Ikki Tousen

Ikki Tousen(Japanese:Nhất kỵ đương thiên,Hepburn:Ikkitōsen,lit. "A Mighty Knight Who Matches a Thousand Knights" ),also known asBattle Vixensin North America, is a Japanesemangaseries written and illustrated byYūji Shiozaki.Loosely based on the classic 14th century Chinese novelRomance of the Three Kingdoms,the series revolves around an all-out turf war in theKantō regionof Japan where fighters known asTōshi(Đấu sĩ,meaning "fighting soldier" )from seven schools battle for supremacy. The story centers on Hakufu Sonsaku, a fighter who transfers to Nanyo Academy, one of the seven schools involved in the turf war.

Ikki Tousen
The first volume ofIkki Tousenreleased byWani Booksin October 2000 featuring Hakufu Sonsaku
Nhất kỵ đương thiên (Ikkitōsen)
Genre	Martial arts
Manga
Written by	Yuji Shiozaki
Published by	Wani Books
English publisher	AUS:Madman Entertainment NA:Tokyopop UK:Tokyopop
Magazine	Comic Gum
Demographic	Seinen
Original run	April 26, 2000–August 26, 2015
Volumes	24
Further information Anime television series Ikki Tousen: Battle Vixens Directed by Takashi Watanabe Produced by Nobuhiro Oosawa Yuuji Matsukura Written by Takao Yoshioka Music by Hiroshi Motokura Project IKKI Studio J.C.Staff Licensed by AUS:Madman Entertainment NA:Crunchyroll UK:MVM Entertainment Original network AT-X,TVK,Mie TV,Chiba TV,TV Saitama,SUN Original run July 30, 2003–October 22, 2003 Episodes 13 Anime television series Ikki Tousen: Dragon Destiny Directed by Koichi Ohata Produced by Osamu Koshinaka Shinsaku Tanaka Takurou Hatakeyama Keiji Hamada (#1–5) Yoshikazu Beniya (#6–12) Written by Takao Yoshioka Music by Yasuharu Takanashi Studio Arms Corporation Licensed by AUS:Madman Entertainment NA:Anime Works UK:MVM Films Original network AT-X, Chiba TV,KBS Kyoto,TVK,Tokyo MX,SUN,TV Aichi,TV Saitama Original run February 26, 2007–May 14, 2007 Episodes 12 Video game Ikki Tousen: Shining Dragon Developer Idea Factory Publisher Marvelous Entertainment Genre Fighting Platform PlayStation 2 Released July 26, 2007 Anime television series Ikki Tousen: Great Guardians Directed by Koichi Ohata Produced by Hisato Usui Shinsaku Tanaka Osamu Koshinaka Takurou Hatakeyama Yasuhiro Mikami Written by Masanao Akahoshi Music by Yasuharu Takanashi Studio Arms Corporation Licensed by AUS:Madman Entertainment NA:Crunchyroll UK:MVM Films Original network AT-X, Chiba TV, TV Saitama, TV Aichi, TVK, SUN, Tokyo MX Original run June 11, 2008–August 27, 2008 Episodes 12 Video game Ikki Tousen: Eloquent Fist Developer Tamsoft Publisher Marvelous Entertainment Genre Fighting Platform PlayStation Portable Released October 2, 2008 Video game Ikki Tousen: Xross Impact Developer Tamsoft Publisher Marvelous Entertainment Genre Fighting Platform PlayStation Portable Released April 28, 2010 Anime television series Ikki Tousen: Xtreme Xecutor Directed by Koichi Ohata Produced by Hiromasa Minami Hisato Usui Keisuke Kawai Shinsaku Tanaka Takurou Hatakeyama Written by Koichi Ohata Music by Yasuharu Takanashi Studio TNK Licensed by AUS:Madman Entertainment NA:Crunchyroll UK:MVM Films Original network AT-X, Chiba TV, TVK, TV Saitama, Tokyo MX, TV Aichi, SUN Original run March 26, 2010–June 11, 2010 Episodes 12 Original video animation Ikki Tousen: Shūgaku Tōshi Keppu-roku Directed by Rion Kujo Produced by Takurou Hatakeyama Shinsaku Tanaka Hisato Usui Tetsuya Tsuchihashi Written by Hideyuki Kurata Music by Yasuharu Takanashi Studio Arms Licensed by AUS:Madman Entertainment NA:Crunchyroll UK:MVM Films Released November 12, 2011 Runtime 43 minutes Original video animation Ikki Tousen: Extravaganza Epoch Directed by Masashi Kudou Produced by Shinsaku Tanaka Hisato Usui Tetsuya Tsuchihashi Written by Masahiro Ookubo Music by Yasuharu Takanashi Studio Arms Released December 21, 2014–December 28, 2014 Runtime 30 minutes Episodes 2 Manga Shin Ikki Tousen Written by Yuji Shiozaki Published by Shōnen Gahōsha Magazine Young King OURs (November 30, 2015 – June 28, 2024) Young King Bull (August 19, 2024 – present) Demographic Seinen Original run November 30, 2015– present Volumes 5 Original video animation Ikki Tousen: Western Wolves Directed by Takashi Watanabe Mitsutoshi Satou Produced by Harutaka Ashitate Yuuichi Izumi Satoshi Motonaga Takeaki Hishiyama Masato Suzuki (1) Emi Kashimura (2–3) Noritomo Isogai (2–3) Written by Masaya Honda Music by Yasuharu Takanashi Studio Arms Released January 3, 2019–February 27, 2019 Runtime 27 minutes Episodes 3 Anime television series Shin Ikki Tousen Directed by Rion Kujo Produced by Noritomo Isogai Yuuichi Izumi Osamu Koshinaka Satoshi Motonaga Yuushi Ika Reon Hirano Takuya Abe Written by Masaya Honda Music by Yasuharu Takanashi Studio Arms Original network AT-X Original run May 17, 2022–May 31, 2022 Episodes 3

