Tsume (Wolf's Rain)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tsume (ツメ (爪) Tsume?, lit. "Claw") is a fictional character in the anime and manga series called Wolf's Rain. He is one of the primary protagonists and is part of the pack which is attempting to reach the mystical (possibly mythical place) called "paradise". He is most dexterous as a claw (TSume means claw in Japanese). He is portrayed as "the wolf of the city" due to his appearance in clothes and manner which is preferred by bikers or gangsters. He is even in the beginning of the series the "alpha male" or leader of a human gang who are strategists as thieves and law-breakers. He is the wolf with the most skeptical nature towards "paradise" - saying it is completely folklore of wolves and it is a foolish quest to chase such an illusion. Though seemingly cold and introverted (with comparisons to Kiba) he is definitely very composed. Viewers identify Tsume as a noble wolf who cares for his friends and is willing to sacrifice for their protection. He is voiced by Kenta Miyake in the Japanese Version and in the English Version by Crispin Freeman.
Contents |
[edit] Appearance
Tsume can be called "the wolf of the city". His human form retains many wolfish qualities. He has white hair which is short yet can be tied in a ponytail of sorts (it comes out as a cow-lick), amber eyes and is dressed in black leather with a grey inner wifebeater adorning a "bad boy" biker-gang status (which resembles his wolf body in many ways). He is a grey wolf and has a cross-shaped scar over his chest both in human and wolf forms that acts as a signature. He is probably a Eurasian wolf or a Tundra wolf.
[edit] Tsume's Introduction
Tsume is a primary protagonist and catalyst in the anime Wolf's Rain. It is through his beginnings we see him as such. Tsume is the first wolf to be introduced yet the enigma of the nature of wolves, which is thrown at Kiba, is definitely also attached to Tsume - this is the first indication of Kiba's comparisons and oppositions with Tsume - because as Kiba's monologue only serves as his attitude, Tsume is veiled efficiently - we do not know he is a wolf. Tsume is a lone wolf but cannot practice the term proficiently by external appearance - for he is first shown as a "human" leader in a human gang who act as vagabonds.
The first scenarios of the anime insert Tsume's gang. It is through them aspects of the futuristic society in the futuristic world of Wolf's Rain is discovered. Tsume's gang are in a heated assault to cripple a train with abundant supplies: Food. This attack allows us to be impregnated with the ideology and truth of the world. The government has been reckless and ignorant and thus people suffer immensely from poverty and every portion of decline. Citizens are stimulated to be hostile efficiently to attain a basic necessity. Grim reality is most remarkable - it is a black comedy - the future is a civilized but wild wilderness. Easy for the adaptation of the wolves and mostly: (as it is shown) with Tsume.
The train is carrying food for lab specimens. The quality is high signifying the workings of the scientists still never stopping and how everything seems to pander to them. Tsume's gang members are riding quad bike -type vehicles and are doing their best in descending the large metallic beast to its knees. However their plan is impeded when a mecha of tentacles and lasers does them hazard. Gayru, seemingly the youngest of all of Tsume's gang members, is caught in a situation with this metallic monster. He is too terrified as the monster kills a member and advances to do the same for him. Gayru closes his eyes knowing death. Soon, he hears a metallic dysfunction - it is Tsume, in human form, with a very exquisite looking knife, clad in leather and sunglasses, looking not in the least unkempt. Gayru thanks Tsume for saving him yet Tsume is quiet - the atmosphere has long since been etched of rain and now Tsume looks towards it. It seems to be symbolic.
The atmosphere is which Tsume is introduced governs his very psyche. He is clad in black and grey as the sky and he is assaulting like the storm or more specifically rain. Thunder can be the claw that causes an explosion of any kind in the sky - even mercy - Tsume was thunderous in saving Gayru. It is through Tsume we see that the rain is symbolic for he also enigmatically comments on it. The element that is vitalized in the series of Wolf's Rain which is the rain can be scanned by the viewers in Tsume. He is more than equivalent to the centralized protagonist Kiba.
Tsume is still in the series recognized as a "human". That is until there is a glance from a certain individual. Quent Yaiden, a man obsessed with wolves and is always trying to make them extinct, is somewhat unstable and is a heavy alcoholic. He and his most devoted dog, Blue, has stopped by at a local pub. The bartender with patience listens to Quent's ramblings on wolves and how he is planning on assuring them extict the bartender believes him deranged due to his love of alcohol. Quent is reluctant and headstrong and knows wolves are present in society. Quent's truth is revealed through Blue - his dog who was laying down when suddenly Tsume's gang walks by - for a reason she gets alerted profusely - she and Tsume exchange glances. She glares most angrily. The footprints on the snow explain why.
In the terms of Kiba, Tsume is most productive in showing the viewers the former's controversial nature. After the successful train attack Tsume returns with his human gang to their local hideout-of sorts. Under a big tree some of Tsume's followers find what they believe is a dog. Tsume sees this "dog" and immediately gets hesitant and prepared telling his gang members to back away, "That's no dog." he sternly warns them. Then a curious gang member goes to touch this dog. The dog viciously kills him and another follower. The dog then snarls with his blood-bathed fangs at the helpless Gayru. Tsume realizing the danger shoves Gayru out of the way and comments "Interesting." This leads the white wolf to chase him and they go to this derelict-type rooftop.
As the camera pans around we see that Tsume is a wolf. Tsume is very disturbed by Kiba's (the unnamed white wolf) behaviour. He believes it is atrocious as Kiba killed two innocuous humans. Kiba comments that he must fight to survive and mentions in prior that there should be nothing wrong with killing. This disturbs Tsume and he tells that though he doesn't understand where the white wolf comes from but there are rules here in the city. The unnamed wolf just snarls at him vehemently and tells him to keep his rules before telling Tsume that he lives in the filthy streets with the humans. This makes Tsume hesitant and he says that he is only using the humans. Kiba does not care for his explanations and says that Tsume cannot have any pride because he lives with humans which he refers to as "that filth". Tsume is enraged and roars in anger "You have outlived your time here wolf!". The two battle fiercely until Gayru comes and interrupts the battle by intervening with his mallet to scare Kiba off. Kiba leaves realizing the fight must end now.
Gayru believes that Tsume is a friend and that he is also a friend to Tsume but Tsume cannot agree to this. He believes that a friendship between them is impossible for "We are two different beings."
[edit] Past
Tsume is identical to Kiba in the way that he is a recluse. He strives to keep distance amongst humans and wolves and anyone in general. He lies in a bed of insecurity not allowing anyone to come near him. This is the ramifications of Tsume's past.
Once Tsume was part of a pack. One day Jagura's troops attacked Tsume's pack. Instead of fighting he ran away; afraid of seeing his friends dying ruthlessly against the weaponry of human soldiers. The alpha male of the pack and some of the remaining survivors were disgusted by his withdrawal from the heat of battle. To them he was a cowardly traitor not of worth to keep in the pack. The alpha male attacked him and gave him his signature cross-shaped scar on his chest thus branding him as an outsider. As Tsume is cast out of his pack for his retreat he grew reclusive and withdrew within himself. He suffers from the insecurity that he will not be able to live up to the obligations of others. So he distances himself from everyone and came upon the city where Cheza was being kept. He formed a rebellious gang of humans and attacked different places to satiate his hunger. He tended to live by himself - Kiba, Hige and especially Toboe stripped him of that preferred luxury and helped him through his internal plight.
[edit] Personality
Tsume is an insecure recluse. Though at first glance he is shown to be dexterous and confident (as he destroys the mecha menace in episode 1) he is also very introverted and hesitant. It is he who cannot comprehend his own feelings and tries to alleviate the intensity of them by thinking what he believes is right. Though this only happens when personal issues connective to his past occur. He is unwilling to journey with Kiba and the others at first musing it to be a ludicrous endeavour yet changes his mind upon a realization. He will have to be alone. Tsume reflects the internal conflicts the reclusive mind has to face.
Tsume is an incredible loner. He befriends humans to a certain extent only to know that he will use them for a particular advantage. However, the advantage is not really an act of pure selfishness as the gang he formed with the humans benefitted the humans as well. As he is headstrong and capable he easily rises to the position of the "alpha" in the "human pack" he created , thus, he can monitor and execute himself efficiently enough to be worthy of such a position.
