Samurai Deeper Kyo
First tankōbon volume cover, featuring Mibu Kyoshiro (front) and Shiina Yuya (back)
Genre
Manga
Written byAkimine Kamijyo
Published byKodansha
English publisher
MagazineWeekly Shōnen Magazine
DemographicShōnen
Original runMay 25, 1999 – May 10, 2006
Volumes38
Anime television series
Directed byJunji Nishimura
Written byShō Aikawa
StudioStudio Deen
Licensed by
Original networkTV Tokyo
English network
Original run July 2, 2002 – December 24, 2002
Episodes26
Game
PublisherBandai
GenreFighting
PlatformPlayStation
Released
  • JP: December 12, 2002
Game
DeveloperMarvelous Entertainment
Publisher
GenreAction
PlatformGame Boy Advance
Released
  • JP: December 27, 2002
  • NA: February 12, 2008

Samurai Deeper Kyo (stylized in all caps) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Akimine Kamijyo. It was serialized in Kodansha's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Magazine from May 1999 to May 2006, with its chapters collected in 38 tankōbon volumes. Set during the Edo period, the series follows Demon Eyes Kyo, a feared samurai seeking to regain his body after his soul is sealed inside the body of his rival, Mibu Kyoshiro. Kyo is joined in his search by the bounty-hunter Shiina Yuya, the heir to the Tokugawa shogunate Benitora; and Sanada Yukimura, a known rival of the Tokugawa. The manga was licensed in North America by Tokyopop (vol. 1–34) and Del Rey Manga (vol. 35–38; released in two omnibus volumes).

A 26-episode anime television series produced by Studio Deen was broadcast on TV Tokyo from July to December 2002. The series was licensed by Media Blasters and released on home video under its AnimeWorks label in 2003–04. It was broadcast in the United States on Encore Wam in 2006.

Plot

Set in Edo period, Shiina Yuya, a bounty hunter, is searching for her brother's murderer. However, Yuya quickly meets a medicine peddler named Mibu Kyoshiro, who turns out to be sharing a body with the feared samurai Demon Eyes Kyo. Kyo's only stated wish is to regain his own body. Following this path leads Kyo, Yuya and a variety of fellow travelers into conflict with both the Tokugawa shogunate and the Mibu tribe, a race of violent superhumans who have run Japan from the shadows for millennia.

Characters

Demon Eyes Kyo (鬼目の狂, Oni Me no Kyō)
Voiced by: Katsuyuki Konishi[3] (Japanese); Dan Green[4] (English)
He is known for his demonic blood-red eyes and is one of the most feared samurai in the world. He carries a legendary ōdachi called Tenro (Heavenly Wolf), made by mastersmith Muramasa. In the manga, he is depicted as a cold, unbeatable samurai. When he was young, he was shunned by all of the Mibu clan for his demonic red eyes except for the Sendai Aka no Ou (Former Crimson King). After killing Oda Nobunaga, he was thrown into the Mibu dungeons until Muramasa rescued him and trained him in Mumyo Jinpu Ryuu. Kyo is the last remaining True Mibu. Sendai Aka no Ou asked Kyo to seek out the outside world and one day stop the former King himself if he was to become evil and destroy the world.
Mibu Kyoshiro (壬生 京四郎, Mibu Kyōshirō)
Voiced by: Katsuyuki Konishi[3] (Japanese); Dan Green[5] (English)
A remarkable and mysterious swordsman, depicted as the only rival to Demon Eyes Kyo. He wielded the Shibien (Black Sword), one of the Muramasa weapons. In the manga, he is depicted as one of the heirs to the Aka no Ou throne, the Red Eyes being proof of his Mibu lineage. He is a "Red Cross Knight", created from the flesh of the Sendai Aka no Ou. Though he is able to control the Red Eyes, he is not a true Mibu, but merely a more powerful battle doll resembling the first generation of battle dolls created. It is depicted that he is stronger than Demon Eyes Kyo until near the end of the manga.
Shiina Yuya (椎名 ゆや)
Voiced by: Yui Horie[3] (Japanese); Veronica Taylor[6] (English)
A young woman who makes a living as a professional bounty hunter in order to track down her brother's killer, the "Man with the Scar on His Back". She uses a three barreled gun and small daggers as defensive weapons. Yuya is actually an orphan found by her "brother", Nozomu, and raised by him as an adoptive sister. He was Sakuya's biological brother. Unlike many of the characters, Yuya is a normal human without any powers, despite the former Crimson King suspecting she can see the future later in the story.
Benitora (红虎)
Voiced by: Toshihiko Seki[3] (Japanese); Wayne Grayson[7] (English)
Also known as Hidetada Tokugawa (德川秀忠), the heir to the throne of the Tokugawa clan. He is also known as "The Shadow Master" due to his ability to make multiple copies of himself. He first appeared in volume 2 of the manga, accompanying White Crow. He later challenges Kyoshiro, who he thought was Kyo, to a fight. Benitora loses and decides to join their group.
He immediately takes a romantic interest in Shiina Yuya, although the feeling is not returned. Note: Benitora translates to 'Red Tiger'.
Sanada Yukimura (真田幸村)
Voiced by: Megumi Ogata[3] (Japanese); Christopher Kromer[6] (English)
A famous general who lost the battle of Sekigahara and ultimately Japan. He escaped Kudoyama and planned the assassination of Tokugawa Ieyasu, though it was never carried out. Yukimura travels with Kyo in order to defeat the Mibu Clan and Oda Nobunaga. In doing so, this would free Japan from the Mibu Clan's shadow governing and give Yukimura a chance at taking over Japan.
Mibu clan (壬生一族, Mibu Ichizoku)
Ruled by The Crimson King. Most of their members are humanoid in appearance but have very long lives compared to humans and have great strength and power. The lower ranked Mibu are sometimes in humanoid shape with abnormal bodies, i.e. three eyes or clawed hands. These were created by experiments on humans and animals to replenish the clan, because natural childbirth has stopped in the Mibu clan for unknown reasons. The Mibu clan are said to possess the most advanced knowledge in sciences and technology and have been manipulating the country's history from the shadows by helping the Shoguns. They decide to rule the country directly when Ieyasu Tokugawa becomes the first shogun to ever rebel against their power.
All of the current Mibu are battle dolls made by True Mibu, except for Demon Eyes Kyo, the last remaining True Mibu. But as generations passed, True Mibu started engaging in civil wars to seek greater power, which ended up in the destruction of their very clan with only battle dolls remaining. Present Mibu are dying off due to the Death Disease which is caused by their flaw as battle dolls created by True Mibu. Kyoshiro and Chinmei are also battle dolls, but a more powerful version created by the first generation battle doll, the former Aka no Ou. They are called "sons of the God", and have limited power compared to what a True Mibu has. Eventually, they will also inherit Death Disease and die.

Media

Manga

Written and illustrated by Akimine Kamijyo, Samurai Deeper Kyo was serialized in Kodansha's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Magazine from May 25, 1999,[lower-alpha 1] to May 10, 2006.[lower-alpha 2] Kodansha collected its chapters in 38 tankōbon volumes, released from October 15, 1999,[12] to July 14, 2006.[13]

In North America, the manga was first licensed for English release by Tokyopop;[1] they released 34 volumes from June 10, 2003,[14] to April 7, 2009.[15] In August 2009, Tokyopop announced that their manga licensing contracts with Kodansha had expired.[16] The series was then acquired by Del Rey Manga;[17] the remaining chapters were released in two omnibus volumes; volume 35/36 was released on December 15, 2009,[18] and volume 37/38 was released on July 27, 2010.[19]

Anime

A 26-episode anime television series produced by Studio Deen, directed by Junji Nishimura with screenplay by Shō Aikawa, was broadcast on TV Tokyo from July 2 to December 24, 2002.[3] The opening and ending themes, "Aoi no Requiem" (青のレクイエム, "Blue Requiem") and "Love Deeper", respectively, are both performed by Yuiko Tsubokura.[3]

The series was licensed in North America by Media Blasters.[20] They released it on six DVD sets, under their AnimeWorks label, from June 24, 2003,[21] to May 11, 2004.[22] A complete box set was released on November 16, 2004.[23] The series premiered in the United States on Encore Wam on July 31, 2006.[24]

Episodes

No. Title Original airdate[3] English airdate
1"Road to Armageddon"
"Arumagedon no Yukue" (アルマゲドンの行方)		July 2, 2002 (2002-07-02)July 31, 2006
2"Wanted Dead or Alive"
"Shoukinkubi (Deddo Oa Araibu) no Otoko" (賞金首（デッド オア アライブ）の男)		July 9, 2002 (2002-07-09)August 1, 2006
3"Red Mirage"
"Akaki Miraajyu" (紅きミラージュ)		July 16, 2002 (2002-07-16)August 2, 2006
4"The Creeping Nightmare"
"Shinobiyoru Naitomea" (忍び寄るナイトメア)		July 23, 2002 (2002-07-23)August 3, 2006
5"Tears of the Assassin"
"Asashin no Namida" (アサシンの涙)		July 30, 2002 (2002-07-30)August 4, 2006
6"The Duel at Hibiya Bay"
"Hibiya Bei no Kettou" (ヒビヤ・ベイの決闘)		August 6, 2002 (2002-08-06)Not aired
7"Keichou Era Battle Royal"
"Keichou Batoru Roiyaru" (慶長バトルロイヤル)		August 13, 2002 (2002-08-13)Not aired
8"Demon Spear Cries"
"Demon Supia Naku" (デモンスピア哭く)		August 20, 2002 (2002-08-20)Not aired
9"The Blind Smile"
"Hohoemi no Burando" (微笑のブラインド)		August 27, 2002 (2002-08-27)Not aired
10"Cold Blood Illusion"
"Reiketsu no Iryuujyon" (冷血のイリュージョン)		September 3, 2002 (2002-09-03)August 12, 2006
11"Pitch Black Flashback"
"Shikkoku no Furasshubakku" (漆黒のフラッシュバック)		September 10, 2002 (2002-09-10)August 13, 2006
12"The Boy From the Deep Forest"
"Diipu Foresuto kara Kita Shōnen" (ディープ・フォレストから来た少年)		September 17, 2002 (2002-09-17)August 14, 2006
13"Crossing Souls"
"Kurosusuru Tamashii tachi" (クロスする魂たち)		September 23, 2002 (2002-09-23)August 15, 2006
14"Satan Again"
"Satan Futatabi" (サタン再び)		October 1, 2002 (2002-10-01)August 16, 2006
15"Our Friend Red Tiger"
"Waga Tomo Reddo Taigaa" (我が友レッド＜紅虎＞タイガー)		October 8, 2002 (2002-10-08)August 17, 2006
16"Perfect Victory"
"Kanpekinaru Bikutorii" (完璧なるビクトリー)		October 15, 2002 (2002-10-15)August 18, 2006
17"The Secret Talk of Girls"
"Shoujotachi no Shiikuretto Tooku" (少女たちのシークレットトーク)		October 22, 2002 (2002-10-22)September 16, 2006
18"Nurturing the Devil"
"Naasu na Akuma" (ナースな悪魔 ♥)		October 29, 2002 (2002-10-29)September 17, 2006
19"Thunderbolt Attack"
"Sandaaboruto Zangeki" (サンダーボルト斬撃)		November 5, 2002 (2002-11-05)September 18, 2006
20"Far Away, to Absolute Zero"
"Abusoryūto Zero no kanata e" (アブソリュートゼロの彼方へ)		November 12, 2002 (2002-11-12)September 19, 2006
21"The Demonic Mibu Castle"
"Jigoku no Mibu Kyassuru" (地獄のミブ・キャッスル)		November 19, 2002 (2002-11-19)September 20, 2006
22"The Machine Made Dolls"
"Kikaijikake no Dooruzu" (機械仕掛けのドールズ)		November 26, 2002 (2002-11-26)September 21, 2006
23"Scorching Ecstasy"
"Shakunetsu no Ekusutashii" (灼熱のエクスタシー)		December 3, 2002 (2002-12-03)September 22, 2006
24"Last Muramasa Awakening"
"Rasuto Muramasa Kakusei" (ラストムラマサ覚醒)		December 10, 2002 (2002-12-10)September 23, 2006
25"The One that Surpasses Tach"
"Takion o Koeru Mono" (タキオンを超える者)		December 17, 2002 (2002-12-17)September 24, 2006
26"The Ballad of the Samurai"
"Samurai wa Baraddo o Utau" (SAMURAIはバラードをうたう)		December 24, 2002 (2002-12-24)September 25, 2006

Video games

Two video games based on Samurai Deeper Kyo have been published by Bandai. The first, a versus fighting game for the PlayStation, was released in Japan on December 12, 2002. Alongside the regular edition of the game, Bandai released a "Limited Edition" bundled with a Samurai Deeper Kyo collectible card game.[25] The second, an action-adventure game for the Game Boy Advance (GBA), was developed by Marvelous Entertainment and released in Japan on December 27, 2002.[26] The game was later localized for North America by Destineer and bundled with a re-release of the anime series box set in 2008; it was the last game to be released for the GBA before the system’s discontinuation in North America.[27]

Kyo is a playable character in the 2009 fighting game Sunday vs Magazine: Shūketsu! Chōjō Daikessen, released by Konami for the PlayStation Portable.[28]

Notes

  1. ↑ The series started in the magazine's 26th issue of 1999 (cover date June 9),[8] released on May 25 of the same year.[9]
  2. ↑ It finished in the magazine's 23rd issue of 2006 (cover date May 24),[10] released on May 10 of the same year.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Macdonald, Christopher (October 24, 2002). "Tokyopop Announces New Manga Titles". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 25, 2007. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  2. ↑ Pine, Jarred (August 25, 2005). "Samurai Deeper Kyo Vol. #08". AnimeOnDVD. Archived from the original on April 18, 2008. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "SAMURAI DEEPER KYO". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on May 14, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  4. ↑ Toole, Mike (October 18, 2003). "Samurai Deeper Kyo vol. 1". Anime Jump. Archived from the original on December 29, 2004. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  5. ↑ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (November 30, 2011). "Voice Actress, Singer Michal Friedman Passes Away (Updated)". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2023. Friedman was the wife of fellow voice actor Dan Green (Yu-Gi-Oh!'s Yugi Muto, Sonic X's Knuckles, Samurai Deeper Kyo's Kyoshiro Mibu).
  6. 1 2 Credits from "Road to Armageddon". Samurai Deeper Kyo (DVD 1). Episode 1. Media Blasters. June 24, 2003. Event occurs at 22:24.
  7. ↑ Credits from "Red Mirage". Samurai Deeper Kyo (DVD 1). Episode 3. Media Blasters. June 24, 2003. Event occurs at 22:24.
  8. ↑ 週刊少年マガジン 1999年26. Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  9. ↑ 更新情報 (in Japanese). Kodansha. Archived from the original on April 7, 2000. Retrieved March 22, 2023. 1999.05.25 週刊少年マガジンNo.26情報　登録
  10. ↑ 週刊少年マガジン 2006年23. Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  11. ↑ 少年マガジン - 進行表 2005年11月2日号～2006年6月14日号. AD Station (in Japanese). Kodansha. Archived from the original on November 19, 2005. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  12. ↑ "SAMURAI DEEPER KYO (1)" (in Japanese). Kodansha. Archived from the original on November 22, 2005. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  13. ↑ "SAMURAI DEEPER KYO (38)" (in Japanese). Kodansha. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved July 21, 2009.
  14. ↑ "Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 1". Tokyopop. Archived from the original on July 19, 2009. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 34". Tokyopop. Archived from the original on July 16, 2009. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Tokyopop Confirms Its Kodansha Manga Licenses Will End". Anime News Network. August 31, 2009. Archived from the original on September 3, 2009. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  17. ↑ Loo, Egan (June 12, 2009). "Del Rey Adds Samurai Deeper Kyo, Wild @ Heart Manga". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Comics & Graphic Novels". Random House. Archived from the original on January 23, 2010. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  19. ↑ Jones, Davey C. (July 26, 2010). "Samurai Deeper Kyo Vol. 37–38". Active Anime. Archived from the original on April 15, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  20. ↑ DeLorme, Daniel (January 27, 2003). "Samurai Deeper Kyo and Juuni Kokki Licensed". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 25, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  21. ↑ Beveridge, Chris (July 6, 2003). "Samurai Deeper Kyo Vol. #1 (of 6)". AnimeOnDVD. Archived from the original on November 1, 2006. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  22. ↑ Beveridge, Chris (May 24, 2004). "Samurai Deeper Kyo Vol. #6 (of 6)". AnimeOnDVD. Archived from the original on November 1, 2006. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Samurai Deeper Kyo Complete Box Set (of 1)". AnimeOnDVD. Archived from the original on June 4, 2008. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  24. ↑ Mays, Jonathan (June 19, 2006). "New Anime on Encore WAM, Starz Action". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  25. ↑ Game Watch staff (November 15, 2002). バンダイ、21人＋1匹が登場する本格格闘ゲーム PS「SAMURAI DEEPER KYO」 (in Japanese). Game Watch. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  26. ↑ MMV、アニメやコミックの雰囲気をそのままゲーム化 GBA「SAMURAI DEEPER KYO」 (in Japanese). Game Watch. November 15, 2002. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  27. ↑ Spencer (February 21, 2008). "Samurai Deeper Kyo, the GBA's swan song?". Siliconera. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  28. ↑ "Konami Mashes Manga Characters Together For PSP Fighter". Siliconera. January 29, 2009. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
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