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Revision as of 21:22, 3 February 2008 by ChuChu (talk | contribs) (Undid revision 188881055 by 70.54.1.78 (talk))(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)| Claymore (manga) | |
| File:Claymore manga 03.jpgTeresa, a Claymore, a close friend of Clare. | |
| Genre | Fantasy, Adventure, Medieval Drama, Horror, Supernatural |
|---|---|
| Manga | |
| Written by | Norihiro Yagi |
| Published by |  Shueisha |
| Anime | |
| Directed by | Hiroyuki Tanaka |
| Studio | Madhouse Studios |
Claymore (クレイモア, Kureimoa) is a dark fantasy manga series written and illustrated by Norihiro Yagi produced for Monthly Shonen Jump. As of October 2007, 13 volumes of the original Japanese edition and 11 in English have been released. Each chapter in the manga is referred to as a "scene".
As of June 6 2007, the final issue of Monthly Shonen Jump was released and the magazine cancelled, while the Claymore manga appeared on a monthly basis for a brief period in Weekly Shonen Jump. Claymore continued in the first issue of Jump Square, which was released on November 2, 2007.
An anime series based on the manga began airing in Japan on 2007-04-03.
Background
Story & Setting
Claymore is set in a fictional world with medieval technology. Politically, it appears to consist of a large number of scattered, apparently independent, towns. In this world, humans coexist with creatures called Yoma (妖魔) sentient monsters that feed on human guts. The Yoma, being shapeshifters, are capable of taking on human form and living in disguise amongst humans. By consuming a human's brain, Yoma can also absorb their memories, allowing them to disguise themselves as specific people without alerting any of their close friends or family.
A nameless and highly secretive organization has created an order of superhuman warriors to protect humans from the Yoma. These warriors have come to be popularly known as Claymores, after the immense claymore swords they wield. Villages being attacked by Yoma hire Claymores to kill the Yoma for a large fee.
The story of Claymore follows the adventures of the Claymore warrior Clare. The plot follows her as she fights Yoma and struggles to hold on to her humanity. Starting in the 3rd volume, there is a flashback to her childhood on how she was 'adopted' by the Claymore Teresa. After Teresa rebels against the organization and is subsequently killed, Clare volunteers to become a Claymore using Teresa's flesh in order to take revenge on the Awakened One who killed her. With determination and her human friend Raki by her side, Clare overcomes her low demonic power by honing the skills she inherited from Teresa, and other Claymores. As the series progresses, she becomes stronger and a better fighter, gradually earning the respect of strong allies and coming in conflict with the shadowy organization, the top Claymores who support them, and many powerful Awakened Beings.
Characters
Main article: List of Claymore characters- Clare (クレア, Kurea)
- Voiced by: Houko Kuwashima
- The series' protagonist. Clare is a distant and quiet Claymore, but occasionally shows an impulsive side. After one of her assignments, she picks up a boy called Raki, who was exiled from his village. Raki gradually manages to break through her shell and they become friends. It is unclear whether their relationship is fraternal or romantic, although it has similarities to her relationship to Teresa, a Claymore who adopted Clare as a child. Clare is ranked #47 of the Claymores, the last and therefore weakest of all. Over the course of the series, she grows in power. Her main goal is to take revenge on the Awakened Being Priscilla.
- Raki (ラキ, Raki)
- Voiced by: Motoki Takagi
- A young boy whose family was murdered by a Yoma. The Yoma was slain by Clare. Raki, suspected of being a Yoma himself, was exiled from his village, although he denies this to Clare and claims to have left voluntarily. Clare originally offered to take him with her to the next village, but eventually they get attached to each other and continue their journey together. Raki is devoted to Clare and aspires to become strong enough to protect her.
- Teresa (テレサ, Teresa)
- Voiced by: Romi Paku
- Teresa was the strongest Claymore of her time. Her special ability was an exceptional sense of the yoki flows of her adversaries. Her appearance is like that of a goddess and it is backed-up by her awesome strength and power. Teresa was known as Teresa of the Faint Smile (微笑のテレサ, bishō no Teresa, lit. Smiling Teresa).
- As a Claymore, Teresa was originally a cold-blooded killer who cared for no one, only helping villages because she was ordered to. During a hunt, Teresa saved the young Clare from a Yoma that kept her as a plaything. Clare chose to follow the initially unwilling and hostile Teresa. Eventually Clare's determination moved Teresa and a close bond was formed between the two. After leaving Clare in a village which was subsequently attacked by bandits, Teresa broke the cardinal rule of Claymores by killing the human offenders in order to save Clare. Faced with execution Teresa chose to break with the Organization and make a new life with Clare.
- Priscilla (プリシラ, Purishira)
- Voiced by: Aya Hisakawa
- A Claymore who qualified during Teresa's peak, Priscilla was quickly promoted to #2. It was believed she would become stronger than Teresa in time, and she was one of the group of four Claymores sent to execute her following her break with the Organization. Her lack of experience led to her awakening with horrific consequences.
Adaptations
Manga
Main article: List of Claymore chaptersAnime
Main article: List of Claymore episodesThe anime adaptation of the manga began airing on Nippon Television from April 3 until September 25, 2007. It ran for 26 episodes. It faithfully followed the plot of the manga up until about episode 20, where it started to diverge. By episode 24, the plot had changed completely. The 26 episode run was not sufficient to cover all the manga published so far.
The anime was directed by Hiroyuki Tanaka and Madhouse Studios with character designs by Takahiro Umehara, series organization by Yasuko Kobayashi and music by Masanori Takumi.
Music
- Opening Theme: "Raison D’être" by Nightmare
- Ending Theme: "Danzai no Hana~Guilty Sky" by Riyu Kosaka
OST
The Original Soundtrack was released on July 25, 2007. Composer: MASANORI TAKUMI Composer: LOVE+HATE Arranger: Kotaro Nakagawa
CLAYMORE TV Animation O.S.T. Track listing:
- Gingan no Majo 銀眼の魔女
- Ookina Ken 大きな剣
- Youma no Okite 妖魔の掟
- Sabaku to Kaze 砂漠と風
- Kirisaku Mono Tachi 斬り裂く者たち
- Osoroshiki Fujin 恐ろしき布陣
- Bishou no Teresa 微笑のテレサ
- Kanashiki Shukumei 哀しき宿命
- Kakusei no Kodou 覚醒の鼓動
- Seikan naru Tatakai 精悍なる闘い
- Shinpi to Shin'en 神秘と深淵
- Yobikakeru Kioku 呼びかける記憶
- Kita no Chi to Hakugin no Ou 北の地と白銀の王
- Hateshinaki Tabiji 果てしなき旅路
- Kyoujin na Chikara 強靭な力
- Kouya no Rakujitsu 荒野の落日
- Kokoro no Kizuato 心の傷跡
- Shoukei 憧憬
- Machinami 街並み
- Den'en to Ogawa 田園と小川
- Utsushiki Kariudo Tachi 美しき狩人たち
- Ayashiki Mono no Shukumei 妖しき者の宿命
- Kyousenshi 凶戦士
- Kakusei he no Midare 覚醒への乱れ
- Souzetsu na Shitou 壮絶な死闘
- Erabareshi Mono 選ばれし者
- Haruka na Michinori 遥かな道程
- Itoshisa to Nukumori 愛しさとぬくもり
- Chiheisen no Kanata 地平線の彼方
- Ishidzukuri no Ienami 石造りの家並み
- Hito wo Omou Koto 人を想うこと
- Fukaki Mori no Naka de 深き森の中で
- Raison D'etre TV by Nightmare
- Danzai no Hana ~Guilty Sky~ TV by Kosaka Riyu
Some of the tracks used in the anime weren't included in the OST.
Claymore Intimate Persona
A character songs CD, entitled Claymore Intimate Persona: Character Song Shuu (CLAYMORE INTIMATE PERSONA~キャラクターソング集~ ) has also been released. It contains 10 songs, each representing a character, and sung by their voice actress.
Tracklisting
- 記憶
- 変貌
- 反逆
- 覚醒
- 憎悪
- 疾風
- 永遠
- 転生
- 慟哭
- 幻影
References
- Claymore ({{{type}}}) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
External links
- Official site at Shueisha Template:Ja icon
- Manga Site Template:Ja icon
- Official anime site Template:Ja icon
- NTV Official site Template:Ja icon
- Avexmovie Official Site Template:Ja icon
- Official Claymore Ranking Template:Ja icon
- Claymore ({{{type}}}) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Claymore ({{{type}}}) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia