Peacemaker Kurogane

{{Infobox animanga/Video | type = tv series | director = Tomohiro Hirata | producer = | writer = Nahoko Hasegawa | music = Keiichi Oku | studio = Gonzo | licensee = | network = TV Asahi, TV Kanagawa | network_en = | first = October 7, 2003 | last = March 24, 2004 | episodes = 24 |} {{Infobox animanga/Video | type = film | title = | director = Shigeru Kimiya | producer = | writer = Eiji Umehara | music = Ryosuke Nakanishi | studio = White Fox | released = |}

is a Japanese manga created by Nanae Chrono. Set during the late Edo period just before the Meiji Restoration, it narrates the journey of Tetsunosuke Ichimura, who enlists in the Shinsengumi as Toshizō Hijikata’s page to strengthen himself and seek vengeance for his parents, who were killed by a Chōshū rebel.

This work serves as a continuation of , which was initially serialized by Enix in Monthly Shōnen Gangan. The original series was licensed for North American distribution by Tokyopop.

Plot

The narrative focuses on Tetsunosuke Ichimura, a resolute fifteen-year-old (sixteen in the manga) driven by the desire to avenge his parents’ death. His elder sibling Tatsunosuke, who prefers peace, joins the Shinsengumi as an accountant, while Tetsunosuke aspires to become a combatant within the group. The story tracks Tetsu’s development and his encounters with renowned members of the Shinsengumi as he faces both internal struggles and external conflicts, ultimately coming to understand the true burden that comes with power.

Peace Maker

Peace Maker () was serialized from April 12, 1999, through August 11, 2001, in Enix’s Monthly Shōnen Gangan magazine in Japan and compiled into six volumes.

The sequel transitioned to Monthly Comic Blade, published by Mag Garden, which also reissued Peace Maker in five volumes on September 10, 2005.

Mag Garden’s edition was licensed for release in North America and Germany by Tokyopop, which published all five volumes between August 14, 2007, and November 4, 2008. Subsequently, Tokyopop re-released the series via Madman Entertainment, issuing volumes in November 2008 and February 2009. In Germany, Tokyopop distributed all five volumes from December 2005 to June 28, 2006. Additionally, the manga was licensed in Italy by Star Comics and in France by Kami, with all five volumes released between September 20, 2006, and July 11, 2007.

Peace Maker Kurogane

Starting as a fresh series in Mag Garden’s Monthly Comic Blade in 2001, Peace Maker Kurogane later moved to Monthly Comic Garden in 2014. The initial volume was published by Mag Garden on October 10, 2002.

The manga was originally licensed by ADV Manga, which published three volumes from October 2004 until March 2005 before ceasing publication. After the license ended, Tokyopop obtained it and released four volumes beginning March 10, 2009. International editions include releases by Kami in France, Tokyopop in Germany, and Comics Factory in Russia. Tokyopop Germany issued the first five volumes between June and October 2005.

Anime

A 24-episode anime television adaptation produced by Gonzo and Geneon aired on TV Asahi from October 7, 2003, through March 24, 2004. In the United States, ADV Films licensed the series under the title Peacemaker. This anime closely follows the storyline of the original manga Peace Maker while incorporating characters from Peacemaker Kurogane. It was broadcast in the US on Showtime Beyond alongside Chrono Crusade. After ADV Films ceased operations in 2009, Funimation Entertainment acquired the distribution rights in 2010. Internationally, the series was shown on Déclic-Images in France, Buzz Channel in Spain, Space Power in Saudi Arabia, and both QTV and Hero in the Philippines.

The anime includes two main theme songs: the opening track "You Gonna Feel" and the ending theme "Hey Jimmy!", both performed by Hav.

Between December 21, 2003, and June 25, 2004, Gonzo Digimation released seven individual DVDs, followed by a complete DVD box set on December 22, 2004. ADV Films issued their own seven DVDs from September 14, 2004, to September 13, 2005, culminating in a box set release on November 15, 2005.

On April 14, 2016, a new anime adaptation of the manga was announced as a two-part film series adapting a subsequent arc of Peacemaker Kurogane. Directed by Shigeru Kimiya with a script by Eiji Umehara and animated by White Fox, featuring character designs by Sayaka Koiso, the first film titled Peacemaker Kurogane: Belief debuted in Japan on June 2, 2018. The follow-up film Peacemaker Kurogane: Friend premiered later that year on November 17.

Drama and animation CDs

On December 21, 2003, Geneon released an official soundtrack CD for Peacemaker Kurogane. Additionally, Geneon produced a collection of five Drama CDs between December 2003 and April 2004. The voice cast featured talents such as Mitsuki Saiga, Yuka Imai, Joji Nakata, Takaya Toshi, Junichi Suwabe, Kappei Yamaguchi, and Kenji Nomura. A subsequent Drama CD for the second season was released on November 25, 2005, retaining many original cast members along with newcomers Kousuke Torimi and Takahiro Sakurai.

The opening theme "You Gonna Feel" by Hav was also issued as a soundtrack CD on March 10, 2004.

Live-action TV

A live-action television adaptation consisting of ten episodes aired on TBS from January 15 to March 19, 2010.

Reception

Megan Levey of Mania.com commended the emotional depth found in the second volume of Peacemaker Kurogane, and praised the third volume for its expressive facial artwork; however, she noted that the color illustrations appeared somewhat flat. The series achieved ninth place in the "Favorite Anime Series" category during Animage's 26th annual readers' poll. According to THEM Anime Reviews, while the show delivers compelling drama, its comedic elements were less effective. Animefringe.com characterized the main character as "an annoying brat," whereas Chris Beveridge from Mania.com appreciated both the supernatural aspects and the comic relief provided by Saizō the pig.

John Sinnott of DVD Talk expressed a preference for the Japanese audio track over the English dub due to accent inconsistencies but criticized later DVD releases for lacking narrative focus. Brian Hanson at Anime Jump unfavorably compared this anime to Rurouni Kenshin, highlighting its unexpected violent content. In contrast, Judge Jeff Anderson of DVD Verdict praised the effective use of CGI and lauded the energetic English dubbing. Tasha Robinson from Science Fiction Weekly admired its richly detailed semi-historical storytelling reminiscent of Rurouni Kenshin, particularly valuing moments centered on quieter scenes.

External links

• Official Madman website for the Peace Maker anime