LOTR: War of the Rohirrim Including This Creature Could Be Significant

LOTR: War of the Rohirrim Including This Creature Could Be Significant

As a seasoned Tolkien enthusiast and a gaming aficionado with over two decades of immersion in Middle Earth lore, I must say that my anticipation for The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim is as deep as the stagnant pool where the Watcher in the Water resides. The prospect of a fresh take on this classic franchise through the lens of anime is nothing short of exhilarating, and I can’t help but feel that this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship between Tolkien purists and Japanese animation fans.


The upcoming movie, titled “The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim”, is set to explore uncharted territory within the franchise. The last animated installment was released more than four decades ago, and this will mark the first time the series is presented in an anime style. This could signal a fresh wave of adaptations, offering a unique perspective on one of English literature’s most renowned tales.

As a dedicated fan of Middle-earth, I must admit that I’ve got mixed feelings about “The War of the Rohirrim.” While it’s exciting to explore untold tales from the appendix of “Return of the King,” I can’t help but notice some creative liberties taken in its adaptation. Given the two-hour runtime, it’s inevitable that there will be additions to the original storyline, which might stir up purists.

What is the Watcher in the Water?

As a gamer, I’ve come across this intriguing sea beast, dubbed as ‘The Watcher in the Water,’ lurking near Moria’s outskirts. Its origins remain shrouded in mystery, with numerous theories floating around about its species and past. However, it’s established that it found itself trapped in a putrid pool after someone obstructed the flow of Sirannon river. The books don’t offer much detail about its physical appearance apart from its numerous, spindly tentacles – I’ve counted at least 21 of them! They’re strong and agile, a testament to its formidable nature. Peter Jackson’s cinematic adaptation portrays it as an octopus-like creature, resembling a kraken or a giant squid with a bulky head and concealed mouth. Scholars debate whether this creature is a nod to mythological monsters like the Greek Scylla or Tolkien’s cold-drake. While its specifics are hazy, its influence is undeniable.

The first individual to spot the Water Guardian was Dwarf Balin, who later became the ruler of Moria. On his expedition into the subterranean domain, he encountered this creature. Its humble abode, known for its foul odor, is situated close to Moria’s western entrance. Following his adventure in “The Hobbit,” Balin departed with a group of allies to reclaim Moria. Although they achieved their objective, they were unable to maintain control over Moria for long. Orcs eventually seized the realm after five years. During this siege, Balin’s friend and Gimli’s uncle, Óin, perished at the hands of the Water Guardian. Approximately three decades later, the Fellowship of the Ring opted to traverse Moria to avoid the harsh weather in the Misty Mountains. As they neared the western gate, the Water Guardian seized Frodo and violently attacked him. Sam was able to chop off one of its tentacles, causing it to release Frodo. Gandalf promptly instructed his companions to enter the gate as the Water Guardian emerged from the water to chase them. They fled into Moria, but the guardian slammed and sealed the gate shut behind them. After observing the creature’s peculiar fixation on Frodo, Gandalf provided this summary:

Something has crept or been driven out of the dark water under the mountains. There are older and fouler things than orcs in the deep places of the world.

The Watcher in The Water In War of the Rohirrim

LOTR: War of the Rohirrim Including This Creature Could Be Significant

In the preview for “The War of the Rohirrim”, a scene reveals the enigmatic figure known as the Watcher in the Water. The main character, Hera, appears to share an unusual bond with creatures of the wild. A captivating forest sequence shows her encountering one of the colossal Mûmakil. It appears she confronts one of these beasts in conflict, only to find herself pursued by a riderless Mûmakil. The trailer suggests Hera manages to evade its grasp by fleeing towards a nearby lake. Intriguingly, tendrils erupt from the water’s edge, ensnaring the Mûmakil and drawing it beneath the surface. The Watcher in the Water seems to shield her from this impending peril. Interestingly, the appearance of this aquatic entity differs significantly from its portrayal in the Peter Jackson films, leading one to wonder if it belongs to a similar species from another region or perhaps an earlier manifestation of the same creature before it resided near Moria.

The Watcher in the Water demonstrates the unique new aesthetic details that can come out of new interpretations. The War of the Rohirrim will make a lot of decisions about visual depictions of half-described details from The Lord of the Rings. Just as Peter Jackson created so much of the stylistic interpretation of the franchise, new adaptations can continue to iterate upon the original text. The new Watcher in the Water is one of many new aesthetic decisions that could continue to keep the story fresh for generations.

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2024-08-26 23:03