Reborn!

Reborn!
Genre	Action, Comedy, Mafia, Supernatural
Manga
Written by	Akira Amano
Published by	Shueisha
Demographic	Shōnen
Anime
Directed by	Kenichi Imaizumi
Studio	Artland
Related works
Reborn!-related games

Reborn!, known in Japan as Katekyō Hitman Reborn! (家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN!, Katekyō Hittoman REBORN!, which would literally be Katei Kyōshi Hittoman Reborn! and translated as Home Tutor Hitman Reborn!), is a Japanese comedy manga written and illustrated by Akira Amano.

The manga is published in Japan by Shueisha's Jump Comics imprint and is serialized in the manga magazine Weekly Shonen Jump. On October 7 2006, an anime adaptation created by Artland premiered on the Japanese television network TV Tokyo.

Viz Media licensed the series and released the first volume in the US in October 2006 under the title Reborn!. The series is rated for older teens.

Storyline

Reborn! is about a boy, Tsunayoshi "Tsuna" Sawada, who is chosen to become a Mafia Boss. Tsuna unwillingly undergoes training from Reborn, a hitman from Italy. Timoteo a.k.a. "Vongola IX," the head of the Vongola Family, sent Reborn to train Tsuna; the first Vongola boss moved to Japan, and Tsuna was his great-great-great grandson; the other candidates for the position of the head of the Vongola family died. Enrico, who was the leading candidate to become "Vongola X", died in a gun battle. Massimo, the second, "sleeps with the fishes." Federico, the favored son, was found as a pile of bones. For these reasons, Tsuna is the only remaining heir.

Reborn's main instrument of choice in teaching Tsuna is the "Dying Will Bullet" ("Deathperation Shot" in the English versions), which will make the person be "reborn" with a stronger self intent on fulfilling his dying will.

Characters

Main article: List of Reborn! characters

File:Tsuna headshot.jpg

Tsunayoshi Sawada

Tsunayoshi "Tsuna" Sawada (沢田綱吉/ツナ, Sawada Tsunayoshi/Tsuna)

Tsuna is a junior-high student and the Vongola Family's mob-boss-in-training. The reason Tsuna was recruited is because he is the great-great-great grandson of the first Vongola boss, who had moved to Japan a long time ago. Also, the other candidates, for the position of the head of the Vongola Family, died. Before Reborn finds Tsuna, Tsuna is known as "No Good Tsuna" (ダメツナ, Dame Tsuna) for his poor grades, bad luck, and lack of athleticism. When Reborn shoots him with the Dying Will Bullet, he is revived as a powerful mostly-naked warrior with a flame on his forehead.

File:Reborn.png

Reborn

Reborn (リボーン, Ribōn)

The infant hitman who drags Tsuna into becoming a mob boss and becomes his home tutor. The current head of the Vongola family sent Reborn to train Tsuna. He is Vongola IX's most trusted hitman. Despite being a mere one year old infant, he behaves as a seasoned mafioso. Reborn often says "Ciao-su" (a mix of the Italian "ciao" and the Japanese "osu", which is a casual male greeting equivalent to the English "Yo!" or "Wassup!").

File:Hayato headshot.jpg

Hayato Gokudera

Hayato Gokudera (獄寺 隼人, Gokudera Hayato)

A transfer student that was placed in Tsuna's class. Hayato, who had previously studied in Italy, is a dynamite expert nicknamed "Smokin' Bomb Hayato" Sumōkin Bomu Hayato (スモーキン・ボム 隼人). He keeps various explosives hidden on his person and uses those explosives liberally by lighting them with a cigarette (or several) held in his mouth. At one point, when he removed his jacket to do 'dynamite maintenance', he was revealed to be carrying several dozen dynamites, much to everyone's surprise.

File:Yamamoto headshot.jpg

Takeshi Yamamoto

Takeshi Yamamoto (山本 武, Yamamoto Takeshi)

Takeshi is Tsuna's classmate and the popular baseball star of the school. He becomes friends with Tsuna, and Reborn tries to recruit him into the Vongola Famiglia. He hardly takes anything seriously, and is often "tricked" by Reborn because he thinks that, "It's a game". Reborn occasionally trains him by putting him in dangerous situations, but Takeshi still believes it to be just a game or simple baseball training. His reflexes are unreasonably good, as is his level of obliviousness; he thinks the various weapons and dangerous objects he sees Reborn and others use on a regular basis are just really advanced kid's toys.

Ryohei Sasagawa

Ryohei Sasagawa (笹川 了平, Sasagawa Ryōhei)

Kyoko's older brother who is obsessed with boxing; he even barged into a zoo, expecting to fight some animals. He is the third to take the Deathperation Shot, but it has no effect on him since he always lives "to the limit," and is therefore in Dying Will Mode constantly. He wants to recruit Tsuna to the boxing club and in response, Reborn wants to recruit him into the family. Every time he sees Tsuna and his family doing something strange, he gets fired up and always wants to be a part of it.

File:Kyoya headshot.jpg

Kyoya Hibari

Kyoya Hibari (雲雀 恭弥, Hibari Kyōya)

Kyoya is the leader of the Discipline Committee, or Prefects, who all happen to be a group of delinquents loyal to Kyoya. Even so, he is a violent delinquent who uses his status to harass other students. He prefers to be alone and cares little for his subordinates. If he is amongst a crowd, he tends to play violent "games" with rules like "I'll bite anyone who wakes me up when I'm sleeping to death," and as mentioned, the loser often has to pay the price with his life, and he tamed a bird which sings the school song.

Terminology

Omertà

The Mafia oath of silence.

Dying Will Flame (死ぬ気の炎, Shinu ki no Honō)

A form of energy that is hidden inside one's body. Depending on the person, the flame can be transferred into objects and can be used in many others ways. Unless one is shot with the Dying Will Bullet, it is rare for someone to control/summon the flame on their own.

Arcobaleno

Arcobaleno means rainbow in Italian and it is also the name of the group of the seven strongest infants in the Mafia. Each member has a pacifier colored as one of the colors of the rainbow.

Vendicare

Also known as the Revengers. They are the proclaimed judges of the Mafia. In order to keep "law and order" within the Mafia world, they judge mafia criminals that can not be judged by the law. Often appearing suddenly, they are shrouded in dark coats and hats with their faces completely obscured by bandages.

Outside Advisor

Belongs to the Vongola Family, but technically not an official member of the family. During times of crises, the Outside Advisor has the power of the Vongola Family's second-in-command. Their organization is called the CEDEF (Consulenza Esterna Della Famiglia).

Vongola Rings

Seven invaluable rings worn by the seven core members of the Vongola Family. During every new generation, the rings are passed on to the seven next worthy members of the family, proving they belong to the Vongola Family.

Special bullets

In the Reborn! world, various Mafia crime families have created their own special bullets, each one having different effects on a person.

A few of those bullets include:

File:Tsuna Reborn.jpg

Tsuna in Dying Will Mode

Dying Will Bullet

(Deathperation Shot is the Viz translation)

• First used in Volume 01 – Target 001
• Belongs to the Vongola Family.

When shot with the Dying Will Bullet (死ぬ気弾, Shinu ki Dan), the target is filled with grief about their dying wish and is instantly revitalized with temporary increased strength, speed, energy, and courage. When the effect is done, the person is returned to normal as if they were never shot. It basically removes the body's limiters, making a person's abilities increase. When they are shot, the person is considered to be in their "Dying Will Mode" (死ぬ気モード, Shinu ki Mōdo, Viz translation is "Deathperation").

However, if an individual is shot with the Dying Will Bullet, yet have no regrets upon dying, they will remain dead as if shot by a normal bullet. The bullet also will not "Reborn" a person, as they are already prepared to die.

The term "Deathperation Shot" actually applies to the effect if the Vongola magical bullet strikes the user in the forehead. In the anime, Deathperation bullets were colored red to emphasize this. If the bullet is shot anywhere else, a different name and effect takes place:

• Jump Shot (Leg) (ジャンプ弾, Janpu Dan): The target's legs become super strong and allow the user to leap at superhuman heights. This is the only shot Tsuna was hit with when he was not in Dying Will Mode in the first place. In the anime, these bullets are colored blue.
• Megaton Shot (Arm) (メガトンパンチ弾, Megaton Panchi Dan): The target's arm becomes super strong to the point they can crack the ground with a single punch.
• Heatproof Skin Shot (Spine) (耐熱ヒフ弾, Tainetsu Hifu Dan): This makes the user's skin able to resist fire and explosions.
• The Spring Shot (Scalp) (つむじ育髪スプリング弾, Tsumuji Iku Kami SUPURINGU Dan): The target forms a giant hair out of the top of their head that can be used to spring them off the ground in situations such as falling.
• Iron Stomach Shot (Belly Button) (アイアンストマック弾, Aian Sutomakku Dan): The target's stomach is able to safely eat anything, even if its poisoned.
• The Foot Propeller Shot (Heel): The target's feet can spin 360 degrees like a propeller, allowing them to swiftly move through water.
• Niramekko Shot (Cheeks) (にらめっこ弾, Niramekko Dan): When both cheeks are shot, the magical bullet causes them both to swell to a huge size. Niramekko is a staring game in Japan where both players try to make each other laugh and the loser is the one who laughs first.
• Clenched Fists Shot (Fists) (ゲンコツ弾, Genkotsu Dan): When both fists are shot, the bullet causes the fists to swell to a huge size. In the anime, these bullets are coloured light green.
• Hair Growth Shot (Left side of face): The hair grows fast causing suffocation.

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Naito after being shot by the Desolation Bullet.

Desolation Bullet

(Sorry Shot is the Viz translation)

• First used in Volume 06 – Target 044
• Belongs to the Tomaso Family.

When shot with the Desolation Bullet (嘆き弾, Nageki Dan), the person will be revived, but will then outwardly grieve about all the terrible things that have happened in their life, making others feel sorry for them.

Possession Bullet

• First used in Volume 09 – Target 075
• Belongs to the Estraneo Family.

When shot by the Possession Bullet (憑依弾, Hyōi Dan)), the person will be able to possess the body of another person. To use it, a person is required to have a strong will, or else they will die from the shot. When successful, they will be able to completely possess another person's body (different from simple mind control). Although, since its use was considered inhumane, it was deemed forbidden by the rest of the Mafia, and was dubbed as the Forbidden Bullet.

Rebuke Bullet

• First used in Volume 09 – Target 078
• Created by Reborn's pet, Leon. It was specially made for Tsuna, due to his growth as Reborn's student.

When shot by the Rebuke Bullet (小言弾, Kogoto Dan), a person is able to hear people's rebukes (criticism by others). Also, rather than removing a person's body limiters externally, it awakens their hidden willpower; internally removing their body limiters. It also removes the limiters on a person's internal senses. Although, unlike the Dying Will Bullet, the Rebuke Bullet allows a person to apply their strength more calmly and wisely. They conserve energy and accurately expels it against others in a more sharp manner.

Adaptations

Manga

Main article: List of Reborn! chapters

The manga is published in Japan by Shueisha and was first serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump on April 4 2004. Viz Media eventually licensed Katekyō Hitman Reborn! for American publication. Starting in October 2006, it was released in the US under the title Reborn!, dropping 'Katekyō Hitman' from the title for unknown reasons.

To date, Japan has published 18 volumes of the series. In the United States, only 7 volumes have been released, thus far.

An official character book titled "Katekyō Hitman REBORN! Official Character Book Vongola 77" was released on October 4, 2007 in Japan. It is based on the manga and covers the 77 incidents that happened since Reborn arrived at the Sawadas. The book also reveals profiles of major characters including birthdays and favorites. Short stories not shown in the manga are also included, along with free color posters drawn by the author Akira Amano.

Anime

Cover of Reborn! Bullet 1 DVD.

Main article: List of Reborn! episodes

The Katekyō Hitman Reborn anime series is produced by Artland. It first aired on October 7 2006 on the Japanese network TV Tokyo.

As of June 29 2007, there have been a total of ten DVDs released. Like its manga chapters and anime episodes, each volume has a secondary title called Bullets (i.e. Bullet 1, Bullet 2, etc.). Starting from the Varia arc each volume has been titled "Battles". Each volume consists of four episodes, which includes extras in each disc.

Theme songs

Opening themes

1. "Drawing days" by Splay (episodes 1-26)
2. "Boys and Girls" by LM.C (episodes 27-51)
3. "Dive to World" by CHERRYBLOSSOM (episodes 52-73)
4. "88" by LM.C (episodes 74-)

Ending themes

1. "Michishirube" by Keita Tachibana (episodes 1-12)
2. "One Night Star" by the Arrows (episodes 13-29)
3. "Echo Again" by Splay (episodes 30-38)
4. "Friend" by Idling (episodes 39-51)
5. "Sakura Addiction" by Takashi Kondō & Toshinobu Iida (episodes 52-62)
6. "Friend" by Yuuna Inamura & Hitomi Yoshida (episode 63)
7. "STAND UP!" by Lead (episodes 64-76)
8. "AMEato" by w-inds. (episodes 77-)

Soundtracks

Two Reborn! OSTs (Original Soundtracks) have been released; the first soundtrack, Katekyō Hitman Reborn! Target 1 OST, was released in Japan on December 20 2006; the second, Katekyō Hitman Reborn! Target 2 OST, was released in Japan on April 18 2007.

Games

Characters from Reborn! made special appearances in Jump Super Stars and Jump Ultimate Stars for the Nintendo DS.

So far, there have been three games based solely on the series: Katekyo Hitman Reborn! DS – Shinuki Max! Vongola Carnival!!, and two fighting games named Katekyo Hitman Reborn Flame Rumble. Another game titled Hitman Reborn! Dream Hyper Battle for the PlayStation 2 and Wii has been released. The PS2 version debuted in Japan on August 30 2007, and the Wii version debuted in January 10 2008.

In December, the Reborn! collectible card game was released in Japan.

Further information: [[:Katekyo Hitman Reborn! (video game)]]

Radio

Every weekend, after the voice actors finish recording the episode for the following week, there is a radio show called ReboRaji! ~Bucchake Ring Tournament~ (リボラジ！～ぶっちゃけリング争奪戦～, riboraji! ~bucchake ringu soudatsusen~). The hosts for the radio are Hidekazu Ichinose (the voice for Hayato Gokudera), Suguru Inoue (the voice for Takeshi Yamamoto), and Rika Ishibashi (as the assistant).

The show has brought in guests starting from the tenth episode, while having a special two-part live audience show during the Christmas break of 2007.

External links

• Shueisha's Official Reborn! Site Template:Ja
• TV Tokyo's Official Reborn! Site Template:Ja
• Official Reborn! net radio Site Template:Ja
• Katekyo Hitman Reborn! ({{{type}}}) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Reborn! ({{{type}}}) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia