Wish (manga)
| Company type | Manga series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manga publishing |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Founder | Clamp |
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Manga volumes |
| Website | www |
is a Japanese shōjo manga created by Clamp, with English publication handled by Tokyopop and distribution in Australia managed by Madman Entertainment.
Plot
Dr. Shuichiro saves an angel named Kohaku, who offers to fulfill any wish he desires. Satisfied with his current life and career, Shuichiro declines the offer, prompting Kohaku to remain by his side as an assistant. Soon after, angel Hisui and demons Koryuu and Kokuyo join their unusual household, accompanied by Koryuu’s attendants Ruri and Hari. Kokuyo, the son of Satan, shares a secret romantic bond with Hisui, one of the four Angel Masters governing elemental powers; their forbidden relationship leads them to seek refuge on Earth. Kohaku initially arrives searching for Hisui, who serves as a mentor figure.
Although Shuichiro maintains an emotional distance from this extraordinary group, he gradually becomes fond of Kohaku. When God commands Kohaku to return to Heaven to incubate eggs from the Tree of Life, both Kohaku and Shuichiro experience deep longing. Clutching one of Kohaku’s earrings as a symbol of hope to keep them on Earth, Shuichiro waits. Defying divine orders, Kohaku returns without approval; they briefly reunite before the other Angel Masters impose severe punishments on Kohaku and Hisui for their illicit affair with demons. Hisui is stripped of their Angel Master rank and exiled; Kohaku loses their powers and is transformed into a diminutive form for a century. Though unable to grant Shuichiro’s wish of eternal togetherness, their connection endures.
Shortly afterward, Shuichiro passes away during a stroll with Kohaku. In response, Kohaku enters a hundred-year slumber until Shuichiro’s reincarnation reaches maturity. Kokuyo and Hisui are assigned to protect Kohaku during this time. A century later, the reincarnated Shuichiro encounters the old residence, awakening Kohaku. At first unaware of their shared past, he gradually recovers memories as their relationship rekindles.
Characters
The creators and translators clarify that while gender does not exist in Heaven or Hell, gendered pronouns are employed in translation for clarity.
- – A physician who rescues the angel Kohaku early on. Initially doubtful about Kohaku’s nature, he develops a strong attachment to them over time. Though reserved yet empathetic, he has made several symbolic wishes that Kohaku dismisses as insincere. He conceals various personal secrets.
- – The central character and angel apprentice dispatched to Earth in search of their missing mentor Hisui. At nightfall, Kohaku loses most abilities and assumes a chibi form vulnerable to threats. Cheerful and clumsy, they feel indebted to Shuichiro for saving them and clarify that they possess no specific gender.
- – A demon trainee from Hell serving as Kohaku’s counterpart who shifts into a chibi form during daylight hours. Known for stirring trouble, Koryuu is suggested to harbor romantic feelings toward Kohaku and orchestrated the initial assault against them.
- and – Twin cat-girl attendants loyal to Koryuu who adore him and occasionally quarrel. They transform into black cats when Koryuu assumes his smaller form.
- – Archangel of Wind and mentor to Kohaku who vanished following a crucial summit between Heaven and Hell. His romantic involvement with Kokuyo, a prince of Hell, was intended as a peacekeeping measure by living on Earth while guarding Kohaku.
- – Hell’s prince and son of Satan residing willingly on Earth out of love for Hisui. He suppresses his demonic instincts out of respect and is aware of Shuichiro’s impending death but is prohibited from disclosing it.
- – Archangel of Water characterized by a cold disposition. Protective toward Kohaku and discreetly linked with Ranshou, Touki plays an essential role in returning Kohaku to Heaven.
- – Archangel of Earth with a relaxed demeanor who openly expresses affection for Touki. Devoted to God’s will, Ranshou administers divine punishments when necessary.
- – Archangel of Fire known for impulsiveness and passion. Deeply devoted to Hisui, Ryuuki struggles with Hisui’s departure but ultimately accepts it while vowing hostility toward Kokuyo.
- – A winged white rabbit serving as God’s messenger by delivering communications through flower-like projections implanted directly into minds. Also appears in Kobato.
- – Shuichiro’s grandfather residing in Canada who occasionally visits and provides background context about Shuichiro.
- – Shuichiro’s mother, blind and paraplegic, revealed as a powerful wisteria tree spirit aware of her husband’s impending death. She returns to her true form after saying farewell.
- – Shuichiro’s father who adopted him after discovering Hotaru near a wisteria tree. He died in an airplane crash during Shuichiro’s high school years.
Media
Manga
Created by Clamp, Wish was featured in the manga periodical Mystery DX from November 1995 until August 1998. The chapters were collected into four volumes by Kadokawa Shoten, released between June 1996 and August 1998, with a reissued edition appearing in 2009.
The English-language rights for North America were acquired by Tokyopop, who published the series from August 2002 through February 2003. Distribution in Australia and New Zealand was handled by Madman Entertainment. Following the closure of Tokyopop's North American division in 2011, the license returned to its original holders. In February 2015, Viz Media commenced a digital re-release of Wish. The manga has also been translated into several other languages, including French (Editions Tonkam), German (Carlsen Comics), Italian (Star Comics (Italy)), Polish (Japonica Polonica Fantastica), Portuguese (Editora JBC), and Spanish (Grupo Editorial Vid and Norma Editorial). Currently, Dark Horse Comics is republishing the series in print format.
Volume list
Drama CD
The drama CD features the following voice actors:
- Kohaku: Hiroko Konishi
- Shūichirō Kudō: Kazuya Ichijō
- Kōryū: Yuka Imai
- Hisui: Kikuko Inoue
- Kokuyō: Jūrōta Kosugi
- Ruri: Ikue Ōtani
- Hari: Chinami Nishimura
Adaptation
In 1997, a six-minute animated short inspired by Wish was produced and later included on the DVD accompanying CLAMP's 15th anniversary compilation album "CLAMPAZAR" (2007).
Appearances
Kohaku is featured in CLAMP in Wonderland, as well as the manga and anime series Kobato, and the manga Legal Drug (which was subsequently renamed Drug and Drop). Characters Ruri and Hari make appearances in Miyuki-Chan in Wonderland.
Reception
Adam Arnold from Animefringe commended the series for its "distinctive narrative, sharp dialogue, and engaging characters that maintain interest throughout."
External links
- Wish on Viz Media’s official platform