Ikki Tousen

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Ikki Tousen
一騎当千
(Bakunyu Hyperbattle Ikkitōsen)
Genre Martial arts
Manga: Battle Vixens
Author Yuji Shiozaki
Publisher Japan Wani Books
Flag of the United States Flag of Canada Flag of the United Kingdom Tokyopop
Demographic Seinen
Magazine Comic Gum
Original run 2000 – ongoing
Volumes 13
TV anime: Ikki Tousen
Director Takashi Watanabe
Studio Flag of Japan J.C.Staff
Licensor Flag of the United States Flag of Canada Geneon
Flag of the United Kingdom MVM Films
Flag of Australia Flag of New Zealand Madman Entertainment
Network AT-X, UHF television stations

Flag of Europe GONG
Flag of the Philippines Hero

Flag of Turkey S'nek TV
Original run July 30, 2003 – October 22, 2003 (AT-X)
Episodes 13
TV anime: Ikki Tousen Dragon Destiny
Director Koichi Ohata
Studio Flag of Japan ARMS
Licensor Flag of the United States AnimeWorks
Network AT-X, UHF television stations
Original run February 26, 2007 – May 14, 2007 (AT-X)
Episodes 12

Ikki Tousen (一騎当千 Ikkitōsen?, literally "a lone rider with the strength to withstand a thousand") or "Bakunyū" Hyper-Battle Ikki Tōsen is a 13 episode anime series loosely based on the manga by Yuji Shiozaki, which is in turn based on the classic Chinese novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. The series is known for being full of fan service, featuring a very large cast of attractive young girls, who fight in short skirts and dresses, in addition to numerous other ecchi situations.

The TV series ran on AT-X from July 30, 2003 to October 22, 2003, and its license is held by Enoki Films. The whole series has been licensed by Geneon Entertainment (USA) Inc. for the North America market, and is available on four separate DVDs. The manga is released in English by TOKYOPOP under the title Battle Vixens. The official German title is Dragon Girls, while in France and Spain it is called Ikkitousen.

As with numerous other Geneon series, the anime is distributed in United Kingdom by MVM Films. But unlike Geneon, MVM seem to have some ties with TOKYOPOP, as their releases use both "Ikki Tousen" and "Battle Vixens" as titles, using the title graphic from TOKYOPOP's manga for the latter of these. The DVD covers are reversible, for those who prefer the original title, and a limited edition of the first DVD came in a box set with the first volume of the manga.

A second season of Ikki Tousen was picked up, titled Ikki Tousen: Dragon Destiny, which began airing in February 2007. An accompanying radio series named Ikki Tousen Dragon Destiny Radio was hosted on Media Factory. A DVD for chapter 0 was released on Comic Market 71 for 1000 yen, featuring an unedited Dragon Destiny promotional video, voice actor interviews, and DVD for Ikki Tousen Dragon Destiny Radio, recently Ikki Tousen: Destiny was licensed by Media Blasters.

A third season, called Ikkitousen - Great Guardians, has been announced for summer 2008, involving a brand-new storyline and added characters. [1] One of the new characters has been revealed to be Sun Quan.

OVAs are also being created to accompany future DVD and soundtrack releases. They are a short series of OVAs focusing on elements of fan service and are uncensored with scenes involving full frontal nudity with in-themed censoring of the genitals.

Contents

[edit] Plot summary

Seven schools in the district of Kantō are constantly at war with each other, and the students within — both male and female — have become skilled fighters and constantly battle with rival schools. Their lives and fates are guided by strange jewels, called magatama, that contain the spirits and destinies of warriors from the Three Kingdoms period of China, and also change colour according to the ranking of its bearer. The ultimate purpose of each of these high-school fighters, known as tōshi ("fighter"), is to become stronger than all others and ascend to become the eponymous Ikki Tōsen — a relatively obscure yojijukugo. Literally translated, it means "one knight who is the match for a thousand (other knights)" (the character ki, for "knight" does not translate directly, as knights in the Western mold were unknown in Japan, but the sense is the same). The destinies of those who wear the magatama, though, have repeated time and time again for the past eighteen centuries — without fail — and the carnage is immense each time around.

One girl, Hakufu Sonsaku, recently moved to Tokyo and is apparently destined to unite the schools, just as her counterpart united seven countries long ago. It is hard to believe for the other characters just as much as the reader/viewer, as she consistently shows a lack of common sense and intelligence. However, the magatama that her mother Goei passes on (which belonged to Hakufu's late father Sonken; a play on the name of Sun Jian) is rumoured to be infused with the spirit of the legendary warrior Sun Ce.

Hakufu herself knows naught of this, and explanations of what is going on are largely meant for those watching or reading. All she cares about is fighting whomever happens to be up for a rumble. In fact, fighting even excites her—especially scraps where she is heavily outnumbered. This causes incredible embarrassment and frustration to her cousin, a Toushi by the name of Shuyu Koukin with whom she is staying; he always ends up entangled in the situations in which Hakufu finds herself (to the point of being impaled once), and is driven to distraction by the conflicting facts that (a) the two of them are related, (b) she is incredibly attractive, and (c) her clothing inevitably ends up shredded.

Just like all heroes, there are darker facets to Hakufu's ultimate destiny, and as always there is perpetual conflict in those around her to break the chains of their own seemingly predetermined fates, and to make their own lives. The other main characters include the honourable (Taishiji Shigi, Kanu Uncho, Kakoton Genjo), tragic (Ryofu Hosen, Chinkyu Koudai), manipulative and power-crazed (Toutaku Chuei), enigmatic (Saji Genpo), perverted and unhinged (Kannei Koha), and borderline schizophrenic (Ryomo Shimei—her fighting and non-fighting sides are poles apart).

[edit] Terminology

Magatama
Magatama are jewels worn as earrings by all Toushi which contain the spirits and essence of warriors from the era of the Three Kingdoms in ancient China. How they got to Japan is a mystery. Magatama impart their power and fate upon each Toushi (regardless of age or gender; all of the characters from this period are male but most of cast are attractive young girls) which range from average to incredibly powerful but come with the will of the spirit within and ultimately their fate, which usually tends to be tragic and painful. However, a few characters seem to be in the process of defeating their fates, even though the cycle has played over repeatedly for 1800 years. Not every fate is the same however; numerous important characters are missing, and some relationships and obviously personalities have been drastically altered, but the end results are significantly analogous. Some magatama are very selective; others can switch their magatamas increasing their own personal power. They also indicate a Toushi's skill and power by a distinctive color related to the Olympic medal system, which often tends to be misleading with certain characters. The ambiguity of it is further enhanced by the anime's introduction of Hakufu's jade magatama (which briefly turned red when she was possessed by Toutaku).
Gyokuji
The Imperial seal supposedly found by Sonken, Hakufu's father, it is a large jade seal that serves a role similar to a Royal Crown. Whoever carries it is granted authority over all the other nations but it expectedly becomes a big target for everyone. Seito Academy originally held it before Toutaku stole it, but it eventually went to Ryomou from Ryofu who passed to Saji then finally back to Seito.
Dragons of Hao
The Ruling Dragon or Shouryuu (literally Dragon Lord) is an enigmatic entity or entities resembling a massive oriental dragon conferred uniquely upon the three destined rulers of the Three Kingdom period: Hakufu, Sousou and Ryubi. It is proof of their birthright as conquerors. They confer massive power onto each of them, putting them well above A-rank regardless of their own skill, though each manifestation varies. Saji managed to stop Hakufu's first manifestation quite easily, but Koukin only got lucky with a Hyakuhekitou with Ukitsu's help the second time. They do however create terrible destructive impulses that differ for each character. Hakufu's manifests a berserk sadistic psycho-sexual monster but less so than Ryubi and Sousou. Sousou's is psychotic and the most malicious but otherwise completely in control, while Ryubi's is completely out of control to the point of suicidal and self-mutilating. It is also the most evil, radiating deathly energy. Because of these traits Kaku believed Toutaku had a dragon. Ryomou also has a dragon, but only Saji, Teifu and the main characters of Seito, excluding Ryubi, know of it. What purpose she has possessing it is unknown. Koumei is believed to harbor a dragon as well because Ryubi saw it for a brief moment.
Typically when a dragon manifests, the eyes of the toushi either glow red or turn yellow with cat-like slits. The forearms also manifest bulging veins; fangs are also sometimes shown. In the second season of the anime, each dragon is of a different color; Hakufu's is blue, Sousou's is red, and Ryubi's is gold. Unlike the manga, Ryomou's dragon appears to be her own, not Ryubi's, and is black. Koumei is also shown with a silver dragon referred to as the Crouching Dragon. It has also been hinted several times in the anime that Chou'un also harbours a dragon, since whenever she opens her eyes, her pupils are cat-like and yellow in colour very similar to those of the awakened toushi.
Hyakuhekitou
A set of 5 legendary Chinese jian made of jewels. Supposedly made by Cao Cao in ancient China, they are each named after an animal: Dragon, Tiger, Sparrow, Bear, and Horse. Incredibly evil and powerful swords capable of beating even the Dragons of Hao. Originally all five were embedded in a large boulder on Choushou's property and sealed with chi making them impossible to remove. Toutaku extracted an unnamed sword while studying and failing under Choushou. Kanu also trained under Choushou and extracted but broke a sword named Kusanagi in half, leaving half the blade still embedded in the rock. It is not known which of the five it is. Teni had Dragon likely passed to her from Chiba, and Hakufu managed to remove Tiger completely intact, but Saji recovered it and entrusted it Koukin so he could stop Hakufu's dragon. Toutaku later destroyed the boulder, freeing up the remaining two and the other half of Kusanagi which he brought with him to his grave. Sousou recovered all of them and two of the intact blades were seen under high security at Kyosho. Saji had a sword made of jade; it's also an ancient sword. It is unknown if it is one of the five as it is named Dragon, but Teni had Dragon distinctly named as a Hyakuhekitou so it is likely another ancient sword. On a sidenote a katana named Muramasa lies in Gogun academy. All of these are so far absent from the anime.
Seiryutou
Guan Yu's legendary Green Dragon Crescent Blade visually accurately depicted and carried by Kanu at all times though supposedly made of jewel rather than metal. Extremely powerful and possessing massive chi. It was melted during a battle against Ryubi's dragon 3 years prior to the start of the series but was repaired.
Dragon Jade (anime only)
A new artifact introduced in the second season of the anime. It is a gold oriental dragon coiling around a gold orb sealed in a glass orb. Supposedly it has the ability to tame a dragon (though has failed to do so as of yet) and thus change the destiny of any toushi, something otherwise impossible. For that reason all sides are actively pursuing it; it is not present in the manga on the account that thematically it replaces the Gyokuji. Unlike the manga, the Gyokuji Kaku gave to Kyosho was a fake which was switched by Ryofu, who handed the real one to Ryomou. In the anime, the Gyokuji Kaku had was the real one. A lot of plot revolves around antagonists pursuing the Imperial seal, hence why the Dragon Jade was invented (presumably). It is extremely mythical, and until Ryomou found it, everyone thought it didn't exist. In fact very few even knew about it in the first place. A mysterious monk (who is presumed to be the same one who was with Kaku earlier on) told Ryomou about who proceeded to find it. Ryomou, however, was ambushed and badly injured by Teni then finally defeated by Shiryu, who stole it and brought it to Kanu. According to the monk, it will only activate when all three dragons are roused and brought together, but Ryomou is seen holding it and activating it creating a blue aura, making her left eye glow blue then summoning a black dragon.
But towards the conclusion of the second series the Dragon Jade truly activates, due to the presence of all the three dragons (Sousou's Red Dragon, Ryubi's Yellow Dragon and Sonsaku's Blue Dragon) in its vicinity and causes the change of fate, that it was destined to do in the first place.

[edit] Characters

Main article: List of Ikki Tousen characters

[edit] Staff

  • Director: Takashi Watanabe (Season 1) ; Koichi Ohata (Season 2)
  • Script/Series Organizer: Takawo Yoshioka
  • Original Creator: Yuji Shiozaki
  • Character Designer: Shinya Hasegawa (Season 1) ; RIN-SIN (Season 2)
  • Art Director: Yoshinori Hirose (Season 1)
  • Music: Hiroshi Motokura, Project IKKI (Season 1)
  • Chief Animation Director: Takashi Wada (Season 1)
  • Sound director: Tsuyoshi Takahashi (Season 1)
  • Sound Effects: Shoji Kato (Anime Sound Production) (Season 1)
  • Animation Production: J.C. Staff (Season 1) ; ARMS (Season 2)

[edit] Episode titles

  • Ikki Tousen
  1. "The Champions"
  2. "A Confrontation at Nanyou"
  3. "My Chastity is in Danger"
  4. "A Duel! Taishiji vs. Sonsaku"
  5. "An Angry Hakufu and a School Wide Counterattack"
  6. "The Great Tournament Begins"
  7. "A Confrontation With Destiny"
  8. "Why! The Betrayal Of Gōei!"
  9. "Viva Hot Springs!"
  10. "An Encounter Between the Ruler and the Devil"
  11. "Ryofu - Love and Death"
  12. "Summer Comes to the Watermelon Patch"
  13. "Farewell to Hakufu and the Days of Fighting"
  • Ikki Tousen: Dragon Destiny
  1. "The Movements of a Newborn Dragon's Spirit"
  2. "Awakening of the Devil King"
  3. "Dripping Blood, Shedding Tears"
  4. "Chance Meeting Between Two Dragons"
  5. "Cruel Toushi"
  6. "An Encounter with The Crouching Dragon"
  7. "Kanu's Surrender"
  8. "A Minor Leader's Glorious Defeat"
  9. "Shattered Friendship"
  10. "Koukin's Vissitude"
  11. "The War of Toushi"
  12. "Chibi Ablaze!"
  • Ikki Tousen: Dragon Destiny OVA
  1. "Seito's Big Boobs"
  2. "Nanyou's Wild Breasts"
  3. "Let's Cosplay Glorious General"
  4. "Unparalleled Explosive Breasts Yakyuuken Part 1"
  5. "Unparalleled Explosive Breasts Yakyuuken Part 2"
  6. "The Party Remains Left by the Fighters"
  • Ikki Tousen: Great Guardians

(Premeries in June in JP)

[edit] Music

[edit] Ikki Tousen

Opening: Drivin' Through The Night by M.O.V.E.

Ending: Let Me Be With You by Shela

[edit] Ikki Tousen: Dragon Destiny

Opening: Heart & Soul by Kariyuki Mai

Ending: Garasu no Hana by IORI

Episode 11 Insert: Musume E by Kikuko Inoue

Episode 12 Insert: Get up! by Masumi Asano

[edit] Trivia

 Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines.
The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.
  • Instead of using the name Sun Ce, MVM's covers for the UK release of the anime have this warrior named Shou Haou. This doesn't seem to be listed anywhere else, apart from in reference to the Ikki Tousen anime. Neither name has been mentioned in the manga as of yet, with eight volumes being translated thus far. However, this may be invalid information. Sun Ce was often referred to by the nickname "Little Conquering King" - which in romanized Japanese is "Shō-Haō". Thus, it makes perfect sense for Hakufu to be called such.

[edit] Spinoffs and Merchandise

  • A video game of the series, "Ikki Tousen: Shining Dragon", was released for the Sony PlayStation 2 in Japan on 26th July 2007. The game has an original storyline with Hakufu, Ryomou and Kanu as the main playable characters. Koukin, Ryubi, Chouhi, Chou-un, Myosai, Ukitsu and Ryofu also being playble characters. The game has a new character named Chou-Sen, which is the Japanese name of Diao Chan.
  • A second video game, "Ikki Tousen: Eloquent Fist", was announced for the Sony PlayStation Portable, to be released on October 2, 2008. The game is a hybrid between fighting and adventure, and it features 15 Ikkitousen heroines. [2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ DENSETSU SHOUJO: 3rd series Ikkitousen - Great Guardians announced
  2. ^ Ikkitousen PSP Game Announced, And More. Animekon. Retrieved on 2008-05-24.

[edit] External links