Kaze Hikaru
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Kaze Hikaru | |
|---|---|
| 風光る (Shining Wind) |
|
| Genre | shōjo, action, historical |
| Manga | |
| Authored by | Watanabe Taeko |
| Publisher |  Viz Media |
| Serialized in | |
| Original run | – |
| No. of volumes | 20 |
Kaze Hikaru (風光る, literally Shining Wind or The Wind Shines) is a manga series by Taeko Watanabe.
Kaze Hikaru is set in the bakumatsu. The protagonist is a girl named Tominaga Sei who, after her father and older brother are murdered, decides to pose as a boy named Kamiya Seizaburo so that she can join the Mibu-Roshigumi (later known as the Shinsengumi) and avenge their deaths. She is trained by Okita Soji, and finds that she is falling in love with him. The series has been published in Japan by Shogakukan since 1997. It is published in the United States by VIZ Media and ran in VIZ media's Shojo Beat magazine from the magazine's start through its September 2006 issue, when it was replaced by Backstage Prince. The English translation is by Mai Ihara. Some would regard Kaze Hikaru as a cross between Peacemaker Kurogane and Rose of Versailles.
[edit] Characters
- Tominaga Sei
- She poses as a boy named Kamiya Seizaburo and joins the Shinsengumi in order to avenge the death of her father and older brother at the hands of members of the Chōshū clan. She eventually decides to stay with the Miburo to stand by Okita's side and protect him.
- Okita Soji
- The genius swordsman and officer of the Shinsengumi. He has a sunny disposition that sometimes borders on childishness, but displays frighteningly deadly skill in combat situations. He is first assigned as the assistant vice captain; later in the series, he gets assigned as the captain of the first squad. He cares a lot for Sei.
- Hijikata Toshizo
- The Shinsengumi's vice-commander. He is known to many as cruel and strict taskmaster with a high standard of morals. Though that is simply facade because he simply had to learn to be the devils advocate due Kondou Isami's inability to put people in their place. Therefore, Higikata plays the 'bad guy' to maintain order, and it is a role he plays well. Hijikata's softer side is his love of poetry, evident in a book filled with his Haiku that actually gave the name of this series. Though he doesn't show it often, he does care for the people around him.
- Kondou Isami
- The leader of all the Shinsengumi. He is a kind gentle man who cares about every single member of the Shinsengumi. He is a natural leader and really devoted to his cause.
- Saito Hajime
- Although he does not know that Sei is a girl, Saito is quite fond of her. Saito is level headed and mature with combat skills rival that of Okita. Since he has an uncanny resemblance to Sei's deceased brother, she sometimes address him as aniue (translates to brother on high). He is her silent protector - whom is always there for consolation when something is upsetting her (usually something related to Okita). Saito's personality comes off to others as bland and very serious, but he does have a great sense of humor that comes out around Okita, then a hysterical side that comes out whenever he thinks Sei is being hit on.
[edit] The Haiku
The title of this series is a reference to this haiku:
kaze hikaru
Wind shines
makoto no hata ni
Around truth's flag
hana goro mo
And the symphony of flowers as well
[edit] External links
- http://www.shojobeat.com/manga/kh/
- Hajimenokizu A site dedicated to Saitou Hajime and the Shinsengumi in various fictional and historical incarnations. Includes Rurouni Kenshin, Peace Maker Kurogane, Kaze HIkaru, NHK's Shinsengumi and others. Information, fanwork, forum, image, video and other media are available.
- Shinsengumi Database Website that catalogues information on Shinsengumi in various media - from anime to historical works, manga to novels and video games. Searchable and updated as titles are released in the US and Japan.
- Shinsengumi Fiction Archive A repository of fanfiction and original stories dealing with the Shinsengumi in various incarnations in history and fiction.
