E's (エス Esu?) is a Japanese shōnen manga series written and drawn by Satoru Yuiga. It was originally serialized in Monthly GFantasy from 1997 through 2005, and later published in 16 tankōbon volumes by Square Enix from March 18, 2003 to February 27, 2010. The series focuses on Kai Kudou, an "Esper", who is recruited by an organization called Ashurum to become a soldier to purportedly save other psychics from regular humans. After a mission in Gald goes wrong, Kai finds himself living with a man named Yuuki and his adopted sister Asuka. As he learns more about Ashurum, Kai finds himself wondering what their true goals are, and worrying about his ill sister, who is under Ashurum's care.
The series was adapted into a twenty-six episode anime series entitled E's Otherwise (エス·アザーワイズ?) by Studio Pierrot. It debuted in Japan on April 1, 2003 on TV Tokyo; the final episode aired on September 23, 2003. Two light novels and three drama CDs related to the series have also been released in Japan.
Broccoli Books licensed the manga series for English-language publication in North America in 2006. ADV Films licensed the anime series for North American broadcast and distribution, with the English dubbed version of the series airing on Anime Network.
Plot[]
Kai and Hikaru are protected by a corporation called ASHURUM, from a society that fears E's. ASHURUM is 1 of the 12 corporations that rule the world. Found by Eiji, Kai was selected to be in ASHURUM’s special force AESES and had to undergo intensive training in different areas, such as combat, hacking, and psychic training.
When Kai had free time he visited Hikaru at the hospital. Hikaru's condition never improved, however. After a year, Shen-lon warned Kai that Eiji actually only wanted his sister, because she was said to possess amazing psychic powers, but she was not able to use them due to her illness. Shen-lon then went on to tell Kai that Eiji was just hoping that Kai would have those amazing powers too.
Kai didn’t believe Shen-lon and goes on a mission to Gald city, with the other E's, to infiltrate a hideout of guerillas that is said to have been using E’s against their will. Kai finds some civilians caught in the middle of the battle. While trying to save a little girl, one of the civilians that is afraid of E’s, shoots and kills Kai’s partner.
Kai, still shocked from the death of his partner, tries to help the civilians, but meets up with Shen-lon. In a rage, Shen-lon unleashes a psychic blast that decimates half the city.
Later, Kai, washed up ashore, was found by a girl named Asuka. After being brought back to health, Kai was told by Yuuki, Asuka's brother, that he would not have his psychic powers back to the level they were unless he goes back to ASHURUM. However, after spending some time in the city with its residents, Kai decides to stay with Asuka and Yuuki for a while.
Characters[]
- Kai Kudou (戒＝玖堂 Kai Kudō?) is the series protagonist. An orphan, his only remaining family member is his sickly sister who is said to have extremely powerful psychic powers. It is also believed that Kai has the same power but hides it. It is either he hasn't unlocked these powers yet or isn't aware of them. He's also extremely sensitive to sweets, to the point where even the mention or sight of it makes him uneasy. In the anime television series, Kai is voiced by Yūki Tai in Japanese and Chris Patton in English.
- Hikaru Kudou (光流＝玖堂 Hikaru Kudō?), Kai's younger sister, is really ill, and stays in ASHURUM's hospital. She is often visited by Kai or Eiji. In the anime television series, Hikaru is voiced by Hisayo Mochizuki in Japanese and Danielle Kimball in English.
- Shen-Long Belvedere (神龍（シェンロン）＝ベルヴェディア Shenron Beruvedia?) is a very powerful psychic and hates anyone who gets in his way, especially Kai. Hates normal humans because of the rough childhood they caused him and his sister, Shin-Lu Belvedere. In the anime television series, Shen-Long is voiced by Masako Ozawa in Japanese and Greg Ayres in English.
- Shin-Lu Belvedere (神露（シンルー）＝ベルヴェディア Shinrū Beruvedia?), technically the older sister to her twin Shen-Long. She cares about her younger brother a lot as an older sister should. She was put in a coma and brain washed again after recovering. Seems to have a crush on Kai. In the anime television series, Shin-Lu is voiced by Akeno Watanabe in Japanese and Kira Vincent-Davis in English.
