Kyoshiro to Towa no Sora

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kyōshirō to Towa no Sora

京四郎と永遠の空 (Kyoshiro to Towa no Sora)
Genre	Fantasy, Mecha, Romance, Shōnen
Manga
Authored by	Kaishaku
Publisher	Fujimi Shobo
Serialized in	Dragon Age
Original run	May 2006 –
No. of volumes	2
TV anime
Directed by	Tetsuya Yanagisawa
Studio	TNK
Network	Chiba TV, TV Saitama
Original run	January 5, 2007 – March 23, 2007
No. of episodes	12
Light novel
Authored by
Artist	Kaishaku
Publisher	Fujimi Fantasia Bunko
Publish date	February 20, 2007
No. of volumes	1

Kyōshirō to Towa no Sora (京四郎と永遠の空, Kyōshirō and the Eternal Sky^?) is the title of a fictional Japanese manga created by Kaishaku which was first serialized in the Japanese shōnen manga magazine Dragon Age in May 2006. An anime adapted from the manga aired in Japan between January 5, 2007 and March 23, 2007; it contained twelve episodes. The series makes references to many of Kaishaku's past works, namely Kannazuki no Miko, Magical Nyan Nyan Taruto, and most notably Steel Angel Kurumi.

1 Plot
2 Characters
- 2.1 Absolute Angels
3 Theme
4 Adaptations
5 See also
6 Notes and references
7 External links

[edit] Plot

Kyōshirō to Towa no Sora revolves around the life of Kū Shiratori who is a seemingly normal high school girl who enjoys school life in the giant city Academia, which is thought of as a symbol of recovery for humanity since already ten years have passed since the greatest disaster mankind had ever seen occurred. Kū has recently been having a recurring dream where a prince meets her and takes her away. One day, while all the students at her school are preparing for the upcoming school festival, the prince whom she has met several times in her dreams appears. The prince, whose name is Kyōshirō Ayanokōji, requests of her just as he had done in Kū's dreams, "Let's go...together..."

[edit] Characters

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Kū Shiratori (白鳥空, Shiratori Kū^?)

Voiced by: Sayuri Yahagi

Height: 155cm (5'1")

Kū is quite the normal high school girl who feels as if she is drifting through her existence and she always describes herself as being "empty". She never misses a chance to give letters to the mysterious prince in her dreams and frequently talks to him in her thoughts. In reality she is an introverted girl, believing that she lacks good qualities. She appears to be easily overwhelmed by situations that deviate from her previous experiences and expectations.

Her original name is Cielo (チェーロ Chēro^?), meaning sky, who is the original Absolute Angel researched by Kazuya and his grandfather. During the incident ten years prior to the main story, Cielo is split into four pieces, Murakumo, Batraz, Claíomh Solais and Megingjord. In addition, Megingjord is separated into two pieces. Kū is the original body, while Waruteishia is the soul; this explains Kū's initial feelings that she is lacking something inside.

Kyōshirō Ayanokōji (綾小路京四郎, Ayanokōji Kyōshirō^?)

Voiced by: Katsuyuki Konishi

Height: 177cm (5'10")

Kyōshirō is instantly likened by Kū to the prince in her dreams when he transfers to Kū's school from the legendary Jōtō Academy. He is a refined gentleman, adept in horseback riding, and has a tendency to play the violin while deep in thought. Kyōshirō is the youngest of the four children in his family. He supports the Central Student Government and has also stated his intention to recover and destroy all of the Absolute Angels, following what he believes to be the wishes of his deceased brother, Kazuya. He eventually falls in love with Kū, which forces him to reevaluate his belief about Absolute Angels and the way he has been treating Setsuna.

Setsuna (せつな, Setsuna^?)

Voiced by: Yuki Matsuoka

Height: 156cm (5'1")

Setsuna, also known as "Setsuna of the Moment of Dreams," is the Absolute Angel Claíomh Solais (Kurau Sorasu). She fights alongside Kyōshirō as his partner. Setsuna treasures a ribbon bow with bells, which is given to her by Kyōshirō and tied to the right side of her headdress. Rarely expressing any emotion, she is physically beautiful and can carry out every household chore flawlessly, leading Kū to call her a "princess". Setsuna acts solely based on Kyōshirō's orders and wishes, not her own will, and has a habit of saying, "Would you prefer that, Kyōshirō?" She begins to grow jealous of Kyōshirō and Kū's closeness, but she holds back her feelings so as to not trouble Kyōshirō. When Kyōshirō confesses his love for Kū, however, Setsuna fails to restrain her emotions for the first time.

Setsuna's Absolute Angel symbol is located on her right arm, which is the dominant hand in Claíomh Solais.

Mika Ayanokōji (綾小路三華, Ayanokōji Mika^?): Voiced by: Atsuko Tanaka; Mika is the ruler of the Higashigetsu Fūma Witch Academy, who is setting forth the domination of all the female students through her right hand, Kaon. She displays signs of jealousy fueled by possessiveness when observing Himiko provide Kaon with energy and apparently has a vindictive streak as she punishes those of her subordinates who fail her. Furthermore, she displays signs of megalomania and extreme egomania. Mika is the third eldest child of the Ayanokōji family. She seems to have heterochromia, with her right iris being purple and the other orange; it is later implied that the orange eye may in fact be an implant. Mika suffered injuries during the 'Days of Hot Snow' which obliged her to have hospital stay and she is shown with a bandage covering her left eye. Years later, she seems to be suffering from a potentially debilitating medical condition, despite her usual poise and her much-lauded graces, which is possibly exacerbated by her tendency to provide Kaon with too much of her own Mana.; Mika's own words betray that she desires Murakamo to love no one but herself and she expresses a malicious jealousy and contempt of Himiko, who is much deeper in Kaon's affections than she can apparently hope to be. Mika's flashbacks to her time in the hospital imply that she has fixated on Kaon because she reminds her of a nurse who took care of her at that time. Other people who bear the brunt of her bile are her elder brother Kazuya, whom she hates absolutely for everything he ever did, including the events surrounding his supposed death, and her younger brother Kyōshirō, who she considers to be 'the demon's tail', with Kazuya being 'the demon'. Mika's intense hatred for Kazuya seems to have originated during her early teens, when he stole away a girl she was developing an affection for, apparently with the explicit intention of hurting his sister's feelings.; Before her death, she entrusted Himiko to rescue Kaon from Kazuya and to that end gave her the key to a device she created based on plans drawn up by her grandfather Reitarō. This device is a type of bass guitar capable of creating a harmony to suppress Mana, thus causing pain to an Absolute Angel—or Kazuya.

Kaon (かおん, Kaon^?)

Voiced by: Ayako Kawasumi

Height: 165cm (5'5")

Kaon, also known as "Kaon of the Moon Spiral," is the Absolute Angel Murakumo (a reference to the mecha/deity Ame no Murakamo from Kannazuki no Miko.) A student from the Higashigetsu Fūma Witch Academy, she stages attacks on Kū and her friends by order of Mika, although she does not seem to feed on the energy of innocent bystanders as Tarlotte does. Himiko usually appears with her. Despite the fact that she is Mika's 'trusted sword', she harbors a deep affection for Himiko, although she initially denies that their relationship is of a romantic nature.

Kaon (歌音^?) is derivative of Chikane Himemiya (千歌音^?), her alter ego in Kannazuki no Miko and has been said to be Chikane's reincarnation. She certainly displays a strong desire to protect Himiko, even at a cost to herself, just as Chikane did for Himeko. She has her Absolute Angel mark on her left arm. At one point, Mika removes Kaon's own mark to place her own, after having had her subjected to a torturous process to increase the power of Murakumo and to restrict Kaon to only being able to draw energy from Mika. These events apparently change Kaon's personality and sever her emotional bond with Himiko, to the latter's great distress. Later events show, however, that Kaon's true nature and affections still exist underneath the damage done to her by Mika's torments. Her mark is restored when Himiko kisses Kaon, expressing her love for her.

Himiko (ひみこ, Himiko^?)

Voiced by: Noriko Shitaya

Height: 160cm (5'3")

Himiko adheres closely to Kaon and is one of Mika's many lovers, although the relationship is not romantic; rather, Himiko is Mika's subordinate in all things, with Mika using her as she sees fit. Himiko has even mentioned that her name was 'assigned' to her by Mika. She is based off of the character Himeko Kurusugawa from Kannazuki no Miko and has been said to be Himeko's reincarnation. She certainly initially seems to display Himeko's lack of self-confidence and strong emotional bond with Chikane's counterpart, Kaon, even protecting her and providing her with energy at a cost to her own well-being. Just like Himeko, she eventually displays great determination and courage, motivated by her desire to save Kaon from Kazuya.

Sōjirō Ayanokōji (綾小路蒼二郎, Ayanokōji Sōjirō^?)

Voiced by: Yūji Kishi

Height: 215cm (7'1")

Sōjirō is the second eldest child of the Ayanokōji family. He is a muscular, heavily scarred man who can stop Kyōshirō's sword swings and endure Tarlotte's beatings. Whatever is said or done to Tarlotte by anyone, oftentimes it is Sōjirō who endures the wrath of her anger. Despite this fact, he seems to be the one most concerned with Tarlotte's well-being, even providing her with energy when she falls unconscious after a battle, despite the fact that Tarlotte attacks him when she finds him kissing her to provide energy without her permission. Sōjirō not only seems to feel compassion for the people who are temporarily drained of energy by Tarlotte, but expresses feelings of pity for all the Absolute Angels.

Unlike Kyōshirō's and Mika's behavior towards 'their' Absolute Angels, he seems to care for Tarlotte as a person, doing his best to keep her happy and worrying for her safety. In contrast with his siblings, Sōjirō appears to be a peaceful and thoughtful individual, who cares for the fate of bystanders of his own initiative. Sōjirō seems to be aware early on of the way events in his world are spiralling out of control and tries to decide the best way to redress this situation.

Jin Ōgami eventually reveals that prior to his association with Tarlotte, Sōjirō was actually the commander of the Morality Enforcement Squad. After Kazuya kidnaps Tarlotte, Sōjirō seeks out the Squad to get its help in retrieving the Absolute Angels. He reacts with some amusement to the one condition Jin states; that Sōjirō should return to his duties as commander, this despite the fact that he had been branded a criminal for assisting Tarlotte.

Sōjirō resembles the Orochi follower Girochi from Kannazuki no Miko.

Tarlotte (たるろって, Tarurotte^?)

Voiced by: Hisayo Mochizuki

Height: 132cm (4'4")

Tarlotte, also known as "Tarlotte of the Aligned Planets," is the Absolute Angel Batraz (Badorasu). Her anger lays waste to all who stand before her, but she has a childish personality and mind to go with her childish body. Tarlotte frequently has trouble finding the right words to express herself. While attacking the academy, she absorbs the life energy of the students. She has a rather odd relationship with her companion, Sōjirō; while she apparently enjoys his food, is jealous of his attention and relies on him to care for her, she frequently vents her frustrations upon him through acts of violence. Nevertheless, when kidnapped by Kazuya, Tarlotte makes it clear that she wishes to be with Sōjirō and no one else.

Her Absolute Angel emblem is located on her right thigh. Her tail is merely attached to her underwear, though it does move to her emotions. Although her design resembles Nekoko from Kannazuki no Miko, Tarlotte's name reference to the two characters from Kaishaku's older work, Magical Cat Girl Taruto, Taruto and Charlotte. Taruto's character is also voiced by Hisayo Mochizuki.

Waruteishia (ワルテイシア, Waruteishia^?): Voiced by: Megumi Ogata; Waruteishia, referring to herself as "Waruteishia of the Sun and Solitude," commands the Absolute Angel Megingjord. She has experienced death and reincarnation many times and is now using her fourth body. Waruteishia is the current companion of Kazuya and his loyal follower. At Kazuya's command, she apparently suppresses Kū's memories of her time with Kyōshirō and stuns Setsuna so he can take her away.; When Waruteishia explains how the original Absolute Angel Cielo was split into four beings, she clarifies that one of those further subdivided into its body and spirit. Kū is the body of that one Absolute Angel, while Waruteishia is its spirit. Lacking a body of its own, this spirit was shunted into a Steel Angel body by Kazuya and became the current Waruteishia. Waruteishia apparently longs to be restored to her 'vessel', Kū, although she seems to regret some of Kazuya's acts and her own part in them.; Her design is adapted from Valkyrie, of the anime and manga series UFO Princess Valkyrie

Kazuya Ayanokōji (綾小路一夜, Ayanokōji Kazuya^?) (10 years prior to main story timeline)

Voiced by: Ken Narita

Height: 182cm (6')

The eldest son of the Ayanokōji family and a genius, who was involved in the experiments to create Absolute Angels alongside his grandfather. Kyōshirō believes that he sacrificed himself in an attempt to quell the great catastrophe of ten years prior to the main time line of the story. Sōjirō, however, has stated that for all his positive traits, Kazuya was a fool. Mika has added to this that Kazuya was as ruthless as a demon behind his eternal smile and tendency to always be victorious in any challenge. Kyōshirō looks up to him and makes every effort to emulate him, something his brother Sōjirō has advised him against and which arouses Mika's hatred for him.

Kazuya resembles the prince from Kū's dreams even more strongly than Kyōshirō does; her dreams of the prince are in fact memories of the time she spent in the lab, being developed by Kazuya and the other scientists.

(Present): Originally depicted as the prince from Kū's dreams and whom she describes to be 'strong, kind, and always has a smile' and clad in all white, Kazuya reappears after going missing for ten years and having been presumed dead. He resembles Tsubasa from Kannazuki no Miko.; The real Kazuya appears to be an evil, even insane person with egomaniacal tendencies, who behaves and speaks in an overly theatrical manner. He did not actually save his younger brother Kyōshirō, but accidentally pushed him into an escape pod when he wanted him out of the way. He generally holds his siblings in contempt, claiming that nothing they have done or achieved equals his own actions and achievements. In the past, he sadistically tormented his younger sister Mika by stealing her first love away. In the present, he brutally beats his brothers and kills his sister.; Upon his return, Kazuya explains that it was he who intentionally awoke the Absolute Angel Cielo against the counsel of his grandfather Reitarō, thus bringing about the 'Seven Days of Hot Snow'. His exposure to a deluge of Cielo's Mana caused him to be transformed into something other than human, capable of using Mana himself. He demonstrates inhuman powers, which usually manifest as thorny vines growing from his hands, with which he can cause vast destruction. He can apparently also teleport and is capable of draining Mana out of an Absolute Angel with a kiss, a clear indication of his inhumanity. His abduction of the Absolute Angels, including Kū, all serve his goal of reuniting them into the original Cielo. To objections voiced both by his grandfather and his youngest brother, that the Absolute Angels could destroy the world if unleashed, he has replied that the destruction of the world is insignificant in comparison with the Absolute Angels' beauty. Kazuya ends up in a wheelchair at the end of the series.

Jin Ōgami (大神ジン, Ōgami Jin^?)

Voiced by: Junji Majima

Height: 172cm (5'8")

Jin, as the shield of order in the city of Academia, is the leader of the Seventh Public Morality Enforcement Squad. He is based off of the character Sōma Ōgami from Kannazuki no Miko, but has a much less forthright personality and seems to be more concerned with the safety of Academia as a whole than the rights of certain individuals.

Kozue Sato (こずえ, Kozue Sato^?)

Voiced by: Rina Satou

Height: 156cm (5'1")

Kozue has been Kū's best friend since they were little and always keeps her in mind. She has her energy drained from her by Tarlotte during one of the latter's attacks on the school Kozue attends along with Kū. She has a fascination with Jin Ōgami. She remains concerned with Kū's well-being after the latter disappears and tries to contact her, though Kū is unaware of this and believes her place at Kozue's side has been taken. Neither of Kozue's parents are with her.

[edit] Absolute Angels


Claíomh Solais (クラウソラス, Kurau Sorasu^?)	Murakumo (ムラクモ, Murakumo^?)	Batraz (バドラス, Badorasu^?)	Megingjord (メギンギョルド, Megingyorudo^?)	Bastille (バスティーユ, Basutīyu^?)

In the past, mankind had succeeded in making humans that surpassed other humans, indestructible entities called Steel Angels. From there, the research continued and Absolute Angels are created.

Setsuna claims that each Absolute Angel has a tool or item which they use to concentrate their powers and manifest their mecha. For Setsuna, this item is the pair of bells she wears in her hair; for Kaon, it is her moon-shaped earring; for Tarlotte, it is supposedly her feet; Waruteishia may use her staff; it is as yet unknown what Kū's item might be, but it is possible that Waruteishia is the key to her transformation as she is Kū's spirit.

In Kaishaku's older work, Steel Angel Kurumi, the creator of the Steel Angels is a scientist named Ayanokōji, the same family name as that of Kyōshirō, Setsuna's current master. Furthermore, near the end of Kyoshiro to Towa no Sora an army of Steel Angels is introduced to the storyline as Kazuya's guards.

Spoilers end here.

[edit] Theme

The series melds together several elements both familiar and new. The majority of the main characters appear to be involved in romantic relationships. Kū is often struggling to make sense of who is truly in love with whom. A large amount of kissing is witnessed very early in the series. The Absolute Angels are superhuman in nature and to remain so they must draw energy from a human being through the lips, a theme borrowed from Steel Angel Kurumi.

The series breaks from the regular battle etiquette in which the pilot of a mecha climbs into the cockpit. Rather, the Angels materialize and control their mecha from without or manifest specific parts of their bodies into large mechanized limbs. Throughout a battle, an Angel phases in and out of their angelic forms voluntarily and involuntarily. Like Kannazuki no Miko, the names of the mecha are taken from artifacts and iconic figures of Japanese and European mythology.

[edit] Adaptations

Kyoshiro to Towa no Sora manga volume 1.

[edit] Manga

The Kyoshiro to Towa no Sora manga, created by Kaishaku, was first serialized in the Japanese magazine Dragon Age in May 2006, published by Fujimi Shobo. Currently, two volumes have been released in Japan, the latest which came out on December 28, 2006.

[edit] Internet radio

Kyoshiro no Towa no Sora currently has an internet radio program named RADIO Kyōshirō (RADIO京四郎, RADIO Kyōshirō^?) running on i-revo TE-A room since August 30, 2006. The hosts are Noriko Shitaya (Himiko) and Junji Majima (Jin Ōgami), who also hosted RADIO Kannazuki (RADIO神無月, RADIO Kannazuki^?) back when Kannazuki no Miko was running.

[edit] Corners

Tsukure! Risō no Ōji-sama (作れ！理想の王子様, Tsukure! Risō no Ōji-sama^?)
Kūsō Oekaki (空想お絵描き, Kūsō Oekaki^?)
Kidō Fūki 7ban tai Taichō Hosa (機動風紀７番隊隊長補佐！, Kidō Fūki 7ban tai Taichō Hosa^?)

[edit] Guests

Sayuri Yahagi (Kū) (episodes 5, 6, 11, 12)
Yuki Matsuoka (Setsuna) (episodes 7, 8)
Hitomi Nabatame (episodes 13, 14)

[edit] Anime

The Kyoshiro to Towa no Sora anime aired in Japan between January 5, 2007 and March 23, 2007, containing twelve episodes.

