The Full Wiki



More info on The Guin Saga

The Guin Saga: Wikis
  
  

Note: Many of our articles have direct quotes from sources you can cite, within the Wikipedia article! This article doesn't yet, but we're working on it! See more info or our list of citable articles.

Encyclopedia

Updated live from Wikipedia, last check: June 04, 2012 17:53 UTC (51 seconds ago)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Guin Saga
Guin Saga Book 1 Cover.jpg
Cover art of the first Guin Saga light novel
グイン・サーガ
(Guin Sāga)
Genre Heroic fantasy
Light novel
Author Kaoru Kurimoto
Illustrator Naoyuki Kato (1-19)
Yoshitaka Amano (20-57)
Jun Suemi (58-87)
Shinobu Tanno (88-present)
Publisher Hayakawa Publishing
English publisher United States Vertical Publishing
Original run 1979 – 2009
Volumes 126
Manga
The Guin Saga Manga: The Seven Magi
Author Kaoru Kurimoto
Kazuaki Yanagisawa
Publisher Media Factory
English publisher United States Vertical Publishing
Demographic Seinen
Magazine Comic Flapper
Original run 2001 – 2003
Volumes 3
Manga
Author Kaoru Kurimoto
Hajime Sawada
Publisher JIVE Ltd.
Demographic Shōnen
Magazine Comic Rush
Original run January 2007 – ongoing
Volumes 4
TV anime
Director Atsushi Wakabayashi
Studio Satelight
Original run April 5, 2009 – September 27, 2009
Episodes 26 (List of episodes)
Anime and Manga Portal

The Guin Saga (グイン・サーガ Guin Sāga ?) is the title of a best-selling heroic fantasy novel series by the Japanese author Kaoru Kurimoto, in continuous publication since 1979. A record 100 volumes were originally planned,[1] but as of the author's death in May 2009 the total stands at 126 volumes, with 21 side-story novels.[2] She was working on the 130th volume of Guin Saga up until 23 May 2009, after which point she became too ill to write.[3] After the 100th book in the series was published in 2005, an event to celebrate this was held in Tokyo, with 600 attending.[4] Guin Saga is the longest continuing single-writer's work in the world with total circulation exceeding 28 million worldwide.[5]

Contents

Plot Overview

The story centres around a mysterious warrior named Guin, an amnesiac with a leopard mask magically affixed to his head. Remembering nothing but his fighting instincts and the word "Aurra", he confronts a world laden with danger, intrigue, and magic. Later volumes introduce elements of the yaoi and yuri genres.[1]