- Yuki Tokugawa (勇基＝篤川 Yūki Tokugawa?) is Asuka's foster brother, he does odd jobs for money. He also takes care of the kids in a run-down city called Gald that don't have a family. He allows Kai to stay at his house for a while. In the anime television series, Yuki is voiced by Yasunori Matsumoto in Japanese and Ben Pronsky in English.
- Asuka Tokugawa (明日香＝篤川 Asuka Tokugawa?) is first child that Yuki started to take care of in Gald, and now lives with Yūki. Asuka finds and takes care of stray animals that she finds. She attempts to help around the house, but her cooking is horrible. She is later revealed to be a witch with powers of her own. In the anime television series, Asuka is voiced by Sanae Kobayashi in Japanese and Hilary Haag in English.
- Eiji Sagimiya (曳士＝鷺宮 Eiji Sagimiya?) the head of ASHURUM who claims to want to help the young psychics in his care be treated equally, but in reality desires to use Hikaru and Kai for his own purposes. In the anime television series, Eiji is voiced by Akimitsu Takase in Japanese and Jay Hickman in English.
- Maria (マリア Maria?) a witch and the granddaughter of Erimiya who befriends Yuki and later aids him in the quest to bring down ASHURUM. Template:Anime voices 2
- Erimiya (衿宮 Erimiya?) the wise man of Gald who Eiji seeks because of the knowledge he has. In the anime television series, Erimiya is voiced by Mahito Tsujimura in Japanese and T.P. Postlewaithe in English.
Media[]
Manga[]
Written and illustrated by Satoru Yuiga, E's was first serialized in GFantasy in 1997.[1] The individual chapters were then compiled into 16 tankōbon volumes by Square Enix.[2] The first volume was released on March 18, 2003 with the final volume released on February 27, 2010.[3][4]
The series licensed for an English-language release in North America by Broccoli Books.[1][5][6] As of October 2007, the company has published four volumes of the series.[7] The series is also licensed for regional language releases in German by Carlsen Comics and in Chinese by Tong Li Publishing.[8]
Anime[]
Studio Pierrot adapted the manga series into a twenty-six episode anime series entitled E's Otherwise (エス·アザーワイズ?). Directed by Masami Shimoda, the episodes debuted in Japan on April 1, 2003 on TV Tokyo; the final episode aired on September 23, 2003.[9][10]
ADV Films licensed the anime series for North American distribution in 2004.[11] It initially released the series across 6 DVD volumes, with the first volume released on February 15, 2005 and the final volume released March 21, 2006.[12][13] On December 12, 2006, the company re-released the entire series in a single five-disc box set.[14] ADV Films also released the series in Germany, with German dubbing provided by Elektrofilm.[15]
The anime series uses two pieces of theme music. "Jōhō" (情報?) performed by Suitei-Shōjo is used for the series opening theme, while "Tonight/Midnight" by Chicochair is used for the ending theme.[10]
Episode listing[]
| # | Title[16] | Original airdate[9] | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | A Superficial Peace "Kyoshoku no Heion" (虚飾の平穏) |
April 1, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 02 | We Are Not Here to Destroy "Warera Hakai no Tame de Naku" (我ら破壊の為でなく) |
April 8, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 03 | The Arrow That Has Been Loosed "Hanatareta Ya" (放たれた矢) |
April 15, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 04 | At the Place He Washed Ashore "Hyōchaku no Chi de" (漂着の地で) |
April 22, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 05 | Magnificant Approach "Karei Naru Apurōchi" (華麗なる助走) |
April 29, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 06 | Test Site City "Jikkenjō no Machi" (実験場の街) |
May 6, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 07 | Purple Destiny "Pāpuru Desutinī" (パープルデスティニー) |
May 13, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 08 | Interlude: The Chronicle of the Rise and Fall of Tokugawa Ramen "Interlude Rāmen Tokugawa Seisui Ki" (Interlude ラーメン篤川盛衰記) |
May 20, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 09 | The Bewitched Soul "Miseraretaru Tamashii" (魅せられたる魂) |
May 27, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 10 | Rewritten Memory "Riraiteddo Memorī" (リライテッドメモリー) |
June 3, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 11 | Sweet Melancholy "Suwītto na Yūutsu" (スウィートな憂鬱) |
June 10, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 12 | Blind Spot "Buraindo Supotto" (ブラインドスポット) |
June 17, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 13 | Innocent Enthusiasm "Muku Naru Jōnetsu" (無垢なる情熱) |
June 24, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 14 | Solitary Shooting Star "Kodoku na Ryūsei" (孤独な流星) |
July 1, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 15 | Residents of Paradise "Rakuen no Jūnin" (楽園の住人) |
July 8, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 16 | Similar Vessels "Ainitaru Utsuwa" (相似たる器) |
July 15, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 17 | Escape to the Light "Hikari e no Dasshutsu" (光への脱出) |
July 22, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 18 | Same Bed, Different Dreams "Dōshōimu" (同床異夢) |
July 29, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 19 | As You Are Guided "Michibikareru Mama ni" (導かれるままに) |
August 5, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 20 | Intent and Fate "Ishi to Unmei" (意思と運命) |
August 12, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 21 | Cruel Flame "Reikoku na Honō" (冷酷な炎) |
August 19, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 22 | Rhapsody "Rapusodī" (狂想曲) |
August 26, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 23 | Distant Dawn "Tōi Yoake" (遠い夜明け) |
September 2, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 24 | Waking Nightmare "Mezameshi Akumu" (目覚めし悪夢) |
September 9, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 25 | Harvest Time "Shūkaku no Toki" (収穫のとき) |
September 16, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
| 26 | The Approaching Daybreak "Kitaru Beki Reimei" (来るべき黎明) |
September 23, 2003 | {{{FirstEngAirDate}}} | ||
Light novels[]
Two light novels adaptations of the manga, also written by Yuiga, have been published by Square Enix.[2] The first volume, E's The Time to Baptisma, was published on February 26, 1999. The second volume, E's Unknown Kingdom, followed on January 27, 2000.[2][17]
Drama CDs[]
Square Enix released three drama CDs based around the manga. The first, E's Volume 1 was released on September 25, 1999. The second, E'S Vol Extra, followed on March 24, 2000. The final volume, E's Volume 2, which used the same voice actors as the anime adaptation, was released on September 26, 2003 after the television broadcast concluded.[2][17]
Other media[]
E's Zero World Guidance (E'S ワールドガイダンス 零 E'S Waarudo Gaidansu Rei?), published by Square Enix in August 2003, is a guidebook containing additional information about the various fictional aspects of the series, characters, etc.[2][18]
eSpecial: E's Postcard Book contains fifteen postcards featuring characters from the series was published in March 2003.[19]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Broccoli Gets 'E's'". ICv2. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "E'S -月刊Gファンタジーオフィシャルサイト" (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
- ↑ "E'S 新装版 1巻" (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
- ↑ "E'S 新装版 16巻" (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
- ↑ "Comic-Con: Thursday/Friday License Roundup". Anime News Network. July 22, 2006. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
- ↑ Nguyen, Dominic (2007). "E'S". Newtype USA 6 (1): 142. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ "E'S, Volume 4". Broccoli Books. Archived from the original on August 1, 2008. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
- ↑ "E'S (manga)". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "E's Otherwise episode titles". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Staff and Cast". Square Enix. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
- ↑ "AKon Licenses". Anime News Network. June 6, 2004. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
- ↑ "E's Otherwise - Operation: Gald City (DVD 1 of 6)". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
- ↑ "E's Otherwise - Chosen (DVD 6 of 6)". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
- ↑ "E's Otherwise - Complete Collection". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
- ↑ "E's Otherwise (anime)". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
- ↑ Note: All English titles listed are the official English titles as determined by ADV Films.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 "作家名別出版物一覧「や」" (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
- ↑ "E’S零 ワールドガイダンス (コミック)" (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
- ↑ "eSpecial: E's Postcard Book" (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
External links[]
- Official GFantasy E's website (Japanese)
- Official Broccoli Books E's website
- Official Studio Pierrot E's Otherwise anime website (Japanese)
- Official Bandai Channel E's Otherwise anime website (Japanese)
- E's (manga) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
ca:E's it:E'S tl:E's zh:星際少年隊