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Ikki Tousen

From Alfawiki
Ikki Tousen
IndustryManga, Anime
Founded2000
FounderYūji Shiozaki
ProductsManga series, Anime television series, OVAs

, referred to as Battle Vixens in the North American market, is a Japanese manga series created by Yūji Shiozaki. Drawing loose inspiration from the 14th-century Chinese classic Romance of the Three Kingdoms, it portrays a conflict over territory within Japan's Kantō region, where combatants known as from seven different schools vie for supremacy. The narrative centers on Hakufu Sonsaku, who enrolls at Nanyo Academy, one of these competing institutions.

The series was serialized in the seinen manga publication Comic Gum from April 2000 through August 2015, culminating in 24 tankōbon volumes released between October 2000 and September 2015. In North America and the UK, it was licensed by Tokyopop under the title Battle Vixens, while Madman Entertainment handled distribution in Australia and New Zealand.

The franchise expanded to include four anime television series and three original video animations (OVAs). The initial anime adaptation, produced by J.C.Staff, consisted of 13 episodes broadcast on AT-X from July to October 2003. The second season, titled Dragon Destiny, was created by Arms and aired 12 episodes between February and May 2007. The third and fourth seasons—Great Guardians and Xtreme Xecutor—featured original story arcs; both contained 12 episodes, with the former airing from June to August 2008 (produced by Arms) and the latter from March to June 2010 (produced by TNK). The OVAs include the theatrical release Shūgaku Tōshi Keppu-roku (November 2011), the two-episode Extravaganza Epoch (December 2014), and the three-episode Western Wolves (January–February 2019).

Initially, licensing rights in North America were held by Geneon Entertainment, before transferring to Funimation. Seasons two and three were licensed by Media Blasters, with Funimation later acquiring licenses for seasons three and four.

A sequel manga titled Shin Ikki Tousen commenced serialization in Shōnen Gahōsha's Young King OURs magazine in November 2015. This continuation received a three-episode anime adaptation produced by Arms, which aired on AT-X in May 2022.

Synopsis

Within Japan's Kantō region, seven high schools—Nanyo Academy, Kyosho Academy, Seito Academy, Yoshu Academy, Rakuyo High School, Gogun High School, and Yoshu Private School—engage in battles to assert territorial control. Each school's fighters wield sacred magatama jewels that house the spirits of warriors from Ancient China's Three Kingdoms period approximately 1800 years ago, influencing their fates.

Hakufu Sonsaku, a descendant of the famed conqueror Sun Ce, attends Nanyo Academy alongside her cousin Koukin Shuuyu. Entrusted with the mission to subdue rival schools as her ancestor once did, Hakufu's destiny carries profound consequences capable of reshaping history.

Manga

The manga Ikki Tousen commenced its run in the seinen magazine Comic GUM. Its inaugural volume was published by Wani Books in October 2000, with a total of 24 volumes released by September 2015. In North America and the UK, the series was licensed by Tokyopop under the title Battle Vixens, with fifteen volumes distributed between April 2004 and April 2010. Other international licenses include Madman Entertainment for Australia and New Zealand, Panini Comics in France, Editorial Ivrea covering Argentina and Spain, Carlsen Comics in Germany (under the name Dragon Girls), Sharp Point Press in Taiwan, and Nova Sampa in Brazil.

In October 2015, Shōnen Gahōsha announced a sequel titled Shin Ikki Tousen, which began serialization in Young King OURs starting January 2016.

2003

The anime adaptation of Ikki Tousen, consisting of 13 episodes, was produced by J.C.Staff and directed by Takashi Watanabe. It originally aired on AT-X from July 30 to October 22, 2003, followed by broadcasts on TV Kanagawa, Mie TV, Chiba TV, TV Saitama, and Sun Television. The opening theme for this initial season is "Drivin' Through The Night" performed by M.o.v.e, while the ending theme is "Let me be with you" by Shela.

Media Factory distributed seven DVD volumes between November 22, 2003, and May 25, 2004. Subsequently, a DVD box set was released on January 25, 2008, with a Blu-ray box set arriving on April 27, 2011.

In North America, Geneon Entertainment secured the licensing rights and issued four DVD volumes from August 10, 2004, through March 1, 2005. The English-language dub was produced by New Generation Pictures based in Los Angeles. Geneon later released a complete box set on July 19, 2005; following their departure from the North American market, Funimation acquired the license and reissued a box set on May 26, 2009. Licensing for Australia and New Zealand was obtained by Madman Entertainment, while MVM Films holds the rights for the United Kingdom.

Dragon Destiny

The series’ second installment, Ikki Tousen: Dragon Destiny, was created by Arms under the direction of Koichi Ohata. This season featured 12 episodes broadcast on AT-X from February 26 to May 14, 2007, and later aired on various regional channels. The opening theme is "HEART&SOUL" performed by Mai Kariyuki; the ending theme is by IORI.

Between July 25 and November 22, 2007, Media Factory released six DVD volumes that included an original video animation titled , showcasing the female characters in a hot spring environment. A comprehensive DVD box set became available on December 22, 2009.

For North American audiences, Media Blasters licensed the series and distributed it in three DVD volumes from November 24, 2009, to April 20, 2010. The English dub was recorded at Headline Studios located in Irvington, New York. A box set release followed on August 31, 2010. In Australia, licensing was handled by Madman Entertainment. Notably, due to its explicit violent and sexual content, Ikki Tousen: Dragon Destiny was prohibited by New Zealand's Office of Film and Literature Classification.

Great Guardians

The third season entitled Ikki Tousen: Great Guardians, also produced by Arms and directed by Koichi Ohata, aired a total of 12 episodes on AT-X from June 11 to August 27, 2008. It received additional broadcasts across regional Japanese networks. This season introduced an original plotline along with new characters such as Shokyo—Hakufu’s younger sister—and a new adversary named Genpou Saji. The opening theme track is "No x limit" by Ami; the ending theme is "Kage: Shape of Shadow" performed by Rio Asaba.

From September 2008 through February 2009, Media Factory issued six DVD volumes that contained an original video animation titled Battle Tour Club: Sexy Cosplay♥Dangerous Jobs♥. A full DVD box set was released on March 25, 2010.

For North America, Media Blasters acquired the license with plans to release it in two parts during 2011; however, these plans were postponed and eventually shelved indefinitely in early 2012. Funimation took over licensing at Anime Expo 2012 and subsequently launched the DVD box set on December 31, 2013. The English dub production was managed by New Generation Pictures with voice recordings conducted in both California and New York. Madman Entertainment issued the Blu-ray edition on March 19, 2014.

Xtreme Xecutor

The fourth installment, Ikki Tousen: Xtreme Xecutor, produced by TNK and helmed by director Koichi Ohata, consisted of twelve episodes broadcast on AT-X from March 26 to June 11, 2010. Subsequent airings took place on regional channels such as Chiba TV and Tokyo MX. This season introduced two additional academies, Nanban High School and Ryoshu Academy, while featuring Kentei—Japan’s equivalent of Emperor Xian—as the primary adversary. The opening track was "Stargazer," performed by Yuka Masuda of AKB48, and the closing theme, "Endless Soul: Endless Warrior," was delivered by Masumi Asano and Aya Endo, the voice actresses behind Hakufu Sonsaku and Bachou Mouki.

Between June 25 and November 25, 2010, Media Factory issued six volumes on DVD and Blu-ray, which included an original video animation titled Ikki Tousen: Xtreme Xecutor—A Dream's Six Views.

At Anime Expo 2012, Funimation secured licensing rights for both Xtreme Xecutor and Great Guardians. The North American DVD box set was released on March 11, 2014. The English-language dub was produced collaboratively by New Generation Pictures in California and DuArt Film and Video in New York, maintaining the production style established with the third season.

OVAs

An original video animation named was announced by Media Factory alongside a promotional trailer on their YouTube channel. It debuted in Japanese cinemas on November 12, 2011, before its DVD and Blu-ray release on February 22, 2012. The opening song is "FATE ～on the way～" performed by MAI & AMI. Funimation included this OVA within their North American Xtreme Xecutor DVD box collection.

The three-episode OVA series Ikki Tousen: Western Wolves was distributed from January 3 to February 27, 2019. Directed by Takashi Watanabe with series composition handled by Masaya Honda, this project further expanded the franchise’s reach.

Shin Ikki Tousen

The announcement for the anime adaptation of Shin Ikki Tousen came on July 2, 2021. Created by Arms and directed by Rion Kujo, the production featured scripts from Masaya Honda, character designs by Rin-Sin and Tsutomu Miyazawa, and a musical score composed by Yasuharu Takanashi.

This series aired a total of three episodes on AT-X between May 17 and May 31, 2022. The theme song "Proud Stars" was performed by Konomi Suzuki, enhancing brand recognition and audience engagement.

Internet radio show

Media Factory developed multiple internet radio programs to promote the Dragon Destiny anime series and its sequels. Ikki Tousen DDR: Dragon Destiny Radio was broadcast on MediaFac Radio starting November 25, 2006, running for 31 episodes with hosts Masumi Asano and Hitomi Nabatame—the voices of Hakufu and Kanu. A CD compilation of this show was released on June 27, 2007.

Subsequently, Ikki Tousen GGR: Great Guardians Radio aired from March 26, 2008 until March 2009 over 23 episodes with the same hosting duo. Media Factory issued a corresponding CD on March 25, 2009.

Ikki Tousen XXR: Xtreme Xecutor Radio was broadcast via HiBiKi Radio Station from December 25, 2009 through December 3, 2010 across 41 episodes. Asano and Nabatame reprised their roles as hosts once again.

Video games

The franchise extended into the realm of video games, predominantly developed for PlayStation systems by DreamFactory and Tamsoft, with Marvelous Entertainment serving as the publisher.

Ikki Tousen: Shining Dragon for the PS2 debuted in Japan on July 26, 2007, presenting an original narrative that included mainstays Hakufu, Ryomou, and Kanu, along with a new character named Chousen. Although plans were underway for an international launch by 2008, the release was ultimately cancelled in May 2009, largely due to the game's M rating which hindered its commercial appeal.

The PSP installment Ikki Tousen: Eloquent Fist was released on October 2, 2008. This title combined elements of fighting and adventure genres, featuring 15 female fighters plus a new lead character, Kanpei. It introduced additional characters and updated fighting movesets but excluded Ukitsu from the roster.

On April 28, 2010, Ikki Tousen: Xross Impact, inspired by the Xtreme Xecutor anime series, launched for the PSP. This edition brought new fighters such as Ato and reintroduced Ukitsu as a playable character. Gameplay improvements included a "Super Arts" gauge, tag-team combat mechanics, and an alternative striker system.

Characters Sonsaku, Kan'u, and Ryofu were made available as downloadable content in Senran Kagura: Estival Versus. However, licensing complications delayed their Western debut until March 2017.

In celebration of the series' 20th anniversary in 2020, Marvelous released the mobile game Ikki Tousen: Extra Burst.

See also

External links

TV series/OVA

Video games

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