Shaman King | |||
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シャーマンキング (Shāman Kingu) |
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Genre | Action, Adventure, Supernatural fiction, Comedy | ||
Manga | |||
Author | Hiroyuki Takei | ||
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Demographic | Shōnen | ||
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Original run | 1998 – 2004 | ||
Volumes | 32 | ||
TV anime | |||
Director | Seiji Mizushima | ||
Studio | XEBEC | ||
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English network | ![]()
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Original run | July 4 2001 – September 25 2003 | ||
Episodes | 64 | ||
Specials | |||
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Anime and Manga Portal |
Shaman King (シャーマンキング Shāman Kingu?) is an anime and manga series by Hiroyuki Takei. The manga ended prematurely in Japan with 32 volumes in total. The anime concluded its run with a total of 64 episodes.
The Shaman King series started in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump in Japan, eventually leading to the creation of an anime series, which was directed by Seiji Mizushima, co-produced by TV Tokyo, Nihon Ad Systems and Xebec and aired on TV Tokyo. This is a Shōnen anime. In North America, the manga was initially printed in Viz Media's Shonen Jump, but stopped as of the September 2007 issue, choosing instead to release one volume every two months.
A shaman is someone who claims to connect this world and the spirit world. In Shaman King, shamans team up with ghosts and spirits to achieve their goals. The greatest dreams of a shaman is to become the Shaman King, who is able to contact the Great Spirit (the spirit that every soul will eventually go back to) in order to be the savior of the world. Various magical and religious terms are spread throughout the story but they merge into something explainable by the time the main plot arrives.
The series spans 285 manga chapters and 32 volumes, and ends with a short "extra story", known as the Funbari no Uta. Many fans of the series abbreviate its name to "Mankin". The Shaman King trading card game is available in Japan and North America.
Contents |
Manta Oyamada, a studious yet shrimpy middle-school student from Tokyo, attempted a shortcut one night through the graveyard to get home after a late night of cram school. While traveling through it, he encounters Yoh Asakura and his "companions": a graveyard filled with ghosts. Yoh reveals himself to be a shaman, a medium between the worlds of the living and the dead. As a shaman, Yoh also demonstrates his ability to possess himself with ghosts to assist him where needed, particularly becoming fond of a former samurai known as Amidamaru. Over the first few chapters, Yoh and Manta become best friends while Yoh uses his shamanic abilities to help them out through various normal tasks.
Yoh soon encounters Tao Ren, a Chinese shaman who uses his own ghost on a quest to destroy humanity as well as prepare for an upcoming Shaman Tournament to be held in Tokyo. Anna Kyoyama, Yoh's fiancée, soon enters the picture and prescribes a brutal training regimen, in order to prepare Yoh for the tournament. The tournament is held once every 500 years and is a battle between competing shaman to choose a winner, who will be known as the Shaman King. This winner will gain the ability to reshape the world as he or she chooses, to make his or her dream come true. Thus begins the plot that will lead Yoh on a journey that will lead him to many friends and adventures.
Through a series of events and also through participation in the Shaman Tournament, Yoh meets and befriends numerous characters and changes their lives through friendship and authentic concern, which seems to be a pervasive theme throughout the series. He also must face his ultimate destiny, connected to one of the most powerful participants in the Shaman Fight who desires to win the tournament and use his prize to annihilate all of humanity for destroying the world, leaving only a world of shamans such as himself.
The story of Shaman King originally ends in a controversial, incomplete manner: in the midst of a gauntlet fighting against the guardians of Shaman Fight winner Hao Asakura, Yoh and his squad are forced to stop what they were doing and instead "take a break", allowing them to sleep to prepare for the final battle with Hao. The original final page is viewed as Manta's dream, which features Hao as a princess with Yoh and his friends on their way to rescue "her". The reason for that is because Anna was speaking to Manta as if Hao was the person in need of rescue. The page contains the words "Owari" ("The End") and next to that, in front of Horohoro's sword, is a mandarin orange, also called "mikan" which can also mean "incomplete" in Japanese. This is followed up by another chapter which advances the plot slightly, but still does not complete the story.
The side story Funbari no Uta, which lasts for five chapters, is set six years after the end of the manga series features Hana Asakura and his journey with his uncle Ryu to gather up the 5 elemental warriors: Horo Horo, Tao Ren, Lyserg Diethel, Chocolove McDaniel, and Yoh Asakura. While nearly all main characters are present, Manta Oyamada does not appear. At the very end, two figures can be seen: a woman in a cloak (who is Anna) and a man with long hair who can be either Yoh or Hao. Takei later revealed that the man walking with Anna was neither Yoh nor Hao, but a fusion of the two.
A side story known as Mappa-Douji was also released, which shows Hao's childhood in his original life. It shows his situation after his mother was burned to death by humans and his first spirit friend from his childhood and how he gets his mind reading ability and advanced shamanic abilities like Oversoul.
Another side titled Relax was released, which showed Hao gathering followers for the tournament years before it started.
A flier handed out at Jump Festa 2008 announced a Kanzenban reprint of the entire series. This came due to the slew of fans wanting a true ending to Shaman King. The Japanese publisher Shueisha has officially announced that Shaman King would return in March 2008 as Shaman King Kanzen-Ban, or Perfect Edition. This release will reprint the entire series in 27 volumes complete with new clear image overlays on the covers while concluding with the never-before-published "true ending." The first six volumes of the manga have been released in Japan and is now being released every two months with the final volume expected to be released in Spring of 2009. [1][2]
VIZ Media began editing the lips of Chocolove, an African-American character. The lips are reduced in size to avoid a Blackface stereotype.
The language in reprints of early volumes was revised to remove profanity.
The Shaman King anime was licensed in 2001 by 4Kids Entertainment for American television broadcasting and aired in its entirety, beginning in September 2003 on the Fox Box (which would later become 4Kids TV), and concluding in September 2005. The English dub also airs on YTV in Canada. Shaman King currently airs in the United Kingdom on Jetix UK at 11:30am-12:30am GMT every day. Oddly, while the English dub of Shaman King is being aired in many countries across the globe, it has not been aired in The United States since the final episode aired on September 3rd, 2005. It is currently unknown if or when 4Kids will air or distribute Shaman King in the U.S. again.
The anime of Shaman King starts off with the same sequence of events as the manga for roughly half of the series and then gradually deviates into its own plot. Horohoro is introduced prematurely (Yoh meets him before they fight in the preliminary rounds) and Hao's first appearance is much later (In the manga, he can be seen hidden among other contestants). As is the usual case for anime based on manga, the anime series is much more toned down. Many of the characters that die in the manga are kept alive in the anime. The anime shows these characters recovering from their injuries (or not sustaining any at all) and eventually agreeing with Yoh and his friends ideologically. The anime does show Yoh and Hao's final battle and implies that all of the friends that Yoh has made on his journey (most of these are the characters that have died in the manga) donated their spiritual energy to help him win. However, it is still unclear whether Hao was defeated once and for all or where his soul has gone.
4Kids did the English adaptation to the Shaman King anime. Unlike most of the 4Kids dub adaptations such as those of Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magical Doremi, and Mew Mew Power, which have their country settings changed from Japan to America, the setting of the country in the 4Kids dub is still in Japan. However, Shaman King was still partially Americanized, and a lot of Japanese characters are digitally changed to English or airbrushed out and replaced with meaningless symbols. Even Chinese characters are digitally erased out. But unlike other 4Kids' adaptations, aspects of Japanese and Chinese culture are kept, such as foods and symbols.
Ep# | Official English Title/Original Title Translated to English Original Japanese Title |
Original Airdate | US Airdate |
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1 | "Yoh, Morty!" / "The Boy Who Dances With Ghosts" "Yūrei to Odoru Shōnen" (幽霊と踊る少年) |
2001-07-04 | 2003-08-30 |
2 | "Guardian Ghost" / "Waiting Samurai" "Matsu Samurai" (待つサムライ) |
2001-07-11 | 2003-09-13 |
3 | "Lenny" / "Another Shaman" "Mou Ichinin no Shāman" (もう一人のシャーマン) |
2001-07-18 | 2003-09-20 |
4 | "Perfect Unity" / "Hyoi 100%" "Hyōi Hyaku" (憑依100) |
2001-07-25 | 2003-09-27 |
5 | "A New Order" / "A Shaman Who is Mature for Her Age" "Oshama na Shāman" (おシャマなシャーマン) |
2001-08-01 | 2003-10-04 |
6 | "The Kung-Fu Master" / "Kung Fu Master" "Kan Fū masutā" (カンフーマスター) |
2001-08-08 | 2003-10-11 |
7 | "Pai Long Attacks!" / "Pailong, Fists of Fury" "Pairon Ikari no Ippatsu" (パイロン怒りの一発) |
2001-08-15 | 2003-10-18 |
8 | "The Rio Deal" / " Shaman Life" "Shāman Raifu" (シャーマンライフ) |
2001-08-22 | 2003-10-25 |
9 | "Northern Boarder" / "The Boy from the North" "Kita no Kuni kara kita Shōnen" (北の国からきた少年) |
2001-08-29 | 2003-11-01 |
10 | "The Infamous Tokageroh" / "Fate of 600 Years" "Innen Rokupyaku Nen" (因縁600年) |
2002-09-05 | 2003-11-08 |
11 | "Vendetta" / "Rain That Falls In Spring" "Haru ni Furu Ame" (春にふる雨) |
2002-09-12 | 2003-11-15 |
12 | "A New Shaman" / "The Star that Signals the Beginning" "Hajimari o Tsugeru Hoshi" (始まりを告げる星) |
2002-09-19 | 2003-11-22 |
13 | "The Destiny Star" / "Over Soul" "Ōbā Sōru" (オーバーソウル) |
2002-09-26 | 2003-11-29 |
14 | "The Shaman Fight" / "Shaman Fight" "Shāman Faito" (シャーマンファイト) |
2002-10-03 | 2003-12-06 |
15 | "Faust VIII" / "Bone Killers" "Bōn Kirāzu" (ボーン・キラーズ) |
2002-10-10 | 2004-02-14 |
16 | "The Rain of Bones" / "Faust Love" "Fausuto Ravu" (ファウスト・ラヴ) |
2002-10-17 | 2004-02-21 |
17 | "Road Trip" / "Two People’s Journey to the Best Place" "Besuto Pureisu Futari Tabi" (ベストプレイス二人旅) |
2002-10-24 | 2004-02-28 |
18 | "The Tunnel of Tartarus" / "Yoh" "Yō" (よう) |
2002-10-31 | 2004-03-06 |
19 | "Yoh vs. Lenny" / "Big Souls of the Two" "Futari no Biggu Sōru" (2人のビッグソウル) |
2002-11-07 | 2004-03-13 |
20 | "One, Two, Three, Draw" / "Soul Mata Cemetery" "Sōru Mata Reien" (ソウル摩多霊園) |
2002-11-14 | 2004-03-20 |
21 | "A Call to Adventure" / "Believe" "Birību" (ビリーブ) |
2002-11-21 | 2004-03-27 |
22 | "The Dynasty Challenged" / "Our Deadly Blows" "Oretachi no Hissatsu Waza" (オレたちの必殺技) |
2002-11-28 | 2004-04-03 |
23 | "The Dynasty Fight" / "Awakened Nyan Nyan Doushi" "Yomigaeru Musumejō Dōshi" (蘇る娘娘道士) |
2002-12-05 | 2004-04-10 |
24 | "A New Dynasty" / "Circular Path of Invulnerability" "Fujimi no Dōen" (不死身の道円) |
2002-12-12 | 2004-04-17 |
25 | "Shaman Journey" / "A Shaman's Journey" "Shāman e no Tabi" (シャーマンへの旅) |
2002-12-19 | 2004-04-24 |
26 | "The Second Round Begins" / "Big America" "Biggu Amerika" (ビッグ・アメリカ) |
2002-12-26 | 2004-09-18 |
27 | "The Dowser" / "Dowsing Revolution" "Daujingu Reboryūshon" (ダウジング・レボリューション) |
2003-01-09 | 2004-09-25 |
28 | "Lost Boy Found" / "Lyserg's Revenge" "Rizerugu Ribenjā" (リゼルグリベンジャー) |
2003-01-16 | 2004-10-02 |
29 | "The Nature of Nature" / "Super Guts" "Mera Konjō" (メラ根性) |
2003-01-23 | 2004-10-09 |
30 | "Oracle Bell Down" / "The Stolen Oracle Bell" "Ubawareta Orakuru Beru" (うばわれたオラクルベル) |
2003-01-30 | 2004-10-16 |
31 | "Ghost Town" / "Forest of Holy Spirits" "Seirei no Mori" (精霊の森) |
2003-02-06 | 2004-10-23 |
32 | "A Very Trey Day" / "Horohoro’s Taste of a Bitter Friendship" "Horohoro Nigai Tomo no Aji" (ホロホロ苦い友の味) |
2003-02-13 | 2004-10-30 |
33 | "Zeke Attack" / "Mysterious Asakura" "Himitsu na Asakura" (ひみつな麻倉) |
2003-02-20 | 2004-11-06 |
34 | "The Great Western Spa" / "American Hot Springs" "Amerika Onsen" (アメリカ温泉) |
2003-02-27 | 2004-11-13 |
35 | "Vampire Ambush" / "The Vampire Legend" "Kyūketsuki Densetsu" (吸血鬼伝説) |
2003-03-06 | 2004-11-20 |
36 | "Winged Destroyers" / "Angel's Pistol" "Tenshi no Pisutoru" (天使のピストル) |
2003-03-13 | 2004-11-27 |
37 | "Punch Line" / "King Of Jokes" "Jōdan Kingu" (ジョーダンキング) |
2003-03-20 | 2004-12-04 |
38 | "Five Great Chiefs" / "The Legend of Seminoa" "Seminoa no denshōka" (セミノアの伝承歌) |
2003-03-27 | 2004-12-11 |
39 | "Goth Assault" / "Hanagumi (Flower Team)" "Hanagumi" (花組) |
2003-04-03 | 2004-12-18 |
40 | "A Touch of Evil" / "Chou Senji Ryakettsu" "Chō Senjiryakettsu" (超・占事略決) |
2003-04-10 | 2005-01-22 |
41 | "Goth Rematch" / "Explosive Over Souls" "Baretsu Ōbā Sōru" (爆れつオーバーソウル) |
2003-04-17 | 2005-01-29 |
42 | "The Double Medium" / "Spirit of the Sword" "Supiritto Obu Sōdo" (スピリット オブ ソード) |
2003-04-24 | 2005-02-05 |
43 | "Lost Lyserg" / "Battle of Gods" "Kamigami no Tatakai" (神々の闘い) |
2003-05-01 | 2005-02-12 |
44 | "The Ice Team Cometh" / "One More Push" "Mou Hito Funbari" (もうひとふんばり) |
2003-05-08 | 2005-02-19 |
45 | "Dobi Village or Bust" / "Great Spirits" "Gurēto Supirittsu" (グレートスピリッツ) |
2003-05-15 | 2005-02-26 |
46 | "Family Feud" / "The Dead Spirit of Tao" "Tao no Bōrei" (道(タオ)の亡霊) |
2003-05-22 | 2005-03-05 |
47 | "Sand Storm" / "Really Naive" "Mera Junjō" (メラ純情) |
2003-05-29 | 2005-03-12 |
48 | "The Prophecy" / "Missionary of Dragon" "Doragon no Dendōshi" (ドラゴンの伝道師) |
2003-06-05 | 2005-03-19 |
49 | "Gladiators" / "Doctor Doctor" "Dokutā Dokutā" (ドクタードクター) |
2003-06-12 | 2005-03-26 |
50 | "Heart of Darkness" / "I Have A Darkness In My Heart" "Ore no Kokoro nya Yami ga Aru" (オレの心にゃ闇がある) |
2003-06-19 | 2005-04-02 |
51 | "Spirit Busters" / "Shaman Hunt" "Shāman Hanto" (シャーマンハント) |
2003-06-26 | 2005-04-09 |
52 | "The Way of the Rice" / "It's Training! Everyone Gather!" "Tokkun Da yo!? Zen'in Shūgō" (特訓だよ!?全員集合) |
2003-07-03 | 2005-04-16 |
53 | "Double Jeopardy" / "Bye Bye" "Baibai" (バイバイ) |
2003-07-10 | 2005-04-23 |
54 | "X-Caliber" / "The Eighth Angel" "Hachibanme no Tenshi" (8番目の天使) |
2003-07-17 | 2005-04-30 |
55 | "Bait and Switch" / "Gate of Babylon" "Gēto Obu Babiron" (ゲート オブ バビロン) |
2003-07-24 | 2005-07-02 |
56 | "The Door to Babylon" / "Door of Babylon" "Babiron no Tobira" (バビロンの扉) |
2003-07-31 | 2005-07-09 |
57 | "Secret Path" / "The Shaman Fight Ends?" "Shāman Faito Shūryō?" (シャーマンファイト終了?) |
2003-08-07 | 2005-07-16 |
58 | "The Forbidden Forest" / "Flaming Angel" "Enjō Enjeru" (炎上エンジェル) |
2003-08-14 | 2005-07-23 |
59 | "A New Dimension" / "Holy Ground of the Stars" "Hoshi no Seichi" (星の聖地) |
2003-08-21 | 2005-07-30 |
60 | "Unity" / "Friend" "Tomodachi" (友達) |
2003-08-28 | 2005-08-06 |
61 | "Yoh and Goodbye" / "Eternal Farewell" "Eien ni Sayonara" (永遠にサヨナラ) |
2003-09-04 | 2005-08-13 |
62 | "Rage and Furyoku" / "Die! Collision!" "Dai! Gekitotsu!" (DIE・激突!) |
2003-09-11 | 2005-08-20 |
63 | "The King is Dead" / "A Place Where I Belong" "Aru beki Basho" (在るべき場所) |
2003-09-18 | 2005-08-27 |
64 | "Long Live the King" / "Epilogue" "Epirōgu" (エピローグ) |
2003-09-25 | 2005-09-03 |
Throughout the broadcast of Shaman King, many shorts (usually referred to as Shaman King omake and TV specials) were made on special days of the year related to spirits and the like. The omake were short stories that were made for humorous effect. Apparently, all of the omake fit into the story before the Shaman Fight 2nd round. Documents of the Shaman Fight was shown with a New Year's omake as well. The TV Specials were aired after specific points of the story as well as on holidays. The specials were never dubbed in English.
Most characters' names are in Western order, with the given name before the family name. The names of the Taos and other Chinese characters are in Chinese order, with the family name before the given name. The English anime name is to the right of the Japanese name. The English manga uses the Japanese names for the most part.
Note: "Humans" here is used for both characters that are average humans (not able to see ghosts) and those that are shamans (able to see ghosts). The series sometimes makes a distinction between the two..
For a more complete list, see:List of Characters in Shaman King
Official links:
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