Mixed Reviews for 'The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim' Anime Prequel

The film explores the origins of Helm's Deep with a focus on Rohan's King Helm Hammerhand and his daughter Héra, blending anime aesthetics with Middle-earth lore.

Set 183 years before the events of 'The Hobbit,' the anime delves into the backstory of Rohan's Helm Hammerhand and the creation of Helm's Deep.
Critics praise the film's animation, particularly its hand-drawn sequences, but note uneven integration of CGI elements and pacing issues in the narrative.
Héra, a newly fleshed-out character inspired by Studio Ghibli heroines, emerges as the film's central figure, highlighting a feminist perspective in Tolkien's world.
The film's reception has been divided, with some lauding its standalone storytelling and epic battles, while others criticize its reliance on familiar tropes and limited emotional depth.
Despite connections to Peter Jackson's trilogy, including Miranda Otto reprising her role as Éowyn in narration, the film struggles to justify its necessity within the Middle-earth franchise.