The story is set in a world divided between the ruling and the vassal state of Aquafa . Years after a brutal war, a mysterious and lethal disease known as Black Wolf Fever resurfaces, spread by savage mountain dogs. The narrative follows two central threads:
: Adapted from the Japanese fantasy novel series by Nahoko Uehashi , who also wrote Moribito and The Beast Player .
: Critics often compare its aesthetic to Princess Mononoke , largely due to Ando's background and the film's focus on the spiritual connection between humans and nature. Critical Reception REVIEW: The Deer King (2021) - Arcadia Pod
