This Ugly Yet Beautiful World

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This Ugly Yet Beautiful World
この醜くも美しい世界
(Kono Minikuku mo Utsukushii Sekai)
Genre Comedy-drama, Science fiction
TV anime
Director Saeki Soji
Studio Gainax
Licensor Flag of the United States ADV Films
Network Flag of Japan TBS
Original run 1 April 2004 – 16 June 2004
Episodes 12
Manga
Author Gainax (original creator)
Ashita Morimi (art)
Publisher Flag of Japan Hakusensha
Demographic Seinen
Magazine Young Animal
Original run August 27, 2004
Volumes 3

This Ugly Yet Beautiful World (この醜くも美しい世界 Kono Minikuku mo Utsukushii Sekai?) is an anime television series created by Shouji Saeki and Hiroyuki Yamaga. It was co-produced by the Gainax and Shaft animation studios.

The series aired on the Tokyo Broadcasting System from April 1, 2004 to June 16, 2004, totaling 12 episodes. A manga adaptation, illustrated by Ashita Morimi, was serialized in Hakusensha's Young Animal.

Contents

[edit] Plot

Takeru and Ryo are two highschool students who work doing deliveries for the former's uncle. One night, the two go to investigate a mysterious light in the woods only to find a young girl. Takeru and Ryo are promptly attacked by a strange alien monster, which is defeated when Takeru unknowingly transforms into a powerful and strange looking beast himself. The girl, who the boys name "Hikari" (light), is taken in by Takeru when she confess to having no memory of who she is.

They are later joined by: Jennifer Portman, an American scientist with an interest in the boys and Hikari; Ioneos, a shape-shifting robot loyal to Hikari; Kuon, a little floating alien; and Akari, Hikari's "sister". The series follows the daily lives of its characters as they learn about the human condition and face the incoming monsters.

[edit] Characters

[edit] Main characters

Takeru Takemoto

Takeru Takemoto is this series' main character. He comes off as a lazy and unmotivated teenager, but is really just unsure of his place in the world. He found and named Hikari. After finding Hikari, Takeru gains new powers which allow him to transform into a powerful being. He has an apparent love interest in Hikari, blushing and getting flustered when near her, however is unsure how to expresses feelings of love as he was abandoned as a child by his mother after his father died.

Voiced by: Takahiro Mizushima (Japanese), Braden Hunt (English)

Hikari

Hikari fell in love with Takeru at first sight. She is very cheerful and thinks that almost everything is beautiful. While she can not remember anything before the day Takeru found her, but it is later discovered her purpose is to destroy Earth.

Voiced by: Ayako Kawasumi (Japanese), Cynthia Martinez (English)

Ryo Ninomiya

Ryo Ninomiya is Takeru's best friend and is favored by many of the girls at school because of his gentle nature. He is consistently called "Ryo-sama" by Sakurako and Amika. He is the one who found Akari and throughout the series develops feelings for her.

Voiced by: Fujiko Takimoto (Japanese), Quentin Haag (English)

Akari

Akari is a young girl that appears just as mysteriously as Hikari. Ryo finds her in the forest and makes her part of his family. She considers Hikari her older sister. She grows very attached to Ryo and Kimi. Voiced by: Ai Shimizu (Japanese), Jessica Boone (English)

[edit] Supporting characters

Mari

Mari Nishino is Takeru's cousin, While she nags Takeru for various reasons, Mari harbors jealousy of Takeru's and Hikari's relationship.

Voiced by: Asami Sanada (Japanese), Luci Christian (English)

Jennifer Portman

Jennifer Portman is a crazy American super-scientist who came to Japan to study the "Extended Definition", an species' ability to prevent its own extinction. She moves in with Takeru, Hikari, and Mari. She's rarely to be seen without some kind of alcohol and is somewhat of an exhibitionist.

Shinichi Asakura and Daijirou Matsumura

Shinichi Asakura and Daijirou Matsumura are schoolmates of Takeru who seem to always be dreaming up some kind of perverted fantasy, especially once they met Hikari.

Sakurako and Amika

These two girls love Ryo, or "Ryo-sama". They made Hikari's and Akari's clothing.

Itchō and Sumie Nishino

Itchō and Sumie Nishino are Mari's parents. They took in Takeru when his mother abandoned him at a young age. Currently, they run two business ventures: a delivery business and a boarding service.

Kimi Ninomiya

Kimi is Ryo's loud-mouthed younger sister who takes care of the housework when her brother is out. She was the only person living with Ryo until Akari came.

Kuon

Kuon is the little creature that takes care of Akari. He looks like a specter with two luminous eyes but no defined body shape, except by his clothing. He is capable of levitation and apparently has some sharp tentacles, as he is seen carrying a watermelon with them which he later uses to remove the rind from the watermelon.

Ioneos

Ioneos is like Kuon's "older brother," as he and Kuon are created from the same type of magical crystal. However, Ioneos' appearance and size are much larger and sleeker than Kuon's because he is comprised of an entire crystal, save a small chipped fragment which Kuon is made from. He was sealed inside of one of the school's stone pillars until Hikari accidentally released him during a routine fire drill. The entire school was subsequently demolished after the blast following Ioneos' release. Jennifer nicknamed him "Neo," saying that his original name was too long.

[edit] Design

[edit] Themes

This Ugly Yet Beautiful World explores the nature of interpersonal and intimate relationships in the face of the impending obliteration of life on Earth.[citation needed]

[edit] Media

[edit] Episodes

  1. Dawn is the Dividing Line Between Light and Darkness
  2. You're My First
  3. Two In the Shade of a Tree
  4. Life From Now On
  5. School Days
  6. Lingering by the Water's Edge
  7. Prelude to a Kiss
  8. This Wonderful World
  9. Wish Upon a Star
  10. False Heart
  11. Flowing Along With Time
  12. My Heart's Song

[edit] Music

Soundtrack composer: Tsuyoshi Watanabe

Opening song
"Metamorphose" by Youko Takahashi
Ending song
"Natsuiro no Kakera" by Youko Ishida

[edit] External links