Karakuri Kiden Hiwou Senki
Encyclopedia
is an anime
series, produced by Bones
. The series was first aired on NHK BS-2 and ran for twenty six episodes, from October 24, 2000 till May 1, 2001. Created by Shō Aikawa
and directed by Tetsurō Amino
, the series' character designer and chief animation director was the late Hiroshi Ōsaka
.
The series was subsequently aired by the anime television network Animax
, who also aired it across its English language networks
in Southeast Asia
and South Asia
.
of Japan, following a small boy named Hiwou. The townspeople have lived simply, making "Clockwork Dolls" or "karakuri" for festivals. Hiwou's father left the family on a long trip, and their mother has since died. The children live with friends.
Their simple life vanishes when the "Wind Gang" appears, destroys the city with their own clockwork dolls, and captures its citizens. Hiwō and his siblings and friends, Shishi, Machi, Tetsu, Mayu, Sai, and baby Jyobu (who are exploring a cave at the time), escape unharmed and embark on a quest to save the town. They take with them Homura, a huge clockwork doll that functions like a giant robot.
Along the way, they are forced to use their clockwork dolls as weapons - something they were never supposed to do, according to Hiwō's father. Early in the series, they meet Arashi, a member of the Wind Gang, and Hana and Yuki, two samurai daughters who ended up traveling with the group.
Hiwō and his friends encounter a number of historical figures, before these people entered the history books during the Meiji Restoration.
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, produced by Bones
Bones (studio)
is a Japanese anime studio. It has produced numerous series, including RahXephon, Wolf's Rain, Scrapped Princess, Eureka Seven, Angelic Layer, Darker than Black, Soul Eater, Ouran High School Host Club and two adaptions of the Fullmetal Alchemist manga along with Star Driver: Kagayaki no Takuto and...
. The series was first aired on NHK BS-2 and ran for twenty six episodes, from October 24, 2000 till May 1, 2001. Created by Shō Aikawa
Sho Aikawa (screenwriter)
is a Japanese screenwriter. His writing credits include Jikuu Senshi Spielban, Mister Ajikko, Dangaioh, and Urotsukidōji. He has recently written the anime adaptations of Love Hina and the first Fullmetal Alchemist series, as well Kamen Rider Blade and Kamen Rider Decade...
and directed by Tetsurō Amino
Tetsuro Amino
is a Japanese anime director, born on October 10, 1955 in Chiba Prefecture. In 1988, he started using his name in katakana.He has directed noted anime series as Bakusou Kyoudai Let's & Go!!, I Love Bubu Chacha, the Macross 7 series and its continuations Macross 7: The Galaxy's Calling Me! and...
, the series' character designer and chief animation director was the late Hiroshi Ōsaka
Hiroshi Osaka
was a Japanese animator, character designer and illustrator, born in Neyagawa, Osaka Prefecture. He was a graduate of the Kyoto Saga University of Arts...
.
The series was subsequently aired by the anime television network Animax
Animax
is a Japanese anime satellite television network, dedicated to broadcasting anime programming. A subsidiary of Japanese media conglomerate Sony, it is headquartered in in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, with its co-founders and shareholders including Sony Pictures Entertainment and the noted anime studios...
, who also aired it across its English language networks
Animax Asia
Animax Asia is the Japanese anime TV network Animaxs English language feeds in Southeast Asia and South Asia, as well as its feeds across other regions of mainland Asia, including Hong Kong and Taiwan...
in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
and South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
.
Story
The series is set within the Meiji periodMeiji period
The , also known as the Meiji era, is a Japanese era which extended from September 1868 through July 1912. This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan.- Meiji Restoration and the emperor :...
of Japan, following a small boy named Hiwou. The townspeople have lived simply, making "Clockwork Dolls" or "karakuri" for festivals. Hiwou's father left the family on a long trip, and their mother has since died. The children live with friends.
Their simple life vanishes when the "Wind Gang" appears, destroys the city with their own clockwork dolls, and captures its citizens. Hiwō and his siblings and friends, Shishi, Machi, Tetsu, Mayu, Sai, and baby Jyobu (who are exploring a cave at the time), escape unharmed and embark on a quest to save the town. They take with them Homura, a huge clockwork doll that functions like a giant robot.
Along the way, they are forced to use their clockwork dolls as weapons - something they were never supposed to do, according to Hiwō's father. Early in the series, they meet Arashi, a member of the Wind Gang, and Hana and Yuki, two samurai daughters who ended up traveling with the group.
Hiwō and his friends encounter a number of historical figures, before these people entered the history books during the Meiji Restoration.
Staff
- Director: Tetsuro Amino
- Music: Hiroshi Yamaguchi
- Original creator: Shō AikawaSho Aikawa (screenwriter)is a Japanese screenwriter. His writing credits include Jikuu Senshi Spielban, Mister Ajikko, Dangaioh, and Urotsukidōji. He has recently written the anime adaptations of Love Hina and the first Fullmetal Alchemist series, as well Kamen Rider Blade and Kamen Rider Decade...
- Character Design: Hajime Jinguji, Hiroshi Osaka
- Art director: Nobuto Sakamoto
- Mecha design: Junya Ishigaki
- Director of Photography: Youichi Ōgami
- Color Coordination: Kenji Chiba
- Historical Verification: Tetsunori Iwashita
- Main Animation Director: Hiroshi Osaka
- Sound director: Yasuo Uragami
- Animation Production: BONES
Cast
- Houko KuwashimaHouko Kuwashimais a Japanese voice actress and singer. She is capable of playing a variety of roles, ranging from young boys to feminine women. Kuwashima is currently affiliated with Aoni Production. Her given name, , is sometimes misread as Noriko, even in Japan...
- Hiwō - Kaori MizuhashiKaori Mizuhashiis a Japanese voice actress who is employed by Arts Vision. Her debut was in 1998 with the game First Kiss Story.-TV anime:*Ai Yori Aoshi *Ai Yori Aoshi ~Enishi~ *Angelic Layer...
- Machi - Rikako AikawaRikako Aikawais a Japanese voice actress affiliated with Ōsawa Office. She was born in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. She was originally a child actor.She is also known as a specialist of tongue-twister in the Japanese language....
- Shishi - Akiko YajimaAkiko Yajima, born May 4, 1967, is a Japanese voice actress from Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture.-Anime:*Battle Athletes Victory *Berserk *The Big O *Blood+...
- Mayu - Haruna IkezawaHaruna Ikezawais a voice actress born in Athens, Greece, but raised in Kanagawa Prefecture. She was formerly affiliated with 81 Produce, but as of 2002, she is affiliated with Oscar Promotion...
- Hana - Omi MinamiOmi Minamiis a Japanese voice actor. She is mostly known for her work in anime and video game roles.-Notable anime voice roles:*Tama *Shimajirō Shimano *Euphemia Li Britannia...
- Yuki - Kazuhiko InoueKazuhiko Inoueis a veteran voice actor from Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.-Biography:Since his debut in 1973, Kazuhiko Inoue has become one of Japan's most well established voice actors. His early roles from the 1970s include Anthony in Candy Candy, and later as Joe in the 1979 remake of Cyborg 009...
- Ryōma Sakamoto - Nobuo TobitaNobuo Tobitais a Japanese seiyū from Mito. He is represented by Arts Vision.He is most known for the roles of Kamille Bidan , Albert Heinrich/004 , and Sueo Maruo...
- Sai - Miki Shinichiro - Arashi
- Yoko Teppouzuka - Tetsu
- Yuko MizutaniYuko Mizutaniis a Japanese voice actress working for Production Baobab.-Notable voice roles:*Alfimi, Katana & Byakuya in Super Robot Wars OG Saga: Endless Frontier EXCEED*Andrea Zuckerman in Beverly Hills, 90210*Anri in Bubblegum Crisis*Apple in Zillion...
- Alexander - Yūji TakadaYuji Takadais a Japanese actor and voice actor represented by Ōsawa Jimusho. Takada has featured in numerous television anime and drama series, and has also appeared as a narrator in numerous productions...
- Aka - Masako Ebisu - Narrator
- Chisato NakajimaChisato Nakajimais a Japanese voice actress currently represented by Aoni Production. Her hobbies include painting, singing, and tennis.She is most known for the roles of Mari-san in Kinnikuman and Percy the Small Engine in the Japanese dub of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.-Anime television:*Kimagure Orange...
- Child (ep 2) - Yukimasa KishinoYukimasa Kishinois a Japanese voice actor affiliated with Aoni Production. He is also active in the theatrical entertainment field and is the chairman of his own theatrical group, Gekidan Kishino Gumi...
- Gennosuke (ep 6)