Crescent Moon (manga)
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| Crescent Moon | |
|---|---|
| 未完の月 (Mikan no Tsuki) |
|
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Manga | |
| Authored by | Haruko Iida |
| Publisher |  Kadokawa Shoten Tokyopop |
| Serialized in | Asuka |
| Original run | 1999 – 2001 |
| No. of volumes | 6 |
Crescent Moon is the English title of the shōjo manga Mikan no Tsuki (literally An Incomplete Moon)), written by Haruko Iida in partnership with Red Company. It was originally published by Kadokawa Shoten beginning in 2000 and serialized in Asuka Comics, and it was translated into English by Tokyopop. It is collected in six volumes.
[edit] Story
Its plot deals with Mahiru Shiraishi, a young woman with the ability to grant others good fortune by touching them. She herself does not benefit from this good fortune, and occasionally laments that this is because she has given all of her luck away to others.
Mahiru begins to have recurring dreams of a demon, and these dreams soon lead to her becoming entangled with the "Lunar Race" — a collection of creatures of folklore such as vampires, werewolves, kitsune, and tengu. These creatures' powers are related to the phase of the moon, strongest when the moon is full and weakest when it is new.
Mahiru learns that she is the "Descendant of the Princess" and that the members of the Lunar Race she has encountered, known as the Moonlight Bandits, need her help to recover the "Teardrops of the Moon," the source of their power. In the process, she attempts to heal the rift that has developed between humans and the Lunar Race, and bring the two closer together.
In the end, Mahiru and Mitsuru end up together as a couple. The story ends with the Lunar Race decides that there is another mission for them.
[edit] Characters
Mahiru Shirashi — The main protagonist of the story, a seemingly-ordinary high school junior with the ability to bring out the hidden abilities of the "Lunar Race". She has been "gifted" with the ability to distribute good luck to the people around her. Mahiru is good-natured, always seeing the best in people, and strong-willed. "Descendant of the Princess" and aide to the Moonlight bandits.
Mahiru was orphaned at a very young age, and was brought up by her aunt. According to her aunt, Mahiru never asked for a single thing in her younger ages, and is always constantly worrying about what other people think of her. She loves to swim, and her hobby is to collect little aqua plush toys ( animals and plushies from the ocean, such as dolphins, fish, etc.) She is 17 years old, born on June 29th. Her first name means "mid-day" and her last name means "pure white"
Mitsuru Suou — A seventeen year old tengu who can control wind and electricity. He has dark hair, a hostile personality, and seems to be frightened by Mahiru. She is frightened by him, at first, and this bothers him, although he tries not to show it. Later in the series it becomes apparent that he loves her, and Mahiru returns his feelings.
Mitsuru, unlike the rest of the Moonlight Bandits, had been raised by humans, so he has no idea what his clan's weaknesses are and is not used to his transformation. Until he learns to control his power, Mitsuru transforms every time he touches Mahiru, or vice versa. Along with this transformation comes an uncontrollable surge of anger. He's 17 years old, but his birthdate and place are unknown. His major abilities are controlling wind and lightning, as well as the power to fly. An importance to the beginning of the series is that he can't swim. His first name means "full moon" while his *last name means "dark red"
Nozomu Moegi — The second member of the "Lunar Race" encountered by Mahiru, a suave and affectionate vampire who takes a shine to Mahiru. He loves the ladies and has an irresistible charm. A member of the Moonlight Bandits. He is 19 years old, born on September 27th. His major power is using his bats to spy and talk to his comrades through. Being a vampire, he cannot eat solid foods, and sustains himself on soup and juice. He was born in Osaka. His first name means "full moon" and his *last name is "yellow-green"
Misoka Asagi — A kitsune and the unspoken leader of the Moonlight Bandits. The third Mahiru encounters, Misoka is the oldest of the Moonlight Bandits (21 years old, born on March 11). Level-headed and quick thinker, it has been hinted that Misoka is slightly sensitive about the fact that he's obscenely short. His greatest abilities are hypnosis and transformations. He was born in the Moon Palace. His first name means "vanishing moon" or "the last day of the month", and his *last name means "pale blue"
Akira Yamabuki — Fourth member of the "Lunar Race" that Mahiru encounters. Akira is the youngest of the Moonlight Bandits, at sixteen years of age (born on December 4th). He is a happy-go-lucky werewolf who loathes dwelling on serious issues for too long. His major abilities are super-speed, super strength, and an amazing sense of smelling and hearing. He loves to cook, and is very skilled at it. He was born in Northeastern Japan. His name means "harvest moon" and *"light yellow"
- (the "last names" of the Lunar Race members are not surnames at all. They are simply their guardian colors, given to them by family. Lunar Race members have no last names, but these four members use their colors as such, because normal humans all have surnames.)
