Zenki

Zenki
鬼神童子ZENKI
(Kishin Dōji Zenki)
Genre Action
Manga
Written by Kikuhide Tani
Illustrated by Yoshihiro Kuroiwa
Published by Shueisha
Demographic Shōnen
Magazine Monthly Shōnen Jump
Original run 1992 – 1996
Volumes 12
Anime television series
Directed by Junji Nishimura
Written by Ryōta Yamaguchi
Studio Studio Deen / Kitty Film
Licensed by
Original network TV Tokyo
Original run 9 January 1995 – 25 December 1995
Episodes 51
Original video animation
Kishin Dōji Zenki Gaiden: Anki Kitan
Directed by Junji Nishimura
Written by Ryōta Yamaguchi
Studio Studio Deen / Tahara Produce Office
Released March 21, 1997
Runtime 45 minutes

Zenki (Japanese: 鬼神童子ZENKI, Hepburn: Kishin Dōji Zenki, lit. "Demon Child Zenki") is a Japanese manga series written by Kikuhide Tani and illustrated by Yoshihiro Kuroiwa. It was serealized in the Shueisha publication, Monthly Shōnen Jump from 1992 to 1996. Zenki was adapted into a fifty-one episode anime television series in 1995 by Studio Deen and also spawned five video games. Enoki Films handles the English language version of the anime.

Synopsis

Long long ago, the great Bodhisattva of Japan, Ozunu Enno (役 小角, Enno Ozunu), controlled the Demon Gods to defeat the Demon Goddess Karuma. After Karuma's defeat, he sealed away one of his Demon Gods, Zenki, in a pillar until needed again.

Centuries later, his direct descendant, a school girl named Chiaki Enno (役 小明, Enno Chiaki) (or Cherry Night in some dubs) is able to free Zenki, although the fierce demon lord currently has the form of a bratty demon child. To transform this extremely defiant demon into the form that made him useful by her ancestor, she uses a bracelet that appeared on her wrist when servants of Karuma broke the seal that imprisoned a seed of Karuma. Zenki reawakens because the seeds of Karuma (which look like eyeballs) start appearing and turning people into monsters and Zenki is needed again to eradicate this menace

Characters

Main characters

Voiced by: Robert Buchholz (big), Peter Doyle (little) (English)[1]

Zenki is among Enno Ozunu's most powerful warriors: the Demon God of Crimson Thunder Light in the Dark whose power mainly sources from Thunder and Fire. In the early episodes, Chiaki needed to use the bracelet to transform Zenki into his true form - a giant defiant Demon Lord and a force to be reckoned with in battles. Zenki is undoubtedly powerful, yet rebellious. He can be quite reckless and naive, takes no one's order, and often prefers brawn over brain. In some cases, however, Zenki's anger allows him to transform into his true self. With the help of the bracelet and Goki, Zenki's most faithful comrade, Chiaki is able to transform him into the Ultimate Demon Warrior. The bracelet is no longer necessary when Chiaki attains higher power in the final episode of the Anime, after the bracelet is severely damaged, though this does not happen in the Manga. Zenki loves eating the Karuma Seeds and switches to bananas when there's no seed.

Voiced by: Michelle Ruff (English)[1]

Chiaki Enno is a normal highschool girl, living in a shrine with her grandmother Saki (or lives alone as in the Manga). Chiaki takes care of the shrine, often wears a priestess outfit. She is the direct descendant of Ozunu Enno, the great Bodhisattva who had the power to harness the Demon Gods and fought against evil. Chiaki is also able to turn Zenki into his true Demon God form, casting powerful spells and increase the strength of Zenki. She also managed to summon a small fluffy lovely Guardian Spirit, Lulupapa, who is the mascot of the team.

Her parents are working abroad and hence do not appear in the Anime. Chiaki is kind, honest and has a good heart. She believes in people and wants to protect them. Chiaki has three dear friends at school (Sayaka, Ako, and Ayame). She gets along very well with Akira/Goki (from season 2 onwards) but often quarrels with Zenki as though he were her little brother, mostly because he is disobedient and shows no respect to other people. The bond between the trio becomes powerful and indestructible in later chapters when they face the evil together.

