Gandalf’s Role and Presence in Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim

Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.

Set in the same expansive universe as Peter Jackson’s acclaimed The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogies, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim introduces an intriguing connection to Gandalf, one of the franchise’s most revered figures. While the film, which is the first official anime in the Lord of the Rings saga, may not prominently feature the wizard, the connection is subtly woven into the narrative, especially in its concluding scene.

Gandalf’s Presence in Middle-earth

Gandalf’s Timeline During the War of the Rohirrim

Although The War of the Rohirrim unfolds nearly 200 years before the events of The Lord of the Rings, it confirms that Gandalf is indeed still active in Middle-earth during this period. As immortal beings known as the Istari, Gandalf and his peers have long existed throughout the ages, participating in the rich tapestry of Middle-earth’s history.

In a noteworthy moment towards the film’s end, Héra, one of the film’s central characters, receives a message from Gandalf and sets off to meet him. This indicates that the wizard is not only alive but also relatively close, reinforcing the idea that his influence extends into the time of the Rohirrim.

Aligning the War of the Rohirrim with Gandalf’s Narrative

Lore Accuracy in War of the Rohirrim

The narrative surrounding Gandalf’s presence during the Rohirrim’s conflict with the Dunlendings aligns with established lore. According to Tolkien’s appendices, Gandalf arrived in Middle-earth approximately 1000 years into the Third Age—a time when tensions and battles were ever-present.

While the film does not explicitly detail Gandalf’s exact location, his ability to communicate with Héra suggests proximity. As a character who fosters connections across vast territories, it’s plausible that Héra could mount her horse and ride to encounter Gandalf, just as the lore suggests.

Tolkienian Age	Event Marking The Start	Years	Total Length In Solar Years
Before time	Indeterminate	Indeterminate	Indeterminate
Days before Days	Ainur entered Eä	1 – 3,500 Valian Years	33,537
Pre-First Age Years of the Trees (Y.T.)	Yavanna created the Two Trees	Y.T. 1 – 1050	10,061
First Age (F.A.)	Elves awoke in Cuiviénen	Y.T. 1050 – Y.T. 1500, F.A. 1 – 590	4,902
Second Age (S.A.)	War of Wrath ended	S.A. 1 – 3441	3,441
Third Age (T.A.)	Last Alliance defeated Sauron	T.A. 1 – 3021	3,021
Fourth Age (Fo.A)	Elven-rings left Middle-earth	Fo.A 1 – unknown	Unknown

Tolkien’s appendices shed light on Gandalf’s activities around T.A. 2758 (the year of the Long Winter), suggesting he was aiding Hobbits during their struggles—a testament to his caring nature. As such, it’s reasonable to interpret that Héra’s journey toward Gandalf may have led her west, possibly toward the Shire, reinforcing the film’s fidelity to lore. Thus, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim effectively honors the rich history of Middle-earth with its subtle nod to Gandalf.

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