Unitedcypher Presents: Anime Alphabet

Unitedcypher Presents: Anime Alphabet
Contents
1
A
1.1
1.2
2
1
Akira (film) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
1.1.1
Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
1.1.2
Voice cast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
1.1.3
Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
1.1.4
Releases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
1.1.5
Reception and legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
1.1.6
Soundtrack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
1.1.7
Video games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
1.1.8
Live-action film adaptation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
1.1.9
See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
1.1.10 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
1.1.11 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
Attack on Titan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
1.2.1
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
1.2.2
Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9
1.2.3
Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10
1.2.4
Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12
1.2.5
Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13
1.2.6
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13
1.2.7
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17
B
2.1
2.2
18
List of Berserk films . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18
2.1.1
Films . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18
2.1.2
Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19
2.1.3
Home media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19
2.1.4
Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19
2.1.5
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19
2.1.6
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20
The Big O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20
2.2.1
Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20
2.2.2
Characters
21
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
i
ii
3
CONTENTS
Production and release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21
2.2.4
Design
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22
2.2.5
Media
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24
2.2.6
Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24
2.2.7
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25
2.2.8
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26
C
3.1
3.2
4
2.2.3
27
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27
3.1.1
Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27
3.1.2
Voice cast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28
3.1.3
Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28
3.1.4
Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
29
3.1.5
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
30
3.1.6
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
31
Chaos;Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
31
3.2.1
Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
31
3.2.2
Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
32
3.2.3
Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
35
3.2.4
Related media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
35
3.2.5
Reception and legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
36
3.2.6
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
36
3.2.7
Further reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
37
3.2.8
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
38
D
4.1
4.2
39
Dragon Ball Z . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
39
4.1.1
Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
39
4.1.2
Production and broadcasting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
40
4.1.3
Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
42
4.1.4
Related media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
42
4.1.5
Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
44
4.1.6
Merchandising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
45
4.1.7
Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
45
4.1.8
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
45
4.1.9
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
48
Deadman Wonderland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
49
4.2.1
Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
49
4.2.2
Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
50
4.2.3
Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
50
4.2.4
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
50
4.2.5
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
51
CONTENTS
iii
5
52
E
5.1
5.2
6
52
5.1.1
Titles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
52
5.1.2
Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
52
5.1.3
See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
52
5.1.4
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
52
5.1.5
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
53
Eureka Seven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
53
5.2.1
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
53
5.2.2
Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
55
5.2.3
Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
55
5.2.4
Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56
5.2.5
Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56
5.2.6
See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
57
5.2.7
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
57
5.2.8
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
57
F
6.1
6.2
7
Rebuild of Evangelion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
58
Fullmetal Alchemist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
58
6.1.1
Synopsis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
58
6.1.2
Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
59
6.1.3
Themes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
60
6.1.4
Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
60
6.1.5
Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
62
6.1.6
See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
63
6.1.7
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
63
6.1.8
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
65
FLCL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
65
6.2.1
Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
66
6.2.2
Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
66
6.2.3
Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
66
6.2.4
Other media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
66
6.2.5
Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
67
6.2.6
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
67
6.2.7
Further reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
69
6.2.8
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
69
G
7.1
70
Gurren Lagann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
70
7.1.1
Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
70
7.1.2
Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
72
7.1.3
Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
73
iv
CONTENTS
7.2
8
Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
74
7.1.5
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
75
7.1.6
Further reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
76
7.1.7
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
76
Gantz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
76
7.2.1
Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
77
7.2.2
Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
78
7.2.3
Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
78
7.2.4
Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
79
7.2.5
See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
79
7.2.6
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
79
7.2.7
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
81
H
8.1
8.2
9
7.1.4
82
Hellsing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
82
8.1.1
Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
82
8.1.2
Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
82
8.1.3
Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
84
8.1.4
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
84
8.1.5
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
85
Fist of the North Star . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
85
8.2.1
Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
85
8.2.2
Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
87
8.2.3
Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
87
8.2.4
Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
90
8.2.5
Notes and references . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
90
8.2.6
Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
91
8.2.7
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
91
I
9.1
9.2
92
Inuyasha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
92
9.1.1
Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
92
9.1.2
Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
93
9.1.3
Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
93
9.1.4
Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
95
9.1.5
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
95
9.1.6
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
97
Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
97
9.2.1
Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
98
9.2.2
Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
99
9.2.3
Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
99
9.2.4
Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
99
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10 J
v
9.2.5
Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
99
9.2.6
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
9.2.7
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
101
10.1 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
10.1.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
10.1.2 Supernatural powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
10.1.3 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
10.1.4 Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
10.1.5 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
10.1.6 Legacy and collaborations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
10.1.7 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
10.1.8 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
10.2 Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
10.2.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
10.2.2 Cast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
10.2.3 Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
10.2.4 Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
10.2.5 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
10.2.6 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
10.2.7 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
11 K
114
11.1 Kill la Kill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
11.1.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
11.1.2 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
11.1.3 Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
11.1.4 Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
11.1.5 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
11.1.6 Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
11.1.7 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
11.1.8 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
11.2 Kite (1999 film) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
11.2.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
11.2.2 Cast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
11.2.3 Release history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
11.2.4 Sequel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
11.2.5 Live-action film . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
11.2.6 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
11.2.7 In popular culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
11.2.8 See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
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11.2.9 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
11.2.10 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
12 L
121
12.1 Lupin III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
12.1.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
12.1.2 Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
12.1.3 Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
12.1.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
12.1.5 Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
12.1.6 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
12.1.7 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
12.2 Linebarrels of Iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
12.2.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
12.2.2 Characters
12.2.3 Media
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
12.2.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
12.2.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
12.2.6 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
13 M
142
13.1 Macross: Do You Remember Love? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
13.1.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
13.1.2 Production Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
13.1.3 Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
13.1.4 Relation to the TV series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
13.1.5 International versions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
13.1.6 Video games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
13.1.7 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
13.1.8 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
13.2 Megazone 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
13.2.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
13.2.2 Voice actors
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
13.2.3 Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
13.2.4 Alternative versions
13.2.5 Releases
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
13.2.6 Influence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
13.2.7 Video games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
13.2.8 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
13.2.9 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
14 N
152
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14.1 Naruto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
14.1.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
14.1.2 Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
14.1.3 Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
14.1.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
14.1.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
14.1.6 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
14.2 Ninja Scroll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
14.2.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
14.2.2 Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
14.2.3 The Eight Devils of Kimon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
14.2.4 Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
14.2.5 Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
14.2.6 Original soundtrack
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
14.2.7 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
14.2.8 Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
14.2.9 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
14.2.10 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
15 O
170
15.1 Outlaw Star . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
15.1.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
15.1.2 Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
15.1.3 Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
15.1.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
15.1.5 Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
15.1.6 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
15.1.7 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
15.2 Otaku no Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
15.2.1 Plot summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
15.2.2 A Portrait of an Otaku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
15.2.3 Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
15.2.4 Production and release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
15.2.5 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
15.2.6 See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
15.2.7 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
15.2.8 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
16 P
179
16.1 Princess Mononoke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
16.1.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
16.1.2 Cast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
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16.1.3 Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
16.1.4 Themes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
16.1.5 Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
16.1.6 Soundtrack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
16.1.7 Stage adaptation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
16.1.8 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
16.1.9 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
16.2 Psycho-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
16.2.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
16.2.2 Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
16.2.3 Themes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
16.2.4 Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
16.2.5 Related media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
16.2.6 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
16.2.7 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
16.2.8 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
17 Q
194
17.1 Queen's Blade Rebellion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
17.1.1 Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
17.1.2 Characters
17.1.3 Media
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
17.1.4 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
17.1.5 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
17.2 The Qwaser of Stigmata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
17.2.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
17.2.2 Media
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
17.2.3 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
17.2.4 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
18 R
206
18.1 Ranma ½ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
18.1.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
18.1.2 Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
18.1.3 Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
18.1.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
18.1.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
18.1.6 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
18.2 RahXephon: Pluralitas Concentio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
18.2.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
18.2.2 Characters
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
18.2.3 Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
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18.2.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
18.2.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
19 S
214
19.1 Samurai Champloo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
19.1.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
19.1.2 Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
19.1.3 Episodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
19.1.4 Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
19.1.5 Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
19.1.6 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
19.1.7 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
19.1.8 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
19.2 Sword Art Online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
19.2.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
19.2.2 Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
19.2.3 Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
19.2.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
19.2.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
19.2.6 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
20 T
225
20.1 Trigun: Badlands Rumble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
20.1.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
20.1.2 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
20.1.3 Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
20.1.4 Cast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
20.1.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
20.1.6 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
20.2 My Neighbor Totoro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
20.2.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
20.2.2 Cast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
20.2.3 Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
20.2.4 Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
20.2.5 Critical reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
20.2.6 Cultural impact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
20.2.7 Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
20.2.8 See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
20.2.9 Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
20.2.10 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
20.2.11 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
x
CONTENTS
21 U
233
21.1 Undersea Super Train: Marine Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
21.1.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
21.1.2 Cast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
21.1.3 Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
21.1.4 See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
21.1.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
21.1.6 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
21.2 Mirai Keisatsu Urashiman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
21.2.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
21.2.2 Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
21.2.3 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
21.2.4 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
21.2.5 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
22 V
236
22.1 Vampire Hunter D (1985 film) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
22.1.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
22.1.2 Voice cast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
22.1.3 Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
22.1.4 Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
22.1.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
22.1.6 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
22.2 Voltron: Fleet of Doom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
22.2.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
22.2.2 Cast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
22.2.3 Home video releases and availability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
22.2.4 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
22.2.5 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
23 W
240
23.1 Witchblade (anime) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
23.1.1 Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
23.1.2 Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
23.1.3 Episodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
23.1.4 Crew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
23.1.5 Differences in the DVD and TV versions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
23.1.6 Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
23.1.7 Theme songs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
23.1.8 Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
23.1.9 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
23.1.10 Further reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
CONTENTS
xi
23.1.11 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
23.2 Wolf's Rain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
23.2.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
23.2.2 Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
23.2.3 Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
23.2.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
23.2.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
23.2.6 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
24 X
253
24.1 X (manga) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
24.1.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
24.1.2 Design
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
24.1.3 Media
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
24.1.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
24.1.5 See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
24.1.6 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
24.1.7 Further reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
24.1.8 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
24.2 xxxHolic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
24.2.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
24.2.2 Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
24.2.3 Themes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
24.2.4 Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
24.2.5 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
24.2.6 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
24.2.7 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
25 Y
267
25.1 You're Under Arrest (manga) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
25.1.1 Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
25.1.2 Themes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
25.1.3 Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
25.1.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
25.1.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
25.1.6 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
25.2 Yozakura Quartet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
25.2.1 Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
25.2.2 Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
25.2.3 Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
25.2.4 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
25.2.5 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
xii
CONTENTS
26 Z
274
26.1 Zetman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
26.1.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
26.1.2 Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
26.1.3 Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
26.1.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
26.1.5 Further reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
26.1.6 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
26.1.7 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
26.2 Z/X . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
26.2.1 Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
26.2.2 Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
26.2.3 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
26.2.4 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
27 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses
287
27.1 Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
27.2 Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
27.3 Content license . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Chapter 1
A
1.1 Akira (film)
Kaneda's best friend, Tetsuo Shima, crashes his motorcycle into Takashi, a small man with psychic powers (esper)
freed from a secret government laboratory by a dissident
underground revolutionary organization. The unharmed
Takashi is re-taken by armed soldiers and Tetsuo is hospitalized. When Kaneda and his gang are interrogated,
he encounters Kei, a member of the revolutionary group,
and arranges her release along with the Capsules.
Akira (stylized as AKIRA) is a 1988 Japanese epic
animated science fiction action thriller film directed by
Katsuhiro Otomo. It was written by Otomo and Izo
Hashimoto and based on Otomo's manga of the same
name, focusing mainly on the first half of the story. The
film depicts a dystopian version of Tokyo in the year
2019, with cyberpunk tones. The plot focuses on teenage
biker Tetsuo Shima and his psychic powers, and the
leader of his biker gang, Shotaro Kaneda. Kaneda tries
to prevent Tetsuo from releasing the imprisoned psychic
Akira. While most of the character designs and settings
were adapted from the original manga, the restructured
plot of the movie differs considerably from the print version, pruning much of the last half of the manga.
Meanwhile, Colonel Shikishima and Doctor Onishi discover that Tetsuo possesses psychic capabilities similar
to Akira, a young esper who caused Tokyo's destruction.
Kiyoko, another esper, has visions of Neo-Tokyo's destruction, and the Colonel orders Onishi to kill Tetsuo if
he thinks the power may get out of control. Tetsuo flees
from the hospital and meets up with his girlfriend, Kaori,
and they steal Kaneda's motorcycle. When Tetsuo and
The film has maintained a large following as a cult film Kaori are confronted by the Clowns, Kaneda and the Capsince its theatrical release, and is widely considered to be sules save them both. Tetsuo begins to suffer a psychic
a landmark in Japanese animation. It is considered by migraine, and is taken back to the hospital.
many critics to be one of the greatest animated and sci- Saving Kei from being captured after a guerrilla attack,
ence fiction movies of all time.* [2]* [3]* [4]* [5]* [6]
Kaneda is led to the rebels' headquarters and joins them
after overhearing their plans to capture Tetsuo. Meanwhile, Takashi, Kiyoko, and Masaru ̶another Esper ̶
1.1.1 Plot
unsuccessfully attempt to kill Tetsuo. Tetsuo goes on a
violent rampage through the hospital, intent on killing
the espers. Kaneda, Kei, and the Colonel are unable to
stop Tetsuo's rampage. Tetsuo discovers that Akira lies
in cryonic storage underground next to Old-Tokyo's new
Olympic Stadium's construction ground and flees.
Using Kei as a medium, Kiyoko explains that Tetsuo must
be stopped, and has the youths escape from detainment
before taking Kei away to fight Tetsuo. Desperate to find
Tetsuo, the Colonel places Neo-Tokyo under martial law.
Tetsuo accosts Yamagata and Kai, two members of the
Capsules, and kills Yamagata. He lays waste to the city
Neo-Tokyo, a booming, industrial city with the ambience of a as he makes his way to the Stadium. Meanwhile, upon
learning of Yamagata's death from Kai, Kaneda follows
society on the edge of collapse
Tetsuo to the stadium to exact revenge. When Tetsuo arrives at Akira's cryonic dewar flask, he defeats Kei and
In 1988, Tokyo is destroyed and World War III begins.
exhumes the Akira vault from the ground but discovers
Thirty-one years later, the city of Neo-Tokyo is built on
only Akira's remains, which had been preserved for fua landfill in Tokyo Bay. One of its residents is Shotaro
ture scientific studies.
Kaneda, a delinquent who leads a bōsōzoku gang known
as the Capsules. One night, the Capsules fight against Kaneda battles Tetsuo with an experimental laser
the rival gang known as the Clowns. During the fight, weapon, while the Colonel uses an orbital laser in an at1
2
CHAPTER 1. A
tempt to kill Tetsuo, but their attempts fail. Tetsuo pulls
the orbital weapon into the atmosphere and synthesizes
an artificial arm to replace his severed one while studying
Akira's organs. When Kaori arrives, Tetsuo's psychokinetic powers cause him immense pain. The Colonel explains that the espers' migraine-controlling drugs administered to Tetsuo are to stunt the evolution of uncontrollable abilities but Tetsuo nearly kills the Colonel. Kaneda
saves the Colonel and he and Tetsuo fight. Unable to control his powers, Tetsuo transforms into a gigantic writhing
mass, engulfing Kaneda and crushing Kaori.
The espers awaken Akira, who had merely grown beyond
the requirement of a coherent biological form. Manifesting himself from the canisters, Akira reunites with his
friends. Using his psychic powers, Akira creates a ball of
light, which he uses to contain Tetsuo. As Akira confronts
Tetsuo, the espers hurry to teleport the Colonel to safety
and Takashi jumps into the light to rescue Kaneda. The
other espers decide that they must help Takashi rescue
Kaneda, aware they might be unable to return. Kaneda
experiences Tetsuo's and the espers' childhood memories,
including how much Tetsuo trusted Kaneda and how the
children were first studied before Tokyo's destruction.
The espers remove Kaneda from the destruction and tell
him that Akira will be taking Tetsuo to safety; Kiyoko
implies that Kei is beginning to develop her own psychic powers, and this is confirmed when Kei calls out to
Kaneda telepathically. Akira's psychic power destroys
most of Neo-Tokyo and Doctor Onishi is killed when
his research laboratory is crushed by the ensuing vortex.
Kaneda awakens to discover that Kei and Kai have survived, and they drive away into the city. The Colonel
walks out of the tunnel that the espers teleported him to
and watches the sun rise over the destroyed city. Tetsuo
comes into full control of his powers as he initiates a Big
Bang in another dimension.
1.1.2
Voice cast
1.1.3
Production
Ltd., Mainichi Broadcasting System, Inc., Bandai Co.,
Ltd., Hakuhodo Incorporated, distributor Toho Co., Ltd.,
Laserdisc Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation who
all forwarded money and promotion towards the movie.
The animation for the movie was provided for by animation producers, Tokyo Movie Shinsha Co., Ltd.* [9]
Most anime is notorious for cutting production corners
with limited animation, such as having only the characters' mouths move while their faces remained static. Akira
broke from this trend with detailed scenes, pre-scored dialogue (wherein the dialogue is recorded before the film
starts production and the movements of the characters'
lips are animated to match it)* [10] – a first for an anime
production, although the voice actors did perform with
the aid of animatics* [8] – and super-fluid motion as realized in the film's more than 160,000 animation cels.* [9]
Computer-generated imagery was also used in the film,
primarily to animate the pattern indicator used by Doctor Ōnish, but it was additionally used to plot the paths of
falling objects, model parallax effects on backgrounds,
and tweak lighting and lens flares.* [8] Unlike its liveaction predecessors, Akira also had the budget to show
a fully realized futuristic Tokyo.
The teaser trailer for Akira was released in 1987. The
film was completed in 1987 and released in 1988, two
years before the manga officially ended in 1990. Otomo
is claimed to have filled 2000 pages of notebooks, containing various ideas and character designs for the film,
but the final storyboard consisted of a trimmed-down 738
pages.* [8] He had great difficulty completing the manga;
Otomo has stated that the inspiration for its conclusion
arose from a conversation that he had with Alejandro
Jodorowsky in 1990. He later recalled that the film
project had to begin with the writing of an ending that
would bring suitable closure to major characters, storylines, and themes without being extraordinarily lengthy,
so that he could know in reverse order which manga elements would make the cut into the anime and thus suitably
resolve the manga's various elements into a lean, twohour story.
Otomo is a big fan of Tetsujin 28-go. As a result, his naming conventions match the characters featured in Tetsujin
28-go: Kaneda shares his name with the protagonist of
Tetsujin 28-go; Colonel Shikishima shares his name with
Professor Shikishima of Tetsujin 28-go, while Tetsuo is
named after Shikishima's son Tetsuo Shikishima; Akira's
Ryūsaku is named after Ryūsaku Murasame. In addition,
Takashi has a“26”tattooed on his hand which closely resembles the font used in Tetsujin 28-go. The namesake of
the series, Akira, is the 28th in a line of psychics that the
government has developed, the same number as Tetsujin28.
While working on Akira, Katsuhiro Otomo did not intend to adapt the series outside of the manga; however, he became 'very intrigued' when the offer to develop his work for the screen was put before him.* [7] He
agreed to an anime film adaptation of the series on the
grounds that he retained creative control of the project this insistence was based on his experiences working on
Harmagedon.* [8] The Akira Committee was the name
given to a partnership of several major Japanese entertainment companies brought together to realize production of an Akira film. The group's assembly was
necessitated by the unconventionally high budget of
around ¥1,100,000,000, intended to achieve the desired
epic standard equal to Otomo's over 2,000 page manga 1.1.4
tale. The committee consisted of publisher Kodansha
Releases
1.1. AKIRA (FILM)
3
Theatrical
Akira was released by Toho on 16 July 1988. Fledgling
North American distribution company Streamline
Pictures soon acquired an existing English-language
rendition created by Electric Media Inc.* [11] for
Kodansha,* [12] which saw limited release in North
American theaters on December 25, 1989.* [13] Streamline is reported to have become the film's distributor
when both George Lucas and Steven Spielberg labelled
it unmarketable in the U.S.* [14] In the UK, Akira was
theatrically released by ICA Projects on 25 January 1991
and was re released on 13 July 2013. In Australia, Akira
was theatrically released by Island World Communications and distributed by Satellite Entertainment, later on
by Manga Entertainment, then Madman Entertainment
after Manga Entertainment's Australian branch merged
with Madman. In Canada, the Streamline dub was
released by Lionsgate (at the time known as C/FP
Distribution) in 1990. In 2001, Pioneer released a new
English dub which was produced by Animaze and ZRO
Limit Productions and was presented in select theaters
from March through December 2001.
Home media
Video-distribution company the Criterion Collection (original
logo pictured: circa-1984)* [15] released Akira on LaserDisc in
1992, the first animated film in the collection.
of Akira.* [16]* [17] The release is notable in that Akira is
the first animated film to be released by Criterion and for
more than twenty years their sole animated film to be released until their 2014 Blu-ray/DVD release of Fantastic
Mr. Fox (2009).* [18]
A Blu-ray disc edition of the film was released on 24
February 2009 in North America by Bandai Entertainment under the Honneamise label.* [19]* [20] A Blu-ray
edition of Akira was subsequently released in Australia
by Madman Entertainment under exclusive license from
Manga Entertainment UK and Kodansha.* [21] Madman
has recently released a DVD/Blu-ray combo which license is separate from the standalone Blu-ray release because instead of the DVD version being the Manga Video
UK version, it uses Madman/Manga's 2001 Special Edition DVD release which is licensed from Manga UK. The
Blu-ray release is the very first to use the highest sampling rate currently possible (Japanese Dolby TrueHD
192 kHz because of its analog roots) and is also the first
to use the hypersonic effect (only available in this track
and via a high-end audio system). As well as Japanese
with English subtitles, the Blu-ray also features the 2001
Pioneer/Animaze English dub (Dolby TrueHD 48khz).
The DVD version of Akira has been re-released in 2012
by Bandai Entertainment. The film was licensed again
by Funimation following Bandai Entertainment's closure
shortly after its DVD release.* [22] The Funimation release includes both the Streamline and Pioneer dubs.* [23]
Funimation released the 25th anniversary Blu-ray/DVD
combo and separate DVD release on 12 November 2013,
which contain both English dubs.* [24]
VHS releases included the initial Streamline Video offering (May 1991), later wider distribution by MGM/UA
Home Video, and a subtitled edition from Orion Home
Video (September 1993). In the UK, Akira was released
on video by Island World Communications in 1991. The
success of this release led to the creation of Manga Entertainment, who later took over the release. The original
VHS release of Akira started up Manga Entertainment
Australia and VHS distribution was handled by Ronin
Films and Polygram until 1994 when Siren Entertainment took over all of Manga Entertainment Australia's
distribution including Akira under a special license from
Polygram, who handled Island's video distribution. Akira
was re-released on video in 1994, and again on DVD
in 2001 and distributed by Madman Entertainment and
The AV Channel. Pioneer Entertainment issued a DVD
and a VHS with a new English dub (the dub produced
by Animaze) in 2001. This was one of the few releases
from Geneon to feature THX-certified audio and video.
In 2002, Manga released a two-disc DVD featuring the
new Pioneer/Animaze English dub followed in 2004 by
another two-disc set containing the original Japanese as
well as both the Streamline and Pioneer/Animaze dubs.
This version did not contain standard English subtitles,
only closed captioning subtitles. In 2005, Manga Entertainment and Boulevard UMD released Akira on UMD Television
for the Sony PSP in the United Kingdom using the original Streamline dub.
The Pioneer dub of the film has aired twice on Adult
In 1992, video-distribution company the Criterion Col- Swim's Toonami block. Once on 7 December 2013,* [25]
lection, which specializes in licensing“important classic with a rating of TV-MA-V, and again on 20 December
and contemporary films”, released a LaserDisc edition 2014, both times with explicit language and nudity cen-
4
CHAPTER 1. A
sored. The Streamline dub version premiered on The SciFi Channel in the mid-90s during their week-long anime
events and Saturday Anime block. It has aired numerous
times on Australian FTA station SBS.* [26]
1.1.5
Reception and legacy
Akira received universal critical acclaim. Roger Ebert selected Akira as his“Video Pick of the Week”in 1989 on
Siskel & Ebert and the Movies. For its wider 2001 release,
he gave the film “Thumbs Up.”As of September 2014,
the film has an 87%“fresh”rating on Rotten Tomatoes,
based on 45 critics, with an average rating of 7.4/10; the
general consensus states: "Akira is distractingly bloody
and violent, but its phenomenal animation and sheer kinetic energy helped set the standard for modern anime.”
*
[27] Metacritic gives the film a score of 76, based on 4
critics, indicating “generally favorable reviews.”* [28]
The title has been regarded as one of the greatest animated movies of all time and prompted an increase in
popularity of anime movies in the US and, generally, outside of Japan. It is still admired for its exceptional visuals.
In Channel 4's 2005 poll of the 100 greatest cartoons of
all time featuring both cartoon shows and cartoon movies,
Akira came in at number 16.* [29] On Empire magazine's
list of the 500 greatest movies of all time, Akira is number 440.* [30] It showed again on Empire's list of The 100
Best Films Of World Cinema, coming in at #51.* [31]
IGN also named it 14th on its list of Top 25 Animated
Movies of All-Time.
Akira is regarded by many critics as a landmark anime
film, one that influenced much of the art in the anime
world that followed its release with many illustrators in
the manga industry citing the film as an important influence.* [32] The film led the way for the growth of
popularity of anime outside of Japan. Akira is considered a forerunner of the second wave of anime fandom
that began in the early 1990s and has gained a massive
cult following since then. Akira has also been cited as
a major influence on live-action films such as The Matrix,* [33] Tetsuo: The Iron Man,* [34] Chronicle,* [35] and
Looper.* [36] The Akira anime also made TIME magazine's list of top 5 anime DVDs.* [37] The film also made
number 16 on Time Out's top 50 animated movie list* [38]
and number 5 on the Total Film Top 50 Animated Films
list.* [39] The film was ranked #1 on Wizard's Anime
Magazine on their “Top 50 Anime released in North
America”.* [40]
Anime News Network's Bamboo Dong commends the
Limited Edition's DVD for its“superbly translated”English subtitles and the commendable English dubbing,
which “sticks very close to the English translation, and
the voice actors deliver their lines with emotion”.* [41]
THEM Anime's Raphael See applauds the film's “astounding special effects and clean, crisp animation”.* [42]
Chris Beveridge comments on the Japanese audio, which
brings “the forward soundstage nicely into play when
required. Dialogue is well placed, with several key
moments of directionality used perfectly”.* [43] Janet
Maslin of The New York Times commends Otomo's artwork, stating“the drawings of Neo-Tokyo by night are so
intricately detailed that all the individual windows of huge
skyscrapers appear distinct. And these night scenes glow
with subtle, vibrant color”.* [44] Richard Harrison of The
Washington Post comments on the pace of the film, stating that the author“has condensed the narrative sprawl of
the comics to provide coherence, though there's a bit of
"Back to the Future Part II" incompleteness to the story.
That hardly matters, since the film moves with such kinetic energy that you'll be hanging on for dear life”.* [45]
Writing for The Village Voice, Michael Atkinson criticizes the film's plot stating that it“amounts to little more
than a descent into accelerating, reactive physical mayhem, caused by a government-project migraine packing
the titanic toll of an H-bomb”.* [46]
Variety commends the film's “imaginative and detailed
design of tomorrow to the booming Dolby effects on the
soundtrack”but criticizes the “slight stiffness in the
drawing of human movement”.* [47] Kim Newman of
Empire commends the film's “scintillating animated visuals, with not one - not one - computer-assisted shot in
sight”.* [48] Phelim O'Neill of The Guardian draws a
parallel on Akira 's influence on the science-fiction genre
to Blade Runner and Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space
Odyssey.* [49] Chicago Tribune's Dave Kehr commends
Otomo's “excellent animation-specific ideas: Vehicles
leave little color trails as they roar through the night, and
there are a number of dream sequences that make nice
use of the medium`s ability to confound scale and distort perspective”.* [50] Helen McCarthy in 500 Essential
Anime Movies claims that anime “remains fresh and exciting, easily holding its own against the products of two
decades of massive technical advancement”.* [51]
Akira was one of the four nominees for the American
Anime Awards'“Best Anime Feature”award, but it lost
to Final Fantasy VII Advent Children.
Johnny Yong Bosch, Kaneda's voice actor in the Pioneer
English dub, was nominated for Best Actor and Best Actor in a Comedy at American Anime Awards but lost to
fellow Naruto and Persona voice actors Vic Mignogna and
Dave Wittenberg, respectively.* [52]* [53]
1.1.6 Soundtrack
AKIRA: Original Soundtrack was recorded by Geinō Yamashirogumi (芸能⼭城組). The music was composed
and conducted by musical director Shoji Yamashiro
(pseudonym of Tsutomu Ōhashi). It features music which
was additionally re-recorded for release. “Kaneda”,
“Battle Against Clown”and “Exodus From the Underground Fortress”are really part of the same song cycle –
elements of “Battle Against Clown”can be heard during the opening bike sequence, for example. The score
1.1. AKIRA (FILM)
5
is generally sequenced in the same order that the music 1.1.7 Video games
occurs in the film. The North American version featured
extensive production notes by David Keith Riddick and In 1988, Taito released an Akira adventure game for the
Famicom exclusively in Japan.* [54] Another Akira game
Robert Napton.
for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega
A second soundtrack was released featuring the original
Genesis and Sega CD was being developed, but canmusic without re-recording, but it was made into charcelled along with prospects of another Akira title for the
acter study collages with sound effects and dialogue from
Game Boy and Game Gear handheld consoles.* [55] Inthe film; the recording was probably a direct transfer from
ternational Computer Entertainment produced a video
the film.
game based on Akira for the Amiga and Amiga CD32
Symphonic Suite AKIRA is the same version as AKIRA: in 1994.* [56] To coincide with the DVD release in 2002,
Original Soundtrack, but without the voices and sound ef- Bandai released Akira Psycho Ball, a pinball simulator for
fects.
the PlayStation 2.* [57]
Symphonic Suite AKIRA LP track listing
1.“Kaneda”
2.“Tetsuo”
3.“Mutation"/"Ohjifuchi”
4.“Exodus From the Underground Fortress”
5.“Requiem”
1.1.8 Live-action film adaptation
In 2002, Warner Bros. seemed to have acquired the rights
to create a live-action remake of Akira,* [58] and since
then several attempts have been made to write a script and
start production.* [59] On June 2010, producer Andrew
Lazar explained that they contemplated splitting Akira in
two movies based on manga volumes 1-3 and 4-6, respectively.* [60] According to Gary Whitta, at one point the
script had the events taking place in a Japanese-owned
Manhattan.* [61]
Symphonic Suite AKIRA & AKIRA: Original
Since the project began, several writers, directors,
Soundtrack CD track listing
producers, actors and actresses have been attached to the
project.* [58]* [62]* [63]* [64]* [65]* [66]* [67]* [68]* [69]* [70]* [71]* [72]
1.“Kaneda” – 3:10
George Takei spoke with The Advocate in April 2011
about the casting rumors at that time, stating that any
2.“Battle Against Clown” – 3:36
decision to cast white actors in Akira would offend both
Asians and the fans of the original manga or animated
3.“Winds Over Neo-Tokyo” – 2:48
film.* [73]
4.“Tetsuo” – 10:18
As of July 14, 2014, the latest writer known to be working
5.“Doll's Polyphony” – 2:55
6.“Shohmyoh” – 10:10
7.“Mutation"/"Ohjifuchi” – 4:50
8.“Exodus From the Underground Fortress” – 3:18
9.“Illusion” – 13:56
10.“Requiem” – 14:20
on the script was Dante Harper.* [74]
On March 8, 2015, the planned director Jaume ColletSerra told Collider in an interview that there was no
progress on the film and planned to take a break from
directing. However, the studio might get the movie made
eventually.* [75] On June 8, 2015, The Hollywood Reporter has reported that the studio has resumed work on
the film and Marco Ramirez, known for his work as one
of the showrunners for Marvel's Daredevil, will write the
film.* [76]
AKIRA: The Original Japanese Soundtrack track 1.1.9 See also
listing
• Japanese films of 1988
1.“Kaneda” – 9:56
• Tetsuo: The Iron Man
2.“Tetsuo 1” – 12:36
3.“Tetsuo 2” – 12:33
4.“Akira” – 7:56
1.1.10 References
[1] KINENOTE Issue 1000-1003. Kinema Junpo, 1989, p.
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6
CHAPTER 1. A
[2] “Akira as #1 anime movie.”. Movie Cricket. Retrieved
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8
CHAPTER 1. A
game adaptations developed by Nitroplus staffers in collaboration with Production I.G were announced to be released as bonus content for the third and sixth volumes of
the Blu-ray Disc release of the anime, with another game
[76] Kit, Borys (June 8, 2015). "'Daredevil' Showrunner to
developed by Spike Chunsoft for the Nintendo 3DS. A
Write 'Akira' Adaptation for Warner Bros (Exclusive)".
two-part live-action film adaptation, Attack on Titan and
The Hollywood Reporter.
Attack on Titan: End of the World, is also in production and set to premiere in 2015. Attack on Titan and
three spin-off manga are published in North America by
1.1.11 External links
Kodansha Comics USA, while the novels are published by
Vertical. An anime adaptation of the Junior High spin• Official website (Japanese)
off manga, produced by Production I.G, will begin airing in October 2015. The anime has been licensed by
• Official website (US)
Funimation Entertainment for North America, by Manga
• Akira at the Internet Movie Database
Entertainment for the United Kingdom, and by Madman
Entertainment for Australasia.
• Akira at Rotten Tomatoes
Attack on Titan has become a commercial success. As
• “Akira”(in Japanese). Japanese Movie Database. of July 2015, the manga has 52.5 million copies in print,
Archived from the original on 21 August 2007. Re- with 50 million copies in Japan and 2.5 million copies
overseas.* [5] The release of the anime also saw a boost
trieved 19 July 2007.
in the series' popularity, with it having received critical
• Akira (film) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia acclaim for its atmosphere and story. Although it also
gained fame in neighboring Asian countries, the series'
• BD review
themes have been a subject of controversy.
[75] Memiroff, Perrt (March 8, 2015). “Jaume Collet-Serra
Says No Progress Has Been Made On Live Action AKIRA
Movie”. Collider.
• BlueBlade Akira (English-based fansite)
• Akira 2019 (English-based fansite)
• TIME review (subscription required)
1.2.1 Overview
Setting
Attack on Titan (進撃の巨⼈ Shingeki no Kyojin, lit.
“Advancing Giants”) is a Japanese manga series written
and illustrated by Hajime Isayama. The series began in
Kodansha's Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine on September 9,
2009, and has been collected into 17 tankōbon volumes
as of August 2015. It is set in a world where humanity
lives inside cities surrounded by enormous walls as a defense against the Titans, gigantic humanoid creatures that
eat humans seemingly without reason. The story initially
centers on Eren Yeager, his adopted sister Mikasa Ackerman and childhood friend Armin Arlert, who joins the
military to fight the Titans after their home town is invaded and Eren's mother is eaten. However, as the story
progresses and the truths about the Titans are slowly revealed to the reader, the narrative shifts to encompass
Historia Reiss, squad leader Levi, and other supporting
characters.
Over 100 years before the beginning of the story, giant
humanoid creatures called Titans (巨⼈ Kyojin) suddenly
appeared and nearly wiped out humanity, devouring them
without remorse or reason. What remains of humanity now resides within three enormous concentric walls:
the outermost is Wall Maria (ウォール・マリア Wōru
Maria); the middle wall is Wall Rose (ウォール・ロー
ゼ Wōru Rōze, pronounced like rosé) and the innermost
is Wall Sina (ウォール・シーナ Wōru Shīna, alt. “Wall
Sina”). Inside these walls, humanity has lived in peace
for one hundred years; many people growing up without
ever having seen a Titan. This all changes when one day,
a giant 60-meter (200 ft)-tall Titan mysteriously appears
after a strike of lightning and breaches the outer wall of
the Shiganshina district, a town at Wall Maria, allowing
the smaller Titans to invade the district. An Armored Titan smashes clean through Wall Maria, forcing mankind
to abandon the land between Wall Maria and Wall Rose,
evacuating the remaining population into the inner districts. The sudden influx of population causes turmoil and
famine.
A spin-off light novel series began in December 2011,
and has received a manga adaptation. An additional light
novel series and three additional spin-off manga series are
also being serialized. A television anime adaptation produced by Wit Studio and Production I.G aired in Japan on
MBS between April and September 2013 and a second
season is confirmed to be released in 2016. Four video
The Titans are giant humanoid figures about 3–15 meters
(10–50 ft) tall and are usually masculine in body structure but lack reproductive organs. Although they do not
appear to need food, they instinctively attack and eat humans on sight; it is mentioned that they derive their energy
from sunlight. In addition the Titans also do not have a
proper digestive tract; once they have eaten their fill of
1.2 Attack on Titan
1.2. ATTACK ON TITAN
9
human prey, titans will vomit their meal into large, slimy
balls, derisively referred to as“hairballs”. Finally, their
skin is tough and difficult to penetrate, and they regenerate quickly from injuries, save for a weak spot at the nape
of their neck.
Some of Eren's friends are also revealed to be able to
transform into Titans and had been sent as spies by an
unknown party to find something called “The Coordinate”. It is later confirmed that the Coordinate is the
power to control other Titans at will, and that Eren holds
Combating the Titans is the military, which is divided that power. The royal family and the Military Police track
into three branches. Foremost in the story is the Survey Eren and his friend Krista Lenz, who is actually Historia
Corps (調査兵団 Chōsa Heidan), which goes out into Ti- Reiss, the successor to the real king, Rod Reiss, as the
current king is but a figurehead.
tan territory to try to reclaim the land. The Survey Corps
are heavily derided in society because of their high ca- The Survey Corps, losing all will to follow the current
sualty rate and little sense of progress. Another branch government, stage a successful rebellion to overthrow
is the Garrison Regiment (駐屯兵団 Chūton Heidan), the monarchy, culminating with the death of Rod by the
which guards the walls and the civilian populace. The hands of his own daughter, who becomes the new queen.
third branch is the Military Police Brigade (憲兵団 Ken- It is then revealed that the Reiss Family was responsible
peidan), who guards the royal family and live relatively for the creation of the walls 100 years ago using the Corelaxed lives. The soldiers use a tethering system called ordinate, which was stolen by Eren's father Grisha, who
Vertical Maneuvering Equipment (⽴体機動装置 Rittai then transferred it to Eren's body by turning him into a
Kidō Sōchi) acting as a grappling system, allowing them Titan before allowing his son to devour him. Eren also
to jump onto (and swing from) walls, trees, or nearby obtains a new power that allows him to create massive and
buildings to attack Titans. However, despite it being the permanent structures that the Survey Corps intend to use
soldiers' primary line of defense against the Titans, it is in order to seal the breach in Shinganshina and reclaim
useless in open and flat terrain.
Wall Maria.
Plot
1.2.2 Production
Main article: List of Attack on Titan characters
Hajime Isayama first wrote a 65-page one-shot version
of Attack on Titan in 2006.* [6] Originally, he also offered his work to the Weekly Shōnen Jump department at
Shueisha, where he was advised to modify his style and
story to be more suitable for Jump. He declined and instead, decided to take it to the Weekly Shōnen Magazine
department at Kodansha.* [7] Before serialization began
in 2009, he had already thought of ideas for twists, although they are fleshed out as the series progresses. The
author initially based the scenery in the manga on that
of his hometown, which is surrounded by mountains.* [8]
While working at an internet cafe, Isayama encountered
a customer who grabbed him by the collar. It was this
incident that showed him “the fear of meeting a person I can't communicate with,”which is the feeling that
he conveys through the Titans.* [9] When designing their
appearances, he uses several models such as martial artist
Yushin Okami for Eren Yeager's Titan form* [10] as well
as Brock Lesnar for the Armored Titan.* [11] George
Wada, the anime's producer, stated that the “Wall of
Fear”was influenced by the isolated and enclosed nature
of Japanese culture.* [12] He also said that the inner feelings of every individual is one of the series' main influences.* [12]
The story of Attack on Titan centers around the adventures of Eren Yeager, his foster sister, Mikasa Ackerman, and their childhood friend, Armin Arlert. After
the wall which protects their hometown of Shinganshina
is breached by Titans, Eren watches in horror as one of
them eats his mother. Vowing to kill all the Titans, Eren
enlists in the military, along with his friends.
Five years later, the three cadet graduates are positioned
in Trost District, one of the border towns jutting out of
Wall Rose, when the Titans attack again. In the ensuing
battle, Eren is eaten by one of the Titans before Armin's
eyes. A Titan later appears and begins fighting the other
Titans while ignoring humans; the Titan is revealed to be
Eren, who has developed the ability to transform into one.
Though he is seen as a threat by some, he helps the military take back Trost District. After being placed on trial
for being a danger to the humans, he is taken in by the
Survey Corps' Special Operations Squad, led by Captain
Levi.
In an expedition to Shinganshina, the Scouts are attacked
by a Female Titan who attempts to capture Eren. Although the Scouts are able to briefly capture the Female
Titan, she breaks free and devastates Levi's squad, forcing
the expedition to retreat. Armin determines that the Female Titan is Annie, one of the cadets who taught Eren to
fight, and devises a plan to capture her at Stohess. During this operation, collateral damage reveals that Titans
reside in and make up the walls surrounding the human
settlements.
Isayama estimated his basic monthly timeline as one week
to storyboard and two weeks to actually draw the chapter.
The story is planned out in advance, even marking down
in which collected volumes a specific“truth”will be revealed.* [10] In September 2013, he stated that he is aiming to end the series in 20 collected volumes.* [13] Originally, Isayama planned to give the series a tragic conclusion similar to that of the film adaptation of Stephen
10
CHAPTER 1. A
King's The Mist, where every character dies. However,
positive response to the manga and anime has caused the
author to contemplate changing the ending due to the impact it could have on fans.* [14]* [15]
1.2.3
Media
Manga
Skits”) and drawn by hounori, was released on Kodansha's Manga Box smartphone and tablet application from
December 2013 to December 30, 2014 in both Japanese
and English.* [28]* [29] A manga adaptation of Hiroshi
Seko's Attack on Titan: Lost Girls (進 撃 の 巨 ⼈ Lost
Girls) novel, written and illustrated by Ryōsuke Fuji, began publication in Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine on August
9, 2015.* [30]
In North America, the series is published in English by
Kodansha Comics USA. They published the first volume
Main article: List of Attack on Titan chapters
on June 19, 2012,* [31] with the fifteenth released on
April 7, 2015.* [32] By July 2015, the manga had 2.5 milWritten and illustrated by Hajime Isayama, Attack on Ti- lion copies in circulation in North America.* [33] The first
tan began serialization in Kodansha's monthly publication three spin-off manga have also been licensed by KodanBessatsu Shōnen Magazine in its September 2009 issue. sha Comics USA, who published the first volume of each
The chapters are collected and published into tankōbon between March and June 2014.* [34]* [35]
volumes by Kodansha, with the first released on March
17, 2010. Before the anime aired, Attack on Titan had
10 million copies in print.* [16] The most recent, vol- Novel
ume sixteen, was released on April 9, 2015.* [17] As
of November 2014, the manga had 45 million copies in Main article: List of Attack on Titan chapters § Novels
print.* [18] The series' twelfth collected volume was given
a first printing of 2.2 million copies, making Attack on Ti- A light novel series titled Attack on Titan: Before the Fall
tan one of only two manga series ever to get an initial print (進撃の巨⼈ Before the fall), written by Ryō Suzukaze
surpassing 2 million, the other being One Piece.* [19] Vol- and illustrated by Thores Shibamoto, began on April 1,
ume 13 has the highest initial first print of the series so 2011. Its story is set before the events of the manga and it
far, with 2,750,000 copies for its first print run. The num- is published by Kodansha. Three volumes have been pubber is 68.75 times more than the first volume's first print- lished so far. While the first tells the story of Angel, the
ing in March 2010 (40,000 copies). It is also a new first blacksmith who develops the first prototypes of the Verprint run record for the publisher of the manga, Kodan- tical Maneuvering Equipment, the following two follow a
sha.* [20] Volume 13 also achieved to sell over 1 million young man who was found as a baby in the stomach of a
copies in its first week, first time for the series' regular edi- Titan. A second light novel series called Attack on Titan:
tion. It is also the highest selling manga volume of the se- Harsh Mistress of the City (進撃の巨⼈隔絶都市の⼥
ries that debut within its first week of released with 1.4m 王 Shingeki no Kyojin Kakuzetsu Toshi no Joō), written by
copies sold (regular + limited edition) in 3 days.* [21]
Ryō Kawakami and illustrated by Range Murata, began
A comedic spin-off of the series, titled Attack on Titan:
Junior High (進撃！巨⼈中学校 Shingeki! Kyojin Chūgakkō) and written by Saki Nakagawa, began serialization
in Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine's May 2012 issue. It follows the main characters as they battle the Titans while
in junior high school.* [22] Another manga series based
on the prequel light novels Attack on Titan: Before the
Fall started running in Kodansha's Monthly Shōnen Sirius
from August 2013, drawn by Satoshi Shiki.* [23] It has
1.4 Million Copies in Print as of August 2015.* [24] An
additional spin-off based on the No Regrets visual novel
was serialized in the shōjo manga magazine Aria, titled
Attack on Titan: No Regrets (進撃の巨⼈悔いなき選
択 Shingeki no Kyojin: Kuinaki Sentaku). It is written
by Gun Snark and illustrated by Hikaru Suruga. It focuses on the origins of Levi, one of the most prominent
characters in the main series.* [25] Kodansha increased
Aria 's print count by roughly 500% because of the demand for the prologue chapter, which was published before the manga's serialization began in the November 28,
2013 issue.* [26] The first volume had a total print run
of 500,000 as of April 2014.* [27] A yonkoma spin-off,
called Sungeki no Kyojin (⼨劇の巨⼈, “Titan Short
on August 1, 2014. Vertical began releasing the novels in
North America in the summer of 2014.* [36]* [37]* [38]
A novel titled Attack on Titan: Lost Girls (進撃の巨⼈
Lost Girls),* [39] written by Hiroshi Seko, was published
on December 9, 2014.* [40] It comprises three short stories featuring Mikasa and Annie Leonhart, titled “Lost
in the cruel world”,“Wall Sina, Goodbye”, and“Lost
Girls”.* [41]
Anime
Main article: List of Attack on Titan episodes
An anime television series adaptation produced by Wit
Studio (a subsidiary of IG Port) aired on MBS between April 6, 2013 and September 28, 2013, directed
by Tetsurō Araki (Death Note) with Yūki Kaji starring as Eren, Yui Ishikawa voicing Mikasa and Marina
Inoue as Armin.* [42]* [43]* [44]* [45] Both Funimation
and Crunchyroll simulcast the series on their respective
websites, and Funimation began releasing the series on
North American home video in 2014.* [46]* [47] The fi-
1.2. ATTACK ON TITAN
nal episode was also aired in Japanese theaters.* [48] The
anime had some production issues with needing more animators with Wit Studios' character designer, Kyoji Asano
tweeting and looking for active animators to work on the
anime.* [49] The anime has been licensed in the UK and
Australasia by Manga Entertainment. An OVA version
of the “Ilse's Notebook”special chapter from tankōbon
volume 5 was originally scheduled to be released on August 9, 2013, bundled with the volume 11 limited edition,
but was postponed and included with a limited edition of
volume 12, released on December 9, 2013, instead.* [50]
The OVA will also be bundled on subtitled DVD with
the English limited edition release of the 17th manga
volume, released on December 1, 2015.* [51] A second
OVA was released on April 9, 2014, bundled with the
13th volume of the series, this one focused on the members of the 104th Training Corps.* [52] Two additional
OVA episodes, based on the Attack on Titan: No Regrets
prequel manga, were bundled with the 15th and 16th volumes of the main series, released on December 9, 2014
and April 9, 2015, respectively.* [53] The anime previously aired on Adult Swim's Toonami block.* [54] In Australia, the anime currently airs on SBS 2 on Tuesdays, in
Japanese with English subtitles, with the first episode having aired on September 30.* [55] The anime has been very
successful in Japan, with average sales of 52,052 across 9
volumes, with a total of 468,468 as of August 2015.* [56]
It was the number 1 selling TV anime of 2013 in Japan.
It was the number 1 streaming anime from Funimation in
2014* [57] and also the number 1 fan favourite Funimation home video released of 2014.* [58]
11
in 2016.* [64]
A television anime adaptation of the Attack on Titan: Junior High manga spin-off will begin airing in October
2015. The series is being directed by Yoshihide Ibata at
Production I.G, with series composition by Midori Gotou, character design by Yuuko Yahiro, and music by
Asami Tachibana.* [65] Linked Horizon will be back to
do the opening theme “Youth Like Fireworks”.* [66]
Video games
There have been four video game adaptations of Attack
on Titan developed by Nitroplus staffers in collaboration
with Production I.G.* [67] Nitroplus clarified that the studio as a company is not involved in the Attack on Titan
Blu-ray Disc games, while individual staffers are.* [68]
The games are visual novels and were included in the first
copies of the third and sixth Blu-ray Disc volumes of the
anime. The games cover spin-off stories about the characters of Attack on Titan. Hajime Isayama himself is supervising the development of the games.
The third Blu-ray volume was released on September 18
with Seko's Lost in the Cruel World visual novel about
Mikasa, and a preview of Gan Saaku's No Regrets (悔い
なき選択 Kuinaki Sentaku, lit. “A Choice With No Regrets”).* [69] The sixth Blu-ray volume was released on
December 18 with the full version of No Regrets about
Levi and Erwin's past, Jin Haganeya's visual novel In the
For the first thirteen episodes, the opening theme is
Forest of the Night, Burning Bright about Eren and Levi,
“Guren no Yumiya”(紅蓮の⼸⽮, lit. “Crimson Bow
and Seko's Wall Sina, Goodbye visual novel about Anand Arrow”, styled in German as“Feuerroter Pfeil und
nie.* [69]
Bogen”) by Linked Horizon, and the ending theme is
“Utsukushiki Zankoku na Sekai”(美しき残酷な世界, An action game, titled Attack on Titan: Humanity in
lit.“This Beautiful Cruel World”) by Yōko Hikasa. For Chains (進撃の巨⼈〜反撃の翼〜 Shingeki no Kyojin
episodes 14–25, the opening theme is“Jiyū no Tsubasa” ~Hangeki no Tsubasa~, subtitle lit. “Wings of Coun(⾃由の翼, lit. “Wings of Freedom”, styled in Ger- terattack”), was developed by Spike Chunsoft for the
man as “Die Flügel der Freiheit”) by Linked Horizon, Nintendo 3DS and released in Japan on December 5,
and the ending theme is“great escape”by Cinema Staff. 2013, North America on May 12, 2015 and Europe on
*
*
*
Both“Guren no Yumiya”and“Jiyū no Tsubasa”were July 2, 2015. [70] [71] [72]
released as part of the single "Jiyū e no Shingeki" on July A smartphone social game, titled Attack on Titan: Howl
10, 2013.* [59]* [60]
Toward Freedom (Shingeki no Kyojin ~Jiyū e no Hōkō~)
The anime was compiled into two animated theatrical
films with new voice acting from the same cast. The first
film Attack on Titan Part 1: Crimson Bow and Arrow 「進
(
撃の巨⼈」前編〜紅蓮の⼸⽮〜 Shingeki no Kyojin
Zenpen ~Guren no Yumiya~) covers the first 13 episodes
and was released on November 22, 2014, while the second film Attack on Titan Part 2: Wings of Freedom「進撃
(
の巨⼈」後編〜⾃由の翼〜 Shingeki no Kyojin Kōhen
~Jiyū no Tsubasa~) adapts the remaining episodes and
adds new ending footage linked to second television season.* [61] It was released on June 27, 2015.* [62]* [63] A
second season of the anime series was announced on the
opening day of the first theatrical film, set to be released
is in development by Mobage for iOS and Android platforms. In the game, players play as a character who has
been exiled from Wall Rose. Players must build and fortify a town outside the wall and expand it by manufacturing items as well as using Titans and exploiting resources
from other players.* [73]
Additionally, Attack on Titan gameplay and merchandise has been featured in a crossover event with Nexon
MMORPG MapleStory in its Japanese and GMS versions.
A new game for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and
PlayStation Vita, published by Koei and developed by
Omega Force, was announced at Gamescom 2015.* [74]
It is the first game in the installment.* [75]
12
Live-action
CHAPTER 1. A
Isayama with art by Gerardo Sandova.* [92]
From January 23 to May 10, 2015, Universal Studios
Japan hosted attractions based on Attack on Titan. “The
Real”Attack on Titan Experience features a life-size 15
A live-action film was announced to be in production in meter tall Eren titan engaging a 14 meter tall female titan
October 2011.* [76] In December 2012, it was reported in combat. Other attractions include a ground level titan,
that Tetsuya Nakashima left his position as director of which visitors can pose with.* [93]
the live-action film. According to film distributor Toho,
Nakashima had considerable creative differences on the
scriptwriting and other matters.* [77]* [78]* [79] In De- 1.2.4 Reception
cember 2013 Shinji Higuchi was revealed to be directing,
and would also be responsible for special effects. Yū- Attack on Titan won the Kodansha Manga Award in the
suke Watanabe (live-action Gantz, 20th Century Boys and shōnen category in 2011,* [94]* [95] was nominated for
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods) and critic/subculture ex- the 4th Manga Taishō Award and both the 16th and 18th
pert Tomohiro Machiyama will be scripting the movie annual Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize.* [96]* [97]* [98]
with series creator Isayama.* [80]* [81] In July 2014, it The 2012 edition of Kono Manga ga Sugoi!, which surwas revealed that two films will be released in summer veys people in the manga and publishing industry, named
2015. A teaser trailer for the live-action film was released Attack on Titan the eighth best manga series for male
in March 2015.* [82] The following month, Toho released readers,* [99] while the 2014 edition named it the sixth
the second trailer for the first film, and announced the best.* [100] Attack on Titan was the second highest sellsecond installment will be called Attack on Titan: End ing manga series of 2013, with 15,933,801 copies sold in
of the World.* [83] In June 2015, a third trailer for the a single year.* [101] In April 2014, Oricon reported that
first film was released, revealing the Three-Dimensional 30 million volumes of the series have been sold.* [102]
Maneuvering Gear, as well as confirming the film will be In the first half of 2014 it topped the chart, ending One
released in IMAX theaters in Japan.* [84] A live-action Piece's five-year reign as the highest selling series in that
miniseries, titled Shingeki no Kyojin: Hangeki no Noroshi period, with Isayama surprised about it and thanking the
(進撃の巨⼈反撃の狼煙,“Attack on Titan: Beacon for readers.* [103] By the end of the year, in 2014. It was
Counterattack”) and utilizing the same actors as the films, the second best selling manga with 11,728,368 copies
will start streaming on NTT DoCoMo's online-video ser- sold. But the gap was much smaller than last year. Afvice dTV on August 15, 2015. The three episode series ter One Piece sold 2,217,798 more copies than Attack on
focuses on Zoë Hange and her research of the Titans, Titan did in 2013, in 2014 the gap between the two was
as well as how the Vertical Maneuvering Equipment was only 157,989.* [104] The manga's publisher, Kodansha,
created.* [85]
credits Attack on Titan for the company's first revenue
increase in eighteen years.* [105] The anime is noted to
have helped in boosting the series' sales while Mainichi
Other media
Shimbun called it a “once-in-a-decade hit.”* [106]
Main article: Attack on Titan (film)
Two guidebooks to the manga titled Inside and Outside were released on April 9 and September 9, 2013,
featuring concept art, character profiles and interviews.* [86]* [87] They were combined into one and released in North America on September 16, 2014 by Kodansha USA.* [88]
A 16-minute drama CD was created with the anime's staff
and included in the January 2014 issue of Bessatsu Shōnen
Magazine.* [89]
On November 3, 2014, American writer C. B. Cebulski revealed that a crossover between Attack on Titan
and Marvel Comics was in the works.* [90] Cebulski
scripts the scenario written by the original author Hajime
Isayama. The one-shot crossover featured Spider-Man,
the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy facing
off against several Titans, including the Colossal Titan,
the Armored Titan, and the Female Titan on the streets
of New York City.* [91] During Free Comic Book Day
2015, Marvel's Secret Wars preview included an 8-page
presentation “Attack on Avengers”by creator Hajime
Six of the seven English volumes published in North
America at the time charted on The New York Times
Manga Best Seller list for the week of October 13,
2013,* [107] and volume one was on the list for 81 weeks
straight.* [108] As of June 2015, it has clocked in at
its 100th week on the top 10 chart among the top domestic releases.* [109] Volume one was also number one
on Nielsen BookScan's list of top 20 graphic novels in
American bookstores for October 2013,* [110] and for
the month of September, the series had more volumes
on the list than any other series.* [111] The Young Adult
Library Services Association in the United States named
the series one of its “Great Graphic Novels for Teens”
.* [112] Kodansha USA's English release won the 2014
Harvey Award for Best American Edition of Foreign Material.* [113]
Many have analyzed Attack on Titan as representing“the
hopelessness felt by young people in today's society.”* [1]
while writer Mao Yamawaki called it a “coming-of-age
story of the boys and girls at its core,”with a new mystery
every episode. It is these mysteries that critic Tomofusa
1.2. ATTACK ON TITAN
Kure says amplifies readers' expectations. The artwork
of the manga has been criticized as crude by some reviewers, with Isayama himself admitting his drawings are
“amateurish.”However, those same critics stated that after years of serialization, the art has been improving, and
Kure believes that had the illustrations been “refined”,
it would not have conveyed the “eeriness”that is a key
characteristic of the work.* [1] In a short review, Jason
Thompson noted how the characters conveniently receive
“power-ups”to create plot twists, but concluded that these
said plot twists and the manga's post-apocalyptic world
are “too good to miss.”* [114]
13
China.* [124] Hong Kong media commentator Wong
Yeung-tat praised Hajime Isayama's style and the versatility of Attack on Titan 's setting, which opens itself to
readers' various interpretations.* [126] In 2013, after media linked to a 2010 blog post by Isayama indicating that
the design of the character Dot Pixis was based on the Imperial Japanese General Akiyama Yoshifuru, an Internet
flame war about the general's war record ensued on his
blog and included death threats to the author. Because
many of the threats written in Japanese had grammatical
errors, it is believed that they were written by natives of
other Asian countries.* [127]
The anime adaptation won multiple prizes during the
3rd Newtype Anime Awards, including Best Director, 1.2.5 Notes
Best Script, Best Soundtrack, Best Theme Song, Top
Female Character and Title of the Year.* [115] It re- [1] As Attack on Titan aired in MBS's Saturday 25:58 (Sunday
ceived the award for Best TV Animation at the 2013
1:58 am JST) time slot, the premiere technically occurred
on Sunday, April 7, 2013.
Animation Kobe Awards.* [116] It received the award for
Animation of the Year at the 2014 Tokyo Anime Award,
along with, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Music.* [117]* [118] It won the 2013 Digital Contents of the 1.2.6 References
Year Award at Japan's 19th annual Association of Media
[1] Ohara, Atsuhi; Yamane, Yukiko (August 17, 2013).
in Digital (AMD) Awards.* [119] Carl Kimlinger from
“Boosted by anime version, 'Attack on Titan' manga sales
Anime News Network was sharply critical of the first two
top 22 million”. Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved November
episodes of the anime adaptation. He did praise the show
1, 2013.
for "[bringing] back the terror of the fee-fi-fo-fum set”,
but then said that it“does not a good show make”. Kim- [2] Thompson, Jason (November 14, 2013).“House of 1000
Manga: Crunchyroll Manga”. Anime News Network.
linger criticized Araki's direction, saying he “clearly inRetrieved May 15, 2014.
tends it to be powerful and unsettling, but it's just crude
and unpleasant.”* [120] On the other hand, other crit- [3] Kodansha USA Publishing (July 6, 2013).“Attack on Tiics from Anime News Network praised much of the setan Now Monthly”(Press release). Retrieved September
4, 2014.
ries. Rebecca Silverman said it“is both gorgeous and appalling in its visuals”, and“an excellent mix of what 18th
[4] “Attack on Titan: No Regrets Manga to End Next Month”
century Gothic novelist Ann Radcliffe defined as horror
. Anime News Network. May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 28,
versus terror: the one is physical, making you want to
2014.
look away, and the other is intellectual, making you want
to know what's going to happen next.”* [121] Though [5] Green, Scott (July 27, 2015).“English Version of“Attack
on Titan”Tops 2.5 Million Copies in Print”. Crunchyroll.
there are several apocalyptic action shows, Carlo Santos
Retrieved August 3, 2015.
noted that “few get as close to perfection as Attack on
Titan does”. Santos described it as “a masterpiece of [6] “1st Attack on Titan Blu-ray/DVD to Bundle Manga 'Prodeath and destruction”even if he only watched the first
totype'". Anime News Network. May 7, 2013. Retrieved
November 2, 2013.
episode.* [122] Theron Martin praised the musical score
and the “intense, impactful first episode”despite his
[7] Isayama, Hajime. “Transformation!!!!". Retrieved Aufeeling that it has “limited animation”. Martin also
gust 30, 2014.
compared Attack on Titan's vibe and visual aesthetic to
[8] “Attack on Titan Creator Named Tourism Ambassador of
Claymore.* [123]
Hometown”. Anime News Network. November 4, 2014.
The series has also gained popularity in neighboring
Retrieved November 5, 2014.
Asian countries. For instance, coverage of the anime appeared on the front page of the Hong Kong free newspa- [9] "'Attack on Titan' author expresses fears through popular
boys' manga”. Asahi Shimbun. July 20, 2013. Retrieved
per am730 on May 27, 2013, concerning its popularity
November 1, 2013. An incident that occurred soon after
*
within Hong Kong as well as China and Taiwan. [124]
his move to Tokyo served as inspiration for the manga.
However, the series also attracted criticism: the South
Isayama was working a night job at an Internet cafe, when
Korean Electronic Times magazine accused Attack on Tia customer suddenly grabbed him by the collar. “I felt
tan of having a militaristic message that serves Japanese
the fear of meeting a person I can't communicate with.”
Prime Minister Shinzō Abe's political leanings;* [125]
He projects that terror and discomfort through the titans.
while the series also resonated with Hong Kong youths
who saw the invading Titans as a metaphor for Mainland [10] “Interview with Attack on Titan Creator Hajime Isayama”
. MTV. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
14
[11] Isayama, Hajime (April 17, 2013). " アクセス数がすご
い！". Blog.livedoor.jp. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
CHAPTER 1. A
[29] “Spoof on Titan 4-Panel Manga Ends”. Anime News
Network. December 30, 2014. Retrieved December 30,
2014.
[12] “Interview: George Wada, Producer of Attack on Titan”
. Anime News Network. July 23, 2013. Retrieved July [30] “Attack on Titan: Lost Girls Novel Gets Manga Adap25, 2013.
tation”. Anime News Network. July 8, 2015. Retrieved
August 17, 2015.
[13] “Attack on Titan Creator Aims to End Manga in 20 Volumes”. Anime News Network. September 25, 2013. [31] “Attack on Titan 1”. Random House. Retrieved April
Retrieved October 29, 2013.
6, 2013.
[14] 「進撃の巨⼈」の漫画家、諫⼭創インタビュー
！トラ
ウマという財産!? ⼈⽣観と漫画創作が濃密に交わ
る諫⼭創の視点とは？ (in Japanese). White Screen.
December 4, 2013. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
[32] “Attack on Titan 15”. Random House. Retrieved
November 15, 2014.
[18] 「進撃の巨⼈」諫⼭さん⽇⽥の観光親善⼤使に (in
Japanese). Yomiuri Shimbun. November 5, 2014. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
[36] “New York Comic Con 2013: Vertical Panel”. Anime
News Network. October 11, 2013. Retrieved October 29,
2013.
[19] “Attack on Titan Prints 28 Million as Latest Book Gets
2.2-Million Printing”. Anime News Network. December
6, 2013. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
[37] “Vertical Adds Attack on Titan: Before the Fall Light
Novel Series”. Anime News Network. October 11, 2013.
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[33] “Attack on Titan Manga Has 2.5 Million Copies in Print
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[15] “Attack on Titan Creator Considers Changing Ending”
. Anime News Network. December 7, 2013. Retrieved
[34] “Kodansha USA Adds Attack on Titan: Junior High
March 11, 2014.
Manga, Guidebooks”. Anime News Network. October
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Fall, No Regrets Spinoff Manga”. Anime News Network.
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[20] http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/04/06/
[38] “Vertical Licenses More Attack on Titan Light Novels”
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[21] http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/04/17-1/
attack-on-titan-manga-13th-volume-sells-14-million-copies-in-its-first-week
[39] ⼩説進撃の巨⼈ＬＯＳＴＧＩＲＬＳ. Kodansha. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
[22] “Attack on Titan Manga Inspires Comedy Spinoff
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[23] “Daphne in the Brilliant Blue's Shiki Penning Attack on
Titan Spinoff Manga”. Anime News Network. August [41] “Vertical Adds Attack on Titan: Lost Girls Novel,
21, 2013. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
Nichijō, FukuFuku: Kitten Tales Manga”. Anime News
Network. July 3, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
[24] http://www.animenewsnetwork.
com/daily-briefs/2015-08-08/
[42] " コミックナタリー- アニメ「進撃の巨⼈」に神⾕
attack-on-titan-before-the-fall-manga-has-1.
浩史、⼩野⼤輔、朴ロ美出演". Natalie.mu. April 3,
4-million-copies-in-print/.91442
2013. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
[25] “Attack on Titan Spinoff Manga to Run in Aria Shōjo
Magazine”. Anime News Network. August 22, 2013.
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[26] “Attack on Titan Spinoff Causes Magazine's Print Run
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[43] " 放送情報 | TV アニメ「進撃の巨⼈」公式サイト".
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[44] “Yuuki Kaji, Yui Ishikawa, Marina Inoue Lead Attack on
Titan Cast”. Anime News Network. December 5, 2012.
Retrieved December 6, 2012.
[45] “Saki Fujita, Keiji Fujiwara Join Attack on Titan TV
[27] http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/04/20/
Anime's Cast”. Anime News Network. March 8, 2013.
half-million-print-run-for-levi-featured-attack-on-titan-spin-off-manga
Retrieved March 9, 2013.
[28] “Kodansha Launches Free App With Attack on Titan,
Knight in the Area Manga Spinoffs”. Anime News Network. December 3, 2013. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
[46] “Funimation Plans Attack on Titan on Home Video in
2014”. Anime News Network. May 19, 2013. Retrieved
May 20, 2013.
1.2. ATTACK ON TITAN
[47] “Crunchyroll to Stream “Attack on Titan”Anime”.
Crunchyroll. April 13, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
[48] http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2027916/full/
15
[67] "Attack On Titan Games Coming From Steins;Gate Developer Nitroplus”. Siliconera. May 19, 2013. Retrieved
May 25, 2013.
[49] http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2013/04/22/
attack-on-titan-anime-studio-needs-more-animators
[68] “Nitro+: Not Involved in Blu-ray Visual Novels, But Our
Staffers Are”. Anime News Network. May 21, 2013.
Retrieved May 25, 2013.
[50] “Attack on Titan Original Anime DVD Delayed 4
Months”. Anime News Network. June 2, 2013. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
[69] "Attack on Titan Blu-rays Add Visual Novels by Nitro+
Staff”. Anime News Network. May 18, 2013. Retrieved
May 25, 2013.
[51] “Kodansha USA to Bundle Original Anime DVD Episode
With Attack on Titan Manga”. Anime News Network. July
11, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
[70] “Magazine: Attack on Titan Has Video Game Planned Interest”. Anime News Network. July 2, 2013. Retrieved
July 6, 2013.
[52] “Attack on Titan Manga's 2nd Anime DVD Bundle
Listed”. Anime News Network. November 20, 2013.
Retrieved November 21, 2013.
[71] “Attack on Titan Video Game Slated for 2014 - News”
. Anime News Network. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
[53] “Attack on Titan: No Regrets Spinoff Gets Anime
DVDs”. Anime News Network. August 5, 2014. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
[72] “Attack on Titan Gets 3DS Game from Spike Chunsoft
in 2013”. Anime News Network. August 6, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
[54]“Attack on Titan to Run on Adult Swim's Toonami Block”
. Anime News Network. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
[73] “Attack on Titan Social Game's Promo Streamed”.
Anime News Network. January 22, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
[55] Sam (September 30, 2014). “Attack on Titan Airing on
SBS 2…. Right Now!". The Otaku's Study. Retrieved
December 1, 2014.
[74] http://uk.ign.com/articles/2015/08/05/
gamescom-2015-koei-tecmo-announces-attack-on-titan-tie-in
[56] http://www.someanithing.com/1
[75] Koei To Publish New Attack On Titan Game
[57] http://www.funimation.com/blog/2014/12/26/
top-funimation-streaming-shows-of-2014/
[76] “Shingeki no Kyojin/Attack on Titan Manga to Get Film
in Fall 2013”. Anime News Network. October 12, 2011.
Retrieved July 29, 2014.
[58] http://www.funimation.com/blog/2014/12/29/
[77] “Director Nakashima Leaves Live-Action Attack on Titop-ten-fan-favorite-funimation-home-video-releases-of-2014/
tan Film”. Anime News Network. December 13, 2012.
Retrieved April 8, 2013.
[59] "Attack on Titan Giants Eat at Pizza Hut, Too”. Anime
News Network. June 5, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
[78] " 実写映画版『進撃の巨⼈』の中島哲也監督が降
板". Retrieved December 13, 2012.
[60] ドコデモタワレコ. “cinema staff、
「進撃の巨⼈」
ED 曲"great escape" 発売決定! ⻲⽥誠治と初タッグ
- TOWER RECORDS ONLINE”. Tower.jp. Retrieved [79] “Shingeki no Kyojin/Attack on Titan Manga to Get Film
in Fall 2013”. Anime News Network. October 12, 2011.
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[61] http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-06-25/
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nounced”. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
.89681
[62] “Attack on Titan Anime Gets 2 Compilation Films in
2014-2015”. Anime News Network. April 3, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
[63] “1st Attack on Titan Compilation Film Slated for November 22”. Anime News Network. June 6, 2014. Retrieved
June 15, 2014.
[64] “Attack on Titan TV Anime Gets 2nd Season in 2016”
. Anime News Network. November 22, 2014. Retrieved
November 22, 2014.
[65] “Attack on Titan: Junior High Spinoff Manga Gets TV
Anime Adaptation”. Anime News Network. July 31, 2015.
Retrieved August 3, 2015.
[81] “SFX Director Shinji Higuchi to Helm Live-Action Attack on Titan Film”. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
[82] “Live-Action Attack on Titan Confirmed for 2 Films”.
Anime News Network. July 29, 2014. Retrieved July 29,
2014.
[83] “New Trailer & Poster for Live-Action Attack on Titan Movie, Part Two Titled Attack on Titan: End of the
World”. Final Reel. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
[84] “New Trailer for Live-Action Attack on Titan Movie
Teases First Look at Three Dimensional Manoeuvre
Gear”. Final Reel. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
[85] "'Attack on Titan' mini-series to stream on dTV from Au[66] http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2015/08/31/
gust”. Asahi Shimbun. July 13, 2015. Retrieved July 28,
linked-horizon-returns-for-attack-on-titan-junior-high-opening 2015.
16
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[86] 進撃の巨⼈ＩＮＳＩＤＥ抗 (in Japanese). Kodansha. [104] http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/11/30-1/
Retrieved November 11, 2013.
one-piece-tops-2014-manga-sales-in-japan-again
[87] 進 撃 の 巨 ⼈ Ｏ Ｕ Ｔ Ｓ Ｉ Ｄ Ｅ 攻 (in Japanese). [105] “Attack on Titan Manga Has 31 Million in Circulation”
Kodansha. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
. Anime News Network. March 10, 2014. Retrieved
March 11, 2014.
[88] “Attack on Titan Guidebook: INSIDE & OUTSIDE”.
Random House. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
[106] “Attack on Titan Manga Prints 8.7 Million More After
Anime”. Anime News Network. June 3, 2013. Retrieved
[89] “Bessatsu Shōnen Mag to Bundle Attack on Titan Drama
June 4, 2013.
CD”. Anime News Network. November 10, 2013. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
[107] “New York Times Manga Best Seller List, October 1319”. Anime News Network. October 29, 2013. Retrieved
[90] Sunu, Steve (November 3, 2014).
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[108] “New York Times Manga Best Seller List, December 2127”. Anime News Network. January 2, 2015. Retrieved
[91] Green, Scott (November 5, 2014). “More Information
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attack-on-titan-hits-100th-week-on-new-york-times-manga-best-sellers-list
[92] “Marvel Unleashes FCBD 2015 Titles: Secret Wars
#0 and All-New, All-Different Avengers FCBD”. Free [110] “Attack on Titan Tops Graphic Novels in U.S. Bookstores
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[93] Green, Scott. “VIDEO: Universal Studios Japan Opens
“Attack on Titan”and “Evangelion”Attractions”. [111] “5 Attack on Titan Graphic Novels Land in U.S. BookCrunchyroll.com. Crunchyroll. Retrieved January 23,
stores' Top 20 in September”. Anime News Network. Oc2015.
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[94] 講談社漫画賞 (過去の受賞者⼀覧)[Kodansha Manga [112] “U.S. Librarians Rank Stargazing Dog in Teens' Top 10”
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tober 30, 2013.
[95] "March comes in like a lion, Space Bros. Win Kodansha [113] “Attack on Titan Manga Wins 2014 Harvey Award”.
Manga Awards”. Anime News Network. May 12, 2011.
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tober 30, 2013.
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1.2. ATTACK ON TITAN
[123] Martin, Theron (April 3, 2013). “The Spring 2013
Anime Preview Guide”. Anime News Network. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
[124] "Attack on Titan explosive hit in China, Hong Kong, and
Taiwan - 4 million YouTube hits - Netizens debate walls
under siege (《進擊の巨⼈》爆紅中港台 Youtube 點
擊 400 萬網⺠熱議圍牆抗敵)". am730 (Hong Kong).
May 27, 2013. p. 1. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
[125] “A revival of militarism? Attack on Titan sparks KoreanJapanese spat (軍國主義復活？／進擊的巨⼈引發韓
⽇論戰)". The Liberty Times (Taipei). June 12, 2013.
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[126] Wong Yeung Tat (February 13, 2011). “Popular Manga:
Because we have our own titans to defeat (流⾏漫畫:因
為，我們也有想要打倒的巨⼈)". Ming Pao (Hong
Kong). Retrieved June 27, 2013.
[127] “A Thousand Death Threats Against a Popular Anime
Creator”. Kotaku. July 1, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
1.2.7
External links
• Official manga website (Japanese)
• Official anime website (Japanese)
• Attack on Titan at Funimation
• Attack on Titan (manga) at Anime News Network's
encyclopedia
17
Chapter 2
B
2.1 List of Berserk films
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc (Japanese: ベルセルク
⻩⾦時代篇 Hepburn: Beruseruku Ōgon Jidai-hen) is a
series of films, an effort to adapt the Golden Age Arc of
Kentaro Miura's Berserk manga series.* [1] The project
was first announced as a new anime project in September 2010 on a wraparound jacket band on volume 35 of
the Berserk manga.* [2] The first two films, Berserk: The
Golden Age Arc I - The Egg of the King and Berserk: The
Golden Age Arc II - The Capture of Doldrey, were released
in Japan in February and June 2012, with the third film,
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc III - The Advent, released in
February 2013. The third film also marks the first time
new footage based on the manga has been animated beyond the storyline of the TV show. Viz Media has licensed all three films for a home video release.* [3] The
first film was released on (DVD/Blu-ray) November 27,
2012, the second on August 6, 2013, and the third on
April 15, 2014 in the United States.* [4]
The Japanese voice cast features Hiroaki Iwanaga
as Guts (replacing Nobutoshi Canna from the original anime), Takahiro Sakurai as Griffith (replacing
Toshiyuki Morikawa), and Toa Yukinari as Casca (replacing Yuko Miyamura).* [5]* [6] The English voice cast
features Marc Diraison as Guts, Kevin T. Collins as Griffith, and Carrie Keranen as Casca, all reprising their roles
from the original anime.
2.1.1
encounter the demon Nosferatu Zodd the Immortal, who
notices Behelit around Griffith's neck and warns Guts that
Griffith will be his doom. In time, Griffith's gradually
rise in status is ill received by the noblemen as a failed
assassination attempt by Yurius results in his murder by
Guts, who was also forced to kill the noble's son Adonis
to leave no witnesses. Guts, emotionally scarred by what
he has done, would later hear Griffith discussing his idea
of friendship with the Midland Princess Charlotte and is
further unsettled.
The Battle for Doldrey
Berserk: Golden Age Arc II - The Battle for Doldrey* [9]* [10] (ベルセルク⻩⾦時代篇 II ドルドレ
イ攻略 Beruseruku Ōgon Jidai-hen Tsū Dorudorei Koryaku) was released on June 23, 2012 in Japan.* [11]
For three years, Guts believed his mission was to pursue Griffith's dream together with him. But after coming
to understand Griffith's outlook, Guts realizes that would
need to leave the Band of the Hawk to become Griffith's
equal and truly be called his friend.. At the same time, a
bloody battle to capture the impenetrable Fortress of Doldrey from the Chuder Empire's army of 30,000 strong.
Guts parts way with Griffith once the battle is resolved,
the latter not taking his former ally's departure well as he
ends up being imprisoned in the Tower of Rebirth after
being caught sleeping with Charlotte in a lapse of judgment.
Films
The Descent
The Egg of the King
Berserk: Golden Age Arc III - The Descent * [12] (ベルセ
Berserk: Golden Age Arc I - The Egg of the King [7] [8] ルク⻩⾦時代篇 III 降臨 Beruseruku Ōgon Jidai-hen
(ベルセルク⻩⾦時代篇 I 覇王の卵 Beruseruku Ōgon Surī Kōrin) was released on February 1, 2013 in Japan. It
Jidai-hen Wan Haō no Tamago) was released on February was released as Berserk: Golden Age Arc III - The Advent
for western audiences.
4, 2012 in Japan.
*
*
Guts, a mercenary, attracts the attention of the Band of
Hawks and is forced into joining the group after being
defeated by its leader Griffith twice. Once the Band
of Hawks defeated the Black Sheep Iron Spears Heavy
Knights of Tudor, they are recruited by Midland for its
war against Chuder. During one siege, Guts and Griffith
A year after leaving the Band of Hawks, learning they
have been labeled outlaws in Midland, Guts returns to aid
them in freeing Griffith from the Tower of Rebirth. However, they find out that Griffith is barely alive while mentally and physically tortured and rendered a mute cripple.
When Griffith tries to end his life upon realizing what he
18
2.1. LIST OF BERSERK FILMS
19
has reduced to, a solar eclipse occurs, which draws him,
• Note: The film suffers from banding issues. (This
Guts, Casca and the members of the Band of the Hawks
appears to be a problem with the first two films so
into another dimension where they encounter the demons
far)
known as the God Hand. Told everything he went through
has been leading to this moment, Griffith is given a choice Berserk: The Golden Age Arc II - The Battle for Doldrey
to be reborn as one of them and accepts while knowing (Viz Pictures - Aug 06, 2013* [14])
his transition to the final member of God Hand requires
his allies sacrificed to feed the God Hand's gathered de• Video: 2.35:1 [MPEG-4 AVC] (1080p)
mon servants: the Apostles. In this hopeless battle with
• Audio: English and Japanese (DTS-HD Master Aupowerful demons, Guts tries to rescue Griffith, but fails.
dio 5.1)
As he and Casca, who lost her sanity from the nightmarish
hell she endured, are spirited back to their world, Griffith
• Subtitles: English
remained as the reborn Femto. Enraged by Griffith's actions, having lost his arm and eye, Guts swears revenge
• Extras:
on him and the demons as he leaves Casca, and Rickert,
• Production Art Gallery
who was not present at the rescue mission, to Godo as he
begins his quest.
• International Trailers for the First Film
2.1.2
Music
• Live Concert of Susumu Hirasawa “Aria”(4 min)
• Interview (in Japanese) with Aki Toyosaki and
Minako Kotobuki (12 min)
The soundtracks for the film series was composed and arranged by Shiro Sagisu, with the theme song composed
• Outtakes of the English Dubbing (15 min)
and arranged by Susumu Hirasawa. The insert song of all
• Case type: Keep Case
films,“Aria”, was sung by Hirasawa, a live performance
(from Phonon 2555 Vision) is included on the home video
• Note: The film suffers from banding issues. (This
releases of the second film, another live version is on the
appears to a problem with the first two films so far)
Nomonos and Imium DVD; the ending theme of the first
film, “Utsukushii Mono”(ウツクシキモノ, “Pretty
Thing”), was sung by the R&B singer AI (in an un- Berserk: The Golden Age Arc III - The Advent (Viz Piccharacteristic epic ballad style) and composed by Rykeyz tures - Apr 15, 2014)
and Redd Styiez, the ending theme of the third film,
• Video: 2.35:1 [MPEG-4 AVC] (1080p)
“breakthrough, was performed by CHEMISTRY, written by Kaname Kawabata, Hidenori Tanaka and UTA &
• Audio: English and Japanese (DTS-HD Master Auarranged by Sagisu, Miho Hazama and CHOKKAKU. A
dio 5.1)
special TV program, narrated by Akio Ōtsuka (the voice
• Subtitles: English
actor for the Skull Knight), that summarized the events
of the first two movies, used the Hirasawa song Horde of
Thistledown (冠⽑種⼦の⼤群 Kanmō Shushi no Taigun) (from The Secret of The Flowers of Phenomenon) as 2.1.4 Reception
its ending theme.
The first film received a positive review by Ko Ransom of
Anime News Network.* [15]
2.1.3
Home media
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I - The Egg of the King
(Viz Pictures - Nov 27, 2012* [13])
• Video: 2.35:1 [MPEG-4 AVC] (1080p)
2.1.5 References
[1] “Berserk's Golden Age Arc to Be Made Into 3 Anime
Films”. Anime News Network. 12 July 2011. Retrieved
18 July 2012.
• Audio: English and Japanese (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1)
[2] “New Berserk Anime Project Launching (Updated)".
Anime News Network. 27 September 2010. Retrieved
18 July 2012.
• Subtitles: English
[3] “Viz Media Licenses Berserk Film Trilogy”. Anime
News Network. 7 April 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
• Extras: Art Gallery and Trailer (Viz Releases)
[4] http://www.blu-ray.com/search/?quicksearch=1&
quicksearch_country=US&quicksearch_keyword=
berserk&section=bluraymovies
• Case type: Keep Case
20
[5] “Berserk Film Slated for Next January”. Anime News
Network. 5 July 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
CHAPTER 2. B
2.2 The Big O
[6] “2012 Berserk Film Trilogy's Main Cast, Staff Listed” For other uses, see Big O.
. Anime News Network. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 18
July 2012.
The Big O (Japanese: THE ビッグオー Hepburn: Za
[7] http://fantasiafest.com/2012/en/films-schedule/282/
berserk-golden-age-arc-i-the-egg-of-the-king
[8] http://www.amazon.com/
Berserk-The-Golden-King-Blu-ray/dp/B008UE8ICK/
ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1374152199&sr=8-2&
keywords=berserk
[9] http://fantasiafest.com/2013/en/films-schedule/246/
berserk-golden-age-arc-ii-the-battle-for-doldrey
[10] http://www.amazon.com/
Berserk-Golden-Battle-Doldrey-Blu-ray/dp/
B00CENSU3A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=
1374152199&sr=8-1&keywords=berserk
[11] “Berserk's 2nd Film Slated for June 23”. Anime News
Network. 20 February 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
[12] http://fantasiafest.com/2013/en/films-schedule/247/
berserk-golden-age-arc-iii-the-advent
Biggu Ō) is a Japanese animated television series created by designer Keiichi Sato and director Kazuyoshi
Katayama for Sunrise. The writing staff was assembled by the series' head writer, Chiaki J. Konaka, who
is known for his work in the Digimon series, Digimon
Tamers.
The story takes place forty years after a mysterious occurrence causes the residents of Paradigm City to lose their
memories. The series follows Roger Smith, Paradigm
City's top Negotiator. He provides this “much needed
service”with the help of a robot named R. Dorothy
Wayneright and his butler Norman Burg. When the need
arises, Roger calls upon Big O, a giant relic from the city's
past.
The television series is designed as a tribute to Japanese
and Western shows from the 1960s and 1970s. The series
is done in the style of film noir and combines the feel of
a detective show with the mecha genre of anime. The
setpieces are reminiscent of tokusatsu productions of the
1950s and 1960s, particularly Toho's kaiju movies, and
the score is an eclectic mix of styles and musical homages.
[13] http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/
Berserk-The-Golden-Age-Arc-I-The-Egg-of-the-King-Blu-ray/
52442/#Review
The Big O premiered October 13, 1999 on WOWOW
satellite television. It finished its run on January 19, 2000.
[14] http://www.fandompost.com/2013/09/10/
The English-language version premiered on Cartoon Netberserk-golden-age-arc-ii-battle-for-doldrey-blu-ray-anime-review/
work on April 2, 2001 and ended on April 18 2001.
Originally planned as a 26 episode series, low viewer[15] Ko Ransom (7 February 2012).“Berserk Ōgon Jidai-Hen
I: Haō no Tamago”. Anime News Network. Retrieved ship in Japan ceased production after only 13. Positive
international reception resulted in a second season con18 July 2012.
sisting of the unproduced 13 episodes, co-produced by
Cartoon Network, Sunrise, and Bandai Visual. Season
two premiered on Japan's SUN-TV on January 2, 2003,
2.1.6 External links
and the American premiere took place seven months
later. Following the 2012 closure of Bandai Entertain• Official website (Japanese)
ment, Sunrise announced at Otakon 2013, that Sentai
*
• Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I: The Egg of the King Filmworks rescued both seasons of The Big O. [1]
at the Internet Movie Database
• Berserk: The Golden Age Arc II: The Battle for Doldrey at the Internet Movie Database
2.2.1 Plot
• Berserk: The Golden Age Arc III: The Advent at the See also: List of The Big O episodes
The Big O is set in the fictional city-state of Paradigm
Internet Movie Database
City (パラダイム・シティ Paradaimu Shiti). The city
• Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I: The Egg of the King is located on a seacoast and is surrounded by a vast desert
wasteland. The partially domed city is wholly controlled
(anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
by the monopolistic Paradigm Corporation, resulting in a
• Berserk: The Golden Age Arc II: The Battle for Dol- corporate police state. Paradigm is known as “The City
drey (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclope- of Amnesia”(記憶喪失の街 Kioku soushitsu no Machi)
because forty years prior to the story, ""The Event”(何か
dia
Nani ka, lit. “Something”) destroyed the world outside
• Berserk: The Golden Age Arc III: The Advent the city and left the survivors without any prior memo(anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
ries. In the final episodes of the series, the city is implied
2.2. THE BIG O
21
that come into play during season two, like the discovery
of people living outside of Paradigm City, the true nature
of the Event, and something obliquely described as “the
Power of God wielded by the hand of man”.
The second season comprises a single serialized story arc.
Alex Rosewater, CEO of the Paradigm Corporation, becomes a direct antagonist to The Negotiator, and The
Union is introduced, agents of a foreign power working
within the City.
Ending
An aerial shot of Paradigm City. The city is based on the island
of Manhattan and is suggested to be New York City itself.* [2]
to have been an elaborate fabrication produced by an unknown power.
The city is characterized by severe class inequity; the
higher-income population resides inside the more pleasant domes, with the remainder left in tenements outside.
Androids coexist with the human inhabitants of Paradigm
City; while they are rare, they are sufficiently numerous that denizens of the city do not consider them unusual.* [3]
Several episodes show inhabitants of Paradigm City practicing some form of Christianity: people congregate in
meeting places with crucifixes prominently displayed.
The practice appears to be based on custom, because no
one clearly remembers any doctrine associated with the
practice. A ruined cathedral remains unused, although
some elderly people occasionally stand in front of it and
sing incompletely remembered hymns. In episode 11, it
appears that only Alex Rosewater remembers or observes
Christmas. A holiday commemorating the founding of
Paradigm City,“Heaven's Day”, is observed on December 25. Though citizens decorate with generic Christmas
decorations, they are ignorant of their original meaning.
Dastun mentions that Rosewater had in his possession
fragments of a "Book of Revelation", although neither
Dastun nor Roger had heard of it before. It is possible that
Rosewater also has other fragments of The Bible, and he
once describes the real meaning of Heaven's Day as“the
day God's son was born”.
The series ends with the awakening of a new megadeus,
and the revelation that the world is a simulated reality created by Angel. A climactic battle ensues between Big O
and Big Fau, after which reality is systematically erased
by the new megadeus, an incarnation of Angel nicknamed
“Big Venus”by Dorothy. Roger implores Angel to “let
go of the past”regardless of its existential reality, and
focus only on the present and the future. In an isolated
control room, the real Angel observes the fight and her
past encounters with Roger on a series of television monitors. On the control panel lies Metropolis, a book featured prominently since the thirteenth episode that was
published by Gordon Rosewater, who later disowned it.
Metropolis is an account of history prior to The Event
(which Gordon dismisses as“a lie”), and the cover features an illustration of angel wings and gives the author's
name as“Angel Rosewater”. Big Venus and Big O physically merge, causing the virtual reality to reset. A white
flash subsides, and the first scenes of the first episode of
season one play out. New versions of Dorothy and Angel
watch Roger drive down the street as he delivers again his
first speech of the series. The ending title card,“We have
come to terms,”appears, and the credits roll.
2.2.2 Characters
Main article: List of The Big O characters
2.2.3 Production and release
Development of the retro-styled series began in 1996.
Keiichi Sato came up with the concept of The Big O:
a giant city-smashing robot, piloted by a man in black,
in a Gotham-like environment. He later met up with
Kazuyoshi Katayama, who had just finished directing
Those Who Hunt Elves, and started work on the layouts
and character designs. But when things“were about to really start moving,”production on Katayama's Sentimental
The first season is episodic. Each episode (referred to Journey began, putting plans on-hold. Meanwhile,* Sato
as an “Act”) relates a separate instance the resurgence was heavily involved with his work on City Hunter. [5]
of lost“memories”and how the citizens cope with their Sato admits it all started as “a gimmick for a toy”but
collective amnesia. The final episodes introduce elements the representatives at Bandai Hobby Division did not see
Although the textbook definition of memory is a record
stored in the brain of an organism, the citizens of
Paradigm City use the term more loosely;* [4] “Memories”(メモリー Memorī ) can refer to forgotten knowledge, records or artifacts from before The Event, or partial forms of recollection including hallucinations and
recurring dreams.
22
CHAPTER 2. B
the same potential.* [5] From there on, the dealings would
be with Bandai Visual, but Sunrise still needed some safeguards and requested more robots be designed to increase
prospective toy sales. In 1999, with the designs complete,
Chiaki J. Konaka was brought on as head writer. Among
other things, Konaka came up with the idea of “a town
without memory”and his writing staff put together the
outline for a 26-episodes series.* [6]
Shima. The duet is performed by Robbie Danzie and
Naoki Takao.
The Big O premiered on 13 October 1999 on WOWOW.
When the production staff was informed the series would
be shortened to 13 episodes, the writers decided to end
it with a cliffhanger, hoping the next 13 episodes would
be picked up.* [7] In April 2001, The Big O premiered on
Cartoon Network's Toonami lineup.* [8]
Publications
Second season
The series garnered positive fan response internationally
that resulted in a second season co-produced by Cartoon
Network, Sunrise, and Bandai Visual. Season two premiered on Japan's SUN-TV on January 2003, with the
American premiere taking place seven months later as an
Adult Swim exclusive.* [7]* [9] The second season would
not be seen on Toonami until July 27, 2013, 10 years after
it began airing on Adult Swim.
Along with Sahashi's original compositions, the soundtrack features Chopin's Prelude No. 15 and a jazz saxophone rendition of "Jingle Bells.”The complete score
was released in two volumes by Victor Entertainment.
See also: List of The Big O chapters
The Big O was conceived as a media franchise.* [5] To this
effect, Sunrise requested a manga be produced along with
the animated series. The Big O manga started serialization
in Kodansha's Magazine Z on July 1999, three months
before the anime premiere. Authored by Hitoshi Ariga,
the manga uses Keiichi Sato's concept designs in an allnew story. The series ended on October 2001. The issues
were later collected in six volumes. The English version
of the manga is published by Viz Media.* [18]
In anticipation to the broadcast of the second season, a
new manga series was published. Lost Memory (ロスト
メモリー Rosuto Memorī ), authored by Hitoshi Ariga.
Lost Memory takes place between volumes five and six of
The second season was scripted by Chiaki Konaka with the original manga. The issues were serialized in Magato September 2003 and were
input from the American producers.* [7]* [10] Along with zine Z from November 2002
*
collected
in
two
volumes.
[18]
the 13 episodes of season two, Cartoon Network had an
option for 26 additional episodes to be written by Kon- Paradigm Noise (パ ラ ダ イ ム・ ノ イ ズ Paradaimu
aka,* [11] but according to Jason DeMarco, executive Noizu), a novel by Yuki Taniguchi, was released 16 July
producer for season two, the middling ratings and DVD 2003 by Tokuma Shoten.* [19]
sales in the United States and Japan made any further
episodes impossible to be produced.* [12]
2.2.4 Design
Music
The Big O is the brainchild of Keiichi Sato and Kazuyoshi
Katayama, an homage to the shows they grew up with.
The show references the works of the superhero shows
produced by the Toei Company and "old school" super
robots. The series is done in the style of film noir and pulp
fiction and combines the feel of a detective show with the
giant robot genre.* [14]* [20]
The Big O was scored by Geidai alumnus Toshihiko Sahashi. His composition is richly symphonic and classical,
with a number of pieces delving into electronica and
jazz.* [13] Chosen because of his “frightening amount
of musical knowledge about TV dramas overseas,”* [14]
Sahashi integrates musical homages into the soundtrack.
The background music draws from film noir, spy films
and sci-fi television series like The Twilight Zone. The Style
battle themes are reminiscent of Akira Ifukube's compoFilm noir is a stylistic approach to genre films forged
sitions for the Godzilla series.* [15]
The first opening theme is the Queen-influenced “Big- in Depression-era detective and gangster films and harddetective stories which were a staple of pulp ficO!".* [16] Composed, arranged and performed by Rui boiled
*
[21]
The Big O shares much of its themes, diction,
tion.
Nagai, the song resembles the theme to the Flash Gorarchetypes
and visual iconography with film noirs of the
don film. The second opening theme is“Respect,”comThe
Big Sleep (1946).* [22]
1940s
like
posed by Sahashi. The track is an homage to the music of
Gerry Anderson's UFO, composed by Barry Gray.* [17]
In 2007, Rui Nagai composed “Big-O! Show Must Go
On,”a 1960s hard rock piece, for Animax's reruns of
the show. The closing theme is the slow love ballad
“And Forever,”written by Chie and composed by Ken
Low-key lighting schemes mark most noirs.* [21] The series incorporates the use of long dark shadows in the tradition of chiaroscuro and tenebrism. Film noir is also
known for its use of odd angles, such as Roger's low shot
introduction in the first episode. Noir cinematographers
2.2. THE BIG O
23
the series.* [22]
Amnesia is a common plot device in film noir. Because
most of these stories focused on a character proving his
innocence, authors up the ante by making him an amnesiac, unable to prove his innocence even to himself.* [28]
The Big O goes further, by removing the memories of the
whole population. The convoluted past is told through
the use of flashbacks. In most noirs, the past is tangible
and menacing. The characters are often trying to escape
some trauma or crime tied to the Event, and confronting
it becomes their only chance at redemption.* [21]
The shadows of Venetian blinds cast upon the hero, a signature
visual of film noir.
favoured this angle because it made characters almost rise
from the ground, giving them dramatic girth and symbolic
overtones. Other disorientating devices like dutch angles, mirror reflection and distorting shots are employed
throughout the series.* [15]* [22]
Influences
Before The Big O, Sunrise Studios was a subcontractor
for Warner Bros. Animation's Batman: The Animated
Series,* [29]* [30] one of the series' influences.* [5]
Roger Smith is a pastiche of the Bruce Wayne persona
and the Batman. The character design resembles Wayne,
complete with slicked-back hair and double-breasted
business suit.* [31] Like Bruce, Roger prides himself in
being a rich playboy to the extent that one of his household's rules is only women may be let into his mansion
without his permission.* [24] Like Batman, Roger Smith
carries a no-gun policy, albeit more flexible. Unlike the
personal motives of the Batman, Roger enforces this rule
for “it's all part of being a gentleman.”* [32] Among
Roger's gadgetry is the Griffon, a large, black hi-tech
sedan comparable to the Batmobile, a grappling cable that
shoots out his wristwatch and the giant robot that Angel
calls “Roger's alter ego.”* [15]* [33]
The characters of The Big O fit the noir and pulp fiction archetypes.* [21] Roger Smith is a protagonist in the
mold of Chandler's Philip Marlowe or Hammett's Sam
Spade.* [20]* [23] He is canny and cynical, a disillusioned
cop-turned-negotiator whose job has more in common
with detective-style work than negotiating. Big Ear is
Roger's street informant and Dan Dastun is the friend on
the police force. The recurring Beck is the imaginative
thug compelled by delusions of grandeur while Angel fills
the role of the femme fatale. Minor characters include
crooked cops, corrupt business men and deranged scien- The Big O's cast of supporting characters includes Norman, Roger's faithful mechanically-inclined butler who
tists.* [15]
fills the role of Alfred Pennyworth; R. Dorothy WaynerNoir characters often wisecrack and speak in double en- ight, who plays the role of the sidekick; and Dan Dastun,
tendres.* [21] The dialogue in the series is recognized for a good honest cop who, like Jim Gordon, is both a friend
its witty, wry sense of humor. The characters come off as to the hero and greatly respected by his comrades.* [15]
charming and exchange banter not often heard in anime
influence is Mitsuteru Yokoyama's
series, as the dialogue has the tendency to be straight- The other major
Giant Robo.* [24]* [29] Before working on The Big O,
forward. The plot is moved along by Roger's voice-over
narration, a device used in film noir to place the viewer Kazuyoshi Katayama and other animators worked with
Yasuhiro Imagawa on Giant Robo: The Day the Earth
in the mind of the protagonist so it can intimately experience the character's angst and partly identify with the Stood Still. The *feature, a "retro chic" homage to
Yokoyama's career, [34] took seven years to produce and
narrator.* [14]* [24]
suffered low sales and high running costs. Frustrated by
The urban landscape, Paradigm City, is the perfect noir the experience, Katayama and his staff put all their efforts
milieu.* [21] The tall buildings and giant domes create a into making “good”with The Big O.* [17]
sense of claustrophobia and paranoia characteristic of the
style.* [25]* [26] The rural landscape, Ailesberry Farm, Like Giant Robo, the megadeuses of Big O are metal becontrasts Paradigm City. Noir protagonists often look hemoths. The *designs are strange and “more macho
for sanctuary in such settings but, as seen in Act:23, they than practical,” [31] sporting big stovepipe arms and exjust as likely end up becoming a killing ground.* [15] The posed rivets. Unlike the giants of other mecha series, the
series score is representative of its setting. While no megadeuses do not exhibit ninja-like speed nor grace. Inclassic noir possesses a jazz score, the music could be stead, the robots are armed with“old school”weaponry
powered punches, machine guns
heard in nightclubs within the films.* [27] Roger's recur- such as missiles, piston
*
and
laser
cannons.
[35]
ring theme, a lone saxophone accompaniment to the protagonist's narration, best exemplifies the noir stylings of Katayama also cited Super Robot Red Baron and Super
24
CHAPTER 2. B
Robot Mach Baron among influences on the inspiration
of The Big O. Believing that because Red Baron had such
a low budget and the big fights always happened outside
of a city setting, he wanted Big O to be the show he felt
Red Baron could be with a bigger budget. He also spoke
of how he first came up with designs for the robots first as
if they were making designs to appeal to toy companies,
rather than how Gundam was created with a toy company
wanting an anime to represent their new product. Big O's
large pumping chamber arms, for example, he felt would
be cool gimmicks in a toy.* [36]
Norman, Griffon (Roger's car), Dorothy-1 (Big O's first
opponent), Schwarzwald and Big Duo.
In 2009, Bandai released a plastic/diecast figure of the Big
O under their Soul of Chogokin line. The figure has the
same features as the model kit, but with added detail and
accessories. Its design was closely supervised by original
designer Keiichi Sato.* [38]
The Big O Visual: The official companion to the TV series (ISBN 4-575-29579-5) was published by Futabasha
in 2003. The book contains full-color artwork, character bios and concept art, mecha sketches, video/LD/DVD
jacket illustrations, history on the making of The Big O,
staff interviews,“Roger's Monologues”comic strip and
the original script for the final episode of the series.
In 2011, Max Factory released action figures of Roger
and Dorothy through their Figma toyline. Like most Figmas, they are very detailed, articulated and come with
accessories and interchangeable faces. In the same year,
Max Factory also released a 12-inch, diecast figure of
Big O under their Max Gokin line. The figure contained
most of the accessories as the Soul of Chogokin figure
but also included some others that could be bought separately from the SOC figure, such as the Mobydick (hip)
Anchors and Roger Smith's car: the Griffon. Like the
Soul of Chogokin figure, its design was also supervised
by Keiichi Sato. As well, in that same year, Max Factory
released soft vinyl figures of Big Duo and Big Fau. These
figures are high in detail but limited in articulation, such
as the arms and legs being the only things to move. To
date, this is the only action figure of Big Fau.
Audio drama
2.2.6 Reception
2.2.5
Media
Companion book
“Walking Together On The Yellow Brick Road”was
released by Victor Entertainment on 21 September
2000.* [37] The drama CD was written by series head
writer Chiaki J. Konaka and featured the series' voice
cast.
Video games
The Big O premiered on 13 October 1999. The show was
not a hit in its native Japan, rather it was reduced from
an outlined 26 episodes to 13 episodes. Western audiences were more receptive and the series achieved the
success its creators were looking for.* [7]* [39] In an interview with AnimePlay, Keiichi Sato said “This is exactly as we had planned”, referring to the success overseas.* [14]
Several words appear constantly in the English-language
The first season of Big O is featured in Super Robot Wars reviews; adjectives like “hip”,* [26] “sleek,”* [40]
D for the Game Boy Advance. The series, including its “stylish”, * [41] “classy”,* [31] and, above all, “cool”
second season is also featured in Super Robot Wars Z, * [39]* [41]* [42] serve to describe the artwork, the concept, and the series itself. Reviewers have pointed
released in 2008.
out references and homages to various works of fiction, namely Batman,* [24]* [43] Giant Robo,* [23]* [31]
Toys and model kits
the works of Isaac Asimov,* [25]* [26] Fritz Lang's
Metropolis,* [23] James Bond,* [44] and Cowboy BeBandai released a non-scale model kit of Big O in 2000. bop.* [45]* [46] But “while saying that may cause one to
Though it was an easy snap-together kit, it required paint- think the show is completely derivative”, reads an artiing, as all of the parts (except the clear orange crown cle at Anime on DVD, "The Big O still manages to stand
and canopy) were molded in dark gray. The kit included out as something original amongst the other numerous
springs that enabled the slide-action Side Piles on the cookie-cutter anime shows.”One reviewer cites the exforearms to simulate Big O's Sudden Impact maneuver. tensive homages as one of the series problems and calls
Also included was an unpainted Roger Smith figure.
to unoriginality on the creators part.* [47]
PVC figures of Big O and Big Duo (Schwarzwald's
Megadeus) were sold by Bandai America. Each came
with non-poseable figures of Roger, Dorothy and Angel.
Mini-figure sets were sold in Japan and America during
the run of the second season. The characters included
Big O (standard and attack modes), Roger, Dorothy &
The first season's reception was positive. Anime on DVD
recommends it as an essential series.* [44] Chris Beveridge of the aforementioned site gave an A- to Vols. 1
and 2, and a B+ to Vols. 3 and 4.* [25]* [48]* [49]* [50]
Mike Toole of Anime Jump gave it 4.5 (out of a possible 5) stars,* [23] while the review at the Anime Academy
2.2. THE BIG O
25
gave it a grade of 83, listing the series' high points as be- [11] “More Big O”. Anime News Network. 2003-06-09.
Retrieved 2006-12-03.
ing“unique”, the characters“interesting,”and the action “nice.”* [51] Reviewers,* [23]* [44]* [50] and fans
[12] “Ask Kim Manning -- And what is up with Big O Season
alike,* [7]* [9] agree the season's downfall was the end3?". Adult Swim. Archived from the original on 2007ing, or its lack thereof. The dangling plot threads frus09-30. Retrieved 2006-12-03.
trated the viewers and prompted Cartoon Network's in[13] McCarter, Charles. "The Big-O Original Sound Score”.
volvement in the production of further episodes.* [9]
EX: The Online World of Anime & Manga. Retrieved
The look and feel of the show received a big enhance2006-12-15.
ment in the second season.* [52] This time around, the
animation is “near OVA quality”* [53] and the artwork [14] Shimura, Shinichi (2004). “Anime rebel with a cause:
The Big O's Keiichi Sato”. AnimePlay 5: 22–26.
“far more lush and detailed.”* [39] Also enhanced are the
troubles of the first season. The giant robot battles still [15] Penedo, Nicolas. "The Big O, un animé sous influence”
seem out of place to some,* [47]* [54] while others praise
(in French). AnimeLand. Retrieved 2006-12-16.
the “over-the-top-ness”of their execution.* [42]* [51]
[16] McCarter, Charles. “The Big O! CD Single”. EX: The
For some reviewers, the second season “doesn't quite
Online World of Anime & Manga. Retrieved 2006-12match the first”* [55] addressing to “something”miss08.
*
ing in these episodes. [47] Andy Patrizio of IGN points
out changes in Roger Smith's character, who “lost some [17] Lillard, Kevin. “Anime Central 2003 Panel”. A Fan's
View. Archived from the original on 2005-11-28. Reof his cool and his very funny side in the second season.”
trieved 2006-11-23.
Like a repeat of season one, this season's ending is con*
*
sidered its downfall. [56] [57] Chris Beveridge of Anime [18] "The Big O section at Hitoshi Ariga's site” (in Japanese).
on DVD wonders if this was head writer “Konaka's atRetrieved 2007-08-01.
tempt to throw his hat into the ring for creating one of the
most confusing and oblique endings of any series.”Pa- [19] Taniguchi, Yuki. THE ビッ グ オーラ ダ イ ム・ ノ イ
ズ [The Big O: Noise Paradign]. Japan: Tokuma Shoten.
trizio states“the creators watched The Truman Show and
ISBN
4-19-861708-2.
The Matrix a few times too many.”
2.2.7
References
[1] “Sentai Filmworks Adds Sacred Seven, The Big O,
Kurokami, More”. Anime News Network. Retrieved
11 August 2013.
[2] The Big O Visual: Official Companion to “The Big-O”
TV series (ISBN 4-575-29579-5), p. 39.
[3] Hal Erickson (July 2005). “Television cartoon shows:
an illustrated encyclopedia” 1. McFarland & Co. ISBN
978-0-7864-2255-5.
[4] Note the series uses the spelling “Memory”(メモリー
Memorī ) instead of “memory”(記憶 kioku).
[5] Kazuyoshi Katayama (2001) [1999]. The Big O Vol. 1
(Media notes). Bandai Entertainment.
[6] “THE BIG O! Chiaki J. Konaka Interview”. Anime
Jump. 2001. Archived from the original on 2003-06-29.
Retrieved 2007-01-01.
[20] Green, Scott (2002-04-01). “The Month in Review March 2002”. Anime News Network. Retrieved 200806-30.
[21] Silver, A. & Ursini, J. “What is 'Noir'?" In Film Noir.
Los Angeles, CA: Taschen Books. ISBN 3-8228-2261-2
[22] “The Big O”. anime and manga for Australia. Archived
from the original on 2007-08-07. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
[23] Toole, Mike (2003-09-24). "The Big O vols. 1-4”. Anime
Jump. Archived from the original on 2007-09-26. Retrieved 2006-11-11.
[24] "The Big O Preview”. Anime News Network. Retrieved
2006-11-11.
[25] Beveridge, Chris (2001-06-19). “Anime on DVD Reviews: The Big O Vol. #1”. Anime on DVD. Retrieved
2006-11-11.
[26] "The Big O Complete Collection DVD Review”. DVD
Vision Japan. Retrieved 2006-11-11.
[7] Chiaki J. Konaka. "The Big O (production notes)" (in
Japanese). Retrieved 2006-11-18.
[27] “Interview with Eddie Muller”. SFJAZZ. 2006-0517. Archived from the original on 2006-10-01. Retrieved
2006-11-04.
[8] “Large Toonami Updates”. News. Anime News Network. 2001-03-27. Retrieved 2009-08-06.
[28] Rafferty, T. (2 November 2003) The Last Word in Alienation: I Just Don't Remember. The New York Times.
[9] “Comic-con Adult Swim News”. Anime News Network.
2002-08-04. Retrieved 2006-11-18.
[29] Clements, Jonathan; Helen McCarthy (2001). The Anime
Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese Animation Since 1917.
Berkeley, CA: Stone Bridge Press. ISBN 1-880656-64-7.
[10] “Ask John: How Much Influence do Americans Have in
Anime Co-Productions?". Anime Nation. 2008-05-13.
Retrieved 2008-05-13.
[30] For detail on which episodes Sunrise worked on, see The
World's Finest.
26
[31] Rhee, Keith (2000-02-03).“The Big O”. EX: The Online
World of Anime & Manga. Retrieved 2006-11-04.
CHAPTER 2. B
[51] "Big O Review”. Anime Academy. Retrieved 2006-1104.
[32] Keiichi Hasegawa (writer) (1999-12-01). “Missing Cat” [52] Beveridge, Chris (2003-11-03). “Anime on DVD Re. The Big O. Episode 08. WOWOW.
views: The Big O II Vol. #1”. Anime on DVD. Retrieved
2006-11-11.
[33] Chiaki J. Konaka (writer) (2003-01-09). “Negotiations
with the Dead”. The Big O. Episode 15. Sun Television. [53] Divers, Allen (2004-01-20). "The Big O II DVD 1:
Paradigm Lost”. Anime News Network. Retrieved 2006[34] Patten, Fred (2001-06-15).“New from Japan: The Big O
11-11.
Volumes 1 - 4”. Animation World Magazine. Retrieved
2006-11-23.
[54] Robinson, Tasha (2004-01-12). "The Big O II". SCI FI
Weekly. Archived from the original on 2006-05-29. Re[35] Hayward, Keith. “Super Robot Review: The Big O".
trieved 2006-11-11.
Japan Hero. Retrieved 2006-11-23.
[55] Patrizio, Andy (2004-06-25). "The Big O II - Aggressive
[36] “SciFi JAPAN TV #13: Anime x Tokusatsu: The Big
Negotiations Review”. IGN. Retrieved 2006-11-11.
O / 第１３話「アニメ x 特撮：THE ビッグオー」«
SciFi Japan”. Scifijapan.com. 2013-08-30. Retrieved [56] “Super Robot Reviews: The Big O II: 2nd Season”. Japan
2014-05-21.
Hero. Retrieved 2006-11-11.
[37] “THE ビッ グ オーORIGINAL CD DRAMA THEATER “WALKING TOGETHER ON THE YELLOW
BRICK ROAD”[The Big O Original CD Drama Theater “Walking Together on the Yellow Brick Road] (in
Japanese). GeoOnline. Retrieved 2009-08-06.
[38] HobbyLink Japan - Soul of Chogokin The Big O
[39] Arseneau, Adam (2004-03-05). "The Big O II: Paradigm
Lost (Volume 1) Review”. DVD Verdict. Retrieved
2006-11-04.
[40] Byun, Bryan (2004-09-30). "The Big O II: Missing Pieces
(Volume 2) Review”. DVD Verdict. Retrieved 2006-1104.
[41] Shelton, Andrew. "Big O Review”. Anime Meta-Review.
Retrieved 2006-11-04.
[42] Shepard, Chris. "Big O Review”. Anime News Network.
Retrieved 2006-11-04.
[43] Forbes, Jake (January 2001). "The Big-O". Animefringe.
Retrieved 2006-11-11.
[44] “Anime on DVD Recommends: The Big O". Anime on
DVD. Retrieved 2006-11-04.
[45] Robinson, Tasha (2001-04-02). "Big O". SCI FI Weekly.
Archived from the original on 2007-09-19. Retrieved
2006-11-11.
[46] Patrizio, Andy (2004-01-14). "The Big O II - Paradigm
Lost Review”. IGN. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
[47] "The Big O/The Big O II". The Anime Review. Retrieved
2006-11-11.
[48] Beveridge, Chris (2001-08-21). “Anime on DVD Reviews: The Big O Vol. #2”. Anime on DVD. Retrieved
2008-01-01.
[49] Beveridge, Chris (2001-10-16). “Anime on DVD Reviews: The Big O Vol. #3”. Anime on DVD. Retrieved
2008-01-01.
[50] Beveridge, Chris (2001-12-18). “Anime on DVD Reviews: The Big O Vol. #4”. Anime on DVD. Retrieved
2006-11-11.
[57] Beveridge, Chris. “Big O II Vol. #4 (of 4)". AnimeOnDVD.com. Retrieved 2006-12-29.
2.2.8 External links
• The Big O (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• The Big O at the Internet Movie Database
• The Big O at TV.com
Chapter 3
C
3.1 Cowboy Bebop: The Movie
ciety Award for Best Animated Film.
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, known in Japan as Cowboy
Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door (Japanese: カ ウ
ボーイビバップ天国の扉 Hepburn: Kaubōi Bibappu:
Tengoku no Tobira, lit. Cowboy Bebop: Heaven's Door),
is a 2001 Japanese animated space Western action film
based on the 1998 anime series Cowboy Bebop created
by Hajime Yatate. Multiple staff from the original series worked on the film, including director Shinichirō
Watanabe, writer Keiko Nobumoto, character designer
Toshihiro Kawamoto, and animation director Hiroshi Osaka, and composer Yoko Kanno. The original English
and Japanese voice cast also reprised their roles.
3.1.1 Plot
The film was conceived by Watanabe as an extension of
his work on the television series, which he treated as a
series of miniature films. So as not to alienate fans of
the series, a large amount of aesthetic material was incorporated, while also adjusting it to make it accessible
to newcomers. Increased budget and production facilities enabled the use of filming styles associated with liveaction films and a higher animation quality than the series.
Arabic thematic elements were incorporated to contrast
against the series, which entailed Watanabe traveling to
Morocco for research. The Arabic atmosphere was also
used in Kanno's music.
who was pursuing Lee Sampson, a hacker that was apparently driving the truck, sees the terrorist and the Bebop
crew decide to take on the bounty. Each follows different lines of inquiry. Ed, using a tattoo on the attacker's
wrist, manages to identify him as Vincent Volaju, a former member of a military squad apparently killed in the
Titan War. In reality, Vincent was the only survivor of a
test involving the pathogen, having been immunized with
a test vaccine: made an amnesic, he suffers from hallucinations, and his inability to tell dreams from reality eventually drove him insane.
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie is set on Mars in the year
2071, forty-nine years after Earth was mostly abandoned
after a catastrophe. Humanity has settled on other planets
and moons in the solar system. The film's protagonists are
legalized bounty hunters who travel together on the spaceship Bebop. They are Spike Spiegel, a former associate
of the Red Dragon crime syndicate; Jet Black, a former
police officer and owner of the Bebop; Faye Valentine,
a woman who was once a fugitive from bounty hunters;
Edward Wong (Ed for short), a girl with genius computer
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie is set between episodes 22 and skills; and Ein, an artificial dog with human level intelli23 of the original series.* [3] The plot centers on a myste- gence.
rious terrorist planning to destroy the human population Days before Halloween, a man explodes a truck in Mars'
on Mars using an unknown pathogen. The bounty hunter capital city, spreading what is assumed to be a new
crew of the spaceship Bebop, headed by Jet Black and pathogen that kills or sickens over three hundred people.
Spike Spiegel, work to find the terrorist and discover the In response, the Mars government issues a record bounty
source of the pathogen before the attack can take place. of 300 million woolong for the culprit's capture. Faye,
The film was produced by studios Sunrise, which had
previously developed the original series, Bones, a later
studio founded by former Sunrise staff, and Bandai Visual. Cowboy Bebop: The Movie was released to theaters
in Japan on September 1, 2001 and in the United States
on August 11, 2002. It went on to gross over $3 million
worldwide, and when released on DVD, it ranked high
on Japanese and US charts. It was released as a direct-toDVD feature in the United Kingdom. The film received
generally positive reviews from mainstream and anime
critics and was nominated for the Online Film Critics So-
Jet learns that the truck was the property of Cherious
Medical Pharmaceutical Company, who illegally manufactured the pathogen as a biological weapon. Looking
for information on the pathogen, Spike is given a sample by a man named Rashid, who was the former lead
on its development. Spike also encounters Elektra Ovirowa, an agent of Cherious Medical. Upon examination,
the “pathogen”proves to be a type of protein-based
nanomachine that mimic human lymphocytes then break
down into protein after death, making them undetectable.
Attempting to infiltrate Cherious Medical, Spike fights
with Elektra, planting a listening device on her. Elek-
27
28
tra, who is sent by Cherious Medical to kill Vincent, is
tailed by Spike, who attempts to take down Vincent on
a train. Vincent easily defeats Spike, severely wounding
him and throwing him from the train before releasing another cloud of the nanomachines: everyone in the train
dies except Elektra, who had been in a relationship with
Vincent prior to the test on Titan and was accidentally
immunized. She secretly gives a friend in the company a
sample of her blood to prepare a stock of vaccine. During
this time, Faye relocates Samson, who has been working
with Vincent, but fails to catch him. Ein and Ed manage to find him again, but the two run off before Faye can
get there. She arrives just as Vincent breaks one of the
nanomachine containers with him, killing Samson. Although Faye is also infected, Vincent gives her some of
his blood through a kiss, immunizing her.
After Spike recovers and has a final talk with Rashid,
he and Elektra are captured by Cherious Medical, who
want to suppress all knowledge of the nanomachines' existence. The two escape from Cherious Medical, grabbing the newly produced vaccine on the way. In turn,
Faye escapes after Vincent goes to trigger an attack on
the city that will eventually kill everyone on Mars. After the group reunites, it is determined that Vincent will
spread the nanomachines by exploding the giant jacko'-lantern balloons used in the Halloween parade: Jet
has a troop of old aircraft spread the antibodies over the
city while Faye heads for the weather control center and
causes it to rain on the city, aiding the spread of the vaccine. Spike and Elektra separately head to confront Vincent. Spike arrives first and the two battle to a standstill,
then the nanomachines are released and Spike is temporarily weakened by them. As Vincent prepares to kill
him, Elektra arrives and shoots Vincent. Having wanted
to die since Titan, Vincent does not defend himself and
thanks Elektra for their time together before dying.
CHAPTER 3. C
to make a film.* [7] Watanabe was aiming towards a liveaction look for the film despite its medium, using camera
tricks, visual effects and character expression impossible
in the series while keeping “the Bebop flavor”.* [8] According to Kōichi Yamadera, the Japanese voice actor for
Spike, the only real changes made by the team in the portrayal were to show off the characters, including Spike,
in different ways: Spike, in particular, displayed more of
his inner thoughts and showed a gentler side than he did
in the series, as there was more time available to express
such details.* [6] Watanabe personally chose the voice actors for Elektra and Vincent. Vincent was partially intended as a type of villain that could not be done in the
series, even though Watanabe felt he was not “particularly unique”.* [8]
Because of increased running time, budget and facilities, the team were able to include more cels in animations, as well as longer and more intricate action sequences.* [6] The film included difficult sequences that
Watanabe could not do along with the rest of the film, so
two guest directors were brought in for them: Hiroyuki
Okiura, who handled the opening sequence, and Tensai Okamura, who created a cinematic Western shown
at a drive-in theater during the film. Watanabe wanted
to give the film an Arabic feel, in contrast to the series which often used New York and Hong Kong for
inspiration. To this end, Watanabe went on a research
trip to Morocco.* [8] The character Rashid was based on
the guide who had shown the research team round the
city.* [3] Working on the film was different for Watanabe
when compared to the series in a positive way: while he
had to put the entire story in a twenty-minute episode for
the series, the team were able to create a longer, more
detailed narrative.* [9]
Cowboy Bepop: The Movie was first announced in
September 1999: the majority of the series' staff were
carried over along with Watanabe, including producer
Masahiko Minami, animation director Hiroshi Osaka,
3.1.2 Voice cast
character designer Toshihiro Kawamoto, and writer
Keiko Nobumoto. The original Japanese cast also reMain article: Cowboy Bebop characters
turned.* [3]* [10] The writing process was finished and
production began in July 2000.* [11] It was produced
by the studios Sunrise, Bones and Bandai Visual.* [3]
While Sunrise worked on the original series, Bones was
3.1.3 Development
founded in 1998 after the series' completion by Minami,
Kawamoto and Osaka.* [12] The length of the film's proThe idea for a film was in the mind of director Shinichirō duction allowed the team to ensure its high quality.* [13]
Watanabe during the development of the original Cowboy
Bebop series, which he had originally envisioned as a
film.* [5] Watanabe treated each episode of the series as
Music
a miniature film, so to progress onto a feature-length film
seemed natural to him. So as not to disappoint fans,
the film incorporated as much of the series as possible Main article: Music of Cowboy Bebop
while making it accessible to newcomers.* [6] He had
thought up some of the story and the character of Vin- The music for Cowboy Bebop: The Movie was comcent during the production of the series.* [5] After the posed by Yoko Kanno, composer for the original series,
series ended and there was worldwide demand for a con- and performed by her band Seatbelts.* [10] She used the
tinuation, the decision was made by the series creators same mixture of music genres (western, opera, jazz) as
3.1. COWBOY BEBOP: THE MOVIE
with the TV series, but also added Arabic elements in
keeping with the film's thematic feel. She used Arabic and English for the music lyrics. Alongside these,
the soundtrack made use of a large amount of rock instruments.* [13]* [14] Five tracks from the film were released on the Seatbelts mini-album Ask DNA, released
on July 25, 2001.* [15]* [16] The soundtrack's official release, Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' On Heaven's Door OST
Future Blues, was released on August 22, 2001. Both
these albums were reissued in December 2012.* [15]
3.1.4
Release
29
of these sentiments. His main criticism stemmed from
the fact that Jet, Faye and Ed were relegated to supporting roles, and that it was difficult getting them all into
the story. He also said that the team had outdone themselves with the animation quality in a few scenes, such
as the final fight between Spike and Vincent.* [27] Robert
Koehler of Variety, reviewing an undubbed subtitled release, praised the visuals and writing, although he found
some sections a little long.* [28]
Lawrence van Gelder of New York Times was a little
more mixed, enjoying the experience, but finding it a
little frivolous when compared to both its subject matter and events at the time. His ultimate impression from
the English-dubbed version was that the film could easily have been set in present-day New York.* [29] Chris
Beveridge of Mania.com said that the film "[played]
out like a much expanded episode but without feeling
like its being padded to do so.”, generally praising the
plot along with Vincent's characterization and Spike's
expanded portrayal.* [30] Jamie Russell, writing for the
BBC, gave it 4 out of 5 stars, saying it was“good enough
to deserve mention in the same breath as Akira, Ghost in
the Shell, and Spirited Away.”The most praise went to
the use of live-action camera angles. Though he found
the film's story sometimes slowed noticeably, the soundtrack and visual references to other notable action films
made it “an example of anime at its very best.”* [31]
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie was first released in cinemas
in Japan on September 1, 2001. After the film's international release, this date was subject to debate in the
western fanbase due to its proximity to the September 11
attacks.* [17] It was first shown to the west at the 2002
AnimeCon, where it was announced that the original English cast would reprise their roles.* [18]* [19] Its Japanese
subtitle, “Knockin' on Heaven's Door”, was changed
for the western release due to sharing its name with the
1973 Bob Dylan song of the same name. Instead of creating a new subtitle, the team settled with using "The
Movie".* [13] During its initial screening at the event, it
sold out completely, prompting a second screening later
in the event.* [18] The film received a limited theatrical
release in the United States, opening on April 4, 2003.
During its opening weekend, it reached 19th place in the
box office chart, bringing in $12,338 per screening.* [20] Home media
The film's total gross in America was $1,000,045. Its
The film was released on DVD in Japan on February 7,
worldwide gross totals $3,007,903.* [2]
2002, immediately reaching the top of the DVD/VHS
charts. Sunrise and Bandai Visual underestimated the
Critical response
possible sales, with the first print being used up soon after
release, prompting a second print for mid-February.* [32]
Reception of the film has been positive, earning a 64% The DVD distribution rights in the west were acquired by
critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.* [21] Fellow aggregate Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.* [33] In 2006, it
site Metacritic gave the film a score of 61/100 based on was ranked as the sixth best-selling anime DVD in the
23 critic reviews.* [22] The film was nominated at the United States.* [34] It did not receive a theatrical release
Online Film Critics Society Awards 2003 in the Best An- in the United Kingdom, instead being released as a directimated Film category, though it lost the award to Finding to-DVD feature.* [35] It was released in the UK on June
Nemo.* [23] Helen McCarthy in 500 Essential Anime 27, 2003.* [1] The film was later released on Blu-ray disc
Movies praised the music of the movie, calling it “the in Japan on July 25, 2008.* [36] It was released in North
show's secret weapon”, and stated that“the movie's only America on June 28, 2011.* [37]
real fault is that it's about half an hour too long”.* [24] Beveridge generally praised the DVD's quality and extras
After being polled in 2013 for WatchMojo.com's “Top were generally praised, summing it up as a “top notch
10 Anime Movies”list, the film reached sixth place.* [25] release”.* [30] Alex Brotman of AnimeFringe.com, reCritic reviews have generally been positive. Andy Patrizio of IGN gave the film a score of 9 of 10, saying
that the developers “did a superb job of fleshing out the
story”, as well as praising it for “not succumbing to
melodrama like many of its live-action counterparts.”He
also commented that the film's subject matter of terrorism
in the face of the September 11 attacks “smacked way
too close to home.”The music also received praise.* [26]
Mike Crandol of Anime News Network echoed many
viewing the Japanese DVD release, called the film great,
but was disappointed in the lack of special features for the
DVD, particularly citing the lack of interviews with cast
and crew members, and not being able to view the storyboards, in contrast to the DVD release of the original
series.* [38] Patrizio was highly positive about the North
American release, calling the video transfer “excellent”
, the Dolby Digital 5.1 sound setup “just super”, and
praised the extra features.* [26]
30
CHAPTER 3. C
3.1.5
References
[1] “Cowboy Bebop”. British Board of Film Classification.
Retrieved January 22, 2015.
[2] “Cowboy Bebop (2003)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved
May 29, 2014.
[3] “Cowboy Bebop - Heaven's Door - About the Movie”
. CowboyBebop.org. Archived from the original on
November 17, 2002. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
[17] Beck, Jerry (October 28, 2005). The Animated Movie
Guide (1 ed.). Chicago Review Press. p. 60. ISBN
1556525915.
[18] “Anime Cons continue to grow”. ICv2. August 29, 2002.
Retrieved January 6, 2015.
[19] “Cowboy Bebop: The Movie English Cast Announced”.
Anime News Network. July 16, 2002. Retrieved January
8, 2015.
[20] “Weekend Box Office Numbers”. Anime News Network.
April 8, 2003. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
[4] “Behind the Voice Actors - Cowboy Bebop: The Movie”
. Behind the Voice Actors. Archived from the original on
[21] “Cowboy Bebop: The Movie - Rotten Tomatoes”. Rotten
September 21, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
Tomatoes. Retrieved November 22, 2007.
[5] “Animatrix Director: Kid's Story and A Detective's
Story”. The Animatrix official website. Archived from [22] “Cowboy Bebop the Movie: Knockin' on Heaven's Door”
. Metacritic. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
the original on January 2, 2013. Retrieved January 19,
2015.
[6]“From the Small Screen to the Big Screen”. Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (DVD). Culver City, California:
Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment. 2003.
[7] Bricken, Robert (January 2003). “Behind the Bebop
- Murder, Mars and All That Jazz”. Anime Invasion
(Wizard) (#5).
[8] “The Director's Voice: Shinichiro Watanabe Interview”.
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie website (English). Archived
from the original on March 7, 2003. Retrieved January 6,
2015.
[9] "'Cowboy Bebop' director Watanabe talks anime”. The
Daily Texan. February 14, 2006. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
[10] “Further Cowboy Bebop details released”. Anime News
Network. September 25, 1999. Retrieved January 6,
2015.
[11] “Cowboy Bebop Movie Begins Production”. Anime
News Network. July 28, 2000. Retrieved January 6,
2015.
[12] “Cowboy Bebop Helmer Shinichiro Watanabe, BONES
Plan New TV Anime”. Anime News Network. October
16, 2012. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
[13] “Cowboy Bebop Panel”. Anime on DVD.com. February
14, 2006. Archived from the original on June 5, 2003.
Retrieved January 6, 2015.
[14] Khan, Ridwan (March 2002). “Animefringe Reviews:
Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' On Heaven's Door Original
Soundtrack - Future Blues”. Animefringe. Retrieved June
1, 2014.
[15] Green, Scott (November 13, 2012). “Out of Print
“Cowboy Bebop”Soundtracks Reissued”. Crunchyroll.
Archived from the original on November 16, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
[16] “More Details and corrections on Cowboy Bebop Soundtracks”. Anime News Network. July 30, 2001. Retrieved
January 8, 2015.
[23] “2003 Awards (7th Annual)". Online Film Critics Society. 2003. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
[24] McCarthy, Helen (2009). 500 Essential Anime Movies:
The Ultimate Guide. Harper Design. p. 18. ISBN 9780061474507.
[25] “WatchMojo.com:
Top 10 Anime Movies”.
WatchMojo.com. July 18, 2013. Retrieved November
26, 2014.
[26] Patrizio, Andy (July 16, 2003). “Cowboy Bebop: The
Movie”. IGN. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
[27] Crandol, Mike (February 4, 2002). “Cowboy Bebop:
Knockin' on Heaven's Door (movie)". Anime News Network. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
[28] Koehler, Robert (August 14, 2002). “Review: 'Cowboy Bebop – The Movie'". Variety. Retrieved January 8,
2014.
[29] van Gelder, Lawrence (April 4, 2003). “Futuristic Cowboys From Mars on a Mission”. New York Times. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
[30] Beveridge, Chris (June 18, 2003). “Cowboy Bebop
Movie: Knocking On Heaven's Door”. Mania.com. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
[31] Russell, Jamie (June 17, 2003). “Cowboy Bebop: The
Movie (2003)". Retrieved February 27, 2013.
[32] “Anime Briefs: March 2002”. Animefringe. March
2002. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
[33] “Columbia Tristar has Cowboy Bebop movie... it seems”
. Anime News Network. January 25, 2002. Retrieved
January 8, 2015.
[34] “Top Selling Anime DVD Movies”. Anime News Network. January 31, 2006. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
[35] “Animejin News - 12th July 2002”. AnimeJin. July 12,
2002. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
[36] “Cowboy Bebop Knockin' on Heaven's Door Blu-ray
Disc”. Bandai Visual. Retrieved May 3, 2009.
3.2. CHAOS;HEAD
[37] “Cowboy Bebop: The Movie”. High-Def Digest. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
[38] Brotman, Alex (April 2002).“Cowboy Bebop: Knockin'
on Heaven's Door”. AnimeFringe. Retrieved January 8,
2014.
3.1.6
External links
31
The anime adaptation of Chaos;Head by Madhouse aired
in Japan between October 9, 2008 and December 25,
2008.* [8]* [9]
3.2.1 Gameplay
• Official website (Japanese) (English)
• Cowboy Bebop: The Movie at AllMovie
• Cowboy Bebop: The Movie at Box Office Mojo
• Cowboy Bebop: The Movie at Metacritic
• Cowboy Bebop: The Movie at Rotten Tomatoes
• Cowboy Bebop: The Movie at the Internet Movie
Database
• Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (film) at Anime News
Network's encyclopedia
3.2 Chaos;Head
Chaos;Head (カ オ ス ヘッ ド Kaosu Heddo), stylized
as ChäoS;HEAd, is a Japanese visual novel developed
by 5pb. and Nitroplus that was released on April 25,
2008 for Windows.* [3] A port of the game, named
Chaos;Head Noah (カオスヘッドノア Kaosu Heddo
Noa), for the Xbox 360 console was released on February 26, 2009 followed by releases on the PlayStation
Portable, iOS, Android, PlayStation 3 & PlayStation Vita.
The game is the first in 5pb.'s Science Adventure series,
and is described by the development team as a “Delusional Science NVL" (妄 想 科 学 NVL Mōsō Kagaku
NVL).* [3]* [4] The game's premise revolves around a
high school student named Takumi Nishijō who unknowingly walks into the scene of a gruesome murder on his
way home. More mysterious events start happening afterwards as more gruesome murders occur in the area.
Takumi struggles to cope with reality and the delusions
he experiences as he tries to avoid getting caught by the
perpetrator behind the chain of murders. Although no
release outside of Japan is planned, an unofficial English
fan translation has been released.
A screenshot of Takumi having a conversation with Kozue. The
delusional trigger system's green and red cardiac cycles can be
seen at the top.
The gameplay of Chaos;Head, like other visual novels,
requires little player interaction as the game is primarily
made up of text dialogues. The player only needs to read
and click through the text to advance through the game.
The text that is displayed on the screen depicts conversations between different characters or their thoughts.
Chaos;Head presents choices to the player through a
unique“delusional trigger”(妄想トリガー mōsō torigā)
system.* [10] This system presents the player with three
choices relating to Takumi's psychological state. Two
cardiac cycles will be displayed on the screen. A green,
stable one will be on the top left hand corner and a red,
unstable one will be on the top right hand corner. The
third choice is not visible to the player as it requires no
player interaction. The player may choose to click on the
green or red cardiac cycle, or to simply proceed through
the game without selecting either of them. The player
is not required to make a choice immediately as the two
The game's story has been adapted into a manga that cardiac cycles will remain on the screen until a predestarted serialization on May 21, 2008 in ASCII Media termined number of lines has been passed since they apWorks' shōnen manga magazine Dengeki Daioh.* [5] A peared.
second manga adaptation that focuses on Sena Aoi and Selecting the cardiac cycles will often decide what kind
Kozue Orihara began serialization in Media Factory's of delusions Takumi will experience. The stable choice
seinen manga magazine Monthly Comic Alive on August often shows a happy or humorous scene whereas the un28, 2008.* [6] It has been decided for this adaptation to stable choice will show very negative scenes possibly with
be a side story to the original visual novel. A third adap- gore and violence added. Yes and no questions also show
tation begun serializing in Jive's shōnen manga maga- up at times although they are much less frequent than the
zine Comic Rush magazine on September 26, 2008.* [7] delusional triggers.
32
CHAPTER 3. C
man being pinned by stakes to a wall.
The next day, Takumi comes across a real life murder
scene. Witnessing a mysterious pink-haired girl pinning
a man up by stakes in an alleyway, he immediately realizes he is witnessing the very murder detailed in the pictures he received the day before. Convinced that Shogun
is targeting him, and that the girl he saw committing the
murder is somehow connected to him, Takumi tries to
avoid getting involved with other New Generation events.
However, as Takumi begins attempting to distance himself from the crime he witnessed, he soon catches interest
of the police.
With the police suspecting him, and himself convinced
that he is being targeted by Shogun, Takumi finds himself
Shibuya
caught in a spiral of hallucinations and paranoia, as he
desperately tries to keep himself safe and figure out why
he is apparently being targeted. He eventually comes into
3.2.2 Plot
contact with several other people related to the events,
including the girl he saw committing the murder herself.
Setting and themes
Unsure of what is real or who he can trust, Takumi finds
Chaos;Head primarily takes place in Shibuya, Tokyo. himself thrust into a much larger scheme than he ever
Many of Shibuya's physical locales like its busy thought possible, as the mysterious company NOZOMI
pedestrian scramble* [11] and the Loft building ap- carefully plots something from behind the scenes.
pear in the game although their names have been altered slightly.* [12] Some notable Internet websites like
Characters
Wikipedia, 2channel, YouTube, Google, and Yahoo!
also show up in the game with modified names to
Main characters
avoid trademark issues, and as jokes, as We-Key Pedophiria,* [13] @-channel, MewTube, Deluoode,* [14]
Takumi Nishijō (西條拓巳 Nishijō Takumi)
and Taboo!.
As the title implies, psychological themes relating to Voiced by:
Hiroyuki Yoshino (Japanese), Todd
one's psyche and mind plays a large role in Chaos;Head. Haberkorn (English)
Delusions and the method of projecting one's own delusions onto the physical world, or onto someone else's
visual system, is a key driver behind the story. Other scientific themes such as the concepts of matter, antimatter,
and the Dirac sea are also brought up.
Story
Chaos;Head's story is set in 2009 in Shibuya and is centered around Takumi Nishijō, a high school student at
the private Suimei Academy, and the strange and brutal murders that have recently occurred in the Shibuya The main characters from Chaos;Head. From left to right: Sena,
area, known as the “New Generation”(ニュージェネ Kozue, Nanami, Takumi, Rimi, Ayase, Yua
レーション) Madness. The story begins on September
28 with Takumi talking to an online friend called Grim
Takumi is the main character of the series.
(グリム Gurimu). Grim is trying to bring Takumi up
He is withdrawn and is not interested in 3D
to speed about the recent New Generation events since
things. He suffers from intense delusions
Takumi is not interested in local or international news. A
as a result of his apparent schizophrenia and
person named Shogun (将軍) joins the chat room midway
through Grim and Takumi's conversation. After Grim
the extremely secluded lifestyle he lives as a
hikkikomori. He only attends school in orleaves the chat room, Shogun begins to talk. He speaks
der to fulfill the minimum for graduation rein a very cryptic and confusing manner, leaving Takumi
quirements. He avoids conversations with othnervous. Shogun then sends Takumi a barrage of image
ers whenever possible. He prefers to engage in
links, one of which appears to be of a brutal murder of a
3.2. CHAOS;HEAD
watching anime, playing eroge, and massively
multiplayer online role-playing games. He is a
second-year student at Suimei Academy (翠明
学園 Suimei Gakuen). He is hinted to appear in
Steins;Gate's sequel, Steins;Gate: Henikuukan
no Octet, as the main character, Rintarō Okabe, receives a D-Mail telling him to reclaim
an IBN 5100 from a person under the alias of
“Neidhardt”, Takumi's name in his favorite
MMORPG. The D-Mail also states that“Neidhardt”lives in Shibuya and has“inherent, supernatural abilities”, a reference to his power
as a gigalomaniac. The username“Neidhardt”
also briefly appears on Kaito Yashio's PokeCom tablet in Episode 9 of Robotics;Notes.
Rimi Sakihata (咲畑梨深 Sakihata Rimi)
Voiced by: Eri Kitamura (Japanese), Carrie Savage (English)
Rimi is a mysterious pink-haired girl that
Takumi encounters at the crime scene on
his way home. Rimi was wearing Suimei
Academy's uniform at the time and appeared
to recognize Takumi. She later claims to have
known Takumi for a long time, something that
only Takumi seems to be unable to remember,
yet she claims to have no idea what he is talking
about in regards to the murder.
33
another connection to Steins;Gate: Yui Sakakibara (singer of Steins;Gate ending) credited
as FES. Her likeness can be seen on various
posters throughout Steins;Gate.
Yua Kusunoki (楠優愛 Kusunoki Yua)
Voiced by: Chiaki Takahashi (Japanese), Colleen
Clinkenbeard (English)
Yua is a third-year student at Suimei Academy
who seems to be stalking Takumi but later
seemingly befriends him. She seems to be
quite into anime and manga. However, this is
all later shown to be an act where she is investigating him as she suspects Takumi of being
the criminal behind the recent murders.
Sena Aoi (蒼井セナ Aoi Sena)
Voiced by: Hitomi Nabatame (Japanese), Clarine Harp
(English)
Sena is a third-year student at Suimei
Academy. Takumi first encounters her in a
hallway at school but quickly excuses himself
after facing her ominous glare. She is often
seen standing around Shibuya holding a very
long sword and eating a light blue ice pop. A
short cross-over story involves her meeting
Rintarō Okabe in the streets of Shibuya, one
year before the events of Steins;Gate.* [15]
Nanami Nishijō (西條七海 Nishijō Nanami)
Kozue Orihara (折原梢 Orihara Kozue)
Voiced by: Ui Miyazaki (Japanese), Brittney Karbowski
Voiced by: Ayumi Tsuji (Japanese), Kara Edwards (En(English)
glish)
Nanami is Takumi's younger sister and is a
first-year Suimei Academy student. She often
puts up a strong front and seems to argue with
her brother whenever they meet but she is actually really concerned about him.
Ayase Kishimoto (岸本あやせ Kishimoto Ayase)
Voiced by: Yui Sakakibara (Japanese), Stephanie Sheh
(English)
Ayase is a second-year Suimei Academy student by day and vocalist by night. She sings
for a popular rock band named “Phantasm”
(ファンタズム Fantazumu). Her stage name
is “FES”. The lyrics in her songs appears to
describe the events of the recent murders, leading the police to see her as a potential suspect.
She is also the most spiritual and eccentric of
the main characters. She (besides Takumi) is
Kozue is a second-year student that transfers
into Suimei Academy early on in the story. She
is not shown to be speaking but appears to have
telepathic abilities. She calls herself Kozupii.
Other characters
Grim (グリム Gurimu) Grim is Takumi's online
friend, who talks to him almost everyday through
their mutual favorite online game, Ensue. He
often encourages Takumi to have more courage
while dealing with the “third dimension”, and
supports Takumi throughout his many ordeals. He
is very interested in the New Generation incidents
and frequently updates Takumi with gory details
regarding the murders. As his interests in anime,
manga, and games are very similar to Takumi's, the
two get along very well, although later his frequent
use of the “Whose eyes are those eyes?" phrase
seriously bothers Takumi.
34
CHAPTER 3. C
Shogun (将軍 Shōgun)
Voiced by: Tsubasa Yonaga (Japanese), Vic Mignogna
(English)
Shogun is a mysterious person that Takumi
meets during a chatting session. He sends
gore pictures relating to the New Generation incident to Takumi, the equation
“fun^10xint^40=Ir2”, and the phrase“Those
eyes, whose are they?", which Takumi often used. This event gives Takumi paranoia
throughout the story, thinking that Shogun is
spying on him and trying to kill him. As the
story goes on Shogun is shown as a wheelchair
bound man only noticed by Takumi (initially).
In spite of Takumi's denial, other characters are suspicious of Shogun and think that
Takumi is Shogun (via split personality). It is
later revealed that Shogun is not a figment of
Takumi's imagination, instead that Takumi is a
figment of Shogun's delusion. Shogun, the real
Takumi, is stricken with Progeria and created
the real existence of the healthy Takumi via a
“realboot”using his powers as a Giglomaniac.
In the English dub, he is called the General.
Seira Orgel (星来オルジェル Seira Orujeru)
Voiced by: Akane Tomonaga (Japanese), Jamie Marchi
(English)
Seira is the main heroine from Takumi's favorite anime “Blood Tunes the Animation”
, and also Takumi's favorite character. Occasionally, she shows up in Takumi's delusions,
trying to deviate him from reality and push
him to be a shut-in. Her delusional appearance is in fact Takumi's own weaknesses given
voice. She briefly appears as an image on
Rintarō Okabe's phone in the visual novel of
Steins;Gate. A poster of her can be seen in the
background of Maguyan's room in episode 14
of Robotics;Notes.
Daisuke Misumi (三住大輔 Misumi Daisuke)
Voiced by: Daisuke Ono (Japanese), Joel McDonald (English)
Daisuke is the only friend Takumi has in his
class. A handsome man, he is well liked by
almost all girls in his school.
Yasuji Ban (判安二 Ban Yasuji)
Voiced by: Kazuya Ichijou (Japanese), John Swasey (English)
Ban is a detective of the Tokyo Metropolitan
Police Department Criminal Investigation Division. He initially suspects Takumi of being
the criminal behind the New Generation murders, but he soon finds himself investigating
other leads, including the company NOZOMI
and a well-known religious cult. He is shot
dead by his partner Suwa after it is revealed
Suwa is with the NOZOMI Group.
Mamoru Suwa (諏訪護 Suwa Mamoru)
Voiced by: Makoto Yasumura (Japanese), Scott Freeman
(English)
Mamoru is a detective of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Criminal Investigation
Division. He is Ban's junior, and Ban considers him to be both an underling and a friend.
His hobby is watching movies, especially Spark
Wars, a parody to Star Wars. He is a member
of the“Church of Divine Light”and the NOZOMI Group. In the alternate ending of the
visual novel, it is revealed that he, along with
his childhood friend and lover Hazuki Shino,
worked together as the true New-Gen Criminals. He used a mask of Darth Spider to hide
his identity and used pseudo Giglomaniac abilities to commit the crimes along side Hazuki
Shino actions. He fights Takumi with his newfound Giglomaniac abilities, which take the
form of stakes of blue energy, but Takumi, who
is more experienced with his Gigalomaniacal
abilities, reverses the technique on Suwa and
pierces him multiple times with his own stakes,
killing him.
Hazuki Shino (志乃葉月 Shino Hazuki)
Voiced by: Noriko Aoki (Japanese), Monica Rial (English)
Hazuki is a nurse at Tokyo AH General Hospital. She was the assistant of Takumi's old doctor during his stay in the psychiatric division.
She is later revealed to be the person behind
the persona Grim that Takumi frequently contacted over the internet, as well as being one
half of the true New-Gen criminals, along with
her childhood friend and lover Mamoru Suwa.
She is a member of the cult detective Ban is investigating, known as the “Church of Divine
Light”, which has ties to the NOZOMI Group.
She kills herself in the visual novel by slitting
her own throat with a scalpel, and in the anime
by driving a stake used in the third crime into
her throat.
3.2. CHAOS;HEAD
35
Genichi Norose (野呂瀬玄一 Norose Gen'ichi)
The game was released on the Xbox 360 on February
26, 2009.* [1] The port contains new routes for the heroVoiced by: Kenta Miyake (Japanese), Mark Stoddard ines of the game as well as new CG graphics. The CGs
are rendered at a resolution of 1280x720, improving on
(English)
the Windows version's scaling of 800x600.* [1] Interestingly, Chaos;Head Noah has also been released in AmerNorose is the president of the NOZOMI Techica
as an iPod Touch/iPhone app, and in HD for the iPad.
nology Group. His role is kept a mystery
An
Android version was released as well. However, the
throughout most of the story, until he is regame
still only supports Japanese. A downloadable vervealed to be the main antagonist, and the cresion of the PlayStation Portable game was released on the
ator of the Noah II device, capable of manipJapanese PlayStation Store March 1, 2012. A PlayStaulating brain waves and causing delusions to
tion 3 version was released November 22, 2012 alongbecome reality. He has been gathering peoside Chaos;Head Love Chu Chu!.* [25] Unlike its Xbox
ple with special psychic powers as young chil360 counterpart, The PS3 version supports 1080p HD
dren, and torturing them for the sake of comwith all CGs rendered at a resolution of 1920x1080. A
pleting his twisted desires. He is killed when
PlayStation Vita edition titled Chaos;Head Dual which
Takumi impales him to Noah II with his Difeatures Chaos;Head Noah and Chaos;Head Love Chu
Sword, which had manifested a serpent of antiChu! bundled together in one game, and released on Aumatter, causing the device to explode and kill
gust 21, 2014.* [26] Chaos;Head Dual was given a CERO
him.
Z rating (18+), and this is the first uncut Chaos;Head
game for a PlayStation platform.* [27]
3.2.3
Development
Chaos;Head is a collaborative production between 5pb.
and Nitroplus with additional assistance from Red Flagship. The original concept art and scenario came from
two 5pb. staff members, Yukihiro Matsuo and Naotaka Hayashi respectively. The character designer was
Mutsumi Sasaki and Choco handled the product's design.* [16]* [17] 5zizz studio contributed the music to the
game* [18] and Nitroplus handled the development and
production of the game. Chaos;Head was temporarily
named as Gigalomaniacs (ギ ガ ロ マ ニ アッ ク ス Gigaromaniakkusu) when it was first announced.* [19] The
decision to port the game to the Xbox 360 was decided
around June 2008.* [20] Ayumi Tsuji, the voice for Kozue
Orihara, noted that Orihara's new route that was introduced in Chaos;Head Noah was likely the cause behind
the game receiving an 18+ Z rating from CERO.* [21]
Release history
Chaos;Head had two demo releases prior to its final product release. The first version of the demo was released on
March 21, 2008 which included the first chapter of the
game.* [22] The second version of the demo was released
on April 11, 2008.* [22] This second version included the
first chapter of the game like the first version as well as a
separate “Chapter 1 Reflection Meeting”(第 1 章反省
会 Dai Isshō Hanseikai) which included all of the main
characters trying to determine who the main heroine of
the game was. The full game was released on April 25,
2008.* [3] Pre-orders of the game came with two bonuses.
The first was a patch that added a “Lingerie Conversion
System”that swapped the lead female characters' models
with models that only wore undergarments* [23] and the
second was a telephone card.* [24] A consumer console
port, named Chaos;Head Noah, was published by 5pb.
3.2.4 Related media
Internet radio show
An Internet radio show named Chaos;Head Radio Delusional Radio Channel (Chaos;Head ラ ジ オ 妄 想 電 波
局 Chaos;Head Rajio Mōsō Denpakyoku) began airing on
March 28, 2008 to help promote the visual novel. The
show was hosted by Hiroyuki Yoshino and Eri Kitamura
who voiced Takumi Nishijō and Rimi Sakihata respectively. Other voice actors from the game like Hitomi
Nabatame and Chiaki Takahashi also appeared on the
show on select episodes.* [28] The show was streamed
online every Friday and lasted for ten episodes with the
last episode airing on May 30, 2008.* [22] A soundtrack
named Chaos;Head Radio CD Delusional Radio Channel (Chaos;Head ラジオ妄想電波局 Chaos;Head Rajio Mōsō Denpakyoku) containing two CDs was released
on August 29, 2008.* [29] The first CD contained all
ten episodes of the Internet radio show and an eleventh
show titled “Chaos;Head Radio Evaluation Meeting”
(Chaos;Head ラ ジ オ 妄 想 反 省 会 Chaos;Head Rajio
Hanseikai). All eleven tracks are in MP3 format. The
second CD is in regular audio format containing“Blood
Tune The Radio”(ブラッドチューン The Radio Buraddochūn The Radio) and“Takumi Nishijō's Everyday
Life”(⻄條拓⺒の⽇常 Nishijō Takumi no Nichijō).
Manga
A manga series based on the visual novel, illustrated
by Sumihey, has started its serialization in ASCII Media Works' shōnen manga magazine Dengeki Daioh on
May 21, 2008.* [5] A second manga adaptation, named
Chaos;Head -Blue Complex-,* [30] revolving around Sena
36
Aoi and Kozue Orihara began serialization in Media
Factory's seinen manga magazine Monthly Comic Alive
on August 26, 2008.* [6] The illustrations are provided by Nagako Sakaki.* [8] A third adaptation entitled
Chaos;Head H (かおすへっど H Kaosu Heddo H) began
serializing on September 23, 2008 in Jive's Comic Rush
magazine.* [7]
Anime
CHAPTER 3. C
3.2.5 Reception and legacy
During the month of March 2008, one month before
Chaos;Head's release on April 25, 2008, Chaos;Head
ranked fourth in national PC game pre-orders in
Japan.* [39] Chaos;Head came out in third place in
sales ranking in April* [40]* [41] and twenty-nine for
May 2008.* [42] Chaos;Head became the 16th bestselling
visual novel on Getchu.com during the first half of
2008* [43] and 35th overall for the year of 2008.* [44]
Chaos;Head Noah placed 11th during its first week of release selling 17,952 copies.* [45]
See also: List of Chaos;Head episodes
Phantom Breaker is an Xbox 360 game that features Rimi
as a guest character. It was released in Japan on June 2,
An anime adaptation of the visual novel was produced 2011.
by Madhouse Studios and first aired in 2008. The
anime adaptation features exactly the same cast of voice 3.2.6 References
actors from the Windows game.* [2] The anime is licensed by Funimation Entertainment and was released in [1] “Chaos;Head Noah official website”(in Japanese). 5pb.
North America in a DVD/Blu-ray Disc combo boxset on
Games. 2010-01-25. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
November 29, 2011.* [31]* [32]
[2] “Official Chaos;Head anime website” (in Japanese).
2008-09-10. Retrieved 2008-09-11.
Music
Both Chaos;Head's opening theme, “Find the Blue”,
and ending theme, “Desire Blue Sky”, are performed
by Kanako Itō.* [33] The CD single was released on
May 7, 2008.* [34] The single was able to stay on the
Oricon charts for three weeks with a peak position of 54th
place.* [35] A single for the game's insert song, “Zaika
ni Keiyaku no Chi o”(罪過に契約の⾎を), and third
ending theme, Gurajiōru (グラジオール), performed
by Yui Sakakibara was released on June 25, 2008.* [36]
Sakakibara's single peaked at 63rd place on Oricon and
stayed there for two weeks.* [37] The soundtrack for the
game was released on July 4, 2008 in a two CD set with
seventeen tracks each. The soundtrack's second CD included the second ending theme, “Cry”(クライ), sung
by Kanako Itō.* [38]
The anime opening theme song, titled “F.D.D.”, was
sung by Kanako Itō and the ending theme, titled “Super Special”, was sung by Seira Kagami.* [2] The CD
single for “F.D.D.”(with additional song “Fly to the
sky”, both in original and off vocal versions) was released on October 29, 2008. The CD single for “First
Sight”(with original and exclusive edits), which included
the ending theme “Super Special”as its B-side, was released on November 21, 2008.* [2] Also, the CD single
“Phantasm. FES cv. Yui Sakakibara”was released and
contained“Haritsuke no Misa”and“Haruka Naru Idiyona”songs (both in original and off vocal versions), which
can be heard in Episode 3 on Phantasm club performance
(end of “Haruka Naru Idiyona”, first couplet of “Haritsuke no Misa”and begin of “Haruka Naru Idiyona”
).
[3] “Nitroplus's Chaos;Head product description” (in
Japanese). Nitroplus. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
[4] “5pb. Games' product listing for 2008” (in Japanese).
5pb. Retrieved 2008-06-01.
[5] “Dengeki Moeoh Blog” (in Japanese). ASCII Media
Works. 2008-04-19. Archived from the original on May
2, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
[6] “Comic Alive“Chaos;Head”second comic serialization
begins!" (in Japanese). Nitroplus. 2008-08-26. Retrieved
2008-08-31.
[7] "Chaos;Head Game Gets Third Manga in Comic Rush
Mag”. Anime News Network. 2008-09-04. Retrieved
2008-09-07.
[8] "Comic Alive December Issue on sale today!!" (in
Japanese). Monthly Comic Alive. 2008-07-26. Retrieved
2008-07-26.
[9]“TVA“Chaos;Head”staff announcement.”(in Japanese).
Moon Phase. 2008-07-28. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
[10] Shinji Tamura (2008-05-22).“4Gamer.net's 33rd“Character Game”series article on Chaos;Head" (in Japanese).
4Gamer.net. Retrieved 2008-06-01.
[11] “Chaos;Head and Shibuya Street: In Front of Shibuya
Station, Part I” (in Japanese). 2008-05-06. Retrieved
2008-06-03.
[12] “Chaos;Head and Shibuya Street: Center Street Part 3”
(in Japanese). 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
[13] “5pb's We-Key Pedophiria website” (in Japanese). 5pb.
Retrieved 2008-09-26.
[14] "Deluoode Google Search Engine” (in Japanese). Deluoode. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
3.2. CHAOS;HEAD
[15] “That is Chaos;Gateʼs choice…~That is, the Gigalomaniacsʼversion of Steins;Gateʼs choice~". Tempus Edax
Rerum. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
[16] “Animate's Chaos;Head promotional release website”(in
Japanese). Archived from the original on May 1, 2008.
Retrieved 2008-05-15.
[17] “Choco's blog entry about the Windows software
Chaos;Head" (in Japanese). 2008-04-28. Retrieved
2008-06-01.
[18] "“Chaos;Head”Original Soundtrack" (in Japanese). Zizz
Studio. Retrieved 2008-08-14.
[19] “Comiket 72 - New PC game from Nitroplus x 5gk. in
the coming spring” (in Japanese). animate.tv. Retrieved
2008-07-23.
[20] “Game Creator's Interview - Production interview
with Chaos;Head Noah Creators with Tatsuya Matsuhara and Hayashi Naotaka from 5pb. (Part 2)" (in
Japanesedate=2009-02-10). animate.tv. Retrieved 200902-11.
[21] “The reason behind the Z rating revealed!? Chaos;Head
Noah's release commemoration event begins” (in
Japanese). Famitsu. 2009-03-01. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
[22] “Nitroplus's official Chaos;Head website's“News”section” (in Japanese). Nitroplus. 2008-03-21. Retrieved
2008-05-29.
[23] “Nitroplus User Support page for Chaos;Head" (in
Japanese). Nitroplus. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
[24] “Surpara Shop's product description for Chaos;Head" (in
Japanese). Surpara. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
[25] “Famitsu Game & Entertainment” (in Japanese).
Famitsu. 2012-07-18. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
37
[33] " サ イ コ サ ス ペ ン ス” ノ ベ ル ゲー
ム”『CHAOS;HEAD』 主 題 歌！い と う か な こ
ニューシングル「Find the blue」5 ⽉ 7 ⽇発売！"
[Psycho-suspense “novel game”Chaos;Head theme
song! Kanako Itō's new single “Find the blue”, on sale
May 5!] (in Japanese). Axive. 2008-04-18. Archived
from the original on 2015-04-14. Retrieved 2015-04-14.
[34] “5pb. Records' product description for“Find the blue""
(in Japanese). 5pb. Records. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
[35] “Oricon Style's CD information for“Find the blue"" (in
Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2008-05-31.
[36] “5pb. Records' product description for “Zaika ni
Kieiyaku no Chi wo”(罪 過 に 契 約 の ⾎ を)" (in
Japanese). 5pb. Records. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
[37] “Oricon Style's CD information for “Zaika ni Keiyaku
no Chi o”(罪過に契約の⾎を)" (in Japanese). Oricon.
Retrieved 2008-07-28.
[38] “5pb. Records' product description for “Chaos;Head
Original Soundtrack"" (in Japanese). 5pb. Records. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
[39] “PCpress's Pre-order Ranking Log for March 2008”(in
Japanese). PCpress. Retrieved 2008-05-31.
[40] “PCpress's Software Sales Ranking for April 2008” (in
Japanese). PCpress. Retrieved 2008-05-31.
[41] “April 2008 sales ranking” (in Japanese). Getchu.com.
Retrieved 2008-07-17.
[42] “May 2008 sales ranking” (in Japanese). Getchu.com.
Retrieved 2008-07-17.
[43] “Getchu.com PC visual novel sales rankings for the first
half of 2008” (in Japanese). Getchu.com. Retrieved
2008-07-30.
[44] “Getchu.com PC visual novel sales rankings for 2008”
(in Japanese). Getchu.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
[26] 2014-05-20, Chaos;Head Dual bundles Noah and Love
Chu Chu for PS Vita, Gematsu
[45] ""Game Software Sales Ranking”Data Gathering Time:
February 23, 2009 ~ March 1, 2009” (in Japanese).
Famitsu. March 13, 2009. Retrieved November 8, 2009.
[27] 2014-07-08, The 18+ Version Of Chaos;Head Noah
Comes To PlayStation For The First Time, Siliconera
3.2.7 Further reading
[28]“Nitrplus's official Chaos;Head website's“Radio”section”
(in Japanese). Nitroplus. 2008-05-30. Retrieved 200805-31.
• McNeil, Sheena (28 November 2011).
“Chaos;HEAd - the Complete Series”. Sequential
Tart.
[29] “Nitrplus's music product lineup for Chaos;Head" (in
Japanese). Nitroplus. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
• Yegulalp, Serdar. “Chaos;HEAd: The Complete
Series”. About.com. The New York Times Company.
[30] “Comic Alive November Issue Back Number”. Media
Factory. Retrieved 2008-11-09.
[31] “Funimation Adds Rosario+Vampire Anime And More”
. Anime News Network. 2010-05-15.
[32] “Amazon.com: Chaos;Head: The Complete Series (Limited Edition, Blu-ray/DVD Combo): Todd Haberkorn,
Jamie Marchi, Stephanie Sheh, Clarine Harp: Movies &
TV”. amazon.com. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
• Yegulalp, Serdar (30 November 2011).“Anime Review: 'Chaos;HEAd'". About.com. The New York
Times Company.
• Meek, Bradley. “Chaos;HEAd”. T.H.E.M. Anime
Reviews.
• Jomes, Davey C. (29 November 2011). “Chaos;
Head Complete Series”. Active Anime.
38
3.2.8
CHAPTER 3. C
External links
• Official Chaos;Head website (Japanese)
• Official Chaos;Head Noah website (Japanese)
• Chaos;Head Noah PlayStation 3 version page
(Japanese)
• Anime official website (Japanese)
• Chaos;Head at Funimation
• Chaos;Head (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
Chapter 4
D
4.1 Dragon Ball Z
4.1.1 Plot
Dragon Ball Z (Japanese: ドラゴンボール Z(ゼット)
Hepburn: Doragon Bōru Zetto, commonly abbreviated
as DBZ) is a Japanese anime television series produced
by Toei Animation. Dragon Ball Z is the sequel to the
Dragon Ball anime and adapts the last 325 chapters of
the original 519-chapter Dragon Ball manga series created by Akira Toriyama, that were published from 1988
to 1995 in Weekly Shōnen Jump. Dragon Ball Z first aired
in Japan on Fuji TV from April 25, 1989 to January 31,
1996, before being dubbed in several territories around
the world, including the United States, Australia, Europe,
India, and Latin America.
Dragon Ball Z follows the adventures of the protagonist Goku who, along with his companions, defends the
Earth against an assortment of villains ranging from intergalactic space fighters and conquerors, unnaturally powerful androids and near indestructible magical creatures.
While the original Dragon Ball anime followed Goku
from his childhood into adulthood, Dragon Ball Z is a
continuation of his adult life, but at the same time parallels the maturation of his son, Gohan, as well as the evolution of his rivals Piccolo and Vegeta from enemies into
allies.
Due to the success of the anime in America, the manga
chapters comprising its story were released by Viz Media
under the title Dragon Ball Z. Additional works called
animanga were released, which adapt the animation to
manga form. Dragon Ball Z's popularity has spawned numerous releases which have come to represent the majority of content in the Dragon Ball universe; including 14
movies and 148 video games, many of them being only
released in Japan, and a host of soundtracks stemming
from this material. Dragon Ball Z remains a cultural icon
through numerous adaptations, including a more-recent
remastered broadcast titled Dragon Ball Kai (ドラゴン
ボール改 (カイ) Doragon Bōru Kai, lit. “Dragon Ball
Revised”).
Dragon Ball Z picks up five years after the end of the
Dragon Ball anime, with Goku as a young adult and father to his son Gohan. A humanoid alien named Raditz
arrives on Earth in a spacecraft and tracks down Goku, revealing to him that he is his long-lost big brother and that
they are members of a nearly extinct extraterrestrial race
called the Saiyans (サイヤ⼈ Saiya-jin). The Saiyans had
sent Goku (originally named“Kakarot”) to Earth as an
infant to conquer the planet for them, but he suffered a
severe head injury soon after his arrival and lost all memory of his mission, as well as his blood-thirsty Saiyan nature. Goku refuses to help Raditz continue the mission,
which results in Raditz kidnapping Gohan. Goku decides
to team up with Piccolo in order to defeat Raditz and save
his son, while sacrificing his own life in the process. In
the afterlife, Goku trains under King Kai until he is revived by the Dragon Balls a year later in order to save
the Earth from Raditz' comrades; Nappa and the Saiyan
prince Vegeta. During the battle Piccolo is killed, along
with Goku's allies Yamcha, Tien Shinhan and Chiaotzu,
and the Dragon Balls cease to exist because of Piccolo's
death. Goku arrives at the battlefield late, but avenges his
fallen friends by defeating Nappa with his new level of
power. Vegeta himself enters into the battle with Goku
and after numerous clashes Goku manages to defeat him
as well, with the help of Gohan and his best friend Krillin.
At Goku's request, they spare Vegeta's life and allow him
to escape Earth. During the battle, Krillin overhears Vegeta mentioning the original set of Dragon Balls from Piccolo's home planet Namek (ナメック星 Namekku-sei).
While Goku recovers from his injuries at the hospital,
Gohan, Krillin and Goku's oldest friend Bulma depart for
Namek in order to use these Dragon Balls to revive their
dead friends. However, they discover that Vegeta's superior, the galactic tyrant Lord Frieza, is already there,
seeking the Dragon Balls to be granted eternal life. A
fully healed Vegeta arrives on Namek as well, seeking
the Dragon Balls for himself, which leads to several battles between him and Frieza's henchmen. Realizing he's
overpowered, Vegeta teams up with Gohan and Krillin to
fight the Ginyu Force, a team of mercenaries summoned
by Frieza. After Goku finally arrives on Namek, the epic
battle with Frieza himself comes to a close when Goku
39
40
CHAPTER 4. D
transforms into a fabled Super Saiyan (超サイヤ⼈ Sūpā acter's picture.* [4]
Saiya-jin) and defeats him.
Series Director Daisuke Nishio left the series after perUpon his return to Earth a year later, Goku encounters sonally directing Episode #202. Nishio left the series to
a time traveler named Trunks, the future son of Bulma become series director of Aoki Densetsu Shoot!. The
and Vegeta, who warns Goku that a group of Androids role of series director was not officially filled for Episodes
(⼈造⼈間 Jinzōningen, “Artificial Humans”) will ap- #200-291, despite Nishio's directing of Episode #202.
pear three years later, seeking revenge against Goku for
destroying the Red Ribbon Army when he was a child.
During this time, an evil life form called Cell emerges and English production and broadcasting
after absorbing two of the Androids to achieve his“perfect form,”holds his own fighting tournament to decide In 1995, Funimation Productions licensed Dragon Ball Z
the fate of the Earth. After Goku sacrifices his own life for an English-language release in North America. They
a second time, to no avail, Gohan avenges his father by contracted Saban Entertainment to help finance and disdefeating Cell after ascending to the second level of Su- tribute the series to television, and Pioneer Entertainper Saiyan. Seven years later Goku, who has been briefly ment to handle home video distribution. Saban hired the
revived for one day, and his allies are drawn into a fight Vancouver-based Ocean Studios to dub the anime, and
against a magical being named Majin Buu. After numer- Shuki Levy (Saban's in-house musician) to compose an
ous battles resulting in the destruction and recreation of American background score and theme song (also known
the Earth, Goku (whose life is permanently restored by as“Rock the Dragon!"). This dub of Dragon Ball Z had
the Elder Kai) destroys Buu with a“Spirit Bomb”attack mandated cuts to content and length, which reduced the
containing the energy of everyone on Earth. Goku makes first 67 episodes to 53.* [5]* [6] The series premiered in
a wish for Majin Buu to be reincarnated as a good person the U.S. on September 13, 1996 in first-run syndication,
and ten years later, at another martial arts tournament, but was cancelled after two seasons due to a lack of interGoku meets Buu's human reincarnation, Uub. Leaving est from syndication companies.* [5] Pioneer also ceased
the match between them unfinished, Goku departs with its home video release of the series at volume 17 (the end
Uub to train him to become Earth's new guardian.
of this dub) and retained the rights to produce an uncut
4.1.2
Production and broadcasting
Further information: List of Dragon Ball Z episodes
The title "Dragon Ball Z" was chosen by Akira Toriyama
because Z is the last letter of the alphabet and he wanted
to finish the series because he was running out of ideas for
Dragon Ball.* [1] Conventional knowledge in Japan used
the“Z”only for the anime to separate Goku's childhood
and adult life. Dragon Ball Z is adapted from the final
325 chapters of the manga series which were published
in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1988 to 1995, it premiered
in Japan on Fuji Television on April 26, 1989, taking over
its predecessor's time slot, and ran for 291 episodes until
its conclusion on January 31, 1996.* [2]
subtitled version,* [5] but did not do so. However, Pioneer produced a bilingual uncut home video release of the
first three Dragon Ball Z movies, also dubbed by Ocean
Studios.
On August 31, 1998, re-runs of the cancelled dub began airing on Cartoon Network as part of the channel's
weekday afternoon programming block Toonami. Due
to the success of these re-runs on Toonami, Funimation resumed production on Dragon Ball Z's English dub
by themselves, but could no longer afford the services
of Ocean Studios without Saban's financial assistance.
This led to Funimation creating its own in-house voice
cast at their Texas-based studio, as well as a new background score composed by Bruce Faulconer. This new
dub featured less censorship (due to fewer restrictions
on cable programming) and premiered on Cartoon Network's Toonami from September 13, 1999 to April 7,
2003; continuing in re-runs through 2008. Kids' WB
briefly ran Dragon Ball Z in 2001 on its short-lived Toonami block.* [7]
Because Toriyama was writing the manga during the production of the anime,* [3] Dragon Ball Z added original
material not adapted from the Dragon Ball manga. Additional original material included lengthening scenes or In 2004, Pioneer lost its distribution rights to the first
adding new ones, including new attacks and characters 53/67 episodes of Dragon Ball Z (as well as the first three
not present in the manga.
movies), allowing Funimation to re-dub them with their
Throughout the production, the voice actors were tasked in-house voice cast and restore the removed content.* [8]
with playing different characters and performing their This dub's background score was composed by Nathan
lines on cue, switching between roles as necessary.* [4] Johnson. Funimation's new uncut dub of these episodes
The voice actors were unable to record the lines sepa- aired on Cartoon Network during the summer of 2005
rately because of the close dialogue timing. When asked (in late night, due to the unedited content).* [9]* [10]* [11]
if juggling the different voices of Goku, Gohan and Funimation's later remastered DVDs of the series saw
Goten was difficult, Masako Nozawa said that it was not, minor changes made to their in-house dub for quality and
and that she was able to switch roles upon seeing the char- consistency, mostly after the episode 67 gap, and had the
4.1. DRAGON BALL Z
41
option to play the entire series' dub with both the Amer- In February 2014, the Kai adaptation of the Majin Buu
ican and Japanese background music.
arc was officially confirmed. The new run of the seIn January 2011, Funimation and Toei announced that ries, which is titled Dragon Ball Z Kai: The Final Chapthey would stream Dragon Ball Z within 30 minutes ters by Toei Europe, began airing in Japan on Fuji TV
before their simulcast of One Piece.* [12] As of 2013, on April 6, 2014 and ended its run on June 28, 2015;
Dragon Ball Z is being streamed on Hulu, containing the lasting* 61 *episodes (bringing the total episode count to
English dub with the Japanese music and uncut footage, 159). [19] [20]
as well as subtitled Japanese episodes.
The Funimation dubbed episodes also aired in Canada,
Ireland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium,
Australia and New Zealand. However, beginning with
episode 93 (108 uncut), AB Groupe and Westwood Media (in association with Ocean Studios) produced an alternate English dub to comply with Canadian broadcasting standards. The alternate dub was broadcast in the
UK, the Netherlands, Ireland and Canada, while Funimation's dub continued to air in the U.S., Australia and
New Zealand. In Australia, Dragon Ball Z was broadcast
by free-to-air commercial network, Network Ten during
morning children's programming, Cheez TV, originally
using the censored Ocean dub before switching to the uncut Funimation dub. Dragon Ball Z originally aired on
the British Comedy Network in Fall 1998.* [13] This production used some of the same voices from the original
short lived dub syndicated in the U.S. (that was later on
Toonami), was edited for content, featured another alternate background score, and used much of the same script
from Funimation's in-house dub.
English production and broadcasting Funimation licensed Dragon Ball Kai for an English-language release
in North America, under the title Dragon Ball Z Kai. The
series was broadcast on Nicktoons from May 24, 2010 to
January 1, 2012.* [21]* [22] In addition to Nicktoons, the
series also began airing on The CW's Saturday morning
programming block Toonzai on August 14, 2010,* [23]
then on its successor, Vortexx, which began on August
25, 2012.* [19] Both the Nicktoons and Toonzai/Vortexx
airings have been edited for content, though the Toonzai/Vortexx version is censored even more so than Nicktoons, most likely due to The CW being a broadcast
network. Kai began airing on Adult Swim's Toonami
block in November 2014,* [24] and re-runs of the previous week's episodes began airing at the beginning of
Adult Swim proper starting in February 2015.* [25] CSC
Media Group acquired the broadcast rights to Dragon
Ball Z Kai in the United Kingdom and began airing it
on Kix! in early 2013.* [26]* [27]* [28] Although not officially announced, several voice actors for Ocean Studios
revealed in 2014 that they had recorded for an English
dub of Dragon Ball Kai separate from Funimation's.* [29]
Dragon Ball Kai
Despite Kai 's continuation not being officially confirmed
at the time even in Japan, Sean Schemmel and Kyle
Hebert, the Funimation dub voice actors of Goku and
Gohan, announced in April 2013 that they had started
recording an English dub for new episodes.* [30] In
November 2013, Kai's Australasian distributor Madman
Entertainment revealed that the Majin Buu arc of Kai
would be released in 2014 and that they were waiting on
dubs to be finished.* [31] However, in February 2014 Funimation officially stated that they have not recorded for
the new arc and do not have plans to do so.* [32]
Further information: List of Dragon Ball Z Kai episodes
In February 2009, Toei Animation announced that it
would begin broadcasting a revised version of Dragon
Ball Z as part of the series' 20th anniversary celebrations.
The series premiered on Fuji TV in Japan on April 5,
2009, under the name Dragon Ball Kai. The ending suffix Kai (改「かい」) in the name means “updated”or
“altered”and reflects the improvements and corrections
of the original work.* [14] The original footage was remastered for HDTV, featuring updated opening and ending sequences, new music, and a rerecording of the vocal
tracks.* [14]* [15] The original material and any damaged
frames were removed to more closely follow the manga,
resulting in a faster-moving story.* [16] The series initially
concluded with the finale of the Cell arc, as opposed to
including the Majin Buu arc. It was originally planned
to run 98 episodes, however due to the Tōhoku offshore
earthquake and tsunami, the final episode of Dragon Ball
Kai was not aired and the series ended on its 97th episode
in Japan on March 27, 2011. The 98th episode was later
released direct-to-video in Japan on August 2, 2011.* [17]
Censorship
Dragon Ball Z 's original North American release was
the subject of heavy censorship which resulted in a large
amounts of removed content and alterations that greatly
changed the original work. Funimation CEO Gen Fukunaga is often criticized for his role in the censorship; but
it was the distributor Saban which required such changes
or they would not air the work, as was the case with
the episode dealing with orphans.* [33]* [Note 1] These
changes included altering every aspect of the show from
character names, clothing, scenes and dialogue of the
In November 2012, Mayumi Tanaka, the Japanese voice show. The character Mr. Satan was renamed Hercule and
of Krillin, announced that she and the rest of the cast this change has been retained in other English media such
were recording more episodes of Dragon Ball Kai.* [18] as Viz's Dragon Ball Z manga and video games, which
42
CHAPTER 4. D
includes referring to his name, erroneously, as “Hercule
Satan”in Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Battle 22.* [34] The
dialogue changes would sometimes contradict the scenes
itself; after the apparent fatal explosion of a helicopter,
one of the characters said, “It's okay, I can see their
parachutes!"* [33] Funimation's redub for the 2005 release would address many of the censorship issues that
were required by Saban, with the uncut releases preserving the integrity of the original Japanese release.
During the original Japanese TV airing of Dragon Ball
Kai, scenes involving blood and brief nudity were censored. A rumor that Cartoon Network would be airing
Kai uncut was met with an official statement to debunk
the rumor in June 2010.* [35] Nicktoons would also censor Kai; it released a preview showcasing these changes
which included removing blood and cheek scar from Bardock and altering the color of Roshi's alcohol.* [36] The
show was further edited for its broadcast on Toonzai and
Vortexx, but the show's DVD and Blu-ray releases only
contained the edits present in the original Japanese version.
for the remaining. On March 9, 2011, Toei announced
that due to Yamamoto's score infringing on the rights of
an unknown third party or parties, the music for remaining episodes and reruns of previous episodes would be
replaced.* [39] Later reports from Toei stated that with
the exception of the series' opening and closing songs,
as well as eyecatch music, Yamamoto's score was replaced with Shunsuke Kikuchi's original from Dragon
Ball Z. The music for the Majin Buu arc of Kai is composed by Norihito Sumitomo.* [40] The opening theme is
“Kuu•Zen•Zetsu•Go”(空 • 前 • 絶 • 後) by Dragon Soul,
while the first ending song is“Haikei, Tsuratsusutora”(拝
啓、ツラツストラ, “Dear Zarathustra”) by Japanese
rock band Good Morning America,* [41] and the second “Junjō" (純情, “Pure Heart”) by Leo Ieiri from
episode 112 to 123.* [42] The third ending song is “Oh
Yeah!!!!!!!" by Czecho No Republic from episode 124
to 136,* [43] the fourth “Galaxy”by Kyūso Nekokami
from 137 to 146, and the fifth is “Don't Let Me Down”
by Gacharic Spin from 147 to 159.* [44]
Steven Simmons, who did the subtitling for Funimation's
home video releases, offered commentary on the subtitling from a project and technical stand point, addressing
several concerns.* [37]* [Note 2] Simmons said that Gen
Fukunaga did not want any swearing on the discs, but because there was no taboo word list Simmons would substitute a variation in the strength of the words by situation
with the changes starting in episode 21.* [38] The typographical errors in the script were caused by dashes (̶)
and double-quotes (") failing to appear, which resulted in
confusing dialogue.* [38]
4.1.3
Music
Shunsuke Kikuchi composed the score for Dragon Ball
Z. The opening theme for the first 199 episodes is "ChaLa Head-Cha-La" performed by Hironobu Kageyama.
The second opening theme used up until the series finale at episode 291 is "We Gotta Power" also performed
by Kageyama. The ending theme used for the first 194
episodes is“Detekoi Tobikiri Zenkai Power!" (でてこい
とびきり ZENKAI パワー! Detekoi Tobikiri ZENKAI
Pawā!,“Come Out, Incredible Full Power!") performed
by MANNA. The second ending theme used for the remaining episodes is“Bokutachi wa Tenshi Datta”(僕達
は天使だった, “We Used to be Angels”) performed
by Kageyama.
Kenji Yamamoto composed the score for Dragon Ball
Kai.
"Dragon Soul" by Takayoshi Tanimoto and
Takafumi Iwasaki, performing under the name“Dragon
Soul”, is used as the series' opening theme song. Dragon
Soul's "Yeah! Break! Care! Break!" is the ending theme
for the first 54 episodes, with“Kokoro no Hane”(⼼の⽻
根,“Wing's of Heart”) by“Team Dragon from AKB48”
, a unit composed of seven members from AKB48, used
4.1.4 Related media
Home releases
In Japan, Dragon Ball Z did not receive a home video
release until 2003, seven years after its broadcast. This
was a remastering of the series in two 26-disc DVD box
sets, that were made-to-order only, released on March 19
and September 18 and referred to as “Dragon Boxes.”
The content of these sets began being released on massproduced individual 6-episode DVDs on November 2,
2005 and finished with the 49th volume released on
February 7, 2007.* [45]* [46]
The international home release structure of Dragon Ball
Z is complicated by the licensing and release of the
companies involved in producing and distributing the
work. Releases of the media occurred on both VHS
and DVD with separate edited and uncut versions being released simultaneously. Both versions of the edited
and uncut material are treated as different entries and
would frequently make Billboard rankings as separate
entries. Home release sales were featured prominently
on the Nielsen VideoScan charts.* [8] Further complicating the release of the material was Funimation itself; which was known to release “DVDs out of sequence in order to get them out as fast as possible"; as
in the case of their third season.* [47] Pioneer Entertainment distributed the Funimation/Saban edited-only
dub of 53 episodes on seventeen VHS between 1997
and 1999,* [48]* [49] and seventeen DVDs throughout
1999.* [50]* [51] Two box sets separating them into the
Saiyan and Namek arcs were also released on VHS in
1999,* [52]* [53] and on DVD in 2001.* [54]* [55] Funimation's own distribution of their initial in-house dub,
which began with episode 54, in edited or uncut VHS ran
between 2000 and 2003.* [56]* [57]* [58] A DVD version
4.1. DRAGON BALL Z
43
was produced alongside these, although they were only and 1995. It began serialization in the American Shonen
produced uncut and contained the option to watch the Jump, beginning in the middle of the series with the Cyoriginal Japanese with subtitles.* [59]* [60]
borg Saga; the tankōbon volumes of both Dragon Ball
Z
and Dragon Ball were released simultaneously by Viz
In 2005, Funimation began releasing their in-house dub
Media
in the United States.* [76]* [77] In March 2001,
of the beginning of Dragon Ball Z on DVD, marking the
first time the episodes were seen uncut in North Amer- Viz continued this separation by re-shipping the Dragon
Z titles starting with the first volica.* [61] However, only nine volumes were released, Ball and Dragon Ball
*
[78]
Viz's marketing for the manga
umes
of
each
work.
*
leaving it incomplete. [62] Instead, Funimation remasmade distinct the differences between Dragon Ball and
tered and cropped the entire series into 16:9 widescreen
format and began re-releasing it to DVD in nine individ- Dragon Ball Z tone. Viz billed Dragon Ball Z: “More
action-packed than the stories of Goku's youth, Dragon
ual “season”box sets; the first set released on February
with battles of truly Earth*
*
6, 2007 and the final on May 19, 2009. [63] [64] In July Ball Z is pure adrenaline,
shaking proportions!"* [79]
2009, Funimation announced that they would be releasing the Japanese frame-by-frame“Dragon Box”restoration of Dragon Ball Z in North America. These seven
Films
limited edition DVD box sets were released uncut in the
show's original 4:3 fullscreen format between November
Further information: List of Dragon Ball Z films
10, 2009 and October 11, 2011.* [65]
In July 2011, Funimation announced plans to release
Dragon Ball Z in Blu-ray Disc format, with the first
set released on November 8, 2011.* [66]* [67]* [68] However, production of these 4:3 sets was suspended after the
second volume, citing technical concerns over restoring
the original film material frame by frame.* [69] Only a
year later, the company began producing a cropped 16:9
remastered Blu-ray release in 2013, with nine sets released in total.* [70] On August 13, 2013, Funimation released all 53 episodes and the three movies from their first
Dragon Ball Z dub created with Saban and Ocean Studios
in a collector's DVD box set.* [71]
Kai In Japan, Dragon Ball Kai was released in widescreen on 33 DVDs and in fullscreen on a single Blu-ray
and eight four-disc Blu-ray sets from September 18, 2009
to August 2, 2011.
Funimation released eight DVD and Blu-ray box sets
of Dragon Ball Z Kai from May 18, 2010 to June 5,
2012.* [72]* [73] These sets contain the original Japanese
audio track with English subtitles, as well as the uncut
version of the English dub, which does not contain any of
the edits made for the TV airings. Before the final volume was even published, Funimation began re-releasing
the series in four DVD and Blu-ray“season”sets between
May 22, 2012 and March 12, 2013.* [74]* [75]
The Dragon Ball Z films will comprise a total of 15 entries
by 2015. The films are typically released in March and
July in accordance with the spring and summer vacations
of Japanese schools. They were typically double features
paired up with other anime films, and were thus, usually
an hour or less in length. The films themselves offer contradictions in both chronology and design that make them
incompatible with a single continuity. All 14 films were
licensed in North America by Funimation, and all have
received in-house dubs by the company. Prior to Funimation, the third film was a part of the short-lived Saban syndication, being split into three episodes, and the first three
films received uncut English dubs in 1998 produced by
Funimation with Ocean Studios and released by Pioneer.
Several of the films have been broadcast on Cartoon Network and Nicktoons in the United States, Toonami UK
in the United Kingdom (some featuring alternate English
dubs produced with an unknown cast by AB Groupe), and
Cartoon Network in Australia.
Television specials and original video animations
Main articles: Dragon Ball and List of Dragon Ball Z
chapters
Three TV specials based on Dragon Ball Z were produced
and broadcast on Fuji TV. The first two were Dragon Ball
Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku in 1990 and Dragon Ball
Z: The History of Trunks in 1993, the later being based
on a special chapter of the original manga. Both were licensed by Funimation in North America and AB Groupe
in Europe. In 2013, a two-part hour-long crossover with
One Piece and Toriko, titled Dream 9 Toriko & One Piece
& Dragon Ball Z Chō Collaboration Special!!, was created
and aired.
While the manga was all titled Dragon Ball in Japan, due
to the popularity of the Dragon Ball Z anime in the west,
Viz Media changed the title of the last 26 volumes of the
manga to "Dragon Ball Z" to avoid confusion. The volumes were originally published in Japan between 1989
Additionally, two original video animations (OVAs) bearing the Dragon Ball Z title have been made. The first is
Dragon Ball Z Side Story: Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans,
which was originally released in 1993 in two parts as“Official Visual Guides”for the video game of the same title.
Dragon Ball: Plan to Eradicate the Super Saiyans was a
Manga
44
CHAPTER 4. D
2010 remake of this OVA. None of the OVAs have been 2000 by Lycos' web search engine.* [87]* [88] For 2001,
dubbed into English, and the only one to see a release in “Dragonball”was the most popular search on Lycos and
North America is the 2010 remake, which was subtitled “Dragonball Z”was fifth on Yahoo!.* [89]
and included as a bonus feature in Dragon Ball: Raging
Blast 2.
Video games
Further information: List of Dragon Ball video games
There are over 57 video game releases bearing the name
Dragon Ball Z across a range of platforms from the
Nintendo Entertainment System/Famicom to the current
generation consoles. Also included are arcade games like
Super Dragon Ball Z, which would eventually be ported
to consoles.
In North America, licensing rights had been given to both
Namco Bandai and Atari. In 1999, Atari acquired exclusive rights to the video games through Funimation, a
deal which was extended for five more years in 2005.* [80]
A 2007 dispute would end with Atari paying Funimation $3.5 million.* [81] In July 2009, Namco Bandai was
reported to have obtained exclusive rights to release the
games for a period of five years.* [82] This presumably
would have taken effect after Atari's licensing rights expired at the end of January 2010.* [81]
Soundtracks
Main article: List of Dragon Ball soundtracks
Ratings
Dragon Ball Z's Japanese run was very popular with an
average viewer ratings of 20.5% across the series. Dragon
Ball Z also proved to be a rating success in the United
States, as the premiere of Season Three of Dragon Ball
Z in 1999, done by Funimation's in-house dub, was the
highest-rated program ever at the time on Cartoon Network.* [90] In 2002, in the week ending September 22nd,
Dragon Ball Z was the #1 program of the week on all of
television with tweens 9-14, boys 9-14 and men 12-24,
with the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday telecasts of
Dragon Ball Z ranked as the top three programs in all
of television, broadcast or cable, for delivery of boys 914.* [91] In 2001, Cartoon Network obtained licensing
to run 96 more episodes and air the original Dragon Ball
anime and was the top rated show in the Toonami block of
Cartoon network.* [92] Beginning March 26, 2001, Cartoon Network ran a 12-week special promotion “Toonami Reactor”which included a focus on Dragon Ball Z,
which would stream episodes online to high-speed internet users.* [93] Many home video releases were met with
both the edited and unedited versions placing on in the top
10 video charts of Billboard. For example, “The Dark
Prince Returns”(containing episodes 226-228) and“Rivals”(containing episodes 229-231) edited and unedited,
made the Billboard magazine top video list for October
20, 2001.* [94]* [Note 3]
Dragon Ball Z has been host to numerous soundtrack
releases with works like "Cha-La Head-Cha-La" and a
series of 21 soundtracks released as part of the Dragon
Ball Z Hit Song Collection Series. In total, dozens of releases exist for Dragon Ball Z which includes Japanese
and foreign adapted releases of the anime themes and The first episode of Dragon Ball Kai earned a viewer ratvideo game soundtracks.
ings percentage of 11.3, ahead of One Piece and behind
Crayon Shin-chan.* [95] Although following episodes had
lower ratings, Kai was among the top 10 anime in viewer
4.1.5 Reception
ratings every week in Japan for most of its run.* [96]* [97]
Towards the end of the original run the ratings hovCultural impact and legacy
ered around 9%−10%.* [98]* [99] Dragon Ball Z Kai premiered on Nicktoons in May 2010 and set the record
Dragon Ball Z was listed as the 78th best animated show for the highest-rated premiere in total viewers, and in
in IGN's“Top 100 Animated Series”,* [83] and was also tweens and boys ages 9–14.* [100] Nielsen Mega Manila
listed as the 50th greatest cartoon in Wizard magazine's viewer ratings ranked Dragon Ball Kai with a viewer rat“Top 100 Greatest Cartoons”list.* [84] The film ranked ings with a high of 18.4% for October 30 – November 4
#5 on Wizard's Anime Magazine on their“Top 50 Anime in 2012.* [101] At the end of April 2013, Dragon Ball
released in North America”.* [85]
Kai would trail just behind One Piece at 14.2%.* [102]
Dragon Ball Z 's popularity is reflected through a variety Broadcasters' Audience Research Board ranked Dragon
of data through online interactions which show the pop- Ball Z Kai as the second most viewed show in the week it
ularity of the media. In 2001, it was reported that the debuted on Kix.* [103] On its debut on Vortexx, Dragon
official website of Dragon Ball Z records 4.7 million hits Ball Z Kai was the third highest rated show on the Saturper day and included 500,000+ registered fans.* [86] The day morning block with 841,000 viewers and a 0.5 houseterm “Dragonball Z”ranked 4th in 1999 and 2nd in hold rating.* [104]
4.1. DRAGON BALL Z
4.1.6
45
Merchandising
In December 2002, Jakks Pacific signed a three-year deal
for licensing Dragon Ball Z toys, which was possible beFurther information: Dragon Ball Z Collectible Card cause of the bankruptcy of Irwin Toy.* [113] JAKKS Pacific's Dragon Ball Z 5-inch figures were cited as impresGame
sive for their painting and articulation.* [114]
Dragon Ball Z merchandise was a success prior to its peak
American interest, with more than $3 billion in sales from
1986-2000.* [105] Though the merchandising of Dragon
Ball Z would be a hit even into the holiday season.* [106]
In 2010, Toei closed deals in Central and South American countries which included Algazarra, Richtex, Pil Andina, DTM, Doobalo and Bondy Fiesta.* [115] In 2012,
Brazil's Abr-Art Bag Rio Comercio Importacao e Exportacao closed a deal with Toei.* [116]
In 1998, Animage-ine Entertainment, a division of Simitar, announced the sale of Chroma-Cels, mock animation cels to capitalize on the popularity of Dragon Ball
4.1.7 Notes
Z.* [107] The original sale was forecasted for late 1998,
but were pushed back to January 12, 1999.* [108]
[1] The original interview was conducted by Steve Harmon
with Funimation CEO Gen Fukunaga in 1999 and was
hosted on Harmon's personal website “The Vault”. A
record of the website exists on Archive.org, but the original interview itself was lost. The record was kept by Chris
Psaros who provided a copy for the website“The Dragon
Ball Z Otaku Alliance”which republished the original interview for this source.
[2] Steven Simmons, who uses the nickname “Daimao”in
websites like Toriyama.org, wrote the original scripts for
the Funimation subtitles and was involved in the localization process. His comments are included as a primary
source, but also definitively illustrate concerns with the
subtitles, from its creator. This connection and background is noted at the accompanying Anime News Network reference.
[3] The releases for both The Dark Prince Returns and Babidi:
Showdown were released on September 25, 2001. The title “Showdown”was replaced with “Rivals”and contains episodes 229–231, titled “Vegeta's Pride”, “The
Long Awaited Flight”, and“Magic Ball of Buu”. Prior
to the release, Billboard and news outlets including the
Anime News Network and Anime Nation were using the
title“Showdown"; but the UPC codes match, indicating a
re-titling for this release,“Rivals”, also has a September
25, 2001, release date for the uncut material.
An acrylic replica of the Five-Star Dragon Ball.
4.1.8 References
In 2000, MGA Entertainment released more than
twenty toys, consisting of table-top games and walkietalkies.* [109] Irwin Toy released more than 72 figures
consisting of 2-inch and 5 inch action figures, which
became top-selling toys in a market dominated by the
Pokémon Trading Card Game.* [110] Irwin Toys would
release other unique Dragon Ball Z toys including a battery powered Flying Nimbus Cloud which hovered without touching the ground and a die-cast line of vehicles
with collector capsules.* [111] In June 2000, Burger King
had a toy promotion which would see 20 million figurines; Burger King bore the cost of the promotion which
provided free marketing for Funimation.* [105] The Halloween Association found Dragon Ball Z costumes to be
the fourth most popular costumes in their nationwide survey.* [112]
[1]“Shonen Jump”. October 3, 2003. pp. 92–97.
[2] Clements, Jonathan; Helen McCarthy (September 1,
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[3] Editors' roundtable, Jump Comics (Shueisha), July 2,
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[4] Dragon Ball Supplemental Daizenshuu: TV Animation
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CHAPTER 4. D
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47
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[55] “Dragon Ball Z - The Namek Saga (Boxed Set II Episodes 26-53)". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2014-02-16.
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CHAPTER 4. D
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4.1.9 External links
• Official website
• Official website (Japanese)
• Dragon Ball Z
(Japanese)
at the Internet Movie Database
4.2. DEADMAN WONDERLAND
• Dragon Ball Z at the Internet Movie Database (English)
49
survive. Fortunately for Ganta, he is aided by a mysterious girl named Shiro, who apparently knows Ganta, and
is known by other prisoners as well.
• Dragon Ball Z (anime) at Anime News Network's
While trying to survive as an inmate on death row, Ganta
encyclopedia
intends to find the 'Red Man' to clear his name. In a
bizarre twist, Ganta begins to develop the ability to manipulate his own blood, to the point of turning it into a
4.2 Deadman Wonderland
weapon. Unknown to Ganta, he has become one of the
prison's“Deadmen,”an isolated group of prisoners posDeadman Wonderland (Japanese: デッ ド マ ン ワ ン sessing the Branches of Sin which makes them capable
ダー ラ ン ド Hepburn: Deddoman Wandārando) is a of controlling their blood. After his ability is discovered,
manga series written by Jinsei Kataoka and illustrated Ganta is forced to participate in brutal gladiatorial death
by Kazuma Kondou, who also wrote and illustrated the matches known as Carnival Corpse, whose anonymous
Eureka Seven manga, and published in Shōnen Ace since spectators pay large amounts of money to watch. In his
2008. Tokyopop acquired the licensing rights to dis- long struggle to survive he manages to befriend some of
tribute the manga in English and released the first 5 vol- those he fought off in the arena and with their help, Ganta
umes of the manga before the company shut down its continues his quest to uncover the identity of the 'Red
North American Publishing division in 2011.* [2] On July Man', why he turned into a Deadman, and the dark se7, 2013 Viz Media announced that they licensed the se- crets the prison authorities are hiding.
ries for English language release in North America and
will release the first volume on February 11, 2014, with
new volumes releasing every two months.* [3] An anime About Deadman Wonderland
adaptation aired between April and July 2011, pulling
content from the first 21 chapters of the manga. The Deadman Wonderland is Japan's only privately operated
anime is licensed by Funimation Entertainment and aired prison, built after the Great Tokyo Earthquake on ground
zero. Deadman Wonderland was founded by Rinichirō
on Adult Swim's newly revived Toonami block.
Hagire and run by Tsunenaga Tamaki. It gathers prisoners from all over Japan and raises money for the revival of
the destroyed metropolis. To the public and the tourists
4.2.1 Plot
that visit daily, Deadman Wonderland is a massive theme
park-like facility run by the prison population. UnbeSee also: List of Deadman Wonderland characters
knownst to the general population, most of the prison's
attractions involve cruel games of survival where many
A massive anomaly ravaged Japan's mainland and de- inmates lose their lives or are maimed for the entertainstroyed most of Tokyo, sinking three-quarters of the city ment of an oblivious public. The prison's guard staff is
into the ocean. Ten years later, the story shifts to Ganta also granted autonomy over how to punish the prisoners,
Igarashi, a seemingly ordinary student attending Nagano which often results in bloodshed.
Prefecture's middle school. As an escapee, a survivor
of the great earthquake, Ganta has no memories of the Each prisoner is fitted with a collar that functions as a life
monitor, locator and stunner. The prisoners on death row
tragedy and has lived a normal life. This all changes when
a strange person covered in blood and crimson armor receive poison injections through the collar and must consume a special antidote candy every three days. Their colfloats through his classroom windows. Grinning madly,
the 'Red Man' massacres Ganta's entire class but instead lars contain countdown timers that warn the wearer with
blinking and beeping when time is running low. When the
of killing him, embeds a red crystal shard in Ganta's
chest. Within days of the massacre, Ganta is subjected timer reaches zero, the collar displays the word“DEAD”
to a kangaroo court as a suspect and is sentenced to death and kills the inmate. Afterwards, the collar unlocks alat Deadman Wonderland, a prison that doubles as a theme lowing it to be removed. The collars can also be removed
by key cards used by the prison guards.
park.
Arriving at the prison, Ganta is fitted with a special col- While the threat of violence is constant at the prison, most
lar which monitors his location and vital signs. A lethal prisoners enjoy a great deal of liberty inside Deadman
poison is constantly injected into his bloodstream through Wonderland. Utilizing Cast Points, the prison's unique
the collar, but it can be neutralized by consuming a pe- form of currency, prisoners can purchase a wide variety
culiar candy-like medicine every three days, which can of items from ordinary lunches, to luxurious furniture for
be acquired through various activities in the prison, i.e. their rooms, and even years off of their sentences (though
performing for audiences, working backstage, purchas- Cast Points can't be used to the freedom of a“Deadman”
ing with cast points (a form of currency among inmates ). Those on death row also use Cast Points to purchase
at Deadman Wonderland), etc. To gather Cast Points, their life-saving candies.
an inmate must perform in the facility's lethal games and Despite its identity as a prison and theme park, Deadman
50
CHAPTER 4. D
Wonderland houses a much darker secret. Hidden away
from the eyes of tourists and the general prison population
is a massive underground facility known as “G Block”
. This is where the prison keeps their Deadmen secluded
and where the Carnival Corpse arena is located. G Block
also houses numerous laboratories and rooms where experiments on humans are performed and where scientists
are attempting to harness the powers of the Deadmen for
monetary and political gain.
Eventually, Ganta and his Deadman allies received
the assistance of Makina to defeat Tsunenaga Tamaki.
Rinichirō Hagire in Toto Sakagami assumed control of
Deadman Wonderland while Tamaki committed suicide.
After Deadman Wonderland was closed, the necklaces
were removed from the inmates. Most of the remaining
inmates were transferred to different prisons where some
of them were allowed a retrial.
is “Shiny Shiny”by Nirgilis. The series is licensed by
Funimation Entertainment and is now available on DVD
and Blu-ray.* [37] The anime was broadcast on the revived Toonami block from May 26 to August 11, 2012.
The anime aired in North America on the Funimation
Channel on November 30, 2012.* [38]
Episode list
Music
Two pieces of theme music are used for the episodes:
one opening theme and one ending theme. The opening
theme is One Reason by Deadman Wonder Band (DWB)
feat. Fade. The ending theme Shiny Shiny by DWB feat.
NIRGILIS. The two themes are used in all 13 episodes.
Certain characters have their own character song also,
Makina later rallies the Deadmen on a mission to infiltrate
Ganta, Shiro, Genkaku and Minatsuki all have their own
Deadman Wonderland and activate the Mother Goose
character song. The songs are created by DWB and NIRProgram to completely seal the Wretched Egg with the reGILIS and the characters that the song is for provide the
sulting battle destroying most of Deadman Wonderland.
vocals.
Carnival Corpse Deadman Wonderland also runs a secret gladiator-like game called the Carnival Corpse (also
referred to as the Carnival of Corpses), where wealthy
anonymous donors pay to watch death-matches between
the prison's Deadmen. The viewers of the Carnival
Corpse also place their bets on who would win. Deadmen who are defeated yet survive the game have a part of
their anatomy surgically removed for scientific research.
In a cruel twist, the loser spins a bird-shaped macabre slot
machine to determine which part of their body will be
removed (with the show being broadcast live to the other
prisoners) for research with the parts ranging from the
right eye (which was removed from Senji), vocal cords
(which was removed from Nagi), and the hair, kidney,
and part of the stomach (which were removed from Minatsuki). The winner is awarded a large amount of Cast
Points, life-saving candies, and other prizes.
4.2.2
Media
4.2.3 Legacy
Shiro's costume is featured in the video game Lollipop
Chainsaw.* [42] It can be unlocked during gameplay.* [43]
4.2.4 References
[1] “Deadman Wonderland”. Funimation. Retrieved May
11, 2015.
[2] “Tokyopop to Close North American Publishing Division”. Anime News Network. 2011-04-15. Retrieved
2013-07-07.
[3] “Viz Media Adds Deadman Wonderland”. Anime News
Network. 2013-07-07. Retrieved 2013-07-07.
[4] " デッ ド マ ン・ ワ ン ダー ラ ン ド (1)". Kadokawa
Shoten. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
Manga
[5] “Deadman Wonderland, Vol. 1”. Tokyopop. Retrieved
June 20, 2014.
Volume list
[6] “Deadman Wonderland - Volume 1”. Viz Media. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
Anime
[7] " デッ ド マ ン・ ワ ン ダー ラ ン ド (2)". Kadokawa
Shoten. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
On July 30, 2009, a retailers' solicitation sheet reported [8] “Deadman Wonderland, Vol. 2”. Tokyopop. Retrieved
June 20, 2014.
that an anime adaptation had been green-lit.* [35] It is animated by Manglobe and aired in Japan between April
[9] “Deadman Wonderland - Volume 2”. Viz Media. Re17, 2011 and July 3, 2011. An original video animatrieved August 1, 2013.
tion episode was released on October 8, 2011 alongside
the eleventh manga volume.* [36] The opening theme is [10] " デッ ド マ ン・ ワ ン ダー ラ ン ド (3)". Kadokawa
“One Reason”by DWB feat. Fade and the ending theme
Shoten. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
4.2. DEADMAN WONDERLAND
[11] “Deadman Wonderland - Volume 3”. Tokyopop. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
[12] “Deadman Wonderland, Vol. 3”. Viz Media. Retrieved
June 20, 2014.
[13] " デッ ド マ ン・ ワ ン ダー ラ ン ド (4)". Kadokawa
Shoten. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
[14] “Deadman Wonderland - Volume 4”. Tokyopop. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
[15] “Deadman Wonderland, Vol. 4”. Viz Media. Retrieved
June 20, 2014.
[16] " デッ ド マ ン・ ワ ン ダー ラ ン ド (5)". Kadokawa
Shoten. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
[17] “Deadman Wonderland - Volume 5”. Tokyopop. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
[18] “Deadman Wonderland, Vol. 5”. Viz Media. Retrieved
June 20, 2014.
[19] " デッ ド マ ン・ ワ ン ダー ラ ン ド (6)". Kadokawa
Shoten. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
[20] “Deadman Wonderland, Vol. 6”. Viz Media. Retrieved
June 20, 2014.
[21] " デッ ド マ ン・ ワ ン ダー ラ ン ド (7)". Kadokawa
Shoten. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
[22] “Deadman Wonderland, Vol. 7”. Amazon.com. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
[23] " デッ ド マ ン・ ワ ン ダー ラ ン ド (8)". Kadokawa
Shoten. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
51
[35] "Deadman Wonderland Manga Gets Anime Green-Lit”.
Anime News Network. 2009-07-30. Retrieved 2010-1020.
[36] オンラインショッピング通販 | ⾓川書店・⾓川グ
ループ (in Japanese). Kadokawa.co.jp. Retrieved 201208-19.
[37] “Funimation Adds Deadman Wonderland, Steins;Gate
and More”. Anime News Network. Retrieved 2 July
2011.
[38] “Funimation Week 49 of 2012”. Funimation Entertainment. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
[39] デッ ド マ ン・ ワ ン ダー ラ ン ド (in Japanese). Web
Newtype. Archived from the original on May 3, 2011.
Retrieved May 3, 2011.
[40] デッ ド マ ン・ ワ ン ダー ラ ン ド (in Japanese). Web
Newtype. Archived from the original on May 12, 2011.
Retrieved May 12, 2011.
[41] デッ ド マ ン・ ワ ン ダー ラ ン ド (in Japanese). Web
Newtype. Archived from the original on June 10, 2011.
Retrieved June 10, 2011.
[42] Saabedra, Humberto (March 6, 2012). “New Japanese
“Lollipop Chainsaw”Costume DLC Goes Anime”.
Crunchyroll. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
[43] Luster, Joseph (May 10, 2012). “Full North American
“Lollipop Chainsaw”Outfit List Revealed”. Crunchyroll.
Retrieved July 29, 2015.
4.2.5 External links
[24] “Deadman Wonderland, Vol. 8”. Amazon.com. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
• Deadman Wonderland official website (Japanese)
[25] " デッ ド マ ン・ ワ ン ダー ラ ン ド (9)". Kadokawa
Shoten. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
• Deadman Wonderland (manga) at Anime News
Network's encyclopedia
[26] “Deadman Wonderland, Vol. 9”. Amazon.com. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
[27] " デッ ド マ ン・ ワ ン ダー ラ ン ド (10)". Kadokawa
Shoten. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
[28] “Deadman Wonderland, Vol. 10”. Amazon.com. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
[29] " デッ ド マ ン・ ワ ン ダー ラ ン ド (11)". Kadokawa
Shoten. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
[30] “Deadman Wonderland, Vol. 11”. Amazon.com. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
[31] " デッ ド マ ン・ ワ ン ダー ラ ン ド (12)". Kadokawa
Shoten. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
[32] “Deadman Wonderland, Vol. 12”. Amazon.com. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
[33] " デッ ド マ ン・ ワ ン ダー ラ ン ド (13)". Kadokawa
Shoten. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
[34] “Deadman Wonderland, Vol. 13”. Amazon.com. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
Chapter 5
E
5.1 Rebuild of Evangelion
not kanji, the meaning of shin is ambiguous and it can be
alternatively translated as either“new”(新 Shin),“true”
(真
Shin), or even something else entirely. As was done
Rebuild of Evangelion, known in Japan as Evangelion:
with
episode titles in the original series, each film has an
New Theatrical Edition (ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版
original
Japanese title and a separate English international
Evangerion Shin Gekijōban), is a Japanese animated film
title
picked
out by the Japanese studio itself.
series and a reboot of the original Neon Genesis Evangelion anime TV series, produced by Studio Khara. Hideaki
Anno served as the writer and general manager of the
5.1.2 Production
project, with Kazuya Tsurumaki and Masayuki directing the films themselves. Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, Ikuto Ya- Anno initially began work on Rebuild films in the fall
mashita and Shirō Sagisu returned to provide character of 2002, spending nearly six months on pre-production
designs, mechanical designs and music respectively.
before being delayed by various other projects (such as
The film tetralogy utilizes newly available 3D CG animation, and provides new scenes, settings and characters,
with a completely new conclusion in the fourth film. Another stated intention of the series is for it to be more accessible to non-fans than the original TV series and films
were.* [1]* [2]
Cutie Honey, the Re: Cutie Honey OVA, and even a few
movie roles).* [6] This included watching the entire original series back-to-back.* [7] In the December 2006 issue
of Newtype, Anno revealed he was happy to finally recreate Eva“as he wanted it to be”in the beginning and that
he was no longer constrained by technological and budget
limitations.* [8]
The release schedule of the Rebuild movies has experienced many delays, with the first film pushed from its
original summer release date to fall 2007, and the second
The concept of jo-ha-kyū (序破急* ?) , which roughly film's release date shifted from 2008 to summer 2009.
corresponds to “beginning”, “middle”, and “end”, The third film, initially announced as a simultaneous reoriginated in classical gagaku music and is best known to lease with Evangelion: Final in the summer of 2008,* [9]
describe the acts of a noh play. In lieu of the traditional was released in the fall of 2012.
classification, the production team has chosen to represent In 2012 the final film was briefly listed on Khara's website
kyū (急* ?, [ˈkʲu͍ː],“hurry”) with the Roman letter Q, for for a 2013 release.* [10] Later, in the August 2013 issue
“quickening.”With the premiere of the third film, it was of OtonaFami, it was announced that it would be released
announced that the symbol to be used for the final film around winter 2015.* [11] Despite implications that the
would be the musical symbol known as the final barline film might be delayed due to Anno's other commitments
(𝄂 or ||).* [3] However, according to an article published in October 2014* [12] this date was echoed in the January
by Anime News Network, it is actually the end repeat sign 2015 issue of Weekly Bunshun.* [13]
(𝄇 or :||).* [4] The intended Japanese pronunciation of this
symbol has not been stated.
5.1.1
Titles
The film titles, in contrast to the normal katakana spelling 5.1.3 See also
of Evangelion (エヴァンゲリオン Evangerion), replace
• Neon Genesis Evangelion (franchise)
the e (エ) and o (オ) characters with the obsolete we (ヱ)
character and the infrequently used katakana wo (ヲ), re• The End of Evangelion
spectively. The change is purely a stylistic one, as there
is no change in pronunciation and all appearances of the
Latin spelling of“Evangelion”remain the same. The fi- 5.1.4 References
nal film reverts to the original katakana spelling, but adds
Shin (シン* ?) to the title; as it is written in katakana and [1] “Evangelion: New Cinema Edition”. Newtype. October
52
5.2. EUREKA SEVEN
2006. Retrieved August 17, 2007. It will be a work that
can be enjoyed even if you have not seen the TV series.
I want old hard-core fans and even fans who just know
Eva from pachinko to view it as a single (i.e. stand-alone)
movie. We welcome first-time viewers…
[2] “Anime News Service - September 4th-8th Anime News”
. Animenewsservice.com. September 8, 2006. Retrieved
November 19, 2012.
[3] " 次回シン・エヴァンゲリオン劇場版". Retrieved
November 29, 2012.
[4] “4th & Final Evangelion Anime Film Titled (Updated)".
Anime News Network. November 17, 2012. Retrieved
June 22, 2014.
[5] " ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版：Q 公式サイト" (in
Japanese). Retrieved September 16, 2014.
[6] “Personal Biography: Hideaki Anno - Scriptwriter, director, etc.”. Khara. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
[7]“Second Impact”. Newtype USA (Houston, TX: A.D. Vision) 5 (12): 30–31. December 2006. ISSN 1541-4817.
[8] “Anime News Service Archive December 2006”. Animenewsservice.com. December 31, 2008. Retrieved January 26, 2009.
[9] “Anime News Service - September 9th-22nd Anime
News”. Animenewsservice.com. September 9, 2006.
Retrieved August 17, 2011.
[10] “Final Evangelion Film No Longer Listed in 2013”.
Anime News Network. November 19, 2012. Retrieved
June 22, 2014.
53
5.2 Eureka Seven
Eureka Seven, known in Japan as Psalms of Planets Eureka seveN (Japanese: 交 響 詩 篇 エ ウ レ カ セ ブ ン
Hepburn: Kōkyōshihen Eureka Sebun, lit. “Symphonic
Psalms Eureka Seven”), is a 2005 Japanese anime series
created by Bones. The series was directed by Tomoki
Kyoda, with series composition by Dai Satō and music
by Naoki Satō. Eureka Seven tells the story of Renton
Thurston and the outlaw group Gekkostate, his relationship with the enigmatic mecha pilot Eureka, and the
mystery of the Coralians. The fifty episode series premiered in Japan on MBS between April 17, 2005 and was
subsequently licensed by Funimation in North America,
Madman Entertainment in Australia and New Zealand
and by Beez Entertainment in the United Kingdom for
English home video releases.
The series spawned six manga adaptations, a light novel,
three video games and a feature-length anime film which
was released in Japan on April 25, 2009. One of the
manga titled Eureka Seven: AO which was serialized in
Shōnen Ace between January 2012 and October 2013,
was further adapted into an anime series which aired
twenty-four episodes in Japan between April 13 and
November 20, 2012. Eureka Seven was well received
by critics and earned several awards at numerous award
shows in Japan, most notably the 2006 Tokyo International Anime Fair. However, the anime adaptation of Eureka Seven: AO was negatively panned by critics.
5.2.1 Overview
Setting
[11] “OtonaFami Lists 4th & Final Evangelion Film in 2015” Scub Coral
. Anime News Network. October 10, 2014. Retrieved
January 13, 2015.
Eureka Seven takes place in the year 12005 and it's now
been 10,000 years after humanity has made a mass exodus into space, due to the arrival of the Scub Coral (スカ
ブ・コーラル Sukabu Kōraru), an intelligent, sentient
life who merged with the planet, forcing the humans to
abandon it. In the current timeline, the remnants of hu[13] “Magazine: Final Evangelion Film Slated for Fall-Winter
manity are now settled on an unknown planet (actually a
2015 With Utada Song”. Anime News Network. Decemterraformed Earth) known as the Land of Kanan, but the
ber 26, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
majority of the surface of this planet is now covered by a
rock-like surface formed by the Scub Coral. The Scub
Coral inhabited the Planet until the return of humans.
5.1.5 External links
The theory that the Scub Coral is an intelligent life form
was proposed by the scientist Adroc Thurston, who also
• (Japanese) Rebuild of Evangelion website
claimed the Scub is looking for mutual co-existence with
humanity. All theories and information about the Scub
• (Japanese) Yahoo! Japan: The statement by Hideaki Coral being a sentient being are kept from the general
Anno and the bulletin movie
population. In addition to being the surface of the planet,
the Scub Coral has several physical manifestations, called
• (English) Anime News Network: Translation of Coralians (コーラリアン Kōrarian), that are observed
Anno's statement
throughout the series. These manifestations are either
[12] “Anno Jokes That 4th New Evangelion Film Might Be 46 Years After 3rd One”. Anime News Network. October
28, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
54
CHAPTER 5. E
natural occurrences or a response to attacks from humans. Trapar waves and lifting
The manifestations are:
Command Cluster Coralian The Command Cluster
is a large concentration of the Scub Coral which acts
as the central mind for the rest of its “body”. It
stores all the information the Scub has collected over
the last 10,000 years, and keeps the rest of the Scub
Coral in a dormant state.
In Eureka Seven, as a result of the Scub Coral covering the planet, the atmosphere is permeated by an
enigmatic energy known as Transparence Light Particles (ト ラ ン サ パ ラ ン ス・ ラ イ ト・ パー ティ ク
ル Toransaparansu Raito Pātikuru), dubbed Trapar (ト
ラパー Torapā) waves for short. Norbu, the Vodarac
leader, states that all thought carries with it energy. As a
result, a sentient life form on the scale of the Scub Coral
produces a tremendous amount of energy. The most important use of Trapar energy is its use as a method of
propulsion for flight-capable vehicles.
Kute-class Coralian A Kute-class is massive sphere of
concentrated energy that materializes suddenly in
the skies. Though it is a rare natural occurrence,
they can be artificially triggered by causing heavy
damage to the Scub Coral. The disappearance of a
Though Trapar-propelled airships are relatively common,
Kute causes a massive release of energy, ravaging
using Trapar waves for “lifting”(リフティング Rithe surrounding landscape and lowering the Trapar
futingu, or “reffing”, according to some fan translacount in the area to almost non-existent levels.
tions, as well as official translations in some countries)
Antibody Coralians Antibody Coralians are, as the is their predominant use. Lifting uses surfboard-like de( ref boards”(リフボー
name suggests, creatures created by the Scub Coral vices called“reflection boards”“
ド
Rifubōdo)
for
short)
to
ride
Trapar waves in a manto destroy anything nearby that might be causing
ner
similar
to
surfing,
and
is
a
popular
sport in the series.
it harm. They are unleashed in massive swarms
The
most
grandiose
use
of
Trapar̶massive
humanoid
through a Kute-class Coralian when the Scub Coral
fightercraft̶are
a
recent
development,
made
possible
by
is threatened or attacked. These antibodies can
the
discovery
of
bizarre
alien
life-forms
within
the
Scub
range in size from as small as a wheelbarrow, or as
large as a bomber plane. Their shapes vary wildly, Coral.
from eyeballs to flying slugs to giant hovering flowerlike objects. Most forms are based on the sea creatures they absorbed when they just started their
'growth'. Their powers are: sending lasers in profusion from their bodies, thus being able to destroy
large aircraft, burrowing into a victim's body and
imploding it(unconfirmed), and creating a spherical
void, which makes anything within its surface area to
vanish. Antibody Coralians generally appear in response to deliberate attacks on the Scub Coral. They
appear for 1246 seconds (20 minutes 46 seconds) which is the amount of time the Seven Swell phenomenon is active. After those 1246 seconds, they
crumble to dust. Their appearances are that of basic invertebrates such as flat worms, mollusks, and
cnidaria. One of each kind appears in Another Century's Episode 3: The Final and Super Robot Wars
Z.
Human-form Coralians Human-form Coralians are
beings created by the Scub Coral in the form of humans. They are regarded by scientists as emissaries
of the Scub Coral, sent to learn about humanity. Humans have attempted to create their own artificial
human-form Coralians, but the results are often less
than satisfactory. As shown with Eureka in the sequel series, human-form Coralians are biologically
capable of reproducing the same way as humans
do; she gave birth to a daughter and son. However,
due to her children being Human-Coralian hybrids,
the high level of Trapar would be too dangerous for
them.
Plot
See also: List of Eureka Seven characters
The series focuses on Renton Thurston, the fourteenyear-old son of Adrock Thurston, a military researcher
who died saving the world. He lives what he considers
a boring life with his grandfather in a boring town. He
loves lifting, a sport similar to surfing but with trapar,
a substance abundant throughout the air, as the medium.
He dreams of joining the renegade group Gekkostate, led
by his idol Holland Novak, a legendary lifter.
An opportunity to do so literally falls into his lap when
a large mechanical robot, called the Nirvash typeZERO,
and Eureka, its pilot and a member of Gekkostate,
crash into Renton's room. Renton's grandfather orders
him to deliver a special part to the Nirvash called the
“Amita Drive”, which releases the immense power dormant within the typeZERO called the “Seven Swell
Phenomenon”. Afterwards, Renton is invited to join
Gekkostate, where he quickly discovers that the behindthe-scenes life of Gekkostate is hardly as glamorous or
as interesting as printed in the glossy pages of their magazine, ray=out. Only one thing makes it all worthwhile
for him: the presence of Eureka, the mysterious pilot of
the Nirvash. Renton, Eureka, and the Gekkostate embark
on an adventure that will shape their future as well as the
world's.
5.2. EUREKA SEVEN
5.2.2
Development
The series was made by Bones and co-produced by
Bandai Entertainment. Bandai Entertainment provided
the title and handled the creative aspects of the series.* [1]
Bandai had originally proposed a mecha anime series to
the animation studio Bones. The studio had initially rejected it, but later reversed its position because it had already planned to create an anime using mecha designs
by Shoji Kawamori. With the appointment of director
Tomoki Kyoda and writer Dai Satō, Bandai's proposal
was more or less scrapped and the staff began work on
their own series that would become Eureka Seven.* [2]
55
Bandai Entertainment and its affiliates distributed the English version of Eureka Seven.* [6] It was released in the
United States and Canada by Bandai Visual USA, in the
United Kingdom by Beez Entertainment, and in Australia
by Madman Entertainment. The first translated Region
1 DVD volume of the series was released on April 25,
2006 in the US, while the European Region 2 version
was released on September 25, 2006. The English version was produced by Bang Zoom! Entertainment in Burbank, California. Following the 2012 closure of Bandai
Entertainment, Funimation acquired the rights to the TV
series and re-released the series on Blu-ray and DVD in
2014.* [7]
A second anime adaptation based on the Eureka Seven:
AO manga began airing on April 12, 2012, and ended
on November 20, 2012. There is a total of 24 episodes.
It has been released in Japan on Blu-ray and DVD, along
with an OVA titled“The Flower Fields of Jungfrau”. On
May 16, 2013, Funimation announced the official release
date in English dub. The first twelve dubbed episodes
were released on DVD/Blu-ray on August 13, 2013, and
The director wished to design the series as one that would
the rest of the series released on October 15, 2013.
at first focus on the personal elements and conflicts of the
characters, then subsequently move the framework into a
broader scale and perspective. The series' two halves each
have their own very clear focus that reflects this design Music
While conceptualizing Eureka Seven, Kyoda “wanted
something that reflected the music and the subculture
of his generation̶and a love story.”* [3] As such the
show contains several references from music of the 1980s
and the 1990s, and almost all of the show's episodes are
named after real songs, composed by both Japanese and
foreign artists.* [3]* [4]
choice.* [5]
Eureka Seven uses ten pieces of theme music. The opening themes of Eureka Seven are“Days”by Flow (episodes
1-13), “Shōnen Heart”(少年ハート Shōnen Hāto) by
Home Made Kazoku (episodes 14-26), “Taiyō no Mannaka e”(太陽の真ん中へ, “To the Center of the Sun”
), by Bivattchee (episodes 27–32, 34–39) and “Sakura”
by Nirgilis (episodes 40–49). The ending themes are
“Himitsu Kichi”(秘密基地,“Secret Base”) by Kozue
Takada (episodes 1–13, 26), “Fly Away”, by Asami
Izawa (episodes 14–25), “Tip Taps Tip”, by Halcali
5.2.3 Release
(episodes 27–39) and “Canvas”, by Coolon (episodes
40–49). The two insert songs are “Storywriter”, by
See also: List of Eureka Seven episodes and List of Supercar and“Niji”(虹,“Rainbow”), by Denki Groove
Eureka Seven: AO episodes
(episode 50).
With the premise of the surfer robots in mind, Satō interviewed several real-life surfers and came to conclusion
that they are close to nature. From this perception, he
envisioned the environmental thematic as central point
of the story. He said “I thought it might be an effective message for children, especially in Japan. It's pretty
veiled. I didn't want to be preachy.”* [3]
The soundtrack music is available on three different albums composed by Naoki Satō and a variety of other
artists who composed insert songs used in the series.
The first and second soundtrack albums were released
on November 2, 2005* [8] and April 5, 2006 respec*
Eureka Seven was available for online viewing on the tively. [9] The third soundtrack, titled Eureka Seven:
Adult Swim Fix, Adult Swim's online video service be- Complete Best include the full-length versions of the openas
fore its televised debut on the Adult Swim channel be- ing and ending themes for both the series *and game,
*
well
as
the
insert
song
for
the
final
episode.
[10]
[11]
tween April 15, 2006, and ended on April 28, 2007.
Adult Swim traditionally cut down the opening and end- The anime adaptation of Eureka Seven: AO uses six
ing themes from each episode to fit the series to Amer- pieces of theme music. For the 13 first episodes, the
ican television's time restraints, which resulted in the fi- opening theme is“Escape”performed by Hemenway and
nal episode's first airing having actual content cut from it the ending theme is“stand by me”by Stereopony. Startas the episode originally had no theme song sequences; it ing with episode 14, the opening theme changes to“Bravwas re-aired properly the following week. In Canada, Eu- elue”(ブレイブルー Bureiburū) performed by FLOW
reka Seven premiered on YTV's Bionix block on Septem- and the ending theme changes to “Iolite”(アイオライ
ber 8, 2006.
ト Aioraito) performed by joy. The two insert songs are
Eureka Seven consists of fifty episodes which aired from
April 17, 2005, to April 2, 2006, on the Mainichi Broadcasting System and Tokyo Broadcasting System networks.
56
CHAPTER 5. E
“Parallel Sign”and “Seven Swell”, both performed by 2005, and in North America on October 24, 2006.* [17]
LAMA.
The game features a different cast of characters and takes
place two years before the anime. A sequel, Eureka
Seven Vol. 2: The New Vision (エウレカセブン NEW
5.2.4 Media
VISION Eureka sebun nyū bijon), was released in Japan
on May 11, 2006 and in North America on April 17,
Manga
2007.* [18] New Vision takes place two years after the
events of New Wave. Both games were released on the
A manga adaptation of the original anime was created PlayStation 2 and feature the theme song “Realize”,
by Jinsei Kataoka and Kazuma Kondou. The manga was sung by Flow. A PlayStation Portable game sharing the
published by Kadokawa Shoten and began serialization same name of the anime, was released on April 6, 2006,
in Monthly Shōnen Ace from the March 2005 issue and in Japan. This game is based on the events from the first
ended in January 2007 issue, with a total of 23 chap- half of the show.* [19]
ters. The chapters were later compiled into six volumes.
