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Shakugan no Shana
灼眼のシャナ (Shakugan no Shana)
Genre	Drama, Fantasy, Novel, School Life
TV anime
Directed by	Watanabe Takashi
Studio	J.C.STAFF
Network	Animax, MBS, TVA, TV Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa
Original run	5 October 2005 – 22 March 2006
No. of episodes	24

Shakugan no Shana (灼眼のシャナ, Shakugan no Shana^?) is a Japanese fictional work originally available as a series of light novels written by Yashichirou Takahashi, which now has both manga and anime adaptations. It stars Yuuji Sakai and Shana, who is called the "Slayer with Flame Hair and Blazing Eyes". The title of the anime roughly translates to "Shana of the burning eyes".

Contents [hide] 1 Story 2 Characters 2.1 Humans and Mistes 2.2 Flame Hazes and Lords of Guze 2.3 Tomogara and Rinne 2.4 Ball Masque 3 Terminology 4 Theme music 5 Episode titles 6 Other Media 7 External links

Story

Yuuji Sakai, a high school student who expected his very normal life to last forever, is dead. While on his way home one day he witnesses a shocking view: the world suddenly freezes, people are engulfed by blue flames and a monster resembling a large doll seems to swallow them. Just as the monster prepares to consume Yuuji, a sword-wielding girl in black attire with flaming red eyes and hair that burns like embers saves him. The girl calls herself a "Flame Haze" who hunts the Tomogara (formally "Guze no Tomogara", or Crimson Denizens in English), creatures from another world. When Yuuji notices a blue flame in his chest, the Flame Haze tells him that the "real" Yuuji died some time ago, and that he is a "Torch", a temporary replacement for erased humans. Torches take on the forms of those erased persons, but before long, they will vanish from the memories of the living. Unfazed by his apparent death, Yuuji befriends the strange girl and names her "Shana". Expecting Yuuji to slowly fade away like all other Torches do, Shana is surprised to find that Yuuji is not a normal Torch, but instead a special kind called a "Mistes": he has a "hougu" inside him, and an extremely powerful and valuable one at that. Shana resolves to protect Yuuji from the Tomogara, who would use the hougu to disrupt the balance of the world, and Yuuji decides to join Shana in her fight.

Shana's fight is the long-standing struggle between Flame Hazes and Tomogara. The Tomogara are beings from the Crimson Realm and steal Power of Existence, the energy that forms the basis of the world, from the living people and utilize it for their own selfish ambitions. Flame Hazes are the mortal enemies of Tomogara, and attempt to retain balance. Thus, the Flame Hazes create Torches in the image of the dead in order to relieve the strain on reality resulting from the actions of the Tomogara.

Characters

Humans and Mistes

Yuuji Sakai (坂井悠二, Yuuji Sakai^? ) (Mistes)

The main character of the story. He is just an average high school student, but his world is turned upside down when he discovers he is already dead and hasn't long before he disappears. However, he is a mistes, and unlike normal torches the hougu inside him restores his Power of Existence at midnight. His hougu is called Reiji Maigo (零時迷子, Reiji Maigo^?). With Reiji Maigo, Yuuji has the possibility to live on like an average human as long as he makes sure his Power of Existence does not run out before midnight. He also starts to learn more and more to use the yet untapped potential of the treasure kept within him.

Yuuji is kind and the type of person to put others before himself. This often causes Shana great annoyance, but sows the seeds of attraction.

Voiced by: Satoshi Hino (Japanese)

Kazumi Yoshida (吉田一美, Kazumi Yoshida^?)

Yuuji's classmate. She has a crush on him, but is a bit shy to directly tell him. She has now vowed to tell him her feelings and let Yuuji decide between her and Shana, when Shana becomes her love-rival. Named after Shigeru Yoshida.

Voiced by: Ayako Kawasumi (Japanese)

Hayato Ike (池速人, Hayato Ike^?)

Yuuji's friend since Junior High School. Carries the title "Megane-man" or "Glasses Man". There are hints and speculation showing that he is fond of Kazumi, secretly. However, he is the one who helps her to show her feeling towards Yuuji. Named after Hayato Ikeda.

Voiced by: Hirofumi Nojima (Japanese)

Chigusa Sakai (坂井千草, Chigusa Sakai^?)

Yuuji's mother. She can seem gentle but she's strong and very intelligent. Her husband, Kantarou, works outside the country.

Voiced by: Tomo Sakurai (Japanese)

Eita Tanaka (田中栄太, Eita Tanaka^?)

A well-built classmate of Yuuji. He, as well as Keisaku, shows respect, admiration and affection towards Margery as an "anego" (respectable elder sister), but his act is more apparent than Keisaku. Named after Kakuei Tanaka.

Voiced by: Takayuki Kondou (Japanese)

Keisaku Satou (佐藤啓作, Keisaku Satou^?)

Eita's friend and lesson-skipping companion. Being a member of a wealthy family with only him living in his house, it becomes a place for Eita and Margery to stay. He and Eita like Margery, but he hides his feeling. Named after Eisaku Sato.

Voiced by: Kenji Nojima (Japanese)

Matake Ogata (緒方真竹, Matake Ogata^?)

Yuuji's classmate. She is physically active and is somewhat tomboyish. She also has feelings for Eita Tanaka. Named after Ogata Taketora.

Voiced by: Yumiko Kobayashi (Japanese)

Kantarou Sakai

Yuuji's father.

Yukari Hirai (平井ゆかり, Yukari Hirai^?)

Yuuji's classmate. She likes Ike (Yuuji's friend), but she dies when a Rinne appears on her way home. Shana makes a Torch of Yukari Hirai on the day she meets Yuuji, but by the next day her flame has burned out and she has disappeared. Shana uses an illusion so that she appears to be Yukari to everyone except Yuuji.

Voiced by: Masumi Asano (Japanese)

Tenmoku Ikko (天目一個, Tenmoku Ikko^? "The One Celestial Eye") (Mistes)

A Mistes known as "the worst Mistes in history" or "monster torch". A huge man wearing samurai armour and one-eyed Oni (demon or ghost) mask. He's a person who became Mistes on his own will, so he can find the strongest person who he could entrust the treasure Nietono no Shana to - a sword made to destroy Crimson Denizens.

Voiced by: Takayuki Sugo (Japanese)

Flame Hazes and Lords of Guze

Shana / Enpatsu Shakugan no Uchite (「炎髪灼眼の討ち手」シャナ, Enpatsu Shakugan no Uchite^? "Slayer with Flame Hair and Blaze Eyes") (Flame Haze)

The female lead of the show and a Flame Haze. Initially she's concentrated solely on her duty as a Flame Haze, not having even a name, and sees Yuuji only as a Torch, that is a thing, marginally interesting because of him also being a Mistes. However, she slowly opens up to Yuuji, discovering him as a person despite being a Torch, and eventually comes to love him. Shana originally didn't have a name, and was referred to only with her Flame Haze title Enpatsu Shakugan no Uchite, however, Yuuji chose to name her "Shana" after her sword, Nietono no Shana ("Vairocana of the Offering Room").

Voiced by: Rie Kugimiya (Japanese)

Alastor / Tenjou no Gouka (「天壌の劫火」アラストール, Tenjou no Gouka^? "Conflagaration upon Heaven") (Lord of Guze)

He is the Crimson Lord to whom Shana is bound. He expresses his will through a divine vessel called the Cocytus, which (in Shana's case) takes the form of a pendant. His name is actually the name of a demon in mythology.

Alastor is considered the strongest of the Lords of Guze or Tomogara, even comparable to a god in the Crimson world. But even so, he tried keeping the Denizens from consuming Power of Existence. And, unlike other lords that has a Flame Haze, he can perform a method called Tenpa Josai, which will summon his Manifestation to the world to consume all Denizens around him. This method is the Enpatsu Shakugan's last resort, as prior to Shana, no Flame Haze had survived after using it.

Voiced by: Masashi Ebara (Japanese)

Margery Daw / Choushi no Yomite (「弔詞の詠み手」マージョリー・ドー, Choushi no Yomite^? "Chanter of Elegies") (Flame Haze)

A tall, "well-endowed" and mature blonde Flame Haze who is bound to Marchosias. She uses the Grimoire, which is the divine vessel through which Marchosias expresses his will. Her main powers focus around chanting spells and turning into a werewolf. She casts spells by humming an "Tosatsu no Sokkyoushi" that means "Improvisation (Poem) of Slaughter". Her name comes from a certain Mother Goose rhyme, as well as what she hums. She also has a drinking habit, and both Satou and Tanaka look up to her because she saved their lives once. Her reason for becoming a Flame Haze is to get revenge from a Tomogara with silver-colored flame (who is connected somehow with Yuuji).

Voiced by: Hitomi Nabatame (Japanese)

Marchosias / Jyuurin no Souga (「蹂躙の爪牙」マルコシアス, Jyuurin no Souga^? "Claws and Fangs of Violation") (Lord of Guze)

The Crimson Lord to whom Margery Daw is bound. He expresses his will through the divine vessel Grimoire, which takes the form of a book. His name is actually the name of a demon. He talks wildly, makes remorseless comments and often teases Margery before getting punched by her, but does care about her, perhaps not in form of friendship but battle companions.

Voiced by: Mitsuo Iwata (Japanese)

Wilhelmina Carmel / Banjou no Shite (「万条の仕手」ヴィルヘルミナ・カルメル, Banjou no Shite^? "Controller of Ten Thousands of Stripes") (Flame Haze)

A young lady that wears maid uniform all the time. She's bound to Tiamat, who's will resides in the divine vessel Persona, the mask Wilhelmina use in battle mode; or usually, as her headdress. During the great war, Persona's shape is a tiara. Her title's meaning is like the term for player (in chess) who can predict moves far ahead.

She's one of the great Flame Haze from the age of the great war, fighting alongside with her friend, "Enpatsu Shakugan no Uchite" Mathilde Saint-Omer. Both, they're like counterpart of the "Pair of Wings" combination between the Crimson Lords Merihim and Illuyankas. Her ability is to control infinite number of ribbons coming from around her. Wilhelmina, who is always speaking in an overly polite manner, has nearly no expression. She's very skillful in many things, like singing and house chores, so she's the person who take care of Shana during the girl's training at Tendoukyuu. But cooking is not one she's good at.

Also, she hates Yuuji like a protective mother against her daughter's boyfriend.

Voiced by: Shizuka Ito (Japanese)

Tiamat / Mugen no Kantai (「夢幻の冠帯」ティアマトー, Mugen no Kantai^? "Crown Strip of Fantasies") (Lord of Guze)

The female lord whom Wilhelmina is bound to and does not talk much. In the novel, her lines are always written in kanji letters with no hiragana or katakana.

Voiced by: Akeno Watanabe (Japanese)

Khamsin Nbh`w / Gisou no Karite (「儀装の駆り手」カムシン・ネブハーウ, Gisou no Karite^? "Mobilizer of Ceremonial Equipment") (Flame Haze)

Flame Haze under Behemoth. One of the oldest flame hazes in history, perhaps even thousands of years old, he looks like a ten-year-old boy. Khamsin has the ability to create and move stone golem-like creatures and control stones. He is very powerful, but no other Flame Haze wants to be in front of him because of he has an extremely powerful yet notorious lack of accuracy in his attacks.

Voiced by: Junko Minagawa (Japanese)

Behemoth / Fubatsu no Senrei (「不抜の尖嶺」ベヘモット, Fubatsu no Senrei^? "Steadfast Sharp Peak") (Lord of Guze)

The lord whose will resides in the bracelet Khamsin wears and speaks like an old man. With his Flame Haze, his mission seems not to protect the balance of worlds by hunting the Denizens, but instead by re-tuning places where the distortion is too large, such as Misago city where Friagne had created so many Torches in his preparation.

Voiced by: Katsuhisa Houki (Japanese)

Tomogara and Rinne

Friagne / Kariuto (「狩人」フリアグネ, Kariuto^? "The Hunter") (Tomogara)

Friagne, also known as "Flame Haze Murderer", takes his name's meaning as his hobby, "treasure hunter". He is a powerful Tomogara arrayed in robes of untarnishable white. Unlike other Tomogara, he doesn't associate with the organization Ball Masque. He has very intimate relationship with his favorite doll, Marianne. He wants Marianne to have her own existence, not just that of a Rinne who need to depend on the power from the master to exist.

He has a vast collection of hougu (powerful tools or implements contained within Mistes), pictured as mountain of treasure in an extra story in Guren (Itou Noizi artbook), of which all are useless. This is also the reason for his having the largest collection of hougu: most are not the highly sought battle-use hougu. His name is actually the name of an angel of Tuesday.

Voiced by: Jun'ichi Suwabe (Japanese)

Marianne (Rinne) (マリアンヌ, Marianne (Rinne)^?)

One of Friagne's Rinne (servants). Friagne seems to treasure her a bit more than is healthy for him. She usually takes the form of a doll.

Voiced by: Kimiko Koyama (Japanese)

Lamies / Shikabane Hiroi (「屍拾い」／「螺旋の風琴」ラミー, Shikabane Hiroi^? "Corpse Retriever" / "The Spiral Organ") (Tomogara)

He is a Crimson Denizen with the shape of an old man and collects the Power of Existence from the torches on the verge of flickering out. He is even able to create new Unrestricted Methods (Jizai Hou) with those collection of Power, and is seemed to have a great goal to achieve. Yet, he is neutral and unsided, while he knows Alastor.

His true name is "Rasen no Fuukin" or The Spiral Organ and in the past, he used the name Leanan-sidhe.

Voiced by: Motomu Kiyokawa (Japanese)

Sorath / Aizenji (「愛染自」ソラト, Aizenji^? "Self-Fondling One") (Crimson Denizen)

He's an extravagant occidental looking boy with a beautiful hair but always being perplexed despite being Tyrael's elder brother. With the "Butsuyoku" (an arms type hoogu) he uses "the olfactory sense of desire" to seek powers of existence.

He's searching for the "Nietono no Shana" (Shana's Sword) but is armed firstly with another sword called "Blood Sucker". His name is the name of the Solar Demon.

Voiced by: Ryoko Shiraishi (Japanese)

Tyrael / Aizenta (「愛染他」ティリエル, Aizenta^? "Him-Fondling One") (Crimson Denizen)

Sorath's younger sister. Though being the younger one, she thinks very maturely and teaches everything to his will-less brother with too much love, but will follow him closely no matter where he goes and protect him without regrets even if it about her own Power of Existence. She can use an Unrestricted Method called "Cradle Garden" that makes the inside into their turf.

Voiced by: Yukari Tamura (Japanese)

Merihim a.k.a Shiro / Niji no Tsubasa (「虹の翼」メリヒム, Niji no Tsubasa^? "Rainbow Wings") (Crimson Denizen)

One of the lords that gathers in Tomurai no Kane (or Totem Brocken) under the "Meiou no Kan" Azis. With the dragon shaped Illuyankas, they're both famous as the "Pair of Wings". He also has the title Niji no Kenshi (虹の剣士, Niji no Kenshi^? "Rainbow Swordsman").

Wilhelmina loves him, but Merihim is crazily in love with Mathilde, who in turn, loved Alastor.

To fulfill his promise to the woman he loved, he changed shape into the skeleton Shana knows as Shiro, and trained the next successor of "Enpatsu Shakugan no Uchite" title.

His name is from the demon Merihem.

Voiced by: Katsuyuki Konishi (Japanese)

Fileth / Saihyou (「彩飄」フィレス, Saihyou^? "Colorful Flutter") (Crimson Denizen)

A lord who once and still loved a human, Johan. To be eternally with him, she created the most precious treasure in Guze, a Treasure that can grants eternity to the Mistes bearing it, and that's the Reiji Maigo. Because of Reiji Maigo, she don't have to consume other human's existence, because she can get enough to survive from Johan. Because of an incident, she sealed Johan into Reiji Maigo, then the treasure is lost, so she's searching for him everywhere.

A friend with Wilhelmina who once saved her.

Her name probably came from the demon Bileth.

Ball Masque

An organization of Denizens who moved into human world. It's currently led under three powerful figures called the Trinity. Their goal is yet unknown, but they seem to be interested in the Reiji Maigo, which resides in Yuuji. Using the Reiji Maigo, they plan on overflowing the land with Power of Existence - storing huge amounts of power such that so that it becomes a 'spring of existence', sustaining all Tomogaras for a long time.

Sydonai / Senben (「千変」シュドナイ, Senben^? "Thousand Change") (Crimson Lord)

One of the Trinity of the Ball Masque, entitled as the "General". For some time, he stayed outside of the Organization, because he wanted the freedom to do as he wants. However, after finding Reiji Maigo, he has returned to his previous position. He has great shape-shifting abilities, being able to change into various chimeras. Sydonai is the alias for the demon Asmodai.

Voiced by: Kenta Miyake (Japanese)

Hecate / Itadaki no Kurai (「頂の座」ヘカテー, Itadaki no Kurai^? "Supreme Throne") (Crimson Denizen)

One of the Trinity of the Ball Masque, entitled as "the Priestess". She also controls the movements of Seireiden, Ball Masque's base. A small pale girl with white cape and hat, she doesn't speak much. Sydonai seems to care for her a lot. Bel Peol always mentions her having 'eternal existence'. Her position is very important with respect to what the Ball Masque plans to do with Reiji Maigo, since she is the one who will be taking the power of Reiji Maigo and sending it out to everything in Seireiden.

Her name is taken from Hecate, a Greek goddess usually related to witchcraft and crossroads, also called "Queen of Ghosts".

Voiced by: Mamiko Noto (Japanese)

Bel Peol / Gyakuri no Saisha (「逆理の裁者」ベルペオル, Gyakuri no Saisha^? "Judge of Paradoxes") (Crimson Denizen)

One of the Trinity of the Ball Masque, entitled as the "Strategist". Takes the form of a woman with three eyes, but has an eyepatch covering her right eye.

A scheming character who would have no qualms in manipulating her unsuspecting subordinates and sending them to die

Her name could be from the demon Belphegor, or Baal Pheor.

Voiced by: Sayaka Ohara (Japanese)

Vine / Ryuugan (「琉眼」ウィネ, Ryuugan^? "Glazed Eyes") (Crimson Denizen)

Voiced by: Tatsuhisa Suzuki (Japanese)

Orgon / Senseirei (「千征令」オルゴン, Senseirei^? "Commander of Thousand Conquests") (Crimson Denizen)

Voiced by: Atsushi Ono (Japanese)

Dantalion / Tantankyuukyuu (「探耽求究」ダンタリオン, Tantankyuukyuu^? "The Discovery-Addicted Utmost-Researcher") (Crimson Denizen)

The stereotypical mad scientist, Dantalion is not liked by most Denizens, even in the Ball Masque, because he would do research on their own people. Among the Trinity, Bel Peol doesn't like him and Sydonay hates him, but somehow Hecate seems close to him, even calling him "ojiisama" (the greeting towards grandfathers or respectable seniors) and protected him most of the time from getting into trouble with the higher-ups.

He created a lot of treasure tools, from creatures like the "Rinne" Cantate Domino 28 (parody of Tetsujin 28) to huge trains. He's also notorious for conducting meaningless experiments, for the sake of conducting experiments, which in the end serves no actual useful purpose.

Dantalion's name is the 72nd demon listed in Ars Goetia.

Voiced by: Nobuo Tobita (Japanese)

Terminology

Crimson World (紅世, Guze^?)

An alternate world that resides in a place that is both unreachable and next door to our own world.

Crimson Denizen (紅世の徒, Guze no Tomogara^?)

A term that refers to all the inhabitants of the Crimson Realm / Crimson World. Also simply called Denizen (徒, Tomogara^?). They are said to come from the Crimson World, devouring humans (by absorbing their Power of Existence) and laying waste to the world.

As shown in Friagne's death, the people of Guze seem to be made from Flame of Existence. The names that they are called are usually names of demons, which interestingly, in Islamic beliefs, are created by God from flame, as opposed to man being created from earth.

Crimson Lord (紅世の王, Guze no Ou^?)

An existence, amongst the Denizens, possessing great power. Also simply called Lords (王, Ou^?). Because of their large existence, they require a lot of Power of Existence to manifest themselves in our world. They also have the power to move between worlds freely.

But in the war to protect the balance of worlds, Lords are entitled to those who are Flame Hazes and protect both worlds, while Denizens are entitled to those who consume existence to live.

Power of Existence (存在の力, Sonzai no Chikara^?)

A fundamental energy necessary to exist in this world. Denizens steal this power from humans in order to use it for their own agendas.

It is implied that the Denizens don't need this Power of Existence to survive in their world, but their potential of using it to do anything (even possible to bring back the dead ?) lure them to human world.

Unrestricted method (自在法, Jizai Hou^?)

Technique used by both Crimson Denizens and Flame Hazes, using Power of Existence, that cause various events when they are "working".

The spreading of such technique in Guze is frighteningly fast. In the beginning, a Denizen created a method to move from Guze to human world. Soon, the technique spread--the whole world knew about it and the invasion began.

Unrestricted system (自在式, Jizai Shiki^?)

The system that is developed in order to use the Unrestricted Method. The procedure of performing.

Unrestricted master (自在師, Jizai shi^?)

Users of the Unrestricted Method.

Manifestation (顕現, Kengen^?)

Something that appears in this world. Literally meaning "to show up". Also it's the shape that the creatures from Guze have when materializing in human world.

Rinne (燐子, Rinne^?)

Servants of the Denizens born from the Power of Existence, their form takes on the whim of their creator. While they are able to gather the Power of Existence for their master, they cannot use it directly and must receive it from their master or they will cease to exist. The literal translation of Rinne is "Phosphorus Child". The word in Japanese is also homonymous with the Buddhist term used to describe the endless cycle of rebirth.

