Yakushiji Ryoko no Kaiki Jikenbo
Encyclopedia
is a series that consist of the TV anime
, manga
and light novel
s created by Yoshiki Tanaka
and illustrated by Narumi Kakinouchi
. Two Drama CDs had also been released prior to the anime adaptation with different seiyū from the CD and the TV version.
The series centers around Ryōko Yakushiji, an elite police officer with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
who had graduated from Tokyo University
under its Law Faculty. She is involved with her subordinate Junichirō Izumida as they investigate cases that pertain to the paranormal and supernatural when and if they cannot be investigated with modern science.
As the light novels, manga, drama CDs and anime adaptation have different plots and paranormal events/creatures, their central plots are most of the time different from each other.
and a graduate of Tokyo University
's Law Faculty and a multilingual person, works with Junichirō Izumida to investigate seemingly paranormal, supernatural or bizarre events that get involved in criminal cases. Ryōko works with her colleagues and subordinates, including her rival Yukiko Muromachi, alongside JACES security forces personnel and her personal maids Lucienne and Marianne to resolve the cases before they go out of hand.
Giant Snake
Wisps
Unknown Alpha Human
Centipede Robot
Mutant Mangrove Seeds
Unknown Cricket
In combat operations, they use PASGT
ballistic helmets, gray BDUs, tactical vests and light to medium body armor. JACES personnel are armed with expandable baton sticks when they encounter unarmed people.
Its origins are traced back to the end of World War II when the Japanese Empire Security Service was established before it became JACES.
Ryojin Tadomura and heavily funded by the Government of Japan
to counter the influence of JACES in the domestic and international security market. They are known to be hired in war-torn countries after military forces are pulled back, conducting police duties in their place. JPP personnel are also hired as private security guards. JPP uses green as its color as evident in their uniforms.
During combat operations, JPP personnel are identified with green heavy body armor, anti-riot helmets and are armed with mostly Howa Type 89
assault rifles, Heckler & Koch MP5
and Minebea PM-9
submachine guns with expandable baton sticks. In normal operations, JPP personnel operate as private guards and sometimes, deploy robot droids to help them conduct searches and patrols with/for them.
, it is said to house several departments of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
that operate under secret circumstances for covert missions.
has the publication rights on the series and published all bunko
editions, but other publishers also published some volumes borrowing the rights by Kodansha.
The manga first started on July 23, 2004 under Kodansha
's seinen manga magazine Magazine Z
. It had been printed with 11 volumes released. Following the dissolution of Magazine Z, the serialization of Yakushiji Ryōko no Kaiki Jikenbo would be continued by Afternoon
.
Two spin-off manga were also created by Yoshiki Tanaka and Narumi Kakinouchi. The first was , published in one volume on June 17, 2008 by Kodansha for 600 yen. Two volumes of soon followed, published on September 23, 2009 and January 22, 2010.
. A DVD version is scheduled for release on September 26, 2008 with 3 episodes each. Other releases include October 22, December 25 of 2008 and January 21, 2009.
The series had been previously broadcasted at the BS11 Digital, Chiba TV, KBS Kyoto
, Sun TV, Tokyo MX TV
, TV Aichi
, Television Saitama
and TVK
television stations.
The opening theme is Thème principal by KATSU (angela)
. The ending themes are various throuh series: À demain sur la lune (#1,3), Ryoko 2 (#2,6), Songe d'une nuit d'été (#4,7,9,10,12), La Vie en rose (#5), Le combat (#8,11) by KATSU (angela), and Thème principal La chanson d'atsuko by atskuko
(voice) and KATSU (music).
went on a tour in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka with them telling about their experiences and their thoughts on the show.
Events was held on July 26, 2008 in Nagoya, July 27, 2008 and August 3, 2008 in Tokyo to promote the show, starring the main cast including Hitomi Nabatama and Hidenobu Kiuchi with Yoshiki Tanaka. They held screenings of Yakushiji Ryōko no Kaiki Jikenbo for those who won passes by submitting their postcards with draws held on July 4, 2008.
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
, manga
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...
and light novel
Light novel
A is a style of Japanese novel primarily targeting junior high and high school students . The term "light novel" is a wasei-eigo, or a Japanese term formed from words in the English language. Light novels are often called or for short...
s created by Yoshiki Tanaka
Yoshiki Tanaka
Dr. Yoshiki Tanaka is a Japanese novelist. He was born in Kumamoto Prefecture and took his doctorate degree in Japanese Language and Literature in the Graduate School of Gakushūin University in Tokyo....
and illustrated by Narumi Kakinouchi
Narumi Kakinouchi
is a female Japanese manga artist, animator, director, character designer, and an animation director. Some of her work has appeared in the adult manga magazine Lemon People....
. Two Drama CDs had also been released prior to the anime adaptation with different seiyū from the CD and the TV version.
The series centers around Ryōko Yakushiji, an elite police officer with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department serves as the police force for the entire Tokyo metropolis. Founded in 1874, it is headed by a superintendent general, who is appointed by the National Public Safety Commission and approved by the prime minister.The Metropolitan Police, with a staff of more...
who had graduated from Tokyo University
University of Tokyo
, abbreviated as , is a major research university located in Tokyo, Japan. The University has 10 faculties with a total of around 30,000 students, 2,100 of whom are foreign. Its five campuses are in Hongō, Komaba, Kashiwa, Shirokane and Nakano. It is considered to be the most prestigious university...
under its Law Faculty. She is involved with her subordinate Junichirō Izumida as they investigate cases that pertain to the paranormal and supernatural when and if they cannot be investigated with modern science.
As the light novels, manga, drama CDs and anime adaptation have different plots and paranormal events/creatures, their central plots are most of the time different from each other.
Plot
Ryōko Yakushiji, a Superintendent in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police DepartmentTokyo Metropolitan Police Department
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department serves as the police force for the entire Tokyo metropolis. Founded in 1874, it is headed by a superintendent general, who is appointed by the National Public Safety Commission and approved by the prime minister.The Metropolitan Police, with a staff of more...
and a graduate of Tokyo University
University of Tokyo
, abbreviated as , is a major research university located in Tokyo, Japan. The University has 10 faculties with a total of around 30,000 students, 2,100 of whom are foreign. Its five campuses are in Hongō, Komaba, Kashiwa, Shirokane and Nakano. It is considered to be the most prestigious university...
's Law Faculty and a multilingual person, works with Junichirō Izumida to investigate seemingly paranormal, supernatural or bizarre events that get involved in criminal cases. Ryōko works with her colleagues and subordinates, including her rival Yukiko Muromachi, alongside JACES security forces personnel and her personal maids Lucienne and Marianne to resolve the cases before they go out of hand.
Characters
Main
- (TV)
- (Drama CD)
- An officer in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police DepartmentTokyo Metropolitan Police DepartmentThe Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department serves as the police force for the entire Tokyo metropolis. Founded in 1874, it is headed by a superintendent general, who is appointed by the National Public Safety Commission and approved by the prime minister.The Metropolitan Police, with a staff of more...
who had graduated from Tokyo UniversityUniversity of Tokyo, abbreviated as , is a major research university located in Tokyo, Japan. The University has 10 faculties with a total of around 30,000 students, 2,100 of whom are foreign. Its five campuses are in Hongō, Komaba, Kashiwa, Shirokane and Nakano. It is considered to be the most prestigious university...
's Law Faculty, she can speak in several languages including French. Her father, Hiroko Yakushiji, is the head of the multinational security company JACES. Her rank is Superintendent and the supervisor of Junichirō Izumida. She is quite an adept fighter, be it with firearms or bare hands. Ryōko doesn't hesistate to use JACES assets if necessary to help her in her work. She is called Oryo by Yukiko. She's 27 years old.
- Her grandfather, Masamoto Yakushiji, was the founder of the Japanese Empire Security Service. She has an older sister named Kimeko Yakushiji.
- (TV)
- (Drama CD)
- A non-career police officer with the rank of Assistant Inspector, he is assigned under Ryōko Yakushiji. Unknown to him, Ryōko is infatuated with him and has tried to get his attention. Like his superior, Izumida can fight with either firearms or with bare hands and feet. He's 33 years old.
- He is also the narrator for the entire series.
- (TV)
- (Drama CD)
- A rival of Ryōko since their college days, she is also a Superintendent in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police DepartmentTokyo Metropolitan Police DepartmentThe Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department serves as the police force for the entire Tokyo metropolis. Founded in 1874, it is headed by a superintendent general, who is appointed by the National Public Safety Commission and approved by the prime minister.The Metropolitan Police, with a staff of more...
based at the Public Security BureauTokyo Metropolitan Police Department Public Security BureauThe is a bureau of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department in charge of public security with jurisdiction over Tokyo metropolis. It has a force of more than 2,000 officers....
. Her subordinate is Akira Kishimoto. Being the daughter of a former career police officer, she refuses to use her family ties to help her in her Superintendent duties. Ryōko calls her Oyuki.
- She is also 27 years old like Ryōko.
- (TV)
- (Drama CD)
- He is also an officer like Izumida with the rank of Assistant Inspector under Muromachi, but he also happens to be an anime/manga otaku and looks up to Ryōko. He's 23 years old.
Allies
- A uniformed officer in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police DepartmentTokyo Metropolitan Police DepartmentThe Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department serves as the police force for the entire Tokyo metropolis. Founded in 1874, it is headed by a superintendent general, who is appointed by the National Public Safety Commission and approved by the prime minister.The Metropolitan Police, with a staff of more...
, she is responsible for mostly handling clerical works under Ryōko.
- A colleague of Ryōko and Izumida's.
- (TV)
- (Drama CD)
- An old man who is a detective under Ryoko.
- One of Ryōko's maids from France. A blonde-haired girl, she is an expert in hacking though she can handle firearms.
- Another of Ryōko's maids from France. A short black-haired girl, she is an expert in handling all kinds of small arms.
Yakushiji Family
- Older sister of Ryoko. Ryōko calls her Okinu. She's 29 years old.
- Father of Ryoko and Kinuko. Nothing is known about him, except that he is the head of the JACES security company.
- The main founder of the Japanese Empire Security Service, known as JACES, and grandfather of Kinuko and Ryoko Yakushiji.
Antagonists
- A woman who has influence within Shiba. She appears to know Ryoko on a personal basis. She is also the true head of the Japan Private Police. Ruriko is seemingly ageless, having been alive after through World War II and was a co-founder of the Japanese Empire Security Service with Ryoko's grandfather Masamoto Yakushiji before she diverged and created JPP originally with the intent of reestablishing a "true" Japanese military using a security company as a cover.
- An aide to Ryoko in JACES, he is also a double agent working on behalf of JPP.
Others
- Merely a perfect copy of the original Ryōko Yakushiji after failing Hangon and modern cloning procedures twice, she was being used by Ruriko as a means of taking control of JACES from the entire Yakushiji family. Over time, Monami decides to join with Ryōko due to her feelings for Junichiro. Her name (given by Lucienne, Marianne, Junichirō and Ryōko) means "My friend" .
- At the end of the series, she was seen placed under Ryōko's custody and even has Marianne and Lucienne keep an eye on her.
Rogues
The following are rogues monsters/creatures that have appeared in the anime:Giant Snake
- Making its appearance in the Babylon building in GinzaGinzais a district of Chūō, Tokyo, located south of Yaesu and Kyōbashi, west of Tsukiji, east of Yūrakuchō and Uchisaiwaichō, and north of Shinbashi.It is known as an upscale area of Tokyo with numerous department stores, boutiques, restaurants and coffeehouses. Ginza is recognized as one of the most...
, it was created as a result of ingesting various growth hormones. It died when the building was destroyed in an explosion.
Wisps
- It's not known how they appeared, but they had apparently showed up in the digital copies of the journalists' cameras.
Unknown Alpha Human
- Created as a result of combining human sperm/egg cells with DNA from an unknown prehistoric human, it resulted in the creation of a monstrous alpha human that killed several yakuza assassins before it would die of rapid cell degeneration.
Centipede Robot
- A counter-terrorist robot created by the JPP, it went rogue after a traffic accident result in an altercation of its defense systems that recognizes anyone with a dangerous object as an enemy. Ryoko defeats it by shooting its main sensor. It was later used by the JPP as a means of eliminating Ryoko and Junichiro.
Mutant Mangrove Seeds
- Said to be caused by secret experiments of JPP scientists, they were able to possess Ryojin Tadomura and a faction of the JPP before Marianne destroys the mutant mangrove tree with napalm grenades.
Unknown Cricket
- Discovered by an unknown person, this species has the ability to resonate sound waves that are equal or greater than the sound waves on cellphones. This results in making people commit suicide when they use their cellphones at the same time the crickets resonate the said sound waves at the same time.
JACES
Owned by the Yakushiji family, it's a security company that ex-police officers both enlisted and high-ranking are employed into after their retirement. JACES is well-known as one of Asia's best security companies. Its personnel use gray for their uniform color.In combat operations, they use PASGT
Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops
Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops, sometimes abbreviated to PASGT, was a combat helmet and ballistic vest used by the American military from the mid 1980s until 2005, when the system was succeeded by the Lightweight Helmet, Modular Integrated Communications Helmet, and Interceptor body...
ballistic helmets, gray BDUs, tactical vests and light to medium body armor. JACES personnel are armed with expandable baton sticks when they encounter unarmed people.
Its origins are traced back to the end of World War II when the Japanese Empire Security Service was established before it became JACES.
Japan Private Police
Known as the , it was founded by ex-Diet memberDiet of Japan
The is Japan's bicameral legislature. It is composed of a lower house, called the House of Representatives, and an upper house, called the House of Councillors. Both houses of the Diet are directly elected under a parallel voting system. In addition to passing laws, the Diet is formally...
Ryojin Tadomura and heavily funded by the Government of Japan
Government of Japan
The government of Japan is a constitutional monarchy where the power of the Emperor is very limited. As a ceremonial figurehead, he is defined by the 1947 constitution as "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people". Power is held chiefly by the Prime Minister of Japan and other elected...
to counter the influence of JACES in the domestic and international security market. They are known to be hired in war-torn countries after military forces are pulled back, conducting police duties in their place. JPP personnel are also hired as private security guards. JPP uses green as its color as evident in their uniforms.
During combat operations, JPP personnel are identified with green heavy body armor, anti-riot helmets and are armed with mostly Howa Type 89
Howa Type 89
The , referred to as the , is a Japanese assault rifle used by the Japan Self-Defense Forces, the Japan Coast Guard's Special Security Team units, and the Special Assault Team. It was never exported outside of Japan due to its strict anti-hardware export laws...
assault rifles, Heckler & Koch MP5
Heckler & Koch MP5
The Heckler & Koch MP5 is a 9mm submachine gun of German design, developed in the 1960s by a team of engineers from the German small arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH of Oberndorf am Neckar....
and Minebea PM-9
Minebea PM-9
The Minebea PM-9 Submachine Gun, known officially in the Japan Self-Defense Forces as the or as the M9, is a Japanese-made machine pistol...
submachine guns with expandable baton sticks. In normal operations, JPP personnel operate as private guards and sometimes, deploy robot droids to help them conduct searches and patrols with/for them.
Shiba
Located in the Greater Tokyo AreaGreater Tokyo Area
The Greater Tokyo Area is a large metropolitan area in Kantō region, Japan, consisting of most of the prefectures of Chiba, Kanagawa, Saitama, and Tokyo . In Japanese, it is referred to by various terms, including the , , and others....
, it is said to house several departments of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department serves as the police force for the entire Tokyo metropolis. Founded in 1874, it is headed by a superintendent general, who is appointed by the National Public Safety Commission and approved by the prime minister.The Metropolitan Police, with a staff of more...
that operate under secret circumstances for covert missions.
Light Novel
The light novel series had first started in 1996 with 8 volumes in circulation. KodanshaKodansha
, the largest Japanese publisher, produces the manga magazines Nakayoshi, Afternoon, Evening, and Weekly Shonen Magazine, as well as more literary magazines such as Gunzō, Shūkan Gendai, and the Japanese dictionary Nihongo Daijiten. The company has its headquarters in Bunkyō, Tokyo...
has the publication rights on the series and published all bunko
Bunko
Bunko may refer to:* Bunko library, a Japanese private library for children* Bunkobon, a Japanese book format* Bunko Kanazawa, a Japanese adult film actress* Bunco , a parlor game played in teams with three dice...
editions, but other publishers also published some volumes borrowing the rights by Kodansha.
Drama CD
Two drama CDs were put on the market by Avex in 1999 (Tokyo Nightmare) and 2001 (Matenrō). The cast was different from the later anime version.Manga
Kodansha
, the largest Japanese publisher, produces the manga magazines Nakayoshi, Afternoon, Evening, and Weekly Shonen Magazine, as well as more literary magazines such as Gunzō, Shūkan Gendai, and the Japanese dictionary Nihongo Daijiten. The company has its headquarters in Bunkyō, Tokyo...
's seinen manga magazine Magazine Z
Magazine Z
was a Japanese seinen mixed-media magazine published by Kodansha, aimed at teenage males and above, but particularly at hardcore anime and manga fans, featuring articles as well as manga tied into popular franchises. Original manga were also featured in the magazine.It was announced in September...
. It had been printed with 11 volumes released. Following the dissolution of Magazine Z, the serialization of Yakushiji Ryōko no Kaiki Jikenbo would be continued by Afternoon
Afternoon (magazine)
is a Japanese seinen manga magazine published by Kodansha. It is a monthly anthology, and each issue typically has around thirty ongoing stories by various authors and runs about 800 pages...
.
Two spin-off manga were also created by Yoshiki Tanaka and Narumi Kakinouchi. The first was , published in one volume on June 17, 2008 by Kodansha for 600 yen. Two volumes of soon followed, published on September 23, 2009 and January 22, 2010.
Anime
An anime version of Yakushiji Ryōko no Kaiki Jikenbo had aired on July 5, 2008 with 13 episodes broadcasted, with animation done by Dogakobo StudiosDogakobo
is a Japanese animation studio located in Nerima, Tokyo, Japan. The studio was established on July 11, 1973 and has been involved in the production of a large amount of anime over the years.-Anime involved with:*Aria the Animation: 2nd Key Animation...
. A DVD version is scheduled for release on September 26, 2008 with 3 episodes each. Other releases include October 22, December 25 of 2008 and January 21, 2009.
The series had been previously broadcasted at the BS11 Digital, Chiba TV, KBS Kyoto
Kyoto Broadcasting System
is a commercial broadcasting station headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. It is doing business in Kyoto Prefecture as and in Shiga Prefecture as Its radio station serves Kyoto and Shiga Prefectures and is a member of National Radio Network . Its television station serves Kyoto Prefecture and is a...
, Sun TV, Tokyo MX TV
Tokyo Metropolitan Television
thumb|Tokyo Metropolitan Television old headquarters : Telecom Center Building is the only commercial television station in Tokyo, Japan that exclusively serves the city. It competes with Nippon Television, TV Asahi, Tokyo Broadcasting System, TV Tokyo, and Fuji Television, all of which are...
, TV Aichi
Aichi Television Broadcasting
Aichi Television Broadcasting Co., Ltd. is a TV station in Nagoya. It is known as "TV Aichi"...
, Television Saitama
Television Saitama
abbreviated TVS, doing business as is a Japanese fee-free terrestrial commercial television broadcasting company headquartered in Urawa-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Its intended coverage is Saitama Prefecture but with some spill-overs in surrounding prefectures...
and TVK
Television Kanagawa
is an independent television station in Japan serving Kanagawa Prefecture and parts of the Greater Tokyo Area with favorable reception. The station was founded on April 20, 1971 and began broadcasting on April 1, 1972...
television stations.
The opening theme is Thème principal by KATSU (angela)
Angela (band)
Angela is a Japanese pop band that's best known for theme songs of anime television shows. The main members are atsuko and KATSU. Their signature upbeat tunes and rich arrangements is a dazzling mix of electronica, dance, rock, swing jazz and ska...
. The ending themes are various throuh series: À demain sur la lune (#1,3), Ryoko 2 (#2,6), Songe d'une nuit d'été (#4,7,9,10,12), La Vie en rose (#5), Le combat (#8,11) by KATSU (angela), and Thème principal La chanson d'atsuko by atskuko
Angela (band)
Angela is a Japanese pop band that's best known for theme songs of anime television shows. The main members are atsuko and KATSU. Their signature upbeat tunes and rich arrangements is a dazzling mix of electronica, dance, rock, swing jazz and ska...
(voice) and KATSU (music).
OST
A BGM OST, Volume 1 with music from the show was released on June 4, 2008 with 8 tracks. The second volume had been released on August 6, 2008 with 17 tracks with a third OST on September 10, 2008 with 13 tracks. All three OSTs have the title Le recueil des faits improbables de Ryōko Yakushiji, which is the show's title in French, and the most of composition are also named in French.Development
Announcements regarding the animation of Yakushiji Ryōko no Kaiki Jikenbo came in 2007 regarding its adaptation for television for 2008.Promotion
To promote the show, the cast and Yoshiki TanakaYoshiki Tanaka
Dr. Yoshiki Tanaka is a Japanese novelist. He was born in Kumamoto Prefecture and took his doctorate degree in Japanese Language and Literature in the Graduate School of Gakushūin University in Tokyo....
went on a tour in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka with them telling about their experiences and their thoughts on the show.
Events was held on July 26, 2008 in Nagoya, July 27, 2008 and August 3, 2008 in Tokyo to promote the show, starring the main cast including Hitomi Nabatama and Hidenobu Kiuchi with Yoshiki Tanaka. They held screenings of Yakushiji Ryōko no Kaiki Jikenbo for those who won passes by submitting their postcards with draws held on July 4, 2008.