| Kemonozume | |
| ケモノヅメ | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Horror, Erotica, Comedy, Romance |
| TV anime | |
| Directed by | Masaaki Yuasa |
| Studio | Madhouse |
| Network | WOWOW |
| Original run | August 5, 2006 – November 5, 2006 |
| Episodes | 13 |
Kemonozume (ケモノヅメ, lit. "Beast Claw") is an anime series written and directed by Masaaki Yuasa, animated by Studio Madhouse, and broadcast on WOWOW from August 5, 2006 to November 5, 2006.
Contents |
Since ancient times there has existed a race of flesh eating monsters called shokujinki (食人鬼, lit. "Man-Eating Ogres") that can assume human form or otherwise live in the shadows while feeding on humans. The Kifūken (鬼封剣, lit. "Ogre-Sealing Sword") martial arts style school was created to hunt down those creatures and its teachings have been passed down through the generations to the Momota family. The story revolves around the forbidden romance between Toshihiko, the latest heir of the Kifūken school and Yuka, a young woman who is also a shokujinki.
Toshihiko Momota (桃田 俊彦 Momota Toshihiko) A skilled swordsman and the chosen heir of the Kifūken dojo. In a move unfitting of his disciplined character he relinquishes his responsibility by running away with Yuka, a woman he knows to be a Shokujinki.
Voiced by: Hidenobu Kiuchi
Yuka Kamitsuki (上月 由香 Kamitsuki Yuka) A Shokujinki whose motives are unclear. She apparently has fallen in love with Toshihiko as the two have fled from their past lives.
Voiced by: Hekiru Shiina
Kazuma Momota (桃田 一馬 Momota Kazuma) The younger half-brother of Toshihiko. After his father's death, he assumes control of the Kifūken school. His aim is to rid the world of Shokujinki with the help of a Mecha-like Buster Suit that he has personally developed.
Voiced by: Hiroyuki Yoshino
Rie Kakinoki (柿の木 利江 Kakinoki Rie) A female member of the Kifūken school where she has also been raised. Once as a child she was jokingly engaged to Toshihiko and has had deep feelings for him ever since.
Voiced by: Shino Kakinuma
Kyūtarō Ōba (大葉 久太郎 Ōba Kyūtarō) A Kifūken swordsman who later took charge of the school's administrative tasks. Has an unassuming role in the beginning of the series but is later revealed to be the main antagonist.
Voiced by: Kenji Utsumi
Jūzō Momota (桃田 十蔵 Momota Jūzō) The leader of the Kifūken dojo. He is the father of Toshihiko and Kazuma. The latter he had with Harumi, a Shokujinki he sacrificed in order to save the school from a rogue student. He is ultimately killed by a Shokujinki who framed Yuka.
Voiced by: Jun Hazumi
Harumi Kamitsuki (上月 春美 Kamitsuki Harumi) The past love of Jūzō and mother of both Yuka and Kazuma. Though a Shokujinki she was able to remain in human form. She gave her life to save the school when Jūzō asked it of her.
Voiced by: Rei Sakuma
Saru (サル) A wily monkey with a liking for peaches. Toshihiko also has a tendency to call him "master".
| # | Title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | "First Taste" "Hajimete no Aji" (初めての味) |
2006-08-05 |
| Toshihiko dedicated his life to only one purpose, to hunt down and destroy the Shokujinki, until the day he met Yuka. | ||
| 02 | "Hard Farewells" "Shinsan no Ketsubetsu" (辛酸の決別) |
2006-08-12 |
| Toshihiko's life changed drastically when his father dies, and Yuka's true nature is revealed to him. | ||
| 03 | "Salty New Moon Night" "Shoppai Shingetsu no Yoru" (しょっぱい新月の夜) |
2006-08-19 |
| Toshihiko escaped with Yuka and they hide themselves in a far away mansion. | ||
| 04 | "Bitterness of the Past" "Kako no Nigami" (過去の苦み) |
2006-08-26 |
| The story of Toshiko's father is finally revealed, as how he became the leader of the Kifūken and his relationship with Yuka's mother. | ||
| 05 | "Woman's Hidden Flavour" "Onna no Kakushi Aji" (女の隠し味) |
2006-09-09 |
| Kyūtarō exposes his plan to reformulate the Kifūken's organization with the help of Kazuma. Trouble arises when another member of the school gets himself involved with a Shokujinki. | ||
| 06 | "Spicy Hot Birthday" "Karakuchi Birthday" (辛口バースディ) |
2006-09-16 |
| Yuka celebrates her birthday with Toshihiko, but when she tried one of his secret immobilization techniques on him, he ends up paralyzed, just when their gigantic pursuer finds them. | ||
| 07 | "The Sweet Fragrance of Rie" "Rie no Amai Kaori" (利江の甘い香り) |
2006-09-23 |
| Rie discovers Toshihiko's hideout and goes all out trying to bring him back home. Meanwhile, Yuka has a surprising revelation. | ||
| 08 | "Detention Tastes Like Iron" "Kankin wa Tetsu no Aji" (監禁は鉄の味) |
2006-09-30 |
| Toshihiko is captured and tortured by a group of Shokujinki commanded by Yuka's former lover. But soon the Kifūken discovers their location and storm the place. | ||
| 09 | "Sweet Dreams" "Amai Yume" (甘い夢) |
2006-10-07 |
| Once again on the run, Toshihiko and Yuka take a hike with a kind old couple. While traveling with them, they try to sort out their feelings for each other. | ||
| 10 | "The Misfortunes of Others Are the Taste of Honey" "Hito no Fukō wa Mitsu no Aji" (人の不幸は密の味) |
2006-10-14 |
| As Kyūtarō Ōba put his master plan in motion, he finally reveals his true colors. | ||
| 11 | "The Rain Was Bitter" "Sono Ame wa Nigakatta" (その雨は苦かった) |
2006-10-21 |
| Ōba transforms Rie in a Shokujinki and put her into a fight against Yuka. Meanwhile, Kazuma discovers the truth about his origin. | ||
| 12 | "Coffee-Flavoured Millet Dumplings" "Kōhī Aji no Kibidango" (珈琲味のキビ団子) |
2006-10-28 |
| While Toshihiko tries to convince Rie's father to join his battle against Ōba, Kazuma rushes to fight him by himself. | ||
| 13 | "Taste Has Nothing to Do with It" "Aji wa Kankei Nai" (味は関係ない) |
2006-11-05 |
| Toshihiko and his allies struggle to stop Ōba's ambitions. | ||