Sky High (TV series)
Encyclopedia
is a live-action, supernatural Japanese television drama series, starring actress and model, Yumiko Shaku
. It aired in Japan, first run, from 2003 to 2004, and was popular enough to spawn the 2003 feature film of the same name
(produced while the series was still in production and starring the same actress). Both are based on the Japanese manga
, Skyhigh
. Shaku stars as Izuko, the Guardian of the Gate to the afterlife.
The basic premise of the television series is somewhat similar in concept to the American series, Ghost Whisperer
, in which the protagonist must use her powers to guide the dead on their journey to the afterlife by helping them determine the meaning or circumstance of their death. However, in Izuko's case, no matter how hard she tries, her guidance does not always result in a happy ending.
) is a beautiful and mysterious gatekeeper to the afterlife. Known as the Guardian of the Gate, Izuko guides spirits of the recently departed on their journey...sometimes to Heaven, other times to Hell. The decision is theirs and it is not always an easy one. Often the spirit is the victim of a murder or other untimely death. In such case, a soul is offered three options: 1) accept their death as it is and proceed into Heaven to await reincarnation. 2) Wander the Earth as a ghost. 3) Take justice into their own hands and face the gates of Hell. Most episodes (see Episode List below) involve the guest starring character seeking to discover what happened to them and why—with Izuko attempting to guide them on the correct path. To her sadness and despite her compassion, Izuko does not always succeed and the moral dilemma is often very grey and unfair.
We discover in the big budget prequel (theatrical) film shot between Seasons 1 and 2, Sky High (2003 film)
Izuko once faced this same decision herself. In life, her name was Mina…murdered by a supernatural serial killer. In the movie, Mina takes the place of the previous Guardian, killed by a demon. Mina is then unwittingly thrust into the role she plays in the TV series as Izuko, Guardian of the Gate—responsible for guiding the dead to sometimes happy and sometimes heart breaking ends.
, also known internationally for her starring role as action heroine JXSDF Lt. Akane Yashiro in two subsequent Godzilla
movies, Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla
(2002) and Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.
(2003). Sky High Season 1 (Series 1) ran for ten episodes, ending with a three-part thriller featuring special guest star Yamada Maiko.
Season 2 (marketed as Sky High 2) premiered on TV-Asahi on Friday, January 16, 2004, following the theatrical release of the big budget motion picture Sky High
--a prequel to the TV series, and also starring Yumiko Shaku
in a the big screen reprise of her TV series role. The second TV season of Sky High picks up on a number of elements from the big screen venture, including a darker, edgier look to Shaku's costuming in contrast to the softer, more colorful look of the first season. The ninth episode of Season 2, titled "Fate," served as the series finale.
Yumiko Shaku
, born in Tokyo, Japan, is a Japanese actress and model. Her management is Tommy's Artist Company.- TV Dramas :*2011: BOSS...
. It aired in Japan, first run, from 2003 to 2004, and was popular enough to spawn the 2003 feature film of the same name
Sky High (2003 film)
Sky High is a supernatural action film from director Ryuhei Kitamura. It is based on the manga of the same title by Tsutomu Takahashi and serves as a prequel to a Japanese television drama of the same name, and starring the same actress, Yumiko Shaku...
(produced while the series was still in production and starring the same actress). Both are based on the Japanese 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...
, Skyhigh
Skyhigh (manga)
is a Japanese manga which spawned a popular live-action TV drama, starring Yumiko Shaku, and 2003 theatrical release starring the same actress in a big budget prequel to the TV series. The manga was written by Japanese manga author Tsutomu Takahashi...
. Shaku stars as Izuko, the Guardian of the Gate to the afterlife.
The basic premise of the television series is somewhat similar in concept to the American series, Ghost Whisperer
Ghost Whisperer
Ghost Whisperer is an American television supernatural drama, which ran on CBS from September 23, 2005 to May 21, 2010.The series follows the life of Melinda Gordon , who has the ability to see and communicate with ghosts...
, in which the protagonist must use her powers to guide the dead on their journey to the afterlife by helping them determine the meaning or circumstance of their death. However, in Izuko's case, no matter how hard she tries, her guidance does not always result in a happy ending.
Plot
Izuko (Yumiko ShakuYumiko Shaku
, born in Tokyo, Japan, is a Japanese actress and model. Her management is Tommy's Artist Company.- TV Dramas :*2011: BOSS...
) is a beautiful and mysterious gatekeeper to the afterlife. Known as the Guardian of the Gate, Izuko guides spirits of the recently departed on their journey...sometimes to Heaven, other times to Hell. The decision is theirs and it is not always an easy one. Often the spirit is the victim of a murder or other untimely death. In such case, a soul is offered three options: 1) accept their death as it is and proceed into Heaven to await reincarnation. 2) Wander the Earth as a ghost. 3) Take justice into their own hands and face the gates of Hell. Most episodes (see Episode List below) involve the guest starring character seeking to discover what happened to them and why—with Izuko attempting to guide them on the correct path. To her sadness and despite her compassion, Izuko does not always succeed and the moral dilemma is often very grey and unfair.
We discover in the big budget prequel (theatrical) film shot between Seasons 1 and 2, Sky High (2003 film)
Sky High (2003 film)
Sky High is a supernatural action film from director Ryuhei Kitamura. It is based on the manga of the same title by Tsutomu Takahashi and serves as a prequel to a Japanese television drama of the same name, and starring the same actress, Yumiko Shaku...
Izuko once faced this same decision herself. In life, her name was Mina…murdered by a supernatural serial killer. In the movie, Mina takes the place of the previous Guardian, killed by a demon. Mina is then unwittingly thrust into the role she plays in the TV series as Izuko, Guardian of the Gate—responsible for guiding the dead to sometimes happy and sometimes heart breaking ends.
Production
Sky High premiered on the Japanese television network, TV-Asahi, on January 17, 2003. The series starred popular Japanese actress and supermodel Yumiko ShakuYumiko Shaku
, born in Tokyo, Japan, is a Japanese actress and model. Her management is Tommy's Artist Company.- TV Dramas :*2011: BOSS...
, also known internationally for her starring role as action heroine JXSDF Lt. Akane Yashiro in two subsequent Godzilla
Godzilla
is a daikaijū, a Japanese movie monster, first appearing in Ishirō Honda's 1954 film Godzilla. Since then, Godzilla has gone on to become a worldwide pop culture icon starring in 28 films produced by Toho Co., Ltd. The monster has appeared in numerous other media incarnations including video games,...
movies, Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla
Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla
Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla, released in Japan as , is a 2002 Japanese science fiction kaiju film directed by Masaaki Tezuka, written by Wataru Mimura, and produced by Toho Co., Ltd. It is the 26th installment in the Godzilla series of films. It is the fourth film to feature Mechagodzilla...
(2002) and Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S., released in Japan as , is a 2003 science fiction kaiju film directed by Masaaki Tezuka. It was the twenty-seventh film to be released in the Godzilla series. It is the twelfth film to feature Mothra, the second film to feature Kamoebas, and the fifth and latest film to...
(2003). Sky High Season 1 (Series 1) ran for ten episodes, ending with a three-part thriller featuring special guest star Yamada Maiko.
Season 2 (marketed as Sky High 2) premiered on TV-Asahi on Friday, January 16, 2004, following the theatrical release of the big budget motion picture Sky High
Sky High (2003 film)
Sky High is a supernatural action film from director Ryuhei Kitamura. It is based on the manga of the same title by Tsutomu Takahashi and serves as a prequel to a Japanese television drama of the same name, and starring the same actress, Yumiko Shaku...
--a prequel to the TV series, and also starring Yumiko Shaku
Yumiko Shaku
, born in Tokyo, Japan, is a Japanese actress and model. Her management is Tommy's Artist Company.- TV Dramas :*2011: BOSS...
in a the big screen reprise of her TV series role. The second TV season of Sky High picks up on a number of elements from the big screen venture, including a darker, edgier look to Shaku's costuming in contrast to the softer, more colorful look of the first season. The ninth episode of Season 2, titled "Fate," served as the series finale.
External links
- IMDb Episode List (Season 1) Sky High Season 1 Official Site Sky High Season 2 Official Site Yumiko Shaku - Official site
List of Sky High Episodes
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