A second manga titled Eureka Seven: Gravity Boys and
Lifting Girl (エウレカセブングラヴィティボーイ Film
ズ & リ フ ティ ン グ ガー ル Eureka Sebun Guravuiti
Bōizu & Rifutin Gugāru) by Miki Kizuki, features the A theatrical adaptation, Eureka Seven: good night, sleep
protagonists of the video games New Wave and New Vi- tight, young lovers (交響詩篇エウレカセブンポケッ
sion. It was published by Kadokawa Shoten and serial- トが虹でいっぱい Kōkyōshihen Eureka Sebun: Poketto
ized in Comptiq magazine. Two volumes were released ga Niji de Ippai, subtitle literally “Pocket Full of Rainin Japan on November 7, 2011 and September 26, 2006 bows”), was first announced in the May 2008 issue of
respectively.* [12]* [13]
Newtype; it was publicly released on April 25, 2009, durOn December 22, 2011, Kadokawa Shoten's Monthly ing Golden Week, with the animation production handled
*
Shōnen Ace magazine announced that a sequel manga ti- by Kinema Citrus. [20] It contained a new mythos in an
tled Eureka Seven: AO would be launched in their January alternate universe, despite still featuring Renton and Eu2012 issue. It featured an original story by Bones and was reka as the main characters, and confirming the events
*
illustrated by Yūichi Katō. The manga began on January of the original series happened in a parallel world. [21]
2012, and concluded on October 2013, with a total of Good Night, Sleep Tight, Young Lovers screened at select
21 chapters spanning over 5 volumes. A spin-off manga theaters nationwide in America for a one night only spe*
called“Eureka Seven AO - Save a Prayer”began shortly cial event on September 24, 2009. [22] The movie also
after and focuses on a girl name Yuna and her two friends played at the Fantasia festival in Montreal on July 28,
as they make their way from becoming trainees in Gener- 2009. The main theme song for the film is“Space Rock”
ation Bleu's Headquarters. A fifth manga titled “Eureka , by iLL.
Seven nAnO”was published as a 4koma and featured
characters from the AO series. A sixth manga adaptation
titled Psalms of Planets Eureka Seven New Order was seri- 5.2.5 Reception
alized in Comptiq by Kadokawa Shoten between January
Towards the end of its original Japanese run, Eureka
and June 2013.* [14]* [15]
Seven won multiple awards at the 2006 Tokyo International Anime Fair, including Best Television Series, Best
Light novel
Screenplay for Dai Satō, and Best Character Designs for
Kenichi Yoshida.* [23] Yoshida, the series' main animaA light novel series written by Tomonori Sugihara tor and character designer, also received an individual
and illustrated by Robin Kishiwada, was published by award at the 10th Animation Kobe Awards in September
Kadokawa Shoten under their male oriented Sneaker 2005.* [24] The series also won an award at the 20th DigBunko label. A novelization of the new Eureka Seven film ital Content Grand Prix in Japan in January 2006.* [25]
sharing the same name was also written by Tomonori Sug- At the Anime Expo 2006 SPJA Awards, Eureka Seven
ihara and illustrated by Hiroki Kazui and Seiji has also won the award for Best Television Series, and Best Febeen released in Japan on May 1, 2009.* [16]
male Character for Eureka.* [26] Anime Insider voted it
“Best DVD Series of the Year”in 2006.* [27] During a
conference in 2010, writer Dai Satō claimed that many
Video games
anime fans dismissed Eureka Seven as a clone of Neon
*
Eureka Seven has three video games, all developed by Genesis Evangelion without even watching it. [28]
Bandai or later Namco Bandai Games. The first to be
released was Eureka Seven Vol. 1: The New Wave (エ
ウレカセブン TR1:NEW WAVE Eureka sebun TR1:
Nyū uēbu), which was released in Japan on October 27,
The sequel AO was met with overwhelming negative ratings from fans and critics, who criticized the series for
being a contradiction to Eureka Seven. It was however
awarded the jury selection prize by the 17th Japan Media
5.2. EUREKA SEVEN
57
Arts Festival Awards.* [29]
[17] “Eureka Seven Vol. 1: The New Wave”. IGN. Retrieved
2012-01-28.
5.2.6
[18] “Eureka Seven Vol. 2: The New Vision”. IGN. Retrieved
2012-01-28.
See also
• List of Eureka Seven mecha
5.2.7
References
[1] “Bandai Co-Producing Eureka 7”. Anime News Network. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
[2] Shida, Hidekuni (March 2006). “Eureka Seven: Catch
the wave”. Newtype USA 5 (3): 46.
[3] Sato, Dai (2005-11-29). Dai Sato talks with Doug McGray
about anime (PDF). Interview with Doug McGray. Japan
Society. New York. Archive copy at the Wayback Machine
[4] “Eureka seveN “alternative soundtrack"". Retrieved
2006-03-20.
[5] Kyoda, Tomoki (February 2007).“Eureka Seven: Home
at last”. Newtype USA 6 (2): 30–31.
[6] “Bandai Entertainment and Crunchyroll to Stream Anime
Mecha Series Hit Eureka Seven”. AnimeNewsNetwork.
August 26, 2009. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
[7] “Funimation Licenses Eureka Seven TV Series”. Anime
News Network. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
[19] “Eureka Seven”. IGN. Retrieved 2012-01-31.
[20] "Eureka Seven Movie's Title, Release Date Announced".
Anime News Network (December 11, 2008). Retrieved
on December 11, 2008.
[21] At Anime Expo 2009, Bandai announced that it would be
releasing the film. "Eureka Seven Movie to be Announced
in Newtype Mag”. Anime News Network. 2008-04-07.
Retrieved 2008-04-07.
[22] “Eureka Seven - good night, sleep tight, young lovers”.
Ncm.com. 2009-09-24. Retrieved 2010-02-21.
[23] “Tokyo Anime Fair: Award Winners”. Anime News
Network. 2006. Retrieved 2007-02-15.
[24] “10th Animation Kobe Awards”. Anime News Network.
2006. Retrieved 2007-09-06.
[25]“20th Digital Content Grand Prix”. Anime News Network.
2006. Retrieved 2007-09-06.
[26] “Eureka Seven Wins 2 SPJA Awards at AX”. Anime
News Network. 2006. Retrieved 2007-09-06.
[27] Anime Insider Best of the Best. Tokyopop blog entry
(2006). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
[8] 交響詩篇エウレカセブンＯＲＩＧＩＮＡＬＳＯ
ＵＮＤＴＲＡＣＫ１ (in Japanese). Jbook. Retrieved
2012-01-31.
[28] Galbraith, Patrick W. (July 24, 2010). “Storywriter Sato
Dai is frustrated with Japanese anime”. Otaku2.com.
Archived from the original on July 27, 2010. Retrieved
March 7, 2011.
[9] 交響詩篇エウレカセブンＯＲＩＧＩＮＡＬＳＯ
ＵＮＤＴＲＡＣＫ２ (in Japanese). Jbook. Retrieved
2012-01-31.
[29] http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-12-05/
jojolion-manga-wins-media-arts-award
[10] 交響詩篇エウレカセブンＣＯＭＰＬＥＴＥＢＥ
ＳＴ【期間⽣産限定盤：特製ＢＯＸ仕様他】 (in
Japanese). Jbook. Retrieved 2012-01-31.
[11] 交響詩篇エウレカセブンＣＯＭＰＬＥＴＥＢＥＳ
Ｔ (in Japanese). Rakuten. Retrieved 2012-01-31.
[12] エウレカセブングラヴィティボーイズ & リフティ
ン グ ガー ル (1) (in Japanese). Kadokawa. Retrieved
2012-01-28.
[13] エウレカセブングラヴィティボーイズ & リフティ
ン グ ガー ル (2) (in Japanese). Kadokawa. Retrieved
2012-01-28.
[14] 交響詩篇エウレカセブンニュー
・オーダー」コミック
ス第 1 巻 (in Japanese). Eureka Seven AO Official Web
Site. 2013. Retrieved 2013-02-10.
[15] “Comptiq Magazine Ends 3 Manga With No New Ones in
Next Issue”(in Japanese). Anime News Network. 2013.
Retrieved 2013-05-13.
[16] 交響詩篇エウレカセブンポケットが虹でいっぱい
(in Japanese). Kadokawa. Retrieved 2012-01-28.
5.2.8 External links
• Eureka Seven Official website (Japanese)
• Eureka Seven (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Eureka Seven: AO Official website (Japanese)
Chapter 6
F
6.1 Fullmetal Alchemist
6.1.1 Synopsis
See also: List of Fullmetal Alchemist characters
Setting
Fullmetal Alchemist (Japanese: 鋼 の 錬 ⾦ 術 師
Hepburn: Hagane no Renkinjutsushi, lit. “Alchemist
of Steel”) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa. It was serialized in Square
Enix's Monthly Shōnen Gangan magazine between August 2001 and June 2010; the publisher later collected the
individual chapters into twenty-seven tankōbon volumes.
The world of Fullmetal Alchemist is styled after the European Industrial Revolution. Set in a fictional universe
in which alchemy is one of the most advanced scientific
techniques, the story follows the Elric brothers Edward
and Alphonse, who are searching for a philosopher's stone
to restore their bodies after a failed attempt to bring their
mother back to life using alchemy.
The manga was published in English by Viz Media in
North America, Madman Entertainment in Australasia,
and Chuang Yi in Singapore. It has been adapted into
two anime television series, two animated films̶all animated by Bones studio̶and light novels. Funimation
dubbed both television series and films into English and
released them for North America; these were distributed
in other regions by several other companies. Viz Media
localized the light novels, and Funimation and Destineer
have localized the video games. Original video animations, video games, supplementary books, collectible card
game and a variety of action figures and other merchandise have been based on the series' characters.
The Fullmetal Alchemist manga has sold approximately
64 million volumes as of 2014. The English release of
the manga's first volume was the top-selling graphic novel
during 2005. In two TV Asahi web polls, the anime was
voted the most popular anime of all time in Japan. At the
American Anime Awards in February 2007, it was eligible for eight awards, nominated for six, and won five.
Reviewers from several media conglomerations had positive comments on the series, particularly for its character
development.
Fullmetal Alchemist takes place in an alternate Medievalthemed history, in the fictional country of Amestris (ア
メストリス Amesutorisu). In the world, alchemy is one
of the most-practiced sciences; Alchemists who work for
the government are known as State Alchemist (国家錬⾦
術師 Kokka Renkinjutsushi), and automatically are given
the rank of Major in the military. Alchemists have the
ability, with the help of a Transmutation Circle, to transmute almost anything they desire via their souls. However, when they do so, they must also give up something
physically personal of theirs, as stated under the Law
of Equivalent Exchange. The only thing Alchemists are
forbidden from transmuting are humans. Doing so will
not only cost a person a part of their body and create a
black, inhuman mesh, but also be confronted by Truth,
a God-like being who tauntingly regulates all alchemy
use. They are also thrown into the Gate of Truth, where
they receive an overwhelming dose of information, but
also allowing them to transmute without a circle. It is
possible to bypass the Law of Equivalent Exchange (to
an extent) using a Philosopher's Stone, a red, enigmatic
crystal. However, Philosopher's Stones can also be used
to create Homunculi, artificial humans named after the
seven deadly sins. Homunculi have numerous superhuman abilities unique amongst each other, and look down
upon all humanity. With the exception of Wrath, they
do not age and can only be killed via the destruction of
their Philosopher's Stones. There are also several cities
throughout Amestris. The main setting is the capital of
Central City, along with other military cities such as the
Northern City of Briggs. Towns featured include Resembool, the rural hometown of the Elrics; Liore, a city
tricked to follow the fictional religion of Letoism; Rush
Valley, a town that specializes in automail manufacturing; and Ishbal, a conservative-religion city that rejects
alchemy and was destroyed in the Ishbalan Civil War instigated after a soldier (actually the Homunculus Envy)
shot an Ishbalan child. Outside of Amestris, there are
58
6.1. FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST
few named countries, and none are seen in the main story.
The main foreign country is Xing. Heavily influenced by
China, Xing has a complex system of clans and emperors,
as opposed to Amestris's government-controlled election
of a Fuhrer. It also has its own system of alchemy, called
Alkahestry, which is more medical and can be bi-located
using kunai; in turn, it is implied that all countries have
different forms of alchemy.
Plot
59
Homunculi repeatedly. Lust is killed by Mustang,
Gluttony is captured by Mustang and Ling, but he ends
up swallowing Edward, Ling, and Envy into his void-like
stomach. Gluttony takes Alphonse to meet Father, but
when the others escape from Gluttonyʼs stomach, Father turns Ling into a homunculus, namely the new incarnation of Greed. The Elrics are released to continue their
quest as long as they donʼt oppose Father.
The Elrics go to northern Amestris where they inform
the soldiers of Fort Briggs of the conspiracies in Central. Finding an underground tunnel beneath Briggs, the
Elrics and General Olivier Armstrong discover Father has
been creating a nationwide transmutation circle and sacrifice its citizens so Father can ascend to godhood. The
Elrics are forced to work with Solf J. Kimblee to track
down Scar with Winry as a hostage. They learn Scarʼ
s brother created a new type of alchemy to combat Father, leading them to team up and go on the run from
the military, though Edward is left behind to divert Kimblee. Greed regains his past selfʼs memories and betrays
Father, teaming up with Edward, Kimbleeʼs chimera
minions, and later Hohenheim. Hohenheim reveals to his
sons separately that he is immortal, turned into a living
Philosopherʼs Stone by Father four-hundred years ago.
Edward and Alphonse Elric live in the rural town of Resembool with their mother Trisha, their father Van Hohenheim having left home for an unknown reason. When
Trisha dies of the plague, the brothers perform the forbidden alchemic technique of human transmutation in an
attempt to resurrect her. Consequently, the transmutation
backfires and in law with equivalent exchange, Edwardʼs
left leg and Alphonseʼs entire body are destroyed. Edward sacrifices his right arm to rescue Alphonseʼs soul,
binding it to a suit of armour with a blood seal. Edward is
invited by Roy Mustang to become a State Alchemist to
research a way to restore Alphonseʼs body. Edward succeeds, becoming the Fullmetal Alchemist, the title based
The Promise Day arrives and Father prepares to initiate
on his prosthetic automail limbs.
his plan using an eclipse and those who tried human transThree years on, the Elrics search for the mythical mutation as his key sacrifices. The numerous protagonists
Philosopherʼs Stone to achieve their goals. They are battle Fatherʼs minions, with most of the Homunculi dytargeted by Scar, an Ishvalan serial killer who murders ing. Father activates the nationwide transmutation after
State Alchemists, their encounter with him forcing them the Elrics, Izumi, Hohenheim, and a forced Mustang are
to return to Resembool to have their bodies repaired by gathered as the triggers. However, Hohenheim and Scar
Edward's mechanic Winry Rockbell. The Elrics meet activate countermeasures to save the Amestrians. Father
Dr. Marcoh, a reclusive former State Alchemist who cre- is confronted above ground where the protagonists battle
ated Stones during the Ishval civil war. Marcoh sends him to wear down his Philosopherʼs Stone, but Greed is
them to find his notes, but they learn the key ingredient destroyed by Father.
to make the Stone is human sacrifices. Reaching a dead
Alphonse sacrifices himself to retrieve Edwardʼs right
end thanks to the mangaʼs antagonists, the Homunculi,
arm, who in turn destroys Fatherʼs Stone, sending him
the Elrics go to meet their alchemy teacher Izumi Curtis.
back to the ethereal Gate of Truth. Edward sacrifices his
Maes Hughes, Mustangʼ
s friend, carries on their research
ability to perform alchemy to retrieve Alphonse body and
but is assassinated by Envy for discovering the Homunsoul. Hohenheim visits Trishaʼs grave where he dies
culiʼs plans.
with a smile. Several months later, Edward and Alphonse
Visiting Izumi, the Elrics learn she committed human return home where they are reunited with Winry, though
transmutation on her stillborn child. Alphonse is cap- they both leave home two years later to explore the world.
tured by the rogue homunculus Greed, but is rescued by
Amestrisʼpresident King Bradley, revealed to be the homunculus Wrath. Greed is consequently killed by the Ho- 6.1.2 Production
munculiʼs creator Father. The Elrics and Winry return to
Central City to visit Hughes but learn of his death. Lieu- After reading about the concept of the philosopher's
tenant Maria Ross is framed for Hughesʼmurder, but stone, Arakawa became attracted to the idea of her charis seemingly murdered by Mustang. However, Edward acters using alchemy in the manga. She started reading
learns Rossʼdeath was staged so Mustang can smuggle books about alchemy, which she found complicated beher out of the country to Xing, assisted by Xingese prince cause some books contradict others. Arakawa was atLing Yao. Meanwhile, Scar forms a small band with for- tracted more by the philosophical aspects than the pracmer soldier Yoki, Xingese princess May Chang, and later tical ones.* [1] For the Equivalent Exchange (等価交換
Dr. Marcoh. Edward reunites with Hohenheim but hates Tōka Kōkan) concept, she was inspired by the work of her
him for his lengthy absence from home.
parents, who had a farm in Hokkaido and worked hard to
As the story progresses, the protagonists encounter the earn the money to eat.* [2]
60
Arakawa wanted to integrate social problems into the
story. Her research involved watching television news
programs and talking to refugees, war veterans and former yakuza. Several plot elements, such as Pinako Rockbell caring for the Elric brothers after their mother dies,
and the brothers helping people to understand the meaning of family, expand on these themes. When creating the
fictional world of Fullmetal Alchemist, Arakawa was inspired after reading about the Industrial Revolution in Europe; she was amazed by differences in the culture, architecture, and clothes of the era and those of her own culture. She was especially interested in England during this
period and incorporated these ideas into the manga.* [1]
CHAPTER 6. F
6.1.3 Themes
The series explores social problems, including discrimination, scientific advancement, political greed, brotherhood, family and war.* [6] Scar's backstory and his hatred
of the state military references the Ainu people, who had
their land taken by other people.* [1] This includes the
consequences of guerrilla warfare and the amount of violent soldiers a military can have.* [7] Some of the people
who took the Ainu's land were originally Ainu; this irony
is referenced in Scar's use of alchemy to kill alchemists
even though it was forbidden in his own religion.* [1] The
Elrics being orphans and adopted by Pinako Rockbell
reflects Arakawa's beliefs about the ways society should
treat orphans. The characters' dedication to their occupations reference the need to work for food.* [8] The series
also explores the concept of equivalent exchange; to obtain something new, one must pay with something of the
equal value. This is applied by alchemists when creating new materials and is also a belief the Elric brothers
follow.* [3]* [9]
When the manga began serialization, Arakawa was considering several major plot points, including the ending.
She wanted the Elrics brothers to recover their bodies̶
at least partly.* [3] As the plot continued, she thought that
some characters were maturing and decided to change
some scenes.* [2] Arakawa said the manga authors Suihō
Tagawa and Hiroyuki Eto are her main inspirations for
her character designs; she describes her artwork as a mix
of both of them. She found that the easiest of the series'
characters to draw were Alex Louis Armstrong, and the
little animals. Arakawa likes dogs so she included several 6.1.4 Media
of them in the story.* [4] Arakawa made comedy central
to the manga's story because she thinks it is intended for Manga
entertainment, and tried to minimize sad scenes.* [2]
When around forty manga chapters had been published,
Arakawa said that as the series was nearing its end and she
would try to increase the pace of the narrative. To avoid
making some chapters less entertaining than others, unnecessary details from each of them were removed and
a climax was developed. The removal of minor details
was also necessary because Arakawa had too few pages in
Monthly Shōnen Gangan to include all the story content
she wanted to add. Some characters' appearances were
limited in some chapters.* [5] At first, Arakawa thought
the series would last twenty-one volumes but the length
increased to twenty-seven. Serialization finished after
nine years, and Arakawa was satisfied with her work
because she had told everything she wanted with the
manga.* [3]
During the development of the first anime, Arakawa allowed the anime staff to work independently from her,
and requested a different ending from that of the manga.
She said that she would not like to repeat the same ending in both media, and wanted to make the manga longer
so she could develop the characters. When watching the
ending of the anime, she was amazed about how different
the homunculi creatures were from the manga and enjoyed how the staff speculated about the origins of the
villains.* [1] Because Arakawa helped the Bones staff in
the making of the series, she was kept from focusing on
the manga's cover illustrations and had little time to make
them.* [5]
Main article: List of Fullmetal Alchemist chapters
Written and drawn by Hiromu Arakawa, Fullmetal Alchemist was serialized in Square Enix's monthly manga
magazine Monthly Shōnen Gangan. Its first installment was published in the magazine's August 2001 issue on July 12, 2001; publication continued until the
series concluded in June 2010 with the 108th installment.* [10] A side-story to the series was published in
the October 2010 issue of Monthly Shōnen Gangan on
September 11, 2010.* [11] In the July 2011 issue of the
same magazine, the prototype version of the manga was
published.* [12] Square Enix compiled the chapters into
twenty-seven tankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on January 22, 2002, and the last on November 22,
2010.* [13]* [14] A few chapters have been re-released in
Japan in two “Extra number”magazines and Fullmetal
Alchemist, The First Attack, which features the first nine
chapters of the manga and other side stories.* [15] On July
22, 2011, Square Enix started republishing the series in
kanzenban format.* [16]
Viz Media localized the tankōbon volumes in English in
North America between May 3, 2005 and December 20,
2011.* [17]* [18] On June 7, 2011, Viz started publishing the series in omnibus format, featuring three volumes in one.* [19] Other English localizations were done
by Madman Entertainment for Australasia and Chuang
Yi in Singapore.* [20]* [21] The series has been also localized in Polish, French, Portuguese, Italian, and Korean.* [22]* [23]* [24]* [25]* [26]
6.1. FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST
Anime
61
Video games
Main articles: Fullmetal Alchemist (anime) and
Video games based on Fullmetal Alchemist have been
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
released. The storylines of the games often diverge
from those of the anime and manga, and feature origFullmetal Alchemist was adapted into two anime series inal characters. Square Enix has released three rolefor television, titled Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Al- playing games (RPG)̶Fullmetal Alchemist and the Brochemist: Brotherhood.* [27]* [28] Two full-length anime ken Angel, Curse of the Crimson Elixir, and Kami o Tsugu
films, Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Sham- Shōjo. Bandai has released two RPG titles, Fullmetal
balla and Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos, Alchemist: Stray Rondo (鋼の 錬⾦術師 迷⾛の 輪舞
were also produced.* [29]* [30]
曲 Hagane no Renkinjutsushi Meisō no Rondo) and Fullmetal Alchemist: Sonata of Memory (鋼の錬⾦術師想
い 出 の 奏 鳴 曲 Hagane no Renkinjutsushi Omoide no
Sonata), for the Game Boy Advance and one, Dual SymLight novels
pathy, for the Nintendo DS. In Japan, Bandai released an
RPG Fullmetal Alchemist: To the Promised Day (鋼の
Main article: List of Fullmetal Alchemist light novels
錬⾦術師 Fullmetal Alchemist 約束の⽇へ Hagane no
Renkinjutsushi Fullmetal Alchemist Yakusoku no Hi e) for
Square Enix has published a series of six Fullmetal Althe PlayStation Portable on May 20, 2010.* [37] Bandai
chemist Japanese light novels, written by Makoto Inalso released a fighting game, Dream Carnival, for the
oue.* [31] The novels were licensed for an EnglishPlayStation 2. Destineer released a game based on the
language release by Viz Media in North America, with
trading card game in North America for the Nintendo
translations by Alexander O. Smith and illustrations̶inDS.* [38]* [39] Of the seven games made in Japan, Broken
cluding covers and frontispieces̶by Arawaka.* [32]* [33]
Angel, Curse of the Crimson Elixir, and Dual Sympathy
The novels are spin-offs of the manga series and follow
have seen international releases. For the Wii, Akatsuki no
the Elric brothers on their continued quest for the philosoŌji (暁の王⼦* ?, lit. Fullmetal Alchemist: Prince of the
pher's stone. The first novel, Fullmetal Alchemist: The
Dawn) was released in Japan on August 13, 2009.* [40]
Land of Sand, was animated as the episodes eleven and
A direct sequel of the game, Tasogare no Shōjo (⻩昏の
twelve of the anime series.* [34] The fourth novel contains
少⼥* ?, lit. Fullmetal Alchemist: Daughter of the Dusk)
an extra story about the military called “Roy's Holiday”
, was released on December 10, 2009, for the same con.* [35] Novelizations of the PlayStation 2 games Fullmetal
sole.* [41]
Alchemist and the Broken Angel, Curse of the Crimson
Elixir, and The Girl Who Succeeds God have also been Funimation licensed the franchise to create a new sewritten, the first by Makoto Inoue and the rest by Jun ries of Fullmetal Alchemist related video games to be
published by Destineer Publishing Corporation in the
Eishima.* [31]
United States.* [42] Destineer released its first Fullmetal
Alchemist game for the Nintendo DS, a translation of
Bandai's Dual Sympathy, on December 15, 2006, and
Audio dramas
said that they plan to release further titles.* [43] On FebruThere have been two series of Fullmetal Alchemist audio ary 19, 2007, Destineer announced the second game in
dramas. The first volume of the first series, Fullmetal Al- its Fullmetal Alchemist series, the Fullmetal Alchemist
Card Game, which was released on October 15,
chemist Vol. 1: The Land of Sand (砂礫の⼤地 Sareki no Trading
*
2007.
[44]
A third game for the PlayStation Portable tiDaichi), was released before the anime and tells a similar
tled
Fullmetal
Alchemist: Senka wo Takuseshi Mono (背
story to the first novel. The Tringham brothers reprised
中を託せし者)
was released in Japan on October 15,
*
their anime roles. [36] Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 2: False
*
[45]
A
European
release of the game, published
2009.
Light, Truth's Shadow (偽りの光真実の影 Itsuwari no
by
with
Namco
Bandai,
was announced on March 4,
Hikari, Shinjitsu no Kage) and Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 3:
*
[46]
The
massively
multiplayer
online role-playing
2010.
Criminals' Scar (咎⼈たちの傷跡 Togabitotachi no Kizugame
MapleStory
also
received
special
in-game items
ato) are stories based on different manga chapters; their
*
based
on
the
anime
series.
[47]
State Military characters are different from those in the
anime.* [31] The second series of audio dramas, available
only with purchases of Shōnen Gangan, consists two stories in this series, each with two parts. The first, Fullmetal
Alchemist: Ogutāre of the Fog (霧のオグターレ Kiri no
Ogutāre), was included in Shōnen Gangan 's April and
May 2004 issues; the second story, Fullmetal Alchemist:
Crown of Heaven (天上の宝冠 Tenjō no Hōkan), was
found in the November and December 2004 issues.* [31]
Arakawa oversaw the story and designed the characters
for the RPG games, while Bones̶the studio responsible for the anime series̶produced several animation sequences. The developers looked at other titles̶specifically Square Enix's action role-playing game Kingdom
Hearts and other games based on manga series, such as
Dragon Ball, Naruto or One Piece games̶for inspiration.
The biggest challenge was to make a“full-fledged”game
62
rather than a simple character-based one.* [48] Tomoya
Asano, the assistant producer for the games, said that development took more than a year, unlike most characterbased games.* [49]
Other merchandise
The Fullmetal Alchemist has received several artbooks.
Three artbooks called The Art of Fullmetal Alchemist
(イ ラ ス ト 集 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST Irasuto
Shū Fullmetal Alchemist) were released by Square Enix;
two of those were released in the U.S. by Viz Media.* [50]* [51] The first artbook contains illustrations
made between May 2001 to April 2003, spanning the
first six manga volumes, while the second has illustrations
from September 2003 to October 2005, spanning the next
six volumes.* [15] The last one includes illustrations from
the remaining volumes.* [52]
CHAPTER 6. F
within amateur writers who produce dōjinshi (fan fiction)
that borrow characters from the series. In the Japanese
market Super Comic City, there have been over 1,100
dōjinshi based on Fullmetal Alchemist, some of which focused on romantic interactions between Edward Elric and
Roy Mustang.* [64] Anime News Network said the series
had the same impact in Comiket 2004 as several female
fans were seen there writing dōjinshi.* [65]
Sales The series has become one of Square Enix's
best-performing properties, along with Final Fantasy and
Dragon Quest.* [66] With the release of volume 27, the
manga sold over 50 million copies in Japan.* [67] As of
January 10, 2010, every volume of the manga has sold
over a million copies each in Japan.* [68] Square Enix reported that the series had sold sixty-four million copies
worldwide as of June 25, 2014, fourteen million of those
outside Japan.* [69] The series is also one of Viz Media's
best sellers, appearing in “BookScan's Top 20 Graphic
Novels”and the“USA Today Booklist”.* [70]* [71]* [72]
It was featured in the Diamond Comic Distributors' polls
of graphic novels and The New York Times Best Seller
Manga list.* [73]* [74] The English release of the manga's
first volume was the top-selling graphic novel during
2005.* [75]
The manga also has three guidebooks; each of them contains timelines, guides to the Elric brothers' journey, and
gaiden chapters that were never released in manga volumes.* [15] Only the first guidebook was released by Viz
Media, titled Fullmetal Alchemist Profiles.* [53] A guidebook titled“Fullmetal Alchemist Chronicle”(鋼の錬⾦
術師 CHRONICLE), which contains post-manga story
information, was released in Japan on July 29, 2011.* [54] During 2008, volumes 19 and 20 sold over a million
copies, ranking as the 10th and 11th best seller comics
Action figures, busts, and statues from the Fullmetal Alin Japan respectively.* [76] In the first half of 2009, it
chemist anime and manga have been produced by toy
ranked as the seventh best-seller in Japan, having sold
companies, including Medicom and Southern Island.
over 3 million copies.* [77] Volume 21 ranked fourth,
Medicom has created high end deluxe vinyl figures of
with more than a million copies sold and volume 22
the characters from the anime. These figures are excluranked sixth with a similar number of sold copies.* [78]
sively distributed in the United States and U.K. by SouthProducer Kouji Taguchi of Square Enix said that Volume
ern Island.* [55] Southern Island released its own action
1's initial sales were 150,000 copies; this grew to 1.5 milfigures of the main characters in 2007, and a 12”statuette
lion copies after the first anime aired. Prior to the secwas scheduled for release the same year. Southern Island
ond anime's premiere, each volume sold about 1.9 million
has since gone bankrupt, putting the statuette's release in
copies, and then it changed to 2.1 million copies.* [79]
*
doubt. [56] A trading card game was first published in
2005 in the United States by Joyride Entertainment.* [57]
Since then, six expansions have been released. The card Critical reception Fullmetal Alchemist has generally
game was withdrawn on July 11, 2007.* [58] Destineer re- been well received by critics. Though the first volumes
leased a Nintendo DS adaptation of the game on October were thought to be formulaic, critics said that the series
15, 2007.* [44]
grows in complexity as it progresses. Jason Thompson
called Arakawa one of the best at creating action scenes
and praised the series for having great female charac6.1.5 Reception
ters despite being a boy's manga. He also noted how
the story gets dark by including real-world issues such
Manga reception
as government corruption, war and genocide. Thompson finished by stating that Fullmetal Alchemist “will
Along with Yakitate!! Japan, the series won the be remembered as one of the classic shonen manga seforty-ninth Shogakukan Manga Award for shōnen in ries of the 2000s.”* [80] Melissa Harper of Anime News
2004.* [59] It won the public voting for Eagle Award's Network praised Arakawa for keeping all of her charac“Favourite Manga”in 2010 and 2011.* [60]* [61] The ter designs unique and distinguishable, despite many of
manga also received the Seiun Award for best science fic- them wearing the same basic uniforms.* [81] IGN's Hition comic in 2011.* [62]
lary Goldstein wrote that the characterization of the proIn a survey from Oricon in 2009, Fullmetal Alchemist tagonist Edward balances between being a“typical clever
ranked ninth as the manga that fans wanted to be turned kid”and a“stubborn kid”, allowing him to float between
into a live-action film.* [63] The series is also popular the comical moments and the underlying drama without
6.1. FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST
63
seeming false.* [82] Holly Ellingwood for Active Anime [6]
praised the development of the characters in the manga;
their beliefs changing during the story, forcing them to
mature.* [83] Mania Entertainment's Jarred Pine said that
the manga can be enjoyed by anybody who has watched [7]
the first anime, despite the similarities in the first chapters. Like other reviewers, Pine praised the dark mood of
the series and the way it balances the humor and action
scenes.* [84] Pine also praised the development of char- [8]
acters who have few appearances in the first anime.* [85]
In a review of volume 14, Sakura Eries̶also of Mania [9]
Entertainment̶liked the revelations, despite the need to
resolve several story arcs. She also praised the development of the homunculi, such as the return of Greed, as
[10]
well as their fights.* [86]
Light novels reception
The first Fullmetal Alchemist novel, The Land of the Sand,
was well received by Jarred Pine of Mania as a selfcontained novelization that remained true to the characterizations of the manga series. He said that while the
lack of backstory aims it more towards fans of the franchise than new readers, it was an impressive debut piece
for the Viz Fiction line.* [87] Ain't It Cool News also found
the novel to be true to its roots, and said that while it added
nothing new, it was compelling enough for followers of
the series to enjoy a retelling. The reviewer said it was
a “work for young-ish readers that's pretty clear about
some darker sides of politics, economics and human nature”.* [88] Charles Solomon of the Los Angeles Times
said that the novel has a different focus than the anime
series; The Land of Sand “created a stronger, sympathetic bond”between the younger brothers than is seen
in its two-episode anime counterpart.* [89]
6.1.6
See also
• List of Square Enix franchises
6.1.7
References
[1]“Equivalent Change”. Newtype USA (A.D. Vision). January 2006.
[2] インタビュー (in Japanese). Yahoo. Archived from the
original on February 20, 2007. Retrieved April 6, 2008.
[3] “Interview : Hiromu Arakawa”. Animeland (in French)
(Asuka Editions) (189). January 2013.
[4] Arakawa, Hiromu (2006). Fullmetal Alchemist Profiles.
Viz Media. pp. 100–105. ISBN 1-4215-0768-4.
[5] Arakawa, Hiromu (2005). 鋼の錬⾦術師パーフェク
トガイドブック 2. Square Enix. pp. 168–172. ISBN
978-4-7575-1426-3.
Johnston, Chris (October 2006). “Fullmetal Alchemist
The Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa”. Newtype USA.
A.D. Vision. Archived from the original on November
24, 2006. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
Smith, David (March 18, 2008). “Ten Things I Learned
From Fullmetal Alchemist”. IGN. Retrieved May 17,
2010.
Arakawa, Hiromu (2007). Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume
12. Viz Media. p. 185. ISBN 978-1-4215-0839-9.
Thompson, Jason (June 6, 2013). “Jason Thompson's
House of 1000 Manga”. Anime News Network. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
“FMA's Irie Confirms Animating Manga's End in 2
Months”. Anime News Network. May 6, 2010. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
[11]“Fullmetal Alchemist Special side story manga in September”. Anime News Network. August 7, 2010. Retrieved
August 25, 2010.
[12] “Fullmetal Alchemist 'Prototype' Manga to Run in June”
. Anime News Network. April 11, 2011. Retrieved
September 10, 2011.
[13] 鋼の錬⾦術師 1 巻 (in Japanese). Square Enix. October
20, 2009.
[14] 鋼の錬⾦術師（27）
（完） (in Japanese). Square Enix.
September 5, 2013.
[15] " 鋼の錬⾦術師 BOOKS” (in Japanese). Square Enix.
Archived from the original on August 21, 2008. Retrieved
April 19, 2008.
[16] 鋼の錬⾦術師完全版 1 巻 (in Japanese). Square Enix.
Retrieved September 9, 2011.
[17] “Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 1”. Viz Media. Retrieved
September 5, 2013.
[18] “Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 27”. Viz Media. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
[19] “Fullmetal Alchemist (3-in-1 Edition)". Viz Media. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
[20] “Fullmetal Alchemist (Manga)". Madman Entertainment. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
[21] “Fullmetal Alchemist (Manga)". Madman Entertainment. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
[22] “Tytuły/Fullmetal Alchemist” (in Polish). Japonica
Polonica Fantastica. Archived from the original on October 14, 2007. Retrieved July 16, 2008.
[23] “Fullmetal Alchemist T1” (in French). Kurokawa. Retrieved July 16, 2008.
[24] “Fullmetal Alchemist Editora JBC” (in Portuguese).
Editora JBC. Retrieved July 16, 2008.
[25] “Fullmetal Alchemist” (in Italian). Panini Comics. Retrieved March 31, 2009.
64
[26] 강철의연금술사 26 권 (in Korean). Haksan. Retrieved
September 5, 2013.
CHAPTER 6. F
[44] “Fullmetal Alchemist: Trading Card Game product page”
. Gamestop.com. Archived from the original on March
15, 2008. Retrieved October 20, 2007.
[27] “New Fullmetal Alchemist TV Anime Series Confirmed”
. Anime News Network. August 20, 2008. Retrieved [45] Spencer (July 17, 2009). “Portable Fullmetal Alchemist
Fighting Game Teased”. Siliconera.com. Retrieved AuAugust 20, 2008.
gust 7, 2009.
[28] “Manga UK Adds New Fullmetal Alchemist, Sengoku
Basara”. Anime News Network. February 9, 2010. Re- [46] Spencer (2010-03-04). “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Game Picked Up For Europe”. Siliconera. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
trieved 2010-03-04.
[29] “Japanese Box Office”. Anime News Network. 27 July
[47] Ishann (2010-03-21). “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brother2005. Retrieved 2 April 2009.
hood Makes Its Way Into MapleStory”. Siliconera. Re[30] “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Movie Teaser
trieved 2010-03-21.
Streamed”. Anime News Network. November 14, 2010.
[48] Alfonso, Andrew (May 13, 2004). “E3 2004: Fullmetal
Retrieved November 15, 2010.
Alchemist - Interview”. IGN. pp. 1–3. Retrieved May
27, 2008.
[31] 原作/荒川弘著者/井上真 (in Japanese). Square Enix.
Archived from the original on March 5, 2008. Retrieved
[49] Gantayat, Anoop (September 24, 2004). “TGS 2004:
April 11, 2008.
Fullmetal Alchemist Q&A”. IGN. Retrieved May 28,
2008.
[32] “Fullmetal Alchemist (Novel series)". Viz Media.
Archived from the original on October 17, 2006. Re[50] “The Art of Fullmetal Alchemist”. Viz Media. Retrieved
trieved April 11, 2008.
April 19, 2008.
[33] “Fullmetal Alchemist, Under the Faraway Sky (Novel)".
[51] “The Art of Fullmetal Alchemist 2”. Viz Media. ReSimonSays.com. Retrieved April 18, 2008.
trieved September 27, 2011.
[34] ⼩説｢鋼の錬⾦術 (1) 砂礫の⼤地｣原作/荒川弘著
者/井上真 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Archived from
the original on April 16, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2008.
[35] “Fullmetal Alchemist (Novel): Under the Far Away Sky”
. Viz Media. Retrieved April 11, 2008.
[36] " コミック CD コレクション｢鋼の錬⾦術師偽りの
光、真実の影｣" (in Japanese). Square Enix. Archived
from the original on May 10, 2008. Retrieved April 11,
2008.
[37] " 罪を背負いし兄弟の物語が RPG に! PSP｢鋼の錬
⾦術師 FA 約束の⽇へ｣" [The Tale of Brothers Burdened with Sin Gets an RPG! PSP Fullmetal Alchemist:
To the Promised Day] (in Japanese). ASCII Media Works.
March 19, 2010. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
[38] “Fullmetal Alchemist DS-bound”. GameSpot. Retrieved
September 5, 2008.
[39] “Fullmetal Alchemist video games”(in Japanese). Sony.
Retrieved August 5, 2006.
[40] " 鋼の錬⾦術師 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST -暁の
王⼦ - 特典原画集付き" (in Japanese). Amazon.com.
Retrieved July 31, 2009.
[41] Gantayat, Anoop (September 14, 2009). “Fullmetal Alchemist Continues on Wii”. IGN. Retrieved October 29,
2008.
[42] “Funimation Announces Series of Fullmetal Alchemist
Games”. Anime News Network. June 16, 2006. Retrieved April 17, 2008.
[43] “Fullmetal Alchemist Video Games coming from Destineer”. Anime News Network. June 6, 2006. Retrieved
August 5, 2006.
[52] " 荒川弘イラスト集 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST 3”.
Square Enix. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
[53] “Fullmetal Alchemist Profiles (manga)". Viz Media. Retrieved April 19, 2008.
[54] “Fullmetal Alchemist Chronicle”(in Japanese). Square
Enix. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
[55] “Mediacom Fullmetal Alchemist Figures Available from
Southern Island This Month”. Anime News Network.
January 6, 2007. Retrieved April 13, 2008.
[56] “Anime Collectible Maker Southern Island Goes
Bankrupt”. Anime News Network. November 28, 2007.
Retrieved April 13, 2008.
[57] “Fullmetal Alchemist TCG Announced”. Anime News
Network. March 15, 2005. Retrieved April 16, 2008.
[58] “R.I.P. 'FMA TCG'". ICv2. July 31, 2007. Retrieved
April 16, 2008.
[59] ⼩学館漫画賞: 歴代受賞者 (in Japanese). Shogakukan.
Retrieved August 19, 2007.
[60] “Previous Winners: 2010”. eagleawards.co.uk. Archived
from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
[61] “Previous Winners: 2011”. eagleawards.co.uk. Archived
from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
[62] " ⽇本 SF ファングループ連合会議: 星雲賞リスト"
(in Japanese). Retrieved October 20, 2012.
[63] “Survey: Slam Dunk Manga is #1 Choice for Live-Action
(Updated)". Anime News Network. May 3, 2009. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
6.2. FLCL
65
[64] Pink, Daniel (October 22, 2007). “Japan, Ink: Inside the
Manga Industrial Complex”. Wired. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
[83] Ellingwood, Holly (March 4, 2007). “Fullmetal Alchemist (Vol. 11)". activeAnime. Retrieved March 14,
2011.
[65] Kemps, Heidi; Lamb, Lynzee (October 25, 2013). “Interview: BONES Studio President Masahiko Minami”.
Anime News Network. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
[84] Pine, Jarred (June 8, 2005).“Mania Entertainment: Fullmetal Alchemist (VOL. 1)". Mania Entertainment. Retrieved August 4, 2009.
[66] Crocker, Jeremy (May 11, 2004). “Fullmetal Alchemist
Episodes 1–30”. Anime News Network. Retrieved April
17, 2008.
[85] Pine, Jarred (July 25, 2007). “Fullmetal Alchemist Vol.
#6”. Mania Entertainment. Retrieved July 13, 2009.
[67] “Fullmetal Alchemist Manga: Over 50 Million Served”
. Anime News Network. October 25, 2010. Retrieved
November 14, 2010.
[68] “Japanese Comic Ranking, December 28-January 10”
. Anime News Network. January 13, 2010. Retrieved
January 15, 2010.
[69] “Businesses”. Square Enix. June 25, 2014. Retrieved
August 8, 2014.
[70] “BookScan's Top 20 Graphic Novels for March”. ICv2.
April 2, 2008. Retrieved April 8, 2008.
[71] “Manga Back on Booklist”. Anime News Network.
November 4, 2006. Retrieved April 5, 2008.
[72] “September 3 Booklist”. Anime News Network.
September 13, 2006. Retrieved April 5, 2008.
[73] “Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual--December 2007”.
ICv2. January 21, 2008. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
[74] “New York Times Manga Best Seller List, July 19–25”.
Anime News Network. August 1, 2009. Retrieved August
3, 2009.
[86] Eries, Sakura (March 6, 2008). “Mania Entertainment:
Fullmetal Alchemist (VOL. 14)". Mania Entertainment.
Retrieved August 4, 2009.
[87] Pine, Jarred (September 26, 2005).“Fullmetal Alchemist
(novels) Vol.#01”. Mania Entertainment. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
[88] “Novel Preview:Fullmetal Alchemist: The Land of Sand
Volume 1 By Makoto Inoue”. Ain't It Cool News. August
20, 2005. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
[89] Solomon, Charles (April 29, 2007). “For manga, a novel
approach”. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 15,
2008.
6.1.8 External links
• Official Gangan Fullmetal Alchemist manga and
novel website (Japanese)
• Official Aniplex Fullmetal Alchemist website
(Japanese)
• Official Viz Fullmetal Alchemist manga website
[75] “ICv2 2005 Manga Awards--Part 1”. ICv2. March 22,
2008. Retrieved January 3, 2006.
• Official Adult Swim Fullmetal Alchemist anime website
[76] “2008's Top-Selling Manga in Japan, #1-25”. Anime
News Network. December 19, 2008. Retrieved December 19, 2008.
• Official Anime Central Fullmetal Alchemist anime
website
[77] “Top-Selling Manga in Japan by Series: 1st Half of 2009”
. Anime News Network. June 15, 2009. Retrieved June
15, 2009.
[78] “Top-Selling Manga in Japan by Volume: 1st Half of
2009 (Updated)". Anime News Network. June 15, 2009.
Retrieved June 15, 2009.
[79] “Producer: No Square-Enix Anime Lost Money in 8
Years”. Anime News Network. October 9, 2009. Retrieved October 9, 2009.
• Official Madman Entertainment Fullmetal Alchemist
website
• Fullmetal Alchemist (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
6.2 FLCL
FLCL (Japanese: フリクリ Hepburn: Furi Kuri, pronounced
in English as Fooly Cooly) is an original video
[80] Thompson, Jason (June 6, 2013). “Jason Thompson's
House of 1000 Manga - Fullmetal Alchemist”. Anime animation series written by Yōji Enokido, directed by
Kazuya Tsurumaki and produced by the FLCL ProducNews Network. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
tion Committee, which consisted of Gainax, Production
[81] Harper, Melissa (November 11, 2006). “Anime News I.G, and King Records. FLCL follows Naota Nandaba, a
Network - Fullmetal Alchemist G. Novel 1-3”. Anime
twelve-year-old boy living in the fictional Japanese suburb
News Network. Retrieved April 6, 2008.
of Mabase, and his interactions with Haruko Haruhara,
[82] Goldstein, Hilary (March 5, 2005).“Fullmetal Alchemist who arrives in the quiet suburb, drawn by the industrial
Vol. 1 Review”. IGN. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
town houses and the Medical Mechanica building.
66
CHAPTER 6. F
The English adaptation of the series was first licensed by
Synch-Point which released the DVDs and soundtrack,
but these went out of print in 2006. In January 2010,
Funimation Entertainment announced that they would be
re-releasing the series on DVD and releasing it for the first
time on Blu-ray.
transferred to English audiences. One example was a reference to Cheerio, a discontinued soft drink in Japan, for
the English release the choice was made to use a discontinued American soft drink, Crystal Pepsi.* [8] Director
Kazuya Tsuramaki responded to criticism of FLCL, stating “comprehension should not be an important factor
*
The series aired in America on Cartoon Network's Adult in FLCL.” [9]
Swim in 2003 several times. It aired on the channel's The Medical Mechanica building featured is in the shape
Toonami block from October 26, 2013 to January 25, of a large iron. The character, Amarao, describes Med2014. The series is also available via Hulu, iTunes, and ical Mechanica's goal as the destruction of all thought.
on Funimation's website.
FLCL uses the iron as a symbolic breakdown of“thought”
by smoothing out the wrinkles as equated to the removing of the brains wrinkles. For English localization, the
Japanese team had to explain the concept because a direct
6.2.1 Plot
translation of script did not convey the ideology.* [10]
Main article: List of FLCL characters
FLCL is a coming of age story and revolves around Naota
Nandaba, a 12-year-old, working class boy living with his
widowed father and grandfather. His life in the city of
Mabase is interrupted by the arrival of Haruko Haruhara,
who runs over Naota with her yellow Vespa 180 SS
scooter, gives him CPR, then hits him on the head with a
blue vintage Rickenbacker 4001 left-handed electric bass
guitar.* [2]* [3]* [4] Naota discovers that the blow to his
head created an “N.O.”portal, from which giant robots
produced by a company known as Medical Mechanica
emerge periodically.
6.2.3 Release
Six DVD compilations, each containing one episode,
have been released in Japan by Gainax.* [11] In addition,
a DVD collection box, containing all six DVD compilations, was released in Japan on August 13, 2005.* [12]
Three DVD compilations were released by Synch-Point
in North America. A DVD collection box, containing
all the DVD compilations of the English episodes, was
released on January 23, 2007, but have since gone out
of print.* [13]* [14]* [15] In January 2010, Funimation
Entertainment announced that they had acquired the license for the series and would be releasing it on DVD
and Blu-ray Disc in February 2011.* [16] Shortly after,
it has been released in Australia and New Zealand by
Madman Entertainment on a 3-disc DVD set and on Bluray Disc.* [17]* [18] It is also licensed in the United Kingdom by MVM Films.* [19] The series also aired in North
America on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim programming block from August 4* [20] to August 13, 2003.* [21]
Naota later finds Haruko working in his house as a live-in
maid. It is later discovered that Haruko is an investigator
for the Galactic Space Police Brotherhood. Haruko uses
Naota for her search for the Pirate King, Atomsk. She
is at odds with Medical Mechanica, a monolithic industrial corporation. Naota is being watched by Commander
Amarao, a special agent of the Bureau of Interstellar Immigration, who believes that Medical Mechanica is out
to conquer the galaxy. Naota is ultimately drawn into a
three-way battle between Haruko, Amarao and Medical Episodes
Mechanica.
6.2.2
Production
FLCL was directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki and produced
by the FLCL Production Committee, which included
Gainax, Production I.G,* [5] and Starchild Records.* [6]
Tsurumaki has said that he tried to “break the rules”of
anime when making FLCL, for example, by choosing a
contemporary Japanese band to provide the soundtrack,
and patterning the style more after“a Japanese TV commercial or promotional video”, creating a work that is
“short, but dense-packed”.* [7]
a^ : The Japanese title is actually an alteration
made by Haruko on the phrase "furi kuri, furi
kura" (フリクリ. フリクラ). The episode's
title is not meant to have any actual significance.* [22]
6.2.4 Other media
Novels
A three-volume novel series was written by screenwriter
Yoji Enokido and published by Kadokawa Shoten. The
novels were released in Japan on June 2000, OctoFLCL 's localization director and script writer Marc Han- ber 2000, and March 2001 respectively. The Englishdler stated that localization of the script was the hardest language versions were published by Tokyopop and were
part of the show. The in-jokes in the show included ob- released in North America on March 11, 2008; Septemscure pop culture references that had to be decoded and ber 9, 2008; and March 10, 2009 respectively.
6.2. FLCL
Manga
A two-volume manga was created by artist Hajime Ueda.
The manga interprets the series with all of the key elements intact, and tells the events of the anime with a
crude artwork and unsteady pacing. Jack Kotin defended
the unique artstyle of the manga, saying“It can be crudely
drawn at times, but this style fits in well with the overall
story and atmosphere...”.* [29]
The manga was published by Kodansha and serialized
in monthly Magazine Z. The two volumes were released
on October 23, 2000 and August 23, 2001 respectively.* [30]* [31] The manga was re-released in bunkoban
format with the two volumes labeled “Jō" (上 First) and
“Ge”(下 Final) in two individual box sets titled “Kodansha Box”. Jō volume was on May 7, 2007 and the
Ge volume was released on June 4, 2007.* [32]* [33] An
edited tankōbon version of the manga that was released in
box sets, were released on January 10, 2012 and February
9, 2012 respectively.* [34]* [35]
The English-language editions of the manga was released
by Tokyopop on September 16, 2003 and on November
4, 2003 respectively.* [36]* [37] On March 2011, Dark
Horse Comics announced to re-release the manga in omnibus edition.* [38] The omnibus edition was released on
May 16, 2012 and includes remastered story pages, a remastered script, and bonus color pages.* [39]
Soundtracks
Six pieces of theme music are used for the episodes;
five opening themes and one closing theme, all by the
Japanese rock band, The Pillows. The battle themes are
“Advice”, "Little Busters" and“I Think I Can"; the opening themes are: “One Life”, used in episode one, “Instant Music”in episodes two and three, "Happy Bivouac"
in episode four, "Runners High", in episode five, and
"Carnival" in episode six. The closing theme of each
episode is "Ride on Shooting Star".
67
a sequel of sorts to the anime. The third soundtrack, titled FLCL No.3 (フリクリ No.3), is a compilation of the
first two soundtracks featuring only music by the Japanese
rock group The Pillows. The released on June 8, 2005
and June 7, 2005 in the US.* [40]* [43] Unlike the previous two soundtracks, the songs are the original vocal
versions from the band's LPs.
6.2.5 Reception
FLCL has received positive reviews. Christopher McDonald of Anime News Network called it “downright
hilarious”and“visually superb”with great music, citing
the packaging of 2 episodes per DVD as the only weakness of Synch-Point's original release.* [44] Robert Nelson of T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews gave the anime 4 out
of 5 stars stating, "FLCL may not have a straightforward
or deep plot. It may not have complex characterizations.
Hell, it may not have any meaning. But FLCL does succeed in its true objective. It is fun to watch!"* [45] Chris
Beveridge of Mania gave it an A- stating, "FLCL is something that allowed those involved to try a wide variety of
styles and techniques and does come off as quite experimental. But nearly everything worked in their favor and
you end up with three hours of nearly break neck speed
action, comedy and commentary on modern life.”* [46]
Brian Ruh praised the series stating, “It was very frenetic and kept pushing the envelope on what was possible
in Japanese animation.”* [47]
On August 12, 2003, Time Warner press release noted
the success of Cartoon Network, FLCL “ranked No. 42
among all shows on ad-supported cable among adults 18–
34”.* [20] Also in 2003, FLCL won third place for Best
Animation Film at the Fantasia Festival.* [48]* [49] On
February 24, 2007, FLCL was nominated for“Best Cast”
, and won“Best Comedy Series”and“Best Short Series”
at the first American Anime Awards show.* [50] Anime
Insider ranked FLCL 4th in their list of the best Englishlicensed anime of all time on November 2007.* [51]
Avatar: The Last Airbender director Giancarlo Volpe says
the staff“were all ordered to buy FLCL and watch every
single episode of it.”* [52]
Geneon Entertainment has released three original soundtracks encompassing the songs, with the soundtracks titled, and FLCL No. 3 The remaining music was written by Shinkichi Mitsumune. Most of the music is by
Japanese rock group The Pillows. The rest is by com- 6.2.6 References
poser, Shinkichi Mitsumune. The first soundtrack titled,
FLCL No.1: Addict (フリクリ No.1 アディクト), con- [1] “Watch FLCL Anime Episodes Streaming on FUNimation”. Funimation.com. Retrieved 2015-02-07.
tains tracks featured in the first three episodes of FLCL.
The soundtrack was released on October 4, 2000 in Japan [2] “Synch-Point: Production – FLCL index”. Synch-Point.
and January 20, 2004 in the US.* [40]* [41] The second
Archived from the original on June 26, 2008. Retrieved
soundtrack, titled FLCL No.2: King of Pirates (フリクリ
October 24, 2008.
No.2 海賊王 Furi Kuri No.2 Kaizoku-ō), contains tracks
featured in the last three episodes of FLCL. The sound- [3] FLCL Ultimate edition liner notes
track was released in July 25, 2001 Japan and September [4] FLCL DVD 1 (Inside jacket) (DVD). Synch point. 2002.
7, 2004 in the US.* [40]* [42] This volume features several audio dramas, with the cast of FLCL playing the vari- [5] “FLCL”. Work List. Production I.G. Retrieved Decemous parts. Due to the dramas included, this album acts as
ber 19, 2013.
68
[6] “FLCL”. Starchild. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
[7] PULP : : The Manga Magazine : : 6.03 FLCL
CHAPTER 6. F
[28] “FLCL Volume 3 (Fooly Cooly)". Amazon. Retrieved
December 19, 2013.
[29] “FLCL, Volume 1 - Teenreads”. Teenreads. Retrieved
[8] “Anime Tourist Interview: Behind the Scenes of FLCL.”
4 August 2013.
. Anime Tourist. Archived from the original on 2004-03[30] フリクリ（１） (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved
05. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
December 27, 2012.
[9] “FURI KURI”. Production I.G. Archived from the orig[31] フリクリ（２） (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved
inal on 2002-12-20. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
December 27, 2012.
[10] “Interviews: Anime Tourist Interview: Behind the Scenes
of FLCL”. Anime Tourist. Archived from the original [32] " フリクリ（上）講談社 BOX”(in Japanese). Kodansha.
Retrieved December 27, 2012.
on 2004-01-16. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
[11] “FLCL – Goods” (in Japanese). Gainax. Retrieved
January 10, 2008.
[33] " フリクリ（下）講談社 BOX”(in Japanese). Kodansha.
Retrieved December 27, 2012.
[12] “Amazon.co.jp: フリクリ DVD-BOX” (in Japanese).
Amazon.com. Retrieved January 10, 2008.
[34] フリクリ（上） (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved
December 27, 2012.
[13] “FLCL Ultimate Edition Details”. Anime News Network. September 5, 2006. Retrieved January 10, 2008.
[35] フリクリ（下） (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved
December 27, 2012.
[14] “Amazon.com: FLCL – Ultimate Edition DVD Collection”. Amazon.com. Retrieved January 10, 2008.
[36] “FLCL Volume 1”. Tokyopop. Archived from the original on May 8, 2006. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
[15] “Notice: FLCL Ultimate DVD Collection”. The Right
Stuf International. August 29, 2008. Retrieved September 15, 2008.
[37] “FLCL Volume 2”. Tokyopop. Archived from the original on May 8, 2006. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
[16] “2010 Roll-out Riot: Day 3 of 5 – FLCL | The Official
Funimation Blog”. Funimation Entertainment. Archived
from the original on January 9, 2010. Retrieved January
6, 2010.
[17] “Flcl Collection (Slimpack)". Madman Entertainment.
Retrieved 3 August 2013.
[18] “Flcl Complete Collection (Blu-Ray)". Madman Entertainment. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
[19] “FLCL Collection - MVM Entertainment UK”. MVM
Entertainment. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
[20] “Cartoon Network Takes Prime, Total Day Crown for
Kids 2-11, Kids 6-11”. Time Warner. August 12, 2003.
Archived from the original on April 27, 2012. Retrieved
August 1, 2006.
[38] “Dark Horse Adds Angelic Layer, Tokyo Babylon Omnibuses”. Anime News Network. March 7, 2011.
[39] “FLCL Omnibus TPB”. Dark Horse Comics Inc. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
[40] " フ リ ク リ サ ン ト ラ 全 巻 セッ ト （No.1~3）" (in
Japanese). Gainax. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
[41] “Amazon.com: Fooly Cooly OST 1: Addict”. Amazon.com. Retrieved January 10, 2008.
[42] “Amazon.com: Fooly Cooly OST 2: King of Pirates”.
Amazon.com. Retrieved January 10, 2008.
[43] “Amazon.com: FLCL (Fooly Cooly) OST 3”. Amazon.com. Retrieved January 10, 2008.
[44] McDonald, Christopher.“FLCL DVD 1 review”. Anime
News Network. Retrieved August 10, 2007.
[21] “FLCL on Cartoon Network in August”. Anime News
Network. 2003-06-29. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
[45] Nelson, Robert. “FLCL”. T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews.
Retrieved December 27, 2012.
[22]“Director's comment”FLCL: Groundworks, pg.19
[46] Beveridge, Chris (March 3, 2011). “FLCL Complete
series”. Mania. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
[23] フリクリ 1 (in Japanese). Kodaka Shoten. Retrieved
December 27, 2012.
[24] “FLCL Volume 1 (v. 1)". Amazon. Retrieved December
19, 2013.
[25] フリクリ 2 (in Japanese). Kodaka Shoten. Retrieved
December 27, 2012.
[47] Ruh, Brian (February 22, 2011).“Brain Diving The Filth
and the Furi”. Anime News Network. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
[48] “Damon Packard Wins Major Award at Fantasia”. Film
Threat. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
[26] “FLCL Volume 2”. Amazon. Retrieved December 19,
2013.
[49] “Cool News FANTASIA 2003! Festival Winners Announced!!". Ain't it Cool News. Retrieved 4 August
2013.
[27] フリクリ 3 (in Japanese). Kodaka Shoten. Retrieved
December 27, 2012.
[50] “American Anime Awards Winners”. Anime News Network. February 24, 2007. Retrieved August 10, 2007.
6.2. FLCL
[51]“Top 50 Anime”. Anime Insider (Wizard Entertainment)
(50): 63. November 2007.
[52] “Audience Questions and Answer Part 2 at the San Diego
Comi-con 2006”(WMV). Flaming June. Retrieved May
7, 2008.
6.2.7
Further reading
• DuHamel, Brandon (February 24, 2011). “FLCL:
The Complete Series Blu-ray Review”. BlurayDefinition.com.
• "". Newtype USA: . December 2002. ISSN 15414817.
• Johnston, Chris (November 2006). “FLCL Ultimate DVD Collection”. Newtype USA 5 (11): p.
151. ISSN 1541-4817.
• Horn, Carl Gustav (March 2002).“FLCL”. Pulp 6
(3): 1. Archived from the original on June 15, 2002.
• Horn, Carl Gustav (March 2002).“FLCL”. Pulp 6
(3): 2. Archived from the original on June 24, 2002.
• Horn, Carl Gustav (March 2002).“FLCL”. Pulp 6
(3): 3. Archived from the original on June 24, 2002.
• Horn, Carl Gustav (March 2002).“FLCL”. Pulp 6
(3): 4. Archived from the original on June 24, 2002.
• Horn, Carl Gustav (March 2002).“FLCL”. Pulp 6
(3): 5. Archived from the original on June 24, 2002.
6.2.8
External links
• FLCL at Funimation
• FLCL (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• FLCL at the Internet Movie Database
• FLCL at TV.com
69
Chapter 7
G
7.1 Gurren Lagann
animated film versions were produced; the first premiered
in Japanese theaters on September 6, 2008, and the sec*
“Lagann”redirects here. It is not to be confused with ond premiered on April 25, 2009. [9]
Lagaan.
Gurren Lagann, known in Japan as Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann (天元突破グレンラガン Tengen Toppa
Guren Ragan, lit. “Pierce the Heavens, Gurren Lagann”), is a Japanese mecha anime television series
animated by Gainax and co-produced by Aniplex and
Konami. It ran for 27 episodes on Japan's TV Tokyo between April 1, 2007, and September 30, 2007. It was directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi, written by veteran playwright
Kazuki Nakashima, and had been in development since
the participation of the famed animator in the Abenobashi
mecha-themed episodes by the same studio. Gurren Lagann takes place in a fictional future where Earth is ruled
by the Spiral King, Lordgenome, who forces mankind to
live in isolated subterranean villages. The plot focuses
on two teenagers living in a subterranean village, Simon
and Kamina, who wish to go to the surface. Using a
mecha known as Lagann, Simon and Kamina reach the
surface and start fighting alongside other humans against
Lordgenome's forces.
In North America, although initially announced to be licensed by ADV Films in 2007, the license was transferred
to Bandai Entertainment in 2008* [2] and then transferred
to Aniplex of America in 2013. In the United Kingdom, it was licensed by Manga Entertainment in 2007,
then transferred to Beez Entertainment in 2008, and then
transferred to Anime Limited in 2013. The Sci Fi Channel acquired the broadcasting rights of Gurren Lagann
and began airing the anime on July 28, 2008, as part
of Sci Fi's Ani-Monday anime block.* [3]* [4] The anime
won several awards at the Tokyo International Anime
Fair* [5] and the Animation Kobe* [6] and Japan Media
Arts Festivals.* [7]
A manga adaptation was published by ASCII Media
Works between 2007 and 2013. Bandai Entertainment
licensed the manga and released it in English in North
America. A series of four light novels was published
by Shogakukan between 2007 and 2008. A Nintendo
DS video game was released in October 2007, bundled with a special episode of the anime series.* [8] Two
7.1.1 Plot
Story
Gurren Lagann takes place in a future where Earth
is ruled by the Spiral King, Lordgenome, who forces
mankind to live in isolated subterranean villages. These
villages have no contact with the surface world or other
villages and are under constant threat of earthquakes. Selected villagers called diggers are conscripted to expand
their homes deeper underground. Simon, a meek young
digger ostracized by his peers, finds solace in his best
friend and older brother figure, an eccentric delinquent
named Kamina. Kamina encourages Simon to join his
gang, Team Gurren, to help him achieve his dream of visiting the surface world. One day, Simon unearths a drillshaped key called a Core Drill, followed by a small mecha
resembling a face called a Gunmen.* [10]* [11] Shortly
thereafter, a huge Gunmen crashes through the ceiling
and begins attacking the village, followed by a girl named
Yoko, who attempts to repel the Gunmen. Simon uses his
Core Drill to activate the smaller Gunmen (which Kamina names Lagann), and it is used to destroy the larger
Gunmen and break through to the surface world.
Simon and Kamina learn from Yoko that humans on
the surface are attacked each day by Gunmen piloted by beastmen, humanoid creatures who serve as
Lordgenome's army. Kamina hijacks a Gunmen and
names it Gurren, combining it with Lagann to form the
mecha Gurren Lagann. Their actions inspire other humans to steal their own Gunmen and join Team Gurren, which makes Kamina rename it Team Dai-Gurren.
Eventually Team Dai-Gurren captures an enemy Gunmen
fortress to use as their base of operations, though Kamina
is killed in the preceding battle by one of Lordgenome's
four generals. Rossiu, a boy from another village, takes
over the job of piloting Gurren, but Kamina's death
causes Simon to sink into depression until he meets Nia,
Lordgenome's daughter. Team Dai-Gurren is initially
distrustful of her but allows her to join when it becomes
70
7.1. GURREN LAGANN
apparent that she was abandoned by her father, like many
who came before her. Nia helps Simon come to terms
with Kamina's death, and the rest of Team Dai-Gurren
prompt him to take up the role as the team's leader, leading them and other humans, who captured other Gunmen and Gunmen fortresses, to Lordgenome's palace.
As the palace itself turns out to be a giant Gunmen and
launches armies of other Gunmen, the human forces hold
them off while Simon, Nia, and Rossiu pilot Gurren Lagann against Lordgenome, who fights them in a similar
Gunmen. When both Gunmen are damaged, he himself
fights Simon in Lagann with his bare hands. Lordgenome
emerges victorious, until Simon uses his Core Drill to defeat him once and for all.
71
the first quarter of the series following after Kamina,
but gradually acquires his own fighting spirit and determination over the course of the series, acting on
his own more often until his personality mirrors that
of Kamina. His discovery of the Core Drill and the
Gunmen Lagann are what set the events of the series
in motion. Throughout the series, Simon primarily
pilots Lagann, which is capable of producing drills
from any part of his body when he reacts to Simon's
Spiral energy. He uses this ability to combine with
Kamina's Gunmen, Gurren, to form Gurren Lagann.
He can also take control of other Gunmen using this
ability.
Over the next seven years, mankind prospers on the surface world with Simon and the members of Team DaiGurren serving as the world's government. As soon as the
world's population reaches one million people, an alien
race called the Anti-Spirals emerges and uses Nia to announce the Moon's collision with Earth, which will wipe
out all life on the planet and prevent them from evolving
to such an extent that they will risk destroying the universe in a cataclysmic event called the Spiral Nemesis.
With guidance from Lordgenome resurrected as a biocomputer, who was once part of an intergalactic group
of warriors who fought the Anti-Spirals and had hidden
Team Dai-Gurren
mankind underground to protect them from the AntiSpirals, and with help from Viral, an old enemy of SiKatsuyuki Konishi
mon who pilots Gurren, Simon, Gurren Lagann and Team Kamina (カミナ) Voiced by:
(Japanese),
Kyle
Hebert
(English)
Dai-Gurren prevent the Moon's collision, revealing it to
be Lordgenome's flagship that was reprogrammed by the
Kamina is a refractory youth from Giha village who
Anti-Spirals. Using it, they retrieve the real Moon from
dreams of leaving his underground home and gothe pocket dimension where the Anti-Spirals had hidden
ing to the surface world, which he saw as a child.
it and go to the Anti-Spiral homeworld, where after sigHis extremely passionate and self-confident personnificant loss, they rescue Nia, and after a battle that spans
ality causes him to act as a foil for the more timid
the universe, Simon in Lagann finally destroys the Antiand weak-willed Simon, and serves to instill courage
Spirals. This, however, causes Nia to fade away and die
within Simon. His actions greatly influence the enas her own existence is tied to that of the Anti-Spirals. Sitire series, as he forms Team Dai-Gurren and acts as
mon then spends the rest of his life wandering the planet
his leader to combat the threat of Lordgenome and
as a nameless vagrant while his comrades set out to work
the beastmen. Early in the series, Kamina hijacks
with other races throughout the galaxy to help prevent the
a Gunmen he names Gurren, which he pilots while
Spiral Nemesis and ensure the safety of the universe.
combined with Simon's Lagann to form Gurren Lagann.
Main characters
Yoko Littner (ヨーコ・リットナー Yōko Rittonā)
Voiced by: Marina Inoue (Japanese), Michelle Ruff
Main article: List of Gurren Lagann characters
(English)
Simon (シモン Shimon) Voiced by: Tetsuya Kakihara
(Japanese), Yuri Lowenthal (English)
Simon is the main protagonist of Gurren Lagann. He is
introduced as a fourteen-year-old digger from Giha
village who is looked down upon by many of his
peers for his timid and weak character. He greatly
admires Kamina, one of his few friends in the village, and refers to him as his brother despite them
not being related by blood. Simon spends much of
Yoko is a young woman from Littner, a village neighboring Giha, and is introduced as a member of a
small resistance against the beastmen. She helps introduce Simon and Kamina to the surface world,
and becomes a member of Team Gurren soon after. She falls in love with Kamina early in the series,
and thinks little of Simon until he begins showing
signs of self-confidence. After Kamina's death, she
tries to help Simon cope and forms a sisterly relationship with him. Instead of piloting a Gunmen,
72
CHAPTER 7. G
she wields a high-powered energy rifle and uses her gann was complicated since it was the basis for the other
superb marksmanship and wise counsel to help her mechas appearing in the story.* [15]
teammates.
In the making of the series, the team wanted to focus more on the underground life and Simon's imprisNia Teppelin (ニア・テッペリン Nia Tepperin)
onment but their ideas could not be used.* [15] In the
Voiced by: Yukari Fukui (Japanese), Hynden eighth episode Kamina dies in order to provide Simon
Walch (young), Bridget Hoffman (English)
character development and make him become the main
character.* [13] Simon's development kept on going until
Nia is a major character introduced later on in the se- the final arc when staff planned ideas to make him surries. Having lived a sheltered life as the daughter of pass Kamina. The ending was written to finalize Simon's
Lordgenome, the main antagonist of the first half of growth and not leave signs of a sequel. The finale had the
the series, she is ignorant of the war between the hu- pre-planned tragic event of Nia's death which left sevmans and Lordgenome until she is abandoned by her eral staff members saddened. While the staff acknowlfather and discovered by Simon. She is a very polite edged how people were not satisfied with the sad concluand naive girl who is curious about the world, and sion, they noted that there were still issues that made her
acts as a soothing influence for Simon following his survival difficult for the characters.* [16] Once the series
depression caused by Kamina's death. The two fall ended, Yamaga had the idea of releasing a film that retells
in love and become engaged at the start of the second the events of the series to expand the audience.* [14]
half of the series, after which she is discovered to be
an agent of the Anti-Spirals. During this time, Nia is
taken over by a cold and uncaring personality called Influences
“Messenger Nia”and forced to fight Simon against
her will until Simon rescues her. Because her exis- In an interview, the writer Kazuki Nakashima cites Ken
tence is tied with that of the Anti-Spirals, however, Ishikawa, co-creator of Getter Robo, as one of Gurren
*
she fades away with them after they are defeated, Lagann's influences. [17] Gurren Lagann occasionally
but keeps herself alive long enough to marry Simon. pays homage to Ishikawa's Getter Robo, particularly towards the end of the series, where the scale becomes absurd, with the robots steadily becoming bigger and bigger,
much like Getter Robo more specifically, the manga ver7.1.2 Production
sion of Getter Robo Go. The final enemy also bears a
Gurren Lagann was first announced in July 2006 with striking resemblance to La Gooth of Records of Nothing*
Aniplex and Konami assisting Gainax in its making. Kon- ness, another work by Ishikawa. [18] Nakashima, howami director Koichi Natsume suggested possibilities of ever, wanted to conclude the story of Gurren Lagann in a
the series getting multiple sequels.* [12] The series was more reasonable fashion than what Ishikawa usually does
*
directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi who was a fan of the mecha in his works. [17] According to Jason Green from Anime
genre and ever since he started working he has wanted to News Network, the anime was influenced by previous
work in a mecha series.* [13] After working on Re: Cutey Gainax anime, particularly in the character development
Honey with Kazuki Nakajima, Imaishi appointed him as of the protagonist Simon, who goes through three stages
the writer, believing him to be the best choice. Imaishi in his character development during the three arcs of the
was surprised with how much material Nakajima could series. Each of these stages in his development were incondense into 27 episodes. Imaishi had finished writing fluenced by protagonists from several previous Gainax
the main storyline long before the reaching the end which anime: Shinji Ikari from the Neon Genesis Evangelion
facilitated the staff in making the episodes.* [13] Accord- franchise, Noriko Takaya from Gunbuster, and Ken Kubo
*
ing to Gainax president Hiroyuki Yamaga the series was from Otaku no Video. [19] The animation on the show
pays
special
tribute
to
the animation and character dein planning phases for a long time. Producer Yasuhiro
Yoshinori
Kanada.
signs
of
Takeda used the time to research how would the characters live underground although this aspect is briefly used.
Once the series started production, the team did not have
Conflicts
much time to research materials.* [14]
In contrast to other popular series, Imaishi decided to include drills as the robot's main weapons despite its impact
on the suspension of disbelief.* [13] Imaishi also wanted
the series to only have robots. The robots were made organic so that they would be easier to animate.* [14] Nevertheless, animating episode 15 was challenging to the
staff due to the amount of shots it required. Its animator Sushio called himself the “super animator”for
his work.* [15] Deciding the design of the Gurren La-
Takami Akai, the producer of the series and a co-founder
of Gainax, announced that he would resign his position
effective episode five, which aired on April 29, 2007,
over comments that he made regarding posts on the
Japanese textboard 2channel. Akai and another Gainax
employee, Keiko Mimori, made disparaging remarks
about comments criticizing the animation style of the
fourth episode of Gurren Lagann, which was completely
directed by guest and friend Osamu Kobayashi. With
7.1. GURREN LAGANN
regard to reading the fan criticisms, Akai stated that it
was“like putting [his] face next to an anus and breathing
deeply.”Fans later became aware of his comments, and
he announced his departure from the company he helped
found.* [20]
As a result of the series airing at a child-friendly time
slot, the staff members had problems with episode 6. Although that episode had a subplot involving peeking into
the women's bath, the television stations believed it was
suitable when reading the script. After seeing the finished
episode, the station said that it could not be aired, and a
revised version of the episode was produced.* [15]
7.1.3
Media
Anime series
See also: List of Gurren Lagann episodes
Produced by the animation studio Gainax and directed by
Hiroyuki Imaishi, Gurren Lagann aired in Japan on TXN
stations between April 1 and September 30, 2007. The
anime has 27 episodes plus two specials, the first being the
uncensored version of the sixth episode, and the second
is episode 5.5, a bonus that came with the Nintendo DS
game.
The English version had been previously licensed by
ADV Films, but was later acquired by Bandai Entertainment. A subtitle-only version was released in three
volumes in July 2008, and an official English dub with
the first two volumes released on November 18, 2008
called “Gurren Lagann Set 01”. The show premiered
on the Sci Fi Channel on July 28, 2008 as part of Sci
Fi's Ani-Monday anime block, airing two episodes each
week (and three the final week).* [3] The European distribution branch of Bandai, Beez Entertainment, distributed
the series in the UK and Europe but has gone out of print
since January, 2012.* [21] However, Anime Limited announced that they have the distribution license for Gurren
Lagann in the UK and released a Blu-ray Ultimate Edition collection on October 20, 2014 featuring the entire
series, both film adaptations and the complete Parallel
Works series, as well as a hardcover artbook. A standard
edition Blu-ray containing the complete series was also
released on the same day.* [22] The English version also
aired on Animax across its English-language networks in
Southeast Asia and South Asia starting on May 22, 2009.
It was broadcast in Italy on Rai 4 between September
24, 2009 and April 1, 2010. Aniplex of America rereleased the series in a limited edition DVD box set on
May 9, 2013. A Blu-ray Disc box set, which includes
both the television series and the two film adaptations,
was released on June 26, 2013.* [23] Adult Swim began
airing the series in English as part of the Toonami block
on August 16, 2014.
73
Music Taku Iwasaki composed the shows main background music. Four theme songs are used for the
episodes; one opening theme and three ending themes.
The opening theme is “Sorairo Days”(空⾊デイズ
Sorairo Deizu, lit. “Sky-Blue Days”) by Shoko Nakagawa. Starting from episode seventeen, the second verse
and chorus was used, as compared to the first verse and
chorus used in the previous episodes. For episodes one
through fifteen the ending theme is “Underground”by
High Voltage.“Happily Ever After”by Shoko Nakagawa
was used in episode sixteen.“Minna no Peace”(みんな
のピース Minna no Pīsu,“Everyone's Peace”) by Afromania was used for episodes seventeen to twenty-seven.
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Character Song was released on July 25, 2007 by Aniplex, including image
songs by the main voice cast, with songs sung by Tetsuya
Kakihara (Simon), Katsuyuki Konishi (Kamina), and
Marina Inoue (Yoko), the latter of which is a playable
song in Dance Dance Revolution SuperNOVA 2. In addition, several music compilation albums have been released, most consisting of background music.
Manga
The Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann manga, illustrated by
Kotaro Mori, started serialization in the June 2007 issue of MediaWorks' magazine Dengeki Comic Gao!. The
manga ended serialization in Dengeki Comic Gao! with
the April 2008 issue when the magazine was discontinued, but continued serialization in ASCII Media Works'
manga magazine Dengeki Daioh with the June 2008 issue
and continued until the July 2013 issue. Ten tankōbon
volumes were published between September 27, 2007
and June 27, 2013 in Japan under ASCII Media Works'
Dengeki Comics imprint. Bandai Entertainment licensed
the manga and released an English translation of the first
six volumes in North America.* [24] The manga follows
the same basic story as the anime, although there are some
changes to the order of events, and the addition of character backstories that had been cut from the anime, such
as the relationship between Dayakka and Kiyoh.
A spin-off manga entitled Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann:
Gurren Gakuen-hen (天元突破グレンラガン − 紅蓮学
園篇 −) was serialized in Comp Ace between August 26,
2008 and January 26, 2009; a single tankōbon volume was
released on March 26, 2009. The manga takes the characters from the original story and puts them in a school in
a parallel world. In the manga, Simon attends Dai-Gurren
Academy (ダイグレン学園 Dai Guren Gakuen) with his
friend Kamina, and childhood friend Yoko. Simon, who
lives in a run down apartment building, wishes for a normal life, and meets the mysterious Nia one day when she
trips down the stairs. She immediately takes a liking to
Simon and declares him her husband. Kamina finds another “aniki”in Nia, who shares his hot-blooded style.
She enrolls in Dai-Gurren Academy, and all three must
deal with the threat of students from Teppelin Academy,
74
CHAPTER 7. G
巌篇 Gekijōban Tengen Toppa Guren Lagann Lagannhen, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann the Movie: The Spiral
Stone Chapter) was released in Japanese theaters on April
25, 2009.* [9] It focuses on the second half of the series,
contributing more new animation than the first film. The
Japanese DVD for The Lights in the Sky are Stars was released on January 27, 2010. For both films, Shoko Nakagawa sang the theme songs: “Tsuzuku Sekai”(続く
世界, “The World Goes On”) for Childhood's End and
Video games
“Namida no Tane, Egao no Hana”(涙の種、笑顔の
花, “Seed of Tears, Flower of Smiles”) for The Lights
An online video game was developed by Konami called in the Sky are Stars. Taku Iwasaki returned to compose
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Chōzetsu Hakkutsu ON- the films' scores.
LINE (天元突破グレンラガン超絶発掘 ONLINE,
Aniplex of America distributed both films on DVD in
literally "Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: Superior Excaregular and special editions. Childhood's End was revation Online”). Beta testing had ended on April 16, 2007.
leased on July 1, 2010 while The Lights in the Sky are Stars
The player takes up the role of a driller and drills for treawas released on July 30, 2010.* [31] Aniplex of America
sures in first person view. There is a shop to purchase drills
released the films on Blu-ray Disc as part of the Gurren
̶the shopkeeper is an original character named Asaki.
Lagann Blu-ray box set on June 26, 2013.* [23] Aniplex
The player can also collect digital trading cards. The game
of America re-released the films in a separate Blu-ray
was canceled at the closed beta stage, as installing the game
Disc set on July 15, 2014.* [32]
crashed Windows indefinitely. Konami even had to send
out 500GB external hard drives to beta users so that they
could back up files while reinstalling their operating sys- 7.1.4 Reception
tems.* [25]* [26]
who wish to bring Nia back to her father, the principal.
Another spin-off manga titled Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann 4-koma Kingdom: Yoko no Oheso-hen (天元突破
グレンラガン 4 コマ KINGDOM ヨーコのおヘソ編
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann 4-panel Kingdom: Yoko's
Belly Button Chapter) was published by Futabasha in 2008
as a compilation of various short stories.
A game for the Nintendo DS was released October 25,
2007, not only featuring the characters from the series,
but also containing a special episode set in the early stages
of the story as a pre-order bonus. In June 2010, Gainax
re-acquired the video game rights to the series from Konami, which allowed Banpresto to include it in the latest installment of its storied Super Robot Wars franchise,
2nd Super Robot Wars Z: Destruction Chapter, released in
April 2011.
Anime films
An animated film entitled Gurren Lagann the Movie:
Childhood's End (劇場版天元突破グレンラガン紅
蓮篇 Gekijōban Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Gurrenhen, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann The Movie: The Crimson Lotus Chapter), once again directed by Hiroyuki
Imaishi, and written by Kazuki Nakashima, was produced by Gainax and released on September 6, 2008 in
Japanese theaters and the DVD was released on April
22, 2009.* [27]* [28]* [29] The film is a compilation of
the events of the first arc of the series (episodes one
through fifteen) with around 20 minutes of newly animated scenes. In conjunction with the release of the
film, Gainax has released series of music videos entitled
Gurren Lagann Parallel Works which contains alternative
stories of Gurren Lagann set to songs from the original
soundtrack.* [30] The film had its first official English release at the Viz Pictures cinema in San Francisco, California on September 8, 2009.
Western critical reception
Gurren Lagann has received widespread critical acclaim
since its release. Anime News Network gave Gurren Lagann a full 'A' rating, with reviewer Theron Martin describing it as “one of the liveliest series of the decade”
and concluding that "Gainax's paean to boisterous, macho mecha action delivers in triumphant fashion.”* [33]
Anime News Network also gave the dubbed version of
the first volume an 'A' rating.* [34] IGN gave the series
a score of 9.7 out of 10, with reviewer Ramsey Isler describing it as “an inspiring story”and concluding that
“overall it succeeds at being a great tale of the indomitable
spirit of determined people.”* [35] Anime World Order
also gave the series a positive review, noting that it has
become one of the most popular mecha anime on the internet, which reviewer Clarissa Graffeo ascribes to its
crossover appeal among various audiences who do not
usually watch giant robot anime, by combining aspects
from a number of different anime genres, including elements of the Super Robot, Real Robot, Shōnen, Shōjo,
Seinen and Josei genres.* [36]
THEM Anime Reviews gave the anime a score of 4 out
of 5 stars, with reviewer Tim Jones describing it as “Almost five-star material,”and stating that it is“chuck full
of action, comedy, drama, adventure, and sci-fi elements,
managing to even entertain a person who couldn't care
less about mecha in the process.”* [37] UK Anime Network gave the first third of the series a score of 8/10,
with reviewer Ross Liversidge noting that from episode 7
onwards, “the show's newfound edge makes it far more
A second film, Gurren Lagann The Movie: The Lights in gripping,”and concludes that it is a“high quality release”
the Sky are Stars (劇場版天元突破グレンラガン螺 and“a fun, punchy series that stands out from the crowd.”
7.1. GURREN LAGANN
*
[38] On the review website Mania.com, reviewer Chris
Beveridge gave the first two-thirds of the series a full 'A'
grade. He described the first third as “chaotic, magical
and engaging,”* [39] and then described the second third
as captivating “with non-standard storytelling ideas for
an anime series”and concluded that it was“fun, exciting,
unpredictable and filled with the usual positive messages
but done without any serious preaching.”* [40]
75
[4] "'Gurren Lagann' on Sci Fi Channel”. ICv2: Inside Pop
Culture. May 19, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-12.
[5] "Eva 1.0 Wins Tokyo Anime Fair's Animation of the
Year”. Anime News Network. February 26, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-26.
[6] “Gurren Lagann's official blog” (in Japanese). Gainax.
Retrieved 2007-12-18.
[7] “Coo, Gurren-Lagann, 'Kafka' Win Media Arts Awards”
. Anime News Networks. Retrieved 2007-12-11.
Awards
The Gurren Lagann anime series received an Excellence
Prize at the 2007 Japan Media Arts Festival.* [7] Its director Hiroyuki Imaishi received an individual award for
“Personal Best”at the 12th Animation Kobe Festival that
same year for his work on the series.* [6]
[8] “Gainax Announces New Anime”. Anime News Network. July 11, 2006. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
[9] “Two Gurren Lagann Movies Confirmed”. Anime News
Network. May 23, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-23.
[10] “Gurren Lagann the Movie - Childhood's End - - The
In 2008, during the 7th annual Tokyo Anime Awards held
Lights in the Sky are Stars - ON DVD!". Gurren Lagann
at the Tokyo International Anime Fair, Gurren Lagann
Movie Committee. Retrieved May 22, 2012. Gozu: “A
won the “Best Television Production”award. In addigiant Gunmen"; Enki: “Viral's Gunmen”
tion, the “Best Character Design”award was given to
the character designer Atsushi Nishigori for his work on [11] " ガ ン メ ン" [Gunmen]. Sony Music Entertainment
Japan. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
the anime.* [5]
Popular culture
Influences from and references to Gurren Lagann can be
found in several areas of recent popular culture, ranging from Japanese anime and video games, to American
comics and animation, to politics in Europe. During
a political debate over whether the British Union Flag
should be updated by incorporating the Welsh Dragon,
The Daily Telegraph newspaper held a contest for readers
to submit their designs and have other readers vote for
the winning design. On December 11, 2007, a Gurren
Lagann-based design submitted from Norway won The
Daily Telegraph's contest, winning by a wide margin of
55% of the votes.* [41]* [42] Gurren Lagann has had an
influence on the Transformers franchise, with the creators
of Transformers Animated citing it as an inspiration. The
art director and lead character designer Derrick Wyatt
stated that, while he “hadn't seen Gurren Lagann until
after”they“had finished most of the first season of TFA,”
he confirmed that the creators have “definitely been inspired”by it ever since, particularly during the second
and third seasons of Transformers Animated.* [43]
7.1.5
References
[1] "#GurrenLagann To Air On Toonami!". Toonami Faithful. July 20, 2014. Retrieved 2014-07-20.
[12] “Gainax Announces New Anime”. Anime News Network. July 11, 2006. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
[13] グレンラガン：ヒロインの悲劇は「ハッピーエン
ドのつもり」
今⽯洋之監督語る (in Japanese). November 10, 2007. Archived from the original on December
25, 2007. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
[14] Yeh, Jason (August 26, 2008). “Interview with Gainax /
Gurren Lagann Staff”. Mania Entertainment. Retrieved
October 13, 2013.
[15] Loo, Egan (July 28, 2008).“Interview: Gainax on Gurren
Lagann”. Anime News Network. Retrieved October 12,
2013.
[16] “The secrets of Gurren Lagann answered!". Japanator.
Retrieved October 12, 2013.
[17] “Interview with Kazuki Nakajima”. Retrieved July 8,
2010.
[18] Ishikawa, Ken (December 23, 2008). 天 元 突 破 グ レ
ンラガン[Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann] (in Japanese).
Hamazo. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
[19] Jason Green (September 7, 2008). “Dig For Fire: The
Roots of Gurren Lagann”. Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-09-09.
[20] “Co-Founder Takami Akai Steps Down From Gainax's
Board”. Anime News Network. April 27, 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-01.
[2] “Bandai Entertainment Gets Gurren Lagann TV Anime”
. Anime News Network. April 18, 2008. Retrieved 2008- [21] “Play.com (UK): Gurren Lagann: Part 1”. Play.com.
Retrieved 2009-03-26.
04-18.
[3] "Gurren Lagann Listed on America's Sci-Fi Channel on
July 28”. Anime News Network. May 19, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
[22] “Gurren Lagann ̶Standard Edition Blu-Ray”. All
the Anime. September 24, 2014. Retrieved October 22,
2014.
76
[23] “Aniplex USA Adds Valvrave the Liberator, Gurren Lagann TV Series”. Anime News Network. March 29,
2013. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
CHAPTER 7. G
[42] "Gurren Lagann Design Wins Informal British Flag Poll”
. Anime News Network. December 16, 2007. Retrieved
2007-12-18.
[24] “Bandai Entertainment Picks Up Gurren Lagann Manga” [43] “Preview of upcoming Transformers Animated characters”. Transformers Animated. April 30, 2008. Re. Anime News Network. September 26, 2008. Retrieved
trieved 2010-02-09.
2008-09-27.
[25] “Konami Hits the Brakes on Gurren Lagann MMO”.
Archived from the original on 2008-02-21. Retrieved
2007-09-15.
[26] “Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann game online service suspension notification” (in Japanese). Retrieved 2007-0915.
[27] "Gurren Lagann film official website” (in Japanese).
Gainax. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
[28] "Gurren Lagann Movie to Open in Japan in Fall 2008”.
Anime News Network. March 10, 2008. Retrieved 200803-11.
[29] “TAF 2008 Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Movie Latest News and Name: Gurren Chapter" (in Japanese).
MediaWorks. March 29, 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-29.
[30] "Gurren Lagann Parallel Works" (in Japanese). Gainax.
Archived from the original on 2008-09-05. Retrieved
2008-06-18.
[31] “Aniplex America Sells Gurren Lagann Movie DVDs In
July”. Anime News Network. 2010-04-16. Retrieved
2010-04-16.
7.1.6 Further reading
• Beveridge, Chris (June 23, 2010).“Gurren Lagann
the Movie -Childhood's End- (also w/LE)". Mania.
Retrieved September 8, 2011.
• Martin, Theron (June 25, 2010). “Gurren Lagann:
The Movie ~Childhood's End~ DVD”. Anime News
Network. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
• Finnegan, Erin (July 5, 2010). “Shelf Life: Inner Childhood”. Anime News Network. Retrieved
September 8, 2011.
• Santos, Carlo (July 26, 2010). “Gurren Lagann the
Movie: The Lights in the Sky Are Stars”. Anime
News Network. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
7.1.7 External links
• Official website (Japanese)
• Gainax's Gurren Lagann website (Japanese)
[32] “Aniplex USA Offers 1st, 2nd Madoka Magica Films
Dubbed, AnoHana Film Blu-ray/DVD”. Anime News
Network. May 24, 2014. Retrieved May 25, 2014.
• Gurren Lagann film official website (Japanese)
[33] Martin, Theron (November 9, 2008). “Review: Gurren
Lagann”. Anime News Network. Retrieved 2010-02-09.
• Bandai Entertainment's Gurren Lagann website
[34] Michelle Yu (October 7, 2009).“Review: Gurren Lagann
V1”. Anime News Network. Retrieved 2010-02-12.
[35] Ramsey Isler (November 11, 2008). “Gurren Lagann:
Review”. IGN. Retrieved 2010-02-09.
[36] “Anime World Order Show #65 – Gurren-Lagann, Sojitz,
and a .50 Cal Rampage”. Anime World Order. 200802-03. Retrieved 2010-02-09.
[37] “Gurren Lagann”. Them Anime Reviews. Retrieved
2010-02-09.
[38] “Gurren Lagann Vol. 1”. UK Anime Network. 200906-22. Retrieved 2010-02-09.
[39] Chris Beveridge (August 11, 2008).“Gurren Lagann Vol.
#1”. Mania.com. Retrieved 2010-02-09.
• Konami's Gurren Lagann website (Japanese)
• Manga Entertainment's Gurren Lagann website
• Aniplex of America's Gurren Lagann website
• “The Secrets of Gurren Lagann” (Gainax panel)
• Gurren Lagann at the Internet Movie Database
• Gurren Lagann (anime) at Anime News Network's
encyclopedia
7.2 Gantz
For other uses, see Gantz (disambiguation).
Gantz (Japanese: ガ ン ツ Hepburn: Gantsu) is a
Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hiroya
[40] Chris Beveridge (August 26, 2008).“Gurren Lagann Vol.
Oku. Gantz tells the story of Kei Kurono and Masaru
#2”. Mania.com. Retrieved 2010-02-09.
Kato, both whom died in a train accident and become part
[41] Moore, Matthew (December 11, 2007).“The new face of of a semi-posthumous“game”in which they and several
Britain? Flag poll results”. London: The Daily Telegraph. other recently deceased people are forced to hunt down
Retrieved 2013-01-11.
and kill aliens armed with a handful of futuristic items,
7.2. GANTZ
77
equipment, and weaponry. Both the manga and anime After a mission has been completed, points are tallied up,
are noted for their heavy violence and sexual content.
the participants are allowed to leave and do as they see
The Gantz anime adaptation, directed by Ichiro Itano and fit until their next mission, with the exception of talking
animated by Gonzo, contains 26 episodes divided into about Gantz which would lead to their heads exploding.
two seasons. A series of two live action movies based on During Kurono and Kato's third mission, all the particthe manga were produced and released in January–April ipants including Kato are killed, however Kato kills the
last boss giving Kurono a chance to survive. Kurono sur2011.* [5]
vives the third mission bleeding on the floor with his limbs
cut apart. After the third mission Kurono starts to change
inside adopting a hero, leader complex similar to Kato.
7.2.1 Plot
As the series continues, Kurono participates with the objective of reviving his deceased friends with the 100 point
See also: List of Gantz characters
reward option. A new team of Gantz players is assembled, which Kurono leads, as the most experienced vetA pair of high school students, Kei Kurono and Masaru
eran and one of the best fighters. In the Oni mission it
Kato, are hit by a subway train in an attempt to save the
is shown that with Kurono's “will to live”he becomes
life of a drunk homeless man who had fallen onto the
the most ferocious Gantz hunter in the team. Through
tracks. Following their deaths, Kurono and Kato find
his interactions with the other members of the team and
themselves transported to the interior of an unfurnished
his life or death battles, Kurono gradually grows into a reTokyo apartment, where they meet Joichiro Nishi a Gantz
sponsible leader. After the Oni mission Kato is revived by
veteran and other clueless participants. The pair soon reKurono, and soon after Kurono meets his demise against
alizes that they are not allowed to leave the apartment. At
the vampires. As the series goes on, the rules of the misone end of the room there is a large black sphere known
sions change; they can now be seen by regular people, the
as “Gantz”.
aliens they encounter are increasingly more powerful and
After some time in the room, the Gantz sphere opens dangerous, and they participate in a mission with another
up, revealing a bald naked man with a breathing mask Gantz team from Osaka. Kato becomes the center of atand wires attached to his head, and various weapons for tention in the manga and his quest to revive Kurono. In
them to use. These include the custom fitting black suits a desperate attempt to revive his best friend, Kato fights
which give them super-human strength, speed, stamina the one hundred point alien Nurarihyon which obliterates
and damage resistance, a controller which acts as a radar both Osaka and Kurono's team. At the end of the mission,
and stealth unit, X-gun, X-Shotgun, Y-Gun. Later on the similar to the first time Kato died, he defeats arguably
series the Gantz sword, Gantz Bike are made available as the strongest alien in the series and is laid bleeding on
well as much more powerful weapons are awarded in the the floor about to die. The series depicts both the mis100 point menu.
sions and Kurono's regular life, as well as the daily lives
When the Gantz sphere opens, green text appears on its of other Gantz players (to a lesser extent).
surface, informing those present that their “lives have
ended and now belong to him”. A picture and brief information is shown of some of the Gantz' targets; Gantz orders them to go and kill them. Except for a single mission,
all the targets are aliens living on Earth, which take on a
wide variety of forms. During the mission, normal people cannot see the players or the aliens. Gantz transports
them to the area of the mission, and they cannot leave or
return until all the enemies have been killed, or the time
limit has run out. If they survive a successful mission,
each individual is awarded points for the aliens they have
killed. Once a participant has scored 100 points, a“100
point menu”will appear. The menu offers three options:
• Option 1: The participant can return to their normal
life, never having to be summoned by Gantz again.
As a price, their memories of Gantz and the missions
will be erased.
• Option 2: The participant obtains a unique and
extremely-powerful weapon.
• Option 3: The participant can revive someone who
has died during a mission from Gantz' memory.
After several missions, an old participant named Nishi,
who knows more than the others about how Gantz works,
shows them a “catastrophe countdown”on the Gantz
sphere which the other players were unaware of. The
countdown reveals that there is one week left until some
unknown“catastrophe.”At the end of that week, a massive alien force invades the Earth and begins exterminating the human race, while Kurono and his companions
try their best to make use of Gantz' advanced technology
and weaponry in defense. At the end Nishi and Kurono
are depicted to be similar, both of whom were despised by
their family and were sinister, but unlike Nishi, Kurono
has a reason to live. Nishi in the chapter “The Great
Escape”, is left for dead by Kurono vowing vengeance
against him and crying out for Gantz and mother for help.
It is hinted that Nishi died, but his death seems to be unclear. The Japanese also learn of the existence of Gantz
teams all around the world. After a long battle, the humans manage to stop the alien invasion and soon after,
it is revealed that it was another, highly advanced alien
species that provided mankind with the means to defend
itself against the invaders, for reasons they refuse to reveal
and calls it a whim. In a last desperate effort, the leader
78
CHAPTER 7. G
of the alien forces Eeva challenges the whole human race
promising to exterminate every inhabitant by himself by
crashing their mother ship killing both races if Kurono
does not come to their mother ship to fight him. Prior to
this announcement Eeva completely dominates all Gantz
teams in his vicinity by killing all the hunters, giving the
human race a sense of their mortality. The world calls
on Kurono which is broadcast to the entire world, and
with a revived Kato's help, Kurono bets all his chance of
winning and saving the human race on himself. Kurono
manages to defeat Eeva stop the alien mothership from
destroying Earth. The series ends with Kurono and Kato
returning safely to Earth and being greeted as heroes.
7.2.2
Production
Hiroya Oku first thought of Gantz 's story when he was
in high school. He was inspired by the Jidaigeki program Hissatsu, and the Robert Sheckley novel Time Murderer. However, he did not decide to make Gantz until
after writing the manga Zero One; Zero One had a similar
setting, but Oku ended the series, noting it was not very
entertaining and that it was too expensive to develop.* [6]
When creating the chapters for the manga, Oku starts
with a thumbnail of the pages. He then creates 3D models
of the characters and backgrounds on his computer. Once
done, Oku prints the characters and backgrounds he made
in 3D, adds tone and color to the pages, and finishes with
sound effects and dialogue.* [7] This style was already
used in Zero One, but for that title, there was little work
in hand drawing; Oku decided to add more hand drawing to give Gantz a more realistic tone as well as reduce
the budget. However, he still notes that such a method is
time-consuming and that he has to work quickly in order
to finish the chapters on time.* [6]
Oku tries to incorporate realism into Gantz and adds that
some of the events occurring in the story are based on his
opinions regarding the world. During violent or erotic
scenes, Oku makes sure to not make them very long to
avoid reducing the series' realism. However, he has mentioned that he does not autocensor and that all the drawings he has ever illustrated have been published in the
manga.* [8] Some plot twists are meant to go against common events that happen in several manga such as the
deaths of the major characters like Kei Kishimoto and
Masaru Kato. Before the series started serialization, Oku
told his assistants that with Kurono's exception, all the
major characters from the series would die.* [6] Kurono
actually dies as well late in the series, but is revived
through the 100 point reward option.
7.2.3
Media
Manga
Main article: List of Gantz chapters
Written by Hiroya Oku, the manga chapters have been
published in the Japanese magazine Weekly Young Jump
since 2000 and is finished on June 20, 2013; the individual chapters of the series were being released approximately every fifteen days. Gantz is divided into three
main story arcs referred to as“phases”. After the completion of Phase 1, the author put the series on hiatus for
a short time to work on Phase 2, which is also known as
“Katastrophe”. Phase 1 consists of the first 237 chapters. On November 22, 2006, the first chapter of Phase
2, chapter 238, was released.* [9]* [10] Phase 2 consists
of chapters 238 through 303. The third and final phase
began on October 1, 2009, after a brief hiatus. As of
June 20, 2013, the main manga series is finished at 383
chapters long (not counting specials and spin-offs). The
individual chapters are collected by Shueisha in tankōbon
format; the first volume was released on December 11,
2000.* [11] Currently, 37 volumes have been released by
Shueisha.* [12] Publishing company Dark Horse Comics
acquired the licensing rights for the release of English
translations of Gantz on July 1, 2007, during the Anime
Expo.* [13]* [14] The first English volume was released
on June 25, 2008.* [15] While the first three are being
published quarterly, the following volumes will be released on a bimonthly basis.* [16] The series is published
by Glénat in Spain and by Planet Manga in Germany, Italy
and Brazil.* [17]* [18]* [19] It is published by Tonkam in
France,* [20] by Editorial Vid in Mexico* [21] and by
Editorial Ivrea in Argentina.* [22]
Gantz/Osaka has been published in Japan (showing the
stories of the Gantz Osaka team), while Gantz/Nishi has
started publication (showing the life of Nishi), and Gantz
no Moto has Hiroya Oku telling the story on how he got
into the manga business and what films influenced him.
Anime
See also: List of Gantz episodes
An anime adaptation, produced by Gonzo and directed by
Ichiro Itano, aired in Japan on Fuji Television and ATX.* [23]* [24]* [25] The Gantz anime is divided into two
seasons: “The First Stage”and “The Second Stage”,
which is a direct continuation of the first season. The First
Stage aired in Japan with several scenes censored due to
inappropriate content such as violence or nudity. However, the DVDs from the series contained the scenes uncensored.* [26] The Second Stage aired on Japanese network AT-X on August 26, 2004.* [27] There are a total
of 12 Japanese DVDs, released from August 28, 2004 to
June 29, 2005. Additionally, the DVDs were compiled
into box sets.* [28]
7.2. GANTZ
ADV Films announced and licensed the series for release
in the United States. The series was released in uncut
form, retaining the violence and nudity previously censored in Japan for broadcast.* [29] Ten DVDs were released by ADV Films from February 8, 2005 to January
17, 2006.* [30]* [31] They also compiled the series in two
DVD box sets in 2006 and in a Perfect Score Collection
packaged with a bag in the form of Gantz.* [32]* [33]* [34]
On June 25, 2010, anime distributor Funimation Entertainment announced on their online FuniCon 4.0 panel,
that they have acquired the rights to the series, along
with 3 other former ADV titles after ADV's collapse in
2009.* [35]
Video game
79
the film was simulcast in theaters across 46 states.* [38] At
the end of this special Los Angeles showing, which took
place at the Mann's Chinese 6 theatre, there was a discussion and live interview with both the male leads,* [39] as
well as a teaser trailer for the second installment, Gantz:
Perfect Answer, which is released in Japan on April 23,
2011. Gantz and Gantz 2: Perfect Answer were screened
in San Diego, California as part of Comic-Con International at the Gaslamp 15 Theater on July 22 & 23.* [40]
Other
A companion book titled Gantz/Manual was published
by Shueisha on December 17, 2004. The book features
episode summaries, character overviews, and additional
background details on the Gantz universe.* [41] A revised
edition, Gantz/Manual Remix, was published in 2011 as
a supplement for Gantz manga and live action movie featuring story act summaries, manga story arc summaries,
character overviews, and additional background details
on the Gantz universe.
On March 17, 2005, Konami published a game for the
PlayStation 2 in Japan named simply as Gantz: The
Game. It features the characters and plot up to the Chibi
Alien mission. The game mixes third-person shooter and
role-playing game (RPG) elements together. The game
also includes extras including Free Play mode, a Mini
Mode, Magazine Browser mode, Gantz Rankings, a special preview movie and the scenario completion statis- 7.2.4 Reception
tic.* [36] The game was never released overseas.
Gantz/Burst and Gantz MobileMission are cellphone Japanese sales from the Gantz manga have led several of
the volumes to be featured in lists of best seller volumes
games.
from Japan.* [42]* [43] As of November 2010, the Gantz
manga had sold over ten million units in Japan,* [44] while
Novel
during January 2011 the sales increased to over fifteen
million volumes.* [45] During 2008, Dark Horse Comics
In July 2009, Weekly Young Jump, the seinen manga mag- informed that the Gantz ' sold 175,000 copies in Amerazine, began publishing a novel from the series named ica.* [15] Volume 4 of the manga has appeared in The
Gantz/Minus. It is written by Masatoshi Kusakabe and il- New York Times 's “Manga Best Seller List”ranking at
lustrated by Yusuke Kozaki. The stories take place before 8th.* [46] About.com's Deb Aoki listed Gantz as the best
the start of the manga, with the focus being on the char- new seinen of 2008 along with Black Lagoon.* [47] Gantz
acters Shion Izumi and Joichiro Nishi, who participate issue 365 states the series has sold over 19 million copies.
in Gantz's missions. On the cover of each Gantz/Minus
issue, it describes itself as a “hyper solid action novel”. DVD sales of Gantz have been particularly strong. According to Anime News Network, Gantz volume three
Gantz/EXA is the second Gantz novel published. It was surpassed DVD sales of its predecessor, volume one,
first serialized in Jump magazine, then printed as a com- by a significant margin. Owing to strong DVD sales,
plete collection in January 2011.
ADV films has continuously released successive volumes
and was one of the most successful anime franchises of
2005.* [48]
Live action films
The Gantz anime has also received praise and has been
critically acclaimed as being extremely“violent”,“gory”
Main article: Gantz (film)
and “sadistic”and yet is also very “addictive”, even
when it was censored during broadcast.* [48]
On November 24, 2009, it was announced that two liveaction Gantz films were in production. The films star
Kazunari Ninomiya and Kenichi Matsuyama in the roles
7.2.5 See also
of Kurono and Kato respectively, and were directed by
Shinsuke Sato. The films were released in January and
7.2.6 References
April 2011.* [37]
The first film, titled simply as Gantz, was released in
Japan on January 29, 2011. A special North American
screening took place on January 20, 2011, during which
[1] Backs of Gantz volume collections call it action
[2] Backs of Gantz volume collections call it scifi
80
[3] Lujano, Mona Rose. ""Gantz”a Japanese horror action
landed on Hollywood”. Entertainment Today. Archived
from the original on 8 August 2011.
[4] Rothing, Hilary. “Japanese Sci-Fi Thriller 'Gantz' Hoping to Capture American Fans with Theatrical Release”.
MTV Geek News. Archived from the original on 8 August
2011.
CHAPTER 7. G
[22] “Gantz”. Editorial Ivrea (in Spanish). Archived from
the original on 3 January 2010.
[23] “Gantz Official Site”. Gantz.net. Archived from the
original on 17 July 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
[24] “Gantz (Fuji TV)". Fuji Television. Archived from the
original on 28 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
[5] “Gantz, Maria-sama, Mori no Asagao Promos Streamed” [25] “Gantz Season 1 Boxset”. Amazon.com. Retrieved
2009-03-23.
. Anime News Network. October 2, 2010. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
[26] “Gantz DVDs Unedited”. Anime News Network. 200407-13. Archived from the original on 8 August 2011. Re[6] Oku, Hiroya (2004). Gantz Manual. Shueisha. pp. 227–
trieved 2009-04-12.
247. ISBN 4-08-876735-7.
[7] Oku, Hiroya (2008). Gantz, Volume 1. Dark Horse
Comics. pp. 216–219. ISBN 978-1-59307-949-9.
[27] “Second Gantz TV series Announced”. Anime News
Network. 2004-07-15. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
[8] Migoya, Hernan (June 17, 2009). “Hiroya vs. Migoya” [28] " 全話⾒るなら「GANTZ BOX 1&2」がお得です!"
(in Japanese). Official Gantz website. Archived from the
(in Spanish). Glénat. Archived from the original on 8
original on 2009-04-14. Retrieved 2009-04-14.
August 2011. Retrieved August 5, 2009.
[9] “Gantz Returns! Gantz: 2nd Phase”. comipress.com.
2006-11-22. Archived from the original on 8 August
2011. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
[29] “ADV Releases Gantz Details”. Anime News Network.
2004-12-14. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
[13] “Dark Horse Licenses Gantz, Blood+, More”. Anime
News Network. 2007-07-01. Archived from the original
on 7 May 2009. Retrieved 2008-10-21.
[34] “Gantz: Perfect Score Collection”. Amazon.com. Retrieved 2009-04-14.
[30] “Gantz - Game of Death (Vol. 1)". Amazon.com. Re[10]“Gantz 2nd Phase to Begin Serialization This November”.
trieved 2009-04-14.
comipress.com. 2006-07-19. Archived from the original
[31] “Gantz, Vol. 10 - Endgame (2006)". Amazon.com. Reon 8 August 2011. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
trieved 2009-04-14.
[11] “Gantz 1” (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the
[32] “Gantz Season 1 Box Set (2006)". Amazon.com. Reoriginal on 8 August 2011. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
trieved 2009-04-14.
[12] “Gantz 29” (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from
the original on 8 August 2011. Retrieved September 14, [33] “Gantz Season 2 Box Set”. Amazon.com. Retrieved
2009-04-14.
2010.
[14] “Dark Horse Nabs 'Gantz' Manga”. ICv2. 2007-07-05.
Archived from the original on 8 August 2011. Retrieved
2008-11-20.
[15] “Gantz Volume 1”. Dark Horse Comics. Archived from
the original on 8 August 2011. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
[35] “Funimation Adds Chrono Crusade, Gantz, Kaleido Star,
Peacemaker”. Anime News Network. 2010-06-25.
[36] Anoop Gantayat (2005-02-22). “New From Konami:
Gantz”. IGN. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
[37] “Gantz Sci-Fi Manga To Be Adapted in Two Live-Action
Films”. Anime News Network. 2009-10-07.
[16] “Michael Gombos on Gantz”. Dark Horse Comics.
2008-05-22. Archived from the original on 8 August
2011. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
[38] “Info dump: list of US theaters to screen Gantz in 2011”
. Japanator. 2010-12-16.
[17] “Gantz vol 1” (in Spanish). Glénat. Archived from the
original on 27 February 2009. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
[39] “World Premiere of Gantz on January 20”. Asia Pacific
Arts. 2001-01-19.
[18] “Gantz 1 Ristampa In fumetteria e online Planet Manga” [40] New People Entertainment (July 12, 2011). “New People Announces Theatrical Comic-Con Screening of Sci-fi
(in Italian). Panini Comics. Archived from the original
Thriller Gantz II: Perfect Answer” (Press release). Reon 22 July 2011. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
trieved 28 April 2015 – via Anime News Network.
[19] “Hantz vol 3” (in German). Panini Comics. Archived
from the original on 8 August 2011. Retrieved 2008-11- [41] “GANTZ/MANUAL” (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
20.
[20] “Tous les Volumes de la Seri Gantz”. Editions Tonkam
(in French). Archived from the original on 8 August 2011.
[42] “Japanese Comic Ranking, June 22–28”. Anime News
Network. 2009-07-01. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
[21] “Resultados de Gantz”. Mundo Vid (in Spanish).
Archived from the original on 13 April 2009.
[43] “Japanese Comic Ranking, October 21–27”. Anime
News Network. 2008-10-29. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
7.2. GANTZ
[44]“Gantz U.S. Showings to Add Live Interview with 2 Stars”
. Anime News Network. November 29, 2010. Retrieved
November 29, 2010.
[45] “Manga Movie GANTZ Brings Out the Stars at Hollywood Premiere”. About.com. January 24, 2011.
Archived from the original on 31 January 2011. Retrieved
February 5, 2011.
[46] “New York Times Manga Best Seller List, April 5–11”.
Anime News Network. 2009-04-17. Retrieved 2009-0820.
[47] Aoki, Deb. “2008 Best New Manga”. About.com. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
[48] “New ADV Announces 2nd Season of GANTZ”. Anime
News Network. July 8, 2005. Retrieved September 9,
2009.
7.2.7
External links
• Official Gantz: The Game website (Japanese)
• Gantz (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Gantz (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Gantz at the Internet Movie Database
81
Chapter 8
H
8.1 Hellsing
Hellsing (ヘルシング Herushingu) is a Japanese manga
series written and illustrated by Kouta Hirano. It first premiered in Young King Ours in 1997 and ended in September 2008. The individual chapters are collected and published in tankōbon volumes by Shōnen Gahosha. As of
March 2009 all chapters have been released in 10 volumes in Japan. Hellsing chronicles the efforts of the
mysterious and secret Hellsing Organization, as it combats vampires, ghouls, and other supernatural foes who
threaten England.
The manga series is licensed for English language release
in North America by Dark Horse Comics, in Australia
and New Zealand by Madman Entertainment, and in Singapore by Chuang Yi. In 2001, Hirano began publishing
chapters of a prequel series, Hellsing: The Dawn, in special editions of Young King OURs, with six chapters released as of September 2008.
stroy the undead and other supernatural forces of evil that
threaten the queen and the country. This organization is
currently led by Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing,
who inherited the leadership of Hellsing as a child after
the death of her father. She witnessed his death which
turned her from a once innocent and shy little girl to a
tough and deadly force. She is protected by the faithful Hellsing family butler and former Hellsing “trashman”Walter C. Dornez, a deadly foe in his own right,
and Alucard, the original and most powerful vampire that
swore loyalty to the Hellsing family after being defeated
by Van Helsing one hundred years before the story takes
place. These formidable guardians are joined early on
in the storyline by former police officer Seras Victoria,
whom Alucard turned into a vampire.
