Sanrio's 1978 animated film Ringing Bell is now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video with both English dub and subtitle options. Produced by Sunrise, the movie tells the tragic story of Chirin, a young lamb who, after his mother is killed by a wolf, vows to become a wolf himself to enact revenge.
The film is a stark departure from Sanrio's typically cheerful output, delving into dark themes of grief, vengeance, and the irreversible consequences of transformation. Chirin's journey is a grim coming-of-age tale set against a backdrop of rural life and the harsh wilderness, featuring a primarily animal cast.
With a MAL score of 7.18, Ringing Bell is a notable piece of anime history, showcasing an early example of animation from Studio Sunrise (later known for Gundam and Cowboy Bebop) that explores mature and somber subject matter.
