toils in the mine, but his life is soon upended as he's bitten by one of the dogs. The bite appears to convey a lethal viral illness, though Van manages to survive, escaping with an orphaned toddler named Yuna.

As Van struggles to figure out what to do with Yuna, their bond grows, while they are both also called upon to help solve the mystery of the dog-borne plague, and perhaps to return a measure of peace to their world. The Deer King spans years, and multiple communities. It contains a sprawling cast of characters with mysterious motives, and features political intrigues that aren't easy to grasp on first viewing.

Is it worth the time of Studio Ghibli fans? Absolutely! Though its story more closely follows traditional Western fantasy elements than many might expect, all the hallmarks of Miyazaki-inspired anime are present. Visually, it's a stunner, with fantasy elements tossed about with abandon. Huge arcing roots burst through villages, shimmering magic intersects with elements of medieval civilization, and character designs are on point, from ancient matriarchs through Van's granite stoicism to Yuna's moppet-like cuteness.

It's The Deer King's complexity, violence, and sinister elements that separate it from the likes of Ponyo and My Neighbor Totoro. Limbs are hacked off in battle, the hemorrhagic illness produces unseemly results, and Yuna herself undergoes a terrifying growth journey that melds ‘kawaii' with "aieeee!" in a singular way. At its heart, though, The Deer King embraces sophisticated ideas about family identity, particularly as related to fathers and their children, delivering a lasting impression.

The Deer King delivers high-fantasy in a complicated, deep way. Traditional fantasy elements, warring kingdoms and intrigue, mix it up with those things Studio Ghibli viewers expect, gorgeous animation, wonderful character design, and a unique take on the intersection of magic and prose. Its multi-faceted structure requires close attention, (while asking for repeated viewings) while its violence and sinister elements will likely steer it away from the ‘kids' in GKids. If you're looking for something new for your fantasy needs, this release is Recommended.

The DVD

Video:
The Deer King comes from Shout! Factory and GKids in a 1.78:1 1080p image that's pretty gorgeous. Details are sharp, backgrounds deep and atmospheric, and motion is handled nicely, smooth and seamless. Colors are deep and saturated, with nice deep black levels as well. The mastering job appears spotless and error-free.

Sound:
Your audio options are a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track in either Japanese or English. Both tracks are solid, with dialog coming in clean, clear, and front and center. Soundtrack elements are widespread and quite effective, the dynamic range is fairly deep, and the score is presented nicely as well.

Extras:
The Deer King is packaged in a standard case with slipcover, and includes a small handful of extras. A 14-minute English Dub Featurette explores how the actors discovered and worked with their characters. An 18-minute Interview with Director Masashi Ando and a two-minute Introduction to the movie from the director lend depth to your understanding. Lastly, the Trailer and an Image Gallery with four minutes of self or auto-navigated content round out the extras package.

Final Thoughts:
The Deer King delivers high-fantasy in a complicated, deep way. Traditional fantasy elements, warring kingdoms and intrigue, mix it up with those things Studio Ghibli viewers expect, gorgeous animation, wonderful character design, and a unique take on the intersection of magic and prose. Its multi-faceted structure requires close attention, (while asking for repeated viewings) while its violence and sinister elements will likely steer it away from the ‘kids' in GKids. If you're looking for something new for your fantasy needs, this release is Recommended.

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