Chirin's Bell) is a 1978 Japanese anime adventure-drama film adaptation of the storybook of the same name written by Takashi Yanase, the creator of Anpanman.
Seeking revenge, and disillusioned by the apathy from all the other sheep towards him over his mother's death, Chirin ultimately leaves the farm and pursues the wolf up the mountain.
Three years later, Chirin has transformed into a ruthless killer and thrown away his quest for vengeance; having come to view his mentor as a father figure and the mountains his new home.
[3] Though the film is not as well-known outside Japan, Western critics such as Justin Sevakis of Anime News Network praised the dark storyline and artwork, and noted that it delivered a "sort of quick punch-to-the-face of the innocent."
Sevakis also commented that "there is almost nothing uplifting about Ringing Bell and yet it maintains its sense of adorable while simultaneously destroying our concepts of the beauty of nature.
Lê wrote, "Ringing Bell is a brutal watch at any age, especially today when cultural attitudes and standards regarding children’s media have shifted," and concluded, "The [film's] goal here is not too clear, and adults will have a hard time breaking everything down for younger viewers.