Urotsukidoji
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese manga
and an Original Video Animation
(OVA) releases.
, in 1986, and was a huge departure from his earlier works in that it mixed erotica
with humor, and the supernatural. He was commissioned to do the series for Manga Erotopia, a pornographic
manga
magazine published by Wani Magazine that deals mostly with avant garde stories. Maeda was picked because of his artistic style which paid incredible attention to detail and for his ability to tell rather good stories with complex plots, unlike most erotic manga artists
at the time.
Although the manga would grow a cult following; it was the anime
which became notorious. Hideki Takayama took great artistic liberties with the Urotsukidōji story, mixing elements of horror, violence, and sadistic scenes of rape not present in the original work. Maeda himself stated in an issue of Playboy
Japan that he found the anime to be repugnant, cruel and sadistic, yet brilliant, he also said he admires Takayama's take on his vision.
The anime
series is most famous for being the first in the tentacle rape
genre, though only one scene in the first OAV actually contains any tentacle rape. Tentacle rape was not present in the Urotsukidōji manga but was featured in a series that he would publish years later called Demon Beast Invasion
. Takayama was incredibly influenced by this work of Maeda's but thought that the Urotsukidōji story was stronger.
In an interview as to why Hideki Takayama chose to tell such a violent and sadistic story he said "There is nothing that arouses a stronger response in human beings than either sex or violence. A mixture of the two is very powerful indeed." Today Urotsukidōji, as well as its later sequels, are infamous, not just in Japan, but in the rest of the world as well. According to The Erotic Anime Movie Guide, it is the most recognized adult anime in the world.
A group of reptilian demons want to find the Chōjin and use his power on behalf of the Queen of Demons. Under the leadership of Suikakaju, the Elder's rival and lover of his estranged wife, the Queen of Demons, they hatch a series of plots to try to capture the Chōjin, most of which go horribly wrong.
Amano is sent to protect the Chōjin, but after his lecherous friend Koroko and then later his nymphomaniac sister Megumi come to find him, this proves to be more difficult.
In the anime it is not explained whether or not she is possessed or a demon in disguise; a demon sent to Earth to hunt out (and presumably destroy) the Chōjin. Despite her mission, she stills find time to rape Akemi, but Amano Jyaku intervenes and destroys her.
These three episodes where adapted from the original manga
but skip over much of humorous sub stories and sub plots and instead shift the focus to the apocalypse and the battle between Suikakuju and Amano.
The three OVAs were later edited into a western theatrical version known as Urotsukidōji I: Legend of the Overfiend, with much of the more explicit material being removed (continued in the UK and Australia by the BBFC and OFLC who also removed some of the more 'shocking' material). New animation was also added to help with the edits and some of the older animation was cleaned up.
Planet Earth is not all it seems. It is revealed that humans are not alone and that there are unseen realms running parallel to our own: the realms of the Demons (Makai) and the Man-Beasts (Jyujinkai). To further that, there is a 3000-year-old legend that foretells the coming of the Overfiend (Chōjin)—a being of unimaginable power that will unite all three realms into a land of eternity.
The story follows the exploits of the protagonists—man-beast Amano Jyaku, his nympho sister Megumi and their companion Kuroko—as their 300 year search for the Overfiend takes them to a high school in Osaka, Japan. Their discoveries led them to two students: shy, lecherous Nagumo Tatsuo and school ideal Akemi Ito. But as the film plunges deeper into the dark and macabre, Amano discovers that the Legend of the Overfiend is not what it seems and that the future of the three realms maybe strikingly different from what he is led to believe.
The Perfect Collection from Anime 18
is the only uncut version of the first OVA available outside Japan. Other versions such as the one on the "Hell on Earth" boxed set and the Australian Madman release with both Urotsukidōji I: Legend of the Overfiend and Urotsukidōji II: Legend of the Demon Womb have been cut for 45 minutes total, which included a total of 24 minutes of sexual-oriented scenes. The U.S. DVD releases are now out of print.
The second Urotsukidoji series was not based on the manga, but elements from it were used. With Nagumo's cousin Takeaki taking on a character similar to the character of Niki in the manga and Münchhausen II taking after the character of Suikakuju.
The second part of the saga—with an ongoing controversy among Urotsukidōji fans as to its whereabouts in the saga as a whole. One main theory is that the two chapters happen between "Birth of the Overfiend" and "Curse of the Overfiend" of the first OVA. Another main theory is that since the characters and tone are fairly unfaithful to the first three OVAs, it ought not to be considered part of the canon
in the first place.
The two OVAs were again later edited into a theatrical version for western cinema, known as Urotsukidōji II: Legend of the Demon Womb, again with much of the more explicit material removed and new animation created.
Unbeknownst to Amano Jyaku and Megumi, in 1944, the Nazis attempted to summon the Overfiend's nemesis: the Lord of Chaos (Kyo-o). Top scientist Dr Münchhausen and his son invented a perverse death-rape machine to summon the Lord of Chaos—but the machine overloaded; and helped to destroy half of Berlin—leaving Münchhausen II alive, but psychologically scarred.
During his adolescence, Münchhausen II discovers his father's journal and tries to uncover the secrets of the Jyujinkai and the Makai. He finally succeeds and reawakens Kohoki—a demon banished to hell for eternity—into the human realm and the two form an infamous partnership.
Cut to the present day and Münchhausen II is trying to fulfill his father's work—to summon the Lord of Chaos. But to make sure it'll work this time, he needs a human sacrifice. And it just so happens Nagumo's cousin Takeaki Kiryu is on the next plane to Osaka...
The Perfect Collection from Anime 18
is the only uncut version of the second Urotsukidōji OVA available outside Japan. Other versions such as the one on the "Hell on Earth" boxed set and the Australian Madman release with both Legend of the Overfiend and Legend of the Demon Womb have been cut for 14 minutes total, which included a total of 7 minutes of sexual-oriented scenes. The U.S. releases are also now out of print.
Part three of the Urotsukidoji saga. This is where the saga begins to focus less on the remaining central characters and introduces other secondary characters, none of which are present in the manga. The four parts were edited for western audiences as Urotsukidōji III: Return of the Overfiend, in some cases cut into a pair of films.
At the end of "Final Inferno" we discover that the Chojin is the offspring of Nagumo and Akemi and of Nagumo's horrific transformation into the Demon of Destruction - who needs to "destroy the old to make way for the new".
Twenty years have passed and the Chojin has been prematurely born. He summons Amano Jyaku to protect him and to help to discover what has happened, sending Amano forth to search for the evil born in the east. Unfortunately a new race called the Makemono (Demon Beasts) have arisen following the apocalypse, ruled over by the fanatical cyborg Caesar and his mysterious comrade "Faust". It is apparent they are the cause behind these events and intend to resurrect the Kyo-O.
Amano, along with the Makemono Buju and Caesar's traitorous daughter Alector, need to stop the two dictators from ruling the land of eternity. The question is, who will succeed...?
Forgetting plot and some characters entirely for the self-contained storyline of the first two OVAs, they gained such notoriety for their gratuitous and explicit nature that they were banned outright from many countries (including Britain). They were edited again for the west under the title Urotsukidōji IV: Inferno Road.
(Urotsukidoji IV was originally to have another ending, which was fully completed but ultimately discarded. This ending was to have revealed that the apparent Chojin as seen at the start of Urotsukidoji III was not in fact the real Chojin, but yet another Makai. This alternate ending was to have set up the abandoned Urotsukidoji V.)
Continuing straight after the climax of Return of the Overfiend, Amano and the survivors head for Osaka to help the Overfiend after his climatic battle. On the way they find a kingdom where children cruelly dominate adults (OVA 1 & 2). Amano's problems are furthered when an old nemesis shows up at the wrong time (OVA 3).
The third OVA in this series "The End of the Journey" stands alone plotwise (wrapping up the story arc from Urotsukidoji III on which the first two OVA have no bearing), and was originally intended to be a theatrical release. It is based on the final chapters of Maeda's "New Urotsukidoji".
Known as Urotsukidōji V: The Final Chapter in the west.
Only one episode of this was partially completed, the released version containing numerous examples of animation that is missing in-between
frames. The story, as such, concerned the arrival of the real Chojin who creates a new hermaphrodite
race to wipe out all remaining life on Earth.
After giving birth to the Chojin, Akemi reawakens in hospital, along with Amano, who had barely survived a recent confrontation with the Chojin (who's form constantly changes between male & female). Destroyer God Nagumo also reappears (after supposedly being killed by Kyo-O in Urotsukidoji III) and continues his ravaging of Earth. Still in love with Nagumo, Akemi runs out to find him.
Meanwhile, Amano is confronted by some of the Chojin's new 'children', and engages them in battle. However, his efforts prove almost futile, as they are constantly regenerated by the Chojin.
Akemi eventually finds Nagumo, still in God form, & pleads with him. He clutches her in his hand (similarly to the end of the first episode) and prepares to kill her. However, she is rescued at the last minute by Amano, although she condemns him for doing so.
The episode (& the series thus far) ends with Amano making a final glance at Nagumo, and then at the Chojin's utopia, as he vows to put an end to them once and for all...
Released as New Urotsukidōji: New Saga in the west on March 9, 2004.
This series is based on Maeda's "New Urotsukidoji" manga but contains far more explicit and violent scenes.
This three-disc collection is a detailed retelling of the first episode in The Legend of the Overfiend. It has the same basic plot as "Birth of the Overfiend", but is more focused on the characters and story in general.
The Urotsuki video series and the Urotsukidoji Horror film are the only anime works which have borrowed from this series.
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...
and an Original Video Animation
Original video animation
, abbreviated as media , are animated films and series made specially for release in home-video formats. The term originated in relation to Japanese animation...
(OVA) releases.
History
Urotsukidōji was created by Toshio MaedaToshio Maeda
is a controversial erotic manga artist who was most prolific in the 1980s and 90s. Several of Maeda's works have been used as a basis for Original Video Animations including the well known La Blue Girl, Adventure Kid, Demon Beast Invasion, Demon Warrior Koji and his most famous work, Urotsukidōji...
, in 1986, and was a huge departure from his earlier works in that it mixed erotica
Erotica
Erotica are works of art, including literature, photography, film, sculpture and painting, that deal substantively with erotically stimulating or sexually arousing descriptions...
with humor, and the supernatural. He was commissioned to do the series for Manga Erotopia, a pornographic
Hentai
is a Japanese word that, in the West, is used when referring to sexually explicit or pornographic comics and animation, particularly those of Japanese origin such as anime, manga, and computer games. The word hentai is a kanji compound of 変 and 態...
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...
magazine published by Wani Magazine that deals mostly with avant garde stories. Maeda was picked because of his artistic style which paid incredible attention to detail and for his ability to tell rather good stories with complex plots, unlike most erotic manga artists
Mangaka
is the Japanese word for a comic artist or cartoonist. Outside of Japan, manga usually refers to a Japanese comic book and mangaka refers to the author of the manga, who is usually Japanese...
at the time.
Although the manga would grow a cult following; it was the 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....
which became notorious. Hideki Takayama took great artistic liberties with the Urotsukidōji story, mixing elements of horror, violence, and sadistic scenes of rape not present in the original work. Maeda himself stated in an issue of Playboy
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
Japan that he found the anime to be repugnant, cruel and sadistic, yet brilliant, he also said he admires Takayama's take on his vision.
The 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 is most famous for being the first in the tentacle rape
Tentacle rape
is found in some horror or hentai titles, with tentacled creatures having sexual intercourse with female characters. The genre is popular enough in Japan that its occasionally even the subject of parody. In recent years, Japanese and Asian films of this genre have become more common in the United...
genre, though only one scene in the first OAV actually contains any tentacle rape. Tentacle rape was not present in the Urotsukidōji manga but was featured in a series that he would publish years later called Demon Beast Invasion
Demon Beast Invasion
is a manga series written and illustrated by Toshio Maeda, published by Wani Magazine. The series was adapted into a six-part original video animation of the same name in 1990, followed by in 1995.- Plot :...
. Takayama was incredibly influenced by this work of Maeda's but thought that the Urotsukidōji story was stronger.
In an interview as to why Hideki Takayama chose to tell such a violent and sadistic story he said "There is nothing that arouses a stronger response in human beings than either sex or violence. A mixture of the two is very powerful indeed." Today Urotsukidōji, as well as its later sequels, are infamous, not just in Japan, but in the rest of the world as well. According to The Erotic Anime Movie Guide, it is the most recognized adult anime in the world.
Overview of the manga
Amano (the eponymous wandering kid) is a demon/human hybrid who has been banished to Earth for his great misdeeds, mostly involving the Elder and his daughter Mimi. The Elder sends Amano to the human world to find the Chōjin: the unbeatable god of the demon world who is hiding within the body of a man.A group of reptilian demons want to find the Chōjin and use his power on behalf of the Queen of Demons. Under the leadership of Suikakaju, the Elder's rival and lover of his estranged wife, the Queen of Demons, they hatch a series of plots to try to capture the Chōjin, most of which go horribly wrong.
Amano is sent to protect the Chōjin, but after his lecherous friend Koroko and then later his nymphomaniac sister Megumi come to find him, this proves to be more difficult.
Overview of the anime
Every 3,000 years the is united with the and the by the revival of the , known as the Overfiend in the English version). The saga follows Amano Jyaku—a man-beast—and his quest to find the real Chōjin and to ensure the safe future of all three worlds. However, he finds his beliefs put to the test when he encounters numerous demons, who plan to destroy the Chōjin and prevent the three worlds from joining.Characters
As the Urotsukidōji saga spans over a number of years it incorporates a wide variety of characters. Below is a list of the main characters, which are split into their races:Ningen ("Humans")
- : The human through which the Chōjin will be reborn. He is shy and lecherous. Fated to become the Demon of Destruction who decimates the world to pave the way for the birth of his "messianic" offspring.
- : In the anime she is presented as a young, innocent, naive, and the idol at Myōjin University. In the manga she is far more sexually adventurous and obsessed with sex. She becomes Nagumo's girlfriend, and the mother of the Chōjin.
- : An anime only character; Nagumo's cousin, whom Münchhausen uses to resurrect the Kyō-Ō. Commits a series of serial rapes and murders under the control of the German diabolist, who contorts his mind against those he loves. Falls for Megumi Amano—only to be felled by her in the battle against Münchhausen atop the Shinjuku skyscrapers.
- : A school nerd who loves Akemi and jealously disapproves of and hates Nagumo. Later used by Suikakujū as a shell to destroy the Chōjin, with the aid of a demonic phallus which he promptly substitutes for his own, he meets his end at the hands of Nagumo who tears out his organs. In the manga version Niki's story is much more similar to the story of Kiryu that was used as the basis for the second Urotsukidoji series.
- : The jock all the girls fall for in Myōjin University. A major character in the manga, though only seen in the first volume of the OAV series. Amano mistakes him for the Chōjin, which ultimately leads to his demise.
Jūjin ("Man-Beasts")
In the manga there are only two worlds: the world of demons and the world of humans. However in the anime there is a third world. The world of the ("Man-Beasts") In the manga, Amano is a half breed. Born of a human and demon. Megumi is a human who has been given powers. And The Great Elder and Lady Mimi are both considered demons. So is Koroko.- : The anti-heroic urotsuki-dōji of the saga. He has been searching for the Chōjin for three hundred years. In the manga, he is quite an unsympathetic and lecherous character who tricks women into having sex with him by claiming his sperm has demon fighting powers. His character in the anime is much more noble. Holds to his stringent belief in the Chōjin and his Land of Eternity— until events play out in a way totally contrary to what he hoped for.
- : Amano's highly sexed sister. She believes Nagumo to be the Chōjin from the start. In the manga she becomes Akemi's rival. She uses a brand of "sexcraft" that was later used in Maeda's La Blue GirlLa Blue Girlis an erotic anime and manga series.Based on the manga by Toshio Maeda, the La Blue Girl anime, like his other hentai series , features a large amount of tentacle rape...
series. Later in the manga she falls for Niki after his transformation. In the anime, she falls in love with Takeaki.
- : One of the wisest elders in the man-beast realm. In the manga he banishes Amano from the realm of demons for constantly fooling around with his daughter Mimi. In the anime he helps Amano discover the truth behind the legend of the Chōjin. According to his own words in the second episode of the first OVA, The Great Elder has lived in the Man-Beast world for 993 years.
- : The elder's granddaughter and lover of Amano Jyaku. Her orgasm has the power to project visions of the future.
Majin ("Demons")
- : The rival of Amano Jyaku. The Queen of Demons thinks very highly of him. His quest is to destroy the Chōjin in order to keep the Makai ("Demon-World") intact. A lord amongst demons with a suitably noble mien— especially compared to his brethren!
- : A demon who was banished to Hell for having an affair with Megumi. He later becomes Münchhausen's lackey. He is not featured in the manga.
- : In the manga, Ms. Togami is a horny teacher who gets possessed by an iguana demon. The demon then tries to seduce Akemi, until Amano manages to drive the iguana demon out. He later tricks her into having sex so that his magical sperm can protect her from the lizard demons.
In the anime it is not explained whether or not she is possessed or a demon in disguise; a demon sent to Earth to hunt out (and presumably destroy) the Chōjin. Despite her mission, she stills find time to rape Akemi, but Amano Jyaku intervenes and destroys her.
- Yoenki: Suikakujū's sister, who attacks Amano in Osaka. In the anime she is manipulated into attacking Amano via Münchhausen II's mind control powers.
Makemono ("Demon-Beasts") (anime only)
- Buju: A key character in the post-apocalyptic chapters of the saga. Starts off as a raping, pillaging marauder, only to find some semblance of purpose and redemption in becoming the Kyo-O's guardian on his long journey toward Osaka to confront the Chōjin.
- Gashim: A kindhearted, elderly makemono who accompanies Buju, Himi, Amano et al. to Osaka, following his release from Caesar's captivity.
- Ruddle: Another makemono spared from the devastating effects of Kyō-Ō's Light of Judgment at Caesar's palace. Joins Amano and the other Makemono in their journey toward Osaka.
- Idaten: A pure-hearted makemono youth who takes the high road to Osaka with his fellows. Develops a crush on Himi—which sadly never gets to bloom beyond that....
Other characters
- : One of the Kuroko tribe. Holds deep respect for his boss, Amano Jyaku.
- : An anime only character; Following the footsteps of his father who died in the service of Adolf HitlerAdolf HitlerAdolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
, he is the son of a mad GermanGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
scientist, hell bent on resurrecting the Kyō-Ō and dominating the world.
- : The Super God. His legend reveals that every three thousand years he will be reborn into the human realm. In the anime it is to unite the three worlds into a world of peace. However in the manga there are only two worlds. But the prophecy is the same
- : The nemesis of the Chōjin, in the anime he is born from the congealed blood of Takeaki at the Gokumon shrine. And Münchhausen desperately wants to resurrect her to take over Earth. However in the manga it is Nikki who is chosen to be The Lord of Chaos but first he must replace his penis with that of a gods penis. In the New Urotsukidoji manga the character is born from the blood of Nikki after he is killed.
- : The demon that Suikakujū summons from the sea to kill the Chōjin.
Anime cast
| Character Role | Original Japanese version | English Dubbed version |
|---|---|---|
| Amano Jyaku | Tomohiro Nishimura Tomohiro Nishimura Tomohiro Nishimura is a seiyū, actor, and singer-songwriter born on February 2, 1961 in Asahikawa, Hokkaidō, Japan. He used to be employed by the talent management firm 81 Produce... |
Christopher Courage |
| Nagumo Tatsuo | Hirotaka Suzuoki Hirotaka Suzuoki was a Japanese voice actor and actor from Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture who graduated from Tokyo Keizai University.His best known roles include Mobile Suit Gundam , Captain Tsubasa , Saint Seiya , Dragon Ball Z , The Transformers , Ranma ½ , Rurouni Kenshin , Pokémon... |
Bill Timoney Bill Timoney Bill Timoney is an American actor. His best-known role on television is the character of Alfred Vanderpool on All My Children. Bill is also well-known as a voice actor and ADR director, primarily working on English-language dubs of Japanese anime especially TAJ Productions dubs... |
| Akemi Ito | Youko Asagami | Rebel Joy |
| Megumi Amano | Yumi Takada Yumi Takada is a Japanese voice actress employed by 81 Produce.-Notable voice roles:*Yoshinaga-sensei in Crayon Shin-chan*Etsuko in Hanappe Bazooka*Ayeka Masaki Jurai in Tenchi Muyo!*Ayeka Takada /Romio , Ghost Girl in Pretty Sammy... |
Lucy Morales |
| Suikakujyu | Norio Wakamoto Norio Wakamoto is a veteran male seiyū and budō expert affiliated with Sigma Seven. He was born in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and was raised in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture. He graduated from Waseda University... |
Jurgen Offen |
| Yuichi Niki | Kouichi Yamadera | Bill Timoney Bill Timoney Bill Timoney is an American actor. His best-known role on television is the character of Alfred Vanderpool on All My Children. Bill is also well-known as a voice actor and ADR director, primarily working on English-language dubs of Japanese anime especially TAJ Productions dubs... |
| Münchhausen II | Demon Kogure Demon Kogure , previously known as Demon Kogure, is a Japanese musician, entertainer, journalist and sumo commentator. He is the frontman of the heavy metal band Seikima-II, and is known for always working entirely in character.... |
Bick Balse |
Anime saga
There are four main chapters in the original Urotsukidoji saga, along with an unfinished fifth chapter that has so far only been released in Japan and Germany, as well as a complete remake of the first chapter.Chōjin Densetsu Urotsukidōji (1987-1989)
- "Birth of the Overfiend" (January 21, 1987)
- "Curse of the Overfiend" (March 21, 1988)
- "Final Inferno" (April 10, 1989)
These three episodes where adapted from the original 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...
but skip over much of humorous sub stories and sub plots and instead shift the focus to the apocalypse and the battle between Suikakuju and Amano.
The three OVAs were later edited into a western theatrical version known as Urotsukidōji I: Legend of the Overfiend, with much of the more explicit material being removed (continued in the UK and Australia by the BBFC and OFLC who also removed some of the more 'shocking' material). New animation was also added to help with the edits and some of the older animation was cleaned up.
Planet Earth is not all it seems. It is revealed that humans are not alone and that there are unseen realms running parallel to our own: the realms of the Demons (Makai) and the Man-Beasts (Jyujinkai). To further that, there is a 3000-year-old legend that foretells the coming of the Overfiend (Chōjin)—a being of unimaginable power that will unite all three realms into a land of eternity.
The story follows the exploits of the protagonists—man-beast Amano Jyaku, his nympho sister Megumi and their companion Kuroko—as their 300 year search for the Overfiend takes them to a high school in Osaka, Japan. Their discoveries led them to two students: shy, lecherous Nagumo Tatsuo and school ideal Akemi Ito. But as the film plunges deeper into the dark and macabre, Amano discovers that the Legend of the Overfiend is not what it seems and that the future of the three realms maybe strikingly different from what he is led to believe.
DVD releases
- "Perfect Collection" (Anime 18Central Park MediaCentral Park Media was an American multimedia entertainment company based in New York City, New York, that was active in the distribution of East Asian cinema, television series, anime, manga and manhwa titles in North America prior to its bankruptcy in 2009...
)—2:26:06 - "Special DVD Edition" (Manga EntertainmentManga EntertainmentManga Entertainment is a producer, licensor and distributor of Japanese animation in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Australia and New Zealand...
)—1:42:55
The Perfect Collection from Anime 18
Central Park Media
Central Park Media was an American multimedia entertainment company based in New York City, New York, that was active in the distribution of East Asian cinema, television series, anime, manga and manhwa titles in North America prior to its bankruptcy in 2009...
is the only uncut version of the first OVA available outside Japan. Other versions such as the one on the "Hell on Earth" boxed set and the Australian Madman release with both Urotsukidōji I: Legend of the Overfiend and Urotsukidōji II: Legend of the Demon Womb have been cut for 45 minutes total, which included a total of 24 minutes of sexual-oriented scenes. The U.S. DVD releases are now out of print.
Shin Chōjin Densetsu Urotsukidōji: Mataiden (1990-1991)
- "A Prayer for the Resurrection of the Lord of Chaos" (December 1, 1990)
- "Battle at Shinjuku Skyscrapers" (April 10, 1991)
The second part of the saga—with an ongoing controversy among Urotsukidōji fans as to its whereabouts in the saga as a whole. One main theory is that the two chapters happen between "Birth of the Overfiend" and "Curse of the Overfiend" of the first OVA. Another main theory is that since the characters and tone are fairly unfaithful to the first three OVAs, it ought not to be considered part of the canon
Canon (fiction)
In the context of a work of fiction, the term canon denotes the material accepted as "official" in a fictional universe's fan base. It is often contrasted with, or used as the basis for, works of fan fiction, which are not considered canonical...
in the first place.
The two OVAs were again later edited into a theatrical version for western cinema, known as Urotsukidōji II: Legend of the Demon Womb, again with much of the more explicit material removed and new animation created.
Unbeknownst to Amano Jyaku and Megumi, in 1944, the Nazis attempted to summon the Overfiend's nemesis: the Lord of Chaos (Kyo-o). Top scientist Dr Münchhausen and his son invented a perverse death-rape machine to summon the Lord of Chaos—but the machine overloaded; and helped to destroy half of Berlin—leaving Münchhausen II alive, but psychologically scarred.
During his adolescence, Münchhausen II discovers his father's journal and tries to uncover the secrets of the Jyujinkai and the Makai. He finally succeeds and reawakens Kohoki—a demon banished to hell for eternity—into the human realm and the two form an infamous partnership.
Cut to the present day and Münchhausen II is trying to fulfill his father's work—to summon the Lord of Chaos. But to make sure it'll work this time, he needs a human sacrifice. And it just so happens Nagumo's cousin Takeaki Kiryu is on the next plane to Osaka...
DVD releases
- Perfect Collection (Anime 18Central Park MediaCentral Park Media was an American multimedia entertainment company based in New York City, New York, that was active in the distribution of East Asian cinema, television series, anime, manga and manhwa titles in North America prior to its bankruptcy in 2009...
)—1:37:33 - Special DVD Edition (Manga EntertainmentManga EntertainmentManga Entertainment is a producer, licensor and distributor of Japanese animation in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Australia and New Zealand...
)—1:23:32
The Perfect Collection from Anime 18
Central Park Media
Central Park Media was an American multimedia entertainment company based in New York City, New York, that was active in the distribution of East Asian cinema, television series, anime, manga and manhwa titles in North America prior to its bankruptcy in 2009...
is the only uncut version of the second Urotsukidōji OVA available outside Japan. Other versions such as the one on the "Hell on Earth" boxed set and the Australian Madman release with both Legend of the Overfiend and Legend of the Demon Womb have been cut for 14 minutes total, which included a total of 7 minutes of sexual-oriented scenes. The U.S. releases are also now out of print.
Chōjin Densetsu Urotsukidōji: Mirai Hen (1992-1993)
- "Birth of the True Overfiend" (October 1, 1992)
- "The Mystery of Caesar's Palace" (January 21, 1993)
- "The Collapse of Caesar's Palace" (May 21, 1993)
- "Journey to an Unknown World" (August 21, 1993)
Part three of the Urotsukidoji saga. This is where the saga begins to focus less on the remaining central characters and introduces other secondary characters, none of which are present in the manga. The four parts were edited for western audiences as Urotsukidōji III: Return of the Overfiend, in some cases cut into a pair of films.
At the end of "Final Inferno" we discover that the Chojin is the offspring of Nagumo and Akemi and of Nagumo's horrific transformation into the Demon of Destruction - who needs to "destroy the old to make way for the new".
Twenty years have passed and the Chojin has been prematurely born. He summons Amano Jyaku to protect him and to help to discover what has happened, sending Amano forth to search for the evil born in the east. Unfortunately a new race called the Makemono (Demon Beasts) have arisen following the apocalypse, ruled over by the fanatical cyborg Caesar and his mysterious comrade "Faust". It is apparent they are the cause behind these events and intend to resurrect the Kyo-O.
Amano, along with the Makemono Buju and Caesar's traitorous daughter Alector, need to stop the two dictators from ruling the land of eternity. The question is, who will succeed...?
Chōjin Densetsu Urotsukidōji: Hōrō Hen (1993-1995)
- "The Secret Garden" (December 21, 1993)
- "The Long Road to God" (March 21, 1994)
- "The End of the Journey" (May 20, 1995)
Forgetting plot and some characters entirely for the self-contained storyline of the first two OVAs, they gained such notoriety for their gratuitous and explicit nature that they were banned outright from many countries (including Britain). They were edited again for the west under the title Urotsukidōji IV: Inferno Road.
(Urotsukidoji IV was originally to have another ending, which was fully completed but ultimately discarded. This ending was to have revealed that the apparent Chojin as seen at the start of Urotsukidoji III was not in fact the real Chojin, but yet another Makai. This alternate ending was to have set up the abandoned Urotsukidoji V.)
Continuing straight after the climax of Return of the Overfiend, Amano and the survivors head for Osaka to help the Overfiend after his climatic battle. On the way they find a kingdom where children cruelly dominate adults (OVA 1 & 2). Amano's problems are furthered when an old nemesis shows up at the wrong time (OVA 3).
The third OVA in this series "The End of the Journey" stands alone plotwise (wrapping up the story arc from Urotsukidoji III on which the first two OVA have no bearing), and was originally intended to be a theatrical release. It is based on the final chapters of Maeda's "New Urotsukidoji".
Chōjin Densetsu Urotsukidōji: Kanketsu Hen (1996)
- "The Final" (December 28, 1996)
Known as Urotsukidōji V: The Final Chapter in the west.
Only one episode of this was partially completed, the released version containing numerous examples of animation that is missing in-between
Tweening
Inbetweening or tweening is the process of generating intermediate frames between two images to give the appearance that the first image evolves smoothly into the second image. Inbetweens are the drawings between the key frames which help to create the illusion of motion...
frames. The story, as such, concerned the arrival of the real Chojin who creates a new hermaphrodite
Hermaphrodite
In biology, a hermaphrodite is an organism that has reproductive organs normally associated with both male and female sexes.Many taxonomic groups of animals do not have separate sexes. In these groups, hermaphroditism is a normal condition, enabling a form of sexual reproduction in which both...
race to wipe out all remaining life on Earth.
After giving birth to the Chojin, Akemi reawakens in hospital, along with Amano, who had barely survived a recent confrontation with the Chojin (who's form constantly changes between male & female). Destroyer God Nagumo also reappears (after supposedly being killed by Kyo-O in Urotsukidoji III) and continues his ravaging of Earth. Still in love with Nagumo, Akemi runs out to find him.
Meanwhile, Amano is confronted by some of the Chojin's new 'children', and engages them in battle. However, his efforts prove almost futile, as they are constantly regenerated by the Chojin.
Akemi eventually finds Nagumo, still in God form, & pleads with him. He clutches her in his hand (similarly to the end of the first episode) and prepares to kill her. However, she is rescued at the last minute by Amano, although she condemns him for doing so.
The episode (& the series thus far) ends with Amano making a final glance at Nagumo, and then at the Chojin's utopia, as he vows to put an end to them once and for all...
Urotsukidōji: The Urotsuki (2002)
- "The Urotsuki: Part I" (May 3, 2002)
- "The Urotsuki: Part II" (August 9, 2002)
- "The Urotsuki: Part III" (November 19, 2002)
Released as New Urotsukidōji: New Saga in the west on March 9, 2004.
This series is based on Maeda's "New Urotsukidoji" manga but contains far more explicit and violent scenes.
This three-disc collection is a detailed retelling of the first episode in The Legend of the Overfiend. It has the same basic plot as "Birth of the Overfiend", but is more focused on the characters and story in general.
New Urotsukidoji manga
After the popularity of the anime version of his work, Maeda sought to redo the Urotsukidoji series. Inspired by the post-apocalyptic story in the anime version, Maeda fleshed out the story and also took it into the realm of the post apocalyptic.The Urotsuki video series and the Urotsukidoji Horror film are the only anime works which have borrowed from this series.