Legal Drug
Encyclopedia
is a manga
series by Clamp
. The main artist in this serialization is Tsubaki Nekoi
, formerly Mick Nekoi. It is published in Japan
by Kadokawa Shoten
and it is published in English
by Tokyopop
who have currently released 3 volumes as of 2005. The series is also known as Lawful Drugstore or Gouhou Drug in Japan.
The series is has been on hold since 2003, as the magazine it was serialized in ceased its publication. What has been released so far is only 1/5 of the intended story. At the 2006 Anime Expo
, Clamp director Nanase Ohkawa
explicitly stated that "Clamp will be resuming it in the near future." TokyoPop
posted a reference to Volume 4, however the manga has not been continued in Japan nor have any new materials been published.
The series will resume serialization in November 2011 in Kadokawa
's Young Ace Magazine
under the new title, .
The four leading characters of Legal Drug appear in CLAMP in Wonderland
2, which is the first time Kakei and Saiga are seen animated; Kazahaya and Rikuo had been previously animated during a brief appearance in the xxxHolic anime, episode 6, and xxxHolic Kei episode 13.
Kazahaya, apparently running from his past, takes up work at the Green Drugstore alongside Rikuo. He comments that although Rikuo rescued him, he really feels indebted to the store's owner, Kakei, whom he thanks for his current accommodation and job. While their day job is quite simple, the boys are persuaded and, in some cases, practically forced by Kakei to take on strange extra jobs outside the store, which make use of their supernatural powers.
, this was a store selling Angelic Layer merchandise and where people could practice fighting with their Angels. In Suki
, Piffle Princess appears as Caffe Piffle Princess, a café frequented by the main characters. Piffle Princess also appears in other CLAMP works, including: Chobits
, xxxHolic, Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle
, and Cardcaptor Sakura
.
In the world in which Legal Drug occurs, Piffle Princess appears to be a popular clothing store. A dress from Piffle Princess is given to a student at also known as (The Japanese word for vomit (謳吐) is also spelled Ohto), Hinata Asahi from Suki
; Hinata, her teacher Shiro Asou, and Ohto High all appear in Suki as well.
The Atashi character from Chobits
also appears, such as on a clock in the Green Drugstore.
Rikuo and Kazahaya have both appeared in xxxHolic; Watanuki is sent out to purchase a hangover remedy and enters the drugstore where the two work. He sees ghostly images around them (Tsukiko and Kei) and observes that there is some strong bond between the two. Furthermore, the High Moon Urn Yūko Ichihara has obtained in volume 5 from the "anything store" is actually the same vase retrieved by Kazahaya and Rikuo in volume 2 of Legal Drug. It can be also noted that in volume 2, Kazahaya walks through the space between a telephone pole and a wall, as does Watanuki in xxxHolic. So far, characters from xxxHolic have not appeared in Legal Drug.
The Green Drugstore and its staff have also made small appearances in Kobato
. The Green Drugstore, Kakei, Rikuo and Kazahaya are identifiable in the background of Drop 5 and two characters who look like Rikuo and Kazahaya walk past Kobato in Exam 9.
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
series by Clamp
Clamp (manga artists)
, is an all-female Japanese manga artist group that formed in the mid 1980s. Many of the group's manga series are often adapted into anime after release. It consists of their leader , who provides much of the storyline and screenplay for all their works and adaptations of those works respectively ,...
. The main artist in this serialization is Tsubaki Nekoi
Tsubaki Nekoi
is a member of the all-female manga-creating team Clamp. She is the co-director and her duties in the team include applying screentones and correcting manga illustrations. She was also the lead artist on Legal Drug, The One I Love, Wish, Suki and xxxHolic...
, formerly Mick Nekoi. It is published in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
by Kadokawa Shoten
Kadokawa Shoten
is a well-known Japanese publishing company based in Tokyo, Japan. Kadokawa has published both manga novels and magazines, such as Newtype magazine...
and it is published in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
by Tokyopop
Tokyopop
Tokyopop, styled TOKYOPOP, and formerly known as Mixx, is a distributor, licensor, and publisher of anime, manga, manhwa, and Western manga-style works. The existing German publishing division produces German translations of licensed Japanese properties and original English-language manga, as well...
who have currently released 3 volumes as of 2005. The series is also known as Lawful Drugstore or Gouhou Drug in Japan.
The series is has been on hold since 2003, as the magazine it was serialized in ceased its publication. What has been released so far is only 1/5 of the intended story. At the 2006 Anime Expo
Anime Expo
Anime Expo, abbreviated AX, is an American anime convention held in Los Angeles, California and organized by the non-profit Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation . With rare exceptions, the convention is traditionally held on the July 4th weekend and lasts for four days...
, Clamp director Nanase Ohkawa
Nanase Ohkawa
is a member of the all-female manga-creating team Clamp. She is the director of the team and is primarily responsible for writing the stories and scripts for Clamp's various works....
explicitly stated that "Clamp will be resuming it in the near future." TokyoPop
Tokyopop
Tokyopop, styled TOKYOPOP, and formerly known as Mixx, is a distributor, licensor, and publisher of anime, manga, manhwa, and Western manga-style works. The existing German publishing division produces German translations of licensed Japanese properties and original English-language manga, as well...
posted a reference to Volume 4, however the manga has not been continued in Japan nor have any new materials been published.
The series will resume serialization in November 2011 in Kadokawa
Kadokawa
-Companies:*Kadokawa Shoten, a publishing house, or its subsidiaries**Kadokawa Shoten Pictures, the film production branch, at various times called Kadokawa Daiei Motion Picture Co., Ltd., Kadokawa Herald Pictures, Inc. and Kadokawa Pictures, Inc....
's Young Ace Magazine
Young Ace
is a seinen manga magazine in Japan published by Kadokawa Shoten, started in 2009.-Manga artists and series featured in Young Ace:*Akuma no Ikenie by Ayun Tachibana*Black Rock Shooter: Innocent Soul by Sanami Suzuki...
under the new title, .
The four leading characters of Legal Drug appear in CLAMP in Wonderland
Clamp in Wonderland
Clamp in Wonderland is a series of music videos produced by Clamp, a creative team made up by Satsuki Igarashi, Ageha Ohkawa, Tsubaki Nekoi and Mokona ....
2, which is the first time Kakei and Saiga are seen animated; Kazahaya and Rikuo had been previously animated during a brief appearance in the xxxHolic anime, episode 6, and xxxHolic Kei episode 13.
Plot
When Kazahaya Kudo collapsed in the snow one night and on the verge of death, he is rescued by a mysterious young man, Rikuo Himura, who takes him back to a pharmacy named the Green Drugstore.Kazahaya, apparently running from his past, takes up work at the Green Drugstore alongside Rikuo. He comments that although Rikuo rescued him, he really feels indebted to the store's owner, Kakei, whom he thanks for his current accommodation and job. While their day job is quite simple, the boys are persuaded and, in some cases, practically forced by Kakei to take on strange extra jobs outside the store, which make use of their supernatural powers.
Characters
- The main protagonist of the series. Above all else, Kazahaya does not want to die - a fact which seems to be linked to a girl from his past named Kei, who has strongly been hinted to be his sister. In his thoughts, he has indicated that he and Kei lived a secluded life, effectively trapped on a single property where no other children lived, and also indicates that neither he nor Kei ever finished their schooling even at the elementary level.
- At the very start of the series, Kazahaya is found lying in the snow, having apparently run away from his former home and very nearly freezing to death, before being found by Rikuo, who brings him back to the Green Drugstore. Since then, he has always been trying to earn money so that he might live alone, which is the main reason why he accepts the 'extra' jobs offered by Kakei. He has a supernatural power which is something like psychometry in that he can see the "memories" of things or persons when he touches them; he may also possess some empathic ability as he seems capable of absorbing emotions as well as memories, and on at least one occasion has channeledMediumshipMediumship is described as a form of communication with spirits. It is a practice in religious beliefs such as Spiritualism, Spiritism, Espiritismo, Candomblé, Voodoo and Umbanda.- Concept :...
the present visual perspective of another person (Rikuo).
- While at times he may seem rather helpless, or at least hopelessly naive, he has many skills and abilities which make him highly capable in certain tasks. Specifically, some of his behaviors and abilities seem remarkably similar to a cat, including a heightened sense of smell and vision, several demonstrations of cat-like agility and speed, and his tendency to look like an angry kitten when upset.
- Kazahaya is noted to be 17 at the start of the series, and is smaller, slimmer and has a much more feminine appearance than Rikuo, to the point that he can be accurately described as "pretty". He gets emotional easily, and frequently plays into Rikuo's hands when teased due to his quick temper.
- The second protagonist of the series, Rikuo, is Kazahaya's current co-worker and roommate, as well as the one who found Kazahaya lying nearly dead in the snow. Similarly to Kazahaya, his mysterious past is also centered on a woman, this one named Tsukiko. It appears that they lived together at some point, though at present the exact nature of their relationship remains unknown. Rikuo often comes across as being cold and insensitive, sometimes even sarcastic, and takes great pleasure in teasing Kazahaya. However, in spite of his nature, he is always the one who comes to Kazahaya's rescue when certain jobs go wrong. He has powers similar to telekinesis, as he can break things like cups, locks and branches.
- Kazahaya claims that he and Rikuo are the same age, meaning Rikuo is also 17. Of the two protagonists, Rikuo is much calmer and quieter, and in appearance is taller and more masculineMasculinityMasculinity is possessing qualities or characteristics considered typical of or appropriate to a man. The term can be used to describe any human, animal or object that has the quality of being masculine...
- high-school girls appear to come to the store often specifically to ask Rikuo where some random item is as an excuse to talk to the handsome boy. Rikuo has tattoos on his right shoulder and back, which has been implied to have a connection to Tsukiko. An interesting quirk about Rikuo is that he likes sweet things such as chocolate, which is considered unusual and un-masculine in Japanese society.
- The owner of the Green Drugstore, Kakei is the one who sends the two boys out on missions, usually without telling them everything first. He seems to know exactly how things will turn out due to his power of precognition, however it has been noted that this power cannot be used on someone more powerful than himself, as in the case of his failures to find Tsukiko for Rikuo.
- Kakei is a very beautiful person and has a gentle, kindly air about him. However, he is also very mysterious, and his expression often changes quickly from gentle and kindly to eerieEerieEerie was an American magazine of horror comics introduced in 1966 by Warren Publishing. Like Mad, it was a black-and-white newsstand publication in a magazine format and thus did not require the approval or seal of the Comics Code Authority. Each issue's stories were introduced by the host...
and perhaps even dangerous. He is also noted to have a cruel, and even sadistSadism and masochism as medical termsIn psychiatry, the terms sadism and masochism describe a personality type characterized by the actor or actrix deriving pleasure and gratification from inflicting physical pain and humiliation ; and from suffering pain and humiliation upon the self ; such pleasure often is sexual, but not...
ic side to his nature, although this side of his personality is mostly actualized in almost-subtle teasing.
- It turns out that the reason he opened the Drugstore is in order to protect Kazahaya and everyone he cares about.
- Saiga is often seen hanging around in the Green Drugstore - usually napping, smoking, or both. He also always wears a pair of dark sunglasses which he never seems to take off. While it is unknown whether he has any supernatural powers like the rest of the cast, it was mentioned that he is extremely good at finding things, and is currently working on helping Rikuo find Tsukiko. He is Kakei's lover and is skilled in 'domesticDomestic workerA domestic worker is a man, woman or child who works within the employer's household. Domestic workers perform a variety of household services for an individual or a family, from providing care for children and elderly dependents to cleaning and household maintenance, known as housekeeping...
' areas, such as sewing and making food.
Minor characters
- Kei is Kazahaya's sister and not much is known about her, although Kazahaya mentioned that she has "cat-like" qualities. The reason Kazahaya left her has not yet been clarified; his only explanation is a guilty, "But if we had stayed together, it would have been either you or me."
- Tsukiko is a woman from Rikuo's past who has gone missing. It is thought she may be dead as when she went missing Rikuo found her room "all splattered with blood" . Her relationship with Rikuo is unknown; he is determined to find her and is certain that she is still alive. It has been implied that Tsukiko cannot swim and that Rikuo once saved her from drowning.
- Satoru is a student at an all-boys private school. He is Vice President on the student-body government and was a victim of attempted rapeRapeRape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
.
Crossover with other CLAMP works
In the second volume of Legal Drug, Kakei purchases clothes from "Piffle Princess" for Kazahaya to give to a girl from Ohto High in exchange for her uniform. In Angelic LayerAngelic Layer
is a manga series released by Clamp. The manga is published in Japan by Kadokawa Shoten, and in English originally by Tokyopop, but has since been re-licensed by Dark Horse Comics. It is the group's first work to use a quite different art style unseen in any other CLAMP series, which uses a more...
, this was a store selling Angelic Layer merchandise and where people could practice fighting with their Angels. In Suki
Suki (manga)
, is a three volume manga by Clamp. The title literally means "I like you, that's why I like you." It was published in English by TOKYOPOP .- Plot :...
, Piffle Princess appears as Caffe Piffle Princess, a café frequented by the main characters. Piffle Princess also appears in other CLAMP works, including: Chobits
Chobits
is a Japanese manga created by the Japanese manga collective Clamp. It was published by Kodansha in Young Magazine from February 2001 to November 2002 and collected in eight bound volumes....
, xxxHolic, Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle
Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle
is a shōnen manga series written and illustrated by the manga artist group Clamp. It takes place in the same fictional universe as many of Clamp's other manga series, most notably xxxHolic. The plot follows how Sakura, the princess of the Kingdom of Clow, loses her soul and how Syaoran, a young...
, and Cardcaptor Sakura
Cardcaptor Sakura
, abbreviated as CCS and also known as Cardcaptors, is a Japanese shōjo manga series written and illustrated by the manga artist group Clamp. The manga was originally serialized monthly in Nakayoshi from the May 1996 until the June 2000 issue, and later published in 12 tankōbon volumes by Kodansha...
.
In the world in which Legal Drug occurs, Piffle Princess appears to be a popular clothing store. A dress from Piffle Princess is given to a student at also known as (The Japanese word for vomit (謳吐) is also spelled Ohto), Hinata Asahi from Suki
Suki (manga)
, is a three volume manga by Clamp. The title literally means "I like you, that's why I like you." It was published in English by TOKYOPOP .- Plot :...
; Hinata, her teacher Shiro Asou, and Ohto High all appear in Suki as well.
The Atashi character from Chobits
Chobits
is a Japanese manga created by the Japanese manga collective Clamp. It was published by Kodansha in Young Magazine from February 2001 to November 2002 and collected in eight bound volumes....
also appears, such as on a clock in the Green Drugstore.
Rikuo and Kazahaya have both appeared in xxxHolic; Watanuki is sent out to purchase a hangover remedy and enters the drugstore where the two work. He sees ghostly images around them (Tsukiko and Kei) and observes that there is some strong bond between the two. Furthermore, the High Moon Urn Yūko Ichihara has obtained in volume 5 from the "anything store" is actually the same vase retrieved by Kazahaya and Rikuo in volume 2 of Legal Drug. It can be also noted that in volume 2, Kazahaya walks through the space between a telephone pole and a wall, as does Watanuki in xxxHolic. So far, characters from xxxHolic have not appeared in Legal Drug.
The Green Drugstore and its staff have also made small appearances in Kobato
Kobato
is a manga series by Clamp which premiered in Monthly Sunday Gene-X in January 2005. Seven chapters were released under the title of , but the series was put on hiatus in late 2005. It returned to publication in Newtype magazine's November 2007 Japanese edition; the story has subsequently been...
. The Green Drugstore, Kakei, Rikuo and Kazahaya are identifiable in the background of Drop 5 and two characters who look like Rikuo and Kazahaya walk past Kobato in Exam 9.
Volume list
External links
- Legal Drug at Tokyopop's website