Characters

  • Guin - The title character, Guin is a mysterious warrior with the head of a leopard. He stumbles upon Remus and Rinda being attacked by soldiers and defeats the entire unit singlehandedly. He remembers nothing of his past, knowing only his fighting instincts, what he believes is his name, and a word: Aurra. Guin is often put in position where he will suddenly have a skill he doesn't know he has. He understands the language of the Sem. As of Prisoner of the Lagon, he starts to realise that he really is part of the Destiny reshaping the land. Guin is inhumanly strong and knowledgeable about battle strategies, causing the Mongauli army to fear and respect him as a warrior, as he often will set up battle scenarios and jump into battle himself with inhuman skill.
  • Rinda Farseer - The Crown Princess of Parros and Remus's twin. She is more independent than Remus. While putting up a strong front for her brother, she is just as devastated over the loss of her homeland. She has prophetic abilities, hence her name "Farseer". According to the novels, she's sure to be one of the top beauties of the land. She has a hatred for Lady Amnelis that is suggested in Warrior in the Wilderness to be partly because they are rivals and opposites in beauty, but mostly because the White Knights that Lady Amnelis commands were responsible for the deaths of her parents. She is a platinum blonde with violet eyes. At the beginning of the story, she is 14.
  • Remus Farseer - The Crown Prince of Parros and Rinda's twin. Although Remus comes off as less courageous than Rinda, it is also suggested in the novels that he is more realistic and more able to understand others. His caution is derived from observation of others. He apparently can "sense" his sister, and occasionally hear her thoughts (The Leopard Mask). Remus is bitter about not having the gift of farsight, although it's evident he will have other talents. He is a platinum blond with violet eyes. At the beginning of the story, he is 14.
  • Aldross the Third - The father of Rinda and Remus.
  • Istavan Spellsword - A young mercenary without scruples, but who is portrayed sympathetically. When he was born, he held a jewel in his hand, and a seer predicted that he would one day rule a kingdom and marry the Princess of Light, who he believes is Rinda. He is nicknamed "The Crimson Mercenary." Istavan is a cunning fellow, and a battle-hardened mercenary by his (approximate) age of 20. He is very mischievous and has a wild sense of humour, finding things outrageously funny. He particularly likes to tease Rinda, and currently has her promise to become Captain of the Holy Guards of Parros, once it is regained. He has a sixth-sense about danger, and will often disappear right before a disaster strikes. Although he complains quite a bit, he follows Guin's orders. A likeable fellow with a thin, strong frame, obsidian eyes, quick wit and a cheeky belief he will survive anything.
  • The Black Count Vanon - The Count of Stafolos Keep who is suffering from a plague that causes flesh to fall off. He is discovered to have been possessed by a ghoul, who requires blood of living things to keep him alive. He passes on with Guin's help when Stafolos falls.
  • Suni - A member of the monkey-like Sem barbarian tribe. She was being held captive by the Black Count and was liberated by Rinda, Guin, and Remus.
  • Lady Amnelis - The General of the Mongauli army, the enemies of Parros. She's obsessed with capturing Guin. She has found a way to bridge the Kes river and travel into Nospherus, the no-man's land of the Sem. She is considered one of the most beautiful women in the land with her golden hair and green eyes, but has been described as a "Lady of Ice".[6]

Series Artists

Painted covers and interior illustrations for volumes 1-19 (1979-1984) were done by Naoyuki Kato. Noted artist Yoshitaka Amano then took the reins until vol. 57 (1997)[7], upon which time he was replaced by Jun Suemi. Shinobu Tanno, whose style closely resembles Suemi's, has been the series artist since vol. 88 (2003).

Media

Novels released in English

American publisher Vertical has released the first five volumes, translated into English by known game translator Alexander O. Smith. The English editions have drawn praise comparing the series to The Lord of the Rings and Conan the Barbarian.[8] The novels have also been translated into German, French, Russian, Italian, Korean and Chinese.[9] Vertical has released the first five novels in English, but only the first three in hardback and paperback editions.[10][11]

Title Date ISBN
The Guin Saga Book One: The Leopard Mask
Hyō Atama no Kamen (豹頭の仮面 ?)		 June 1, 2003 (hardcover)[12]
December 11, 2007 (paperback)[13]		 ISBN 978-1-932234-51-0
ISBN 978-1-932234-81-7
The kingdom of Parros is attacked by the army of Mongaul, and so Rinda and Remus, the princess and prince of Parros are teleported away by a magic mechanism. They wake up far away from Parros in the Roodwood, which is filled with dangerous spirits and the Mongauli army. They are almost captured by the Mongauli army when a mysterious warrior with the head of a leopard saves them. They give him water, and learn his name - Guin. Night falls and they fight off evil spirits, but are captured in the morning by the Mongauli army, who take them to the Black Count's castle. The Black Count threatens Rinda to get her to reveal the secrets of Parros, though she knows nothing of them, and throws Guin and Remus into the dungeons. There, Guin and Remus meet Istavan, who is trying to escape. He tricks Remus into giving him his bedsheets for rope. Rinda meets and befriends Suni, another captive of the Black Count. The Black Count makes Guin fight a vicious ape, and a soldier throws a sword to him, enabling Guin to kill the ape. The soldier is lowered into the arena, but Guin leaps up to the Black Count and takes him hostage. The Black Count threatens to take off his mask and spread his plague, and Guin is recaptured. Meanwhile, Istavan escapes. Rinda and Suni are menaced by the Black Count, and the Sem attack the castle. The knights are caught by surprise, and open Remus and Guin's cell to keep Remus safe, but they are killed by the Sem. The Sem then attack Guin and Remus, but they outrun the Sem and find Rinda and Suni. The Sem warriors are from an enemy tribe to Suni's and so she cannot tell them to stop. They find a secret door and land in an empty dungeon, which should have been full. Suni is separated from the group, they find her tied up, with the Black Count Vanon ready to kill her to use her blood to treat his rotting disease. Guin reveals the Black Count to be a wraith, and banishes it, and the ghost of the true Count Vanon. Guin carries the twins and Suni out of the dungeon, and to escape the burning castle, jump into the river Kes. 
The Guin Saga Book Two: Warrior in the Wilderness
Arano no Senshi (荒野の戦士 ?)		 October 1, 2003 (hardcover)[14]
January 22, 2008 (paperback)[15]		 ISBN 978-1-932234-52-7
ISBN 978-1-934287-05-7
The Guin Saga Book Three: The Battle of Nospherus
Nosuferasu no Tatakai (ノスフェラスの戦い ?)		 December 1, 2003 (hardcover)[16]
March 4, 2008 (paperback)[17]		 ISBN 978-1-932234-53-4
ISBN 978-1-934287-06-4
The Guin Saga Book Four: Prisoner of the Lagon
Ragon no Ryoshuu (ラゴンの虜囚 ?)		 May 13, 2008[18] ISBN 978-1-934287-19-4
The Guin Saga Book Five: The Marches King
Henkyou no Ouja (辺境の王者 ?)		 May 13, 2008[19] ISBN 978-1-934287-20-0

Manga

There are two manga based on the Guin Saga.[9] The Guin Saga Manga:The Seven Magi グイン・サーガ七人の魔道師 is based on a gaiden (side-story) from the Guin Saga novels, where Guin is now King of Cheironia and must protect his kingdom from a magical plague. The story was originally published as a novel in 1981 and was adapted to manga in 2001.[9] It is illustrated by Kazuaki Yanagisawa, was published in Japan by Media Factory,[20] and has been released in English in three volumes by Vertical.[21]

No. Original English
Release date ISBN Release date ISBN
1 February 23, 2001[20] ISBN 4-88991-775-6 December 11, 2007[22] ISBN 978-1-932234-80-0
2 January 23, 2002[23] ISBN 4-8401-0404-2 January 2, 2008[24] ISBN 978-1-934287-07-1
3 January 23, 2003[25] ISBN 4-8401-0478-6 March 4, 2008[26] ISBN 978-1-934287-08-8

The other manga is based on the early part of the story and is adapted to manga format by Hajime Sawada,[27] as part of the Jive series Kurimoto Kaoru The Comic (栗本薫 The Comic ?), adapting Kurimoto's works to manga form.[28]

No. Release date ISBN
1 January 26, 2007[27] ISBN 978-4-86176-365-6
2 December 26, 2007 ISBN 978-4-86176-422-6
3 October 7, 2008 ISBN 978-4-86176-573-5
4 April 7, 2009 ISBN 978-4-86176-649-7

Anime

Main article: List of Guin Saga episodes

On April 12, 2005, Micott & Basara (Japanese investors) announced plans to create an anime based on Guin Saga.[29] In October 2008 more details surfaced which revealed Atsushi Wakabayashi is directing the anime, while famous video game composer Nobuo Uematsu is creating the score. This is to be Uematsu's first full soundtrack for an anime, and Wakabayashi's first directing role.[30] Animation production will be handled by Satelight and the background art by Studio Easter.[31] The anime debuted on April 5, 2009. On April 3, 2009 an English-dubbed trailer was posted on the anime's official website.[32]

The anime uses two pieces of theme music. "Theme of Guin" (グインのテーマ Guin no Tēma ?) by Nobuo Uematsu is the series' opening theme, while "Saga~This is my road" by Kanon is the series' ending theme.[33] The soundtrack, comprising two CDs, will be released on 24 June, 2009.[34]

The anime is expected to adapt the first sixteen volumes of the light novels.[35]

Audio CDs

On September 21, 2005, six image albums were released for Guin Saga. There were only 5,000 copies made of each CD. The six CDs were:

  • "Guin Saga - Henkyō Hen" (グイン・サーガ辺境篇 ?)
  • "Guin Saga - Inbō Hen" (グイン・サーガ陰謀篇 ?)
  • "Guin Saga - Senran Hen" (グイン・サーガ戦乱篇 ?)
  • "Guin Saga - Graffiti" (グイン・サーガグラフィティ ?)
  • "Guin Saga - Shichinin no Madōshi" (グイン・サーガ七人の魔道師 ?)
  • "Guin Saga - Hyōsetsu no Joō / Toki no Fūdo" (グイン・サーガ氷雪の女王/時の封土 ?).[36]

Reception

Berserk creator Kentaro Miura has stated that Guin Saga was a large influence on his work.[8] Ian Randal Strock of sfscope.com commends the manga for its "black-and-white pen-and-ink work".[37] Science fiction critic Mari Kotani regards Guin as "a hero who lives on the border between man and beast".[38] Erin Finnegan from Pop Shock Culture comments that the book "is absolute torture for the first 100 pages, but suddenly at page 105 it turns good". She also comments that the fight scenes "although cheesy at times" "are all entertainingly well written".[39] Jason Thompson of Otaku USA criticises The Seven Magi for trying to summarise "116 volumes and still going" novel series into a few volumes, which "means a lot of backstory that isn't explained for the casual American reader".[40] Later, writing for the appendix to Manga: The Complete Guide, he found the English dialogue in the series "captures the retro pulp fantasy style almost to the point of self-parody", describing the art as "macho and grotesque", although finding the background art "flat". Thompson also found the story was too open at the end.[41] The Seattle Times's Nisi Shawl comments that "the book's intense images and dreamlike simplicity give it an anime air".[42]

References

  1. ^ a b "The Leopard Mask: The Guin Saga, Book 1". sfsite.com. http://www.sfsite.com/09b/gs160.htm. Retrieved March 7, 2009.  
  2. ^ "Guin Saga Author Kaoru Kurimoto Passes Away at 56 (Updated)". Anime News Network. May 26, 2009. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-05-26/guin-saga-author-kaoru-kurimoto-passes-away-at-56. Retrieved June 6, 2009.  
  3. ^ "栗本薫さん「グイン・サーガ」１２９巻出版へ…絶筆１３０巻も" (in Japanese). yomiuri.co.jp. http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/culture/news/20090527-OYT1T01174.htm. Retrieved June 6, 2009.  
  4. ^ http://book.asahi.com/news/TKY200504090221.html
  5. ^ "Introduction". guinsaga.net. http://www.guinsaga.net/en/intro.html. Retrieved March 7, 2009.  
  6. ^ http://www.vertical-inc.com/guinsaga/roundtable6.html
  7. ^ "Guin Saga". amanosworld.com. http://www.amanosworld.com/html/work/guin.html. Retrieved March 7, 2009.  
  8. ^ a b "Praise For The Guin Saga". Vertical. http://www.vertical-inc.com/guinsaga/praise.html. Retrieved March 7, 2009.  
  9. ^ a b c Chavez, Ed (March 11, 2008). "The Saga of the Guin Saga". PW Comics Week (Publishers Weekly). http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6539991.html. Retrieved April 10, 2009.  
  10. ^ "Roundtable". Vertical. http://www.vertical-inc.com/guinsaga/roundtable.html. Retrieved April 13, 2009.  
  11. ^ "Index". Vertical. http://www.vertical-inc.com/guinsaga/index.html. Retrieved April 13, 2009.  
  12. ^ "The Leopard Mask (The Guin Saga, Book 1) (Hardcover)". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/1932234519/. Retrieved April 13, 2009.  
  13. ^ "The Guin Saga: Book One: The Leopard Mask (Bk. 1) (Paperback)". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/1932234810/. Retrieved April 13, 2009.  
  14. ^ "The Guin Saga, Book 2: Warrior in the Wilderness (Bk. 2) (Hardcover)". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/1932234527/. Retrieved April 13, 2009.  
  15. ^ "The Guin Saga: Book Two: Warrior in the Wilderness (Bk. 2) (Paperback)". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/1934287059/. Retrieved April 13, 2009.  
  16. ^ "The Guin Saga, Book 3: The Battle of Nospherus (Bk. 3) (Hardcover)". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/1932234535/. Retrieved April 13, 2009.  
  17. ^ "The Guin Saga: Book Three: The Battle of Nospherus (Bk. 3) (Paperback)". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/1934287067/. Retrieved April 13, 2009.  
  18. ^ "The Guin Saga: Book Four: Prisoner of the Lagon (Bk. 4) (Paperback)". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/1934287199/. Retrieved April 13, 2009.  
  19. ^ "The Guin Saga: Book Five: The Marches King (Bk. 5) (Paperback)". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/1934287202/. Retrieved April 13, 2009.  
  20. ^ a b "グイン・サーガ七人の魔道師 1" (in Japanese). Media Factory. http://www.mediafactory.co.jp/c000051/archives/014/004/14401.html. Retrieved June 6, 2009.  
  21. ^ "The Seven Magi". Vertical. http://www.vertical-inc.com/guinsagamanga/. Retrieved June 6, 2009.  
  22. ^ "The Guin Saga Manga: The Seven Magi, Volume 1 (v. 1)". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/1932234802/. Retrieved June 6, 2009.  
  23. ^ "グイン・サーガ七人の魔道師 2" (in Japanese). Media Factory. http://www.mediafactory.co.jp/c000051/archives/014/003/14375.html. Retrieved June 6, 2009.  
  24. ^ "The Guin Saga Manga: Book Two: The Seven Magi (Bk. 2)". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/1934287075/. Retrieved June 6, 2009.  
  25. ^ "グイン・サーガ七人の魔道師 3" (in Japanese). Media Factory. http://www.mediafactory.co.jp/c000051/archives/014/005/14550.html. Retrieved June 6, 2009.  
  26. ^ "The Guin Saga Manga: The Seven Magi, Volume 3 (Bk. 3)". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/1934287083/. Retrieved June 6, 2009.  
  27. ^ a b "Guin Saga" (in Japanese). jive-ltd.co.jp. http://www.jive-ltd.co.jp/kktc/guin/. Retrieved June 6, 2009.  
  28. ^ "Guin Saga : une longue épopée bientôt animée" (in French). Anime Days. http://www.anime-days.com/index.php?Itemid=80&id=641&option=com_content&task=view. Retrieved June 6, 2009.  
  29. ^ "Guin Saga Anime". Anime News Network. April 12, 2005. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-04-12/guin-saga-anime. Retrieved March 7, 2009.  
  30. ^ "Final Fantasy Games' Uematsu to Score Guin Saga Anime". Anime News Network. October 7, 2008. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-10-07/final-fantasy-games-uematsu-to-score-guin-saga-anime. Retrieved April 5, 2009.  
  31. ^ "アニメ版グイン・サーガ　監督に若林厚史氏 音楽に植松伸夫氏" (in Japanese). animeanime.jp. October 7, 2008. http://animeanime.jp/news/archives/2008/10/post_554.html. Retrieved April 5, 2009.  
  32. ^ "Guin Saga Fantasy Anime's English-Dubbed Trailer Posted". Anime News Network. April 3, 2009. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-04-03/guin-saga-fantasy-anime-english-dubbed-trailer-posted. Retrieved April 5, 2009.  
  33. ^ "グイン・サーガ』キャスト、主題歌情報公開。モバイルサイトオープン。" (in Japanese). saiani.net. February 18, 2009. http://www.saiani.net/article/114472506.html. Retrieved April 5, 2009.  
  34. ^ "グイン・サーガ オリジナル サウンドトラック" (in Japanese). Guin Saga. http://www.guinsaga.net/dvdcd/cd02.html. Retrieved June 19, 2009.  
  35. ^ "Anime adaption of “Guin Saga” to be aired from April, 2009 on NHK BS-2". en.gigazine.net. February 18, 2009. http://en.gigazine.net/index.php?/news/comments/20081203_guin_saga_nhkbs2/. Retrieved June 6, 2009.  
  36. ^ "Guin Saga - Henkyo Hen (Limited Release)(limited to 5,000 copies)". cdjapan.co.jp. http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=COCC-72207. Retrieved March 7, 2009.  
    "Guin Saga - Inbou Hen (Limited Release)(limited to 5,000 copies)". cdjapan.co.jp. http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=COCC-72208. Retrieved March 7, 2009.  
    "Guin Saga - Senran Hen (Limited Release)(limited to 5,000 copies)". cdjapan.co.jp. http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=COCC-72209. Retrieved March 7, 2009.  
    "Guin Saga Graffiti (Limited Release)(limited to 5,000 copies)". cdjapan.co.jp. http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=COCC-72210. Retrieved March 7, 2009.  
    "Guin Saga - 7-Nin No Madoushi (Limited Release)(limited to 5,000 copies)". cdjapan.co.jp. http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=COCC-72211. Retrieved March 7, 2009.  
    "Guin Saga - Hyousetsu no Jouou / Toki no Fuudo (Limited Release)(limited to 5,000 copies)". cdjapan.co.jp. http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=COCC-72211. Retrieved March 7, 2009.  
  37. ^ Strock, Ian Randal (December 21, 2007). "Review of The Guin Saga Manga: The Seven Magi, Volume 1". sfscope.com. http://sfscope.com/2008/01/review-of-the-guin-saga-manga-1.html. Retrieved March 21, 2009.  
  38. ^ Kotani, Mari. "Alien Spaces and Alien Bodies in Japanese Women's Science Fiction". in Christopher Bolton, Istvan Csicsery-Ronay Jr., and Takayuki Tatsumi. Robot Ghosts and Wired Dreams. University of Minnesota Press. pp. 67–68. ISBN 978-0-8166-4974-7.  
  39. ^ Finnegan, Erin (February 7, 2008). "The Otaku Bookshelf: Guin Saga, Now You’re One of Us, Shinjuku Shark, Welcome to the NHK". Pop Shock Culture. http://www.popcultureshock.com/manga/index.php/manga-recon/the-otaku-bookshelf-february-2008/. Retrieved June 7, 2009.  
  40. ^ Thompson, Jason (February 27, 2009). "The Guin Saga Manga: The Seven Magi". Otaku USA. http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/Main/Public/News1/1066.aspx. Retrieved June 8, 2009.  
  41. ^ http://www.suvudu.com/2010/01/365-days-of-manga-day-115-the-guin-saga-manga-the-seven-magi.html
  42. ^ Shawl, Nisi (July 20, 2003). "Science fiction: Complex 'Ilium' features strange locale, familiar plot". The Seattle Times. http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20030720&slug=scifi20. Retrieved June 16, 2009.  

External links








Got something to say? Make a comment.
Your name
Your email address
Message
Please enter the solution to case below
5-2=