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Amatsuki
View on Wikipedia| Amatsuki | |
Cover of Amatsuki volume 1 as published by Ichijinsha | |
| あまつき | |
|---|---|
| Manga | |
| Written by | Shinobu Takayama |
| Published by | Ichijinsha |
| Magazine | Monthly Comic Zero Sum |
| Original run | 2002 – August 28, 2017 |
| Volumes | 24[1] |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Kazuhiro Furuhashi |
| Produced by | Hiroyuki Omori Takema Okamura Yuko Ima |
| Written by | Kazuhiro Furuhashi Chieko Suzuki |
| Music by | Mari Fukuhara |
| Studio | Studio Deen |
| Original network | AT-X, Chiba TV, KBS Kyoto, Nagoya Broadcasting Network, Sun TV |
| Original run | April 4, 2008 – June 28, 2008 |
| Episodes | 13 |
Amatsuki (あまつき) is a manga series by Shinobu Takayama, serialized in Monthly Comic Zero Sum. A 13 episode anime adaptation produced by Studio Deen premiered on April 4, 2008.
Plot
[edit]Tokidoki is a Japanese high school student who, when he fails his history class, is sent to a high-tech history museum that virtually recreates the Edo period to do make-up work. However, what was supposed to be a simple school project becomes much more complicated when he's attacked by two supernatural beings known as "the nue" and "the yakou" and loses the vision in his left eye. After he's saved from the nue by a girl named Kuchiha, he realizes that he's no longer wearing the simulation goggles, and is trapped in the virtual Edo. Meanwhile, in the real world, Sensai Corporation, the virtual reality company who made the virtual museum Tokidoki is trapped in, is seen throughout the story.
Characters
[edit]Main characters
[edit]- Tokidoki Rikugō (六合 鴇時, Rikugō Tokidoki)
- Voiced by: Jun Fukuyama
- Tokidoki is an easygoing high school student. As a child, he was sent to boarding school by his parents who barely kept in touch with him. He was consequently taken care of by Suoh Kuwata, a law breaker type of guy who became a very important figure in his life, and a young woman named Chitose.
- Tokidoki is not good at history, and as a result has to go on a field trip to a museum that has an interactive virtual reality (VR) reproduction of the Edo period. While in the VR world, he is attacked by a nue who seems to be controlled by a small being called "Yakou". He is rescued by a woman (Kuchiha) yielding a sword.
- As a consequence of the attack, he loses vision on his left eye and finds himself trapped in this simulation of the Edo period. After becoming acquainted with the virtual universe, he seems to adapt quickly to his new surroundings. He goes under the care of Lord Shamon, a priest who cares after Kuchiha and a guy named Kon, whom he met in the real world before his attack. After meeting some interesting characters, both human and demon, he finds himself having to choose between siding with the demons, or with the humans, who seem to be at war with each other. He is stuck in a gray area, not wanting to choose either side. While in this new universe, Tokidoki is called by some the "Hakutaku," (白紙の者, "the blank page"), as his fate isn't foretold by Heaven's Net as is everyone's else.
- Kon Shinonome (篠ノ女 紺, Shinonome Kon)
- Voiced by: Koji Yusa
- A member of Tokidoki's high school who is cool-headed and logical, but has a reputation for getting into fights. He was also attacked by the Nue and Yakou, which left him with no sensation in his right arm and trapped in Edo. He arrived two years before Tokidoki, a fact pointed out as strange by the pair as they were both attacked by the Nue on the same day in the present, and acts as Tokidoki's mentor after his arrival. Later on in the story, Kon's memories are altered by Heaven and he no longer remembers the original world he came from, or Tokidoki.
- Kuchiha (朽葉)
- Voiced by: Romi Park
- A swordswoman who has a Dog God (inugami) living inside her, and as a result, is despised by humans. She saved Tokidoki from the nue. At first, she hates optimistic and naive people like Tokidoki, but she warms up to him throughout the course of the series. She usually wears her hair in a long ponytail, and has a big appetite. She and Kon are friends who love to hate each other. When she was a child, her grandfather named her Kuchiha, which means "faded flowers", in hopes that she would be the last of the family. After her grandfather's death, she became unable to tend to herself, and lived alone in the shack where she once lived with her grandfather. It is here that she is discovered by Kanzou, a boy with marked fangs over his teeth. Kuchiha lost the ability to speak, but Kanzou understood her and tended to her needs. One day, he set off to find a place where she would belong, and told her to wait where she was. However, she walked away from where she was supposed to wait, getting lost, and losing Kanzou, who was no longer able to find her. Years later, Kanzou finds her again, explaining that their destinies are bound together, for she is the dog god, and he is the destined servant of the dog god, Shirachigo( Gazu Hyakki Yakō ). Kuchiha, believing that Kanzou abandoned her, refuses to go along with him at first, but she concedes, leaving Toki with these words: "I'm not like you." Recently in the series, she saves Tokidoki from the vortex by fighting the monster and cutting her hair after it got a grip of her. Rikugou jumps in after her, confessing his love and getting bitten in the neck. Kuchiha is stuck in the vortex, with a concerned Tokidoki and Kanzou. Her age is unknown.
Other characters
[edit]- Shamon (沙門)
- Voiced by: George Nakata
- In public, he's a temple priest, but in private, he's a demon hunter. He is Kuchiha's foster father.
- Heihachi (平八)
- Voiced by: Kenji Nojima
- A friend of Tokidoki and Kon. He later becomes friends with Tsuyukusa. He gets teased by Kon for having strange and large eyes. He's severely injured by Imayou, but is healed and brought to health by Tsuyukusa. Later, he helps convince Tsuyukusa to break free from his mad frenzy.
- Ginshu (銀朱)
- Voiced by: Kenichi Suzumura
- One of the four Holy Ones and the High Priestess of the Sakigami shrine. Originally believed to have been cursed by the demon Byakuroku, it was later revealed that his spirit was in fact placed within Byakuroku's body, as an attempt by Bonten to preserve them both (after a battle that would have cost both their lives). Ginshu is actually male, but is referred to as a Princess anyway. It is revealed that Ginshu is actually not the real High Priestess, but a decoy to protect the real High Priestess, Shinshu. He possesses "poison blood" to demons, so when they try to eat him they die.
- Shinshu (真朱)
- Voiced by: Yuki Matsuoka
- Ginshu's younger sister. She can never age and is forever a child, and is actually the real High Priestess and possesses the power of foresight through the use of dreams. She is very innocent and cute, and is very fond of Ginshu. It is hinted that she used to play with Tsuyukusa when he was a child. Shinshu once had the power to alter Heaven's Net, but this was lost as a bargain to save Ginshu after the incident.
- Tsuruume (鶴梅)
- Voiced by: Marina Inoue
- Ginshu's attendant. She has been loyal to Ginshu since she was a child, and heavily quarreled with Shinshu. It is revealed that she is from a well off family, but has chosen to serve Ginshu.
- Tadajirō Sasaki (佐々木 只二郎, Sasaki Tadajirō)
- Voiced by: Tōru Ōkawa
- A government official in charge of demon hunting. He and Shamon are old friends.
- Kurotobi (黒鳶)
- Voiced by: Daisuke Kirii
- A strange person on the orders of Sasaki to watch Tokidoki. He has a pet demon, a Fire Rat. He also knows how to handle demons.
- Bonten (梵天)
- Voiced by: Junichi Suwabe
- A powerful demon with the ability to read fate. He is one of the four Holy Ones. He has known Ginshu since he was a child. On their first encounter Bonten tried to kill Ginshu, but found out that it was futile (as Ginshu revealed he was just a decoy for Shinshu). He was very fond of Ginshu, but unlike Ginshu, he did not like to openly admit it and often spoke to him rudely. He spent most of the winter as a child playing with Ginshu in various games. However, their relationship changed drastically after the priestess of the Sakigami shrine severely injured Tsuyukusa. A bloody battle took place, and as Ginshu and Byakuroku killed each other, a deal was made with Heaven, so that Shinshu's power was transferred to Bonten, and he replaced Byakuroku taking his place as Heaven's Seat.
- Tsuyukusa (露草)
- Voiced by: Showtaro Morikubo
- A kodama (Tree Spirit) who works with Bonten. He resents humans for the death of Byakuroku, but seems to have little trouble befriending them.
- Utsubushi (空五倍子)
- Voiced by: Jūrōta Kosugi
- A tengu who serves Bonten. Utsubushi regards Bonten as his 'father' as he is in fact a collaboration of spirits Bonten had gathered and given form to.
- Imayō (今様)
- Voiced by: Rei Igarashi
- A kitsune who resents humans for the death of her master. She's corrupted by the Yakou after killing humans. She is later saved by Tokidoki, and afterward reverts to her original form.
- Byakuroku (白緑)
- Voiced by: Ken Narita
- An old and powerful snake demon who, at the brink of death after biting into Ginshu's 'poison blood', became the vessel for Ginshu's spirit. He raised Bonten and Tsuyukusa.
- Susutake (煤竹)
- Voiced by: Ryuzou Ishino
- A member of Heaven's seat who is actually the Yakou. He is seen with Bonten, Utsubushi, and Tsuyukusa.
- Hizame (緋褪)
- Part of the Onmyou Bureau; group that hunts demons; she wears a cloth over her eye. She is a refined woman, and she had also made an arrangement with Sasaki to give him the power to see demons in exchange for his eyesight. She teases Tokidoki, thinking he likes Kuchiha.
Media
[edit]An anime television series is directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi[2] and produced by Studio Deen. 13 episodes were produced.
| No. | Title | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "This Rainy Night's Moon" Transliteration: "Amatsuki" (Japanese: 雨夜之月(あまつき)) | April 4, 2008 | |
|
After failing another history test, Tokidoki Rikugou goes to a high-tech history museum for a makeup class. The museum creates a virtual Edo period using special goggles and a large room. There Tokidoki meets and befriends Kon Shinonome, a makeup student like himself. Tokidoki speaks with him until Kon suddenly disappears. When Tokidoki comes to a bridge in the exhibit he loses an eye from being attacked by a Nue, and is helpless to do anything until a female samurai named Kuchiha comes to his rescue. When Tokidoki comes to later, he finds out that he may actually be in the Edo time period. | |||
| 2 | "The Voice That Calls To Dogs" Transliteration: "Inu o Yobu Koe" (Japanese: 狗(いぬ)をよぶ聲(こえ)) | April 11, 2008 | |
|
Tokidoki goes to the temple and is introduced to the monk, Shamon, who tells Tokidoki that like Shinonome, he is stuck in this world with no way of returning home. Tokidoki doesn't let this bother him though and decides he'll do his best to do what he can at the temple. When Kuchiha is threatened by some samurai, Tokidoki stands up to fight them, only to have Kuchiha save him in the end, by exposing her secret: she's an inugami-tsuki possessed by a dog spirit. The samurai flee for their lives and Kuchiha gets mad at Tokidoki for having interfered in the first place. Unable to let the samurai get away, Tokidoki convinces Shinonome and the watchman, Heihachi, to help him pull a prank on one of the samurai to teach them a lesson. There he refers to the things he had learned in his era, and uses it against the samurai. | |||
| 3 | "A Monster Along the Way" Transliteration: "Bakemono Dōchū" (Japanese: 化け物道中(ばけものどうちゅう)) | April 18, 2008 | |
|
A government official shows up asking about a rumor that an ayakashi is taken refuge to the temple. Tokidoki under the pressure admits to the prank he caused. As his punishment he is ordered to go to a temple. Kuchiha and Shinonome accompany him on the journey. They are lost on their way. | |||
| 4 | "Dog God and the Sacred Princess" Transliteration: "Inugami to Himegami" (Japanese: 狗神(いぬがみ)と姫神(ひめがみ)) | April 25, 2008 | |
|
Tokidoki, Kuchiha, and Shinonome are summoned by the High Priestess, Princess Ginshu, of the Sakigami shrine. Tokidoki is revealed to be the "blank page" (or the "unwritten page") and has the ability to create things by imagining it with his left eye. | |||
| 5 | "Dawn and Awakening" Transliteration: "Akatsuki to Mezame" (Japanese: 暁(あかつき)と目覚め(めざめ)) | May 2, 2008 | |
|
Two men prepare to take down a sacred tree, thus showing a flashback of Kuchiha's childhood showing her grandfather. Tsuruume explains that there are many people who rely much on the Princess, and that the ayakashi have been increasing recently. Kuchiha explains to Tokidoki, about her past childhood, and about how her grandfather gave her name, and the kuchi part of her name meaning to rot. Kuchiha and Tokidoki's friendship begins to grow along with Shinonome. The Princess is then introduced, and has explained to Tokidoki and Shinonome, how she is able to live and die again. Tokidoki and Shinonome are quite confused when they see her appearance, but explains why it's like that. Later on, after Tokidoki, and Shinonome have eaten, Ginshu (the Princess) asks for Tokidoki's help. In the end, they show the man who cut down the sacred tree, being affected by the ayakashi's spirit. Shamon was asked for help, leaving Heihachi behind in the temple. | |||
| 6 | "Marks in a Water Channel" Transliteration: "Miotsukushi" (Japanese: 澪標(みおつくし)) | May 9, 2008 | |
|
Tsuyukusa falls from a tree onto Heihachi who was passing by. He's looking for any strange events. Shinonome explains Tokidoki's personality to Kuchiha. Tadajirō Sasaki admits that he knew Tokidoki was the Hakushi no Mono ('blank page' or 'unwritten page'). Sasaki then goes on and reveals that Shinonome was the first Hakushi no Mono but it was too late when they found out as he had already been there for a year and Teiten has found him and written him into Heaven's Net. The story continues with Tokidoki finding Shinshu crying for Ginshu who is her brother and begging him to lift the curse. Shinshu blames herself as Ginshu was trying to save her when he was cursed. Tokidoki tries to use the Hakutaku (his power) but is unable to. He then calls Bonten for help. Bonten asks him to go to Nihonboshi if he wants to know. Ginshu allows them to go. It ends with Tsuyukusa and Heihachi meeting an ayakashi. | |||
| 7 | "Descending Dawn" Transliteration: "Akatoki Kutachi" (Japanese: 暁(あかとき)降(くた)ち) | May 16, 2008 | |
|
Sasaki warns Tokidoki that he'd be keeping an eye on him. Tokidoki says farewell to Shinonome who will be staying behind. Ginshu reveals that the closest to Teiten would have to be Kokuten, who is the yakou. The yakou drives the world mad, which might be Teiten's intent. Ginshu's curse does not kill him, it makes him unable to die. After revealing all this to Shinonome, Ginshu causes him to fall asleep. Ginshu hints that Bonten shed tears once. Bonten hints that he too is cursed. Heihachi reveals that he knew Tsuyukusa is not human since the beginning. They introduce themselves. The ayakashi Inari harms Heihachi. | |||
| 8 | "Silk Flower Sleeps" Transliteration: "Hakubobana ga Nemuru" (Japanese: 薄暮花(はくぼばな)が眠る) | May 23, 2008 | |
|
This episode begins with the telling of Kuchiha's past with her grandfather, on how they were worshipped like gods in the village, and then feared because they thought they would be cursed. How Shamon meets Kuchiha is also mentioned. It was then Shamon and the ayakashi inugami in Kuchiha conversed with each other. Shamon volunteered to take in both Kuchiha and the inugami, and the inugami agrees. After that, it becomes a flashback from the point of view of a man, Kosen, who recently became monk that Ginshu is in a prohibited area. He is able to see demons, and despite his family's opposition, he became a monk. Kosen thought that Ginshu is a demon due to the curse, and wanted to chase Ginshu out. Before Kosen joined Ginshu's shrine, he was at Shamon's but left when he thought Shamon was an incompetent monk. Shamon then introduced him to Sakagami Shrine. When Ginshu left, a tengu, which was thought to be a bird by Kosen, spoke to him. Back in the present, Shinonome was in the kitchen, chatting with Kosen on how he was treating Kuchiha like a human despite knowing she was possessed by an Inugami. | |||
