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The Twelve Kingdoms

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The Twelve Kingdoms
File:12k.jpg
Main cast of the anime.
GenreAdventure, Drama, Fantasy
Anime
Directed byTsuneo Kobayashi
StudioStudio Pierrot

The Twelve Kingdoms (十二国記, Jūni Kokuki), also known in Japan as Juuni Kokki, 12 Kokki, and Record of 12 countries, is a 45-episode anime series produced by Studio Pierrot in 2002 and adapted from a series of eleven novels and a short story collection by Fuyumi Ono. She published the first of the novels in 1991 and the last, so far, in 2001. The anime has been released on DVDs in the United States by Media Blasters company. The story is a fantasy genre based loosely upon ancient Chinese mythology.

The plot

Template:Spoiler

The story in the anime centers around a girl named Youko Nakajima from Japan who is suddenly transported to another world where she begins a journey that leads to the throne of the kingdom of Kei. This is the same story that begins in the novel Tsuki no Kage, Kage no Umi (Shadow of the Moon, Sea of Shadow). The anime is notable for having a complex and well developed world background. Several important plot revolve around the government structure. The story also demonstrates a more realistic reaction to finding oneself in a different world, showing how not all the characters can cope with the change.

Unlike many fantasy anime series such as Fushigi Yūgi, Twelve Kingdoms is not a romance anime. It focuses on the politics of a fantasy world. Youko does not have adoring bodyguards or the freedom to go where ever she likes. Twelve Kingdoms focuses on her integration to the politics and customs of a foreign world.

Some of the more apparent themes throughout the story are the will to live and accepting responsibility. Youko must learn the will to live in order to become Queen Kei. Shokei learns that she had responsibility as the princess of Hou and because she did not live up to that responsibility, she assisted in events that lead to the end of the late Hou Emperor.

Characters

Youko Nakajima
Youko is a 16 year-old redhead living an ordinary life as an honor student in Japan. Suddenly she is met with Keiki who prostrates at her feet and swears loyalty to her. She unwillingly accepts his protection and she is then taken to another world, along with her classmates Asano and Sugimoto. To her surprise, she is the heir to the throne of the kingdom of Kei. Although reluctant at first, she starts to accept her fate as she copes with the sudden change in her life. She must deal with the Kingdom of Kou, whose king tries everything in his power to stop her from becoming Queen. Lost in the wilderness, she has to evade monsters called Youma as she proceeds in her journey. As newly appointed queen she must deal with several problems in her kingdom, including a revolt in the province of Wa. Her nickname is "Sekishi" ("red child").

Keiki
Keiki is a Kirin and Saiho of the kingdom of Kei. He contacted Youko in Japan and took her back to Kei. Soon afterwards, he fell under a spell from Kou’s Saiho, and was forced to make appearances in front of the fake queen of Kei. Youko later freed him of the spell and he began advising her on matters of state. He, like all Kirin, resolves to peaceful advice and gentle gestures.

Rakushun
Rakushun is a Hanjyuu in the form of a rat. He was Youko’s first true friend since she arrived at Kou. At first, Youko distrusted him, but his loyalty and honesty soon proved to her how valuable he is. He assisted her in escaping Kou and escorted her to the kingdom of En, where she obtained help from the king of En to retrieve her kingdom back and save Keiki. Rakushun rarely uses his human form and is extremely proud of being a Hanjyuu. He is well educated and with the help of the King of En is enrolled in the Daigaku of En. He teaches Youko the basic information about the world and how everything works.

Shoryu
Like Youko, Shoryu is a Taika from Feudal Japan 500 years ago. Rokuta chose him as the king of En. He has been ruling ever since for 500 years and has caused the envy of rulers from other kingdoms, most notably by the king of Kou. He helped Youko by providing her with an army to retrieve the kingdom of Kei and save Keiki. He took upon himself to help and guide Youko in her new life as queen.

Rokuta
A Kirin and Saiho of En, Rokuta chose Shoryu as king of En. He is a Taika who was abandomed by his parents in Japan, later to be found by his Nyokai. He felt that humans could not rule a kingdom properly and was reluctant in choosing a new king. After meeting Shoryu in Japan he decided that Shoryu truly deserved to become king of En. He assisted Youko in her journey to Kei and played an important part in helping the Saiho of Tai.

Yuka Sugimoto
Yuka was Youko’s classmate in Japan before she was transported to Kuo along with Youko and Asano. She enjoys fantasy and was thrilled to be part of this adventure. This did not last long when she realized that the adventures were not how they were depicted in the books she had read. She became extremely jealous of Youko when she found out that Youko was the "chosen one" and not her. The king of Kou brainwashed Yuka and forced her to fight against Yuka. She later realized her mistake and accepted her fate. Youko, with the help of Keiki, returned Yuka back to Japan.

Ikuya Asano
Ikuya was another one of Youko’s classmates who gets transported to the kingdom of Kou. He meets with Youko and joins her as she tries to escape from Kou. He fell of a ravine as a result of a battle between Yuka and Youko. Youko was devastated by this event and Yuka blamed Youko for this. Youko spent some time searching for Asano after she became Queen. Asano eventually became part of a group of Shusei and worked for them as a living while they traveled the lands. However, being lost in a strange world and being unable to speak the language has taken a toll on his sanity.

Anime

The anime casts Youko in the role of the main character; however, in the novels, Youko is only one of many main characters. The anime focuses on the Kingdom of Kei and the events surrounding it. Several of the other countries are introduced, the most prominent being Kou, En and Tai, while Kyou, Hou, Sai and Ryuu play a minor role compared to the other three. The rest of the countries are only introduced by name and a brief description of the current emperor and taiho. The anime also introduced the characters Asano and Sugimoto to accompany Youko to the twelve kingdoms. Their role is to externalize some of Youko's problems that were internal in the novels. [1]

The anime closely follows Youko and is divided into the following parts:

  • "Tsuki no Kage, Kage no Umi" (Shadow of the Moon, Sea of the Shadow), episodes 1-14
  • "Kaze no Umi, Meikyuu no Kishi" (Sea of the Wind, Shore of the Labyrinth), episodes 15-21
  • "Shokan" (Correspondence), episode 22
  • "Kaze no Banri, Reimei no Sora" (A Thousand Miles of Wind, The Sky of Dawn), episodes 23-39
  • "Jougetsu" (Ally of the Moon), episode 40
  • "Higashi no Wadatsumi, Nishi no Soukai" (Sea God of the East, Azure Sea of the West), episodes 41-45

The anime ended abruptly at episode 45, although the initial plans were made for 68 episodes. The company animating Twelve Kingdoms, Studio Pierrot, decided to stop production until further novels are released by the writer.[2] As of May 2006, there has been no news of further release.

Novels

There are eleven novels in total, all written in Japanese by Ono Fuyumi, with some unofficial online translations in English. The covers and the illustration in the books are drawn by Akihiro Yamada.

  • Mashō no Ko (魔性の子) ISBN 4-10-124021-3 "The Demonic Child"
Taiki's story in modern Japan.
  • Tsuki no Kage, Kage no Umi (月の影　影の海) ISBN 4-06-255071-7 "Shadow of the Moon, The Sea of Shadow"
Youko becomes Empress of Kei.
  • Kaze no Umi, Meikyū no Kishi (風の海　迷宮の岸) ISBN 4-06-255114-4 "Sea of the Wind, Shore of the Labyrinth"
Taiki chooses the Emperor of Tai.
  • Higashi no Watatsumi, Nishi no Sōkai (東の海神　西の滄海) ISBN 4-06-255168-3 "Sea God in the East, Vast Sea in the West"
The Emperor of En suppresses a rebellion.
  • Kaze no Banri, Reimei no Sora (風の万里　黎明の空) ISBN 4-06-255175-6 "A Thousand Miles of Wind, The Sky at Dawn"
Youko, Suzu and Syoukei free the Wa Province in Kei.
  • Tonan no Tsubasa (図南の翼) ISBN 4-06-255229-9 "The Aspired Wings"
Syusyou becomes Empress of Kyou.
  • Tasogare no Kishi, Akatsuki no Sora (黄昏の岸　暁の天) ISBN 4-06-255546-8 "The Shore at Twilight, The Sky at Daybreak"
Risai meets Youko to request help in summoning Taiki.
  • Kasho no Yume (華胥の幽夢) ISBN 4-06-255573-5 "The Dream of Prosperity"
Various short stories, set in Tai, Hou, Kei, Sai and Sou:
    • "Kasho" (華胥)
    • "Toei" (冬栄)
    • "Shokan" (書簡)
    • "Kizan" (帰山)
    • "Jogetsu" (乗月)

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US Release

On May 11, 2006, US publisher Tokyopop said in an interview with comic book news website Newsarama that it would be publishing the novels under its "Pop Fiction" imprint. The first book is slated for release in March 2007.[3]

Games

Konami has released in Japan two games based on Twelve Kingdoms, both produced by Takashi Shimomichi. They are Juuni Kokuki: Guren no Shirobe Koujin no Michi and Juuni Kokuki: Kakukakutaru Oudou Kouryoku no Uka. Both games contain footage from the anime and many stills of the characters are used during conversation and during battle. The game is sprite-based, with small sprites used on-screen and larger, highly animated sprites used during battle.

Juuni Kokuki: Guren no Shirobe Koujin was released for PlayStation 2 on August 28, 2003. It follows Youko's journey to becoming Empress of Kei. While classified as an RPG, it is often described as an adventure game. The game was re-released in Konami's The Best lineup on June 9, 2004. Youko is capable of summoning Keiki's Shirei into battle as well as having additional party members.[citation needed]

Juuni Kokuki: Kakukakutaru Oudou Kouryoku no Uka was released for PlayStation 2 on April 4, 2004 and is a sequel to the first game, continuing with Youko's problems after she becomes the Kei Empress. Game data from the first game can be loaded into the second. This game contains more RPG elements than the first with party-/menu-based battles becoming standard. Many of the event scenes are pulled from the novels but there are also scenes made just for the game.[citation needed]

Reference

  1. ^ "Translator Notes by Yamamoto Davey", Twelve Kingdoms - Chapter 3 - Coup, Media Blasters.
  2. ^ "Juuni Kokki End at Episode 45" from Anime News Network.
  3. ^ "More on Tokyopop's YA Fiction Line" from Newsarama.

See also

Official sites

Unofficial sites

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