As the scale and frequency of incidents involving the undead escalate in England and all around the world, Sir
Integra discovers that the remnants of a neo-Nazi group
called Millennium still exist and are intent on reviving the
Third Reich by creating a battalion of vampires. Millennium, Hellsing, and the Vatican section XIII Iscariot clash
in an apocalyptic three-sided war in London, and Millennium reveals its true objective: to destroy the vampire
lord Alucard, ending a feud begun during World War II.
An anime series of the same name was produced by
Gonzo. Directed by Umanosuke Iida, the series was
based on the manga, but used a screenplay by Chiaki
Konaka and is significantly different from the manga in
terms of plot, though it uses some of the same characters
and similar character designs. Spanning 13 episodes, it
was broadcast on Japan's Fuji Television from October 8.1.2 Media
10, 2001, to January 16, 2002.
An original video animation (OVA) entitled Hellsing Ulti- Manga
mate has been produced by Geneon. It follows the manga
storyline more closely than the anime series.* [1] The first
episode was released in Japan on February 10, 2006, and
as of December 26, 2012 all ten episodes have been released. In North America the first episode was released
on December 5, 2006, and as of October 28, 2014 all ten
episodes have been released.
Main article: List of Hellsing chapters
The series premiered in Young King Ours in 1997 and
ran for eleven years until the final chapter was released
in the November 2008 issue.* [2] The individual chapters are collected and published in tankōbon volumes by
Shōnen Gahosha, with 10 volumes (the complete series)
having been released.* [3]* [4] The series is licensed for
8.1.1 Plot
an English language release in North America by Dark
Horse Comics. The first volume was released on DeSee also: List of Hellsing characters
cember 1, 2003 and as of May 19, 2010, the company
has published the entire translated series, at ten volumes.
Hellsing is named after and centered around the Royal Or- Chuang Yi is releasing the series in English in Singader of Protestant Knights, originally led by Abraham Van pore, with six volumes released as of October 2008, and
Helsing. The mission of Hellsing is to search for and de- through an agreement with the company, Madman Enter82
8.1. HELLSING
tainment is re-releasing those volumes in Australia and
New Zealand.* [5]* [6] Hellsing is also licensed for regional language releases in France by Editions Tonkam,
in Italy by Dynit, in Hungary by Mangafan, in Germany
by Planet Manga, in Spain by Norma Editorial, in Poland
by Japonica Polonica Fantastica and in Denmark and
Sweden by Mangismo.
Crossfire
Crossfire is a three chapter side story about Iscariot Members Heinkel Wolfe and Yumie Takagi, with cameos of
Alexander Anderson and Enrico Maxwell. Crossfire follows Heinkel Wolfe and Yumie Takagi, a Catholic nun
and an assassin who work for the Iscariot organization.
They call themselves “earthly agents of divine punishment”. Crossfire also has cameos by Alexander Anderson and Enrico Maxwell, the head of Iscariot. It also features an arms dealer who resembles Walter C. Dornez.
Across the three chapters, Heinkel and Yumie face a variety of opposition, including Islamic terrorists, communist
revolutionaries, and finally, an obscure pagan cult.
Crossfire as a side work was discontinued by Kouta Hirano, but it was republished in the first three volumes of
Hellsing as an extra. The Crossfire 's story was adapted
into a drama CD and included in Hellsing Ultimate OVA
6 and 7.
Hellsing: The Dawn
In 2001, Hirano began publishing chapters of a prequel
series, Hellsing: The Dawn, in special editions of Young
King OURs, of which six chapters have been released
as of May 2009. The Dawn features a fourteen-yearold Walter C. Dornez and Alucard, in the form of a 14year-old girl, attacking Millennium's base of operations
in Nazi-controlled Poland in September 1944, during the
Warsaw Uprising. Publication was scheduled to resume
after the conclusion of the main Hellsing series, but there
have been no new chapters since the manga's conclusion.
Chapters of The Dawn were animated as part of the Hellsing Ultimate OVA series. The three animated entries to
The Dawn were released in conjunction with 8th, 9th, and
10th OVAs.
83
• Desert Guardian: The Captain
• Doc's Story: The Doctor and Schrödinger
• Hi and Low: Integra Hellsing and Yumie Takagi
• Magic School: Renaldo
• The Legend of Vampire Hunter: Alucard, Seras
Victoria, Luke and Jan Valentine
• Daidōjin Monogatari:
Heinkel Wolfe
Walter C. Dornez and
Anime
See also: List of Hellsing episodes
Following the release of the manga, Gonzo produced a
thirteen episode anime series that uses the same characters and settings, but narrates a different story from its
source manga. Written by Chiaki J. Konaka and directed
by Umanosuke Iida, the series premiered on Fuji Television on December 27, 2003 and ran until its conclusion on February 16, 2004. The series is licensed for English language release in North America by Geneon Entertainment, in the United Kingdom previously by ADV
Films until September 2009 and as of January 2013,
Manga Entertainment has the license, and in Australia
by Madman Entertainment. Geneon's English dub of the
series aired in the United States on Starz's Encore Action
channel from December 21, 2003 to March 15, 2004 and
in Canada on G4techTV Canada's Anime Current block
in 2007.Dark Horse had also release a manga adaption
featuring 13 episodes in 2006.
The series uses two pieces of theme music.“Logos Naki
World”(A World Without God) by Yasushi Ishii is used
as the opening theme for all thirteen episodes. Mr. Big
performs the song “Shine”for the series ending theme.
OVAs
See also: List of Hellsing Ultimate episodes
Hellsing Ultimate, known simply as Hellsing in Japan, is
an original video animation (OVA) series animated by animation studios Satelight (OVA I–IV), Madhouse (OVA
Hellsing prototype manga
V–VII) and Graphinica & Kelmadick (OVA VIII–X),
and produced by Geneon. The first fifty-minute episode
This series includes Kouta's old works, before he started
was released to Region 2 DVD in Japan on February 10,
Hellsing that features the character's prototypes.
2006.* [7] The ending of each episode uses various pieces
of instrumental music composed by Hayato Matsuo and
• Angel Dust: Alexander Anderson and Enrico
performed by the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra up to
Maxwell
OVA V. OVAs VI and VII feature vocal closing themes
• Coyote: Pip Bernadotte, The Major and Rip Van by Japanese rock group Suilen. Titled “Magnolia”and
Winkle
“Shinto-Shite”respectively.
Hellsing: Official Guidebook
84
CHAPTER 8. H
Funimation Entertainment additionally announced that
they licensed the 8th OVA and would release the first
eight episodes in 2012.* [16] Hellsing Ultimate 5–8 was
released on November 13, 2012 as a DVD/Blu-ray set. 1–
4 was also released as a DVD/Blu-ray set on October 30,
2012. At Anime Central 2014, Funimation announced
that they will release episodes 9 and 10 in Fall 2014. At
Otakon 2014, Funimation finalized the release date of the
final two OVAs, setting it for October 28, 2014.
Soundtracks
Two CD soundtracks composed by Yasushi Ishii have
been released by Geneon (Pioneer LDC) for the Hellsing anime series. Hellsing Original Soundtrack: Raid
was released on November 22, 2001* [17] and contained
20 tracks, restocked on July 1, 2003.* [18] The second
soundtrack, Hellsing Original Soundtrack: Ruins, containing an additional 22 tracks followed on February 22,
2002,* [19] restocked on September 16, 2003.* [20]
Also, three soundtracks composed by Hayato Matsuo
have been released for the Hellsing OVA series (Hellsing
Ultimate). Hellsing OVA Original Soundtrack – BLACK
DOG Released on March 21, 2008.* [21] As well as a
DVD-Audio mini-soundtrack released as an extra with
Hellsing OVA IV in Japan, titled Premium Disk – Warsaw
Recording Selection featuring 9 tracks.* [22] The newest
Hellsing Ultimate OVA, volume 1.
one is also an extra with Hellsing I-V Blu-ray BOX, titled Nazi CD featuring 13 tracks and 1 secret track. The
On July 27, 2011, Hellsing OVA VIII was released in vocal tracks by Suilen were released by the band on their
Japan after one year and eight months, along with the recent mini-album THE DAWN.* [23]
first episode of The Dawn. Episode IX was released
on February 15, 2012.* [8] The tenth and final episode
was released in December 2012. On August 23, 2014, 8.1.3 Reception
Adult Swim's Toonami programming block announced
that Toonami would air the show beginning on Septem- In 2005, the six and seventh volumes of the Hellsing
manga series ranked among Diamond Comics Distribuber 13 at 3:00am.* [9]
tors's list of the top 48 manga volumes sold in the United
States for the year.* [24] In November 2007, the ninth
OVA voice cast
volume was among the top 10 volumes sold according to
Japan's monthly sales rankings.* [25]* [26]
United States The OVA series is licensed for release
in the United States by Geneon USA. In producing the 8.1.4 References
English dub of the series, Geneon used much of the original cast from the dub of the anime series, which the [1] Johnston, Chris. “Hellsing Ultimate”. Newtype USA 5
(11) pp. 44–45. November 2006. ISSN 1541-4817.
company had also licensed. The first episode was released to Region 1 DVD on December 5, 2006, after pre- [2] “Hellsing Manga Ends as Hirano Plans New Work Next
Year”. Anime News Network. October 1, 2008. Remiering the episode at the 2006 Anime Expo convention.
trieved October 12, 2008.
Though Geneon USA stopped self-distribution of its titles in 2007,* [14] it remains the licensor of the series and [3] “HELLSING 1”(in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved
in 2008 the North American distribution was assumed
December 12, 2013.
by Funimation Entertainment.* [15] Funimation released
the fourth episode on September 23, 2008. Simultane- [4] “HELLSING 10” (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
ously, the company re-released the first three episodes.
At Anime Expo 2010, Funimation Entertainment an- [5] “Available Issues for HELLSING”. Chuang Yi.
nounced that they had licensed all three of the new OVAs
Archived from the original on January 13, 2009. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
(episodes 5–7 as of that date) and the original TV series.
8.2. FIST OF THE NORTH STAR
[6] “Hellsing (Manga)". Madman Entertainment. Retrieved
October 12, 2008.
[7] “Hellsing Package” (in Japanese). Geneon Entertainment. Archived from the original on August 22, 2008.
Retrieved September 13, 2008.
[8] “Funi Adds Live Action Moyashimon Live Action, More”
. Anime News Network. July 2, 2010. Retrieved July 3,
2010.
[9] http://toonami.tumblr.com/post/95555231906/
guess-what-hellsing-ultimate-is-coming-to
[10] "Hellsing II". Hellsing Ultimate. Episode 2. September
27, 2014. Closing credits. Adult Swim.
[11] "Hellsing III". Hellsing Ultimate. Episode 3. October 4,
2014. Closing credits. Adult Swim.
85
8.1.5 External links
• Official Geneon Entertainment Hellsing website
(Japanese)
• Hellsing (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• ANN Hellsing Ultimate 1-4 review
• ANN Hellsing Ultimate 5-8 review
8.2 Fist of the North Star
This article is about the manga and anime. For other
uses, see Fist of the North Star (disambiguation).
[12] "Hellsing IV". Hellsing Ultimate. Episode 4. October 11,
2014. Closing credits. Adult Swim.
[13]
[14]
[15]
[16]
Fist of the North Star, known in Japan as Hokuto no
Ken (北⽃の拳, “Fist of the Northern Ladle"),* [1] is
a Japanese manga series written by Buronson and illus"Hellsing V". Hellsing Ultimate. Episode 5. October 18, trated by Tetsuo Hara. Serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump
2014. Closing credits. Adult Swim.
from 1983 to 1988, the 245 chapters were initially collected in 27 tankōbon volumes by Shueisha. Set in a post“Geneon USA to Cancel DVD Sales Distribution by Friday”. Anime News Network. September 26, 2007. Re- apocalyptic world that has been destroyed by a nuclear
war, the story centers on a warrior named Kenshiro, the
trieved September 13, 2008.
successor of a deadly martial art style known as Hokuto
“FUNimation Entertainment and Geneon Entertainment Shinken, which gives him the ability to kill most adverSign Exclusive Distribution Agreement for North Amer- saries from within through the use of the human body's
ica”. Anime News Network. July 3, 2008. Retrieved secret vital points, often resulting in an exceptionally vioJuly 3, 2008.
lent and gory death. Kenshiro dedicates his life to fighting
against the various ravagers who threaten the lives of the
“Funimation Acquires Hellsing Ultimate VIII”. Anime
weak and innocent, as well as rival martial artists, includNews Network. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
ing his own “brothers”from the same clan.
[17] “Raid”. cdjapan.co.jp. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
[18] “Raid”. Amazon.com. Retrieved March 2, 2008.
[19] “Ruins”. cdjapan.co.jp. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
[20] “Ruins”. Amazon.com. Retrieved March 2, 2008.
Fist of the North Star was adapted into two anime TV
series produced by Toei Animation, which together aired
on Fuji TV affiliates from 1984 through 1988, comprising
a combined total of 152 episodes. Several films, OVAs,
and video games have been produced as well, including a
series of spin-offs centering around other characters from
the original story.
[21] “BlackDog”. cdjapan.co.jp. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
The original manga was published in English by Viz
Communications as a monthly comic book, and later by
[22] “PremiumDisc”. cdjapan.co.jp. Retrieved February 9, Gutsoon! Entertainment as a series of colorized graphic
2010.
novels, although neither translation was completed. En[23] “dawncd”. cdjapan.co.jp. Retrieved February 9, 2010. glish adaptations of other Fist of the North Star media
have been licensed to other companies, including the TV
[24] “Diamond Announces Top Direct Market Performers” series and the 1986 film.
. Anime News Network. January 23, 2006. Retrieved
September 13, 2008.
8.2.1 Plot
[25] “Japanese Comic Ranking, November 6–12”. Anime
News Network. November 15, 2007. Retrieved September 13, 2008.
Further information: List of Fist of the North Star
characters
[26] “Japanese Comic Ranking, November 13–19”. Anime
News Network. November 21, 2007. Retrieved September 13, 2008.
In“199X,”civilization was ruined as a result of a worldwide nuclear war and many creatures died out. In spite
86
of these events, 30% of mankind survived and entered
an age where the strong ruled over the weak, as the few
survivors fought over whatever supply of food and uncontaminated water remained in the wasteland of the world.
Kenshiro, successor to the ancient assassination art of
Hokuto Shinken (北⽃神拳), wanders into a village in
search of water when he is caught in a trap and imprisoned by the local defense force. In prison, he befriends
a young orphaned girl named Rin who nursed him back
to health. When the village is attacked by a biker gang
and Rin is taken hostage by their leader, Ken breaks free
from his cell and rescues Rin by defeating the leader with
his deadly martial art technique. Kenshiro leaves the village and continues his journey, now accompanied by a
young thief named Bat. He becomes involved against
the King organization after witnessing the many atrocities they have committed. As he infiltrates the gang's
stronghold in the city of Southern Cross, he finds out that
the leader of King is his old nemesis, the Nanto Seiken
master Shin, the man who engraved the seven scars on
Kenshiro's chest and kidnapped his fiancee Yuria. Kenshiro emerges victorious in his rematch with Shin, only
to find out that Yuria is no longer with Shin.
CHAPTER 8. H
timately no match for him. Toki eventually passes away
from his disease, leaving Kenshiro as the only man capable of stopping Raoh.
The Last General of Nanto appears and decides to side
with Kenshiro in order to defeat Raoh, sending out her
five guardians, the Goshasei, after Raoh. Kenshiro and
Raoh both learn that the General's true identity is Yuria,
Kenshiro's missing fiancee. After a series of numerous events and battles, Kenshiro emerges victorious over
Raoh and he is finally reunited with Yuria. However, the
victory is bittersweet, as Yuria has been affected by a terminal illness and had very little time left to live. However Raoh, feeling sympathy for her, manipulates one of
Yuria's pressure points and extends her lifespan by several
years. Kenshiro leaves his friends and spends the final few
years of Yuria's life with her.
The peace that follows Raoh's downfall does not last long
and the world returns to turmoil several years later. Kenshiro rejoins his former traveling companions, Bat and
Rin, in their battle against an oppressive Empire, fighting under the banner of the Hokuto Army. The Hokuto
Army rescues the rightful Empress Rui, who is also Rin's
estranged twin sister, foiling the plot of the usurper Jako,
Kenshiro continues his journey and goes on to fight sev- who was blackmailing Rui's guardian, the Gento Kōken
eral more enemy organizations. After being reunited with successor Falco, to do his evil bidding.
Rin and meeting new allies such as the woman warrior
However, Rin is taken captive by the remnant of Jako's
Mamiya and the Nanto Suichōken successor Rei, Ken- forces and is sent off to the mysterious Kingdom of Shura,
shiro learns that his three former brothers-in-training in
a brutal land of warriors ruled by three overlords who
the ways of Hokuto Shinken are still alive. The third have all mastered the ways of Hokuto Ryūken, a martial art
brother, Jagi, a violent thug who sought to torment Ken- which branched off from the same clan alongside Hokuto
shiro after losing the Hokuto Shinken succession to him, Shinken into the ways of darkness. Kenshiro defeats Han,
is quickly eliminated. Kenshiro goes on to search for the the third-ranking overlord, who reveals that the Kingdom
second brother, a gentle healer named Toki, and learns of Shura was Kenshiro's birthplace. Moreover, Kenshiro
that he is being kept prisoner in the dungeon city of Cas- also learns that Hyou, the second overlord, is his biologisandra. After rescuing Toki, Kenshiro learns that Raoh, cal older brother. After a grueling battle, Hyou and Ken
the eldest of the four brothers, has become a ruthless war- reconcile their differences and Kenshiro seeks out the
lord known as Ken-oh (拳王 “Fist King”) and is now highest-ranking and most powerful of the three overlords,
seeking to conquer the postwar world. Kenshiro goes on Kaioh, who is Raoh's biological older brother, and plans
to challenge Raoh, but the long grueling battle ends in a a conquest to rule the post apocalyptic world in the name
stalemate and the two warriors are forced to settle their of evil after wiping out the followers of Hokuto Shinken.
differences another day. Rei is fatally wounded as a re- However, Kenshiro is ultimately helpless against Hyoh's
sult of a previous battle with Raoh and he spends the last evil powers, and the man known as Shachi, a feared righfew days of his life tracking down his nemesis Juda, the teous warrior throughout Shura, helps him nearly escape
successor of Nanto Kōkakuken and the man who once tor- death. After having recovered from the harrowing fight,
mented Mamiya in the past. After defeating Juda, Rei Hyou reveals to Kenshiro that the homeland of the progoes on to die, at peace with himself.
genitor clan of all Hokuto style martial arts, the Hokuto
With Raoh still recovering from his wounds, another warlord, the Nanto Hōōken successor Souther (Thouzer in
some translations), proclaims himself as the Holy Emperor (聖帝 Seitei). Kenshiro joins a resistance movement led by an old benefactor, the Nanto Hakuroken
successor Shu. When Shu is captured and executed by
Souther, Kenshiro confronts Souther and foils his ambitions. With Souther now gone, Raoh recovers from
his wounds and goes on to resume his reign of conquest.
Toki, who is on the verge of dying as a result of a terminal illness, challenges the newly revived Raoh, but is ul-
Soke, lies in Shura, and holds the secrets of overcoming
Kaioh's overwhelming power. Upon gaining the favor of
the spirits of the Hokuto Soke, and rightfully bestowed the
ancestral techniques in a race against Kaioh, the final battle concludes with Kenshiro defeating Kaioh and Kaioh
making his peace with Hyoh before both of them pass
away.
Afterward, Kenshiro rescues Rin and leaves her under
Bat's care as he goes on an adventure with Raoh's orphaned son Ryu. After his adventure with Ryu, Kenshiro
8.2. FIST OF THE NORTH STAR
87
is forced to help out Bat and Rin one last time when a
villain from Kenshiro's past named Bolge threaten their
happiness. Kenshiro defeats Bolge and leaves the two to
live a life of happiness. The series ends as Kenshiro, now
the 64th successor of Hokuto Shinken, does what he does
best: protecting the weak and the innocent.
serialization.* [8] It has also been released in 27 payto-download e-book editions.* [9] To celebrate the series' 30th anniversary, Tokuma Shoten began publishing
Hokuto no Ken in an “ultimate edition”in 2013. It
will comprise 18 volumes, include the color pages, new
cover art by Hara, and two new chapters set after the series.* [10]* [11]
8.2.2
Viz Communications published the first sixteen chapters of Fist of the North Star in English as an eight-issue
monthly comic in 1989, which were later reprinted in a
single graphic novel collection in 1995. During the same
year, Viz resumed publication of the series as a monthly
comic until 1997, lasting eighteen issues (adapting chapters 17-44), which were subsequently republished in three
additional graphic novel volumes. A second English
adaptation was published by Gutsoon! Entertainment under the title of Fist of the North Star: Master Edition,which
featured newly colorized artwork, but retained the original right-to-left orientation. Each volume from the fourth
one and onward featured new cover illustrations by Tetsuo
Hara that were made specifically for the Master Edition.
The Master Edition was published from 2002 to 2003,
lasting only nine volumes, due to Gutsoon!'s withdrawal
from the North American market.
Production
Tetsuo Hara has stated that he came up with the idea of
Hokuto no Ken from his editor Nobuhiko Horie. According to Hara, Horie suggested to him that he should draw a
manga about“a martial artist who destroys his opponents
by striking their acupressure points”based on Hara's aspiration to draw a manga about martial arts and his knowledge of pressure points. At the time, Hara was having
trouble breaking into the market, as his first series, the
Iron Don Quixote, was cancelled ten weeks after its debut.* [2] A prototype version of Hokuto no Ken was published as a one shot story in the April 1983 issue of Fresh
Jump, which was followed by Hokuto no Ken II, a second
one-shot published in the June 1983 issue. Both stories
are collected in the second tankōbon volume of Tetsu no
Don Quixote.
The two one-shots were well received in the reader's surveys of Fresh Jump and Tetsuo Hara was commissioned
to turn Hokuto no Ken into a weekly series. Buronson
was assigned to work with him as writer for the serialized version. The storyline was revamped, with the 1980s
present-day setting in the original version replaced by post
apocalyptic future world, and the protagonist Kenshiro,
originally a high school student in Hara's earlier story,
became an older and more stoic hero inspired by Bruce
Lee.* [3] Originally, Tetsuo Hara and Buronson were contracted to do Fist of the North Star for a three-year run,
but due to its popularity and the publisher's demand, it
was extended to a five-year run.* [2]
8.2.3
Media
Manga
Main article: List of Fist of the North Star chapters
Hokuto no Ken premiered in Japan in Weekly Shōnen
Jump in Issue 41 on September 13, 1983* [4] and was
serialized weekly until Issue 35 of 1988, lasting 245
chapters. The original collected volumes or tankōbon of
Hokuto no Ken were originally published under Shueisha's
Jump Comics imprint and spans 27 volumes.* [5] During
the 1990s, Shueisha reprinted Hokuto no Ken in 15 hardcover aizōban editions,* [6] as well as 15 corresponding
economy-sized bunko editions.* [7] A 14-volume Kanzenban edition was published by Shogakukan in 2006 under the Big Comics Selection imprint, featuring the original water-colored artwork from the Weekly Shōnen Jump
Spin-off works
In 2001, Tetsuo Hara began working on a Fist of the North
Star prequel titled Fist of the Blue Sky (蒼天の拳 Sōten
no Ken), which was serialized in Weekly Comic Bunch.
Set during the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1935, the
story stars Hokuto Shinken predecessor and Kenshiro's
namesake, Kenshiro Kasumi. An English adaptation of
Fist of the Blue Sky was published in North America by
Gutsoon! Entertainment in the now-defunct manga anthology Raijin Comics. Four collected volumes were published before the company went out of business.
A series of Fist of the North Star spinoffs began to be published in Weekly Comic Bunch and Big Comics Superior
later. This lineup of titles has been dubbed the Hokuto
Gaiden (北⽃外伝) series, as each title focuses on a particular supporting character from the original manga. The
following titles had been published so far:
• Legends of the Dark King: A Fist of the North Star
Story (天 の 覇 王 北 ⽃ の 拳 ラ オ ウ 外 伝 Ten no
Haō - Hokuto no Ken Raō Gaiden) by Youkow Osada. A series that was serialized in Weekly Comics
Bunch featuring Reina and Souga from The Legends
of the True Savior movie series. All 42 chapters
(as well as a two-part epilogue published sometime
after the series' conclusion) were collected in five
tankōbon volumes.* [12] It was adapted into a 13episode anime series which aired on Tokyo MX in
2008. The anime adaptation was licensed to Sentai
Filmworks and a subtitle-only DVD, dual language
88
CHAPTER 8. H
DVD and Blu-ray set of the complete series are cur- Anime series
rently available for release.* [13]
• Fist of the North Star Yuria's Story: The Merciful
Mother Star (北 ⽃ の 拳 ユ リ ア 外 伝 慈 ⺟ の 星
Hokuto no Ken Yuria Gaiden - Jibo no Hoshi) by
Ayumi Kasai. Serialized in Big Comics Superior in Further information: List of Fist of the North Star
three parts that ran from March 10 to April 14, 2006 episodes
and six subsequent chapters from March 9 to June 8,
2007. A single tankōbon volume was released.* [14] Hokuto no Ken was first adaptated into a weekly anime
series by Toei Animation under the title Seikimatsu Kyū• Bloody Wolf's Darkness Blue: Fist of the North Star seishu Densetsu: Hokuto no Ken (世紀末救世主伝説
Rei Side Story (蒼⿊の餓狼 -北⽃の拳レイ外伝 - 北⽃の拳* ?, lit. Legend of the Century's End Messiah:
Sōkoku no Garō Hokuto no Ken Rei Gaiden) by Ya- Fist of the North Star) . The series aired on Fuji Telesuyuki Nekoi. Originally began as two separate one- vision from October 4, 1984 to March 5, 1987, lasting
shot stories that were published in the March 22 and 109 episodes.* [19] It was immediately followed by a seDecember 8, 2006 issues of Weekly Comic Bunch. quel series, titled Hokuto no Ken 2, which aired from
The one-shot version of the manga is subtitled The March 13, 1987 to February 18, 1988, lasting for 43 adMagnificent Avenger (華麗なる復讐者 Kareinaru ditional episodes (a combined total of 152 episodes beFukushūsha). Rei Gaiden was picked up as an ongo- tween both series). On July 24, 2002, a Super Premium
ing series, which began in the April 27, 2007 issue Box consisting of all 152 episodes across 26 DVDs was
of Weekly Comic Bunch.* [15] The serial was origi- released.* [20]
nally subtitled The Hungry Wolf Saga (餓狼編 Garō
The first 36 episodes of the first series were translated
Hen), before receiving its current title.
and dubbed by Manga Entertainment in 1999, although
only the first 24 episodes were released on VHS. All 36
• Fist of the North Star Toki Side Story: Silvery Savior episodes of the dub version were aired on Showtime Be(銀の聖者北⽃の拳トキ外伝 Shirogane no Seija yond in the United States and on Sci-Fi Channel in the
- Hokuto no Ken Toki Gaiden), a series by Yuka Na- United Kingdom, and were later released on individual
gate that began serialization in the August 24, 2007 DVD volumes in 2003. In 2008, the US subsidiary of
issue of Weekly Comic Bunch.* [16]
Toei Animation produced official subtitled-only translations of all 152 episodes, which were released on vari• The Flower of Carnage: Fist of the North Star Jagi ous paid download and video streaming websites availSide-Story (極悪ノ華北⽃の拳ジャギ外伝) by able only for North American customers. Discotek MeShin-ichi Hiromoto, which began serialization in the dia announced on October 2, 2009 that they have licensed
December 26, 2008 issue of Weekly Comic Bunch. the entire Fist of the North Star TV series. They stated
they would release all 152 episodes in a total of four
boxsets sometime in 2010.* [21] The first two boxsets
• The Wandering Cloud: Fist of the North Star Juuza
were released in that year, and the latter two in 2011.
Side-Story (彷徨の雲北⽃の拳ジュウザ外伝)
The episodes used the 2008 Japanese remaster, produced
by Kakurai Missile, which began serialization in the
for a 25th anniversary deluxe boxset. However, DisFebruary 12, 2010 issue of Weekly Comic Bunch.
cotek's releases did not contain any of the special features for the 2008 Japanese set. The first set featured the
• DD Fist of the North Star (DD 北⽃の拳) by Kajio, first 36 episodes along with Manga Entertainment's Enwhich began serialization in the December 2010 is- glish dub, and a Japanese audio option with English subsue of Monthly Comic Zenon.
titles; these subtitles were adjusted from the translation
of Toei's streaming episodes. Discotek later released all
• The Gold Wings of Garuda: The Prehistory of the discs from all four boxsets (a total of 21 discs) together
Nanto Goshasei (⾦翼のガルダ〜南⽃五⾞星前 in one set, “Fist of the North Star, The TV Series: The
史〜 Kinyoku no Garuda Nanto Gosha Sei Zenshi) Complete Series Collection”, on March 25, 2014.
by Yoshiji Yamaguchi, serialized in Monthly Comic In 2009, William Winckler Productions produced six
Zenon from April 2013 to August 2013.* [17]
compilation movies voiced in English. The movies cover
• Hokuto no Ken: Ichigo Aji (北⽃の拳イチゴ味, lit.
Fist of the North Star: Strawberry Flavor), written by
Yūshi Kawata and illustrated by Imōto Yukito, began serialization in 2013 on the Web Comic Zenyon
website.* [18]
major story arcs from the TV series, each one centering
around a specific character (Shin, Rei, Toki, Thouzer,
Raoh, and Kaioh).* [22] These compilation movies had
not been officially released in North America and Europe
yet, but were distributed to video streaming websites in
Japan in 2012.
8.2. FIST OF THE NORTH STAR
Anime films and original video animations
89
tured a cameo by professional wrestler Big Van Vader as
Goliath, and Kevin Arbouet as“Rao”(Raoh in the anime
series). The movie was released straight-to-video in the
US and Japan (though it did receive a premiere on HBO).
The Japanese dubbed version used the original voice actors from the 1980s anime series.
The first animated feature film based on the series, simply
titled Fist of the North Star, was produced by Toei Animation, which premiered in Japan on March 8, 1986.* [23]
Produced by the same staff and cast who worked on the
TV series, the movie adapts the storyline of the manga
from the beginning and up to Kenshiro's first fight with
Raoh, taking several liberties with the order of events and Video games
how the story unfolds. An English-dubbed version produced by Streamline Pictures was first released in 1991 Main article: List of Fist of the North Star video games
in North America and in 1994 in Europe and Australia Numerous video game titles based on the Fist of the
by Manga Entertainment.
In 2003, a three-episode original video animation (OVA)
mini-series titled New Fist of the North Star was produced
by OB Planning, based on a 1996 Hokuto no Ken novel,
Jubaku no Machi. An English dub version was produced
by ADV Films in 2004.
In 2005, North Stars Pictures and TMS Entertainment
announced the development of a five-part film series titled Fist of the North Star: The Legends of the True Savior.* [24] The series is composed of three theatrical films
and two OVAs, which were released during a three-year
period between 2006 throughout 2008, culminating with
the 25th anniversary of the franchise.* [25]
Novels
An original novel was written by Buronson and Tetsuo
Hara titled Shōsetsu Hokuto no Ken: Jubaku no Machi (⼩
説·北⽃の拳呪縛の街, Fist of the North Star the Novel:
The Cursed City) which was published by Jump Novel in
Japan on December 13, 1996.* [26] The novel was the
basis of the later three-episode OVA series New Fist of the
North Star. A novelization of the movie Legend of Raoh:
Chapter of Love in Death written by Eiichi Sakaki was
published by Tokuma Novels on March 10, 2006.* [27]
There has also been two cell phone novels released via the
mobile site Hokuto no Ken DX. Raoh Gaiden (ラオウ外
伝), a novelization of the manga of the same name, and
Kenshiro Gaiden (ケンシロウ外伝), an original novel
by Jotaro Higashi.
Live-action film
Further information: Fist of the North Star (1995 film)
An American-produced live-action movie version of Fist
of the North Star was released in 1995, directed by Tony
Randel based on a script by Peter Atkins and Wynne
McLaughlin. The movie, loosely based on the Shin storyline of the manga, stars Gary Daniels as Kenshiro, Costas
Mandylor as Shin and Japanese actress Isako Washio as
Yuria, with Malcolm McDowell as Ryuken and Chris
Penn as “Jackal”(actually a renamed Jagi). It also fea-
The four Hokuto no Ken video games for the Famicom.
North Star have been produced since the 1986 release
of Enix adventure game, simply titled Hokuto no Ken for
the PC-88. The earlier games in the franchise were released by Sega for the Mark III and Mega Drive and by
Toei Animation for the Nintendo's Famicom, Game Boy
and Super Famicom. These titles included side-scrolling
action games, role-playing video games and competitivestyle fighting games. The two Sega titles were released
overseas without the Hokuto no Ken license under the titles of Black Belt and Last Battle, while a couple of the
Toei titles, namely Fist of the North Star for the NES and
Fist of the North Star: 10 Big Brawls for the King of Universe for the Game Boy, had American releases with the
license intact. Further games were released for the Sega
Saturn, PlayStation, Arcade, PlayStation 2 and Nintendo
DS among other platforms. In 2000, Konami released an
arcade game based on the franchise titled Fighting Mania. Another arcade game, a 2D fighting game simply titled Fist of the North Star, was produced by Sega and Arc
System Works in 2005. Both games saw international distributions, although the PS2 version of the fighting game
was released exclusively in Japan. Tecmo Koei produced
a Dynasty Warriors spinoff focusing on the events from
the first half of the manga, titled Fist of the North Star:
Ken's Rage. It which was released in Japan on March
25, 2010, and later in North America on November 2,
2010,* [28] and Europe on November 5, 2010. A sequel,
Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage 2, expanded on the first
game and incorporated the events from the second half
of the manga. It was released in Japan on December 20,
2012, and in North America on February 5, 2013.
90
CHAPTER 8. H
In addition to traditional video games, the franchise has [14] “Amazon.com: 北⽃の拳ユリア外伝慈⺟の星 (ビッ
グコミックススペシャル)" (in Japanese). Retrieved
inspired a series of typing software, an online MMORPG,
2007-07-29.
and numerous pachinko and pachislot machines, mainly
produced by Sega Sammy Holdings.
8.2.4
Reception
Fist of the North Star was one of Weekly Shōnen Jump's
most popular titles during the 1980s. It is one of the bestselling manga series in history, having sold approximately
100 million copies.* [29] In a poll conducted by TV Asahi
in 2005, the Fist of the North Star anime series ranked 26
in a list of Top 100 Anime series.* [30] In a second poll
in 2006, it ranked 89.* [31] In a celebrity version of the
poll, it ranked 15.
8.2.5
Notes and references
[1] Hokuto (北⽃) literally means the “Northern Ladle”,
which is the Japanese name of the Big Dipper asterism.
[2] “Interview with Hara Tetsuo”. Raijin Comics. Archived
from the original on 2004-06-29. Retrieved 2007-07-21.
[3] “Interview with Buronson”. ADV Films Presents: New
Fist of the North Star. Archived from the original on 200702-18. Retrieved 2007-07-21.
[4] “Fist of the North Star Manga Marks 25 Years with Wedding”. Anime News Network. 2008-08-12. Retrieved
2015-07-29.
[5] 北⽃の拳全 27 巻・全巻セット (in Japanese). Retrieved 2007-08-02.
[6] 北⽃の拳/全 15 巻 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2007-08-02.
[7] 北⽃の拳全 15 巻・全巻セット (in Japanese). Retrieved 2007-08-01.
[8] ⼩学館: コミック (in Japanese). Retrieved 2007-08-02.
[9] " 北 ⽃ の 拳 原 哲 夫: コ ア ミッ ク ス - 電 ⼦ 書 籍 は
eBookJapan : マンガ" (in Japanese). Retrieved 200708-02.
[10] “Fist of the North Star Manga Reprint to Add New Chapter”. Anime News Network. 2013-09-14. Retrieved 201402-17.
[11] “Fist of the North Star Gets 2nd New Chapter in Comic
Zenon”. Anime News Network. 2014-02-26. Retrieved
2014-08-03.
[12] 週刊コミックバンチ ★ コアミックス: 連載作品・作
家紹介: 天の覇王北⽃の拳ラオウ外伝 (in Japanese).
Archived from the original on 2007-08-13. Retrieved
2007-07-29.
[13]“ADV Nation: ADV Films to distribute Sentai Filmworks
new license: Ten no Haoh (Fist of the North Star spinoff)".
[15] 週刊コミックバンチ ★ コアミックス: 最新号情
報と予告 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on
2007-08-13. Retrieved 2007-07-29.
[16] 週刊コミックバンチ ★ コアミックス: 最新号情
報と予告 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on
2007-06-24. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
[17] “Fist of the North Star Spinoff Manga Series Kinyoku no
Garuda Ends in Comic Zenon”. Anime News Network.
Retrieved 2014-02-17.
[18] “Hokuto no Ken: Ichigo Aji Spinoff Gag Manga Gets TV
Anime This Fall”. Anime News Network. 18 June 2015.
Retrieved 16 August 2015.
[19] " 北⽃の拳 (official Toei site)" (in Japanese). Retrieved
2007-09-01.
[20]“Newtype”18 (10). Kadokawa Shoten. June 2002. p.
128.
[21] “Discotek Media picks up Fist of the North Star”.
[22] “Toei, William Winckler Prod., Rioloco Dub 23+ Features”. Anime News Network.
[23] “Hokuto no ken (1986)". Imdb.com. Retrieved 200809-14.
[24] “GAGA Communications, Inc./International Sales Catalogue”.
[25] 劇場版映画" 北⽃の拳｢ラオウ外伝｣純愛編" を 2006
年春全国東宝系公開 (in Japanese). Retrieved 200708-30.
[26] ⼩説・北⽃の拳 (in Japanese).
[27] 北⽃の拳̶徳間書店 (in Japanese).
[28] “Tecmo Koei America Announces North American Release Date for Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage”.
Tecmo Koei America. Retrieved 2010-11-09. Tecmo
Koei America is pleased to announce the release date for
Fist of the North Star: Kenʼ
s Rage, the new action-packed
title based on the popular manga series Fist of the North
Star. Currently set for release on November 2nd, 2010 for
the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 platforms, players will
soon unleash a whirlwind of martial arts fury torn from
the pages of the seminal manga tale.
[29] " 劇場アニメ「真救世主伝説北⽃の拳」DVD 発売
記念イベント" (in Japanese). AV Watch. 2006-10-19.
Retrieved 2013-11-28.
[30] “TV Asahi Top 100 Anime”. Anime News Network.
Retrieved 2007-07-21.
[31] “Japan's Favorite TV Anime”. Anime News Network.
Retrieved 2007-07-21.
8.2. FIST OF THE NORTH STAR
8.2.6
Bibliography
• Hokuto no Ken Special: All About the Man (北
⽃ の 拳 SPECIΑL ΑLL ΑBOUT THE MΑN) (in
Japanese).
• Hara, Tetsuo. Tetsu no Don Quixote (鉄 の ド ン·
キホーテ Tetsu no Don Kihōte, “The Iron Don
Quixote”) (in Japanese). ISBN 4-420-13109-8.
• Buronson. Shōsetsu Hokuto no Ken: Jubaku no
Machi (⼩ 説· 北 ⽃ の 拳 ― 呪 縛 の 街, “Fist of
the North Star the Novel: The Cursed City”) (in
Japanese). ISBN 4-08-703054-7.
• Hokuto no Ken Kyūkyoku Kaisetsusho: Sekimatsu
Haō Retsuden (北⽃の拳 極解説書世紀末覇王
列伝, “The Ultimate Handbook to Fist of the North
Star: History of the Century's End Conqueror). ISBN
4-8342-1684-5.
• Hokuto no Ken 2000: Kyūkyoku Kaisetsusho Part 2
(北⽃の拳 2000 極解説書 PART2, “Fist of the
North Star 2000: The Ultimate Handbook Part 2”).
ISBN 4-8342-1685-3.
• Boku-tachi no Sukina Hokuto no Ken (僕たちの好
きな北⽃の拳, “We Love Fist of the North Star”
). ISBN 4-7966-5858-0.
• Hokuto no Ken Kanzen Tokuhon (北⽃の拳完全読
本, “The Complete Guide to Fist of the North Star”
). ISBN 978-4-7966-5856-0.
8.2.7
External links
Official sites
• Shin Kyuseishu Densetsu - Hokuto no Ken official
website (Japanese)
• Toei Animation's official Seikimatsu Kyūseishu
Densetsu: Hokuto no Ken website (Japanese)
Unofficial sites
• Fist of the North Star (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Fist of the North Star (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Fist of the North Star 2 (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
91
Chapter 9
I
9.1 Inuyasha
9.1.1 Plot
See also: List of Inuyasha characters
This article is about the manga series. For the title
character, see Inuyasha (character). For other uses, see
Inuyasha (disambiguation).
Inuyasha (⽝夜叉), also known as Inuyasha: A Feudal
Fairy Tale (Japanese: 戦国御伽草⼦⽝夜叉 Hepburn:
Sengoku Otogizōshi Inuyasha), is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi. It premiered in Weekly Shōnen Sunday on November 13, 1996
and concluded on June 18, 2008, with the chapters collected into 56 tankōbon volumes by Shogakukan.
The series follows Kagome Higurashi, a 15-year-old girl
from Tokyo who is transported to the Sengoku period
after falling into a well in her family shrine, where she
meets the half-demon Inuyasha. When a monster from
that era tries to take the magical Shikon Jewel embodied in Kagome, she accidentally shatters the Jewel
into many pieces that are dispersed across Japan. Inuyasha and Kagome start traveling to recover it before the
powerful demon Naraku finds all the shards. Inuyasha
and Kagome gain several allies during their journey, as
Shippo, Miroku, Sango and Kirara. In contrast to the
typically comedic nature of much of Takahashi's previous work, Inuyasha deals with darker subject matter, using the setting of the Sengoku period to easily display the
violent content.
It was adapted into two anime television series produced
by Sunrise. The first was broadcast for 167 episodes
on Yomiuri TV in Japan from October 16, 2000 until
September 13, 2004. The second series, called Inuyasha:
The Final Act, began airing five years later on October 3,
2009 to cover the rest of the manga series and ended on
March 29, 2010 after 26 episodes. Four feature films
and a original video animation have also been released.
Other merchandise include video games and a light novel.
Viz Media licensed the manga, the two anime series, and
movies for North America.
The story begins in Tokyo on the fifteenth birthday of
Kagome Higurashi, a girl who lives on the grounds of
her family's hereditary Shinto shrine with her mother,
grandfather and little brother. When she goes into the
well house to retrieve her cat, a centipede demon bursts
out of the enshrined Bone Eater's Well (⾻喰いの井⼾
Honekui no Ido) and drags the girl into it. Instead of hitting the bottom of the well, Kagome ends up 500 years
in the past (1496) during Japan's Sengoku period. The
centipede demon is revealed to have been after a magical jewel known as the Shikon Jewel (四魂の⽟ Shikon
no Tama, lit. “The Jewel of Four Souls”) before being
slain by a priestess named Kikyo. Revived by the Shikon
Jewel's power in the present time and mistaking her for
Kikyo, the demon attempts to kill Kagome to gain the
jewel. Kagome finds a young man pinned by a sacred
arrow on a tree and, in a moment of desperation, frees
him to defeat the centipede demon, after she removed
the Shikon Jewel from Kagome's body.
The youth is revealed by the nearby villagers to be Inuyasha, a half-dog demon who was sealed by a dying
Kikyo fifty years ago after being apparently betrayed by
her and attempting to take the Shikon Jewel (which grants
any wish the bearer desires) in order to become a full demon. Furthermore, revealed to be the priestess reincarnated, Kagome unknowingly thwarted Kikyo's death wish
to take the Shikon Jewel away for would-be thieves back
before it was accidentally shattered into numerous shards
that disperse across ancient Japan and fall into the hands
of those who gain the individual shards' power. After Inuyasha gains his father's sword Tetsusaiga and is subdued
by a magical necklace to keep him in line, he aids Kagome
in collecting the shards and dealing with the threats they
cause.
The two are joined in their quest by the young fox demon Shippo while dealing with third parties groups like
Inuyasha's older brother Sesshomaru and the partially revived Kikyo, whose own version of what happened years
ago brings the events into question. When joined by
Miroku, a perverted monk whose bloodline is cursed, In-
92
9.1. INUYASHA
93
uyasha and Kagome learn the truth: that the initial conflict between Inuyasha and Kikyo, revealed to originally
be lovers, was caused by a devious half-demon named
Naraku. The evolving Naraku is revealed to have been
born from the soul of an evil man named Onigumo inhabiting a body created by countless demons as part of
a pact and who also placed the curse on Miroku's family. Naraku is after the Shikon Jewel shards for his own
ends. Inuyasha's group is soon joined after by Sango, a
demon slayer whose clan was killed when her younger
brother Kohaku fell under Naraku's control. Over time,
Inuyasha enhances Tetsusaiga powers as he contends with
Naraku's minion incarnations like Kagura and the reanimated Band of Seven. Inuyasha's team is loosely allied by
Sesshomaru, Kikyo, and a wolf demon named Koga who
wants to avenge his comrades while flirting with Kagome.
not established as Takahashi still was not sure about how
to end the relationship between Inuyasha and Kagome.
Furthermore, Takahashi stated that she did not have an
ending to previous manga she wrote during the beginning, having figured them out as their serialization progressed.* [1]
While Naraku momentarily removes his heart in the
form of the Infant, who later attempts to overthrow
Naraku through his vessel Moryomaru, Kohaku regains
his freewill and memories, as he attempts to help out
of guilt for indirectly killing his father. During that
time, Sesshomaru settles things with Inuyasha to enable
his brother to perfect Tetsusaiga to its optimal abilities. Eventually, Koga is forced to stand on the sidelines,
Kikyo posthumously uses the last of her power to give
Kohaku a second chance at life, and Naraku finally reassembles the Shikon Jewel. Although Inuyasha and his
allies defeat him, realizing his true desire is for Kikyo's
love despite his hatred towards her and that it can never
be granted, Naraku uses his wish to trap himself and
Kagome in the Shikon Jewel. The jewel intends to have
Kagome make a selfish wish so she and Naraku will be
trapped in conflict for eternity. But with Inuyasha by her
side, Kagome wishes for the Shikon Jewel to disappear.
The action, though, causes Kagome to return to her time
with the Well sealed, causing her and Inuyasha to lose
contact for three years.
Written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi, Inuyasha
premiered in Japan in the November 13, 1996 issue of
Weekly Shōnen Sunday,* [2]* [3] where it ran until its conclusion in the June 18, 2008 issue.* [4] The chapters
were collected into 56 tankōbon volumes published by
Shogakukan, with the first volume released in May 1997
and the last released in February 2009.* [5]* [6] In 2013, a
special“Epilogue”chapter was published in Weekly Shōnen Sunday as part of the“Heroes Come Back”anthology
composed of short stories by manga artists to raise funds
for recovery of the areas afflicted by the 2011 Tōhoku
earthquake and tsunami.* [7]
In that time, the Sengoku period changes drastically:
Sango and Miroku have three children together; Kohaku
resumes his journey to become a strong demon slayer
with Kirara as his companion; and Shippo attains the seventh rank as a fox demon. Back in the present, Kagome
graduates from high school before finally managing to
get the Bone Eater's Well in her backyard to work again.
Kagome returns to the Sengoku period where she stays
with Inuyasha and becomes his wife.
9.1.2
Development
Rumiko Takahashi wrote Inuyasha after finishing Ranma
½. In contrast to her previous works, Takahashi wanted
to do a darker storyline distant from her comedy series.
In order to portray violent themes softly, the story was
set in the Sengoku Era, when wars were common. For
the designs of samurai or castles, no notable research was
made by the author who considered such topics common
knowledge. By June 2001, a clear ending to the series was
9.1.3 Media
Manga
See also: List of Inuyasha volumes
Viz Media licensed the series for an English translated
release in North America. Initially, Viz released it in
monthly American comic book format, each issue containing two or three chapters from the original manga,
but eventually abandoned this system in favor of trade paperbacks with the same chapter divisions as the Japanese
volumes. Viz released its first trade paperback volume
in March 1998. At the time, American manga reprints
were normally“flipped”to conform to the American convention of reading books from left to right by mirroring
the original artwork; among other effects, this caused
right-handed characters to appear left-handed. Viz later
stopped flipping its new manga releases, although Inuyasha was already well into printing by the time this
change was made with volume 38.* [8] As of January
11, 2011, all 56 volumes have been released in North
America. From November 2009 to February 2014, Viz
reprinted the series in their “VizBig”format, combining three of the original volumes into a single omnibus
with slightly larger pages and full-color bonus art that was
previously reduced to grayscale, and in the original right
to left format.* [8] Viz Media also issues a separate series of ani-manga volumes which are derived from fullcolor screenshots of the anime episodes. These volumes
are slightly smaller than the regular manga volumes, are
oriented in the Japanese tradition of right to left, feature new covers with higher quality pages, and a higher
price point versus the regular volumes. Each ani-manga
volume is arranged into chapters that correspond to the
anime episodes rather than the manga.
94
CHAPTER 9. I
Anime
Films
The series spawned four animated films which feature
original plot, rather than being based specifically on the
manga, written by Katsuyuki Sumisawa who wrote the
The first Inuyasha anime adaptation produced by Sunrise
anime episodes.* [35] The films have also been released
premiered in Japan on Animax on October 16, 2000 and
with English subtitles and dubbed audio tracks to Region
ran for 167 episodes till its conclusion on September 13,
1 DVD by Viz Media.
2004. It was also broadcast on Yomiuri TV and Nippon
Television.* [9] In East Asia and South Asia it was aired on The first film, Inuyasha the Movie: Affections Touching
Animax's English-language networks. Aniplex collected Across Time, was released in Japan on December 16,
the episodes in a total of seven series of DVDs volumes 2001. In the film, Inuyasha, Kagome, Shippo, Sango, and
distributed in Japan between May 30, 2001 and July 27, Miroku must face Menomaru, a demonic enemy brought
to life by a Shikon Shard, as they continue their quest
2005.* [10]* [11]
to gather said shards. In the second film, Inuyasha the
The English dub of the anime was licensed to be released
Movie: The Castle Beyond the Looking Glass, released
*
in North America by Viz Media. [12] The series was
on December 21, 2002, the group defeats Naraku and
first-ran on Adult Swim (although it had originally been
returns to their normal lives only to have to deal with a
planned for Toonami) from August 31, 2002 to October
new enemy named Kaguya. The third film, Inuyasha the
*
27, 2006, [13] with reruns from 2006 to 2014. When
Movie: Swords of an Honorable Ruler, was released on
Toonami became a block on Adult Swim, Inuyasha aired
December 20, 2003. In it, a third sword of Inuyasha's
*
there from November 2012 to March 1, 2014, [14] when
father called So'unga is unleashed from its centuries-old
the network announced that they had lost the broadcast
seal and seeks to destroy the Earth forcing Inuyasha and
*
rights to the series. [15] The series aired in Canada on
Sesshomaru to work together to stop it. The fourth and
YTV's Bionix programming block from September 5,
the final film, Inuyasha the Movie: Fire on the Mystic Is*
2003 to December 1, 2006. [16] Viz collected the series
land, was released on December 23, 2004, and depicts
*
*
in a total of 55 DVD volumes, [17] [18] while seven box
Inuyasha and his friends attempting to rescue children
*
*
sets were also released. [19] [20]
trapped on the mysterious island Houraijima by the wrath
of powerful demons known as The Four War Gods.
Inuyasha See also: List of Inuyasha episodes
Inuyasha: The Final Act
The Final Act episodes
See also: List of Inuyasha: The four films have earned together over US$20 million
in Japanese box offices.* [36]
In 2009's 34th issue of Weekly Shōnen Sunday, published
July 22, 2009, it was officially announced that a 26episode anime adaption of volumes 36 to the end of the
manga would be made by the first anime's same cast and
crew and would air on Japan's YTV.* [21] The following
week, Viz Media announced it had licensed the new adaptation, titled Inuyasha: The Final Act (⽝夜叉完結編
Inuyasha Kanketsu-hen).* [22] The series premiered on
October 3, 2009 in Japan with the episodes being simulcast via Hulu and Weekly Shōnen Sunday in the United
States.* [23] In other parts of Asia the episodes were aired
the same week on Animax-Asia.* [24] The anime completed its run on March 29, 2010. Aniplex collected the
series into a total of seven DVDs released between December 23, 2009 and June 23, 2010.* [25]* [26]
Viz Media released the series in two DVD or Blu-ray
sets that include an English dub.* [27] The first thirteen
episodes comprising set 1 were released on November
20, 2012,* [28]* [29] and the final thirteen episodes were
released on February 12, 2013.* [30]* [31]* [32] The series began broadcasting in the United States and Canada
on Viz Media's online network, Neon Alley, on October 2, 2012.* [33] On October 24, 2014, it was announced that Adult Swim would air The Final Act on the
Toonami block, beginning on November 15, at 2:00 a.m.
EST.* [34]
Original video animations
A 30-minute original video animation (OVA), Black Tetsusaiga (⿊い鉄砕⽛ Kuroi Tessaiga), was presented on
July 30, 2008 at an “It's a Rumic World”exhibit at
the Matsuya Ginza department store in Tokyo's Ginza
shopping district. The episode uses the original voice
cast from the anime series.* [37] It was released in Japan
on October 20, 2010 in both DVD and Blu-ray formats.* [38]* [39]
Soundtrack CDs
Multiple soundtracks and character songs were released
for series by Avex Mode. Three character singles were
released August 3, 2005, “Aoki Yasei o Daite”(蒼き
野⽣を抱いて, Embrace the Untamed Wilderness) by
Inuyasha featuring Kagome, “Kaze no Naka e”(⾵の
なかへ, Into the Wind) by Miroku featuring Sango and
Shippo, and “Gō" (業, Fate) by Sesshomaru featuring
Jaken and Rin. The singles charted at number 63, 76,
and 79 respectively on the Oricon chart.* [40]* [41]* [42]
Three more character songs were released on January 25,
2006,“Rakujitsu”(落⽇, Setting Sun) by Naraku,“Tatta
Hitotsu no Yakusoku”(たったひとつの約束, That's
9.1. INUYASHA
One Promise) by Kagome Higurashi, and “Abarero!!"
(暴 れ ろ!!, Go On A Rampage!!) by Bankotsu and
Jakotsu. The singles charted at number 130, 131, and
112 respectively on the Oricon chart.* [43]* [44]* [45]
95
plot line of the original manga, with a few minor changes
to save time.* [51]
The Chinese TV series The Holy Pearl is loosely based on
Inuyasha. It stars Gillian Chung and Purba Rgyal in lead
roles.* [52]* [53]
On March 24, 2010, Avex released Inuyasha Best Song
History (⽝夜叉ベストソングヒストリー Inuyasha
Besuto Songu Hisutorī ), a best album that contains all the
opening and ending theme songs used in the series.* [9] 9.1.4 Reception
The album peaked at number 20 on the Oricon album
Manga
chart and charted for seven weeks.* [46]
Video games
Inuyasha manga has sold more than 45 million copies
in Japan alone;* [54] individual volumes from Inuyasha
have been popular in Japan, taking high places in rankings listing sales.* [55]* [56] In 2001, the manga won
the Shogakukan Manga Award for Best Shōnen title
of the year.* [57] In North America, the manga volumes have appeared various times in The New York
Times* [58]* [59] and Diamond Comic Distributors top
selling lists.* [60]* [61] Moreover, in 2005 Inuyasha was
one of the most researched series according to Lycos.* [62]
Three video games based on the series were released for
the WonderSwan: Inuyasha: Kagome no Sengoku Nikki
(⽝ 夜 叉〜 か ご め の 戦 国 ⽇ 記 Inuyasha: Kagome's
Warring States Diary), Inuyasha: Fūun Emaki (⽝夜叉
⾵雲絵巻) and Inuyasha: Kagome no Yume Nikki (⽝
夜叉かごめの夢⽇記 Inuyasha: Kagome's Dream Diary). A single title, Inuyasha: Naraku no Wana! Mayoi
no Mori no Shōtaijō (⽝夜叉〜奈落の罠! 迷いの森の
招待状 Inuyasha: Naraku's Trap! Invitation to the Forest
of Illusion), was released for the Game Boy Advance on Anime
January 23, 2003 in Japan.
Inuyasha has been adapted into a mobile game released
for Java and Brew handsets on 21 June 2005,* [47] an
English-language original collectible card game created
by Score Entertainment that was first released on October
20, 2004. Two titles were released for the PlayStation,
Inuyasha and Inuyasha: A Feudal Fairy Tale, with the
latter being also released in North America. For the
PlayStation 2 the two released games were Inuyasha: The
Secret of the Cursed Mask and Inuyasha: Feudal Combat,
that also received an English version. An English only
game, Inuyasha: Secret of the Divine Jewel, was released
for the Nintendo DS on January 23, 2007.* [48]
Inuyasha appeared in the crossover video game Sunday
vs Magazine: Shūketsu! Chōjō Daikessen as a playable
character.* [49]
Inuyasha's sword, Tetsusaiga, has appeared in Monster
Hunter, as a craftable weapon using items gained from
a special event.
The anime of Inuyasha was ranked twenty by TV Asahi
of the 100 best anime series in 2006 based on an online survey in Japan.* [63] In ICv2's Anime Awards from
both 2004 and 2005, the series was the winner in the category of Property of the Year.* [64]* [65] In the Anime
Grand Prix polls by Animage, Inuyasha has appeared
various times in the category of Best Anime, taking
third place in 2003.* [66]* [67] In the American Anime
Awards from 2007, Inuyasha was a nominee in the categories of Best Cast, Best Anime Feature and Best Long
Series, but lost to Fullmetal Alchemist and Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, respectively.* [68] The English
DVDs from the series have sold over one million copies
ever since March 2003, with the first film's DVD topping the Nielsen VideoScan anime bestseller list for three
weeks.* [69]* [70] Mania Entertainment also listed the series in an article ranking anime series that required a reboot, criticizing the series' repetitiveness.* [71]
9.1.5 References
Novel
A light novel, written by Tomoko Komparu and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi, has been published by
Shogakukan.* [50]
[1] Yoshida, Toshifumi; Nakatani, Andy (June 2001). “Inuyasha Comes to America”. Animerica (Viz Media) (6).
ISSN 1067-0831.
[2] Takahashi, Rumiko (November 13, 1996). “Inuyasha”.
Shōnen Sunday (50). ISSN 1236-2409.
Live-action
[3] Izawa, Eri (December 1996). “Shonen Sunday, 1996
Issue 50”. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
A Japanese live-action play was shown in the Akasaka
ACT Theater in Tokyo around the time the anime was
first in production. The play's script follows the general
[4] “Inuyasha Confirmed to End Next Wednesday in Japan”.
Anime News Network. June 10, 2008. Retrieved February 14, 2010.
96
CHAPTER 9. I
[5] ⽝夜叉 1[Inuyasha 1] (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
[25] “Inuyasha The Final Act 1”. Neowing. Retrieved June
28, 2011.
[6] ⽝ 夜 叉 56[Inuyasha 56] (in Japanese). Amazon.com.
Retrieved February 9, 2010.
[26] “Inuyasha The Final Act 7”. Neowing. Retrieved June
28, 2011.
[7] Mikikazu Komatsu (December 26, 2012). ""Inuyasha” [27]“Anime Expo 2012 - Viz Media”. Anime News Network.
One-Shot Manga Returns in Quake Charity”. CrunchyRetrieved July 1, 2012.
roll. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
[28] “Inuyasha: The Final Act, Set 1 (2012)". Amazon.com.
[8] “Viz to Publish Inuyasha Monthly with 'Unflipped' Page
Retrieved 6 January 2013.
Layout”. Anime News Network. 2009-04-29. Retrieved
[29] “Inuyasha: The Final Act, Set One [Blu-ray] (2012)".
2014-05-02.
Amazon.com. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
[9] " あ ゆ・V6 ら 完 全 収 録! ｢⽝ 夜 叉｣ テー マ ソ ン
グ 集 が 発 売 決 定" [Ayu, V6 Complete Collection! [30] “Inuyasha: The Final Act, Set 2 (2013)". Amazon.com.
“Inuyasha”Theme Song Collection Sale Decided] (in
Retrieved 6 January 2013.
Japanese). Oricon. January 23, 2010. Retrieved Febru[31] “Inuyasha: The Final Act, Set 2 [Blu-ray] (2013)".
ary 10, 2010.
Amazon.com. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
[10] “Inuyasha Vol.1”. Neowing. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
[32] “Inuyasha: The Final Act to Run on Toonami - News”.
[11] ⽝夜叉七の章 3 (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved
Anime News Network. 2014-10-24. Retrieved 2015-02June 28, 2011.
21.
[12] “Viz at AX”. Anime News Network. July 7, 2001.
Retrieved February 10, 2010.
[13] “Inu-Yasha On Adult Swim Action!". Anime News Network. August 8, 2002. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
[14] “Toonami News on Twitter: "#InuYasha is on Toonami
for the last time. Can you trend this show? Show your
support."". Twitter.com. 2014-03-02. Retrieved 201502-21.
[15] “Adult Swim's Toonami Loses Rights to Run Inuyasha”.
Anime News Network. 2014-03-01. Retrieved 2015-0221.
[16] “Inu Yasha, St. Seiya on YTV”. Anime News Network.
August 26, 2003. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
[17] “Inuyasha, Vol. 55 (DVD)". Viz Media. Retrieved July
7, 2011.
[18] “Inuyasha, Vol. 1 (DVD)". Viz Media. Retrieved July
7, 2011.
[19] “Inuyasha Season 1 (DVD Box Set)". Viz Media. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
[20] “Inuyasha Season 7 (Deluxe Edition) (DVD Box Set)".
Viz Media. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
[21] “Inuyasha's Final Chapters Get TV Anime Green-Lit
(Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 15,
2009.
[33] “Neon Alley Streams of English Dubs to Debut on October 2”. September 22, 2012. Retrieved September 16,
2013.
[34] “Inuyasha: The Final Act to Run on Toonami”. Anime
News Network. 2014-10-24.
[35] " 隅 沢 克 之 の プ ロ フィー ル" [Katsuyuki Sumisawa's
Profile]. All Cinema. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
[36] “Inuyasha – The Final Act Unleashed Same Week as
Japan Across Asia on Animax”. Anime News Network.
September 14, 2009. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
[37] “New Inuyasha Short to Debut at Tokyo's Takahashi
Event”. Anime News Network. July 9, 2008. Retrieved
September 4, 2008.
[38] “It's a Rumic World Inuyasha - Kuroi Tessaiga (Blu-ray)".
Neowing. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
[39] “It's a Rumic World Inuyasha - Kuroi Tessaiga”. Neowing. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
[40] “Aoki Yasei o Daite Oricon Profile”. Oricon Style (in
Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
[41] “Kaze no Naka e Oricon Profile”. Oricon Style (in
Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
[42] “Gō Oricon Profile”. Oricon Style (in Japanese). Oricon.
Retrieved February 8, 2010.
[22] “Viz Adds Inuyasha Final Act, Kekkaishi Anime (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 24, 2009.
[43] “Rakujitsu Oricon Profile”. Oricon Style (in Japanese).
Oricon. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
[23]“Viz Media Announces Inuyasha The Final Act Scheduled
to Stream in the U.S. Simultaneous to Airing in Japan”.
Anime News Network. September 28, 2009. Retrieved
February 10, 2010.
[44] “Tatta Hitotsu no Yakusoku Oricon Profile”. Oricon Style
(in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
[45] “Abarero!! Oricon Profile”. Oricon Style (in Japanese).
Oricon. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
[24] Tai, Elizabeth (July 26, 2009). “Sayonara, Inuyasha”
. Star Publications (The Star). Retrieved February 10, [46] ⽝夜叉ベストソングヒストリー. Oricon Style (in
2010.
Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2010-06-26.
9.2. INTERSTELLA 5555: THE 5TORY OF THE 5ECRET 5TAR 5YSTEM
97
[69] “Inuyasha Movie a DVD Bestseller”. ICv2. October 15,
2004. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
[47] Archived July 27, 2009 at the Wayback Machine
[48] “Inuyasha: Secret of the Divine Jewel - Nintendo DS IGN”. Ds.ign.com. 2007-01-23. Retrieved 2015-02-21.
[70] “1 Million Inu Yasha DVDs Sold”. Anime News Network. November 18, 2004. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
[49] " サ ン デーVS マ ガ ジ ン 集 結！頂 上 ⼤ 決 戦:Sunday VS Magazine: Shūketsu! Chōjō Daikessen” (in
Japanese). Konami. Retrieved 2012-01-22.
[71] Lawerence, Briana (February 16, 2010). “10 Anime Series That Need a Reboot”. Mania Entertainment. Retrieved February 16, 2010.
[50] Archived October 1, 2013 at the Wayback Machine
[51] Archived February 8, 2002 at the Wayback Machine
9.1.6 External links
[52]
[53] "°˘˝żĄśÁéÖ饡ąťÖĘŇɳώĄśČŽŇš˛ćĄˇ ąŕžçťŘÓŚ ÓéŔÖ - šúźĘÔÚĎß". Gb.cri.cn. Retrieved 2015-02-21.
• Shonen Sunday's official Inuyasha manga website
(Japanese)
[54] ⽝夜叉. Shogakukan (in Japanese). Retrieved November
28, 2013.
• Viz's official Inuyasha website
[55] “Japanese Comic Ranking, October 14–20”. Anime
News Network. October 22, 2008. Retrieved June 26,
2011.
• Sunrise's official Inuyasha anime website (Japanese)
• Yomiuri Television's official Inuyasha anime website (Japanese)
[56] “Japanese Comic Ranking, October 21–27”. Anime
News Network. October 29, 2008. Retrieved June 26,
2011.
• Official Sunrise Inuyasha: The Final Act anime website (Japanese)
[57] ⼩ 学 館 漫 画 賞: 歴 代 受 賞 者[Shogakukan Cartoon
Prize: Successive Winner] (in Japanese). Shogakukan.
Retrieved August 19, 2007.
• Inuyasha (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
[58] “New York Times Manga Best Seller List, November 8–
14”. Anime News Network. November 19, 2010. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
[59] “New York Times Manga Best Seller List, May 9–16”
. Anime News Network. May 21, 2010. Retrieved June
26, 2011.
• Inuyasha (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Inuyasha: The Final Act (anime) at Anime News
Network's encyclopedia
[60] “Top Manga Sales”. Anime News Network. December
3, 2001. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
[61] “Top selling Manga”. Anime News Network. October
29, 2001. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
[62] “Anime Top Searches”. Anime News Network. December 22, 2005. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
9.2 Interstella 5555: The 5tory of
the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem
“5555”redirects here. For the year, see 6th millennium.
[63] “Japan's Favorite TV Anime”. Anime News Network. “Interstella”redirects here. For the similar word relating
October 13, 2006. Retrieved May 3, 2009.
to space between stars and its other uses, see Interstellar
[64] “ICv2 2005 Anime Awards Part 1”. ICv2. October 1,
2006. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
(disambiguation).
Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem
(イ ン ター ス テ ラ 5555 Intāsutera Fō Faibu, “Four
Five”) is a feature-length Japanese-French animated adventure
fantasy science fiction musical film originally re[66] ＞＞第 25 回アニメグランプリ［2003 年 6 ⽉号］(in
Japanese). Animage. June 2003. Retrieved August 11, leased on 28 May 2003. The film is the visual realization
of Discovery, an album by Daft Punk. Each track from
2009.
the album has been animated as an episode in the story
[67] 第 23 回アニメグランプリ［2001 年 6 ⽉号］ (in of the abduction and rescue of an interstellar pop band.
Japanese). Animage. June 2003. Retrieved August 11,
The film was produced by Daft Punk, Cédric Hervet and
2009.
Emmanuel de Buretel along with Toei Animation, under
*
[68] “Finalists for the American Anime Awards”. ICv2. Au- the supervision of Leiji Matsumoto. [3] The film has no
*
gust 2, 2007. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
dialogue [nb 1] and minimal sound effects.
[65] “ICv2 2004 Anime Awards Part 1”. ICv2. January 13,
2005. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
98
9.2.1
CHAPTER 9. I
Plot
awards ceremony, for which The Crescendolls have received a nomination.* [nb 2] When the Golden Record is
awarded to The Crescendolls, Baryl, hiding disguised in
The story begins on an alien planet where four blue- the audience, uses the aforementioned beam-device on
skinned music stars are performing the song "One More Stella and beckons her to follow. The two enter a waiting
Time" to a similarly blue-skinned audience. At the end of taxicab, driven by Octave, and escape (“High Life”).
the song, a team of humanoid troops infiltrate the concert
The reunited band gathers around a dying Shep, who
and subdue everyone with gas. The band's male guitarist
raises his injured arm out to Stella. She takes it and expeattempts to escape, but gets caught while running away.
riences a dream sequence similar to the one Shep expeAll four musicians are kidnapped and beamed aboard a
rienced earlier. Shep then reveals The Crescendolls' true
large space vessel ("Aerodynamic").
identity. The band expresses their gratitude as Shep dies
A distress signal is sent out to a nearby ship piloted by a ("Something About Us"). After the band buries Shep's
lone blue man named Shep. When Shep is first seen he remains, they see his spiritual essence emerging from the
is daydreaming of Stella, the female bass player of the ground and rocketing into the stars. While driving away,
kidnapped band. He dozes off and is visited by an ap- the band screeches to a halt in front of a road sign to Darkparition of Stella. Just as the couple are about to kiss, wood Manor, the same place that appeared on the card
the distress signal from the planet shocks Shep out of his Stella found earlier. The quartet agrees to check it out
dream. After receiving the call, Shep is determined to and drive off (“Voyager”).
save the band and rockets off in pursuit of the kidnapThe Crescendolls eventually reach a great castle-like
pers. During a chase sequence, Shep and the kidnapping
mansion. They happen upon a journal titled Veridis Quo
vessel travel through a wormhole and eventually land on
that describes in great detail exactly what the Earl de
Earth. The kidnappers quickly bring the band off the vesDarkwood's origins and plans are. In brief the book resel as an unidentified leader watches. Shep and his ship
veals that musical artists associated with the Earl on Earth
crash land into a dense forest ("Digital Love").
are actually aliens used by him to make music worthy of
Within a large underground facility, the band goes Gold Records. The Earl would then unleash a tremendous
through an entirely automated process while unconscious. power when 5,555 records have been claimed, which
Each member of the group is stripped of their alien garb would allow him to rule the universe. The Crescendolls
and have their memories rewritten. Their old memories themselves were awarded Gold Record number 5,555.
are archived and stored on disks. The band is then skin- The band look up from the tome to find themselves surpainted and hair-dyed to resemble humans. They are re- rounded by the Earl's guards, who escort them to the
dressed and implanted with mind control devices hidden chamber of an underground chasm. The Earl grabs Stella
behind sunglasses ("Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger"). and thrusts her into a massive device lined with his Gold
The band's captor, the Earl de Darkwood, in the guise of a Records, offering her as a sacrifice to complete the ritual.
manager, takes them to a recording studio where a record The remaining members free themselves from the guards.
deal is made. The band, now named The Crescendolls, Arpegius rushes to the Earl before he releases the power
produce their hit single “One More Time”. The names and causes the last Gold Record to fall from his hands to
of the protagonists are revealed: Stella (bassist), Arpegius the abyss. The Earl tries to grab the record, but he him(guitarist), Baryl (drummer) and Octave (keyboardist / self falls in, presumably to his death. Arpegius rescues
vocalist). The Crescendolls become a worldwide phe- Stella from the device while Octave takes the Veridis Quo
nomenon (“Crescendolls”). The fame has its disadvan- book, and the band flees from the castle as it self-destructs
tages as the exhausted members of the band are forced (“Veridis Quo”).
to sign large amounts of marketing material. While this
Escaping the explosion and now aware of the technolis happening, Shep walks the streets at night discovering
ogy that the Earl de Darkwood had used on them, the
what has been done to his heroes (“Nightvision”).
band travels back to the Record company. Octave spots
The band later appears performing in a concert at a the memory disks depicted in a page from the book.
crowded arena with the Earl de Darkwood on the stage, He removes the page and puts it in his jacket pocket.
directing as it would be an orchestra. Shep rockets When they arrive at the Record company building, Ocinto the stadium and fires a handheld beam-device at tave breaks in stealthily and finds the master recording
Arpegius, Baryl and Octave, freeing all but Stella from of“One More Time”, under which the band's archived
the effects of their mind-control glasses. Forced to leave memory disks are found.* [nb 3] Octave attempts to leave
Stella behind, Shep and the others hijack a small van and with the disks but is surrounded by guards. He reaches
attempt to escape the arena. During a chase, bodyguards into his jacket to retrieve the page of Veridis Quo to try
catch up to the van in two cars and mortally wound Shep to explain himself, but one of the guards, thinking he is
before crashing into a semi-truck (“Superheroes”).
pulling a weapon, uses a stun gun on him. Due to the
Still under mind control, Stella later picks up a card electric shock, Octave falls to the ground and returns to
dropped by the Earl, which reads “Darkwood Manor his original blue skin color, much to the surprise of the
05/05 5:55”. She is taken to a “Gold Record Award” witnesses. The page is taken from Octave's hand and re-
9.2. INTERSTELLA 5555: THE 5TORY OF THE 5ECRET 5TAR 5YSTEM
veals what the disks are (“Short Circuit”).
Construction crews unearth Shep's ship and the police investigate the Record company. Police also search every
part of Darkwood Manor. A news report is later shown
and depicts montage scenes of an operation to send The
Crescendolls back home. The report also explains the situation and even shows that The Crescendolls were not the
only group to have this happen to them. Octave wakes
up and is greeted by the band, who have been returned
to their blue-skin form and with their memories back. As
the band prepares to leave, people from all over the world
wave goodbye to the band ("Face to Face").
When the band's ship is heading to the wormhole, the
Earl's essence suddenly appears, engulfing and attacking the ship. Shep's essence flies up to the Earl and defeats him, which frees the ship. The band successfully
returns to their home planet and are welcomed by its inhabitants. They are again on stage and the audience is
dancing to their song. Everyone on Earth is also seen
dancing to the performance shown on television screens.
Outside his home planet's stadium, a heroic statue of
Shep is unveiled. The camera pans out of the celebration: the viewer experiences a zoom out from the alien
planet, to a large star cluster, and a further zoom out
onto a record player. This reveals a vinyl record playing the Daft Punk album Discovery. A sleeping little boy
is shown surrounded by The Crescendolls and Daft Punk
toys and other memorabilia.* [nb 4] The needle is moved
off the record and the music stops (“Too Long”). As the
ending credits roll, a remixed version of "Aerodynamic"
plays.* [nb 5]
9.2.2
99
Discovery recording sessions. Daft Punk's concept for
the film involved the merging of science fiction with
entertainment industry culture and was further developed
with their collaborator Cédric Hervet. All three brought
the album and the completed story to Tokyo in the hope
of creating the film with their childhood hero, Leiji Matsumoto. After Matsumoto joined the team as visual supervisor, Shinji Shimizu had been contacted to produce
the animation and Kazuhisa Takenouchi to direct the film.
With the translation coordination of Tamiyuki “Spike”
Sugiyama, production began in October 2000 and ended
in April 2003.* [3] The cost of the film is said to have been
$4 million.* [2]
The first four episodes from the film were shown on
Cartoon Network on 1 September 2001 during the
“Toonami Midnight Run: Special Edition”. Cartoon
Network later hosted the episodes online as part of their
short-lived Toonami Reactor project (later revived as
Toonami Jetstream).* [4] In December 2003, Interstella
5555 was released along with the album Daft Club, which
served to promote the film and provided previously unreleased remixes of tracks from the Discovery album.* [5]
A Blu-ray edition of the film was released on September
2011 and contains similar artwork packaging.
Many elements common to Matsumoto's stories, such as a
romanticism of noble sacrifice and remembrance of fallen
friends, appear in Interstella 5555. Daft Punk revealed in
an interview that Captain Harlock was a great influence
on them in their childhood. They also stated“The music
we have been making must have been influenced at some
point by the shows we were watching when we were little
kids.”* [6]
Characters
9.2.4 Reception
• Stella – The only female band member, she is the
bassist of the Crescendolls.
The film was well received by critics. Rotten Tomatoes
gives the film a rating of 86% based on 7 reviews (6 pos• Arpegius – The guitarist of the Crescendolls.
itive, 1 negative).* [7]
• Baryl – The drummer of the Crescendolls. He is The BBC gave the film four stars out of five, saying that
noticeably shorter than most other characters.
the film is a“visual and aural treat of intergalactic propor*
• Octave – The keyboardist and vocalist of the tions”. [8] MovieMartyr.com said that the film was“the
best animated film made in 2003, and a true testament to
Crescendolls.
the artistry possible in two very different mediums.”* [9]
• Shep – An alien astronaut on a mission to rescue the Mania.com concluded by stating that the film is“a unique
feature that shows just how well music can be blended to
captured Crescendolls.
animation to make a compelling story.”* [10]
• The Earl de Darkwood – The human captor of the
Empire said the film was “Fine if you like the band –
Crescendolls and the main antagonist of the film.
you'll be treated to some cartoons playing over the top
• Daft Punk - The masked musicians themselves make of their Discovery album. For everyone else, just daft.”
*
[11]
a cameo appearance in “High Life”.
9.2.3
Production
As detailed in the insert included with the 2003 DVD,* [3]
the idea for Interstella 5555 formed during the early
9.2.5 Notes
[1] Although no dialogue is featured in the film, some characters are depicted to be talking or singing. Some exam-
100
CHAPTER 9. I
ples with main characters: Shep sings “Digital Love";
Octave sings “One More Time”and appears to convey
information in“Short Circuit"; Earl talks to Stella during
“Crescendolls”and in“Veridis Quo”, he reads from the
eponymous book as part of the ritual.
[2] Daft Punk themselves make a brief cameo appearance in
the film during the Golden Record Awards scene (obviously, losing to The Crescendolls); as the candidates are
being named, they appear in the nominations reel with
their robotic faces saying “Peace”and a star emoticon,
then they are spotted in the audience with their robotic
faces saying“Happy”and "?", followed by“Great”and
a broken heart emoticon once the winner is announced.
[3] When Octave enters the record company's building, the
security guard is watching a football match between
France and Japan, with the score being even 1–1. The
score later changes to 2–1 as France scores. Both members of Daft Punk are French, and Matsumoto is Japanese.
The match is presumably a reference to the FIFA World
Cup, which was held in Japan in 2002.
[4] The last scene of the film contains a lot of Daft Punk
merchandise. What can be seen are vinyl records of
Homework, Discovery (with side D being played on the
record player), Alive 1997, and a DVD copy of DAFT
[5] The song featured in the end credits is listed as “Aerodynamic (Daft Punk remix)", though this version differs
from the remix featured in Daft Club.
9.2.6
References
[1] “Amazon.com: Interstella 5555 – The 5tory Of The
5ecret 5tar 5ystem”. Amazon. Retrieved February 13,
2013.
[2] Eric Ducker, “The Creators”(2007). The Fader, issue
47, pp. 115. Retrieved on April 25, 2009.
[3] Interstella 5555 DVD insert, 2003.
[4] Toonami: Digital Arsenal toonamiarsenal.com Retrieved
on April 14, 2007.
[5] Interstella 5555 at Discogs
[6] Daft Punk Interview at the Wayback Machine (archived
June 27, 2004) cartoonnetwork.com, archived from June
27, 2004. Retrieved on September 16, 2007.
[7] “Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem”
. Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
[8] Jamie Russell (October 13, 2003).“BBC – Films – review
– Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5system”
. BBC. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
[9] Jeremy Heilman (February 28, 2004). “MovieMartyr.com – Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar
5ystem”. MovieMatyr.com. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
[10] Beveridge, Chris (October 19, 2009). “10 Great Anime
That Are Not Miyazaki”. Mania.
[11] Nick Dawson. “Empire Reviews Central – Review of
Interstella 5555”. Empire Magazine. Retrieved January
25, 2009.
9.2.7 External links
• Archived September 2, 2003 at the Wayback Machine (French)
• Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem
(anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem
at the Internet Movie Database
Chapter 10
J
10.1 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
powers that they find they possess. The manga is split up
into 8 unique parts, each following the story of one member of the Joestar family, who inevitably has a name that
can be abbreviated to the titular “JoJo”. The first six
parts of the series take place within a single continuity,
while parts 7 and 8 take place in an alternate continuity
spawned from the events of part 6.
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (Japanese: ジョジョの奇妙
な冒険 Hepburn: JoJo no Kimyō na Bōken) is a Japanese
manga series written and illustrated by Hirohiko Araki.
It was originally serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from
1986 to 2004, before being transferred to the monthly
seinen magazine Ultra Jump in 2005. The current story
arc, JoJolion, started in 2011. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 1 Phantom Blood (ファントムブラッド Fantomu Buraddo)
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure volumes 1 to 5. In 1880s
is currently Shueisha's second largest manga series with
Great Britain, the young Jonathan Joestar meets
its chapters collected into 114 tankōbon volumes and
his new adopted brother Dio Brando, who only
counting (only Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae
wants to usurp Jonathan as heir to the Joestar
Hashutsujo, with over 180, has more).
family. However, his attempts are thwarted and
A six-volume original video animation adaptation of the
when he resorts to using an ancient Stone Mask,
later half of the series' third story arc was released from
which transforms him into a vampire. Jonathan,
1993 to 1994 by studio A.P.P.P., followed by another
with Italian Hamon master Will A. Zeppeli and
seven-volume series covering earlier parts of the arc from
former street thug Robert E.O. Speedwagon at his
2000 to 2002. A.P.P.P. also produced a theatrical film of
side, must now find a way to stop Dio using his
the first arc in 2007. In 2012, an anime television series
newly found affinity for the Hamon martial arts now
produced by David Production began broadcast on Tokyo
that Dio's sights are set on nothing less than world
MX, and covered the first two story arcs of the manga in
domination.
26 episodes. A second 48-episode season covering the
third arc was broadcast in 2014 and 2015.
Part 2 Battle Tendency (戦闘潮流 Sentō Chōryū)
The JoJo's Bizarre Adventure manga has sold over 80 million copies in Japan alone, making it one of the bestselling manga series in history, and has spawned a large
media franchise that includes several novelizations and
video games, action figures, a jewelry line, and even snack
foods. From 2003 to 2005, Super Techno Arts released
both OVA series in North America. Viz Media released a
translation of the third part of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure in
North America from 2005 to 2010, and began publishing
English versions of the first two arcs in 2015. JoJo has
also seen release in Italy under Star Comics and France
under Tonkam.
10.1.1
Plot
See also: List of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure characters
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure volumes 5 to 12. In
New York City in 1938, Joseph Joestar, grandson
of Jonathan, who has a natural affinity for the
Hamon, becomes entangled in his grandfather's
destiny when the Pillar Men, supernatural beings of
impossible power, awaken after failed experiments
by Nazi German special forces. Joseph ultimately
teams up with Caesar Zeppeli, Will's grandson, and
Caesar's teacher Lisa Lisa, a woman mysteriously
tied to Joseph, to stop the Pillar Men from obtaining
a mystical artifact in Lisa Lisa's possession that
will grant them complete immortality and bring
about the end of the world at their hands, so long
as Joseph can master the Hamon to beat the Pillar
Men in a rematch for the antidotes to poisons they
implanted in his body.
Part 3 Stardust Crusaders (スターダストクルセイ
ダース Sutādasuto Kuruseidāsu)
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure tells the story of the Joestar
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure volumes 12 to 28. In 1989,
family, a family whose various members discover they
Jotaro Kujo, a Japanese high school student, places
are destined to take down supernatural foes using unique
himself in jail because he believes he is possessed
101
102
CHAPTER 10. J
by an evil spirit. His mother Holly calls on her
boss to escort his daughter Trish Una throughout
father Joseph Joestar to talk sense into Jotaro, and
Italy and protect her from others in the gang who
with the help of his ally the Egyptian fortune teller
wish to use her to find out his identity.
Mohammed Avdol, reveals that Jotaro has in fact
developed a supernatural ability known as a Stand Part 6 Stone Ocean (ストーンオーシャン Sutōn Ōshan)
Stone Ocean volumes 1 to 17 (JoJo volumes 64 to
that has run through the family due to the revival
80). In 2011 near Port St. Lucie, Florida, Jolyne
of their ancestor's foe Dio. After thwarting an
Cujoh is arrested and sent to the Green Dolphin
assassination attempt by transfer student Noriaki
St. Prison for murder. Her estranged father Jotaro
Kakyoin who is under Dio's thrall, Jotaro and
visits her and reveals that she has been set up in
Joseph discover that Holly is dying from her own
order for one of Dio's disciples to kill her within
Stand. Jotaro resolves to hunt down Dio, and
the prison. After revealing that a gift he gave her
Joseph leads him, Avdol, and Kakyoin to Egypt,
has awoken her latent Stand powers to protect her,
using their Stands to battle more Stand-wielding
he is attacked, and his Stand is stolen from him by
assassins along the way, gaining allies in the French
the prison chaplain Enrico Pucci, Dio's disciple.
swordsman Jean Pierre Polnareff who wishes to
Jolyne works with fellow inmate Ermes Costello,
avenge the death of his sister, and the stray dog
who has also had a Stand awoken in her, to retrieve
Iggy, before 50 days elapse and Holly dies.
her father's Stand, gaining allies in the boy Emporio
Alniño, other inmates Narciso Anasui and Weather
Part 4 Diamond Is Unbreakable (ダイヤモンドは砕
Report, and the sentient Stand-using plankton Foo
けない Daiyamondo wa Kudakenai)
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure volumes 29 to 47. In the
Fighters to save her father and stop Pucci before he
fictional Japanese town of Morioh in 1999, Jotaro
can use his Stand to recreate the universe in Dio's
arrives to reveal to Josuke Higashikata (the kanji 助
image.
in his name is read in the on'yomi form as jo) that
he is the illegitimate son of Joseph Joestar and to Part 7 Steel Ball Run (スティール・ボール・ラン Sutīru Bōru Ran)
warn him that Morioh is beginning to be filled with
Steel Ball Run volumes 1 to 24 (JoJo volumes 81
Stand users due to a mystical Bow and Arrow that
to 104). In an alternate timeline in 1890, Gyro
bestows Stands on those struck by the arrowheads.
Zeppeli travels to the United States to take part
After Josuke takes revenge on a Stand user who
in a cross-country horse race known as the Steel
killed his grandfather, he agrees to help Jotaro hunt
Ball Run. His skill in a mystical martial art
down the holder of the Bow and Arrow, gaining
known as the Rotation, which he controls with
allies in Josuke's friend Koichi Hirose, who is hit
steel balls, garners the interest of former jockey
by the arrow, Okuyasu Nijimura, whose brother
turned paraplegic Johnny Joestar, particularly after
was using the Arrow until it was stolen from him,
a Rotation-infused ball briefly restores Johnny's
the famous manga artist Rohan Kishibe, and even
ability to walk. Johnny travels with Gyro on the
his estranged father Joseph Joestar. Along the way,
race to learn the Rotation from him in hopes he
the group deals with the various new Stand users
can be cured, but they soon discover that the race
throughout Morioh, including several of Josuke,
is a ploy set up by Funny Valentine, the President
Koichi, and Okuyasu's classmates, until the death
of the United States, to search the country for the
of one of their friends leads to the discovery that
scattered parts of a holy corpse that imbue their
one of the new Stand users is the notorious serial
holders with a Stand, so the President can use the
killer Yoshikage Kira.
entire corpse to his own patriotic ends, even if it
means the disruption of other dimensions with his
Parte 5 Vento Aureo (黄金の風 Ōgon no Kaze) Le
Stand's ability. Gyro and Johnny work together,
Bizzarre Avventure di GioGio volumes 47 to 63. In
along with fellow racers Mountain Tim and Hot
2001, Koichi Hirose is sent by Jotaro to Naples
Pants and race organizer Stephen Steel and his
to investigate Giorno Giovanna, whom Jotaro has
wife Lucy, to stop the President from his plans, as
discovered is Dio's son fathered before his defeat
they threaten the very world, all while dealing with
in Cairo 12 years earlier, to see if the boy has a
Valentine's hired assassins in the race, including the
Stand and if he is evil. Koichi ultimately discovers
charismatic racer Diego Brando.
the boy's Stand and his pure goals for reforming
the mafia from the inside out, and Jotaro lets Part 8 JoJolion (ジョジョリオン Jojorion) JoJolion
is currently being published, beginning with the
him live his life. Giorno ultimately joins a squad
105th overall volume of JoJo. In 2012, in the same
of Passione, a Stand-using mafia, led by Bruno
continuity as Steel Ball Run, the town of Morioh has
Bucciarati, who leads Giorno, Leone Abbacchio,
been devastated by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake
Guido Mista, Narancia Ghirga, and Pannacotta
and tsunami, which has caused mysterious faults
Fugo on a mission to Capri to retrieve his former
superior's riches, being attacked by rival mafioso
colloquially known as the “Wall Eyes”to appear
along the way, and then are tasked by Passione's
in town. Local college student Yasuho Hirose is
10.1. JOJO'S BIZARRE ADVENTURE
near one of the Wall Eyes when she discovers a
young man buried in the rubble, and a strange bite
mark on him. She nicknames him “Josuke”,
as he cannot remember his own name, and after
following a lead that he may be “Yoshikage Kira”
, an attack by a Stand user leads them to find the
real Yoshikage Kira's corpse. Josuke is put in the
care of the Higashikata family, whose patriarch
Norisuke IV seems to know more about Josuke than
he initially lets on, but Josuke himself discovers
that the Higashikata family and Yoshikage Kira's
family are linked due to Johnny Joestar's marriage
to Rina Higashikata in the late 19th century. Josuke
and Yasuho ultimately discover that Josuke is
in fact Yoshikage Kira, mysteriously fused with
another person, and Yoshikage Kira possessed the
knowledge to cure a curse that has plagued the
Higashikata family for centuries. Norisuke IV wants
that knowledge back to save his grandchild from
the same fate he and his family has suffered, but
a mysterious race of rock men and Norisuke IV's
own son Jobin seem to be conspiring against them
to both prevent Josuke from regaining his memories
and from lifting the curse on the Higashikata family.
10.1.2
Supernatural powers
The first supernatural item introduced in Part 1 Phantom
Blood is the Stone Mask (⽯仮⾯ Ishikamen), an artifact discovered in Aztec ruins that seems to react with
blood. It is soon revealed that when it is worn by someone and blood is spilled on it, the Stone Mask produces
spines that drive themselves into the wearer's skull, hitting
accupuncture points that transforms them into an immortal Vampire (吸⾎⻤ Kyūketsuki). These Vampires drain
people of their blood through their fangs or their pointed
fingernails, and seemingly have full control of their bodies, able to heal from most injuries and even make it so
they can combine other creatures into abominations, such
as Dio Brando's tendency to put human heads on animal
bodies. A Vampire can only be killed by destroying the
head, as the vampirism is held in the brain, or by exposure
to natural sunlight or ultraviolet rays. The Hamon (波紋,
lit. “Ripple”) is introduced as a martial arts technique
that allows the user to focus bodily energy into other kinds
of energy via proper breathing, and it is effective in combating Vampires as experienced Hamon users can emulate sunlight. Such energy is also useful in combating the
Vampires' Zombies (屍⽣⼈（ゾンビ） Zonbi, also referred to as“Undead”(亡者（アンデッド）Andeddo)),
which Vampires can create by imparting some of their
vampiric essence into the once living or even the long deceased.
103
their species' weakness to sunlight so they may rule Earth.
When they are exposed to sunlight, they turn to stone,
thus making them susceptible to the energies of the Hamon. Their remaining members, as the rest were slaughtered for trying to prevent them from raising to power,
seek out the Red Stone of Aja (エイジャの⾚⽯ Eija no
Sekiseki), a naturally occurring gem that amplifies light
into nearly laser precision, as its power is able to perfect
the transformation into a truly immortal being with control over all life's forces. However, only a flawless stone
can produce these results, and it is this reason that the Hamon users protect the flawless Super Aja so it can never
fall into the hands of the Pillar Men.
Part 3 Stardust Crusaders begins by introducing the supernatural power of Stands (スタンド Sutando), so named
because the semi-physical manifestation of the user's psychic powers resembles a spiritual familiar standing next to
them. When first presented, Joseph Joestar refers to it as
a“Ghostly Hamon”(幽波紋（スタンド）Sutando, but
without furigana it would be pronounced yū hamon); it
could conjecturally be said to be a semi-physical manifestation of one's Hamon powers. The exact requirements for a person to obtain a Stand are unclear, although
the series hints that it can be linked to bloodline, rigorous spiritual and/or Hamon training, and/or exceptionally strong willpower and/or desire. A Stand may never
manifest itself in one's life until it is amplified by certain conditions or factors. However, not everyone able
to manifest a Stand has the ability to control it; despite
her father Joseph Joestar and her son Jotaro Kujo being
powerful Stand users, Holly Kujo, due to her lack of physical strength, resolve, and her peaceful nature, is brought
to the brink of death by her Stand, which saps away her
life in an attempt to manifest itself. Generally, destroying a Stand will result in the death of its user. Likewise, if the Stand user is incapacitated, the Stand will
no longer be a threat. There are instances of automatic
Stands that act on the user's subconscious level until recognized, and there are rare cases of Stands that exist after
the user's death, becoming nigh unstoppable and unpredictable without anyone controlling it. Some Stands appear to have a separate and autonomous personality from
their users, able to act on their own to protect them, or
speak to them.
A Stand can also be brought forth after one is pierced by
the Bow and Arrow (⼸と⽮ Yumi to Ya), forged from
a mysterious meteorite that made its way to Earth after
being drawn in by the spiritual powers of the planet's inhabitants. The Bow and Arrow was hinted at in Part 3 and
retroactively introduced in Part 4 Diamond Is Unbreakable; they were expanded upon in Part 5 Vento Aureo as
being discovered on an archaeological dig by the villain
Diavolo, who sold five Arrows to Enya the Hag of Part 3
and kept one for himself. However, using the Arrows is
Part 2 Battle Tendency introduces the Pillar Men (柱の男 often a gamble, as it could easily kill an unqualified perHashira no Otoko), an ancient race of apex predators and son, and there is no apparent way to know if a person is
progenitors to the Vampires as one of their members cre- qualified ahead of time; the Arrows do, however, tend to
ated the Stone Masks in an attempt to find a way to bypass
104
CHAPTER 10. J
seek out qualified people on their own if there is someone
to guide them. The Arrows also have the ability to make
a Stand even more powerful if its user is hit with the Arrow; such an event causes the Stand of Part 4's Yoshikage
Kira to develop a near unstoppable ability. However, if
a Stand is struck by an Arrow, the Stand's powers are increased to such a limitless extent that it becomes a brand
new “Requiem”(鎮魂歌（レクイエム） Rekuiemu)
Stand, achieving limitless powers.
Itai), body parts of a deceased holy man (hinted to be
Jesus Christ) that imbue the user with a Stand if the body
part is fused with the user. If the user loses the Corpse
part, they lose their Stand, although it may fuse to such
an extent that the Stand becomes a permanent part of the
person. There is a legend within the fiction that if someone were to gather all of the Corpse's parts, he would be
able to rule the world. Also shown is the Devil's Palm (悪
魔の⼿のひら Akuma no Tenohira), a geographic place
In Part 6, there are examples of a single person possess- where the Saint died that seems to move on its own accord and tests those who come across it. If the person
ing two Stands because of the ability of an extraordinary
Stand. Enrico Pucci of Part 6 Stone Ocean is able to pro- survives, he or she is granted a Stand.
duce artificial Stand users with his own, by stealing oth- Part 8 JoJolion introduces another method of obtainers' Stands and transforming them into Discs (ディスク ing a Stand, interaction with the Wall Eyes (壁 の ⽬
Disuku) and then“inserting”them into regular people. It Kabe no Me), strange fault-like structures that have risen
is unclear as to whether or not these artificial Stand users from the ground following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake
were capable of having Stands of their own, but Enrico and tsunami. They disrupt all forms of transportation,
does claim that only certain individuals are qualified to communication, and utilities, but all users of Stands
have Stand Discs inserted. Part 6 also features the Bones have come in contact with the Wall Eyes at some point.
of DIO (DIO の⾻ DIO no Hone) which are instrumen- Three (Josuke Higashikata, Yasuho Hirose, and Joshu Hital in Pucci's Way to Heaven (天国へ⾏く⽅法 Tengoku gashikata) have all received painful bite marks from their
e Iku Hōhō). It first absorbs the souls of 36 sinners and proximity to the Wall Eyes, and the three of them have
transforms into the strange Green Baby, and grants Pucci all developed Stands. Other users of Stands have either
a new and more powerful Stand that ultimately leads to fallen into the faults (as with Daiya Higashikata) or grown
his Way to Heaven and an even more powerful time and up in an area where the Wall Eye has erupted later in their
reality warping Stand. His powers and his ultimate de- life (Ojiro Sasame). A race of Stand-using Rock Peofeat creates a new universe that rewrites all of the rules of ple (岩⼈間 Iwa Ningen) also appears in JoJolion. These
reality.
humans seem to innately possess the ability to turn their
Part 7 Steel Ball Run introduces the Rotation (回 転 body into stone and enter a state of suspended animation.
They can remain in this state so long as they still have air
Kaiten), a technique that incorporates the golden ratio and
the golden rectangle (⻩⾦⻑⽅形 ōgon chōhōkei) into a in their lungs, even if they are submerged in water, otherwise they will crumble away and die. As a rock, they are
means of manipulating the Magnus effect to the user's
benefit. It is used by the Neapolitan Zeppeli family as impervious to pain from even a Stand-empowered barrage of punches, but damage to their rock body will cause
physicians to treat patients, but its true power lies in its
destructive effects which the Zeppelis also use in their them to bleed. Within Morioh, they appear to have assumed the identities of missing children and have taken
secret role as executioners. Gyro Zeppeli in particular
uses specially made Steel Balls (鉄球 Tekkyū) to impart names from nearby mountain ranges.
the Rotation, with successful strikes causing the target's
skin and muscles to contort and twist with the Rotation's
energies. Johnny Joestar later learns to incorporate the
Rotation through the powers of his Stand, increasing its
power exponentially through new lessons and discoveries.
An alternate version of the Rotation used by the Neapolitan Royal Guard uses specially made Steel Balls called
Wrecking Balls (レッキング・ボール（壊れゆく鉄
球） Rekkingu Bōru (Kowareyuku Tekkyū)), which have
smaller Satellite (衛星 Eisei) balls embedded in them that
are able to impart the Rotation and may cause temporary hemispatial neglect if successfully struck. The Rotation's most powerful form incorporates the golden rectangle perfectly into the Golden Rotation (⻩⾦の回転 Ōgon
no Kaiten), producing a Rotation that is able to transcend
dimensional walls and even produce a Stand manifestation. Such an effect can only be attained after achieving
a certain speed on horseback and using the horse to extend control over the golden rectangle. Also introduced
in Part 7 is the Saint's Corpse (聖⼈の遺体 Seijin no
10.1.3 Development
For JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Araki wanted to use a classical method as a base and then introduce modern elements in the singular. As an example, he often draws in a
realistic style but then colors completely impossible colors. Araki has been aiming to draw real spirits in JoJo resulting in him going to the Kappa River in Tōno, Iwate, to
get a better understanding of the concept.* [3] The series'
colors are based on calculations. As a result, the colors
in the manga are often inconsistent. Araki claims getting
inspiration from the art of the 1980s, shading techniques
in Western art, and classical paintings. He also claims
mystery is the central theme of the manga, as he was fascinated by it as a child. Furthermore, Araki wanted to
explore superpowers and energy in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure resulting into various concepts such as the Ripple and
the Stands. For Stardust Crusaders in particular, Araki
was influenced by role-playing games in designing the
10.1. JOJO'S BIZARRE ADVENTURE
105
December 2, 1986. The chapters are collected and published into tankōbon volumes by Shueisha, with the first
released on August 10, 1987.* [11] The series is broken
into arcs or parts, each of which stars a descendant of
the Joestar family. During Part 5, which takes place in
Italy, the series' title was written in Italian as Le Bizzarre Avventure di GioGio. After volume 63, each parts'
tankōbon have started the number count back at one; see
Stone Ocean, Steel Ball Run and JoJolion. The series was
switched to the magazine Ultra Jump in 2004, during Steel
Ball Run, with the chapters published monthly. JoJolion,
the current arc, began on May 19, 2011. In 2012, the
first three Parts of the series were digitally colored and
released as digital downloads for smartphones and tablet
computers. A physical version of this re-release was colAraki is inspired by western art, such as this piece by Paul lected under the title JoJonium (ジョジョニウム JojoGauguin which inspired him to use unusual colors in his own niumu) beginning December 4, 2013.* [12]
*
*
art. [1] [2]
characters' skills.* [1] Araki uses unique onomatopoeia
and poses in the series, which he attributes to his love
for heavy metal and horror films.* [4] The poses, which
are known in Japan as JoJo-dachi (ジョジョ⽴ち* ?, lit.
“JoJo standing”) , are iconic on his book covers and panels, and were inspired by Araki's trip to Italy in his 20s and
his studies of Michelangelo's sculptures.* [5] The poses
are so popular that fans often reenact them in homage
to JoJo. A reporter for Rocket News attempted to shop
at the special 25th anniversary JoJo-themed Lawson in
Sendai in a JoJo-dachi in 2012,* [6] and in 2014, singer
Shoko Nakagawa remarked that she accidentally broke
her coccyx after performing a JoJo-dachi during a concert in Nagoya.* [7]* [8]
In the early 1990s Viz Media had planned to release an
English-language version of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure in
North America as "The Strange Adventures of Jojo", evident by an ad in their newsletter at the time, Viz-In.* [13]
It is suspected the plans were canned after Baoh, another
series by Hirohiko Araki, sold poorly. The series was
brought up again for talks in 2002, for release as individual monthly chapters.* [13] However, by this time, that
publication format for manga was on its way-out in North
America.
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure finally received a North American release in 2005, in the graphic novel format, similar to its Japanese tankōbon. However, it is only of the
series' third part, Stardust Crusaders, which is the most
popular and well-known.* [13] Originally published bimonthly, the volumes were later reduced to a quarterly
release. The first volume was released on November 8,
2005 and the last on December 7, 2010.* [14]* [15] Viz's
release changed the names of several characters due to
copyright concerns and included some censorship, scenes
of animal violence were redrawn by Araki himself.* [13]
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure has also seen domestic releases
in Italy by Star Comics,* [16] in France by J'ai Lu and
Tonkam,* [17]* [18] Taiwan by Da Ran Culture Enterprise and Tong Li Publishing, and in Malaysia by Comics
House.
The characters had no models with the exception of Jotaro Kujo who was based on Clint Eastwood. For every
part, Araki stated that he wanted to try a different type of
main character. For example, whereas Part 1's Jonathan
Joestar was a serious person, Part 2's Joseph Joestar was
a rude person. His consistent focus on the Joestar family
was intended to give a feeling of pride as well as due to the
wonder and mystery there is on the lineage. When Part
3 ended, Araki wondered whether there should be a Part
4 due to the natural ending Stardust Crusaders had.* [9]
For Part 6, Araki wrote a female protagonist for the first In 2013, Viz revealed that they planned to release the
time which he found complicated, but he also found it third part digitally and expressed interest in further mateinteresting due to the humanity she could possess.* [10]
rial of the series, however, they explained the difficulties
due to the numerous references to real-life musicians and
fashion designers.* [19] Viz Media began publishing the
10.1.4 Media
JoJonium edition of Phantom Blood digitally in September 2014, with a print edition that includes color pages
Manga
following in February 2015. At Anime Expo on July 3,
2014, they announced they had also licensed part 2 Battle
Main article: List of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure volumes
Tendency, which they will publish in Fall 2015.* [20]* [21]
Written and illustrated by Hirohiko Araki, JoJo's Bizarre
Adventure began serialization in Weekly Shōnen Jump in Spin-offs Araki has also drawn several spin-offs of
its combined issue #1-2 of 1987, which was released on JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. The first being Thus Spoke
106
Kishibe Rohan. Episode 16: At a Confessional (岸辺露
伴は動かない ~ エピソード 16: 懺悔室 ~ Kishibe Rohan wa Ugokanai Episōdo Shikkusutīn: Zangeshitsu) published in Weekly Shōnen Jump in 1997, which stars Rohan
Kishibe from Part 4. Deadman's Questions (デッドマン
ズ Q Deddomanzu Kuesuchonzu) is a three chapter story
starring Yoshikage Kira from Part 4 and was published in
the magazine Allman in 1999. Both of these were later
collected in Araki's 1999 Under Execution, Under Jailbreak (死刑執⾏中脱獄進⾏中 Shikei Shikkōchū Datsugoku Shinkōchū) collection of one-shots. Oingo Boingo
Brothers Adventure (オインゴとボインゴ兄弟⼤冒
険 Oingo to Boingo Kyōdai Daibōken) was released in
October 2002,* [22] features the titular characters originally from Part 3 and is drawn in the same art style as
Boingo's Stand, which is a fortune-telling comic book.
Continuing the series starring Rohan, Thus Spoke Rohan
Kishibe -Mutsu-kabe Hill- (岸辺露伴は動かない -六
壁 坂 - Kishibe Rohan wa Ugokanai -Mutsukabezaka-)
was published in Jump SQ in 2007. Thus Spoke Rohan
Kishibe ~Episode 5: Millionaire Village~ (岸辺露伴は動
かない〜エピソード 5: 富豪村〜 Kishibe Rohan wa
Ugokanai ~Episōdo Faibu: Fugōmura~) was published in
the October 6, 2012 issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump.* [23]
The newest part of the series titled Thus Spoke Rohan
Kishibe ~Episode 6: Poaching Seashore~ (岸辺露伴は
動かない〜エピソード 6 密漁海岸〜 Kishibe Rohan wa Ugokanai ~Episōdo Shikkusu: Mitsuryō Kaigan~),
was published in Weekly Shōnen Jump on October 12,
2013.* [24]
CHAPTER 10. J
of home video.
Television series Main article: List of JoJo's Bizarre
Adventure episodes
At a July 5, 2012, press conference celebrating the 25th
anniversary of the series and promoting an upcoming Hirohiko Araki art exhibition, Araki and his people announced that an anime adaptation was in production and
would premiere in October 2012.* [25] A piece of promotional art was published in the August issue of Ultra
Jump, depicting Jonathan Joestar and Dio Brando,* [26]
suggesting that the anime will begin with Part 1 Phantom
Blood. The September issue of Ultra Jump announced
the cast and staff; it is produced by David Production and
directed by Kenichi Suzuki, with Kazuyuki Okitsu starring as Jonathan and Takehito Koyasu voicing Dio.* [27]
The 26-episode first season, which covers both the Phantom Blood and Battle Tendency arcs, aired on Tokyo
Metropolitan Television between October 5, 2012 and
April 5, 2013.* [28]* [29]
A teaser scene for Part 3 Stardust Crusaders was shown
following the credits of the final episode, and in the home
video releases the final scene has a “To Be Continued”
message.* [29] On October 18, 2013, Warner Bros. Japan
announced through an obi strip on JoJolion volume 5 and
a special feature in Weekly Shōnen Jump that a season covering Stardust Crusaders would premiere in 2014.* [30]
David Productions revealed that just like they used different art styles for Phantom Blood and Battle Tendency,
they would be attempting a new art style with the StarAnime
dust Crusaders season. The series began airing in Japan
*
Original video animations and film Main article: on April 4, 2014. [31] That same day, American-based
website Crunchyroll began streaming the anime series for
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (OVA)
viewers outside Japan an hour after it aired in Japan.* [32]
Two OVA adaptations of Part 3 Stardust Crusaders were
produced by A.P.P.P. The original six-volume series begins during the middle of the arc and was released from
November 19, 1993 to November 18, 1994. A sevenvolume prequel series, titled JoJo's Bizarre Adventure:
Adventure (ジョジョの奇妙な冒険 ADVENTURE),
was released from May 25, 2000 to October 25, 2002
and adapted the beginning of the arc. Super Techno Arts
produced an English adaptation of both, the original series and the prequel series, releasing all thirteen episodes
in North America as a six-volume DVD series between
2003 and 2005, with the episodes in order of its fictional
chronology.
Novels
Several light novels based on the JoJo series have been
written, each by a different author, but all including illustrations by Hirohiko Araki. The first, based on Part
3, was simply titled JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, released on
November 4, 1993 and written by Mayori Sekijima and
Hiroshi Yamaguchi.* [33] Le Bizzarre Avventure di GioGio II: Golden Heart/Golden Ring (ジョジョの奇妙な
冒険 II ゴールデンハート/ゴールデンリング JoJo
no Kimyō na Bōken Tsū Gōruden Hāto/Gōruden Ringu)
written by Gichi Ōtsuka and Miya Shōtarō, was released
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood (ジョジョの on May 28, 2001 and based on Part 5. Both of these novItalian translations and releases; the first in
奇 妙 な 冒 険 ファ ン ト ム ブ ラッ ド), a feature film els received
*
[34]
often
with the added subtitle of The Genesis
2003,
adaptation of the original first story arc, was released theof
Universe,
and
the
second in 2004.* [35]
atrically on February 17, 2007 in Japan. The film was
produced to commemorate 25th anniversary of creator In 2000, it was announced that Otsuichi would be writHirohiko Araki's career as a manga artist. The theme ing a novel based on Part 4. The novel proved difficult
song was “Voodoo Kingdom”, a single by the group to complete; in Kono Mystery ga Sugoi! 2004, Otsuichi
Soul'd Out. This film has yet to be released on any form claimed to have written over 2000 pages, but thrown them
10.1. JOJO'S BIZARRE ADVENTURE
107
all out.* [36] Intent on writing a novel that lived up to the Video games
manga, it took him until 2007 to complete The Book:
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure 4th Another Day.* [37]
Main article: List of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure video
In April 2011, it was announced that Nisio Isin, Kouhei games
Kadono, and Ōtarō Maijō were each writing novel adaptations of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure in celebration of the series' 25th anniversary.* [38] Kadono's, titled Purple Haze
Feedback (恥知らずのパープルヘイズ Hajishirazu no
Pāpuru Heizu), was released on September 16, 2011 and
is based on Part 5.* [39] Isin's was released on December 16, 2011, based on Part 3 and titled JoJo's Bizarre
Adventure Over Heaven.* [40] Maijō's novel, Jorge Joestar, was revealed in July and released on September 19,
2012.* [41] It tells the story of George Joestar II, son of
Jonathan and father of Joseph, in his childhood growing
up on La Palma where he is known as“Jorge Joestar”as
well as an alternate version living in Japan named “Joji
Joestar”investigating mysteries behind the appearance of
a moving island. It features characters from and inspired
by nearly every part of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Several video games based on JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
have been created. The first was a titular role-playing
video game, based on the third story arc, which was released in 1993 for the Super Famicom. At a July 5,
2012 press conference celebrating the 25th anniversary
of JoJo, Araki himself announced JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle for the PlayStation 3, produced
by CyberConnect2 and published by Bandai Namco
Games.* [25] The latest on the series, the fighting game
was released in Japan in 2013 and internationally in 2014.
Before the first JoJo's Bizarre Adventure game was released, Bandai released a Weekly Shōnen Jump crossover
adventure game titled Famicom Jump: Hero Retsuden in
1989.
10.1.5 Reception
Drama CDs
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure has sold over 80 million copies
in Japan alone,* [47] and is one of the best-selling Weekly
Shōnen Jump series of all-time.* [48] IGN named the series a“must read”, declaring the artwork of“a standard
virtually unseen in most manga produced today”.* [49]
For the 10th anniversary of the Japan Media Arts Festival in 2006, Japanese fans voted JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
second on a list of the Top 10 Manga of all time.* [50]
JoJo ranked 10th in a 2009 survey by Oricon on what
manga series people want to see receive a live-action
adaptation.* [51]
From 1992 to 1993, a drama CD adaptation of Part 3 was
released in three volumes, titled JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Volume 1: Meet Jotaro Kujo (ジョジョの奇妙な冒険
第 1 巻空条承太郎⾒参の巻), JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Volume 2: The Death of Avdol (ジョジョの奇妙な
冒険第 2 巻アヴドゥル死すの巻) and JoJo's Bizarre
Adventure Volume 3: The World of Dio (ジョジョの奇
妙な冒険第 3 巻 DIO の世界の巻).* [42]* [43]* [44]
They starred Kiyoyuki Yanada as Jotaro, Kenji Utsumi
(volumes 1-2) and Gorō Naya (volume 3) as Joseph Joestar, Akio Ōtsuka as Avdol, Shō Hayami as Kakyoin, Ken The first volume of JoJolion was the second best-selling
was numYamaguchi as Polnareff, Keiichi Nanba as Hol Horse, manga for its debut week, its second volume
*
*
ber
three
and
its
third
was
number
two.
[52]
[53]* [54]
Shigeru Chiba as J. Geil, and Norio Wakamoto as Dio.
All three volumes were some of the best-selling manga of
2012.* [55]* [56] Viz Media's release of the first volume
of Phantom Blood debuted at number one on The New
York Times Manga Best Seller list.* [57] The 2013 edition
Art books
of Kono Manga ga Sugoi!, which surveys people in the
JoJolion the 12th
Araki has released multiple books containing original manga and publishing industry, named
*
[58]
Heidi Kemps of
best
manga
series
for
male
readers.
artwork he has produced for JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.
Otaku
USA
was
mostly
positive
in
her
review
of Rohan
JoJo6251 was released in 1993 and features artwork,
at
the
Louvre,
praising
the
art
for
being
drawn
in fullstory details, and behind the scenes information for Phancolor
by
hand,
although
noted
that
readers
new
to
JoJo's
tom Blood, Battle Tendency, Stardust Crusaders, and DiaBizarre
Adventure
might
not
fully
understand
the
ending
mond Is Unbreakable. This was followed in 2000 by JoJo
A-Go! Go! which features original artwork from Vento due to there *being only a brief explanation of Rohan's
Aureo and Stone Ocean. In 2013, he released JoJoveller, Stand power. [59]
a multimedia set that includes a book featuring original
artwork for Stone Ocean, Steel Ball Run, and JoJolion; a
book detailing the history of the publications; and a book
detailing every Stand featured since Stardust Crusaders.
The limited edition has two Blu-rays showing the 25th anniversary art exhibition in Tokyo and a behind-the-scenes
look at Araki's creative process.* [45]* [46]
The JoJo's Bizarre Adventure TV anime was named one
of the best of 2012 by Otaku USA.* [60] It was added to
the list by Joseph Luster, however, in his review he cited
David Production having a small budget for several of his
problems with the series, stating some portions of the animation are a“butt hair above motion comic standards,”
but that it usually makes up for it in“sheer style.”* [61] At
108
CHAPTER 10. J
the 2013 CEDEC Awards, the anime's opening sequence
won in the Visual Arts division.* [62]
Controversy
In May 2008, both Shueisha and studio A.P.P.P. halted
manga/OVA shipments of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure after a complaint had been launched against them from
Egyptian Islamic fundamentalists, after noticing a scene
in the OVAs that has the villain, Dio Brando, reading a
book depicting pages from the Qur'an.* [13]* [63] This recall affected the English-language releases as well, causing Viz Media and Shueisha to cease publication for a
year. Even though the manga did not feature that specific
scene, Shueisha had Araki redraw scenes that depicted
characters fighting on top of, and destroying, mosques for
later printings of the series.* [13] Viz resumed publication
a year later, with the eleventh volume being published on
April 7, 2009. Jason Thompson later included Shueisha's
changes to the manga in the list of “The Greatest Censorship Fails”in manga.* [64]
10.1.6
Legacy and collaborations
A Gucci store display in 2013, featuring JoJo's Bizarre Adventure characters.
and the Japanese fashion magazine Spur.* [74] The exhibit celebrated the 90th anniversary of Gucci and featured a life-size figure of Rohan Kishibe, as well as numerous illustrations by Araki; including actual pieces of
the brand's own 2011-2012 fall/winter collection and his
own original fashion designs.* [74] The October 2011 issue of Spur featured another one-shot manga titled Rohan Kishibe Goes to Gucci (岸辺露伴グッチへ⾏く
Kishibe Rohan Guchi e Yuku), in which Rohan goes to
a Gucci factory to discover the secret behind a magical handbag with the characters wearing and using Gucci
products.* [75]* [76] This was followed by another collaboration in the February 2013 issue of Spur with Jolyne,
Fly High with Gucci (徐倫、GUCCI で⾶ぶ Jorīn, Gutchi
de Tobu), starring Jolyne Cujoh from Part 6.* [77]* [78]
A free English translation of the latter was previously
available on Gucci's Facebook page. Again, Araki's artwork was featured in Gucci's storefront displays around
the world.* [79]* [80]
The September 2007 issue of Cell had a cover drawn
by Hirohiko Araki with a ligase represented as a JoJo's
Bizarre Adventure Stand.* [65] He also contributed artwork towards the restoration of Chūson-ji following the
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.* [66] Araki contributed JoJo-inspired art for Sayuri Ishikawa's 2012 album X -Cross-, where she performs one of the series'
iconic poses and is drawn wearing jewelry from the
manga.* [67] JoJo-style artwork has also been produced
for other literature, such as for a 2008 collection featuring Yasunari Kawabata's short story "The Dancing Girl
of Izu"* [68] and a 2012 reprint of Tamaki Saitō's Lacan 25th anniversary
for Surviving.* [69]
There were several art exhibitions in 2012 in Japan for the
In 2009, Araki's artwork for JoJo's Bizarre Adventure was
manga's 25th anniversary. The first was in Araki's birthone of five artists featured in the Louvre's Le Louvre inplace of Sendai, which included a Lawson store remodvite la bande dessinée (“The Louvre Invites Comic-Strip
eled to look like the“Owson”store that appears in DiaArt”) exhibition. To commemorate this honor, he wrote
mond Is Unbreakable and JoJolion.* [81]* [82]* [83]* [84]
Rohan au Louvre (岸辺露伴ルーヴルへ⾏く Kishibe
The store was opened from July 28 to September 30, and
Rohan Rūvuru e Iku), a 123-page full color story starcontained exclusive goods with the Owson name. The
ring Rohan Kishibe visiting the Louvre and discovering
second exhibition was held in Tokyo from October 6 to
*
*
*
a cursed painting tied to his family. [70] [71] [72] The
November 4 and hangouts were held on Google Plus to
following year it was published in France and ran in Ultra
allow fans to view the gallery at night through the lens
Jump, and in February 2012 was translated and released
of Remote Romance (リモートロマンス Rimōto Ro*
in North America by NBM Publishing. [73]
mansu), an original“Stand”Araki and his team created
for the event.* [85]* [86] The exhibit was taken to Italy
from June 28 to July 14, 2013 and shown at the Gucci
Gucci
showroom in Florence.* [47]* [85]
From September 17 to October 6, 2011, the Gucci store
in Shinjuku hosted the Gucci x Hirohiko Araki x Spur
“Rohan Kishibe Goes to Gucci”Exhibition, a collaboration between the luxury Italian clothing brand, Araki,
The October 2012 issue of Ultra Jump contained a special booklet titled 25 Years With JoJo, also in celebration of the anniversary, featuring messages and tribute art
from well-known manga artists such as Akira Toriyama,
10.1. JOJO'S BIZARRE ADVENTURE
Yoshihiro Togashi, Eiichiro Oda, Clamp, and 18 others.* [23]* [87] During the 25th anniversary celebrations,
a special smartphone with a JoJo's Bizarre Adventure inspired UI was released.* [88]
109
[17] “Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, tome 13 : Le Maléfice de Dio”
. Amazon.com. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
[18] “Jojo's Bizarre Adventure - Golden Wind, Tome 17”.
Amazon.com. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
To celebrate the release of the All Star Battle video game,
created for the 25th anniversary, a special JoJo-themed [19] “Viz Talks “JoJo's Bizarre Adventure”Digital Distribution Plans and Difficulties”. Crunchyroll. September
train traveled the Yamanote Line in Tokyo from August
14, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
29 to September 9, 2013. Illustrations and advertisements
of the series littered the interior, with videos of the game [20] “Viz Media Adds JoJo's Bizarre Adventures: Battle Tendency, Requiem of the Rose King Manga”. Anime News
shown on displays, while the exterior had 33 characters
Network. July 3, 2014. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
as livery.* [89]
10.1.7
[21] “JoJo's Bizarre Adventures: Battle Tendency Gets Print
Edition in Fall 2015”. Anime News Network. July 8,
2014. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
References
[1] “Hirohiko Araki Lecture Part 2: Drawing Manga, ArakiStyle”. Comipress.
[2] “NHK ⾼校講座 | 芸術（美術 Ⅰ ／書道 Ⅰ）| 第 15
回美術 (8) 漫画はやっぱりおもしろい〜⼈物〜".
Nhk.or.jp. Retrieved August 3, 2014.
[3] Clamp (2009). The Official xxxHOLiC Guide. translanted
and adapted by William Flanagan. New York: Del Rey
Manga. pp. 154–163. ISBN 978-0-345-51000-6.
[4] Weekly Famitsu, March 2, 2007, issue
[5] Manga no Genba, NHK BS, July 4, 2006 broadcast
[6] "【ジョジョ】コンビニ『オーソン』でジョジョ⽴
ちのまま物を買えるのか試してみた". ロケット
ニュース 24. July 27, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
[7] "
隳
弶
崙僣傾乕
trieved 23 January 2015.
傪 愜 偰
峴". ORICON STYLE. Re-
[8] “Shokotan Breaks Bone Making JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Pose, But Continues Tour”. Anime News Network.
October 25, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
[9] “Hirohiko Araki Lecture Part 3: Questions and Answers
with Araki-Sensei”. Comipress.
[10] Araki, Hirohiko (2010). Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, vol. 64.
Shueisha. p. 2. ISBN 978-4-08-872866-7.
[11] " ジョジョの奇妙な冒険 1”[JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Volume 1]. Shueisha. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
[12] " コミックナタリー-「ジョジョ」カラーページを完
全再現した「JoJonium」刊⾏". Natalie.mu. September
19, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
[13] “Jason Thompson's House of 1000 Manga - Jojo's Bizarre
Adventure”. Anime News Network. Retrieved April 15,
2012.
[22] オインゴとボインゴ兄弟⼤冒険 (集英社⽂庫―
コミック版) (⽂庫). Amazon.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved October 20, 2012.
[23] “Jojo's Araki Makes Shonen Jump 1-Shot, 1st Artbook
in 12 Years”. Anime News Network. Retrieved October
19, 2012.
[24] " コミックナタリー-「岸辺露伴は動かない」新作が
ジャンプに、
単⾏本化も決定". Natalie.mu. September
19, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
[25] “Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Gets Fall TV Anime & PS3
Game”. Anime News Network. July 5, 2012. Retrieved
July 5, 2012.
[26] “Jojo's Bizarre Adventure TV Anime Art Features Part
I Cast”. Anime News Network. July 19, 2012. Retrieved
August 16, 2012.
[27] “New Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Anime's Cast, Staff Revealed”. Anime News Network. August 16, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
[28] “JoJo's Bizarre Adventure TV Anime Slated for October
6”. Anime News Network. September 11, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
[29] “JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Anime Teases Part 3”. Anime
News Network. April 5, 2013. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
[30] 18, 2013/jojo-bizarre-adventure-part-3-tv-anime-slatedfor-2014 “Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Part 3 TV Anime
Slated for 2014”. Anime News Network. October 18,
2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
[31] “JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 3 Anime to Air in Spring
With Differences From Parts 1/2, ASB Game - News”.
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[14] “JoJo's Bizarre Adventure English Volume 1”. Viz Media. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
[32] “Crunchyroll: Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Anime Announced”. Anime News Network. 2014-04-02. Retrieved 2015-03-13.
[15] “JoJo's Bizarre Adventure English Volume 16”. Viz
Media. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
[33] " ジョ ジョ の 奇 妙 な 冒 険 (JUMP j BOOKS)".
Amazon.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved July 13, 2012.
[16] “Phantom blood. Le bizzarre avventure di Jojo vol. 1”.
Amazon.com. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
[34] “Le bizzarre avventure di Jojo”. Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved July 14, 2012.
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[35]“Golden heart, golden ring. Le bizzarre avventure di Jojo” [55] “50 Top-Selling Manga in Japan by Volume: 2012”.
. Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved July 14, 2012.
Anime News Network. December 2, 2012. Retrieved
April 7, 2013.
[36] “Otsuichi struggling to complete novel”. atmarkjojo.org.
Retrieved September 3, 2011.
[56] “Top-Selling Manga in Japan by Volume, #50-#100:
2012”. Anime News Network. December 2, 2012. Re[37] “Otsuichi's novel finally solicited”. atmarkjojo.org. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
trieved September 3, 2011.
[57] “New York Times Manga Best Seller List, February 22[38] “Bakemonogatari, Boogiepop Authors Pen JoJo's Novels”
28”. Anime News Network. 2015-03-06. Retrieved 2015. Anime News Network. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
03-13.
[39] " コミックナタリー- ⻄尾維新 × 上遠野浩平のジョ
[58] “Top Manga Ranked by Kono Manga ga Sugoi 2013 Votジョ 対 談 が ウ ル ジャ ン 別 冊 付 録 に". Natalie.mu.
ers”. Anime News Network. Retrieved December 10,
November 19, 2011. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
2012.
[40] " コミックナタリー- 荒⽊⾶呂彦デビュー作収録
「ゴージャス ★ アイリン」⽂庫化". Natalie.mu. De- [59] “Rohan at the Louvre”. Otaku USA. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
cember 16, 2011. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
[41] " コミックナタリー- ⿃⼭明、CLAMP、うすた京介
ら「ジョジョ」描く別冊付録". Natalie.mu. September
19, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
[42] " ジョ ジョ の 奇 妙 な 冒 険 (CD)". Amazon.co.jp (in
Japanese). Retrieved July 13, 2012.
[60] “Otaku USA's Top Anime of 2012”. Otaku USA. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
[61] “JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Anime Goes Buckwild”.
Otaku USA. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
[43] ジョジョの奇妙な冒険第 2 巻アヴドゥル死すの巻.
suruga-ya.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved July 13, 2012.
[62] “CEDEC AWARDS 2013 最優秀賞発表！| CEDEC
2013 | Computer Entertainment Developers Conference”
. Cedec.cesa.or.jp. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
[44] ジョジョの奇妙な冒険第 3 巻ディオの世界の巻.
suruga-ya.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved July 13, 2012.
[63] “Jojo's Anime, Manga Sales Halted Due to Islamic Images”. Anime News Network. Retrieved May 22, 2008.
[45] " コミックナタリー- ジョジョ画集「JOJOVELLER」 [64] “Jason Thompson's House of 1000 Manga - The Greatest
限定版は書籍 3 冊と BD2 枚". Natalie.mu. September
Censorship Fails”. Anime News Network. January 3,
19, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
[46] “ANIME NEWS: Orders for limited edition 'JoJo' art
book being accepted”. Asahi Shimbun. April 8, 2013.
Retrieved October 16, 2013.
[65] “asahi.com：⼈気漫画「ジョジョ」の荒⽊さん⽶⽣物
学誌の表紙描く - ⽂化⼀般 - ⽂化・芸能". Asahi.com.
September 9, 2007. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
[47] "'JoJo' creator exhibits work at Gucci's Florence showroom”. Asahi Shimbun. July 13, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
[66] " 荒⽊⾶呂彦⽒によるイラスト：世界遺産平泉の
総合案内いわて平泉世界遺産情報局". Pref.iwate.jp.
Retrieved September 27, 2013.
[48] “Top 10 Shonen Jump Manga by All-Time Volume Sales” [67] " コミックナタリー- ⽯川さゆりジョジョ⽴ち！荒
. Anime News Network. October 23, 2012. Retrieved
⽊⾶呂彦がジャケ描き下ろし". Natalie.mu. SeptemOctober 16, 2013.
ber 19, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
[49] “JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Vol. 1 Review”. IGN. December 1, 2005. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
[50] “Top 10 Anime and Manga at Japan Media Arts Festival”. Anime News Network. October 4, 2006. Retrieved
October 18, 2012.
[51] “Survey: Slam Dunk Manga is #1 Choice for LiveAction”. Anime News Network. May 3, 2009. Retrieved
October 18, 2012.
[52] “Japanese Comic Ranking, December 19-25”. Anime
News Network. December 28, 2011. Retrieved April 7,
2013.
[68] "" 不朽の名作"×" ⼈気漫画家" 今度は『ジョジョ』
作者が『伊⾖の踊⼦』の表紙を描き下ろしニュー
ス -ORICON STYLE”. Oricon.co.jp. June 26, 2008.
Retrieved September 27, 2013.
[69] " コミックナタリー- 荒⽊⾶呂彦、
フランスの精神分
析家ジャック・ラカンを描く". Natalie.mu. February
8, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
[70] “Jojo's Araki Creates Manga for France's Louvre Museum”. Anime News Network. January 22, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
[53] “Japanese Comic Ranking, April 16-22”. Anime News
Network. May 15, 2012. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
[71] " コミックナタリー- 岸辺露伴、
ルーヴル美術館に降
り⽴つッッッ". Natalie.mu. January 28, 2009. Retrieved
September 27, 2013.
[54] “Japanese Comic Ranking, September 17-23”. Anime
News Network. September 26, 2012. Retrieved April 7,
2013.
[72] " コミックナタリー- 「岸辺露伴ルーヴルへ⾏く」
仏語版、紀伊國屋で予約開始". Natalie.mu. February
17, 2010. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
10.2. JIN-ROH: THE WOLF BRIGADE
[73] “NBM to Release Hirohiko Araki's Rohan at the Louvre
Manga”. Anime News Network. Retrieved October 20,
2012.
[74] “Gucci Store to Host Exhibit of Jojo Manga's Araki”.
Anime News Network. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
[75] " コミックナタリー- 荒⽊⾶呂彦の原画展「岸辺露
伴新宿へ⾏く」がグッチ新宿で". Natalie.mu. August
23, 2011. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
[76] " コミックナタリー-「岸辺露伴グッチへ⾏く」が朝
⽇新聞全⾯広告に出現ッッ". Natalie.mu. August 23,
2011. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
[77] “JoJo's Bizarre Adventure 1-Shot Runs in Women's Fashion Mag”. Anime News Network. November 17, 2012.
Retrieved December 2, 2012.
[78] " コミックナタリー- 荒⽊⾶呂彦 ×GUCCI 再び！
SPUR で徐倫やブチャラティら共演". Natalie.mu.
December 22, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
111
10.1.8 External links
• Official website (Japanese)
• Official anime website (Japanese)
• JoJo's Bizarre Adventure at Viz Media
• JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (manga) at Anime News
Network's encyclopedia
• The World of JoJo Flash movie presentations that
quickly summarize each arc in JoJo. (Japanese)
• Evidence of JoJo's spelling errors (Japanese)
• The JoJo FAQ, with plot and character summaries
10.2 Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade
[79] " コ ミッ ク ナ タ リー- 荒 ⽊ ⾶ 呂 彦 グッ チ へ ⾏ く、 Jin-Roh (⼈狼 Jinrō, lit. “Man-Wolf”), also known
8 ペー ジ の グ ラ ビ ア が ⽂ 藝 春 秋 に". Natalie.mu. as Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade in its American release, is a 1999 Japanese animated feature film directed
September 10, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
[80] “ANIME NEWS: JoJo and Gucci collaborate on a global
scale”. Asahi Shimbun. January 21, 2013. Retrieved
October 16, 2013.
[81] “Jojo's Bizarre Adventure's Owson Store Recreated in
Real Life”. Anime News Network. Retrieved October
18, 2012.
by Hiroyuki Okiura. The film is the third adaptation of Mamoru Oshii's Kerberos saga manga, Ken-Roh
Densetsu, after the two live action films: The Red Spectacles and StrayDog: Kerberos Panzer Cops released in 1987
and 1991 in Japanese theaters.
The film follows Kazuki Fuse, a member of a special police unit during the alternate history 1950s Japanese ri[82] " コミックナタリー-「ジョジョ」S 市杜王町の OW- ots. Failing to follow an order to execute a frightened
SON が期間限定でオープン". Natalie.mu. July 23, young girl only to see her commit suicide by detonat2012. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
ing an improvised explosive device before his very eyes,
Kazuki is trialled and sent back to the training camp for
[83] " コミックナタリー- 仙台ジョジョ展は明⽇から！
杜王町 MAP や荒⽊の仕事机も". Natalie.mu. July re-evaluation. Visiting the grave of the suicide, he meets
Kei, the girl's sister, who doesn't hold Kazuki responsible
27, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
for her demise. The film proceeds as the two develop a
[84] " コミックナタリー- 仙台ジョジョ展、荒⽊⾶呂彦 peculiar relationship.
らのテープカットで開幕ッッ!!". Natalie.mu. July 28,
2012. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
[85] “ANIME NEWS: JoJo art exhibition to showcase at
Gucci Museum in Italy”. Asahi Shimbun. July 30, 2012.
Retrieved October 16, 2013.
[86] " コミックナタリー-「ジョジョ展」前売券完売！遠
隔操作で夜中の美術館を徘徊". Natalie.mu. October
22, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
[87] “All-Star Creators Mark JoJo's Bizarre Adventure's 25th
Year”. Anime News Network. Retrieved October 19,
2012.
[88] S-MAX (May 16, 2012). “NTT ドコモ、ジョジョの
奇妙な冒険 25 周年スマホ「JOJO L-06D」を発表！
荒⽊⾶呂彦⽒監修コンテンツが満載の全部⼊り S-MAX（エスマックス）- スマートフォンとモバイ
ルを活⽤するブログメディア". S-max.jp. Retrieved
September 27, 2013.
[89] “ANIME NEWS: JoJo-themed train makes laps around
Tokyo's Yamanote Line”. Asahi Shimbun. September 5,
2013. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
Mamoru Oshii, the creator of the Kerberos saga, had desired to make Jin-Roh years earlier as a live-action film.
However, Oshii decided that the film would be animated,
and hired Okiura to direct the film and Production I.G
to produce the film. The film premiered on November
17, 1999 in France, and Bandai Entertainment licensed
the film for an English-language release in North America and Europe. It has been relicensed for Blu-ray/DVD
in North America by Discotek Media.* [1]
10.2.1 Plot
Further information: List of Kerberos Saga characters
The story is set in a parallel 1950s Japan, in which Germany has conquered Japan. It focuses on Kazuki Fuse, a
member of the elite Kerberos Panzer Cops, a metropolitan antiterror unit. Fuse confronts his own humanity
when he fails to shoot a young female terrorist. The
girl detonates a bomb in front of him, only killing herself. The incident damages the reputation of the unit and
112
CHAPTER 10. J
gun, apparently he did not have to use it, because Kazuki
did. His superior then finishes Kei's monologue with the
words:“And then the Wolf, ate up the Little Red Riding
Hood.”
10.2.2 Cast
• Yoshikatsu Fujiki (Michael Dobson in the English
version) as Corporal Kazuki Fuse
• Sumi Mutoh (Moneca Stori in the English version)
as Kei Amemiya
• Hiroyuki Kinoshita (Colin Murdock in the English
version) as Atsushi Henmi
Kazuki Fuse
Kazuki is punished. He visits the ashes of the dead girl
and meets Kei Amemiya, who claims to be the elder sister
of the victim. They develop a relationship. Kei is eventually revealed to not be the suicide bomber's sister but
instead a former bomb courier and a honey trap acting on
behalf of the Special Unit's rival division Public Security.
• Eri Sendai (Maggie Blue O'Hara in the English version) as Nanami Agawa
• Kenji Nakagawa (French Tickner in the English version) as Isao Aniya
• Kousei Hirota (Dale Wilson in the English version)
as Bunmei Muroto
• Ryuichi Horibe (Ron Halder in the English version)
as Shiroh Tatsumi
A trap is set up where Kei calls Kazuki one night to say
• Yukihiro Yoshida (Michael Kopsa in the English
that strange men are following her. It is in fact a Capitol
version) as Hajime Handa
Police joint operation with the Public Security Division
intended to discredit the Special Unit, showing a terrorist
• Yoshisada Sakaguchi (Doug Abrahams in the Enpassing a satchel bomb to a Panzer Cop. Kazuki sneaks
glish version) as Hachiroh Tohbe
in, seizes Kei – neutralizing Capitol Police agents – and
gets out of the place with the Public Security Division
agents in hot pursuit. Eventually they throw off their pur10.2.3 Production
suers.
They make their way to the sewers once more, where they
are met by members of the Wolf Brigade – a secret, deepcover unit in the Kerberos Corps led by Hajime Handa.
They greet Kazuki and give him a full set of armor and
weaponry, before leaving with Kei in tow. It is explained
to Kei that the whole affair has been a plot within a plot,
as the Wolf Brigade has used Public Security Division's
plan to flush out those who were most active in trying
to eliminate the Kerberos Corps, and eliminate them in
turn. After following the tracking device, Public Security agents make their way to the sewers. They attempt to
find Kazuki, without realizing that they are heading into
a trap. Kazuki slaughters them all.
Eventually, the Wolf Brigade and Kei end up at a junkyard to dispose of the bodies. Kazuki is ordered to kill
Kei by his superior to ensure she is not recaptured by Public Security. Kazuki then questions the order and his superior threatens him with being kicked out of the unit.
Kei embraces Kazuki, she recites the dialogue between
the Big Bad Wolf and Red Riding Hood, Kazuki begins
to sob, a shot is heard and Kei's monologue is suddenly
cut off, she sinks onto the ground. The camera locks onto
another member of the Wolf-Brigade, who is securing his
Mamoru Oshii had wanted to do Jin-Roh several years
prior, and was about to propose the project to Bandai Visual at a meeting. However, they offered him to a job
he could not turn down, so the project was put on back
burner. The film he ended up making instead was Ghost
in the Shell.* [2] In the end though, the condition set by
Bandai Visual to produce the film was for Mamoru Oshii
NOT to direct it, after the two live versions of the series, The Red Spectacles and StrayDog: Kerberos Panzer
Cops, did not sell very well. So he offered the job to Mr.
Okiura, the animation supervisor who criticized Oshii's
handling of accuracy in stage setting during the famed
museum sequence featured in Ghost in the Shell. The
only thing Mamoru Oshii did after writing the script was
to write up additional agitation speech for the opening
protest scene, just before the dubbing. He happened to
be in the same building for re-mastering of Patlabor: The
Movie 2.
Jin-Roh was originally planned to be the third and final
live-action feature film of the Kerberos trilogy, but its
production wasn't possible until 1994, while Oshii was
already working on Ghost in the Shell. As the filmmaker
wasn't able to produce two films in the same time but
10.2. JIN-ROH: THE WOLF BRIGADE
113
didn't want someone else to direct his final episode, Oshii
decided that the third episode would be an anime instead.
He committed Jin-Roh as a debut film to a trusted young
collaborator, Hiroyuki Okiura for he worked on animation movies such as Ghost in the Shell (character designer)
and Patlabor: The Movie 2.* [3]
10.2.5 Reception
Hyper commends the film for its“art direction and character design which are beautiful examples of hand-drawn
animation and the music fits the action (or lack thereof)
brilliantly. However, the film's “slow, deliberate pace”
is criticised.* [5] Helen McCarthy in 500 Essential Anime
The film's musical score was composed by Hajime MiMovies called the anime “a must-see”and praised the
zoguchi.
score and the design, commenting on “some breathtakAlthough some believe the movie makes use of ingly composed scenes”.* [6]
rotoscoping for many characters' movements,* [4] director Hiroyuki Okiura, interviewed in the Japanese special
edition DVD box set, claims that he does not employ the Awards
technique. This is consistent with the realistic human an10.2.6 References
imation featured in his other works.
10.2.4
[1] Discotek Media - Tijdlijnfoto's. Facebook. Retrieved on
2014-05-12.
Media
[2] Dan42's JIN-ROH lair (Interviews). Dan42.com. Retrieved on 2014-05-12.
Printed media
• 2000.06: Jin-Roh Behind Of The Screen (official
making book)
Japanese text, Mamoru Oshii, Production I.G,
ISBN 4-04-853219-7
• 2000.09:
Jin-Roh
magazine/book-)
Maniaxx
(mook
[3] Making Of Jin-Roh interview featured in the Jin-Roh DVD
published by CTV Int'l
[4] http://www.mania.com/jinroh-special-edition_article_
81487.html
[5]“Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade”. Hyper (Next Media)
(166): 84. August 2007. ISSN 1320-7458.
-
Japanese text, Mamoru Oshii, Kadokawa
Shoten, ISBN 4-87892-192-7
[6] McCarthy, Helen. 500 Essential Anime Movies: The Ultimate Guide. ̶Harper Design, 2009. ̶P. 67. ̶528 p.
̶ISBN 978-0061474507
[7] “YUBARI INTERNATIONAL FANTASTIC FILM
FESTIVAL 2000”. yubarifanta.com. Retrieved 200909-20.
• 2000.12: Jin-Roh Screenboard Book (official sto- Bibliography
ryboard)
• Gordon, Andrew (2003). A Modern History of
Japan: From Tokugawa Times to the Present. OxJapanese text, 522p., Hiroyuki Okiura, Proford University Press. ISBN 0-19-511060-9.
duction I.G
• Gustav Horn, Carl (2002).“Frontiers of Total Filmavailable in the L.E. DVD set only
making: Mamoru Oshii Creator of Jin-Roh.”Pamphlet from DVD. Jin-Roh: the Wolf Brigade Special
Edition.
Soundtrack
• Ruh, Brian (2004). Stray Dog of Anime: The Films
of Mamoru Oshii. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 1• 2000.06: Jin-Roh Original Motion Picture Sound4039-6334-7.
track (CD)
Hajime Mizoguchi feat. Gabriela Robin,
Members of Czech Philharmonic Orchestra,
Victor Ent. VICL-60569
•
2002.03: Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade
Sound Track (CD)
Bandai Ent.
available in the L.E. DVD set only
10.2.7 External links
• Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade at Production I.G
• Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade at the Internet Movie
Database
• Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade at AllMovie
• Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade (anime) at Anime News
Network's encyclopedia
Chapter 11
K
11.1 Kill la Kill
and transforms her so that she can face Kiryuin and her
trials and obstacles. She is befriended by her hyperactive
Kill la Kill (Japanese: キルラキル Hepburn: Kiru Ra classmate Mako Mankanshoku and lives with her family.
Kiru) is an anime television series produced by Trigger. When Satsuki reorganizes the allocation of Goku UniIt follows vagrant schoolgirl Ryuko Matoi on her search forms through a battle royal and king-of-the-hill event
for her father's killer, which brings her into violent con- known as Naturals Election, Ryuko faces the members
flict with Satsuki Kiryuin, the iron-fisted student council of Satsuki's Elite Four, who wear powerful Three-Star
president of Honnouji Academy, and her mother's fash- Goku Uniforms, in a series of duels. Her final fight is inion empire.
terrupted by Nui Harime, the wielder of the other Scissor
The series is Trigger's first original television anime Blade and the murderer of Ryuko's father. In the ensuing
project, directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi and written by fight, Ryuko transforms into an uncontrollable monster.
Kazuki Nakashima, both of whom had previously worked With the Tri-City Schools Raid, Satsuki conquers the matogether on Gurren Lagann. It aired in Japan between jor schools in the other regions of Japan, and quashes
October 3, 2013 and March 27, 2014.* [lower-alpha 1]
Nudist Beach (ヌーディスト・ビーチ Nūdisuto Bīchi),
Aniplex of America licensed the anime for a simulcast, a paramilitary organization led by Ryuko's homeroom
with a home video release starting July 2014. The series teacher Aikuro Mikisugi. She arranges for a festival that
premiered on Adult Swim's Toonami block on February will host her mother Ragyo, the academy's director and
8, 2015.* [6]* [7]* [lower-alpha 2] A manga adaptation by the CEO of REVOCS Corporation (REVOCS コーポ
Ryō Akizuki began serialization in Kadokawa Shoten's レーション Ribokkusu Kōporēshon), a clothing manuYoung Ace magazine from October 4, 2013. A follow-up facturer that has dominated the world-wide market. Mikanime episode was released as an OVA on September 3, isugi reveals that the Life Fibers, which have been woven
into all REVOCS clothing, are actually aliens that con2014.
sume their wearers. When they devour the festival audience, Satsuki turns on her mother, revealing her end
goal has always been destroying Ragyo, but the rebellion
11.1.1 Plot
is short-lived as Ragyo has fused with the Life Fibers to
attain tremendous power. Ragyo recognizes Ryuko as her
See also: List of Kill la Kill characters
own daughter and Satsuki's younger sister, who survived
the termination of a Life Fiber experiment and was raised
Kill la Kill is set at Honnouji Academy (本能字学園 Hon- in secrecy by Ragyo's missing husband Isshin Matoi.
nōji Gakuen), a fictional high school situated in Tokyo
A month later, Ragyo and the Life Fibers have devasBay, Japan on the island of Hannō City. The school is
tated Japan and have captured Satsuki, leaving the Elite
dominated by its fearsome student council, led by Satsuki
Four without Goku Uniforms and forced to hide out with
Kiryuin. Its students wear Goku Uniforms (極 制 服
Ryuko and the others at Nudist Beach. When they res*
Gokuseifuku, from gokusei (極製 ?, “finest quality”)
cue Satsuki, Ragyo captures and brainwashes Ryuko into
*
+ seifuku (制 服 ?, “school uniform”) ) which give
fighting her. After Ryuko frees herself, she and Satsuki
their wearers superhuman abilities because they are conchallenge Ragyo, who plans to detonate the Earth in orstructed with a special material known as Life Fibers (⽣
der to propagate the Life Fibers throughout the universe.
命戦維 Seimei Sen'i, lit. “Life Battle-Fibers”). TransAfter taking down the transmitter and blasting the cocoon
fer student Ryuko Matoi, who wields a scissor-shaped
that houses the Original Life Fiber, Ryuko chases Ragyo
longsword that can cut Goku Uniforms, challenges the
into space and defeats her, causing the Life Fiber clothes
council as she searches for her father's killer. Although
to perish.
she is initially easily defeated, she finds a sentient sailor
uniform that she names Senketsu, a Kamui (神 ⾐, lit. In a follow-up OVA episode, Ragyo's aide Rei dis“Godrobe”) which is completely made of Life Fibers rupts Honnouji Academy's graduation ceremony, but Sat114
11.1. KILL LA KILL
115
suki convinces her to abandon her struggle. Honnouji packs including soundtrack CDs, as well as standard BluAcademy is shut down and everyone leaves to live out ray Disc and DVD releases.* [27] At Anime Expo 2014
normal lives.
held in Los Angeles, Aniplex premiered the first English
dub episode, and hosted a performance by theme song
singer Eir Aoi, and a panel with script writer Kazuki
11.1.2 Development
Nakashima, director Sushio, producer Yosuke Toba, and
voice actresses Ami Koshimizu and Ryoka Yuzuki.* [28]
The television anime project, directed by Hiroyuki
The series is licensed in the United Kingdom and France
Imaishi at his animation studio, Trigger, was first teased
by Anime Limited under its All The Anime label, and
in the March 2013 issue of Kadokawa Shoten's NewType
was simulcast on Wakanim, later receiving a digital re*
magazine released on February 7, 2013. [9] Kill la Kill
lease on Netflix.* [33] The series will be released on Bluwas officially announced on May 8, 2013, with scripts
ray and DVD in three Collector's Edition sets, the first
written by Kazuki Nakashima and character designs by
part was originally slated for a December 8, 2014 release
*
Sushio. [10]
date* [34] but was moved up to November 17, 2014.* [35]
According to director Imaishi, much of the plot is based Subsequently, the release was pushed forward a further
on his observation that the Japanese manner of pronounc- two weeks to see the first release being available in the
ing "fascio" (ファッショ fassho) is nearly the same as the UK on November 3, 2014,* [36] while the Blu-ray verword “fashion”(ファッション fasshon), his observa- sion was pushed back by a full month to December 1,
tion that the pronunciation of the Japanese words“school 2014.* [37]
uniform”(制服 seifuku) and“conquest”(征服 seifuku)
In Australia and New Zealand, the series is streamed by
are identical, and that the titular kiru may mean “kill”
Madman Entertainment.* [39]
(キル), “to cut”(切る), or “to wear”(着る).* [11]
11.1.3
Release
See also: List of Kill la Kill episodes
Broadcast
Kill la Kill aired in Japan on MBS' Animeism programming block between October 3, 2013 and March 27,
2014.* [lower-alpha 1] It also aired on TBS, CBC and BSTBS.
The series is licensed in North America by Aniplex of
America, who simulcast the series on Daisuki.net,* [12]
and streamed it on Crunchyroll, and Hulu.* [13]* [14]
The series aired on Adult Swim's Toonami block in
North America from February 8, 2015* [7] to August 2,
2015.* [15]* [lower-alpha 2]
11.1.4 Media
Soundtrack
Music for the series is composed by Hiroyuki Sawano.
For the first fifteen episodes, the opening theme is “Sirius”(シリウス Shiriusu) by Eir Aoi, while the ending
theme is “Gomen ne, Iiko ja Irarenai”(ごめんね、い
いコじゃいられない。
,“Sorry, I'm Done Being a Good
Kid”) by Miku Sawai.* [40] From episode 16 onwards,
the opening theme is“ambiguous”by Garnidelia, a duo
consisting of vocalist Maria and composer Toku,* [41]
and the ending theme is “Shin Sekai Kōkyōgaku”(新
世界交響楽, “New World Symphony”) by Sayonara
Ponytail.* [42] Aoi's song“Sanbika”was used as an insert
song to accompany climactic events in episodes 3, 7, 11
and 23.
The first soundtrack album was published on December
25, 2013.* [43] Aniplex USA also released the CD on January 17, 2014.* [44] It features 18 tracks, including six
Home media
vocal songs performed in English and German. The backJapanese The video release on Blu-ray Disc and DVD ground music tracks feature titles that are typographical
began on January 8, 2014.* [16] Soundtrack CDs are in- variants of “Kill la Kill”.
cluded with the first and fifth volumes, making-of docu- The second soundtrack album was released in Japan
mentary DVDs are included with the third, seventh, and as part of the fifth DVD/Blu-ray disc set on May 7,
ninth volumes, and drama CDs are included with the sec- 2014.* [45] It also features“Kara-OK”(空 OK karaoke)
ond, fourth, sixth, and eighth volumes. An original video versions of the vocal tracks from the first album, amongst
animation episode was released as part of the ninth vol- other background music.
ume on September 3, 2014.* [17]
Track listing
English The series is being released in five BD/DVD
volumes in North America. The first volume was released
on July 15, 2014, in limited edition BD/DVD combo All music composed by Hiroyuki Sawano.
116
CHAPTER 11. K
Manga
Attack On Titan Replacement Stack Up? [VIDEO]".
iDigitalTimes. IBT Media.
A manga adaptation illustrated by Ryō Akizuki began
serialization in Kadokawa Shoten's Young Ace magazine
from October 3, 2013.* [46] The series' first tankōbon volume was released on December 2, 2013.* [47] The second
volume was released on March 7, 2014.* [48] Udon Entertainment has licensed the manga adaptation.* [49]
11.1.5
Reception
Kill la Kill was well received by critics. Eliot Gay of
Japanator called the “uniquely fun, even gripping”series “a reminder of how fun and creative anime can
be at its best”, despite the readily apparent budget
constraints.* [51] Kat Bailey of IGN, describing the series as “magical girl anime on speed”, noted that its
over-the-top absurdity was part of its charm.* [3] Joseph
Luster of Otaku USA described the series's concept as
“mostly straightforward setup for revenge and shonenstyle 'stronger! STRONGER!' battle progression”, but
praised its execution.* [52] Richard Eisenbeis of Kotaku
appreciated the series for“perfectly mixing comedy and
action”, its pacing, internal consistency and over-thetop straightforward adaptation of standard action anime
tropes.* [53]
The animation of fight scenes and character movements,
as well as the “keen selection of music”, were particularly praised by Robert Frazer of UK Anime Network,* [54] The site selected it as the 2013 UK Anime
Network Awards winner in the “Best streaming anime”
category.* [55] Carl Kimlinger of Anime News Network
also appreciated the inventive and funny animation and
the series's “retro shonen action pushed to (...) loony,
hyperactive extremes”.* [56] Michael Logarta of GMA
News Online likewise noted the “superb pacing”, tothe-point storytelling and well-realized characters in the
series's“whirlwind of gorgeous visuals, story, and unfettered insanity”.* [57]
11.1.6
[2] Romano, Aja (April 3, 2014). “Kill La Kill: How the
year's most polarizing anime became a smash hit”. The
Daily Dot. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
[3] Bailey, Kat; Sliva, Marty (January 30, 2014). “9 Anime
That Would Make Great Video Games”. IGN. Retrieved
April 20, 2015. Article was updated from its original Bailey, Kat (January 30, 2015). “6 Animes That Would
Make Great Video Games”. Archived from the original
on 2014-02-16.
[4] Logarta, Michael (April 14, 2014). “No-holds-barred
insanity in 'Kill la Kill'". SciTech - GMA News Online.
GMA Network.
[5] “TV アニメ『キルラキル KILL la KILL』番組サイ
ト" (in Japanese). MBS. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
[6] “Aniplex USA Adds Kill La Kill". Anime News Network.
August 10, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
[7] “Kill la Kill to Run on Toonami Starting in February”.
Anime News Network. 2015-01-16.
[8] “Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes”. Toonami Tumblr. January 27,
2015. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
[9] "Panty & Stocking Helmer Imaishi, Trigger Launch New
Anime”. Anime News Network. February 7, 2013. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
[10] "Kill La Kill Anime Reunites Gurren Lagann Director,
Writer”. Anime News Network. May 8, 2013. Retrieved
June 29, 2013.
[11] Chaisiri, Andy Lee. “Kill la Kill: The Fashion of Fascism”. Art-Eater. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
[12] “DAISUKI.NET ANNOUNCES SIMULCAST OF
ANIPLEXʼS KILL la KILL in 5 languages”. Daisuki.net.
September 25, 2013. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
[13] “Aniplex USA Streams Kill la Kill Ad With English Subtitles”. Anime News Network. August 11, 2013. Retrieved
September 5, 2013.
Notes
[14] “Aniplex USA to Stream Magi & Valvrave 2nd Seasons,
Kill la Kill on 4 Sites”. Anime News Network. September
18, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
[1] As the television series aired in MBS' “Thursday 26:05”
time slot* [5] (Friday 2:05 JST), its premiere technically
[15] Kill La Kill [KillLaKillUSA] (July 30, 2015). “Just a
occurred on October 4, 2013.
reminder, Episode 24 of Kill la Kill will be on Toonami,
ending it's run. Members of the English Cast... http://fb.
[2] Adult Swim used an after midnight schedule for Toonme/8Dtuy3hUZ" (Tweet). Retrieved August 5, 2015.
ami, so the show's programming guide lists the dates for
its shows on the Saturday night, February 7, 2015, which
is technically the same as Sunday morning, February 8, [16] “Official website” (in Japanese). Aniplex. Retrieved
December 20, 2013.
2015. The English airdates shown in this list will reflect
*
the actual date. [8]
[17] “Last Kill la Kill Blu-ray/DVD to Include Unaired
11.1.7
References
[1] Harding, Xavier (February 8, 2015). “Kill La Kill English Dub Episode 1 Premiere: How Does Toonamiʼs
Episode”. Anime News Network. December 19, 2013.
Retrieved December 20, 2013.
[18] “Blu-ray&DVD | TV アニメ『キルラキル KILL la
KILL』オフィシャルサイト". Kill-la-kill.jp. Retrieved
2014-08-15.
11.1. KILL LA KILL
[19] “Blu-ray&DVD | TV アニメ『キルラキル KILL la
KILL』オフィシャルサイト". Kill-la-kill.jp. Retrieved
2014-08-15.
[20] “Blu-ray&DVD | TV アニメ『キルラキル KILL la
KILL』オフィシャルサイト". Kill-la-kill.jp. Retrieved
2014-08-15.
[21] “Blu-ray&DVD | TV アニメ『キルラキル KILL la
KILL』オフィシャルサイト". Kill-la-kill.jp. Retrieved
2014-08-15.
[22] “Blu-ray&DVD | TV アニメ『キルラキル KILL la
KILL』オフィシャルサイト". Kill-la-kill.jp. Retrieved
2014-08-15.
[23] “Blu-ray&DVD | TV アニメ『キルラキル KILL la
KILL』オフィシャルサイト". Kill-la-kill.jp. Retrieved
2014-08-15.
[24] “Blu-ray&DVD | TV アニメ『キルラキル KILL la
KILL』オフィシャルサイト". Kill-la-kill.jp. Retrieved
2014-08-15.
[25] “Blu-ray&DVD | TV アニメ『キルラキル KILL la
KILL』オフィシャルサイト". Kill-la-kill.jp. Retrieved
2014-08-15.
[26] “Blu-ray&DVD | TV アニメ『キルラキル KILL la
KILL』オフィシャルサイト". Kill-la-kill.jp. Retrieved
2014-08-15.
[27] “Aniplex of America to Release Kill la Kill on Blu-ray
and DVD”. Anime News Network. Retrieved 2014-0815.
[28] “Kill la Kill English Dub to Premiere at Anime Expo –
News”. Anime News Network. May 12, 2014. Retrieved
June 22, 2014.
[29] “Blu-ray & DVD | Kill la Kill USA Official Website”.
Killlakill.com. Retrieved 2014-08-15.
[30] “Blu-ray & DVD | Kill la Kill USA Official Website”.
Killlakill.com. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
[31] “Blu-ray & DVD | Kill la Kill USA Official Website”.
Killlakill.com. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
[32] “Blu-ray & DVD | Kill la Kill USA Official Website”.
Killlakill.com. Retrieved 2015-01-17.
[33] “New U.K. Anime Online Broadcaster Announced”.
Anime News Network. October 3, 2013. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
[34] “Anime Limited Licenses Kill la Kill for Home Video in
the UK” (Press release). All the Anime. Anime Limited.
March 7, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
[35] “All the Anime – KILL LA KILL – RELEASE
TRAILER & NEW DATE”. All the Anime. Anime Limited.
[36] “Anime Limited - 'Well blow me over!' is what you're
going... - Facebook”. facebook.com.
[37] “Anime UK News :: Anime Limited Pushes Kill la Kill
Blu-Ray Back To 1st December”. animeuknews.net.
117
[38] “Anime Limited Newswire #8 – 24th Feb. 2015”. All
the Anime. Anime Limited. February 24, 2015.
[39] “Madman Entertainment Acquires Kill La Kill". Anime
News Network. September 20, 2013. Retrieved October
3, 2013.
[40] "Kill la Kill Anime's New Ad Previews Eir Aoi's Song”
. Anime News Network. August 29, 2013. Retrieved
September 5, 2013.
[41] “GARNiDELiA Duo to Perform Kill La Kill Anime's
New Opening”. Anime News Network. December 12,
2012. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
[42] “Sayonara Ponytail to Perform Kill la Kill 's 2nd Ending Theme”. Anime News Network. January 2, 2014.
Retrieved January 6, 2014.
[43] 「キルラキル」オリジナルサウンドトラック (in
Japanese). Trigger. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
[44] “Aniplex USA to Release Kill la Kill Original Soundtrack CD”. Anime News Network. December 24, 2013.
Retrieved December 27, 2013.
[45] Green, Scott (December 20, 2013). ""Kill La Kill”Blurays to Feature Soundtrack and OVA”. Crunchyroll. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
[46] "Gurren Lagann Staff's Kill la Kill Anime Gets Manga”
. Anime News Network. September 4, 2013. Retrieved
September 5, 2013.
[47] キルラキル (1) (カドカワコミックス・エース) (in
Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. ISBN 4041209080. Retrieved
December 4, 2013.
[48] キ ル ラ キ ル 2 (⾓ 川 コ ミッ ク ス・ エー ス) (in
Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. ISBN 4041210488. Retrieved
March 8, 2014.
[49]“Udon Entertainment Licenses Kill La Kill Manga, More”
. Anime News Network. July 27, 2014. Retrieved August
17, 2014.
[50] キルラキル (3) (カドカワコミックス･エース) (in
Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. ISBN 978-4041021071. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
[51] Gay, Eliot (October 8, 2013).“Imaishi and crew hit it out
of the park”. Japanator. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
[52] Luster, Joseph (October 4, 2013). “Anime First Impressions: Kill la Kill”. Otaku USA.
[53] Eisenbeis, Richard (April 4, 2014).“Kill la Kill Is a Rare
Breed of Anime”. Kotaku. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
[54] Frazer, Robert (November 8, 2013). "Kill la Kill – Eps.
1–5”. UK Anime Network. Retrieved December 27,
2013.
[55] Hanley, Andy. “The 2013 UK Anime Network Awards”
. UK Anime Network. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
[56] Kimlinger, Carl (November 21, 2013). "Kill la Kill
Episodes 1–6 Streaming”. Anime News Network. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
118
CHAPTER 11. K
him after a corrupt district attorney, but the man is actually a SWAT officer, who nearly kills Oburi before Sawa
arrives and saves him. Oburi confronts Akai and tells him
that he and Sawa are both leaving, but Akai overpowers
and savagely beats him. Sawa comes to Oburi's rescue
11.1.8 External links
again but is captured by Akai and Kanie. Akai appears
to decide that just killing Oburi isn't enough, and after
• Official websites in Japan, United States
Akai says “Sawa, thank me”, the screen cuts to black.
When Kanie drags Oburi off afterward, Akai tells Sawa
• Kill la Kill (anime) at Anime News Network's ency- he's impressed with the depth of her plan to kill Oburi,
clopedia
saying that he almost believed her act. He tells her where
Kanie is going to kill Oburi and that he is looking forward
to finding Oburi's body. Sawa then leaves, saying she has
an exam the next day.
11.2 Kite (1999 film)
[57] Logarta, Michael (April 14, 2014). “No-holds-barred
insanity in 'Kill la Kill'". GMA News Online. Retrieved
April 15, 2014.
The next morning, Akai arrives at a murder scene. He
Kite, known as A Kite in Japan, is a Japanese anime OVA draws back the covering over the body and flinches when
written and directed by Yasuomi Umetsu.
he sees it is Kanie. One of the crime scene investigators
The original Japanese release ran for two 30-minute reminds him that the body's location is where a double
episodes. However, subsequent releases, including all murder occurred several years prior, when the parents of
three DVD releases in the United States, have edited the a teenage girl were killed. Akai then goes to where Kanie
had been taking Oburi to confront him, but instead finds
OVA into a 60-minute anime film.
Sawa, who shoots him in the right hand and groin before emptying the magazines of both her and Oburi's guns
into the rest of his body. She tosses both guns into the
11.2.1 Plot
sewer, then removes her remaining earring and discards
Kite revolves around a schoolgirl named Sawa who is it as well.
orphaned in her early teens. Her parents are the victims
of a gory double murder. When the film opens Sawa is
on a date with a celebrity, but he starts yelling at an old
lady, who had rebuked him for promiscuous ways. Sawa
kills him and the old lady dies of a heart attack. The
detectives investigating the crime, Akai and Kanie, are
her guardians. Akai has had a sexual relationship with
Sawa for the duration of his guardianship. Akai also gave
her a pair of crystal earrings, each one allegedly containing the blood of one of her parents.
Before Oburi and Sawa can reunite, Oburi is shot by another presumed child assassin – perhaps coincidentally a
girl whose basketball he had destroyed near the beginning
of the movie in response to an insult – and most likely the
assassin Akai was talking about after raping Sawa for the
last time. The scene changes to Sawa at Oburi's loft in
an abandoned building, waiting patiently for his return.
There is the sound of a footstep and a creaking floorboard,
and Sawa turns her head to look at the source of the noise
before the screen goes black.
Sawa is an assassin, who the corrupt detectives make kill
an alleged rapist of young girls. Subsequently over the
11.2.2 Cast
years, she kills whomever she is ordered to, including corrupt police officers and corporate fat cats. Sawa's assassinations are famous among the police for her use of spe- 11.2.3 Release history
cial bullets that explode inside the body after piercing the
Kite is controversial in its depiction of extreme gory
skin.
violence and sexual content, including graphic rape
Eventually, Sawa meets a fellow assassin named Oburi, scenes involving a very young Sawa (only available in the
who is of a similar age, and a bond quickly forms between unedited version). The DVD description states: “Colthem. Due to their relationship, Sawa slowly gains the lege student by day, vigilante by night, Sawa protects the
emotional strength to escape from her guardians to set out innocent and mercilessly kills criminals in this intense
on her own. Oburi is leaving Akai and Kanie's service af- Japanese anime.”
ter killing three more targets, but Akai orders Sawa to kill
Oburi instead of letting him go. Realizing that Sawa has Subsequently, the OVA has been released three times
the drop on him, Oburi tells her that Akai and Kanie were in the United States, each with less censorship than the
the ones who murdered her parents, but Sawa reveals that last (with the most recent release being reputedly uncenshe has known that for years. She lets Oburi live and goes sored).
to take out her next target. The bodyguards of this target Kite was also banned in many countries. Kite is banned in
nearly kill her in a struggle in the men's restroom. Dur- Norway due to scenes in the film being considered“child
ing it, she loses one of her earrings and sustains several pornography”which is a criminal offence in Norway.
minor injuries. When Oburi shows up alive, Kanie sends However, a censored version is available. It is considered
11.2. KITE (1999 FILM)
119
an anime cult classic by some fans.* [1]
wide distribution rights for Kite,* [7] with a release date
Two versions were initially released: the “Original Ver- of August 25, 2014.
sion”(rated 16-Up), which does not include sex scenes
and the adults-only “Director's Cut”version (rated 18- 11.2.6 Reception
Up), which contains nearly 15 additional minutes of unreleased footage, making it 60 minutes in total. This Direc- Helen McCarthy in 500 Essential Anime Movies called the
tor's Cut version removed some scenes found in the orig- anime a“shocking story of violence, abuse and perverted
inal Japanese release such as few shots of sexual contact self-justification”.* [8]
between Akai and Sawa. A third release, labeled “Uncut”, contains Kite in its original Japanese version. All
contain every violent scene in the film, but the general re- 11.2.7 In popular culture
lease and Netflix versions only contains a scene featuring
a mature Sawa naked at the end and brief nudity. The Kill Bill writer and director Quentin Tarantino recomother two contain scenes of extremely graphic sexuality mended Kite as part of actress Chiaki Kuriyama's prepaand graphic nudity. This film was re-released on DVD in rations for her role as Gogo Yubari in the first film.
2008 entitled Kite Remastered (16-Up version), and Kite Several scenes in the music video for the song "ExRemastered: Special Edition (18-Up version) to coincide Girlfriend" by No Doubt are based on Kite.* [9] Velvet
with the release of the sequel Kite Liberator. The spe- Acid Christ Song “Pretty Toy”samples one of Akai's
cial edition version of Kite Remastered still has the same lines from the English dub.
footage from the Director's Cut version with some scenes
omitted. Kite is available now on Netflix along with Kite
Liberator for a limited time as part of Media Blasters' 11.2.8 See also
deal. Like the general release, Kite on Netflix has few sex
• Mezzo Forte̶Umetsu's second anime OVA, which
scenes omitted from the film.
also concerns a young woman working as an assassin, and a cameo by Sawa.
11.2.4
Sequel
• Mezzo DSA̶television series based on Mezzo
Forte.
A sequel entitled Kite Liberator features a different cast
of characters including a new character named Monaka
• Cool Devices: Yellow Star, previously directed by
Noguchi, but retains two characters such as Oburi who
Umetsu, features“prototype”character designs, and
now works as a police officer under the name Rin Gaga
similar subject matter.
and Sawa with her different appearance.* [2] It was released on April 8, 2008 in the United States and Japan and
bundled with Kite: Director's Cut. Kite Liberator along 11.2.9 References
with Kite were released on December 2013 on Netflix.
[1] Clandestin, Marché. Anime on the big screen: Upcoming
live-action anime adaptations. Retrieved on 27 June 2007
11.2.5
Live-action film
Main article: Kite (2014 film)
A live action adaptation of Kite was reported to be in
various stages of pre-production for several years, with
American film director Rob Cohen attached as either director or producer.* [3] The content of the live action film
is expected to be toned down from the original OVA. On
September 2, 2011, David R. Ellis took the helm for the
remake.* [4] On December 17, 2012 Samuel L. Jackson
announced that he was the first to join the cast of Ellis's
Kite, with filming taking place in Johannesburg.* [5] The
film, which takes place in a post-financial collapse corrupt society, follows a girl who tries to track down her father's killer with help from his ex-partner. On February
3, 2013, Ralph Ziman took over as director of the film after Ellis died on January 7, 2013; actors India Eisley and
Callan McAuliffe subsequently joined the cast.* [6] On
May 10, 2013, The Weinstein Company acquired world-
[2] AnimeNation News
[3] Press Release. Distant Horizon and Rob Cohen partner on
live action remake Of anime hit “Kite” Retrieved 2009
May 21
[4] “David R. Ellis Takes Kite”. ComingSoon.net. 201109-02. Retrieved 2011-09-02.
[5] http://www.movies.com/movie-news/
samuel-l-jackson-kite-remake/10669
[6] Samuel L. Jackson, India Eisley, Callan McAuliffe Fly
With ʻKiteʼRemake. It includes new and up coming
actress Romancia Reneke as a featured extra
[7] Cannes: Weinstein Co. Flies With ʻKiteʼ
[8] McCarthy, Helen. 500 Essential Anime Movies: The Ultimate Guide. Harper Design, 2009. P. 445. 528 pp. ISBN
978-0-06-147450-7
[9] “Brutally Graphic Adult Anime Coming To Life”. Kotaku. November 1, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
120
11.2.10
CHAPTER 11. K
External links
• Kite Information at Arms Company Website
(Japanese)
• Kite at the Internet Movie Database
• Kite (OVA) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Animerica review
• Oppliger, John (23 April 2008). “Ask John: Will
the Real Kite Please Stand Up?". AnimeNation.
Retrieved 15 July 2014. A dissection of the various releases of Kite.
Chapter 12
L
12.1 Lupin III
12.1.1 Plot
Main article: List of Lupin III characters
Arsène Lupin III, the grandson of the fictional gentleman
“Lupin the Third”and “Lupin the 3rd”redirect here. thief, Arsène Lupin, is considered the world's greatest
thief, known for announcing his intentions to steal valuFor the title character, see Arsène Lupin III.
able objects by sending a calling card to the owners of
his desired items. His right-hand man and closest ally is
Lupin III (ルパン三世 Rupan Sansei), also written as
Daisuke Jigen, an expert marksman who can accurately
Lupin the Third or Lupin the 3rd, is a Japanese manga
shoot a target in 0.3 seconds. Although Lupin and Jigen
series written and illustrated by Monkey Punch. It follows
frequently work as a two-man team, they are often joined
the escapades of master thief Arsène Lupin III, the grandby Goemon Ishikawa XIII, a master swordsman whose
son of Arsène Lupin, the gentleman thief of Maurice
sword can cut anything, or Fujiko Mine, a femme fatale
Leblanc's series of novels.
and Lupin's love interest. Although Fujiko usually works
The Lupin III manga, which first appeared in Weekly together with the others, she occasionally exploits Lupin's
Manga Action on August 10, 1967, spawned a media fran- interest in her to steal the treasure for herself. Lupin and
chise that includes numerous manga, five anime television his gang are constantly chased by Inspector Koichi Zeniseries, six theatrically released animated feature films, gata of the ICPO, who has made it his life's work to arrest
two live-action films, a two-part animated theatrical short them, chasing Lupin across the globe.
film, five OVA works, twenty-five animated television
films, music CDs, video games, and a musical. Many different companies have owned the English-language dis- 12.1.2 Production
tribution rights to various Lupin III properties at various
times, with just the first two movies having been released The series was created by Japanese manga artist
by over 10 companies alone. Tokyopop acquired the li- Kazuhiko Katō under the pen name Monkey Punch. His
cense to the original manga in 2002, and later the sec- inspiration for the series was the fictional French genond series in 2004. Funimation Entertainment purchased tleman thief Arsène Lupin, created by Maurice Leblanc.
the rights to several of the television specials and films in Before creating the series he read 15 of Leblanc's stories.
2002, and the fourth television series in 2012. Geneon The aim of the Lupin III series was to produce a comlicensed and dubbed 79 episodes of the second television edy adventure series that reflected the traits of Leblanc's
series, 26 of which were broadcast on Cartoon Network's character. Originally the intention was to keep the blood
Adult Swim during 2003. Discotek Media licensed the ties between the two fictional characters secret, however
entire first television series and the first live-action film, he was convinced by others not to do so.* [1]
they also own the rights to several other Lupin titles, in- Monkey Punch combined elements of Arsène Lupin with
cluding some previously released by other companies.
James Bond to develop the character of Lupin III and
Over forty years after its creation, Lupin III remains popular, with several different manga series currently being
published, yearly television specials and a fifth anime series set to air in 2015. For several years, issues relating to
the copyright of Maurice Leblanc's intellectual property
meant that the Lupin name was removed from its releases
outside of Japan, usually changed to“Rupan”or“Wolf”
. However, the copyright has since expired, allowing foreign releases to use the Lupin name.
made him a “carefree fellow”. Lupin was given a red
color jacket which Monkey Punch believes is a flashy,
sexy color.* [1]* [2]* [3] As the series was to be published
in a magazine targeted at adults, Fujiko Mine was created
to add a female presence and to fulfill a "Bond girl" role.
Her name was inspired by a picture of Mount Fuji, Monkey Punch added the -ko female suffix to create her first
name, and chose “Mine”for her family name because
of its meaning as“summit”. At the beginning of the se-
121
122
ries, many of the women Lupin encounters are all named
Fujiko, but are treated as different characters from chapter to chapter. Creating a new female each week was too
difficult for Monkey Punch so she evolved into a single
character who changes style frequently.* [1]* [3]* [4] Jigen
Daisuke was based on James Coburn, especially his role
in The Magnificent Seven, and his name was chosen to
reflect his unconventional personality. Goemon was created to give an oriental element into an otherwise western series. Despite Lupin and Goemon originally being
enemies, Monkey Punch decided that they were on the
same wavelength. While Lupin, Fujiko, Jigen and Goemon frequently operate together for their own goals, the
author considers them not to be a true group as they have
their own individual interests.* [1] In the manga they operated individually, however in the anime adaptations the
group tend to work together. Inspector Zenigata was conceived as Lupin's arch rival to create a“human Tom and
Jerry".* [3]
When Monkey Punch began Lupin III, he was already
working on another series, Pinky Punky. Monkey Punch
enjoys writing outlaw characters, and both Lupin III and
Pinky Punky made use of outlaws as central characters.
According to him, this made it easy for him to write two
series without much pressure. Monkey Punch enjoys puzzles and mysteries such as Columbo and Agatha Christie
novels, and was also inspired by The Three Musketeers and
the movies of Alfred Hitchcock.* [2]* [5] He believes the
characters of Lupin and Fujiko are similar to the characters of D'Artagnan and Milady de Winter, and describes
them as“Not necessarily lovers, not necessarily husband
and wife, but more just having fun as man and woman
with each other”.* [5] Another influence on the manga
was Mad magazine.* [6] Monkey Punch said the appeal
of drawing Lupin comes from the character being able
to go anywhere without obstacles and being able to do
whatever he wants, whenever he wants. However, this
is contrasted by the appeal of Zenigata's strict personality. Originally the series was only expected to last three
months, but due to its popularity, Monkey Punch continued to draw it. However, despite his happiness at its success, he has expressed confusion over its popularity.* [5]
Monkey Punch has said that he believes the story can
never end but that if he had to, both Zenigata and Lupin
would have to end as equals. They would either both fail,
both win or both get very old.* [7]
Monkey Punch did not ask permission to use the Arsène
Lupin name and at the time Japan did not enforce trade
copyrights. By the time Leblanc's estate launched legal
action in Japan, the name was considered to have entered
into common use.* [1] However, this was not the case in
North America and Europe and several foreign releases
of Lupin III media dropped the Lupin III title and the
character himself was renamed to“Rupan”or“Wolf”. In
France, the series was known as Edgar, Detective Cambrioleur (Edgar, Detective Burglar) with Lupin himself renamed“Edgar de la Cambriole”(Edgar of Burglary).* [8]
CHAPTER 12. L
Monkey Punch has stated that using the same character
design, behavior and face would be illegal, but using a
name alone is not illegal.* [2] In 2012, Leblanc's original
Arsène Lupin entered the public domain in France due
to 70 years passing since his death in 1941, and is in the
public domain for any country that enforces the rule of
the shorter term.* [9]
12.1.3 Media
Manga
Main article: List of Lupin III chapters
The original manga series was written and illustrated by
Monkey Punch. It was serialized by Futabasha in Weekly
Manga Action in 94 chapters from August 10, 1967. Additional chapters known as Lupin III New Adventures were
released from August 12, 1971.* [10]* [11] Tokyopop licensed the series for North America, and released all
14 volumes between December 10, 2002 and July 6,
2004.* [12]* [13] The Tokyopop edition is adapted from
the Chuokoron Shinsha edition from 1989.* [14] In Europe, the series was licensed by Star Comics in Italy and
Ediciones Mangaline in Spain.* [15]* [16]
Monkey Punch began publishing the second Lupin
manga, Shin Lupin III in Weekly Manga Actionon June
23, 1977 until 1981.* [10]* [11] Three chapters were published in the British magazine Manga Mania between
May and July 1996.* [17]* [18]* [19] Tokyopop licensed
the second series, and released the first 6 volumes as
Lupin III – World's Most Wanted between September 7,
2004 and February 7, 2007. * [20]* [21] Like the first
series, the Tokyopop release was based on the Chuokoron Shinsha edition from 1990.* [14] Tokyopop later cancelled the series due to low sales.* [7]
A third manga series, later referred to as Lupin the 3rd S,
began in January 1997. The story was written by Satosumi Takaguchi and illustrated by Shusay. Five stories
were published in Action Second,* [14] and collected into
a single volume in June 1998.* [22] A fourth manga series, Lupin III Y, was illustrated by Manatsu Yamakami.
The series was serialized in Weekly Manga Action from
August 11, 1998 until October 14, 2003 and the chapters
were collected into 20 volumes published between June
27, 1999 and September 28, 2004.* [23]* [24]
On August 27, 2004, Futabasha launched Lupin III Official Magazine, a quarterly publication of Lupin III manga
by various authors.* [25]
Lupin III M by Yukio Miyama began serialization in
2004.* [26] 8 volumes were released between January
27, 2005 and September 12, 2008.* [27]* [28] A rerelease across 4 volumes was published between February
19, 2009 and December 17, 2009.* [29]* [30] It was succeeded by Lupin M Neo which was published on Octo-
12.1. LUPIN III
ber 28, 2009 and a sixth volume was released on November 28, 2012.* [31]* [32] Lupin III H by Naoya Hayakawa
started in summer 2009. The first volume was released
on October 12, 2010 and an eighth volume was released
on March 27, 2015.* [33]* [34] Lupin III B by Tamio Baba
was serialized between 2012 and 2013. A collected volume was released on February 28, 2014.* [35]
Yutaka Abe and Jirō Maruden produced a three chapter
adaptation of the Lupin III vs. Detective Conan TV special. From August 25, they also created a manga adaptation of Lupin III vs. Detective Conan: The Movie for
Shogakukans Shonen Super Sunday magazine.* [36]
A number of spin offs focusing on individual characters
were also created. Captain Zenigata was first released
on September 12, 2011.* [37] M.F.C (Mine Fujiko Company) was published as two volumes on September 28,
2009.* [38]* [39]Goemon Ishikawa XIII by Kazuo Hoshi
was released on September 27, 2014.* [40]
Anime
Pilot film Following the success of the manga series,
TMS Entertainment and Toho produced a 12-minute
Lupin III anime film adaptation.* [8] Masaaki Ōsumi directed the movie, which was made in two different versions: a CinemaScope version intended for theatrical release and a 4:3 television version. The animation for
the two versions was mainly the same, but the voice cast
was different, with only Kiyoshi Kobayashi and Eiko Masuyama, voicing Daisuke Jigen and Fujiko Mine respectively, in both versions. By the time the pilot was completed in 1969, because of budget concerns and a disagreement between Toho and TMS, the film was never
released.* [8] Masaaki Ōsumi then moved on to direct
the first Lupin III television series. The two versions of
this pilot film were later released as part of the Lupin
III Secret Files (シークレットファイル Rupan Sansei
̶Shīkuretto Fairu) collection.* [41] Discotek Media included both versions in their 2012 release of the first TV
series.* [42]
123
Punch has stated that this series is the closest to the original manga.* [2] Discotek Media licensed and released
the first series on DVD in North America on June 26,
2012.* [49]
The second Lupin III television series began airing on
NTV on October 3, 1977. This series, was broadcast for 155 episodes, with the last one airing on October 6, 1980.* [43] Episodes 145 and 155 were written
and directed by Hayao Miyazaki under the pseudonym
Terekomu, and they marked his final involvement with
the Lupin franchise.* [50]* [51] The music for the series was composed by Yuji Ohno.* [52] On September
3, 1979, Episode 99 was the first ever anime television
episode to be broadcast in stereo.* [43] Streamline Pictures released episodes 145 and 155 of the second television series to VHS as "Lupin III's Greatest Capers".* [53]
Pioneer Entertainment began distributing the second television series in North America on January 28, 2003.* [54]
Geneon hired Phuuz Entertainment Inc. to adapt and
translate the series.* [55] The first 79 episodes were released on 15 DVDs and the first 26 episodes aired numerous times on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim.* [56]
In 1982, an animated television series called Lupin VIII
was planned as a French-Japanese co-production, featuring the descendants of Lupin, Goemon, Jigen, and Zenigata, but was never completed.* [8] Created by DiC Animation, with Rintaro directing, and character designs by
Shingo Araki; two scripts were written, and one episode
was fully animated with a music and sound effects track,
but the voice-overs were never recorded. It has been suggested that the project was stopped due to Leblanc's estate
wanting a large amount of money for use of the Lupin
name.* [8] The single episode was later included in the
2012 Lupin III Master File box set.* [57]
The third Lupin III television series, called Lupin III Part
III, began airing on ytv on March 3, 1984. This series was broadcast for 50 episodes and ended on November 6, 1985.* [43] In 2009, the Southern Californiabased United Television Broadcasting network began airing subtitled episodes from all three series on their UTBHollywood channel.* [58]
The fourth series, titled Lupin the Third: The Woman
Television series See also: Lupin The Third Part I,
Called Fujiko Mine, aired on NTV between April 4, 2012
Lupin III Part II, List of Lupin III Part III episodes and
and June 27, 2012.* [59] The 13 episode series depicts
Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine
Fujiko meeting the rest of the Lupin III cast for the first
time, and was created to capture the“sensuality”present
On October 24, 1971, ytv began airing the first Lupin in Monkey Punch's original manga.* [59] Funimation EnIII television series. The series, was broadcast for tertainment simulcast the series on their website and Nico
23 episodes, with the last one airing on March 26, Nico, with English subtitles.* [60] It was then released in
1972.* [43] The series was initially directed by Masaaki Blu-ray and Blu-ray/DVD sets on August 20, 2013, inŌsumi, who was then replaced by Hayao Miyazaki and cluding an English-language dub.* [61]* [62] Manga EnIsao Takahata.* [44] Key animation direction was pro- tertainment released a similar set in the United Kingdom
vided by Yasuo Ōtsuka.* [45] The music was composed on September 16, while Hanabee released the series in a
by Takeo Yamashita with many songs performed by two-part combo set in Australasia, the first on October 16
Charlie Kosei.* [46] The series received a record amount and the second on November 20.* [63]* [64]
of orders from the broadcast industry and had a 9% viewA fifth series has been announced in October 2014. The
ing share during its original broadcast.* [47]* [48] Monkey
124
series is being created by Telecom Animation Film and
is being directed by Kazuhide Tomonaga and Yuichiro
Yano with scripts by Yūya Takahashi. The aim is to produce a series that combines two conflicting aspects of
Lupin III, both hardboiled and comical. Yuji Ohno will
return as composer for the series.* [65] The series will run
for 24 episodes and receive its Italian premiere on August
30, 2015 on the Italia 1 channel. The Japan premiere will
be October 1, 2015 on NTV channel.* [66]
CHAPTER 12. L
Fujiko Mine TV series. Entitled Daisuke Jigen's Gravestone, it depicts how Lupin and Jigen became partners and
was released theatrically on June 21, 2014.* [10]* [79]
Original video animations The first Lupin III original
video animation (OVA) was The Plot of the Fuma Clan,
was shown in theatres in Japan on December 26, 1987 before being released to video on April 5, 1988.* [10] Because of budget problems, TMS decided not to employ
the regular voice cast from the television series and theatrical movies; instead, they hired a different cast to save
money. Yasuo Yamada, the voice actor for Lupin, had
always taken pride in his role as the title character and
after the voice cast replacement, he mistakenly thought
that Monkey Punch had lobbied the producers for a new
voice actor. After the release, Monkey Punch tried to
reassure Yamada that he had nothing to do with the producers' decision to use a new cast, and the regulars were
reinstated for the first television special, Bye-Bye Liberty
Crisis. Despite this, relations between Yamada and Monkey Punch were permanently strained by the affair.* [80]
AnimEigo owned the North American distribution rights
to the OVA until 2006, when it was taken over by Discotek.* [75]
Films During the broadcast run of the second television series, an animated feature film was also produced
titled simply Lupin III (later known as Lupin III: Lupin
vs. the Clone), which was released in Japanese theaters
on December 16, 1978.* [10] The movie received four
different English language dubs. The first dub, created
in 1978, received experimental screenings in the United
States by Toho.* [67]* [68]* [69] The next two dubs were
created for home releases and were retitled The Mystery
of Mamo and Secret of Mamo.* [2]* [69] The fourth was
released on DVD by Geneon in North America on July
29, 2003, under the title The Secret of Mamo.* [70] Manga
Entertainment released the movie in the United Kingdom on August 4, 2008.* [71] Discotek Media released
the film on DVD on February 26, 2013 and includes all The second OVA, Return of the Magician, was released
four English dubs.* [72]* [73]
on April 3, 2002, created as a part of the 30-year anniverHayao Miyazaki directed the next feature film, The Castle sary of the first television series and features the return
of Cagliostro, which was released in Japanese theaters on of one* of the original villains of the series, the magician
December 15, 1979.* [43] This movie was loosely based Pycal [81] A third OVA, Green vs. Red, was released
2, 2008 as part of the 40th anniversary of the
on Maurice Leblanc's Arsène Lupin novel La Comtesse on April
*
manga.
[43]
Discotek released Green vs. Red on May
*
de Cagliostro (“The Countess of Cagliostro”). [74] The
21,
2013
in
North
America.* [82]
third film, Legend of the Gold of Babylon, was released
in Japanese theaters on July 13, 1985.* [10] AnimEigo released the film in North America in 1994 under the“Rupan III”name.* [8] In 2005, Discotek Media acquired it
for a DVD release, however, it was later cancelled due
to NA's declining anime industry.* [75]* [76] Ten years
after Babylon was released, Die! Nostradamus entered
Japanese theaters on April 22, 1995.* [10]
The Lupin III Master File box set released in 2012 included a new short animation titled “Lupin Family
Lineup”(ル パ ン ⼀ 家 勢 揃 い Rupan Ikka Seizoroi)
where the veteran cast of Kanichi Kurita as Lupin,
Kiyoshi Kobayashi as Jigen, Makio Inoue as Goemon,
Eiko Masuyama as Fujiko, and Goro Naya as Zenigata
reunited for the last time, after the later three were replaced for the previous year's TV special.* [83] A parody
flash anime titled Lupin Shanshei (ルパンしゃんしぇ
い Rupan Shanshei) was produced by animator Frogman
and his studio DLE Inc. in collaboration with TMS. The
ten shorts were released on Blu-ray Disc and DVD on
December 19, 2012.* [84]
The fifth anime feature film, Dead or Alive, was directed
by the creator of the series, Monkey Punch, and released
in Japanese theaters on April 20, 1996.* [43] Although he
was credited as chief director for the production, Monkey
Punch said that he left most of the work to his assistant
directors and only directed the opening and ending sequences while acting as consultant for everything else.* [6]
Following the production of the movie, he stated that the
process was so exhausting he would not like to direct an- Television specials Main article: List of Lupin III
television specials
other anime again.* [5]
In April 2013, an announcement in Weekly Shōnen Sunday magazine revealed that a Lupin the 3rd vs. Detective
Conan: The Movie was in production, four years after the
two series had a crossover TV special together.* [77]* [78]
It was released on December 7, 2013, making it the
first Lupin III theatrical feature in 17 years.* [10] Takeshi
Koike directed a continuation film to the Woman Called
On April 4, 1989, an animated television special titled
Bye-Bye Liberty Crisis aired on NTV, starting a yearly tradition of Lupin III television specials.* [43] Manga Entertainment released this first special in the UK as Goodbye
Lady Liberty in 1996.* [8]
2007's Elusiveness of the Fog was broadcast on July 27
12.1. LUPIN III
as part of the 40th anniversary celebration of the original
manga, featuring the return of a villain from the original television series, Kyousuke Mamo.* [43] A crossover
special titled Lupin the 3rd vs. Detective Conan, featuring
characters from both Lupin III and Detective Conan, aired
on March 27, 2009, attracting a record audience share of
19.5.* [85]* [86] On February 12, 2010, the 20th television special The Last Job aired in Japan.* [87] The 2011
special Blood Seal - Eternal Mermaid brought new voice
actors for Fujiko, Zenigata and Goemon, the first change
in 16 years.* [88] 2013's special, Princess of the Breeze The Hidden City in the Sky, features Yui Ishikawa as its
heroine Yutika.* [89]
Live-action
Main article: Lupin III (film)
125
Stern. While it uses footage from Mystery of Mamo and
The Castle of Cagliostro to provide a gaming experience
similar to Dragon's Lair, it changes the characters' names
and has an original plot.* [8] Epoch Co. released a second game called Lupin III for the Epoch Cassette Vision
in Japan in 1984. Also in 1984, Lupin III: Legacy of Pandora was released for the Family Computer. This game
featured Clarisse from Castle of Cagliostro. Two games
were released for the MSX platform, both based on anime
movies: Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro in 1987, and
Lupin III: Legend of the Gold of Babylon in 1988. Lupin
the 3rd: Hunt for the Treasure of Legend! was released
for the Super Famicom on December 27, 1994. Sega released two games developed by WOW Entertainment for
the Sega Naomi arcade system: Lupin III The Shooting,
a light gun game, in 2001, and Lupin III The Typing, a
typing game, in 2002.* [96]* [97] Bandai released Lupin
the 3rd: Treasure of the Sorcerer King in Japan for the
PlayStation 2 on November 8, 2002. This stealth game
was later released in North America on February 10,
2004.* [98] Lupin is Dead, Zenigata is in Love, a stealth
game developed by Banpresto for the PlayStation 2, was
released in Japan on February 22, 2007. In 2010, Lupin
III: Shijō Saidai no Zunōsen was released for the Nintendo
DS.* [99]
The first Lupin III theatrical feature was a live-action
movie released on August 3, 1974.* [10]Lupin III Strange
Psychokinetic Strategy (ル パ ン 三 世 念 ⼒ 珍 作 戦) included all of the main cast members with the exception of
Goemon Ishikawa XIII.* [8] In contrast to the dark theme
of the first television series, the live-action feature was
very heavy on slapstick humor and physics-defying stunts. A range of Nine Pachinko machines have been produced
A DVD was released in North America in 2006 by Dis- by Heiwa since 1998.* [100]
cotek.* [90]
WhiteLight Entertainment, a production company owned
by Gerald R. Molen, purchased the live-action theatrical Soundtracks
rights to Lupin III in 2003.* [91] A live-action Filipino
TV drama based on Lupin III, titled simply Lupin, aired Main article: List of Lupin III soundtracks
on GMA Network from April 9 to August 17, 2007.* [92]
On August 30, 2014 a new live action film was released in Columbia Music Entertainment and VAP have both reJapanese theaters.* [10] Titled Lupin III, the film was di- leased numerous Lupin III music CDs in Japan. These
rected by Ryuhei Kitamura. The cast features Shun Oguri include over 48 soundtrack albums by Takeo Yamashita
as Lupin, Meisa Kuroki as Fujiko, Tetsuji Tamayama as and Yuji Ohno for the TV series, movies, and specials,
Jigen, Go Ayano as Goemon, and Tadanobu Asano as as well as 15 collections of jazz arrangements by the
Zenigata. Tomoyasu Hotei provided the theme song for Yuji Ohno trio, the Lupintic Five, and the Lupintic Six*
*
*
the movie.* [93] The film debuted as the second highest teen. [101] [102] [103]
film of the week, behind Stand by Me Doraemon. It will Geneon Entertainment has released two of the music CDs
be released in Australasia in 2015 by Madman Entertain- in the United States. Lupin the 3rd: Sideburn Club Mix
ment.* [94] A sequel is in development.* [95]
is a collection of thirteen remixed themes from the first
Two stage adaptations have been produced. I'm Lupin television series, which was released in conjunction with
*
was performed on November 5, 1999. The all-female the first DVD volume on January 28, 2003. [104] Lupin
acting troupe Takarazuka Revue began a stage musical the 3rd Original Soundtrack, released on April 8, 2003, is
a collection of fifteen themes from the second television
adaptation of the series on January 1, 2015.* [10]
series performed by Yuji Ohno with his jazz group You
& the Explosion Band.* [105]
Games
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the series, a live concert was held on September 8, 2007 performed by Yuji
Ohno and the Lupintic Sixteen; a concert DVD was released in Japan on December 21, 2007.* [106] Play the
Several Lupin III video games have been created. The Lupin clips x parts, a compilation of Lupin animation clips
first was released to arcades in Japan by Taito in 1980 as set to music from the series, as well as the opening and
Lupin III. A Laserdisc video game entitled Cliff Hanger ending credits from a number of Lupin III productions,
was released to arcades in North America in 1983 by was released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc in Japan on May
Main article: List of Lupin III video games
126
CHAPTER 12. L
22, 2009.* [107]
many modern references and updated dialogue for a seMusic from the series has been covered by a range of ries that was released in the late 1970s, although the series
received a positive overall review from both reviewartists, including Double, Ego-Wrappin' and The Ven- itself
*
*
[123]
[124] Rob Lineberger of DVD Verdict wrote,
ers.
*
*
*
tures. [108] [109] [110]
"Lupin the Third is James Bond meets Charlie's Angels
with Scooby-Doo sensibilities.”* [125] Monkey Punch believes that the voice work of Yasuo Yamada was a large
12.1.4 Reception
reason for the popularity of the anime series.* [2]
The Lupin III franchise still remains popular in Japan;
the manga was listed in 38th place on Japan's Agency
for Cultural Affairs' 2007 list of the top 50 manga series.* [111] In 2000, satellite TV channel Animax together with Brutus, a men's lifestyle magazine, and
Tsutaya, Japan's largest video rental chain, conducted a
poll among 200,000 fans on the top anime series, with
Lupin III coming in second.* [112] TV Asahi conducted
two polls in 2005 on the Top 100 Anime, Lupin III came
in fifth in the nationwide survey conducted with multiple
age-groups and in twelfth in the online poll.* [113]* [114]
The Castle of Cagliostro was in 5th place on Agency
for Cultural Affairs' list of the best anime, while the
original television series was in 50th place on the same
list.* [115] In 2001, the magazine Animage elected the
original Lupin III TV series the ninth best anime production of all time.* [116] In 2012, 38.7% of people polled
by Tokyo Polytechnic University named Lupin III as part
of Cool Japan.* [117]
In Manga: The Complete Guide, Jason Thompson referred to Monkey Punch's original manga as “a crazy,
groovy 1960s world of dynamite and backstabbing, hippies and gangsters”, and considered it “a fascinating
homage to Mad magazine and a four star example of
comics as pure comedy.”He rated the series four out of
four stars.* [118] Allen Divers of Anime News Network
(ANN) praised the strong writing and action; however,
he felt that the art was too primitive.* [119] Otaku USAs
Daryl Surat was also put off by the art, saying he couldn't
tell most character apart and had a hard time figuring out
what he was looking at. In The Rough Guide to Manga,
Jason S. Yadao highlighted the example of how Lupin
wearing a hat looks exactly like Zenigata. However, he
considered it a successful plot device in once chapter that
while it may take several attempts to understand, eventually pays off. He included the series in his list of 50
essential manga.* [7] Many of the first volumes of the English edition of the Lupin III manga released by Tokyopop
made it onto ICv2's list of top 50 graphic novels, as well
as later volumes from the series.* [120]* [121]* [122]
Chris Beveridge of Mania.com gave the film a grade
of “A+", although he disliked Manga Entertainment's
use of PG-13 level language in the English dub.* [126]
While the film was not initially a box-office success, it
gained popularity through numerous re-releases and was
even voted as “the best anime in history”by the readers of Animage.* [74]* [127] The film was the best-selling
anime DVD in May 2001, and the third best selling in
June.* [128]* [129] Some fans maintain that it is not a
“true”Lupin title, due to Miyazaki's altering of the titular character into a family-friendly hero, rather than his
original ruthless criminal self.* [8] While admitting that
Cagliostro is the most well-known, ANN's Mike Crandol
cited The Plot of the Fuma Clan as the best Lupin animation.* [130] Mania.com gave 2002's Episode 0: First
Contact an A+ and hailed it as the best TV special made
to date.* [131]
The Lupin III television specials released by Funimation
have received reviews varying from positive to mixed.
The most well-received seems to be Island of Assassins,
with Chris Beveridge of Mania.com describing it as“the
best non-TV Lupin experience ... since The Castle of
Cagliostro",* [132] Missed by a Dollar received an eight
out of ten rating by IGN's Jeremy Mullin, who stated it
starts off as seemingly a simple heist film, but turns out
to have plenty of twists.* [133] The least well-received
of Funimation's releases is Secret of the Twilight Gemini, which received mixed reviews due to the animation
and its B movie-style plot.* [134]* [135] Mania.com gave
2002's Episode 0: First Contact an A+ and hailed it as the
best TV special made to date.* [131]
12.1.5 Legacy
Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo director
Shinichirō Watanabe revealed during an interview with
Newtype Japan that he was heavily influenced by the
work of director Masaaki Ōsumi on the first Lupin
television series.* [136] Animator Akihiro Kanayama
animation of the anime adaption as an
In Anime Classics Zettai!, Brian Clamp and Julie Davis has cited the
*
inspiration.
[137]
compare the first two anime adaptions. They note that
the first series is of a serious style, closer to the original Numerous series have made reference to the series
manga with a dark tone and that it focuses on disputes be- including Magical Princess Minky Momo, Cat's Eye,
tween Lupin and other criminals. In contrast they sum up Gunbuster, Urusei Yatsura, Cowboy Bebop, Here is
the second series as a caper comedy with a more comedic Greenwood and FLCL.* [138]* [139] Video game designer
tone and style.* [52] Both Chris Beveridge of Mania.com Hideo Kojima compared the personality of Lupin with
and Mike Crandol of ANN disliked the dub of the sec- Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid, stating that in "MGS,
ond television series because Pioneer Entertainment used Snake became this sharp-tongued, Lupin III-like guy who
12.1. LUPIN III
flirted with women and told lots of jokes”.* [140]
On March 30, 1984, the series was the last animated work
to be featured on the cover of the Japanese TV Guide
magazine before the implementation of a policy limiting
the cover to live action images.* [141] In 2008, the Lupin
III-themed attraction“Lupin III: Labyrinth Trap”, which
has visitors track down treasure in a maze-like layout,
opened at the Tokyo Dome City Attractions amusement
park.* [142]
127
[3] Interview with Monkey Punch. Lupin the 3rd: Dead or
Alive (DVD) (Funimation).
[4] Surat, Daryl (February 2013). "Otaku USA" 6 (4).
Sovereign Media. p. 86. ISSN 1939-3318.
[5] Divers, Allen (November 13, 2003).“Interview: Monkey
Punch”. Anime News Network. Retrieved July 2, 2007.
[6] Monkey Punch Interview (DVD Extra). Lupin the 3rd:
Dead or Alive (DVD). Funimation Entertainment.
In 2009, Japanese-Canadian rock band Monkey Majik [7] Yadao, Jason S. The Rough Guide to Manga. Rough
Guides. pp. 154–155. ISBN 978-1-85828-561-0.
created an animated music video in which its members
meet the Lupin III cast. The video, that is set to the
[8] “The Lupin Tapes - The Mike Toole Show”. Anime
band's version of the anime's theme song, promoted the
News Network. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
Lupin the Third Dance & Drive official covers & remixes
*
CD. [143] A campaign titled “Lupin Steal Japan”was [9] “Original Lupin Character Enters Public Domain in
2012”. Crunchyroll. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
launched that same year by NTV, TMS Entertainment,
Namco Bandai Games, and Heiwa ̶a manufacturer of
[10] " ルパン三世 DVD コレクション" (01). Kodansha.
pachinko machines. The project's website took suggespp. 16–17.
tions on real-life objects for Lupin to steal. One such
example is the Moai statue in Shibuya, which was taken [11] McCarthy, Helen (March 1995).“Anime UK”1 (1). pp.
44–45.
elsewhere for cleaning on December 7, but was replaced
by the calling card of the master thief that read“Thanks
[12] “Lupin III Volume 1”. Tokyopop. Archived from the
for the Moai”.* [144]* [145]
original on January 6, 2006. Retrieved November 26,
In celebration of the anime's 40th anniversary, the“This
is the World of Lupin III”event was held at the Matsuya
store in Ginza. From August 10 to August 22, 2011,
over 300 items related to Lupin III were exhibited, including original manuscripts by Monkey Punch and animation cels from the feature films.* [146] The following
year a similar exhibit was held at the Kitakyushu museum from November 3 to December 28, and another at
the Kawasaki City Museum from October until November 10, 2013.* [147]* [148] The exhibit then moved to
Aomori's Sunroad shopping centre from December 21,
2013 until January 21, 2014.* [149]
In 2012, the Hokkaido Railway Company unveiled
Lupin III-themed trains on their Hanasaki Line between
Kushiro and Nemuro station, in honor of Monkey Punch,
who is a native of Hokkaido. The train was originally
to run until March 2015, but was then extended until
March 2017.* [150]* [151] From April 1, 2014 to March
31, 2015, the city of Sakura in Chiba prefecture began accepting applications for Lupin III motorcycle and minicar
license plates. Monkey Punch is a resident of the city
and the plates were commissioned for the 60th anniversary of being awarded city status. The plates were limited
to 3000 across 4 categories with 2500 plates reserved for
50cc vehicles.* [152]
12.1.6
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131
12.2.1 Plot
The Linebarrels of Iron story takes place in a fictional
alternate future, centering on a junior-high school stu[148] "'Lupin III-−40th Anniversary of the Anime' exhibition
dent named Kouichi Hayase, who escaped his daily life
brings all to Kawasaki”. Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved
of being ridiculed as a child by daydreaming about being
March 11, 2014.
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[149] " ﾙﾊﾟﾝ展⻘森で堂々開催中！". Tokyo Movie Shinsha. 2016 when an artificial satellite falls from orbit. Due to
December 25, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
this“accident”, Kouichi is left in a coma for half a year,
and upon awakening, found himself with strange pow[150] “Anime-themed trains offer fun rides on local lines”.
ers, including superhuman strength. Three years later,
Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
a mysterious robot called “Linebarrel”appears before
[151] " ルパン列⾞」運⾏２年間延⻑ＪＲ北海道・花咲線". him. It is revealed that the accident from three years ago
Hokkaido Shimbun Press. January 29, 2015. Retrieved was actually caused by the Machina robot Linebarrel and
January 30, 2015.
that this turned him into a “Factor”, which is the name
given to Machina pilots. This leads him to encounter Emi
[152] " 市制施⾏ 60 周年記念【ルパン三世】ご当地ナン
Kizaki, a mysterious amnesiac girl whose unknown past
バープレートを交付します！". Sakura City. April 1,
seems
to be related to Linebarrel. He joins her in fighting
2014. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
for JUDA, the world's largest medical equipment maker,
which happens to secretly own several other Machina
robots.
12.1.7 External links
• Lupin the Third Network (Japanese) ̶requires
Machinas and Armas
Adobe Flash plugin
• Lupin III (manga) at Anime News Network's ency- There are two kinds of robots in Linebarrels of Iron:
Armas and Machinas. The series primarily focuses on
clopedia
Machinas, robots which are not manufactured by hu• Lupin III (anime) at Anime News Network's ency- mans and are powered by nanobots called D-S.O.I.L.,
clopedia
also known as Drexler S.O.I.L., which also enable them to
regenerate after being damaged. Since D-S.O.I.L. is like
artificial muscle for the Machinas, they tend to “bleed”
when they are damaged.
12.2 Linebarrels of Iron
Linebarrels of Iron (鉄のラインバレル Kurogane no
Rainbareru) is a Japanese manga series created by Eiichi
Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi. The series was first
serialized in Akita Shoten's monthly shōnen manga magazine, Champion Red, in 2005.* [3]* [4] It has since been
compiled into 24 tankōbon, as of October 20, 2014.* [5]
The story centers on Kouichi Hayase, a fourteen-year-old
boy living a mediocre life, until an accident turns him into
the pilot of a gigantic robot called“Linebarrel”and leads
him to encounter a mysterious girl.
Machinas are also considered to have their own consciousness, as only their chosen “Factor”can pilot one,
and should the Factor be killed, it will go on to find a replacement. The overlying reason for this is that all Machinas are incapable of intentionally killing another human
on their own volition; they need a “Factor”i.e. another
human, who would be the one who“kills”. Interestingly,
the Factor need not be actively piloting the machina for
it to kill, as revealed when a rampaging Machina called
Apparition was brought down by JUDA and the thenunaligned Hayase and it was found that the (dead) Factor
was drugged and restrained inside it. Should it kill someone without a Factor's“assistance”, usually by accident,
a Machina has been known to resuscitate and heal the
person by injecting their D-S.O.I.L nanobots into them,
which in turn makes the person a Factor. This is case for
Factor Reiji Moritsugu. In the case of Kouichi Hayase,
then-Linebarrel pilot Emi Kizaki begged Linebarrel to
heal him, which turned him into a Factor, at the expense
of making Emi a less desirable Factor to Linebarrel (“It”
does not want Emi to fight). In the anime it was revealed
that Hayase's friend Hideaki Yajima was also resurrected
by the Machina that caused his death.
An anime adaptation of the manga series was announced
in the February issue of Animage magazine.* [3] The
anime is directed by Masamitsu Hidaka and animated
by Gonzo. Though the world premiere of the first
episode took place at Southern California's 2008 Anime
Expo,* [6] the series premiered in Japan on the television
network TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System) on October
3, 2008.* [2] The anime broadcast a total of twenty-four
episodes, the last of which aired on March 20, 2009. To
commemorate the series' anime adaptation, Shimizu and
Shimoguchi decided to create a one shot manga, recreating the entire first episode of the anime, in which the plot
differs in many aspects compared to the beginning of the In addition, a Machina can go into Overdrive, or a state
manga.* [4]
of rampage which exponentially increase its capabilities,
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CHAPTER 12. L
when its Factor's emotions go out of control. Machinas
can also be stored in another dimension and appear before its Factor any time, excluding the Linebarrel. However, they cannot teleport if the Factor is inside it. Since
there are only a limited amount of Machinas available and
their true origins are unknown, humans created Armas,
which are crude imitations of Machinas and do not have
D-S.O.I.L. They can be piloted by anyone, but they cannot regenerate, nor they can perform at the level of true
Machinas.
Machina-Humans
A concept unveiled in the manga and anime. As the story
unfolds it is learned that there exists a parallel universe
adjacent to our own, where humanity reached incredible
peaks of technology at the cost of their very nature, to
the point where the human species as a whole became extinct after merging its own collective consciousness with
the machines they created. Similar to a hive mind, this
virtual collective unity threw away individuality and any
sort of vestige of human feelings for the sake of power,
becoming one cold, ruthless mechanical being bent on a
continuous, endless expansion of itself. Referred to as
“Central”, this hive mind acts in a way reminiscent of
the machines from the Matrix trilogy, even having its own
enforcers to hunt down and destroy whoever is perceived
as a hindrance.
12.2.2
Characters
JUDA
From left to right: Emi Kizaki, Captain Shinobu Igarashi, Satoru
Yamashita, Reiji Moritsugu, Kunio Ishigami, Yui Ogawa, Shizuna
and Izuna Endo, and Kouichi Hayase.
Kouichi Hayase (早瀬浩一 Hayase Kōichi)
due to his weak personality, was often ridiculed
by delinquents, prompting Yajima and Risako
to help him and becoming best friends over
the years. This all changed when he acquired,
by death nonetheless, the powers of a Factor, though in different circumstances: in the
manga he acquired them as a child while forced
through an off-limits area in an industrial compound, while in the anime he was already a
middle-schooler, short-cutting through a shrine
to come back to school in time. In both instances, his future Machina Linebarrel, literally crash-landed on top of him and, sensing his
life ending, revived him and linked with his life
force after he becomes the first to be killed by
Linebarrel. This endowed Kouichi with superhuman physical abilities, however it caused
major changes to his personality, making him
very arrogant, prideful and overconfident, so
much so that he himself became the actual
gang leader of the delinquents. This strained
considerably his relationship with others, especially his childhood friends, prompting Yajima
to knock some sense into him. Only grievous
events such as Yajima's own death and the humiliating defeats handed to him managed to
benefit his maturity, forging a much more serious (albeit still reckless and a bit vain) character.
He pilots the titular Machina of the series,
Linebarrel. The machine is regarded as the
most powerful Machina of all, as its power
output far exceeds any other Mecha presented
in the franchise. It has a bulky appearance,
though it is still capable of very fast performances, and its armament include two massive
katanas holstered in wrist-mounted sheaths,
and a beam-saber device named the Executor, housed in a compartment on the tail of
the robot, whose sheer power is so great it can
generate immense, bright green bursts of energy, kilometers in length. Also, Linebarrel is
the only Machina capable to achieve a so-called
Overdrive status, which increases dramatically
its performance at the cost of putting a heavy
strain on the pilot's body. Finally, Linebarrel
can change into a more intimidating, jet-black
form named simply Mode-B, which grants it instant teleportation. The relationship between
him and Kizaki in the beginning is terrible until all is revealed between them; after swearing
to protect her, it is where feelings begin to develop between the two of them.
Voiced by: Tetsuya Kakihara (Japanese), Josh Grelle
Emi Kizaki (城崎絵美 Kizaki Emi)
(English)
The 14-year-old protagonist of the series. As
a child he was prone to crying frequently and,
Voiced by: Mamiko Noto (Japanese), Alexis Tipton (English)
12.2. LINEBARRELS OF IRON
A mysterious girl of whom initially nothing
is known, Emi is the initial Factor (pilot) of
Linebarrel, and indirectly the one responsible
of Kouichi's “death”. Of his same age, she
appears as very polite and calm, though very
strict and demanding if the situation arises, although sometimes quite clueless about things
that should be perceived as obvious, such as
asking what a Christmas party means. She is
later revealed to be the younger sister of Katou
Hisataka, and thus another traveler from the
“other dimension”that spawned the Machinas
themselves. Finally, it was she who introduced
the special, black Mode-B function of Linebarrel. While her roles in the franchise are pretty
much the same, in the anime she appears much
more strict and unforgiving; also, during the
end of the animated series she is briefly killed,
though promptly revived thanks to Linebarrel's
own sacrifice.
Emi is the first pilot of Linebarrel, and thus
she initially shared control of the Machina with
Kouichi Hayase, until the latter took complete
control over it. Both in the manga and in
the anime she was the first to use Linebarrel's
Mode-B in actual combat. She and Hayase become close after the past about him and her
are discovered; she develops feelings for him
as does he.
Reiji Moritsugu (森次玲二 Moritsugu Reiji)
Voiced by: Yūichi Nakamura (Japanese), J. Michael
Tatum (English)
Chief of the Special Task Force at JUDA Corporation, Reiji is an extremely calm, polite,
and cold individual that takes his role with extreme seriousness, so much so that he's capable of physically punishing those who fail
him in combat. His expertise in combat is regarded as the best JUDA can offer. Usually
an enigmatic, unreadable figure, as a teenager
he, much like Kouichi, believed in a strong
sense of justice and thus pitted himself against
delinquents, aided by the fact that since birth
he lacked the sense of physical pain. In those
times he was shown to revel in the violence he
caused while“dealing justice”, and frequently
got in trouble with the local authorities, much
to the chagrin of his older sister, which what
was left of his family after the death of his parents. With her death, apparently at the hands
of some thugs he had beaten, Reiji became disillusioned and searched relief in suicide, which
he found by accidentally falling through a sinkhole and ending impaled through one of Vardant's swords. Thus, he was revived as a Factor
133
and promptly recruited into JUDA, where he
became the reason and inspiration for Satoru
Yamashita. Indeed, his ruthlessness and coldness made him an arch-rival of Kouichi, though
Reiji simply dismissed him as a nuisance, even
toying with him in actual combat before subduing him brutally. During the course of the series, he feigned treason and allied himself with
the Katou Organization, though only with the
goal of aiding JUDA. Most ironically though,
it was his ideal of justice that helped forge the
megalomaniac dreams of his only true friend,
Eiji Kiriyama. In the manga, Reiji becomes
the chairman of Kiriyama's company and removes Eiji from his position as President. He
also never defects from JUDA. On a side note,
before becoming a Factor, Reiji was blondehaired and, much like his Machina, lost his
right eye while fighting.
Moritsugu pilots the blue, samurai-like Vardant. Less bulkier than other Machinas, it
is equipped with a huge contraption on its
back, which comes with eight coffin-like plates
that act as shields, makeshift wings to increase
dashing speed or mobility. Each of the coffinlike boxes house two long katana, which Vardant uses in pairs for each hand. While no
mention of it is made in the anime, in the
manga Vardant can't see through its right eye,
though it recovered when Reiji feigned his
treachery. After those events, Vardant was
stripped of its large winglike apparatus and instead equipped with a long range rifle and a
pistol-like machine gun, whilst still using its
trademark swords. Its mobility, coupled with
Moritsugu's own prowess and lack of pain response, make Vardant one of the most powerful Machinas, mostly thanks to its pilot's skill
alone. The Vardant later equips large gun-like
weapons called Linear Rail Cannons during its
fight with the Ka-Gaseo.
Satoru Yamashita (山下サトル Yamashita Satoru)
Voiced by: Miyuki Sawashiro (Japanese), Mary Morgan
(English)
A Factor of JUDA's Special Task Force,
Satoru made his way into the organization due
to his body being extremely weak since birth,
thus dooming him to an early death if not for
his link to his Machina, Hind-Kind. Serious
and energetic, with occasional bursts of cheerfulness, Satoru acts as a subordinate and an admirer for Reiji Moritsugu, whom he considers
the one who introduced him to his future role as
a Factor. Nevertheless, his fixation with Moritsugu borders on obsession, which occasionally
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CHAPTER 12. L
costs his focus and efficiency in battle. Yamashita's manga incarnation is more grim and
somewhat arrogant, convinced that all Factors
are indeed murderers, though he strongly refuses the idea of being a killer himself. Satoru's
androgynous appearance and stature have often had him mistaken for a girl, the subject
of which has become a running gag within the
manga/anime series. There is also considerable debate among fans as to Satoru's gender;
However, in the manga, Satoru is introduced
using the Japanese pronoun for 'he' which is,
'kare' appears in Hiragana next to the kanji
for 'he' or 'him'; " そして彼が (Soshite kare
ga) Yamashita Satoru-kun da.”* [7] In addition, "Satoru" is a common masculine Japanese
given name.
Yamashita's Machina is the heavy assault platform Hind-Kind. Bright yellow and very bulky,
its primary weapon are its huge fists, which can
be ejected at high speed and distance thanks
to ramjets mounted on the wrists and long,
flexible tendrils made of the Machina's artificial muscles. On its hands there are independent, detachable probes usable for reconnaissance, and on its shoulders are mounted two
massive artillery cannons with extremely long
range and destructive power, making HindKind pretty similar to a movable gun battery.
However, being highly specialized in long to
ultra-long range support, this Machina is easily outmatched in close combat.
Shizuna Endo (遠藤シズナ Endō Shizuna)
Voiced by: Kana Ueda (Japanese), Cherami Leigh (English)
Twin sister of Izuna Endo, unlike her brother,
Shizuna is very brash, loud and arrogant, often being the sending end of Koichi's abuse.
Ironically, she is also one of the most comical
characters, being used herself in extremely embarrassing ways. Also, she appears to be very
dominating with her brother, though she deeply
cares for him. She fulfills the role of piloting
her twin-seat Machina, the massive Deceive.
Also, she appears to have developed a crush
on Koichi, though she never dares to admit it.
Before being given a hairpin by Koichi, she
could only be differentiated from her brother
through her darker hair color and the fact that
she speaks in Kansai dialect.
Shizuna acts as the pilot of the twin-seated
Deceive. An enormous Machina with a very
strange shape, its body is loosely cigar-like,
with an elongated stabilizer extending under
it so as to maintain balance. Both sides of
Deceive houses huge drums of cables known
as Nerve Crackers, which when connected to
other Machinas or Armas can link their occupants' minds with the twins' Machina.
Izuna Endo (遠藤イズナ Endō Izuna)
Voiced by: Rie Kugimiya (Japanese), Aaron Dismuke
(English)
Twin brother of Shizuna Endo, Izuna is the
complete opposite of his sister, being shy, introverted and very polite. Due to their similarity as twins, he is often confused with Shizuna
and thus treated as a girl, much to his sister's
chagrin, of whom he endures the constant uproars and pranks. He manages the hacking tendrils of the twins' Machina Deceive. He is also
the one who conjures the hideous illusions that
the Nerve Cracker device sends to its victims,
which sharply contrasts with his humble and
timid character. Izuna has a lighter hair color
and speaks standard Japanese.
With his sister, Izuna is the second pilot of
Deceive, and mans the sensory arrays and the
long tendrils that acts as the Machina's only
weapon - Deceive being a machine designed for
reconnaissance and electronically induced psychological warfare. While he shares the controls of the machine with his sister, it is Izuna
who ultimately takes the active role in combat,
given the fact that it is he the one who sends
haunting hallucinations or frightening nightmares through Deceive's Nerve Crackers. This
duty leaves him in the most dangerous position, such as in the anime series when he almost
went insane while controlling and destroyed
Machina-human Mechas, given his direct link
to their hive-mind.
Miu Kujō (九条美海 Kujō Miu)
Voiced by: Aya Hirano (Japanese), Monica Rial (English)
A very polite, quiet and large-breasted individual, Miu (nicknamed Miu-Miu) acts as the gentle, sister-like figure of the Special Task Force
of JUDA, working as a defensive support with
her Machina, Painkiller. In the animated series, she joined JUDA after losing both her
parents in a car accident, though no further
background is provided for her. She was one
of the few to support Kouchi at any given time,
and developed a huge crush on him, though always surpassed by Emi Kizaki or Risako Ni-
12.2. LINEBARRELS OF IRON
iyama. She almost killed herself in a desperate attempt to provide cover for Kouchi, showing how far she was willing to go for his wellbeing. Her manga counterpart is, on the other
hand, far more grim and almost mentally unstable: this Miu is presented as part of a trio of
Japanese idols and, while still quiet and gentle,
she is also very insecure due to constant harassment and ridicule, so much in fact that she tried
to commit suicide as a way to escape. She still
developed feelings for Kouichi, after the latter
saved her life and showed sincerely caring for
her. Another huge difference is, while in the
anime she prioritized the welfare of others, her
manga incarnation is far more aggressive and
ruthless while fighting, albeit still maintaining
a very calm stance.
Miu's Machina is the pink, mid-to-long
range support Mecha Painkiller, equipped
with throwing knives and two beam rifles
on each arm. Despite its considerable arsenal, Painkiller completely lacks close combat
power, and its armament is also easily outclassed by most of the other Machinas. Its
manga version, however, is dramatically different as it is Miu herself: with its armor being
only an outer casing, Painkiller has an intimidating, jet-black and slender figure, armed with
a huge chain-sword. Also, apparently it has
control over mechanical beasts loosely based
on ferocious animals.
135
remaining Machina alongside him before becoming Juda's factor.
While Ishigami does not have a Machina (it
could be assumed that he was the previous pilot of Glein-Neidr), in the manga he is indeed
a Factor and has his own Machina, Juda. Only
seen dormant, Juda has a large, discoidal head
and an armor shaped like ceremonial robes,
and its primary weapon is a huge, serpentine
sword. The Machina was discovered by Katou
and named itself after Judas due to it considering itself a traitor to the Machina.
Yui Ogawa (緒川結衣 Ogawa Yui)
Voiced by: Sayaka Ohara (Japanese), Tiffany Grant (English)
Kunio Ishigami's personal secretary, Yui has
a maternal role in the team, often giving advise to the young Factors, such as Kouichi or
Emi. Often she is seen reprimanding her Chief
Ishigami, due to his frequent pranks.
Rachel Calvin (レイチェル·キャルヴィン Reicheru Kyaruvin)
Voiced by: Chiwa Saitō (Japanese), Tia Ballard (English)
Voiced by: Jōji Nakata (Japanese), Barry Yandell (English)
A young girl with a genius mind coming from
the United States, Rachel works as Chief of
Research and Development for JUDA. Also,
among her duties is the maintenance and analysis of the Machinas. She often ridicules
Kouichi for his recklessness and occasional
foolish statements.
Chief of the JUDA Corporation and also an
ex-high-ranking officer of the Katou Organization, he left them when he found the idea
of bloodshed promotion by Hisataka Katou revolting. A joyful and sometimes childish man,
he is infamous for his devilish pranks, mistakes, and his apparent lecherousness, though
he proved himself a great leader as well. While
in the manga, his role is not expanded much
over his duty as Director of JUDA. In the
anime, he is later killed by Reiji Moritsugu,
only for his mind to assume a digital form
and become the mainframe of the massive
Machina-like Ship Flag. Ishigami's legacy,
however, especially his fondness for pranks of a
lewd nature, survived him, much to the dismay
of his subordinates. His backstory is revealed
in the manga wherein he originally served in the
Japanese Navy and was Katou's subordinate.
He piloted the Arma Susano-O and destroyed
Linebarrel Linebarrel is one of the main protagonists
in the series, and is piloted by both Kouichi Hayase
and Emi Kizaki. Linebarrel's first Factor was Emi
Kizaki however, became piloted by Kouichi Hayase
after reviving him with its D-SOIL nano machines.
Although Emi killed Kouichi, she begged Linebarrel to revive him, even though it would cost her to be
a unlikely Factor for Linebarrel, and make Kouichi
a more likable Factor. Linebarrel has a bulky appearance, though it is still capable of very fast performances, and its armament include two massive
katanas holstered in wrist-mounted sheaths, and a
beam-saber device named the Executor, housed in a
compartment on the tail of the robot. The Executor
was later revealed to be used as a cannon, and could
be used about 3 or 6 times if power level was not
adjusted. In both anime and manga series, Linebarrel is regarded as the strongest Machina of all. In
both series, Linebarrel exceeds all Machina in power
and D-SOIL recovery, and is the only Machina to
Kunio Ishigami (石神邦生 Ishigami Kunio)
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CHAPTER 12. L
receive an Overdrive status and have two Factors,
Katou Organization itself. Its combat capaexcluding Deceive. Although Linebarrel's armor is
bilities are not known, though it could be asusually coated white it has the ability to change its
sumed to be a formidable foe only by the sheer
structure and coating black, thus allowing it to innumber of Armas it carries, its role being that
stantaneously teleport, and enhance its power. This
of a submersible-flying carrier more than a diform is known as Linebarrel Mode-B, however, durrect combat machine. During his machina
ing this transformation, the Factor is put through a
destroying missions with Ishigam whilst in
huge strain, and overuse of this mode will burn the
the Japanese Navy, Katou piloted the Arma
chassis of Linebarrel. In the anime, Linebarrel is inTsukuyomi which dual wielded two hatchets.
troduced with a more likely so, Mode-C, which coats
Linebarrel's Mode-B with a strong red aura, resulting Masaki Sugawara (菅原マサキ Sugawara Masaki)
in a tremendous increase of power. However, in the
manga, Linebarrel is said to have super compressed
Voiced by: Susumu Chiba (Japanese), Tony Patterson
transmission fields, and 36 differences compared to
(English)
other Mecha in Chapter 24 Vol. 6, though doesn't
reveal mode-c in the series yet. The manga later
The Second Division Captain of the Katou Orreveals that Amagatsu Kizaki, Emi's father, stored
ganization and right-hand man of Hisataka Kahis brain within the Linebarrel. This allowed him
tou, also fulfilling the role of First Division
to control the machine while in Mode-B and later
Captain, Masaki is one of the most mysterious
reveal how humanity went extinct to Kouichi.
characters of the franchise. With a cowboylike attire and his right eye always covered by
his long hair, he is literally a human machine,
Katou Organization
being completely devoid of emotions, even in
the direst situations. Not much is known about
Hisataka Katou (加藤久嵩 Katō Hisataka)
him in the manga, while in the anime it is
later revealed that he was an enforcer for the
Voiced by: Jun Fukuyama (Japanese), Todd Haberkorn
Machina-turned human Collective-Mind, act(English)
ing in a way reminiscent of the Agents from
The Matrix. He was the ultimate opponent
Kouichi faced in the anime, and tried to deHead of the Katou Organization, he is an enigfeat him by merging his consciousness with
matic and chilly young man, very polite and
the collective one of his mechanical species,
calm even with the enemy, and very confithough he was still obliterated in the end. In
dent of himself, to the point of paying JUDA
the manga, Masaki was found in the cockpit of
a personal visit in broad daylight. He was a
Naked as a child after being defeated by Katou
superior do Kunio Ishigami, though the latand Ishigami and was taken in by the two.
ter defected him after disagreeing with Katou's
ideas, which called for world conquest and thus
bloodshed. He is also revealed to be the biological older brother of Emi Kizaki. His role and
background differs greatly in the manga and in
the anime: while in the former he is depicted as
a full-fledged villain with no known goals aside
of world domination, in the anime he actually
hails from the parallel universe where Machinas came from, and feigned his plains of conquest as a way to strengthen the human race as
a whole to prepare them for the incoming invasion of his Machina-turned brethren, becoming
something of an anti-hero. Later in the manga,
it's revealed that Katou was Amagatsu Kizaki's
lab assistant. He was forced to kill him in front
of Emi in order to turn him into Linebarrel's
factor and has no biological relation to her.
Dimitri Magarov (デミトリー・マガロフ Demitorī Magarofu)
In the anime it is not specifically stated, but
in the manga Hisataka is a Factor and the pilot of Shangri-La, the most massive Machina
ever introduced and the mobile fortress of the
Voiced by: Tomoyuki Shimura (Japanese), Kent
Williams (English)
Masaki pilots the second-largest Machina presented, Glein-Neidr. It is an immense, spherical machine completely impervious to beam
attacks, though vulnerable to any sort of live
ammunition powerful enough to crack its armor. It mounts many energy beams on its outer
shell, with a firepower that far outclasses most
Machinas. Despite its size, it retains considerable agility and can extend legs and arms
to fight in close combat. Finally, the cockpit of this Machina is itself another Machina,
named Naked, which is armed with a huge
blade named Eliminator. In the anime, Naked
was also capable of instant teleportation, much
like Linebarrel's Mode-B.
12.2. LINEBARRELS OF IRON
The Third Division Captain of the Katou Organization, Demitry is an imposing, almost
creepy, middle-aged man of apparent Russian
origin that shares a superior-subordinate role
with Takurou Sawatari. No background is provided for him, neither in the manga nor in the
anime, so why or how he joined the Katou Organization is left unknown. However, his fate
is left unaltered: he dies in both of his incarnations, in the manga massacred with his
whole squad of Armas by three newly developed Jinrai Armas (literally, he was made an
expendable target by Eiji Kiriyama), while in
the anime he blows up with Judy Brown when
the latter forces his Arma against a fuel tank
and lets it explode.
He pilots the Arma, Kagutsuchi, which is completely devoted to long range attacks. It has
huge plates of armor on its whole body, save
for head and arms, and is equipped with missile launchers on both its shoulders, a huge machine gun on its right arm and a pistol on the
left.
Takurō Sawatari (沢渡拓郎 Sawatari Takurō)
Voiced by: Tetsu Inada (Japanese), Bryan Massey (English)
The Fourth Division Captain of the Katou Organization,
who is a very violent and brutal man, he reveled in
combat and developed something of an obsession
for Linebarrel, which he almost always referred to
with the moniker two horns. He had great respect for
his comrade Demitry, whom he called master, and
whom he vowed to avenge when the former died.
He pilots the Arma Idaten, equipped with a long spear
and a Tanegashima-like gun. While inferior to
original Machinas, it compensates with high speed,
though lacks adequate armor to defend itself from
highly destructive attacks. As an Arma, it is directly
linked to the pilot so as to improve its generic potential. Shortly before the events of episode 18, it
is upgraded Idaten Nogota, sporting a thruster pack
on each shoulder. In the manga, he later becomes
the Factor of the Final Machina, Lostbarrel, which
is Linebarrel's counterpart.
Soubi Nakajima (中島宗美 Nakajima Sōbi)
Voiced by: Hirofumi Nojima (Japanese), Ian Sinclair
(English)
The Fifth Division Captain of the Katou Organization, Soubi is an elegant man wearing
traditional Japanese attire. He was subject to
some of the most heavy changes between his
137
anime and manga incarnation: in the anime
series he joined Katou after losing his wife,
and is depicted as a sadist, particularly enjoying in slowly tormenting and torturing his opponent until it is left helpless, only to keep on
so as to grant a slow, painful death, which he
finds a perfect target in the humble Miu Kujou. Injured after Linebarrel cut his Machina
in half, he was attacked by Masaki Sugiwara,
using his life force to revive Eiji Kiriyama.
He indeed survived, although now converted
into a Machina-turned human and almost completely fused with his mech. He fought with
his former comrades, Takurou Sawatari and
Yurianne Faithful, though before being completely consumed by the machines, with the last
glimpse of his humanity begged to be killed, a
deed which Takurou reluctantly fulfilled. The
manga incarnation of Soubi is less twisted: he
was born from his own Machina Talisman, and
later found by the villagers of a little rural community of the Japanese countryside. He was
feared and revered as the son of a“demon god”
, until he was found and later convinced to join
JUDA by Kouichi and comrades. In his manga
incarnation, Soubi Nakajima was the first to
show that Factors achieved immortality, himself being seventy years old while retaining a
youthful appearance.
Soubi pilots the silver Machina Talisman.
Loosely similar to a medieval knight, it is
armed with a huge, multifunction, spear-like
weapon named Tale of Kingdom, which has to
be used with both hands. It acts as a makeshift
shield when needed, and also can discharge
highly damaging bursts of plasma.
Jack Smith (ジャック・スミス Jakku Sumisu)
Voiced by: Yoshikazu Sato (Japanese, anime), Kenji
Nomura (Super Robot Wars UX), Bob Carter (English,
anime)
The Sixth Division Captain of the Katou Organization, Jack was unique on his own right, not
only because he never fought aboard a Machina
or Arma, but especially because he himself was
such. An imposing, powerfully built man of
great stature, Jack looks to be of African origin
with an eye-patch on his right eye, and dreadlocks being his most striking features. While
human-sized (though still larger than the average adult), he was capable of fighting on par
with other Armas and even Machinas, proving himself a challenge even when facing Reiji
Moritsugu aboard his Vardant. While an extremely powerful fighter, he follows something
of a code of honor and does not really care
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CHAPTER 12. L
about Katou's plans, only following him so as
to find worthy opponents to fight with. In the
anime, he develops a crush on Risako when he
comes across on her cooking during the JUDA
company retreat.
foolish or psychotic to be tolerated. In the
anime, he was the one controlling the US military satellite Helios in outer space, and was
killed when Kouichi used Linebarrel's Executor to destroy the massive weapon.
Riku pilots the Arma Yaoyorozu, a deceptive
Yurianne Faithful (ユリアンヌ・フェイスフル Yuriannu Feisufuru)
machine with a large, fat build, yet an extreme
mobility and a special coat of armor impervious to explosions and cutting attacks. Its
only weapon is the huge number of explosive
Voiced by: Emi Shinohara (Japanese), Michele Specht
orbs it stores in its body, which are thrown in
(English)
large number so as to chain their explosions and
maximize their destructive power.
The Seventh Division Captain of the Katou Organization, an enigmatic and very attractive woman with
red hair. In addition to being the only female in the
upper echelons of the organization, Yurianne was
also often seen in the company of Eiji Kiriyama, as
an adviser of sorts (though it was likely she was there
to monitor his actions). She deliberately likes to play
with people with her actions, and in combat. She
also often refers to Kouichi as 'Boku-chan', other
than that, little is known about her. Once Reiji takes
command of Eiji's company she defects to JUDA.
Others
Risako Niiyama (新山理沙子 Niiyama Risako)
Voiced by: Noriko Shitaya (Japanese), Carrie Savage
(English)
Kouichi's protective childhood friend, who has
liked him romantically for a long time, and thus
gets frustrated when she can not spend time
with him or when other women are near him.
Risako also has very large breasts. After 3
years have passed since Kouichi's disappearance, she has since moved on and has started
dating Yajima.
Yurianne pilots the Arma Tsubaki-Hime, a unique
Arma whose design is smaller, slender and arguably
more feminine compared to the standard Arma.
Tsubaki-hime however, is so agile that it appears to
disappear, a feat matched only by Linebarrel when in
Mode-B. Its standard armament is a stylized halberd
with two hand chainsaws located in holsters, built
into the skirt armor. After her betrayal she pilots a Hideaki Yajima (矢島英明 Yajima Hideaki)
Jinrai that wields the chainsaws from her Arma.
Voiced by: Go Shinomiya (Japanese), Joel McDonald
Riku Ousei (王政陸 Ōsei Riku)
(English)
Voiced by: Daisuke Sakaguchi (Japanese), Sonny Strait
(English)
The Eighth Division Captain of the Katou Organization, a grossly obese man of very short
stature. An apparent psychopath, he believed
in the imagination ideal promulgated by Katou to the extreme, killing people for his own
amusement or only because they didn't imagined their deaths at his hands. During the
events of the manga, it was stated that he was
a terrorist who claimed over twenty thousand
lives with a single bomb attack, and thus sentenced to serve as a criminally insane prisoner,
before being recruited by Katou. With a habit
of eating during combat or mid-sentence, he
was initially thought dead. However, he had
managed to escape and, on his own will, kidnapped Emi Kizaki as revenge after having his
imagination being insulted. This prompted Katou himself to dispatch Takurou Sawatari to
dispose of Riku, whose antics had become too
Another of Kouichi's childhood friend,
Yakima often uses force to stop delinquents
from ridiculing Kouichi since they were
children, forming a solid bond with him.
Much more level-headed than him though,
he noticed the changes in his friend's attitude
and tried to reason with him, to no avail,
which prompted him to knock some sense in
him. Such an instance however proved to be
fatal for him, as while he and Kouichi were
brawling, the sudden attack of the then-out
of control Machina Apparition resulted in
him being severely injured. He was saved
from certain death when the same Machina
that slaughtered him lost its Factor and chose
him as its new one. He was then cured by
the Katou Organization, which provided him
with an artificial arm to replace his lost one.
Both versions states that, while on the surface
Yajima protected Kouichi, he did so only to
gain Risako's attention, being deeply in love
with her. These conflicting feelings led him
12.2. LINEBARRELS OF IRON
to another harsh confrontation with Kouichi,
after which the two friends were reconciled
and stood side by side in the following events.
As a twist of fate, Yajima pilots the machine that killed him, the Machina Apparition. While of comparable size to Linebarrel,
Apparition is much slender and thinner, lacking a huge outer casing. It is so far the only
Machina capable of using optical camouflage,
and is armed with a machine gun and an ultralong range sniper rifle armed with high piercing
bullets. As of Chapter 104, Yajima and Risato
are dating.
Makoto Domyouji (道明寺誠 Domyouji Makoto)
Voiced by: Jun Konno (Japanese), Jerry Jewell (English)
139
fused almost completely with his Machina and
was obliterated, musing in his last moments on
how he truly admired Reiji's old ideals and how
he wanted to be a hero for him. Though in the
manga, Eiji survived and went abroad with his
father after being defeated by Linebarrel. He
later returns as an ally of JUDA.
Eiji pilots the Machina Pretender, a machine
most unique in that it is the only Machina that
can transform, changing from a fighter jet to a
walking mecha at high speed even in mid-flight.
Despite its bizarre appearance it benefits from
an enormous mobility and a huge degree of
firepower, granted by a large number of missile
launchers and wireless Nerve-Crackers identical to those used by Deceive. For close combat,
it is armed with a massive combat knife.
Deus Ex Machina (デウスエクスマキナ Deusuekusumakina)
Kouichi's classmate, founder of the Hayase
Corps, and eventual pilot of a custom whitecolored Jinrai.
Mina Hayase Kouichi's little sister.
Voiced by: Tesshō Genda (Super Robot Wars UX)
Leader of the Human Machina in the manga.
Saki Yajima Yajima's litter sister.
12.2.3 Media
Eiji Kiriyama (桐山英治 Kiriyama Eiji)
Manga
Voiced by: Shō Hayami (Japanese), Vic Mignogna (English)
Written and illustrated by Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro
Shimoguchi, the Linebarrels of Iron manga series was
first serialized in Akita Shoten's monthly shōnen manga
magazine, Champion Red.* [3] The chapters of the series are still published in the magazine, and has since
been compiled into twenty-four tankōbon as of October 20, 2014.* [5]* [8] This is excluding Volume 0, which
was simultaneously released with the fifth volume. Akita
Shoten also published a book containing details about the
anime adaptation, simultaneously releasing it on the same
day as the tenth volume.* [5] The manga is published by
Editorial Ivrea in Spain for readers of Spanish. The first
four volumes of the manga had been already published.
Director of Kiriyama Heavy Industries and responsible of the creation of the Jinrai (Thunderclap) Armas, he was childhood friend of
Reiji Moritsugu, of whom greatly respected his
ideals of justice. Apparently however, over
time those ideals became twisted and warped,
thus making him a greedy, arrogant and overconfident individual. His incarnations differs
considerably: in the manga he used the Katou
Organization as mere guinea pigs to show the
prowess of the Jinrai, while in the anime he initially forged an alliance with them, though his
greed for power prompted him to try and subdue them as well after staging a coup d'état that
granted him control of Japan. Kiriyama was
a Factor, and to crush the remains of JUDA
after conquering Japan he fought them himself, though he was defeated after being publicly unmasked as a ruthless dictator and one
of the stage figures of the coup. He was recovered by Katou, and thanks to Masaki Sugiwara,
revived as a Machina-turned human. Being
fused with his Machina made Kiriyama completely insane, and also heralded his demise
when, while fighting JUDA a second time, he
To commemorate the series' anime adaptation, Shimizu
and Shimoguchi decided to create a one shot manga
which will be serialized in the forty-fourth issue of the
Japanese manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Champion. It
recreates the entire first episode of the anime, in which
the plot differs in many aspects compared to the beginning of the manga.* [4]
Anime
See also: List of Linebarrels of Iron episodes
The production of an anime adaptation for the Linebarrels of Iron manga was first revealed in Animate's preview
140
CHAPTER 12. L
information for the February issue of the anime and entertainment magazine Animage.* [3] It was later announced
that Masamitsu Hidaka, most well known as the director
for the Pokémon anime series, will be directing Gonzo
studio's anime adaptation.* [6]
Ali Project, the ending themes are "Ame ga Furu" (⾬が
降る Falling Rain) and“Remedy”by Maaya Sakamoto,
and the insert songs are“Kokoro no Mama ni”(⼼のま
まに State of My Heart) and“PROUD”by Lisa Komine.
An orchestra version of“Kitei no Tsurugi”was also used
as
an insert song in episode 20. Ali Project released the
“A gigantic robot and the girl of your dreams are what
“Kitei
no Tsurugi”single on November 19, 2008,* [15]
you get...at the cost of your life.”
while“Ame ga Furu”, Maaya's seventeenth single, was
̶Tagline from English website.
released on October 29, 2008.* [16] The second ending
theme,“Remedy”was released within Maaya's sixth album,
Kazeyomi, on January 14, 2009.* [17]
Though the Japanese television premiere of the series
was in October 2008, the world premiere of the first
episode took place in the United States at Southern California's 2008 Anime Expo, which Masamitsu Hidaka at- 12.2.4 Reception
tended as a Guest of Honor.* [6] An official English language Linebarrels of Iron website was put up just before While the manga has garnered attention from noted anthe Anime Expo in order to promote the American pre- imators and manga artists like Yoshikazu Yasuhiko and
miere of the series. Other special screenings for the first Mamoru Nagano, who are both avid readers of the series
episode also took place in France's Japan Expo in July and and recommends the work,* [3] early reviews of the anime
Germany's Animagic 2008 in August.* [9] The previewed adaptation have been generally mixed. Four different refirst episode contained subtitles as it was still presented viewers from the anime and manga social networking site
Anime News Network gave negative reviews based on the
with its original Japanese dialogue.* [10]
first few episodes; agreeing that the storyline is generic
The series first premiered on Japanese television on Ocand predictable, and that it contains an easily detestable
tober 3, 2008.* [2] A total of twenty-four episodes aired,
main character (Kouichi). Though the mecha designs
with the last of which being broadcast on March 20,
were likable, the anime's characters designs and computer
2009. Though the episodes aired first on the TBS (Tokyo
generated graphics were scrutinized and described as not
Broadcasting System) television network, CBC and Sunbeing one of Gonzo's best.* [18]* [19]* [20] Despite one of
TV also broadcast the series; CBC aired it within an
the reviewers finding the anime“marginally more tolerahour after TBS's initial broadcasts, and Sun-TV aired the
ble”by the second episode, she comments that,“Whether
episodes a week later.
or not you will be horrified enough to stop watching this
In an agreement, in which Gonzo's corporate parent, show will be determined by your own personal level of
the GDH group, decided to allow popular video-sharing tolerance for Kouichi's hubris.”* [21] Dani Moure of
websites to stream some of Gonzo's latest anime ti- Mania, an entertainment website, believes that the first
tles,* [11] Crunchyroll, an anime-sharing site, streams episode “does a good job of introducing the premise of
episodes of the Linebarrels of Iron anime two hours af- the show,”but finds it “predictable and full of several
ter its premiere in Japan.* [12] It is also illegally avail- clichés.”Also, though Moure comments that Kouichi is a
able on YouTube, though the only full episode available dislikable character, he states that“he grows into his role
is episode one; Gonzo uploads only the first half of the with his belief that there is more to come from him.”* [22]
following episodes, and to view the rest, viewers are di- In Moure's reviews of further episodes, he comments on
rected to Crunchyroll.* [13]
how the series remains entertaining, “developing into a
As of March 25, 2008, JVC Entertainment has released solid show,”and that“watching Kouichi struggle to cope
that's been presented to him is becoming
a total of four DVD volumes in Japan, with the first be- with the power
*
*
interesting.”
[23]
[24]* [25]
ing released on December 24, 2008. The fifth volume is
scheduled to be released on April 22, 2009. Each volume contains one disc, with each one containing three
episodes, save the first volume, which contains only the 12.2.5 References
first episode. Every volume also contains extras, ranging from Drama CDs to original illustrations by the cre- [1] “I Went to FUNimation and All I Got Were These Cool
Announcements”. Anime Vice. 2009-04-07. Retrieved
ator.* [14]
2009-04-07.
Music
Five pieces of theme music are used for the anime series; one opening theme, two ending themes and two insert songs. The opening theme is“Kitei no Tsurugi”(⻤
帝の剣 Sword of the Demon King) by the Japanese band
[2]“Gonzo's 2nd Linebarrels of Iron Promo Video Streamed”
. Anime News Network. 2008-09-13. Retrieved 200809-26.
[3] "Iron Linebarrels Robot Manga to be Animated in 2008”
. Anime News Network. 2007-12-12. Retrieved 200809-26.
12.2. LINEBARRELS OF IRON
141
[4] "Casshern Sins, Linebarrels of Iron Anime Adapted as
Manga”. Anime News Network. 2007-10-02. Retrieved
2008-10-04.
[23] Dani Moure (2009-02-27). “Linebarrels of Iron Episode
#03”. Mania Beyond Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-0327.
[5] "Linebarrels - Products>Comics”. linebarrels.jp. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
[24] Dani Moure (2009-03-07). “Linebarrels of Iron Episode
#04”. Mania Beyond Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-0327.
[6] “1st Linebarrels of Iron Episode to Premiere at Anime
Expo”. Anime News Network. 2008-04-19. Retrieved
2008-09-26.
[25] Dani Moure (2009-03-13). “Linebarrels of Iron Episode
#05”. Mania Beyond Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-0327.
[7] This can be found in the original Japanese manga, Volume
2, page 86
[8] " 鉄の ライ ン バ レ ル 12 (12) (チャ ン ピ オ ン RED
コミックス) (コミック)" (in Japanese). Amazon.com.
Retrieved 2009-03-27.
[9] “English Linebarrels Anime Site Launched Before AX”
. Anime News Network. 2008-07-02. Retrieved 200809-27.
[10] "Linebarrels of Iron 's English Promo Video Streamed
(Updated)". Anime News Network. 2008-08-08. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
[11] “Gonzo Works to be Streamed Simultaneously with Airing”. Anime News Network. 2008-03-21. Retrieved
2008-10-04.
[12] “Gonzo to Stream Linebarrels of Iron on Crunchyroll Today”. Anime News Network. 2008-10-03. Retrieved
2008-10-04.
[13] “YouTube - LINEBARREL's Channel”. YouTube. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
[14] "Linebarrels - Products>DVD”. linebarrels.jp. Retrieved
2009-03-21.
[15] "Linebarrels - Products>CD”. linebarrels.jp. Retrieved
2008-09-28.
[16] " ⾬が降る/坂本真綾 (Oricon's page for“Ame ga Furu”
)" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2008-09-28.
[17] " 坂 本 真 綾 (Oricon's page for “Kazeyomi”)" (in
Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2009-02-04.
[18] “The Fall 2008 Anime Preview Guide - Theron Martin”
. Anime News Network. 2008-10-04. Retrieved 200810-16.
[19] “The Fall 2008 Anime Preview Guide - Carlo Santos”.
Anime News Network. 2008-10-04. Retrieved 2008-1016.
[20] “The Fall 2008 Anime Preview Guide - Carl Kimlinger”
. Anime News Network. 2008-10-04. Retrieved 200810-16.
[21] “The Fall 2008 Anime Preview Guide - Casey Brienza”.
Anime News Network. 2008-10-04. Retrieved 2008-1016.
[22] Dani Moure (2009-02-09). “Linebarrels of Iron Episode
#01”. Mania Beyond Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-0327.
12.2.6 External links
• Official site (Japanese)
• Biglobe's official anime site (Japanese)
• Official Linebarrels of Iron site
• The Official Linebarrels of Iron Website from FUNimation
• Kurogane no Linebarrels (manga) at Anime News
Network's encyclopedia
Chapter 13
M
13.1 Macross: Do You Remember
Love?
The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? (超時空要塞マクロス愛・おぼえて
いますか Chōjikū Yōsai Makurosu: Ai Oboete Imasu ka),
also known as Super Spacefortress Macross (commonly
referred to by the acronym “DYRL?" among Western
fans), is a 1984 Japanese animated movie based around
the Macross television series.
The movie is a film adaptation of the original Macross series, with new animation. The storyline of the film does
not fit directly into the Macross chronology, and was originally an alternate-universe retelling of the story, but was
later established as part of the Macross universe. Within
the Macross universe it is a popular movie (i.e. a movie
within a television series), a fact shown in Macross 7.
However, new Macross productions like Macross Frontier
have used elements from both the first T.V. series and
this film. In Macross tradition, it features transforming
mecha, pop music, and a love triangle. The movie gets
its name from its romantic themes and also by the song
sung during its climactic battle sequence by Lynn Minmay (voiced by Mari Iijima). In Macross Frontier, the
latest series in the Macross universe, the first few episodes
use re-animated key scenes from this film and Flash Back
2012 to give viewers glimpses of past events.
file troops. Their supreme leader, Gorg Boddole Zer, suspects that the human culture is deeply related to an ancient music box he has kept with him for eons. Then, the
Zentradi discover an opportunity to examine the humans
further when Hikaru borrows a Valkyrie trainer unit without permission and flies Minmay across Saturn's rings.
The Zentradi capture Hikaru and Minmay, along with
Lieutenant Misa Hayase, Minmay's cousin/manager Lynn
Kaifun, and Hikaru's superior Roy Focker in the ensuing
chaos.
Aboard Britai Kridanik's ship, the humans are being
interrogated about their culture when a squadron of
Meltrandi, led by Milia 639, invades the ship, giving the
humans a chance to escape. Hikaru and Misa escape from
the ship, but Focker is killed and Minmay and Kaifun remain aboard while the two officers get caught in a space
fold.
Exiting from the fold, Hikaru and Misa arrive on a desolate world that turns out to be Earth, as the entire population was wiped out by a prior Zentradi attack. As
the two officers roam the remains of the planet, they become closer. They also discover an ancient city of the
Protoculture, where the mysterious origins of the alien
giants is revealed. In the city, Misa discovers an artifact
that contains lyrics to an ancient song.
Many days later, the Macross arrives on Earth. Just as
Hikaru and Misa are debriefing their story to Captain
Bruno J. Global, the fortress is attacked by a Meltrandi
fleet. During the battle, ace pilot Maximilian Jenius de13.1.1 Plot
feats Millia aboard the Meltrandi's main ship, which destroys the Macross' main cannons with one shot. The
The film begins in medias res with the space fortress Meltrandi are forced to retreat when the Zentradi arrive
Macross trying to evade the Zentradi at the edge of the - with Minmay's singing voice as their weapon.
Solar System. The Macross houses an entire city with Captain Global announces a truce and a military pact betens of thousands of civilians who are cut off from Earth, tween the Macross and the Zentradi. Hikaru and Minmay
after it had executed a space fold on the first day of reunite, but Minmay realizes he is now with Misa. Meanthe Earth/Zentradi war - taking the city section of South while, Misa works on translating the ancient song for use
Ataria Island with it. During the latest assault, Valkyrie as a cultural weapon, as requested by Boddole Zer. Howpilot Hikaru Ichijyo rescues pop idol Lynn Minmay, but ever, when the Meltrandi return to attack, Boddole Zer
are both trapped in a section of the fortress for days. Even loses patience and recklessly has his capital ship wipe out
after their eventual rescue, this fateful meeting leads to a half the fleets of both factions.
relationship between the singer and her number one fan.
Once again, the Macross finds itself in the middle of a
The Zentradi, meanwhile, discover the debilitating and brutal war. Hikaru persuades Minmay to perform the
disruptive effect that human music has on the rank and
142
13.1. MACROSS: DO YOU REMEMBER LOVE?
translated song. As the Macross flies across the battlefield, Minmay's song causes a union with Britai's fleet and
the Meltrandi against Boddole Zer. After the Macross
breaks into Boddole Zer's ship, Hikaru flies his Valkyrie
into the supreme commander's chamber and destroys him
with his entire arsenal.
143
War I: “The real Macross is out there, somewhere. If
I tell the story in the length of a TV series, it looks one
way, and if I tell it as a movie-length story, it's organized
another way...”.* [3]
Many ships, mecha, and characters were redesigned for
the film.* [1] These designs have been featured in later enAfter Boddole Zer's ship is destroyed, Macross bridge of- tries of the Macross franchise. The Zentradi were given
ficer Claudia LaSalle asks why the song caused such a a language of their own and most of the dialogue of Zenturnaround to the war. Misa explains that it is a simple tradi characters is in that language.
love song.
The film diverges from the TV series in several ways:
The film ends with a concert by Minmay in front of the
rebuilt Macross.
13.1.2
Production Notes
Shoji Kawamori, Kazutaka Miyatake and Haruhiko Mikimoto worked on the mecha and character designs for
the film.* [1] Narumi Kakinouchi, one of the creators of
Vampire Princess Miyu, was the assistant animation director for this movie.
• In the series' beginning, Hikaru and Minmay's relationship starts before his joining U.N. Spacy and her
meteoric rise to stardom. In the film, Hikaru is already a pilot in Skull Team, while Minmay is already
an established star.
• The Earth is bombarded by the Zentradi before the
Macross returns while in the series, the bombardment happened afterwards.
During one of the action scenes towards the end of the
movie, Hikaru fires a barrage of missiles on his way to
Boddole Zer. As an inside joke among the animators, two
of the missiles are drawn to look like cans of Budweiser
and Tako Hai (a drink which literally translates as “Octopus Highball”).* [2]
• Three pilots/planes are featured as Skull Leader /
Skull 1: Roy's (VF-1S Strike, Roy Colors - Grey +
Yellow), Max's (VF-1S, Max Colors - White + Blue)
and Hikaru's (VF-1S Strike, Hikaru Colors - White
+ Red), as opposed to the TV series where there is
only one Skull 1, which was flown only by Roy and
Hikaru.
The film's soundtrack was composed by Kentaro Haneda,
featuring new orchestral tracks and some music from the
original TV series. The theme song "Ai, Oboete Imasu
ka" (“Do You Remember Love”) was composed by
Kazuhiko Kato and performed by Mari Iijima. The ending theme "Tenshi no Enogu" (“An Angel's Paints”) was
composed and performed by Iijima.
• Hikaru and Misa discover a Protoculture city-ship
on the ruins of Earth that rose out of the ocean after
the Zentradi attack. The Protoculture have a generally higher profile in the movie than on the show and
more is revealed about them. The film's title song is
itself a Protoculture relic.
13.1.3
Release
The film premiered in Japanese theaters in July 7, 1984. It
received a huge marketing campaign that generated very
long lines of fans; many of them camped outside cinemas
the night prior to the film. These events were dramatized
in the anime comedy Otaku no Video from 1991.
• The Zentradi males and females are named Zentran and Meltran and placed on opposite sides of
the Protoculture conflict. No mention is made of
the Supervision Army. The Meltlandi, in addition
to being in a separate fleet of their own have distinctive ship and mecha designs.* [1]
Do You Remember Love? is a reinterpretation of The Super Dimension Fortress Macross in a feature film format.
Almost all of the characters featured in the TV series appear in the film. Most of the voice actors from the TV
series reprised their roles for the film. The love triangle
and the various relationships are intact.
• In the original Macross TV series, the Zentradi's
dialogue was automatically translated into
Japanese.* [4] In this animated film, they are
actually heard speaking a fictional extraterrestrial
language specifically developed for the movie as
subtitles are provided for the audience, much like
the Klingon language in Star Trek (of which a word
wasn't spoken until they both appeared in their
first theatrical version).* [5] This language was
subsequently used in further installations of the
Macross universe.
Macross 7 describes a film called Do You Remember
Love? within the fictional world of Macross. Series creator Shoji Kawamori also gave an explanation about the
differences in the television and film depictions of Space
• Max and Milia meet face to face during their battle in their original sizes, in which Max immediately
falls in love with the giantess. He later undergoes
enlargement in the sizing chamber so he can fight
13.1.4
Relation to the TV series
144
CHAPTER 13. M
side-by-side with his lover, a reversal of the events
in the TV series, where Milia shrunk to Max's size
instead.
Roy Focker to the death. In Macross 7, the Firebomber band actually meets the Zentradi actor who
playded Quamzin. He wore a replica of Quamzin's
uniform from the TV series. However, in the movie,
he only appeared in power armor.
• The Macross is designed slightly differently and
instead of having the Daedalus and Prometheus
docked as its 'arms' it has two ARMD carriers.* [1]
This became the design of the Macross on further 13.1.5 International versions
series installments such as Macross II, Macross Plus
and Macross Frontier.
Originally, two versions of a Toho-commissioned dub had
• The origin of the SDF-1 Macross is also different. been released in the United States throughout the late
Instead of being a Supervision Army Gun Destroyer 1980s and early 1990s. The Toho dub (named in Japan
like in the TV series, in the Do You Remember Love? "Super Spacefortress Macross") had been created for
film the SDF-1 was originally a Meltlandi Gun De- international sales by a Hong Kong dubbing facility. The
stroyer that crashed on Earth and was reconstructed better known of the two US releases of the dub is an
by humans.* [1] The Zentradi attack Earth as soon edited version that was released by Celebrity Home Enas they discover the ship which apparently belongs tertainment's “Just For Kids”label in the late 1980s,
renamed Clash of the Bionoids. It has been heavily critto their Meltlandi enemies.
icized by fans of the film for extreme cuts – nearly thirty
• The Daedalus is not referenced in the film while minutes were excised from the movie. In particular, the
the beached wreckage of the Prometheus is discov- ending was heavily modified from the original Japanese
ered by Hikaru and Misa shortly after their space version: the scene with Hikaru calling the Macross affold back into Earth. In the 1997 home video game ter Boddole Zer's explosion was removed, giving the false
adaptation of the film (released on the Sega Saturn impression that Hikaru died in the blast. Later, a subtitled
and PlayStation), an all-new introduction scene de- version was briefly released before, presumably, it was
picts Skull Squadron taking off from the Prometheus suppressed due to the ongoing legal battles between Big
before the carrier is sliced into two by a Zentraedi West, Tatsunoko Pro and Harmony Gold. Robert Woodhead, head of AnimEigo, has said publicly that he would
cannon blast from above orbit.
like to release the film (AnimEigo released the first press• During the press conference scene, three micronized ings of the Macross series in the US), but believes it will
(and bald-headed) Zentrans in suits and ties are sit- most likely never get a proper DVD release in the United
ting on a side table next to where Captain Global States due to the legal disputes surrounding the film. The
makes the announcement of a ceasefire. They are movie was released in widescreen in both dubbed and
credited as Rori, Konda, and Warera, the three Zen- subtitled format by Kiseki Films in the UK on video in
tradi spies from the TV series.
the 1990s, but was notably one of their few catalogue titles not being released on DVD.
• Zentradi Supreme Leader Gorg Boddole Zer's physical appearance in the film completely differs from
that in the TV series. Instead of being merely a bald
13.1.6 Video games
Zentran, his head is cybernetically fused with his
mobile space fortress.* [1] Also, Boddole Zer towers
• A video game by the same name was made based
incredibly high above the Zentradi in comparison to
on this feature anime. A loose game sequel called
the TV series where he was slightly taller than Britai
The
Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Scrambled
Kridanik.
Valkyrie was also made.
• Exsedol Folmo's appearance here (as having a larger
• A CD-based video game was released for the Sega
cerebrum, tendrils, and greenish appearance) would
Saturn in 1997 and the Sony PlayStation in 1999.
actually be worked into the Macross continuity.
It
was a 2D shooter that followed the movie's stoExsedol feared losing his cerebral capacity due to
ryline
using cut scenes from the film and additional
being micronized for an extended period of time.
footage.
He voluntarily underwent this change so as to preserve his intellect. In the Macross universe, it is also
• In The Super Dimension Fortress Macross
stated that Exedore played himself in the film.
PlayStation 2 video game players are able to
• Quamzin Kravshera, a major recurring enemy in
choose either a long and easier “TV path”or
the series, only appears briefly in this movie, havthe more difficult and shorter “Movie path”of
ing only two lines of dialogue. He is unnamed in
the game, which is based on the events of Do You
the dialogue but named in the credits and script as
Remember Love? and also has several missions that
“Quamzin 03350”. He was the Zentran who fought
feature situations not shown on film.
13.2. MEGAZONE 23
145
• Characters of the film appear in the Super Robot
Wars Alpha videogame, as well as two different
paths to choose during gameplay (one which follows
some events of the TV series, and the other which
follows the events from movie). The player can use
Max Jenius to try to recruit Milia Fallyna to your
side in one stage, but the way their final confrontation plays out in a later stage determines whether
Milia gets micronized (as in the series), or Max gets
macronized (as in the movie) when she finally joins
you.
The story follows Shogo Yahagi, a delinquent motorcyclist whose possession of a government prototype bike
leads him to discover the truth about the city.
13.2.1 Plot
Part I
Shogo Yahagi lives in what appears to be 1980s
metropolitan Japan. He meets Yui Takanaka and discovers her roommates are his friends Mai Yumekano and
Tomomi Murashita. Shogo's old friend Shinji Nakagawa
13.1.7 References
shows him a military prototype Garland motorcycle (la[1] Miyatake, Kazutaka (2005-06-01). Macross and Orguss beled "Bahamut") that can reach over of 300 km/h. He
Design Works (in Japanese). Japan: Mobic. pp. 15–29. barely escapes as Shinji is killed by unknown agents.
ISBN 4-89601-629-7.
[2] Macross Compendium
[3]“Shoji Kawamori Interview”. Animerica Vol. 3 No. 1
(Viz, LLC).
[4] “Translation & Cultural Notes”. The Super Dimension
Fortress Macross Liner Notes. AnimEigo. 2001-12-21.
Retrieved 2009-08-28. Episode 11 First Contact (November 2009) - The Zentradi video screens contain some of
the first instances of written Zentradi -- though it was
not an actual language at the time, but simply encoded
Japanese or English words. Designer Miyatake Kazutaka
developed the Zentradi 'script' to hide references in the
alien text.
[5] Official Zentradi Dictionary
13.1.8
External links
• Official Macross website (Japanese)
• Macross: Do You Remember Love?
Anime News Network's encyclopedia
(anime) at
Shogo uses a public video phone to call Eve Tokimatsuri,
a popular singer and TV host, during her show to expose
the Garland to the public. The show's broadcast is cut off
while Shogo shows Eve the bike (now painted red by a
mechanic friend) and explains its capability. He escapes
in another chase by agents and soon discovers it can also
transform into a mecha.
Shogo helps Tomomi make an action film centered
around the mysterious bike and has Yui hide the Garland
at night. While looking for film locales, Shogo finds a
secret entrance to a hidden, abandoned city and battles
with some of the advanced fighters he encounters, most
importantly with a military big shot named B.D.
After B.D. is nearly defeated, he informs Shogo that Bahamut is a supercomputer that controls the events in this
world, and that they are actually living on a spaceship,
and that the real time is actually 500 years in the future.
The military were developing new weapons underground
to avoid Bahamut's detection, and that they have cleared
“Level 6”, Shogo shows mercy and leaves.
Returning to Tomomi and Yui after his encounter with
B.D., Shogo suggests that Tomomi's movie should be a
• Chôjikû Yôsai Macross: Ai Oboeteimasuka at the Sci Fi about how the world they live in is a spaceship maInternet Movie Database
nipulated by a super computer behind the scenes, telling
• Macross: Do You Remember Love? at Macross her it's an idea he“Just came up with.”Tomomi agrees.
Mai enters the room during the discussion saying she was
Compendium
spotted by a talent scout and will be singing back-up for
• Macross: Do You Remember Love? at Macross the pop-star Eve, however a few days later, Shogo and Yui
Mecha Manual
discuss how Eve never showed up for the taping of her
music video and Mai was very disappointed. Shogo becomes suspicious when Yui mentions how Eve has never
had a live concert and they only ever see her on TV.
13.2 Megazone 23
Megazone 23 (メガゾーン 23 Megazōn Tsū Surī ) is a
four-part original video animation created by AIC, written by Hiroyuki Hoshiyama, and directed by Noboru
Ishiguro, Ichiro Itano, Kenichi Yatagai and Shinji Aramaki. The series debuted in 1985. It was originally titled
Omega Zone 23 (オメガゾーン 23 Omega Zōn Tsū Surī )
but the title was changed just before release.* [2]
He then sneaks inside Eve's recording studio, and, confirming previous suspicious sparked by Yui's comments
during filming, discovers Eve to be a computer program.
In his anger at the state of the world, he leaves the studio.
Eve contacts Shogo through the Garland, revealing that
she is an A.I. program within Bahamut created by humans
to keep peace. She reveals to Shogo that 500 years ago the
Earth was destroyed in a war between two super powers.
146
CHAPTER 13. M
Multiple evacuation ships left the planet. At some point
in the intervening time, two ships from opposing factions
made contact. The resulting conflict wiped out both ships'
populations. Eve reveals that she is the seventh iteration
in a line of programs build by the ship's computer. Her
purpose is to prevent a similar battle from occurring between the Tokyo-ship and another ship, each soon to intercept the other. She begs for Shogo's help, saying that
the military is trying to deactivate her, presumably to attack (or defend against an attack) from the enemy spaceship. Shogo interrupts, asking her why the city is resembles its current time period (the 1980s). Eve responds,
describing the late-twentieth century as being “one of
the most peaceful time periods in human history.”Eve's
transmission is suddenly cut as she reiterates her plea for
Shogo to prevent her deactivation.
the room. A grief-stricken Mai then receives a phone call
from her father (again, likely the shadowy financier) to
return home, as “the world is about to change for the
worse”. Mai agrees, and a following scene shows Mai
giving her goodbyes, in tears, to Yui.
Shogo returns to Yui, asking her to go have lunch with
him. While at lunch she asks him why he looks so serious. He responds by asking if she'd go out with him.
When she responds with surprise he tells her bluntly that
he wants to sleep with her. However, she gets annoyed by
how unromantic he's being and he leaves. She chases after him, confused as to why he's acting like this. Shogo,
frustrated and confused by all the events that have happened recently, tells her he“doesn't know what he's supposed to do”and breaks down. Later, the two of them
retire to what is, presumably, a hotel room. After an awkward moment, Yui turns on the TV. Shogo suddenly turns
it off after Eve's idol avatar appears. The two later proceed to have sex. Against the backdrop of the passionate
moment, Shogo reveals all the recent knowledge about
the world he has learned to Yui. She believes him unconditionally.
Shogo has been living underground for several months,
hiding from the military and police in the abandoned
cities and corridors below Tokyo's surface. The police
have been informed that Shogo is the person who murdered Tomomi in episode I (presumably by either the
brass, B.D. or one of the other military powers). Shogo
has teamed up with the motorcycle gang “Trash”. He
reunites with Yui (now drawn with brown hair instead of
green like in episode I). Although Yui and Shogo are obviously still in love, Yui asks Shogo why he never returned
to the loft (at the end of episode I). Shogo has apparently
been out of contact with her for a while. As for Eve, she is
still releasing music videos but they are all 'pro-war', encouraging young men to join the military. The real Eve
however has survived the military's attempt at deactivating her and is now running as an independent program,
constantly sending out messages through different media
devices (television, radio, etc.) to try and make contact
with 7G Operator, namely Shogo. Shogo however, having lost the Garland, can not answer her call. The motorcycle gang have made making contact with Eve their
prime mission.
When Yui and Shogo wake up the next morning, a newscast suddenly breaks the news that the pseudo-Japan
has declared war on an “impossible-to-disclose”foreign country following two orbital attacks on national oil
tankers. Thus, the coup solidifies its control over the populace by manipulating the public in lieu of Eve as the
military prepares to attack the second spaceship. As the
day progresses, further disturbing broadcasts are shown
through Shogo's point of view. In the garage, the television shows 1200 recent military enlistees (with one of
Shogo's friends among them).
As the military breaks through the ship computer's“Level
7,”a coup begins. Members of a portion of the military
under B.D.'s command kill all top military staff, attack
the pseudo-Tokyo's police station, and take over the Diet.
B.D. is shown conferring with a leader among members
of the private financial sector. The shadowy man is implied to have interests in the defense/arms market as well
as being Mai's father.
While Yui, Shogo, and Mai are out eating, agents, again
under the control of the coup, kill Tomomi and steal her
master tapes of the movie she was making. Yui's group
is shocked at the bloody, trashed apartment as they enter
Shogo goes back to the underground city in a rage. He
battles with the military but, after failing to disable the
main computer, is defeated by B.D. who returns Shogo's
earlier mercy by sending him back up to surface. Badly
wounded, Shogo deserts the broken Garland. The closing
scene shows him walking through Tokyo, battered, cut,
and leaving a trail of blood droplets.
Part II – Please Give Me Your Secret
In space, B.D.'s military is still fighting a losing battle with
the second human spaceship (the“Dezalg”), which uses
an octopus-like penetrating weapon to destroy the human
fleet including their newest and strongest Battleship. As
the fighting goes on, B.D. searches for Shogo as well as
the 'Ghost Eve', trying to locate where her independent
program is located. B.D. believes once he finds Shogo he
will be able to track down Eve and deactivate her properly. B.D. lures Shogo with another Garland proto-type
weapon, planning to capture him. However, with the help
of the gang Shogo is able to escape the trap with the Garland intact. However, despite getting rid of a tracking
device on it, Shogo is unaware of a second tracking device on the machine. Once back at the base Shogo answers Eve's call for Operator 7G. Eve tells him how she
was able to isolate herself as an independent program and
survive the military's attempt at erasing her. She reveals
however that the military is closing in on her location and
that Shogo needs to come to where she is. She reveals
she is located right in the middle of Bahamut, the central
13.2. MEGAZONE 23
147
computer running the Megazone spaceship. The gang all can. Shogo leaves the inner chamber as Eve disappears
agree to go to Eve. Meanwhile however, B.D. has the and activates an unknown program, causing the room to
military surround their base.
shift.
Realizing they're ambushed, the gang split up with one
group defending the base, another group acting as a decoy and a third with Shogo heading for one of the shafts
in Tokyo leading to the lower floors of the Megazone.
During the chase many of the gang members are killed
or badly hurt. Shogo, Yui and 4 other gang members,
Cindy, Lightning, Dumpi and Garam. Garam and Dumpi
are hurt once they finally reach the heart of the Megazone
and Lightning stays back inside Shogo's Garland, acting
as a decoy while Cindy, Shogo and Yui carry on to the
Bahamut. Yui however, is badly hurt in the escape. Once
they reach the Bahamut, Cindy stays outside, waiting for
the others while Shogo escorts the injured Yui to Eve's
chamber. When Eve identifies Shogo she opens for them
to enter. Yui is getting worse, but once they reach the inner chamber Eve assures Shogo that she can heal Yui and
Shogo places her on a table which is sealed.
Eve proceeds to talk with Shogo, asking him questions
about himself as the scenery around them changes to
scenes of a cafe, a beach, an observatory, a field and a
park. At first Shogo is angry, saying he came here to talk
to Eve, not watch a show but he slowly relaxing, thinking that maybe she's testing him. With her questioning
Shogo reveals he didn't join the military when they asked
because he didn't agree with their methods of “Sweep
away little things for the sake of big things”. When Eve
asks Shogo if he's in love with Yui, he first responds saying“I like her”but then goes on to say that he thought he
always wanted to be near her and protect her, so he thinks
he's starting to love her. Eve also asks him what he thinks
it means to be an adult. Shogo at first gets angry again,
saying how adults are people who back-stab each other
and do horrible things to each other, and that he wanted
to be an adult like he used to see in the movies and TV as
a kid.
Once outside Bahamut, Shogo reunites with Cindy. Soon
afterwards, Lightning arrives in the badly damaged Garland, carrying the injured Dumpi and Garam. B.D. arrives in his own Garland, apparently ready to capture
Shogo, however, ADAM activates his program and the
whole Megazone starts to shift. In Tokyo, a mass evacuation is called, police and military focusing on trying to
get as many people into shelters and escape ships. Seeing this, B.D. tells Shogo that there's no point in fighting
now and that the time where he had to do what he felt
was right is over. He wishes Shogo and his friends good
luck as he enters his Garland and leaves, saying he doubts
they'll meet again. He and his men leave the Megazone
in their Garlands and disappear into space.
ADAM turns out to be the Earth's defense weapon, which
is the whole of the moon. As the Dezlag ship gets nearer
to the moon it's enveloped with red energy and is slowly
torn apart. As the Megazone looms closer, a hologram
appears in front of Shogo and his friends, saying “EVE:
Final Defense Program”. As the Megazone gets closer to
the moon the outer layer of the ship and the city are completely destroyed. As Megazone 23 disintegrates, Eve
sings a mournful dirge for the people who die aboard the
ship.
As the Megazone is completely destroyed, Bahamut detaches from the crumbling ship, revealing to be an escape
pod of sorts, and blasts away. After a while, Shogo and
his friends comment on how it was now silent and that
they were most likely going to die. At this moment however, a door opens and Yui steps out, completely healed of
her wounds. The reunited group notice light coming from
a door and follow it until the reach a hole in the ceiling, revealing a blue sky. As they step out it's revealed the Core
of the Megazone has landed on Earth, which is once again
green. It turns out the rest of the gang that had been inEve in return tells him once again how the Earth was de- jured while fighting in the city have also made it and with
stroyed 500 years ago, but now reveals the whole story. all reunited on the revived Earth, the episode ends to one
She tells him that when this happened, the U.N. set up of Eve's songs.
the Earth Preservation Laws, which meant evacuating the
Earth's population for 500 years. After this time the program left on Earth, ADAM, will receive Eve's report on Part III
the humans of the Megazone and determine whether they
should be allowed back on Earth or if they'd make the Episode 1: The Awakening of Eve Part III is differsame mistakes in the past. Eve also reveals that the time ent from the first two parts for several notable reasons.
is now, and she's awaiting ADAM's response. As Eve Firstly, it takes place on Earth, several centuries after the
explains this, the ADAM program activates. Shogo asks Megazone landed with Shogo, Yui and the rest of the surEve what ADAM's decision is regarding the human race vivors. Because of this none of the original characters
but Eve says she doesn't know due to the military crip- return apart from Eve. The story takes place primarily
pling her and she does not have the authority to access in the city of Eden, a super futuristic, enormous city, the
ADAM'S information because of this. Shogo replies that first and last city to be built on Earth (depending on how
he doesn't think the human race is good enough to war- you look at it). The city was built by 'The System' for
rant continuing, but at the very least he was able to meet humans to live in until a time it decides humans and naEve thanks to his friends. Eve tells him not to give up ture are in balance and the human race can be released
hope until the very end and that she will do whatever she into the renewed Earth. All citizens of Eden wait for the
148
'Day of Liberation'. The Day of Liberation is kept fresh
in people's minds by Bishop Won Dai, supposedly one of
the original survivors of the Megazone as he is a direct
link to The System itself.
Eiji Takanaka is a hacker “
( netjacker”) and expert virtual
gamer that hangs out in the virtual arcade, Psycholand.
He starts working at E=X, a company under the leadership of the mysterious Bishop Won Dai that controls
the city's information network, known as“The System.”
Eiji's friend Bud starts working at Orange, a gaming company. However Bud reveals that he's learned that Orange
is planning on launching a rival system supposedly superior to E=X's. Both friends play Orange's spacecraft
simulator Cyber Game "_HARD ON¯" (possibly a reference to the Sega game Hang-On), that is actively sent
updates and new levels by the Orange company. In order
to complete a network independent of The System, Orange uses its games to train fighters in Garland combat
unconsciously for its cause.
Eiji starts to go out with Ryo Narahara, who works at the
arcade. As they grow closer they start discussing how Eiji
has been recruited by E=X and how Ryo finds it strange
that E=X would hire an ex-hacker. They also discuss the
popular singer and idol, Eve. Unlike the Eve in the first
episode though, in Eden she is known to be a virtual idol.
Ryo however tells Eiji that she believed the circulating rumour that Eve is in fact a real person and says she wishes
she could meet her as Ryo also wishes to become an idol.
Eiji asks for her access codes, but she tells him that as an
elite hacker, he should research it himself. Once he's back
home, Eiji watches a video message from the E=X operator Miura Simka telling him to report for work tomorrow.
When he tries hacking in Psycholand's employee information he finds her information deleted. He finds it again
in another part of the net but the area is sensitive and he's
forced to disconnect before getting tracked down by the
Net police. He and Bud try to find her information by
hacking, using an access point somewhere in Eden's alleys. However a strong defensive program activates and
hits then with an electrical jolt. Soon afterwards the Net
police show up and Eiji and Bud need to get away. Bud
warns Eiji that as a member of E=X he shouldn't be doing
things like this any-more, but then comments on how he's
no-one to lecture any-one.
At E=X, director Yacob Halm gives a speech to the new
recruits about the importance of The System and decries netjackers, calling them anarchists who will disrupt
Eden's balance. Operator Miura Simka calls over Eiji
after the recruits are dismissed and privately warns Eiji
about his hacker-activities, holding up a photo of him and
Bud from the night before. However she lets him go because of his invaluable skills as a hacker which Yacob
feels could be useful to E=X and the system. Yacob assigns Eiji to use a Garland to catch netjackers. While
doing a training mission with his new Garland though,
an outside influence netjacks into Eiji's simulation, daring him to break the program. Eiji is unable to but he
CHAPTER 13. M
does well enough to impress the hacker who turns out to
be a high-ranking member of Orange named Sion. Seinji
takes the Garland home to customize it.
Ryo visits Eiji, and they discuss Sion. Eiji brings up the
subject. Ryo says she doesn't know any-one called Sion
but when Eiji mentions how Sion is a member of Orange
as well as a nethacker he must be violent Ryo jumps to
Sion's defense, saying that she knows him and he's not
that sort of man. Before they can discuss it further, Eiji's
apartment heats up as the room's controls malfunction before it explodes. Eiji and Ryo escape through the window
using the Garland. Sion hacks into the E=X network and
finds a program called “Project Heaven”but is unable
to find out what it is exactly.
Orange then puts its plan to take over The System with
their superior network by hacking The System's network
and taking it over. In response E=X sends out its Garland unit including Eiji. Orange sends out its HARGUN
units including Sion. When Eiji defeats Sion, he reveals
that he was testing Eiji to see if he can awaken Eve. The
company forces continue to battle as Eiji takes the Garland under the city to 'Zone 0' as directed by Sion and
finds a capsule containing a human Eve. When he approaches the capsule opens and Eve awakens. Eve smiles
at Eiji and tells him she's been waiting for him, calling
him “Operator 7G.”
Episode 2: Day of Liberation The companies continue their fighting. Orange has broken contact with the
wounded Sion, presuming him dead. E=X is focusing on
trying to regain control of the network. They are also trying to locate Eiji and his Garland as they believe him to
be a traitor for activating the Eve program.
Meanwhile, back at Zone 0, Eve is trying to access the
network but can't since the System uses a network she
knows nothing about. Eve reveals to Eiji that she is one
of the original programmers of Eden's network. Eiji asks
her what he as operator 7G is supposed to do. Eve says
they should go to Bahamut, the original Megazone computer for information.
When Eiji and Eve are located by Yacobs men, Yacob
is horrified to notice the human Eve. He orders his men
to kill them, not wanting them to escape. However, Eve
directs Eiji and they're able to shake off the netpolice.
They follow a forgotten path under the city out of Eden
and into the green Earth humans have been cut off from
for so long.
They see Eden's outside machinery stretching out further to maintain the city, engulfing the green Earth outside. Eve comments that Eden has become unbalanced
and they travel into the surrounding forests to the ruins
of Bahamut. When Eve approaches the core, Bahamut
activates, recognizing her life-data as 'The Creator'. Eve
asks Bahamut to run diagnostics on Eden, which reports
status as normal. Eve says that this is impossible, ask-
13.2. MEGAZONE 23
ing why the people have not been released then and wonders why Shogo did not wake her so she could do so. She
asks Bahamut what happened to him. Bahamut replies
that all data relating to Shogo Yahagi have been erased.
Again Eve says that this is impossible. However, the original Eve, the program from Part I and II activates in front
of them, telling the human Eve that there is one part of
Shogo's life remains on file and directs her to the next
room, which contains the original Garland (from Part II)
and a disk.
As Eve and Eiji return to Eden, Ryo tracks down the injured Sion who, along with a small group of members
from Orange have been staying in a van. They've been
monitoring the network from this point, saying that Orange currently controls 40% of it. Sion is frustrated since
they still can't figure out what 'Project Heaven' is. Ryo
provides him with a disk Eiji had given her with which
she could call him. As a member of E=X it's linked to
their network. Sion's team is able to breaks through and
learn that Project Heaven is a plan set up by the System to launch the entire city of Eden into space. Sion
decides to take over Orange from its leaders who only
want to crush E=X. Orange has recruited new fighters
for their own Garlands, including Bud, who have willingly been fitted with plugs to be directly plugged into
the machines to fight. Disgusted by Orange's willingness
to sacrifice human lives to try and take down E=X, Sion
pushes a disc into Orange's computers, revealing the System's plans and Project Heaven. The leader of Orange is
horrified and agrees to pull back from fighting E=X, realizing it would be pointless. Instead, he turns his focus
to broadcasting Project Heaven and the System's plans to
the citizens of Eden using what of the Network they control as well as notifying high-ranking business men and
financiers.
Yacob mans an original Garland from over a 1000 years
ago that had recently been restored. He uses it to fight off
the last of Orange's Garlands, killing Bud. Eiji and Eve
arrive on the scene on their way to the E=X building to get
to the System's core. The city starts to shake as Project
Heaven is put into action. Back at the E=X tower, several
important figures of the city are calling Yacob directly
at the System's core, demanding an Explanation. Yacob
tells them that The System has decided the human race
is too corrupt to be released and they are to be exiled
to space once more. When Miura turns to leave, telling
Yacob that she's going to show people a way out of Eden
as she's not lost faith in humanity as he seems to have, he
shoots and kills her.
Meanwhile, Sion, Eiji, Eve and the rest of the members
of Orange try to find a way to stop Project Heaven. Eve
says they need to disable the System's core, located inside
the E=X building. She shows the Orange members where
to place explosives within the core to disable it. Sion and
Eiji will distract E=X. Eve wishes Eiji luck, telling him
Shogo is with him.
149
Yacob attacks Orange, intent to kill Sion but Eiji draws
his fire. Meanwhile, Eve opens the door to the System's
core for the other members of Orange to plant the explosives as only she as the creator could do so. They plant
their explosives and leave the building. Outside, the battle
between Eiji and Yacob continues. It is clear though that
Yacob has the superior machine. However, Sion's men's
explosives go off and the city stops rumbling as Project
Heaven is interrupted and canceled. Eiji tells Yacob that
they've destroyed the E=X core. However Yacob tells
him that they shouldn't have stopped Project Heaven as
this means they've doomed Eden. As he says this and the
E=X tower crumbles, the core of the building starts to
rise into the sky.
Eve appears on ever screen in the city, addressing the public. She tells them that Won Dai is planning to use the
Adam lunar defense system to destroy Eden, but that she
is going to attempt to stop him. Eiji races up to the core
to rescue her but Yacob follows. Eiji inserts Shogo's Data
Disk into his Garland and manages to slice off one of Yacob's machine's arms. However, Yacob further cripples
Eiji's Garland but when he tries to deliver the final blow
his aim is off as his Garland's power output is dropping.
Eiji manages to throw one of his knives, causing Yacob's
Garland to explode.
Inside the System's Core, Eve confronts Won Dai who is
sitting at the very center of the core, several plugs running
into him, connecting him directly to the system. Eve tells
him what he's doing isn't the System's will but Won Dai
says that disposing of humanity is the only way to preserve Earth. Eiji arrives and tells him that that's a massacre and he won't allow the System to kill people, regardless if it's right or wrong. Eve says that Eiji's life-data
is even more pure than Won Dai's and that if Eiji connects to the System, its misconceptions of humans will
be cleared. When Eiji steps forwards though Won Dai
activates a shield, separating him from Eve and then attacks Eiji with energy. Eiji accuses Won Dai of killing
Shogo but pulls out the Data disc, saying that Shogo lives
on. The energy surrounds the disc in Eiji's hand and Won
Dai is ejected from his seat, collapsing. He tells Eiji that
he has lived for far too long and asks him to unplug him.
Once Eiji does so Won Dai exclaims that it's as if he's seeing things for the first time, saying that he's been a slave
to the system for too long. He asks where Eiji found the
Data Disc. Eiji says he found it in Bahamut. Won Dai
sighs, saying how Bahamut and Megazone seem so nostalgic and how he'd forgotten them before he dies. From
his last words it is vaguely hinted at that Won Dai himself
might be Shogo.* [3]
Behind him, Eiji hears something activate and turns to
see Eve standing in front of Won Dai's seat, a glass tube
having descended around her. She thanks Eiji for helping her, telling him that the System was programmed to
release humanity from Eden once she connects with it,
which is why Shogo was supposed to wake her so long
ago. Eve tells Eiji that she will pilot the core to the Moon
150
CHAPTER 13. M
to destroy ADAM as well, thus freeing humanity from Robotech: The Movie; the retooled scene became an inall of its artificial computer overlords forever. She kisses troduction to Part 2.* [8]* [9]
Eiji through the glass of the tube before she continues to
rise into the sky, leaving Eden free.
13.2.5 Releases
Afterward, Eiji returns to the damaged Eden to reunite
with Ryo who has been waiting for him. The city crumMegazone Part II International was released on laserdisc
bles as the fighting stops and the episode ends with them
in Japan.* [9] It was not included in the out-of-print DVD
kissing.
Box Set, but was available as a bonus item to those who
purchased all three installments individually. It is currently available as a Region 2 DVD bundled with the Lim13.2.2 Voice actors
ited Edition of the PS3 game Megazone 23: Aoi Garland.
Streamline Pictures later released a straight-dubbed ver13.2.3 Production
sion of Part 1 in 1994.* [10] Streamline Pictures released
an unedited dubbed version of Part 1 to VHS in 1995,
Megazone 23 was conceived as a 12-episode television sewhich was released to DVD in 1998 by Image Entertainries, but it was changed to a direct-to-video project afment. Streamline also planned on releasing the other two
ter the sponsors withdrew their support mid-production.
parts, but were unable to due to a dispute with their disAccording to Noboru Ishiguro, the end result was
tributor Orion Pictures.* [11] Manga Entertainment also
a "compilation movie" of already produced episodes.
released a dubbed version of Part 3 in the United KingMegazone was not conceived as a multi-part story. As
dom.* [12]
such, the original release of “Part I”lacks the subtitle
In 2004, ADV Films released each installment of the sethat has been added to subsequent re-releases.
ries with a newly produced English dub and the original
Original mecha designs for the OVA series were created
Japanese language track. The 2004 editions also conby Shinji Aramaki, while character designs were made
tained extensive liner notes on the development of Megaby Toshihiro Hirano and Haruhiko Mikimoto, who would
zone 23. ADV released a complete collection in 2007.
provide Eve Tokimatsuri's character designer for all three
With the closure of ADV in 2009, the series is now outparts. For“Part II”, Yasuomi Umetsu was the character
of-print in the US. Megazone 23 will be remastered onto
designer, and for “Part III”, Hiroyuki Kitazume took
Blu-ray in Japan. Release date is slated for November 27,
over.
2015.* [13]
The original planned title was “Omega City 23,”then
“Vanity City”and“Omega Zone 23,”but trademark issues compelled the producers to a title change. The num- 13.2.6 Influence
ber “23”was originally a reference to the 23 municipal
wards of Tokyo. In the retroactive continuity established Publisher ADV has compared and found many similariby Part III, the number refers to the 23rd man made city- ties between the Megazone 23 series and The Matrix,* [14]
ship, with Megazone 1 named "Big Apple". However, but The Wachowskis have denied it was an influence durthe title is pronounced “Megazone Two Three”as ref- ing the development of the film series.* [15]
erenced by several reference books and anime magazines
published during the release of the series, the Japanese
Wikipedia entry,* [4] and even within the series itself in 13.2.7 Video games
"Day of Liberation".
Character and vehicles from Megazone 23 appear in
Super Robot Wars D for the Game Boy Advance.* [16]
13.2.4
Alternative versions
In 2007, a video game based on the series, entitled
Megazone 23: Aoi Garland, was released in Japan for the
“Part I”was spliced with The Super Dimension Cavalry PlayStation 3.
Southern Cross by Carl Macek to create Robotech: The
Movie in 1986.* [5] The new cut reestablished Shogo's
character as Mark Landry * [6] and included a new ending 13.2.8 References
animated specifically for Robotech: The Movie.
The Japanese “International Edition”of Part 2 has an
English-language voice cast that Carl Macek had orchestrated.* [7] The consequent adaptation rewrote Shogo as
“Johnny Winters”and Yui as “Sue”. This creates a
continuity error, as the name that appears on her bike helmet remains unchanged. The International Edition also
added a narration to the exclusive alternate footage from
[1] Anime-int.com
[2] 緊急特報!! あの「マクロス」のスタッフがオリジナ
ルビデオアニメに挑戦「オメガゾーン 23」[Breaking
News!! The staff of“Macross”are challenging it with an
original anime video “Omega Zone 23"]. My Anime (in
Japanese) (Tokyo, Japan: Akita Shoten): 117. October
1984.
13.2. MEGAZONE 23
[3] Mahq.net
[4] ja: メガゾーン 23
[5] “Macek Training”. Anime News Network. Retrieved
2010-01-25.
[6] “Anime Bargain Bin Reviews- Robotech the Movie”.
Anime Bargain Bin Reviews. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
[7] “Macek Training”. Anime News Network. Retrieved
2010-03-20.
[8] “YouTube - UPDATED! Megazone 23 Part 2 Laserdisc
opening pt 1 of 2”. YouTube. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
[9] “Megazone 23 Trilogy - Buried Treasure info”. Anime
News Network. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
[10] Crystalacids.com
[11] http://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/
streamline-pictures-part-4/
[12] Crystalacids.com
[13] http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B010V5Q05M
[14] “Megazone 23 - Retroactive Influence”. A.D. Vision.
Archived from the original on 2005-02-04. Retrieved
2010-03-20.
[15] “ONLINE CHAT - Larry & Andy Wachowski”. Warner
Brothers. Archived from the original on 2008-05-07. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
[16] “YouTube - Super Robot Taisen D - Megazone 23 Final
Fight”. YouTube.
13.2.9
External links
• Megazone 23 (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Megazone 23 at the Internet Movie Database
• AnimeOnDVD review of the series
• Timeline from the Eve Shrine
• Megazone 23 on MAHQ
• Part II International Edition intro clips (Originally
from Robotech: The Movie)
151
Chapter 14
N
14.1 Naruto
This article is about the media franchise. For the title
character, see Naruto Uzumaki. For other uses, see
Naruto (disambiguation).
copies in print, with over 130 million copies in Japan and
the remaining 75 million being overseas, making it the
third best-selling manga series in history. The manga is
also available in 35 countries outside Japan.* [4] It has also
become one of North American publisher Viz Media's
best-selling manga series. Their English adaptation of
the series has appeared in the USA Today Booklist several times and volume 7 won the Quill Award in 2006.
Reviewers of the series have praised the balance between
fighting and comedy scenes, as well as the characters' personalities, but have criticized it for using standard shōnen
manga plot elements.
Naruto (ナ ル ト) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. It tells the
story of Naruto Uzumaki, an adolescent ninja who constantly searches for recognition and dreams to become the
Hokage, the ninja in his village who is acknowledged as
the leader and the strongest of all. The series is based on
a one-shot manga by Kishimoto that was published in the
14.1.1
August 1997 issue of Akamaru Jump.
Naruto was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine
from the 43rd issue of 1999 to the 50th issue of 2014,
with the chapters collected into seventy-two tankōbon
volumes by Shueisha. The manga was later adapted into
a television anime, which was produced by Studio Pierrot
and Aniplex. It premiered across Japan on the terrestrial
TV Tokyo and other TX Network stations on October 3,
2002. The first series lasted 220 episodes, while Naruto:
Shippuden, a sequel to the original series, has been airing
since February 15, 2007. In addition to the anime series, Studio Pierrot has developed ten movies and several
original video animations. Other types of merchandise
include light novels, video games, and trading cards developed by several companies.
Viz Media has licensed the manga and anime for North
American production. Viz serialized Naruto in their digital Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, as well as publishing
the individual volumes. The anime series began airing
in the United States and Canada in 2005, and later in the
United Kingdom and Australia in 2006 and 2007, respectively. The films, as well as most OVAs from the series,
have also been released by Viz, with the first film premiering in cinemas. Naruto: Shippuden was first released by
Viz in North America in September 2009, started broadcast on Disney XD in October of the same year and on
Adult Swim's Toonami block in January 2014. Viz Media began streaming both series on their streaming service
Neon Alley in December 2012.
Plot
See also: List of Naruto characters and Ninja World
A powerful fox known as the Nine-Tails attacks the ninja
village Konoha. In response, the leader of Konoha – the
Fourth Hokage – seals the fox inside his newborn son
Naruto Uzumaki at the cost of his life. As a child, Naruto
is isolated from the Konoha community, who regards him
as if he was the Nine-Tails itself. A decree made by the
current Kage, the Third Hokage, forbids anyone mentioning the Nine-Tails to anyone else. Twelve years later,
renegade ninja Mizuki reveals Naruto the truth before
being defeated by Naruto with the Shadow Clone Jutsu,
earning the respect of his teacher Iruka Umino. Shortly
after, Naruto becomes a ninja and is assigned alongside
Sasuke Uchiha, whom he often competes against, and
Sakura Haruno, whom he has a crush on, to form a threeperson team named Team 7 under an experienced sensei,
the elite ninja Kakashi Hatake. Like all the ninja teams
from every village, Team 7 is charged with completing missions requested by villagers, ranging from doing
chores, and being bodyguards or executing assassinations.
After several missions, most notably one to the Land of
Waves, Kakashi allows Team 7 to participate in a ninja
exam in which they can advance to a higher rank, and thus
take part in more difficult missions. During the exams,
Orochimaru, a top-wanted criminal, invades Konoha and
kills the Third Hokage in an act of revenge. This forces
one of the three legendary ninja, Jiraiya, to search with
As of September 2014, the manga has over 200 million Naruto for Tsunade, who has been nominated to become
152
14.1. NARUTO
the Fifth Hokage. During the search, it is revealed that
Orochimaru desires to acquire Sasuke due to his powerful genetic heritage, the Sharingan. Believing Orochimaru will be able to give him the strength needed to kill
his older brother Itachi, who destroyed their clan, Sasuke
eventually joins him after a humiliating defeat at his
brother's hands. Tsunade sends a group of ninja including
Naruto to retrieve Sasuke, but Naruto is unable to bring
him back to the village. Naruto and Sakura do not give
up on Sasuke, however, and the former leaves Konoha to
train under Jiraiya's tutelage in order to prepare himself
for the next time he encounters Sasuke, while the latter
becomes Tsunade's apprentice.
153
Madara and Obito's plans, which unleash the Ten-Tails.
However, Madara's body ends up possessed by Kaguya
Ōtsutsuki, an ancient princess who intends to subdue all
of mankind, and a reformed Obito sacrifices himself to
help Team 7 stop her. Once Kaguya is sealed, Madara
dies as well, but Sasuke takes advantage of the situation
and takes control all the Tailed Beasts to realize his true
goal of ending the current village system. Naruto confronts Sasuke to dissuade him, and after they almost kill
each other in a final battle, Sasuke admits defeat and reforms. After the war, Kakashi is chosen to become the
Sixth Hokage and pardons Sasuke of his crimes. Years
later, Kakashi steps down and Naruto becomes the SevTwo and a half years later, Naruto returns from his train- enth Hokage, raising the next generation.
ing with Jiraiya, and the criminal organization called
Akatsuki, from which Itachi is a member, starts kidnapping the hosts of the nine powerful Tailed Beasts, in- 14.1.2 Production
cluding the Nine-Tails sealed inside of Naruto, to extract
of Naruto
them. Several ninjas from Konoha, including Team 7, Masashi Kishimoto first created a one-shot
*
for
August
1997
issue
of
Akamaru
Jump.
[5]
Despite
fight against the Akatsuki members and search for their
its
high
positive
results
in
the
reader
poll,
Kishimoto
teammate Sasuke. Akatsuki is successful in capturing
seven of those creatures whose hosts are killed in the pro- thought "[the] art stinks and the story's a mess!" Kishicess, except for Gaara, the host of the One-Tail whose moto was originally working on Karakuri for the Hop
life is saved in time by Naruto and his comrades. In the Step Award when, unsatisfied by the rough drafts, he demeantime, Sasuke betrays Orochimaru and faces Itachi cided to work on something different, which later formed
to take revenge. After Itachi dies in battle, Sasuke learns into the manga series Naruto. Kishimoto has expressed
from the Akatsuki founder Tobi that Itachi was ordered concerns that the use of chakras and hand signs makes
but still believes it to be an enby Konoha's superiors to destroy his clan to prevent a Naruto too Japanese,
*
joyable
read.
[6]
When
asked about what was Naruto 's
coup d'état to which he accepted with the condition of
main
theme
during
Part
I, Kishimoto answered that it is
allowing Sasuke to be spared. Saddened with this revelahow
people
accept
each
other citing Naruto's develoption, Sasuke joins forces with Akatsuki to kill Konoha's
ment
across
the
series.
Kishimoto
said that since he was
superiors who orchestrated the Uchihas' elimination and
unable
to
focus
on
romance
during
Part I, he was to emdestroy Konoha to exact revenge. Meanwhile, as sevphasize
it
more
in
Part
II,
the
part
of
the manga beginning
eral Akatsuki members are defeated by Konoha ninjas,
*
with
volume
28,
despite
finding
it
difficult.
[7]
their figurehead leader, Nagato, kills Jiraiya and devastates Konoha. However, Naruto defeats and redeems When originally creating the Naruto story, Kishimoto
him, reviving those who perished and earning the village's looked to other shōnen manga as influences for his work,
respect and admiration as a result.
although he attempted to make his characters as unique
*
With Nagato's eventual death, Tobi, while disguised as as possible. He based it off of Japanese culture [8] The
one of Konoha's founding fathers Madara Uchiha, an- separation of the characters into different teams was innounces that he wants to obtain all nine of the tailed beasts tended to give each group a specific flavor. Kishimoto
in order to perform an illusion powerful enough to control wished for each member to be“extreme,”having a high
in one given attribute yet be talentless
all of humanity, in an effort to create supposedly world amount of aptitude
*
in
another.”
[9]
The
insertion of villains into the story
peace. The leaders of the five ninja villages refuse to aid
was
largely
to
have
them
act as a counterpoint to the charhim and instead join forces to confront Tobi and his allies.
acters'
moral
values.
Kishimoto
has admitted that this foThis results in a fourth great ninja war between the unified
cus
on
illustrating
the
difference
in values is central to his
armies of the Five Great Countries (collectively known
creation
of
villains
to
the
point
that,“I
don't really think
as the Allied Shinobi Forces) and Akatsuki's forces of
*
[10]
When
drawing
the characabout
them
in
combat.”
zombie-like ninjas. Naruto, and Killer Bee, the host of
ters,
Kishimoto
consistently
follows
a
five-step
process:
the Eight-Tails, head for the battlefield refusing to sit back
concept
and
rough
sketch,
drafting,
inking,
shading,
and
as instructed. During the conflict, it is revealed that Tobi
coloring.
These
steps
are
followed
when
he
is
drawing
the
is actually Obito Uchiha, Kakashi's former teammate who
actual
manga
and
making
the
color
illustrations
that
comwas thought to be dead, but he was saved by the real
Madara and has been working with him ever since. As monly adorn the cover of tankōbon, the cover of Weekly
Sasuke learns the history of Konoha, including the cir- Shōnen Jump, or other* media, but the toolkit he utilizes
cumstances that led to his clan's downfall, he decides to occasionally changes. [11] For instance, he utilized an
protect the village and rejoins Naruto and Sakura to stop airbrush for one illustration for a Weekly Shōnen Jump
cover, but decided not to use it for future drawings largely
154
CHAPTER 14. N
due to the cleanup required.* [12] For Part II, Kishimoto
said that he attempted to not “overdo the typical manga
style”by not including“too much deformation”and keeping the panel layouts to make it easy for the reader to follow the plot. Kishomoto said his drawing style changed
from “the classic manga look to something a bit more
realistic.”* [13]
Kishimoto added that, as Naruto takes place in a
“Japanese fantasy world,”he has set certain rules, in a
systematic way so that he could easily“convey the story.”
Kishimoto wanted to“draw on”the Chinese zodiac tradition, which had a long-standing presence in Japan; the
zodiac hand signs originate from this. When Kishimoto
was creating the setting of the Naruto manga, he initially
concentrated on the designs for village of Konohagakure,
the primary setting of the series. Kishimoto asserts that
his design for Konohagakure was created “pretty spontaneously without much thought”, but admits that the
scenery is based on his home in the Okayama prefecture
in Japan. Without a specific time period, Kishimoto included modern elements in the series such as convenience
stores, but specifically excluded projectile weapons and
vehicles from the storyline. For reference materials,
Kishimoto performs his own research into Japanese culture and alludes to it in his work.* [14] Regarding technology Kishimoto said that Naruto would not have any
firearms. He said he may include automobiles, aircraft
and “low-processing”computers; Kishimoto specified
the computers would“maybe”be eight-bit and that they
would “definitely not”be sixteen-bit.* [15]
Regarding the series' length, Kishimoto showed surprise
when the series reached its tenth volume as a result of
its popularity.* [16] He has also stated at the time that he
already had a visual idea of the last chapter of the series,
including the text and the story. However, he noted that
it could take a long time to end the series since “there
are still so many things that need to be resolved.”* [17]
3, 2000.* [20]* [21] In addition, several tankōbon, each
containing ani-manga based one of the Naruto movies,
have been released by Shueisha.* [22]* [23]* [24]* [25] In
Japanese, Shueisha has also released the series for cellphone download on their website Shueisha Manga Capsule.* [26] A spin-off comedy manga by Kenji Taira, titled
Rock Lee no Seishun Full-Power Ninden (ロック・リー
の⻘春フルパワー忍伝, Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals)
and focusing on the character Rock Lee, ran in Shueisha's
Saikyō Jump magazine from December 3, 2010 to July
4, 2014.* [27]* [28] Taira also launched Uchiha Sasuke no
Sharingan Den (う ち は サ ス ケ の 写 輪 眼 伝, Sasuke
Uchiha's Sharingan Legend) on October 3, 2014, which
runs in the same magazine and centers on the group
Taka.* [29]
Naruto is serialized in North America by Viz Media in
their manga anthology magazine Shonen Jump, with the
first chapter of the English adaptation published in the
January 2003 issue.* [30] To compensate for the gap between the Japanese and English adaptations of the manga,
Viz implemented its“Naruto Nation”campaign, where
it released three volumes a month in the last four months
of 2007 in order to close said gap.* [31] Cammie Allen,
Viz's product manager, commented that, their main reason for the schedule was to catch up to the Japanese release schedule to give their readers a similar experience
to that of Japanese readers.* [31] A similar campaign was
planned for 2009, with eleven volumes from Part II of
the series being released between February and April in
order to catch up to the Japanese serialization. Starting
with the release of volume forty-five in July, Viz began
releasing Naruto on a quarterly basis.* [32] Viz has released the manga in English on 71 volumes as of August
4, 2015.* [33] In addition, Viz Media released all twentyseven volumes of Part I in a boxed set, thus constituting the entirety of the Naruto storyline before Part II on
November 13, 2007.* [34] On May 3, 2011, Viz started
collecting the series in an omnibus format in which each
volume contains three from the original format.* [35]
Simultaneous with the release of the final chapter of the
series, a miniseries centered on the main characters' children was announced. Titled Naruto: The Seventh Hokage
Manga
and the Scarlet Spring (NARUTO− ナルト − 外伝・七
代⽬⽕影と緋⾊の花つ⽉ Naruto Gaiden: Nanadaime
Main article: List of Naruto manga volumes
Hokage to Akairo no Hanatsuzuki), the series began serialization in both the Japanese and English editions of
Naruto premiered in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump Weekly Shōnen Jump on April 27, 2015, and ended after
magazine on September 21, 1999, and ended on Novem- ten chapters on July 6, 2015.* [36]* [37]
ber 10, 2014.* [18]* [19] The first 238 chapters are known
as Part I, and constitute the first part of the Naruto storyline. Manga chapters 239 to 244 comprise a gaiden seNaruto anime
ries focusing on the background of the character Kakashi
Hatake. The rest of the manga (Chapters 245 to 700) belongs to Part II, which continues the storyline after a two- Main article: List of Naruto episodes
and-a-half year time gap. 72 tankōbon were released by
Shueisha in Japan, with the first twenty-seven tankōbon Directed by Hayato Date and produced by Studio Piercontaining Part I, and every subsequent one belonging rot and TV Tokyo, the Naruto anime adaptation preto Part II. The first tankōbon was released on March miered in Japan on TV Tokyo October 3, 2002, and
14.1.3
Media
14.1. NARUTO
ran for 220 episodes until its conclusion on February 8,
2007.* [38]* [39] The first 135 episodes are adapted from
the first twenty-seven volumes of the manga, while the remaining eighty episodes are original episodes that utilize
plot elements not seen in the original manga.* [40] Beginning on April 29, 2009, the original Naruto anime began
a rerun on Wednesdays and Thursdays (until the fourth
week September 2009 when it changed to just Wednesdays). It was remastered in HD, with new 2D and 3D
effects, under the name Naruto: Shōnen Hen (少年篇,
“Youth Version”).* [41] It included never before scenes
and many non-canon materials was cut to make it more
faithful to the original manga. In addition, it contains
openings and endings different from the original series.
Episodes from the series have been published in DVD.
The first DVD series has been the only one to be collected
in VHS format.* [42] There are a total of five series, with
each of the including four episodes per volume.* [43] The
series has also been collected in a series of three DVD
boxes during 2009.* [44]* [45] The newest DVD series is
Naruto The Best Scene which collects scenes from the first
135 episodes from the anime.* [46]
155
TV adaptation of Naruto: Shippuden debuted in Japan
on February 15, 2007 on TV Tokyo.* [56] It is developed by Studio Pierrot and directed by Hayato Date.* [57]
ABS-CBN is the first TV network outside Japan to broadcast Naruto: Shippuden; it aired the first 40 episodes of
Naruto: Shippuden, running the show through March 19,
2008. On January 8, 2009, TV Tokyo began broadcasting
new episodes via internet streaming directly to monthly
subscribers. Each streamed episode is made available online within an hour of its Japanese premiere and includes
English subtitles.* [58] Viz began streaming English subtitled episodes on January 2, 2009, on its official website for the series. The uploaded episodes include both
previously released episodes and the new episodes from
Japan.* [59]
In North America, the English dub of Naruto: Shippuden aired weekly on Disney XD from October 28, 2009
to October 8, 2011. Like the first series, several content
edits were made during the broadcast.* [60] Episodes 98
onward premiered uncut on Neon Alley beginning December 29, 2012. On November 6, 2013, Adult Swim
announced that they will be airing the English dub unViz licensed the anime series for broadcast and distribu- cut on Toonami starting in January of 2014. Beginning
tion in the Region 1 market. The English adaptation of from the* first *episode, Shippuden premiered on January
the anime began airing on September 10, 2005 and fin- 5, 2014. [61] [62]
ished on January 31, 2009, with 209 episodes aired.* [47] The series is being released to Region 2 DVD in Japan
The episodes have been shown on Cartoon Network's with four or five episodes per disc. There are currently
Toonami (United States), YTV's Bionix (Canada) and four series of DVD releases divided by story arc.* [63]
Jetix's (United Kingdom) programming blocks. Be- There is also a special feature included with the seventh
ginning on March 28, 2006, Viz released the series Naruto: Shippuden compilation DVD based on the secon DVD.* [48] While the first 26 volumes contain four ond ending of the series called Hurricane! “Konoha
episodes, since DVD volumes have five episodes.* [49] Academy”Chronicles.* [64] Besides the regular DVD seUncut editions are compiled in DVD Box Sets, each ries, on December 16, 2009 Kakashi Chronicles: Boys'
containing 12-15 episodes, with some variation based Life on the Battlefield (カカシ外伝〜戦場のボーイズ
around story arcs.* [50] In the American broadcast, ref- ライフ〜 Kakashi Gaiden ~Senjō no Bōizu Raifu~) was
erences to alcohol, Japanese culture, sexual innuendo, released featuring episodes 119-120 which are set during
and the appearance of blood and death were sometimes Kakashi Hatake's childhood.* [65]
reduced for the broadcast, but left in, in the DVD edi- The first North American DVD of the series was released
tions.* [51] Other networks make additional content edits on September 29, 2009.* [66] Only the first fifty-three
apart from the edits done by Cartoon Network, such as episodes were collected in this format that ended with the
Jetix's stricter censoring of blood, language, smoking and 12th volume released on August 10, 2010.* [67] Followthe like. The series has also been licensed to the websites ing episodes have been released as part of DVD boxes
Hulu, Joost, and Crunchyroll, which air episodes online that started release on January 26, 2010 with the first seawith the original Japanese audio tracks and English sub- son.* [68] In the United Kingdom, the series is licensed by
titles.* [52]* [53]* [54] The last Naruto episode aired on Manga Entertainment who released the first DVD collecYTV's Bionix block on December 6, 2009 at 12:30am tion on June 14, 2010.* [69]
ET.* [55]
Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals
Naruto: Shippuden anime
Main article: List of Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals episodes
Main article: List of Naruto: Shippuden episodes
Naruto: Shippuden (NARUTO -ナルト - 疾⾵伝 Naruto
Shippūden, lit. “Naruto: Hurricane Chronicles”) is the
ongoing sequel to the original Naruto anime and covers
the Naruto manga from volume twenty-eight on. The
In February 2012, Shueisha announced that the spin-off
manga Rock Lee no Seishun Full-Power Ninden would
receive an anime adaptation.* [70] Produced by Studio
Pierrot, the series premiered in TV Tokyo on April
3, 2012.* [71] Crunchyroll simulcasted the series' pre-
156
CHAPTER 14. N
miere in their website and will also stream its following released a Japanese DVD Box containing the first three
episodes.* [72]
movies.* [87]
Original video animations
The series' fourth film, Naruto Shippuden the Movie, was
released on August 4, 2007, and chronicles Naruto's assignment to protect the priest Shion who starts having visions of his death.* [88] The fifth film, Naruto Shippuden
the Movie: Bonds, was released on August 2, 2008. It
tells how ninja from the Sky Country attack Konoha and
to stop them, Naruto and Sasuke join forces although the
latter has already left two years ago.* [89] The next film
is Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Will of Fire, which
premiered in Japan on August 1, 2009,* [90] and tells the
story of Team Kakashi working together to stop Kakashi
from sacrificing himself to stop a world war. Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower followed it in Japan on
July 31, 2010, and tells the story of Naruto getting sent
20 years into the past and exploring a mystical tower for
a rogue ninja with the Fourth Hokage. Naruto the Movie:
Blood Prison was released on July 30, 2011, and tells the
story of Naruto getting framed for the attempted murder
of the Raikage and his subsequent attempts to break out
of the prison while discovering its secrets.* [91] A new
movie, Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie, which details
Naruto and Sakura getting sent to an alternate universe
by Tobi and discovering the meaning of companionship
and parenthood, was released on July 28, 2012.* [92]
There are five Naruto original video animations (OVAs).
The first two, Find the Crimson Four-Leaf Clover! and
Mission: Protect the Waterfall Village!, were aired at the
Shōnen Jump Jump Festa 2003 and Jump Festa 2004, respectively, and were later released on DVD in Australia
under the title “Naruto Jump Festa Collection”.* [73]
The English localization of the second OVA was released
on DVD by Viz on May 22, 2007 in USA under the title “Naruto - The Lost Story”.* [74] The third OVA,
Konoha Annual Sports Festival, is a short video released
with the first Naruto movie. In North America, the OVA
was included in the “Deluxe Edition”DVD from the
first film.* [75] The fourth OVA, Finally a clash! Jonin
VS Genin!! Indiscriminate grand melee tournament meeting!!, was released on a bonus disc with the Japanese edition of the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 video game for the
PlayStation 2.* [76] The fifth OVA, Naruto: The Cross
Roads, was featured at the Jump Festa 2010. It is focused in Team 7 after their encounter with Zabuza and
Haku.* [77] A short OVA was also included within the
DVD “Naruto x UT Original DVD”released on January 1, 2011 as promoted by UNIQLO.* [78]
On December 6, 2014, a new movie, The Last: Naruto the
Movie, was released. Canonical to the franchise, the film
tells the story of Naruto and his companions two years
Films
after Chapter 699 of the manga trying to stop the moon
from colliding with Earth; it also explains some lose ends
The series has also led to ten films; with the first three involving the series' mythology and details on Naruto's
canonically situated during the first anime series, and the love life. As with Road to Ninja, the script and characfollowing six non-canonically from Naruto: Shippūden. ter designs were created by Masashi Kishimoto. A new
The first film, Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow, was re- canon film, Boruto: Naruto the Movie, was released in Auleased on August 21, 2004 in Japan. It tells how Team gust 2015, and focus on the children of the main charac7 is dispatched to the Land of Snow to protect the actors ters.* [93]
during the shooting of the new Princess Fuun movie, to
whom Naruto became a fan. As a bonus, the short orig- It was announced that Lionsgate are developing a live acinal video animation Konoha Annual Sports Festival was tion Naruto with Avi Arad producing through his proincluded with the Japanese release of the film.* [79] It pre- duction company Arad Productions and Michael Gracey
miered on June 6, 2007 in the United States.* [80]* [81] It directing, while Erik Feig, Geoff Shaveitz and Kelly
was followed by Legend of the Stone of Gelel, which was O'Malley will oversee production. The studio are also
with Masashi Kishimoto for the films
released in theaters in Japan on August 6, 2005. The film in negotiations
*
rights.
[94]
involves Naruto, Shikamaru and Sakura during a ninja
mission in which they are involved in a war between the
Sunagakure village and a large number of armored warriors.* [82] Unlike its predecessor, Legend of the Stone of Music
Gelel did not see a theatrical release in the United States,
and was direct-to-video instead. It aired on Cartoon Net- The Naruto soundtracks were composed and arranged
work on July 26, 2008 and then was released to DVD by Toshio Masuda. The first, titled Naruto Original
July 29, 2008.* [83] The third film, Guardians of the Cres- Soundtrack, was released on April 3, 2003 and contained
cent Moon Kingdom, was originally released on August 5, twenty-two tracks that appeared during the first season
2006. It shows how Naruto, Sakura, Lee and Kakashi of the anime.* [95] The second, called Naruto Origiare assigned to protect the future prince of the Land of nal Soundtrack II was released on March 18, 2004 and
Moon, Hikaru Tsuki.* [84] The English dub of the movie contained nineteen tracks.* [96] The third, called Naruto
aired on Cartoon Network and was released to DVD on Original Soundtrack III was released on April 27, 2005
November 11, 2008.* [85]* [86] On July 3, 2008, Sony and contained twenty-three tracks.* [97]
14.1. NARUTO
A series of two soundtracks containing all the opening
and ending themes of the series, titled Naruto: Best Hit
Collection and Naruto: Best Hit Collection II were released
on November 17, 2004 and August 2, 2006, respectively.* [98]* [99] Of all tracks of the series, eight were
selected and released as a CD called Naruto in Rock -The
Very Best Hit Collection Instrumental Version- that was released on December 19, 2007.* [100] Each of the three
movies of the first anime series has a soundtrack that was
released near its release date.* [101]* [102]* [103] On October 12, 2011, a CD collecting the themes from Naruto
Shōnen Hen was also released.* [104] Various Drama CD
series have also been released in which the voice actors
play original episodes.* [105]
The soundtracks of Naruto: Shippuden have been produced by Yasuharu Takanashi. Although in a few Shippuden episodes did feature tracks from the first series. The
first, Naruto Shippūden Original Soundtrack was released
on December 9, 2007.* [106] The second CD, Naruto
Shippuden Original Soundtrack II, was published on December 16, 2009.* [107] Naruto All Stars was released on
July 23, 2008 and consists of ten original Naruto songs
remixed and sung by characters from the series.* [108]
Ten themes from the two series were also collected in the
DVD box Naruto Super Hits 2006-2008 released on July
23, 2008.* [109] Each of the films from the sequel also
had their soundtracks, with the first released on August
1, 2007.* [110]* [111]
157
Novels
Sixteen Naruto light novels, with first nine of them written by Masatoshi Kusakabe, have been published in Japan
by Shueisha under the JUMP j BOOKS imprint,* [117]
while the first two were released in English in North
America by Viz. The first, Naruto: Innocent Heart,
Demonic Blood (⽩ の 童 ⼦、 ⾎ ⾵ の ⻤ ⼈), retells
Team 7's mission in which they encounter the assassins Zabuza and Haku. It was released on December
16, 2002 in Japan and November 21, 2006 in North
America.* [118]* [119] The second novel Naruto: Mission: Protect the Waterfall Village! (滝 隠 れ の 死 闘
オ レ が 英 雄 だっ て ば よ！ Takigakure no Shitō Ore
ga Eiyū dattebayo!, lit. The Waterfall Village's Fight to
the Death I am the Hero!), based on the 2nd original
video animation of the anime, was published on December 15, 2003 in Japan and October 16, 2007 in the United
States.* [120]* [121] The series' tenth novel, titled Naruto:
Tales of a Gutsy Ninja (NARUTO―ナルト―ド根性
忍伝 Naruto: Dokonjō Ninden) and written by Akira Higashiyama, was published on August 4, 2009. It is presented as the in-universe novel written by Naruto's master
Jiraiya, and follows the adventures of a fictional shinobi
named Naruto Musasabi, who served as Naruto's namesake.* [122] Novelizations of the first seven, ninth and the
tenth Naruto films, as well as the original novel which
adapted into the eighth Naruto film, have also been published in Japan.* [117] First two book of the series had
also been re-released under Shueisha Mirai Bunko imprint,* [123]* [124] which is an imprint designed for students from elementary school and junior high.* [125]
Viz has also published new novels called Chapter Books
written by Tracey West, and with illustrations from the
manga. Unlike the series, the novels are aimed to children
Main article: List of Naruto video games
aged 7 to 10 years old.* [126] The first two novels were
released on October 7, 2008* [127]* [128] and 16 novels
*
Naruto video games have appeared on various consoles have been published [129] but the 17th book had been
*
from Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft. Most of them are cancelled. [130]
fighting games in which the player controls one of a select
few characters directly based upon their counterparts in
the Naruto anime and manga. The player pits their char- Trading card game
acter against another character controlled by the game's
AI or by another player, depending on the mode that the Naruto Collectible Card Game (NARUTO カードゲー
player is in. The objective is to reduce the opponent's ム Naruto Kādo Gēmu, lit. Naruto CardGame) is a
health to zero using basic attacks and special techniques collectible card game based around the Naruto series.
unique to each character that are derived from techniques Produced by Bandai, the *game was first introduced in
they use in the Naruto anime or manga.* [112] The very Japan in February 2003. [131] Bandai began releasgame in English in North America in April
first Naruto video game was Naruto: Konoha Ninpōchō, ing the
*
2006.
[132]
The game is played between two players rewhich was released in Japan on March 27, 2003, for
quiring
players
use a customized deck of fifty cards from
*
the WonderSwan Color. [113] Most Naruto video games
the
set,
a
game
mat,
an item to act as a“turn marker”for
have been released only in Japan. The first games released
noting
whose
turn
it
is, and a“Ninja Blade Coin”which
outside Japan were the Naruto: Gekitou Ninja Taisen seis
primarily
used
to
flip for making decisions. In order
ries and the Naruto: Saikyou Ninja Daikesshu series, reto
win,
a
player
must
either earn ten “battle rewards”
leased in North America under the titles of Naruto: Clash
through
their
actions
in
the game, or they must cause the
*
*
of Ninja and Naruto: Ninja Council. [114] [115] In Janother
player
to
exhaust
their
deck.* [133]
uary 2012, Namco Bandai announced that they have sold
The cards are released in named sets, called “series”in
10 million Naruto games worldwide.* [116]
Video games
158
CHAPTER 14. N
the form of four different 50-card preconstructed box
sets.* [131]* [132] Each set includes a starter deck, the
game mat, a turn-counter, and one stainless steel “Ninja
Blade Coin”. Additional cards are made available in
10-card booster packs, and deck sets, primarily for retailers, contain all four box sets available for each series.
Cards for each set are also made available in collectible
tins, containing several booster packs and exclusive promotional cards in a metal box.* [134] By October 2006,
seventeen series had been released in Japan spanning 417
unique cards.* [131] As of August 2008, ten of these series have been released in North America.* [135]
Art and guidebooks
Manga
Naruto has been well received in both Japan and the
United States. As of 2007, the manga had over 71 million
copies in circulation in Japan,* [149] while in 2008 this
increased to 89 million.* [150] In April 2010, Shueisha
announced that Naruto had 100.4 million copies in print,
becoming the publisher's fifth manga series to have over
a 100 million in circulation.* [151] In 2011 its sales increased to over 113 million copies, and by 2013 it had
sold over 130 million, becoming Shueisha's fourth bestselling manga series.* [152]* [153] During 2008, volume
43 sold 1.1 million copies becoming the 9th best-selling
comic from Japan. Volumes 41, 42 and 44 also ranked
within the top 20, but had smaller sold copies.* [154] In
total, the manga sold 4.2 million copies in Japan during 2008, making it the second best-selling series of the
year.* [155] In the first half of 2009, it ranked as the
third best-selling manga in Japan, having sold 3.4 million
copies.* [156] That year, volume 45 ranked 5th with 1.1
million sold copies, while volume 46 ranked 9th, having
sold 864,708 copies and volume 44 at 40th place.* [157]
Several supplementary books of the Naruto series
have been released. An artbook named The Art of
Naruto: Uzumaki contains illustration from the Part I
manga and was released in both Japan and the United
States.* [136]* [137] For the Part II manga, an interactive book called PAINT JUMP: Art of Naruto was released by Shueisha on April 4, 2008.* [138] The latest
artbook was published on July 3, 2009 under the name
The Naruto manga series has become one of Viz Meof Naruto with its English version released on October
dia's top properties,* [158] accounting for nearly 10% of
26, 2010.* [139]* [140]
all manga sales in 2006.* [159] Gonzalo Ferreyra, Vice
A series of guidebooks for the Part I called First Official President of Sales and Marketing for Viz, noted that
Data Book (秘伝·臨の書キャラクターオフィシャル the volumes's sales of Naruto astonished him as the atデー タ BOOK Hiden: Rin no Sho Character Official trition on the series is relatively low.* [160] ICv2 has
Data Book)* [141] and Second Official Data Book (秘伝· listed it as the top manga property in North America
闘の書キャラクターオフィシャルデータ BOOK several times.* [161]* [162] The seventh volume of Viz's
Hiden: Tō no Sho Character Official Data Book)* [142] release became the first manga to win a Quill Award
were released only in Japan focusing on Part I. The third when it claimed the award for “Best Graphic Novel”in
databook, Character Official Data Book Hiden Sha no 2006.* [159] The manga also appeared in the USA Today
Sho (秘伝・者の書―キャラクターオフィシャル Booklist with volume 11 holding the title of the highest
データ BOOK Hiden: Sha no Sho - Kyarakutā ofisharu ranked manga series on the list, until it was surpassed by
dēta book ) was released on September 4, 2008, and volume 28, which claimed the 17th rank in its first week
adapted Part II from the manga.* [143] These books con- of release in March 2008.* [163]* [164]* [165] Volume 28
tain character profiles, Jutsu guides and drafts made by also had one of the biggest debut weeks of any manga in
Kishimoto. The third book will be released by Viz on years, becoming the top selling manga volume of 2008
January 10, 2012.* [144] For the anime, a series of guide- as well as the second best-selling book in North Amerbook called Naruto anime profiles were also released. ica.* [166]* [167] During its release, volume 29 ranked
These books contain information about the production #57, while volume 28 had dropped to #139.* [168] In
of the anime episodes and explanation of the characters April 2007, volume 14 earned Viz the“Manga Trade Padesigns.* [145] On October 4, 2002, it was released a perback of the Year”Gem Award from Diamond Comic
manga fanbook named Secret: Writings from the War- Distributors.* [169] The manga series also became the top
riors Official Fanbook (秘 伝・ 兵 の 書 ―オ フィ シャ manga property from 2008 in the United States with 31
ル ファ ン BOOK Hiden: Hei no Sho - Ofisharu fan volumes having been published during the chart.* [170]
book).* [146] Viz published it in North America on Febru- Searches for the word “Naruto”were #7 on the Yahoo!
ary 19, 2008 under the name of Naruto: The Official Fan- web search engine's list of the top 10 most popular search
book.* [147] Another fanbook was released to conmem- terms of 2008, and #4 from 2007.* [171] Responding to
morate the series' 10th anniversary. It includes illustra- Naruto's success, Kishimoto said in Naruto Collector Wintions of Naruto Uzumaki by other manga artists, a novel, ter 2007/2008 that he was “very glad that the American
Kishimoto's one-shot named Karakuri and an interview audience has accepted and understood ninja. It shows
between Kishimoto and Yoshihiro Togashi.* [148]
that the American audience has good taste... because it
means they can accept something previously unfamiliar
to them.”* [172]
14.1.4
Reception
In February 2015, Asahi Shimbun announced that Naruto
14.1. NARUTO
was one of nine nominees for the nineteenth annual
Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize.* [173] Kishimoto was also
the winner of “Rookie of the Year”for the series in the
Agency for Cultural Affairs.* [174]
The series has received praise and criticism by several reviewers. A. E. Sparrow from IGN noted how some manga
volumes focus only in certain characters to the point the
number of fans increases. He also praised the way that
Kishimoto manages to make a remarkable combination
of fighting scenes, comedy and good artwork.* [175] The
anime and manga magazine Neo described Naruto's character as “irksome”, but attributed the series' “almost sickening addictiveness”to its level of characterization.* [176] Carl Kimlinger from Anime News Network
(ANN) praised the designs of the characters, since every
one shows their unique way of acting and appearance. He
also noted how even the“goofiest looking character”can
act “damn cool”when he fights. However, Kimlinger
noted that in some volumes there are several fights, so the
plot is not able to develop, but he praised how each of the
battles were emotional.* [177] The series has also been
praised for remaining enjoyable after several volumes by
Javier Lugo from mangalife, who also praised the antagonists as well as the fights scenes from the manga. Kishimoto's artwork was also commented by Lugo as it makes
the story “dramatic, exciting, and just right for the story
heʼs telling”.* [178] The start of Part II has been praised
in another review by Casey Brienza from ANN. She noted
how well the characters were developed as they had new
appearances and abilities. Brienza also praised the balance between plot and action scenes allowing the readers
the enjoy the volume. However, she noted that it is not
frequent that all the volumes have the same quality.* [179]
Briana Lawrence from Mania Entertainment added that
in Part II, the manga feels “adult”due to the growth
from various of the characters. However, Viz's translations were criticized for being “inconsistent”due to the
change of some Japanese terms to English, while other
words were left intact.* [180]
159
2008.* [187] Naruto was named “Best Full Animated
Program”at the USTv Student's Choice Awards 2009
held at the UST Medicine Auditorium on February 19,
2009.* [188] In ICv2's“Top 10 Anime Properties”from
the first half of 2009, Naruto ranked as the second best
anime franchise.* [189] The episodes from Naruto: Shippuden have appeared various times in Japanese Anime
TV Ranking.* [190]* [191] DVD sales from Naruto: Shippuden have also been good, having appeared several times
in the Japanese Animation DVD Ranking.* [192]* [193]
The freely streamed episodes from Naruto: Shippuden
have an average of 160,000 viewers a week.* [194] Naruto
has also been 20th among shows and channels from Hulu
in February from 2009. In Joost, it was first during the
same month. In February, Naruto: Shippuden was first
among the animated shows on Joost while Naruto stayed
second.* [195]
The Naruto anime was listed as the 38th best animated
show in IGN's Top 100 Animated Series.* [196] Reviewers noted that the primary focus of the series was on the
fighting since they consider that the fight scenes are more
dedicated than backgrounds. The music has also been
noted to be a good match with the fighting scenes though
it sometimes interferes with the dialogues.* [197] Martin
Theron from ANN criticized the series for long fights, but
he also noted that most of them break the “stereotypical shōnen concepts.”The soundtracks have been praised
for enhancing the excitement and mood of the storytelling.* [198] Although Christina Carpenter of T.H.E.M.
Anime Reviews considered the characters from the series
as“likeable”, she commented that most of them did not
surpass the“stereotypics”that appear in shōnen manga.
She also considered Kishimoto“an average artist at best”
and derided the poor transition of his artistic style into
animation.* [199] Despite this, the second reviewer from
T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews, Derrick L. Tucker, admitted
that when the animators were at their best, they produced
“artistic renderings that leave little to be desired on the
part of fans of the manga”, but concluded the animation
The Spanish webcomic author Jesús García Ferrer (Je- was “a mixed bag”. He also added that while fights
large number of them, the
suLink) created the parody webcomic Raruto, based on were entertaining, due to the
*
plot
takes
time
to
continue.
[200]
Naruto. As of 2008 about 40,000 people in Spain read
Raruto.* [181]
Naruto: Shippuden received a good response from Activeanime's David C. Jones who commented on the new
character designs and the improved animation. Jones also
Anime
felt the series to be more serious and dramatic.* [201] The
series was noted by ANN to have a more serious tone,
In TV Asahi's latest top 100 Anime Ranking from Octo- and a good balance between comedy and drama in the
ber 2006, Naruto ranked 17th on the list.* [182] Naruto first original episodes made specifically for the TV series.
Shippuden has ranked several times as one of most Unlike the panned fillers from Naruto, Naruto: Shippuwatched series in Japan.* [183]* [184] The Naruto anime den 's have been praised thanks to its likable storylines
adaptation won the “Best Full-Length Animation Pro- and connection with the main plot.* [202]* [203] While
gram Award”in the Third UStv Awards held in the the pacing for the first episodes has been criticized for
University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines.* [185] being slow, the delivery and development in the interacThe first of the DVD compilations containing thirteen tions between the characters has received positive comepisodes, released by Viz was nominated at the American ments.* [204]* [205] Writing for The Los Angeles Times,
Anime Awards for best package design.* [186] It also Charles Solomon ranked Shippuden the third best anime
ranked as the third best-seller anime property from all
160
CHAPTER 14. N
on his “Top 10”.* [206]
[22] “NARUTO―ナルト―" (in Japanese). s-book.com.
Retrieved October 29, 2007.
14.1.5
References
[23] " 劇場版 Naruto”(in Japanese). s-book.com. Retrieved
October 29, 2007.
[1] Pseudonym for Toshiyuki Tsuru
[24] " 劇場版 NARUTO―ナルト―疾⾵伝―ゲキジョウ
バンナルト" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved May
26, 2008.
[2] Credited as シリーズディレクター(Series Director)
[3] Credited as コンセプトワーク (Conception Work)
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Missing or empty |title= (help)
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14.2. NINJA SCROLL
[201] David C., Jones (October 25, 2009). “NARUTO SHIPPUDEN VOL. 2 (ADVANCE REVIEW)". Activeanime.
Retrieved November 1, 2009.
165
14.2.1 Plot
Ninja Scroll is set in feudal Japan. Five years before the
start of the film, the Yamashiro clan's chief retainers (vassal lords) dig gold out of a secret mine behind their lord's
back. The lord of the Yamashiro clan wants to have the
gold for himself, but his forces are not strong enough, so
[203] Kimlinger, Carl (February 4, 2011). “Naruto Shippū- he cannot act alone. He also cannot go to the governden DVD Box Set 5”. Anime News Network. Retrieved ment first, because they would take the gold if they knew
November 15, 2011.
about the mine. He orders his ninja team, led by Gemma
Himuro, to kill the chief retainers, claiming he would
[204] Kimlinger, Carl (December 12, 2010). “Naruto Shippūden DVD Box Set 4”. Anime News Network. Retrieved then report the mine to the government. Jubei Kibagami
and Shinkuro are members of this ninja team. After the
October 8, 2011.
chief retainers are murdered, the Yamashiro lord does not
[205] Beveridge, Chris (November 17, 2010). “Naruto: Ship- report the mine to the government. Later, Gemma orpuden Box Set 04 (also w/LE)". Mania Entertainment. ders Shinkuro and others to kill Jubei, hoping they would
Retrieved October 8, 2011.
all kill each other, thus eliminating everyone who knew
about the mine. Reluctantly, Jubei kills Shinkuro and the
[206] Solomon, Charles (December 21, 2010). “Anime Top others in self-defense. While Gemma is riding along a
10: ʻEvangelion,ʼʻFullmetal Alchemistʼlead 2010s pass, Jubei springs from the snow and cuts off his head
best”. The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 15, to avenge Shinkuro and the others. Jubei then becomes a
2014.
wandering swordsman-for-hire.
[202] Kimlinger, Carl (December 15, 2009). “Naruto Shippuden DVD 1”. Anime News Network. Retrieved November 15, 2011.
Sometime later, Gemma is inexplicably able to reincarnate himself, and over the next five years, becomes leader
14.1.6 External links
of a demon ninja group known as the Devils of Kimon,
who in turn work for the mysterious Shogun of the Dark
• Official Naruto website (Japanese)
(really the lord of the House of Toyotomi), which holds
a grudge against the current government, the Tokugawa
• Official Studio Pierrot Naruto website (Japanese)
shogunate, and wants to overthrow it. Gemma tells the
Shogun of the Dark the location of the secret mine.
• Official TV Tokyo Naruto website (Japanese)
Meanwhile, Tokugawa government spies are trying to de• Official TV Tokyo Naruto: Shippūden website termine where the mine is. The Shogun of the Dark sends
the Devils of Kimon to protect the Yamashiro clan from
(Japanese)
the government spies and government intervention in return for gold from the mine. The Yamashiro clan sends a
• Official Viz Media Naruto website
large shipment of gold to the Shogun of the Dark, but the
ship is wrecked in a storm on the coast near the village of
• Official Manga Entertainment Naruto website
Shimoda, in Mochizuki clan territory. Gemma and the
Devils of Kimon are sent to recover the gold. They wipe
• Official Madman Entertainment Naruto website
out Shimoda village by poisoning the wells to get rid of
any witnesses. They make it look as if a plague has killed
• Narutopedia, the Naruto Encyclopedia Wiki
the villagers. The next night, a team of Mochizuki Koga
• Naruto (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclo- ninja is sent to investigate the plague in Shimoda village,
but on their way they are slaughtered. The only survivor
pedia
is Kagero, who is captured and is sexually assaulted by a
huge stone demon called Tessai. Before Tessai can rape
her, however, she is rescued by Jubei, who blinds him
14.2 Ninja Scroll
in one eye. Kagero continues her mission, while Tessai vengefully pursues Jubei. Tessai ambushes Jubei but
This article is about the 1993 anime film. For the TV Jubei manages to kill him. It is later revealed that this was
series, see Ninja Scroll: The Series.
possible because Tessai had been poisoned earlier when
he kissed Kagero during his assault upon her.
Ninja Scroll (獣兵衛忍⾵帖 Jūbē Ninpūchō) is a 1993
Japanese animated action thriller film written and directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri. The critically acclaimed
film was theatrically released on June 5, 1993, and received a Western release in 1995.
Tokugawa shogunate spy Dakuan, who had been observing Jubei, reveals that Tessai belonged to a supernatural ninja group known as the Devils of Kimon, who will
constantly attack him to avenge the death of their comrade. Calling his bluff, Jubei is poisoned by Dakuan in
166
CHAPTER 14. N
an attempt to force Jubei into his employ, the reward for
his service being 100 pieces of gold and the antidote to
his poison, which will kill him shortly. The two unite
with Kagero to determine the Devils of Kimon agenda
and how it relates to the mysterious plague in Shimoda.
Dakuan continues the main investigation on his own, using Jubei and Kagero as decoys, who must constantly fend
off deadly attacks from the remaining members of the
Devils of Kimon, the leader of whom is reputed to be
Jubei's old nemesis Gemma, who was killed several years
previously. Later on, Dakuan reveals to Kagero that the
poison in Jubei can only be cured if she sleeps with him,
much to her shock. During this she is abducted by the
Devil Shijima, but is later rescued by Jubei.
The Devils of Kimon recover the gold and move it by
cart to nearby Kishima Harbor, to have it picked up by
another ship and sent to the Shogun of the Dark. Jubei,
Kagero, and Dakuan attempt to stop them, but Kagero is
fatally wounded by Gemma, who was impersonating her
lord – the Mochizuki clan leader, Sakaki Hyobu (whom
he had killed earlier). In her dying moments, Jubei rushes
to Kagero's aid, who confesses her love for him and the
two share a kiss before she passes away, curing Jubei of
his poison. Enraged by the death of Kagero, Jubei fights
through the enemy forces to get to the ship as it is casting off. Dakuan has also sneaked on the ship; he overhears the Toyotomi retainer and Gemma discussing the
Shogun of the Dark's plan for the gold. The Shogun of
the Dark plans to use the gold to buy advanced guns from
Spain and to overthrow the government. Gemma, however, intends to steal the gold for himself and use it to raise
the largest ninja army ever, ultimately ruling the country through fear and intimidation. Gemma kills the Toyotomi retainer, and takes over the ship. Meanwhile, Jubei
and Dakuan sneak into the hold of the ship, and in a fight
with Zakuro, the ship is set on fire. Gemma goes down
to the hold, and in a final battle with Jubei amongst the
flames, he falls into the molten gold, and trapped in a shell
hardened by the cold waters of the sea, Gemma's gilded
body sinks with the rest of the gold to the bottom of the
sea.
A brief epilogue aboard the sinking wreckage of the
Toyotomi ship show Jubei, resting from his injuries and
mourning the death of Kagero, being complimented by
Dakuan for giving Kagero a brief taste of happiness, musing with genuine respect how a “heartless ninja”like
himself can never be capable of such sincerity and human
kindness. Jubei saw through the spy's final ploy to silence
him once they reach Edo for his payment, dissolves their
partnership in disgust, and wanders into the wilderness
alone once more, with Kagero's Headband tied around
his Katana's scabbard in loving remembrance.
14.2.2
Characters
• Kōichi Yamadera (Japanese) and Dean Elliott (English) as Jubei Kibagami (⽛神獣兵衛 Kibagami
Jūbē): A vagabond ninja who once served the Yamashiro clan and the main protagonist. The character is inspired by the famed Japanese folk hero
Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi.
• Emi Shinohara (Japanese) and Wendee Lee (English) as Kagero (陽 炎 Kagerō): The official
food taster for the Mochizuki clan's Chamberlain.
Kagero has an immunity to poisons and her work as
a food taster has resulted in her body becoming poisonous due to her ingestion of so many toxins and
poisons; anyone who sleeps with or even kisses her
therefore dies shortly after due to the poison in her
body.
• Takeshi Aono (Japanese) and Stephen Apostolina
(English) as Dakuan (濁庵): A shady government
spy who is also sent to investigate and stop the Eight
Demons of Kimon and their employer, the Shogun
of the Dark who wishes to overthrow the government. The character is a homage to the famed
Japanese monk Takuan Sōhō.
14.2.3 The Eight Devils of Kimon
The Eight Devils of Kimon (⻤ ⾨ ⼋ ⼈ 衆 Kimon
Hachinin-shū, literally meaning“Eight People of the Demon Gate”) are eight demonic ninjas with supernatural powers, seven of which were gathered under Gemma
Himuro's leadership after he reincarnated himself from
Jubei's ambush, and appear to serve under the Shogun of
the Dark.
• Daisuke Gōri (Japanese) and Richard Epcar (English) as Genma Himuro (氷室
弦⾺ Himuro Genma): The leader of the
Eight Devils of Kimon and the last demon to be defeated. Genma formerly
served under the Yamashiro clan and was
decapitated by Jubei prior to the film's
events, but has acquired immortality by
mastering control of his body down to the
tiniest bone and blood, allowing him to
reconnect any and all severed body parts,
even his head or if he is split from top
to bottom; Genma can also shapeshift
as a side effect of his mastery of his
entire body. He can't be killed due to
his immortality, but is instead encased in
molten gold and trapped at the bottom of
the ocean for eternity.
• Ryūzaburō Ōtomo (Japanese) and Beau
Billingslea (English) as Tessai (鉄 斎):
The first demon to be defeated, he is an
incredibly large man who has the ability
to turn his skin as hard as rock and fights
14.2. NINJA SCROLL
with a double-bladed sword, which he is
capable of throwing great distances. He
is essentially invulnerable until his stone
skin falls apart as a result of him being
poisoned by Kagero while trying to rape
her.
• Gara Takashima (Japanese) and JoanCarol O'Connell (English) as Benisato
(紅 ⾥): The second demon to be defeated, she is a seductive woman who has
snake tattoos all over her body that can
come to life, and can summon a larger
quantity of snakes to envelope her victims, as well as shed her skin. She is
killed by Yurimaru after she failed to
kill Jubei, but also because of Yurimaru's
jealousy towards her for being Gemma's
lover.
• Reizō Nomoto (Japanese) and Milton
James (English) as Mushizo (蟲 蔵
Mushizō): The third demon to be defeated, he is a hunchbacked monk warrior who holds a hornet's nest in his back,
is able to control these insects to do his
bidding, can shoot out a needle from his
throat and wields a two-pronged spear.
He is killed by Jubei in a fight under water when the hornets try to escape from
the water, fatally stinging their master.
• Norio Wakamoto (Japanese) and Kirk
Thornton (English) as Mujuro Utsutsu
(現夢⼗郎 Utsutsu Mujūrō): The fourth
demon to be defeated, he is a blind
swordsman who challenges Jubei to a
fight to the death. He is an incredibly
skilled swordsman, having an uncanny
hearing ability to engage his enemy as
well blinding his enemy by reflecting light
from his sword. He is apparently the
only Kimon Demon without supernatural
powers. He is killed by Jubei during a
sword duel which he loses due to Kageros
sword blocking his own, which he could
not hear, making it seem like Jubei had
both blocked and attacked at the same
time.
• Akimasa Omori (Japanese)and Sonny
Byrkett (English) as Shijima (シジマ):
The fifth demon to be defeated, he has
the ability to merge into the shadows, create clones of himself, fire a large metallic
claw from his hand and even possess peoples' minds. He is killed by Jubei during
Jubei's rescue of Kagero, whom he had
167
hypnotized to try to kill Jubei, when Jubei
throws his sword into the shadows just as
Shijima attempts to hide in them.
• Toshihiko Seki (Japanese) and Richard
Cansino (English) as Yurimaru (百 合
丸): The sixth demon to be defeated and
the right hand of Genma. Yurimaru has
the ability of generate electricity from his
body, and would combine with a steel
wire that wraps around his target's neck
to conduct the electricity. Zakuro “accidentally”blows him up during his fight
with Jubei, most likely because of her hatred towards him after Yurimaru rejected
her.
• Masako Katsuki (Japanese) and Maureen
O'Connell (English) as Zakuro (⽯榴):
The seventh demon to be defeated. She
is in love with Yurimaru, who instead
loves Genma (Genma is apparently bisexual, as he apparently sleeps with both
Yurimaru and Benisato); by this end,
she is very vengeful and took revenge
against Yurimaru for rejecting her. Zakuro has the ability to manipulate gunpowder, and plants them inside living or
dead organisms, having them move as explosive traps. She is killed by Dakuan
and Jubei on the ship when they ignite her
gunpowder body.
• Shūichirō Moriyama (Japanese) and Bob Papenbrook (English) as Hyobu Sakaki (榊兵部 Sakaki
Hyōbu): The Mochizuki clan chamberlain, he sends
Kagero and the Koga clan ninja team to investigate
the plague in Shimoda and she sends her reports to
him throughout the film.
• Katsuji Mori (Japanese) and Kirk Thornton (English) as Hanza (半佐): The captain for Koga clan
ninja team.
14.2.4 Production
The film is a homage to Futaro Yamada's Ninpōchō series
of ninja-themed novels. The character designs were done
by Yutaka Minowa.
14.2.5 Release
The film was also released in some regions as Jubei Ninpucho: The Wind Ninja Chronicles. It was licensed by
Manga Entertainment in Australia and North America
until 2012 while its UK subsidiary kept the license and
168
CHAPTER 14. N
releasing Ninja Scroll in a Blu-ray steelbook format in 14.“Epilogue”
October 2012.* [1] The film has since been re-licensed in
North America to Sentai Filmworks who re-released the 15.“Somewhere, Faraway, Everyone Is Listening to a
Ballad”
film on DVD and Blu-ray in December 2012.* [2] It is not
known if Manga Entertainment UK will re-license Ninja
Scroll for Australia, but Madman Entertainment has not
ruled out a deal with Manga.
14.2.7 Reception
In 1995, the BBFC cut the UK version by approximately
52 seconds, removing the sexual assault scene and images
of throwing stars. These cuts were waived for the 2004
10th Anniversary release. Ninja Scroll was released in
Australia by Manga UK in 1995 uncut with the MA15+
classification. In 1997 after it was screened on SBS,
former Attorney-General Philip Ruddock controversially
appealed the film's original classification and successfully
had the classification upgraded to R18+ with no cuts. In
2000 when Manga and Madman Entertainment released
Ninja Scroll on DVD, Madman mistakenly used the UK
cut of the film instead of using the uncut Australian version. This was rectified in 2004 when Manga Entertainment released the 10th Anniversary Special Edition of
Ninja Scroll into western countries, and both Australia
and the UK received Ninja Scroll uncut and remastered
from a PAL VHS source. In Canada the film was given an
R18+ rating, while it was released Unrated in the United
States. The film was released on Blu-ray in Japan on May
23, 2012.* [3]
Ninja Scroll won the Citizen's Award at the 1993 Yubari
International Fantastic Film Festival. As of 2011, the film
is rated 100%“Fresh”(5/5 positive critic reviews) with an
86% audience (over 11,000 votes) rating at Rotten Tomatoes.* [4]
During the 1990s, Ninja Scroll was among the most popular anime movies outside of Japan, along with such
movies as Akira and Ghost in the Shell. The North American video release of Ninja Scroll had sold more than
70,000 copies by May 1996, becoming Manga Entertainment's best-selling title at the time.* [5]
14.2.8 Legacy
Anime series
Main article: Ninja Scroll: The Series
A Japanese animated television series named Ninja Scroll:
The Series aired in Japan in 2003 and ran for 13 episodes.
The series is partly written by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, but
A soundtrack titled Jubei Ninpucho (Ninja Scroll) features remains only a spiritual sequel to the film because the
music composed by Kaoru Wada from the movie. Tracks story stands alone; however, many references suggest that
8 and 15 are composed and sung by Ryouhei Yamanashi it is indeed a continuation from the movie. In the series, Jubei gets caught in the middle of a battle between
with lyrics by Shou Jitsukawa.
the Kimon clan and the Hiruko clan. He meets up with
Track listing:
the Light Maiden Shigure, a young lady whose village
was destroyed by the Kimon clan and whom Jubei was
1.“Prologue”
charged with delivering a Dragon Stone to. The duo are
joined by Tsubute (a young thief) and Dakuan (Toku2.“Jubei”
gawa shogunate spy), and together they try to find out
3.“Eight Warriors of the Demon Clan”
why both the Kimon and the Hiruko clan are after her and
why the Dragon Stone she carries is so important to them.
4.“Blood Wind”
The show was directed by Tatsuo Sato (Martian Successor Nadesico), with character design done by Takahiro
5.“Kagerou”
Yoshimatsu (Trigun).
6.“Visions”
14.2.6
Original soundtrack
7.“Devil Shadow”
8.“To Those Who Face the Wind”
9.“Pursuit”
10.“Devil Swordsman”
11.“Strategy”
12.“Reincarnation”
13.“Struggle to the Death”
Sequel
An official sequel, Jūbē Ninpūchō 2, is classed as in production with no specific release date. The film is scheduled to be written and directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, and
will most likely be released in the west as Ninja Scroll 2.
In North America, the Ninja Resurrection anime films
were marketed as sequels to Ninja Scroll, but were actually created by a separate animation studio. The only
similarity they both share is a lead character named Jubei.
14.2. NINJA SCROLL
The Jubei in Ninja Resurrection was Yagyū Jūbei while
Ninja Scroll featured Jubei Kibagami.
Comics
In September 2006, WildStorm launched a 12-issue
Ninja Scroll comic book series written by J. Torres, which
follows the further adventures of Jubei.* [6]
Live-action adaptation
In October 2008, Warner Bros. began development of a
live-action remake of the anime. The production companies Appian Way, Madhouse Productions, and Jungo
Maruta are involved in development. Screenwriter Alex
Tse, co-writer of the movie adaptation of Alan Moore's
Watchmen, was hired to write the adapted screenplay. In
2008, Leonardo DiCaprio was reported to be a producer.
He later considered casting the Japanese boy band SMAP
as the main leads for Ninja Scroll.* [7]* [8]
14.2.9
References
[1] “Manga Entertainment: U.S. Rights to Ninja Scroll Expired”. Anime News Network. Retrieved 2 September
2012.
[2] “Sentai Filmworks Adds Penguindrum, Ninja Scroll, Letter Bee”. Anime News Network. September 1, 2012.
Retrieved September 2, 2012.
[3] “Jubei Ninpucho (Blu-ray) (Japan Version)". Retrieved
29 January 2013.
[4] Ninja Scroll Movie Reviews, Pictures – Rotten Tomatoes
[5] Fitzpatrick, Eileen (May 18, 1996). “Shelf Talk: Manga
Chopping Out Space On Store Shelves For Its Japanimation Releases”. Billboard (Prometheus Global Media): p.
67. ISSN 0006-2510.
[6] Goldstein, Hilary (August 24, 2006). "Ninja Scroll Continues”. IGN. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
[7] “DiCaprio Considers SMAP for Ninja Scroll Film”.
Anime News Network. April 6, 2009. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
[8] “Warner Bros. Acquires Ninja Scroll". ComingSoon.net
(CraveOnline). October 26, 2008. Retrieved April 12,
2010.
14.2.10
External links
• Ninja Scroll (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Ninja Scroll at the Internet Movie Database
169
Chapter 15
O
15.1 Outlaw Star
15.1.1 Plot
See also: List of Outlaw Star characters
Outlaw Star (星 ⽅ 武 侠 ア ウ ト ロー ス ター Seihō
Bukyō Autorō Sutā, lit. “Outlaw Star: Starward Warrior
Knight”) is a seinen manga series written and illustrated
by Takehiko Itō and his affiliated Morning Star Studio.
The series takes place in the “Toward Stars Era”universe in which spacecraft are capable of traveling faster
than the speed of light. The plot follows protagonist Gene
Starwind and his motley crew of an inherited ship dubbed
the“Outlaw Star”, as they search for a legendary, outer
space treasure trove called the “Galactic Leyline”.
Outlaw Star was originally serialized in the monthly
Shueisha magazine Ultra Jump between 1996 and 1999
for a total of 21 chapters. Three volumes of collected
chapters were published in Japan between August 1997
and January 1999. Although no official English version
of the manga exists, it has been published in Chinese,
German, Italian, and Spanish. Sunrise Studios produced a 26-episode anime adaptation that was directed
by Mitsuru Hongo and aired on the Japanese station TV
Tokyo in early 1998. The animated series has since been
translated and broadcast worldwide. This includes an English version from Bandai Entertainment that received
an edited airing on the North American Cartoon Network blocks Toonami in early 2001 and Adult Swim in
early 2002. Outlaw Star has been licensed for release in
Australia and New Zealand by Madman Entertainment
and in Europe by Beez Entertainment. A few Japaneseexclusive audio CDs and light novels have been spawned
since the start of the manga's publication.
Outlaw Star is a space opera/Space Western set in the
fictional “Towards Stars Era”(到星歴 Tōseireki) universe.* [1]* [2]* [3]* [4] During its past, an asteroid containing a material known as “dragonite”crashed in the
fictional Arashon desert of northern China. Scientists
found that the dragonite contained properties related to
“ether”, an energy source that would allow spacecraft
to travel faster than the speed of light, and thus traverse
large distances of the universe in a short time.* [3] As new
colonies were formed throughout the vast reaches of outer
space, pirates, assassins, and outlaws began to threaten
humanity's new frontier. To create order, the Earth Federation established four empires: USSA, Einhorn, Piotr,
and Tenpa.* [1] However, internal power struggles within
the factions and conflicts amongst one another become
abundant, leading to inevitable lawlessness. The storyline
starts shortly after an infamous outlaw named “Hot Ice”
Hilda flees from the Kei Pirates, a branch of the Tin'Pa.
Hilda has stolen from them a highly-advanced prototype
ship dubbed the XGP15A-II and a suitcase containing a
bio-android called Melfina, the only being capable of interfacing with the ship.* [1]
Outlaw Star opens on the backwater planet Sentinel III,
on which the protagonist Gene Starwind and his 11-yearold business associate James“Jim”Hawking run a small
jack-of-all-trades business.* [5] After the two take a job
as bodyguards for a disguised Hilda and engage in a brief
skirmish with the Kei Pirates, Gene and Jim find themselves the owners of the XGP15A-II (which they nickname the “Outlaw Star”) and the caretakers of Melfina.* [1] Hilda reveals that the ship's true purpose is to
locate the“Galactic Leyline”(銀河の⿓脈 Ginga no Ryū
Myaku, lit.“Galactic Dragon Vein”), a place which popular claims say is a holder of immense treasure, knowledge, and power.* [1] Throughout the course of the series, the crew grows to include the kimono-garbed contract killer “Twilight”Suzuka and the Ctarl-Ctarl alien
catgirl Aisha Clanclan.* [1]* [5]
Critical reception for Outlaw Star has been mostly positive. Many reviewers praised the anime series, particularly its animation style and its balance of dramatic and
comedic elements. However, some found fault with the
show's pacing, believing that the storyline quality begins
to wane after the first few episodes. Sunrise produced
a spin-off television series titled Angel Links (星⽅天使
エンジェルリンクス Seihō Tenshi Enjeru Rinkusu, lit.
“Angel Links: Starward Angels”), which aired in Japan
in 1999. Morning Star Studio made preliminary plans
to create a direct sequel original video animation (OVA) The Outlaw Star manga series and animated television
series to Outlaw Star, but production never began.
series are paced differently than one another.* [6] The
170
15.1. OUTLAW STAR
anime episodes often involve Gene and his comrades taking on various jobs or missions to fund their ship's massive maintenance costs.* [1] Throughout their travels, the
crew often encounters Ronald MacDougall and Harry
MacDougall, a pair of bounty hunters responsible for the
death of Gene's father.* [1] Ronald acts as a rival to Gene,
while Harry wishes to form a bond with Melfina, a bioandroid like himself. The crew also contends with others
that learn of the Outlaw Star's connection to the Galactic Leyline. They are Nguyen Khan, a scientist wishing to gain omniscience through the Leyline; and Lord
Hazanko, the leader of the ruthless assassin organization
the Anten Seven that seek the Leyline to gain ultimate
power.* [1] The series climaxes when all parties meet on
the physical plane of the Leyline.* [7] In the end, the MacDougall brothers retreat, Khan is integrated into the Leyline as data, and Hazanko is defeated by the Outlaw Star
crewmembers. Once the conflict comes to a close, Gene
and his friends go their separate ways but ultimately reunite to continue their adventures together.
15.1.2
171
) and“Tsuki no Ie”(⽉の家, lit. “House of the Moon”
), both written and performed by Akino Arai.* [12]* [18]
“Through the Night”was chosen for the opening among
several candidate songs. Itō and Sunrise agreed that the
theme should be one that had not been used in a recent animation and that it should feature male vocals.* [12] Arimachi wrote the song to resemble a story, took into account its longterm impact, and felt it fit Outlaw Star perfectly.* [12]
Production
Outlaw Star was created by Morning Star Studio.
Takehiko Itō was the manga's director, writer, and chief
artist. Itō was aided in his duties by Hajime Yatate,
a pseudonym of writers at Sunrise.* [8]* [9] Others who
contributed to the work include producer Kenzoh Tomita;
starship designer Shoji Kawamori; character concept and
imageboard illustrators Yutaka Minowa and Hajime Jinguji; and a team of production designers and assistant
artists.* [8] Outlaw Star takes place in the Toward Stars
Era, the same universe as Itō's Uchuu Eiyuu Monogatari
(宇 宙 英 雄 物 語, lit. “Future-Retro Hero Story”),
a pulp-science fiction manga that was first serialized by
Kadokawa Shoten in 1988.* [1]* [10]* [11] Itō has described this earlier work as “something out of boy's
dream”and took a much more mature, scientific approach
when writing Outlaw Star.* [12] The author also referenced aspects of Chinese culture when creating Outlaw
Star.* [13]
The animated television series of Outlaw Star was produced by Sunrise and directed by Mitsuru Hongo, whose
previous credits include the comedy Crayon Shin-chan
and the magical girl series Shamanic Princess.* [14]
The script was chiefly written by Katsuhiko Chiba,
who wrote about three-quarters of the episodes.* [1]
Character designs were handled by Hiroyuki Hataike
(Detonator Orgun, Armored Trooper Votoms) and Takuya
Saito.* [5]* [15] The show's vehicles were designed by
Juniya Ishigaki and Macross and Gundam mecha artist
Shōji Kawamori, the latter of whom designed the Outlaw Star ship itself.* [5]* [16] Koh Otani composed the
musical score for the Outlaw Star anime.* [17] The series
features the opening theme “Through the Night”written and performed Masahiko Arimachi, and two closing
themes,“Hiru no Tsuki”(昼の⽉, lit.“Daytime Moon”
15.1.3 Media
Manga
Main article: List of Outlaw Star chapters
Outlaw Star was serialized in Japan's monthly Shueisha
magazine Ultra Jump between 1996 and 1999.* [19]* [20]
A total of 21 chapters were published, and 17 of these
chapters were compiled among three tankōbon (collected
volumes), released in Japan from August 1997 to January
1999.* [21]* [22]* [23]* [24] Each volume also contains information on the series' universe; detailed spaceship and
planet descriptions; and character profiles.* [2] A Chinese
version of the manga was published in Hong Kong by
Sharp Point Press.* [13]* [25] The series has also been
published in German and Italian by Planet Manga.* [10]
No official English translation of the Outlaw Star exists,
though Morning Star Studio's official website suggests
that a release in the United States was planned at one
time.* [26]
Anime
Main article: List of Outlaw Star episodes
The 26-episode anime adaptation of Outlaw Star began
broadcasting in Japan on TV Tokyo from January 8, 1998
and ended on June 25, 1998, though the broadcast began
on January 9, as it was in a 1:15 A.M. time slot.* [14] The
series was licensed by Bandai Entertainment The English
version was produced by ZRO Limit Productions and was
aired on the evening Toonami block beginning on January
15, 2001.* [27] This broadcast of the show was heavily
edited due to its adult content. Profanity was removed,
scenes with violence and lewd behavior were cut or toned
down, and many scenes containing nudity were altered
by digitally inserting clothing onto characters.* [15]* [28]
Episode 23, in which the Outlaw Star crew visits a hot
spring planet, was not aired due to nudity and suggestive
themes.* [29] However, some instances of adult language
were not removed for the anime's initial run.* [30] Sean
Akins, Toonami's creative director, claimed that Cartoon
Network made all of their own edits to their licensed
properties during this time period, which they did “in
a way that preserves the story”.* [31] The role of Fred
Luo, a recurring homosexual character, was considerably
172
CHAPTER 15. O
closure of Beez, the show was re-licensed by Anime Limited who will re-release the series in 2013. At Otakon
2013, Funimation and Sunrise had announced that they
have rescued Outlaw Star, along with a handful of other
former BEI titles.* [49]
CDs
The opening theme and the two closing themes of
Outlaw Star were published in Japan in 1998 as
CD singles by Victor Entertainment and JVC respectively.* [18]* [50]* [51] Victor Entertainment published a
two-volume original soundtrack for the series on March
31, 1998, and June 24, 1998. The CDs consist of a total of 61 background and vocal music tracks.* [52]* [53]
Another two-disc album containing several drama tracks,
Seihō Bukyō Outlaw Star Sound & Scenario Tracks (星⽅
武侠アウトロースターサウンド & シナリオトラッ
ク), was released on August 21, 1998.* [54]* [55]
Light novels
Outlaw Star was edited by Cartoon Network (bottom) to cover up
instances of nudity featured in the Japanese version (top).
toned down. Cartoon Network had no specific editing
policy with regard to gay characters, but that “overt
sexuality or implied sexuality of any kind are not allowed”.* [32] Outlaw Star was also aired on the late night
Adult Swim block throughout 2002.* [33] However, the
broadcast was cancelled late in the year and, according
to Akins, the network allowed its rights to the anime to
expire by 2003.* [34]* [35] Outlaw Star was aired in the
United Kingdom on CNX in October 2002.* [36]
Bandai released the first 13 episodes of Outlaw Star on
DVD in Japan on August 25, 1999, and the remaining 13
episodes on November 25, 1999.* [37]* [38] A Japanese
“remastered”DVD boxset containing the entire series
was published by Bandai on September 22, 2006.* [39]
Yet another DVD boxset, Emotion the Best: Seihō Bukyō
Outlaw Star, was released in Japan on September 24,
2010.* [40] Bandai released the series in North America
in three DVD collections on September 1, 2000, February 14, 2001, and March 6, 2001.* [41]* [42]* [43] The
Outlaw Star Perfect Collection Box Set, a DVD compilation of the entire series, was released on September 10,
2002.* [44] The series was again re-released on March 28,
2006 as the Outlaw Star Complete Collection.* [45] Outlaw Star additionally received DVD releases in Australia
and New Zealand by Madman Entertainment on June 23,
2004, and in the United Kingdom by Beez Entertainment on April 25, 2011.* [46]* [47]* [48] Following the
A series of light novels based on Outlaw Star has been released in Japan by Shueisha under its Super Dash Bunko
label. Outlaw Star Ginga no Ryū Myaku Hen (OUTLAW
STAR 銀河の⿓脈編, lit. “Outlaw Star: Chapter of
the Galactic Dragon Vein”), was written by Katsuhiko
Tiba (千葉克彦 Chiba Katsuhiko), illustrated by Takuya
Saitou (斎 藤 卓 也 Saitō Takuya), and released in two
volumes on October 1998 and February 1999. The two
books are an adaptation of the anime series, retelling the
early events that trigger Gene and company's search for
the Galactic Leyline.* [56]* [57] Another light novel, Unkai no El Dorado Seihō Bukyō Outlaw Star (雲海のエル
ドラド星⽅武侠アウトロースター, lit. “El Dorado
Covered With Clouds: Starward Warrior Knight Outlaw
Star”), was written by Miho Sakai, illustrated by Takuya
Saitou, and released as a single volume on July 14, 2000.
The novel features an original plot involving the Outlaw
Star crew pursuing a serial killer named Billy McAglen
in a mining town called El Dorado.* [58]
Other merchandise
A hardcover guidebook titled Muhōmono no Kioku –
Seihō Bukyō Outlaw Star (無法者の記録―星⽅武侠
アウトロースター, lit. “Outlaw Record – Starward
Warrior Knight Outlaw Star”) was published by Fujimi
Shobo as part of its Dragon Magazine imprint in November 1998. The guide contains summaries of the manga
and anime, character profiles, sketches, animation cels,
and interviews with the production staff.* [59] In 2001,
Bandai released an Outlaw Star action figure set as part
of a line based on its licensed anime franchises. The set
contains the Outlaw Star ship and the characters Gene and
Melfina.* [60]* [61] Asako Nishida, one of the show's an-
15.1. OUTLAW STAR
173
imation directors, compiled her contributions to the To- episodes do well to begin the narrative, the show's writers
ward Stars Era franchise in a 2009 art book.* [62]
rely too heavily on inertia to advance it. He went on to remark that the series suffers from “unfocused scripting”
and that“one has to endure the occasional cheesy episode
to reap the rewards of a show that is clever, pragmatic and
15.1.4 Reception
amusing”. However, Dawe did regard the English script
Critical reception for Outlaw Star has been favorable. writing and voice acting, and called the over-the-top inEric Luce, Ivevei Upatkoon, and Michael Poirier of troductory narration for each episode a reminder that the
*
EX.org all gave similarly positive reviews for the Japanese show should be enjoyed for what it was. [1] Owens commanga, Japanese anime, and English anime versions of mented that the plot will not seem very original, but that
Outlaw Star respectively.* [6]* [63]* [64] Luce was com- it does seem to have direction, despite said direction not
*
plimentary of the manga's “raw”yet “good and dis- being very clear. [65]
tinctive”artwork, detailed backgrounds, and good place- Outlaw Star has received very modest commercial success
ment of characters among one another. However, he and miscellaneous viewer recognition. The initial shipwas annoyed that all the women have “disturbing ten- ment of the manga's first volume sold out nationwide in
dency to all have the same silicone stiffened chests”and Japan.* [67] According to Morning Star Studio's English
that characters typically wear mad grins.* [6] Upatkoon website, the Outlaw Star manga has sold 250,000 copies,
found the artwork of the anime version to be good, and though the anime series was less successful.* [68]* [69]
he particularly enjoyed the opening sequence, but took is- The Outlaw Star television series was aired in Japan dursue with the occasionally inconsistent character designs. ing a late night timeslot because it was not likely to obHe also appreciated the show's dichotomy between se- tain more than one or two percent viewership like prime
rious and humorous subject matter, shown by the titu- time shows.* [70] Outlaw Star was voted as the 20th best
lar ship in its grappler mode and how it communicates anime of 1999 in the Japanese Animage Anime Grand
with the crew.* [63] Poirier found the main protagonist Prix.* [71] During a summer 2001 online poll to deGene to be the anime's best characterization:“Gene Star- termine which show would return to Toonami, Outlaw
wind is a sly, sharp-shooting hero whose success with his Star received approximately two-thirds of the more than
gun (and with the ladies) is matched only by his propen- 150,000 votes cast.* [72]* [73] In August 2002, Cartoon
sity to get space-sick. Imagine that: the star of a space- Network announced that the late-night Adult Swim Outfaring series has to continually worry about vomiting onto law Star received a Nielsen rating of 0.9, up 125 percent
his control panel. This sort of ironic comedy can be for that same time slot and a delivery of 414,000, up 135
found throughout Outlaw Star, creating excellent segues percent for the 18–34 age range.* [33] The Outlaw Star
between the fantastic action sequences and the delight- Complete Collection was the 21st best-selling anime DVD
ful characters.”Poirier was intrigued by its other char- in the United States in 2006 and the 25th in 2007.* [74]
acters as well, and was impressed by the “sharp but In 2012, Bandai's North American division, Bandai Enfluid”animation style and the spaceship designs.* [64] tertainment, listed Outlaw Star as one of its top five most
Mania.com's David Owens appreciated the artistic style successful anime properties.* [75] Josh Pool of IGN listed
specifically for the characters, nearly all of which he in- Outlaw Star at number six on its“Top Ten Anime Themes
cidentally found likeable.* [65] Jacob Churosh of THEM and Soundtracks of All-Time”, noting a stark polarity
Anime Reviews additionally noted high animation qual- between the opening and ending themes.* [76]
ity throughout.* [66] Although he proclaimed the vehicle
designs of Outlaw Star to be superb, Protoculture Addicts
writer Martin Ouellette judged the animation and charac- 15.1.5 Legacy
ter designs to be“less lucky”and lacking in“the special
aura”of Sunrise's similar 1998 series Cowboy Bebop.* [5] In 1999, Sunrise Studios produced a spin-off television
Jonathan Clements and Helen McCarthy, authors of the series titled Angel Links (星⽅天使エンジェルリンク
The Anime Encyclopedia agreeably denoted Outlaw Star ス Seihō Tenshi Enjeru Rinkusu, lit.“Angels of the Stars:
as “no competition for Cowboy Bebop in terms of style, Angel Links”). Outlaw Star and Angel Links take place in
content, or execution”.* [15]
the same universe; characters from both series appeared
Critical reception for the plot of Outlaw Star has been
mixed. Churosh found that though the series features
many clichés of 1990's science fiction anime, Outlaw Star
manages to transcend them as well. “Maybe it doesn't
go anywhere that other series haven't already been,”the
reviewer stated. “But boy, does it have a damn good
time getting there.”* [66] Upatkoon observed that the plot
"[takes] off with a bang at the beginning”and then begins
to drag.* [63] Keith Dawe of Animerica also noted this
about the anime's pacing, stating that even as the first few
in an episode of Outlaw Star, but the two have little else
in relation.* [77]* [78] Morning Star Studio also drafted a
proposed a direct, OVA sequel series to Outlaw Star titled Outlaw Star 2: Sword of Wind on its official website
with character designs and a plot outline.* [79]* [80] Set
three years after the events of Outlaw Star, it was to continue the adventures of Gene Starwind and Jim Hawking
in their new starship named“Sword of Wind”. Due to the
lack of the franchise's popularity in Japan and the busy
schedule of animation director Mitsuru Hongo, no pro-
174
CHAPTER 15. O
duction date was set.* [68]* [81] In October 2001, Take- [16] Loo, Egan.“A Vision of Kawamori”. EX.org. Retrieved
2010-10-30.
hiko Itō commented that his team only had static, preliminary plans for the sequel series and that they could
[17] " 星⽅シリーズ Web [星⽅武侠アウトロースター：
perhaps continue the manga series in the future.* [81]
作 品 紹 介]" [Toward Stars Web “Starward Warrior
15.1.6
References
[1] Dawe, Keith and Dawe, Aaron K. (August 2000). “Animerica Feature: Outlaw Star”. Animerica (Viz Media)
8 (8). ISSN 1067-0831. Archived from the original on
2003-08-02.
[2] Itō, Takehiko (August 1997).“Toward Stars Era: Outlaw
Star Press Vol. 1”. Fire & Ice. Outlaw Star (in Japanese)
1. Shueisha. p. 192. ISBN 4-08-875555-3.
Knight Outlaw Star: Works Introduction"] (in Japanese).
Sunrise. Retrieved 2009-12-12.
[18] Arai, Akino. “Listen To It!" (in Japanese). JVC. Retrieved 2011-05-16.
[19] Itō, Takehiko (September 20, 1996). “Chapter 1: Fire &
Ice”. Ultra Jump. Outlaw Star (in Japanese) (Shueisha)
(7): pp. 3–48.
[20] Itō, Takehiko (May 20, 1999). “Chapter 21: Chaser”
. Ultra Jump. Outlaw Star (in Japanese) (Shueisha) (30):
pp. 37–57.
[3] Muhoumono no Kioku – Seihō Bukyō Outlaw Star (in
Japanese). Fujimi Shobo. November 1998. pp. 78–81.
ISBN 978-4-8291-7396-1.
[21] Luce, Eric. “Outlaw Star”. EX.org. Retrieved 201010-24.
[4] Oppliger, John (February 8, 2005). “Ask John: What is
Space Opera?". AnimeNation. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
[22] アウトロースター1st Star (ヤングジャンプコミック
ス・ウルトラ) [Outlaw Star 1st Star (Young Jump Comic
Ultra)] (in Japanese). Amazon.com. ASIN 4088755553.
[5] Ouellette, Martin (April–May 1999).“Spotlight: Outlaw
Star”. Protoculture Addicts (Protoculture Inc.) (55): pp.
46–9. ISSN 0835-9563.
[6] Luce, Eric. “Outlaw Star”. EX magazine. Retrieved
2010-11-04. (Archive) “This is where the pacing of the
manga is different than the anime. It takes longer for some
things to play out and we get to spend more time seeing
the characters interact.”
[7] Beveridge, Chris (April 3, 2001).“Outlaw Star Collection
3”. Mania.com. Retrieved 2011-10-30.
[8] Itō, Takehiko (August 1997). “Index”. Fire & Ice. Outlaw Star (in Japanese) 1. Shueisha. ISBN 4-08-875555-3.
[9] Oppliger, John (June 5, 2003). “Ask John: Who is Hajime Yadate?". AnimeNation. Retrieved 2011-05-30.
[10] Bethune, Jonathan (February 22, 2010).“Found in Translation: Outlaw Star and Sakura Hime Kaden”. Publishers
Weekly. Retrieved 2010-10-25.
[11] 宇 宙 英 雄 物 語 1 [Future-Retro Hero Story 1] (in
Japanese). Amazon.com. ASIN 404713001X.
[12] Morning Star Studio (January 23, 1998). " 伊東岳彦
VS 有 待 雅 彦 ア ウ ト ロー 激 談!!" [Takehiko Itō VS
Masahiko Arimachi: Outlaw Super Story!]. Ultra Jump
(in Japanese) (Shueisha) (15).
[13] Morning Star Studio (July 19, 1999). " 熱 ⾎ 応 援 企
画!! 激燃族 GEKINENZOKU vol.21”[Support planning and passion! GEKINENZOKU vol.21]. Ultra Jump
(in Japanese) (Shueisha) (32).
[14]“Animexpress”. Animerica (Viz Media) 6 (2): p. 17.
February 1998. ISSN 1067-0831.
[15] Clements, Jonathan; McCarthy, Helen (2006). The Anime
Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese Animation Since 1917
(Revised and Expanded edition). p. 473. ISBN 1-93333010-4.
[23] ア ウ ト ロー ス ター2nd Star (ヤ ン グ ジャ ン プ コ
ミッ ク ス・ ウ ル ト ラ) [Outlaw Star 2nd Star (Young
Jump Comic Ultra)] (in Japanese). Amazon.com. ASIN
4088756444.
[24] ア ウ ト ロー ス ター3rd Star (ヤ ン グ ジャ ン プ コ
ミッ ク ス・ ウ ル ト ラ) [Outlaw Star 3rd Star (Young
Jump Comic Ultra)] (in Japanese). Amazon.com. ASIN
4088757548.
[25] 星方武俠 (02)[Starward Warrior Knight (02)] (in Chinese). Sharp Point Press. Archived from the original on
2011-09-26. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
[26] “Outlaw Star”. Morning Star Studio. Archived from the
original on 2006-12-24. Retrieved 2010-11-02. Release
schedule * OUTLAWSTAR COMICS USA Var.
[27] “Cartoon Network Outlaw Star Broadcast”. Anime News
Network. December 28, 2000. Retrieved 2010-10-27.
[28] “List of Outlaw Star edits”. Anime News Network.
August 18, 2001. Retrieved 2010-10-27.
[29] “25 (of 26) Episodes of Outlaw Star to Air on Toonami”.
Anime News Network. January 8, 2001. Retrieved 200812-06.
[30] “Inconsistent Editing: Outlaw Star”. Anime News Network. January 24, 2001. Retrieved 2011-05-26.
[31] Bricken, Robert (Winter 2002). Anime Invasion (Wizard
Entertainment) (1). Missing or empty |title= (help)
[32] Pope, Kyle (March 4, 2002).“Edit List Special - Cartoon
Network Interview”. Anime News Network. Retrieved
2011-05-29.
[33] “Anime Pushes Adult Swim ratings growth”. Anime
News Network. August 14, 2002. Retrieved 2010-10-27.
[34] “Cartoon Network Anime Schedule”. Anime News Network. November 26, 2002. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
15.1. OUTLAW STAR
175
[35] “ANX Interview with Toonami's Sean Akins”. Anime
News Network. September 9, 2003. Retrieved 2010-1108.
[36] "* CNX.”. Europe Intelligence Wire. October 26, 2002.
Retrieved 2010-10-27.
[37] “Sehou Bukyo Outlaw Star (Futere [sic] Hero next generation Outlaw Star) DVD Memorial Box Part1”. CD
Japan. Retrieved 2009-12-12.
[38] “Sehou Bukyo Outlaw Star (Futere [sic] Hero next generation Outlaw Star) DVD Memorial Box Part2”. CD
Japan. Retrieved 2009-12-12.
[53] " 星⽅武侠アウトロースター―オリジナル・サウン
ドトラック II”[Starward Warrior Knight Outlaw Star
Original Soundtrack II] (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-10-27.
[54] 星⽅武侠アウトロースターサウンド & シナリオ
トラック ~ 創作的背景⾳樂[Starward Warrior Knight
Outlaw Star Sound & Scenario Tracks] (in Japanese).
Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
[55] McCarter, Charles. “Outlaw Star”. EX.org. Retrieved
2011-05-21.
[56] Outlaw Star ―銀河の⿓脈編〈上〉(集英社スーパー
ファンタジー⽂庫) [Outlaw Star: Chapter of the Galactic
Dragon Vein <top> (Super Fantasy Paperback)] (in
[39] " 星⽅シリーズ Web [星⽅武侠アウトロースター：
Japanese). Amazon.com. ASIN 408613327X.
作 品 紹 介]" [Toward Stars Web “Starward Warrior
Knight Outlaw Star: Work Introduction"] (in Japanese).
[57] Outlaw Star ― 銀 河 の ⿓ 脈 編 〈上〉(集 英 社 スー
Sunrise. Retrieved 2009-12-12.
パーファンタジー⽂庫) [Outlaw Star: Chapter of the
Galactic Dragon Vein <bottom> (Super Dash Library)] (in
[40] “Emotion the Best: 星⽅武侠アウトロースターDVDJapanese). Amazon.com. ASIN 4086133385.
Box”[Emotion the Best: Starward Warrior Knight Outlaw
Star DVD-Box] (in Japanese). Sunrise. Retrieved 201010-28.
[41] “Outlaw Star (Collection 1)". Amazon.com. Retrieved
2010-10-27.
[42] “Outlaw Star Collection 2”. Amazon.com. Retrieved
2010-10-27.
[43] “Outlaw Star (Collection 3)". Amazon.com. Retrieved
2010-10-27.
[44] “Outlaw Star - Perfect Collection Boxed Set”. Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-10-27.
[45] “Outlaw Star: Complete Collection”. Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-10-27.
[46] “Outlaw Star Collection (Slimpack)". Madman Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-12-12.
[47] “Beez Adds SoraKake, Sora no Woto, Lucky Star, Outlaw Star”. Anime News Network. August 16, 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-27.
[48]“News: Outlaw and Lucky Star both out in April”. Anime
News Network. February 26, 2011. Retrieved 2011-0510.
[58] " 雲海のエルドラド“El Dorado covered with clouds”星
⽅武侠アウトロースター(集英社スーパーダッシュ
⽂ 庫)" ["El Dorado Covered With Clouds": Starward
Warrior Knight Outlaw Star] (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2011-05-28.
[59] 無法者の記録―星⽅武侠アウトロースター(ドラ
ゴンマガジンコレクション) [Outlaw Record ―Starward Warrior Knight Outlaw Star (Dragon Magazine)] (in
Japanese). Amazon.com. ASIN 4829173963.
[60] “Outlaw Star Figure Set- Gene Starwind and Melfina”.
Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
[61]“Bandai To Produce Anime Sets for U.S. Market”. ICV2.
February 17, 2001. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
[62] Nishida, Asako (June 26, 2009). Jam: Asako Nishida
Art Works (in Japanese). Oozora Shuppan. pp. 102–16.
ISBN 978-4-7767-9452-3.
[63] Upatkoon, Ivevei. “Outlaw Star”. EX.org. Retrieved
2010-10-30.
[64] Poirier, Michael. “Outlaw Star”. EX.org. Retrieved
2010-10-30.
[65] Owens, David (October 3, 2000). “Outlaw Star Collection 1”. Mania.com. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
[49] “Funimation Adds Cowboy Bebop, Escaflowne, Outlaw
Star and More”. Anime News Network. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
[66] Churosh, Jacob.“Outlaw Star”. THEM Anime Reviews.
Retrieved 2010-10-30.
[50] McCarter, Charles. “Through the Night (OUTLAW
STAR Opening Theme)". EX.org. Retrieved 2011-0521.
[67] Morning Star Studio (February 4, 1998). アウトロ −
スタ − のファンの皆さまへお知らせです。[Tell
Everybody You're a Fan of Outlaw Star] (in Japanese).
Shueisha. Archived from the original on 2001-06-19. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
[51] “Through The Night [Single]" (in Japanese).
zon.com. Retrieved 2011-05-16.
Ama-
[52] 星⽅武侠アウトロースター―オリジナル・サウ
ンドトラック 1[Starward Warrior Knight Outlaw Star
Original Soundtrack 1] (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-10-27.
[68] “Outlaw Star”. Morning Star Studio. Archived from the
original on 2006-12-24. Retrieved 2010-11-02.
[69] Oppliger, John (January 11, 2002).“Ask John: How Popular is Outlaw Star in Japan?". AnimeNation. Retrieved
2011-05-30.
176
CHAPTER 15. O
[70] Oppliger, John (January 16, 2002).“Ask John: Have Any
Anime Ever Been Canceled?". AnimeNation. Retrieved
2011-05-30.
[71] 第 21 回アニメグランプリ［1999 年 6 ⽉号］[21st
Anime Grand Prix since (1999 May issue)] (in Japanese).
Animage. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
[72] “Outlaw Star returns to Toonami”. Anime News Network. July 11, 2001. Retrieved 2010-11-03.
[73] “Living Online”. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Cox
Enterprises). July 12, 2001. p. D2.
[74]“N. America's 2007 Anime Market Pegged at US$2.8 Billion (Update 3)". Anime News Network. April 1, 2009.
Retrieved 2010-10-27.
15.2 Otaku no Video
Otaku no Video (おたくのビデオ Otaku no Bideo, lit.
“Geeks' Video”) is a 1991 comedy anime spoofing the
life and culture of otaku, individuals with obsessive interests in media, particularly anime and manga, as well as
the history of Gainax, its creators. It is noted for its mix
of conventional documentary film styles (with actual film,
no less), with a more traditional anime storytelling fashion. It is licensed in the United States by AnimEigo. The
DAICON III and IV Opening Animations from the early
eighties are also featured in this OVA.
15.2.1 Plot summary
The story begins in Otaku No Video 1982, where the main
character is a normal* [1] Japanese male, Ken Kubo, living quite happily in Japan during the year 1982 with his
girlfriend Yoshiko and as a member of his college's tennis
team, until he meets one of his former friends from high
[76] Pool, Josh (May 16, 2006).“Top Ten Anime Themes and school, Tanaka. After Tanaka brings him into his cirSoundtracks of All-Time”. IGN. Retrieved 2011-05-19. cle of friends (all of them being otaku, too: a female
illustrator, an information geek, a martial artist, and a
[77] Pelletier, Claude J. (June 2001).“Anime Reviews: Picks” weapons collector), Kubo soon makes the wish to become
. Protoculture Addicts (Protoculture Inc.) (66): p. 52. the “Otaking”, the King of all the otaku.
[75] Sevakis, Justin and Macdonald, Christopher. “Ken
Iyadomi on Bandai Entertainment's Downsizing”. Anime
News Network. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
ISSN 0835-9563.
Kubo's quest continues in More Otaku No Video 1985, set
[78] Shepard, Chris (November 8, 2001).“Angel Links DVD 3 years later. He manages to create his own model kits,
1 - Avenging Angel - Review”. Anime News Network. open shops, and even build a factory in China. Later, he
loses it all when one of his rivals (who's also married to
Retrieved 2010-10-27.
Yoshiko, who never forgave Kubo for abandoning her)
[79] “OUTLAWSTAR2（仮題）ソードオヴウィンド" takes control of his enterprise with Tanaka's unwitting
[Outlaw Star 2 (tentative) Sword of Wind] (in Japanese). aid. But after Kubo and Tanaka make peace, teaming up
Morning Star Studio. Archived from the original on 2002- with hard-working artist Misuzu, Kubo and friends suc02-03. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
cessfully take over the anime industry with a magical girl
show,“Misty May”, during the nineties. Once they have
[80]“Animexpress”. Animerica (Viz Media) 9 (4). April reached the peak of their ambitions, Ken and Tanaka cre2001. ISSN 1067-0831.
ate Otakuland in 1999, the equivalent of Disneyland for
otaku (the story suggests Otakuland to be located in the
[81] “Update on Outlaw Star OAVs”. Anime News Network.
same city of Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, as the original
October 31, 2001. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
Tokyo Disneyland.)* [2]
15.1.7
External links
• Outlaw Star at Ultra Jump (Japanese)
• Outlaw Star at Sunrise Studios (Japanese)
Many years later, Ken and Tanaka return to Otakuland
in a post-apocalyptic submerged Japan and find its central structure, a giant robot, converted into a functional
spaceship piloted by their old otaku friends. Miraculously
rejuvenated, they fly off to space in search of the planet
of Otaku.
• Outlaw Star (manga) at Anime News Network's en- 15.2.2 A Portrait of an Otaku
cyclopedia
A controversial and humorous part of Otaku no Video
• Outlaw Star (anime) at Anime News Network's en- was the inclusion of live-action documentary excerpts,
cyclopedia
titled “A Portrait of an Otaku”. In these segments,
the documentary crew would interview an anonymous
• Outlaw Star at TV.com
otaku, typically ashamed at being a fan and whose face
are censored with a mosaic and have their voices digi• Outlaw Star at the Internet Movie Database
tally masked. The mock documentary segments serve as
15.2. OTAKU NO VIDEO
a counterpoint to the anime: while the anime emphasizes
the camaradrie, creativity, and dreams of mainstream acceptance of otaku, the mock interviews exaggerate its
negative qualities. The subjects run the gamut of the
otaku subculture: the interviews cover a cosplayer who
now works as a computer programmer and outright denies
his cosplay days, even when presented with photographic
evidence, but keeps his Char Aznable helmet in his desk
drawer, an airsoft otaku, a garage kit otaku, and a shut-in
who videorecords television programs for trade, but has
not actually watched anything he's recorded. The interviews also contain fans who engage in a range of illicit or
unsavory activities, such as cel thieves, a pornography fan
attempting to manufacture glasses to defeat the mosaic
censorship common in Japanese porno videos and who is
shown masturbating during the interview, and a computer
gamer -famous Gainax member Hideaki Anno- obsessed
with a character in a hentai computer game (Noriko from
Gunbuster -one of Anno's works- who makes a cameo in
Gainax's own hentai game: Cybernetic High School).
It is believed that all the subjects in the Portrait of an
Otaku segments were Gainax employees or connected to
Gainax at the time of filming.* [3] The first otaku interviewed bore a remarkable resemblance to Toshio Okada,
a principal founder in Gainax, in both background and
physical appearance. The gaijin otaku, Shon Hernandez,
has been confirmed to have been Craig York, who with
Shon Howell and Lea Hernandez, whose names were borrowed for the character* [4]", were the main staff of General Products USA, an early western branch of Gainax's
merchandising in the early 1990s. The interview with
“Shon Hernandez”has been a point of contention with
Lea Hernandez, who, in an interview with PULP magazine, noted that the interview was unscripted and that
Craig York had been fairly sincere in his thoughts and had
felt that Gainax insulted their American members.* [5] In
the interview, the words spoken by Shon Hernandez in the
background are noticeably different from what is shown
on screen via subtitle (which is based on the Japanese
voiceover “translation”).
177
Yoshiko Ueno (上野美子 Ueno Yoshiko) Voiced
Kikuko Inoue
Yuri Satō (佐藤由梨 Satō Yuri) Voiced by:
Amano
by:
Yuri
Miyoshi (三善) Voiced by: Masami Kikuchi
Iiyama (飯山) Voiced by: Toshiyuki Morikawa
Yamaguchi (山口) Voiced by: Nobuo Tobita
Kitajima (北島) Voiced by: Wataru Takagi
Yoshida (吉田) Voiced by: Hideyuki Umezu
Inoue (井上) Voiced by: Jun'ichi Kanemaru
Murata (村田) Voiced by: Kiyoyuki Yanada
Yōko Nakamaru (中丸陽子) Voiced by: Rena Kurihara
Ryū Kohaku (小白龍) Voiced by: Hideyuki Umezu
Bankman Kanda (バンクマン神田 Bankuman Kanda)
Voiced by: Akio Ōtsuka
Narrator (ナレーション Narēshon) Voiced by: Akio
Ōtsuka
15.2.4 Production and release
Since Otaku no Video was partially based in the personal
life of the original creators of Gainax, who started their
careers as otaku during the late seventies and the beginning of the eighties, many anime titles from that period
are shown as footage or referenced in the OVA (in costumes, cosplay or other related material). Among them
are Gatchaman, Uchuu Senkan Yamato, Urusei Yatsura,
Captain Harlock, Mobile Suit Gundam, Space Adventure
At FanimeCon 2003, Hiroshi Sato, an animator and an- Cobra, Phoenix 2772, Magical Princess Minky Momo, The
other Gainax member, mentioned that he had been in one Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Macross: Do You Reof the interviews in Otaku no Video. In Otaku no Video, member Love?, The Wings of Honneamise, Top wo Nerae!
the garage kit otaku was given the pseudonym“Sato Hi- and the Daicon III and IV Opening Animations.
roshi”for the interview.
Otaku no Video was released with subtitles in North
America by AnimEigo on March 17, 1993.* [6]
15.2.3
Characters
Ken Kubo (久保健 Kubo Ken) The main character.
Voiced by: Kōji Tsujitani
15.2.5 Reception
15.2.6 See also
Tanaka (田中) Voiced by: Toshiharu Sakurai
• Genshiken
Hino (日野) Voiced by: Shigeru Nakahara
• Comic Party
Misuzu Fujihara (福原美鈴 Fujihara Misuzu)
Voiced by: Yūko Kobayashi
• Cosplay Complex
• DAICON III and IV Opening Animations
178
15.2.7
CHAPTER 15. O
References
[1] "Otaku no Video's story starts out, more or less, like
most every anime about anime fans since then. Normal
guy meets otaku and gets sucked into the world of cosplay, doujinshi and video games, and life as he knew
it changes forever.”http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/
buried-treasure/2007-11-15
[2]“Urayasu City is where Tokyo Disneyland is located.”http:
//www.animeigo.com/liner/anime/otaku-no-video
[3] "...the acting is particularly hammy, and each person is
actually a friend or employee of Gainax...”http://www.
animenewsnetwork.com/buried-treasure/2007-11-15
[4]“Shon Hernandez”is a combination of Shon Howell
and Lea Hernandez, who, together with Craig York (the
real person in this segment), were the core of General
Products USA.”http://www.animeigo.com/liner/anime/
otaku-no-video
[5] Lea Hernandez,“The Curse of Urusei Yatsura”, interview
by PULP magazine, vol. 5, no. 8 (August 2001), pp. 28–
9.
[6] "Animerica" 1 (1). Viz Media. March 1993. p. 18. ISSN
1067-0831.
15.2.8
External links
• Otaku no Video at Gainax (Japanese)
• Otaku no Video Liner Notes by AnimEigo
• Otaku no Video (anime) at Anime News Network's
encyclopedia
• Otaku no Video at the Internet Movie Database
• Discussion of the real people in the interviews in
Otaku no Video by Lawrence Eng of the Cornell
Japanese Animation Society.
• “Buried Treasure: In Praise of Nerdiness”
• ONV review by Carl Horn
Chapter 16
P
16.1 Princess Mononoke
town, led by Lady Eboshi, when they are attacked by a
wolf clan led by the wolf goddess Moro. Riding one of
the wolves is San, a human girl. The next day, Ashitaka
discovers two injured Irontown men, and sees San and her
wolf clan; he greets them, but they ignore him and leave.
He carries the injured men through the forest, where he
encounters many kodama, and glimpses the Forest Spirit.
Princess Mononoke (Japanese: もののけ姫 Hepburn:
Mononoke-hime, “Spirit/Monster Princess”) is a 1997
anime epic action historical fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It was animated by Studio
Ghibli and produced by Toshio Suzuki. The film stars
the voices of Yōji Matsuda, Yuriko Ishida, Yūko Tanaka, In Irontown, Ashitaka learns Eboshi has built the town
Kaoru Kobayashi, Masahiko Nishimura, Akihiro Miwa, by clear-cutting forests to claim ironsand and produce
Mitsuko Mori and Hisaya Morishige.
iron, leading to conflict with the forest gods. The town
Princess Mononoke is set in the late Muromachi period is a refuge for social outcasts, including former brothel
(approximately 1336 to 1573) of Japan with fantasy el- workers and lepers, whom Eboshi employs to manufacements. The story follows the young Emishi warrior ture firearms to defend against the gods; Nago was turned
Ashitaka's involvement in a struggle between forest gods into a demon by one of Eboshi's guns. Eboshi also exand the humans who consume its resources. The term plains that San, whom she calls Princess Mononoke, was
"Mononoke" (物の怪 or もののけ) is not a name, but a raised by the wolves as one of their own, and resents humankind.
Japanese word for a spirit or monster.
Princess Mononoke was released in Japan on July 12,
1997, and in the United States on October 29, 1999.
It was a critical and commercial success, becoming the
highest-grossing film in Japan of 1997, and the highestgrossing there of all time until Titanic was released later
that year. It was translated and distributed in North
America by Miramax Films, and despite a poor box office performance there, it sold well on DVD and video,
bringing Ghibli attention in the United States for the first
time.
San infiltrates Irontown to kill Eboshi, but Ashitaka intervenes, knocking them both unconscious. As he leaves
the town carrying San, he is shot by a villager and falls
unconscious. San awakens and is about to kill the dying
Ashitaka, but hesitates when he tells her that she is beautiful. She takes him to the forest, and decides to trust him
after the Forest Spirit saves his life.
A clan of boars led by the blind boar god Okkoto attack
Irontown to save the forest. Eboshi prepares for battle
and sets out to kill the Forest Spirit under the supervision
of Jiko-bō, who is working for the government. Eboshi
intends to give the god's head to the Emperor of Japan
16.1.1 Plot
in return for protection from local daimyo lords; according to legend, the severed head of the Forest Spirit grants
In Muromachi period Japan, an Emishi village is attacked immortality.
by a demon. The last Emishi prince, Ashitaka, kills the In the battle, Okkoto is corrupted by gunshot wounds.
demon before it reaches the village, but its corruption Disguising themselves in boar skins, Jiko-bō's men trick
curses his arm in the battle. The curse gives him super- the rampaging Okkoto into leading them to the Forest
human fighting abilities, but will eventually kill him. The Spirit. San desperately tries to stop Okkoto, but is swept
villagers discover that the demon was once a boar god, up in Nago's corruption. Moro stops him and appeals to
Nago, corrupted by an iron ball lodged in his body. The Ashitaka to use his love for San to save her. However,
village's wise woman tells Ashitaka that he may find a Ashitaka's infection is accelerated, and San is also cursed
cure in the western lands Nago was exiled from.
by the corruption.
Heading west, Ashitaka meets Jiko-bō, a wandering Eboshi beheads the Forest Spirit during its transformamonk, who tells Ashitaka he may find help from the Great tion into the nightwalker; corruption pours from its body,
Forest Spirit, a Kirin-like creature by day and a giant killing all life it touches as it searches for its head, which
"nightwalker" by night. Nearby, men herd oxen to Iron179
180
CHAPTER 16. P
Jiko-bō has stolen. The forest begins to decay while kodama die. Moro, dying from injuries sustained in the battle, uses the last of her strength to bite off Eboshi's right
arm. After bandaging Eboshi and convincing San to help
him retrieve the Forest Spirit's head, Ashitaka and San
follow Jiko-bō to Irontown, where they manage to return
the god's head. Restored, the Forest Spirit falls into the
lake, healing the land, and cures Ashitaka and San of the
curse.
• Kaoru Kobayashi provides the voice of Jiko-bō (ジ
コ坊, called“Jigo”in the English version), a monk
and mercenary who befriends Ashitaka on his journey to the west. Miyazaki was unsure whether to
make Jiko-bō a government spy, a ninja, a member of a religious group or “a very good guy.”He
eventually decided to give Jigo elements of the above
groups.* [2] In the English version, Jiko-bō is voiced
by Billy Bob Thornton.
Though she has grown close to Ashitaka, San decides to
remain in the forest; Ashitaka will help rebuild Irontown,
but tells San he will visit her. Eboshi vows to build a better
town, and the forest begins to grow back.
• Masahiko Nishimura voices Kohroku (甲 六
Kōroku), an ox driver; John DeMita voiced
Kohroku in the English version.
16.1.2
• Tsunehiko Kamijō provides the voice of Gonza (ゴ
ンザ), Eboshi's bodyguard; he was voiced by John
DiMaggio in the English version.
Cast
• Yōji Matsuda voices Ashitaka (アシタカ), the last
prince of the Emishi tribe whose traveling companion is Yakul (ヤックル Yakkuru), a red elk (アカシ
シ Akashishi), more similar to a red Lechwe than an
elk. Miyazaki did not want Ashitaka to be a typical
hero, saying that he is a“melancholic boy who has a
fate”and also stated that Ashitaka's curse“is similar
to the lives of people [at the time]".* [2] Ashitaka's
English voice actor Billy Crudup stated that he liked
Ashitaka as “an unexpected hero. Heʼs not your
usual wild, brave guy. Heʼs really just a young,
earnest man whoʼs trying to lead a valuable life and
protect his village.”* [3]
• Akihiro Miwa voices Moro (モ ロ の 君 Moro no
Kimi), a giant wolf goddess and San's adopted
mother; Gillian Anderson provides her voice in the
English version.
• Mitsuko Mori provides the voice of Hii-sama (ヒイ
様), the wise woman of Ashitaka's village. In the
English version, Hii-sama is voiced by Debi Derryberry.
• Hisaya Morishige provides the voice of Okkotonushi (⼄事主, called“Okkoto”in the English version), a boar god. In the English version, Okkotonushi was voiced by Keith David, who also voiced
the narrator in the film's opening sequence.
• Yuriko Ishida voices San (サン), a young woman
who was raised by the wolves and feels hatred for
humans, but eventually comes to really care about
Ashitaka. In the English version, San is voiced by
Claire Danes.
The cast also includes: Akira Nagoya as the cattleman
leader (⽜飼いの⻑ Ushigai no Naga); Kimihiro Reizei
• Yūko Tanaka provides the voice of Lady Eboshi (エ as a Jibashiri (ジバシリ); Tetsu Watanabe as a mounボシ御前 Eboshi Gozen), the ruler of Irontown who tain wolf (⼭⽝ Yamainu); Makoto Sato as Nago (ナゴ
continually clears the forest. Miyazaki stated that の守 Nago no Mori), a wild boar turned into a demon who
Eboshi was supposed to have a traumatic past, al- curses Ashitaka when he attacks the Emishi village; and
though it is not specifically mentioned in the film. Sumi Shimamoto as Toki (トキ), Kohroku's wife, a forMiyazaki said that Eboshi has a strong and secure mer prostitute, and the leader of Eboshi's women, voiced
personality, evident in the fact that she let Ashitaka by Jada Pinkett Smith in the English version.
move freely through the settlement unescorted, despite his unclear motives. He also said that Eboshi
does not acknowledge the Emperor's authority in 16.1.3 Production
Irontown, a revolutionary view for the time, and
displays an atypical attitude for a woman of that In the late 1970s, Miyazaki drew sketches of a film about
era in that she wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice herself a princess living in the woods with a beast.* [7] Miyazaki
or those around her for her dreams.* [2] Miyazaki began writing the film's plotline and drew the initial storyalso said that Eboshi resembles a shirabyōshi.* [4] boards for the film in August 1994.* [8]* [9] He had difEboshi's English voice actress Minnie Driver stated ficulties adapting his early ideas and visualisations, bethat she was interested in “the challenge of play- cause elements had already been used in My Neighbor
ing [a] woman who supports industry and represents Totoro and because of societal changes since the crethe interests of man, in terms of achievement and ation of the original sketches and image boards. This
greed.”* [5] Driver viewed Eboshi as “a warrior, writer's block prompted him to accept a request for the
an innovator and a protector.”* [6]
creation of the On Your Mark promotional music video
16.1. PRINCESS MONONOKE
181
3D rendering was used to create writhing “demon flesh”and
composite them onto a hand-drawn Ashitaka
Shiratani Unsui forest, Yakushima
for the Chage and Aska song of the same title. According to Toshio Suzuki, the diversion allowed Miyazaki
to return for a fresh start on the creation of Princess
Mononoke. In April 1995, supervising animator Masashi
Ando devised the character designs from Miyazaki's storyboard. In May 1995, Miyazaki drew the initial storyboards. That same month, Miyazaki and Ando went to
the ancient forests of Yakushima, of Kyushu, an inspiration for the landscape of Nausicaä of the Valley of the
Wind, and the mountains of Shirakami-Sanchi in northern Honshu for location scouting along with a group of
art directors, background artists and digital animators
for three days.* [8] Animation production commenced
in July 1995.* [9] Miyazaki personally oversaw each of
the 144,000 cels in the film,* [10] and is estimated to
have redrawn parts of 80,000 of them.* [11]* [12] The final storyboards of the film's ending were finished only
months before the Japanese premiere date.* [13]
Inspired by John Ford, an Irish-American director best
known for his Westerns, Miyazaki created Iron Town
as a “tight-knit frontier town”and populated it with
“characters from outcast groups and oppressed minorities who rarely, if ever, appear in Japanese films.”He
made the characters “yearning, ambitious and tough.”
*
[14] Miyazaki did not want to create an accurate history of Medieval Japan, and wanted to “portray the
very beginnings of the seemingly insoluble conflict between the natural world and modern industrial civilization.”* [15] The landscapes appearing in the film were
inspired by Yakushima.* [16] Despite being set during the
Muromachi period, the actual time period of Princess
Mononoke depicts a“symbolic neverwhen clash of three
proto-Japanese races (the Jomon, Yamato and Emishi).”
*
[17]
ated graphics and traditional drawing. A further 10 minutes uses digital paint, a technique used in all subsequent
Studio Ghibli films. Most of the film is colored with
traditional paint, based on the color schemes designed
by Miyazaki and Michiyo Yasuda. However, producers agreed on the installation of computers to successfully complete the film prior to the Japanese premiere
date.* [13]
Two titles were originally considered for the film. One,
ultimately chosen, has been translated into English as
Princess Mononoke. The other title can be translated
into English as either The Story of Ashitaka or The
Legend of Ashitaka. In a Tokyo Broadcasting System program, televised on November 26, 2013, Toshio
Suzuki mentioned that Hayao Miyazaki had preferred
The Legend of Ashitaka as the title while Suzuki himself
favoured Princess Mononoke. Suzuki also mentioned that
Miyazaki had created a new kanji to write his preferred
title.* [21]* [22]
The English dub contains minor additional voice overs
to explain nuances of Japanese culture to western audiences.* [23]
16.1.4 Themes
A central theme of Princess Mononoke is the
environment.* [24] The film centers on the adventure of Ashitaka as he journeys to the west to undo a fatal
curse inflicted upon him by Nago, a boar turned into a
demon by Eboshi.* [25] Michelle J. Smith and Elizabeth
Parsons said that the film “makes heroes of outsiders in
all identity politics categories and blurs the stereotypes
that usually define such characters”. In the case of
the Deer god's destruction of the forest and Tataraba,
Smith and Parsons said that the “supernatural forces of
destruction are unleashed by humans greedily consuming
natural resources”.* [26] They also characterized Eboshi
as a business-woman who has a desire to make money at
the expense of the forest, and also cite Eboshi's intention
to destroy the forest to mine the mountain “embodies
environmentalist evil”.* [25]
Princess Mononoke was produced with an estimated
budget of ¥2.35 billion (approximately US$23.5 million).* [12]* [18]* [19] It was mostly hand-drawn, but incorporates some use of computer animation during five
minutes of footage throughout the film.* [20] The computer animated parts are designed to blend in and support the traditional cel animation, and are mainly used
in images consisting of a mixture of computer gener- Two other themes found in the plot of Princess Mononoke
182
CHAPTER 16. P
are sexuality and disability. Michelle Jarman, Assistant Professor of Disability Studies at the University
of Wyoming, and Eunjung Kim, Assistant Professor
of Gender and Women's Studies at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison, said the disabled and gendered sexual bodies were partially used as a transition from the
feudal era to a hegemony that “embraces modern social
systems, such as industrialization, gendered division of
labor, institutionalization of people with diseases, and
militarization of men and women.”They likened Lady
Eboshi to a monarch.* [27] Kim and Jarman suggested
that Eboshi's disregard of ancient laws and curses towards
prostitutes and lepers was an enlightenment reasoning and
her exploit of using disability furthered her modernist
viewpoints.* [28]
Dan Jolin of Empire said that a potential theme could be
that of lost innocence. Miyazaki attributes this to his experience of making his previous film, Porco Rosso, and
the wars in the former Yugoslavia, which he cites as an
example of mankind never learning, making it difficult
for him to go back to making a film such as Kiki's Delivery Service, where he has been quoted as saying “It
felt like children were being born to this world without
being blessed. How could we pretend to them that we're
happy?"* [29]* [30]
16.1.5
Release
not be familiar with. Such alterations include references to mythology and specific names for groups, such
as Jibashiri and Shishigami, that appear in the Japanese
version, which are changed to more general terms, such
as Mercenary and Forest Spirit, in the English version.
The rationale for such changes is that the majority of nonJapanese viewers would not understand the mythological
references and that the English language simply has no
words for the Jibashiri, Shishigami and other terms.
Miramax chose to put a large sum of money into creating the English dub of Princess Mononoke with famous
actors and actresses, yet when they released it in theatres
there was little or no advertising and it was given a very
limited run, showing in only a few theatres and for a very
short time. Disney later complained about the fact that
the movie did not do well at the box office. In September 2000, the film was announced for release on DVD
in North America exclusively with the English dub. In
response to fans' requests to add the Japanese track as
well as threats of poor sales, Miramax hired translators
for the Japanese version. This plan delayed the DVD release back by almost three months, but it sold well when
it was finally released.
Box office
Princess Mononoke was the highest-grossing Japanese
film of 1997, earning ¥11.3 billion in distribution
receipts.* [32] It became the highest grossing film
in Japan until it was surpassed by Titanic several
months later.* [33] The film earned a domestic total of
¥14,518,798,588.39 ($148,000,000.)
It was the top-selling anime in the United States in
January 2001, but despite this the film did not fare
as well financially in the country when released in
December 1997. It grossed $2,298,191 for the first
eight weeks.* [34]* [35] Although it showed more strength
worldwide where it earned a total of $11 million with a
total of ¥14,487,325,138 ($159,375,308).* [35]
Princess Mononoke street art in Yokohama, Japan.
Home media
The film was extremely successful in Japan and with both
anime fans and arthouse moviegoers in English-speaking
countries. Miramax Films, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, purchased the film's distribution rights
for North America. Miyazaki met with Harvey Weinstein, Miramax's chairman; Weinstein demanded that edits should be made to Princess Mononoke.* [31] In response, Toshio Suzuki sent Weinstein a katana with a
message stating “No cuts.”* [31]
In Japan, the film was released on VHS on July 26,
1998.* [36] A LaserDisc edition was also released by
Tokuma Japan Communications on the same day. The
film was released on DVD on November 21, 2001 with
bonus extras added, including the international versions
of the film as well as the storyboards.* [36]
The English dub of Princess Mononoke is a translation
with some adaptation by fantasy author Neil Gaiman,
author of The Sandman. The main changes from the
Japanese version are to provide a cultural context for
phrases and actions which those outside of Asia may
In July 2000, Buena Vista Home Entertainment announced plans to release the film on VHS and DVD
in North America on August 29.* [37] Initially, the
DVD version of Princess Mononoke did not include the
Japanese-language track at the request of Buena Vista's
Japan division, citing concerns that “a foreign-released
DVD containing the Japanese language track will allow for the importation of such a DVD to Japan, which
16.1. PRINCESS MONONOKE
could seriously hurt the local sales of a future release of
the [film]".* [38] The fansite Nausicaa.net organized an
email campaign for fans to include the Japanese language
track,* [38] while DVD Talk began an online petition to
retain the Japanese language track.* [39] The DVD release of Princess Mononoke was delayed as a result.* [40]
Buena Vista Home Entertainment released the DVD on
July 2000 with bonus extras added, including a trailer and
a documentary with interviews from the film's English
voice actors.* [41] The film was released on Blu-ray disc
in Japan on December 4, 2013.* [42]
183
Awards
Princess Mononoke is the first animated feature film to
win Best Picture in the Japan Academy Prize.* [56] For
the 70th Academy Awards ceremony, Princess Mononoke
was the Japanese submission to be nominated for the
Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, but
was not successfully nominated.* [57] Hayao Miyazaki
was also nominated for an Annie Award for his work on
the film.* [58]
Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment released
16.1.6 Soundtrack
Princess Mononoke on Blu-ray Disc on November 18,
*
2014. [43]
The film score of Princess Mononoke was composed and
performed by Joe Hisaishi, the soundtrack composer for
nearly all of Miyazaki's productions, and Miyazaki wrote
the lyrics of the two vocal tracks, “The Tatara Women
Critical reception
Work Song”and its title song. The music was performed by Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra and conPrincess Mononoke received critical acclaim from film ducted by Hiroshi Kumagai. The soundtrack was recritics. As of March 2014, the film review aggregator leased in Japan by Tokuma Japan Communications on
website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 92% approval rating July 2, 1997, and the North American version was rebased on 105 reviews, with an average rating of 8/10. It leased by Milan Records on October 12, 1999.
offers the consensus: “With its epic story and breathtaking visuals, Princess Mononoke is a landmark in the world The titular theme song was performed by counter-tenor
of animation.”* [44] On Metacritic, the film achieved an Yoshikazu Mera. For the English adaptation, Sasha
average score of 76 out of 100 based on 29 reviews, sig- Lazard sang the song.
nifying “generally favorable reviews.”* [45]
As with other Studio Ghibli films, additional albums
The Daily Yomiuri's Aaron Gerow called the film a“pow- featuring soundtrack themes in alternative versions have
erful compilation of [Hayao] Miyazaki's world, a cumu- been released. The image album features early versions
lative statement of his moral and filmic concerns.”* [46] of the themes, recorded at the beginning of the film proLeonard Klady of Variety said that Princess Mononoke“is duction process, and used as source of inspiration for the
not only more sharply drawn, it has an extremely complex various artists involved. The symphonic suite features
and adult script”and the film“has the soul of a romantic longer compositions, each encompassing several of the
epic, and its lush tones, elegant score by Joe Hisaishi and movie themes, performed by the Czech Philharmonic Orfull-blooded characterizations give it the sweep of cin- chestra conducted by Mario Klemens.
ema's most grand canvases.”* [47] Roger Ebert of the
Chicago Sun-Times called Princess Mononoke “a great
achievement and a wonderful experience, and one of the
best films of the year.”* [48] Ty Burr of Entertainment
Weekly called the film “a windswept pinnacle of its art”
and that it “has the effect of making the average Disney film look like just another toy story.”* [49] However, Stephen Hunter of The Washington Post stated that
the film “is as spectacular as it is dense and as dense
as it is colorful and as colorful as it is meaningless and
as meaningless as it is long. And it's very long.”* [50]
Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times said that the
film “brings a very different sensibility to animation,
a medium [Miyazaki] views as completely suitable for
straight dramatic narrative and serious themes.”* [51]
Roger Ebert placed Princess Mononoke sixth on his top
ten movies of 1999.* [52] It ranked 488th on Empire 's list
of the 500 greatest films.* [53] Terry Gilliam ranked the
film 26th on Time Out's 50 greatest animated films.* [54]
It also ranked 26 on Total Film's list of 50 greatest animated films.* [55]
All music composed by Joe Hisaishi, except as noted.
16.1.7 Stage adaptation
In 2012, it was announced that Studio Ghibli and British
theatre company Whole Hog Theatre would be bringing
Princess Mononoke to the stage. It is the first stage adaptation of a Studio Ghibli work.* [61] The contact between
Whole Hog Theatre and Studio Ghibli was facilitated by
Nick Park of Aardman Animations after he sent footage
of Whole Hog performances to Studio Ghibli's Toshio
Suzuki.* [62] The play features large puppets made out
of recycled and reclaimed materials.* [63]
The first performances were scheduled for London's New
Diorama Theatre and sold out in 72 hours, a year in
advance.* [64]* [65] In March 2013, it was announced
that the show would transfer to Japan after its first run
of shows in London. A second series of performances
will begin in London after the return from Tokyo. The
second run of London performances sold out in four
184
CHAPTER 16. P
and half hours.* [66]* [67] The play received positive reviews and was one of Lyn Gardner's theatre picks in The
Guardian.* [68]* [69]* [70]* [71]* [72] On April 27, 2013,
the play was presented at Nico Nico Douga's Cho Party
and was streamed online in Japan.* [73]* [74]
16.1.8
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2012.
[50] Hunter, Stephen (November 5, 1999). “The Bland Violence of 'Mononoke'". Washington Post. Retrieved
September 15, 2012.
[51] Turan, Kenneth (October 29, 1999). "'Mononoke' a
Haunting, Magical World of Fantasy”. Los Angeles Times.
p. 1. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
[52] Roger Ebert. “Roger Ebert's Top Ten Lists 1967-2006”
. Retrieved December 22, 2007.
[53] “The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time”. Empire. Bauer
Consumer Media. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
[54] “Time Out's 50 greatest animated films: Part 3”. Time
Out. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
[55] Kinnear, Simon. “50 Greatest Animated Movies”. TotalFilm.com. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
[56] “21st Japan Academy Prize Winners”. Japan Academy
Awards. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
[57] “44 Countries Hoping for Oscar Nominations” (Press
release). Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
1997-11-24. Archived from the original on 1998-02-13.
Retrieved 2008-12-07.
[58] “Annie Awards (2000)". IMDB. 11 November 2000.
Retrieved 2 May 2015.
[59] “52nd Mainichi Film Awards Winners”. Mainichi. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
[62] “Studio Ghibli Explains How UK“Princess Mononoke”
Stage Play Got OKed”. CrunchyRoll. Retrieved April
27, 2013.
[63] “EXCLUSIVE: News on the Upcoming Stage Adaptation of Miyazaki Hayao's Anime Classic PRINCESS
MONONOKE!". Twitch. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
[64] “Official Stage Adaptation ofʻPrincess Mononokeʼ
Coming To London; Sold Out Almost A Year In Advance”.
Slash Film. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
[65] “Princess Mononoke Comes to London Stage”. Escapist
Magazine. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
[66] “Princess Mononoke Stage Play Heads to Japan”. Anime
News Network. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
[67] “Whole Hog Theatre Announces Further Performances
of Princess Mononoke at the New Diorama Theatre, London”. Anime News Network. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
[68] “UK stage adaptation of Princess Mononoke met with
praise”. Flixster. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
[69] “Princess Mononoke – New Diorama Theatre, London”
. The Public Reviews. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
[70] “Review of Princess Mononoke Play at the New Diorama Theatre by Wholehog Theatre”. Anime UK News.
Retrieved April 27, 2013.
[71] “PRINCESS MONONOKE”. West End Wilma. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
[72] “What to see: Lyn Gardner's theatre tips”. The Guardian
(London). March 29, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
[73] “Cho Pary- First Night”. Nico Nico Douga. Retrieved
April 27, 2013.
[74] “Cho Pary- online”. Nico Nico Douga. Retrieved April
27, 2013.
Sources
• Bigelow, Susan J. (March 2009). “Technologies
of perception: Miyazaki in theory and practice”.
Animation (Sage Publications) 4 (1): 55–75. ISSN
1746-8477.
• Clarke, James (May 2010). “Ecology and Animation: Animation Gone Wild: Bambi vs Princess
Mononoke”. Imagine (Bristol: Wildfire Communications) 31: 36–39. ISSN 1748-1244.
• Clements, Jonathan; McCarthy, Helen (2006).
“Princess Mononoke”. The Anime Encyclopedia:
A Guide to Japanese Animation since 1917. California: Stone Bridge Press. pp. 505–506. ISBN
1-933330-10-4.
186
• Delorme, Gérard (January 2000). “Princesse
Mononoké". Premiere (in French) (Hachette Filipacchi Associés) (275): 61–62. ISSN 0399-3698.
• Doyle, Wyatt (December 1998). “Disney Turning
Japanese”. Asian Cult Cinema (21): 25–28.
• Fitzpatrick, Michael (June 1997).“Front desk clips:
manga mouse!". Empire (96): 30.
• Génin, Bernard (January 12, 2000). “Princess
Mononoke”. Télérama (in French) (2609): 30.
• Harrison, Genevieve (August 2000). “Mononoke
hokey cokey”. Empire (Bauer) (134): 20.
• Hazelton, John (November 12, 1999). “Animated
English accent”. Screen International (EMAP)
(1234): 8. ISSN 0307-4617.
• Khoury, George (November 1999). “An interview
with Neil Gaiman”. Creative Screenwriting 6 (6):
63–65. ISSN 1084-8665.
• Kim, Eunjung; Jarman, Michelle (April 2008).
“Modernity's Rescue Mission: Postcolonial Transactions of Disability and Sexuality” (PDF). Canadian Journal of Film Studies 17 (1): 52–68. ISSN
0847-5911.
• Leyland, Matthew (June 2006).
“Princess
Mononoke”. Sight and Sound (British Film Institute) 16 (6): 90–91. ISSN 0037-4806.
• McCarthy, Helen (1999). “Princess Mononoke:
The Nature of Love”. Hayao Miyazaki: Master of Japanese Animation. Berkeley, California:
Stone Bridge Press. pp. 181–204. ISBN 9781880656419.
• Napier, Susan J. (2005) [2001].
“Princess
Mononoke: Fantasy, the Feminine and the Myth of
Progress”. Anime from Akira to Howl's Moving Castle: Experiencing Contemporary Japanese Animation
(2nd ed.). New York: Palgrave Macmillan. pp.
231–248. ISBN 978-1403970510.
• Pedroletti, Brice (June 9, 2000). “L'animation
d'auteur veut s'imposer au pays de Pikachu”.
Le Film Francais (in French) (Mondadori France)
(2382): 15–17. ISSN 0397-8702.
• Schilling, Mark (July 18, 1997). “Marketing Focus: By royal appointment”. Screen International
(EMAP) (1117): 11. ISSN 0307-4617.
• Schilling, Mark (February 20, 1998). Screen International (EMAP) (1146): 18. ISSN 0307-4617.
Missing or empty |title= (help)
CHAPTER 16. P
• Smith, Michelle J.; Parsons, Elizabeth (February
2012). “Animating child activism: Environmentalism and class politics in Ghibli's Princess Mononoke
(1997) and Fox's Fern Gully (1992)". Continuum:
Journal of Media & Cultural Studies (Routledge) 26
(1): 25–37.
• Vitaris, Paula (1999). “Princess Mononoke”.
Cinefantastique 31 (4): 7. ISSN 0145-6032.
16.1.9 External links
• Official website
• Princess Mononoke Production Diary at Studio Ghibli (Japanese)
• Mononoke-hime at the Internet Movie Database
• Mononoke Hime at the Big Cartoon DataBase
• Princess Mononoke at AllMovie
• Princess Mononoke at Box Office Mojo
• Princess Mononoke at Rotten Tomatoes
• Princess Mononoke (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Neil Gaiman on writing the English-language script
• Animerica review at the Wayback Machine
(archived April 7, 2004)
16.2 Psycho-Pass
Psycho-Pass (Japanese: サ イ コ パ ス Hepburn: Saiko
Pasu) (stylized as PSYCHO-PASS) is a Japanese anime
television series that was produced by Production I.G,
directed by Naoyoshi Shiotani and written by Gen
Urobuchi. The series was aired on Fuji TV's Noitamina
programming block between October 2012 and March
2013. The story takes place in an authoritarian future
dystopia, where omnipresent public sensors continuously
scan the Psycho-Pass of every citizen in range. The sensors measure mental state, personality, and the probability that the citizen will commit crimes, alerting authorities
when someone exceeds accepted norms. To enforce order, the officers of the Public Safety Bureau carry hand
weapons called Dominators. The story follows Akane
Tsunemori, Shinya Kogami, and other members of Unit
One of the Public Safety Bureau's Criminal Investigation
Division, and the crimes they investigate using Dominators.
• Schilling, Mark (1999). Princess Mononoke: The
Art and Making of Japan's Most Popular Film of All Psycho-Pass originated from Production I.G.'s interest
Time. New York City: Miramax/Hyperion Media. in making a successor to Mamoru Oshii's achievements.
ISBN 978-0786883851.
The series was inspired by several live-action films. Chief
16.2. PSYCHO-PASS
director Katsuyuki Motohiro aimed to explore psychological themes in society's youth using dystopian storylines. Several rules were used to focus on making the
dystopia that the characters live in.
The series was licensed by Funimation in North America. A second season began airing in October 2014, with
an animated film released in January 2015. A manga
adaptation has been in serialization in Shueisha's Jump
Square magazine and several novels, including an adaptation and prequels to the original story, have been published. An episodic video game adaptation called Chimi
Chara Psycho-Pass was developed by Nitroplus Staffers
in collaboration with Production I.G. New novels and another manga were serialized in 2014.
16.2.1
Setting
Plot
187
yields a low Crime Coefficient, making him safe from
the Sibyl System and the Dominator.
The Enforcers and Inspectors start hunting Makishima,
who aims to destroy the society created by the Sibyl System. To do this he causes riots in the city to draw the
police away from the Health and Welfare Ministry's Nona
Tower facility, where Sibyl is located. Akane and Kogami
stop Makishima's forces while Enforcer Shūsei Kagari
follows one of Makishima's allies to the tower where Bureau Chief Joshu Kasei kills Makishima's ally and Kagari
to keep the true form of Sibyl a secret. Kasei tells Makishima that Sibyl is a hivemind of similarly asymptomatic
individuals and wishes him to join the system but Makishima escapes. Realizing the truth behind Makishima's
escape, Kogami leaves the group to kill him. Akane is
later directly contacted by the Sibyl system, which orders her to capture Makishima alive. She agrees to do
this on the condition that they withdraw the execution order for Kogami. Learning that Makishima plans to commit bioterrorism to weaken Japan's economy and bring
the system down, the Criminal Investigation Division
searches for both Makishima and Kogami. There, Makishima tries killing Ginoza but Masaoka sacrifices his life
to save him. Despite Akane's efforts, Kogami kills Makishima and the former's erstwhile comrades never see him
again.
Psycho-Pass is set in 2113. The Sibyl System (シビュ
ラシステム Shibyura Shisutemu) is actively measuring
the populace's mental states, personalities, and the probability that individuals will commit crimes, using a “cymatic scan”of the brain. The resulting assessment is
called a Psycho-Pass (サイコパス Saikopasu). When
the probability of a person engaging in crimes measured
In season two, Akane, now the leader of a restored Unit
by the Crime Coefficient (犯罪係数 Hanzaikeisū) index
One including rookie inspector Mika Shimotsuki, Giexceeds a certain level in an individual, he or she is purnoza, who is demoted to an enforcer, Yayoi and two new
sued, apprehended, and killed if necessary.
enforcers, Sakuya Togane and Sho Hinakawa, face a new
threat in the form of Kirito Kamui, another criminal mastermind who, just like Shogo, intends to bring down the
Story
Sybil System by exploiting its flaws instead of just wreaking havoc. Skilled in avoiding all forms of detection and
Main article: List of Psycho-Pass characters
capable of helping his supporters to keep their Crime Coefficients low, only a very few believe that he actually exThe plot focuses on Akane Tsunemori, a new Inspector of ists, including Akane.
Unit One̶a police unit from the Public Safety Bureau's
Criminal Investigation Division. Tsunemori hunts criminals alongside a special team of so-called latent crimi16.2.2 Production
nals called Enforcers. Inspectors and Enforcers use large
handguns called “Dominators”̶special weapons designed to fire only at those with a higher-than-acceptable The series was directed by Naoyoshi Shiotani, writCrime Coefficient. Akane is ashamed of shooting the En- ten by Gen Urobuchi and features character designs by
forcer Shinya Kogami during her first mission to protect a manga artist Akira Amano. It stars Kana Hanazawa as
Kogami
latent criminal. Kogami thanks her for stopping him from Akane Tsunemori, Tomokazu Seki as Shinya
*
and
Takahiro
Sakurai
as
Shogo
Makishima.
[3]
Psychobecoming a murderer, which persuades Akane to stay.
Pass
originated
from
Production
I.G.'s
interest
in
makShe is accompanied by veteran Inspector Nobuchika GiMamoru
Oshii's
Ghost
in
the
Shell
and
ing
a
successor
to
noza, a strict man who looks down on Enforcers, Tomomi
Patlabor;
the
company
hired
Katsuyuki
Motohiro̶who
Masaoka, a middle-aged man who used to be a detective, Shusei Kagari, a carefree young man who has been became the series' chief director̶and veteran *I.G. ania latent criminal ever since he was a child, and Yayoi Ku- mator Naoyoshi Shiotani to supervise direction. [4]
nizuka, a former musician turned into a latent criminal af- Motohiro wanted to return to making anime after a long
ter interacting with a terrorist. During Akane's first inves- hiatus but he needed a charismatic script writer. Mototigations, the group learns about the existence of Shogo hiro and his staff were surprised with Gen Urobuchi's
Makishima, a mastermind who is responsible for mul- contribution to the anime series Puella Magi Madoka
tiple crimes. Being Criminally Asymptomatic (免罪体 Magica. Motohiro was fascinated by Madoka Magica; he
質 Menzai Taishitsu), Makishima's criminal psychology read other works from Urobuchi, which persuaded him
188
to talk to Urobuchi. In early 2011, Motohiro proposed
to Urobuchi that the pair should work together.* [5] Early
in the making of the series, Motohiro told Naoyoshi Shiotani not to make anything that could not be adapted into
a live-action film.* [6]
Before work on Psycho-Pass started, Shiotani was busy
working on the film Blood-C: The Last Dark. As soon
as his work with the film ended, Shiotani focused on
the series' quality. After episode 16, which proved to
be the most challenging and popular of the series, the
team found themselves “out of stamina”. The next two
episodes were made by an outside team, which is reflected
in several problems with the animation.* [6] In response
to this, the producer of the episode said that while he expected problems, he worked to make it the best he could.
Shiotani also apologized for the episode's quality.* [7] The
original team continued working from episode 19 on until the finale; they decided to remake episodes 17 and 18
for their retail release.* [6]
The series was first announced in late March 2012 by
Fuji TV at its Noitamina press conference.* [8] In March
2013, Shiotani stated there could be a second season if the
show received enough support.* [9] Once development of
the second season started, Shiotani said the new episodes
are more difficult to make than those in the first season.
He said, “it's more about the show's inflexibility”because the staff have to maintain consistency.* [10] For the
second season Tow Ubukata replaced Urobuchi as main
writer.* [11] Ubukata mentions he was given the idea of
expanding the setting in the form of a sequel. As a result of being given the scenario of the TV series and the
film, Ubukata had to write the characters' personalities.
Although time of the production was short, he had the
time to discuss with the first series' staff. Shiotani aided
the team for the final episode which Ubukata was satisfied
with.* [12]
Design
CHAPTER 16. P
rector of The Pet Girl of Sakurasou, about the way the
characters were designed first, Shiotani realized it was the
opposite for his team, who had to create the setting first
and then the characters because they “are almost being
played by the world”. As a result, the characters were
designed by manga artist Akira Amano to balance them
with the dark atmosphere by having them“palatable and
very relate-able”. The staff avoided using bright colors
that would stand out.* [13] Akane Tsunemori was created
as the most relatable character, who would question the
setting from the audience's point of view and as the heroine who would come between Shinya Kogami and Shogo
Makishima. Akane's progression from an innocent newcomer to a mature and haunted person was one of the
staff's main objectives.* [6]
Motohiro allowed his team to use very graphic elements,
even though they could reduce female viewership. He
acknowledges that the series may be too violent for a
younger demographic and said that he would not want his
son to watch it because of its psychological brutality.* [5]
He added that the team did not want to make a violent
series but an “artistic series that just happened to have
some violence included in it”.* [6] About the amount of
violence, Shiotani told Urobuchi,“just let us deal with it”
.* [6] Some of these violent scenes occur off-camera, but
whenever a protagonist was involved the moment was developed to be memorable. The team twice had to remake
scenes because the television station complained that they
went “overboard.”* [6]
Motohiro wanted the series to counter concurrent anime
trends. The use of moe (slang) was prohibited within
the staff because they appreciated dramas like Mobile
Suit Gundam and Patlabor that focus on conflicts between male characters. As the series was “anti-moe";
the team decided to avoid having the female lead character Akane remove her clothes and instead had Kogami
do it. Nevertheless, the show attracted a female viewership because the conflict between the male characters
appeared to attract the shonen ai genre fans.* [13] Although Shiotani also wanted the series to avoid romance
between male characters, he believed the fight scenes between male characters unintentionally attracted female
fans.* [13] The staff decided to focus on friendships rather
than romantic relationships.* [6]
Influences
Sketches of Shinya Kogami by Akira Amano. The staff avoided
using colors that would stand out.
When hearing the comments from Atsuko Ishizuka, di-
The series was inspired by several Western films, most notably L.A. Confidential.* [14] Director Naoyoshi Shiotani
cited several other influences, including Minority Report,
Gattaca, Brazil and Blade Runner; the latter of which he
compared very closely to Psycho-Pass.* [13] Before the
making of the series, Urobuchi insisted on using a Philip
K. Dick-inspired, dystopian narrative.* [4] The psychological themes were based on the time Shiotani watched
Lupin III during his childhood because he thought about
adding“today's youth trauma”to the series.* [5] The ri-
16.2. PSYCHO-PASS
valry between the main characters was based on the several dramas the staff liked.* [13] Other voice actors have
been credited in the making of the series because of the
ways they added traits to the characters.* [5]
Music
189
Psycho-Pass further suggests that the price of living without stress includes overriding the individual's needs in favor of general social value. It is morally and socially acceptable to kill individuals who may potentially commit
crimes, so long as we accept that the harm that a criminal
causes to society outweighs the harm we cause to an individual who is falsely charged. In other words, the Sibyl
System operates on the principles of opportunity cost and
acceptable risk. But relying on the Sibyl System paradoxically creates a society which fears no crime as a whole,
but individuals who personally fear the consequences of
the Sibyl System's verdicts. As such, Urobuchi himself
has said that one of the series' central thematic ideas is
“fear”as seen through Shogo Makishima's feeling of being out of place - because the Sibyl System cannot recognize him for what he actually is, he feels displaced and
deviant within the structure of society itself.* [22]
The staff had problems composing an opening theme for
the series until someone provided some music by Ling
Tosite Sigure, who was engaged to compose the opening theme. Egoist, who composed the ending theme,
had debuted on Noitamina with Guilty Crown. Shiotani
said they asked Egoist to record three versions of the
ending theme so they could alternate them to match the
episode's ending.* [10] Across the series, time limits resulted in the ending songs being removed or replaced with
instrumental versions to avoid cutting scenes from the
Emotional repression is also explored in Psycho-Pass.
episode. When there were concerns from the producers
The identification of latent criminals is partially based
of the songs, Tomohiro and Shiotani discussed this with
around the avoidance of emotions that society judges to
them.* [6]
be negative, such as sadness or anger. To avoid being
Two Psycho-Pass CDs were included in the second identified as a latent criminal, one must not feel these
and fifth Japanese home media release of the se- emotions heavily outside, where their Psycho-Pass can be
ries.* [15]* [16] The Psycho Pass original soundtrack was scanned. Kotaku states,“because of these scans, Psychoreleased by Sony Music Entertainment on May 29, Pass shows an interesting future where 'mental beauty' is
2013. It features fifty-five tracks composed by Yugo as sought after as physical beauty. It is also a future where
Kanno.* [17] The second original soundtrack was released the police's job is little more than to watch the latent crimon March 18, 2015.* [18] A two-volume drama CD called inals they control̶because if they did any real detective
Namae no nai kaibutsu (名 前 の な い 怪 物, lit. "The work, they might start to think like the criminals they are
Monster with no Name") based on the prequel novel trying to catch and thus become latent criminals themwas released between September 25 and November 27, selves.”* [2] Many of the main characters feel nostalgia
2013.* [19]* [20]
throughout the series. The many references to older literature, philosophy, music and theatre create a “nostalgic
world building for a time before psycho-passes”.* [21]
16.2.3
Themes
As some critics have noted, Psycho-Pass explores societal and psychological themes, such as the price of living without stress, and without fear of crime. Indeed,
the Sibyl System targets individuals who are considering
performing actions that might cause stress to others. But
this raises the question of whether it is morally and socially acceptable to charge individuals with crimes they
have not yet committed. For example, in the first episode,
a woman is raped, and the resultant trauma causes her
Psycho-Pass to become clouded. According to Sibyl's instructions, the police are therefore prepared to kill her.
But Akane steps in, refusing to accept Sibyl's verdict, and
manages to bring the woman's Psycho-Pass level back to
the acceptable range by speaking gently to her. Consequently, this challenges the notion that the potential to
commit a crime necessarily correlates with actually committing the crime. According to Anime News Network,
“We are all capable of doing bad things at times̶should
we be punished because we thought of hurting someone
before we act on it? Or because we were victims? It really
all comes back to that first episode and Akane's reaction
to the victim who presented as a violent criminal”.* [21]
16.2.4 Release
See also: List of Psycho-Pass episodes and List of
Psycho-Pass 2 episodes
The anime series produced by Production I.G. was
broadcast in Japan on Fuji TV's Noitamina programming block between October 12, 2012 and March 22,
2013.* [23]* [24] Toho started releasing the series on
DVD and Blu-ray formats on December 21, 2012 and
the eighth and final volume was released on July 26,
2013.* [25]* [26] Funimation has licensed the series in
North America and simulcast it on its website, first in
Japanese, and later weekly in English. Psycho-Pass was
one of three initial shows aired as a Funimation “broadcast dub.”* [27] A home media release was planned for
March 2014.* [28]* [29] In the United Kingdom, the series is licensed by Manga Entertainment and in Australia
by Madman Entertainment.* [30]* [31]
On July 6, 2013, Production I.G. president Mitsuhisa
Ishikawa said at Anime Expo that production on a second
190
CHAPTER 16. P
season had begun.* [32] The second season, titled PsychoPass 2, began airing in October 2014; the film was released in January 2015. Before the debut broadcast of
the second season, the first season̶condensed into 11
one-hour episodes̶began airing in July 2014.* [33] The
fourth episode was cancelled due to similarities with a
real life murder.* [34] Director Naoyoshi Shiotani apologized for this in his Twitter account. Nevertheless, Funimation streamed the episode.* [35] A Blu-ray box set was
announced with a scheduled release on October 15, 2014.
This set contains both the original first season broadcast
and the edited one-hour rerun episodes.* [36]
Hayakawa Publishing's S-F Magazine on June 25, 2014.
After the serialization ends, Hayakawa Bunko JA revised
the novels and published them in October 2014. Other
stories will focus on Choe Gu-sung, Shusei Kagari, Yayoi
Kunizuka and Shion Karanomori.* [33] Hayakawa Bunko
JA also published the Psycho Pass Genesis book in December 2014, which revealed the origins of Sybil and
Tonomi Masaoka's involvement.* [33]
Video games
Interactive visual novels titled Chimi Chara Psycho-Pass,
which feature chibi versions of the series' characters in
original stories, were included with Blu-ray Disc volumes
of the anime and are playable on any Blu-ray playing device.* [47]* [48] In May 2014, it was announced by Anime
News Network that a video game based on the series is
A new animated film was announced on September 6, being developed by 5pb. for the Xbox One. It featured
2013.* [39] It was released in Japanese cinemas on Jan- an original story written by Urobuchi, which takes place
uary 9, 2015. Urobuchi and Makoto Fukami are con- during the time period of the anime's first six episodes
tributing together as the film's writers.* [40]
and focuses on a new set of protagonists confronting a
new enemy on a remote island.* [49]
The second series aired on Fuji TV's Noitamina programming block between October 9, 2014 and December 18,
2014.* [37] The series was collected in a total of five DVD
and Blu-ray volumes between December 17, 2014 and
April 15, 2015.* [38]
16.2.5
Related media
Manga
A manga adaptation illustrated by Hikaru Miyoshi, titled
Inspector Akane Tsunemori (監視官常守朱 Kanshikan
Tsunemori Akane), began serialization in Shueisha's Jump
Square magazine from November 2, 2012.* [41] Its first
tankōbon volume was released by Shueisha on February
4, 2013.* [42] In November 2013, it was announced that
380,000 copies of the manga were shipped in Japan with
three volumes.* [43]
Another manga titled Psycho-Pass: Inspector Shinya
Kogami (監視官狡噛慎也 Kanshikan Kōgami Shinya)
premiered in the August issue of Mag Garden's Monthly
Comic Blade magazine on June 30, 2014. Natsuo Sai is
illustrating the series and the story is written by Midori
Gotou and Production I.G.* [33]
Novels
A novelization of the series by Makoto Fukami has been
published by Mag Garden in two volumes released on
February 4 and April 4, 2013.* [44]* [45] Shiotani said the
novels were more violent than the television series.* [13]
A prequel titled Namae no Nai Kaibutsu (名前のない怪
物, lit. "The Monster with no Name") was written by Aya
Takaba, who worked on the television series. Before the
novel was released, it was first published on the “Noitamina Novel”page on Noitamina's official website. The
novel was released on February 4, 2013.* [46]
16.2.6 Reception
Fuji TV producer Akitoshi Mori said Psycho-Pass was
the first work under his control. Early screenings of the
series at the Noitamina Shop & Café attracted few viewers, which bothered Mori. However, as the series continued, the quantity of viewers increased. By the final
episode, over 1,000 people had queued to watch the finale even though the venue could only accommodate seventy people. This made Mori happy because he realized how many fans were following and supporting the
show; he wanted to see a bigger audience at future screenings.* [33] DVDs and Blu-ray discs of the series achieved
good sales.* [50]* [51] In April 2014, the series was nominated for the Seiun Award.* [52] In the Newtype anime
awards from 2013, it was voted as fourth best title of the
year.* [53] Episode 11 of the series was awarded “Best
Episode”in the Noitamina 10th anniversary fan vote.
Shinya Kogami, Akane Tsunemori and Shogo Makishima
also appeared in such polls as winners of their own categories.* [54] Anime News Network also listed as the fifth
most accessible anime series for people who have not
watched Japanese animation.* [55]
The series was well received by publications for anime,
manga and other media. Rebecca Silverman from Anime
News Network praised the show for its“high level of interest”in depicting its dystopian world. However, she said
that its violent scenes were so gruesome they might scare
viewers.* [21]* [56] Kotaku's Richard Eisenbeis called it
a “compelling cyberpunk mystery”, praising the society depicted and the series of murders orchestrated by
A new series of novels focusing on four characters by Shogo Makishima. However, he criticized the use of adRyō Yoshigami began publication in the August issue of vanced technology and compared it with other science
16.2. PSYCHO-PASS
191
fiction films despite saying that it handled the themes better whereas Makishima's immunity to it was left unexplained.* [2] DVD Talk gave high praise to Makishima
because of his achievements across the story and his
personality.* [57] Certain episodes have been referred as
“filler”because they are used as a build-up to the climactic ones.* [21]* [58] Additionally, criticism has been made
by Bamboo Dong from ANN in regards to the plot twist
regarding the true nature of the Sybil System which she
called “one of the stupidest revelations in the history of
anime.”* [59]
Thomas Zoth from The Fandom Post praised the show's
focus on the relationships between the protagonists and
the development from these. Akane's growth across
the series earned major praise by multiple reviewers.* [60]* [61] Zoth enjoyed the series' climactic action
scenes between Kogami and Makishima, and the scenes
portraying the status quo. He said the sixteenth episode
is“Urobuchi's masterpiece.”* [62]* [63] Silverman commented on the parallelism between Akane's and Kogami's
development, which resulted in an ambiguous ending that
should be decided by the viewers.* [56] The supporting
cast received similar praise by DVD Talk but the reviewer
said some were underwhelming and Shion is the leastexplored character.* [64]
(of“PSYCHO-PASS”) by Dennis A. Amith and Michelle
Tymon (J!-ENT Interviews and Articles)". J!-Entoline.
May 7, 2013. Archived from the original on June 27,
2013. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
[7] Green, Scott (October 5, 2012). “Urobuchi Supports“PSYCHO-PASS”Director On Twitter SPOILER
ALERT”. Crunchyroll. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
[8] “Psycho-pass Anime Series Coming to Noitamina in October”. Anime News Network. March 30, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
[9] “Funimation Confirms Psycho Pass home video release”
. Anime News Network. March 30, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
[10] “Noitamina Interviews Psycho-Pass Director”. Otaku
USA. May 8, 2014. Archived from the original on May
9, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
[11] “Psycho-Pass 2's Scripts Overseen by Fafner's Tow
Ubukata”. Anime News Network. Retrieved June 23,
2014.
[12] Chapman, Hope; Nelkin Sarah (May 20, 2015). “Interview: Tow Ubukata”. Anime News Network. Retrieved
April 21, 2015.
[13] “Directors's Panel with Katsuyuki Motohiro, Naoyoshi
Shiotani, and Atsuko Ishizuka”. Anime News Network.
During the streaming of the series, Silverman criticized
March 30, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
the animation because of the low lighting levels that might
*
*
make it hard to understand. [21] [56] Hiroko Yamamura [14] “Interview: George Wada, Producer of Attack on Titan”
from Japanator noted the series' high budget and praised
. Anime News Network. July 23, 2013. Retrieved July
the animation style and the focus on details and technol23, 2013.
ogy. She was attracted by its premise and expected the
quality to remain consistent across the entire series.* [65] [15] “Blu-ray & DVD Series Volume 2”. Psycho Pass (in
Japanese). Retrieved January 8, 2013.
Similarly, Hope Chapman from ANN praised the anima*
tion for its high quality. [4] Episode 18, which is known [16] “Blu-ray & DVD Series Volume 5”. Psycho Pass (in
for its flawed animation, was improved for the home meJapanese). Retrieved January 8, 2013.
dia release of the series.* [59]
[17] ""PSYCHO-PASS”Complete Original Soundtrack”.
CDJapan. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
16.2.7
References
[1] "Psycho-Pass". Madman Entertainment.
February 14, 2015.
Retrieved
[2] Eisenbeis, Richard (January 8, 2013). “Psycho Pass is
a Compelling Cyberpunk Mystery (And Itʼs Only Half
Done)". Kotaku. Kotaku. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
[3] “Psycho-pass Anime Series Coming to Noitamina in October”. Anime News Network. March 30, 2012. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
[4] “Psycho-Pass Season One Blu-Ray - Complete Collection
Premium Edition”. Anime News Network. April 29,
2014. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
[5] “Psycho-Pass Chief Director: Word 'Moe' Is Banned
Among Staff”. Anime News Network. October 11, 2012.
Retrieved February 23, 2013.
[6] “Media Q&A with Executive Director Katsuyuki Motohiro, Director Naoyoshi Shiotani and Producer Joji Wada
[18] “PSYCHO-PASS Complete Original Soundtrack 2
3CD+Blu-ray/Limited Edition”. CDJapan. Retrieved
March 31, 2015.
[19] “Drama CD“PSYCHO-PASS (Anime)" Zero Namae no
Nai Kaibutsu First Part”. CDJapan. Retrieved December
29, 2013.
[20] “Drama CD “PSYCHO-PASS (Anime)" Zero Namae
no Nai Kaibutsu Last Part Regular Edition”. CDJapan.
Retrieved December 29, 2013.
[21] “Review: Psycho-Pass Episodes 1 - 11 Streaming”.
Anime News Network. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
[22] “Interview: Gen Urobuchi”. Anime News Network.
September 17, 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
[23] 第 1 話「犯罪係数」 (in Japanese). Production I.G.
Retrieved January 7, 2014.
[24] 第 22 話「完璧な世界」 (in Japanese). Production I.G.
Retrieved January 7, 2014.
192
[25] “Blu-ray & DVD”. TV アニメ「PSYCHO-PASS サイコ
パス」 (in Japanese). Psycho-Pass. Retrieved February
24, 2013.
[26] “Blu-ray & DVD”. TV アニメ「PSYCHO-PASS サイコ
パス」 (in Japanese). Psycho-Pass. Retrieved December
29, 2013.
CHAPTER 16. P
[44] “PSYCHO-PASS サ イ コ パ ス (上) 通 常 版" (in
Japanese). Psycho Pass. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
[45] “PSYCHO-PASS サ イ コ パ ス (下) 通 常 版" (in
Japanese). Psycho Pass. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
[27] “Introducing FUNimation Broadcast Dubs”. Retrieved
January 25, 2015.
[46] 「標本事件」とは何だったのか？『サイコパス』スピ
ンオフ⼩説が、ノイタミナノベル先⾏掲載決定 (in
Japanese). Anime Anime. January 13, 2013. Retrieved
December 29, 2013.
[28] “Funimation Streams Code:Breaker, Kamisama Kiss,
Jormungand, Psycho-Pass, Robotics;Notes, Oniai”.
Anime News Network. October 9, 2012.
[47] “Nitro+: Not Involved in Blu-ray Visual Novels, But Our
Staffers Are - News”. Anime News Network. July 2,
2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
[29] “PSYCHO-PASS Season One - Premium Edition”. Funimation Entertainment. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
[48] “Psycho-Pass Blu-rays to Include Mini-Adventure Games
- Interest”. Anime News Network. July 2, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
[30] “Madman Acquires Attack On Titan” (Press release).
Anime News Network. July 30, 2012.
[49] “Psycho-Pass Anime Gets Xbox One Game by 5pb.”.
Anime News Network. May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 27,
2014.
[31] “Manga UK Licenses Live-Action Hentai Kamen Film”
. Anime News Network. October 29, 2013. Retrieved
[50] “Japan's Animation DVD Ranking, June 17-23”. Anime
December 30, 2013.
News Network. June 25, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
[32] “I.G Head: 2nd Psycho-Pass Anime Season Is Underway”
. Anime News Network. July 6, 2013. Retrieved July 6, [51] “Japan's Animation Blu-ray Disc Ranking, June 17-23”
. Anime News Network. June 25, 2013. Retrieved April
2013.
29, 2014.
[33] “Psycho-Pass 2 to Debut in October, Followed by Win[52] ""Gargantia,”“Psycho-Pass”and “Girls und Panzer”
ter Film”. Anime News Network. March 21, 2014. ReNominated for Seiun Sci-Fi Award”. Crunchyroll. April
trieved March 21, 2014.
28, 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
[34] “Anime Episode Resembles Real-Life Murder, Won't Be
[53] “Attack on Titan Wins Top Prizes in Newtype Anime
Broadcasted”. Kotaku. July 31, 2014. Retrieved July 31,
Awards”. Anime News Network. Retrieved June 12,
2014.
2014.
[35] “Funimation Streams Cancelled Psycho-Pass Episode”.
Anime News Network. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
[36] “noitaminA HighlightsʻPsycho-PassʼBlu-ray Box Set,
First Anime Feature”. The Fandom Post. Retrieved July
8, 2014.
[37] “Psycho-Pass 2's Cast, Staff, Promo Video Unveiled”.
Anime News Network. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
[38] "「PSYCHO-PASS 2」BD&DVD 第 1 巻 12 ⽉ 17 ⽇
発売！". AnimeWebnt. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
[39] “Psycho-Pass Anime Gets New Film Along With 2nd
Season”. Anime News Network. September 6, 2013.
Retrieved September 8, 2013.
[54] “Winners of Noitamina 10th Anniversary Fan Vote Announced”. Anime News Network. March 31, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
[55] Lamb, Lynzee (August 23, 2014).“7“Gateway”Anime
Sure to Get Newbies Hooked”. Anime News Network.
Retrieved August 23, 2014.
[56] “Psycho-Pass episodes 12 - 22 Streaming”. Anime News
Network. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
[57] “Psycho-Pass: Part One (Blu-ray)". DVDTalk. Retrieved
April 18, 2014.
[58] “Psycho-Pass Episode #15 Anime Review”. The Fandom
Post. October 16, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
[40] “Psycho-Pass Film Slated for January 9 With Gen
Urobuchi, Makoto Fukami”. Anime News Network.
September 26, 2014. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
[59] Dong, Bamboo (April 14, 2014). “Hal I Met Your
Mother”. Anime News Network. Retrieved April 14,
2014.
[41] “I.G & Urobuchi's Psycho-Pass Sci-Fi Anime Inspires
Manga”. Anime News Network. October 2, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
[60] “Psycho-Pass Episode #13 Anime Review”. The Fandom
Post. January 22, 2013. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
[42] 監 視 官 常 守 朱 1 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved
February 24, 2013.
[61] Hanley, Andy. “ANIME REVIEW: Psycho-Pass Complete Season 1 Collection”. UK Anime Network. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
[43] “Psycho-Pass Manga About Akane Has 380,000 Copies
in Print”. Anime News Network. November 3, 2013.
Retrieved December 30, 2013.
[62] “Psycho-Pass Episode #21 – 22 Anime Review”. The
Fandom Post. March 21, 2013. Retrieved December 31,
2013.
16.2. PSYCHO-PASS
[63] “Psycho-Pass Episode #16 Anime Review”. The Fandom
Post. February 12, 2013. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
[64] “Psycho-Pass: Part Two (Blu-ray)". DVDTalk. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
[65] Yamamura, Hiroko (October 16, 2012). “First Impressions: Psycho-Pass”. Japanator. Retrieved March 21,
2013.
16.2.8
External links
• Official website (Japanese)
• Psycho-Pass at the Internet Movie Database
• Psycho-Pass (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Psycho-Pass 2 (anime) at Anime News Network's
encyclopedia
193
Chapter 17
Q
17.1 Queen's Blade Rebellion
Queen's Blade Rebellion (Japanese: クイーンズブレ
イドリベリオン Hepburn: Kuīnzu Bureido Riberion)
is a series of visual combat books published by Hobby
Japan. The sequel to Queen's Blade, it features an allnew cast of characters as well as remakes of characters
from the original series. Like Queen's Blade before it,
Rebellion is also compatible with Flying Buffalo's Lost
Worlds gamebooks. The first gamebook, featuring Annelotte, was released on November 29, 2008, with a total of twelve gamebooks available in Japan as of December 16, 2011. An original video animation by Arms
was announced, and released two episodes from October
2011 to January 2012. There are currently two manga
adaptations based on the Rebellion universe being serialized. The first adaptation, illustrated by Riri Sagara,
began serialization in Hobby Japan's online manga magazine Comic Dangan in December 2011, while the second manga adaptation, illustrated by Iku Nanzaki, began
serialization in the December 2011 issue of Comp Ace.
An anime adaptation by Arms aired on AT-X and other
networks between April and June 2012. The anime is
licensed in North America by Sentai Filmworks.
17.1.1
Story
Set after the events of Queen's Blade, Gainos and the
entire Continent has fallen under a tyrannical rule led
by Claudette, the Thundercloud Queen and victor of the
last Queen's Blade tournament (Leina renounces the title). Annelotte, a brave young knight and exiled princess,
leads a band of rebels called the Rebel Army to overthrow
Claudette and restore peace and order to the Continent.
17.1.2
Characters
Rebel Army
Annelotte Kreutz (叛 乱 の 騎 士 姫 ア ン ネ ロッ テ・
クロイツ Hanran no Kishi-Hime Annerotte Kuroitsu,
Princess-Knight of the Rebellion Annelotte)
Voiced by: Aya Endo (Japanese), Vibe Jones (English)
194
The protagonist of Rebellion, Annelotte is the charismatic leader of the Rebel Army. Formerly a member of the Knight Corps of Margrave Kreutz (クロ
イツ辺境伯 Kuroitsu Henkyōhaku) (her father), she
was raised as a boy named Alphonse Kreutz (アル
フォンス・クロイツ Arufonsu Kuroitsu). However, tragedy struck when her castle was destroyed
by Queen Claudette's forces. While fleeing from
Queen Claudette's Assassins in the Elven Forest, she
was taken in by Alleyne after being wounded and
later became her student, receiving formal swordstraining from her. Seeking revenge for her fallen
comrades, she formed the Rebel Army with a group
of similarly-fated female warriors in an attempt to
otherthrow the Queen.
