Kemonozume

Infobox animanga/Header
name = Kemonozume


caption =
ja_name = ケモノヅメ
ja_name_trans =
genre = Horror, Romance, Violence, Erotica, ComedyInfobox animanga/Anime
title =
director = Masaaki Yuasa
studio = Madhouse
network = flagicon|Japan WOWOW
first = August 5 2006
last = November 5 2006
episodes = 13

nihongo|"Kemonozume"|ケモノヅメ is an anime series written and directed by Masaaki Yuasa, animated by Studio Madhouse, and broadcast on WOWOW from August 5, 2006 to November 5, 2006.

Plot

Since ancient times there has been a race of flesh eating monsters called Shokujinki (食人鬼 "shokujinki"). They can assume human form or otherwise live in the shadows while feeding on humans. The Kifuken (鬼封剣 "kifuuken") martial arts style school was created to hunt down those creatures and its teachings have been passed down through the generations to the Momota family. The story revolves around the forbidden romance between Toshihiko, the latest heir of the Kifuken school and Yuka, a young woman who is a Shokujinki.

Characters

Toshihiko Momota (桃田俊彦 "momota toshihiko") A skilled swordsman and the chosen heir of the Kifuken dojo. In a move unfitting of his disciplined character he relinquishes his responsibility by running away with Yuka, a woman he knows to be a Shokujinki.

Yuka Kamitsuki (上月由香 "kamitsuki yuka") A Shokujinki whose motives are unclear. She apparently has fallen in love with Toshihiko as the two have fled from their past lives.

Kazuma Momota (桃田一馬 "momota kazuma") The younger half brother of Toshihiko. After his father's death he assumes control of the Kifuken school. His aim is to rid the world of Shokujinki with the help of a Mecha like Buster Suit that he has personally developed.

Rie Kakinoki (柿の木利江 "kakinoki rie") A female member of the Kifuken school where she has also been raised. Once as a child she was jokingly engaged to Toshihiko and has had deep feelings for him ever since.

Juzo Momota (桃田十蔵 "momota juuzou") The leader of the Kifuken dojo when the series begins. He is the father of Toshihiko and Kazuma. The latter he had with Harumi, a Shokujinki he sacrificed in order to save the school from a rogue student. He is ultimately killed by a Shokujinki who framed Yuka.

Kyutaro Oba (大葉久太郎 "ouba kyuutarou") A Kifuken swordsman who later took charge of the school's administrative tasks. He is aware of much more than he lets on. He eventually reveals himself to be a Shokujinki, and becomes the series antagonist.

Harumi Kamitsuki (上月はるみ "kamitsuki harumi") The past love of Juzo and mother of both Yuka and Kazuma. Though a Shokujinki she was able to remain in human form. She gave her life to save the school when Juzo asked it of her.

Knife (ナイフ "naifu") A Kifuken swordsman who is promoted to captain. He leads his own team while remaining loyal to Kazuma and the Kifuken cause.

Umeda (ウメ "ume") Yet another Kifuken swordsman. He is betrayed and killed by a Shokujinki whom he willingly saves from Kifuken persecution.

Saru (猿 "saru") A wily monkey with a liking for peaches. Toshihiko also has a tendency to call him "master".

List of episodes

Theme songs

*Opening Theme: "Auvers Blue" by Katteni-Shiyagare
*Ending Theme: "Suki" by Santara

External links

* [http://kemonozume.net Kemonozume Official Homepage] in Japanese
* [http://www.wowow.co.jp/anime/kemono WOWOW Official Homepage] in Japanese
* [http://www.pelleas.net/aniTOP/index.php?cat=16 AniPages Daily] per-episode commentary in English