Shōnen Onmyōji

Shōnen Onmyōji

Cover of the light novel Shōnen Onmyōji, volume 1
少年陰陽師
(Shōnen Onmyōji)
Genre Fantasy, Historical, Supernatural, Comedy, Romance
Light novel
Written by Mitsuru Yūki
Illustrated by Sakura Asagi
Published by Kadokawa Shoten
Demographic Male
Imprint Kadokawa Beans Bunko
Original run 2001 – ongoing
Volumes 36
Manga
Written by Hinoko Seta
Published by Kadokawa Shoten
Demographic Shōjo
Magazine Monthly Asuka
Original run August 24, 2005 – ongoing
Volumes 1
Anime television series
Directed by Kunihiro Mori
Studio Studio Deen
Licensed by Canada United States Geneon
Network Kansai TV
Original run October 3, 2006 – March 13, 2007
Episodes 26

Shōnen Onmyōji (少年陰陽師) is a light novel authored by Mitsuru Yūki and illustrated by Sakura Asagi. The novel is serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's The Beans. The light novel has 36 volumes, including three short stories and a side story. A manga acting as a gaiden is being serialized in Beans Ace.

There is also a series of drama CDs, a PlayStation 2 game and a manga adaptation that was announced in 2005 and a musical as well. Moreover, it was announced in August 2006 in Newtype that the anime adaptation would be animated by Studio Deen and the character design was to be done by Shinobu Tagashira. It began its broadcast on October 3, 2006.

The anime premiered on Animax under the title, Shōnen Onmyoji: The Young Spirit Master. It was aired across its respective networks worldwide, including Hong Kong, Taiwan and Vietnam, with translations and dubbed versions for English language networks in Southeast Asia, South Asia, and other regions.

The anime was licensed for North American distribution by Geneon Entertainment. However, only three volumes of the series have been released, and have yet to receive a full release due to Geneon's departure from the American market. On July 3, 2008, Funimation announced that it had struck a deal with Geneon to distribute and release several of their licenses, including Shōnen Onmyōji.[1]

Story

The series, set in the Heian era, Abe no Masahiro is the grandson of the great onmyōji, Abe no Seimei. Seimei, who passed his teachings on to his grandson, Masahiro who has lost his sixth sense and the ability to see spirits. Masahiro constantly feels resentful for being in his grandfather's shadow.

Even so, one day, Masahiro meets a fox-like creature which he names Mokkun (もっくん) who shows him his true potential powers after fighting a demon. Mokkun is actually Tōda (騰蛇), see Teng (mythology), who prefers to be called Guren. He is one of the twelve shikigami called the Shinshō (神将), who has pledged his loyalty to Seimei and is helping Masahiro to surpass his grandfather.

Masahiro's dream to surpass his grandfather may not be realised easily as not only does he have to convince the other Shinshō that he is Seimei's true successor, he must also increase his power in order to stop demons coming from China, the other parts of Japan and the Underworld as well as rival onmyōji's who want to destroy Japan. He also has to keep his promise to protect Princess Akiko of the Fujiwara clan.

Story arcs

In the novels, there’re already 5 story arcs. However, the anime only covered two arcs, the Kyūki and Kazane arc.

Kyūki arc

Kyūki Hen (窮奇編)

The Kyūki arc starts from episode 1 to 12 in the anime and volume 1 to 3 in the novel. Kyūki, a winged tiger from the West or to be precise, China has been forced to evacuate after being defeated by another demon.

He arrives in Japan and plans to eat Fujiwara no Akiko to replenish his spirit powers and heal his wounds. With him are an army of foreign demons, all unknown to the inexperienced and apprentice onmyōji Masahiro who has started to use his skills.

Kazane arc

Kazane Hen (風音編)

The Kazane arc starts from episode 13 to 26 in the anime and volume 4 to 8 in the novel.

A vengeful spirit has been summoned and has cursed Yukinari of the Fujiwara clan. A mysterious woman appears and tries to take Seimei's life.

Someone is trying to open the gate to the underworld, events from fifty-five years ago reoccur, and Guren as well as Masahiro must undergo the ultimate test.


Main characters

Abe no Masahiro

(安倍昌浩) Voiced by: Yuki Kaida (Japanese), Candice Moore (English)

Masahiro is an onmyōji in training and the grandson of the legendary Abe no Seimei. When he was young, his spiritual sight was so strong that Seimei temporarily sealed it away until he was old enough to properly use it. After meeting Mokkun, Masahiro regained his spirit sight and embraced his destiny as an onmyōji in service to the emperor.

He is friendly and kind to both yōkai and people whom he seeks to protect from evil demons that had taken up residence surrounding the imperial capital.

He also has a relationship with Akiko.

Abe no Masahiro (left) and Guren (right)

Mokkun/Guren

(もっくん), (紅蓮) Voiced by: Katsuyuki Konishi (Guren), Junko Noda (Mokkun) (Japanese), Chris Carroll (Guen), Andrea Kwan (Mokkun) (English)

Guren is one of twelve shikigami in service to Seimei, who gave him his current name, after he pledged his servitude. His original name is Tōda (騰蛇). However, the other shikigami still address him by original name. Only Seimei and Masahiro call him Guren.

The form he takes most of the time is a mononoke, whom Masahiro named Mokkun. Because he's invisible to anyone without a spirit sense, Mokkun frequently plays tricks on people who annoy him, much to Masahiro's chagrin. In episode 18 of the anime, it was shown that Guren tries very hard to avoid children, goings as far as to avoid entering dwellings with children even when his help is needed. According to Guren, the reason behind this is that children cry for no reason. Masahiro later notes that Guren's apprehension does not stem from the crying itself, but that Guren does not want the children to "cry at him" demonstrating that he fears being by loathed by everyone.

Masahiro later tries to comfort him by showing him that children are not afraid of him.

Abe no Seimei

(安倍晴明) Voiced by: Mugihito (old), Akira Ishida (young) (Japanese), William Gary Ladick (English)

The greatest onmyōji in the history of Japan Abe no Seimei is the grandfather of Masahiro. He has twelve shikigami called the Shinshō under his command and is able to project his soul, which takes the form of his younger self, outside of his body in order to aid Masahiro in combat.

Music

Opening theme

Egao no Wake (笑顔の訳 The Meaning of Your Smile)

Ending themes

Yakusoku (約束 Promise)

Rokutōsei (六等星 Sixth-Magnitude Star)

Episodes

# Title Original air date
1 "This Boy, Seimei's Successor"
"Kono shōnen, Seimei no koukei ni tsuki" (この少年、晴明の後継につき) 		October 3, 2006
At a first glance, Abe no Masahiro does not seem to have any talent. He tries hard at everything, but never succeeds at anything. However, things are about to change when Masahiro meets up with a mysterious mononoke. The mononoke claims that he can help Masahiro achieve his dream: to become an Onmyouji. But is there any hope left for Masahiro? 
2 "When the Imperial Palace Burned"
"Oumagadoki ni dairi moyu" (逢魔(おうま)が時(どき)に内裏(だいり)燃ゆ) 		October 10, 2006
Masahiro is now officially an onmyouji-in-training. In celebration, his father takes him to visit head of the important Fujiwara clan. While there visiting the Fujiwara clan’s castle, he meets the princess, Akiko, who can oddly enough see spirits. However, the castle later on bursts into flames and Akiko is attacked by a spirit, forcing Masahiro to defend her. 
3 "Listen To The Voice When Afraid Of The Dark"
"Yami ni obieru koe o kike" (闇に怯える声をきけ) 		October 17, 2006
While everyone is patching up things from the fire that took place at the Omou dorms, Masahiro and Guren/Mokkun try to unravel the mystery surrounding the occurrences of that day. 
4 "Search For The Shadow Of The Foreign Country"
"Ihou no kage o sagashidase" (異邦の影を探しだせ) 		October 24, 2006
Mokkun and Masahiro are still pondering about the ox demon that attacked them last night. After all, neither Masahiro nor Mokkun recognize that demon as one of the local troublemakers. However, they both know one important detail: the last demon has a ‘master’ of great strength. Who is that master? 
5 "Forcing Back the Ferocious Monsters"
"Takeru youi o shirizokero" (猛る妖異を退けろ) 		October 31, 2006
Masahiro and Mokkun go in search of the ‘master’ of all the western demons that have been attacking them. However, the trail leads them to what appears to be an abandoned farm. There, they are attacked by a swarm of foreign demons who want to offer Masahiro to their master. But when the master finally comes to claim his prize, Masahiro might have gotten more than he had expected… 
6 "Catching the Signs that Appear in the Dead of the Night"
"Yain ni ukabu kizashi o tsukame" (夜陰に浮かぶ兆しを掴め) 		November 7, 2006
The battle between Kyuuki, a powerful demon originated from the west, has ended. And things are back to normal; or at least, they would be if they actually defeated the beast. Masahiro and Guren are still searching for answers, with no luck– It seems that the demon’s aura has completely vanished and cannot be traced. 
7 "The Hatred of the Woman Controlled by the Enemy"
"Kanata ni taguru onna no omoi" (彼方に手繰る女の念(おも)い) 		November 14, 2006
One night, Akiko is called by a familiar voice. It turns out to be her cousin, Keiko. Keiko attempts to lure Akiko out of the palace and Seimei’s demon-repelling barrier, but Akiko notices that there’s something wrong with Keiko. The next day, she gets Masahiro to investigate what’s wrong with her cousin, who is supposed to be in bed sick. 
8 "Dispelling the Hatred that Reverberated at Kifune"
"Kifune ni hibiku ensa o tomero" (貴船に響く怨磋を止めろ) 		November 21, 2006
Akiko has been kidnapped by her possessed distant relative, Keiko and taken to the Kifune shrine. And that’s exactly where Masahiro and Mokkun are headed. 
9 "Shattering the Binding of the Curse of Darkness"
"Yami no jubaku o uchikudake" (闇の呪縛を打ち砕け) 		November 28, 2006
In an attempt to rescue Akiko, Masahiro, Guren, and the other shikigami take on the hawk demons Gaku and Shun. Seiiryu still does not accept Masahiro as Seimei’s heir and thus tries to keep him out of the battle, much to Masahiro’s annoyance. 
10 "A Voice in Response to a Faint Wish"
"Awaki negai ni irae no koe wo" (淡き願いに応(いら)えの声を) 		December 5, 2006
Masahiro is back in bed, resting. Mokkun, however, is still worried over the events back at Kifune Mountain. Suddenly, Masahiro awakens his body now a pure white color. It turns out dragon of Kifune has possessed Masahiro in order to both heal and warn Mokkun of an upcoming danger. What can it be?Meanwhile, Akiko is still getting bothered by haunting voices. She reports this to Seimei, who diagnoses it as a curse inflicted by the demons that the dragon god had killed last night. He decides to transfer it to himself in order to deter Akiko from the pain, but Masahiro has a surprising request for his grandfather. 
11 "Hold the Symbol of the Vow Close to Heart"
"Chikai no shirushi o mune ni dake" (誓いの刻印(しるし)を胸に抱け) 		December 12, 2006
12 "Penetrate the Mirror Cage"
"Kagami no ori o tsukiyabure" (鏡の檻をつき破れ) 		December 19, 2006
With the help of Guren, Rikugou, and Seiryuu finally put an end to Kyuuki. But what about Akiko? Will Masahiro have to say farewell to the girl that he loves? 
13 "The Catastrophic Song Brought by the Whirlwind"
"Tsujikaze ga hakobu magauta" (辻風が運ぶ禍歌) 		December 26, 2006
14 "It is Like the Full Moon to Wane"
"Michita tsuki ga kakeru ga gotoku" (満ちた月が欠けるが如く) 		January 2, 2007
15 "Release the Catastrophic Chains"
"Magatsu kusari o tokihanate" (禍つ鎖を解き放て) 		January 9, 2007
It is revealed that Moronao has mistaken Yukinari for his grandfather, Fujiwara no Koretada, and seeks to carry out revenge against Yukinari’s grandfather (who’s already dead) for tricking him and causing his exilement. Masahiro tricks Moronao into a barrer and was about to perform an exorcism when spirits are brought to life by the mysterious woman who had released Moronao from his grave. Who is this woman and will Masahiro, his grandfather, and the 12 Shinshou be able to stop the spirit rising and this woman, while taking care of Moronao before he finishes off Yukinari? 
16 "The Old Shadow Wanders in the Night"
"Furuki kage wa yoru ni mayoi" (古き影は夜に迷い) 		January 16, 2007
17 "Sleep Embraced by the Snow"
"Rikka ni idakarete nemure" (六花に抱(いだ)かれて眠れ) 		January 23, 2007
18 "That Reason is Not Known by Anyone"
"Sono riyuu wa dare shirazu" (その理由は誰知らず) 		January 30, 2007
19 "When the North Star is Clouded"
"Hokushin ni kageri sasu toki" (北辰に翳りさす時) 		February 6, 2007
20 "Chase the Wind That Invites the Underworld"
"Yomi ni izanau kaze o oe" (黄泉に誘(いざな)う風を追え) 		February 13, 2007
21 "Let the Bonds Hold in the Fires of Sin"
"Tsumi no honoo ni kizuna tae" (罪の焔に絆絶え) 		February 20, 2007
22 "Everything for the Priestess"
"Subete wa miko no on tameni" (すべては巫女の御為に) 		February 27, 2007
23 "The Flame of Kagutsuchi Shines Majestically"
"Kagutsuchi no honoo wa ogosoka ni" (軻遇突智の焔は厳かに) 		March 6, 2007
24 "Winds of Twilight, Eyes of Daybreak"
"Tasogare no kaze, Akatsuki no hitomi" (黄昏の風、暁の瞳) 		March 13, 2007
25 "A Dance of Junipers in a Whirl of Misfortune"
"Magaki no uzu ni ibuki mau" (禍気の渦に伊吹舞う) 		March 20, 2007
26 "Sharpen the Sword of Flame"
"Honoo no yaiba o togi sumase" (焔の刃を研ぎ澄ませ) 		March 27, 2007

See also

References

Specific
  1. ↑ "FUNimation Entertainment and Geneon Entertainment Sign Exclusive Distribution Agreement for North America" (Press release). Anime News Network. July 3, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
General
  • Igeta, Haruyo et al. "Shonen Onmyoji". Newtype USA 5 (11) 62–63. November 2006. ISSN 1541-4817.

External links