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Kannazuki no Miko | |
Cover of the first manga volume featuring Himeko Kurusugawa and Chikane Himemiya. | |
神無月の巫女 | |
---|---|
Genre | Magical girl, mecha, romance, yuri |
Manga | |
Written by | Kaishaku |
Published by | Kadokawa Shoten |
English publisher | |
Demographic | Shōnen |
Magazine | Shōnen Ace |
Original run | 2004 – 2005 |
Volumes | 2 (List of volumes) |
Anime television series | |
Directed by | Tetsuya Yanagisawa |
Written by | Sumio Uetake |
Music by | Mina Kubota |
Studio | TNK |
Licensed by | Geneon USA (2006-2009) Sentai Filmworks (2009-present) |
Original network | Chiba TV, TV Kanagawa, TV Saitama, Channel Neco, KBS |
English network | Anime Network (2010) |
Original run | October 1, 2004 – December 17, 2004 |
Episodes | 12 (List of episodes) |
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Kannazuki no Miko (神無月の巫女, literally Priestesses of the Godless Month) is a yurimanga series created by Kaishaku. The series, centering on the relationship between main characters Himeko and Chikane, also has elements of magical girl and mecha themes in its plot.[1] The 14-chapter series was serialized by Kadokawa Shoten in the monthly Shōnen Ace magazine from 2004 to 2005.
The series was adapted into a 12-episode anime by TNK and Geneon Entertainment, which aired in Japan from October to December 2004. A drama CD, based on the anime version, was released on November 25, 2004 by Geneon. In North America the manga was licensed by Tokyopop and the anime by Geneon USA; the anime license was transferred to Sentai Filmworks in 2009. In 2010, the anime aired on the Anime Network as Destiny of the Shrine Maiden.
- 2Characters
- 3Media
Plot[edit]
Himeko Kurusugawa and Chikane Himemiya are two high-school girls at the prestigious Ototachibana Academy in the fictional Japanese town of Mahoroba. They are also the reincarnations of the solar and lunar mikos. When their ancient enemy the Orochi (the eight-headed Yamata no Orochi of Japanese folklore) rises once more the girls' long-sealed personas awaken to defend the world. The Orochi awakens on the first day of October (Kannazuki, 'the godless month,' in the traditional Japanese lunar calendar), Himeko and Chikane's shared birthday. The first Orochi who tries to kill one of the mikos is Sōma Ōgami, Himeko's childhood friend (who is in love with her). However, after a blinding flash of light brings him to his senses, he rejects his fate and vows to defend Himeko against the other Orochi. The mikos must awaken Ame no Murakumo to combat the threat, while Sōma repels the Orochi's efforts to kill them.
Characters[edit]
Miko[edit]
- Himeko Kurusugawa (来栖川 姫子Kurusugawa Himeko)
- Voiced by: Noriko Shitaya (Japanese); Stephanie Sheh (English)
- Himeko, the solar priestess, is a shy, innocent 16-year-old girl with long blond hair, a red ribbon on her head, and a solar symbol on her chest. She has known Chikane for many years, but was unaware of Chikane's feelings about her. At first, Himeko is romantically interested in her childhood friend Sōma Ōgami; their relationship upsets Chikane greatly to the point of where she becomes jealous and at one point she was nearly raped by Chikane. Himeko begins considering Chikane (who encourages her interest in photography) a very close friend, although they usually meet secretly. Himeko is initially timid, uncertain of her own worth; orphaned at an early age, she was initially adopted by abusive relatives before moving to a better family home. At school she seems to have only a few friends one of which is her dormmmate Makoto. After the dorms are destroyed, when Himeko goes to live with Chikane she is troubled by the resentment of Chikane's school friends. Despite her timidity, Himeko gradually becomes more determined and courageous. During the last few episodes she realizes and accepts her feelings for Chikane. In both versions whether they are reincarnated as sisters in the manga or total strangers in the anime, Himeko is reunited with Chikane.
- Chikane Himemiya (姫宮 千歌音Himemiya Chikane)
- Voiced by: Ayako Kawasumi (Japanese); Michelle Ruff (English)
- Chikane, the lunar priestess, is an assertive 16-year-old girl with long blue hair and a lunar symbol on her back. Noble and elegant, she lives in a large mansion with servants and is doing well at school. Chikane has many friends, male and female, some of whom hero-worship her. She belongs to the prestigious kyūdō (Japanese archery) club, and frequently uses a bow in confrontations with the Orochi (using an Orochi sign for target practice). She is also skilled with a tantō. Chikane's combat skills resemble those taught to samurai wives while her modern talents include tennis and the piano. She enjoys playing for Himeko who appreciates her music. Many at school think, incorrectly, that Chikane is in a relationship with Sōma. She has loved Himeko since they met, although (despite her jealousy of Himeko and Sōma's friendship) she does not admit it until much later. Chikane's feelings for Himeko border on obsession, and she wants to complete the Ame no Murakumo summoning ritual quickly so she alone can protect Himeko. She seems to turn evil upon joining the Orochi as the Eighth Head, vanquishing all but two of the Orochi heads (and assuming their place) after sexually assaulting Himeko and tormenting her during their final battle. It is eventually revealed that she did all of this to force Himeko to kill her to spare her from a terrible fate. However in both versions, Chikane is reincarnated and reunited with Himeko.
Orochi[edit]
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The series' villain is Yamata no Orochi (邪神八岐大蛇Jashin Yamata no Orochi), a god who wants to replace the world of humanity with a place of darkness and nihilism. Like its counterpart in Japanese mythology, the Orochi in Kannazuki no Miko has eight heads (its eight disciples, also known as Orochi (オロチ衆orochi shū)). Each has a mecha, an 'other self' for the Orochi's body, with its spirit appearing as a bottomless vortex of darkness. The Orochi's powers are devastating, and only Ame no Murakumo can undo their destruction after its defeat.
Each disciple has exaggerated individual characteristics. Orochi gave its followers great physical strength and endurance, a limited capacity for teleportation and levitation and an individual power (or weapon). If a disciple can suppress the rage caused by Orochi, they can use their powers against it; however, Orochi severely punishes those who resist it. The god chooses its followers from those who have experienced great pain in their lives and have surrendered to despair; they include a sociopathic criminal, an unintelligent brute, a former Japanese idol, an anti-social manga artist, a catgirl, a seemingly traitorous friend and a disillusioned nun, with only one of them, the criminal's brother, being able to temporarily resist the god's influence completely. They are uncooperative, and do not coordinate attacks on the miko until halfway through the series. By the series' end the followers are restored, with no memory of their association with Yamata no Orochi.
- Tsubasa (ツバサ)
- Voiced by: Yasunori Matsumoto (Japanese); Liam O'Brien (English)
- The first head (一の首Ichi no kubi), Tsubasa, is the leader of the Orochi. A tall, teal-haired bishōnen, he is a sociopathic criminal with a long record - beginning with the murder of his abusive father, whom he killed to protect his younger brother. Tsubasa wears the mark of Orochi over his heart. He is Sōma's biological older brother, leaving him (as a young child) with the Ōgami family when he became a fugitive. Out of all the heads, Tsubasa was the one who came the closest to killing his brother. Sōma does not remember him well; Tsubasa wants to convert him to the Orochi cause instead of killing him. He saves his brother from the Orochi's curse by sacrificing himself. His mecha, Take no Yasukunazuchi (嶽鑓御太刀神), has wing-like structures and attacks with swords on its arms. Tsubasa is the only Orochi to battle the rogue Chikane to a draw; however, he temporarily destroys Take no Yamikazuchi and abandons the fight. In combat Tsubasa primarily uses a sword, although he also has knife-throwing skills; his knives cause explosions. He eventually reveals that his love for his brother surpasses his attachment to the Orochi's destructive vision.
- Sister Miyako (ミヤコ)
- Voiced by: Ikue Ohtani (Japanese); Melissa Fahn (English)
- The second head (二の首Ni no kubi), Miyako, is a purple-haired nun and the first Orochi to appear. She lost her faith after surviving a terrible war (probably in England), and may have the mark of Orochi on her throat. Although there is little cooperation among the Orochi, she is apparently second in command; she respects Tsubasa, and is the most level-headed of the Orochi followers. She can control Girochi and evoke some cooperation among the three other female heads. Her mecha, Yatsu no Onokoshizuchi (八雄炬御鎚神), is a demon with tentacles instead of arms and a circle of electrodes on its back which fire deadly beams. Miyako uses mirrors to create complex illusions and to spy on others. A keen observer, through her attempt to subvert Chikane she forces her to face her feelings for Himeko. The last of the Orochi to fall in combat against Chikane, she is later purified.
- Girochi (ギロチ)
- Voiced by: Yasuyuki Kase (Japanese); Kirk Thornton (English)
- The third head (三の首San no kubi), Girochi, is one of the first Orochi to attack the miko. He is a large man, with heavy chains hanging from him which he uses as weapons, and wears the mark of Orochi on the back of his right hand. Girochi is also attracted to Himeko, which fuels Chikane's jealous protectiveness of the solar miko. Miyako's younger brother, in a flashback Girochi is shown as a young boy crying near a body crushed under a collapsed building; the war which destroyed his sister's church killed their parents and left Girochi traumatized. His mecha, Hi no Ashinazuchi (飛埜御脚神), is nicknamed Gungal and is characterized by a large right arm which he uses as a weapon in his Megaton Knuckle attack. Girochi, the first to be petrified by Chikane, is later purified with Miyako.
- Corona (コロナKorona)
- Voiced by: Kana Ueda (Japanese); Rebecca Forstadt (English)
- The fourth head (四の首Shi no kubi), Corona, is a delusional pop icon whose dismal sales (68th, although Reiko taunts her by saying '69th') drive her to become one of the Orochi; she may wear the mark of Orochi on her left breast. Corona's behavior is near-manic; although she constantly tries to impress the other Orochi with her showmanship, her energetic exterior hides a dark past. A flashback depicts her lying on a bed next to an older man, with her clothing torn; the nature of, and reason for, the liaison are left unsaid but it is suggested that Corona was 'betrayed by her dreams', probably by being either raped by an executive or forced to prostitute herself. Her mecha, Ooube no Senazuchi (大宇邊御蟲神) (nicknamed Final Stage), is a wheel with a demonic eye in its center that can become a giant centipede with an anthropoid head and arms. In combat, Corona throws explosive lipsticks at her target. After being petrified by Chikane, she is purified.
- Reiko Ōta (大田 レーコŌta Reiko)
- Voiced by: Mamiko Noto (Japanese); Dorothy Elias-Fahn (English)
- The fifth head (五の首Go no kubi), Reiko, is an uncommunicative manga artist whose manga (although successful) have darker themes since she joined the Orochi (whose mark she may wear on her back). Reiko barely interacts with the other Orochi and is stone-cold in battle, although her level-headedness is more the product of cynicism and numbness than Miyako's. She shares her last name with Hitoshi Ōta, one of Kannazuki no Miko'sauthors. Her mecha, Ho no Shuraizuchi (火殊羅御雹神), is a Jōmon-style (straw-rope pattern) fired pottery jar with an anthropoid shape. In combat, Reiko throws explosive fountain pens at her targets. Himeko loves Reiko's work, and the artist is eventually petrified (and purified) by Chikane.
- Nekoko (ネココ)
- Voiced by: Ai Nonaka (Japanese); Sandy Fox (English)
- The sixth head (六の首Roku no kubi) Nekoko, is a small, squeaky-voiced catgirl whose name derives from cat (猫neko). Often seen in a nurse's outfit with a syringe, she may wear the mark of Orochi on her buttocks. The apparently cheerful Nekoko was a victim of horrendous medical experiments (she is seen strapped to a medical seat and rodeated by scientists), which is probably what made her both what she currently is and an Orochi follower. Her syringe contains medication to heal injuries and illness, but the injection (as noted by Girochi) causes great pain. Nekoko can also launch the syringe, as an explosive rocket. Her mech, Izuhara no Tamazuchi (鋳都祓御霊神) (nicknamed Meow Meow), is a large mechanical ball with cannons capable of destroying buildings. Nekoko went on a rampage which destroyed several Japanese landmarks, acting like a cute little girl having fun. She is later petrified (and purified) by Chikane.
- Sōma Ōgami (大神 ソウマŌgami Sōma)
- Voiced by: Junji Majima (Japanese); Steve Staley (English)
- The seventh head (七の首Nana no kubi), Sōma, is the only Orochi to resist becoming completely evil and the first to be purified (possibly because of his feelings for Himeko). With the mark of Orochi on his forehead, Sōma is the lone protector of Himeko and Chikane for most of the series and plays a role in the downfall of the Orochi. As popular at school as Chikane, most of their fellow students erroneously believed they were dating; in reality they're good friends, but are in love with Himeko. He is extremely protective of Himeko, he fights to keep her safe from Orochi until he is overwhelmed by the Orochi curse (and rescued by his brother, Tsubasa). Sōma's mecha, Take no Yamikazuchi (武夜御鳴神), is a humanoid robot with a variety of concealed attacks. In combat, he uses his body and his motorcycle. Sōma later adopts Tsubasa's sword and fighting style, increasing his power.
- Chikane Himemiya (姫宮 千歌音Himemiya Chikane)
- Voiced by: Ayako Kawasumi (Japanese); Michelle Ruff (English)
- The eighth head (八の首Hachi no kubi) is originally a mysterious figure, who the other Orochi think is hiding from the public. It is later revealed to be Chikane when she joins the Orochi. Although the evil Orochi may have known that Chikane would join it, it does not speak again until she defeats the other Orochi. She does not have the mark of Orochi on her body, but her lunar symbol absorbs threads of its power. Chikane uses Sōma's mecha, transforming it to look demonic and obliterating the other Orochi. As the miko of Orochi, she forces Himeko to make a drastic decision. The mecha belonging to the eighth head is Yokusemi no Mizuchi (翼脊深御観神), a fast-flying bird (to rescue Orochi members) with a humanoid drill (for combat) as its lower body.
Other characters[edit]
- Ame no Murakumo
- Voiced by: Atsuko Tanaka (Japanese); Megan Hollingshead (English)
- Ame no Murakumo (剣神天群雲剣Kenshin Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi) is the god of swords. Ame no Murakumo, who also shares its name with the legendary sword Kusanagi, rests within an ancient shrine that is on the surface of the moon until it is invoked by the Miko of Sun and Moon. Ame no Murakumo takes the shape of a giant sword or a humanoid mecha, and can be piloted like the Orochi mecha. It can defeat Orochi, and it alone can undo Orochi's damage, but it comes with a mostly unspoken high price. After its previous battle against Orochi, the god's terrestrial shrine was sealed by six swords to test the power (and determination) of the future Miko of Sun and Moon. Although the Orochi displayed their full hostility towards Ame no Murakumo, the god of swords only spoke when it addressed one (or both) of the Miko of Sun and Moon in a feminine voice.
- Kazuki Ōgami (大神 カズキŌgami Kazuki)
- Voiced by: Moichi Saito (Japanese); Lex Lang (English)
- Sōma's adopted older brother, legal guardian, and priest of the temple of the Solar and Lunar Miko, Kazuki's duties are to maintain the miko and prepare them for battle. Calm and collected, he worries about Sōma (and what his Orochi blood will do to him), Himeko and Chikane (and what their duties will do to them) and seems to be withholding information.
- Yukihito (ユキヒト)
- Voiced by: Omi Minami (Japanese); David Keifer (English)
- The temple assistant and Sōma's best friend, his duties are to help the priest and miko prepare the weapon to defeat the Orochi.
- Otoha Kisaragi (如月 乙羽Kisaragi Otoha)
- Voiced by: Chinami Nishimura (Japanese); Kate Higgins (English)
- Chikane's loyal and devoted maid. A supporting character, she clarifies how Chikane reserved her feelings for Himeko alone. Otoha is jealous of Himeko. When Otoha is sent away, she expresses her love and admiration for Chikane, blushing and weeping when she hugs her.
- Makoto Saotome (早乙女 マコトSaotome Makoto)
- Voiced by: Ikue Ohtani (Japanese); Julie Ann Taylor (English)
- Himeko's friend and roommate, 'Mako-chan' is an athletic girl and one of the best runners on the Ototachibana track team. On the day that Sōma attacked Himeko, she was severely injured in the collapsing dormitory and became unable to compete in the Interhigh meet. Angry at Himeko (and herself) for her injuries, she disappears until the end of the series when she helps Himeko make a decision about the events surrounding her.
- Izumi (泉Izumi)
- Voiced by: Kiyomi Asai (Japanese); Megan Hollingshead (English)
- The leader of a group of girls who are Chikane's admirers at school (calling her 'Miya-sama'), she is jealous of Himeko. The group bullies her until they experience Chikane's quiet fury.
- Misaki (美咲Misaki)
- Voiced by: Kaori Mine (Japanese); Cristina Valenzuela (English)
- A friend of Izumi's. Misaki is also jealous of Himeko.
- Kyoko (京子Kyōko)
- Voiced by: Yukiko Minami (Japanese); Mela Lee (English)
- Another friend of Izumi's.
Media[edit]
Manga[edit]
The Kannazuki no Miko manga, written by the manga group Kaishaku, was first serialized in the Japanese mangazine Shōnen Ace (published by Kadokawa Shoten) in 2004. The series' 14 chapters were bound in two tankōbon volumes. It was licensed in North America by Tokyopop, which published both volumes in English in 2008.
No. | Japanese release date | Japanese ISBN | English release date | English ISBN |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | October 1, 2004[2] | ISBN978-4-04-713666-3 | May 6, 2008[3] | ISBN978-1-42-780955-1 |
2 | June 25, 2005[4] | ISBN978-4-04-713731-8 | July 7, 2008[5] | ISBN978-1-42-780956-8 |
Anime[edit]
The anime adaptation was produced by Geneon Entertainment and animated by TNK. It was directed by Tetsuya Yanagisawa, with music by Mina Kubota and character designs by Maki Fujii. The opening theme was 'Re-sublimity' and the ending theme 'Agony', composed and arranged by Kazuya Takase and performed with lyrics by Kotoko. The insert song, 'Suppuration -core-' (also sung by Kotoko), was used in episode five.
The 12-episode series was broadcast in Japan first on Chiba TV from October 1 to December 17, 2004. The episodes were released on six DVDs from December 22, 2004 to May 25, 2005. It was licensed in North America by Geneon USA, which released the series on three DVDs in 2006. The license was transferred from Geneon USA to Sentai Filmworks in 2009; the latter reissued the series in a DVD box set on August 25, 2009.[6] It is licensed in France by Dybex, in Poland by Vision Film Distribution and in Taiwan by Proware Multimedia. In 2010, the series was shown on the Anime Network as Destiny of the Shrine Maiden.[7]
# | Title | Original air date | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 'The Land of Eternity' Transcription: 'Tokoyo no Kuni' (Japanese: 常世の国) | October 1, 2004 | |
Chikane and Himeko share a rapidly approaching birthday. On their birthday the Orochi awaken, and Sōma attacks Himeko (the solar priestess). He comes to his senses and fights the second head, Sister Miyako. Chikane and Himeko kiss. | |||
2 | 'Overlapping Sun and Moon' Transcription: 'Kasanaru Jitsugetsu' (Japanese: 重なる日月) | October 8, 2004 | |
The story of the Orochi and the priestesses is revealed to the unsuspecting solar and lunar priestesses. Himeko considers leaving the town, but a fight breaks out between the priestesses and the third head of the Orochi, Girochi. Sōma comes to the priestesses' aid. | |||
3 | 'Secret Love Shell' Transcription: 'Hirenkai' (Japanese: 秘恋貝) | October 15, 2004 | |
Himeko has nowhere else to live, and Chikane invites her to her mansion. Kazuki Ōgami discloses more about the priestesses' past and what they must do to protect the world from the Orochi. The sixth head of the Orochi, Nekoko, attacks the priestesses. | |||
4 | 'Direction of Affection' Transcription: 'Omoi Tamauya' (Japanese: 思い賜うや) | October 22, 2004 | |
Sōma asks Himeko for a date at an amusement park, and Chikane helps her prepare. On their date, Tsubasa (the first head of the Orochi) attacks them; Sōma tries his best to protect Himeko. | |||
5 | 'Over the Darkness of Night' Transcription: 'Yoan wo Koete' (Japanese: 夜闇を越えて) | October 29, 2004 | |
Sōma is defeated by Tsubasa (his biological older brother, who promises to return) in their first fight, and he begins strength training. | |||
6 | 'You Where the Sun Shines' Transcription: 'Hidamari no Kimi' (Japanese: 日溜まりの君) | November 5, 2004 | |
Chikane and Himeko's first meeting and growing friendship is described. They continue their strength training, despite setbacks. Himeko goes on a second date with Sōma. | |||
7 | 'Rainfall in the Hell of Love' Transcription: 'Rengoku ni Furu Ame' (Japanese: 恋獄に降る雨) | November 12, 2004 | |
When Sōma and Himeko are on their date, it begins raining and they take shelter in an abandoned warehouse. Chikane meets the second head of the Orochi, who appeals to her jealousy of Sōma. The third, fourth, fifth and sixth heads of the Orochi attack Sōma on his date with Himeko; after the fight, Sōma kisses her. | |||
8 | 'Storm of the Silver Moon' Transcription: 'Gingetsuei no Arashi' (Japanese: 銀月の嵐) | November 19, 2004 | |
During another outing with Sōma, Himeko searches for a gift for Chikane to cheer her up. When she returns to Chikane's mansion, she is shocked to find that the lunar priestess has joined the Orochi as the eighth head; Chikane sexually assaults her. | |||
9 | 'To the Edge of Hell' Transcription: 'Yomotsuhirasaka e' (Japanese: 黄泉比良坂へ) | November 26, 2004 | |
After the previous night, Himeko is still shaken by what happened between her and Chikane. Her friend, Makoto Saotome, returns to school and their disagreement is resolved. Chikane defeats the Orochi, one by one, until the only one left is Sōma. | |||
10 | 'Invitation of Love and Death' Transcription: 'Ai to Shi no Shōtaijō' (Japanese: 愛と死の招待状) | December 3, 2004 | |
While performing a ritual alone, Himeko finally revives Ame no Murakumo. Chikane returns home, and the priestesses spend time together as they had before. However, it is a ruse; Chikane warns Himeko that she will kill her very soon. | |||
11 | 'Dance of Swords' Transcription: 'Tsurugi no Butōkai' (Japanese: 剣の舞踏会) | December 10, 2004 | |
Himeko and Sōma join the final battle with the Orochi, which leads Himeko to leave Sōma to look for Chikane. The two priestesses battle, with the fate of the world in the balance. | |||
12 | 'Priestesses of the Godless Month' Transcription: 'Kannazuki no Miko' (Japanese: 神無月の巫女) | December 17, 2004 | |
When Himeko strikes Chikane's chest with her sword, they share a tender moment in which their unpleasant past lives are revealed; Chikane pretended to want to kill Himeko to make amends. The Orochi are defeated; life returns to normal, but at a high price for the priestesses. Time is reversed to Himeko's birthday but everything is different in their lives such as Corona succeeding in the music industry, Reiko goes back to writing, Nekoko is a normal child, Tsubasa is still a fugitive while Miyuki continues her missionary work with the help of Girochi. Soma, meanwhile, asks Himeko out but she refuses his offer. Later, she and Makoto see her photo album with Chikane except she (Chikane) is erased from them. The series ends with Himeko stating that even though a lot of things may change, her feelings (for Chikane) never will. In the post-credits scene, an older Himeko is reunited with Chikane in the city with the promise of Ame no Murakumo that they will fall in love once more. |
Drama CD and radio show[edit]
On November 25, 2004 Kannazuki no Miko drama CD was released in Japan by Geneon, based on the anime version of Kannazuki no Miko. The series was presented on an Internet radio program, RADIO Kannazuki (RADIO神無月), on i-revo TE-A room from October 2004 to March 2005. Voice actors included Noriko Shitaya (Himeko) and Junji Majima (Sōma Ōgami), who are currently hosting RADIO Kyōshirō (RADIO京四郎).
Reception[edit]
Kannazuki no Miko received mixed reviews. Carlo Santos of Anime News Network (ANN) criticized volume one of the series:
Everything about Kannazuki no Miko says instant fan favorite, but somehow it adds up to less than the sum of its parts. Changes in scene and mood don't seem to connect, characters behave without rhyme or reason, and even thrilling action scenes are hampered by sloppy animation. There are lots of little things to like about the series, but as a whole, you have to wonder—'What? That's it?' ... If Kannazuki no Miko were split into two different series, it might be easier to enjoy the separate story threads.[8]
However, the network credited the anime for 'so many striking visual elements' and 'effective designs'.[8] The soundtrack was 'especially effective during dramatic character moments', but its battle music was criticized.[8] Carlo Santos added that while volume one of the series 'promises something to suit every anime fetish ...if sensible storytelling and deep characters are what turn you on, then this isn't the series to go to.'[8]
He also criticized the second volume as 'overblown' and melodramatic, with too much '[a]ngst, rage and sentimentality'.[9] However, 'the voice actors in the English dub still manage to express the sentiments of their characters', and 'the middle episodes of Kannazuki no Miko represent a genuine turning point in the series: the romance and adventure storylines, once so disconnected, come together and swing the cosmic battle in a new direction.'[9]
In her review of the series, Erica Friedman (president of Yuricon) sharply criticized the story for its rape scene and its manga ending (in which Chikane and Himeko are reincarnated as sisters and lovers),[10] considering it poorly written. She asks why, 'if both [Sōma] and Chikane love Himeko so much, do they allow her to be bullied, outcast and victimized instead of stepping up and claiming their friendship publicly?'[10] Friedman wrote that Himeko 'allows the whims of others to take control of her life, she indulges them by not having an opinion of her own, she naively forgives even the basest behavior, and she never once takes an interest in the truth of what is going on';[10] the story actually revolves around 'the love triangle and Himeko's victimization by herself and the people who profess to love her'.[10] Friedman said, 'Tokyopop's team did as good a job with the material as they could. It's not a good story, nor is it well-drawn, but they made it make as much sense as possible. I applaud them for that. It's not as easy as they made it look.'[10] In her volume two review, she said Tokyopop did a 'very superior job with this series'.[11]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Beveridge, Chris. 'Kannazuki No Miko Review'. AnimeOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on 2008-05-10. Retrieved November 20, 2007.Cite web requires
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(help) - ^神無月の巫女 (1) [Kannazuki no Miko (1)] (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved April 23, 2013.Cite web requires
|website=
(help) - ^'Kannazuki No Miko: Destiny of Shrine Maiden Volume 1'. Amazon.com. Retrieved April 23, 2013.Cite web requires
|website=
(help) - ^神無月の巫女 (2) [Kannazuki no Miko (2)] (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved April 23, 2013.Cite web requires
|website=
(help) - ^'Kannazuki No Miko: Destiny of Shrine Maiden Volume 2'. Amazon.com. Retrieved April 23, 2013.Cite web requires
|website=
(help) - ^'Sentai Filmworks Reissues Daphne, Kannazuki, Dokkoida'. Anime News Network. 2009-06-02. Retrieved 2009-06-02.Cite web requires
|website=
(help) - ^'Destiny of the Shrine Maiden'. Anime Network. Retrieved 2010-01-23.Cite web requires
|website=
(help) - ^ abcdSantos, Carlo (2006-05-09). 'Kannazuki no Miko DVD 1: Solar Priestess + Artbox'. Anime News Network. Retrieved 2009-03-26.Cite news requires
|newspaper=
(help) - ^ abSantos, Carlo (2006-08-25). 'Kannazuki no Miko DVD 2: Lunar Priestess'. Anime News Network. Retrieved 2009-03-26.Cite news requires
|newspaper=
(help) - ^ abcdeFriedman, Erica (2008-06-25). 'Yuri Manga: Kannazuki no Miko, Volume 1 (English)'. Okazu. Yuricon. Retrieved 2015-05-05.
- ^Friedman, Erica (2008-08-15). 'Yuri Manga: Kannazuki no Miko, Volume 2'. Okazu. Yuricon. Retrieved 2015-05-05.
External links[edit]
- Kannazuki no Miko at Viz Media
- Manga official website(in Japanese)
- Anime official website(in Japanese)
- Kannazuki no Miko (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kannazuki no Miko | |
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Chikane (left) and Himeko (right), as depicted in promotional material for the anime | |
神無月の巫女 | |
Genre | Romance, Mecha, Yuri |
Manga | |
Author | Kaishaku |
Publisher | Kadokawa Shoten |
English publisher | Tokyopop |
Demographic | Shōnen |
Magazine | Shōnen Ace |
Original run | October 1, 2004 – June 25, 2005 |
Volumes | 2 |
TV anime | |
Director | Tetsuya Yanagisawa |
Studio | Rondo Robe |
Licensor | Sentai Filmworks |
Network | TNK Anime Network |
Original run | October 2, 2004 – December 18, 2004 |
Episodes | 12 |
Anime and Manga Portal |
Kannazuki no Miko(神無月の巫女?, lit. Priestesses of the Godless Month) is a manga series created by the duo Kaishaku. The series was serialized in fourteen chapters by Kadokawa Shoten and in Shōnen Ace in 2004 and 2005, and collected in two bound volumes. The series was adapted as an anime television series broadcast in 12 episodes on TNK between October and December 2004. A drama CD was released on November 25, 2004 by Geneon based on the anime version. In North America, the manga is licensed by Tokyopop and the anime was licensed by Geneon Entertainment, but the license transferred to Sentai Filmworks in 2009. In 2010, the anime started showing on the Anime Network, with the name Destiny of the Shrine Maiden.[1]
The series centers on the yurirelationship of the two main characters, Himeko and Chikane, with elements of magical girl and mecha themes helping to carry the plot.[2] An anime series that includes several characters similar to those of Kannazuki no Miko called Shattered Angels aired in Japan between January and March 2007.
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Plot
Kannazuki no Miko is the story of Himeko and Chikane, the reincarnations of the Solar and Lunar Miko, respectively. They are two high school girls going to the prestigious Ototachibana Academy of Mahoroba, Japan. When an ancient evil rises once more, the girls are plunged into destiny as their long-sealed personas awaken to defend the world against the eight Orochi, who are the eight heads of Yamata no Orochi of Japanese folklore. When the Orochi awaken, it is the first day of October (called kannazuki, lit. 'the godless month,' in the traditional Japanese lunisolar calendar), which just happens to be Himeko and Chikane's birthday. The first Orochi who tries to kill the Miko is Sōma Ōgami, the boy in love with Himeko. However, after a blinding flash of light brings him to his senses, he rejects his fate and vows to defend Himeko against the other Orochi. The Miko must awaken Ame no Murakumo in order to combat the threat while Sōma repels the Orochi efforts to kill them.
The manga goes into more detail on the relationship between Himeko and Chikane. In the end, Himeko chooses to be incarcerated forever in the shrine with Chikane. At the end, it also shows that a number of years later two twin girls are born and are actually Himeko and Chikane, with the memories and feelings for one another intact.[3]
In the anime, Himeko's memory of Chikane is taken away after Chikane sacrifices herself for Himeko and is incarcerated in the shrine. Though Chikane is ultimately reincarnated and their feelings for each other are intact, they are without past memories of one another; their connection is rather sensed through instinct. At the end of the anime, all the Orochi heads go back to their original lives and Himeko is seen walking down a street intersection. As she walks during the post-credits, she comes across Chikane in her new human world body and instantly senses that she is meant to be with this person. The two hug, and narrate how they will always find their way back to each other.
Characters
Miko
- Himeko Kurusugawa (来栖川 姫子Kurusugawa Himeko?)
- Voiced by:Noriko Shitaya (Japanese), Stephanie Sheh (English)
- The Solar Priestess Himeko is a very shy, innocent 16-year-old girl, and that receives most of the anime's attention. She has known Chikane for many years without knowing Chikane's affections towards her. At first, Himeko has affections for Sōma Ōgami, who is her childhood friend. When the two date, their relationship puts Chikane's heart into turmoil. She starts off considering Chikane a very close friend although the two very rarely meet outside of secrecy. Himeko is an amateur photographer of some skill- a hobby she developed thanks to the support she receives from Chikane Himemiya. Himeko is initially a shy and timid girl, uncertain of her own worth and abilities. This is mainly because she was orphaned at an early age in an unknown manner. She was initially adopted by abusive relatives before being moved to other relatives. At school, Himeko seems to have only one friend, her dorm roommate Makoto. After the destruction of the dorms when Himeko comes to live with Chikane, she soon gains the enmity of Chikane's female fans at school- a fact she does not deal with well. Despite her timidity, Himeko gradually starts to display great determination and courage. Himeko carries the solar symbol on her chest. In the last few episodes, she finally realizes and accepts her feelings towards Chikane.
- Chikane Himemiya (姫宮 千歌音Himemiya Chikane?)
- Voiced by:Ayako Kawasumi (Japanese), Michelle Ruff (English)
- The Lunar Priestess; in sharp contrast with Himeko, Chikane is a very commanding girl of the same age. She has a very noble and elegant aura, lives in a large mansion with many maids, and is considered to be of the highest standing at their school; she has a considerable fan following of both genders and is the frequent target of love confessions. She is a member of the prestigious kyūdō (Japanese archery) club and frequently uses the bow as her weapon of preference during confrontations with the Orochi, thus to defeat the other Orochi she uses the Orochi mark as a target. Later events show that she is also skilled in the use of the tantō. Her combat skills are somewhat reminiscent of those taught to the brides of samurai; possibly another indication of Chikane's family's high standing. Chikane is also exceptionally skilled in the areas of tennis and, more significantly, the piano; she apparently enjoys playing for Himeko, who enjoys listening to her perform. Many at school believe she has a relationship with Sōma, though this is proven to be untrue. She has been in love with Himeko since they first met, although she does not reveal it until much later, all the while hiding her jealousy and hurt at the sight of Himeko and Sōma together. Her feelings for Himeko soon borders upon obsession - she wants to complete the Ame no Murakumo summoning ritual quickly so that she alone can protect Himeko (and hence not requiring Sōma's assistance in the process). She eventually appears to 'turn evil', vanquishing all but two of the other Orochi heads and assuming their place after attacking and sexually assaulting Himeko in an effort to force Himeko to be malevolent to Chikane. The truth behind her actions is more complex than at first meets the eye. However, even though Chikane turned away from evil once to save Himeko, she is about to learn that the darkness will forever dominate her destiny. Chikane carries the lunar symbol on her back.
Orochi
The great villain of the series is Yamata no Orochi, an evil god who wishes to destroy the world of humanity and create its own realm, a place of darkness and nihilism. Like its counterpart from Japanese mythology, the Orochi of Kannazuki no Miko has eight 'necks', its eight worshipers and followers, who are also called Orochi (オロチ衆?) by association. Each of them possesses a mecha, which is both an 'other self' for the Orochi members and an embodiment of a lesser god (which rise time and again from the ashes of destruction), which forms part of the evil deity Orochi's body. Each individual follower has exaggerated personal characteristics; there is some indication that the evil deity granted its followers great physical strength and endurance, a limited capacity for teleportation and levitation, as well as a unique power or weapon to suit their individual character. A follower who has the willpower to repress the wellspring of rage that rises in their minds when Orochi claims them can use the powers they have gained against Orochi. The evil deity, unfortunately, administers a dire punishment to those who resist it. Orochi chooses its followers from those who have experienced great pain in their lives and have given in to despair. Each of the seven Orochi fit easily into archetypes, consisting of a sociopathic criminal, an unintelligent brute, a former Japanese idol, an anti-social mangaka, a catgirl, a seemingly betrayed friend, and a disillusioned nun. They are extremely discordant with each other and do not coordinate attacks on the miko until the middle of the series.
- Tsubasa (ツバサ?)
- Voiced by:Yasunori Matsumoto (Japanese), Liam O'Brien (English)
- The First Neck(一の首Ichi no kubi?), he is considered the leader and the most powerful of the Orochi. Tsubasa is a tall, teal-haired bishōnen, as well as a (presumed) sociopathic criminal with a long record, starting with the murder of his abusive father, whom he killed in order to protect his younger brother. Tsubasa is also Sōma's biological older brother, having left the young child in the care of the Ōgami family when he went on the run. When all the other necks failed at taking his brother down, Tsubasa was ultimately successful. Sōma has few memories of him, and Tsubasa is hesitant to harm him seriously when they first fight; he is more focused on convincing Sōma of the Orochi cause than killing the priestesses. He eventually saves Sōma from the effects of the Orochi's curse and shows himself to be a good person who sacrifices himself for his little brother, even in the end. His mecha, Take no Yasukunazuchi, has deployable wing-like structures which it uses to fly, and attacks with swords mounted on its arms. He is the only one of the Orochi who puts up a serious fight against Chikane after she 'turns Orochi', but the battle ends in an impasse. However, he successfully (though only temporarily) destroys Take no Yamikazuchi and ends up abandoning the fight instead, not feeling the need to finish it. It is worth noting that Tsubasa waited until Chikane defeated the other Orochi before attacking, another sign of his sociopathic nature. In personal combat, Tsubasa mainly uses a sword, although he has shown some skill with throwing knives as well. The knives can carry a kinetic charge that causes explosions. Tsubasa eventually proves that his feelings for his brother are stronger than any attachment he might have felt to the Orochi's nihilistic vision of global destruction. He carries the mark of Orochi over his heart.
- Sister Miyako (ミヤコ?)
- Voiced by:Ikue Ohtani (Japanese), Melissa Fahn (English)
- The Second Neck(二の首Ni no kubi?), she is a purple-haired nun who is the first Orochi to appear and attack, having lost her faith due to living through a terrible war (presumed somewhere in South America due to her tanned skin color which is a common stereotype in manga and anime). Although there is little co-operation among the Orochi, she seems to be the closest thing therein to a second-in-command having great respect for Tsubasa and the most cool-headed of the lot; it is also implied that she holds an unrequited love for Tsubasa. She can control Girochi and induce some semblance of cooperation among the three other female Necks. Her influence appears to be what turns Chikane to the Orochi cause, though it is later revealed that the Lunar Miko went to them of her own accord.
- Her mecha, Yatsu no Onokoshizuchi, vaguely resembles a lightning demon in appearance, having no arms but an array of tentacles and a giant circle of electrodes on its back which fire deadly beams. In personal contact, Miyako can make use of enchanted mirrors to create complex illusions and to spy on others over distances. She is a skilled manipulator and a keen observer. She use the mirrors and persude Chikane her desires and taking off her clothes and her undergraments. She is the last of the Orochi to fall in combat against Chikane, she is then purified. There is some indication that she carries the mark of Orochi on her throat.
- Girochi(ギロチ?)
- Voiced by:Yasuyuki Kase (Japanese), Kirk Thornton (English)
- The Third Neck(三の首San no kubi?), he is one of the first Orochi to attack the miko. He is a very large man with heavy chains hanging off him, which he uses as weapons. He is attracted to Himeko and wishes to go on a date with her, which only fuels Chikane's jealous protectiveness of the Solar Miko. Girochi is said to be Miyako's younger brother. In a flashback scene, he is shown in a scene of destruction as a young boy, crying near a body crushed under a collapsed building. Presumably, the same war that destroyed his sister's church claimed the life of their parents and left Girochi traumatized and disillusioned. His mecha, Hi no Ashinazuchi, is nicknamed Gungal, and it is characterized by an excessively large right arm — so large that the entire mech's body can fit inside it when he uses it as a weapon (the 'Megaton Knuckle' attack). He is the first to be petrified by Chikane, he is later purified. He carries the mark of Orochi on the back of his right hand.
- Corona (コロナKorona?)
- Voiced by:Kana Ueda (Japanese), Rebecca Forstadt (English)
- The Fourth Neck(四の首Shi no kubi?), she is a delusional pop idol whose dismal sales (68th, though Reiko constantly taunts her with '69th') are partly responsible for her becoming one of the Orochi. She is almost manic in her behavior, constantly trying to impress the other Orochi with her showmanship, but her energetic exterior hides a dark past. A flashback scene depicts her lying on a bed next to an older man, with much of her clothing torn; the exact nature of the liaison, as well as the reasons behind it, are left unsaid, although the scene is accompanied by the suggestion that Corona was 'betrayed by her dreams'. Her mecha, Ooube no Senazuchi, nicknamed Final Stage, takes on the forms of a wheel with a demonic eye in its center and of a giant centipede with an anthropoid head and arms. In personal combat, Corona throws lipsticks at her target. This attack is not as harmless as it might sound, since these lipsticks carry a kinetic charge capable of causing explosions. Corona is eventually petrified by Chikane, then purified. There is some indication that she carries the mark of Orochi on her left breast.
- Reiko Ōta (大田 レーコŌta Reiko?)
- Voiced by:Mamiko Noto (Japanese), Dorothy Elias-Fahn (English)
- The Fifth Neck(五の首Go no kubi?), she is an antisocial mangaka of few words. Reiko continues her 'day job' as a member of the Orochi and has in fact done better on the market since joining, though her manga have taken on very dark themes since then. She barely interacts with the other Orochi and is stone-cold in battle, though her level-headedness is more the product of cynicism and numbness than Miyako's. She shares her last name with Hitoshi Ōta, one of Kannazuki no Miko's authors. Her mecha, Ho no Shuraizuchi, takes on the forms of a Jōmon-style (straw-rope pattern) fired pottery jar and an anthropoid shape. In personal combat, Reiko throws fountain pens at her targets. Like Corona's lipsticks, these carry a kinetic charge capable of causing explosions. Interestingly, Himeko adores Reiko's work and is apparently an avid reader of hers. Reiko is eventually petrified and purified by Chikane. There is some indication that she carries the mark of Orochi on her back.
- Nekoko (ネココ?)
- Voiced by:Ai Nonaka (Japanese), Sandy Fox (English)
- The Sixth Neck(六の首Roku no kubi?), she is a small, squeaky-voiced catgirl (her name is derived from neko, the Japanese word for cat) who is often seen wearing a nurse's outfit and wielding a giant syringe. She appears to fit the stereotypical, cheerful catgirl archetype, but it is later revealed that she was the subject and victim of horrible medical experiments, which is most likely what made her an Orochi follower. Nekoko's syringe contains some form of medication that can heal injuries and sickness, but the injection causes horrible pain, as noted by Girochi. Alternatively, Nekoko can launch the syringe like a rocket, carrying the same kind of kinetic charge displayed by Tsubasa's knives, Corona's lipsticks and Reiko's fountain pens. Her mech, Izuhara no Tamazuchi, nicknamed Meow Meow (Nya Nya), is a large mechanical ball with many cannons on it that is capable of destroying buildings easily. Chillingly, Nekoko went on a rampage that wound up destroying several Japanese landmarks, acting the whole time like a stereotypical cute little girl having fun. She is later petrified by Chikane, then purified. There is some indication that she carries the mark of Orochi on her bottom.
- Sōma Ōgami (大神 ソウマŌgami Sōma?)
- Voiced by:Junji Majima (Japanese), Steve Staley (English)
- The Seventh Neck(七の首Nana no kubi?), he is the only Orochi who was able to resist becoming completely evil and the first to be purified. The reason behind this is possibly that he has no life-changing event to turn him fully evil and the factor of his feelings for Himeko. Sōma is the lone protector of Himeko and Chikane for most of the series and later plays a part in bringing the Orochi down. He has a very high social standing at their school, comparable to Chikane's, and most of their fellow students believe they are dating, though in truth they rarely interact until the Orochi events. Like Chikane, he is in love with Himeko and is extremely protective of her, fighting to keep her safe from Orochi until he is overwhelmed by the Orochi curse and put out of action, though he is later rescued by his brother Tsubasa. Sōma's mecha, Take no Yamikazuchi, is a humanoid robot that possesses more varied attacks than most of the other mecha, which it conceals within its own body. In personal combat, Sōma initially uses his own body and sometimes his motorcycle. Later on, he adopts the sword and fighting-style of his brother Tsubasa, significantly increasing his power. He carries the mark of Orochi on his forehead. His mech is similar to that of a Gundam and the attack is similar to The Big O.
- Chikane Himemiya (姫宮 千歌音Himemiya Chikane?)
- Voiced by:Ayako Kawasumi (Japanese), Michelle Ruff (English)
- The Eighth Neck(八の首Hachi no kubi?) is originally a mysterious figure, whom the other Orochi believe is hiding from the public eye. Later, the position is revealed to belong to Chikane, once she joins the Orochi. It is uncertain whether the evil deity Orochi always knew Chikane would come to it, but it does not speak again until Chikane has defeated the other Orochi. At no time does she display the mark of Orochi anywhere on her body, but her lunar symbol does temporarily absorb threads of Orochi's power. Chikane takes over and uses Sōma's mecha, transforming it to look demonic. She then uses the mecha to obliterate all of the other Orochi before becoming the Miko of the Orochi and the only and most powerful head of Orochi, forcing Himeko to make a very drastic decision. In the future, Chikane will return with the mark of Orochi since she teamed up with the god in the first place. She will be the priestess of the Orochi when she returns and she will go down a dangerous dark path that she will not stray from. The mecha supposedly belonging to the Eighth Neck is Yokusemi no Mizuchi, which takes the forms of a fast-flying bird to rescue Orochi members from defeat and the form of a humanoid with a huge drill as its lower body for combat.
Other characters
- Ame no Murakumo
- In Kannazuki no Miko, Ame no Murakumo is the god of swords. When Orochi rises, it is prophesied that only the god of swords will stand against it and be able to undo the damage that Orochi causes. Ame no Murakumo, who shares the name of the legendary sword Kusanagi, rests inside its shrine on the moon until it is brought forth by the Miko of Sun and Moon. Ame no Murakumo takes the shape of either a giant sword or a humanoid mecha, which can be piloted like the Orochi mecha. None of the legends warn those who summon Ame no Murakumo of the terrible price that the god of swords demands to restore the world. Also, the god of swords does not appear to be the subject of unambiguous appreciation; when Ame no Murakumo lay dormant after its previous battle against Orochi, its shrine on Earth was placed under a seal of six swords. Unless Ame no Murakumo and its priests set this arrangement up themselves to test the powers and determination of the future Miko of Sun and Moon, this means someone felt Ame no Murakumo was best kept locked away unless it was absolutely needed. During their most recent battle, Orochi displayed a great hatred for Ame no Murakumo. The god of swords itself did not address its enemy however; the only times it possibly spoke was when it was addressing one or both of the Miko of Sun and Moon. It is voiced by Atsuko Tanaka.
- Kazuki Ōgami (大神 カズキŌgami Kazuki?)
- Voiced by: Moichi Saito (Japanese), Lex Lang (English)
- Sōma's adoptive older brother and legal guardian, as well as priest of the temple of the Solar and Lunar Miko. His duties are to care for and maintain the legacy of the Miko, as well as to prepare them for battle. Calm and collected, he is especially worried about Sōma and what his Orochi blood will do to him; he also worries to an extent about Himeko and Chikane and what their duties will do to them. Even still, there are some indicators that imply he is not telling everyone the full extent of what is going on.
- Yukihito (ユキヒト?)
- Voiced by:Omi Minami (Japanese), David Keifer (English)
- The temple assistant, his duties are to assist the priest and Miko in readying the weapon that will defeat the Orochi. It is unclear if he is a hired employee, relative of the Ōgami family, or a junior priest-in-training (the last is unlikely, as he is never seen wearing Shinto clerical robes). He is also Sōma's best friend and confidant.
- Otoha Kisaragi (如月 乙羽Kisaragi Otoha?)
- Voiced by:Chinami Nishimura (Japanese), Kate Higgins (English)
- Chikane's personal maid, Otoha is loyal and devoted to Chikane. When Himeko comes to live with Chikane, Otoha immediately notices the bond between the pair and grows intensely jealous, angered at Himeko for taking Chikane away from her and hurting her mistress. Aside from playing a humorous role and some very weighty scenes of her own in the series, she is a support character who clarifies how Chikane reserved her feelings for Himeko alone. Otoha's feelings for Chikane are further explored; when she is sent away due to all of the commotion, she confesses to Chikane on how much she cares for her and admires her. When Otoha is embraced and thanked by Chikane, she blushes and cries.
- Makoto Saotome (早乙女 マコトSaotome Makoto?)
- Voiced by:Ikue Ohtani (Japanese), Julie Ann Taylor (English)
- Himeko's friend and roommate, 'Mako-chan' is an athletic girl, one of the best runners on the Ototachibana track team. On the day Sōma attacked Himeko, she was severely injured in the collapsing dormitory. Her competing in the Interhigh competitions was shot to pieces. She pushed Himeko away, possibly blaming her for the injuries, but more likely distraught over not being able to run anymore. She no longer appears in the series until near the climax, where she helps Himeko to come to a final decision regarding the events surrounding her.
- Izumi
- Voiced by:Kiyomi Asai (Japanese), Megan Hollingshead (English)
- The leader of a group of girls who are Chikane's biggest fans at school. She is very jealous about Himeko's close relationship with Chikane and she and her group resort to bullying tactics when Himeko even gets to stay at the Himemiya mansion, although they initially stop after witnessing Chikane's quiet fury at what they had done. She and her friends all tend to address Chikane as 'Miya-sama'.
- Misaki
- Voiced by: Kaori Mine (Japanese), Cristina Valenzuela (English)
- A friend of Izumi's that shares Izumi's jealousy for Himeko.
- Kyoko
- Voiced by: Yukiko Minami (Japanese), Mela Lee (English)
- Another friend of Izumi's.
Adaptation differences
Chikane was with the Orochi the whole time in the manga while in the anime she joined after witnessing Himeko's first kiss. Himeko did not know who the Lunar Priestess was until halfway through the manga, at which point she was raped by Chikane, while in the anime, the priestesses worked together since the beginning. Makoto does not injure her leg in the manga from the attack on the school. Himeko does not respond to Chikane's death wish by injuring Chikane, but hugs and embraces her instead in the manga. Himeko, in the manga, stays on the moon with Chikane, and later both are reincarnated as sisters.
In the manga, it is revealed that all the major players in the confrontation between Orochi and Ame No Murakumo, with the exception of Chikane, were brought to Mahoroba when Chikane's grandfather gathered together orphans from all over Japan in hopes that he would gather all the key players. For example, in the manga Himeko was not actually born in the village and was shipped in with a bunch of other orphans, while in the anime she is still an orphan but is not an 'outsider'. In the manga, the backgrounds, as in why they want to destroy everything, are not expanded upon, whilst the anime runs through each Orochi's motivations quickly later on in the series.
Media
Manga
The Kannazuki no Miko manga, written by the manga group Kaishaku, was first serialized in the Japanese mangazine Shōnen Ace published by Kadokawa Shoten starting in 2004. The series was very short, ending at 14 chapters which were later collected into two bound tankōbon volumes. The series is licensed in North America by Tokyopop, which published both volumes in English in 2008.[4]
Anime
The anime adaptation of Kannazuki no Miko was produced by NHK and animated by Rondo Robe. It was directed by Tetsuya Yanagisawa with music by Mina Kubota and character designs by Maki Fujii. The opening theme was 'Re-sublimity' and the ending theme was 'Agony,' both written and arranged by Takase Kazuya and performed by Kotoko. The insert song, 'Suppuration -core-', also sung by Kotoko, was used in episode eleven.[5]
The series was broadcast in Japan by NHK in twelve episodes between October 2 and December 15, 2004. It was released on six DVDs between December 22, 2004 and May 25, 2005.[6] The series was licensed in North America by Geneon Entertainment, which released the series on three DVDs in 2006. The license was transferred from Geneon to Sentai Filmworks in 2009 who will reissue the series on August 25, 2009 in a DVD box set.[7] It is also licensed in France by Dybex, in Poland by Vision Film Distribution, and in Taiwan by Proware Multimedia.[5]
Episodes
# | Title | Original air date |
---|---|---|
01 | 'The Land of Eternity' 'Tokoyo no Kuni'(常世の国) | October 2, 2004 |
Chikane and Himeko share the same birthday and it's rapidly approaching. On the day of their birthday, the Orochi are awakened and at first Sōma attacks the Solar Miko. Eventually, he comes to his senses and is able to fight back against another one of the Orochi, the Second Neck, Sister Miyako. | ||
02 | 'Overlapping Sun and Moon' 'Kazanaru Nichigetsu'(重なる日月) | October 9, 2004 |
The story of the Orochi and the Miko is revealed to the unsuspecting Solar and Lunar Miko. Later, Himeko contemplates on leaving the town, but first a fight ensues between the Miko and the Third Neck of the Orochi, Girochi. Finally, before things get too out of hand, Sōma comes to the Mikos' aide. | ||
03 | 'Secret Love Shell' 'Hirenkai'(秘恋貝) | October 16, 2004 |
With no where else to stay, Chikane offers for Himeko to stay at her mansion for the time being. Later, Kazuki Ōgami reveals more about the Miko's past and what they are meant to do to protect the world from the Orochi. Also, the Sixth Neck of the Orochi, Nekoko, attacks the Miko. | ||
04 | 'Direction of Affection' 'Omoi Tamauya'(思い賜うや) | October 23, 2004 |
Sōma invites Himeko to the amusement park on a date and Chikane tries her best to help Himeko prepare for her outing. While on their date, Tsubasa, the First Neck of the Orochi, attacks the couple as Sōma tries his best to protect Himeko. | ||
05 | 'Over the Darkness of Night' 'Yoan o Koete'(夜闇を越えて) | October 30, 2004 |
Sōma initially gets defeated by Tsubasa in their first fight and Tsubasa promises to return again. In the meantime, Sōma trains to get even stronger for their next fight. It is also revealed that Tsubasa is in fact Sōma's biological older brother. | ||
06 | 'You, Who Are the Sun' 'Hidamari no Kimi'(日溜まりの君) | November 6, 2004 |
Some of the past is revealed on when Chikane and Himeko first met and how they became friends. Later, the Miko continue their training to become stronger, but fail once again. Finally, Himeko goes on her second date with Sōma. | ||
07 | 'Rainfall in the Hell of Love' 'Rengoku ni Furu Ame'(恋獄に降る雨) | November 13, 2004 |
While Sōma and Himeko are on their date, it begins to rain and they take shelter in an abandoned warehouse. Meanwhile, Chikane has an encounter with the Second Neck of the Orochi who also begins playing with Chikane's feelings for Himeko. Later, the Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Necks of the Orochi all attack Sōma while on his date with Himeko. After the fight, Sōma kisses Himeko. | ||
08 | 'Storm of the Silver Moon' 'Gingetsu no Arashi'(銀月の嵐) | November 20, 2004 |
During yet another outing between Sōma and Himeko, the Solar Miko searches for a present to give to Chikane since Himeko knows something is not right with her. Upon returning to Chikane's mansion, Himeko is shocked to find that the Lunar Miko has joined the Orochi, becoming the Eighth Neck. | ||
09 | 'To the Edge of Hell' 'Yomi Hikazaka e'(黄泉比良坂へ) | November 27, 2004 |
After the previous night, Himeko is still shaken up by what happened between her and Chikane. Later, her friend Makoto Saotome comes back to school and their friendship is finally healed. Meanwhile, Chikane begins fighting and in the process defeats each of the Orochi one by one until the only one left is Sōma. | ||
10 | 'Invitation of Love and Death' 'Ai to Shi no Shōtaijō'(愛と死の招待状) | December 4, 2004 |
While doing the ritual alone, Himeko finally is able to revive Ame no Murakumo. Later, Chikane comes back home and the two Miko spend time together just as before everything began. However, it was shown all to be a ruse by Chikane who warns Himeko that she will kill her very soon. | ||
11 | 'Dance of Swords' 'Ke no Butōkai'(剣の舞踏会) | December 11, 2004 |
Himeko and Sōma enter into the final battle between the Orochi which ultimately leads Himeko to leave Sōma behind in order to find Chikane again. In the end, the two Miko have a battle together where the fate of the world rests in the balance. | ||
12 | 'Priestesses of the Godless Month' 'Kannazuki no Miko'(神無月の巫女) | December 18, 2004 |
After Himeko strikes Chikane's chest with her sword, they share a tender moment which ultimately reveals the unpleasant past the two Miko have shared in their past lives and how Chikane only pretended to want to kill her as to pay the cost this time around. The Orochi are finally defeated and everything goes back to normal, but at a price the two Miko were not ready to accept. At the end of the credits, a special ending is revealed which shows Himeko and Chikane reunited. |
Drama CD
On November 25, 2004, a drama CD called Kannazuki no Miko drama CD was released in Japan by Geneon based on the anime version of Kannazuki no Miko.
Internet radio
Kannazuki no Miko had an internet radio program named RADIO Kannazuki (RADIO神無月?) that ran on i-revo TE-A room from October 2004 to March 2005. The hosts were Noriko Shitaya (Himeko) and Junji Majima (Sōma Ōgami), who are currently hosting RADIO Kyōshirō (RADIO京四郎?) while Kyoshiro to Towa no Sora is running until all the DVDs are released.
Reception
Kannazuki no Miko received mixed reviews. It has been heavily criticized for its controversial scene of Chikane raping Himeko, as well as for its manga ending.[8] Erica Friedman, president of Yuricon, criticized volume one of the anime series as not being well-written. Friedman wondered why Sōma and Chikane would allow Himeko to be bullied, outcast and victimized instead of stepping up and claiming their friendship publicly if they truly loved her.[8] She criticized Himeko as allowing 'the whims of others' to take control of her life, indulging them by not having an opinion of her own, and naively forgiving 'even the basest' behavior.[8] Friedman stated that the story actually revolves around 'the love triangle and Himeko's victimization by herself and the people who profess to love her'.[8] She said, 'Tokyopop's team did as good a job with the material as they could. It's not a good story, nor is it well-drawn, but they made it make as much sense as possible. I applaud them for that. It's not as easy as they made it look.'[8] For volume two, Friedman later stated that Tokyopop did a 'very superior job with this series'.[9]
In response to criticism regarding the end of the manga where Chikane and Himeko are reincarnated as sisters who are lovers, an incestuous relationship, Friedman said, 'I don't care for the sisters angle either.'[9] In addition, she added that the end of the anime is not a good ending. 'It's an indication that the whole cycle will start all over. There is no reason to think that Chikane and Himeko will live happily ever after this time, either,' she said.[9]
Anime News Network (ANN) criticized volume one of the series as '[projecting itself as an] instant fan favorite, but somehow [adding up] to less than the sum of its parts'.[10] The network said the series 'changes in scene and mood don't seem to connect, characters behave without rhyme or reason, and even thrilling action scenes are hampered by sloppy animation. There are lots of little things to like about the series, but as a whole, you have to wonder—'What? That's it?'[10] They stated that 'if Kannazuki no Miko were split into two different series, it might be easier to enjoy the separate story threads'.[10] The site did, however, credit the anime with 'so many striking visual elements' such as giant robots, bishōjo, and an intergalactic villains' hangout.[10] 'J.C. Staff manages to come up with effective designs for each. The lead female characters have an appealing look even if they are not the prettiest, while the mechas have an imposing figure despite their simple appearance,' relayed the site.[10] The soundtrack, thought of as 'classical-tinged' and setting the mood for the series, was also credited with being 'especially effective' during dramatic character moments.[10]
ANN said that volume one of the series promises something to suit every anime fetish, but 'if sensible storytelling and deep characters are what turn you on, then this isn't the series to go to'.[10] For volume two, the network said that the series is 'an emotionally excruciating' process, and named the continuation of the story as being filled with angst, rage and sentimentality '[dripping] from almost every scene' on the disc.[11] They said that despite this and the angst-ridden dialogue, 'the middle episodes of Kannazuki no Miko represent a genuine turning point in the series: the romance and adventure storylines, once so disconnected, come together and swing the cosmic battle in a new direction' and that 'the voice actors in the English dub still manage to express the sentiments of their characters'.[11]
Kannazuki No Miko Episode 1
See also
References
Kannazuki No Miko Season 2
- ^'Destiny of the Shrine Maiden'. Anime Network. http://www.theanimenetwork.com/Anime/Destiny-of-the-Shrine-Maiden/Info. Retrieved 2010-01-23.
- ^Beveridge, Chris. 'Kannazuki No Miko Review'. AnimeOnDVD.com. http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews/seriespage.php?series=10227. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
- ^Kaishaku (2005). 'extra story'. Kannazuki no Miko. volume 2. Kadokawa Shoten. p. 208. ISBN 978-4047137318.
- ^'Kannaduki no Miko (manga)'. Anime News Network. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/manga.php?id=5474. Retrieved November 7, 2008.
- ^ ab'Kannazuki no Miko (TV)'. Anime News Network. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=4548. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
- ^'Kannazuki no Miko (TV)'. Anime News Network. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=4548&page=28. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
- ^'Sentai Filmworks Reissues Daphne, Kannazuki, Dokkoida'. Anime News Network. 2009-06-02. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-06-02/sentai-filmworks-reissues-daphne-kannazuki-dokkoida. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
- ^ abcdeFriedman, Erica (2008-06-25). 'Kannazuki no Miko: Volume 1 (English)'. okazu.blogspot.com. http://okazu.blogspot.com/2008/06/yuri-manga-kannazuki-no-miko-volume-1.html. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
- ^ abcFriedman, Erica (2008-08-15). 'Kannazuki no Miko: Volume 2 (English)'. okazu.blogspot.com. http://okazu.blogspot.com/2008/08/yuri-manga-kannazuki-no-miko-volume-2.html. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
- ^ abcdefgSantos, Carlo (2006-05-09). 'Kannazuki no Miko DVD 1: Solar Priestess + Artbox'. Anime News Network. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/kannazuki-no-miko/dvd-1. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
- ^ abSantos, Carlo (2006-08-25). 'Kannazuki no Miko DVD 2: Lunar Priestess'. Anime News Network. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/kannazuki-no-miko/dvd-2. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
Kannazuki No Miko Ep 1
External links
Kannazuki No Miko Opening Full Mp3 Free
- (Japanese)Official anime website
- (Japanese)Official manga website
- Kannazuki no Miko (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia