Good Witch of the West Astraea Testament
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is a series of fantasy light novel
s by Noriko Ogiwara
. The series has been adapted into both a manga
series and a thirteen episode television anime
series broadcast in Japan in 2006. The story revolves around a fifteen-year-old commoner who discovers that she is really a princess.
The manga and novels have been licensed for English language releases in North America by Tokyopop
.
Leandra Cheviat
Ravenna
Ingraine
Marie
Bard
. The series was authored by Noriko Ogiwara
. It was published by Chuokoron-Shinsha
. It was licensed for English language release in North America by Tokyopop
.
, was aired in Japan between April 7, 2006 and June 30, 2006 containing thirteen episodes. The anime was aired on KBS Kyoto, AT-X
, BS Asahi
, Gunma TV
, Tokyo MX
, and TVK
. The regular and limited edition of the DVDs were released from July 7, 2006 to January 25, 2007 on the same day, totaling a set of 7.
The series uses two pieces of theme music. "Starry Waltz", performed by Kukui
is used for the opening theme of all episodes. , sung by Mariaria, is used for the ending theme.
, was released in Japan by Geneon Entertainment on July 26, 2006. It contained 39 tracks.
Light novel
A is a style of Japanese novel primarily targeting junior high and high school students . The term "light novel" is a wasei-eigo, or a Japanese term formed from words in the English language. Light novels are often called or for short...
s by Noriko Ogiwara
Noriko Ogiwara
is a Japanese fantasy writer.-Biography:Noriko Ogiwara was born in 1959. Having read C. S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia at a very early age, she decided to become a fantasy writer....
. The series has been adapted into both a manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
series and a thirteen episode television anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series broadcast in Japan in 2006. The story revolves around a fifteen-year-old commoner who discovers that she is really a princess.
The manga and novels have been licensed for English language releases in North America by Tokyopop
Tokyopop
Tokyopop, styled TOKYOPOP, and formerly known as Mixx, is a distributor, licensor, and publisher of anime, manga, manhwa, and Western manga-style works. The existing German publishing division produces German translations of licensed Japanese properties and original English-language manga, as well...
.
Plot
Firiel Dee is given her mother's necklace by her childhood friend, Rumpelstiltskin(Rune). The necklace was meant as a birthday gift from her remote father, the astrologer Gideon Dee. All fifteen year olds are welcome to attend a public ball at the royal Roland castle in honor of the Queen's Birthday, and Firiel decides to wear her new necklace to the celebration. When it is recognized as a missing talisman of the royal family, this leads to the revelation that Firiel is the daughter of royalty and automatically in competition to become the next Queen.Characters
- The main protagonist, Firiel is taken care of by Mr. and Mrs. Holy because her father never leaves the tower, the lab in which he and Rune study. She becomes recognized as one of the candidates for the Queen's position and finds out her mother was a famed member of the royal family.
- Firiel's childhood friend as well as her father's student and assistant. He protects Firiel throughout the series and is obviously enamored by her. In the start of the series, Firiel looks at him more like a little brother, though they later develop a serious relationship. His past is troubled and shrouded in darkness as he later tells Firiel that he cannot be with her for that reason because to him she "shines like the sun itself".
- A candidate for the Queen's position and a princess of the Roland family who becomes one of Firiel's friends. She is a fantasy author whose stories often include yaoiYaoiIn careful Japanese enunciation, all three vowels are pronounced separately, for a three-mora word, . The English equivalent is . also known as Boys' Love, is a Japanese popular term for female-oriented fictional media that focus on homoerotic or homoromantic male relationships, usually created by...
pairings inspired by Roux and her brother Eusis.
Leandra Cheviat
- Leandra is a candidate for the Queen's position and a princess of the Cheviat family. She is also the headmistress of a school for girls so that she can maintain her high status and reputation. She is the archnemisis of both Firiel and Adel, as she sees them as threats to herself and her position. She tries to seduce and blackmail Roux, but is unsuccessful.Though she may seem like a bad person, she is in fact loyal to her country.
Ravenna
- Firiel meets Ravenna at the school for privileged girls. Ravenna is the leader of the group that controls the school. She is Leandra's right-hand man. She is one of the best sword fighters in the school.
Ingraine
- Ingraine attends the same school as Firiel, where her sword fighting skills are rivaled only by Ravenna's. She agrees to train Firiel for her duel with Ravenna to avenge her friend Roselitte, who she believes was killed by one of the girls in Ravenna's faction. Later in the series, she is seen fighting dragons side by side with Eusis, for whom she has developed a romantic attachment.
- Firiel's father is a scientist and researcher who took Roux in as a student. Firiel thinks that he cares more about his Roux than her. It is revealed that he helped Duchess Edilin escape from the palace and married her.
- Mrs. Holy takes care of Firiel before she lives in the palace; she appears throughout the series and helps Firiel.
- Mr. Holy took care of Firiel along with his wife. He dies trying to save Firiel and Roux from members of the Snake Rod.
Marie
- Marie is Firiel's friend from the village who often calls her "fairy girl" because of Firiel's fancifal nature. She becomes close friends with Adel as they both try to persuade Firiel to marry Eusis.
- Eusis is Adel's older brother, who also protects Firiel in the series. Eusis is considered to be Roux's rival for Firiel's affection. He proposes to Firiel on several occasions and eventually is rejected.
- Eusis's close friend. He often teases Eusis about his growing feelings for Firiel.He is cunning and manipulative.
Bard
- A mysterious minstrel with magical powers and close guardian to the queen of Gulair.
- Edilin is Firiel's mother. She was a duchess of high standing in the royal court and a candidate to become the next queen of Astrea. She disappeared along with her touchstone, a very valuable neckless now in Firiel's possession. Adel and Eusis recognize the necklace from a picture on the wall of their father's study. She is seen in flashback to have been very similar to Firel- a smart, somewhat rebellious young woman who was willing to throw away everything for love. After running away, she changed her name to Yuna (a feminine alter-name for Astrea which means "my one and only").
Novel
There are eight novels out for Nishi no Yoki Majo released from September 25, 1997 to May 25, 2003. The last three novels are side storiesGaiden
is a Japanese-language word meaning "side story" or "tale", used to refer to an anecdote or supplementary biography of a person. This use of gaiden is commonly used in popular Japanese fiction to refer to a spin-off of a previously published work that is neither officially considered a sequel nor...
. The series was authored by Noriko Ogiwara
Noriko Ogiwara
is a Japanese fantasy writer.-Biography:Noriko Ogiwara was born in 1959. Having read C. S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia at a very early age, she decided to become a fantasy writer....
. It was published by Chuokoron-Shinsha
Chuokoron-Shinsha
is a Japanese publisher. It was established in 1886, under the name . In 1999, it was acquired by The Yomiuri Shimbun Holdings, subsequently changing its name to Chūōkōron-shinsha.-Profile:...
. It was licensed for English language release in North America by Tokyopop
Tokyopop
Tokyopop, styled TOKYOPOP, and formerly known as Mixx, is a distributor, licensor, and publisher of anime, manga, manhwa, and Western manga-style works. The existing German publishing division produces German translations of licensed Japanese properties and original English-language manga, as well...
.
Anime
An anime adaptation of The Good Witch of the West, directed by Katsuichi Nakayama and animated by Hal Film MakerHal Film Maker
is a Japanese animation studio founded in August 1993.-Anime produced: is a Japanese animation studio founded in August 1993.-Anime produced: is a Japanese animation studio founded in August 1993.-Anime produced:(Please note that this list only includes original productions or co-productions...
, was aired in Japan between April 7, 2006 and June 30, 2006 containing thirteen episodes. The anime was aired on KBS Kyoto, AT-X
AT-X (company)
is a Japanese anime television network owned by . AT-X, Inc. was founded on June 26, 2000 as a subsidiary of TV Tokyo Medianet, which, in turn, is a subsidiary of TV Tokyo. Its headquarters are in Minato, Tokyo. AT-X network broadcasts anime via satellite and cable since December 24, 1997.AT-X is...
, BS Asahi
All-Nippon News Network
, or ANN, is a commercial television news network in Japan run by TV Asahi Corporation.-All-Nippon News Network stations:-Remote Controller Buttons of Digital TV:*1: Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting*3: TV Miyazaki*5: 20 ANN stations...
, Gunma TV
Japanese Association of Independent Television Stations
The , is a group of Japan's reception fee-free commercial terrestrial television stations which are not members of the major national networks that has flagship in Tokyo and Osaka....
, Tokyo MX
Tokyo Metropolitan Television
thumb|Tokyo Metropolitan Television old headquarters : Telecom Center Building is the only commercial television station in Tokyo, Japan that exclusively serves the city. It competes with Nippon Television, TV Asahi, Tokyo Broadcasting System, TV Tokyo, and Fuji Television, all of which are...
, and TVK
Television Kanagawa
is an independent television station in Japan serving Kanagawa Prefecture and parts of the Greater Tokyo Area with favorable reception. The station was founded on April 20, 1971 and began broadcasting on April 1, 1972...
. The regular and limited edition of the DVDs were released from July 7, 2006 to January 25, 2007 on the same day, totaling a set of 7.
The series uses two pieces of theme music. "Starry Waltz", performed by Kukui
Kukui (band)
Kukui is a Japanese band consisting of Haruka Shimotsuki and Myu . They have produced songs for anime and games, most notably the Rozen Maiden anime series.-History:...
is used for the opening theme of all episodes. , sung by Mariaria, is used for the ending theme.
Episode list
| # | Episode title | Original air date |
|---|---|---|
Soundtrack
The original soundtrack for the anime adaptation, composed by Masumi ItōMasumi Ito
born May 21, is a Japanese singer and composer from Ibaraki prefecture in Japan. Itō has composed the soundtracks to many anime television shows and is part of the bands Oranges & Lemons and Heart of Air.- Singles :...
, was released in Japan by Geneon Entertainment on July 26, 2006. It contained 39 tracks.