Samurai Deeper Kyo

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Samurai Deeper Kyo
サムライ ディーパー キョウ
(Samurai Dīpā Kyō)
Genre Chanbara, Supernatural
Manga
Author Akimine Kamijyo
Publisher Flag of Japan Kodansha
Demographic Shōnen
Serialized in Weekly Shōnen Magazine
Original run October 15, 1999 – May 10, 2006
Volumes 38
TV anime
Director Junji Nishimura
Studio Studio Deen
Network Flag of Japan TV Tokyo
Original run July 2, 2002 – December 23, 2002
Episodes 26

Samurai Deeper Kyo (サムライ ディーパー キョウ Samurai Dīpā Kyō?) is a manga series written and illustrated by Akimine Kamijyo. The manga was serialized from October 15, 1999 to May 10, 2006 in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine, and collected over 38 volumes.

Samurai Deeper Kyo follows the story of Demon Eyes Kyo (鬼目の狂 Oni Me no Kyō?) as he seeks to regain his body after his soul was sealed inside the body of his rival, Mibu Kyoshiro. Kyo is joined in his search by the bounty-hunter Shiina Yuya, the heir to the Tokugawa shogunate Benitora, and Sanada Yukimura, a known rival of the Tokugawa.

The manga was adapted into an animated television series in 2002. The Studio Deen production aired on TV Tokyo from July 2, 2002 until December 23, 2002, for a total of 26 episodes. As of March 2008, 27 volumes have been released in the United States and Canada by Tokyopop. The series has also been released in France, Spain, Singapore, Germany Indonesia.

Contents

[edit] Plot

Further information: Samurai Deeper Kyo manga summaries

Underlying the principle story arc of Kyo's search to reclaim his body, there are many smaller arcs, each leading to the next one. The basis of many later revelations are established many volumes in advance. In the manga, it is revealed that all of the Mibu, except for Kyo , are descendants of "Battle Dolls", creatures created by the Mibu to fight for their amusement. In time, the Battle Dolls come to believe they were the real Mibu, and that the real Mibu were destroyed by infighting. The extant Mibu are gradually being killed by the "Disease of Death". Muramasa's sister was the first to be killed by the Mibu Disease, but others soon followed. The disease manifests itself when the infected person reaches a certain age. For this reason, the aging process has been stopped in Antera, Tokito, and probably others.

[edit] Characters

Main article: List of Samurai Deeper Kyo characters
Demon Eyes Kyo (鬼目の狂 Oni Me no Kyō?)

He is known for his demonic blood-red eyes and is one of the most feared samurai in the world. He carries a legendary nodachi called Tenro (Heavenly Wolf), made by mastersmith Muramasa. In the manga, he is depicted as a cold, unbeatable samurai. When he was young, he was shunned by all of the Mibu clan for his demonic red eyes except for the Sendai Aka no Ou (Former Crimson King). After killing Oda Nobunaga, he was thrown into the Mibu dungeons until Muramasa rescued him and trained him in Mumyo Jinpu Ryuu. Kyo is the last remaining True Mibu. Sendai Aka no Ou asked Kyo to seek out the outside world and one day stop the former King himself if he was to become evil and destroy the world.

Mibu Kyoshiro (壬生京四郎?)

A remarkable swordsman, depicted as the only rival to Demon Eyes Kyo. He wielded (before Sasuke did) the Shibien (Purple Sword), a Muramasa. In the manga, he is depicted as one of the heirs to the Aka no Ou throne, the Red Eyes were proof of his Mibu lineage. He is a "Red Cross Knight", created from the flesh of the Sendai Aka no Ou. Though he is able to control the Red Eyes, he is not a true Mibu, but merely a more powerful battle doll resembling the first generation of battle dolls created.

Shiina Yuya (椎名 由夜?)

A girl who makes a living as a professional bounty hunter in order to track down the "Man with the Scar on his back" who killed her brother, Nozomu. She uses a three barreled gun and small daggers, strapped to her thigh. Shiina Yuya was actually an orphan found by Nozomu and raised by him. Nozomu was Sakuya's real brother. Yuya is just a normal human without any powers (though later her strong trust in Kyo leads to the former Aka no Ou into thinking that she can see the future). Some people call her Yuya Shiina.

Benitora (红虎?)

Also known as Hidetada Tokugawa (德川秀忠?), the heir to the throne of the Tokugawa clan. He is also known as "The Shadow Master" due to his ability to make multiple copies of himself. He first appeared in volume 2 of the manga, accompanying White Crow. He later challenges Kyoshiro, whom he thought was Kyo, to a fight. Benitora loses and decides to join their group.

Mibu clan (壬生一族?)

Most of their members are humanoid in appearance but have very long lives compared to humans and have great strength and power. The lower ranked Mibu are sometimes in humanoid shape with three eyes or other weird features. They were created by experiments on humans and animals because for unknown reasons children are no longer born and the clan is dying out. They are said to possess the most advanced knowledge in sciences and technology and have been manipulating the country's history from the shadows by helping the Shoguns. Ieyasu Tokugawa is the first shogun to rebel against them and it infuriates them so much that they have decided to come out of the shadows and rule the country openly but Kyo and his friends stand in their way.

All of the present Mibu are battle dolls made by True Mibu, except for Kyo, who is the last remaining True Mibu. But as generations passed, True Mibu started engaging in civil wars to seek greater power, which ended up in the destruction of their very clan with only battle dolls remaining. Present Mibu are dying off due to the Death Disease which is caused by their flaw as battle dolls created by True Mibu. Mibu Kyoshiro and Chinmei are also battle dolls, but a more powerful version created by the first generation battle doll, the former Aka no Ou. They are called "sons of the God", and have limited power compared to what a True Mibu has. They too will inherit Death Disease and die.

[edit] Anime adaptation

The TV adaptation takes liberties with the plot. Kyo is an artificial construct, born of Kyoshiro's attempt to purge violence and cruelty from himself. While Kyo is sealed inside Kyoshiro after losing a swordfight to him, the circumstances behind it are different. Kyoshiro confronts Kyo at the Battle of Sekigahara in order to stop his bloody rampage, rather than to protect Sakuya. Apart from these and flashbacks to his time with Muramasa, Akira and Hotaru, the anime provides fewer details of Kyo's past. The character of Yuya is often relegated to a peripheral character, while the role of the kenyou is enhanced.

[edit] Episodes

  1. Road to Armageddon
  2. Wanted (Dead or Alive) Man
  3. Red Mirage
  4. Sneaking Nightmare
  5. The Assassin's Tears
  6. The Duel of Hibiya Bay
  7. Keichou Battle Royal
  8. Demon Spear Cries
  9. A Blind of Smiles
  10. Cold-Blooded Illusion
  11. Pitch Black Flashback
  12. The Boy Who Came from the Deep Forest
  13. The Crossing Souls
  14. The Return of Satan
  15. Our Friend, Red Tiger
  16. Perfect Victory
  17. The Secret Talk of the Ladies
  18. The Nurse Devil
  19. Thunderbolt Attack
  20. Absolute Zero is Far
  21. The Hellish Mibu Castle
  22. Clockwork Doors
  23. Passionate Ecstasy
  24. Last Muramasa Awakening
  25. That Which Surpasses a Tachyon
  26. The Ballad of the Samurai

[edit] Music

Opening Theme
  • Aoi no Requiem (Blue Requiem) by Pipeline Project featuring Yuiko Tsubokura
Ending Theme
  • Love Deeper by Pipeline Project featuring Yuiko Tsubokura
Character songs (from Samurai Deeper Kyo Vocal Album Kyousouka)

[edit] External links