The manga was serialized in theseinen mangamagazineComic Gumfrom April 2000 to August 2015. The series was collected in 24tankōbonvolumes released between October 2000 and September 2015. The manga was licensed in North America and the United Kingdom byTokyopop,with adaptation fromKeith Giffenunder the titleBattle Vixens;and in Australia and New Zealand byMadman Entertainment.

The original manga has inspired fouranimetelevision series and threeOVAs.A 13-episode adaptation animated byJ.C.Staffaired between July and October 2003, onAT-Xand other channels. It would be followed by a second 12-episode season, subtitledDragon Destiny,which was animated byArmsand aired on AT-X between February and May 2007. The third and fourth anime series,Great GuardiansandXtreme Xecutor,would deviate from the manga's plot and feature original storylines and new characters. The third season was animated by Arms, and aired on AT-X between June and August 2008; while the fourth anime season was animated byTNK,and aired on AT-X and other channels between March and June 2010; both spanning 12 episodes. The first OVA,Shūgaku Tōshi Keppu-roku,would be released in Japanese theaters on November 12, 2011.The second, two-episode OVA subtitledExtravaganza Epochwas released between December 21, and 28, 2014. A 3-episode OVA,Western Wolves,was released between January and February 2019.

The first anime season was initially licensed in North America byGeneon Entertainment.After Geneon withdrew from the anime market, the season would be re-licensed byFunimation.The second and third seasons were licensed in North America byMedia Blasters.Funimation would later re-licensed the third season,while acquiring the fourth.

A sequel manga titledShin Ikki Tousenbegan serialization inShōnen Gahōsha'sYoung King OURsmagazine in November 2015. A three-episodeanime adaptation,once again animated by Arms, aired on AT-X in May 2022.

Synopsis

Hakufu Sonsaku and Shimei Ryomou, as depicted in the first anime adaptation

Main article:List of Ikki Tousen characters

In the Kantō region of Japan, seven high schools compete in a turf war for territorial supremacy: Nanyo Academy, Kyosho Academy, Seito Academy, Yoshu Academy, Rakuyo High School, Gogun High School, and Yoshu Private School. The fighters of each school bear the sacred jewels calledmagatama,which contains the essence of warriors from the Three Kingdoms era of Ancient China 1800 years ago, as well as their fates.

Hakufu Sonsaku,the descendant of legendary conquerorSun Ce,is a highly skilled fighter with a strong sense of personality who goes to Nanyo Academy where her cousinKoukin Shuuyuattends under her mother's request. Her destiny, as with her predecessor, was to conquer all of the schools. But there is a darker and more dangerous side to her fate, one that may change the entire course of history forever.

Media

Manga

Main article:List of Ikki Tousen chapters

Ikki Tousenbegan serialization in theseinen mangamagazineComic GUM.The firstbound volumewas published byWani Booksin October 2000,with a total of 24 volumes available as of September 25, 2015.The manga was licensed in North America and the United Kingdom byTokyopopunder the title ofBattle Vixens,and sold fifteen volumes between April 6, 2004 and April 27, 2010. The manga is also licensed in Australia and New Zealand byMadman Entertainment,in France byPanini Comics,in Argentina and Spain byEditorial Ivrea,in Germany byCarlsen Comics(under the title ofDragon Girls), in Taiwan bySharp Point Press,in Brazil by Nova Sampa.

In October 2015,Shōnen Gahōshaannounced that the sequelShin Ikki Tousenwould be serialized inYoung King OURsmagazine starting in its January 2016 issue released on November 30, 2015.

Anime

Main article:List of Ikki Tousen episodes

Television series

2003

A 13-episode anime adaptation ofIkki Tousenanimated byJ.C.Staffand directed byTakashi Watanabeaired onAT-Xfrom July 30, 2003 and October 22, 2003, with subsequent runs onTV Kanagawa,Mie TV,Chiba TV,TV Saitama,andSun Television.The opening theme for the first season is "Drivin' Through The Night" byM.o.v.ewhile the ending theme is "Let me be with you" by Shela.

Seven DVD volumes were released byMedia Factorybetween November 22, 2003 and May 25, 2004.A DVD box set was later released on January 25, 2008,and aBlu-raybox set was later released on April 27, 2011.

The series was licensed in North America byGeneon Entertainment,who released the series on four DVD volumes between August 10, 2004 and March 1, 2005. The English dub was produced byNew Generation PicturesinLos Angeles, California.A box set was later released on July 19, 2005 by Geneon. The series is now licensed byFunimationafter Geneon closed its doors to the North American market,and released a box set of the series on May 26, 2009. The series is also licensed in Australia and New Zealand byMadman Entertainment,and in the United Kingdom byMVM Films.

Dragon Destiny

A second season, calledIkki Tousen: Dragon Destiny(Nhất kỵ đương thiên Dragon Destiny,Ikkitōsen Doragon Desutinī),animated byArmsand directed byKoichi Ohata,aired 12 episodes on AT-X from February 26, 2007 to May 14, 2007, with subsequent broadcasts onChiba TV,KBS Kyoto,TV Kanagawa,Tokyo MX,Sun Television,TV Aichi,andTV Saitama.The opening theme forDragon Destinyis "HEART&SOUL" by Mai Kariyuki while the ending theme is "Glass Flower"(Tiêu tử の hoa,Garasu no Hana)by IORI.

Six DVD volumes were released byMedia Factorybetween July 25 and November 22, 2007,each volume containing anoriginal video animationtitledDragon Destiny: Great Battle at the Red Cliffs Hot Springs(Dragon Destiny xích bích ôn tuyền đại quyết chiến,Doragon Desutinī: Sekiheki Onsen Dai Kessen),featuring the female cast in ahot springsetting. A DVD boxset was later released on December 22, 2009.

The anime is licensed in North America byMedia Blasters,who released the series on three DVD volumes between November 24, 2009 and April 20, 2010. Unlike the first season, the English dub forDragon Destinywas recorded at Headline Studios inIrvington, New York.A box set was later released on August 31, 2010. The anime is also licensed in Australia by Madman Entertainment, as with the first season. However, due to the series' violent and sexual scenes, the Office of Film and Literature Classification bannedIkki Tousen: Dragon Destinyin New Zealand.

Great Guardians

A third season,Ikki Tousen: Great Guardians(Nhất kỵ đương thiên Great Guardians,Ikkitōsen Gurēto Gādianzu),animated by Arms and directed by Koichi Ohata, aired 12 episodes on AT-X from June 11, 2008 to August 27, 2008, with subsequent broadcasts onChiba TV,TV Saitama,TV Aichi,TV Kanagawa,Sun Television,andTokyo MX.The series focuses on an original storyline featuring new characters; such as Shokyo, Hakufu's younger sister and the Japanese counterpart ofXiao Qiao,and "another" Genpou Saji as an antagonist. The opening theme forGreat Guardiansis "No x limit" by Ami, while the ending theme is "Kage: Shape of Shadow"(Ảnh ～shape of shadow～)by Rio Asaba.

Six DVD compilation volumes were released by Media Factory between September 25, 2008 and February 25, 2009,each volume containing anoriginal video animationtitledBattle Tour Club: Sexy Cosplay♥Dangerous Jobs♥(バトルツアークラブ･セクシーコスプレ♥ nguy 険なアルバイト♥).A DVD box set was released on March 25, 2010.

The series was also licensed byMedia Blasters,as with the second season,and was scheduled to be released in a complete box set on March 31, 2012.The series was originally planned to be released in two half-series sets on August 30, 2011 and October 25, 2011, respectively, prior to its rescheduled date. Media Blasters later announced on February 3, 2012 that the North American release ofGreat Guardianswas placed on an indefinite hold.AtAnime Expo2012, Funimation announced that they had acquired the licensing rights toGreat Guardians.Funimation released the DVD box-set ofGreat Guardianson December 31, 2013. The English dub for the third season was once again produced byNew Generation Pictureswhom not only recorded the original voice actors in California, but also managed to get several voice actors fromDragon Destinyto record in New York atDuArt Film and Video.On January 3, 2014,Madman Entertainmenthad release the series on Blu-ray on March 19, 2014.

Xtreme Xecutor

A fourth season, calledIkki Tousen: Xtreme Xecutor(Nhất kỵ đương thiên XTREME XECUTOR,Ikkitōsen Ekustorīmu Eguzekutā),was announced. Animated byTNKand directed by Koichi Ohata, the series aired twelve episodes onAT-Xbetween March 26 and June 11, 2010, with subsequent broadcasts onChiba TV,TV Kanagawa,TV Saitama,Tokyo MX,TV Aichi,andSun Television.The series introduces two new schools,Nanban High SchoolandRyoshu Academy,and introduces Kentei, the Japanese counterpart ofEmperor Xian,as an antagonist. The opening theme forXtreme Xecutoris "Stargazer" by Yuka Masuda ofAKB48while the ending theme is "Endless Soul: Endless Warrior"(Endless Soul 〜 chung わりなき chiến sĩ,Endless Soul ~Owarinaki Senshi)byMasumi AsanoandAya Endo,the voices of Hakufu Sonsaku and Bachou Mouki, respectively.

Six DVD and Blu-ray volumes were released byMedia Factorybetween June 25 and November 25, 2010.The DVD/BDs contains anoriginal video animationcalledIkki Tousen: Xtreme Xecutor—A Dream's Six Views(Nhất kỵ đương thiên XTREME XECUTOR 〜ユメ lục cảnh 〜).

At Anime Expo 2012, Funimation announced that they had also acquired the licensing rights toXtreme XecutoralongsideGreat Guardians.Funimation released the DVD box-set of Xtreme Xecutor on March 11, 2014 in North America.As with the third season, the English dub was produced by bothNew Generation PicturesandDuArt Film and Videoin California and New York, respectively.

OVAs

Anoriginal video animation,titledIkki Tousen: Shūgaku Tōshi Keppu-roku(Nhất kỵ đương thiên tập ngạc đấu sĩ huyết phong lục)was announced by Media Factory, and a promotional video was posted on their YouTube channel.The OVA was released in Japanese theaters on November 12, 2011.It was later released on DVD andBlu-rayon February 22, 2012 byMedia Factory.The opening theme for the OVA is "FATE ～on the way～" by MAI & AMI. Funimation included the OVA as part of theirXtreme XecutorDVD Box Set in North America.

A 3-episode OVA titledIkki Tousen: Western Wolveswas released between January 3, 2019 to February 27, 2019.The anime's director is Takashi Watanabe, while Masaya Honda returns as series composition.

Shin Ikki Tousen

An anime television series adaptation ofShin Ikki Tousenwas announced on July 2, 2021.The series is produced by Arms, directed by Rion Kujo, from scripts written by Masaya Honda, with character designs by Rin-Sin and Tsutomu Miyazawa, while featuring music composed byYasuharu Takanashi.

The series ran for three episodes, and aired on AT-X from May 17 to 31, 2022.The series theme song was "Proud Stars" byKonomi Suzuki.

Internet radio show

Aninternet radioshow promoting theDragon Destinyanime titledIkki Tousen DDR: Dragon Destiny Radio(Nhất kỵ đương thiên DDR 〜Dragon Destiny Radio〜)was produced byMedia Factoryand aired on MediaFac Radio starting November 25, 2006 and aired 31 episodes.The show was hosted byMasumi AsanoandHitomi Nabatame,the voices of Hakufu and Kanu, respectively. A CD of the radio show was released by Media Factory on June 27, 2007.

Another radio show promotingGreat GuardianscalledIkki Tousen GGR: Great Guardians Radio(Nhất kỵ đương thiên GGR 〜Great Guardians Radio〜),also produced by Media Factory, aired on MediaFac Radio between March 26, 2008 and March 2009, spanning 23 episodes.Masumi Asano and Hitomi Nabatame reprise their host roles as Hakufu and Kanu. A CD of the show was released by Media Factory on March 25, 2009.

A radio show promotingXtreme XecutorcalledIkki Tousen XXR: Xtreme Xecutor Radio(Nhất kỵ đương thiên XXR 〜XTREME XECUTOR RADIO〜)aired on HiBiKi Radio Station between December 25, 2009 and December 3, 2010, spanning 41 episodes. Like the last two radio shows, the show was hosted by Masumi Asano and Hitomi Nabatame reprising their respective roles as Hakufu and Kanu.

Video games

A video game of the series,Ikki Tousen: Shining Dragon(Nhất kỵ đương thiên Shining Dragon,Ikkitōsen Shainingu Doragon),was developed byIdea Factoryand released for thePlayStation 2in Japan on July 26, 2007 byMarvelous Entertainment.The game has an original storyline with Hakufu, Ryomou, and Kanu as the main playable characters. The game introduces a new character named Chousen, the Japanese counterpart ofDiao Chan.Along with Hakufu, Ryomou, and Kanu, Ryubi, Ukitsu, Chouhi, Choun, Ryofu, and Kakoen also appear as playable characters, with Shuyu appearing as an extra character in Hakufu and Ryomou's story arcs respectively. The game's international release was completed by 2008 but formally cancelled by the distributor in May 2009, with the M rating being listed as the most damaging factor.

A second video game,Ikki Tousen: Eloquent Fist(Nhất kỵ đương thiên Eloquent Fist,Ikkitōsen Erokuento Fisuto),was developed byTamsoftfor thePlayStation Portableand released on October 2, 2008 by Marvelous Entertainment. The game is a hybrid between fighting and adventure, and it features 15Ikki Tousenheroines and a new character named Kanpei, the Japanese counterpart ofGuan Pingand the protagonist of the game.New characters include Sousou (Berserk Dragon Ruler Mode), Teni, Shokatsuryo, Ryubi, Saji, and Ouin, along with EX-Hakufu (Berserk Dragon Ruler Mode) and EX-Ryubi (whom technically is the non-Berserk Dragon Mode (as the Berserk Mode was a playable character in the first game)) (Shining Dragon).Eloquent Fistomits the presence of Ukitsu, and new finishing maneuvers and altered movesets have either been buffed, or have been nerfed.

A third installment based on theXtreme Xecutoranime, calledIkki Tousen: Xross Impact(Nhất kỵ đương thiên XROSS IMPACT,Ikkitōsen Kurosu Inpakuto),was developed byTamsoftfor the PlayStation Portable and released on April 28, 2010 in Japan. It features a new character named Ato, the Japanese counterpart ofLiu Shanalong with the return of Ukitsu as a playable character, and Chinkyu, Bashoku, Kyocho, and Shibai are added as playable characters. The game adds a "Super Arts" bar, tag-team battles and combos, and the addition of the alternate striker system. The gameplay was also revamped to include an aerial pursuit rave and a Finishing Screen.

The characters Sonsaku, Kan'u and Ryofu made a DLC playable guest appearance inSenran Kagura: Estival Versus.However, due to a temporary licensing issue, these characters did not appear in the Western version of the game, until it was announced to be released along with the PC version of the game in March 2017.

The mobile gameIkki Tousen: Extra Burstwas released in 2020 by Marvelous as a special project celebrating the 20th anniversary of theIkki Tousenseries.

See also

• Video games portal

External links

• Comic Gum page(in Japanese)
• Tokyopop page
• Ikki Tousen(manga) atAnime News Network's encyclopedia

TV series/OVA

• Official anime website(Archived2020-12-02 at theWayback Machine)(in Japanese)
• J.C.Staff page(in Japanese)
• Arms Corporation page:ITDD,ITGG,ITSTK
• Geneon Entertainment page
• Ikki TousenatFunimation Entertainment
• Ikki TousenatMVM Films
• Ikki TousenatMadman Entertainment
• Media Blasterspage:IT,ITDD
• Ikki TousenatEnoki FilmsUSA
• Genco page:IT,ITDD,ITGG,ITXX

Video games

• OfficialIkki Tousen: Shining Dragonwebsite(in Japanese)
• OfficialIkki Tousen: Eloquent Fistwebsite(in Japanese)
• OfficialIkki Tousen: Xross Impactwebsite(in Japanese)
• Ikki Tousen Extra Burst website(in Japanese)