Hyakka Ryōran Samurai Girls
Encyclopedia
, simply known as Samurai Girls, is a light novel
series written by Akira Suzuki
with illustrations by Niθ to commemorate Hobby Japan's 40th anniversary. The first volume was released by Hobby Japan
on February 28, 2009, with a total of nine volumes available in Japan as of September 1, 2011 under their HJ Bunko
imprint. There are currently two different manga adaptations based on the Hyakka Ryoran universe published. An online anthology comic was serialized on Hobby Japan's media website Hobby Channel from June 1, 2010 and sold two volumes as of June 25, 2011, and a manga
adaptation illustrated by Junichi Iwasaki began serialization in the November 2010 issue of Monthly Comic Alive
with two volumes currently available as of October 2011. A spinoff manga
called Hyakka Ryōran: Sengoku Maidens, illustrated by Yuri Shinano, was serialized in the March 2009 issue of Dengeki Daioh
and ended in the March 2011 issue, with two volumes currently available as of October 2010.
A 12-episode anime adaptation produced by ARMS
ran between October and December 2010 on Chiba TV
and other networks. At Anime Expo
2010, Hobby Japan announced that they are planning to release the light novels in North America in the near future.
The series is loosely based on the Sengoku period
or early Edo period
of Japan, despite being set in the present day.
remained active and has remained isolated from the rest of the world. The story takes place at , an academy located at the base of Mount Fuji
where children of military families train to become samurai warriors. The academy is in the middle of a power struggle between Yukimura Sanada and Matabei Goto of the Toyotomi faction and the powerful student council that rules the school, and Muneakira Yagyu, the owner of the Yagyu Dojo, and the mysterious Jubei Yagyu are dragged in the middle of the conflict.
The series features famous historical figures from Japan's Sengoku period
and early Edo period
. The character Charles d'Artagnan also comes from the same age in Europe.
and illustrated by Niθ, the first volume of Samurai Girls was released on February 28, 2009 by Hobby Japan
, with a total of nine volumes released as of September 1, 2011 under their HJ Bunko
imprint. At Anime Expo
2010, Hobby Japan announced they will release English translations of the novels in North America along with the Queen's Blade
and Queen's Blade Rebellion
game books in the near future in an effort to expand their business. They have stated they will release the series digitally through Apple's iBook store and Amazon's Kindle store before releasing them in print, which will in turn include figurines of the characters.
called , illustrated by Yura Shinano, began serialization in the March 2009 issue of Dengeki Daioh
, and ended in the March 2011 issue. The series is based on the Sengoku Otome
pachinko
games by Heiwa, and has no connection to the original series. The first volume was released by ASCII Media Works
on December 28, 2009, with two volumes currently available as of October 27, 2010 under its Dengeki Comics
imprint. A manga
adaptation illustrated by Junichi Iwasaki began serialization in the November 2010 issue of Media Factory
's manga magazine Monthly Comic Alive
. The first volume was published on November 22, 2010, with a total of two volumes available as of October 22, 2011 under their Alive Comics imprint.
show produced by Lantis
called aired betewen September 17, 2010 and January 10, 2011. The show was hosted by Aoi Yūki
and Minako Kotobuki
, the voices for Jubei and Sen, respectively. There are four parts, or corners, to each episode. Certain episodes featured guest voices from the anime series, and listeners can send in comments of the show on the air. A CD of the radio show, called , was released on January 26, 2011 by Lantis.
and directed by KOBUN was announced on the fourth volume of the light novels. The series ran twelve episodes between October 3 and December 19, 2010 on Chiba TV
and TV Kanagawa, with later broadcasts on TV Saitama
, Tokyo MX, TV Aichi, Sun Television, and AT-X. A preview of the first episode aired on Tokyo MX on September 4, 2010 prior to the official airing. The series serves as an alternate telling of the light novels, having a completely different storyline. Simulcasts were provided in North America by Anime Network
on their video portal, and in Australia and New Zealand by Madman Entertainment
. Six DVD and Blu-ray
volumes were released by Media Factory
between November 25, 2010 and April 28, 2011, each containing a six-part OVA
series called along with a voiced 4-koma
illustrated by Chiruwo Kazahana. The anime is licensed in North America by Sentai Filmworks, and distributor Section23 Films
released the series with an English dub (produced by Seraphim Digital) on August 23, 2011 on DVD and Blu-ray. The anime is also licensed in Australia and New Zealand by Madman Entertainment, and in the United Kingdom by Manga Entertainment
. The English dub of the anime premiered on Anime Network's video portal on June 23, 2011, and ran until September 8, 2011.
The opening theme for the series is "Last vision for last" by Faylan
, while the ending theme is by Aoi Yūki
, Minako Kotobuki
, and Rie Kugimiya
, the voices for Jubei Yagyu, Sen Tokugawa, and Yukimura Sanada, respectively.
by Lantis on October 27, 2010. The single features a song called , as well as instrumentals of both songs. A CD single for "Koi ni Sesse Tooryanse" was released by Lantis on November 10, 2010, featuring a song called . A character song CD called was released by Lantis on December 8, 2010, featuring songs sung by Yū Kobayashi
, Saori Gotō
, Aoi Yūki, Rie Kugimiya, and Minako Kotobuki. An original soundtrack called was released by Lantis on December 22, 2010 on a two-disc set.
Light novel
A is a style of Japanese novel primarily targeting junior high and high school students . The term "light novel" is a wasei-eigo, or a Japanese term formed from words in the English language. Light novels are often called or for short...
series written by Akira Suzuki
Akira Suzuki (media)
, also releasing works under the pseudonym , is a Japanese film, anime and manga author, director and editor. He is born in Sapporo, Hokkaidō. He has worked on AIKa R-16: Virgin Mission, Ranma ½, Kodocha, Maze, Daltanius, Trider G7, and Sailor Suit and Machine Gun, and the films Voice Without a...
with illustrations by Niθ to commemorate Hobby Japan's 40th anniversary. The first volume was released by Hobby Japan
Hobby Japan
HobbyJAPAN CO. is a Japanese hobby magazine and publishing company, specializing in roleplaying, war, and tabletop games, as well as action figures, toys, and artbooks for successful anime, manga and light novel franchises.- Role-playing games :...
on February 28, 2009, with a total of nine volumes available in Japan as of September 1, 2011 under their HJ Bunko
HJ Bunko
is a publishing label affiliated with the Japanese publishing company Hobby Japan. It was established in July 2006 and is a light novel label that is aimed at a young adult male readership...
imprint. There are currently two different manga adaptations based on the Hyakka Ryoran universe published. An online anthology comic was serialized on Hobby Japan's media website Hobby Channel from June 1, 2010 and sold two volumes as of June 25, 2011, and a manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
adaptation illustrated by Junichi Iwasaki began serialization in the November 2010 issue of Monthly Comic Alive
Monthly Comic Alive
is a Japanese seinen manga magazine published by Media Factory. The first issue was released on June 27, 2006.-Serialized titles:*Asobi ni Ikuyo!*Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai*Bone Crusher*Chaos;Head -Blue Complex-*D-Frag...
with two volumes currently available as of October 2011. A spinoff manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
called Hyakka Ryōran: Sengoku Maidens, illustrated by Yuri Shinano, was serialized in the March 2009 issue of Dengeki Daioh
Dengeki Daioh
is a Japanese shōnen manga magazine published by ASCII Media Works under the Dengeki brand. Many manga serialized in Dengeki Daioh were later published in tankōbon volumes under ASCII Media Works' Dengeki Comics imprint. The magazine is sold every month on the 27th...
and ended in the March 2011 issue, with two volumes currently available as of October 2010.
A 12-episode anime adaptation produced by ARMS
ARMS Corporation
is a Japanese anime studio which has been involved in the production, animation, or Japanese distribution of a substantial number of releases.The famous animator and character designer Rin Shin is the chief animation director for several productions by ARMS which have an above average amount of...
ran between October and December 2010 on Chiba TV
Chiba TV
, doing business as , is a Japanese commercial terrestrial television broadcasting company headquartered at 11-25 Miyako-chō 1-chōme, Chūō-ku, Chiba serving Chiba Prefecture but spill-over is received in the neibouring prefectures. It is a member of the Japanese Association of Independent...
and other networks. At Anime Expo
Anime Expo
Anime Expo, abbreviated AX, is an American anime convention held in Los Angeles, California and organized by the non-profit Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation . With rare exceptions, the convention is traditionally held on the July 4th weekend and lasts for four days...
2010, Hobby Japan announced that they are planning to release the light novels in North America in the near future.
The series is loosely based on the Sengoku period
Sengoku period
The or Warring States period in Japanese history was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and nearly constant military conflict that lasted roughly from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century. The name "Sengoku" was adopted by Japanese historians in reference...
or early Edo period
Edo period
The , or , is a division of Japanese history which was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family, running from 1603 to 1868. The political entity of this period was the Tokugawa shogunate....
of Japan, despite being set in the present day.
Plot
The series takes place in an alternate version of Japan called , in an alternate timeline where the Tokugawa shogunateTokugawa shogunate
The Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the and the , was a feudal regime of Japan established by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family. This period is known as the Edo period and gets its name from the capital city, Edo, which is now called Tokyo, after the name was...
remained active and has remained isolated from the rest of the world. The story takes place at , an academy located at the base of Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji
is the highest mountain in Japan at . An active stratovolcano that last erupted in 1707–08, Mount Fuji lies about south-west of Tokyo, and can be seen from there on a clear day. Mount Fuji's exceptionally symmetrical cone is a well-known symbol of Japan and it is frequently depicted in art and...
where children of military families train to become samurai warriors. The academy is in the middle of a power struggle between Yukimura Sanada and Matabei Goto of the Toyotomi faction and the powerful student council that rules the school, and Muneakira Yagyu, the owner of the Yagyu Dojo, and the mysterious Jubei Yagyu are dragged in the middle of the conflict.
The series features famous historical figures from Japan's Sengoku period
Sengoku period
The or Warring States period in Japanese history was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and nearly constant military conflict that lasted roughly from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century. The name "Sengoku" was adopted by Japanese historians in reference...
and early Edo period
Edo period
The , or , is a division of Japanese history which was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family, running from 1603 to 1868. The political entity of this period was the Tokugawa shogunate....
. The character Charles d'Artagnan also comes from the same age in Europe.
Main characters
- The protagonist of the series and a childhood friend of Sen. He has a hitherto unknown power to create Master Samurai, first manifested when he kissed a naked girl who fell from the sky.
- Muneakira's first Master Samurai, with the contractual mark on her chest. She also has a power level of five million when she transforms according to Hattori and bears amber eyes with vertical slits, but in this state she has shown a sadistic side, yet she is an honorable warrior who gives respect to those whom have earned it. In her normal form however, she has no memories of her former life and has an obsession with Muneakira, whom she refers to as "onii-chan" (big brother) due to the fact that they share the same surname. She is also airheaded, innocent, and acts very much like a child, which is reinforced by the fact that she refers to herself in third-person. Her weapon is a daishōDaishoThe is a Japanese term for a matched pair of traditionally made Japanese swords worn by the samurai class in feudal Japan.-Description:...
set, with the katana unusually colored. Her transformation phrase is currently unknown, instead she transforms every time she kisses Muneakira. However for the duration of her transformation, Muneakira is bound from moving by mysterious chains.
- In the final episodes of the anime, it is revealed that Jubei's Master Samurai state is her true self, her current personality being created by an incomplete contract. Jubei's inner self also warns Jubei that kissing Muneakira once more will complete the contract at the cost of her current personality. In her final battle against Gisen, she dies sacrificing herself to defeat her by sending her into space. However, in the DVD/Blu-ray release it is shown that after the credits, she falls from the sky to once again share a kiss with Muneakira.
- A 13 year-old student in the middle school section and the leader of the Toyotomi faction. She is Muneakira's second Master Samurai, with the mark of wisdom on her left butt cheek. Her weapons are a pair of huge battle fans capable of manipulating wind and can also use them to block enemy attacks. However, she has shown no control whatsoever over her powers when she is in her Master Samurai state, though she improves as the series progresses. She also seems to have feelings for Muneakira. Her transformation phrase is "Fushaku Shinmyo", which means "Self-sacrificing Dedication". Jubei's nickname for Yukimura is .
- Yukimura's bodyguard and loyal samurai. Her weapon is a yariYariis the term for one of the traditionally made Japanese blades in the form of a spear, or more specifically, the straight-headed spear...
and can also use a small tantōTantoA is one of the traditional Japanese swords that were worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan. The tantō dates to the Heian period, when it was mainly used as a weapon but evolved in design over the years to become more ornate...
that she dons as a hair accessory. She seems to have a weakness for hot baths, such as the case when she eagerly went to one as "punishment" from Hanzo, only to be stopped by Yukimura. Jubei's nickname for Matabei is .
- Kanetsugu is the self-proclaimed "warrior of love" and a childhood friend of Yukimura. She was fully humiliated by Yukimura at a young age and still carries a grudge against her, and was sent by Sen's brother Yoshihiko to spy on Sen and Yukimura's actions. Her speech pattern is notable as she uses keigo. Her weapon is a decorated sledgehammer capable of knocking heavy gates and create fissures when slammed down to the ground. Jubei's nicknames for Kanetsugu are , , and . Kanetsugu's appearance oddly resembles that of Vocaloid Hatsune MikuHatsune Mikuis a singing synthesizer application with a female persona, developed by Crypton Future Media. It uses Yamaha Corporation's Vocaloid 2 synthesizing technology. The name of the character comes from a fusion of the Japanese for , and future , referring to her position as the first of Crypton's...
. Her favorite food is leek, also like Miku.
- Muneakira's childhood friend and the eldest daughter of the Tokugawa Shogunate. She seems to have feelings for Muneakira, and acts very much like a tsundereTsundereis a Japanese character development process that describes a person who is initially cold and even hostile towards another person before gradually showing their warm side over time. The word is derived from the terms , meaning to turn away in disgust, and meaning to become 'lovey dovey'...
towards him. She is a self-proclaimed spoiled princess and always seeks to get her way regarding any decision she wants to make. She gets extremely jealous of any girl who tries to get close to Muneakira, and generally acts upon this jealousy by flying into a rage, like when Jubei kissed him in front of her and later had him wear a full oni helmet so he could "reflect" at what the kiss he shared with Yukimura. Later, she reveals her true feelings to Muneakira and kisses him, thus becoming his third Master Samurai. Her weapon is a naginataNaginataThe naginata is one of several varieties of traditionally made Japanese blades in the form of a pole weapon. Naginata were originally used by the samurai class in feudal Japan, and naginata were also used by ashigaru and sōhei .-Description:A naginata consists of a wooden shaft with a curved...
decorated near the blade, and her transformation phrase is "Tenga Ryūrei", which means "Elegant Beauty". Sen's attacks usually revolve around thunder or lightning.
- Sen's servant and head of the Student Council police, wearing a maid's outfit and glasses. It is hinted that she has deeper feelings for Sen and may be a masochist longing for her abuses. Her weapon is a double-bladed pole that can split into two individual katana, and she can shoot a number of shurikenShurikenA shuriken is a traditional Japanese concealed weapon that was generally used for throwing, and sometimes stabbing or slashing...
, kunaiKunaiA is a Japanese tool possibly derived from the masonry trowel. Two variations are the and the . It is a good example of a very basic tool which, in the hands of a martial arts expert, could be used as a multi-functional weapon...
or any throwable material under her skirt. Her glasses allow her to detect an individual's power level and also see through any man made materials.
- Yukimura's pet monkey.
Toyotomi faction
The is a faction of the Academy dedicated to overthrow the Tokugawa shogunate and bring a new era to Great Japan. Yukimura and Matabei are also members of this faction.Buou Student Council
- Sen's older brother, president of the Student Council, and head of the Tokugawa Shogunate. He believes that he is doing the best for his country, while in reality he is a ruthless tyrant with a tendency to use and discard people, including his own sister. Yoshihiko had a brief relationship with Charles d'Artagnan until he used her in one of his experiments to create Master Samurai by artificial means. He had also used other girls in his experiments as well (who are, in fact, descendants of former Master Samurai in their lineage), planning to create an army of Master Samurai since there are very few in existence. In the anime, after realizing his feelings for d'Artagnan after she sacrifices herself to save him, he revives her by making a Master Samurai contract with her, and later teams up with Muneakira to defeat Gisen.
- Gisen is a young girl sporting an eyepatch over her right eye that falls naked from the sky into Muneakira's arms, much like Jubei. She is initially friendly in her first appearances, but is shown to be very perverse when around Muneakira (whom she refers to as "Master"), wanting to "tuck in" his body parts (implying to be sexual intercourseSexual intercourseSexual intercourse, also known as copulation or coitus, commonly refers to the act in which a male's penis enters a female's vagina for the purposes of sexual pleasure or reproduction. The entities may be of opposite sexes, or they may be hermaphroditic, as is the case with snails...
), the reason being is that she thinks that the relationship between a general and a samurai is similar to that of a master and slave. Jubei nickname for Gisen is "Gittan", and Gisen refers to Jubei as "onee-sama" (big sister).
- It is later revealed that she is a Master Samurai, with the concentral mark on her right eye. Her general is Amakusa ShirōAmakusa Shiroalso known as was the teenage leader of the Shimabara Rebellion.- Biography :The son of former Konishi clan retainer , Shirō was born in modern-day Kami-Amakusa, Kumamoto in a Catholic family...
, a powerful samurai who aspired to destroy Japan until he was killed by a group of rebels, and intends to revive him to destroy Japan once more. Her true personality is also revealed throughout the story, displaying her as a highly sadistic person who will stop at nothing to ensure her general's revival; she even attempted to take Jubei's body into her own to further the process. Her transformation phrase is "Inka Ryōran", which means "Indecent Flower Blooming Profusely", and her attacks usually revolve around ice. Gisen's right eye (colored red) can contol and manipulate people's minds, and she wields a blade that can turn into a scissor-like weapon.
- Nicknamed by Yoshihiko, d'Artagnan is a tall blonde woman from FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
who transferred to Buou Academy. She met Yoshihiko while she was doing oragami, and developed a romantic relationship with him. However, she was betrayed when Yoshihiko used her as a test subject to create Master Samurai by artificial means. Despite all of what has happened to her, she still bears feelings towards Yoshihiko, which was justified in the anime when she dies protecting Yoshihiko from some falling rubble while holding an origami of a samurai's helmet that was given to her by Yoshihiko in the past. She was later revived by Yoshihiko, having realized her true feelings, and becomes a true Master Samurai with the concentural mark on her left hand.
- d'Artagnan's powers as a Master Samurai allow her to channel different elements by saying "Mode Change" and saying said element. However, because her Master Samurai powers were created artificially, her body suffers great strain from using her powers. Also, her aura differs from the other Master Samurai (sans Gisen), as it is violet as opposed to the standard black. She wields twin claymoreClaymoreThe term claymore refers to the Scottish variant of the late medieval longsword, two-handed swords with a cross hilt, of which the guards were in use during the 15th and 16th centuries.-Terminology:...
s as weapons, utilizing them to create elemental-powered attacks.
Hatamoto Student Council
The is a faction of Buou Academy's Student Council serving directly under Yoshihiko.Anti-Tokugawa faction
The is a faction led by Shiro Amakusa. Their main purpose remains unknown.Light novel
Written by Akira SuzukiAkira Suzuki (media)
, also releasing works under the pseudonym , is a Japanese film, anime and manga author, director and editor. He is born in Sapporo, Hokkaidō. He has worked on AIKa R-16: Virgin Mission, Ranma ½, Kodocha, Maze, Daltanius, Trider G7, and Sailor Suit and Machine Gun, and the films Voice Without a...
and illustrated by Niθ, the first volume of Samurai Girls was released on February 28, 2009 by Hobby Japan
Hobby Japan
HobbyJAPAN CO. is a Japanese hobby magazine and publishing company, specializing in roleplaying, war, and tabletop games, as well as action figures, toys, and artbooks for successful anime, manga and light novel franchises.- Role-playing games :...
, with a total of nine volumes released as of September 1, 2011 under their HJ Bunko
HJ Bunko
is a publishing label affiliated with the Japanese publishing company Hobby Japan. It was established in July 2006 and is a light novel label that is aimed at a young adult male readership...
imprint. At Anime Expo
Anime Expo
Anime Expo, abbreviated AX, is an American anime convention held in Los Angeles, California and organized by the non-profit Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation . With rare exceptions, the convention is traditionally held on the July 4th weekend and lasts for four days...
2010, Hobby Japan announced they will release English translations of the novels in North America along with the Queen's Blade
Queen's Blade
is a series of visual combat books published by Hobby Japan based on the licensed works from Flying Buffalo's Lost Worlds. First published in 2005, it features sexually suggestive depictions of an exclusively female cast of characters. The overall plot of the game revolves around a tournament...
and Queen's Blade Rebellion
Queen's Blade Rebellion
is a series of visual combat books published by Hobby Japan. The sequel to Queen's Blade, it features an all-new cast of characters as well as remakes of characters from previous Queen's Blade books. Like Queen's Blade before it, Rebellion is also compatible with Flying Buffalo's Lost Worlds...
game books in the near future in an effort to expand their business. They have stated they will release the series digitally through Apple's iBook store and Amazon's Kindle store before releasing them in print, which will in turn include figurines of the characters.
Manga
An anthology comic was serialized on Hobby Japan's online website Hobby Channel. The first chapter was serialized on June 1, 2010, with new chapters serialized on the 25th of each month. The first volume was published on November 25, 2010, and the current volume was published on June 25, 2011. A spinoff mangaManga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
called , illustrated by Yura Shinano, began serialization in the March 2009 issue of Dengeki Daioh
Dengeki Daioh
is a Japanese shōnen manga magazine published by ASCII Media Works under the Dengeki brand. Many manga serialized in Dengeki Daioh were later published in tankōbon volumes under ASCII Media Works' Dengeki Comics imprint. The magazine is sold every month on the 27th...
, and ended in the March 2011 issue. The series is based on the Sengoku Otome
Sengoku Otome: Momoiro Paradox
, also known as Battle Girls: Time Paradox, is a 2011 Japanese anime television series based on a Pachinko game developed by Heiwa. Produced by TMS Entertainment under the direction of Hideki Okamoto, the anime series aired on TV Tokyo between April 4, 2011 and June 27, 2011.- Plot :Yoshino Hide,...
pachinko
Pachinko
is a type of game originating in Japan, and used as both a form of recreational arcade game and much more frequently as a gambling device, filling a niche in gambling in Japan comparable to that of the slot machine in Western gambling. A pachinko machine resembles a vertical pinball machine, but...
games by Heiwa, and has no connection to the original series. The first volume was released by ASCII Media Works
ASCII Media Works
is a Japanese publishing company in the Kadokawa Group which formed on April 1, 2008 as a result of a merger between ASCII and MediaWorks where MediaWorks legally absorbed ASCII. Despite this, the former president of ASCII, Kiyoshi Takano, became the president of ASCII Media Works. The company...
on December 28, 2009, with two volumes currently available as of October 27, 2010 under its Dengeki Comics
Dengeki Comics
is a manga publishing label affiliated with the Japanese publishing company ASCII Media Works and is aimed at a male audience. Aside from the main Dengeki Comics label, there is the related Dengeki Comics EX label which publishes a lesser number of manga volumes...
imprint. A manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
adaptation illustrated by Junichi Iwasaki began serialization in the November 2010 issue of Media Factory
Media Factory
is a Japanese publisher. It was founded on December 1, 1986, and its headquarters are situated in Shibuya, Tokyo. It is a subsidiary of Recruit Co., Ltd...
's manga magazine Monthly Comic Alive
Monthly Comic Alive
is a Japanese seinen manga magazine published by Media Factory. The first issue was released on June 27, 2006.-Serialized titles:*Asobi ni Ikuyo!*Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai*Bone Crusher*Chaos;Head -Blue Complex-*D-Frag...
. The first volume was published on November 22, 2010, with a total of two volumes available as of October 22, 2011 under their Alive Comics imprint.
Internet radio show
An internet radioInternet radio
Internet radio is an audio service transmitted via the Internet...
show produced by Lantis
Lantis (company)
is a Japanese company that specializes as a music publisher label for Japanese musicians, anime soundtracks and video game soundtracks. It was established on November 26, 1999, and in May 2006, it was bought by, and became a subsidiary of, Bandai Visual...
called aired betewen September 17, 2010 and January 10, 2011. The show was hosted by Aoi Yūki
Aoi Yuki
is a Japanese voice actress and actress. She is affiliated with the Pro-Fit agency. Her previous stage name was Yabusaki Aoi.When she was 16, she played the seven-year-old Murasaki Kuhōin in Kure-nai. She had two roles in 2008, eight in 2009, and twelve in 2010...
and Minako Kotobuki
Minako Kotobuki
is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. She is best known for her role in K-On!. Her career as a musician began with her performance of the opening and ending themes of the anime series K-On! in April 2009...
, the voices for Jubei and Sen, respectively. There are four parts, or corners, to each episode. Certain episodes featured guest voices from the anime series, and listeners can send in comments of the show on the air. A CD of the radio show, called , was released on January 26, 2011 by Lantis.
Anime
An anime adaptation produced by ARMSARMS Corporation
is a Japanese anime studio which has been involved in the production, animation, or Japanese distribution of a substantial number of releases.The famous animator and character designer Rin Shin is the chief animation director for several productions by ARMS which have an above average amount of...
and directed by KOBUN was announced on the fourth volume of the light novels. The series ran twelve episodes between October 3 and December 19, 2010 on Chiba TV
Chiba TV
, doing business as , is a Japanese commercial terrestrial television broadcasting company headquartered at 11-25 Miyako-chō 1-chōme, Chūō-ku, Chiba serving Chiba Prefecture but spill-over is received in the neibouring prefectures. It is a member of the Japanese Association of Independent...
and TV Kanagawa, with later broadcasts on TV Saitama
Television Saitama
abbreviated TVS, doing business as is a Japanese fee-free terrestrial commercial television broadcasting company headquartered in Urawa-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Its intended coverage is Saitama Prefecture but with some spill-overs in surrounding prefectures...
, Tokyo MX, TV Aichi, Sun Television, and AT-X. A preview of the first episode aired on Tokyo MX on September 4, 2010 prior to the official airing. The series serves as an alternate telling of the light novels, having a completely different storyline. Simulcasts were provided in North America by Anime Network
Anime Network
The Anime Network , a former subsidiary of A.D. Vision, Inc. , is a cable and satellite digital broadcast service in North America dedicated to anime.-History:...
on their video portal, and in Australia and New Zealand by Madman Entertainment
Madman Entertainment
Madman Entertainment is an Australian company that distributes international films as well as Japanese anime and manga in Australia and New Zealand. The company is owned by Funtastic Limited and is one of the major entertainment companies in Australia. It employs 130 people and has an annual...
. Six DVD and Blu-ray
Blu-ray Disc
Blu-ray Disc is an optical disc storage medium designed to supersede the DVD format. The plastic disc is 120 mm in diameter and 1.2 mm thick, the same size as DVDs and CDs. Blu-ray Discs contain 25 GB per layer, with dual layer discs being the norm for feature-length video discs...
volumes were released by Media Factory
Media Factory
is a Japanese publisher. It was founded on December 1, 1986, and its headquarters are situated in Shibuya, Tokyo. It is a subsidiary of Recruit Co., Ltd...
between November 25, 2010 and April 28, 2011, each containing a six-part OVA
Original video animation
, abbreviated as media , are animated films and series made specially for release in home-video formats. The term originated in relation to Japanese animation...
series called along with a voiced 4-koma
Yonkoma
thumb|right|150px|Traditional Yonkoma layout, a comic-strip format, generally consists of gag comic strips within four panels of equal size ordered from top to bottom...
illustrated by Chiruwo Kazahana. The anime is licensed in North America by Sentai Filmworks, and distributor Section23 Films
Section23 Films
Section23 Films is an American home video distribution company specializing in anime and Japanese films. The company is one of five successors to ADV Films, as well as the distributor of titles from Sentai Filmworks and Switchblade Films. ADV had announced that it had sold its assets to a group of...
released the series with an English dub (produced by Seraphim Digital) on August 23, 2011 on DVD and Blu-ray. The anime is also licensed in Australia and New Zealand by Madman Entertainment, and in the United Kingdom by Manga Entertainment
Manga Entertainment
Manga Entertainment is a producer, licensor and distributor of Japanese animation in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Australia and New Zealand...
. The English dub of the anime premiered on Anime Network's video portal on June 23, 2011, and ran until September 8, 2011.
The opening theme for the series is "Last vision for last" by Faylan
Faylan
-Live:*"Flying Dutch Live Tour 2010 Polaris" - October 4, 2010*"Anisama Girls Night Live" - October 31, 2010-Compilations:, released March 24, 2005 *# "Just Believe in Love"*Elements Garden, released August 6, 2008...
, while the ending theme is by Aoi Yūki
Aoi Yuki
is a Japanese voice actress and actress. She is affiliated with the Pro-Fit agency. Her previous stage name was Yabusaki Aoi.When she was 16, she played the seven-year-old Murasaki Kuhōin in Kure-nai. She had two roles in 2008, eight in 2009, and twelve in 2010...
, Minako Kotobuki
Minako Kotobuki
is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. She is best known for her role in K-On!. Her career as a musician began with her performance of the opening and ending themes of the anime series K-On! in April 2009...
, and Rie Kugimiya
Rie Kugimiya
is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with I'm Enterprise.Kugimiya's most famous roles include Alphonse Elric in Fullmetal Alchemist, Happy in Fairy Tail, Kagura in Gintama, Nagi Sanzenin in Hayate no Gotoku!, Shana in Shakugan no Shana, Louise in Zero no Tsukaima, Taiga Aisaka in Toradora!, and...
, the voices for Jubei Yagyu, Sen Tokugawa, and Yukimura Sanada, respectively.
Music
"Last vision for last" was released as a maxi singleMaxi single
A maxi single or maxi-single is a music single release with more than the usual two tracks of an a-side song and a b-side song.-The first maxi singles:...
by Lantis on October 27, 2010. The single features a song called , as well as instrumentals of both songs. A CD single for "Koi ni Sesse Tooryanse" was released by Lantis on November 10, 2010, featuring a song called . A character song CD called was released by Lantis on December 8, 2010, featuring songs sung by Yū Kobayashi
Yu Kobayashi
is a female voice actress from Tokyo, Japan and is affiliated with HolyPeak. She also occasionally works as a key animator.-Anime:*12Riven - Yuyu Hoshino*Air Gear: Kuro no Hane to Nemuri no Mori - Emily Adachi*Amatsuki - Benitobi...
, Saori Gotō
Saori Goto
is a Japanese voice actress.-Anime:*Anpanman *[C]: The Money of Soul and Possibility Control *Di Gi Charat Nyo! *Fairy Tail *Galaxy Angel X...
, Aoi Yūki, Rie Kugimiya, and Minako Kotobuki. An original soundtrack called was released by Lantis on December 22, 2010 on a two-disc set.
External links
- Official site
- Official anime website
- Official online comic website
- Official Twitter account
- Samurai Girls at Madman EntertainmentMadman EntertainmentMadman Entertainment is an Australian company that distributes international films as well as Japanese anime and manga in Australia and New Zealand. The company is owned by Funtastic Limited and is one of the major entertainment companies in Australia. It employs 130 people and has an annual...