Utsunomiko

Infobox animanga/Header
name = Utsunomiko


caption = Utsunomiko Bunko Volume 1, illustrated by Mutsumi Inomata
ja_kanji = 宇宙皇子
ja_romaji =
genre = Infobox animanga/Novel
title =
author = Keisuke Fujikawa
illustrator = Mutsumi Inomata
publisher =
first =
last =
volumes = 52Infobox animanga/Movie
title =
director = Kenji Yoshida
studio = Nippon Animation
released = 1989-03-11
runtime = 71 minutesInfobox animanga/OVA
title = Tenjōhen: Utsunomiko
director = Tetsuo Imazawa
studio = Toei Animation
episodes = 13
released = 1990-10-24 - 1992-02-19
runtime = 30 minutes each

nihongo|"UtsunoMiko"|宇宙皇子|, also written "Utsu no Miko", is a Japanese historical fantasy light novel series written by Keisuke Fujikawa (藤川桂介) and illustrated by Mutsumi Inomata, which was later adapted into an anime of the same title. The story is set in the late Asuka Period - Nara Period, and follows the trials of the titular character Utsunomiko (usually shortened to Miko,) the offspring of the kami of the north star. There are 52 Utsunomiko novels, the first published in 1984, and the last published in 1998. The Utsunomiko movie premiered in 1989, and a 13 episode OVA was released starting in 1990.

Introduction

In the chaos of the Jinshin-no-Ran civil war of 762, a child with a small horn in his forehead was born. The child's mother condemned him as an oni and cast him away. An elderly shūgenja woman claimed the child and named him Utsunomiko, or 'Divine Child of the Heavens', telling Miko that his horn smybolizes the union of heaven and earth. Miko matured in the wilderness learning the ways of Shugendō, and soon started venturing into villages out of curiosity. He found that the common people of the villages live in poverty and suffering, and began using his spiritual powers to help them. But his anger at the self-serving rulers and their petty power-struggles grew until he came into open conflict with the Imperial Court, setting Miko down a long path as a champion of the oppressed.

Story Arcs

* Chronicle of Earth (地上編 - Chijōhen) - 10 Volumes
* Chronicle of Heaven (天上編 - Tenjōhen) - 10 Volumes (Miko faces the rulers of the Heavenly plane and seeks his father)
* Uncanny Dream Chronicle (妖夢編 - Yōmuhen) - 10 Volumes
* Chronicle of Purgatory (煉獄編 - Rengokuhen) - 10 Volumes
* Chronicle of Dawn (黎明編 - Reimeihen) - 8 Volumes
* Gaiden Collection (拾異伝 - Shūiden) - 4 Volumes

Related Links

* [http://www014.upp.so-net.ne.jp/hujikawakeisuke/ Keisuke Fujikawa's official website]
* [http://www.misaki.org/utsunomiko/ Utsunomiko Data]