Jump to content

Shakugan no Shana: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→Film: correcting redundancy
Okay, I'm merging Plot, Characters and Terminology into a single conscise Plot section; there is a current discussion at WT:ANIME#Terminology sections for merging teminology into a plot section
Line 157: Line 157:
[[Viz Media]] announced at [[San Diego Comic-Con International|Comic-Con]] 2006 that they have licensed the right to release the English translations of both the ''Shakugan no Shana'' light novels and the manga series. Additionally, [[Geneon Entertainment]] licensed the first anime TV series in North America<ref name="geneon"/> and the first DVD was released on September 5, 2006. After Geneon withdrew from the North American market, [[Funimation Entertainment|Funimation]] took up the distribution rights for the first season, and later licensed the second season, third season, film, and OVA series.
[[Viz Media]] announced at [[San Diego Comic-Con International|Comic-Con]] 2006 that they have licensed the right to release the English translations of both the ''Shakugan no Shana'' light novels and the manga series. Additionally, [[Geneon Entertainment]] licensed the first anime TV series in North America<ref name="geneon"/> and the first DVD was released on September 5, 2006. After Geneon withdrew from the North American market, [[Funimation Entertainment|Funimation]] took up the distribution rights for the first season, and later licensed the second season, third season, film, and OVA series.


==Plot==
==Plot and characters==
⚫
{{see also|List of Shakugan no Shana characters}}
Yuji Sakai, a high school student, expected his very normal life to last forever. However, this expectation is quickly shattered one day while on his way home. The world suddenly freezes in time, leaving Yuji to watch in horror as blue flames engulf the people around him. Soon a monster resembling a large doll appears and begins sucking the flames into its mouth, until it notices Yuji. Surprised with Yuji's insusceptibility to the time-stop (fuzetsu), it jumps with glee. Just as the monster prepares to consume Yuji, a sword-wielding girl in black attire with flaming red eyes and hair appears, swiftly and confidently destroys the monster, before noticing Yuji moving freely. The girl calls herself a "Flame Haze" who hunts the "Denizens of the Crimson Realm" and the "Rinne" they send to do their bidding. When Yuji notices a blue flame in his chest, the Flame Haze tells him that the "real" Yuji died some time ago, and that he is a "Torch", a temporary replacement for erased humans. Torches take on the forms of those erased persons, but after a period of time, they will vanish from existence and the memories of the living. Unfazed by his apparent death, Yuji befriends the strange girl and names her "Shana" after her sword. The reason Yuji was able to move in the fuzetsu is that he is not a normal Torch, but instead a special kind called a "Mystes": he has a treasure inside him, known as a "Hougu", a device possessing special abilities of sorts, and an extremely powerful and valuable one at that. The hougu inside Yuji allows him to remain in existence rather than fading away like other torches. Shana resolves to protect Yuji from the Denizens, who would use the treasure to disrupt the balance of the world, and Yuji decides to join Shana in her fight.
''Shakugan no Shana'' details an age-old conflict between those who inhabit the {{Nihongo|Crimson Realm|紅世|Guze}}, a [[Parallel universe (fiction)|parallel universe]] to the human world. The Crimson Realm is populated by {{Nihongo|Crimson Denizens|紅世の徒|Guze no Tomogara}} who are able to manipulate {{Nihongo|Power of Existence|存在の力|Sonzai no Chikara}}, a fundamental power within any biological entity and functions as "fuel" for one's existence. Denizens whose power stands out among their peers are known as {{Nihongo|Lords of the Crimson Realm|紅世の王|Guze no Ō}}, and Lords that are even more powerful are known as {{Nihongo|Gods|神|Kami}}. Denizens who do not care about the balance between the Crimson Realm and the human world collect Power of Existence from humans to use for their own purposes. Some Lords contract with humans to become a {{Nihongo|Flame Haze|フレイムヘイズ|Fureimu Heizu}}, whose duty is to maintain the two world's balance by destroying any Denizens disrupting it. Denizens and Flame Haze fight with the use of powerful magic spells called {{Nihongo|Powers of Unrestraint|自在法|Jizaihō}}, also known as Unrestricted Spells or Unrestricted Methods. One such spell is the {{Nihongo|Seal|封絶|Fūzetsu}}, which creates a space where the Crimson Realm and the human world intermingle and time stops.


The story largely takes place in Misaki City in Japan and begins when high school student Yuji Sakai is thrown into the middle of this conflict and encounters a Flame Haze girl with flaming red eyes and hair dressed in all black wielding a [[katana]]. The girl informs him that the real Yuji died some time ago, and that he is a {{Nihongo|Torch|トーチ|Tōchi}}, a temporary replacement entity for a human whose Power of Existence has been significantly depleted. In addition, Yuji is a special kind of Torch who can move within Seals known as a {{Nihongo|Mystes|ミステス Misutesu}} who contains a {{Nihongo|Treasure Tool|宝具|Hōgu}}, a magical object created by Denizens that can provide special abilities or even Powers of Unrestraint. Unfazed by his apparent death, Yuji befriends the girl and names her "Shana" after her sword. They later discover that the Treasure Tool within Yuji is the {{Nihongo|Reiji Maigo|零時迷子}}, which restores his Power of Existence every night at midnight.
Shana's fight is actually a long-standing struggle between the Lords and Denizens of Guze. The Denizens steal Power of Existence, the energy that forms the basis of the world, from living people and utilize it for their own selfish ambitions. Some Lords inhabit humans creating Flame Hazes in an attempt to retain balance by hunting renegades from Guze. Flame Hazes create Torches in place of the consumed to save the world from the disruption of many existences being lost at once, allowing the Torches to gradually burn out over the course of time.


As time goes on, Shana and Yuji encounter several more Flame Haze, such as Margery Daw and Wilhelmina Carmel, and Denizens in Misaki City. An organization of Denizens called Bal Masqué discovers that Yuji possess the Reiji Maigo and attempt to use the Treasure Tool on two separate occasions. Bal Masqué is led by three Lords called the Trinity: Hecate, Sydonay, and Bel Peol. They serve under a Crimson God known as the {{Nihongo|Snake of the Festival|祭礼の蛇|Sairei no Hebi}}, who resides within Reiji Maigo. Yuji formulates an elaborate plan with this God to create a parallel world called Xanadu, which will serve as a paradise for Denizens with unlimited Power of Existence. Shana, and all of the other Flame Haze around the world, oppose the creation of Xanadu, which would eventually cause a large-scale disruption in the human world, the Crimson Realm and Xanadu itself.
==Main characters==
<!--


Shana formulates a countermeasure and is ultimately successful in adding a single law to Xanadu where the Denziens are not allowed to eat humans anymore. With Xanadu created, the Denizens depart to the new world, soon followed by about 1,200 Flame Haze. Yuji intends to go to Xanadu alone and make sure humans and Denizens can eventually learn to coexist, but Shana refuses to be left behind. In the end, Yuji accepts Shana's feelings and the two kiss, which activates a spell left to Yuji by Crimson Lord Lamia that restores his existence, so Yuji is no longer a Torch. With the help of another spell from Lamia, Yuji successfully restores all humans in Misaki City whose existence was absorbed by the Denizens before he and Shana depart for Xanadu together.
*****PLEASE ADD ADDITIONAL CHARACTER INFORMATION ON THE SEPARATE CHARACTER ARTICLE, THANK YOU.*****

-->
⚫
{{main|List of Shakugan no Shana characters}}
;{{Nihongo|Yuji Sakai|坂井 悠二|Sakai Yūji||(Mystes)}} / {{Nihongo|"Silver the Second"|銀二番目|||(Crimson Lord)}}
:{{anime voices|[[Satoshi Hino]]|[[Kristian Ayre]]}}
:Yuji, the main male lead of the series, is just an average high school student. However, his world is turned upside down when he discovers that he is already dead and does not have much time before he disappears. Fortunately, Yuji is a Mystes who contains a treasure known as the {{Nihongo|''Reiji Maigo''|零時迷子||"Midnight Lost Child"}}. Unlike normal torches, the treasure inside him restores his Power of Existence every night at midnight. With the Reiji Maigo, Yuji has the possibility to live on like an average human as long as he makes sure that his Power of Existence does not run out before midnight. Later, he begins to learn to use the yet untapped potential of the treasure kept within him. Once he began using this power, the antagonists recognize him as "Silver the Second". He cares deeply about Shana, but does not make any advances in their relationship due to his feelings of inferiority as a Torch and his view of Shana as someone who is beyond his reach. He also starts to see Shana from her old former perspective of the world, where he is just a Torch and she is just a Flame Haze. With this going on, he distanced himself from the closeness that the two originally shared, leaving Shana hurt with the new feelings of love she has developed but cannot explain. However, Yuji and Shana have since repaired the damage to their relationship. As of volume 16 of the novel series, he has verbally acknowledged that he is in love with her.

;{{Nihongo|Shana|シャナ}} / {{Nihongo|"Flame-haired Blazing-eyed Hunter"|「炎髪灼眼の討ち手」|"Enpatsu Shakugan no Uchite"||(Flame Haze)}}
:{{anime voices|[[Rie Kugimiya]]|[[Tabitha St. Germain]]}}
:The main female lead of the series and a Flame Haze. Initially she is concentrated solely on her duty as a Flame Haze, going as far as to not bearing even a name. She initially sees Yuji only as a Torch, an object, and is marginally interested only because of his status as a Mystes. However, she slowly opens up to Yuji, coming to think of him as a person, despite being a Torch, and eventually comes to love him. Until she met Yuji, she was identified by only her Flame Haze title "Flame-Haired Blazing-Eyed Hunter," or her [[nodachi]], {{Nihongo|''Nietono no Shana''|贄殿遮那||"[[Vairocana]] of the Offering Room"}}. Yuji, in his need to humanize her, chose to name her "Shana" after her sword. Shana has a habit of saying "Urusai! Urusai! Urusai!" which means "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" whenever Yuji asks her questions or makes remarks that disturb her original point of view. But in reality they really care for each other. She has a great fondness for [[Melonpan|melon bread]]. Shana later comes to the startling conclusion that she loves Yuji, and even confesses it to him in the last episode of the first anime series when she thought she was going to die, but he does not hear what she said. Shana is continually torn between her mission to protect the balance, and her love for Yuji. Due to a decision she made near the end of the first season of the anime version, the closeness they once had begun to erode as Yuji kept a distance from her because of it. Yuji adopts a viewpoint similar to Shana's in the beginning of the series. However, Yuji comes to realize that he was wrong, and their relationship seems to be restored.

;{{Nihongo|Alastor|アラストール|Arasutōru}} / {{Nihongo|"Flame of Heavens"|「天壌の劫火」|"Tenjō no Gōka"||(Lord of the Crimson Realm)}}
:{{anime voices|[[Masashi Ebara]]|[[Paul Dobson (actor)|Paul Dobson]]}}
:He is the Lord of the Crimson Realm to whom Shana is bound. He expresses his will through a divine vessel called the Cocytus, which (in Shana's case) takes the form of a pendant. His name is actually the name of a [[Alastor|demon]] in mythology. Alastor is considered to be one of the strongest of all Lords or Denizens; in fact being one of the ''true Gods'' of the Crimson Realm. But even so, he tries to keep the Denizens from consuming Power of Existence.
<!--

*****PLEASE ADD ADDITIONAL CHARACTER INFORMATION ON THE SEPARATE CHARACTER ARTICLE, THANK YOU.*****

-->

==Terminology==
{{overly detailed|date=March 2012|section=yes}}
;{{Nihongo|Power of Existence|存在の力|Sonzai no Chikara}}
:As its name suggests, Power of Existence is a fundamental power that is contained within any biological or magical entity and functions as "fuel" for one's very existence. Thus, it is not limited to reside in living humans. Crimson Denizens can drain it from humans and Torches, while Flame Hazes are able to use the remaining Power of Existence from Torches. When all of the Power of Existence from a human or Torch is lost, the very existence of the human or Torch is annihilated. Because of this, all humans who had memories associated with that human or Torch will have those memories erased; however those who know of the hidden workings of the real world retain all of their memories, such as Crimson Denizens, Flame Hazes, and humans and Torches who have been exposed to the hidden balancing rules of the real world and the Crimson Realm.

;{{Nihongo|Torch|トーチ|Tōchi}}
:A Torch is a replacement entity for a human, whose Power of Existence has been significantly depleted (meaning he or she is on the verge of death in the human world). Torches are "shock-absorbers" for the sake of the balance between the real world and the Crimson Realm. They are only temporary, and will disappear after a certain amount of time, eradicating all traces of existence, including memories related to them.

;{{Nihongo|Mystes|ミステス|Misutesu}}
:A Mystes is a special kind of Torch, who contains a Treasure Tool. The main character Yuji is an example, albeit a special one who can sustain his existence indefinitely due to the ability of his Treasure Tool, Reiji Maigo. But in general, a Mystes will eventually be extinguished like a normal Torch, unless the Mystes drains Power of Existence from Denizens or Flame Hazes, like Tenmoku Ikko did to replenish his Power of Existence, though it is very unlikely for anyone else to have this ability.

;{{Nihongo|Flame Haze|フレイムヘイズ|Fureimu Heizu}}
:A Flame Haze is a servant whose duty is to maintain the two world's balance. Each Flame Haze has contracted a Lord of Crimson Realm, with exceptions like the Flame Haze {{Nihongo|"Archer of Aurora"|極光の射手|Kyokkō no Ite}} who has contracts to twin lords. Flame Hazes mostly fight against Crimson Denizens who consume great amounts of Power of Existence and endangers both worlds, although some work to restore the balance of the worlds that has been disturbed.

:The Lords use Flame Haze as their medium because if they are to exist like other Denizens, they will also require Power of Existence. However, the Lords can manifest in the human world, although this means they will consume a vast amount of Power of Existence (aka Tenpa Jōsai). This sudden surge of Power of Existence will usually exceed the limit their Flame Haze may contain, and will result in the death of the Flame Haze. When someone becomes a Flame Haze, they will have their existence burned, making them as if they never existed before. Flame Hazes become a new existence and live solely to protect the balance of the worlds.

;{{Nihongo|Crimson Denizens|紅世の徒|Guze no Tomogara}}
:Crimson Denizens are mostly evil entities who usually do not care for the balance of the two worlds, collecting and using Power of Existence for their own purposes. Unfortunately for the few that respect and do not seek to upset the balance, some Flame Hazes do not distinguish between them, and thus become targets. As in the human world, some Denizens will stand out and are known as {{Nihongo|Lords|王|Ō}}.

;{{Nihongo|Lords of Crimson Realm|紅世の王|Guze no Ō}}
:Lords of Crimson Realm are Denizens whose power stands out among their peers, such as the Trinity of Bal Masqué, Friagne, Pheles, or the Lords that bind themselves to Flame Hazes. Most of the Lords in the series inhabit Flame Hazes and work to maintain the balance, but some are similar to the Crimson Denizens and use Power of Existence for their own purposes.

:For the Lords of Crimson Realm who work to maintain the balance of the two worlds, they take care of it by monitoring the Power of Existence and utilizing their contracted Flame Haze to terminate those Crimson Denizens who harm the balance. Lords represent themselves as magical objects, in Shana's case, a pendant. They can manifest fully, but to do so requires tremendous amounts of Power of Existence. Lords that are even more powerful, such as {{Nihongo|Tenjō no Gōka|天壌の劫火}} or {{Nihongo|Sairei no Hebi|祭礼の蛇}} are known as {{Nihongo|Gods|神|Kami}} of the Crimson Realm, and each of these Gods are bestowed upon the duty of materializing the very laws of the Crimson world; for example, Alastor is known as the {{Nihongo|God of Atonement|天罰神|Tenbatsushin}}, while the Snake of Festival is the {{Nihongo|God of Creation|創造神|Sōzōshin}}, each having abilities that suit these names.

;{{Nihongo|Rinne|燐子|Rinne}}
:Rinne are created servants for the Tomogara (Crimson Denizens). They are unstable existences and require Power of Existence from either their master, or living humans and Torches in order to survive.

;{{Nihongo|Power of Unrestraint|自在法|Jizaihō}}
:Also known as Unrestricted Spells or Unrestricted Methods, they are powerful magic spells. These spells can be used for any purpose, from restoring the fragments of a long-lost painting to transforming normally untransferrable objects in a whole city into a big hunk of Power of Existence, however they are mostly used in battle in the series. They can be invoked by chanting (some high-class Unrestricted Methods may require centuries of work to activate), and consumes Power of Existence. An Unrestricted Spell can be seen as a blue insignia upon casting.

;{{Nihongo|Treasure Tool|宝具|Hōgu}}
:Treasure Tool is the name of magical objects which can provide special abilities or even an Unrestricted Spell. A Treasure Tool is created when a single Denizen and a human, each representing their own world, has the same desire to one another; if worked out with the right Unrestricted Spells and physical materials, a Treasure Tool for the sole purpose of fulfilling that desire will be created. For example, Reiji Maigo, which is sought by many for its ability to replenish its owner's Power of Existence at midnight every day, was originally created by the Lord-Mystes lovers, Pheles and Johann, under their desire of "being together forever", using a single whole clock tower for the physical material part. Most Denizens, Flame Hazes, and even humans who aid them possess one or more of these, and would try to acquire as many as they can for many reasons, like getting an upper hand in critical time during battles.

;{{Nihongo|Seal|封絶|Fūzetsu}}
:Seal is the most common of all Unrestricted Spells, and it also refers to the special dimension the spell creates; here the Crimson Realm and the real world intermingles, and all sorts of causalities, including time, is stopped for ordinary living beings. The mad scientist Lord Dantalion originally created the complex and flawed version of the Seal; later, the genius spell creator Denizen Leanan-sidhe developed it into the easier modern version, which quickly spread over all related beings in the world. Flame Hazes are able to create such Seal at will, as may Crimson Denizens. However, battles in the Seal can damage real world objects, and harm the paused living beings, though it is possible to reverse the effects, if one uses enough Power of Existence. However, if the Seal is ever unlocked during a battle, the damage is irreparable.

;{{Nihongo|Crystal Altar|玻璃壇|Haridan}}
:Crystal Altar is a Treasure Tool that functions as a miniature projection of the real world. It can be used to observe the location of Torches and Power of Unrestraints, and other things related to Power of Existence. From Margery's story, it is told that Crystal Altar was made about three millennia ago by a God-class Crimson Lord called the {{Nihongo|''Snake of the Festival''|祭礼の蛇|Sairei no Hebi}}, who had taken a liking to the act of "ruling". He created a human city and then watched over that city using the Crystal Altar. However, he was sealed in an alternate dimension after many battles with various Flame Haze. Friagne, who discovered and took possession of the Crystal Altar then brought it with him to Misaki city. While one may be deceived that it looks like the city's replica, the Altar itself is actually shaped like a small bronze mirror, hidden inside Friagne's enormous pile of Treasure Tools.

:The Crystal Altar was originally intended to be used with the Gehinnom, an enormous stone bowl found inside the Bal-Masque's headquarters filled with iron grain which moves to make quick, accurate replicas of the desired area nearby; but as the Altar is missing, it is normally seen containing the three weapons of the Trinity, who are none other than the closest subjects of the Snake of the Festival.

;{{Nihongo|Outlaw|外界宿(アウトロー)|Autorō}}
:The facilities or organizations that support the activities of Flame Haze with finance, information, transportations, etc. They were merely hotels each with Treasures called Tessera, the regular dodecahedronal objects that conceal the presence of Flame Haze. Then a half-retired Flame Haze became the keeper to one of the Outlaw and made improvements, turning it into a place to trade information. The plan turned out successful after many years later as many other Outlaws had followed and thus the networks and connections were established throughout the world.


==Media==
==Media==

Revision as of 11:05, 2 April 2012

Shakugan no Shana
Shakugan no Shana light novel volume 1
灼眼のシャナ
GenreAction, Fantasy, Romance
Light novel
Written byYashichiro Takahashi
Illustrated byNoizi Ito
Published byASCII Media Works
English publisherUnited States Viz Media
DemographicMale
Original runNovember 9, 2002 – October 10, 2011
Volumes25 (List of volumes)
Manga
Written byYashichiro Takahashi
Illustrated byAyato Sasakura
Published byASCII Media Works
English publisherUnited States Viz Media
MagazineDengeki Daioh
DemographicShōnen
Original runApril 2005 – October 2011
Volumes10
Anime television series
Directed byTakashi Watanabe
StudioJ.C.Staff
Original networkAnimax, MBS, TVA, TV Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Namco
Original run October 6, 2005 – March 23, 2006
Episodes24 (List of episodes)
Video game
DeveloperMediaWorks
PublisherMediaWorks
GenreADV
PlatformPlayStation 2
ReleasedMarch 23, 2006
Original video animation
Shakugan no Shana Tokubetsuhen: Koi to Onsen no Kōgai Gakushū!
Directed byTakashi Watanabe
StudioJ.C.Staff
ReleasedDecember 8, 2006
Runtime30 minutes
Video game
Shakugan no Shana DS
DeveloperMediaWorks
PublisherMediaWorks
GenreADV
PlatformNintendo DS
ReleasedMarch 29, 2007
Anime film
Directed byTakashi Watanabe
Music byKow Otani
StudioJ.C.Staff
ReleasedApril 21, 2007
Runtime65 minutes (Original)
90 minutes (Director's Cut)
Manga
Shakugan no Shana X Eternal song: Harukanaru Uta
Written byYashichiro Takahashi
Illustrated byShii Kiya
Published byASCII Media Works
MagazineDengeki Black Maoh
Dengeki Maoh
DemographicSeinen
Original runSeptember 19, 2007 – present
Volumes3
Anime television series
Shakugan no Shana Second
Directed byTakashi Watanabe
StudioJ.C.Staff
Original networkMBS, TBS, CBC, Animax
English networkIndia Malaysia Pakistan Philippines Singapore Animax
Original run October 5, 2007 – March 28, 2008
Episodes24 (List of episodes)
Original video animation
Shakugan no Shana S
Directed byTakashi Watanabe
StudioJ.C.Staff
Released October 23, 2009 – September 29, 2010
Episodes4 (List of episodes)
Anime television series
Shakugan no Shana Final
Directed byTakashi Watanabe
StudioJ.C.Staff
Original run October 8, 2011 – March 23, 2012
Episodes24 (List of episodes)

Shakugan no Shana (灼眼のシャナ, lit. Burning-Eyed Shana), also known simply as Shana, is a Japanese light novel series written by Yashichiro Takahashi, with illustrations by Noizi Ito. The series includes 25 novels released between November 2002 and October 2011 published by ASCII Media Works under their Dengeki Bunko imprint. The series centers around Yuji Sakai, an ordinary Japanese high school boy who inadvertently becomes involved in a perpetual war between forces of balance and imbalance in existence. In the process, he befriends the title character: a fighter for the balancing force, whom he takes to calling "Shana". The series incorporates fantasy and slice-of-life "school days" elements into its tale.

A manga adaptation illustrated by Ayato Sasakura was serialized in ASCII Media Works' Dengeki Daioh between the April 2005 and October 2011 issues. A 24-episode anime series was adapted by J.C.Staff and it aired between October 2005 and March 2006. An original video animation (OVA) episode and animated film were also produced in December 2006 and April 2007, respectively. A second 24-episode anime series entitled Shakugan no Shana Second aired between October 2007 and March 2008. A four-episode OVA series entitled Shakugan no Shana S was released between October 2009 and September 2010. A third anime series, Shakugan no Shana Final aired between October 2011 and March 2012. A PlayStation 2 video game released in March 2006 followed and a second video game for the Nintendo DS was released in March 2007.

Viz Media announced at Comic-Con 2006 that they have licensed the right to release the English translations of both the Shakugan no Shana light novels and the manga series. Additionally, Geneon Entertainment licensed the first anime TV series in North America[1] and the first DVD was released on September 5, 2006. After Geneon withdrew from the North American market, Funimation took up the distribution rights for the first season, and later licensed the second season, third season, film, and OVA series.

Plot and characters

See also: List of Shakugan no Shana characters

Shakugan no Shana details an age-old conflict between those who inhabit the Crimson Realm (紅世, Guze), a parallel universe to the human world. The Crimson Realm is populated by Crimson Denizens (紅世の徒, Guze no Tomogara) who are able to manipulate Power of Existence (存在の力, Sonzai no Chikara), a fundamental power within any biological entity and functions as "fuel" for one's existence. Denizens whose power stands out among their peers are known as Lords of the Crimson Realm (紅世の王, Guze no Ō), and Lords that are even more powerful are known as Gods (神, Kami). Denizens who do not care about the balance between the Crimson Realm and the human world collect Power of Existence from humans to use for their own purposes. Some Lords contract with humans to become a Flame Haze (フレイムヘイズ, Fureimu Heizu), whose duty is to maintain the two world's balance by destroying any Denizens disrupting it. Denizens and Flame Haze fight with the use of powerful magic spells called Powers of Unrestraint (自在法, Jizaihō), also known as Unrestricted Spells or Unrestricted Methods. One such spell is the Seal (封絶, Fūzetsu), which creates a space where the Crimson Realm and the human world intermingle and time stops.

The story largely takes place in Misaki City in Japan and begins when high school student Yuji Sakai is thrown into the middle of this conflict and encounters a Flame Haze girl with flaming red eyes and hair dressed in all black wielding a katana. The girl informs him that the real Yuji died some time ago, and that he is a Torch (トーチ, Tōchi), a temporary replacement entity for a human whose Power of Existence has been significantly depleted. In addition, Yuji is a special kind of Torch who can move within Seals known as a Mystes (ミステス Misutesu) who contains a Treasure Tool (宝具, Hōgu), a magical object created by Denizens that can provide special abilities or even Powers of Unrestraint. Unfazed by his apparent death, Yuji befriends the girl and names her "Shana" after her sword. They later discover that the Treasure Tool within Yuji is the Reiji Maigo (零時迷子), which restores his Power of Existence every night at midnight.

As time goes on, Shana and Yuji encounter several more Flame Haze, such as Margery Daw and Wilhelmina Carmel, and Denizens in Misaki City. An organization of Denizens called Bal Masqué discovers that Yuji possess the Reiji Maigo and attempt to use the Treasure Tool on two separate occasions. Bal Masqué is led by three Lords called the Trinity: Hecate, Sydonay, and Bel Peol. They serve under a Crimson God known as the Snake of the Festival (祭礼の蛇, Sairei no Hebi), who resides within Reiji Maigo. Yuji formulates an elaborate plan with this God to create a parallel world called Xanadu, which will serve as a paradise for Denizens with unlimited Power of Existence. Shana, and all of the other Flame Haze around the world, oppose the creation of Xanadu, which would eventually cause a large-scale disruption in the human world, the Crimson Realm and Xanadu itself.

Shana formulates a countermeasure and is ultimately successful in adding a single law to Xanadu where the Denziens are not allowed to eat humans anymore. With Xanadu created, the Denizens depart to the new world, soon followed by about 1,200 Flame Haze. Yuji intends to go to Xanadu alone and make sure humans and Denizens can eventually learn to coexist, but Shana refuses to be left behind. In the end, Yuji accepts Shana's feelings and the two kiss, which activates a spell left to Yuji by Crimson Lord Lamia that restores his existence, so Yuji is no longer a Torch. With the help of another spell from Lamia, Yuji successfully restores all humans in Misaki City whose existence was absorbed by the Denizens before he and Shana depart for Xanadu together.

Media

Light novels

Main article: List of Shakugan no Shana light novels

Shakugan no Shana began as a light novel series written by Yashichiro Takahashi with accompanying illustrations drawn by Noizi Ito. The series includes 25 novels released between November 9, 2002 and October 10, 2011 published by ASCII Media Works under their Dengeki Bunko imprint. They are numbered from I through XXII, along with volumes 0, S, and SII, which consist of short side stories. At Comic-Con 2006, it was announced that Viz Media licensed the novels for the North American market. The first English language volume was released on April 17, 2007.[2] The second volume was released on October 16, 2007. Viz Media has not published any further volumes.

Manga

File:Shana manga cover 2.jpg
Shakugan no Shana manga volume 2

The first manga, illustrated by Ayato Sasakura, was serialized in ASCII Media Works' manga magazine Dengeki Daioh between the April 2005 and October 2011 issues. Ten tankōbon volumes were released between October 27, 2005 and October 27, 2011. At Comic-Con 2006, it was announced that Viz Media licensed the manga for release in North America. Viz released the first volume of the manga on April 17, 2007.[2] Six volumes were released by Viz Media,[3] who cancelled the release of the final four volumes.

The second manga under the title Shakugan no Shana X Eternal song: Harukanaru Uta, by Shii Kiya, is based on the events of the tenth novel and began serialization in ASCII Media Works' manga magazine Dengeki Black Maoh on September 19, 2007.[4] The manga was later transferred to Dengeki Maoh. The first volume was released on January 27, 2009; three volumes have been released as of October 27, 2011.

Anime

See also: List of Shakugan no Shana episodes

An anime version of Shakugan no Shana, directed by Takashi Watanabe, was aired in Japan between October 6, 2005 and March 23, 2006 containing 24 episodes. The anime was produced by the Japanese animation studio J.C.Staff. The series was licensed for North American distribution by Geneon,[1] and the first DVD of the series was released on September 5, 2006. The DVDs were out of print indefinitely until July 3, 2008, as Geneon withdrew from the North American market. On July 3, 2008, Geneon and Funimation Entertainment announced an agreement to distribute select titles in North America. While Geneon will still retain the license, Funimation will assume exclusive rights to the manufacturing, marketing, sales and distribution of select titles. Shakugan no Shana was one of several titles involved in the deal.[5] Animax began broadcasting the English version in South and Southeast Asia on July 1, 2009.

In addition to the first season, two mini omake episodes depicting Shana super deformed were released on two separate limited edition DVDs that were bundled with the first and fifth Japanese region 2 DVDs that was on sale on January 25 and May 25, 2006.[6] Both episodes were included in the sixth English region 1 DVD that was released on July 3, 2007.[7] A similarly themed episode featuring Hecate was released on a DVD bundled with the "All About Shakugan no Shana" book.[6][8] There was also a series of eight animated shorts featured Friagne and Marianne called Shakugan no Shana: Naze Nani Shana. Later, an original video animation (OVA) was released on December 8, 2006.[9] The events of the story takes place after the storyline of the first season's thirteenth episode.[6]

A second season, under the title Shakugan no Shana Second (灼眼のシャナⅡ), was officially announced on May 30, 2007 and aired in Japan between October 5, 2007 and March 28, 2008, containing 24 episodes. In the Philippines, TV5 was the first to telecast the second season in Southeast Asia between November 10 and December 25, 2008. A four-episode OVA series titled Shakugan no Shana S was produced between October 23, 2009 and September 29, 2010.[10] The third and last anime TV series titled Shakugan no Shana Final (灼眼のシャナIII -Final-, Shakugan no Shana Fainaru) aired in Japan between October 8, 2011 and March 23, 2012, containing 24 episodes.[11][12] At Anime Expo 2010, Funimation announced that they licensed the second season of Shakugan no Shana along with the film and OVA series Shakugan no Shana S.[13]

Film

An anime film was announced after the ending credits of the last episode of the first anime series. The film was released in Japanese theaters on April 21, 2007 as one of the three film released at Dengeki Bunko's Movie Festival.[14] The film is not a sequel to the anime, but is an adaptation of all the events in the first novel and contains events that were not in the anime series. The DVD was released on September 21, 2007 in two different editions, the special edition including the director's cut version, the original version and extra material, and the normal edition including only the director's cut version.[15] The film's main theme is "Tenjō o Kakeru Monotachi" by Love Planet Five, made up of Kotoko, Mami Kawada, Eiko Shimamiya, Mell, and Kaori Utatsuki, which serves as the film's ending theme. The insert song "Akai Namida" by Kawada also plays during the film.

Music

Main article: List of Shakugan no Shana albums

Kow Otani was in charge of the music direction in the anime. Shakugan no Shana had two opening and ending themes. The first opening theme, "Hishoku no Sora" by Mami Kawada, was used for the first sixteen episodes and the OVA. The second opening theme, "being" by Kotoko, ran the rest of the series to episode twenty-four. The first ending theme, "Yoake Umarekuru Shōjo" by Yoko Takahashi, ran for the first fourteen episodes and the OVA. The last ending theme, "Aka no Seijaku" by Yoko Ishida, was used between episodes fifteen and twenty-three. The last episode's ending theme was "Hishoku no Sora".

The first opening theme for the second season, Shakugan no Shana II, is "Joint" by Mami Kawada and ran from episodes one to fifteen. The single was released on October 31, 2007. The first ending theme for the second season is "Triangle" by Mami Kawada, which also ran for the first fifteen episodes. The second opening theme for the second season is "Blaze" by Kotoko, and the second ending theme is "Sociometry" by Kotoko. The third ending theme in episode twenty-four is "sense" by Mami Kawada.

The first opening theme for the third season, Shakugan no Shana Final, is "Light My Fire", which is sung by Kotoko, and written by Ryo of Supercell. The first ending theme of Shakugan no Shana Final is "I'll Believe" by Altima. The second opening theme is "Serment" by Mami Kawada and the second ending theme is "One" by Altima. The ending theme of episode 15 is "u/n" by Kawada, and the song "Kōbō" (光芒, Beam of Light), also sung by Kawada, is used as the final ending theme.

The Shakugan no Shana original soundtrack was first released on January 25, 2006 by Geneon. There have also been three other soundtracks called the Assorted Shana albums. Volumes I, II and III which were released on February 24, March 24 and April 21, all in 2006 respectively, were published by Geneon.

File:Shakugan no Shana PS2 game cover.jpg
Shakugan no Shana PS2 video game cover

Video games

A video game named Shakugan no Shana for the PlayStation 2, developed by MediaWorks, was released on March 23, 2006. An A4-sized book named Honō (焔) spanning thirty-six pages that included illustrations by Noizi Ito was included in preorders of the game.[16] The player takes on the character of Yuji Sakai in the game. The game plays out like a visual novel but with the addition of a battle system and dating sim elements. Choices that are made throughout the course of the game determine which of the five endings the player gets upon completion of the game.[17]

The PlayStation 2 game was ported to the Nintendo DS and released on March 29, 2007.[16] Preorders of the DS game was eligible for receiving a calendar that spanned April 2007 to March 2008 and a collection of rough sketches named Tōka (灯火) by Noizi Ito.[18] The NDS version adds onto the PS2 version with the addition of an image gallery that allows the player to see what Shana and Yoshida Kazumi look like in different clothes and a battle mode that lets the player fight against the computer with a character other than Shana.[17]

Shana appears as a playable character in the crossover RPG, Dengeki Gakuen RPG: Cross of Venus for Nintendo DS and as a cameo costume for the main character to wear in Z.H.P. Unlosing Ranger VS Darkdeath Evilman for the PlayStation Portable complete with her signature sword, 'Nietono no Shana', as a weapon.

Reception

Reviews
Reviewer Score Notes
Theron Martin Overall (dub): B+
Overall (sub): B+
Story: B+
Animation: B
Art: B+
Music: B+[19] 		Review of DVD Vol. 2
from the first season
Chris Beveridge Content: B+
Audio: B+
Video: A
Packaging: A−
Menus: B+
Extras: B−[20] 		Review of Vol. 1
from the first season

Anime

Chris Beveridge of AnimeOnDVD.com notes that the first volume has "...forced me to take in the first four episodes two at a time because the morbid nature of it made me feel uncomfortable. Few shows can really do that...I'm looking forward to seeing more...".[20] After having watched the other DVDs, Beveridge commented that while "...Shana isn't a groundbreaking show...",[21] it "...has proven to be a real solid title and one that only gets better and better."[22] The fourth volume did not prove favourable though since the pacing seemed off "[with] the arc from the previous volume ending so quickly on this volume and then going into a storyline that feels out of character for the show, the darker tones and serious nature don't feel quite so compelling."[23]

Theron Martin from Anime News Network comments that "...Shakugan no Shana makes a habit of setting certain expectations...but always managing to at least slightly exceed those expectations."[19] and that "[its] story elements may be typical, but its execution is not."[24] On the technical front of the series, Martin observed that "Shana's Flame Haze transformation...is still the visual highlight, but other details...all show equal care, even if their effects are less obvious."[25]

Manga

Theron Martin also reviewed the manga but did not seem all that impressed stating that "...by almost any reasonable standard, the inferior version of the two."[26] Martin also notes that "The anime version also much more fully realizes some personalities than the manga version."[26] and critiques the art in that "[the background] art never holds more detail than absolutely necessary...The action scenes are handled well enough, but still pale in comparison to their renditions in the anime version.".[26] Martin concludes the review by warning the readers that "[if] this is your first exposure to the franchise, look to the anime version to see it done right."[26]

Sales

Since the first novel's release on November 10, 2002, the novels have collectively sold over six million copies.[27] The manga adaptation has sold over 1.2 million copies since the first volume hit shelves on October 27, 2005.[28]

References

  1. ^ a b "Geneon Anime Licenses". Anime News Network. July 2, 2006. Retrieved November 24, 2006.
  2. ^ a b "VIZ Media - News - New Releases - April 2007". Archived from the original on January 25, 2007. Retrieved May 7, 2007.
  3. ^ "Shakugan no Shana". Viz Media. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
  4. ^ "Teikoku Blog" (in Japanese). April 28, 2007. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved May 10, 2007.
  5. ^ "FUNimation Entertainment and Geneon Entertainment Sign Exclusive Distribution Agreement for North America" (Press release). Anime News Network. July 3, 2008. Retrieved July 22, 2008.
  6. ^ a b c "Shakugan.com - DVD Section" (in Japanese).
  7. ^ "Shakugan no Shana DVD 6". Retrieved May 10, 2007.
  8. ^ "All About Shakugan no Shana". HobbyLink Japan.
  9. ^ "DVD details at animate.tv" (in Japanese). Retrieved February 8, 2007.
  10. ^ "New Shana Anime to Be Shakugan no Shana 'S OVA Series". Anime News Network. July 7, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
  11. ^ "Producer Plans 3rd & Final Shana Series after S OVA". Anime News Network. July 8, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
  12. ^ "Shakugan no Shana III (Final) Anime to Air This Fall". Anime News Network. June 8, 2011. Retrieved July 16, 2011.
  13. ^ "Funi Adds Live Action Moyashimon Live Action, More". Anime News Network. July 2, 2010. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  14. ^ "Dengeki Bunko Movie Festival" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 22, 2006. Retrieved February 8, 2007.
  15. ^ "Shakugan.com" (in Japanese). Retrieved March 31, 2007.
  16. ^ a b "Shakugan.com - Game Section" (in Japanese). Retrieved May 11, 2007.
  17. ^ a b Dengeki G's Festival Vol.8 2007 May (in Japanese). MediaWorks. pp. 47–48. EAN 4910163660576.
  18. ^ "MediaWorks' Shakugan no Shana website - NDS Section" (in Japanese). Retrieved May 8, 2007.
  19. ^ a b Theron Martin (January 7, 2007). "Shakugan no Shana DVD 2 - Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 10, 2007.
  20. ^ a b Chris Beveridge. "AnimeOnDVD.com >> Disc Reviews >> Shana Vol. #1". Retrieved May 9, 2007.
  21. ^ Chris Beveridge. "AnimeOnDVD.com >> Disc Reviews >> Shana Vol. #2". Retrieved May 10, 2007.
  22. ^ Chris Beveridge. "AnimeOnDVD.com >> Disc Reviews >> Shana Vol. #3". Retrieved May 10, 2007.
  23. ^ Chris Beveridge. "AnimeOnDVD.com >> Disc Reviews >> Shana Vol. #4". Retrieved May 10, 2007.
  24. ^ Theron Martin (February 21, 2007). "Shakugan no Shana DVD 3 - Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 10, 2007.
  25. ^ Theron Martin (May 10, 2007). "Shakugan no Shana DVD 5 - Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 10, 2007.
  26. ^ a b c d Theron Martin (March 25, 2007). "Shakugan no Shana DVD GN 1 - Review". Retrieved May 10, 2007.
  27. ^ "Shana Project 2008 Campaign" (in Japanese). January 18, 2008. Retrieved January 26, 2008.
  28. ^ "MediaWorks' Shakugan no Shana website - Printed Books" (in Japanese). Retrieved September 23, 2007.
Look up Appendix:Shakugan no Shana in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Shakugan no Shana.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shakugan_no_Shana&oldid=485142125"