Jyu-Oh-Sei

Jyu Oh Sei
Genre	Science fiction
Manga
Written by	Natsumi Itsuki
Published by	Hakusensha Tokyopop
Magazine	LaLa
Demographic	Shōjo
Original run	1998 – 2003
Volumes	5
Anime
Directed by	Hiroshi Nishikiori
Written by	Reiko Yoshida
Studio	Bones
Released	13 April 2006 – 22 June 2006

Jyu Oh Sei (獣王星, Jū Ō Sei, lit. Planet of the Beast King) is a manga series created by Natsumi Itsuki. An anime adaptation was animated by BONES and premiered April 13, 2006 in Japan as part of Fuji TV's Noitamina programming block.

Story

The story begins in 2436 AD, 350 years since humans settled the Balkan star system. Two young twins, Thor and Rai, live on the space colony Juno. One day they arrive home and discover that their parents have been murdered, and for unknown reasons they are soon kidnapped and abandoned on Chimera, a penal colony. Chimera, also known as the "Planet of the Beast King" (Jyu Oh Sei), is a harsh world which is populated with giant carnivorous plants and sparse groups of criminals and outcasts. Thor and Rai must desperately fight for survival, with Thor soon deciding to find a way off the planet by whatever means necessary and find out what conspiracy ruined his and Rai's lives.

Setting

Jyu Oh Sei takes place in the Balkan star system, located approximately 150 light years from Earth. The planets orbiting the Balkan star are named after various mythic beasts, people, and gods.

Most of the story takes place on a single planet: Chimera, an uncharted penal colony. The planet has an extremely slow rotation speed, resulting in day and night cycles each lasting about 181 earth days. Both daybreak and sunset are marked by extremely severe weather and the temperature during the night phase can sink to -40C. As if the planet itself wasn't dangerous enough, it is also infested with various semi-sentient carnivorous plant life.

Apart from vagrants, the population is politically divided into 4 main groups ("Rings"), including Ochre Ring, Sun Ring, Blanc Ring and Night Ring. The highest authority in each ring is the Top, followed by the Second and the Third. The position of the Top can be challenged by a duel to the death known as a Try.

Only 20% of the population of Chimera is female and as such they are extremely well cared-for. Females choose their lifemate and the chosen male has little say in the matter; To refuse a female is virtually unheard-of. Even the a Ring's Top doesn't have the authority to force a female to be his mate.

There is only one way off of the planet, namely through the Dagger Pagoda, an orbital elevator tethered to the planet's orbital space port. According to legend, such privilege is only granted to the Beast King (Jyu-Oh) chosen by combat between the leaders of each ring.

Characters

Thor (トール, Tōru) Voiced by: Koichi Domoto (Japanese); Sean Michael Teague (English) (Adult), Voiced by: Minami Takayama (Japanese); Alison Viktorin (English) (Child)

Thor, the main character of Jyu Oh Sei, was abandoned together with his twin brother, Rai, at Chimera. He adapts quickly to Chimera’s environment and fights for his survival on the planet. After many near-death experiences, he learned more about Chimera and the myth of the Beast King.

Rai (ラーイ, Rāi) Voiced by: Minami Takayama (Japanese); Alison Viktorin (English)

Rai is Thor’s twin brother and was abandoned together with Thor at Chimera. He is the weaker twin, and Thor must go to great lengths to protect him. He is slightly more chubby than Thor.

Tiz (ティズ, Tizu) Voiced by: Nana Mizuki (Japanese); Trina Nishimura (English)

Tiz was originally the Second of the Sun Ring’s female clan. Immediately after meeting Thor, she takes a liking to him and tries to make him her mate, much to Thor's dismay.

Third (サード, Sādo) Voiced by: Shun Oguri (Japanese); Duncan Brannan (English)

He is known only as ‘Third’ as he is the third in command of Ochre Ring. It has been so long since he was called by his original name that he can no longer remember it. He acts as a supporter of Thor when he declares that he intends to become the Beast King.

Zagi (ザギ, Zagi) Voiced by: Kazuya Nakai (Japanese); Eric Vale (English)

Zagi is introduced early in the series as he saves Thor and Rai from a dangerous situation. He is very pragmatic and encourages Thor to abandon his brother rather than protect him due to his weakness.

Karim (カリム, Karimu) Voiced by: Romi Paku (Japanese); Jamie Marchi (English)

Karim is a very beautiful woman, and acts as Blanc Ring's second in command. She appears later in the series but plays an important role.

Cheng (チェン, Chen) Voiced by: Rika Fukami (Japanese); Clarine Harp (English)

The leader of Sun Ring's clan. She is constantly hounded by Ochre Ring's leader to become his wife. Despite this, she is very enthusiastic and vocal about her love for his third in command, Third, placing both of them in danger.

Media

Jyu Oh Sei began as a manga which was later adapted into an anime.

Manga

The Jyu Oh Sei manga was first serialized in LaLa Magazine published by Hakusensha in 1998. The chapters released were then collected into 5 volumes.

Anime

Jyu Oh Sei was adapted into an anime which consisted of 11 episodes, which began airing in Japan on April 13 2006.

The series has been licensed in North America by Funimation.

List of episodes

#	Title in English	Title in Japanese	Original Airdate	Synopsis
01	Fate	運命 Unmei	2006-04-13	The first episode describes Thor and Rai's arrival at Chimera.
02	Ochre Ring	茶輪 Charin	2006-04-20	Thor is taken to Ochre Ring, and meets Tiz.
03	Companion	仲間 Nakama	2006-04-27	Thor and Tiz go in search of a wise man named Colin; meanwhile the Top (leader) of Sun Ring approaches Ochre Ring looking for Tiz.
04	Challenge	挑戦 Chōsen	2006-05-04	Thor discovers clues as to who could be responsible for his parents' death, and has a shocking revelation about his future.
05	Duel	決闘 Kettō	2006-05-11	Thor unintentionally challenges Top of Ochre Ring to a try (duel).
06	White Wolf Demon	白狼鬼 Buran Rō	2006-05-18	Thor is faced with the threat of Blanc Ring's Top, who turns out to be an old acquaintance of his.
07	Independence	独立 Dokuritsu	2006-05-25	Blanc Ring's Top puts doubt in Thor's mind about the possibility of him becoming Beast King, and offers him a deal.
08	Depths	深層 Shinsō	2006-06-01	Karim and Thor are trapped in a cave during a blizzard.
09	Beast King	獣王 Jūō	2006-06-08	An unexpected tragedy puts Thor and Blanc Ring's leader at odds again.
10	Nightmare	悪夢 Akumu	2006-06-15	Thor believes he has found a way to escape Chimera.
11	Hope	希望 Kibō	2006-06-22	Thor discovers the truth about Chimera and why he was sent there.

Theme Songs

• Opening: "Deep in your heart" by Koichi Domoto
• Ending: "手をつないで" (Te o Tsunaide) by Younha

External links

• Anime official website Template:Jp icon