Technically yes; while the animal depicted is actually a wolf, a real dog is used occasionally for a stand-in. The dog is present during scenes of kidnapping and injury (EP 1; see animal abuse section), but CGI is mostly used for the death scene in EP 3 from 6:40 to 9:15 and in EP 18 from 19:03 to 19:10 (flashback).
⚠ The woman lead character is assaulted or nearly assaulted multiple times throughout the series. Mild spoilers and potentially upsetting details ahead: ⚠
➊ EP 5: attempted sexual assault.
➋ EP 15: Sexual assault between the leads [Bo Wang (Wolfie) and Ma Zhaixing] with emotional abuse and gaslighting included in a conversation following the incident.
⚠ Scenes of non-consensual kissing: ⚠
➌ EP 27: After an altercation, one unconscious lead is given medication by mouth from the other.
➍ EP 35: a drunk character kisses the woman lead after they were asked to step away.
➎ EP 38: non-consensual kissing, attempt to remove clothes without permission, forceful handling of an individual.
EP 1: beginning of episode; hunting of wolves, with one getting caught in a trap. Later, a pup is stolen; while nothing violent occurs on screen, the animal makes distressed noises.
➊ EP 8: Character kneels outside in extreme temperatures that causes physical discomfort and symptoms related to dehydration and heat exhaustion. An old wound is aggravated as a result. Other characters are ordered to be compliant and are later attacked to stop the incident. This demonstration causes other characters distress. ➋ EP 13: signing a contract with blood from bitten finger. ➌ EP 19: a character intentionally falls off a cliff to force another character to reveal their identity by using their unique abilities. No one is physically harmed, but a character witnessing the incident is emotionally affected. These events and other unhealthy/extreme decisions are confronted and discussed afterwards. ➍ EP 22: done to stave off effects of a drug. ➎ EP 26: injury during the confiscation of a sharp object; treated on-screen after. ➏ EP 39: beginning of episode.
»»————- 【 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐥𝐟 | 狼殿下 】 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐠 王大陸 |𝐋𝐢 𝐐𝐢𝐧 李沁 |𝐗𝐢𝐚𝐨 𝐙𝐡𝐚𝐧 肖战 -————«« ➊ EP 3: Several wolves are killed. While these are all mostly CGI, and the scene is not overly graphic, it is still rather violent and meant to be disturbing for both the lead and for the audience. ➋ The aforementioned scene is shown again in flashback during EP 18. ➌ EP 30: a wolf is injured by humans and initially appears to have been killed; however, it comes to no further harm and it is implied to have survived.
No. There is evident eye irritation throughout the series in upset or exhausted characters (actors also mentioned climate conditions affecting their eyes while filming).
No, but children are hurt in other ways: ➊ Episode 7, from 13:08 to 13:48: child attacked in the streets. Mostly obscured but noises related to fighting and pain can be heard. ➋ EP 40, 2:11 to 2:35: mention of teenage girls working in a brothel. ➌ EP 41 & 42, enslaved child working at a mine. ➍ EP 42, 7:48 to 10:00: discussion of starvation from famine; mother talks about feeding infant her own blood. ➎ EP 42, 11:18 to 13:40: child offers self up for sale under extenuating circumstances (but not really, as the child has been instructed to plant certain information within the public).
In addition to this list, there are torturous practices mentioned occasionally throughout the show. ➊ In Episode 18 from 22:47 to 27:29, a staged hostage situation plays out to test a character’s loyalty. The scene involves the informed and willing participation of a character who is bound to a chair and threatened with a bloody sword. However, the character being tested believes there is actual danger, including lethal poisoning via non-consensual drugging. The truth is revealed from 27:29 to 39:09. ➋ In Episode 20 from 36:48 to 37:48, after a brief altercation between two characters, it is discussed how prisoners are forced to fight for food. ➌ ⁕⁕ EP 23 from 16:46 to 17:13: character bound by chains with metal thorns. ➍ ⁕⁕ EP 41, 10:49 to 11:57: a character sustains wounds on-screen from whipping. ➎ EP 41, from 31:20 onwards: cruel conditions of slave labor in mines. ⁕⁕ This includes facial branding between 36:30 and 37:13, and branding as torture in EP 42 from 19:18 to 21:35. ⁕⁕ The mines continue to be focused on in EP 42 & 43. ➏ EP 45, 24:48 to 26:23: injured people left tied to posts. ➐ EP 49, 4:14 to 4:24 and 8:45 to 8:55: injured person tied to post.
➊ EP 6: verbal and physical altercation between lead characters. In EP 7, the character who is harmed believes they are responsible for the incident, due to being intoxicated at the time. ➋ EP 16: physical altercation between spouses that concludes with a miscarriage.
Kissing and embracing is the most shown between consensual romantic partners. There is no nudity. Please see the sexual assault section for potentially harmful content.
From Episodes 19 to 22, there is a plot to assassinate a man and his adolescent daughter. While it initially appears that they have been spared from death in Episode 22, both are killed later (22:54 to 25:34 is when they are made aware of the threat and a second plot is made). While their murders occur off screen, the deceased child is shown in EP 22 from 36:03 to 38:03. Their deaths are discussed in EP 22 from 36:03 to 40:00 and in EP 23 from 9:05 to 10:01. The deceased father is shown in EP 23 from 10:30 to 10:43. Both are shown again and discussed from 26:40 to 29:06.
➊ EP 37: several horses are killed or severely injured during battle; includes audio gore. ➋ EP 43: horses are involved in a battle; on-screen injuries are implied.
EPs 47 & 48: A woman disguises herself to appear as a man and is referred to as so by other characters; this person is insulted for their physical stature differing from the other soldiers. The character is recognized in EP 48. ★ May be other moments where misgendering happens with insults that were missed. There are several circumstances where women are chastised for not following gender roles or meeting societal expectations.
EP 15: Sexual assault between the leads [Bo Wang (Wolfie) and Ma Zhaixing] with emotional abuse and gaslighting included in a conversation following the incident. No nudity.
No, however, there are moments where disordered eating is mentioned or implied, usually in relation to a character missing meals because of an activity being demanding in length or physicality (both elected and forced involvement of individuals), or because of grief. A few particular scenes that may be of concern: ➊ EP 8: a character kneels outside for hours, displaying symptoms related to dehydration and (heat) exhaustion. ➋ EP 20: With a brief altercation between hungered characters over a meal, it is implied that prisoners are forced to fight for rare rations. ➌ EP 29: it is mentioned that a character has not been eating or drinking while working for some time, so another character tricks them into selecting an excessive range of dishes to eat, and they are pressured into dining while others watch. ➍ EP 28: forcing a character to eat. ➎ EP 42: discussion of starvation from famine; mother talks about feeding infant her own blood. ➏ EP 48: beginning of episode; physical effects of grief mentioned; includes a dining scene with flashback to one listed as #3 above.
Yes, but it is usually just blood shown. The occasional times wounds are in frame, it is typically not graphic and the impact of weapons are not directly shown on screen (covered by change in camera angles), but there are moments where weapons are shown connected to the body after an attack, or blood is strewn around the set to suggest violence had occurred. Bodies are also shown in the above situations. There are a few scenes where there is more blood present than others, usually with the treatment of wounds. Executions, physical punishments, and the aftermath of battles are depicted. ➊ EP 37 focuses on a battle and treatment of wounds, and the lead characters are injured several times in a manner that may be intense for some viewers. ➋ EP 41, 10:49 to 11:57: a character sustains wounds on-screen from whipping. ➌ On-screen branding in EP 41 between 36:30 and 37:13, and EP 42 from 19:18 to 21:35.
➊ EP 5: There are misunderstandings about a character’s response to grief and personal injury. ➋ EP 22: a caretaker mentions some signs of outside neglect, including a short supply of food and a lack of visitors for herself and the person she supports. ➌ EP 28: a character’s mental health is debated and they are belittled for their response to an alarming situation. ➍ EP 32 onward: There is a catatonic character whose father speaks dismissively and poorly of him, and ableist language is used by multiple people. EP 34: father threatens son with sword); EP 35: ableist language in reference to son.
Cutting: ➊ EP 22 from 37:50 to 37:57: done to stave off effects of a drug. ➋ EP 37 from 31:18 to 31:38, removal of arrowheads from body. ➌ EP 39, 2:22 to 2:52. ➍ EP 41, 10:49 to 11:57: a character sustains wounds on-screen from whipping. ➎ EP 42, 8:15 to 8:47: grabbing a sword blade to stop attack.
EP 41, 31:20 to 31:31: a silhouetted body is shown hanging from a tree. Additionally, characters are dragged while being strangled: ➊ EP 4 from 34:55 to 36:40 ➋ EP 37 from 18:44 to 19:40 (survives).
No. Blood is occasionally shown coming from or surrounding the mouth, usually from internal and external injuries unrelated to oral damage. ➊ EP 42, 2:00 to 2:19 character hit on the cheek with blood around mouth.
While not usually depicted in a blatant manner, characters undergo moments of emotional distress that involve physical responses of trembling and crying, as well as anger related outbursts and irritation. In Episode 5, a character has a period of dissociation resulting from grief. Symptoms coinciding with anxiety and other manifestations of distress are littered throughout the show and are hard to tag completely. ★ The Wolf is rather angsty, so please consider the other content warnings before watching. If watching on YouTube, please be careful of the comments, which tend to be unsympathetic towards a character who often displays such symptoms. ★
➊ Episode 15, between 10:50 and 19:00. This follows a sexual assault between the two leads. More details available under that warning tag. ★ Several cases of emotional cruelty and abuse occur throughout the series between these two characters. Their relationship is unhealthy and may make the series difficult to watch for some viewers. ★
➋ EP 28, 26:55 to 28:20; 30:01 to 30:43; 32:57 to 35:06: a character’s mental health is debated and they are belittled and questioned for their response to an alarming situation.
No; however, characters with physical characteristics and abilities outside the norm are frequently imprisoned and are used to carry out bad deeds. “Training” to hone skills and punishment of these characters occurs in such settings. At times, a character’s personality changes while locked up (behavior similar to symptoms of dissociation and meltdowns).
Occasional lightening; rapid change of camera angles with increased motion. ➊ EP 31: contains a fighting scene that may be dizzying in its speed and increased changing of angles; also includes light reflections and glares from swords. ➋ EP 43: Multiple explosions.
Multiple cases of on-screen strangulation: ➊ Episode 2, 35:25 to 35:37. ➋ EP 37 from 18:44 to 19:40. ➌ EP 38 from 6:08 to 6:18. ➍ EP 38 from 19:55 to 20:49.
➊ EP 4: The parent of an adult child is killed (shown again in flashback during EP 37). Grieving occurs into EP 5, with the child experiencing dissociation. ➋ EP 22: A man and his teen daughter are killed. While their murders occur off screen, the deceased child is shown; deaths discussed in detail afterwards. EP 23: The aforementioned deceased are both shown and discussed again. ➌ EP 34: the men of a village are all killed, but their families are being cared for by their surviving brother-in-arms. ➍ EP 43: on-screen.
No, but there is mention of blood drinking. Please be warned that the following description may be disturbing: EP 42, 7:48 to 10:00: discussion of starvation from famine; mother talks about feeding infant her own blood.
The camera remains rather stable throughout the series. There are rare exceptions: ➊ EP 22: An orbit effect is used (the camera focuses on the character in the foreground while the background blurs horizontally); wobbly effect. ➋ EP 31: contains a fighting scene that may be dizzying in its speed and increased changing of angles; also includes light reflections and glares from swords. ➌ EP 38: wobbly effect.
One character is a bounty hunter, who has brief, non-obsessive, implied pursuits of individuals. There are several cases of kidnapping in the series that are premeditated. Eavesdropping also occurs, with characters shown watching or listening without the knowledge of the other party.
No, but two pregnant women are shown to be in danger and distress. The first woman is present in the opening scene of the show, and the second woman is involved in an incident of domestic abuse and miscarriage in EP 16.
While claustrophobia is not focused on nor drawn attention to, there are times where characters are shown within confined spaces, such as cells or cages. EP 41, 42, & 43 are set primarily in a mine; cramped spaces are not featured, but people are shown working and living in a large cavern, and the spatially limited working conditions can be inferred.
The weapons shown and used on-screen are swords and bows with arrows. There is the occasional use of other instruments to wound or kill (explosions, whips, traps). Poisons and drugs are also employed or mentioned.
Non-consensual drugging occurs in a few scenes: ➊ In Episode 18 from 24:25 to 27:29. Contextualizing, mild spoilers: this character is set up to believe they have to choose between saving their own life or saving another’s with an antidote for the poisonous drug in order to test their loyalty. The substance used is not intended to actually harm the characters involved. ➋ In EP 22 from 36:04 to 39:56, this same character is again drugged by a different person. The scene continues in EP 23 from 3:13 to 4:38, but the character is unharmed by the substance after experiencing some side effects. ➌ EP 49, beginning to 4:14; waking up from 12:37 to 13:35.
There is no actual cheating, but the possibility is used to harm romantic partners, or exists as a misunderstanding that causes sadness and stress. Men having sexual or romantic partners outside of or additionally to a marriage is a societal norm for the time discussed occasionally as so. ➊ Throughout Episodes 10 and 11, the possibility of a character pursuing a romantic relationship with someone outside an engagement addressed, but nothing actually happens (the third person has one-sided attraction and respects the relationship when they find out about it). The partner of this character expresses some anxiety and sadness over the uncertainty. ➋ In EP 15 from 10:50 to 19:00, sexual assault does occur between the leads with emotional abuse; cheating is discussed but does not actually occur. One character is left unaware of the truth. ➌ EP 21, 39:50 to 41:18: There is a misunderstanding regarding why a character was at a brothel; before they can explain that they were there for an investigation, their fiancée leaves the room. ➍ The first 10 minutes of EP 40 involve a misunderstanding that leads a character to believe their fiancé is having an affair. There are mentions of going to a brothel with teenage women. ➎ In EP 40, two characters are married, both knowing there is romantic love only felt by one partner. The other thinks about the person they are really in love with as they prepare for the ceremony, with flashbacks to a another non-binding marriage ceremony performed.
There is recreational drinking throughout the series, and characters often have alcohol with meals. While there is no habitually excessive and destructive consumption of alcohol, there are a few scenes that involve alcohol which some viewers may wish to be cautious of. ➊ The most excessive demonstration of drinking occurs in EP 34 between 20:06 and 21:09; a group of soldiers drink to drunkenness, and one character passes out. There are dire consequences for their actions, which is discussed and shown in the following scenes. ➋ In EP 35 from 19:55 to 22:10: a drunk character kisses another person after they were asked to step away. The moment is shown again and discussed from 23:50 to 25:03. ➌ EP 40, 36:38 to 42:26: a character is drunk on their wedding night, using alcohol to cope with emotions.
EP 43, 27:15 to 27:30. Injured people are shown falling and non-graphically hitting the ground on-screen; while it isn’t clear if they are killed, it can be interpreted as so. ★ Multiple times throughout the series, lead characters jump or fall off a cliff, but ultimately are unharmed or make a full recovery. In Episode 19 from 6:10 to 7:50, a character intentionally falls off a cliff to force another character to reveal their identity by using their unique abilities. No one is harmed.
There are multiple scenes involving the sudden and non-consensual relocation of individuals with hostility: ➊ EP 5: The lead is taken under the guise of being escorted to another party for care. Please see section about sexual assault to skip particular content.
➋ EP 12: A character is kidnapped but is eventually recovered safely. This is the majority of the plot for this episode, so skipping it will require the viewer to miss the entire episode. The ambush involved is not particularly graphic, and the kidnapping is focused on introducing narrative essential characters rather than the person taken and their captors. ➌ In EP 18 from 22:47 to 27:29, a staged hostage situation plays out to test a character’s loyalty. See the content warnings on torture for more details. ➍ EP 26; the initial confrontation begins at 15:41 and is a significant part of the narrative. The incident involves betrayal, and one character is emotionally distressed as a result. ➎ EP 27; continuation of previous kidnapping, and another character is made hostage at 2:00 to 4:17. This is the main plot of the episode. ➏ Kidnapping during battle in EP 37 to receive medal aid; focus on during EP 38 (non-consensual and forceful touching; see sexual assault tab).
In EP 38 from 27:00 to 29:49, character cleans up in a creek but remains clothed the entire time. There is concern about being seen, as a layer is removed and needs recovering from the water, but the character is not watched, harassed, or attacked, nor are in the water at any point. They are, however, a hostage and someone sits nearby to listen for escape attempts.
No; however, characters with physical characteristics and abilities outside the norm are frequently imprisoned and are used to carry out bad deeds. “Training” to hone skills and punishment of these characters occurs in such settings. At times, a character’s personality changes while locked up (behavior similar to symptoms of dissociation and meltdowns).
Episode 21: from 2:40 to 5:10, while no snakes are shown or directly addressed, it is hinted through symbolism that living snakes might have been used in a medical treatment without the patient’s forewarning or consent.