Kyo Kara Maoh!
Encyclopedia
, is a series of Japan
ese light novel
s written by Tomo Takabayashi and illustrated by Temari Matsumoto
. The first light novel was published in 2000 by Kadokawa Shoten
and to date 22 novels have been released. The story follows the adventures of, Yuri Shibuya, an average 15-year old baseball loving high school student, who suddenly discovers he is the king of demons in another world.
The series was adapted into an 117 Episode anime
by Studio Deen
and NHK
. It debuted in Japan on April 3, 2004 on NHK BS-2
. The final episode aired on February 19, 2009. The series is also being adapted into a manga
series. The manga has been in serialization since 2005 in Asuka magazine and to date 12 volumes have been published.
Tokyopop
originally licensed the manga series for English-language publication in North America. They released 7 volumes before they shut down their North American branch. Geneon
originally licensed the anime English-language release who later transferred distribution rights to Funimation. The license has currently expired and there are no plans to re-license the series.
The first novel was released on September 29, 2001 and so far there are 22 books in the series. 17 are considered to be main story novels and the other 5 are extras and side stories which provide background and other information to the story.
volumes by Kadokawa
. The first volume was released on December 26, 2005. So far 12 volumes have been released.
An English language version of the manga was licensed by Tokyopop
but when Tokyopop shut down in 2011 all licenses went back to the original holders. They released 7 volumes before they shut down their North American branch.
, animated by Studio Deen
, and produced by NHK
aired across Japan on NHK
and Animax
. It consist of 117 episodes and 5 OVA episodes.
While the first season follows the original story from the novels faithfully after that the plot varies drastically.
The anime was originally licensed for release in North America by Geneon
but when Geneon ceased production of all titles in late 2007, it left three volumes of the second season unreleased on DVD in North America. On July 3, 2008, Geneon Entertainment and Funimation Entertainment announced an agreement to distribute select titles in North America. While Geneon Entertainment will still retain the license, Funimation Entertainment will assume exclusive rights to the manufacturing, marketing, sales and distribution of select titles. Kyo Kara Maoh! was one of several titles involved in the deal. In August 2011, Funimation announced that the license expired and that they had no plans to renew the license.
.
"The mixture of the different types of shows, from the fantasy to the baseball and to the general slice of life material all works really well here and the combination gives it something that we haven't seen before." — Chris Beveridge. Mania.
"This manga is a fun and whimsical read, because once a reader settles in for the zaniness, they’ll be surrounded by interesting characters and get involved with a strong storyline." — Danica Davidson, Graphic Novel Reporter.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese light novel
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...
s written by Tomo Takabayashi and illustrated by Temari Matsumoto
Temari Matsumoto
is a Japanese manga artist and illustrator from Nagano Prefecture.She illustrates yaoi light novels and manga. She chose Temari as her pen name since the town she is from, Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, is known for making temari....
. The first light novel was published in 2000 by Kadokawa Shoten
Kadokawa Shoten
is a well-known Japanese publishing company based in Tokyo, Japan. Kadokawa has published both manga novels and magazines, such as Newtype magazine...
and to date 22 novels have been released. The story follows the adventures of, Yuri Shibuya, an average 15-year old baseball loving high school student, who suddenly discovers he is the king of demons in another world.
The series was adapted into an 117 Episode anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
by Studio Deen
Studio DEEN
is a Japanese company that produces anime. Three years after Sunrise was founded in 1972, Studio Deen was established by Sunrise's members in 1975. As a result of this, anime shows such as Cowboy Bebop that were produced by Sunrise may have had assistance from Studio Deen.-Produced anime:* Urusei...
and NHK
NHK
NHK is Japan's national public broadcasting organization. NHK, which has always identified itself to its audiences by the English pronunciation of its initials, is a publicly owned corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee....
. It debuted in Japan on April 3, 2004 on NHK BS-2
NHK
NHK is Japan's national public broadcasting organization. NHK, which has always identified itself to its audiences by the English pronunciation of its initials, is a publicly owned corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee....
. The final episode aired on February 19, 2009. The series is also being adapted into 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...
series. The manga has been in serialization since 2005 in Asuka magazine and to date 12 volumes have been published.
Tokyopop
Tokyopop
Tokyopop, styled TOKYOPOP, and formerly known as Mixx, is a distributor, licensor, and publisher of anime, manga, manhwa, and Western manga-style works. The existing German publishing division produces German translations of licensed Japanese properties and original English-language manga, as well...
originally licensed the manga series for English-language publication in North America. They released 7 volumes before they shut down their North American branch. Geneon
Geneon
is a Japanese music, anime and home entertainment production and distribution enterprise headquartered in Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Geneon has been involved in the production and distribution of several anime in Japan...
originally licensed the anime English-language release who later transferred distribution rights to Funimation. The license has currently expired and there are no plans to re-license the series.
Plot
Kyo Kara Maoh!, takes place in an alternate world that Yuri Shibuya travels to by coming in contact with water. There are many nations in the alternate world, however, the plot centers around the . The people of the kingdom are , but appear indistinguishable from human. Their only distinguishing traits are their long lives and the ability to use magic. The people of the Demon Tribe are able to make a pact with an element which they can then use magic of that element. Covenant Castle is in the capital of the Demon Kingdom. It is the residence of the . The culture of The Great Demon Kingdom is very different from the Japanese culture Yuri is accustomed to, and the differences make for some amusing mishaps with long ranging consequences, such as an accidental proposal of marriage.Light Novels
Written by Tomo Takabayashi with illustrations by Temari Matsumoto. The novels are released in Kadokawa's Beans Collection.The first novel was released on September 29, 2001 and so far there are 22 books in the series. 17 are considered to be main story novels and the other 5 are extras and side stories which provide background and other information to the story.
Manga
Drawn by Temari Matsumoto, the Kyo Kara Maoh! manga series (Titled Kyou Kara MA no Tsuku Jiyuugyou! in Japanese) debuted in June 2005 and are being serialized monthly in Asuka magazine. The chapters are later collected into tankōbonTankobon
, with a literal meaning close to "independently appearing book", is the Japanese term for a book that is complete in itself and is not part of a series , though the manga industry uses it for volumes which may be in a series...
volumes by Kadokawa
Kadokawa
-Companies:*Kadokawa Shoten, a publishing house, or its subsidiaries**Kadokawa Shoten Pictures, the film production branch, at various times called Kadokawa Daiei Motion Picture Co., Ltd., Kadokawa Herald Pictures, Inc. and Kadokawa Pictures, Inc....
. The first volume was released on December 26, 2005. So far 12 volumes have been released.
An English language version of the manga was licensed by Tokyopop
Tokyopop
Tokyopop, styled TOKYOPOP, and formerly known as Mixx, is a distributor, licensor, and publisher of anime, manga, manhwa, and Western manga-style works. The existing German publishing division produces German translations of licensed Japanese properties and original English-language manga, as well...
but when Tokyopop shut down in 2011 all licenses went back to the original holders. They released 7 volumes before they shut down their North American branch.
Anime
The anime adaptation of Kyo Kara Maoh, directed by Junji NishimuraJunji Nishimura
is a male Japanese animation director and producer from Yobuko, Saga, Japan, though currently resides in Karatsu, Saga. After graduating from Meiji Gakuin University in 1980, Nishimura entered into the anime studio Nishiko Production...
, animated by Studio Deen
Studio DEEN
is a Japanese company that produces anime. Three years after Sunrise was founded in 1972, Studio Deen was established by Sunrise's members in 1975. As a result of this, anime shows such as Cowboy Bebop that were produced by Sunrise may have had assistance from Studio Deen.-Produced anime:* Urusei...
, and produced by NHK
NHK
NHK is Japan's national public broadcasting organization. NHK, which has always identified itself to its audiences by the English pronunciation of its initials, is a publicly owned corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee....
aired across Japan on NHK
NHK
NHK is Japan's national public broadcasting organization. NHK, which has always identified itself to its audiences by the English pronunciation of its initials, is a publicly owned corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee....
and Animax
Animax
is a Japanese anime satellite television network, dedicated to broadcasting anime programming. A subsidiary of Japanese media conglomerate Sony, it is headquartered in in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, with its co-founders and shareholders including Sony Pictures Entertainment and the noted anime studios...
. It consist of 117 episodes and 5 OVA episodes.
While the first season follows the original story from the novels faithfully after that the plot varies drastically.
The anime was originally licensed for release in North America by Geneon
Geneon
is a Japanese music, anime and home entertainment production and distribution enterprise headquartered in Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Geneon has been involved in the production and distribution of several anime in Japan...
but when Geneon ceased production of all titles in late 2007, it left three volumes of the second season unreleased on DVD in North America. On July 3, 2008, Geneon Entertainment and Funimation Entertainment announced an agreement to distribute select titles in North America. While Geneon Entertainment will still retain the license, Funimation Entertainment will assume exclusive rights to the manufacturing, marketing, sales and distribution of select titles. Kyo Kara Maoh! was one of several titles involved in the deal. In August 2011, Funimation announced that the license expired and that they had no plans to renew the license.
Reception
"With a Demon race that doesn't even look demonic, toilet portals between worlds, and same-sex engagement, Kyo kara Maoh! is definitely an unusual take on the fantasy genre." — Carlo Santos, Anime News NetworkAnime News Network
Anime News Network is an anime industry news website that reports on the status of anime, manga, Japanese popular music and other otaku-related culture within North America, Australia and Japan. Additionally, it sometimes features similar happenings throughout the Anglosphere and elsewhere in the...
.
"The mixture of the different types of shows, from the fantasy to the baseball and to the general slice of life material all works really well here and the combination gives it something that we haven't seen before." — Chris Beveridge. Mania.
"This manga is a fun and whimsical read, because once a reader settles in for the zaniness, they’ll be surrounded by interesting characters and get involved with a strong storyline." — Danica Davidson, Graphic Novel Reporter.