| Tatakau Shisho | |
Cover of Tatakau Shisho volume 1 as published by Shueisha |
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| 戦う司書 | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Adventure, Fantasy |
| Light novel | |
| Written by | Ishio Yamagata |
| Illustrated by | Shigeki Maeshima |
| Published by | Shueisha |
| Demographic | Male |
| Imprint | Super Dash Bunko |
| Original run | September 22, 2005 – January 22, 2010 |
| Volumes | 10 |
| Manga | |
| Tatakau Shisho to Koisuru Bakudan | |
| Written by | Kokonotsu Shinohara |
| Published by | Shueisha |
| Demographic | Seinen |
| Magazine | Ultra Jump Egg |
| Original run | March 19, 2008 – October 19, 2009 |
| Volumes | 3 |
| TV anime | |
| Tatakau Shisho: The Book of Bantorra | |
| Directed by | Toshiya Shinohara |
| Music by | Yoshihisa Hirano |
| Studio | David Production |
| Original run | October 2, 2009 – April 2, 2010 |
| Episodes | 27 |
The Tatakau Shisho (戦う司書 Fighting Librarians) series is a collection of Japanese light novels by Ishio Yamagata, with illustrations by Shigeki Maeshima. The series started with the release of the first volume on September 22, 2005, and as of January 22, 2010, ten volumes have been published by Shueisha under their Super Dash Bunko label. A manga adaptation by Kokonotsu Shinohara was serialized in Shueisha's Internet-based manga magazine Ultra Jump Egg between March 2008 and October 2009. An anime adaptation, The Book of Bantorra began airing in Japan on October 2, 2009.
Contents |
In a world where deceased people turn into stone-like books and are stored in the Bantorra Library, anyone who reads a book can learn its past. Bantorra Library is maintained by the Armed Librarians, who wield supernatural abilities, and their enemy is a psychotic cult known as Shindeki Church. As the story progresses it presents a world of sorrow and pain, and the unfairness and frugality of life, as well as personal desires. However, in each arc there is also a small underlying hope, and more of the reasons, conspiracies, and secrets are revealed behind everything. It is about a specific overall history in time of Bantorra Library and its people. Each character dies a sorrowful yet meaningful death, and each death will open paths to a small ray of hope in the world, which also reveals a part of a secret to the reader.
| No. | Release date | ISBN | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | February 19, 2009[1] | ISBN 978-4-08-877589-0 | ||
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| 2 | July 17, 2009[2] | ISBN 978-4-08-877692-7 | ||
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| 3 | November 19, 2009[3] | ISBN 978-4-08-877768-9 | ||
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| # | Title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | "Bombs, Books. and a Sinking Ship" (爆弾と本と沈み行く船) |
10/2/2009 |
| When 'Armed Librarians' launch an attack against a 'Church of Shindeki' ship they are attacked by 'Human Bombs'. After boarding the ship and fighting off the guards (the Mock Men), the Librarians find dozens of 'Meats' in the hold but are unable to save them all before the ship itself explodes. One of the few survivors is the Human Bomb, Colio Tonies whose only thoughts are of killing the Acting-Director of the Armed Librarians, Hamyutz Meseta. | ||
| 02 | "Bombs, a Princess, and a Gray Town" (爆弾と姫君と灰色の街) |
10/9/2009 |
| Colio and his companions find themselves at the Toatt Mine region still searching for Hamyutz. However it isn't long before Lumion, a local Armed Librarian discovers that they are human bombs. In the ensuing confusion one of the bombs detonates killing Lumion and this in turn prompts Hamyutz herself to head to the Toatt Mine to search for those responsible. | ||
| 03 | "Bombs, Humans, and the God of Death's Disease" (爆弾と人間と死の神の病) |
10/16/2009 |
| Colio is given another piece of the book of the Ever-Laughing Witch and he learns more about her past. He also comes face to face with the women he is supposed to kill but things do not go as he thought they would. | ||
| 04 | "The Setting Sun, Shiron, and Colio" (夕方とシロンとコリオ) |
10/23/2009 |
| Hamyutz and Cigal finally face each other in battle but with Cigal wielding Shlamuffen it doesn't seem like the Acting-Director has much hope of winning. Meanwhile, after learning more about Shiron's past, Colio decides that he too must fight. | ||
| 05 | "A Betrayal, a Cup, and a Meandering Path" (裏切りと杯と迷いの小道) |
10/30/2009 |
| Following the theft of Ylucklucu and Volken's apparent betrayal everyone at Bantorra begins to question his motives and his character. Mirepoch has been particularly affected by her friend's actions and seeks solace in the books of the lower libraries. Meanwhile, Nototy is dispatched to recover Lumion's book which has gone missing from the Toatt Mine. | ||
| 06 | "Thunder, a Monster, and a Girl's Punch" (雷と怪物と殴る少女) |
11/06/2009 |
| A man who refers to himself a monster arrives at the Library and demands to see Hamyutz. He is immediately confronted by Mattalast, Minth and Mirepoch who manage to force him to retreat despite his numerous magical abilities. Meanwhile, Noloty is still investigating the theft of Lumion's book. | ||
| 07 | "A Smile, a Mask, and a Man with a Death Wish" (笑顔と仮面と死にたがりの男) |
11/13/2009 |
| Noloty confronts Zatoh about his theft of Lumion's book and his suicidal tendencies. Zatoh tells her that she can have the book only if she can kill him. Meanwhile, Mirepoch learns that Zatoh maybe the monster who attacked the Library and dispatches Mince to investigate. | ||
| 08 | "A Pond, Comrades, and a Seashell" (沼と仲間と浜辺の貝殻) |
11/20/2009 |
| Noloty learns that Zatoh is a 'book eater', a monster who can devour books gaining the knowledge and power of the person concerned. When Zatoh consumes Lumion's book Noloty becomes so angry that she becomes serious about fighting for the first time. Meanwhile, somewhere inside of Zatoh's soul all of the books he has consumed begin to rebel against him. | ||
| 09 | "A True Man, a Battlefield and my World" (真人と戦場と私の世界) |
11/27/2009 |
| With Enlike now in control of Zatoh's body he returns to Bantorra with Noloty to try and atone for his sins. Unfortunately, despite Noloty's affection for him many of the other librarians do not trust Enlike and things are only made worse by Ganbanzel's incessant hounding of his former protégé. | ||
| 10 | "An Eccentric, a Mother, and the Black Ant's Nest" (変人と母親と黒蟻の巣) |
12/04/2009 |
| The Library comes under attack and it appears that an Armed Librarian is responsible, Mokkania Fluru. With Hamyutz trapped in the Labyrinth with the traitor the other Librarians regroup and prepare a counter-attack. However, it soon emerges that Mokkania is being manipulated into attacking the Acting-Director by the Church of Shindeki and that they must find a way to break their hold over him before it is too late. | ||
| 11 | "A Weakling, the Labyrinth and Moving the Queen" (弱者と迷宮と女王の指し手) |
12/11/2009 |
| With Hamyutz now in possession of Shlamuffen she decides that it is time to confront the treacherous Mokkania. Meanwhile, the reason for Mokkania's sudden attempt to kill Hamyutz becomes clear and it is not what any of the Armed Librarian's originally believed. | ||
| 12 | "The Past, Irrationality, and Pipe's Smoke" (過去と理不尽とパイプの煙) |
12/18/2009 |
| Mattalast reminisces about the first time he met Hamyutz and how they went from trying to kill each other to becoming lovers. He also remembers their mission together to capture the traitor Hiza, when he was order to eliminate Hamyutz by the then Acting- Director, Fhotona. | ||
| 13 | "A Day Off, a Picture Book, and Rusty Hair" (休暇と絵本と赤錆の髪) |
12/25/2009 |
| Mirepoch uses her day off to investigate an eight year old murder that may be related to Lasquall Othello. However, there is also someone else who is interested in the mysterious Lasquall and she is prepared to kill in order to find her man. When the two come face to face it is only thanks to Mattalast's timely intervention that Mirepoch survives. | ||
| 14 | "The Setting Sun, a Storyteller, and a Collection of Fables" (落日と語りべと幾つかの寓話) |
1/1/2010 |
| Shiron, the Ever-Laughing Witch tells the story of how the world was created by the Overseer and the Library was founded. She then recounts the various events that have occurred up until now; Colio's defeat of Cigal, Volken's betrayal, Zatoh's redemption by Noloty, Mokkania's death and Mirepoch's hunt for the truth about Lasquall Othello. | ||
| 15 | "A Girl, a Girl, and the Bed of God" (少女と少女と神の寝床) |
1/8/2010 |
| Mirepoch continues to search for answers about Lasquall but her red-haired rival appears to be one step ahead of her. However, when she does finally get up to speed she realises that the only way to kill Lasquall is to work together with Alme. | ||
| 16 | "A Banned Book, a Coward, and the Sacred Eyes" (禁書と腑抜けと聖浄眼) |
1/15/2010 |
| Minth is assigned to retrieve illegal snuff books with the help of Yuri and Yukizona. However, Minth soon runs into an old friend from his criminal days, Griehn and is reminded of the last time he got involved with snuff books. He then begins to realise that Griehn has more to do with his mission than he first thought, forcing Mince to choose between his duty and his friend. | ||
| 17 | "A Return Home, an Encounter, and Burning Bridges" (帰還と出会いと燃えあがる緑) |
1/22/2010 |
| Volken finally returns to Bantorra after his apparent defection and attempts to prove his innocence. However, his return causes Mirepoch to question her decision to drink the water of Argax as her feelings for her former friend begin to return. Meanwhile, Enlike tries to help Renas make sense of her re-emerging memories. | ||
| 18 | "A Propeller, Recollection, and the Lead Human" (プロペラと追想と鉛の人間) |
1/29/2010 |
| Volken and Renas (now calling herself Olivia Litlet) defeat Volekn's former instructor, Vizac in order to escape to the Kra District. However, Hamyutz continues to pursue the traitors in order to destroy the secret of Vend Ruga once and for all. Meanwhile, the Armed Librarians learn that Vizac is dead and they all blame Volken for their comrade's murder, all except Mirepoch. | ||
| 19 | "A Fool, Empty Space, and a Dancing Puppet" (阿呆と虚空と踊る人形) |
2/5/2010 |
| The Acting-Director has finally caught up with Volken and Olivia at the Duria Mine. As Olivia attempts to overcome an army of Human Bombs in order to locate Ylucklucu, Volken finally faces off against Hamutz. Although Volken is not strong enough or ruthless enough to defeat Hamyutz he succeeds in slowing her down but in process he killed by Hamyutz and Olivia regains not only Ylucklucu but also her memories as well. | ||
| 20 | "Funeral Bells, a Book, and a Boy with a Death Wish" (弔鐘と本と死にたがりの少年) |
2/12/2010 |
| Following the Meat's revolt against the Church of Shindeki, the Ismo Republic suddenly declares war on the Library of Bantorra and Hamyutz suspects that the severely weakened Church is somehow involved. Meanwhile, Enlike is delivered a book by Lasquall and when he starts reading it he is shocked to learn that it is Noloty's. He is even more shocked when he learns the circumstances of her death. | ||
| 21 | "Enmity, the Color Blue, and the Rope Princess" (憎しみと蒼と荒縄の姫君) |
2/19/2010 |
| With Bantorra surrounded by the forces of the Guinbecs-Ismo alliance Hamyutz decides it is time she joined the fight, leaving Mirepoch in charge of the Library. Mirepoch and Minth then make a startling discovery about the reason for this sudden war. Meanwhile, Enlike continues to read Noloty's book in order to discover her final wish. | ||
| 22 | "The Sky, an Ending, and a Girl`s World" (空と結末と彼女の世界) |
2/26/2010 |
| The Armed Librarians learn that the Cerulean Death is responsible for the sudden outbreak of hostilities, but this knowledge does them little good. As such Hamyutz prepares to lead the remaining Armed Librarians in a last ditch offensive against the growing enemy forces that have surrounded the Library. Meanwhile, Enlike finally finishes Noloty's book and is able to fulfil her final wish. | ||
| 23 | "A Jailbreak, a Tool and the Violet Desert" (脱獄と道具と砂漠の菫) |
3/5/2010 |
| It has been more than two months since the end of the Cerulean Death War and things are very different in Bantorra. Minth has been promoted to the new Governor of Paradise and has begun the task of recruiting new True Men. Meanwhile, the Armed Librarians have had enough of Hamyutz's secrets and have decided to rebel against her. However, before they can put her on trial she escapes in order to carry out one final task. | ||
| 24 | "Truth, Love, and the Second Sealed Library" (真実と恋と第二封印書庫) |
3/12/2010 |
| Having been reunited with Chacoly after all this time the first thing Hamyutz does is kill her. She then decides to read Chacoly's book and see what happened after the two of them parted ways. Meanwhile, with everyone out searching for the Acting-Director Enlike is able to sneaking into the Library where he comes face to face with the Director of the Bantorra Library, Ruruta Coozancoona. | ||
| 25 | "A Story of Silence, Inactivity and Despair" (静寂と惰眠と絶望の物語) |
3/19/2010 |
| Long ago as the God Orntorra prepares to send seven Angels armed with seven deadly 'War Machines' to destroy the world, one man prepares to save it, Ruruta Coozancoona. After consuming the magic rites of more than a thousand books Ruruta is able to defeat the 'Beasts of the Final Chapter' but is forced to kill his lover Niiniu, in the process. As such he creates the Armed Librarians and the Church of Shindeki in order to fulfil Niiniu's wishes and make her happy. | ||
| 26 | "Redemption, Perplexity and the Book Within a Book" (贖罪と惑と本の中の本) |
3/26/2010 |
| Inside Ruruta's 'Nonentity Entrails' a seemingly unstoppable Hamyutz wages war on Ruruta. Although at first she has the upper hand, things quickly change when Ruruta transfers all of his power to Niiniu and the Acting-Director must face the 'Soul of Destruction' herself. It is then up to an unlikely old friend to help her to turn the tide of battle back in her favour, Colio Tonies. | ||
| 27 | "The Might of the World" "Sekai no Chikara" (世界の力) |
4/2/2010 |
| Hamutz uses her ability to summon the various Armed Librarians who have been killed in battle and together they struggle to defeat Niiniu and defend the world. Meanwhile, Ruruta calls on Mirepoch to revive those Armed Librarians still in the living world and protect the innocent population from the Beasts of the Final Chapter. | ||
The composer for the series is Yoshihisa Hirano.