| 9 | "Spring Afternoon" Transliteration: "Shunchū" (Japanese: 春昼(しゅんちゅう)) | May 30, 2008 | |
|
Heihachi is found abandoned in the forest by Bonten and starts to draw his soul out. Tokidoki and Kuchiha find out that Shamon is nearby and go to see him, leaving Shinshu alone at the Pharmacy. | |||
| 10 | "And, The Day Was Shady" Transliteration: "Soshite, Hi wa Kageri" (Japanese: そして、日(ひ)は陰(かげ)り) | June 6, 2008 | |
| 11 | "Dark and Thick Woods" Transliteration: "Konokureshige" (Japanese: 木の暗茂(このくれしげ)) | June 14, 2008 | |
| 12 | "Both Sides of the Konotegashiwa" Transliteration: "Konotegashiwa no Futaomote" (Japanese: 児手柏(このてがしわ)の両面(ふたおもて)) | June 21, 2008 | |
| 13 | "Whistle of the Wind from a High Peak" Transliteration: "Takaneoroshi no Mogaribue" (Japanese: 高嶺颪(たかねおろし)の虎落笛(もがりぶえ)) | June 28, 2008 | |
Music
[edit]Opening Theme
- "Casting Dice" by Yuuki Kanno
Ending Theme
- "Namae no Nai Michi (名まえのない道; A Road with No Name)" by Kaori Hikita
See also
[edit]- Haigakura, another manga series by Shinobu Takayama.
References
[edit]- ^ "Amatsuki Manga Ends With 24th Volume This Winter". Anime News Network. June 27, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
- ^ "Anime Expo to Host Gundam UC Director Kazuhiro Furuhashi". Anime News Network. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
External links
[edit]- Amatsuki Official site (in Japanese)
- Amatsuki Studio Deen Official site (in Japanese)
- Amatsuki (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
Amatsuki
View on GrokipediaSynopsis
Plot
Tokidoki Rikugō, an ordinary Japanese high school student, fails his history exam and is required to attend supplementary classes at a state-of-the-art virtual reality museum that recreates the Edo period.[2] During an exhibit simulating a supernatural event, Tokidoki is attacked by a nue controlled by the demon Yakou, resulting in the loss of vision in his left eye—though it gains the ability to create things—and his sudden entrapment within the museum's digital simulation known as Amatsuki—a warped alternate version of Edo Japan where yokai and demons are tangible threats.[6] Disoriented and vulnerable, he is rescued by Kuchiha, a skilled swordswoman, and begins navigating this perilous world to survive amid escalating tensions between humans and demons.[2] As Tokidoki travels with Kuchiha and later allies like his classmate Kon Shinonome—who was previously trapped in Amatsuki and now suffers from memory loss—he grapples with profound moral dilemmas about aligning with either the human Onmyōji Bureau, which seeks to eradicate demons, or the demon factions vying for dominance.[6] Key encounters force him to confront the blurred lines between the two sides, including demon uprisings that threaten the fragile balance of the realm. A pivotal revelation emerges when Tokidoki learns he embodies the mythical Hakutaku, a prophetic beast whose fate remains blank and unwritten due to his modern origins, rendering his actions unpredictable and central to the world's destiny.[6] The narrative builds toward Tokidoki's overarching quest to escape the simulation, complicated by Kon's fragmented recollections of prior events and intensifying conflicts that draw in divine and technological forces.[7] In the manga's conclusion in 2017, the story reaches its climax with a decisive confrontation against the simulation's creators, culminating in Tokidoki's choice regarding his enduring role in Amatsuki's fate.[8]Setting
The world of Amatsuki is depicted as a virtual reality simulation of Edo-period Japan (1603–1868), constructed by the Sensai Corporation as an educational tool, but it has evolved into an altered realm known as Amatsuki where yokai—supernatural demons and spirits—and humans coexist amid ongoing tension and conflict.[6] This simulated environment blends historical reconstruction with fantastical elements, creating a pocket dimension that operates independently yet perilously close to the real world.[3] At the core of the mythology is the simulation's growing instability, caused by incursions from oni (powerful demons) that erode the barriers separating Amatsuki from external realities, leading to structural chaos and supernatural imbalances within the realm.[6] These breaches allow yokai to influence human society more aggressively, heightening the perpetual strife between demonic forces and human defenders who seek to maintain order.[7] The environments reflect Edo-era cityscapes interspersed with supernatural phenomena, including cursed forests teeming with malevolent spirits, demon-haunted shrines that serve as contested spiritual hubs, and territories dominated by warring factions of yokai and humans.[6] These landscapes incorporate traditional Japanese architecture, such as wooden machiya houses and torii gates, but are distorted by otherworldly mists and ethereal glows that signal yokai presence.[3] Unique to this universe is the "unwritten fate" system, exemplified by entities like Hakutaku, whose destinies remain malleable and subject to manipulation by higher divine or demonic powers, introducing unpredictability into the otherwise fate-bound historical framework.[6] Additionally, "poison blood" functions as a rare physiological trait that repels or harms demons, serving as a key defensive mechanism in human-yokai interactions.[6] The setting maintains historical fidelity to the Edo period through authentic customs like tea ceremonies and festival processions, architectural styles such as castle keeps and merchant districts, and folklore traditions, while fictionalizing them with integrated supernatural aspects, including inugami (dog spirits) and organized priestly orders that combat yokai threats.[6][7]Characters
Main characters
Tokidoki Rikugō is the protagonist, an easygoing high school student who becomes trapped in a virtual simulation of the Edo period after being attacked by a nue, resulting in the loss of vision in his left eye. He is prophesied as the "Hakutaku," or "blank page," due to his unpredictable fate. Voiced by Jun Fukuyama in the anime adaptation.[3] Kuchiha is a fierce swordswoman and one of Tokidoki's companions, bonded with an inugami (dog spirit) that causes her to be ostracized by humans. She was raised by the monk Shamon after the death of her grandfather. Voiced by Romi Park in the anime adaptation.[3] Kon Shinonome is Tokidoki's cool-headed schoolmate, trapped in the simulation for two years prior to Tokidoki's arrival, with a nue attack causing loss of sensation in his right arm. He possesses the "Unwritten Page" trait and serves as a mentor using his analytical skills. Voiced by Kōji Yusa in the anime adaptation.[3] The main trio—Tokidoki, Kuchiha, and Kon—navigate the dangers of the simulated world together, forming bonds amid human-demon conflicts.Supporting characters
Shamon is a demon-hunting priest and Kuchiha's foster father, who provides guidance to the group while maintaining a temple. Voiced by Jōji Nakata in the anime adaptation.[3] Ginshu is a decoy for the high priestess at the Sakigami shrine, one of the four Holy Ones, with "poison blood" lethal to demons. Voiced by an uncredited actor in the anime adaptation. Shinshu is Ginshu's younger sister and the true high priestess, cursed to remain childlike with foresight powers manifested in prophetic dreams. Voiced by Yuki Matsuoka in the anime adaptation.[3] Among the antagonists, Byakuroku is an ancient snake yokai driven by resentment toward humans, particularly after an encounter with Ginshu's poison blood. Yokai and human factions, including the priestly order of the four Holy Ones with figures like the fate-reading demon Bonten, contribute to the series' conflicts and alliances. Bonten is voiced by Junichi Suwabe in the anime adaptation.[3]Production
Manga
Amatsuki is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Shinobu Takayama. It was serialized in Ichijinsha's josei manga magazine Monthly Comic Zero-Sum from March 2005 to August 28, 2017, and collected into 24 tankōbon volumes.[2][1][8] Shinobu Takayama, a manga artist specializing in the josei demographic, is recognized for her distinctive style that merges historical fiction with supernatural fantasy, heavily influenced by traditional Japanese folklore and yokai mythology.[9] Prior to Amatsuki, Takayama contributed to anthology series such as Arcana, where she explored themes of mystery and the occult through short stories, honing her approach to intricate world-building and character-driven narratives.[10] Her background in these works laid the foundation for Amatsuki's fusion of Edo-period authenticity with otherworldly elements, reflecting her interest in reinterpreting historical and mythical motifs in a modern context.[11] Takayama's artwork in Amatsuki features meticulously detailed depictions of Edo-era architecture, clothing, and landscapes, creating an immersive historical atmosphere. The designs of yokai and supernatural entities are particularly intricate, often incorporating traditional folklore inspirations with elaborate patterns and dynamic poses that convey otherworldly menace or elegance. Her paneling techniques emphasize atmospheric tension through strategic use of shadows, varying perspectives, and expansive spreads that heighten the sense of mystery and unease, contributing to the manga's dark, gothic aesthetic.[12]Anime
The anime adaptation of Amatsuki was produced by Studio Deen under the direction of Kazuhiro Furuhashi, who also handled series composition and screenplay alongside Chieko Suzuki.[3][13] The series consists of 13 episodes and aired from April 4 to June 27, 2008, primarily on AT-X and regional networks such as Chiba TV, KBS Kyoto, Nagoya Broadcasting Network, and Sun TV.[3] Production choices included enhanced animation sequences for dynamic action scenes, such as sword fights, with chief animation director Yukiko Ban overseeing episodes 2 through 12 to emphasize fluid motion and visual effects for yokai and battles.[3] Voice casting featured talents like Jun Fukuyama as Tokidoki and Jun'ichi Suwabe as Kuchiha, selected to convey the emotional nuances of character relationships amid the story's mystery and tension.[3]Release
Manga publication
Amatsuki was serialized in Ichijinsha's Monthly Comic Zero Sum magazine from 2004 to August 2017.[2] The series appeared on a monthly basis, spanning 156 chapters across its run. The manga was collected into 24 tankōbon volumes published by Ichijinsha, with the first volume released in 2005 and the final volume in April 2018, concluding the story.[8] Several volumes featured special editions, including limited releases with bonus booklets for volume 17 and a special package edition for the concluding volume 24.[14] Internationally, the series received a French-language license from KAZÉ, which published multiple volumes starting in 2011.[2] It also saw publication in Taiwan by Sharp Point Press.[2] No official English edition has been released, though fan translations are widely available online via sites like MangaDex, and Japanese digital versions can be accessed through platforms such as BookWalker.[15]Anime broadcast
The Amatsuki anime adaptation aired in Japan from April 4, 2008, to June 27, 2008, consisting of 13 weekly episodes broadcast on TV Tokyo and its affiliates at 2:30 a.m. JST on Saturdays.[3] International simulcasts were limited, as official overseas broadcasts or streaming were not widely available during the original run.[3] The episode structure follows an arc-based narrative that adapts volumes 1 through 4 of the original manga, spanning chapters 1 to 24, and ends on a cliffhanger that hints at the protagonist's ongoing journey in the alternate historical world.[12] In Japan, home media releases comprised six DVD volumes issued by Media Factory starting in July 2008, with each volume containing two episodes plus extras such as cast interviews and illustrations.[16] No official Region 1 DVD or Blu-ray releases occurred in North America, though import versions were accessible to international fans; the series is not currently available on major streaming platforms like Crunchyroll or HIDIVE as of November 2025.[17] No original video animations (OVAs) or additional related anime media were produced, and official episode guides can be found on databases like Anime News Network.[3]Music
Themes
The opening theme for the Amatsuki anime, "Casting Dice," is performed by Yuuki Kanno and serves as the primary sequence introducing the series' blend of historical intrigue and supernatural elements. Released as a single in 2008, the track features an upbeat rock arrangement that conveys a sense of adventure and underlying mystery, aligning with the protagonist's journey through an alternate Edo period fraught with yokai and historical anomalies.[18] In contrast, the ending theme, "Namae no Nai Michi" (translated as "A Road with No Name"), is sung by Kaori Hikita and provides a reflective close to each episode. Composed by Yuki Kajiura and released in 2008, this melancholic ballad emphasizes themes of loss, uncertainty, and inescapable fate, mirroring the characters' struggles against predestined historical cycles and personal sacrifices. Its slow tempo and emotive vocals underscore the narrative's poignant exploration of identity and transience.[19] Insert songs in Amatsuki appear sporadically to heighten key emotional moments, such as intense demon battles or introspective character reflections. A notable example is "Tooryanse," an adaptation of a traditional Japanese folk tune arranged by Mari Fukuhara and performed by Lynne Hobday, which plays during a tense sequence involving yokai confrontations, evoking a haunting sense of folklore and peril. These tracks integrate vocal elements to amplify dramatic tension without overshadowing the main themes.[20] The musical style of Amatsuki's themes fuses traditional Japanese instrumentation, such as shamisen and taiko-inspired rhythms, with modern synthesizers and rock elements, effectively bridging the anime's historical-fantasy world—rooted in Edo-era Japan—with contemporary narrative pacing and emotional depth. This hybrid approach enhances the songs' ability to immerse viewers in the story's alternate reality.[3]Soundtrack
The soundtrack for Amatsuki was composed by Mari Fukuhara, a pianist and composer known for her work in anime and live performances.[21] Her score emphasizes piano-driven ambient tracks that evoke the series' Edo-period setting and the interplay between historical reality and supernatural elements, creating a fantastical and seductive atmosphere where dreams and reality intersect.[22] Representative examples include serene pieces like "Heion na Hibi" (Peaceful Days) for everyday Edo life and more dynamic cues such as "Gekitou" (Passion) for heightened tension in yokai encounters and human-demon conflicts.[23] The sound design blends piano as the core instrument with diverse arrangements to underscore the supernatural tones, including instrumental versions of traditional elements that enhance the historical and otherworldly ambiance without overpowering the narrative.[24] This approach supports the series' introspective moments, such as those centered on protagonist Tokihisa's inner turmoil, through subtle, evocative motifs that recur across episodes.[22] An official soundtrack album, TV Anime Amatsuki Soundtrack, was released on July 2, 2008, by Frontier Works (catalog FCCM-0238).[23] The CD compiles 28 tracks, primarily instrumental BGM by Fukuhara, alongside TV-size versions of the opening and ending themes and insert songs like the instrumental "Tooryanse" and "Shuten Douji no Uta." Key tracks include:| Track No. | Title (Romaji) | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Heion na Hibi | 2:20 | Ambient Edo daily life |
| 3 | Ooedo Bakumatsu Junkai Ten | 2:02 | Exhibition/museum ambiance |
| 8 | Bakemono Michi | 2:04 | Yokai tension |
| 20 | Gekitou | 3:11 | Intense action cue |
| 26 | Yoru Sou (Orgel Version) | 1:00 | Variant for introspection |