It is revealed through the Bitōshi Senki visual
book and through the gamebook itself that she
is half-demon, and when pushed to the edge,
she transforms to her demonic form, which
consists of her having black hair, pointed ears,
pale skin, and red eyes. Her silver armor also
turns gold to reflect this change, and in this
state is powerful enough to overwhelm Elina,
Ymir, and Mirim, but loses all sense of reason
and turns into a berserker, unable to distinguish
friend from foe. Through her demonic powers, she fights on horseback with the aid of her
spectral steed Ambrosius (アンブロウシス
Anburōshisu), and wields Grim Venus (グリ
ム・ヴィナス Gurimu Vinasu), a broadsword
that can be converted to a lance at will. In this
state, she calls herself the“Possessed Knight”
(狂騎⼠ Kyō Kishi).
It is hinted through flashbacks of the second
Queen's Blade anime adaptation that Annelotte
may be Aldra's long lost sister, as a whitehaired figure resembling her can be seen walking with the latter. This is further hinted by
Annelotte being a half-demon like Aldra. It
is finally confirmed in the third volume of the
Bitōshi Senki visual book, as they both reunite
and remember their past. Her official English
name is“Princess Knight Annelotte”, and her
17.1. QUEEN'S BLADE REBELLION
name is a pun on the demon Astaroth.* [1] Created by Eiwa.* [2]
Yuit (錬 金 軍 師 ユ イッ ト Renkin Gunshi Yuitto,
Alchemy Strategist Yuit) and Vante (錬金鋼人ヴァ
ン テ Renkin Kōjin Vante, Alchemy Steel Woman
Vante)
Voiced by: Minori Chihara (Yuit) and Yukiko Takaguchi (Vante) (Japanese), Zoe Martin (Yuit) and
Jessica Paquet (Vante) (English)
195
mysterious power similar to magic, but is often seen spacing out and is very weak, so she's
not very useful in battle. Although Tarnyang is
always complaining to Sainyang, they are sisters united by a deep bond. With their combined attack“Double Dragon Formation”(双
⿓陣 Sōryūjin)i. Their official English names
are “Twin Taimashi Tarnyang and Sainyang”
.* [1] Created by Tomokazu Nakano.* [5]
Yuit is a young girl from the Little Elves tribe and the Mirim (超振動戦乙女ミリム Chōshindō Ikusa Otome
tactician of the Rebel Army. She is also Annelotte's Mirimu, Hyper Vibration Valkyrie Mirim)
Voiced by: Aki Toyosaki (Japanese), Brittany
childhood friend, and refers to her as“big brother”.
Lauda (English)
She is the daughter of Cyan, a legendary alchemist,
and is a good friend of the weaponsmith Cattleya. Originally a poor rural girl from the village of WasilDespite her genius IQ, she acts and behaves like a
ica (ワシリカ Washirika), Mirim sought to escape
spoiled child. She controls Vante, an elf-like windpoverty by seeking a job at the Queen's Capital. It
up automaton, built by Yuit's mother, through a rewas there that she was brought in by Ymir as a test
mote control she constantly carries, and acts under
subject for her “Strongest Project”, and became a
the orders written on the rune. Because of this,
member of the Queen's Army under a high-paying
Vante can easily fall into the wrong hands if the resalary. She is equipped with the Hyper Vibration
mote is stolen. The two of them together are offiArmor and armed with the Hyper Vibration Sword
cially known in English as the “Alchemy Miracle”
“Infinite Slasher”(インフィニット・スラッシャー
(錬⾦の奇跡 Renkin no Kiseki).* [1]
Infinitto Surasshā) – a sword with a chainsaw-like
edge, and the Hyper Vibration shield, all of which
are powered by the Hyper Vibration Crystal. DeYuit and Vante are illustrated by Spice and
spite being given the armor and weapons, she has
Wolf artist Keito Koume.* [3]* [4]
a weak-willed personality. She eventually leaves
the Queen's Army for the Rebel Army after Ymir
Tarnyang and Sainyang (対魔師ターニャンとサイ
tries to destroy her home village, in order to punニャン Taimashi Tānyan to Sainyan, Twin Masters of
ish the villagers for sheltering Annelotte. She calls
Magic Tarnyang and Sainyang)
Annelotte “Big Sister”(お姉様 Onee-sama).
Voiced by: Haruka Tomatsu (Tarnyang) and Kei
Shindō (Sainyang) (Japanese), Eva Christensen
(Tarnyang) and Jaime Maelor (Sainyang) (English)
Mirim's name is a play on the Norse mythological figure Mimir. Her Hyper Vibration armor
Tarnyang and Sainyang are twin sisters from the
and equipment, which have a Valkyrie motif, is
China-based country of Shai-Fang (シャイファン
also relevant to her name. Created by Hagane
Shaifan), an isolated region of the Continent surTsurugi.* [6]
rounded by steep and cloudy mountains. They are
the descendents of a lineage of exorcists that has
been carrying the responsibility of protecting the vil- Luna Luna (月影の踊り手ルナルナ Getsuei no Odorlage for generations, and are bound by an unbreak- ite Runaruna, Moon Shadow Dancer Luna Luna)
Voiced by: Harumi Sakurai (Japanese), Evelyn
able cord called the Ryu-Rin-Ren (⿓麟連 RyūrinLantto (English)
ren) which is wrapped around their necks. They left
for a journey in the outside world to bring back the Luna Luna is a member from the Calibara (カリバラ
Goshintai (ご神体, lit. “Sacred Body of God”),
Karibara) tribe located in the southern jungles. The
a mysterious divine protection that has once made
Calibara tribe were once rivals of the Wild Elves,
Shai-Fang a warm and peaceful land. It is later rebut now they're mostly extinguished. She is the
vealed that this “Goshintai”is actually a human, a
strongest warrior of her tribe, and is the guardian of
girl called the“Child of the Dragon”(⿓の⼦ Ryū
its historic ruins where the “Great Power”(⼤い
no Ko), considered a being with god-like powers in
なる⼒) is held. It is later revealed that this“Great
Shai-Fang.
Power”is the“Sacred Treasure Fortress Bligh”(神
機要塞ブライ Shinki Yōsai Burai), a massive moTarnyang, the older sister, is a holy sword user
bile fortress that Yuit's mother Cyan once sought.
wielding a jian with a strong-willed, but cheerShe sometimes greets her invaders with either a fasful, personality. Sainyang, the younger sister
cinating dance or a death dance. Luna Luna has the
and more taciturn of the two (she only whisbravery of a warrior and the character of an innocent
pers to her sister's ear), can use arts with a
maiden, and her fighting dance is a mixture of both.
196
CHAPTER 17. Q
She fights using four tentacles that extend from her Branwen is a Dragon Descendant (⻯の⾎を引く者
hair, and her skin color changes with her personality
Ryū no Chi o Hikusha), one of the most noble and
and fighting style. When she is in her innocent, fairrare beings in the Continent, also known as the Holy
skinned form, she is known as the “Sun Dancer”
Dragon Warriors (聖⻯の戦⼠ Seiryū no Senshi)
(太陽の踊り⼿ Taiyō no Odorite). Out of mockery
for serving the dragons in the ancient times. Cool,
at how Yuit addresses Annelotte, she calls the latcollected and proud but also gentle in nature, she
ter “brother”(おにいさん Onii-san). Created by
serves as a mediator for both races (though there are
F.S.* [7]
hardly any interaction between the dragons and humans), and is well-known among her people. CapSigui (異端審問官シギィ Itanshinmonkan Shigyi, Inquisitortured
Sigui)
by the trainer (and master) Dogura (調教師ド
Voiced by: Yū Kobayashi (Japanese), Rebecca Kim
グラ, Voiced by: Binbin Takaoka (Japanese), Mike
(English)
Pollock (English)), she has now become a gladiator
slave
forced to fight against other slaves and monA nun and an inquisitor belonging to the Holy Dynasty.
sters
in
the Swamp Witch's Arena, ordered to fight
A fundamentalist, she is an extremely strict, yet dein
exchange
for the life of her Dragon Ride, Asher
voted follower of God who is known for executing
(アッシャ
ー
Asshā).
heretics, usually by burning them alive. Although
many call her a cruel person, she is actually a virtuous woman, but she is too serious and inflexible and
does not hesitate in judging people.
In the OVA prologue, it is revealed that prior
to her title as Inquisitor, she was stationed at
the 16th monastery, and was invited by the
Holy Dynasty to worship in the Grand Cathedral. During that time, she met Ymir following a skirmish with some drunken women, and
has grown acquainted to her despite the latter's
merchant-like personality. It is also shown that
she tends to rush with her Holy Poses, often
rendering them ineffective.
Sigui is very eager to bring down the Rebel
Army, who she considers to be a band of
heretics, and sees their leader Annelotte, who
carries demon blood, as an abomination. She
also considers the use of alchemy as a heresy
(even the Holy Dynasty has divided opinions
on this topic). She is armed with the Holy
Flame Mace (聖炎の槌鉾) and God's Chained
Blade (神鎖剣), and her fighting skills rivals
Annelotte's. Like Melpha in Queen's Blade,
she is also a user of the “Divine Power”, the
manifestation of God's miracles utilized by the
provocative “Holy Poses”. Later on, she has
a crisis of faith, but Annelotte helps her and
tells her she doesn't have to fight alone anymore. She ends up joining the Rebel Army,
where she calls Annelotte “Elder Sister”(姉
上様 Aneue-sama).
Sigui is illustrated by Odanon.* [8]
Queen's Army
Despite being put through numerous death
matches, Branwen's pride as a Dragon Descendant will not allow her to die easily. Her power
as a Dragon Descendant is immense, and when
she cannot suppress her anger any longer, she
becomes a malevolent Dragon Warrior, pulverizing every enemy before her.
Branwen is named after the Welsh goddess
Branwen. Created by Odanon.* [9]
Laila (神罰の執行者ライラ Shinbatsu no Shikkōsha
Raira, Divine Punishment Enforcer Laila)
Voiced by: Satomi Satō (Japanese), Rebecca Kim
(English)
Laila is a half-angel who was taken to the celestial world
to become an angel trainee under Nanael's supervision (much to the despair of those around). However, she was not pushed around by Nanael's whims
because of her “my pace”nature (doing things in
her own pace), and it actually looked like she was
the one in control. Despite this, they get along well.
Nanael, who went on a rampage, ordered Laila to
clean the chaos on the human world with the “Divine Punishment”using Holy Milk. Because she
is not a true angel, Laila must wear the sacred tool
“Nephilim's Wings”(ネフィリムの⽻ Nefirimu
no Hane), an artificial wing, to fly, and she is armed
with the Heavenly Rifle which fires Holy Milk. At
first Laila looks very cool-headed, but she makes
so many mistakes that she might actually be very
dumb. She has the power to grow in size up to a
giant form, that she uses to stop the fortress Bligh
when the Rebel Army tries to attack Gainos.
Laila is illustrated by Hirotaka Akaga.* [10]
Branwen (囚 わ れ の 竜 戦 士 ブ ラ ン ウェ ン Toware Neutral
no Ryūsenshi Buranwen, Captured Dragon Warrior
Eilin (宝石姫エイリン Hōseki Hime Eirin, Gemstone
Branwen)
Voiced by: Kikuko Inoue (Japanese), DD Mont- Princess Eilin)
gomery (English)
Voiced by: Suzuko Mimori (Japanese), Veronica
17.1. QUEEN'S BLADE REBELLION
Meunch (English)
197
was resurrected by the Swamp Witch to become the
leader of her undead army in her plot to take over the
Continent. Despite being a scoundrel, she has elegant manners like a noble, which is one of the rules
from the Aesthetics. She also has a weakness for
elderly people, treating them with great care. She
has the ability to summon a flying pirate ship and its
phantom crew members through the Swamp Witch's
power. However, it becomes a crumbling phantom
ship over time, later disappearing. She fights using a
rapier and a crossbow. Though she doesn't feel like
she owes the Witch anything, she appears listed as a
member of the Swamp Army. Created by Haruyuki
Morisawa.* [13]
Eilin is a Dwarf from the Gemstone Mountains, a mountain in the Continent that produces gems. She has
a refined and elegant personlailty, but loves to fight,
evidenced through the giant war hammer she carries.
Increasing the wealth is the pride of Eilin's clan, and
she is famous for her outstanding business acumen
and negotiation skills. She is the cousin of Ymir, and
although she is very sassy with her, she bears a deep
respect for her after losing to Ymir in a fight during childhood. She believes the current Ymir to be
an imposter, and after agreeing to support Annelotte
in exchange for the Rebel Army's assistance in rescuing her cousin, she goes to the Queen's Castle to
confirm her suspicions. There, she meets the true Werbellia (沼地の魔女ウェルベリア Numachi no
Ymir, who bolts out of the room in anger at being Majo Weruberia, Swamp Witch Werbellia)
called a fake. Failing to convince her old friend Laila
Voiced by: Junko Minagawa
to not fight the Rebel Army, when Ymir comes back
Eilin notices that's not her cousin anymore. Created The being who is followed by the demons and corpses
inhabiting the Netherworld and who plans to rule
by Hiiro Yuki.* [11]
the Continent, she is the Swamp Witch. She suddenly appeared 100 years ago, and the swamp which
Izumi (戦神の侍イズミ Senshin no Samurai Izumi,
became her residence gradually expanded by her
War God Samurai Izumi)
magic, as she is trying to change the whole ContiVoiced by: Minako Kotobuki (Japanese), Jessi
nent into a barren land. She despises the Queen's
Nowack (English)
Blade tournament, as it maintains the present world.
With techniques to manipulate departed souls, to
Izumi is a ronin samurai from Hinomoto who is a user of
summon and to curse, it has reached the extreme
the self-proclaimed“War God Fencing Style”(戦神
that her magical power is perhaps the strongest in the
流剣術 Senshin-ryū Kenjutsu). In reality, she comes
Continent. The true character of the Swamp Witch
from a town of farmers and taught herself fencing.
has the form of a wicked spirit, and her soul and
After her false persona was discovered in Hinomoto,
magic are confined in a treasure that has a spider-like
she ran to the Continent where she came across Anform. Unless she parasitizes on an excellent body,
nelotte, and ended up following her of her own acher power will be extremely restricted. However,
cord. She acts aloof when she talks, but she still folthe Swamp Witch has finally obtained the supreme
lows her earnestly. Even if she were to lose her, she
body called Werbellia, and is able to display her
would follow her with her full spirit. She wields a
complete power. Werbellia is the demonic daughhuge nodachi called Saodake (サオダケ) which she
ter of the Demon King who lives in the Nethercarries on her back (she claims on her profile that she
world, and is Aldra's and Annelotte's mother. She
picked it up somewhere). She is also able to play a
“became”the
Swamp Witch around the end of the
whistle made from seashells that boosts her and her
penultimate
Queen's
Blade, in an incident that hapcomrades' strength. As a vain person, she won't ever
pened several years ago.
say she's“just a warrior from Hinomoto”to try and
correct her lie, and hates losing more than any of her
fighter comrades. Created by Yōsai Kūchū.* [12]
Captain Liliana (大 海 賊 キャ プ テ ン・ リ リ ア ナ
Daikaizoku Kyaputen Ririana, Great Pirate Captain
Liliana)
Voiced by: Shizuka Itō (Japanese), Marta Vital
(English)
Liliana was an infamous pirate who laid waste to the
Continent's coastal waters. She is the granddaughter of Pirate Queen Artemis (海賊⼥王アルテミ
ス Kaizoku Jo Ō Arutemisu), the writer of the “Pirate Aesthetics”(海賊の美学 Kaizoku no Bigaku),
a set of rules which Liliana follows. After she met
her untimely death by the sea monster Kraken, she
The Swamp Witch's behavior is basically decided by vague “fortune-telling”. For example, according to a prediction, she cannot
kill the beautiful fighters by her own hands; it
was predicted that the beautiful fighters would
harm themselves, so she weakened the beautiful fighters by casting a curse crueler than
killing them. This was known as the“Beautiful
Fighters Hunt”(美闘⼠狩り). Although she's
like an incarnation of evil, she is a being adored
by most of her subordinates. Apart from her
many unintelligible remarks, she is generous
and magnanimous, with an evil charisma.
Werbellia makes a brief cameo appearance in
198
CHAPTER 17. Q
the final episode of Queen's Blade: Beautiful
Fighters, where she appears (albeit in hooded
form) to curse Tomoe during the latter's journey back to Hinomoto. Created by MatsuRyu.* [14]
Returning characters
claw guantlet and cat-eared headband from her previous outfit. Although she does not have a gamebook
in Rebellion, she has appeared in all other media.
Created by Hirokazu Hisayuki.* [15]
Leina (レイナ Reina) / Maria (マリア) Voiced by:
Ayako Kawasumi (Japanese), Angora Deb (English)
A mysterious woman known as the Phantom Warrior (幻影の戦⼠ Gen'ei no Senshi) who aids the
Rebel Army. In reality, her true identity is Leina,
the Exiled Warrior and the true victor of the last
Queen's Blade tournament who had given up her tiFormerly known as the Lord of Thundercloud (雷 雲
tle as Queen to her half-sister Claudette to travel
の将 Raiun no Shō), Claudette is the current ruler
the world. However during her travels, she conof the Continent. She was defeated at the semifitracted a mysterious disease that requires her to
nals of the Queen's Blade tournament, but became
sleep 16 hours a day. Not only does she need to
Queen after Leina, the former champion, refused
sleep that long, she also experiences sudden cases
the throne. She was once respected as an honest, just
of narcolepsy, often requiring her to retreat to her
and upright person, but after she became the Queen,
hideout whenever she feels drowsiness. Nonetheshe proclaimed herself as "chosen by the Gods" and
less, she is a well-revered warrior who is loved by
abolished the Queen's Blade tournament altogether.
many. Due to the fighting spirit ingrained in her
She encouraged the research of the“Wizard Stones”
body, even when she falls asleep due to her curse,
(魔 導 ⽯ Madō Ishi), and civilization progressed
she viciously attacks all who approach her carelessly.
very quickly with the effort. She also invalidated
She has joined and helped Annelotte's party on sevthe traditional aristocrat system to give a chance of
eral occasions, but has a tendency to act alone. Alprosperity to all the people regardless of their birth.
though she does not have a gamebook in Rebellion,
she has appeared in all other media. Created by
Hirokazu
Hisayuki.
By becoming Queen, however, Claudette's
strictness has increased, and thus became a
ruthless tyrant. Those who break the law are
Ymir (鋼鉄参謀ユーミル Kōtetsu Sanbō Yūmiru, Iron
punished without mercy, and any opposition to
Strategist Ymir)
Voiced by: Ayaka Saito (Japanese), Kate Vincent
the Queen are completely obliterated by a pow(English)
erful military force. Along with a new set of
armor, her zweihander, Thunderclap, has also
Formerly known as the Iron Princess (鋼鉄姫 Kōtetsu
gained a significant upgrade through the power
Hime), Ymir was a former participant in the Queen's
of the Wizard Stones (courtesy of Ymir), and
Blade tournament. She had her weapon broken durcan now manipulate lightning without readying
ing a fight with Claudette, and by her clan's law is
the sword. Although she does not have a gameforced to submit to her demands. She became one
book in Rebellion, she has appeared in all other
of Queen Claudette's closest associates and, along
media. Created by Hirokazu Hisayuki.
with her rich knowledge of alchemy, invented various items to strengthen the Queen's Army. She beElina (牙を統べる者エリナ Kiba o Suberusha Erina,
came much cooler in personality, no longer being
Leader of the Fang Elina)
afraid of snakes, and rumors from those who knew
Voiced by: Kaori Mizuhashi (Japanese), Melissa
the often teary-eyed Ymir say she is now another
Hope (English)
person entirely. She now wields twin battle axes as
Claudette's younger half-sister and a former participant
weapons, and wears a new set of Dwarven armor
in the Queen's Blade tournament. Formerly the
modeled after the gothic lolita style of fashion. CreCaptain of the Vance Guard, Elina is now the leader
ated by Natsuki Mibu.* [16]
of the Queen's Assassins of the Fang after the Vance
House collapsed. She still has a huge sister com- Aldra (召喚士アルドラ Shōkanshi Arudora, Summoner Aldra)
plex for her older sister Leina, who has gone missVoiced by: Ayana Taketatsu (Japanese), Kenzie
ing prior to the series' start. This has resulted in her
Brooks (English)
being mentally unstable and having a sadistic, if not
psychotic, personality. Known to be the cruelist of The former Queen and victor of the last two Queen's
Blade tournaments, where she was known as the Bethe Assassins of the Fang, she will take down anyone
witched Queen (逢魔の⼥王 Oma no Jo Ō). In the
who goes against the Queen. She wears a brand-new
last tournament, the dark angel Delmore, the source
set of armor, though she still retains her trademark
Claudette (雷雲の女王クローデット Raiun no Jo Ō
Kurōdetto, Thundercloud Queen Claudette)
Voiced by: Atsuko Tanaka (Japanese), Gladys
Weiner (English)
17.1. QUEEN'S BLADE REBELLION
of her demonic powers, was stripped from her body,
and reverted to her true adult form after her defeat. She later embarked on a journey to find her
long-lost sister, but suffered from amnesia along the
way. During her journey, she fell in love with a man
and was later married. Her happy life was shortlived when the war between the Queen's Army and
the Rebel Army spread through the whole Continent, and to protect her beloved husband, she was
determined to throw herself in the fight, using her
innate summoning skills once again. Used to her
work as a Gondolier, she was convinced by Ymir to
join the Queen's Army when she saw Annelotte (actually Melona, posing as her) acting rude towards a
girl from her town.
She summoned and made a contract with
the Underworld dwellers Belphe (ベ ル フェ
Berufe, Voiced by: Mitsuo Iwata (Japanese),
Michelle Newman (English)) and Dogor (ド
ゴー ル Dogōru, Voiced by: Masahito Yabe
(Japanese), Casey Mongillo (English)) (an
amalgamation of the demon Belphegor). However, both demons are secretly plotting to eat
Aldra when given the opportunity. Created by
Kantaka.* [17]
Tomoe (剣聖巫女トモエ Kensei Miko Tomoe, Sword
Saint Priestess Tomoe)
Voiced by: Mamiko Noto (Japanese), Michele
Knotz (English)
199
increased to the point where she discards her
mace for hand-to-hand combat. Following Queen
Claudette's reign of terror on the Continent, she
founded the Rebel Army, funded by the distribution
of dark magic stones. However, she was captured
by the Queen's Army after the Swamp Witch, during a“Beautiful Fighter Hunt”, cast an“indomitable
curse”on her that made her unable to eat or sleep.
Although she has been weakened after a long stay in
prison, her fighting strength still remains. Her “organizational capacity”will fulfill an important role
to Annelotte. In the second volume of the Bitōshi
Senki visual book, Annelotte comes up with her new
nickname, impressed by her resolution. Although
she does not have a gamebook in Rebellion, she has
appeared in all other media. Created by Eiwa.
Menace (ア マ ラ の 女 王 Amara no Jo Ō Menasu,
Queen of Amara Menace)
Voiced by: Yuko Goto
The Ancient Princess of the Amara Kingdom, revived
by the power of the Swamp Witch, and one of the
participants in the Queen's Blade Tournament. With
the help of her eloquent and good partner, the Living Scepter Setora, after the tournament she succeeded in reviving her home, the Amara Kingdom,
in a small desert. She became the Queen of the
small kingdom. Going at her own pace as usual, she
doesn't appear to have changed much since becoming the Queen, but she now seems to think about
the ideal way she ought to manage her “country”
and her “people”. Currently, she loves the citizens of the new Kingdom of Amara (with a population of 98 people) from the bottom of her heart. In
the ruins of the Amara desert she found an ancient
treasure, the“Controlling Treasure”(⽀配の秘宝
Shihai no Hihō), that allowed her to manipulate anyone, but she was forced to hand it over to the Swamp
Witch. She has no intention of joining Annelotte in
their fight, and is only interested in the fortress the
Rebel Army acquired. Although she does not have a
gamebook in Rebellion, she has appeared in all other
media. Created by F.S.
A Warrior Priestess from Hinomoto and a former participant of the Queen's Blade tournament. After awakening her ultimate skills in the tournament and returning to Hinomoto, Tomoe was acknowledged as
the supreme warrior of Masakado Shrine, and was
given the title of Sword Saint Priestess from the High
Priest. However, during her travels in the Continent,
a curse of blindness was cast on her by the Swamp
Witch. Despite her loss of sight, Tomoe did not lose
her burning heart and gentle smile. The day her eyes
are opened again will probably be the day when the
world will submit to Hinamoto's sword skills. When
Annelotte travelled to Hinomoto, Tomoe trained her
to be calm and observe her foes when she fought, but Melona (千 変 の 謀 略 者 メ ロー ナ Senpen no
couldn't join her quest, as Tomoe chose to stay and Bōryakusha Merōna, Protean Trickster Melona)
Voiced by: Rie Kugimiya (Japanese), Trina Hilbe
keep protecting her village. Although she does not
(English)
have a gamebook in Rebellion, she has appeared in
all other media. Created by Eiwa.
Not much is known about her current role, but Melona seems to have left the Swamp Witch and is now
Risty (不屈の英雄リスティ Fukutsu no Eiyū Risuti,
considered part of the Queen's Army. In fact, she
Indomitable Heroine Risty)
poses as Ymir as a spy for the Swamp Witch (imVoiced by: Yuko Kaida (Japanese), Jessica Paquet
plying that she captured the real Ymir in the castle
(English)
in the Anime), by aiding the Queen in power, makThe benevolent Bandit of the Wilderness and a friendly
ing Mirim a guinea pig for the Hyper vibration Suit
rival to Leina who, following the tournament, reExperiment, tricking Aldra to help the queen and
sumed her training. As a result, her muscle strength
trying to make Annelotte to lose her good side as
200
CHAPTER 17. Q
a Demon form. All in order to make conflicts between continents and the rebellions, so the Swamp
Witch can attack all of them and to rule all over the
continents. Created by F.S.
(シギィの聖なるポーズしっぽりレッスン Shigyi no
Seinaru Pōzu Shippori Ressun), were released on January
28, 2012.* [34]
An anime adaption of Rebellion, first announced on October 22, 2011,* [35] premiered on April 3, 2012 on AT-X
and other networks,* [36] and ran twelve episodes until
17.1.3 Media
June 19, 2012. The anime was produced by Arms under the directorship of Yousei Morino, the director from
Gamebooks
the OVA prologues, with script handled by Hideki Shi*
rane, character designs by Rin-Sin, Takayuki Noguchi,
• Annelotte – Released November 29, 2008. [18]
and Yukiko Ishibashi, and music composed by Masaru
• Mirim – Released April 18, 2009.* [19]
Yokoyama. Six DVD and Blu-ray volumes will later be
released by Media Factory, starting from June 25, 2012.
• Yuit & Vante – Released August 31, 2009.* [20]
Each DVD/BD volume will contain an OVA short enti• A Yuit figurine was also released with the lim- tled“What Will It Look Like If It Smashes Through Restrictions!?" (限界突破で⾒えちゃうの Genkai Toppa
ited edition version of the book.* [21]
de Miechau no!?).* [37] Simulcasts of the anime are pro• Tarnyang & Sainyang – Released September 26, vided by Crunchyroll, starting from April 12, 2012.* [38]
2009.* [22]
The anime TV series was licensed for distribution in
North America by Sentai Filmworks in 2012.* [39] The
• Sigui – Released November 28, 2009.* [23]
anime is streamed through Crunchyroll and Anime Network.
Section23 Films initially announced the North
*
• Luna Luna – Released January 16, 2010. [24]
American release for the anime series on Blu-ray and
DVD (both including 2 CD soundtracks) for June 9,
• Eilin & Ymir – Released April 30, 2010.* [25]
2013, however the release was delayed to September 24,
• Aldra – Released July 31, 2010.* [26]
2013.* [40] The English language version was produced
• A limited edition version featuring an Aldra for Sentai by NYAV Post and Headline Sound.
Revoltech figure was also released.* [27]
• Liliana – Released February 10, 2011.* [28]
• Branwen – Released February 10, 2011.* [29]
• Laila – Released July 28, 2011.* [30]
• Izumi – Released December 16, 2011.* [31]
Music The opening theme for the series is“I Can Hear
the Song of Life”(命のうたが聞こえる Inochi no Uta
ga Kikoeru) by Naomi Tamura, while the ending theme
is “future is serious”by Aika Kobayashi. Both songs
were released as CD singles on April 25, 2012 by Media
Factory.* [41]
Anime
Manga
Main article: List of Queen's Blade Rebellion episodes
A manga adaptation of Rebellion called Queen's Blade
Rebellion: Zero (ク イー ン ズ ブ レ イ ド リ ベ リ オ
ン:ZERO Kuīnzu Bureido Riberion: ZERO), illustrated by
Riri Sagara, began weekly serialization in Hobby Japan's
online manga magazine Comic Dangan on December 2,
2011.* [42] Zero acts as the prequel for the Rebellion
storyline, centering on Annelotte's life before Claudette
took the throne, and features characters from the original
Queen's Blade. The first volume was released on April
2, 2012,* [43] with a total of two volumes available in
Japan as of October 27, 2011 under Hobby Japan's Dangan Comics imprint.* [44]
An OVA anime adaptation of Rebellion was bundled
with the Queen's Blade Premium Visual Book and Queen's
Blade Rebellion Premium Visual Book on DVD.* [32]
Serving as prologues, the OVAs take place after the
events of Queen's Blade: Beautiful Fighters. The OVAs
are produced by animation studio Arms, who produced
the previous Queen's Blade anime and OVA adaptations,
under the directorship of Yousei Morino. Voice actresses
Yū Kobayashi and Aya Endo reprised their respective
roles as Sigui and Annelotte. The first set of OVAs, entitled “A New Disciple, a New Battle”(新たなる師
弟、新たなる闘い) and“Instructor Alleyne's Grueling
Boot Camp”(アレイン教官の⽣しごきブートキャ
ンプ), were released on October 29, 2011.* [33] The second set of OVAs, entitled “A Saint's Agony: The Door
of Faith Reopens”(聖⼥の煩悶〜信仰の扉は、ま
た開く〜) and “Sigui's Passionate Holy Pose Lessons”
A second manga adaptation of Rebellion called Queen's
Blade Rebellion: Princess Knight of the Blue Storm (ク
イーンズブレイドリベリオン〜⻘嵐の姫騎⼠〜
Kuīnzu Bureido Riberion ~Aoarashi no Hime-Kishi~), illustrated by Iku Nanzaki (the author of Queen's Blade:
Hide & Seek), began serialization in the December 2011
issue of Kadokawa Shoten's Comp Ace magazine, pub-
17.1. QUEEN'S BLADE REBELLION
201
lished on October 26, 2011.* [45] The first bound volume
was released on March 26, 2012.* [46]
[4] “Official Vante Bio” (in Japanese). Hobby Japan. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
Other
[5] “Official Tarnyang and Sainyang Bio” (in Japanese).
Hobby Japan. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
A light novel adaptation of Queen's Blade Rebellion written by Ukyo Kodachi was published by Hobby Japan on
May 30, 2009 under its HJ Bunko imprint.* [47]
A series of visual books, called Queen's Blade Rebellion:
Bitōshi Senki (クイーンズブレイドリベリオン美
闘 ⼠ 戦 記 Kuīnzu Bureido Riberion: Bitōshi Senki, lit.
Queen's Blade Rebellion: Beautiful Fighter War Chronicle), were published by Hobby Japan. The books are
compilations of the illustrated stories posted on Hobby
Japan's media site, Hobby Channel, along with additional
material. The first visual book, written by Tomohiro
Matsu and illustrated by Hagane Tsurugi and Eiwa, was
released by Hobby Japan on September 26, 2009.* [48]
A limited edition version of the book was also released
on the same day, featuring a drama CD. The second visual book, called Queen's Blade Rebellion: Bitōshi Senki
Upheaval Arc (クイーンズブレイドリベリオン美闘
⼠戦記激動編 Kuīnzu Bureido Riberion: Bitōshi Senki
Gekidō Hen), written by Tomohiro Matsu and illustrated
by Eiwa, was released by Hobby Japan on October 5,
2010.* [49] A third visual book, called Queen's Blade Rebellion: Bitōshi Senki Showdown Arc (クイーンズブ
レイドリベリオン美闘⼠戦記決戦編 Kuīnzu Bureido Riberion: Bitōshi Senki Kessen Hen), written by Eiji
Okita and illustrated by Odanon and Eiwa, was released
by Hobby Japan on July 28, 2012.* [50]
An artbook called Queen's Blade: Vanquished Queens
(クイーンズブレイドヴァンキッシュド・クイー
ンズ Kuīnzu Bureido: Vankisshudo Kuīnzu), with various illustrations by the original artists, was released by
Hobby Japan on August 31, 2011.* [51] The artbook
shows possible defeated scenarios of the fighters from
both the Queen's Blade and the Queen's Blade Rebellion
saga. A second artbook called Queen's Blade: Vanquished Queens 2 (クイーンズブレイドヴァンキッ
シュド・クイーンズ 2 Kuīnzu Bureido: Vankisshudo
Kuīnzu 2) was announced by Hobby Japan to be released
on November 30, 2012.* [52]
A guidebook to the anime series, called Queen's Blade
Rebellion Complete (クイーンズブレイドリベリオ
ンコンプリート Kuīnzu Bureido Riberion Konpurīto),
was released by Hobby Japan on August 22, 2012.* [53]
17.1.4
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[2] “Official Annelotte Bio” (in Japanese). Hobby Japan.
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[3] “Official Yuit Bio” (in Japanese). Hobby Japan. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
[6] “Official Mirim Bio” (in Japanese). Hobby Japan. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
[7] “Official Luna Luna Bio” (in Japanese). Hobby Japan.
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[8] “Official Sigui Bio” (in Japanese). Hobby Japan. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
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2011.
[53] クイーンズブレイドリベリオンコンプリート (in
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ア ル ブッ ク (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved
November 4, 2011.
[35] "Queen's Blade: Rebellion TV Anime Green-Lit”. Anime
News Network. October 22, 2011. Retrieved October 22,
2011.
[36] "Queen's Blade: Rebellion TV Anime Slated for April”.
Anime News Network. December 24, 2011. Retrieved
December 25, 2011.
[37] "Queen's Blade: Rebellion BDs/DVDs to Add Original
Anime”. Anime News Network. March 12, 2012. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
17.1.5 External links
• Queen's Blade official site (Japanese)
• Official anime website (Japanese)
• Queen's Blade Rebellion (anime) at Anime News
Network's encyclopedia
17.2 The Qwaser of Stigmata
[38] “Crunchyroll Adds Queen's Blade: Rebellion TV Anime”
. Anime News Network. April 9, 2012. Retrieved April The Qwaser of Stigmata (Japanese: 聖 痕 の クェ イ
サー Hepburn: Seikon no Kueisā) is an action manga and
9, 2012.
anime series authored by Hiroyuki Yoshino featuring art
by Kenetsu Satō. The series is notable for its violence,
fan service, and the use of breast milk as a central plot
device. The manga series is published in Japan in the
[40] “North American Anime, Manga Releases, September Shōnen manga magazine Champion Red, starting in 2006
22-28”. Anime News Network. September 24, 2013. and continuing as of 2015. A 24-episode anime television
series was produced with the same title as the manga seRetrieved February 12, 2014.
ries and broadcast in Japan on Biglobe in 2010. An OVA
[41] “Naomi Tamura, Aika Kobayashi Sing New Queen's adaptation titled The Qwaser of Stigmata: Portrait of the
Blade Themes”. Anime News Network. February 23, Empress (聖痕のクェイサー: ⼥帝の肖像 Seikon no
2012. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
Kweisā: Jotei no Shōzō) was also produced and released
[42] “Hobby Japan to Launch Comic Dangan Magazine in De- on DVD with the manga series volume 10. A 12-episode
cember”. Anime News Network. September 21, 2011. second season was produced with the title The Qwaser
Retrieved September 21, 2011.
of Stigmata II (聖痕のクェイサーII Seikon no Kweisā
[39] “Sentai Filmworks Adds Queen's Blade: Rebellion TV
Anime”. Anime News Network. April 17, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2012.
17.2. THE QWASER OF STIGMATA
Tsū) and was broadcast in Japan between April and June,
2011.* [1]
Sentai Filmworks licensed both seasons and the OVA
for digital distribution and home video release in North
America, releasing English subtitled DVD sets in 2012
and 2013.* [2]
17.2.1
Plot
See also: List of The Qwaser of Stigmata characters
The story chronicles the school lives of Mafuyu Oribe
and Tomo Yamanobe at the Japanese Eastern Orthodox school St. Mihailov Academy where they have endured persecution and isolation from other students led
by the daughter of the current dean Miyuri Tsujidou and
her second-in-command Hana Katsuragi. Mafuyu and
Tomo's lives take a drastic turn when they nurse the silverhaired Russian-born Alexander“Sasha”Nikolaevich Hell
back to health upon encountering him unconscious during their home commute one day. Almost immediately,
Sasha begins to repay Mafuyu and Tomo's humanitarianism as he repels their tormentors; however, this does not
change Sasha's prologue as a throw-away Qwaser from
the Adepts and that the Adepts have no qualms about
making an absolute war zone of the Academy in order
to acquire the Theotokos of Tsarytsin from Athos who
wishes to keep the icon's existence a secret from the
world.
Concepts and terminology
• Athos: an espionage and special operations agency
of the Eastern Orthodox Church like the CIA or
the FBI in the United States and even Interpol
whose alpha objective is to prevent the Theotokos
of Tsarytsin from becoming global community discourse. The inception of the series depicts the Iron
Qwaser Aleksander“Sasha”Nikolaevich Hell performing this function alongside his Maria partner
Teresa.
• Maria designation given to the alter-ego combat
partner of a Qwaser whose primary function is to
provide soma. In the series, Sasha and Ekaterina
each demonstrate that the relationship between a
Qwaser and its Maria can vary on the spectrum of
being purely professional to very personal. Is a reference to the Virgin Mary breastfeeding baby Jesus
as Qwasers recharge their powers by drinking the
Soma from their Maria. Ekaterina referred to her
Maria, Hana, as a Mary Magdalen as a form of abuse
in reference to the supposition that the Mary Magdalen in the Bible was a prostitute. She is the only
Qwaser who has ever referred to a Maria that way
and only during the chapter when she chose Hana as
her Maria.
203
• Qwaser: any of the anthropoid beings who possess
supernatural powers affording them utility over a
single chemical element. This specialized utility can
vary widely in quality between different Qwasers
and even under different circumstances; in order to
maintain this specialized utility, it is necessary for a
Qwaser to always have an adequate supply of soma.
• Soma: the sacred substance that fuels a Qwaser's
elemental powers especially in battle. Whenever
a Qwaser is replenishing its soma by breastfeeding from a nubile maiden, the Qwaser is draining away the maiden's life force through the breast
milk whose quality and potency can be magnified
(or diminished) by the situational emotions of the
maiden like how coffee or tea is sometimes modified by adding cream or sugar. The personality
of the quarry maiden also plays a role as well; although in the case of very childlike maidens like
Tomo, this ends up working to the Qwaser's detriment. Even then, the perspective is that the benefits
are worth the risk since Ekaterina tries to capitalize
upon Hana's sadomasochism for this reason. The
maidens selected for this are referred to as Maria or
Mary in reference to the Virgin Mary breastfeeding
the baby Jesus.
• Theotokos of Tsarytsin: the legendary icon depicting the Virgin Mary breastfeeding an infant
Jesus fabled to alter the homeostasis of the world.
• High Ancient Circuit: mysterious elemental circuit consisting of five items that are known as Sword
of Maria, Magdalena of Thunder, Noah of Gold,
Moses of Silence, and David of Resurrection. Their
existence cannot be copied or reproduced, even how
the circuit was created is highly unknown.
• Twelve Adepts: a religious sect whose leadership
comprises thirteen Qwasers whose alpha objective
is to acquire the Theotokos of Tsarytsin in order to
purify what they see as pollution in the world using
the secrets of the Sacred Mysteries. The Adepts'
secondary objective is to accumulate a huge reserve
of high-quality soma by kidnapping nubile maidens and torturing them into becoming human storage tanks. Sasha's vendetta with the Adepts lies in
their objective of manufacturing high-level Qwasers
through barbaric and medieval practices.
17.2.2 Media
Manga
See also: List of The Qwaser of Stigmata volumes
The manga is written by Hiroyuki Yoshino and illustrated
by Kenetsu Satō. The Qwaser of Stigmata is currently
204
CHAPTER 17. Q
serialized by Akita Shoten in Champion Red magazine gives the series grades from “C+" (story) to “A-" (muand the chapters collected in tankōbon. As of June 2015, sic).* [11]* [12]
twenty one volumes have been released with the first released on December 20, 2006.* [3]
Internet radio show
The manga series has been licensed internationally, translated, and published in several countries outside Japan.
Lantis has taken the opportunity presented by the Seikon
The series is licensed in France by Kazé, listing the first
no Qwaser anime to produce an Internet radio show star*
14 volumes in their online catalog. [4] In Italy the manga
ring Aki Toyosaki as Tomo Yamanobe and Yōko Hikasa
*
series is licensed by J-Pop Edizioni. [5] and Ever Glory
as Hana Katsuragi * [13] alongside commercially releas*
Publishing in Taiwan. [6] Tokyopop licensed the series
ing the five theme songs as indicated in the table below.
for the North American market and published the first
They released also an original soundtrack composed by
four volumes; however, since resuming business in DeTatsuya Kato on June 7, 2010.
cember 2012, the title has not been listed in their online
*
catalog. [7]
17.2.3 References
Anime
See also: List of The Qwaser of Stigmata episodes
A 24-episode anime television series titled The Qwaser
of Stigmata (聖痕のクェイサー Seikon no Qwaser) was
adaptated from the manga series of the same name and
broadcast as a censored version on Biglobe. An uncensored version of the series was streamed online. The first
season was followed by a single episode OVA with the title The Qwaser of Stigmata: Portrait of the Empress (聖
痕のクェイサー: ⼥帝の肖像 Seikon no Kweisā: Jotei
no Shouzou) that was released on DVD with the manga
series volume 10. A 12-episode second season titled The
Qwaser of Stigmata II (聖痕のクェイサーII Seikon no
Kweisā Tsū) was broadcast in Japan in 2011 . The first
and second seasons were also released on DVD in Japan.
Sentai Filmworks licensed both seasons and the OVA in
North America and released three English subtitled DVD
sets between 2012 and 2013.
• The Qwaser of Stigmata - Collection 1, 3 DVDs,
episodes 1-12, released: 2012-12-31.
• The Qwaser of Stigmata - Collection 2, 3 DVDs,
episodes 13-24, released: 2013-02-26.
• The Qwaser of Stigmata II - Complete Collection, 3
DVDs, episodes 1-12 plus the OVA, released: 201304-30.
[1]“Qwaser of Stigmata Season 2 Announced”(in Japanese).
JBook. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
[2] “Sentai Filmworks Licenses Qwaser of Stigmata Anime”
. Anime News Network. July 1, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
[3] 聖痕のクェイサー第 1 巻 (in Japanese). Akita Shoten.
Retrieved January 3, 2015.
[4] “The Qwaser of Stigmata”(in French). Kazé. Retrieved
December 3, 2013.
[5] “The Qwaser of Stigmata”(in Italian). J-Pop. Retrieved
January 10, 2010.
[6] 聖痕鍊金士 (in Chinese). Ever Glory Publishing. Retrieved January 10, 2010.
[7] “Tokyopop Adds Songs & Laughter, Ratman, Seikon no
Qwaser”. Anime News Network. September 26, 2009.
Retrieved January 10, 2010.
[8] Beveridge, Chris (December 21, 2012).“Qwaser Of Stigmata Season 1 Collection 1 Anime DVD Review”. fandompost.com. Retrieved 2013-12-02.
[9] Beveridge, Chris (February 20, 2013). “Qwaser Of Stigmata Season 1 Collection 2 Anime DVD Review”. The
Fandom Post. Retrieved 2013-12-02.
[10] Beveridge, Chris (May 7, 2013). “Qwaser Of Stigmata
II Complete Collection Anime DVD Review”. fandompost.com. Retrieved 2013-12-02.
Anime Network posted the Season I and II episodes for
online streaming (uncensored).
[11] Martin, Theron (January 25, 2013).“The Qwaser of Stigmata Sub.DVD - Collection 1”. review. Anime News
Network. Retrieved 2013-12-02.
Reception All three of the North American DVD release collections have been reviewed and reviews for the [12] Martin, Theron (March 8, 2013). “The Qwaser of Stigseries are generally positive. Long-time anime reviewer
mata Sub.DVD - Collection 2”. review. Anime News
Chris Beverage gives the series' grades in the“B”range
Network. Retrieved 2013-12-02.
in The Fandom Post.* [8]* [9]* [10] Theron Martin, an
anime reviewer for the Anime News Network, reviewed [13] 聖痕のクェイサーラジオ！〜ミハイロフ学園放送
the DVD release collections 1 and 2 of the first season
部〜 (in Japanese). Lantis. Retrieved January 10, 2010.
17.2. THE QWASER OF STIGMATA
17.2.4
External links
• Official website of the anime (Japanese)
• The Qwaser of Stigmata (manga) at Anime News
Network's encyclopedia
205
Chapter 18
R
18.1 Ranma ½
18.1.1 Plot
See also: List of Ranma ½ characters
“Ranma”redirects here. For other uses, see Ranma
(disambiguation).
Ranma ½ (Japanese: ら ん ま ½ Hepburn: Ranma
Nibun-no-Ichi, pronounced Ranma One-Half) is a
Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko
Takahashi. It was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Sunday
from September 1987 to March 1996, with the chapters
collected into 38 tankōbon volumes by Shogakukan. The
story revolves around a teenage boy named Ranma Saotome who has trained in martial arts since early childhood. As a result of an accident during a training journey, he is cursed to become a girl when splashed with
cold water, while hot water changes him back into a boy.
Throughout the series Ranma seeks out a way to rid himself of his curse, while his friends, enemies and many fiancées constantly hinder and interfere.
Ranma ½ has a comedic formula and a sex-changing
main character, who often willfully transforms into a girl
to advance his goals. The series also contains many other
characters, whose intricate relationships with each other,
unusual characteristics, and eccentric personalities drive
most of the stories. Although the characters and their relationships are complicated, they rarely change once they
are firmly introduced and settled into the series.
The manga has been adapted into two anime series created by Studio Deen: Ranma ½ and Ranma ½ Nettōhen
(らんま ½ 熱闘編), which together were broadcast on
Fuji Television from 1989 to 1992. In addition, they developed 12 original video animations and three films. In
2011, a live-action television special was produced and
aired on Nippon Television. The manga and anime series were licensed by Viz Media for English-language
releases in North America. Madman Entertainment released part of the anime series and the first two movies in
Australasia and MVM Films released the first two movies
in the United Kingdom.
On a training journey in the Bayankala Mountain Range
in the Qinghai Province of China, Ranma Saotome and
his father Genma fall into the cursed springs at Jusenkyo
(呪泉郷). When someone falls into a cursed spring, they
take the physical form of whatever drowned there hundreds or thousands of years ago whenever they come into
contact with cold water. The curse will revert when exposed to hot water until their next cold water exposure.
Genma falls into the spring of a drowned panda while
Ranma falls into the spring of a drowned girl.
Upon returning to Japan, the pair settle in Nerima, Tokyo
at the dojo of Genma's old friend Soun Tendo, a fellow
practitioner of Musabetsu Kakutō Ryū (無差別格闘流)
or“Anything-Goes School”of martial arts which Genma
passed on to Ranma. Genma and Soun agreed years ago
that their children would marry and carry on the Tendo
Dojo. Soun has three teenaged daughters: the polite and
easygoing Kasumi, the greedy and indifferent Nabiki and
the rather spiteful, martial arts practicing Akane. Akane,
who is Ranma's age, is appointed for bridal duty by her
sisters with the reasoning that Akane dislikes men and
since Ranma is only a man half of the time, they are
perfect together. Both Ranma and Akane refuse the engagement initially, having not been consulted on the decision, but they are generally treated as betrothed and
end up helping or saving each other on some occasions.
They are frequently found in each other's company and
are constantly arguing in their trademark awkward lovehate manner that is a franchise focus.
Ranma goes to school with Akane at Furinkan High
School (⾵林館⾼校 Fūrinkan Kōkō), where he meets his
recurring opponent Tatewaki Kuno, the conceited kendo
team captain who aggressively pursues Akane, but also
falls in love with Ranma's female form without ever discovering his curse (despite most other characters knowing it). Nerima serves as a backdrop for more martial
arts mayhem with the introduction of Ranma's regular rivals, such as the eternally lost Ryoga Hibiki who traveled
half way across Japan getting from the front of his house
to the back, where Ranma spent three days waiting for
206
18.1. RANMA ½
207
him. Ryoga, seeking revenge on Ranma, followed him
to Jusenkyo where he ultimately falls into the Spring of
Drown Piglet. Now when splashed with cold water he
takes the form of a little black pig. Not knowing this,
Akane takes the piglet as a pet and names it P-chan, but
Ranma knows and hates him for keeping this secret and
taking advantage of the situation. Another rival is the
nearsighted Mousse, who also falls into the magic pool
and becomes a duck when he gets wet, and finally, there
is Ranma's impish grandmaster, Happosai, who spends
his time stealing the underwear of schoolgirls.
think in terms of societal agendas and that she created
the Ranma ½ concept from simply wanting “a simple,
fun idea.”She added that she, as a woman and while
recalling what manga she liked to read as a child, felt
that“humans turning into animals might also be fun and
märchenhaft...you know, like a fairy tale.”* [6] In 2013,
she revealed that at the start of Ranma her editor told her
to make it more dramatic, but she felt that was something
she could not do. However, she admitted that drama did
start to appear at the end. She also sat in on the voice actor auditions for the anime, where she insisted that male
actors whose
Ranma's prospective paramours include the martial arts and female Ranma be voiced by different
gender corresponded to that of the part.* [7]
rhythmic gymnastics champion Kodachi Kuno, and his
second fiancée and childhood friend Ukyo Kuonji the
okonomiyaki vendor, along with the Chinese Amazon
Shampoo, supported by her great-grandmother Cologne. 18.1.3 Media
As the series progresses, the school becomes more eccentric with the return of the demented, Hawaii-obsessed Manga
Principal Kuno and the placement of the power-leeching
alternating child/adult Hinako Ninomiya as Ranma's En- Main article: List of Ranma ½ chapters
glish teacher. Ranma's indecision to choose his true love
causes chaos in his romantic and school life.
Written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi, Ranma ½
18.1.2
Production
Rumiko Takahashi stated that Ranma ½ was conceived
to be a martial arts manga that connects all aspects of everyday life to martial arts.* [1] Because her previous series had female protagonists, the author decided that she
wanted a male this time. However, she was worried about
writing a male main character, therefore decided to make
him half female.* [2] Before deciding on water for initiating his changes, she considered Ranma changing every
time he was punched. It was after deciding this that she
felt Jusenkyo had to be set in China, as it is the only place
that could have such mysterious springs.* [3] She drew inspiration for Ranma ½ from a variety of real-world objects. Some of the places frequently seen in the series are
modeled after actual locations in Nerima, Tokyo (both
the home of Takahashi and the setting of Ranma ½).* [4]
In a 1990 interview with Amazing Heroes, Takahashi
stated that she had four assistants that draw the backgrounds, panel lines and tone, while she creates the story
and layout, and pencils and inks the characters.* [5] All
her assistants are female, as Takahashi refuses to have
males so that the girls will not be distracted. In 1992,
she explained her process as beginning with laying out
the chapter in the evening so as to finish it by dawn, and
resting for a day before calling her assistants. They finish
it in two or three nights, usually utilizing five days for a
chapter.* [2]
began publication in Weekly Shōnen Sunday issue #36 of
1987, following the ending of her series Urusei Yatsura.
From September 1987 until March 1996, the manga was
published on a near weekly basis with the occasional colored page to spruce up the usually black and white stories.
After nearly a decade of storylines, the final chapter was
published in Weekly Shōnen Sunday issue #12 of 1996.
The 407 chapters were periodically collected and published by Shogakukan into a total of 38 black and white
tankōbon volumes from 1988 to 1996. They were reassembled into 38 shinsōban from April 2002 to October
2003.* [8]* [9]
North American publisher Viz Media originally released
Ranma ½ in a monthly comic book format that contained two chapters each from 1992 to 2003, and had the
images “flipped”to read left-to-right, causing the art
to be mirrored. These were periodically collected into
graphic novels. On March 18, 2004, after releasing 21
volumes, Viz announced that it would reprint a number
of its graphic novels. The content remained the same, but
the novels moved to a smaller format with different covers and a price drop.* [10] Each volume covers roughly
the same amount of material as the Japanese volumes,
but retained its left-to-right format and had minor differences in grouping so that it spans 36 volumes rather than
the original 38. The final volume was released in stores
on November 14, 2006,* [11] thus making it Viz's longest
running manga, spanning over 13 years. At Anime Expo
on July 7, 2013, Viz Media announced they would began
re-releasing the manga in a format that combines two individual volumes into a single large one. With the first
volume published on March 11, 2014, it marks the first
time the series has been released in North America in its
original right-to-left format.* [12]
Takahashi purposefully aimed the series to be popular
with women and children. In 1993, an Animerica interviewer talking with Takahashi asked her if she intended
the sex-changing theme“as an effort to enlighten a maledominated society.”Takahashi said that she does not Together with Spriggan, it was the first manga published
208
in Portugal, by Texto Editora in 1995.* [13]
Anime
Main article: List of Ranma ½ episodes
An anime television series was created by Studio Deen
and aired weekly between April 15, 1989 and September
16, 1989 on Fuji TV for 18 episodes, before being canceled due to low ratings. The series was then reworked by
most of the same staff, retitled Ranma ½ Nettōhen (らん
ま ½ 熱闘編) and launched in a different time slot, running for 143 episodes from October 20, 1989 to September 25, 1992. The anime stays true to the original manga
but does differ by keeping Ranma's sex transformation a
secret from the high school students, at least throughout
most of its length. It also does not introduce Hikaru Gosunkugi until very late in the series, instead, Sasuke Sarugakure, the diminutive ninja retainer of the Kuno family
fills a number of Gosunkugi's roles in early storylines but
is a major character in his own right. The anime also
alters the placement of many story arcs and contains numerous original episodes and characters not adapted from
the manga.
Viz Media licensed both anime series in 1993, making Ranma ½ one of the very first anime titles licensed
by Viz. The English dub produced for the series was
recorded by The Ocean Group in Vancouver, British
Columbia. They released the series on VHS from their
own Viz Video label, and on DVD a few years later in
association with Pioneer Home Entertainment. Their
releases collected both anime series as one, separated
episodes into what they call “seasons”, and changed
the ordering of many of the episodes. Viz themselves
re-released it on DVD in 2007 using their own DVD production company.* [14] At Otakon 2013, Viz announced
that they re-acquired the TV series for Blu-ray and DVD
release in 2014. The show is streamed on their anime
channel service Neon Alley since Autumn 2013.* [15]
Madman Entertainment licensed some of the series for
release in Australasia, although their rights expired after releasing only the first four “seasons”as one series.* [16]* [17]
Films and original video animations
Main article: List of Ranma ½ episodes § Films
Studio Deen also created three theatrical films; The Battle of Nekonron, China! A Battle to Defy the Rules! on
November 2, 1991; Battle at Togenkyo! Get Back the
Brides on August 1, 1992; and Super Indiscriminate Decisive Battle! Team Ranma vs. the Legendary Phoenix
on August 20, 1994. The first two movies are feature
length, but the third was originally aired in theaters with
two other movies: Ghost Sweeper Mikami and Heisei Dog
CHAPTER 18. R
Stories: Bow.
Following the ending of the TV series, 11 original video
animations were released directly to home video, the earliest on December 7, 1993 and the eleventh on June 4,
1996.* [18] All but one are based on stories originally
in the manga. Twelve years later, a Ranma animation
was created for the “It's a Rumic World”exhibition
of Rumiko Takahashi's artwork. Based on the “Nightmare! Incense of Deep Sleep”manga story from volume 34, it was shown on odd numbered days at the exhibition in Tokyo from July 30 to August 11, 2008.* [19]
But it was not released until January 29, 2010, when
it was put in a DVD box set with the Urusei Yatsura
and InuYasha specials that premiered at the same exhibit.* [20] It was then released on DVD and Blu-ray by
itself on October 20, 2010.* [21] Viz Media also licensed
all three movies, and the original 11 OVAs for distribution in North America (however they released the third
movie as an OVA).* [22]* [23] MVM Films has released
the first two movies in the United Kingdom,* [24]* [25]
while Madman Entertainment released them in Australasia.
Video games
Main article: List of Ranma ½ video games
There have been fifteen video games based on the Ranma
½ franchise. While most are fighting games, there have
been several RPGs and puzzle games.* [26] Only two have
been released in Western countries. Ranma ½: Chōnai Gekitōhen was released in the US as Street Combat;
the characters were Americanized, having their appearances completely changed, and the music was changed as
well.* [27] However, Ranma ½: Hard Battle was released
in both North America and Europe unaltered.* [27]
Live action special
A live action television adaption of Ranma ½ aired
on NTV, in a two-hour time-slot, on December 9,
2011.* [28]* [29] Although it was initially reported that
the special would contain an original story, the movie
does take its main plot from one of the manga's early stories with several other early scenes mixed in. The special stars Yui Aragaki as Akane, with Kento Kaku and
Natsuna Watanabe playing male and female Ranma respectively.* [30] Ryōsei Tayama is cast as the antagonist,
the new original character Okamada.* [31] The all-girl
pop group 9nine contribute “Chikutaku☆2Nite”as the
theme song.* [32] It was released on both DVD and Bluray on March 21, 2012.* [33]* [34]
18.1. RANMA ½
209
songs were first released as singles.
18.1.4 Reception
Rumiko Takahashi said that after Urusei Yatsura, which
was popular with high school and college students, she
purposefully aimed Ranma ½ to be popular among
women and children. Both series' peak readership figures
were with 15-year olds, but the distribution of Ranma
½ readers was skewed towards younger females.* [6] By
November 2006, it was reported that the series had sold
over 49 million manga volumes in Japan.* [41] The series's publication in North America proved highly successful as well, being many Americans' first introduction to manga and its anime adaptation one of the first
Japanese animation shows to achieve popularity in the
US.* [42]* [43] Although Lum from Takahashi's first series Urusei Yatsura is often cited as the first tsundere character in anime and manga, Theron Martin of Anime News
Network stated that Ranma ½ 's Akane Tendo is closer to
how they would later typically be portrayed in the 2000s.
He also suggested that one could argue Ranma is an early
example of a harem or reverse harem series, due to the
main character attracting suitors in both genders.* [44]
Additionally, guidebooks were released for three of the
Ranma ½ video games; these included not only strategies,
but also interviews.* [36] Two books including interviews
with the cast of the live-action TV drama, and some select
stories, were released in 2011.* [37]* [38]
In an overview of the series, Jason Thompson called
Ranma ½ “the direct ancestor of all comedy-action
manga, like Sumomomo Momomo and History's Strongest
Disciple Kenichi", although noted that it was not the first,
but only spanned the period when manga and anime sales
were at their height.* [27] Relating it to Takahashi's other
works, he summed the series up as “At the start, the
fighting is minimal and it's almost a semi-serious relationship comedy, like Maison Ikkoku; then it turns completely
ridiculous; and by the climax, when Ranma fights the evil
bird-people of Phoenix Mountain in an excessively long
and un-funny shonen fight scene, it's like a warmup for
Inuyasha.”* [27] He states that “Eventually Takahashi
adds too many characters, and the manga starts repeating
itself. Because of the lack of a strong story arc, a lot of
people stop reading Ranma ½ at some point in the middle”.* [27] Reviewing Viz Media's final English volume
of the manga, Anime News Network remarked that“Every dimension of Rumiko Takahashi's storytelling skills
come into play here: comedy, romance and introspection, and of course, high-flying fantasy martial-arts action.”* [45] However, they felt some of the action scenes
were hard to follow and noted that the mirroring to leftto-right format caused errors with the art.* [45]
The music from the Ranma ½ TV series, films and OVAs
have been released on various CDs. Four from the TV series, two from the first movie, one from the second, one
from the third movie and OVAs, and three compiling the
music by DoCo used in the OVAs.* [39] DoCo is a pop
group composed of the anime's main female characters'
voice actresses. Several compilation albums were also released, some composed of the opening and closing theme
songs and others of image songs.* [40] Many of the image
The Ranma ½ anime was ranked number 17 on Anime
Insider's 2001 list of the Top 50 Anime,* [46] although
the list was limited to series that were released in North
America. It ranked 36th on TV Asahi's 2006 list of
Japan's 100 favorite animated TV series, which is based
on an online poll of the Japanese people,* [47] up from the
previous year's list where it ranked 45th.* [48] In November 2006, the New York Comic Con announced that it
would host the first-ever American Anime Awards. Fans
Poster for the Ranma ½ TV drama, featuring the cast and artwork by Rumiko Takahashi.
Other media
The Ranma ½ Memorial Book was published just as the
manga ended in 1996. Acting as an end-cap to the series,
it collects various illustrations from the series, features
an interview with Takahashi,* [35] and includes tidbits
about Ranma: summaries of his battles, his daily schedule, trivia, and a few exclusive illustrations. A Movie +
OVA Visual Comic was released to illustrate the theatrical
movie Super Indiscriminate Decisive Battle! Team Ranma
vs. the Legendary Phoenix and the OVA episodes “The
One to Carry On”(both parts). It also included information on the voice actors, character designs, and a layout
of the Tendo dojo.
210
CHAPTER 18. R
had the chance to vote for their favorite anime online
during the month of January 2007. Only the five nominees receiving the most votes for each category were announced on February 5. Among the 12 different categories, Ranma ½ was voted into the “Best Comedy
Anime”category, and the Ranma ½ OVAs were voted
into the “Best Short Series”category.* [49] In their review of Viz Media's season five DVD box set, Anime
News Network praised the Japanese cast's performance
and the animation, but criticized the English version's
slight script changes and minor voice actors while praising its main cast. They also remarked that while Ranma
½ is a classic, after a hundred episodes, the same jokes
are just not funny anymore.* [50] THEM Anime Reviews'
Raphael See called the television series and the OVAs
“one of the funniest things [he's] ever seen, anime or otherwise”and also praised the English dub as some of the
best.* [51] However, he was much more critical of the first
two movies particularly for both using the same damsel
in distress plot.* [52]* [53]
18.1.5
References
[14] “Ranma 1/2: Season One: The Digital Dojo; TV Anime
Season 1 DVD Box Set”. Amazon.com. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
[15] “Viz Media to Release Ranma Anime on BD/DVD”.
Anime News Network. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
[16] “Ranma 1/2 TV Season 1 Collection”. Mania.com. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
[17] “Madman Panel - Complete Report”. Anime News Network. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
[18] “OVAs”. Ranma ½ Perfect Edition. November 17, 2009.
[19] “New Ranma 1/2 Short Debuts at Takahashi's Tokyo
Event”. Anime News Network. Retrieved February 17,
2013.
[20] “It's a Rumic World スペシャルアニメ BOX【完全
予約限定商品】(DVD)". Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved May
30, 2012.
[21]“Itʼ
s a Rumic World らんま 1/2~ 悪夢! 春眠⾹ (DVD)".
Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
[22] “Ranma 1/2: OVA Series Box Set”. Amazon.com. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
[1] Yoshida, Toshifumi. “Inuyasha Comes to America”.
Furinkan.com. Retrieved 2014-05-18.
[23] “Ranma 1/2 Movie Box Set”. Amazon.com. Retrieved
February 17, 2013.
[2] Acres, Dylan. “Interview in Italy”. Furinkan.com. Retrieved 2014-05-18.
[24] “Ranma 1/2 The Movie - Big Trouble Nekonron China”
. Mania.com. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
[3] “Memorial Interview”. Furinkan.com. Retrieved 201405-18.
[25] “Ranma 1/2 The Movie 2 - Nihao My Concubine”. Mania.com. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
[4] “Miscellaneous – Inspirations”. Ranma ½ Perfect Edition. 2006-04-25.
[26] “Video Games”. Ranma ½ Perfect Edition. July 5, 2012.
[5] Smith, Toren. “Career Retrospective”. Furinkan.com.
Retrieved 2014-05-18.
[6] Horibuchi, Seiji.“Animerica Interview”. Furinkan.com.
Retrieved 2009-10-05.
[7] “35th Anniversary Interview”. Natalie.mu. Retrieved
2014-05-18.
[8] らんま１／２〔新装版〕/ 1 (in Japanese). Shogakukan.
Retrieved 2014-05-18.
[9] らんま１／２〔新装版〕/ 38 (in Japanese). Shogakukan.
Retrieved 2014-05-18.
[10] “2004 Press Releases”. Viz Media. April 25, 2006.
Archived from the original on December 30, 2009.
[11] “Product page for volume 36”. Viz Media. October 20,
2006.
[12] “Viz Media Adds Deadman Wonderland, Gangsta.
Manga”. Anime News Network. 2013-07-07. Retrieved
2013-07-07.
[13] Pedro Cleto (15 November 2004). “Fenómeno Manga
ameaça explosão”. bedeteca.com (in Portuguese). Retrieved 14 December 2014.
[27] “Ranma 1/2 - Jason Thompson's House of 1000 Manga”
. Anime News Network. 2012-01-26. Retrieved 201307-05.
[28] “Ranma 1/2 Manga Gets Live-Action Special with Yui
Aragaki”. Anime News Network. Retrieved September
27, 2011.
[29] “Drama special“Ranma 1/2”reveals its official poster”
. Tokyohive. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
[30] “Live-Action Ranma 1/2's Supporting Cast, Writer Revealed”. Anime News Network. Retrieved September
27, 2011.
[31] “Ranma 1/2 Manga live-action new antagonist”. Anime
News Network. Retrieved October 6, 2011.
[32] “Ranma 1/2 theme song by 9nine”. Anime News Network. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
[33] " らんま 1/2 (DVD) (2012)". Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved
February 16, 2013.
[34] " ら ん ま 1/2 (Blu-ray) (2012)". Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
[35] “Interview with Rumiko Takahashi from the Memorial
Book”. Ranma ½ FAQ. April 25, 2006. Archived from
the original on May 2, 2007.
18.2. RAHXEPHON: PLURALITAS CONCENTIO
211
[36] “Manga Summaries”. Ranma ½ Perfect Edition. April
25, 2006.
• Madman Entertainment Australian publisher of
anime
[37] " らんま 1/2 〜 TV ドラマ記念・よりぬき完全版〜
/ 上巻" (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Retrieved 2014-0518.
• Ranma ½ (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
[38] " らんま 1/2 〜 TV ドラマ記念・よりぬき完全版〜
/ 下巻" (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Retrieved 2014-0518.
• Ranma ½ (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
[39] “TV Soundtracks”. Ranma ½ Perfect Edition. July 5,
2012.
[40] “Compilation Soundtracks”. Ranma ½ Perfect Edition.
July 5, 2012.
[41] “Anime News Service - October 18 - November 9 Anime
News”. Anime News Service. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
RANMA has sold more than 49 million copies in Japan,
and is one of the most recognized and acclaimed series
ever produced.
• J-pop.com review of Ranma ½ music
18.2 RahXephon: Pluralitas Concentio
RahXephon: Pluralitas Concentio (Japanese: ラー ゼ
フォ ン 多 元 変 奏 曲 Hepburn: Rāzefon: Tagen Hensōkyoku) is the movie adaptation of the anime TV series
[42] “Ranma ½ [2-in-1 Edition] GN 1 - Review”. Anime RahXephon.
News Network. 2014-03-19. Retrieved 2015-03-25.
[43]“The Rising Sun Responds”. Electronic Gaming Monthly
(55) (EGM Media, LLC). February 1994. p. 24.
18.2.1 Plot
Ayato Kamina and his classmate, Haruka "Reika
Mishima", are in middle school and are a young couple,
still dealing with some awkwardness. However, the sud[45] “Ranma 1/2 GN 36”. Anime News Network. 2007-02den appearance of visitors from an alternate dimension,
06. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
the“Mu”, tears the two apart. All of Tokyo is enveloped
[46] “Wizard lists Top 50 Anime”. Anime News Network. in the giant hemispherical Absolute Barrier, which looks
very similar to Jupiter, and they become separated into
2001-07-16. Retrieved 2012-10-18.
the world inside and the world outside.
[44] “Ranma ½ Blu-Ray - Review”. Anime News Network.
2014-04-02. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
[47] “Japan's Favorite TV Anime”. Anime News Network.
2006-10-13. Retrieved 2012-10-18.
[48] “TV Asahi Top 100 Anime”. Anime News Network.
2005-09-23. Retrieved 2012-10-18.
[49] “New York Comic Con AAA Finalists”. American
Anime Awards. May 19, 2007. Archived from the original on July 5, 2007.
[50] “Ranma ½ Season 5 DVD box - Review”. Anime News
Network. 2003-08-03. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
Three years later, Ayato, who was left inside, has become
a high school student. He has been taught that the world
outside has been obliterated and feels as though his memories of Haruka are a distant vision. But one day, invaders
from outside attack, and Tokyo is engulfed in the fires of
war. And as Ayato runs about in confusion, a woman appears before him. The woman says her name is Haruka
Shitow and tries to take Ayato outside the Absolute Barrier, saying, “I'll tell you the truth.”
The truth is, her identity is his former girlfriend, Haruka
Mishima. But now, she is 12 years his senior...The power
of the Absolute Barrier had delayed the advancement of
[52] “Ranma 1/2 the Movie: Big Trouble in Nekonron China” time inside. That was something Ayato's mother, Maya
. THEM Anime Reviews. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
Kamina, had plotted solely for the purpose of his awakening. Maya was in fact the leader of the Mu. And as Ayato
[53] “Ranma 1/2 the Movie 2: Nihao My Concubine”. THEM
was the tuner of time, who held the fate of the world in his
Anime Reviews. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
hands...a person who had the ability to reform the world
that had been torn apart into the Mu and Earth.
[51] “Ranma ½ (Season 1)". THEM Anime Reviews. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
18.1.6
External links
Ayato awakens during his escape with Haruka. He is
drawn to the giant in the image of a God, "RahXephon",
• Shōnen Sunday Museum (Japanese)
and ends up aboard it. After the RahXephon destroys
• Viz Media North American publisher of manga and the Mu super-weapon,“Dolem”, it escapes Tokyo with
Haruka. Having the Mu's Dolem with the RahXephon.
anime
Haruka can only support Ayato in his battles, not even
• Ranma ½ at Shōnen Sunday (Viz Media)
being able to bring herself to tell him who she is.
212
CHAPTER 18. R
There was an even more cruel fate awaiting the two.
When Ayato achieves true awakening and become one
with the RahXephon, the world stands upon the brink
of destruction. In order to prevent this from happening,
Haruka must kill Ayato, whom she has finally found once
again. Will Haruka be able to tell him how she feels and
save Ayato and the world?
18.2.2
Characters
Main article: List of RahXephon characters
movie consists mainly of abridged scenes from the original series, sometimes with characters replaced or with
different motivations and dialogue. The plot establishes
the link between the Kamina and Mishima families and
other storylines that were prominent in the original TV
series were reduced or removed. One prominent distributor promoted the movie as an "encore" ̶an extra performance at the end of the series, rather than as a replacement.* [2]
18.2.4 Reception
Pluralitas Concentio had a more mixed reception than the
TV series. Christian Nutt was not excited about the TV
series but found the movie to be better: Despite “too
much cutting and chopping”, he wrote that“the creators
have done the best they can with the material.”He added:
“the last scene is very touching. It's a big improvement
over the TV show.”* [3] Efrain Diaz Jr. of IGN called
• Haruka Shitow. 29 years old. A member of the the movie a“valiant effort”, but preferred the TV series
TERRA Intelligence Division, who infiltrated Tokyo and asked, “Why even bother with the movie?"* [4]
Jupiter and led Ayato to the outside world. She is Carlo Santos, writing for Anime News Network, recomactually the grown Haruka Mishima.
mended the movie both as an “endcap to a remarkable
• Ayato Kamina. 17 years old. An instrumentalist
capable of synchronizing with the mysterious giant
God, RahXephon. He has both Mu and Earth blood
in him. He is currently chasing after the vision of
the girl who went missing.
• Quon Kisaragi. A girl of unknown age, who continues to sleep buried in flowers in the “Chamber
of Eternity.”The other instrumentalist capable of
conducting the tuning of the world.
series”and as a sample for those yet to watch it.* [5] While
Chris Beveridge also recommended the movie as an addition to the series, he did not recommend it as a sample
for newcomers, “since some of the best revelations are
given away so quickly...”* [1]
Indeed, reviewers who were not familiar with the se• Maya Kamina. Ayato's mother. Actually a Mulian
ries complained about the movie's lack of coherence.
who lost her qualification as an instrumentalist. She
Mitchell Hattaway of DVD Verdict “got lost about ten
leads the Mu towards the tuning of the world and
minutes in”, considered the movie a waste of money
desire's Ayato's awakening.
for anybody but RahXephon completists and wrote that
“Bones Animation Studio is guilty of contempt for its au• Hiroko Asahina. 17 years old. Ayato's friend from dience.”* [6] Janet Crocker of Animefringe was confused
school. She is dating Mamoru, but she secretly cares by the plot as well, but was less confused on the second
for Ayato. She embarks on a runaway trip with Ay- viewing and looked forward to watching the TV series.
ato, but the color of her blood already turned blue... She called the movie “intellectually refreshing and visually beautiful”and recommended it“even to non-mecha
people like me”.* [7]
18.2.3
Production
The film is directed by Tomoki Kyoda, who had directed 18.2.5 References
three episodes of the TV series and acted as assistant director with Soichi Masui. Izubuchi acted as Chief Di- [1] Beveridge, Chris (2004-07-27). “RahXephon: The
rector on this movie, but was not heavily involved in its
Movie (also w/box) (of 1)". Anime on DVD. Retrieved
production. Most of the staff members involved with the
2006-10-13.
TV series worked on the movie, and it was distributed by
Shochiku. The producers were Masahiko Minami, Shiro [2] A.D. Vision (2003) RahXephon:Pluralitas Concentio
DVD cover: “Encore. Return to the world of RahXSasaki, Maki Horiuchi, Kenji Shimizu and Tatsuji Yaephon...”
mazaki.
The movie quickly reveals mysteries that were developed
slowly in the TV series* [1] and makes changes to the
plot. It begins with a prologue showing previously unshown events, followed by a couple of expository scenes.
The final 30 minutes have the most plot changes and new
scenes, and they end with a new epilogue. The rest of the
[3] Nutt, Christian (2005-04-26). “Reviews: Rahxephon:
The Motion Picture”. Anime Jump. Archived from the
original on 2006-05-10. Retrieved 2006-10-13.
[4] Diaz, Efrain Jr. (2004-11-02).“RahXephon: The Motion
Picture. 26 episodes become a two-hour movie”. IGN.
Retrieved 2006-10-16.
18.2. RAHXEPHON: PLURALITAS CONCENTIO
[5] Santos, Carlo (2005-03-08). “Review: Rahxephon: Pluralitas Concentio DVD”. Anime News Network. Retrieved 2006-10-13.
[6] Hattaway, Mitchell (2004-09-02).
RahXephon: The Motion Picture”.
Retrieved 2006-10-12.
"Reviews:
DVD Verdict.
[7] Crocker, Janet (September 2004). “RahXephon: The
Motion Picture”. Animefringe. Retrieved 2006-10-13.
213
Chapter 19
S
19.1 Samurai Champloo
Setting and style
Samurai Champloo (Japanese: サ ム ラ イ チャ ン プ
ルー Hepburn: Samurai Chanpurū) is a Japanese anime
series developed by Manglobe. It featured a production team led by director Shinichirō Watanabe, character designer Kazuto Nakazawa and mechanical designer
Mahiro Maeda. Samurai Champloo was Watanabe's first
directorial effort for an anime television series after the
critically acclaimed Cowboy Bebop. It was first broadcast
in Japan on Fuji TV on May 20, 2004 and ran for twentysix episodes until its conclusion on March 19, 2005.
Samurai Champloo is set in an alternate version of Edoera Japan with an anachronistic, predominantly hip-hop,
setting.* [1] It follows Mugen, an impudent and freedomloving vagrant swordsman; Jin, a composed and stoic
rōnin; and Fuu, a brave girl who asks them to accompany her in her quest across Japan to find the "samurai
who smells of sunflowers”.
Like Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo was critically acclaimed, and the series was dubbed in the English language and licensed by Geneon Entertainment for releases
in North America. Funimation Entertainment began licensing the series after Geneon ceased production of its
titles. It was also licensed for English releases in the
United Kingdom by MVM Films, and in Australia and
New Zealand by Madman Entertainment.
19.1.1
Plot
A young woman named Fuu is working as a waitress in a
tea shop when she is abused by a band of samurai. She is
saved by a mysterious rogue named Mugen and a young
ronin named Jin. Mugen attacks Jin after he proves to be a
worthy opponent and they begin fighting one another and
inadvertently cause the death of Shibui Tomonoshina, the
magistrate's son. For this crime, they are to be executed.
But with some help from Fuu, they escape and Fuu asks
them to travel with her to find “the samurai who smells
of sunflowers.”
Samurai Champloo employs a blend of historical Edo period backdrops with modern styles and references. The
show relies on factual events of Edo-era Japan, such as
the Shimabara Rebellion (“Unholy Union;" “Evanescent Encounter, Part I”), Dutch exclusivity in an era
in which an edict restricted Japanese foreign relations (
“Stranger Searching”), Ukiyo-e paintings (“Artistic Anarchy”), and fictionalized versions of real-life Edo personalities like Mariya Enshirou and Miyamoto Musashi
(“Elegy of Entrapment, Verse 2”). The exact placement within world history is questionable, however, and
is likely somewhat distorted by artistic license. For instance, the appearance of a six shooter in the episode of
Misguided Miscreants Part I suggests that the story takes
place after 1814, which is when that style of weapon was
first invented, yet in the episode Stranger Searching it is
explicitly stated that trade relations between Japan and
the Dutch East India Company exist, the latter of which
went defunct in 1798. Also, the samurai who smells of
sunflowers is said to have taken part in the Shimabara
Rebellion, which historically occurred between 1637 and
1638.
Incorporated within this scheme are signature elements
of modernity, especially hip hop culture, such as rapping
(“Lullabies of the Lost, Verse 1”), bandits behaving
like“gangstas”(both parts of“Misguided Miscreants”
), censorship bleeps replaced with record scratching, and
much of Mugen's character design. Samurai Champloo's
musical score predominantly features hip hop music produced by Tsutchie, Nujabes, Fat Jon, and Force of Nature. Shing02 and MINMI are also featured in the opening and ending themes, respectively.
19.1.2 Characters
Main article: List of Samurai Champloo characters
Samurai Champloo tells the story of three strangers in the
Tokugawa era (also known as the Edo Period) who come
together on a journey across Japan.
214
• Mugen: A brash vagabond from the penal colony
19.1. SAMURAI CHAMPLOO
215
execution and recruits them as her bodyguards. A
flying squirrel named“Momo”(short for momonga,
“flying squirrel”) accompanies her, inhabiting her
kimono and frequently leaping out to her rescue.
Her name, Fuu, is the character for “wind”.
Apart from this trio, other characters tend to appear only
once or twice throughout the series.
19.1.3 Episodes
Main article: List of Samurai Champloo episodes
The main cast from left to right: Jin, Mugen and Fuu.
The episodes of the anime series Samurai Champloo
were produced by Manglobe and written and directed
Ryukyu Islands, Mugen is a 20-year-old wanderer by Shinichirō Watanabe. The first episode premiered in
with a wildly unconventional fighting style. Rude, Japan on Fuji Television on May 20, 2004 where it ran
lewd, vulgar, and nihilistic, Mugen is something of for 26 episodes until its conclusion on March 19, 2005.
an antihero. He is fond of fighting and has a tendency to pick fights for petty reasons. It is implied
19.1.4 Production
in a few episodes that he is also a womanizer, with
his libido sometimes getting the better of him. He
Samurai Champloo is considered to be an example of
wears metal-soled geta and carries an exotic sword
the popular chanbara film and television genre. Tradeon his back. In Japanese, the word mugen means
marks include the Edo setting, a focus on samurai or
“infinite”(literally,“without limit”or“limitless”
other swordsman characters, and lots of thrilling, dra). He was a former pirate. In the title cards his totem
matic fights.* [3] Chanbara was used in the early days of
*
is the rooster . [2]
Japanese cinema (when government political censorship
ran high) as a way of expressing veiled social critiques.
• Jin: Jin is a 20-year-old reserved ronin who carries himself in the conventionally stoic manner of The word champloo comes from the Okinawan word
a samurai of the Tokugawa era. Using his waist- chanpurū (as in gōyā chanpurū, the Okinawan stir-fry
strung daishō, he fights in the traditional kenjutsu dish containing bitter melon). Chanpurū, alone, simply
style of a samurai trained in a prominent, sanc- means “to mix”or “to hash.”
tioned dojo. He is pursued by several members
• Director: Shinichirō Watanabe
of his dojo as he had killed their master in selfdefense. He wears glasses, an available but uncom• Chief Writer: Shinji Obara
mon accessory in Edo era Japan. Spectacles, called
• Character Design: Kazuto Nakazawa
“Dutch glass merchandise”("Oranda gyoku shinajina" in Japanese) at the time, were imported from
• Chief Animator: Kazuto Nakazawa
the Netherlands early in the Tokugawa period and
• Weapon Design: Mahiro Maeda
became more widely available as the 17th century
progressed. His pair of glasses is purely ornamen• Opening Director: Mamoru Hosoda
tal, as Mugen later found out after getting a chance
• Opening Animation: Takeshi Koike
to peer through them. Although pictured in advertisements as smoking a kiseru, he was never depicted
• Art Director: Takeshi Waki
with one in the series. In the title cards his totem is
• Color Design: Eri Suzuki
a koi fish. He is named after one of the seven virtues
of the samurai in Bushido, "Jin" (Benevolence).
• Director of Photography: Kazuhiro Yamada
• Fuu: A spirited 15-year-old girl, Fuu asks Mugen
and Jin to help her find a sparsely described man she
calls“the samurai who smells of sunflowers.”Her father left her and her mother for an unknown reason.
Without her father around to support them, Fuu and
her mother led a difficult life until her mother died
of illness. After a not-so-successful stint as a teahouse waitress/dancer she saves Mugen and Jin from
• Editing: Shuichi Kakesu
• Dubbing Director: Tsutomu Kashiwakura
• Music: Tsutchie, Fat Jon, Nujabes, Forces of Nature
• Producer: Takatoshi Hamano, Takashi Kochiyama,
Tetsuro Satomi
• Animation Production: Manglobe
216
19.1.5
CHAPTER 19. S
Media
Soundtracks
Samurai Champloo premiered in Japan on May 20, 2004
on Fuji Television, and concluded on March 19, 2005,
spanning a total of 26 episodes. It was also aired in Japan
on Animax.
Music used in the series was released across four CD
soundtracks by Victor Entertainment. The first, Samurai
Champloo Music Record: Masta, was released on June
23, 2004. Produced by Shinichirō Watanabe's longtime friend DJ Tsutchie and the Japanese hip hop duo
Forces of Nature,* [7] the album features 18 instrumental
tracks and one mid-tempo ballad sung by R&B songstress
Kazami. Samurai Champloo Music Record: Departure
Anime
was released on the same date, containing 17 tracks,
with two being vocal pieces performed by rap artist
Main article: List of Samurai Champloo episodes
Shing02 and R&B singer Minmi. The album was produced by Japanese DJ/producer Nujabes and American
Geneon licensed the show for distribution in North Amer- MC/producer Fat Jon.* [7]
ica almost a year prior to the show's airing in Japan. An
Two additional soundtracks followed on September 22,
English dub of the series premiered in the United States
2004. Samurai Champloo Music Record: Playlist conon the Adult Swim anime block on May 14, 2005. The
tained an additional 18 tracks, all created by Tsutchie,
version aired was edited and had foul language replaced
with only one being a vocal piece: a remix of the first alwith sound effects, in addition to cutting out blood and
bum's song“Fly,”performed by Azuma Riki of the hip
nudity. The final first run of the episodes concluded on
hop group Small Circle of Friends.* [7] The final album,
March 18, 2006. Samurai Champloo debuted in Canada
Samurai Champloo Music Record: Impression, features
on December 24, 2006, on the digital station Razer. The
23 tracks from Force of Nature, Nujabes, and Fat Jon.
series has also aired in the United Kingdom, France,
Rap artists Suiken and S-word, members of Tokyo rap
Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, Mexico,
group Nitro Microphone Underground, provide guest voPortugal, Spain and Germany. Funimation has recently
cals and Minmi performs the final song on the album.* [7]
announced to distribute Samurai Champloo for Geneon
since they have ceased in-house distribution of their ti- Two separate soundtracks, Samurai Champloo Music
tles in 2007. Geneon, in association with Funimation, Record: Katana as well as Samurai Champloo Music
re-released the entire 26-episode anime series in a box Record: Playlist, were released in 2004 by Geneon Enset in June 2009 and on Blu-ray in November 2009.* [4] tertainment only in North America. They bear most of
As of November 26, 2010, Funimation has fully licensed the same tracks as the Japanese albums.
the series and once again released the series under the
Classics line on May 24, 2011.* [5]
The anime series made its return to US television on
Video game
FUNimation Channel starting March 21, 2011.* [6]
The episodes use six pieces of theme music. “Battlecry”, performed by Nujabes and Shing02, is the opening
theme for all twenty six episodes. " 四季ノ唄 (Shiki no
Uta Song of Four Seasons)" by Nujabes and Minmi is the
primary ending theme, except for four episodes. Episode
12 uses Minmi's “Who's Theme”as its ending, episode
17 uses “You”by Kazami, 23 uses “Fly”by Tsutchie,
and the final episode uses the song “San Francisco”by
Midicronica.
Grasshopper Manufacture developed a video game for
the PlayStation 2 based on the series entitled Samurai
Champloo: Sidetracked; however, the manufacturer has
stated that the game has no relation to the events depicted
in the show. The soundtrack was composed by Masafumi
Takada and Jun Fukuda, while it was written by Goichi
Suda. It was released on February 23, 2006 in Japan and
on April 11, 2006 in the United States. It received mixed
reviews.* [8] The game is notable for giving Mugen's distinctive sword a name, “Typhoon Swell"; it was never
called by this name in the anime or manga series.
Manga
A Samurai Champloo manga debuted in Shōnen Ace
on August 2004. Tokyopop licensed the manga in an
English-language release in North America and Madman
Entertainment lit for an English release in Australia and
New Zealand. It is also licensed for a Portugueselanguage and Spanish-language release in Brazil and
Spain by Panini. There are 2 volumes in this series.
19.1.6 Reception
Samurai Champloo received largely positive reviews* [9]* [10] and the ambient soundtrack recorded by
Fat Jon, Forces of Nature, Tsutchie and the late Nujabes
received very high critical acclaim.* [11]
19.2. SWORD ART ONLINE
19.1.7
References
[1] Bonaminio, Salvan. “Anime Review: Samurai Champloo”. Anime UK. Retrieved 2012-04-18.
[2] Oscar Ratti and Adele Westbrook, Secrets of the Samurai: A survey of the Martial Arts of Feudal Japan (Castle
Books, 1999) p. 83
[3] Silver, Alain,“The Samurai Film”, The Overlook Press,
New York, 1977, pg. 37. 0-87951-175-3
217
Kadokawa. The novels and four of the manga adaptations have been licensed for release in North America
by Yen Press. An anime television series produced by
A-1 Pictures aired in Japan between July and December
2012. An Extra Edition episode aired on December 31,
2013, and a second anime series, titled Sword Art Online II, aired between July and December 2014. Three
video games based on the series have been released on the
PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 4.
Sword Art Online has received widespread commercial
success, with the light novels having over 16 million
copies printed in several countries including Japan, the
Korea, Thailand,
[5] “Samurai Champloo DVD Complete Collection (Classic United States, Taiwan, China, South
*
Canada,
and
the
United
Kingdom.
[1]
The anime series
Line)". Rightstuf.com. Retrieved 2011-02-14.
has received mixed to positive reviews from critics, with
[6] “VOD & Network Updates – FUNimation Channel (3/4 some praising the exploration of the psychological asWeekend)".
pects of virtual reality, while others criticized the series'
pacing and writing.
[7] ROMAN ALBUM: Samurai Champloo.
Manga[4] “Funimation Entertainment to Distribute Samurai Champloo”. Anime News Network. 2008-12-31.
globe/Shimoigusa Champloos, Dark Horse Comics Inc.,
p. 50-54
19.2.1 Plot
[8] GameRanking.com
See also: List of Sword Art Online characters
[9]
[10]
[11] http://au.ign.com/articles/2006/05/16/
top-ten-anime-themes-and-soundtracks-of-all-time
19.1.8
External links
• Official Samurai Champloo web site (Japanese)
• Official Fuji TV Samurai Champloo web site
(Japanese)
• Samurai Champloo || Anime Website from FUNimation
• Official Madman Entertainment Samurai Champloo
web site (Archive)
• Samurai Champloo (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Samurai Champloo at the Internet Movie Database
19.2 Sword Art Online
Sword Art Online (Japanese: ソードアート・オンライ
ン Hepburn: Sōdo Āto Onrain) is a Japanese light novel
series written by Reki Kawahara and illustrated by abec.
The series takes place in the near-future and focuses on
various virtual reality MMORPG worlds. The light novels began publication on ASCII Media Works' Dengeki
Bunko imprint from April 10, 2009, with a spin-off series
launching in October 2012. The series has spawned eight
manga adaptations published by ASCII Media Works and
Sword Art Online (SAO) is a Virtual Reality Massively
Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (VRMMORPG),
released in 2022. With the Nerve Gear, a virtual reality
helmet that stimulates the user's five senses via their brain,
players can experience and control their in-game characters with their minds.
On November 6, 2022, the players log into SAO for the
first time, and later discover that they are unable to log
out. They are then informed by Akihiko Kayaba, SAO's
creator, that if they wish to be free, they must reach the
100th floor of the game's tower and defeat the final boss.
However, if their avatars die in-game, their bodies will
also die in the real world. One of these players is Kazuto
“Kirito”Kirigaya, who was chosen as one of the 1,000
beta testers in the closed beta. Since he had previous experience and knowledge of the game, he felt that he could
beat the game easily. As a result, he set out to beat the
game on his own. As the game progresses for two years,
Kirito eventually befriends a female player named Asuna
with whom he ultimately falls in love. After the duo discover the identity of Kayaba's avatar in SAO, they confront and destroy him, freeing themselves and the other
players from the game.
Upon being sent back to the real world, Kirito learns that
300 SAO players, including Asuna, still have not awakened yet. Following a clue about Asuna's whereabouts
in another VRMMORPG called Alfheim Online (ALO),
Kirito also enters the ALO's mainframe. Helped by his
cousin Suguha Kirigaya, known as Leafa in the game,
he learns that the trapped players in ALO are part of a
plan conceived by Nobuyuki Sugō to perform illegal experiments on their minds to put them under his control,
including Asuna, whom he intends to marry in the real
218
world in order to take over her family's company. After Kirito foils Nobuyuki's plans, he finally reunites with
Asuna back in the real world.
Soon after, Kirito plays another game called Gun Gale
Online (GGO) to investigate the mysterious connection
between it and deaths occurring in the real world. Assisted by a female player he meets in the game called
Sinon, he identifies and exposes the culprits, who include
some former members of a murderous guild he previously
encountered in SAO.
CHAPTER 19. S
the second story arc. The player characters in this
VRMMORPG are fairy-based, capable of flight
for 10 minutes thanks to their wings. Alfheim,
loosely based on Álfheimr and other aspects of
Norse mythology, is a large world divided into
separate “homelands”for each of its nine fairy
races, which include cat sìths, spriggans, sylphs, and
salamanders. In Alfheim's center is a very large
tree called the World Tree, and the apparent goal of
the game is to reach the top, where the victorious
player will meet Fairy King Oberon and be turned
into a tenth race, the Alfs, who have unlimited
flight; however, Kirito discovers during the arc that
the existence of the Alfs was a lie. Taking more of
an action RPG approach, the game implements a
skill-based system with players increasing their stats
by developing both their combat and non-combat
skills, and no level-system in play. After the events
of the second story arc, Aincrad, the castle of the
first game albeit re-christened as New Aincrad, is
implemented into ALO.
Kirito is later recruited to assist in testing a state-of-theart FullDive machine, Soul Translator (STL), which has
an interface that is far more realistic and complex than
the previous machine he had played. He tests the STL by
entering a Virtual Reality world created with The Seed
package, named UnderWorld (UW). In the UW mainframe, the flow of time proceeds a thousand times faster
than in the real world, and Kirito's memories of what happens inside are restricted. However, he is attacked by one
of the murderers from SAO and wakes up inside UnderWorld, leaving him unable to remember how he ended
up there or to log out, with his real self left in a comatose
Gun Gale Online (GGO) (ガンゲイル・オンライン Gan Geiru Onrain
state.
The third virtual game world, and the setting for
the third story arc. It is a first-person shooter
VRMMORPG with a main focus on guns, although
19.2.2 Settings
melee weapons like lightsabers (photon swords)
and knives also exist. The game is developed by an
The light novel series spans several virtual reality worlds,
American company, Zaskar, and is set in a science
beginning with the eponymous world of Sword Art Onfiction world where humanity left a post-apocalyptic
line. All of the worlds are built on a game engine called
Earth but crash-landed upon returning home in
the World Seed, which was initially developed specifia spaceship. From all the games, it is the most
cally for SAO by Akihiko Kayaba, but was later duplicompetitive one, as the money earned there can
cated for ALO, and later willed to Kirito, who had it
be exchanged for currency used in the real world,
leaked online with the successful intention of reviving the
drawing high-tier professional gamers to make a
virtual reality industry. Among the virtual reality worlds
living from playing the game alone. One of the
are:
more competitive aspects is a tournament known
Bullet
of Bullets (BoB), which involves a duel
Sword Art Online (SAO) (ソードアート・オンライン SōdoasĀto
Onrain)
tournament
and an open world free-for-all environThe first virtual game world, and the setting of the
ment.
There
is also gambling in the game, and like
first story arc. A virtual reality massively multiALO,
killing
other players (in-game) is supported.
player online role-playing game (VRMMORPG),
the world takes the form of a giant floating castle
called Aincrad, with 100 floors in it. Each floor has UnderWorld (UW) (アンダーワールド Andāwārudo)
a medieval-themed setting and a dungeon with a
The fourth virtual world, and the setting for the
boss, which has to be defeated before players can
fourth arc of the story. It is the first Virtual World
advance to the next higher floor. Like most RPGs,
setting introduced to not be a game world but rather
it implements a level-based system. However, after
an AI simulation, set in a Renaissance world where
the beta testing, the game's creator activated a
players are encouraged to build the world on their
system to trap the players inside the game, unable to
own by discovering new sciences and technology.
log out; if players die in-game, or the helmets they
According to Kirito - one of its developers - it is
used are removed, a strong, electromagnetic pulse
graphically the most realistic of all Virtual Worlds
is emitted, frying their brain and killing them in
to date. The flow of time in UnderWorld is variable
real life. Of the 10,000 players in the game, 3,853
and can be much faster relative to the real world's.
are killed, over half of those in the first month.
Kikouka claimed that the current rate of its flow
is 1000 times the speed of the real-world, and that
Alfheim Online (ALO) (アルヴヘイム・オンライン Aruvuheimu
Onrain)rate was 1500 times the real-world's
the maximum
The second virtual game world, and the setting for
rate.
19.2. SWORD ART ONLINE
19.2.3
Media
Light novels
See also: List of Sword Art Online light novels
Reki Kawahara wrote the first volume in 2001 as a competition entry for ASCII Media Works' Dengeki Game
Novel Prize (電 撃 ゲー ム ⼩ 説 ⼤ 賞 Dengeki Game
Shōsetsu Taishō, now Dengeki Novel Prize), but refrained from submitting it as he had exceeded the page
limit. He instead published it as a web novel under
the pseudonym Fumio Kunori.* [2] Over time, he added
three further episodes and several short stories.* [3]* [4]
In 2008, he participated in the competition again by
writing Accel World, this time winning the Grand Prize.
Aside from Accel World, he was requested to get his earlier work, Sword Art Online, published by ASCII Media
Works.* [2] Kawahara agreed and withdrew his web novel
versions.* [4] Working with illustrator abec, the first volume was published in print on April 10, 2009,* [5] and 16
volumes have been published as of August 8, 2015.* [6]
Kawahara also writes the Sword Art Online: Progressive series, which covers Kirito's adventures on the first
few floors of Aincrad. The first volume of Progressive
was released on October 10, 2012,* [7] and two volumes
have been released as of December 10, 2013.* [8] The
first volume of a light novel series based on Sword Art
Online titled Sword Art Online: Alternative, written by
Keiichi Sigsawa with illustrations by Kouhaku Kuroboshi,
was published by ASCII Media Works on December 10,
2014.* [9]
At their Japan Expo USA panel, Yen Press announced
the rights to publish the light novels; the first volume was
released on April 22, 2014.* [10]* [11] Yen Press later announced their license of the Sword Art Online: Progressive
series, which is scheduled for release in 2015.* [12] The
novels are also published in China, Taiwan, South Korea,
and Thailand.* [1] With more than 16.7 million copies in
print worldwide, there are future plans for publications in
France,* [13] Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Vietnam and others.* [1]
There are a number of dōjinshi, written by the series' original author Reki Kawahara under the pseudonym Fumio
Kunori, titled Sword Art Online Material Edition (ソー
ドアート・オンライン・マテリアル・エディショ
ン).* [14] An 80-page assemblage of some of the Material Edition volumes was published on February 13,
2011;* [15] the latest release is Material Edition volume
14 on November 23, 2014.* [16] The author has also created some other dōjinshi including Lisbeth Edition, Silica Edition and Pina Edition under cooperation with Kurusu Tatsuya from ponz.info.* [17]* [18] It is reported that
these dōjinshi gain traction from the involvement of the
original author in its creation process, as well as from
supplying more details on characters from the original
work.* [17]
219
Manga
There are eight manga adaptations of the series, all written by Reki Kawahara and published by ASCII Media
Works. Sword Art Online: Aincrad (ソー ド アー ト・
オンラインアインクラッド), illustrated by Tamako
Nakamura, was serialized in Dengeki Bunko Magazine between the September 2010 and May 2012 issues. Two
tankōbon volumes of Aincrad were released on September 27, 2012.* [19]* [20] A comedy four-panel manga, titled Sword Art Online. (そーどあーと ☆ おんらいん。
) and illustrated by Jūsei Minami, began serialization in
the September 2010 issue of Dengeki Bunko Magazine.
The first volume of Sword Art Online. was released on
September 27, 2012.* [21] A third manga, titled Sword
Art Online: Fairy Dance (ソードアート・オンライン
フェアリィ・ダンス) and illustrated by Hazuki Tsubasa, began serialization in the May 2012 issue of Dengeki
Bunko Magazine. The first volume of Fairy Dance was
released on October 27, 2012;* [22] the third volume was
released on June 27, 2014.* [23] The Aincrad and Fairy
Dance manga have been acquired for release in North
America by Yen Press.* [10] The first volume of Aincrad
was published on March 25, 2014.* [11]
A spin-off manga starring Lisbeth, Silica, and Leafa, titled Sword Art Online: Girls Ops (ソードアート・オ
ンラインガールズ・オプス) and illustrated by Neko
Nekobyō, began serialization in the July 2013 issue of
Dengeki Bunko Magazine.* [24] Girls Ops was licensed
by Yen Press in November 2014, the first volume of
which was released on May 19, 2015.* [25]* [26] A manga
adaption of Sword Art Online: Progressive, illustrated by
Kiseki Himura, began serialization in the August 2013
issue of Dengeki G's Magazine. The manga ended serialization in the magazine's May 2014 issue and was
transferred to Dengeki G's Comic starting with the June
2014 issue.* [27] The Progressive manga adaption has
been licensed by Yen Press, with the first two volumes released in January and April 2015, respectively.* [12]* [28]
A sixth manga, titled Sword Art Online: Phantom Bullet and illustrated by Kōtarō Yamada, had its first chapter serialized in the May 2014 issue of Dengeki Bunko
Magazine, with following chapters being digitally serialized on Kadokawa's Comic Walker website. A seventh
manga, titled Sword Art Online: Caliber and illustrated by
Shii Kiya, began serialization in Dengeki G's Comic with
the September 2014 issue.* [29] An eighth manga, titled
Sword Art Online: Mother's Rosario and also by Hazuki
Tsubasa, will be based on the seventh volume of the novel
series and serialized in Dengeki Bunko Magazine.
Anime
See also: List of Sword Art Online episodes and List of
Sword Art Online II episodes
An anime adaptation of Sword Art Online was an-
220
nounced at Dengeki Bunko Autumn Festival 2011, along
with Reki Kawahara's other light novel series, Accel
World.* [30] The anime is produced by Aniplex, animated
by A-1 Pictures and directed by Tomohiko Ito with music
by Yuki Kajiura.* [31] The anime aired on Tokyo MX,
tvk, TVS, TVA, RKB, HBC and MBS between July 7
and December 22, 2012, and on AT-X, Chiba TV and
BS11 at later dates.* [32] The series was also streamed on
Crunchyroll and Hulu.* [33] The anime is adapted from
the first four novels and parts of volume eight. The
opening theme song for the first 14 episodes is “crossing field”by LiSA* [34] and the ending theme song is
“Yume Sekai”(ユメセカイ, lit. “Dream World”)
by Haruka Tomatsu.* [35] From episode 15 onward, the
opening theme is“Innocence”by Eir Aoi and the ending
theme is “Overfly”by Luna Haruna.
The anime has been licensed in North America by
Aniplex of America* [36] and an English-language dub
premiered on Adult Swim's Toonami from July 27,
2013* [37] to February 15, 2014. The series was released by Aniplex of America in four DVD and Blu-ray
sets, with special extras on the BD sets, between August 13 and November 19, 2013.* [38] Manga Entertainment released the first series on BD/DVD in the United
Kingdom in December 2013,* [39] whilst Madman Entertainment released the series in Australia* [40] and the
English-language version began airing on ABC3 on June
7, 2014.* [41] Sword Art Online has been available on
Netflix in North America since March 15, 2014.* [42]
CHAPTER 19. S
arc.* [50] Episodes 15 to 17 cover the Caliber arc from
volume 8 of the novels, with episodes 18 to 24 covering
volume 7 of the novels, the Mother's Rosario arc. Premiere screening events of the second season were held
in the United States, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and Japan before the television premiere between June 29 and July 4, 2014.* [51]* [52]* [53] The first
opening theme is“Ignite”by Eir Aoi, and the first ending
theme is “Startear”by Luna Haruna.* [54] The second
opening theme is “Courage”by Haruka Tomatsu, and
the second ending theme is “No More Time Machine”
by LiSA, with the third ending theme being “Shirushi”
(シルシ) by LiSA. At Katsucon, it was announced that
the English dub of the second season will air on Toonami
beginning March 28, 2015.* [55]
Video games
A stage event at the Dengeki Bunko Autumn Festival
2011 revealed that Reki Kawahara's light novels would
get video game adaptations.* [56] The first Sword Art Online adaptation, titled Sword Art Online: Infinity Moment
(ソードアート・オンライン -インフィニティ
・モー
メント - Sōdo Āto Onrain: Infiniti Mōmento), was developed by Namco Bandai Games for the PlayStation
Portable.* [57] The game follows an alternate storyline,
in which a glitch causes Kirito and the other players to
remain in Sword Art Online despite defeating Heathcliff, and players from other VMMORPGs such as Leafa
*
A year-end special, titled Sword Art Online Extra Edi- and Sinon get sucked into the game themselves. [58] The
tion, aired on December 31, 2013. The special recapped game was released in both regular and limited edition box
*
the previously aired anime series and included some new sets on March 14, 2013. [59]
*
footage. [43] The special's main theme is “Niji no Oto” Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment is a PlayStation Vita
(虹の⾳ Sound of the Rainbow) by Eir Aoi.* [44] Extra game released in Japan on April 24, 2014 rated C on
Edition was streamed worldwide a few hours after its air- the CERO rating scale.* [60]* [61] Sword Art Online: Holing in Japan.* [45] The two-hour-long special was avail- low Fragment takes place in the same alternative storyable on Daisuki worldwide except for French-speaking line as Sword Art Online: Infinity Moment,* [62] and it inareas, as well as China and Korea.* [45] Daisuki offered cludes all content of“Floor Clearing”from that previous
subtitles in various languages such as English, Spanish, game* [63] with the addition of new unexplored“Hollow
Portuguese, Italian, and German.* [45] English-speaking Area”of Aincrad.* [64] The protagonist Kirito will cross
countries, Mexico, Central and South America could also swords with a mysterious player who would become one
watch the stream on Crunchyroll.* [46] Extra Edition was of the key characters in the game.* [64] The game sold
also simulcast in Korea on Aniplus cable channel and 145,029 physical retail copies within the first week of rein China on the LeTV streaming website.* [46] French- lease in Japan, topping the Japanese software sales charts
speaking countries could watch on the Wakanim stream- for that particular week.* [65] The game had also been reing website.* [46] The Blu-ray Disc and DVD of Extra leased in Taiwan by Namco Bandai Games Taiwan with
Edition was released on April 23, 2014 in Japan.* [47] Chinese and English subtitles.* [66] A digital-only North
The limited edition included a Yui character song titled American, European and Australian release was released
“Heart Sweet Heart”by Kanae Itō and an original side in August 2014.
story written by Reki Kawahara titled “Sword Art On*
line Niji no Hashi”(ソードアート・オンライン虹の A third video game developed by Artdink [67] and titled Sword Art Online: Lost Song was released in Japan
橋 Sword Art Online Rainbow Bridge).* [47]
on March 26, 2015* [68] on the PlayStation 3 and Vita
At the end of the special, the anime TV series was con- platforms,* [69]* [70] with an English version planned for
firmed for a second season titled Sword Art Online II, release in Asia.* [71] The game's producer revealed in Ocwhich premiered on July 5, 2014.* [48]* [49] The first 14 tober 2014 that the game is an open-world action RPG
episodes of the second season is an adaptation of volumes featuring an original storyline, set within Alfheim Onfive and six the light novels that cover the Phantom Bullet line, where characters are able to fly.* [72] The game sold
19.2. SWORD ART ONLINE
139,298 physical retail copies on the PlayStation Vita
in addition to another 55,090 units on the PlayStation
3 within its first week of release in Japan, ranking second and sixth place respectively within the Japanese software sales charts for that particular week, narrowly behind Bloodborne taking the top spot.* [73]
A social network game called Sword Art Online: End
World was released for Japanese feature phones and
smartphones on February 28, 2013* [74]* [75] with more
than 1 million registered users.* [76] Another freemium
game for Android and iOS titled Sword Art Online: Code
Register launched in 2014, and has had over 3,000,000
users downloaded the game.* [77] Another game called
Sword Art Online: Progress Link designed for the Mobage
browser game platform on smartphones was released on
February 10, 2015.* [78]
221
the series by stating in regards to the two halves, “Both,
however, are enjoyable for what they are.”* [92]
Rebecca Silverman of Anime News Network has criticized the series as having pacing problems and “sloppy
writing”.* [93] Theron Martin criticized the story as
struggling “to achieve and maintain the level of gravitas
that life-or-death danger should have”, while calling it unwilling to commit to Kirito's“lone wolf”image.* [94] DeviceCritique explains that Sword Art Online influences the
virtual reality market to grow, and references the Oculus
Rift as a prime example of the starting point of virtual
reality. It also praises Sword Art Online for exploring the
psychological and social aspects of virtual reality gaming.* [95] Adam Facey of The Muse criticized the series,
among others, as being sexist and the female characters
as being overly sexualized.* [96]
Kirito, Asuna and Leafa appear in Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax, a fighting game by Sega featuring vari- 19.2.5 References
ous characters from works published under the Dengeki
Bunko imprint.* [79]* [80] A browser game titled Sword [1] “Sword Art Online Light Novels Have More Than 16.7
Art Quest and its sequel smartphone game Sword Art
Million Copies in Print Worldwide”. Anime News NetQuest II * [81] provide challenges to users to upgrade their
work. December 19, 2014. Retrieved December 19,
2014.
characters to receive rewards.* [82] There is also a paid
Android game titled SAO -Log Out- that users can down[2] Afterword of the first light novel volume
load and play with characters from the series and obtain
*
wallpapers from it. [83]
[3] Afterword of the sixth light novel volume
19.2.4
Reception
According to Oricon, Sword Art Online was the top
selling light novel series of 2012, with eight volumes
figuring among the top selling light novels.* [84]* [85]
It was ranked first in the 2012 and 2013 Kono Light
Novel ga Sugoi! rankings, as well as top ten placement in 2011, 2014 and 2015.* [86]* [87]* [88]* [89]* [90]
Richard Eisenbeis of Kotaku hails Sword Art Online as
the smartest series in recent years, praising its deep insight on the psychological aspects of virtual reality on the
human psyche, its sociological views on creating a realistic economy and society in a massively multiplayer online game setting, and the writing staff's ability to juggle
a wide variety of genres within the series.* [91] Eisenbeis
particularly noted how the romance between Kirito and
Asuna is explored bringing “definition to exactly what
love is like in a virtual world.”However, at the time of
this preliminary review, he had only watched the first 12
episodes of the series. He has since gone on to review the
second half of the series, lauding its excellent use of plot
twists and praising its well written and believable villain.
However, he felt that some of the initial positive aspects
of the series were lost in the second half, such as the focus on psychological repercussions and social interactions
that could be realistically seen in an online game. Criticism was also levied on the aspect of turning Asuna into
a damsel in distress, stating that a female lead as strong
as her was “reduced to nothing but the quest item the
male lead is hunting for.”Eisenbeis closes his review of
[4] Fumio Kunori (Reki Kawahara).“web novel”. WordGear
(in Japanese). Retrieved 2012-07-07.
[5] ソー ド アー ト・ オ ン ラ イ ン 〈1〉 ア イ ン ク ラッ
ド (電 撃 ⽂ 庫) (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. ISBN
4048677608.
[6] ソードアート・オンライン 16 (in Japanese). ASCII
Media Works. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
[7] ソードアート・オンラインプログレッシブ 1[Sword
Art Online: Progressive 1] (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp.
Retrieved 2014-01-18.
[8] ソードアート・オンラインプログレッシブ 2[Sword
Art Online: Progressive 2] (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp.
Retrieved January 18, 2014.
[9] “Kino's Journey's Sigsawa Writes Sword Art Online
Novel”. Anime News Network. September 19, 2014.
Retrieved September 19, 2014.
[10] “Yen Press Adds Sword Art Online, Accel World Light
Novels, More Madoka Magica Manga”. Anime News
Network. 2013-08-23. Retrieved 2013-08-23.
[11] ""Sword Art Online" Light Novel and Manga Release Details Listed”. Crunchyroll. September 16, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
[12] “Yen Press Licenses Akame Ga Kill!, Sword Art Online: Progressive, Kagerou Daze”. Anime News Network.
June 13, 2014. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
[13] “Ofelbe Editions”. Ofelbe Editions. Facebook. 201403-13. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
222
CHAPTER 19. S
[14] " なんば店 A 【全年齢向け同⼈誌】九⾥史⽣先⽣ [31] "Madoka Magica & .hack 's Kajiura Scores Sword Art Onのサークル【WordGear】様による『ソードアート・
line". Anime News Network. 2011-03-31. Retrieved
オンライン・マテリアル・エディション 11』とら
2012-06-19.
のあな専売で好評発売中!!" (in Japanese). Toranoana.
[32] “Sword Art Online official air dates”(in Japanese). ReRetrieved June 20, 2014.
trieved 2012-06-19.
[15] " ⼤⼈気ライトノベル作者による同⼈誌が遂にと
[33] "Sword Art Online". Crunchyroll. Archived from the origらのあなに登場！サークル【WordGear】の『ソード
inal on January 3, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
アート・オンラインマテリアル・エディション総
集編』をご紹介!" (in Japanese). Toranoana. Retrieved [34] “LiSA to Sing Sword Art Online Anime's Opening”.
June 20, 2014.
Anime News Network. 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2012-0619.
[16] ソードアート・オンライン・マテリアル・エディショ
ン 14 (in Japanese). Toranoana. Retrieved December 19, [35] “Haruka Tomatsu to Perform Sword Art Online Ending
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