Utawarerumono
| Utawarerumono | |
| File:9992 k4z2p9jbwa.jpg Utawarerumono | |
| Genre | Adventure, Fantasy, Science fiction, Comedy |
|---|---|
| Video game | |
| Developer | Leaf |
| Publisher | AQUAPLUS |
| Genre | ADV+SLG(S-RPG) |
| Platform | PC, PlayStation 2 |
| Anime | |
| Directed by | Tomoki Kobayashi |
| Studio |  Oriental Light and Magic ADV Films |
Utawarerumono (うたわれるもの)is the title of a fictional series mainly concerning wars and battle set in a primitive time. The series first began as a Japanese adult AVG+SLG(S-RPG) by Leaf which was released on April 26 2002. A DVD-ROM edition was released on December 12 2003. Unlike most adventure games, the story is linear. There is no voice acting in the PC version. A PlayStation 2 port, featuring a new battle system by Flight Plan (of the Summon Night series), will be released sometime in 2006 in Japan.
Later, an anime adaption started airing on April 3 2006. Since then, ADV Films has acquired the rights to the Utawarerumono anime. The English title is set to be Shadow Warrior Chronicles and will be available in early 2007.[1]
Plot
Template:Spoiler Utawarerumono is a story centering around the masked protagonist Hakuoro who one day is found by a family of two girls and their grandmother in a nearby forest. He is badly injured so they take him to their home and treat him until he is well again. Hakuoro is soon accepted into their village where he stays and lives with them, until certain events result in him leading a rebellion against the emperor of the country which later lands him to become emperor of a vast country named Tusukuru after the well-respected woman who helped saved his life.
After becoming emperor, Hakuoro soon finds out that peace is hard to attain which later leads him into many bloody battles ir order to fight for the freedom of his people to exist.
The story genre is at first a fantasy-style story with heavy Ainu influence, though later develops science fiction themes towards the end; the game appears at first to take place in a fantasy world, but it is later revealed that it takes place in a post-apocalyptic Earth's far future.
Characters
- Hakuoro (ハクオロ, ), (Seiyū - Rikiya Koyama)
- He wears an unremoveable mask over the top part of his head extended down to just under the eyes. He is found badly injured by Erurū, Arurū and their grandmother in a nearby forest and nursed back to health by them. Also, he has lost all his memories and in effect, has no idea who he is and is somewhat confused at the bizare nature of the world he is now living in.
- He is given the name Hakuoro (also the name of Erurū and Arurū's father) due to his being unable to remember his original name. His main weapon of choice is a large metal fan that Tusukuru gave him.
- His body shelters half of the great god Uitsuarunmitea's soul, more specifically the deity's benevolent side, while another person, Dii, houses the darker side.
- Once known as Iceman before the cataclysm that released the new races on Earth.
- Hakuoro means "White Emperor" in Ainu.
- Erurū (エルルゥ, ), (Seiyū - Ryoka Yuzuki)
- She is the first person Hakuoro meets when he wakes up after being found by her and her family. Also, she helps by nursing him back to health until he is strong enough to go walking outside, with much initial assistance needed by Eruruu and a walking stick. Erurū has a forceful, but caring, personality. She is named after a flower that only exists in the story. Unbeknownst to anyone, including herself, she is in possession of the biotechnology research facility's master key (her ring-like hair ornament).
- Arurū (アルルゥ, ), (Seiyū - Miyuki Sawashiro)
- Eruruu's younger sister, she is rather shy and quiet. Much like her sister, she is also named after a fictional flower. It is said that the Eruruu and Aruruu flowers grow together. After the Mutikapa died, Arurū took in its child and starting raising her as if it were her own, and named it Mukkuru. She calls Hakuoro "otou-san", meaning father.
- Oboro (オボロ, ), (Seiyū - Daisuke Kirii)
- A chivalric and loyal bandit chief, who later joins Tusukuru. A very loving brother to Yuzuha, whose frail and weak body is caused by an unknown sickness. At other times he will tend to act childish, though in a comical way (as seen in episodes 8 & 10). This could be due to when people interact with Yuzuha, his younger sister, like when Kamyu plays with Yuzuha, Arurū and Mukuru, her "pet" tiger.
- Dori & Gura (ドリィ & グラァ, ), (Seiyū - Akeno Watanabe)
- Twin brother archers serving under Oboro. They are very feminine in appearance and mannerisms, so in effect they often get mistaken for girls and could be easily classified as androgynous. Their gender is specified in dialogue in the game, but the anime adaptation has yet to make it unmistakably clear, which is most likely just the studio Oriental Light and Magic trying to mess with the viewers. Although there are quite a few scenes in the anime that suggests that they are girls, there is no real evidence.
- There are several ways to tell them apart. For one, Dori has purple eyes while Gura's are blue. Also, the bottom part of Dori's clothes are blue while with Gura they are red.
- Benawi (ベナウィ, ), (Seiyū - Daisuke Namikawa)
- A mononofu who has a great number of cavalrymen serving under him. Joins Hakuoro after he kills Inkara (the ruler of Kenashikourupe). He has a strong sense of responsiblity to his country.
- Kurou (クロウ)
- A very loyal subordinate of Benawi, he is second in command of Benawi's cavalry men. Joins Hakuoro alongside Benawi. Kurou tends to be the comedic relief of the anime. He and Oboro usually argue, due to Kurou's teasing of Oboro.
- Karurauatsuurei (Karura) (カルラゥアツゥレイ（カルラ）)
- A very strong female soldier who weilds a large sword that's so heavy only she can use it. She joins Hakuoro after she is found having slaughtered many soldiers from another country who were holding her prisoner. She is often seen drinking sake, even on the battle field (She could drink several barrels of sake in one day).
- Once the princess of Nan-Tunku before the Shakukoporu deposed her and placed a puppet leader at the head of the state. She has a younger brother, Derihourai, although he doesn't seem to have any recollection of his older sister. Despite her being concerned by her country (which she conceals) she has forsaken her past as a royal and decided to live her life as Karura, a simple woman.
- One of the two last Giriyaginas on Earth, along with Derihourai. The race has been completely exterminated by other ethnicities.
- Touka (トウカ, ), (Seiyū - Kaya Miyake)
- An Evenkuruga mononofu. A wandering swordsmaster whose skills are both quick and lethal. The people in her tribe are said to each have an extraordinary fighting ability. They side with good and fight evil in the world in the name of justice.
- Although working for Lord Orikakan at first, she'll pledge fealty to Hakuoro and act as his bodyguard following her previous employer's death.
- Yuzuha (ユズハ, ), (Seiyū - Mai Nakahara)
- Oboro's little sister, she has been very sick with an unknown affliction all her life. Though bedridden most of the time, she has enhanced senses of smell and hearing and is able to recognize a person by their scent.
Urutori (blonde) and Kamyu (silver hair)
- Urutori (ウルトリィ, ), (Seiyū - Sayaka Ohara)
- The first princess of Onkamiyamukai. She decides to become the yomoru (priest sent to look out for a country's welfare) of Tusukuru.
- Kamyu (カミュ, ), (Seiyū - Rie Kugimiya)
- Urutori's sister, the second princess of Onkamiyamukai. She befriends Aruruu, Yuzuha, and Mukuru and is often seen playing with them.
- Tusukuru (トゥスクル, ), (Seiyū - Hisako Kyouda)
- Erurū's and Arurū's grandmother and village elder, she is the leader of the village. She is a very kind person and is respected by everyone in the village and even some out of it. Tusukuru also later becomes the name of the country formed after Kenashikourupe falls.
- Orikakan (オリカカン)
- Lord of Kuccha Keccha, manipulated by Niue and Dii into attacking Tusukuru by brainwashing him into believing that Hakuoro is his sister's killer. He was eventually killed by Niue when his purpose was fulfilled.
- Niue (ニウェ)
- Lord of Sukeripechimu, he attacks Tusukuru in an attempt to draw out Hakuoro's inner beast. Allied himself with Dii for a moment.
- Kuuya Amururineuruka (アムルリネウルカ・クーヤ, (Seiyū - Akira Tomisaka)
- The ruler of Kunnekamun, who befriends Hakuoro. Hakuoro first mistook her for a boy because of her veil and her tomboy voice.
- Derihourai (デリホウライ)
- Karura's brother, who later becomes the lord of Karurauatsuurei.
- Uitsuarunemitea (ウィツァルネミテア)
- The great god Uitsuarunemitea, revered by all in Utawarerumono's present. The Shakukoporu oppose that opinion and name Uitsuarunemitea the God of Bad luck. In the entire story, Uitsuarunemitea is also known for making contracts with certain mortals, fulfilling wishes but for a certain price.
- Dii (ディー)
- Onkamiya scholar that wandered inside the cave where Uitsuarunemitea's soul was sealed. Just like Hakuoro possesses the great god's 'good' side, Dii received the darker one and has been possessed by Uitsuarunemitea's negative feelings ever since. He stirs wars everywhere so that Uitsuarunemitea's children (all races were based on Iceman, Uitsuarunemitea's avatar) could reach greater heights out of love for them, although Hakuoro opposes that view.
- Nuwangi (ヌワンギ, ), (Seiyū - Hiroyuki Yoshino)
- A weak swordsman who soon becomes the samurai leader after taking the position from Benawi. He used to live in the town where Erurū is from, but left to serve the government.
- Genjimaru (ゲンジマル)
- An old mononofu serving under Kuuya who is also Sakuya's Grandfather.
- Sakuya (サクヤ, ), (Seiyū - Kaori Mizuhashi)
- One of Kuuya's attendants and Genjimaru's granddaughter.
- Hien (ヒエン)
- Sakuya's brother, and Genjimaru's grandson.
- Mutsumi (ムツミ)
- Uitsuarunemitea's "daughter". The one who sealed him and now lives on inside Kamyuu like a split personality inherited through blood lines. Her name is derived from the number 63.
- Mikoto (ミコト)
- Artificial being based on Iceman's body. She was the only woman he ever loved, until she was 'dismantled' by scientists for research. Her name is derived from the number 3510.
- The Iceman (アイスマン)
- Uitsuarunemitea's human form on Earth. Discovered by scientists and experimented on. Artificial beings based on his body were created for further studies and he eventually had a child with one of those, namely Mikoto. Following Mikoto's death, he went berserk and reverted to Uitsuarunemitea, causing a cataclysm. Sealed by Mutsumi, he will reappear a few centuries or decennia later and will become Hakuoro after a battle that will leave him with complete amnesia.
Backstory
An archaeological expedition unearths a mysterious fossil, a fossil of a disfigured beast. Unknown to the archaeologist, the fossil is the embodiment of a forgotten god, known as Uitsuarunemitea. A stranger stumbles in, and after some confrontation, the mysterious stranger shoots the archaeologist. As the archaeologist slowly dies, his blood touches the fossil, and the forgotten god awakens.
Uitsuarunemitea, a shattered and forgotten deity, sees opportunity in the dying archaeologist. He offers the archaeologist life, in exchange for becoming his vessel, so that Uitsuarunemitea can finally find the sleep he so desires. Time passes, and eventually he becomes frozen in ice.
With Uitsuarunemitea still bound in sleep as his mask, the archaeologist re-awakens many years into the future. He finds himself in an underground research facility, where he is being studied as an ancient human specimen. The archaeologist learns from the researchers that the world has become an uninhabitable wasteland, and the last of mankind lives there, in the underground shelter.
Mizushima, a researcher, is assigned to the care and study of the archaeologist, who is now referred to as the Iceman. Upon discovering that the 'Iceman' is able to breathe the post-apocalyptic air, the researchers look to harness his unique genome to re-populate the surface of the earth. Of the thousands of creations, only a select few prove to be viable, including experiments 3510 and 63. Experiment number 3510, a beautiful woman, is given the name Mikoto and experiment number 63, a girl, is given the name Mutsumi. Mutsumi, realizing she has come from the Iceman's DNA, addresses him as "father".
The genome project encounters some problems, however, and the researchers in charge decide to re-freeze the Iceman for later study. Mizushima, aware of the human side of the Iceman, urges him to run, and gives him the facility's master key, a plain-colored ring recognized by the facility's doors.
The Iceman runs from the facility, taking Mikoto with him, whom he has fallen in love with. After a few years have passed, Mikoto gives birth to a daughter. The researchers, however, don environmental suits in order to pursue the Iceman and recapture both him and Mikoto. Mikoto is dissected for further research, but while Iceman is being prepared to be frozen, Uitsuarunemitea awakens.
Outraged by the treatment of Mikoto, a new side of Uitsuarunemitea begins to form. Filled with rage, Uitsuarunemitea destroys most of the facility. When faced by the immortal god, the staff falter, and beg for mercy. Uitsuarunemitea grants their plea, transforming them into immortal gelatinous beings. Eventually, the great god accrues so much rage as to split himself into two halves: one which seeks destruction, and another, which seeks only to be destroyed.
Suddenly, Mutsumi appears, and empowered by Uitsuarunemitea's divine blood, she puts both halves of Uitsuarunemitea to sleep. Meanwhile, the few successful genetic experiments from the research facility begin to repopulate the Earth's surface, as the original humanity slowly dies out and is forgotten. The research facility is sealed away forever, and the people are told it is Uitsuarunemitea's holy land.
Years later, a shift in the world awakens the two halves of Uitsuarunemitea, who begin to combat each other; the destructive side wanting to help the populace of the world reach new height through wars, and its opposite through peaceful co-operation. The emperor of Kunnekamun seeks out the destructive side, who grants him a power called the Avu-Kamuu, allowing them to exist in the world of war and hegemony.
Eventually, the fighting of the two halves causes a great earthquake. Aruruu, a young girl of Kenashikourupe, is in the process of climbing a tree to recover a beehive when the earthquake strikes, and falls, becoming greatly injured. Eruruu, Aruruu's sister, prays to Uitsuarunemitea to heal Aruruu, and promises, in exchange, her body and soul. Uitsuarunemitea obliges.
Both halves of Uitsuarunemitea are heavily injured in the battle, and both halves are put to sleep. The destructive half is found by Dii, a scholar of Onkamiyamukai, who fuses with the demigod. The half that wishes to be destroyed retains his body, and is found in the woods by Eruruu.
The events of Utawarerumono then take place.
Anime
The Utawarerumono anime started airing in Japan on April 3 2006 and will have 26 episodes in total.
Episodes
| Screenshot | Title | Original airdate | # |
|---|---|---|---|
This incomplete list is constantly being updated. Template:Endspoiler
Theme songs
- Opening Theme
- Musou Uta by Suara
- Ending Theme
- Madoromi no Rinne by Eri Kawai
Additional merchandise
A now retired series of eight plushies based off of characters from the series was available for a short time in 2005 in Japan and could be obtained from UFO catcher crane machines and several hobby outlets. Some gashapon figurines were also produced including rare hentai versions.
References
External links
- Template:Languageicon Official site
- Template:Languageicon Leaf/Aquaplus official site
- Utawarerumono ({{{type}}}) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia