- For other articles using this title, see Shaman King.
Shaman King (シャーマンキング Shāman Kingu) is a manga series created by Hiroyuki Takei. It has spawned multiple manga sequels and spin-offs, as well as multiple anime adaptations and video games.
Overview[]
In the world of Shaman King, people with the ability to communicate and fight with spirits are collectively known as shamans. The series is centered around Asakura Yoh, a laid-back, easygoing character who is heir to the powerful shamanic Asakura Family, as he enters the Shaman Fight, a semi-millennial event that draws shamans from around the world to compete for the chance to become the Shaman King and the wielder of the omnipotent Great Spirit. In the process, Yoh befriends and makes rivals of other characters, and gradually learns of the true nature of the Shaman Fight, and his connection to Hao, the favorite to win.
Manga Series[]
The original print of the series was serialized from 1998 to 2004 in Weekly Shonen Jump. It consists of 285 chapters—titled "Reincarnations"—that were compiled into 32 regular tankōbon volumes.
Shaman King Kang Zeng Bang is the reprint of Shaman King and has finally a "true" end. The volumes were released from March 2, 2008 to April 4, 2009. This edition adds 16 new chapters.
Shueisha Jump Remix published a series of reprinted omnibus versions of the Kang Zeng Bang volumes from April to October 2011 for 16 volumes. Each volume contains a remix track including a special postcard.
After acquiring the rights for the series in 2017, the publisher Kodansha printed their own version of the series, known as the KC Complete Edition (KC完結版 KC kanketsu-ban). The 35 volumes consist of the Kang Zeng Bang story and include the additional Remix chapters.
Sequels[]
- See More: Shaman King Flowers | Shaman King The Super Star | Shaman King Yard
Shaman King Flowers is the continuation of the Shaman King series and follows Yoh and Anna's son, Asakura Hana, as he is prepared for the Flower of Maize. This series was cancelled after the discontinuation of the JumpX magazine.
Shaman King The Super Star is the official continuation of Flowers, following the series from where it was left. The chapters were serialized in Shonen Magazine Edge magazine, starting on May 17, 2018.
Prequels[]
- See More: Shaman King Zero | Shaman King & a garden | Shaman King Faust 8
Shaman King Zero is a prequel series about various main characters before the start of the Shaman King series. It was published in JumpX magazine.
Shaman King & a garden is a prequel series about the Team "Hana-Gumi" members. It was written by Jet Kusamura, drawn by Kyō Nuesawa, and published in Nakayoshi magazine.
Shaman King Faust8 "Eternal Eliza" is a prequel series about Johann Faust VIII and Eliza Faust. Initially a light novel by Kakeru Kobashiri, it was adapted into a manga by Aya Tanaka and published on Magazine Pocket.
Spin-Offs[]
- See More: Shaman King Red Crimson | Shaman King Marcos
Shaman King Red Crimson is a spin-off series about Tao Jun and Lee Pyron and the Tao Family's conflict with the Red Crimson. It was drawn by Jet Kusamura and published in Shonen Magazine Edge.
Shaman King Marcos is a spin-off series about the X-Laws' search for Marco Lasso. It was drawn by Jet Kusamura and published in Shonen Magazine Edge.
Omake[]
The series have released several Omake chapters and small Omake series:
- Mappa Doji: A one-shot that takes place approximately 1000 years before the start of the series, it reveals Asakura Hao's past as he learns the ways of a shaman.
- Relax: Another one-shot detailing Hao in his third incarnation as he gathers followers in preparation for the next Shaman Fight.
- Funbari no Uta: A series of short comics detailing life in Funbari Hill.
- The Bloom of Youth: A three-part series centered around Mikihisa and Keiko's relationship.
- The Funbari Onsen Saga: A five-part epilogue to Shaman King that takes place 6 years after the Shaman Fight ends, it follows the adventures of Asakura Hana and Umemiya Ryunosuke as they search for the Five Elemental Warriors.
- Shaman King Remix Tracks: Chapters released with the Remix print of the tankōbon series.
Anime Series[]
- See More: Shaman King (2001) | Shaman King (2021) | Shaman King Flowers (anime)
An anime series was made by Xebec, Inc. in 2001. In total, it ran for 64 episodes before ending, with 3 specials also produced. The anime series, while originally faithful to the manga, eventually deviated from the storyline as the manga was still being serialized. As a result, the later episodes are completely unrelated to the manga, with a separate and definite conclusion created for the series.
There was a plan to remake the anime series which supposed to be more faithful to the manga, however the plan was cancelled because Takei and the studio failed to reach an agreement about casts and theme songs where Takei's condition was to re-appoint the original casts and songs.[1]
A remake by Studio Bridge was announced in June 2020 and ran for 52 episodes, starting in April 2021. It more closely followed the events of the manga and included additions from the Kang Zeng Bang version.
A Shaman King Flowers anime adaptation, also by Studio Bridge, was announced following the completion of the 2021 anime. It is set to air in January 2024.
Video game series[]
- Main article: List of Shaman King video games
Shaman King was also adapted into video games, spanning a total of 13 games in all, developed and published by various companies such as Konami, Bandai, Studio Saizensen, and Dimps.
Despite the manga series having been acquired by Kodansha in 2017, Shueisha's Jumputi Heroes (ジャンプチ ヒーローズ Janpuchi Hīrōzu, lit. "Jump Petit Heroes"), a Weekly Shonen Jump-based mobile game, featured Asakura Yoh during its Black Friday 2023 event.[2] Takei drew an illustration of Yoh to commemorate his inclusion.[3]
Imagineer's Medarot S: Unlimited Nova (メダロットS UNLIMITED NOVA Medarotto S UNLIMITED NOVA), a mobile game based on the Medabots series, held a collaborative event with Shaman King from December 12, 2023 to January 4, 2024. It featured robot designs modeled after Yoh's O.S. "Spirit of Sword: White Swan", Hao's O.S. "Spirit of Fire: Black Fowl", Ren's O.S. "Bushin Yúchì", and Horohoro's O.S. "Nipopo Tekunpe".[4]
References[]
External Links[]
- Shonen Jump's Shaman King - The official site for the Shaman King English manga.
- Official Shaman King Kanzen-Ban website (Japanese)
- Official anime website (Japanese)
- Shaman King (manga) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
- Shaman King (2001 anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
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