Claymore (manga)
|}
Claymore (クレイモア, Kureimoa) is a dark fantasy manga series written and illustrated by Norihiro Yagi produced for Monthly Shonen Jump. As of June 2007, 13 volumes of the original Japanese edition and 9 in English have been released. Each chapter in the manga is referred to as a "scene". An anime series based on the manga began airing in Japan on 2007-04-03.[1]
Background
The setting of Claymore's story is a fictional world with medieval technology. Politically, it appears to consist of a large number of scattered, apparently independent, towns. In this world, humans coexist with creatures called Yoma (妖魔) sentient monsters that feed on human innards. The Yoma, being shapeshifters, are capable of taking on human form and living in disguise amongst humans. By consuming a human's brain, Yoma can also absorb their memories, allowing them to disguise themselves as specific people without alerting any of their close friends or family.
A nameless and highly secretive organization has created an order of superhuman warriors to protect humans from the Yoma. These warriors have come to be popularly known as Claymores, after the immense claymores they wield. Villages being attacked by Yoma hire Claymores to kill the Yoma for a large fee.
This organization creates the Claymores by implanting Yoma flesh and blood into humans, thus creating hybrids that are more powerful than the original Yoma, in addition to their weapons training and possibly greater intelligence. These hybrids use large claymore swords that normal humans lack the strength to wield and are characterized by their silver eyes and hair. A Claymore's standard abilities include overall enhanced physical prowess (most noticeably, strength), faster healing, limited shape modification and the ability to detect Yoma by sensing their Yoki (妖気). However, the Yoma powers of each Claymore will increase over time, until the Claymore loses all humanity and becomes a powerful, highly intelligent, and incredibly bloodthirsty Yoma called an Awakened Being. They also constantly run the risk of speeding up their transformations into Awakened if they overuse their powers. A good Claymore will ask a friend (usually a fellow Claymore) to kill them if they sense they are "Awakening", ensuring that they do not turn into the very monsters they hunt.
The secret organization is usually contacted by towns or villages afflicted by Yoma, and goes on to dispatch an appropriate number of Claymores to eliminate the target(s). Upon a successful kill, it then sends an agent to collect a large fee for its services. A town that fails to pay will never receive any further assistance, and will be left at the mercy of the Yoma. It has been insinuated that the organization itself sends Yoma to the towns that fail to pay, or at least inform the Yoma that said towns are no longer under Claymore protection. The organization is often strict and harsh; hybrids who break the rules (for example, by killing a human, even accidentally or to protect others) will be hunted down by their fellow hybrids. Claymores who cause trouble or Claymores suspected to be on the verge of Awakening will be sent on suicide missions without their knowledge. Various characters throughout the series suspect the organization of being much more sinister than it appears, though most are either unwilling or unable to act on the matter as it would mean conflict with other Claymores.
Despite saving humans on a regular basis, Claymores are often alienated from and feared by humans due to their incredible powers, their relation to Yomas, and generally aloof attitudes. Humans will often call them "silver-eyed witches/slayers" or "monsters". Family members of individuals impersonated by Yoma tend to be banished from villages for fear that they might be Yoma too. Claymores are often girls who suffered this fate or survivors of villages wiped out by Yoma. Presumably from one or more of their background, Yoma blood, their training, and their harsh lives, many Claymores are generally serious and at least outwardly cold. Claymores often live unhappy, lonely lives due to their solitary lifestyle and the knowledge that they will eventually die or become monsters. Others become hot-tempered and easily angered, while some other Claymores develop an incredible thirst for blood and become bloodthirsty killers who enjoy taking life, more savage than the Yoma they hunt. Almost all of them avoid any sort of companionship with humans.
The story of Claymore follows the adventures of the Claymore warrior Clare. The plot follows her as she fights Yoma and struggles to hold on to her humanity. Starting in the 3rd volume, there is a flashback to her childhood on how she was 'adopted' by the Claymore Teresa. After Teresa rebels against the organization and is subsequently killed, Clare volunteers to become a Claymore using Teresa's flesh in order to take revenge on the Awakened who killed her. With determination and her human friend Raki by her side, Clare overcomes her low demonic power by honing the skills she inherited from Teresa. As the series progresses, she becomes a stronger and better fighter, gradually earning the respect of strong allies and coming in conflict with the shadowy organization, the top Claymores who support them, and many powerful Awakened.
Claymore characteristics
Due to their hybrid nature, Claymores possess strength, speed, and reflexes far greater than that of any human. Because of their great strength, Claymores can wield a heavy claymore single-handed with ease and grace. In addition to this, Claymores possess vast regenerative capabilities and resilience, allowing them to survive normally-fatal injuries such as evisceration. Any wound that does not kill them heals over completely within hours. Claymores with a talent for regeneration, such as Deneve, can even regenerate entire limbs within minutes. These abilities, combined with their combat training and weaponry, allow Claymores to fight on par with most Yoma.
Aside from their strength, perhaps the most well-known ability wielded by Claymores (and the one for which they are most prized for by their clients) is their ability to sense Yoma. This is achieved through the sensing of Yoki or Yoma energy, the 'life energy' of Yoma. A Claymore can detect the aura of a Yoma from as far as several miles away, depending on the individual Claymore's skill. Clare herself has proven capable of sensing residual Yoki on humans who come into close contact with Yoma. Sensing Yoki also allow some Claymores (Teresa and Claire) to read and predict the Yoma movements.
All of a Claymore's abilities are dependent upon her control over her body's Yoki. By regulating the amount of Yoki used or localizing it to specific body parts/functions, Claymores can further augment their already-prodigious physical attributes, or utilize a number of exotic abilities. The average Claymore will tend to simply tap/release a greater percentage of their total Yoki, causing vast increases in base strength, speed, and healing ability. If a Claymore releases 10% of their power, their eyes will gleam gold and become cat-like. If they release 30%, their face will contort and become monstrous. If they release 50%, their body will deform. Tapping too great an amount (over 80% of the body's total Yoki), however, causes Claymores to become Awakened (see below). Higher-ranking Claymores usually display far greater control, and exhibit unique powers, such as Ilena's Flashsword, or Helen's ability to extend her arms.
Claymores require far less food in order to survive compared to normal humans. They need only consume a few bites of food every few days, and if required, can go for over a week without any. They are generally only seen resting by sticking their claymore swords into the ground and leaning against them, rather than sleeping in a lying position or on a bed, according to a scene with Teresa it is a matter of habit. In terms of physical appearance, Claymores appear fully human save for their silver eyes and pale hair (extremely weak Claymores can retain some hair color).
Almost all Claymores are created against their will, only becoming Claymores because they had no other way of living. Many are orphans, abandoned children, or survivors of towns and families attacked by Yoma. The only known exception is Clare, who asked the organization to put Teresa's flesh and blood inside her body in order to become a Claymore and take revenge on Priscilla.
The Claymore organization has a strict hierarchy, in which the Claymores are each given a rank corresponding their relative strength. Claymore #1 is the strongest, while #47 is the weakest (and receives a corresponding lack of respect). The number of existing Claymores at any time is officially 47 as that represents the total number of regional jurisdictions that the Claymores are responsible for. Claymores take orders from their black-clad handlers-money-collectors, who in turn appear to take orders from a small council of older males. It should be noted that the name 'Claymore' was originally coined by laymen - the organization and its warriors do not, in fact, have any official name. As such, few Claymores will ever refer to themselves as a 'Claymore'.
Originally, most Claymore warriors were male, but it was soon discovered that releasing Yoki was pleasurable for men, an experience or feeling similar to an orgasm. As such, they were unable to control their release of Yoki and Awakened quickly. Consequently, all Claymore warriors are now women.
Attack styles
In Volume #7, the character Ophelia reveals that there are two possible categories of Claymore attack prowess: The offensive and defensive style. The nature of a Claymore's attack style determines the Claymore's regenerative/self-healing abilities. According to Ophelia, a Claymore's fighting is determined by "whether one tries to win a fight by surviving, or by killing the opponent." In a further explanation in Volume #10 by Deneve, the strength of a Claymore's instinct to live will determine the attacking style that she will use. The stronger the desire to live, the more likely the claymore's attacking style will be the defensive attacking style.
The defensive category endows the Claymore with incredible self-healing abilities. A unique characteristic is that if a Claymore loses any limbs and if she learns how to regenerate them, the new limbs will maintain their original demonic strength and prowess. Galatea, Veronica, Cynthia, Deneve, and Yuma are known to be in this category.
Those in the offensive category are capable of more powerful attacks. However, they are not able to regenerate their bodies as effectively. If a Claymore in this category loses any limbs and she learns to be able to regenerate them, the strength of these limbs will only be equivalent to that of a normal human being. Clare, Ophelia, Rafaela and Ilena are in this category. However, they can reattach recently severed limbs.
Uniforms
Claymores wear a uniform consisting of pale grey tightly fitting two piece (a long sleeve shirt and pants) clothing. Claymores with shapeshifting powers replace part or all of this with a black material which can stretch to match changes. Over this, they wear some pieces of armour, Sabatons, shin high metal boots (that are slightly high-heeled), large wrist guards (Vambraces), large Spaulders (shoulder pieces) and a partial skirt (Fauld). Finally, they wear a short cape and a piece of fabric marked with the individual Claymore's specific certification symbol attached to their neck. Each Claymore's symbol is unique and serves as an identification marker. It also appears on their sword and black card.
Black Card
Inside the handle of every Claymore's sword is a rolled black card with the wielder's symbol. Should the Claymore feel that they are losing their hold on their humanity and the steep descent to Awakening is beyond their control, they would remove the card though the pommel and give it to a handler to be sent to a chosen Claymore. The Claymore receiving the Black Card, usually a close friend or teammate, would then meet her at an agreed location and proceed to mercifully kill the Claymore who requested it, allowing her to die with dignity rather than turning into the very monster they hunt.
Yoma
The main enemy of the Claymore organisation, the Yoma are a species of humanoid monsters that coexist with humans in the Claymore world.
Common Yoma are the same size as humans, but some can be noticeably larger and more heavily muscled. Their bodies are generally similar in shape to those of humans, but their skin texture is significantly different. Most have rows of stubby spikes growing from their upper backs. Their limbs are also elongated, ending in clawed digits. Yoma heads sport large, fang-filled jaws and pointed ears, giving them a bestial appearance.
Yomas seem to have intelligence approximately equal to that of humans, though sometimes dulled/influenced by their bestial nature. Their strength, speed, and durability far exceed those of normal humans, allowing the average Yoma to assault large groups of unarmed humans or small groups of armed humans with impunity. Their regenerative capabilities also allow them to survive grievous wounds and heal faster than normal. Body parts that cannot be regenerated in humans, such as eyes, grow back within days.
Perhaps the single greatest asset of the Yoma race is their ability to shape-shift. All Yoma can alter their shape and colour in order to become physically identical to humans, even if their natural form is considerably larger. Yoma can perfectly copy the shape of specific humans, becoming completely indistinguishable from the original. They can take the shape of any type of human, even a human corpse. By eating a human's brain, a Yoma can absorb their memories. This allows Yoma to secretly replace any person within any given community without alerting anyone, not even close family members and friends. Thus far, the only sure way of detecting Yoma in their human form is through the sensing of their Yoki, an ability unique to Yoma and Claymores.
Older, more experienced Yoma eventually learn to exploit their shape-shifting powers for more offensive uses. A common technique is to hyper-extend their fingers or limbs at great speeds. Yoma can use this technique to punch clean through armoured humans from as far as ten metres away. Some Yoma can grow bat-like wings, allowing for flight and aerial attacks.
Awakened Beings
'Yoki' (妖気) or Yoma 'life energy' flows through the bodies of Claymores and Yoma. Claymores can control their release of Yoki to enhance their abilities. However, once a Claymore goes beyond 80%, the release of yoki is out of her control and increases to 100% within seconds. When this happens, the Yoma aspect becomes dominant, and the Claymore hybrid transforms into an Awakened Being. It is not generally thought that an awakening hybrid can retain their humanity and revert. However, during the course of the manga, it is discovered that this is possible. The Organization continues to deny this, even though they make use of it.
Awakened are exceptionally powerful Yoma with an incredible craving for human innards. Awakened will retain the intelligence and memories of their Claymore and human lives, but will otherwise have the mentality of a Yoma. The Awakened are the secret shame of the Claymore organization, "super-Yoma" resulting from the organization's own tampering. The Claymores use the term Voracious Eaters when referring to Awakened with outsiders, and claim that they are simply old Yoma with great strength and wisdom in order to hide their true origins. Before the war in the north, the organization would treat them the same way as other Yoma, not dealing with Awakened unless they had been hired to do so. In the new arc, however, the organization has changed to actively hunting Awakened. This is in response to Isley's attempts to gather together an army of Awakened in the northern lands.
In dealing with Awakened, the organization usually dispatches a team of four Claymores, led by a "single-digit" Claymore (i.e. one ranked within the top 9).
Thus far, all Awakened bear little or no physical resemblance to one another (i.e. some remain humanoid like Priscilla, or become serpentine like Ophelia), suggesting the process varies greatly from individual to individual. Common traits between Awakened include large size (ranging from over two meters to several stories tall) and armored hide.
The Awakened are also varied in character, ranging from openly malicious and wantonly destructive to calm and composed. However, each and every Awakened has an insatiable hunger for human flesh, and the ones who act and look civil only appear so for the sake of disguise and to subtly catch a meal. The power of each Awakened varies as well, depending on his or her power before Awakening. The Awakening itself grants a tremendous power boost, allowing an Awakened formerly of low rank to match even a single digit Claymore.
Of all the Awakened currently alive, there are three who were formerly ranked 1 in the Claymore organization. These three are referred to as Those of the Abyss or The Abyssal Ones, and are generally believed to be the most powerful beings in the Claymore world. It should be noted, however, that the current ranked 1 (Alicia) can also transform to (and revert from) a fully Awakened, and the Awakened Priscila is regarded as the most powerful, above even the Abyssal Ones.
Some Claymores are partially Awaken. It is achieved by surpassing the 80% limit and losing control of their Yoki, but managing to restrain it and regain their hybrid form without fully Awakening. This greatly strengthens the Claymore, and allows them to exceed the 80% limit again without Awakening, but the organization regards these members with deep suspicion. It is hypothesized (by the partially Awakened Claymore Miria) that the partially Awaken are just in a irreversible but stable Awakening process, and will fully Awaken eventually.
It is unclear how each female Claymore feels when awakening. Clare describes it as "pleasurable" and "painful",[2] while Helen has sensations similar to orgasm (which is also what hybrid men experience when awakening). Most Claymore describe the feeling of awakening as being between "violent pains and ecstacy". It should be noted the Claymore's Awakening description is similar to the usual blood thirst description in vampires, comparing its temptation to sexual act.
Characters
Main characters
- Clare (クレア, Kurea)
- Voiced by: Houko Kuwashima
- The series' protagonist. She is a Claymore, who is rather distant and quiet, but can be impulsive. After one of her assignments, she picks up a boy called Raki, who was exiled from his village. Raki gradually manages to break through her shell and they become friends. It is unclear whether their relationship is fraternal or romantic, although it has similarities to her relationship to Teresa, a Claymore who ended adopting her when she was a child.
- Raki (ラキ)
- Voiced by: Motoki Takagi
- A young boy whose family was murdered by a Yoma. The Yoma was slain by Clare. Raki, being suspected of being a Yoma as well, was exiled from his village, although he denies this to Clare. In the manga, Raki claims to have left voluntarily. Clare originally offered to take him with her to the next village, but eventually they get attached to each other and continue their journey together.
- Teresa (テレサ)
- Voiced by: Romi Paku
- The strongest Claymore of her time. As her special ability wasn't visible and she effortlessly slayed enemies while smiling, she was known as Teresa of the Faint Smile (微笑のテレサ, bishō no Teresa, lit. Smiling Teresa).
- As a Claymore, Teresa was a cold-blooded killer who cared for no one, only helping villages because she was ordered to, and taking pleasure in scaring humans. During a hunt, Teresa saved the young Clare from the Yoma that had killed her family and kept her as a plaything. Clare followed an unwilling and hostile Teresa, risking her life and becoming badly injured. Eventually Clare's determination moved Teresa and a close bond was formed between the two. After leaving Clare in a village which was subsequently attacked by bandits, Teresa broke the cardinal rule of Claymores by killing the human offenders. Faced with execution Teresa chose to break with the Organisation and make a new life with Clare.
- Priscilla (プリシラ, Purishira)
- Voiced by: Aya Hisakawa
- A Claymore who qualified during Teresa's time as #1, Priscilla was quickly promoted to #2. It was believed she would become stronger than Teresa in time, and was one of the group of four Claymores sent to execute her following her break with the Organisation. This incident led to her awakening and killing Teresa and the rest of the execution squad (except Irene). Clare's motivation to become a Claymore arose from her desire to kill Priscilla in revenge for Teresa's death.
- Post-awakening, Priscilla was believed to have become Isley's lover and a member of his army of awakened beings. She was later revealed to have become the most powerful character in the Claymore universe, surpassing the Abyssal Ones, and to whom Isley had submitted as a general.
Adaptations
Manga
Anime
The anime adaptation of the manga began airing on Nippon Television on April 3, 2007. It is planned to run for 26 episodes. It, thus far, faithfully follows the manga. However, as of episode 20, it has since started to deviate from the manga, despite keeping the main and important events from the manga. Because of its planned 26 episodes in anime and the apparent continuity of the manga storyline, there will probably be more anime episodes in the future.
The anime is directed by Hiroyuki Tanaka and Madhouse Studios with character designs by Takahiro Umehara, series organization by Yasuko Kobayashi and music by Masanori Takumi.
- Opening Theme: "Raison D’être" by Nightmare
- Ending Theme: "Danzai no Hana~Guilty Sky" by Riyu Kosaka
The Original Soundtrack was released on July 25, 2007.
Composer: MASANORI TAKUMI
Composer: LOVE+HATE
Arranger: Kotaro Nakagawa
CLAYMORE TV Animation O.S.T. Tracklisting:
1 Gingan no Majo 銀眼の魔女
2 Ookina Ken 大きな剣
3 Youma no Okite 妖魔の掟
4 Sabaku to Kaze 砂漠と風
5 Kirisaku Mono Tachi 斬り裂く者たち
6 Osoroshiki Fujin 恐ろしき布陣
7 Bishou no Teresa 微笑のテレサ
8 Kanashiki Shukumei 哀しき宿命
9 Kakusei no Kodou 覚醒の鼓動
10 Seikan naru Tatakai 精悍なる闘い
11 Shinpi to Shin'en 神秘と深淵
12 Yobikakeru Kioku 呼びかける記憶
13 Kita no Chi to Hakugin no Ou 北の地と白銀の王
14 Hateshinaki Tabiji 果てしなき旅路
15 Kyoujin na Chikara 強靭な力
16 Kouya no Rakujitsu 荒野の落日
17 Kokoro no Kizuato 心の傷跡
18 Shoukei 憧憬
19 Machinami 街並み
20 Den'en to Ogawa 田園と小川
21 Utsushiki Kariudo Tachi 美しき狩人たち
22 Ayashiki Mono no Shukumei 妖しき者の宿命
23 Kyousenshi 凶戦士
24 Kakusei he no Midare 覚醒への乱れ
25 Souzetsu na Shitou 壮絶な死闘
26 Erabareshi Mono 選ばれし者
27 Haruka na Michinori 遥かな道程
28 Itoshisa to Nukumori 愛しさとぬくもり
29 Chiheisen no Kanata 地平線の彼方
30 Ishidzukuri no Ienami 石造りの家並み
31 Hito wo Omou Koto 人を想うこと
32 Fukaki Mori no Naka de 深き森の中で
33 Raison D'etre TV by Nightmare
34 Danzai no Hana ~Guilty Sky~ TV by Kosaka Riyu
Episodes
References
- ^ Anime — Anime News Network
- ^ Full quotation of Clare's description of her feelings (Italian): "Tra dolori violenti ed estasi...non so come feci a ritornare in me", Norihiro Yagi: "Claymore #6", Star Comics, April 2006
External links
- Official site at Shueisha Template:Ja icon
- Manga Site Template:Ja icon
- Official anime site Template:Ja icon
- NTV Official site Template:Ja icon
- Avexmovie Official Site Template:Ja icon
- Official Claymore Ranking Template:Ja icon
- Claymore ({{{type}}}) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Claymore ({{{type}}}) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
| Claymore (manga) | |
| File:Claymore manga 03.jpg Teresa, a Claymore, a close friend of Clare, the protagonist of the series. | |
| Genre | Fantasy, Adventure, Medieval |
|---|---|
| Manga | |
| Written by | Norihiro Yagi |
| Published by |  Shueisha |
| Anime | |
| Directed by | Hiroyuki Tanaka |
| Studio | Madhouse Studios |
| Franchise: | Claymore Episodes - Claymore Voice Actors - Claymore Characters |
|---|---|