airing every Thursday at 9:30pm, First and exclusively on Animax
Growing up can be a tough experience for many, but it is a lot worse when there are huge shoes to fill or great shadows to step out of. And it seems that teenage angst isn’t that different in the supernatural realm from the human one. (more below)
Premiered last 10 February first and exclusively on Animax, anime series Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan follows the life of Rikuo Nura, a 12-year-old boy who is three-quarters human and a quarter ‘yokai’, or supernatural creatures and demons that rule the night.
As the grandson of Nurarihyon, the supreme commander of the most powerful Nura clan of ‘yokai’, Rikuo is the successor-designate to his grandfather. Human at heart, Rikuo initially opposes the evil nature of the ‘yokai’ and rejects his role as the next head of the Nura clan. However, as he comes to terms with his true nature and discovers he can help humans by leading the ‘yokai’, Rikuo embraces his destiny and takes on leadership of the clan.
In so doing, not only must he prove himself a worthy leader by assembling and commanding his very own ‘yokai’ army, but Rikuo will also have to contend with different factions and enemies looking to usurp his position.
Rikuo looks like an ordinary teenager, and like any typical junior high student, has many human school friends. But unbeknownst to them, Rikuo can change into the ‘yokai’ form after the sun sets and wields great powers that can strike fear in enemies, render him invisible, as well as burn and freeze adversaries. However, as he is only a quarter ‘yokai’, Rikuo returns to human form when the sun rises. He lives with his ‘yokai’ grandfather in an ancient Japanese mansion, with demonic minions at their service.
Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan is based on the manga series of the same title by artist Hiroshi Shiibashi. As Shiibashi’s maiden work, Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan debuted as a ‘one-shot’ story in 2007 and won the top prize in the ‘Future Gold Cup’ as voted by readers as a work to watch out for. Since then, Shiibashi developed his one-shot story into the full-fledged ‘Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan’ manga series, which is ongoing with 15 volumes published and counting.
Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan boasts a stellar voice cast led by top voice actor Jun Fukuyama (Code Geass - Lelouch of the Rebellion, Valkyria Chronicles) who brings to life protagonist Rikuo Nura. Fukuyama won the ‘Best Actor’ honour at Japan’s first ‘Seiyu (anime voice actor) Awards’ in 2007.
Fans can also look out for the popular voice actress Aya Hirano (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Lucky Star, Death Note) who voices Ienaga Kana, Rikuo’s childhood friend and neighbour who falls in love with him in his yokai form. Like Fukuyama, Hirano received the 2007 Seiyu ‘Best Newcomer’ award.
Produced by Studio Deen, which is responsible for hit anime TV series such as Vampire Knight Guilty and Giant Killing, Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan has proven so popular that a second season of the anime series has already been confirmed and is in production.
Embark on this coming-of-age tale like no other as Rikuo Nura struggles against his inner demons in the action-packed Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan this February, only on Animax!
