Amano Jyaku

Amano Jyaku ("AMANO Jyaku") is the titular protagonist of "Urotsukidōji" ("wandering child"). A renegade man-beast, Amano has spent the past three hundred years scouring the planet for the "Chōjin" ("Super-Deity"). He is voiced by Tomohiro Nishimura and Christopher Courage.

History

Sometime in the 17th century, Amano Jyaku began his search for the "Chōjin" in the human realm - it is not known whether Megumi Amano or Kuroko accompanied him. Also, during this time, he must have encountered Suikakujyu and started of his infamous rivalry with him.

Little is known up to 1923, where he foiled Suikakujyu's attempt to destroy the "Chōjin" using a water demon. Unfortunately, it triggered off the Great Kanto Earthquake and Tokyo suffered heavy losses.

Cut to Osaka, in the late eighties/early nineties, and Amano Jyaku's quest for the "Chōjin" has taken him to Myojin University. It is here that he, Megumi and Kuroko encounter Tatsuo Nagumo and Akemi Ito. From the outset, Amano believes Ozaki to be the "Chōjin". However, it transpires that Ozaki merely had some of the "Chōjin"'s power and Amano soon realises that Nagumo is his prime suspect.

From here on Amano becomes the unofficial protector of the "Chōjin" and becomes the defender of all that is right and moral - or so he thinks....

Analysis

From the beginning of "Legend of the Overfiend" Amano Jyaku automatically draws the audience's attention completely on him and his screen presence does him a lot of justice.

Many are drawn to him because of his anti-hero persona: though he is the main character of "Urotsukidōji", there are certain actions he takes that make him appear sexist, headstrong and - at times - unpleasant. For example, he watches Akemi's rape scene seemingly with pleasure and prevents Nagumo from interfering.

Yet as the story unfolds, his character becomes more likeable and more emotional and not just your average anti-hero.

Trivia

* He gets his name from the mythical "ama-no-jyaku".
* He is the older brother to Megumi and boss of Kuroko.
* He speaks in Kansai dialect.
* He is the rival of Suikakujyu and Münchhausen II.
* The sign on his T-shirt is kanji for "ama", the first character of his name, meaning "heaven".
* He is over three hundred years old.