Eisen (character)

Eisen (永泉) is one of the main characters from Koei and Ruby Party's popular neoromance game Harukanaru Toki no Naka De which was serialised into a manga and subsequently an anime series. "This page discusses the anime/manga rendition of Eisen's character and should not be confused with the gameplay incarnation."

Also known as: nihongo|Ten no Genbu|天の玄武. (Genbu of Heaven)

Basic information

Eisen is the younger brother of the current Emperor of Kyou, and as such has always been in a precarious position. Born under a favourable star, he was viewed as a good opposing candidate to his brother’s right to rule and because of the plotting and backstabbing at court he elected to enter a religious life, so removing himself from the succession completely. Now a monk of Buddha, Eisen still retains a close relationship with his elder brother, who feels somewhat responsible for the situation being as it is. Despite his religious position, Eisen is still considered to be Imperial blood and therefore is generally referred to as “Eisen-sama” by the people who surround him – even his fellow monks. Unlike Inori, who lacks a family name because of his low status, Eisen lacks one on account of his Imperial birth and monk’s lifestyle.

Eisen’s name kanji means “eternal spring” which correlates well to his position as "Ten no Genbu"’s powers relate to water.

Background and Personality

Eisen is the most gentle and probably the most sensitive of the eight Hachiyou – however, he is also the most hesitant and self-doubting and he often wonders why it is that he has been selected for the honour of being one of Akane’s protectors. His background means that he has a good understanding of the motives and aims of other people, and he is constantly trying to make himself as unnoticeable as possible, realising all too clearly the ramifications for his brother should members of Kyou’s court find out about his involvement with Ryuujin no Miko. [Hachiyou Shou Episode 19]

Eisen’s lack in confidence probably stems from his early childhood in which he found it hard to know who he could trust. Some of the more influential courtiers plotted to use him as a tool to further his own power, making him wary of politics altogether. [Hachiyou Shou Episode 19]

He is never impolite and easily embarrassed, especially where the subject of Ryuujin no Miko is concerned. Eisen’s confusion over being used as a focus of others’ plots means that he often questions why he was born and what purpose someone like him can serve in this world. He is easily discouraged and disheartened by circumstances, especially feeling that he is useless when it comes to physical strength against enemies.

Eisen’s overwhelming demeanour is that of a peaceful individual, not a warrior - where Yorihisa might instinctively draw his sword, Eisen would rather hold up his hands and talk the matter through. Yet despite this he is not a coward. His peaceful disposition is epitomised in the manga, when he goes with Kotengu to Funaoka-zan in search of clues to the Northern Seal. When confronted by the oni Ikutidaru, Eisen prevents Kotengu from unleashing his full power at Ikutidaru, on account of the fact the oni had expressed a desire to talk. However, this gesture backfired when Kotengu fell victim to Ikutidaru’s own magic, likely being killed in the process. This deed Eisen takes particularly to heart as being his fault, and agonises about it long after it is over. [Harukanaru Toki no Naka De Manga volume 10]

In both the anime and the manga he is willing to risk his life to save Akane from the cursed Kin, although at that point he and she had only just met. Equally, when the spirit inhabiting the Kin is forced out by Yasuaki’s magic, Eisen elects to tackle the spirit alone, preferring to reach out to it as the soul of a man he once knew and liked as opposed to vanquishing it as a twisted spirit. [Hachiyou Shou Episode 9-10, Manga volume 4]

Perhaps the best way to describe Eisen is as a self-sacrificing individual – he always believes that someone else has a better stance or idea than his own, and sometimes is not bold enough to stand up and make his opinions known.

Eisen is tremendously gifted both spiritually and musically, although he himself does not realise how talented he truly is. He hates making decisions, in case they are the wrong ones, and prefers to take a more subservient role to those around him.

Relationships with People

Eisen's natural shyness is in direct contrast with his Genbu compatriot Yasuaki, who initially he even seems to fear. This tends to mean that Yasuaki comes to Eisen's rescue from time to time - sometimes by way of his magic (as with the Kin) and at other times simply by his direct, unaffected way of handling the people around him. They appear to formulate a stronger bond in the anime than in the manga, when they merge their strength to locate the Northern seal. [Hachiyou Shou Episode 23]

Eisen falls in love with Akane quite early on - in fact, almost from the first moment they properly meet, and it is probably this which inspires him to risk his life when she is put under the spell of the cursed Kin. Eisen agonises over his feelings for Akane - unsure of how to discuss them with her or if they are even appropriate for someone in his position to discuss. At one point he inwardly asks if it would be all right for him to love her [Hachiyou Shou Episode 19] In the manga, when he first realises his feelings for Akane, he tries to avoid seeing her rather than face the problem head on. After the death of Kotengu, he also avoids her, and when Shirin impersonates Akane, he is both embarrassed and hurt by her apparent flirtation and then rejection. [Harukanaru Toki no Naka De Manga]

Other Information

References

External links

* [http://www.gamecity.ne.jp/neoromance/ Neoromance official site]
* [http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/haruka/ TV Tokyo website]
* [http://haruka8tv.gamecity.ne.jp/ Haruhachi Koei official fansite]
*ann anime|id=4484|title=Harukanaru Toki no Naka de Hachiyō Shō