Kagura (Azumanga Daioh)
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| Name translations | |
|---|---|
| Chinese | Shénlè （神樂） |
| Korean | Na Seung-ri （나승리/羅勝利） |
| Korean-to-English translation | Victory of Textiles |
Kagura (神楽 Kagura?) is a fictional character from the anime and manga series Azumanga Daioh.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
While she makes appearances earlier on as one of Nyamo's students, Kagura doesn't become a true acquaintance of the group until sometime later, joining Yukari's class in the 2nd year (Yukari selects her as a ringer to win the school athletic competitions). She devotes most of her time to the swim team but is an all-around good athlete. Thanks to her dedication to swimming Kagura receives some rather pronounced tan lines during the summer months, which friends like Osaka waste no time in pointing out.
She also has a one-sided rivalry with Sakaki and attempts to outdo her in all things, be it playing softball, sprinting, or even eating lunch. This is how her character was introduced to the rest of the cast, when during 1st year's field day, she was defeated by Sakaki in a running event. The next time the two meet, Kagura has decided to make Sakaki her rival, yet she also makes continuous attempts to be a good friend to Sakaki. Unfortunately for her, Sakaki is a natural athlete (and doesn't remember a thing about running against Kagura during the first Athletics Fest) and defeats her in almost everything except stamina events. Like her would-be rival, she is sometimes embarrassed when Tomo calls attention to her large breasts.
Kagura is similar to Tomo in sheer energy and her lack of interest in studying, but is not prone to Tomo's impulsive outbursts and irritating behavior. Her low test scores and apathy for schoolwork have earned her a place in the "Knuckleheads" ("Numbnuts" in the manga; also known as Bonkuras in Japanese [a plural "z" sound is used, which is unusual in Japanese]) alongside Tomo and Osaka. (Kagura christened them "Knuckleheads" in the manga, Yomi in the anime.)
While Kagura is driven by competition, she is sweet and sensitive and can be brought to tears, especially when she feels she's let someone down or during emotional situations. Unlike Tomo, Kagura is good-natured and eager to help her friends, such as scaring away cats that get near Sakaki, so that Sakaki wouldn't get bitten. She is in many ways the stereotypical "tomboy with a soft heart."
Kagura has a respect for Nyamo that occasionally borders on hero-worship. She frequently calls her "coach" and was one of the biggest admirers of Nyamo's infamous "adult lecture."
[edit] Trivia
- During the second-year culture fest, Kagura's height (156cm) was given for no reason whatsoever.
- She makes a cameo appearance as an anthropologist in Classroom of Thesis; From the Report to the Graduation Thesis (論文の教室[レポートから卒論まで]?) by Kazuhisa Todayama. This book refers also to several Azumanga Daioh characters besides her.
- Kagura, like Sakaki, takes her name from an aspect of Shinto rituals- the kanji for Kagura mean 'entertainment of the gods', used to describe the traditional music played at shrines and the Imperial Court.
[edit] Voice actors
- Japanese (television series and movie)
- Houko Kuwashima
- Japanese ("Azumanga Web Daioh" short)
- Mitsuki Saiga
- English
- Allison Sumrall
[edit] Character songs
- "GO! FRIEND! I will Not Lose Tomorrow" Words by Aki Hata, music by Hulk
- She sings the unrequited friendship to "the famous uncanny woman" in this song.
- "Lazy Crazy Knuckleheads" Words by Aki Hata, music by Kosuke Kanai