He is an excellent strategist and can easily obliterate things impeding the ways of the gang (the mecha causing damage in episode one). However, his fatal flaw comes from within himself. He possesses heightened insecurity and the ghosts of his past plague him. Thus, he is most effectively skeptically placing boundaries upon himself and near him so if one approaches him he imitates a mine field and somehow with a cool demeanor pushes them aside.
Tsume's capabilities are drawn from his matured perceptive. After the events of his past Tsume has matured. He is logically assertive and physically adept and able to cross haywire situations. He is technical and skeptical thus wants to inquire and argue Kiba's beliefs of paradise. He cannot believe things until he has seen them - a very human trait in him. He is a raw fighter - striving to attain a peaceful life. This is shown when Cheza sings them a lullaby for sweet dreams. Tsume sees his paradise in open plains where is carefree and hunting for game.
Tsume's carries a persona of leadership. He shows a slight dislike for all of the other wolves at first and commandingly converses with them. This happens with Kiba mostly - as in episode three while he is wounded by Blue and found by the others he challenges Kiba knowing their fight had remained unfinished - for he is skeptical of paradise. He talks to Hige also in a semi-condescending manner at first which Hige snorts and comments "Who died and made you Alpha." He speaks rather crudely to Toboe also thinking of him nothing as a nuisance. However, this mitigates in the progress of the series for though he retains his headstrong persona he further matures and sees Kiba and the other as friends he requires to help him solve his personal issues.
Tsume is also firstly very suspicious of individuals. This is shown by his initial reactions to Cheza. When they first find her and then are later almost seized by the human soldiers of Lord Oakum Tsume sternly looks at Cheza thinking that she had led them to him and the others. Kiba dissuades him from believing this by saying "No its not her!" and even though Cheza helps them out of the situation he still remains suspicious. His reasons mirrors some humans in psychology as he says "She's not wolf or human." implying on his difficulties on how to trust her. However, by the episode "Moon's Doon" he lessens his suspicions and grows his liking towards her and risks his life protecting her as well. This suspicious nature also surfaces for Blue who he finds hard trusting as he had confronted her head on before. That too disintegrates after realizing she is suitable to trust and treats her also as a friend. His suspicions and anger also target Hige during the end. Hige's past is a one heavily linked with Jagura, therefore, Tsume angrily brands him as a traitor. However, in the end he too confides in Hige saying that his anger was not so gargantuan as the way he presented it. It shows how much he trusted Hige as a friend and was thoroughly disappointed to know he was linked with Jagura. He forgives and forgets this and does Hige his favour - killing him so he may released from the anguish of his wounds. When Tsume reaches his time of death he shows how unhappy he was to kill Hige as he was his friend.
Throughout the series Tsume is shown as an individual governed by his past who later tears out from the holds of it. He yearned to forget the burdens and shames of his past and did so via his friends. He starts believing in paradise more and matures as the series progresses. Inside he is fragile as Kiba requiring others to tend to him; to aid him in burying the demons who conquered him for so long. He manages to see Kiba as the "Alpha" male and has no problem later onwards in following him. He also logically instructs Kiba to keep calm when Kiba is overpowered by emotions.
He is shown to be kind, considerate, reasonable and noble. Tsume reflects everything of a noble wolf. This image is portrayed by the fact that he never really likes killing humans unless it is the final option and always tries to stay with a calm temperament. He is skilled and efficient showing the innermost insecurities and gifts blended in humans as his persona was like that of a recluse.
In the end he shows his true kindness in loyalty by sacrificing himself so Kiba at least can reach paradise.
[edit] Tsume And The Claw
Tsume's signature revolves around his cross-shaped scar, however, his name carries a very good symbolism in his human form. When Tsume attacks with his feet or somehow manages to pounce on a human in his human illusion this comes in the form of a curved like dagger which resembles and imitates a claw. He is shown with it as his signature weapon in episode one while he uses this illusionary device to destroy the metal menace and in other episodes.
This weapon is fashioned to give meaning to Tsume's name as it literally translates to "claw" in Japanese. Furthermore, to his human appearance it generates a sense of authority over strife and capability over demanding situations.
[edit] Tsume and Gayru
The role of Gayru (or Gehl) is pivotal to Tsume's relationships and change. Though Gayru passes away in the first episode it is he who first brings out the insecurity of Tsume. Gayru effects Tsume's most prominent relationship in the whole series. The relationship is the one he has with Toboe.
When we first see Gayru we, the viewers, understand that he is mostly innocuous and innocent. He is easily terrified and doesn't seem right to fit in Tsume's human gang. During the train attack he is unstable and afraid. His fear magnifies seeing the metal menace who is thrashing around like an angry beast. Gayru believes he is dead until Tsume comes and rescues him. Afterwards, when Kiba attacks Gayru is protected by Tsume who punches him aside and leads Kiba for a confrontation elsewhere.
Gayru follows him and is mystified seeing two "big dogs" fighting rather than one person and a "dog". Still he chases Kiba off. He believes that Tsume is his friend and he too is his friend. Tsume tells him to reject the logic. Tsume believes that whatever he thinks of him caring is just a presumption. He also believes Gayru and he cannot be friends as "We are two separate beings." It is this insecurity and alienation from Gayru that Tsume unknowingly does harm to Gayru. Gayru dies for Tsume indirectly told him not to trust him.
Later onwards Tsume plans to attack the laboratory. Gayru establishes a logical assessment. He says that as they have tried before and failed the security will be more equipped and rigid at the present. Tsume gives Gayru a choice: he might stay behind or "fight and survive."
Gayru wants to impress Tsume so he chooses the latter and comes along a bit later after the others. Tsume stares at him while the young boy smiles and says to Tsume that there has to something he can do. After the lab is raided Gayru carries his parcels and follows Tsume as they run from pipelines located high above the ground. Gayru is unstable and wobbly as the gun-fires draw him to take a loose step. He falls but grabs on to the pipe and cries for Tsume to help him. Tsume immediately comes to his rescue only as he draws out to take him by his shoulder his illusion of being a human vanishes. Gayru, horrified, sees the fang of a grey dog biting into his shoulder. He screams and falls. Tsume can only watch helplessly as Gayru plummets to his death.
The death of Gayru triggers pain and sadness in Tsume. He sits all by himself in his hideout and coldly tells the gang that they will attack again. When a gang member accuses Tsume of Gayru's death and how little he cares of all of them as if they were expendable. He is angered to a high level. This shows that Gayru's death had indeed scarred him. He knows he unknowingly scared Gayru and had wanted to keep distant from him.
Toboe becomes a reincarnation of Gayru for Tsume at first. Young, innocuous and innocent , Toboe tries to befriend a reluctant Tsume as Gayru had done. Toboe wants to impress Tsume thus follows him around; to which Tsume also acts accordingly as he did for Gayru only he takes caution that he doesn't push it too far. He feels it was his fault that Gayru died and so seemingly warms up to Toboe.
[edit] Tsume and Toboe
Toboe is first introduced in episode two. He is an innocuous and innocent wolf who at first cannot defend himself. He cannot get food from the trash as crows pick on him. Soon he is caught off guard by a drunken Quent Yaiden who sees through his guise and knows him as a wolf. Tsume comes to the rescue and successfully saves him from Yaiden's grasp. This triggers Toboe's need to be with Tsume. He acknowledges the fact that he knows Tsume as the crows and cats speak of him as the one who befriends humans. As Toboe likes humans he is happy to see someone who he believes is like him. Tsume tells him his logic is wrong as he is only using the humans and tells him to stop bothering him and leave. As Tsume keeps on walking he turns around to see Toboe has gone meaning he understands that Tsume does not want him.
All the wolves in the anime has had romantic relationships or attractions. Tsume is the exception. He is sans that romantic attraction. His most prominent relationship is with Toboe. At first Tsume seems to see him as a reincarnation of Gayru - defenseless and innocuous. However, where Gayru could not have time to pierce through Tsume's reclusive shell Toboe manages with the most effect.
Afterwards, Toboe is saved once again by Tsume. This happens with Leera - a girl who Toboe fancies for she fed him in his wolf form. He is truly attracted to her and would like to be with her. He accidentally kills the pet falcon or eagle that Leera keeps. As he mourns his human guise deteriorates to reveal his true wolf form. As he howls Leera is shocked to see his true nature but Tsume as a human grabs him and quickly flees.
Tsume takes Toboe to the abandoned run down place he stays and gives him food. However, when Cheza is taken away and released the sad sonic sound Toboe is upset by Tsume's easy attitude of it. This is when Toboe reveals that he knows that he is not Tsume's friend and that Tsume uses the humans for he is stronger than them and won't question his authority. Toboe has just pierced a bit to Tsume's being and so he angrily tells Toboe to leave and fend for himself - even throwing his hamburger at him in anger.
Next Toboe is found by Hige and Kiba who sees that he is eating from the trash. He has taken Tsume's advice and is fending for himself and has defeated the crows who once picked on him. Tsume at this time is attacked by two parties - the police and Blue. He manages to get out alive but not unscathed. Later, Toboe wants Tsume to come to paradise with him. Tsume is persuaded by Toboe but he wants to believe that he left the city because it was not fit for him anymore.
Throughout the series Toboe and Tsume mature with interactions with each other. Tsume matures and stops being a recluse whilst Toboe becomes more wolfish in nature. Whenever Tsume travels away from the pack either for skepticism or annoyance at Kiba Toboe always vows to bring him back despite Tsume's initial crudeness with him. In Episode four when Tsume travels away and Toboe is almost killed by a dysfunctional mecha he receives a wound but risks his life to save Toboe. When they hideout in a small cave Toboe licks his wound to which Tsume disagrees and tells him to stop. It is also here that Toboe asks Tsume of his scar but Tsume remains quite. Toboe plans he will distract the mecha while Tsume can escape. Tsume starts trusting him from there and tries his plan only the mecha gets drawn towards Tsume and Kiba must rescue both of them. Afterwards, as Tsume is limping Toboe helps him walk.
The trust between them is impeccable and matures towards the series. Tsume starts acknowledging Toboe as a younger brother of sorts and Toboe treats him as an older sibling. Toboe is willing to follow Tsume around wherever he goes and Tsume likes his company. It is through Toboe that Tsume's kindness is reflected and through Tsume that Toboe's maturity and transformation from pup to wolf awakens. Their relationship to some is considered shounen-ai and romantic though others reject this belief.
When Toboe dies Tsume wants to stay behind and follow the remaining pack later onwards. When he is alone with Toboe's body he talks to him and says he hadn't realized how matured and big he had become from what he used to be. He confesses that he is alone and Toboe helped him out and that this journey wouldn't have happened without Toboe for he was the one who persuaded him to come and search for paradise. Then Tsume finally answers Toboe's question - he reveals why he had the scar and of his past. He mourns his death deeply and it really tears his soul apart to see Toboe dead. For in the end he realized that Toboe was his best friend.
[edit] In The End, Tsume's Paradise
After mourning for Toboe, Tsume leaps up the cliff where the rest of the pack were. He sees Hubb descending from the cliff and tries to catch him. He is unable to do and Hubb falls to his death. He climbs up the mountain and sees Blue and Hige together. Blue is dead and Hige is dying. Hige tells Tsume to forgive him but Tsume is pained to see Hige in this state and tells him to forget about everything else. Hige asks him a favour - he wants Tsume to kill him. Tsume, with great pains, complies then he goes to where Kiba is. Kiba seems to be no match for Darcia the wolf and so Tsume fights Darcia as Kiba is wounded. Tsume gets the fatal wound to his abdomen and slouches down. As Darcia and Cheza descend into the mouth of the mountain Kiba goes towards Tsume. Tsume tells Kiba he killed Hige for Hige wanted liberation from his pain. He is grief-stricken by both Toboe's and Hige's deaths. Kiba wants to help but Tsume tells him to go after Darcia and Cheza. He knows that Kiba is the chosen wolf for paradise. As Kiba runs off Tsume falls down. He knows that they will all meet again in paradise.
When paradise is opened and the world is reborn we see a city. This was the city where all the wolves met for the first time. However, they don't know each other anymore it seems. On the road there is red light in the traffic signal. A red motorbike stops due to it. The driver is clad in leather and his face is hidden under the helmet. He has amber eyes. It is Tsume. As the green light comes he drives off.
Tsume is now carefree and released from the burdens of his past. He has found his ultimate paradise.