Flame Haze (フレイムヘイズ, Fureimuheizu^?)

Name given to those who carry extraordinary powers and strive for the balance of worlds by fighting against Crimson Denizens or Lords. They make contracts with Crimson Lords to gain their power. In this process, the flame of their existence is replaced by the Lord they made contract with; therefore they have forsaken their past, present, and future for this duty. Some of them are victims of the Crimson Denizens or Lords and are determined to retire them all.

Strangely though, Flame Hazes, as certain kind of hunters, and Crimson Lords, do not usually get along with others of the same kind well because both of them come from different backgrounds and bear different ambitions.

Torch (トーチ, Toochi^?)

Certain kind of existence left in form of blue flames for those who have lost their Power of Existence. In this manner, they're the opposite of Flame Hazes, who are people who existed but have lost their existence. In addition, some colour of the Denizen who eat the existence also tarnished colour of the Torch. The flame fades as time goes while the recognition from others around also fades. The existence of "torches" is to compansate the influence of changes made to the real world. When torches vanish, all evidence of their existence disappears.

Mistess (ミステス, Misutesu^?)

Torches carrying "treasurable tools" inside. The tools inside would transfer themselves to another torch once the former torch is exhausted, so they are as known as "travelling treasures". For example, "Sakai Yuuji" is one of them.

Great War (大戦, Ooikusa^?)

The War which took place in 16th century Europe where the Crimson Lord Azis gathered nine Lords with him to attack the human world. On the human's side, Alastor and other Lords gathered and created their Flame Hazes to protect the balance of worlds.

Treasure tool(s) (宝具, Hougu^?)

Objects carrying special functions, like "Reiji Maigo". Mostly they are related to the control, compensation or utilization of Power of Existence.

Time stop seal (封絶, Fuuzetsu^?)

A dome-like dimension separated from the "Flow of Cause-And-Effect". The inside (Crimson World / Realm?) is static and hidden from the outside (real) world. The Seals are surrounded by a circular ring with letters written in Sanskrit on it, but the size is variable.

World's Distortion (世界の歪み, Sekai no Yugami^?)

Worst possible consequence as a result of the consumption of existence by the Denizens. When the sudden lost of existence goes beyond what the world can cope with, it will crumble. And because this world and Guze are like two sides of a coin, both worlds will fall down together.

God's vessel (神器, Jinki^?)

True Name (真名, Mana^?)

Name of the people from Guze when translated into human language. They have real meanings and can be used to predict their specialities by interpreting them literally, for example, Raimi's True Name is "Rasen no Huukin" (螺旋の風琴, "Rasen no Huukin"^? "Spiral Organ(ist)").

Destruction Attack (討滅, Toumetsu^?)

Traitor Attack - Tool for a Destruction Attack (同胞殺し・討滅の道具, Douhougurushi - Toumetsu no Dougu^?)

Nickname given to Flame Haze by the Crimson Denizens, as they consider that the Flame Haze are tools used by the Crimson Lords to kill their own kind.

Enpatsu Shakugan no Uchite (炎髪灼眼の討ち手, Enpatsu Shakugan no Uchite^?)

Title given to the Flame Haze that are bounded to the Crimson Lord "Tenjou no Gouka". They have power to control flame and with Tenpa Josai, evoke Alastor out of their body with the cost of their lives.

All along the two most famous Enpatsu Shakugan, they're always the eccentric among all Flame Hazes. Mathilde, the previous Enpatsu Shakugan is the only Flame Haze who's happy to be one, while others suffered before and forever being Flame Haze. While Shana, the current Enpatsu Shakugan is the only Flame Haze who became Flame Haze by her own will to protect the world, not because of deep hatred against the Crimson Denizens like others.

"Enpatsu Shakugan" can be translated as "flame hair and blaze eyes" while "Uchite" does not have an accurate corresponding word, in principle it means "someone who triggers an attack", can be shortened as agent, hitman, fighter, etc.

Yogasa (夜笠, Yogasa^?, "Cape of Nights")

Magical cape worn by Shana that means the parasol in the night. It can store things like her sword and disappear.

Nietono no Shana (贄殿遮那, Nietono no Shana^?)

Shana's sword. The name literaly means "Vairocana of the Offering Room."

The original owner is a Mistes known as Tenmoku Ikko (literally: One Eye of Heaven), a monster so strong, he's known even to Guze as "the worst Mistes ever in history".

Midnight Stray (零時迷子, Reiji Maigo^?)

The most treasured of all treasures from Guze. It's made by the Billeth, a Lord level Denizen, to give eternity to the person she loved, Johan, who then became a Mistes who's strong enough to fight against Denizens (much like Tenmoku Ikko). Johan is sealed within the treasure later, and somehow, the treasure now stays in Yuuji.

The full potential of this treasure is still unknown, but it gave the Mistes abilities close to that of a Flame Haze's, like the ability to move freely in Fuuzetsu and sense Unrestricted Methods close by.

Haridan (玻璃壇, Haridan^?, "Glass Altar")

One of Friagne's collection. It's a tool that functions as a map covering the whole city and has the ability to map all torches and their movement. Margerie often use it after Friagne is defeated to look for unusual activities.

Tendoukyuu (天道宮, Tendoukyuu^? "Palace of Heaven's Road")

Treasure shaped as a flying island, used as fortress of the Flame Haze and Lords who sided with the humans during the great war. It was built by one of the Lords, Gavida. Tendoukyuu's is chosen as a base because it's completely hidden, undetectable by any Unrestricted Method.

It was destroyed around the time Shana became a Flame Haze, by the treasure Gordian Knot activated as Vine died.

Seireiden (星黎殿, Seireiden^? "Palace of Asterisms")

Can be considered as a sister of Tendoukyuu. Seireiden is also a treasure shaped as an undetectable island, used by the organization Ball Masque.

Azure

Friagne's battle-use treasure later changed ownership to Yuuji. Its other name is the flame-cancelling ring. Its ability is to create barrier against flame, because most Power of Existence that shaped Unrestricted Method and Denizens are flame-like.

Bubble root (バブルルート, Bubble root^?)

Friagne's chain-shaped treasure. It can't be cut off even by Nietono no Shana.

Dance Party

Bell-shaped weapon with the ability to control Power of Existence.

Regular Sharp

Trigger Happy

Gun-shaped weapon. It's a weapon to kill Flame Haze, with its ability to force the King residing inside a Flame Haze to awaken. The Flame Haze would die as a consequence, and the King will manifest into the world until they run out of Power of Existence and forced to return to Guze or disappear.

Of course, this could be very dangerous, and in Alastor's case, he consumed Denizens to get power.

Reshuffle

One of Friagne's toys in the extra story. It's a treasure-shaped as kaleidoscope, in which someone who peek through one side can switch body with the person he/she sees through the treasure. The catch is, both parties should not have any boundary between their hearts. Yuuji switched body with Shana and troubles ensued for that day.

One of the useless treasures.

Miyako Gurai (都喰らい, Miyako Gurai^? "City Devourer")

An Unrestricted Method that's very powerful, but at a cost of many lives. It requires large amounts of torches, and could consume a whole city. The amount of torches is also an indication, especially if it seems an unnatural number for a Lord to have eaten that much. Even if the risk of distortion is too high, the Denizens that perform it usually don't care anymore, because this technique could even wake up the dead.

There are two important Miyako Gurai told in Shakugan no Shana. The first one occurred in the 18th century, when "Meiou no Kan" Azis wanted to wake his Flame Haze, who was killed by humans. The second one occurred in Misago city, because "Kariudo" Friagne wanted to give true existence to his Rinne, Marianne.

Theme music

Opening

1. "Hishoku no Sora" by Mami Kawada (Episodes 01-16)
2. "being" by KOTOKO (Episodes 17-24)

Ending

1. "Yoake Umarekuru Shoujo" by Yoko Takahashi (Episodes 01-14)
2. "Aka no Seijaku" by Youko Ishida (Episodes 15-23)

• "Hishoku no Sora" by Mami Kawada (Episode 24)

Episode titles

Episode #	Japanese title	Unofficial translation
1	全ての終わり、一つの始まり	The End of Everything, the One Beginning
<!-- Image:Shakugan02.jpg --> 2	灯る炎	The Lit Flame
3	トーチとフレイムヘイズ	The Torch and the Flame Haze
4	惑いのフレイムヘイズ	The Confused Flame Haze
5	それぞれの想い	Respective Feelings
6	交錯・発動・対決	Complication - Invocation - Confrontation
7	二人のフレイムヘイズ	The Two Flame Hazes
8	麗しのゴブレット	The Beautiful Goblet
9	恋と欲望のプールサイド	The Poolside of Love and Desire
10	絡まる想い	Entwined Feelings
11	悠二とシャナとキス	Yuuji, Shana, and Kisses
12	ゆりかごに花は咲いて	Flowers Bloom in the Cradle
13	校舎裏の宣戦布告	The Declaration of War Behind the School Building
14	偉大なる者	A Remarkable Person
15	炎の生まれた日	The Day when the Flame was Born
16	炎髪灼眼の討ち手	The Flame-Haired Scorching-Eyed Slayer
17	新たなる序章	A New Beginning
18	砕ける願い	A Shattering Wish
19	戦いの中で	Inside the Battle
20	非情のヴィルヘルミナ	Heartless Wilhelmina
21	遠ざかる想い	Diverging Feelings
22	揺らぐ炎	The Flickering Flame
23	星黎殿の戦い	Battle at the Dawn Star Temple
24	紅蓮の想い	Crimson Thoughts

A movie is announced to be in production after the ending of Episode 24.

Other Media

Novels

There are currently 13 novels out for Shakugan no Shana. They are numbered from I through XII, along with volume 0 which consists of short side stories. These novels are called light novels, which feature a light amount of text and occasional black and white illustrations. Yashichirou Takahashi wrote the novels and Noizi Ito (of the game company UNiSONSHIFT) illustrated them. The series is serialized under the seinen label Dengeki Bunko. The first novel was released on November 10, 2002.

Manga

The manga, by mangaka Sasakura Ayato, is currently serialized in the monthly Dengeki Daioh. The first bound volume hit shelves October 27, 2005.

Video Game

A video game named Shakugan no Shana (灼眼のシャナ, ^?) for PlayStation 2 developed by MediaWorks was released on 3/23/2006.

Movie

According to the last episode of Shakugan no Shana and the official website, there is also going to be an animation movie planned for this series.

External links

• Official Shakugan no Shana Anime Website
• Geneon Entertainment USA
• Geneon Entertainment JP
• Rondo Robe
• Episode by Episode Synopsis and Review by Omni
• Shakugan no Shana Term Glossary (Japanese)
• Official Shakugan no Shana Video Game Website
• Shakugan no Shana (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cardcaptor Sakura
¥«©`¥É¥­¥ã¥×¥¿©`¤µ¤¯¤é (Cardcaptor Sakura)
Genre	Magical Girl, Comedy, Romance, Sh¨­jo
Manga
Authored by	CLAMP
Publisher	Kodansha Ivrea Editora JBC Gl¨¦nat Tokyopop Chuang Yi
Serialized in	Nakayoshi
Original run	1996 ¨C 2000
No. of volumes	12
TV anime
Directed by	Mamoru Kanbe
Studio	Madhouse Studios
Network	NHK Animax
Original run	7 April 1998 ¨C 21 March 2000
No. of episodes	70
Movie: Gekijyouban Cardcaptor Sakura
Directed by	Morio Asaka
Studio	Madhouse Studios
Released	August 21, 1998 (Japan)
Runtime	79 min.
Movie: Cardcaptor Sakura: Fuuin Sareta Card
Directed by	Morio Asaka
Studio	Madhouse Studios
Released	2000 (Japan)
Runtime	79 min.

Cardcaptor Sakura (¥«©`¥É¥­¥ã¥×¥¿©`¤µ¤¯¤é , K¨¡do Kyaput¨¡ Sakura^?), also known as Card Captor Sakura (with the space) and often abbreviated as CCS, is a manga series from the well-known all-female artist team CLAMP. The anime television series (1998-2000) based on the manga consists of 70 half-hour episodes (spread over three seasons), two theatrically released movies, and several specials. An English dub of the anime series, titled Cardcaptors, aired in English speaking countries. An uncensored English translation, entitled Cardcaptor Sakura, was broadcast in its respective networks by the anime television network, Animax. Cardcaptor Sakura is published in Japan by Kodansha and was previously serialized in Nakayoshi.

As the series progresses, there is a pattern of foreshadowing and dreams that lead to an unusual conclusion. Like Magic Knight Rayearth, one of CLAMP's previous works, Cardcaptor Sakura is a new twist on an old genre.

Due in part to its animation and characterization, Cardcaptor Sakura has a wide fanbase on the Internet, particularly in the yaoi, sh¨­jo, yuri and lolicon fandom.

The characters of Cardcaptor Sakura also appear in one of CLAMP's latest manga series Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE.

In 2006, Cardcaptor Sakura celebrates its tenth anniversary.

Contents [hide] 1 Plot 2 Characters and cards 2.1 Characters 2.2 Clow Cards / Sakura Cards 3 English adaptation 3.1 Cardcaptors 3.1.1 Plot synopsis 3.2 English manga 3.3 Animax translation 4 Media information 5 Controversy 6 References 7 External links 7.1 Official sites 7.2 Fan sites

Plot

The series begins as a simple girls' anime of the magical girl genre (similar series include Sailor Moon and Pretty Sammy). Ten-year-old Sakura Kinomoto opens a mysterious book in her father's study and accidentally lets loose the magical Clow Cards. By her ability to open the seal, Sakura is revealed to have special powers, and it becomes her responsibility to retrieve the missing cards. The task involves finding each card, battling its magical personification, and sealing it away. She is assisted by Cerberus (Kerberos, also known as Kero-chan), the Beast of the Seal assigned to protect the cards, but who was asleep when Sakura opened the Clow Book (He was on a "nap" at the time, which lasted 30 years). Kero-chan, who looks like an animated plush toy throughout most of the series, guides Sakura as she develops her Cardcaptor powers. In the first episode, he presents her with the Key of the Seal, which allows her to fight and capture the Clow Cards.

Clow Card Arc (¥¯¥í¥¦¥«©`¥É¾Ž , Kurou K¨¡do-hen^?)
The first and second seasons of the anime and first six volumes of the manga focus on Sakura's attempts to capture the released Clow Cards. Cerberus acts as her guide and mentor throughout the quest, while classmate and best friend Tomoyo Daidouji assists in designing Sakura's battle costumes and filming her adventures. Sakura also competes with Syaoran Li, the descendant of the Clow Cards' creator, Clow Reed, in capturing the Cards. The first half of the series ends after the Final Judgment, in which those who have attempted to capture the Clow Cards are tested by the mysterious Yue for the right to become Master of the Clow.

Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie („¡ˆö°æ¥«©`¥É¥­¥ã¥×¥¿©`¤µ¤¯¤é , Gekij¨­ban K¨¡dokyaput¨¡ Sakura^?)
Occurring between the 1st and 2nd seasons (or the middle of the 1st season in international releases), the first movie takes Sakura and company to Hong Kong during winter break. Still in her quest to capture all the Clow Cards, Sakura encounters new challenges, some of which take place in ominous dreams. Sakura must defeat a vengeful sorceress rejected by Clow Reed in the past or risk losing her family and friends.

Sakura Card Arc (¤µ¤¯¤é¥«©`¥É¾Ž , Sakura K¨¡do-hen^?)
The third season of the anime and last six volumes of the manga introduce several new characters, including the enigmatic Eriol Hiiragizawa. Since Sakura has now become the new Master of the Clow Cards, she must transform them under her own magic into Sakura Cards. At the same time, new strange disturbances are occurring in Tomoeda, which adds further pressure to Sakura's task. Meanwhile, Syaoran falls in love with Sakura and tries to find a way to admit his feelings to her.

Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie 2 - The Sealed Card („¡ˆö°æ¥«©`¥É¥­¥ã¥×¥¿©`¤µ¤¯¤é ·âÓ¡¤µ¤ì¤¿¥«©`¥É , Gekij¨­ban K¨¡dokyaput¨¡ Sakura F¨±in Sareta K¨¡do^?)
Occurring after the end of the 3rd season (2nd season in international releases), the 2nd movie brings closure to the relationship questions between Sakura and Syaoran, which were left somewhat unanswered in the last episode of the TV series. Like the 1st movie, the 2nd movie does not follow or adapt from any events depicted in the manga and, therefore, closes the anime series in a different manner. Syaoran has already admitted his feelings to Sakura, but she has yet to answer him. Chances become good when Syaoran visits Tomoeda from China over the summer and participates in a school play with Sakura during the Nadeshiko Festival. However, Sakura has more issues challenging her than finding the right moment to confess to Syaoran. A strange force begins stealing the Sakura Cards and erasing portions of Tomoeda, and Sakura soon encounters a mysterious Clow Card called The Nothing, the antithesis of the 52 Sakura Cards with as much negative power as all their positive powers combined.

Characters and cards

While several character can be considered main characters due to their importance to the plot, Sakura Kinomoto is the protagonist of the story. Other characters who have supporting roles often have reoccurring appearances in the story.

Characters

Sakura Kinomoto / Sakura Avalon Toya Kinomoto / Tori Avalon Fujitaka Kinomoto / Aiden Avalon Nadeshiko Kinomoto / Natasha Avalon Syaoran Li / Li Showron Meiling Li / Meilin Rae Tomoyo Daidouji / Madison Taylor Sonomi Daidouji / Samantha Taylor Eriol Hiiragizawa / Eli Moon Kaho Mizuki / Layla Mackenzie Yukito Tsukishiro / Julian Star

Clow Reed / Clow Reed Cerberus / Keroberos Yue / Yue Spinel Sun / Spinner Sun Ruby Moon (Nakuru Akizuki) / Ruby Moon Chiharu Mihara / Chelsea Rika Sasaki / Rita Takashi Yamazaki / Zachary Naoko Yanagisawa / Nikki Maki Matsumoto / Maggie Yoshiyuki Terada / Mr. Terada

Clow Cards / Sakura Cards

Main article: Clow Cards

English adaptation

Cardcaptors

Cardcaptor Sakura was adapted into English by Nelvana and brought to the United States and other English-speaking countries under the name Cardcaptors. Though Nelvana adapted all 70 episodes of the series, about half were omitted from broadcast in the United States. In addition, practically all romantic subtext - not just the sh¨­jo-ai and sh¨­nen-ai - was erased from the show, and entire episodes were taken apart and spliced together in a haphazard manner. This has led to much controversy regarding the nature of the recompiled US version and Nelvana's opinions on the show's content.

Cardcaptors aired in the United States in June, 2000, on the WB Television Network during its Saturday morning block and ran for 39 episodes before it was ultimately cancelled. Cartoon Network also carried the series during its afternoon Toonami block starting on June 4, 2001, but aired the first season only once before dropping the show from the lineup. These airings showed the edited US version, where its sporadic episode ordering and scene splicing resulted in giving the series a somewhat disjointed plot.

The goal of further editing the series was ostensibly to make Cardcaptors more appealing to American teenage boys, as there was a conception that, with the exception of Sailor Moon, girl-oriented series (or action/suspense-lacking series) would not succeed. Considering this motive, it is not surprising that the US adaptation of the series was almost completely reviled by viewers of the original. Most of the websites related to Cardcaptors are "flame sites" (some referring to the adaptation as Card-Craptors) devoted to revealing the advantages of the uncensored version over the US version.

Despite the abundant flame sites against Cardcaptors, there are many viewers who do not see a problem in the editing and major changes to the series (most have maintained their opinions even after viewing the uncut version). Few websites are still available online that are "pro-Cardcaptors" and provide extensive information with this variation along with the original.

In other English-speaking countries (i.e. Canada, Australia, the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom), Cardcaptors ran in a more complete form, with all 70 episodes being shown in its original order (though still in an edited form because of culture and political issues), in some cases eschewing the English opening and closing themes in favor of dubbed versions of the original themes (however, Australia and India received the original titles in their distributions, with dubbed versions of at least 4 of the 6 title/credit songs). The DVD release of Cardcaptors was cancelled after the ninth volume (the beginning of the second arc), but Pioneer has released an uncut, subtitled version of the show on DVD that ran all 70 episodes on 18 discs.

The two movies have also been dubbed into English, and currently both the Cardcaptor Sakura version and the Cardcaptors version of the first movie can be found on the same DVD. The only major difference between the two versions is the dialogue. The second movie is more faithful to the original, as a different company was responsible for dubbing and did not adhere to any censorship standards (the fact that the second movie was not meant to be a TV release could be a factor). All of the original names and much of the original dialogue were retained, and an entirely different voice cast than that of Cardcaptors was hired.

In addition to its negative reviews, Cardcaptors merchandise was not widely received as certain parents were concerned that, as the Clow Cards vaguely resembled tarot cards, the series could be seen as promoting witchcraft or the occult. The concern was so great that, when Cardcaptors toys were released at Taco Bell during a promotion in 2002, two of the four (Sakura's "tarot-like" Clow Book, and Li's Lasin Board) toys were pulled within a week of release due to articles published by Christian groups. Some fans have written that they have noticed that the SHADOW Card has a robed figure on the face and that some tarot cards have depicted DEATH as wearing a similar robe. There is also the SWORD Card, which is a suit in tarot cards (i.e. the ace of swords, the king of swords, etc.).

Plot synopsis

"Expect the unexpected," is one of the key phrases of Keroberos, guardian of the Clow Cards. One fateful day, ten-year-old Sakura Avalon opens a mysterious book in her basement, releasing all but one of the Cards all throughout Readington. The scattering of the Clow Cards also awakens Kero, who declares Sakura as the Cardcaptor, destined to recapture all the Cards.

Sakura encounters further challenges during her mission when exchange students Li Showron and Meilin Rae transfer to Readington Elementary and play rival to Sakura in her quest. Li is a descendant of Clow Reed and claims to be the only person who can understand and bear the true knowledge of the Clow Cards.

Whether sometimes rivals or allies, Sakura and Li aim to recapture all the Clow Cards before they wreak havoc upon the world.

English manga

The manga was translated into English by TOKYOPOP (Formerly Mixx). Characters kept their Japanese names in the translated manga, however Yukito's nickname, Yuki, which is used by only Toya in the original version, is used by the entire cast in the English version. Plotwise, the manga is mostly unchanged from the original.

The earlier edition of the first six volumes were flipped to read left to right, while the later six volumes, released under the name Cardcaptor Sakura: Master of the Clow, read the original right-to-left way. The original six volumes were later re-released in the original right-to-left format with the same cover style as the latter six volumes.

Kodansha also published bilingual editions of the manga to help Japanese children learn English. Many English-reading fans preferred the paper quality and translations of these editions to the TOKYOPOP editions. Kodansha stopped publishing the editions when it was found that English-speakers in North America imported Kodansha's translations ahead of TOKYOPOP's releases and did not buy TOKYOPOP's releases. Therefore, only TOKYOPOP has all of the volumes translated.

The North American translation is imported to Australia by Madman Entertainment.

Animax translation

Sony's 24-hour anime television network, Animax, aired an uncensored English translation of the Cardcaptor Sakura series, entitled Cardcaptor Sakura, featuring their own English dubbing team, and staying faithful to the original, retaining all of the original names and dialogue. Animax's English adaptation of Cardcaptor Sakura was aired in its respective networks in Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, ^{[1] [2]} and the entire Indian Subcontinent, including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and other countries in the region. ^{[3] [4]}

Media information

See Cardcaptor Sakura Seiyuu for voice casting

See List of Cardcaptor Sakura episodes for episode titles

See Cardcaptor Sakura media information for:

• Theme songs
• Broadcasting
  • Other language adaptations
• International titles
• Episode directors

Controversy

Although written for a wide audience, including teen and pre-teen readers, the Cardcaptor Sakura manga touches on a number of topics that have been the subject of some small controversies around the world. This has led some to suggest that parents with 'conservative' views might want to read the books themselves before allowing their children to read them.

However, the majority opinion is that most parents will find little or nothing objectionable, and the books have received an A 'All Ages' age recommendation in the United States.

Issues include:

• Non-sexual same-sex relationships
• The inclusion of homosexual and sexually 'gray' characters
• Magic, sorcery and witchcraft
• Teacher¨Cstudent romance and dating
• Pre-teen romance and dating
• The death of family members
• Mild peril, including attempted drowning

Many of these elements (including homosexuality and student-teacher romance) were removed from the anime when it was adapted into English, on the grounds that they were not suitable for the age group to which the series was being marketed.

Other elements (specifically those involving the death of family members or issues of peril) were retained, but were edited during dubbing, so as to lessen their emotional impact.

References

1. ^ Animax Asia's Page for their Cardcaptor Sakura (Season One) Dub
2. ^ Animax Asia's Page for their Cardcaptor Sakura (Season Two - Last Two Seasons) Dub
3. ^ Animax South Asia's Page for their Cardcaptor Sakura (Season One) Dub
4. ^ Animax South Asia's Page for their Cardcaptor Sakura (Season Two - Last Two Seasons) Dub

External links

Official sites

• (Japanese) Official Cardcaptor Sakura Website(NHK)
• (English) Official Cardcaptors Website

Fan sites

• (English) Card Captor Sakura at the Open Directory Project
• (English) On-line Card Captor Sakura encyclopedia
• (English) Clow Legacy
• (English) Card Captor Science Theater 3000 - MSTings
• (English) Cardcaptor Sakura Lyrics & Translations
• (English) SLG CCS Network
• (English) Kawaii Sakura Shrine contains a multitude of information including detailed episode transcripts
• (English) Cherry Blossom festival
• (English) Michael's Cardcaptors contains dub information amongst others
• (English) Sakura's BME clinic contains transcripts for the original and both English dubs
• (English) Asian-Stuff.com - Cardcaptor Sakura Review

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fullmetal Alchemist
鋼の錬金術師 (Hagane no Renkinjutsushi)
Genre	Fantasy, Adventure, Drama, Comedy
Manga
Authored by	Hiromu Arakawa
Publisher	Gangan Comics VIZ Media Chuang Yi (Chinese and English) Tong Li Jade Dynasty Kurokawa JPFantastica Siam Inter Comic Daiwon CI
Serialized in	Monthly Shonen Gangan
Original run	February 2002 – Still running
No. of volumes	13 volumes, with 59 total chapters (current)
TV anime
Directed by	Seiji Mizushima
Studio	BONES
Network	MBS-TBS TVB Jade YTV Cartoon Network (Adult Swim) SCV Animax Canal + Rapture TV TIGA GMA Network and Animax (US Version) Champ and Anione MTV
Original run	October 4, 2003 – October 2, 2004
No. of episodes	51
Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa
Directed by	Seiji Mizushima
Studio	BONES
Released	July 23, 2005 December 23, 2005 January 12, 2006 April 27, 2006 September 26, 2006
Runtime	105 min.

Fullmetal Alchemist (鋼の錬金術師, Hagane no Renkinjutsushi^?), commonly abbreviated "FMA" or "Hagaren" by fans, is a manga series created by Hiromu Arakawa and serialized in Monthly Shonen Gangan. It has also been adapted into an anime series and a movie, as well as several spin-off novels and videogames.

The manga is still running in Japan, and 13 volumes have been released so far. The anime, on the other hand, is finished, and consists of 51 episodes and a full-length movie. Both incarnations have seen massive popularity in both Japan and the United States; the anime was recently voted #1 best anime of all time in a September 2005 TV Asahi poll:[1]. The Japanese name "Hagane no Renkinjutsushi" is translated literally into Alchemist of Steel.

Contents [hide] 1 Story 2 Major characters 3 Terminology 4 Manga 4.1 Release 4.2 Chapter guide 5 Anime 5.1 Episode guide 5.2 Production broadcast history 5.3 DVD releases 5.4 Opening and end themes 5.5 Original soundtracks 5.6 Other releases in music 6 Other merchandise 6.1 Video games 6.2 Novels 6.3 Trading card game 6.4 Concert Performances 7 Trivia 8 See also 9 External links 9.1 Official 9.2 Unofficial Non-Exclusive Sites 9.3 Unofficial Fan Sites 9.4 Japanese

Story

"Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth."

― Alphonse Elric

Fullmetal Alchemist is set in the early 20th century, in a country called Amestris in an alternate-historical Earth with technology dating from early 20th century Europe. In this alternate world, the science of alchemy is heavily used, but takes on a fantasy element. Real-world alchemists tried to transmute gold from lesser metals. In the series, alchemy becomes the science of transmuting matter into different matter through the use of transmutation circles -- a scientific, yet equally magical practice, with seemingly infinite uses. Talented alchemists can become the military's State Alchemists. Against this backdrop, the series portrays the quest of the young Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist, and his younger brother Alphonse, for the legendary Philosopher's Stone. Their adventures lead them to discover the truth about their past and the very world they live in. Edward and Alphonse Elric were children living in the rural village of Resembool in the country of Amestris. Their father, an alchemist, had left home when Edward was very young and Alphonse was a baby. Years later, their mother, Trisha Elric, died of an illness. In February 1910 the boys decided to attempt to revive their deceased mother. They study alchemy with a teacher and then use their father's notes to recreate a human transmutation circle. However, this attempt fails, costing Edward his left leg and Alphonse his entire body. In a desperate effort to save his brother, Edward sacrifices his right arm to "affix" his brother's soul to a suit of armor. After that, Edward's left leg and right arm are fitted with two sets of Automail, a type of advanced prosthetic limb. A State Alchemist by the name of Roy Mustang arrives during the failed transmutation in response to letters the boys had sent out seeking information about their father. After seeing their skill at alchemy, Mustang suggests that the way to achieve their goals is to become a State Alchemist and work for him. Spurred on by the man's proposal, Edward sets out to become a State Alchemist, enabling him to use the resources available to State Alchemists to discover a way to restore what he and Alphonse have lost. The brothers eventually learn of the Philosopher's Stone and set off in search of it as a means to restore their bodies.

Major characters

Characters of Fullmetal Alchemist

Main | State Military | Chimeras | Homunculi | Video games | Other

Edward Elric - Fullmetal Alchemist's main protagonist: Edward Elric is the Fullmetal Alchemist. Edward has a prosthetic automail arm and leg, is short, and is known for being the youngest State Alchemist.

Alphonse Elric - Alphonse, often nicknamed Al, is Fullmetal Alchemist's secondary protagonist; he is Edward's younger brother. For most of the series, his soul is trapped in a large suit of armor. Alphonse is the calmer of the two, and can be seen as a foil to Edward's character.

Winry Rockbell — Winry, also translated as Winly (both pronounced wɪnɹi), is a mechanical expert who was a childhood friend of the Elrics. She, along with her grandmother Pinako, built Edward's automail, and she also helps maintain the automail when it gets broken.

Colonel Roy Mustang - Roy Mustang is the Flame Alchemist. His gloves are made of a special material, called ignition cloth, so when he snaps his fingers he makes a spark. He then changes the oxygen density in the air using the transmutation circles on the gloves, causing flames to occur in any direction he pleases. He is Edward's direct superior officer in the military, but has his own goals and intentions in mind.

Lt. Colonel Mäes Hughes - Member of the Investigations Division, and good friends with Colonel Mustang and the Elric brothers. Hughes loves his wife, Gracia, and is overly enthusiastic regarding his daughter Elicia.

Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye - A hard-working member of the state military, and a loyal, capable aide to her superior officer, Mustang. She is especially proficient in the use of firearms.

Scar - One of the surviving Ishbalans. He is called "Scar" due to the X-shaped scar on his forehead. Scar has an elaborate alchemical array on his right arm that was given to him by his brother. He believes himself to be an instrument of God and kills State Alchemists.

King Bradley - Known as the Führer, he is the military dictator of Amestris, holding the official political title of president (King is his first name). Although he seems to be quite easy-going and perhaps a little eccentric, he has the mind of a steel trap, and maintaining Amestris is his chief priority at all times. He is also renowned as an exceptional swordsman.

Lust - Sultry and cool-headed, she is the first of the Homunculi encountered in the series. She has the power to extend her fingers into lances to use as a weapon.

Gluttony - Having the mentality of a child and lacking a will of his own, he is always eager to eat anything, or anyone—dead or alive.

Envy - Sarcastic and cold-hearted, Envy has the ability to change appearance.

Terminology

• Alchemy - Alchemy within the Fullmetal Alchemist anime, put simply, refers to a three-step process. The first step is understanding the structure of a certain matter, followed by decomposition, and finally reconstruction and manipulation. In the Manga, the source alchemic power is still unknown to both main characters and readers. However, in the Anime, the energy for the alchemic reaction comes from the other side of the Gate. The energy actually comes from the energy stored up during a person's life that gets released at death.
• Automail - A kind of prosthetics, made from metal and linked directly to the nerves of the body. Well-made automail can allow a range of movement and strength as good as or better than the original limb it replaces.
• Equivalent Exchange (Also referred to as "Equivalent Trade" and "The Law of Conservation" among some fansubbers) - The rule that alchemists in the series consider to be the foundation of Alchemy, or even the fundamental law of the world: To gain, something of equal value must be lost. One of the themes of the series is examining the implications of Equivalent Exchange as a philosophy. It also investigates into whether Equivalent Exchange is a natural law, or rather, a false ideology. As an example, the two brothers frequently quote the chemicals present in the human body, in thinking that this simple chemical exchange would be all that was needed to bring back someone from the dead. Needless to say, this law is of vital importance to the storyline.
• State Alchemist - An Alchemist serving in a special branch of the state military. State Alchemists are selected by a series of examinations, and are regarded as some of the most powerful and talented alchemists. The position of State Alchemist also holds considerable authority and influence, automatically being promoted to the rank of Major. However, State Alchemists are despised by the general public, often called 'dogs of the military' - meaning that the person sold their soul to the military in exchange for special entitlements.
• Transmutation Circle - Transmutation circles are the devices alchemists use to power their transmutations. The circle represents the constant flow of energy, the patterns decide what effects the transmutation has. A circle may be drawn on the spot, embroidered into an article of clothing, or even tattooed onto the alchemist itself.
• Philosopher's Stone - A legendary stone said to allow the holder to completely bypass the law of Equivalent Exchange. However, the Elric brothers find that stone in fact requires many human sacrifices, as seen in the final episodes.
• Incomplete Philosopher's Stone (Akai Ishi) - An unfinished or impure Philosopher's Stone, commonly referred to as a Red Stone. Though far less powerful than a complete stone, a Red Stone can act as a powerful amplifier for an alchemist's abilities. The Red Stone will inevitably and unpredictably backfire on its owner. A related material is Red Water, which while toxic to humans can be refined into a Red Stone.
• Blood Seal - A special type of transmutation circle that acts as a seal to bind a person's soul to an object, such as a suit of armor. It must, as the name suggests, be written in blood; the soul is tied to the blood and an element in the blood must be binded with the object itself. This typically only works on armor as the iron in the blood binds with the armor. Thus the blood acts as an intermediary between the soul and the object. If a blood seal is destroyed, the soul will no longer be tied to the object, and the person will enter the Gate. Some translations refer to it as a "Blood Array."
• Gate of Alchemy - Also known as the "Gate of Truth" and just "Gate", it is said to be the source for all alchemic power. An alchemist who sees into the gate can then perform alchemy without the use of a written or tattooed circle because of the knowledge passed during the experience. Behind the Gate is an alternative world, our world, now in the chaos of a world war. People's deaths from beyond the gate fuel alchemy. The Gate swings forward each time the energy for Alchemy is summoned. There is a Gate inside everyone, they just need to know how to call upon it. A weak link between the body, mind and spirit is what calls the Gate - Death. A baby has a weak link between the body, mind and spirit thus it is easy to summon the Gate with the power of a baby. The Gate resembles Rodin's sculpture The Gates of Hell. There is also the Kabbalahistic tree of life on the gate.
• Truth (Also referred to as "Genuine Truth", "Truth behind Truths" and "Universal Truth" among some fansubbers) - The ultimate goal of every alchemist. While in the Anime, it was just Ed's point of view to describe what he found in the gate. In the Manga, it was displayed as an omnipotent god-like being that exist in gate, the one who controls the law of Equivalent Exchange. Cruel, but fair. Any alchemist who stopped seeking truth meant their life as an alchemist had already died.
• Rentan Jutsu (Manga only) - A type of Alchemy that was used in the eastern country Xing. While similar to the Amestris alchemy ("Renkin Jutsu") the source of energy is different. Rentan Jutsu uses the power called "Lungmei" which exists everywhere on this earth. The type of alchemy that Mei Chan used is Rentan Jutsu. Scar's tattoo is also a mix of Renkin Jutsu and Rentan Jutsu.
• Human Sacrifice - In the Manga, it was a term that Homunculi used to call the alchemist who had opened the gate and saw the truth. Human Sacrifices are the crucial part of Homunculi and "Father"'s plan.

Manga

Release

Fullmetal Alchemist was serialized in Square Enix's monthly anthology manga magazine Monthly Shonen Gangan in July 2001, and the series is still ongoing with a new chapter in every issue. As of May 2006, there have been 59 chapters serialized and 13 graphic novel compilations released. Viz Media began releasing the manga in North America in 2005. As of May 2006, seven English-language volumes have been released. Volume eight is scheduled for release on July 18[2], volume nine on September 19, and volume ten on November 21.

Fullmetal Alchemist is released in Singapore by Chuang Yi Publishing in both English and Simplified Chinese.

Chapter guide

Note: English titles through Chapter 29, unofficial Japanese translations thereafter.

01. The Two Alchemists 02. The Price of Life 03. The Mining Town 04. Battle on the Train 05. The Alchemist's Anguish 06. Right Hand of Destruction 07. After the Rain 08. Hopeful Road 09. House of the Waiting Family 10. The Philosopher's Stone 11. The Two Guardians 12. The Definition of Human 13. Fullmetal Body 14. An Only Child's Feelings 15. Fullmetal Heart 16. Separate Paths 17. The Boomtown of the Broken Down 18. The Value of Sincerity 19. I'll Do It for You Guys! 20. The Terror of the Teacher 21. The Brothers' Secret 22. Masked Man 23. Knock on Heaven's Door 24. Fullmetal Alchemist 25. Resolution Between Master and Apprentice

26. To Meet the Master 27. The Beasts of Dublith 28. A Fool's Corage 29. The Eye of the King 30. Inside the Armor, the Hidden Truth 31. The Serpent that Devours Its Own Tail 32. Envoy to the East 33. Battle in Rush Valley 34. Footsteps of a Comrade 35. Scapegoat 36. Bitter Alchemist 37. The Criminal's Body 38. Counterattack, Signal, Fire 39. Intricacies of Central 40. Western Sage 41. Arrogant Palm of a Child 42. Father in Front of the Grave 43. River of Mud 44. Nameless Grave 45. Return of the Man with the Scar 46. Distant Backs 47. Girl on the Battlefield 48. Promise of the One Who Waits 49. Monster Within 50. Inside the Stomach

51. Doors of Darkness 52. King of the Den of Thieves 53. The Soul's Guidepost 54. The Fool's Struggle 55. A Sin is Born Anew... 56. Lions of the Round Table 57. Scars of Ishbal 58. Footsteps of Ruin 59. The Corrupted Alchemists

Anime

Episode guide

Main article: List of Fullmetal Alchemist episodes

Production broadcast history

The animation studio BONES adapted the manga into a 51-episode anime series, which ran on Japanese television from October 4, 2003 to October 2, 2004. A one-hour OVA, Fullmetal Alchemist: Reflections Special OVA, was released in 2005. Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa was made by the same studio, and theatrically released in Japan on July 23, 2005.

The series has also been broadcast across several regions

• United States, Cartoon Network (Adult Swim) on November 6, 2004 to March 18th 2006 (First run)
• Hong Kong, TVB Jade on February 26, 2005
• StarHub's SCV, Channel 56, on March 9, 2005 in Singapore
• Latin America, Animax on July 31, 2005
• UK, Rapture TV on November 17, 2005
• Italy, MTV on April 11, 2006
• Canada, YTV's Bionix block on March 3, 2006.
• Australia, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, January 2006
• New Zealand, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, January 2006
• Philippines, GMA Network, around 2nd-3rd quarter 2005
• France in 2006

As there was a limited amount of manga material available to adapt at the time of production, the storyline of the anime diverges from that of the manga around the middle of the series. The anime's later story and conclusion by BONES is different from the manga which is still ongoing.

DVD releases

The DVDs of the anime have been licensed by various companies for different languages and regions (refer to infobox on right). Some known firms releasing the DVDs are:

• Aniplex R2(JP), R3(TW)
• Asia Animation R3(HK)
• TIGA R3(TH) - 17 volumes with 3 episodes each
• FUNimation R1(NA), R4(MX, SA)
• Madman Entertainment R4(AU)
• MVM R2(UK)
• Odex R3(SG)

The 51 episodes in the series are divided into 13 DVD volumes. In the original Japanese DVDs, Volume 1 consisted of the first two episodes, Volume 13 contained the last five, and all of the volumes in between had four episodes each. Funimation's English DVDs all have four episodes each, except for the last, which has three.

• Volume 01: The Curse (Ep. 1-4)
• Volume 02: Scarred Man of the East (Ep. 5-8)
• Volume 03: Equivalent Exchange (Ep. 9-12)
• Volume 04: The Fall of Ishbal (Ep. 13-16)
• Volume 05: The Cost of Living (Ep. 17-20)
• Volume 06: Captured Souls (Ep. 21-24)
• Volume 07: Reunion on Yock Island (Ep. 25-28)
• Volume 08: The Altar of Stone (Ep. 29-32)
• Volume 09: Pain and Lust (Ep. 33-36)
• Volume 10: Journey To Ishbal (Ep. 37-40)
• Volume 11: Becoming The Stone (Ep. 41-44)
• Volume 12: Truth Behind Truths (Ep. 45-48)
• Volume 13: Brotherhood (Ep. 49-51)

Only the first nine volumes have been released in the USA. The tenth volume, Journey To Ishbal, is to come out June 27th 2006. Volume eleven, Becoming the Stone, is due for release on August 1st 2006 and volume twelve, Truth Behind Truths, set for September 5th.The final volume is currently set for September 26th 2006 along with Conqueror Of Shamballa. However, MVM has only released the first six volumes in the UK, but the seventh volume is to be released in June.

Opening and end themes

Openings

1. "Melissa" by Porno Graffitti (Episodes 2-13, also used as ending for episode 1)
2. "Ready Steady Go" by L'Arc~en~Ciel (Episodes 14-25)
3. "Undo" by Cool Joke (Episodes 26-41)
4. "Rewrite" by Asian Kung-Fu Generation (Episodes 42-51)

• "Ready Steady Go" and "Rewrite" are the only openings playing on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim because of a deal with L'Arc~en~Ciel and Asian Kung-Fu Generation to promote their songs. The DVD releases from FUNimation will include all openings in their original places and format.

Endings

1. "Kesenai Tsumi" (Indelible Sin) by Nana Kitade (Episodes 2-13)
   The alternate title used by some fansubbers is "Unerasable Sin", which is also the title given to it on the American release of the first soundtrack but not on the American DVD releases.
2. "Tobira no Mukou e" ("To the Other Side of the Door") by YeLLOW Generation (Episodes 14-24)
   The alternate title used by some fansubbers is "Beyond the Door"
3. "Motherland" by Crystal Kay (Episodes 26-41)
4. "I Will" by Sowelu (Episodes 42-50)

All the ending theme songs and animation on Adult Swim are edited down for time. The DVD releases from FUNimation include the unedited full endings.

The ending of episode 25 consists of a piece of incidental music from the series followed by "Tobira no Mukou e" ("To the Other Side of the Door"). The end credits for the episode are presented while Ed and Al are on the train to Rush Valley.

The ending of episode 51 plays a piano piece called "Wakare no Kyoku", also known as Frederic Chopin's Etude in E major op.10 no.3. The end credits play to this music while Sheska writes a letter to Winry.

Original soundtracks

1. TV Animation Fullmetal Alchemist Original Soundtrack 1 (Released 24 March, 2004)
2. Fullmetal Alchemist Complete Best (CD+DVD) (Released 14 October, 2004)
3. TV Animation Fullmetal Alchemist Original Soundtrack 2 (Released 15 December, 2004)
4. TV Animation Fullmetal Alchemist Original Soundtrack 3 (Released 18 May, 2005)

Other releases in music

1. Romi Paku (Edward Elric's Seiyū)
   1. 明日への場所 / Asu e no Basho ("The Place Toward Tomorrow")
   2. RETURNABLE MEMORIES
2. Toru Ohkawa (Roy Mustang's Seiyū)
   1. 月の裏側 / Tsuki no Uragawa ("Far Side of the Moon")
3. Rie Kugimiya (Alphonse Elric's Seiyū)
   1. あの夢の向こうへ / Ano Yume no Mukou e ("To Beyond That Dream")
   2. ボクハココニイル / Boku wa Koko ni Iru ("I Am Here")
4. Megumi Toyoguchi (Winry Rockbell's Seiyū)
   1. BOY FRIENDS!
   2. 時計 / Gindokei ("Silver Watch")
5. Keiji Fujiwara (Maes Hughes' Seiyū)
   1. そして今日も世界は / Soshite Kyou mo Sekai wa (Literally, "And Today World")
   2. ANGEL HEART
6. Multiple
   1. 鋼のこころ / Hagane no Kokoro ("Heart of Steel" or "Fullmetal Heart"), by Romi Paku, Rie Kugimiya, Megumi Toyoguchi
   2. 雨の日はノー･サンキュー / Ame no Hi wa No Thank You ("A Rainy Day is a No Thank You"), by Toru Ohkawa, Michiko Neya (Riza Hawkeye's Seiyū)
   3. 少年よ、信じるなかまよ / Shounen yo, Shinjiru Nakama yo ("Oh Boy, Oh Trustworthy Companions"), by Toru Ohkawa, Mitsuki Saiga (Maria Ross' Seiyū), Keiji Fujiwara, Tomoyuki Shimura (Heymans Breda's Seiyū), Yasunori Matsumoto (Jean Havoc's Seiyū), Tetsu Shiratori (Kain Fuery's Seiyū), Takehiro Murozono (Vato Falman's Seiyū), Hidekatsu Shibata (Fuhrer King Bradley's Seiyū)
   4. TRANCE to Homunculus, by Mayumi Yamaguchi (Envy), Yuuko Sato (Lust), Junichi Suwabe (Greed). Yoshino Takamori (Sloth), Hidekatsu Shibata (Pride), Yasuhiro Takato (Gluttony), and Nana Mizuki (Wrath)
   5. 恋愛参考書～Love reference book～ / Renai Sankoushou ~ Love Reference Book ~, by Megumi Toyoguchi, Naomi Wakabayashi (Sheska's Seiyū)
   6. パパと遊ぼう / Papa to Asobou ("Play with Papa"), by Keiji Fujiwara and Mayumi Yoshida (Elysia Hughes' Seiyū)
   7. LAST MEETINGS, by Romi Paku, Rie Kugimiya, Megumi Toyoguchi, Toru Ohkawa, and Keiji Fujiwara
   8. Good!, by Romi Paku, Rie Kugimiya, Megumi Toyoguchi, Toru Ohkawa, Keiji Fujiwara

Other merchandise

Video games

Video games based on the Fullmetal Alchemist world, have also been released. Sony-Square Enix have released a few titles in the Japanese RPG (3 titles), and Fighting (1 title) genre for the PlayStation 2. Bandai has released other titles in the Japanese RPG vein for the Game Boy Advance (2 titles) and the Nintendo DS (1 title).

The storylines of the games often diverges from both that of the anime and of the manga.

A fan-based video game for the PC called Fullmetal Alchemist: Bluebird's Illusion was also created, and was only sold in Hong Kong. It is said that there were only around 100 copies of the game made, and that they were auctioned off on Yahoo!Auctions Hong Kong.

The Square-Enix games of Full Metal Alchemist has been released to Japan and the U.S. Territories, and there are three titles released on the Playstation 2, all three have been released to Japan, and only 2 have been released to the U.S.

• Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel
• Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir
• Fullmetal Alchemist 3: The Girl Who Succeeded God

Novels

Several novels have also been written as sidestories or spinoffs to the original manga. In October 2005, Viz Media released an English translation of the first of these novels, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Land of Sand.[3] The second novel, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Abducted Alchemist, has also currently been released by Viz.[4] The third novel, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Valley of White Petals will be released on May 16, 2006[5]. All three novels are written by Makoto Inoue and translated into English by Alexander O. Smith.

Trading card game

Main article: Fullmetal Alchemist Trading Card Game

A Fullmetal Alchemist Trading Card Game was published in 2005. There are currently three releases, namely Premier Edition, Blood & Water Expansion and Artificial Human.

A Hero's Passing, Alchemist's Gate and Seven Deadly Sins are the upcoming releases as stated in the Official Website

Concert Performances

During the month of December 2004, "Tales of Another" was staged in Tokyo and Osaka featuring performances by several of the musical artists from the television series. Excerpts of the events have appeared on several fansites, but a DVD release of the concert is rumored to occur in 2006.

Trivia

• The unofficial American "first season" created by FUNimation includes episode 26 and the unofficial American "second season" begins with episode 27. But because Episode 26 is the start of a new phase of the story and because of the change in opening/closing music/animation, it should properly be considered the start of the second season.
• In the anime's first run in Japan, it occupies the same Saturday 6 p.m. timeslot on MBS and TBS as Gundam SEED (which it replaces); interestingly, many seiyuu also voiced characters in both series, as well as the sequel to SEED, Gundam SEED Destiny (which aired after FMA in the same timeslot).

See also

Amestris (Fullmetal Alchemist) Ishbal Episodes of Fullmetal Alchemist Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir

Fullmetal Alchemist 3: Kami wo Tsugu Shoujo Fullmetal Alchemist: Carnival of Dreams Gate of Alchemy Paracelsus (Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim) Transmutation circle

External links

Official

• Funimation's Fullmetal Alchemist English version site
• Fullmetal Alchemist at adult swim

Unofficial Non-Exclusive Sites

• Fullmetal Alchemist at The Internet Movie Database
• Fullmetal Alchemist at AnimeNfo
• Fullmetal Alchemist at TV.com

[edit] Unofficial Fan Sites Fullmetal Alchemist complete resource site Fullmetal Alchemist at Indepth Anime Fullmetal Alchemist Warcry "Shrimpedia" -(a FMA wiki) EdwardElric.com, a Fullmetal Alchemist episode guide and trivia site Fullmetal Alchemist Screenshot Gallery Detailed text summaries of the Manga plot (Chapters 26-current)

[edit] Japanese Mainichi Broadcasting System's Fullmetal Alchemist TV Show Site Sony's Fullmetal Alchemist Website BONES - Producer of Fullmetal Alchemist Square Enix's Fullmetal Alchemist Manga Website Shochiku's

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the anime character, see InuYasha (character)

InuYasha
‘é¹ú¤ªÙ¤²Ý×Ó©`Ȯҹ²æ (Sengoku Otogi Z¨­shi Inuyasha)
Genre	Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Historical, Romance, Sh¨­nen
Manga
Authored by	Rumiko Takahashi
Publisher	Shogakukan VIZ Media Editora JBC Kana Egmont Kustannus Gl¨¦nat
Serialized in	Weekly Shonen Sunday
Original run	1996 ¨C Still running
No. of volumes	44 so far
TV anime
Directed by	Masashi Ikeda (eps 1 to 44) Yasunao Aoki (44 onwards)
Studio	Sunrise
Network	Nippon TV Cartoon Network YTV MTV Cartoon Network ABS-CBN
Original run	16 October 2000 ¨C 13 September 2004
No. of episodes	167
Feature Movies
1. Inuyasha the Movie: Affections Touching Across Time 2. Inuyasha the Movie: The Castle Beyond the Looking Glass 3. Inuyasha the Movie: Swords of an Honorable Ruler 4. Inuyasha the Movie: Fire on the Mystic Island

InuYasha (Ȯҹ²æ, InuYasha^?)^[1] is a popular sh¨­nen manga and anime series created by Rumiko Takahashi.

The series is named after the main character, InuYasha. The name "Inuyasha" literally means "Dog demon".^[2] The full title is InuYasha, A Feudal Fairy Tale (‘é¹ú¤ªÙ¤²Ý×Ó©`Ȯҹ²æ, Sengoku Otogi Z¨­shi Inuyasha^?).

Contents [hide] 1 Overview 2 Characters 3 Y¨­kai in InuYasha 4 Popularity 5 Artwork quality 6 Theme songs 7 See also 8 Notes 9 External links

Overview

InuYasha is a sh¨­nen action adventure romantic comedy, with elements from the horror genre. The story begins in Tokyo, Japan with a junior high-school girl named Kagome Higurashi, who on her way to school heads to the covered well on the family property (which happens to be a Shinto shrine). She does this to retrieve her cat, Buyo, from the well, since her brother was afraid to go inside. When she approaches the well a centipede demon (dubbed "Mistress Centipede") bursts from the well and grabs her. The demon claims that Kagome possesses the Jewel of the Four Souls (ËÄ»ê¤ÎÓñ Shikon no Tama) and attempts to seize it. When the demon is driven off, the very confused Kagome emerges in the Sengoku period of Japan. Kagome wanders into a nearby village and meets an old miko (Shinto shrine maiden) by the name of Kaede, who recognizes that Kagome is almost a mirror likeness for Kikyo (Kiky¨­), her elder sister (and powerful shrine maiden) who had died and had her body burned with the Jewel of the Four Souls, taking it with her into the afterlife. Kaede relates the story of how, 50 years earlier, a han'y¨­ named InuYasha had tried to steal the Jewel from Kikyo, mortally wounding her in the process, but Kikyo had managed to strike him with a magical arrow, sealing him into an enchanted sleep and thus retrieving the Jewel before she finally died.

It turns out that Kagome is the reincarnation of Kikyo, and that she does possess the Jewel of the Four Souls, embedded within her body. When the centipede demon rips it from her and swallows it, granting the demon a great boost in power, Kagome is forced to release Inuyasha from his prison on the time-tree Goshinboku so he can defeat it.

Soon after they recover the Jewel, it is lost again, and Kagome accidentally shatters it into pieces with an arrow as she tries to recover it. The pieces scatter far and wide, and the story tells of Kagome and InuYasha's adventures as they search for the shards of the Jewel, as well as their growing romantic relationship.

Kagome and Inuyasha's relationship becomes complicated very quickly with the rebirth of Kikyo, the miko priestess who first sealed Inuyasha to the tree, and who was also his first love. Brought back to life by the witch Urusuei, Kikyo is reborn using half of Kagome's soul, but is not completely human--rather, she is a 'clay doll' who must absorb recently deceased souls to remain alive. Despite Kikyo's bitter attitude towards Inuyasha, he continues to care for her, and is constantly placing her safety before that of Kagome, with whom he spends the most time. The inability of Inuyasha to choose which woman he loves more leads to many romantic entanglements, and forms the very powerful love triangle that is one of the hallmarks of the series.

As their adventure continues, various other characters join in their search for the Shikon Jewel. They first encounter Shippou a small fox demon whose father was killed by the Thunder Brothers Manten and Hiten. Inuyasha defeats the brothers, and Shippou joins the group.

They then run across the lecherous con artist Miroku, a traveling monk (or houshi) who is venturing in search of a demon who placed a bizarre curse on his family. The demon, Naraku, is a very powerful half-youkai who, 50 years earlier, tore a hole in the hand of Miroku's grandfather, creating the kazaana, or wind-tunnel. The wind-tunnel functions like a black hole, and is passed down through the male generations of Miroku's family.

To stop the wind-tunnel from killing him (as it did his father and grandfather) Miroku must find Naraku and destroy him. He joins up with Inuyasha and Kagome, who soon realize that Naraku is the demon responsible for the fight Inuyasha and Kikyo had 50 years earlier, which led to Inuyasha's being imprisoned and Kikyo's death. Determined to seek revenge, Inuyasha makes the pursuit of Naraku his ultimate goal--one which coincides for the search for the Jewel, as Naraku is after it as well.

Their early pursuit of Naraku lands them face to face with Sango, a youkai no tajiya or demon exterminator of the Exterminator village. Sango's family and village were slaughtered by Naraku, who used her younger brother, Kohaku as a pawn. The Tajiya village was attacked because of it's proximity to the cave of Midoriko, the miko from whose soul the Shikon no Tama was first created.

Sango joins the party with the intent of taking revenge on Naraku. She is joined by her demon cat, Kirara. As the episodes progress, Sango and Miroku develop an attraction for one another that seems to be heading towards a strong romantic relationship, though Miroku still possesses a bit of his womanizing ways.

The rest of the episodes detail the adventures of Inuyasha and his gang as they continue to pursue Naraku. And the rest of the Shikon no Tama. Throughout their adventures they meet a wide variety of friends and enemies, including Koga, the wolf-demon, and Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha's full youkai half-brother.

The storyline of Inuyasha covers over 450 episodes in the manga by Rumiko Takahashi, and 167 episodes of the anime created by Sunrise. Though various developments have occurred, very few plotlines have been completely resolved. The anime ended early, without any plot resolution, a decision made by Sunrise when one of the Inuyasha producers could no longer work on the anime.

The manga continues towards the grand climax of Inuyasha, however, and as of Volume 46, Naraku was just a few shards away from completing the jewel. Miroku is in mortal peril from the poisoning of his body through his wind-tunnel, as was Koga, the wolf-demon, and Sango's little brother, Kohaku. Kikyo continues to be a defining force for Inuyasha, who has sent a broken-hearted Kagome on a search for a way to purify her.

Characters

Main article: InuYasha characters

The plot focuses mainly on Kagome and InuYasha and their expanding group of friends and followers as they seek the shards of the Jewel of the Four Souls. The television show will occasionally skip over to the lives of the antagonists, minor characters or modern-day people as a way of setting up a plot, or clarifying a point. Flashbacks are occasionally used to the same effect.

Y¨­kai in InuYasha

Further information: Inuyasha Y¨­kai List

While the presence of y¨­kai (Ñý¹Ö, "bewitching apparitions") in InuYasha is undoubtedly one of the main factors in its popularity, there has been an unfortunate side-effect to their presence in this show: namely, y¨­kai as mythical creatures from traditional Japanese culture have largely been misunderstood. They are portrayed, in the series, with a few exceptions, as either romantically noble, or vicious and outright evil.

In traditional Japan, y¨­kai (or obakemono) are portrayed as grotesque transformations of objects, animals, or humans found in everyday life; some examples are hitotsume k¨­zo, a young boy dressed in the clothes of a Buddhist monk, but with only one eye; or the tengu, a mountain goblin with the body of a man, but with wings and bird feet, and either a beak or a long nose. Then there are kitsune, tanuki, and mujina: actual animals that exist in the real world, but were thought to have the power to shapeshift.

While there are some truly vicious y¨­kai (such as the ushioni, a giant, cow-headed spider living in the ocean, attacking those who wade into its beaches) most are of the mischievous, prankster sort who love nothing more than to scare humans and play practical jokes on them. Most are not downright evil, as portrayed in InuYasha.

Nor, on the other hand, are they entirely good. Most encounters of humans with y¨­kai would have negative results, even if those results consist only of running away frightened from a harmless scare. Y¨­kai are always portrayed as grotesque and bizarre in traditional art and story, and the world of y¨­kai is completely apart from that of humans.

There are many stories of kitsune (foxes), for example, who try to pass as human and enter the world of men; but these attempts, while sometimes partially successful, are always uncovered at last, resulting in the kitsune fleeing the scene, leaving things mostly the way they were beforehand.

Popularity

Many in the fandom consider the show's more passionate fans to be not unlike the fans of the American Star Trek series. The show is so popular that although it has been taken off the air many times in its run (to make way for shows such as Kikaider, Big O, and FLCL), it has always been reinstated due to the demands of viewers. After a while, the people who write the bumpers for Williams Street, Adult Swim's producers and programmers, became sarcastic about this, and it became something of a running joke that they were on the side of the viewers, but were at the mercy of superior departments ("Suits"). Practically speaking, the hiatuses are likely necessary to give Viz Media time to dub enough episodes far enough in advance to allow for a several-month-long uninterrupted run.

As time progressed, the show was moved to increasingly late viewing hours. As of October 2002, it aired at 11:00 p.m.. As of March 2004, it aired at 12 :30 a.m.. As of April 2006, it airs Wednesday mornings at 12 :30 a.m. and 4 :00 a.m. and re-runs are shown on Saturday nights at 11:00 p.m. and 2:00 Sunday Morning. Presumably, the logic behind this is that the InuYasha fans will not mind staying up later, and other shows can be put between them and their goal. However, the show has proven to be a slightly more mainstream hit in other countries such as on YTV in Canada, where it is one of the station's highest rated programs with the "newest" episode running on Fridays at 9:00 p.m. EST and shown again at 2 :30 a.m. EST Saturday morning. Its popularity has also spread to Latin America where it runs on weekday afternoons.

There are many possible reasons for the popularity of the InuYasha series. A likely one is that it is eclectic, including elements from many different genres. At first, the series mainly appears to be action-oriented, and it does indeed have a significant amount of action, with at least one confrontation with an enemy in most episodes. However, it also includes a great deal of comedy (frequently slapstick), many monsters that add notes of the horror genre, and occasional romance. Another probable reason that Inuyasha is so popular is that it has rather sympathetic characters who are varied enough that most people can relate to at least one of them.

Criticisms include the sheer length of the series in both anime and manga form, dragging out certain story points past credibility. Similar to Ranma 1/2, Takahashi has sometimes been accused by fans of being unable to finish a story effectively; others cite this is merely a desire of the animators and publishers to continue a still-lucrative franchise, as is the case with many other sh¨­nen titles.

Although not technically an "adult" series, the show airs in this slot supposedly because of a scene in one episode where InuYasha is impaled against a tree, and as a result, along with language in the English dub's dialogue considered too strong (like the use of the word "damn" as an example), this meant that the series could not be aired on CN's Toonami block. Although shows like The Simpsons air in the same timeframe as Toonami, CN, as a predominantly kids' network, still considers that time to be too early and inappropriate for the kids who watch it.

This show, though already extremely popular, is even more so in Japan. Since its debut, its popularity has been similar to the initial Pokemon craze. The manga and DVDs are widely available, and it seems to be the predominant topic of conversation. Not only that, crazed fans often cosplay as their favorite InuYasha characters. Even Japanese police enjoy the show, evident in their use of InuYasha and Kagome in traffic safety posters.

Adding to the above about television, InuYasha has been translated into a multitude of languages. Part of this is its popularity at MIPCOM in Cannes, France. MIPCOM is the largest entertainment convention in the world, and the InuYasha booth will always be packed with people arguing over airing rights.

Inuyasha currently holds the biggest number of Fan Fiction on FanFiction.net, with over 60,000 stories and still growing.

Artwork quality

Most critics agree that the artwork in both the anime and manga versions of InuYasha is quite impressive, with Akemi's Anime World, Anime News Network, and many others praising that it as "excellent". However, some viewers, such as Derrick Tucker, from THEM Anime Reviews, complain that some action scenes are often reused and that sometimes a static image moved against a background is used as a substitute for animation. He concedes, however, that the costs of producing a long anime series like InuYasha often make such compromises unavoidable.

Theme songs

Further information: InuYasha media and release information

See also

• InuYasha media and release information
• InuYasha Y¨­kai List
• InuYasha special items and attacks
• List of InuYasha voice actors
• Y¨­kai
• Obake
• InuYasha Trading Card Game

Notes

1. ^ There is a long-standing debate about the proper English spelling of the title character's name, an example of the type of dispute that often happens as a result of romanization. Variant spellings include "InuYasha", "Inuyasha", "Inu-Yasha", "Inu-yasha", "Inu Yasha", and "Inu yasha". Fans of the series often use "IY" (or less rarely, "Inu"), especially on fansites, although it is usually considered to be more of an abbreviation than an actual name. Official licensors use varying spellings, so they provide little guidance in this area; the two most popular versions are "Inuyasha" and the VIZ CamelCase version. Since Japanese names generally do not use spacing or capitalization, there is ultimately no "correct" spelling.
2. ^ Inu (È®) is a single kanji translating to "dog". "Demon" (Ò¹²æ) is a rough translation of the forced character "Yasha", translating literally to 'demon'. Rumiko Takahashi said during an interview that "yasha" meant "forest spirit".

External links

Official Sites

• (Japanese) Inuyasha official website (anime)
• (Japanese) Yomiuri Television's official Inuyasha page (anime)
• (Japanese) Web Sunday's Official Inuyasha Site (manga)
• (Japanese) Inuyasha: Avex Mode
• (English) YTV Canada's entry on Inuyasha

Unofficial Sites

• (English) Ear Tweak - Features manga translations of recent chapters as well as manga archives of recently released Inuyasha chapters, from Sh¨­nen Sunday among other things.
• (English) TV.com's Inuyasha Page
• (English) Inuyasha Fan Site