‘The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim’ Expands Middle-earth with Epic Animation

The anime film explores the legendary story of King Helm Hammerhand and his daughter Hèra, blending Tolkien’s lore with stunning visuals and gripping performances.

Directed by Kenji Kamiyama and animated by Japan’s Sola Digital Arts, the film marks a return to Tolkien-inspired animation with a fresh perspective.
The story centers on King Helm Hammerhand, voiced by Brian Cox, and his daughter Hèra, portrayed by Gaia Wise, who emerges as a standout heroine in the saga.
While paying homage to Peter Jackson’s films, the movie also incorporates stylistic nods to earlier Rankin/Bass animated adaptations of Tolkien’s works.
Miranda Otto reprises her role as Éowyn, narrating the tale, and the film features a diverse voice cast, including actors of Iranian and Palestinian-Pakistani descent.
Critics praise the breathtaking animation, emotional depth, and strong performances, though some note the supporting characters and action sequences could have been further developed.