Sword of the Dark Ones

Infobox animanga/Header
name = Sword of the Dark Ones


caption =
ja_name = ラグナロク
ja_name_trans = Ragnarok
genre = Fantasy, AdventureInfobox animanga/Manga
author = Kentaro Yasui
illustrator = Tsukasa Kotobuki
publisher = flagicon|Japan Kadokawa Shoten
publisher_en = flagicon|United States CMX Manga
demographic = Shōnen
magazine = Shōnen Ace
first = 2000
last = 2003
volumes = 3

"Sword of the Dark Ones" is a manga by Tsukasa Kotobuki, and it is based on a story by Kentaro Yasui. This series is also known in Japan by the title nihongo|"Ragnarok"|ラグナロク. In North America the story is published by CMX, and rated M for Mature due to nudity, violence, and sexual situations using a rating system similar to that of the ESRB.

Plot

This story takes place in the fictional Ragnarok continent, which includes the Asgard Empire. This land is overrun by creatures called "The Dark Ones", who are flesh-eating creatures that live and hunt in darkness. To combat this threat, a guild of mercenaries was formed.

Volume 1 In the Asgard Empire, people live their lives in constant fear. Monsters, known as the Dark Ones, roam the land, killing indiscriminately. One man has built a reputation as an especially fierce monster-killer--a man known as Leroy Schwartz, the Black Lightning. He has a mission to accomplish and a vow to fulfill. He travels with one companion--his sentient long-sword Ragnarok.

Characters

Leroy Schwartz: The protagonist of the manga, Leroy has super-human speed, strength, and stamina. He is accompanied by his sentient sword, Ragnarok. He is quick-thinking, though sometimes he can be irrational. He despises those who kill for no motive other than profit. He keeps sealed within him an immense power, along with feelings of isolation from other humans because he is a Lycanthrope. The power within him only manifests itself forcefully whenever Leroy sustains critical damage.

Ragnarok: Leroy's sentient sword. Ragnarok is cautious and calculating, making him a perfect foil of Leroy. In times of danger, Ragnarok is able to manifest himself in human form.

Lena Northlight: An assassin who kills without regret or hesitation. She seems cold-hearted and fierce, but bears a soft spot for her kid sister. She asks Leroy to help find her sister, who is held captive in the Crimson Despair's headquarters.

Controversy

The series contains nudity, including depictions of Leroy Schwartz's penis. As usual, nudity in America is typically considered controversial. The nudity is one of the reasons why the series is given a mature rating and shrink-wrapped in plastic to prevent under-age readers from viewing the mature content.

The initial printing of Volume 1 was edited to remove particular mature artwork. This was viewed as an unnecessary edit by many readers because of the book's mature rating. However, CMX later removed the edits in a second printing which is now more widely available than the first. Readers can check the printing of their Volume 1 by looking at the bottom of one of the pages in the back of the book.

Notes

*Each of the 3 volumes comes with a bonus color mini-poster insert.
*There is a second, more widely available unedited version of the first volume.
*The manga series is adapted from novels by author Kentaro Yasui.

External links

* [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/manga.php?id=4798 "Sword of the Dark Ones" page at Anime News Network]
* [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=3021 Tsukasa Kotobuki's page at Anime News Network]
* [http://www.dccomics.com/cmx/?action=on_sale&i=2726 "Sword of the Dark Ones" page at CMX]