Tokyo Babylon
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| Tokyo Babylon | |||
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 The first volume of Tokyo Babylon as released by Tokyopop. |
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| 東京BABYLON | |||
| Genre | Occult detective | ||
| Manga | |||
| Author | Clamp | ||
| Publisher |  Shinshokan |
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| Demographic | Shōjo | ||
| Magazine | Wings | ||
| Original run | 1990 – 1993 | ||
| Volumes | 7 (completed) | ||
| OVA | |||
| Director | Koichi Chigira | ||
| Studio | Madhouse |
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| Licensor |  U.S. Manga Corp Manga Entertainment Manga Entertainment |
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| Episodes | 2 | ||
| Released | October 21, 1992 (Episode 1) March 21, 1994 (Episode 2) |
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| Live action film: Tokyo Babylon 1999 | |||
| Director | George Iida | ||
| Composer | Kuniaki Haishima | ||
| Released | August 21, 1993 | ||
Tokyo Babylon (東京 BABYLON Tokyo Babiron?) is a mystery manga series created by Clamp. The main characters are the onmyouji Subaru Sumeragi, his twin sister Hokuto Sumeragi, and the veterinarian Seishirō Sakurazuka.
The plot involves Subaru and Hokuto protecting Tokyo from spirits by exorcising them, aided by Seishirō's somewhat subtle interference. It also involves the developing relationship of Subaru and Seishirō.
In 1992, it was adapted into a two-part OVA series directed by Koichi Chigira, with characters designs by Kumiko Takahashi.
There was also a live action movie entitled Tokyo Babylon 1999 made in 1993.
The English language version of the manga is distributed by Tokyopop. The OVAs are distributed by U.S. Manga Corps and Manga Entertainment for Australia, UK and France. Tokyo Babylon was only released on VHS in Australia and the UK.
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[edit] Plot
The plot is told in a series of substories, 2-3 per volume. While it begins with a monster of the week approach, with somewhat independent running chapters, the plot gradually becomes continuous and backstory is introduced. It focuses on the development of the characters and the relationships between them.
Even though the story has an ending, it is still a rather open-ended conclusion that allowed for the possibility of more story to be told. The male leads of Tokyo Babylon are worked into Clamp's X/1999 and made key players in the battle of Armageddon.
[edit] Characters
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- Subaru Sumeragi
- Subaru is the 13th Head of the Sumeragi clan, a family of onmyoji. He tends to be rather shy, but is extremely kindhearted. He constantly wears gloves over his hands for reasons known only to his grandmother. A shadowy childhood moment may provide the answer.
- "Subaru" is the Japanese name for the Pleiades star cluster, whose brightest stars resemble a small version of the Big Dipper.
- Voiced by: Kappei Yamaguchi (Japanese), Ben Fairman (English)
- Portrayed by: Tonesaku Toshihide (Movie)
- Hokuto Sumeragi
- Hokuto Sumeragi (皇北都 Sumeragi Hokuto?) is Subaru's eccentric twin sister. She is quick-witted, bold and impulsive, the polar opposite of Subaru. While she lacks most of Subaru's strong spiritualistic abilities, she is still able to cast spells unique to her. She always means well and acts in Subaru's best interests. Hokuto is the designer of the outrageous outfits she and Subaru often don. She affectionately refers to Seishiro as "Sei-chan".
- "Hokuto" is the Japanese name for the Ursa Major, whose brightest stars form the Big Dipper (北斗七星 Hokuto shichisei?).
- Voiced by: Miki Itō (Japanese), Jenny Baker (English)
- Seishirō Sakurazuka
- Seishirō is a veterinarian who happens to hit on Subaru a lot. He is known as the Sakurazukamori, a murderous onmyouji.
- Voiced by: Takehito Koyasu (Japanese), Dean Fenton (English)
- Portrayed by: Shihoudou Wataru (Movie)
[edit] Adaptations
[edit] Anime series
The OVAs are similar in content to independent stories taking place in the middle of the manga series. The second OVA gives hints toward the overall plot line.
[edit] Live-action movie
The story of Tokyo Babylon 1999 is meant to be a sequel following about five years after the end of the Tokyo Babylon manga.
The plot is reminiscent of the Tokyo Babylon story "Call.A" in volume 3 of the manga. Subaru Sumeragi is investigating the death of a former enemy of the Sumeragi clan, Kaneyama.
Before his death, Kaneyama had undertaken a new project: teaching a group of seven teenage girls how to use dark magic to take revenge on those they deem "guilty," beginning with an abusive teacher. One of the girls, Kurumi, starts to feel remorse; however, she is convinced by the others to continue with their plans. When Subaru attempts to stop them, they declare him to be their enemy and attack him. Subaru learns that his former friend-turned-enemy, assassin Seishirō Sakurazuka, was the one who killed Kaneyama, and he has now turned his sights on the girls.
The girls grow increasing sick as a result of using the spells and Subaru tries once more to save them. Seishirō appears, claiming that none of the girls can be saved. Subaru and Seishirō fight, only to ultimately be stopped by the appearance of the ghost of Hokuto Sumeragi, who asks them to stop for her sake. Seishirō leaves, and the fight is unresolved.
At the end, Kurumi says that, hopefully, all the other girls will be able to give up their vengeful plans and become good again. Subaru adds finally that he wishes for the same thing.
There are some differences between the movie and the original manga. Subaru seems "angrier and less restrained" in his movie incarnation, and his insistent smoking is never shown. He also seems hypocritical, calling on the girls to stop their vengeance while obsessing over his own vengeful desires against Seishirō. Neither Subaru nor Seishirō are shown using ofuda, shikigami or drawing pentacles for spells.
Seishirō's signature hand-through-the-chest style of killing is dropped in favor of magically strangling his victims, and no references to his characteristic cherry blossoms appear.
[edit] Media
There is an artbook entitled, Tokyo Babylon Photographs was released on April, 1996. (Kadokawa Shoten: ISBN 4-40-365008-2)
[edit] External links
- Tokyo Babylon (manga) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
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