The Deer King

"The Deer King: Yuna and the Promised Journey" is a Japanese animated film produced by Production I.G, adapted from the fantasy novel series of the same name by Nahoko Uehashi. The story is set in a post-war world where the powerful Zol Empire controls most of the land, but the 'Fire Horse Territory' still harbors a deadly disease known as 'Black Wolf Fever'. Van, a former warrior enslaved in a salt mine, escapes with a young girl named Yuna during an incident. Meanwhile, a physician named Hossal strives to find a cure for Black Wolf Fever. Van and Yuna get caught up in a larger conflict as they flee, facing pursuit from different factions and uncovering the truth behind the disease. The film is co-directed by Masashi Ando and Masayuki Miyaji, and features the voice talents of Shin'ichi Tsutsumi, Ryoma Takeuchi, and Anne Watanabe. The film was released in Japan on February 4, 2022, and was distributed globally.