Monochrome Factor
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| Monochrome Factor | |||
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 Cover of the first volume released by Tokyopop |
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| モノクローム・ファクター (Monokurōmu Fakutā) |
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| Genre | Action, Fantasy, Shōnen-ai | ||
| Manga | |||
| Author | Kaili Sorano | ||
| Publisher |  Mag Garden |
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| Demographic | Seinen | ||
| Magazine | Comic Blade Avarus Comic Blade Masamune (former) |
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| Original run | May 2004 – ongoing | ||
| Volumes | 5[1] | ||
| TV anime | |||
| Director | Yuu Kou | ||
| Studio | A.C.G.T. | ||
| Network | TV Tokyo, AT-X, TV Osaka |
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| Original run | April 7, 2008 – June 30, 2008 | ||
| Episodes | 13 (planned)[2] | ||
Monochrome Factor (モノクローム・ファクター Monokurōmu Fakutā?) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kaili Sorano.[3] It was first serialized in Mag Garden's bi-monthly manga magazine Comic Blade Masamune in May of 2004. However, when the magazine ceased publication, the manga began serialization in the new and revamped magazine, Comic Blade Avarus,[3] in September of 2007.
The manga is licensed for distribution in North America by Tokyopop, and has so far released two volumes,[4] with the latest having been released on May 13, 2008.[5] The next two volumes are expected to be released in 2008.[6]
An anime adaptation produced by GENCO, and animated by A.C.G.T., premiered on Japan's terrestrial television network TV Tokyo on April 7, 2008.[3] It also airs on other networks such as AT-X and TV Osaka, though the episodes will be aired on TV Tokyo first.
Contents |
[edit] Storyline
The story revolves around high school student Akira Nikaido, a typical slacker living a normal life. That is, until he meets the mysterious Shirogane, a man who suddenly appears and tells him that they have a destiny together. When Akira hears this, he is shocked and doesn't believe a word of it. Aya, a friend of Akira, forgets something in the school one night, and asks Akira to help her and go find it. He agrees, and while there, he gets attacked by a shadow monster. Shirogane convinces him that the balance between the human world and the shadow world has been distorted and that Akira must become a "shin"- a creature of the shadow world- in order to help restore the balance.
[edit] Characters
- Akira Nikaido (二海堂 昶 Nikaidō Akira?) Voiced by: Daisuke Ono
- Akira is the 16-year-old protagonist of the series. He is strong and impatient, often skipping class since he does not like school. Changing into his shadow form causes his hair and portions of his clothing to turn black, and his eyes to turn red. In order for Akira to stay in his human form, he initially depends on Shirogane to become his shadow, but later on uses a Doppler item.In the 5th volume we find out a secret about him.
- Shirogane (白銀?) Voiced by: Junichi Suwabe
- With his trademark black coat and top hat, and long, silvery hair, Shirogane is a mysterious man who appears before Akira and involves him in the fight between the shadow world and human world.
- Kengo Asamura (浅村 賢吾 Asamura Kengo?) Voiced by: Hiroshi Kamiya
- Kengo is in the same class as Akira, and usually hangs out with him. Despite Akira's distant approach, the two share a deep friendship. He has a very cheerful disposition. His latent abilities were activated in his desire to help his older sister.
- Aya Suzuno (鈴野 綾 Suzuno Aya?) Voiced by: Masumi Asano
- Another student in Akira's class, Aya is part of its Disciplinary Committee, and has a strong sense of justice. She has a very direct personality and is very skilled in kendo.
- Haruka Kujo (九条 悠 Kujō Haruka?) Voiced by: Mitsuki Saiga
- An 11-year-old university graduate, who befriends Akira.
- Shuichi Wagatsuma a.k.a. Master (マスター/我妻 秋一 Masutā / Wagatsuma Shūichi?) Voiced by: Wataru Hatano
- Shuichi is an acquaintance of Shirogane's. He owns a bar, and often treats the other characters' injuries. He is commonly called "Master".
- Ko (洸 Kō?) Voiced by: Katsuyuki Konishi
- One of the Rei, friend to both Akira and Kengo from an event that occurred several years ago. Loyal to Ryuko.
- Homurabi (焔緋?) Voiced by: Ryōtarō Okiayu
- Hiryu (氷瀏 Hiryū?)
- Sawaki (澤木?)
- Lulu (ルル Ruru?) Voiced by: Yukari Tamura
- A girl who dresses in a gothic lolita fashion.
- Nanaya (七夜 Nanaya?) Voiced by: Hiroyuki Yoshino
- A mysterious, blue-haired man who wears an eye patch.
- Mayu Asamura (浅村 麻結 Asamura Mayu?) Voiced by: Kotono Mitsuishi
- Kengo's older sister. Master taught her how to exorcise evil spirits. Obsessed with attractive guys, she was once possessed by a shadow but was saved by Akira. She continues harboring her yen for bishōnen.
- Ryuko (劉黒 Ryūko?)
- King of the Rei, opposite of the Shin.
[edit] Media
[edit] Manga
The Monochrome Factor manga series is created by Kaili Sorano. It was first serialized in Mag Garden's Japanese bi-monthly manga magazine Comic Blade Masamune in May of 2004. When the Masamune magazine ceased publication in June 15, 2007, the manga began serialization in the new and revamped magazine, Comic Blade Avarus, in September of 2007.[3]
As of September 10, 2007, a total of four tankōbon have been released in Japan. The fifth tankōbon is scheduled to be released on March 28, 2008.[1]
The manga is licensed for distribution in North America by Tokyopop, which has released a total of two volumes as of May 13, 2008.[7][5] The third and fourth volumes are expected to released on September 9[8] and December 2[9] of 2008, respectively.
[edit] Volumes
Volume 1 |
April 10, 2005 |
ISBN 4-86127-132-0[1] |
January 2, 2008[7] |
ISBN 1-4278-0069-3[4] |
[edit] Anime
An anime adaptation produced by GENCO, and animated by A.C.G.T., began broadcast in Japan on the television network TV Tokyo on April 7, 2008.[3] The anime is expected to contain a total of thirteen episodes.[2]
[edit] Episode list
| # | Title | Original air date |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | "Silver Shadow" "Giniro no kage" (銀色の影) |
April 7, 2008 |
| Akira Nikaido is an easygoing student whose life is about to change after a weird encounter with a strange man who knew Akira’s name. The man, who introduces himself as Shirogane, did not possess a shadow and explains that this is because he is a shadow himself. Akira runs from him in fright. Later that night, Akira returns with his friends, Kengo and Aya, to their high school – only to be attacked by shadow monsters. Shirogane appears out of nowhere to lend his aid but due to the overwhelming number of these monsters, he transforms Akira to a shadow and spirit like himself. The fight ends with the monsters being vanquished but with a price. Akira will only be able to return to his human form if Shirogane becomes his shadow. | ||
| 02 | "A Scar's Shadow" "Kizuato no kage" (傷痕の影) |
April 14, 2008 |
| Akira still doesn't trust Shirogane completely. While at school, a massive shadow monster appears. In order to save his classmates, Akira and Shirogane faces the enemy, but with great hardship; causing heavy damage to Akira and moreso to Shirogane whose back was stabbed by the monster's fang. Shirogane then takes Akira to a bar to meet the Master, a blind bartender in possession of very strong psychic abilities. The Master heals both of them and discloses useful information regarding the Doppler item thereby allowing Akira to regain his human form without Shirogane's intervention. | ||
| 03 | "The Invading Shadow" "Shinshoku suru kage" (侵食する影) |
April 21, 2008 |
| Akira meets Kengo's big sister, Mayu, at the bar and Shirogane tells him to leave. They leave after a small disturbance with Aya and Mayu. Mayu has an attraction to good-looking guys which leads to her being possessed by a shadow monster. Akira with the help of Kengo and Shirogane exorcise Mayu and kill the monster. Kengo follows Akira around wanting to become his sidekick. | ||
| 04 | "A Blade's Shadow" "Ken no kage" (剣の影) |
April 28, 2008 |
| 05 | "Shadow's Back" "Senaka no kage" (背中の影) |
May 12, 2008 |
| 06 | "A Rose's Shadow" "Bara no Kage" (薔薇の影) |
May 19, 2008 |
| 07 | "Shadow's Beauty" "Bijin no kage" (美神の影) |
May 26, 2008 |
| 08 | "Suna okina (saou) no kage" (沙翁(さおう)の影) | June 2, 2008 |
| 09 | (笑忘亭(しょうぼうてい)の影) | June 9, 2008 |
| 10 | June 16, 2008 | |
| 11 | June 23, 2008 | |
| 12 | June 30, 2008 | |
| 13 | July 7, 2008 | |
[edit] Music themes
- Opening theme
- "Metamorphose"
- Performance: Asriel[10]
- Lyrics: Kokomi
- Arrangement: Jun Murakami
- Ending theme
- "Awake ~my everything~" (AWAKE 〜僕のすべて〜 Awake ~boku no subete~?)
- Performance: Daisuke Ono and Hiroshi Kamiya[10]
- Lyrics: Yumi Matsuzawa
[edit] Broadcast
Though the episodes air on TV Tokyo first, other networks such as AT-X and TV Osaka also air the episodes.
| Broadcast network | Broadcast term | Broadcast day and timings (in JST) |
|---|---|---|
| TV Tokyo | April 7, 2008 ～ ongoing (original run) | Mondays 02:00 ~ 02:30 |
| TV Osaka | April 9, 2008 ～ ongoing (original run) | Wednesdays 02:25 ~ 02:55 |
| AT-X | May 28, 2008 ～ ongoing (original run) | Wednesdays 11:00 ~ 11:30 |
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g Official Site - Goods (Japanese). monochro.tv. Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
- ^ a b Official Site - Story (Japanese). monochro.tv. Retrieved on 2008-04-15.
- ^ a b c d e Official Site - Cast / Staff (Japanese). monochro.tv. Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
- ^ a b Monochrome Factor Volume 1. Tokyopop. Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
- ^ a b c d Monochrome Factor Volume 2. Tokyopop. Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
- ^ Books › "Kaili Sorano". Amazon.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ a b Monochrome Factor Volume 1 (Monochrome Factor (Tokyopop)) (Paperback). Amazon.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
- ^ a b c Monochrome Factor Volume 3 (Paperback). Amazon.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ a b c Monochrome Factor Volume 4 (Paperback). Amazon.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ a b Monochrome Factor (TV). Anime News Network. Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
[edit] External links
- Official Monochrome Factor site (Japanese)
- Comic Blade Avarus' Official Monochrome Factor site (Japanese)
- Monochrome Factor (manga) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
- Monochrome Factor (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
