Let's get down to it with this word, lycanthrope.
Lycanthrope is a general term for stories revolving around werewolves in literature; well mainly in paranormal or fantasy based series such as Twilight by Stephanie Meyer and the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. It's a trope where a human being is suddenly transformed into a wolf with the idea of either running away from the alpha or becoming one under the full moon and getting slaughtered by a silver bullet. Now, I loves wolves and the idea of werewolves and lycans in stories. In fact, one of my focused stories is a wolf based story. However, every novels or show I've seen with werewolves are a little overrated much like the vampires. Now I get it, the tropes of werewolf being highly sexual and mainly predators with the goal of reaching for the best and that's fine. But, when is it enough?
As a reader who desire the perfect wolf story, I want to see something that is completely different yet holds onto the traditions of a lycanthrope based story. For example, I would like to see a wolf story involving spiritualism. In the Japanese anime Wolf's Rain, they use shamans to bestow a prophecy of the remaining wolves finding paradise and restarting the world. I thought the shamanism brought out a diverse ideal to connect to the spiritual essence wolves are known to have in some cultures and maybe that's what we need in lycanthrope. Another example would have to be the wolves themselves. As I mentioned in a previous article, the anime Wolf's Rain presents the wolves as actual animals who disguise themselves as humans to live in their disturbing world. I loved how it was a mind-screw in a sense for us to make the characters believable to the viewers. Perhaps in books, I want to see a mental image of something like this, but I find it difficult because a lot of writers incorrupt other supernatural creatures into the mix.
And finally the last example I want to see is the plot itself. The anime presents a dark and heartbreaking with light tones of friendship, adventure, and a dash of subtle romance. I've been craving for a mouth watering story that will tear my heart into pieces, but would keep going for more as the story rages onward. With the anime, I have fell in love with how the story was vivid and memorable. Another story I can think of while writing this article is Tim Hall's story "The shadow of the Wolf.", its a Robin Hood story, but with its creepy elements and possible werewolves (I didn't finish the book yet), it makes me edger to learn more about the forest and animals are part of death and life.
I'm not sure what brought out my desire to find the next greatest lycanthrope. Perhaps it is because I was spoiled by Wolf's Rain because of its beautiful dark story and morals behind it that I want to see more in stories. But, none the less, where is the next story like this thirteen year old anime? Maybe in my hands or maybe in someone's hands waiting to be published. What are your opinions about lycanthrope fiction? Would you want to see something more or attempt an balance in werewolf stories?
