Night Wizard!

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Night Wizard!
Night Wizard! 2nd ed. cover
Designer	Takeshi Kikuchi, F.E.A.R.
Publisher	Enterbrain
Publication date	2002 (1st edition) 2007 (2nd edition)
Genre(s)	Contemporary fantasy
System	Compatible with Seven Fortress

Night Wizard! (ナイトウィザード, Naito Uizaado^?) is a Japanese urban sorcery action role-playing game released in 2002. The game is heavily influenced by the PC game Yoru Ga Kuru! by AliceSoft. The game has diligently collected fans by publishing campaign replays on magazines not related to tabletop RPGs, and having the characters role-played by anime voice actors and actresses. An adult PC game titled Night Wizard Mahou Taisen - The Peace Plan to Save the World, which uses the same world setting as the original RPG version, was also released.

An anime television series adaptation animated by Hal Film Maker began airing in Japan in October 2007 and ended its run on December 25, 2007.

Contents 1 Gameplay 2 World Setting 3 Character Classes 4 References 5 Anime 5.1 Summary 5.2 Characters 5.3 Episodes 5.4 Staff & Cast 5.5 Theme songs 5.6 Character songs 6 Manga 7 Internet radio programs 8 External links 9 Notes and References

[edit] Gameplay

The game takes place in an Earth parallel to ours, called Far-The-Earth(ファー・ジ・アース) by beings from other worlds, unlike humans from Far-The-Earth who simply call it "Earth." This world is very similar to the Earth we live on, except for a few differences.

The system of the game is compatible with the fantasy RPG Seven Fortress, with certain rules simplified. The world setting is also connected, where the world of Seven Fortress, Lars Felia, is set as an alternate world that exists in the same multiverse. The two games were then fully complied with each other in the supplement Seven Fortress Powered.

Unlike most Japanese urban action RPGs, the game focuses on dungeon play. This is because the RPG which the game is based on, Seven Fortress, was also heavily focused on dungeons, but the game is designed so that dungeons can be readied even in a modern day setting, which is considered the strongpoint of the game to this date.

[edit] World Setting

• Magic and Wizards

In this game, all supernatural abilities are considered "magic," including certain physical abilities and martial arts. Thus, anybody who possesses supernatural abilities is called a wizard.

The world of Far-The-Earth was once a world of sword and sorcery, until the higher beings in the ancient ages feared the dangers of magic, and rid all things magical from the world, replacing them with science. But sorcerers continued to live in the shadows of society. When Earth is faced with a danger which can only be defeated by magic, the wizards are ready to save the world with their powers. Wizards often uses mechanical brooms: for example, Gunner's broom is not only a flying broom but also a gun. It is a signature item of Night Wizard.

• Emulators

They are the antagonists of the game. They are shapeless astral parasites that possess humans and other living creatures, absorbing their life force called prana. Prana is often related to dreams and passions, so emulators will tempt those they possess to inflate their desires to consume more pranas.

When emulators appear and do evil, a red moon appears in the sky, regardless of time and space.

Emulators are immune to all non-magical weapons. Only wizards can defeat them.

• The World Barrier and Gekkou

In the ancient ages, to protect Earth from alien invaders, a barrier called the sekai kekkai (世界結界, literally "world barrier") was set up all around the planet. Not only does this barrier protect, but it can also repair damages of the planet. When the pre-programmed "image of the world as it's supposed to be" is altered by alien force, the world barrier fixes itself back into the image (this image is referred as joushiki in Japanese, which means "common sense"). No matter how much damage the emulators inflict on the planet, or how many people they kill, the world barrier will literally delete that information from the world, as if none of it ever happened. The reason why magic is hidden from society is because the world barrier will nullify the effects of magic if it brings too much influence to the world.

But powerful emulators create a separate field around themselves that disables the world shield's effect. This field is known as gekkou (月匣, which can be roughly translated as "lunar casket"). Gekkou becomes more powerful as it absorbs more prana. When the gekkou becomes more powerful than the world barrier, the gekkou becomes the world barrier, and the Earth will transform itself into a shape where the desire of the human the emulator possesses becomes the "common knowledge" of the world.

The wizards must prevent this from happening. They must enter the enemies' gekkou and defeat the emulator inside. Gekkous are often presented as a dungeon, which allows the game to be a game based on dungeons despite being set in a modern world (although lately they are presented as simple battlefields rather than dungeons in the latest official game replays). Because the world barrier has no effect in the gekkou, wizards can use all the magic they want.

• The Demon Lords

The demon lords are powerful high-class emulators. They are closely tied with the Seven Fortress world, and are often used as a connecting device when introducing the two worlds in a single campaign. The demon lords have their own kingdom in the alternate world called Rikai (裏界, meaning "the reversal world"). The settings of Rikai is based on Dante's The Divine Comedy, and the demon lords are based on the demons from the grimoire The Lesser Key of Solomon (although there are few exceptions).

Despite such a gothic horror theme, all of the 72 demon lords are said to take forms of young girls with moe attributes (for example, there is the prominent demon lord of the game Bell Zephyr, based on the demon Beelzebub, who takes the form of a short-haired teenage girl). In the supplement Longinus(1st ed.) and School Maze(2nd ed.) the data of the demon lords were actually provided with all of them categorized by their moe attributes.

[edit] Character Classes

In the second edition rules, player characters choose both a "Style Class" (Attacker, Caster, Defender and Healer) and a "Wizard Class" as follows.

• Yuusya（勇者）aka The Hero

Wizards that are given immense powers from Earth herself. They exist solely to protect the Earth from the imminent danger.

• Kyouka-ningen (強化人間) aka "Killing Machine"

Artificial enhanced human that enforced their bodies and/or minds for higher combat strength. Possesses strong physical abilities.

• Majyutsushi (魔術師) aka Magus

The stereotypical "sorcerers" so to say, specializing in spellcasting and pure magic by using magical books as weapons.

• Seisyokusya (聖職者) aka Exorcist

Divine soldiers who are given demon-slaying powers by heavenly blessings. Note that they are not the so-called "priests" that cast healing spells.

• Onmyouji (陰陽師) aka "Card Master"

Dressed in traditional Japanese Shinto dress, they have the ability to summon spiritual beasts by using spell cards called jufus. Kimei Gakuen, the high school set in the game, permits them to attend school in their Shinto dresses instead of the standard uniforms.

• Maken-tsukai (魔剣使い) aka Sword Master

Wizards who possess a magic sword as their life-partner. As they gain experience and become more powerful, so do their mystical swords.

• Ninja (忍者)

Modern-day ninjas specializing in spying and assassination.

• Shito (使徒) aka Apostle

Deciples sent by the higher beings such as gods and guardians. They take the form of winged angels.

• Kyuuketsuki (吸血鬼) aka Vampire

The legendary vampires that prey on humans for their blood.

• Mamono-tsukai (魔物使い) aka Tamer

Wizards that tame monsters as their partners.

• Jinzou-ningen (人造人間) aka Homunculus

Beings artificially created by humans. Includes clones and robots.

• Jinrou (人狼) aka Werewolf

The children of nature who can take the form of humans and wolves.

• Ryuu-tsukai (龍使い) aka Kung-fu Master

Wizards specialized in controlling their Ki for combat. Often they are martial artists.

• Ooinaru-mono (大いなる者) aka Great One

They are divine beings; often gods that existed from the ancient ages. They often do not possess their original powers and memories, which mean they start out at the same level as other characters.

• Tenseisya (転生者) aka "Returner"

Transmigrator, Ancient soldiers reincarnated into the modern age. They wield ancient relics and weapons more powerful than most conventional modern magical weapons.

• Yume-tsukai (夢使い) aka Dream Hunter

Wizards specialized in controlling people's dreams and minds.

• Sinma-syoukanshi (侵魔召喚士) aka Emulator summoner

They contracted Demon lords of Rikai and can conjure the power of Demon lords.

• Otoshigo (落とし子)

Dark heroes called spawns of Demon lords. They are successors of a part of power of Demon lords.

• Inousya (異能者) aka Mutant

New style wizards who possess psychic power instead of magic.

• Samurai (侍)

Traditional Japanese swordsman. In "Kimei Gakuen", the head girl of school committee for discipline is a typical samurai character who wears a Shinsengumi-like costume.

• Sen'nin (仙人) aka Taoist

They are ascetics who have becoming immortal as their principal life goal committed to Chinese taoism.

• Renkinjyutsushi (錬金術師) aka Alchemist

They are specialist Wizards in using magic devices including Brooms.

[edit] References

The rule books are only released in Japanese language. Translations some of the book titles are noted in brackets.

• Rulebook & Supplements
  • Night Wizard!
  • Stardust Memories - Hoshi wo Tsugu Mono (The Inheritor of the Stars) ^[1]
  • Longinus
  • Night Wizard! 2nd Edition
  • School Maze

• Supplements with Drama CD (Fanbooks)
  • Power of Love
  • Reach for the Stars
  • Fly Me to the Moon

• Scenario pack
  • Over Night

• Replays (Official session-logs)
  • Akaki Tsuki no Miko (The Medium of the Red Moon)
  • Fureisu no Ensai (The Fire Fortress of Flayth) #1-#2
  • Kuroki Hoshi no Miko (The Prince of the Black Star)
  • Shiroki Hi no Miko (The Child of the White Sun)
  • Awase Kagami no Miko (The God-child of the Parallel Mirrors)
  • Ai wa Sadame Sadame wa Shi (Love Is the Plan the Plan Is Death) ^[2]

• Novels
  • Aoki Mon no Keisyousya (The Successor of the Blue Gate)
  • Hoshi wo Tsugu Mono (The Inheritor of the Stars) ^[1]
  • Hiiragi Renji to Hougyoku no Shōjo (Renji Hiiragi and the Girl of the Magic Gem) #1-#2
  • Gin no Meikyu no Grand-guignol (The Grand-guignol of the Silver Labyrinth)

• Computer Game
  • Night Wizard! -The Peace Plan to Save the World- (Windows98/2000/Me/Xp)
  • Night Wizard The VIDEO GAME -Denial of the World- (Playstation 2)

[edit] Anime

Night Wizard
ナイトウィザード The ANIMATION (Night Wizard The ANIMATION)
Genre	Action, Comedy, Fantasy
Manga: Night Wizard Comic - Variable Witch
Author	Takeshi Kikuchi/F.E.A.R.
Illustrator	NekoByouNeko
Publisher	Enterbrain
Demographic	Seinen
Magazine	Famitsu Playstation +
Original run	April 2007
Volumes	1
TV anime
Director	Yuusuke Yamamoto
Studio	Hal Film Maker
Network	Kids Station, Tokyo MX TV, Chiba TV, TV Aichi, Television Osaka, Television Saitama
Original run	October 2, 2007 – December 25, 2007
Episodes	13

[edit] Summary

Night Wizard. A term given to those whose mission it is to protect the world from impending darkness. Renji Hiiragi is one such Night Wizard, who is constantly called on missions, even though all he wants is to be able to go to school and graduate. However, his latest order was to protect Elis Shiho, who is a new transfer student at his academy. Being dragged into the Astronomy Club by Renji's childhood friend, Kureha Akabane on her first day at school, Elis soon realizes that she too, has the power to become a night wizard, after retrieving the Jewel of Affection. Along with Renji and Kureha, Elis now begins her fight and her new life, as a Night Wizard, both to collect the six other Jewels and to protect the world from eternal darkness.

[edit] Characters

Main Characters

Renji Hiiragi - The male protagonist and a Night Wizard. Hiiragi is constantly called upon for missions, which leaves him little or no time to go to school and subsequently graduate. Hiiragi is often used in the anime for comical purposes, often being teased about his 'school-life'. After Elis is informed of her mission, Hiiragi is given the task of protecting Elis. He and Kureha live with Elis in order to guard her 24/7, although he has to live out on the balcony. He is also known as the 'Falling Man' in school for hardly ever coming to school and his recent degrade from 3rd year to 2nd year also relies on his nickname. His artifact is a Demon Sword (which seems to be a class of artifacts) with several different attacks. His personality is aggressive when fighting, but when it comes to the women around him, including Anzelotte, he lets them walk all over him to the point where he gets constantly embarrassed by Anzelotte on an episode by episode basis while also being beaten up in defense of the girls and by his childhood 'friend' Kureha for simple, comical matters. A secret that Kureha knows of Hiiragi is used as fuel to get him to do anything she wants and at any time in order for her not to tell (It is never revealed). She often uses this to get him to do things for her. He and Kureha are very close though, as proven in the beginning of episode 12 where it shows them both as little kids. Kureha isn't going to get any presents for Christmas and so Renji runs off to get one for her himself.

Elis Shihō - She recently transferred to Kimei Academy. On her first day at school she was recruited into the Astronomy Club by Kureha Akabane. During a fight with an emulator her artifact(broom) named Ain Soph Aur, which takes the form of her bracelet, revealed its power to protect her. Anzelotte informs Elis that she believes that Elis' special ability will allow them to get to the Emulators world. To do this she must first collect the seven Jewels of Virtue in order to complete the Ain Soph Aur.

• Jewel of Affection - Elis found this orange jewel inside of the ancient tree by Kimei Academy while in the trance in which she first discovered her powers. Its power is to heal. So far we have only seen Elis heal herself with it.

• Jewel of Wisdom - Elis and team tracked this blue jewel down inside of a temple on the magical continent of Magallanica.

• Jewel of Fortitude - This purple jewel was taken from Jō ga, on the moon, who was herself using it as a source of power.

• Jewel of Faith - This green jewel was given to Elis by Andou Kurusu, a demon-sword user formerly in the employ of Anzelotte, who had kept the jewel in defiance of Anzelotte after a mission went sour.

• Jewel of Temperance - This red jewel was in the possession of Anzelotte, Elis was able to obtain after overcoming its ability those who would possess it in a dream state. This jewel was retrieved with the assistance of the Dream-User Nightmare. It has the power to suppress "all kinds of power" as described by Anzelotte, and was used shortly after to sap the magic from Pheus Mor.

• Jewel of Justice - This violet jewel was in the possession of a Demon Lord trying to summon Syaimal using the Tower of Babel. Using the Ain Soph Aur this jewel lets Shihou Elis create an energy sword out of her artifact, it was this ability that defeated the Demon Lord Amy.

• Jewel of Hope - This yellow jewel was in secreted in the icy rings of Saturn. The jewel was uncovered first by Bell Zephyr using knowledge gained from Lion's prophetic however it was lost to her during her bout with Hiiragi Renji and was subsequently given to Shihou Elis.

Kureha Akabane - She is Renji's childhood friend and also a Night Wizard. She recruited Elis to the Astronomy Club at Kimei Academy after asking her if she liked stars or not. Her artifact is a crossbow attached to her arm which, like other artifacts, has a variety of different attacks. She's a childhood friend of Hiiragi and knows a secret of his which she often holds over his head. Despite teasing Renji often, she is very attached to Renji so she says although it isn't apparent in the way she treats him. She also assumes the role of a controlling mom in Renji's life, forcing him to anything on her whim. Kureha does, however, care deeply about Renji as shown in episode 10 after he saved Elis and nearly died in the process, Kureha tells him not to be so reckless and was afraid of losing him if Elis goes out of control again. She was killed by Kirihito in episode 12, but was later resurrected through the combined powers of Anzelotte and Lion Gunta in order to foil Kirihito's summoning of Shaimal done by Elis' devastation of losing her friends.

Akari Himuro - She is a Night Wizard who is in class 2-3 at Kimei Academy. She is a boosted-woman and also a mercenary soldier. Her broom is Gunner's Broom, which acts as a cannon that seems to do significantly more damage than other artifacts but is also much slower. Her personality is cold and always puts down Hiragi at any chance she gets even when it is apparent that he did not do anything. She's also a terrible cook. The first time her cooking was seen, a disgusting green ooze came out of the bento, forcing Renji to eat the entire thing to protect Elis from eating it. In fact, she has a special ability, "Destructive Cooking Skill", in the role-playing game rules. Originally she was a player character created and played by her cast Ema Kogure herself in the game sessions.

Anzelotte - She gives the missions to the Night Wizard and seems to be in control. She lives in a castle which seems to be floating above Earth or in another dimension. Whenever she asks a Night Wizard to do a mission, she gives them no choice by pre-empting every mission she assigns with "For the request that I will ask you now please reply "Hai" or "Yes"". Despite her looks, she is much older than she seems. She comes off as an all-seeing person to everyone but Hiiragi whom she berates, embarrasses, uses against his will and torments. She doesn't seem to care about anything she does to Hiragi as long as she gets her way. One example of this is the way she gets Hiiragi to come to her palace; while everyone else gets transported in a very comfortable way she makes it unpleasant for him by hooking him on a giant hook from a helicopter for example.

Of particular note is Anzelotte's similarity to Shana from Shakugan No Shana in appearance, with the sole exception that they have different hair colors.

Kirihito - An apparently powerful Night Wizard who saves Elis on the moon. Little is known about him except that he wears the uniform of Kimei Academy secondary school. He both chides the group for not being able to protect Elis if they do not get stronger and is shown to defeat a group of emulator rabbits that could give the other Night Wizards problems with a single attack. Kirihito was also responsible for the destruction of the Tower of Babel after the Demon Lord Amy's defeat, additionally he was the only wizard to be aware of the consequences of completing the Ain Soph Aur. Following episode 12, it is revealed that Kirihito is in fact Gazer, a being whose original duty was to watch over the world for all eternity, who now is out to destroy the world with the help of Shaiymaral (who is contained inside Elis) so that it may be newly reborn.

Mayuri Wanstein - She is one of the Wizards who saved the world with Akari and Nightmare in previous times. Her character class is Majyutsushi (Magus) which represents orthodox magic-users. Her favorite food is Omusubi.

Nightmare - He is one of the Wizards who saved the world with Akari and Mayuri in previous times. His character class is Yume-Tsukai (Dream Hunter) which represents specialist in controlling others' dreams and minds. His favorite phrase is Dream.

Bell Zephyr - She is one of the powerful Demon Lords who looks like a teenage girl dressed with poncho. She is modelled after Beelzebub and is also called "Queen of the Fly". Bell is the central villain of the story, as of yet her motives in retrieving the Jewels of Virtue are unknown.

Lion Gunta - Also know as the Duke of Secrets, she is one of the Demon Lords and is a follower of Bell Zephyr. She has all knowledge and can predict the future by reading her grimoire though sometimes mistaken. She is modelled after Dantalion.

RaRa Mu - The Demon Lord appeared on episode #2,#3. She is modelled after Raum.

Jō ga - The Demon Lord appeared on episode #4. She is modelled after Chang'e of Chinese mythology. Jōga is the Japanese pronounce for Chang'e.

Pheus Mor - The Demon Lord appeared on episode #6. She is modelled after the Greek god of dreams, Morpheus.

Amy - The Demon Lord appeared on episode #8. She is modelled after Amy (demon).

Azel Iblis - The Demon Lord appeared on episode #9. She is modelled after Azazel and Iblis.

[edit] Episodes

Main article: List of Night Wizard episodes

[edit] Staff & Cast

Staff

Original Creator:	Takeshi Kikuchi / F.E.A.R.
Original Character Design:	Hiroyuki Ishida
Director:	Yuusuke Yamamoto
Series Composition:	Ayuna Fujisaki
Music:	Tamayo
Character Design:	Tomoyuki Shitaya
Art director:	Yukie Abe
Art design:	Hiroki Matsumoto
Chief Animation Director:	Tomoyuki Shitaya
Director of Photography:	Naoyuki Wada
Color design:	Chie Tanimoto
Creature Design:	Eiji Yasuhiko
Mono Design:	Kazuhiko Shibuya
Sound director:	Satoshi Motoyama
Production:	Hal Film Maker

Cast

Renji Hiiragi:	Naoki Yanagi
Elis Shihō:	Ui Miyazaki
Akari Himuro:	Ema Kogure
Kureha Akabane:	Rina Satō
Kirihito:	Akeno Watanabe
Bell Zephyr:	Yūko Gotō
Lion Gunta:	Ryōka Yuzuki
Anzelotte:	Ema Kogure
Mayuri Wanstein:	Satomi Akesaka
Nightmare:	Nobuyuki Hiyama
RaRa Mu:	Aya Hisakawa
Jō ga:	Houko Kuwasima
Pheus Mor:	Miyu Matsuki
Amy:	Yūko Minaguchi
Azel Iblis:	Kana Ueda

DVD series is released since December 21, 2007 in Japan. DVD limited special edition includes an optional sourcebook for RPG.

[edit] Theme songs

Opening theme

Kurenai by Ui Miyazaki, composed and lyrics by Masami Okui

Ending themes

Erinyes by BETTA FLASH, composed by TAMAYO

[edit] Character songs

Vol.1

Satisfaction by Elis Shihō (Ui Miyazaki), VGCD-0125

Vol.2

WHITE HEART by Kureha Akabane (Rina Satō), VGCD-0126

Vol.3

Destiny by Akari Himuro (Ema Kogure), VGCD-0127

Vol.4

Darkness by Bell Zephyr (Yūko Gotō), VGCD-0128

Vol.5

時の行方 (Toki no Yukue (lit. Destination of the time)) by Lion Gunta (Ryōka Yuzuki), VGCD-0129

[edit] Manga

A manga adaptation titled "Night Wizard Comic - Variable Witch" is published in video game magazine, Famitsu Playstation + since April 2007.

[edit] Internet radio programs

Two related internet radios are airing, Miyazaki Ui no Night Ui Wizard (Ui Miyazaki's Night "Ui"(Wi) Wizard) [1] based on anime TV series and Fear-tsu (the former name is Night Wizard Tsuusin) [2] based on RPG.

[edit] External links

• Official website (Japanese)
• Products list (Japanese)
• Official website (anime) (Japanese)
• Character classes' illustrations (Japanese)
• Anime News Network

[edit] Notes and References