Voiced by: Joshua Seth (English)[1]

Goki is among Enno Ozunu's most powerful warriors: the Demon God of Azure Light, of Protection and Revival. He was Zenki's most faithful comrade in the past, and has now reincarnated in the form of a human boy named Akira Gotou (or Gokimaru as in the Manga), though without most of his elemental powers [Aether-Earth-Water-Fire-Wind]. Goki's deep love for humanity has resulted in his union with a human mortal and got several half-demon kids together with her, which marked the beginning of his bloodline on Earth more than a thousand years ago. Goki is wise, kind, well-mannered and fiercely loyal to the Enno lineage. Despite his limited power in present days, he acts as Chiaki's mentor/best friend and is greatly supportive of his new master, always there to protect her and Zenki and their friends at the expense of his life. He is a martial artist, loves making sculptures and drawing, and is known as the Peace-loving Demon Guardian Warrior God.

Supporting characters

Voiced by: Jessica Gee (English)[1]

The Queen of Darkness. She wanted to dominate earth with the Seeds of Darkness. The great Ozunu and his demon gods defeated her once, but she returned in a monstrous form. Zenki was able to kill her with the Diamond Dragon Axe at first and finally his Rudora.

Voiced by: Dorothy Elias-Fahn (English)[1]

One of the minions of Karuma. She was originally human but Karuma brainwashed her. Karuma put the Seed of Darkness in Anju's forehead to make her a monster. When the monster Anju became stronger, Zenki had no choice but to kill her with his Rudra.

Voiced by: Peter Doyle (English)[1]

One of the minions of Karuma. Just as Zenki used the Diamond Axe to kill him, Goura used his magic at the same time. Guren was resurrected by Karuma so he could reveal Goura's betrayal. In the final battle between him and Zenki, Zenki finally killed Guren.

Voiced by: Richard Epcar (English)[1]

One of the minions of Karuma. He had planned to betray Karuma, and when Guren revealed this, Karuma killed Goura for being a traitor.

Voiced by: Dan Lorge imitating Peter Lorre (English)[1]

A henchman of Inugami. Hirumaki is actually a minion of Kagetora sent to spy on Inugami. When the other half of Hirumaki's body was destroyed by Inugami, Kagetora gave him a Seed of Karuma to turn him into a monster, but Zenki killed him afterwards.

Voiced by: Richard Epcar (English)[1]

One of the minions of Kagetora. He almost defeated Zenki in their battle, but Inugami arrived and killed him instead.

Voiced by: Cindy Robinson (English)[1]

One of the minions of Kagetora. She used the Karuma Seed to turn herself into a monster. She was defeated by Zenki. Kagetora became angry at her for her loss and killed her despite her deep affection for him.

Voiced by: Richard Cansino (English)[1]

The general of the World of Death. He revived the Grand Lord of the World of Death, only for the Grand Lord to turn on him and kill him.

Voiced by: Steve Staley (English)[1]

Also known as the Dog Deity - the prince of the World of the Dead and son of En-gai. As such he never knew he had a human mother. When his mother died, Inugami used 3 Karuma Seeds to turn himself into a monster in order to kill his enemies. When he was defeated and nearly dead, Inugami went to the Other World to ask his mother for help, and he came back to help Zenki defeat the Grand Lord.

Inugami's pet wolf. He became a Grand Lord in the final episodes. He was defeated by Zenki, Goki, Chiaki and Inugami. He turned back into a wolf at the end of the series.

Media

Manga

12 vols. Monthly shōnen jump Re-edition: 7 vols

Anime

51 episodes were produced and broadcast on TV Tokyo in 1995. An OVA was developed and released in 1997, with a runtime of 30 minutes.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "The Fierce Guardian Spirit Awakens!". Zenki Vol 1 (DVD). Episode 1. Event occurs at Closing credits, English Language Cast.
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