Nurarihyon no mago

Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan, known in Japan as Nurarihyon no Mago (ぬらりひょんの孫^?, "Nurarihyon's Grandchild") is a manga series written and illustrated by Hiroshi Shiibashi. The series was first published in Shueisha as a oneshot in 2007. The manga has been continuously serialized in the Japanese manga anthology Weekly Shōnen Jump since March 2008 and has been collected into 20 tankōbon volumes as of July 2011. A Drama CD was released in December 2009.^[1] An anime adaptation by Studio DEEN began airing in Japan on July 5, 2010, with the first season consisting of 26 episodes

Rikuo Nura is part human and a quarter yōkai (demon). Because he is only a quarter yōkai, Rikuo is able to turn into his yōkai form only after sunset, when the moon is out; he turns back into his human self when the sun rises. He lives in a house full of spirits along with his yōkai grandfather. Trying to escape his fate, he does good deeds in order to avoid becoming a yōkai, despite his grandfather's wish that Rikuo succeed him as master of the Nura yōkai clan. Rikuo is a different yōkai because he helps humans. He eventually comes to terms with his demon blood and decides to take up the position of Young Head of the Nura house. Multiple factions aim to stop him or usurp his position, and he must gather friends and allies, a new Hyakki Yakō under his banner of "Fear".

[edit]Storyline

Gyuki Arc

The Kiyo Cross Squad travels to Mt. Nejireme at the invitation of a supposed yokai specialist. However, the invitation turns out to have been a trap by the head of the yokai Gyuki Clan. Separated, the members of the Kiyo Cross Squad must deal with yokai of the Gyuki Clan and Rikuo ultimately faces Gyuki himself. Rikuo learns that Gyuki set up the trap because he didn't want the Nura Clan, which he greatly cherishes, to suffer under the influence of a weak leader, they clash and Gyuki is overwhelmed by Rikuo's night form. Afterward, Rikuo decides to take up the mantle of Nurarihyon and officially become the next Nura Clan head.

Shikoku Arc

When one of the board members of the Nura Group is attacked and killed, and Nurarihyon subsequently disappears without notice, the Nura Clan is thrown into chaos. Trying to keep them together, Rikuo encounters a rival faction from the Shikoku area who intend to take over the Nura Clan's territory. Their leader, Tamazuki, is ruthless and willing to sacrifice his subordinates to further his own goals. Rikuo and his Hyakki Yako battle with Tamazuki and his 88-ki Yako (consisting of 88 demons, instead of the 100 of a Hyakki Yako) and emerge victorious, but spare Tamazuki in the end at the request of his father - who Nurarihyon had gone to visit. Tamazuki is spared under the condition that he build a memorial in honor of the subordinates who died by his hand.

Past Arc

The story of Rikuo's grandparents: Nurarihyon and Yohime, the creation of the spirit blade Nenekirimaru, and the battle against Hagoromo-Gitsune 400 years ago.

Tono Arc

When Haguromo-Gitsune resurfaces in Kyoto, Rikuo is determined to fight her and take revenge for his father's death - as well as rescue Yura, who has gone to aid the rest of the Keikain family in protecting Kyoto. However, as he is still too inexperienced and weak, his grandfather asks the head of the yokai Tono Village to take in and train Rikuo. After an encounter with one of the Kyoto yokai, Rikuo comes to realize what sort of power the yokai Nuriarihyon possesses and, having grown stronger, leaves along with several Tono yokai to return to the Nura main house and prepare for the assault on Kyoto.

Kyoto Arc

Rikuo, along with the vast majority of the Nuria Clan and several yokai from Tono, invade Kyoto. Nearly all of the onmyoji barriers around the city have been destroyed by Kyoto yokai, and the Keikain house itself struggles to fight against Hagoromo-Gitsune's forces. They ultimately join forces with Rikuo's Hyakki Yako to replace the fallen barriers and stop Hagoromo-Gitsune from giving birth to a new evil.

Hundred Tales Clan Arc

Following a time skip, the Nura Clan begins to expand its territory in order to prepare for the coming battle with Seimei. Various yokai appear and cause interference with the expansion, one of whom was the Toryanse the Ripper, who tells Rikuo of the Hundred Tales Clan.

Manga

Main article: List of Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan chapters

The manga has been serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump since March 2008. As of December 2, 2011, it has been collected into 19 volumes.^[4]

Anime

Main article: List of Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan episodes

The anime series, produced by Studio Deen, premiered on July 5, 2010 and is licensed for North America by Viz Media under the name Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan. New episodes, subtitled in English, are simulcast each week on their website several hours after they air in Japan.^[5] The opening themes are Fast Forward and Sunshine performed by Monkey Majik and the ending themes are Sparky☆Start and Symphonic Dream performed by Katate Size (Aya Hirano, Yui Horie and Ai Maeda). The anime is slated to be released on eight DVDs.^[6] A second season was announced and began broadcasting in Japan on July 3rd, 2011; as well as a 24-hour delayed broadcast with English subtitles on Hulu.com^[7]The Second Season, Sennen Makyou, is now out and in the climax of the storyline, following Rikuo as he trains for his upcoming battle with Seimei.