[edit] Episodes

Title	Original air date	#

"The Eternal Sky" "Towa no Sora" (永遠の空)	January 5, 2007	01
Kyōshirō transfers to Kū's class and Kū realizes that he resembles the prince from her dreams. She later encounters Absolute Angels fighting each other and destroying the school building, and Kyōshirō rescues her from the chaos.
"A Hundred Nights in Three Gorgeous Months" "Mikkazukibyakuya" (三華月百夜)	January 12, 2007	02
Kū begins to take in the aftermath of the school attack, but is afforded little time to catch her breath when a new girl appears and takes her away. Her captors then reveal the truth behind the beings known as Absolute Angels.
"The Dancing Spiral" "Maiodoru Rasen" (舞い踊る螺旋)	January 19, 2007	03
During a morning of bliss, Kū in the midst of a quest to understand the depths of Setsuna's emotions. Battle preparations are drawn up in anticipation of the threat of Batraz and Kyōshirō decides to bring Kū to his old academy.
"Love Bug" "Koibotaru" (恋蛍)	January 26, 2007	04
After Kyōshirō was injured in a fall from a cliff, Kū tends to his wounds for the time being despite there's nothing much she can do. Once Kyōshirō wakes up, he tells Kū about the brother he idolizes and the sacrifice he made ten years ago.
"A Kiss Baptism" "Kuchizuke Senrei" (くちづけ洗礼)	February 2, 2007	05
Kū and Kyōshirō head to the market for some pleasant shopping, and afterwards a transformed Kaon is sent to kidnap the unsuspecting girl, and new startling revelations lay out Kū's destiny.
"Crossroads at the End of Dreams" "Yume Hate Jūjiro" (ゆめはて十字路)	February 9, 2007	06
Once discovering that she is the fifth Absolute Angel, Kū is all but ready to combine with Kaon which would in effect make Kū disappear. Before this can be accomplished, however, Setsuna and Tarlotte show up and battle with Kaon.
"The Dirge of Wandering" "Samayoi no Aika" (彷徨いの哀歌)	February 16, 2007	07
After Kū is rescued, she starts to wonder what to do now that she knows she's an Absolute Angel. She eventually tries to activate her powers, but is unsuccessful at doing so. Meanwhile, Kyōshirō is battling latent feelings for Kū despite having the desire to destroy all Absolute Angels.
"The Moment's Awakening" "Toki no Mezame" (刻の目覚め)	February 23, 2007	08
Kyōshirō prevents Kū from falling to her death off a tower. He then confesses his love for her and promises to be with her after he takes care of Setsuna's feelings. However, Setsuna witnesses the events and breaks down emotionally. Waruteishia suddenly appears with Kazuya and interrupts the standoff.
"Maiden Unfinished" "Otome Mihatenu" (乙女見果てぬ)	March 2, 2007	09
Upon reentering the world, Kazuya carries out his agenda against his own kin and proceeds to claim the Absolute Angels for himself.
"Bastille" "Basutīyu" (天使の牢獄)	March 9, 2007	10
Kazuya captures Tarlotte and proceeds to reunite all five Absolute Angels in a mock wedding ceremony to create the Bastille. Kyōshirō, Sōjirō, Himiko, and Jin's squad fight their way toward the Bastille to rescue the Absolute Angels.
"The Angel Gallery" "Tenshi Kairō" (天使回廊)	March 16, 2007	11
Kazuya commences the rebirth of his lovely Cielo. Sōjirō, Jin, and Himiko fight off the soulless Steel Angels while Kyōshirō races toward Kū. Within the Angel Gallery, Waruteishia confronts each of the Absolute Angels about her deepest wish. The vessel for Cielo, Bastille, is reborn but rebels against Kazuya as the Absolute Angels regain their own wills. Kū is reunited with Kyōshirō and regains her memories of him.
"The Eternal Kū" "Eien no Kū" (永遠の空)	March 23, 2007	12
The Bastille releases the Absolute Angels, who are reunited with their respective partners. Kazuya's ambitions for Cielo are crushed. The destruction of the Bastille, however, costs Kū her life. Kyōshirō promises her many things to do 'the next time around' before all of her mana is drained away. The world returns to peace and Kyōshirō and Setsuna embark on a journey to find Kū's reincarnation, which they do succeed in years later —— This is shown after the credits when Kyōshirō and Setsuna finds Kū.