Isuca
| Company type | Manga series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manga, Anime |
| Founded | July 2009 |
| Founder | Osamu Takahashi |
| Defunct | April 2017 |
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Manga, Anime adaptation |
| Parent | Kadokawa Shoten |
is a Japanese manga created by Osamu Takahashi. It was serialized in Young Ace, a magazine published by Kadokawa Shoten, from July 2009 until April 2017, and compiled into nine tankōbon volumes. In addition, an anime adaptation produced by Arms aired in Japan between January and March 2015.
Plot
The narrative centers on Shinichirō, a student who takes up a housekeeping position to afford his rent. When he inadvertently unleashes a supernatural being, he learns that his employer, Sakuya Shimizu, is the leader of the Shimizu clan tasked with hunting such creatures. Together, they collaborate to locate and exterminate these entities.
Main characters
- Shinichirō is a high schooler possessing the Eyes of Truth, which allow him to discover the True Names of supernatural beings through a kiss. Knowing a True Name grants him control over that being, making him an essential partner in Sakuya’s quest. After uncovering Sakuya’s True Name, she becomes bound to obey him. Initially living alone due to his parents' absence, he eventually moves into Sakuya’s residence as her housekeeper. During a confrontation, he learns the True Name of the spirit sword Yashaou and becomes its wielder.
- Sakuya serves as the provisional 37th head of the Shimazu Family and is engaged in a rivalry with her cousin for leadership. Her family’s role is to seal monsters and spirits crossing into their realm, but she strives to minimize damage during these operations. She wields a bow and spiritual attacks that increase tenfold when charged through Shinichirō’s power—activated by kissing him. Although initially hesitant, she grows fond of him. Once Shinichirō learns her True Name, Isuca, she is compelled to obey him and forces him into a nominal engagement to preserve her status—a detail implied in the manga but omitted from the anime. Her True Name originates from a lucky plush bird given by her father. She has fears of rats and cockroaches.
- Suseri is Sakuya’s cousin and contender for family leadership who specializes in summoning spirits and wind magic. Initially focused solely on becoming head, she attempts to undermine Sakuya by trying to take Shinichirō away and uncover Sakuya’s True Name using his Eyes of Truth—only for Shinichirō to reveal it first. She transfers to Sakuya’s school to investigate spectral activity and compete for Shinichirō’s attention, gradually developing feelings for him. Though envious of Sakuya, she admires her and adopts “Sakuya” as her own True Name.
Supporting characters
- A two-tailed cat spirit with red hair and a prominent bust who can transform into a giant feline; she is the first spirit encountered by Shinichirō. In the manga, she also appears as an ordinary-sized cat. Shinichirō learns her True Name when she kisses him in gratitude after he saves her from Sakuya (in the anime, after clearing her of suspicion in a lightning beast attack). Her True Name is Tama, but Shinichirō renames her Tamako to conceal it. Like most spirits, she requires life energy but has never harmed anyone. Reflecting feline behavior, she shows affection by licking Shinichirō, curling up on his lap, eating on the floor, and bringing him caught prey.
- Shinichirō and Sakuya’s homeroom teacher who has connections with the Shimazu Family. Appointed as guardian of both Sakuya and Suseri, she manages consequences arising from Sakuya’s actions and arranges Shinichirō’s employment as Sakuya’s housekeeper. Later, she facilitates his move into Sakuya's home under the pretense of an engagement while moving in herself to monitor them and investigate Shinichirō’s True Name. Although supportive of Sakuya, Nadeshiko favors Suseri as the next family head and occasionally provokes situations by flirting with Shinichirō or encouraging others to get closer to him.
- Nami is the grandmother and current leader of the Shimazu Family. Despite her advanced age, she maintains a youthful look through an artificial body created by Nadeshiko and enjoys playing video games. Fascinated by Shinichirō’s magan abilities, she declares that whoever becomes head must marry him. When control over her artificial body weakens, she entrusts Shinichirō with a jewel imbued with potent spiritual energy, hoping he can seal it. Nami previously encountered the homunculus Isuca, which fuels Isuca’s grudge against the Shimazu family.
- Matsuri acts as Suseri’s attendant and specializes in healing magic designed to reduce collateral damage during battles with spirits.
- Isuca holds animosity toward the Shimazu family and focuses primarily on tormenting Sakuya by targeting those close to her before ultimately seeking to kill her. She is revealed as a homunculus affiliated with the rival Asahina family of magic users. The reason behind sharing Sakuya’s True Name remains unclear; however, the anime suggests possible involvement from Sakuya's father.
Anime
The anime's opening song was performed by Afilia Saga titled "Never say Never," while the closing theme, "Somebody to Love," was delivered by TWO-FORMULA, a vocal duo consisting of singers and voice actresses Saeko Zōgō and Kaori Sadohara.
Template:Episode listTemplate:Episode listTemplate:Episode listTemplate:Episode listTemplate:Episode listTemplate:Episode listTemplate:Episode list| No. | Title | Original air date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
ShortSummary ={ Life returns to normal but new tensions emerge. Shinichiro wields the sword empowered by a learned True Name to battle smoke specters. Suseri confronts the Western Mage but is defeated. Sakuya employs her ultimate technique to overcome the Western Mage at significant personal cost. }}
}} Template:Episode list |
ShortSummary ={Sakuya falls into a coma due to spiritual depletion. Shinichiro supports Suseri in performing an exorcism ritual to subdue a lightning specter, aiding her in navigating family ambitions. }}
}} Template:Episode list |
ShortSummary ={Isuca recovers with heightened rage. An unknown mage destroys shrines to weaken spiritual power. Shinichiro uncovers rival family secrets and faces Isuca’s fiercest assault yet. }}
}} Template:Episode list |
ShortSummary ={With Shinichiro’s aid, Sakuya narrowly avoids Isuca’s attack. Together they defeat Isuca after confessing their true feelings amidst a burning mansion. }}
}} Template:Episode list |
ShortSummary ={The group visits an island where sun and surf lead to unexpected adventures and mysterious disappearances. }}
}} |
Reception
Allen Moody from THEM Anime Reviews observed that the series contained "a greater amount of nudity (and less storyline) compared to many H shows," noting significant censorship in the Crunchyroll release, which resulted in awkwardly hidden scenes. He also pointed out "embarrassing" inconsistencies in the plot. Chris Beveridge of The Fandom Post regarded the show as outdated, describing it as "just another uninspired entry filled with bland narratives, unremarkable characters, and a lack of meaningful content." Theron Martin of Anime News Network drew comparisons to Shakugan no Shana and Kekkaishi, but criticized its heavy reliance on harem tropes, poor pacing, and repetitive fanservice, while acknowledging the quality of its musical score and audio production.
The opening theme "Somebody to Love" performed by Two-Formula achieved a peak position of 135 on the Oricon music charts.
Notes
- "Ch." denotes a chapter number from the Isuca manga
- "Ep." indicates an episode number from the Isuca anime