FINISHED
The Twelve Kingdoms
45 Episodes
25 min each
SPRING 2002
Synopsis
Nakajima Youko is your average somewhat timid high school student. One day, a strange man named Keiki appears before her, swearing allegiance. Before she could properly register what was happening, demon-like creatures attack Youko and her friends, after which they are pulled into a different world. A world unlike what she has ever known. Separated from Keiki, Youko and her friends must do whatever they can if they wish to survive in this new world.
Action
Adventure
Fantasy
Supernatural
Format
Unknown
Episodes
45
Per Episode
25 min
Source
Unknown
Episodes
45 / 45 Episodes
1
Episode 1
Shadow of the Moon, The Sea of Shadow - Chapter 1
Haunted by a recurring nightmare, timid, red-haired Youko feels like an outcast, then becomes one after the stranger Keiki appears and swears fealty to her before she is carried off by a winged creature to another world.
2
Episode 2
Shadow of the Moon, The Sea of Shadow - Chapter 2
Youko, captured and on her way for judgement as an evil kaikyaku from the sea, meets up with classmates Yuka and Asano, who were also transported here but separated during a demon attack.
3
Episode 3
Shadow of the Moon, The Sea of Shadow – Chapter 3
Attacked on their way for judgement, Youko uses the mystical sword Keiki gave her. Escaping, the three are befriended by a native woman who feeds and clothes them, then offers them work in another town. On the way Youko has another vision.
4
Episode 4
Shadow of the Moon, The Sea of Shadow - Chapter 4
Takki, their apparent saviour, has less innocent plans for Youko and Yuka than getting them work in an inn. While they make their escape, Asano meets another kaikyaku (people from our world), an old man who arrived before the end of WW2.
5
Episode 5
Shadow of the Moon, The Sea of Shadow - Chapter 5
Yuka believes herself to be the chosen one instead of Youko, and takes up with the kirin Kourin. After Youko and Asano are separated, she tries to kill Youko, but injures her instead.
6
Episode 6
Shadow of the Moon, The Sea of Shadow – Chapter 6
Rescued by the rat half-beast Rakushun, Youko recovers and Rakushun tells her about the world of the 12 Kingdoms. Together they head for En, where they will be more kindly treated. Yuka is betrayed.
7
Episode 7
Shadow of the Moon, The Sea of Shadow – Chapter 7
Youko saves her travelling companions, but Rakushun is hurt. Youko takes up with the entertainers she'd met previously, as their guard. They arrive at the port for her to take ship to En, but it's full of officials looking for her.
8
Episode 8
Shadow of the Moon, The Sea of Shadow – Chapter 8
King Kou changes Yuka's appearance so she can fight Youko without being recognised - then sends bird demons to do the job when the two young women are on board ship. A larger demon fights the birds, and Yuka changes back to merely human.
9
Episode 9
Shadow of the Moon, The Sea of Shadow – Chapter 9
Youko and Rakushun are reunited, and go to see a kaikyaku teacher who, with Rakushun, explains more about the world. Youko's fate is uncovered. Fighting invading youmo, she meets King En.
10
Episode 10
Shadow of the Moon, The Sea of Shadow – Chapter 10
King En takes Youko and Rakushun to his palace, where more explanations of how the royal system works are given. At the same time Yuka is being similarly educated by the kaikyaku teacher. Youko has important decisions to make.
11
Episode 11
Shadow of the Moon, The Sea of Shadow – Chapter 11
En's minister explains to Youko and Rakushun Enki's story, and how he came to choose the King of En.
12
Episode 12
Shadow of the Moon, The Sea of Shadow – Chapter 12
Finding out about the last queen of Kei, Youko doubts her own ability to rule wisely. Yuka finally finds out how King Kou has used and betrayed her, and stops fighting against Youko.
13
Episode 13
Shadow of the Moon, The Sea of Shadow – Last Chapter
King Kou defeats himself: King En and Youko rout the false queen of Kei and Youko, reluctantly, agrees to take her rightful place. Keiki restores Yuka to Japan, where she finds a strange boy whose art looks like a map of the 12 kingdoms.
14
Episode 14
Shadow of the Moon, The Sea of Shadow – Transition Chapter
Rakushun instructs Youko in the history of the world in which she is to play such an important role, and summarises the story so far.
15
Episode 15
The Sea of Wind, The Shore of The Maze – Chapter 1
Keiki and Youko travel to Mt Hou for the new queen's coronation. They detour to Keiki's 'home' and Youko hears the story of Taiki, the missing kirin of the kingdom of Tai.
16
Episode 16
The Sea of Wind, The Shore of The Maze – Chapter 2
Taiki learns more of the history of the 12 kingdoms, and of his own nature and destiny.
17
Episode 17
The Sea of Wind, The Shore of The Maze – Chapter 3
Keiki and Taiki meet at Lady Gyokuyou's suggestion, and although their first meeting does not go well, they soon become friends and learn from each other.
18
Episode 18
The Sea of Wind, The Shore of The Maze – Chapter 4
Taiki's first attempt to find the ruler of Tai from among those assembled at the solstice fails - although he does meet two particular people, one of whom he likes, the other of whom scares him.
19
Episode 19
The Sea of Wind, The Shore of The Maze – Chapter 5
Taiki tames his first demon - one of the most dangerous in the 12 kingdoms - and chooses the king of Tai, but not in accordance to the will of the heavens.
20
Episode 20
The Sea of Wind, The Shore of The Maze – Last Chapter
Keiki, Enki and King En conspire to prove Taiki correct, causing great relief. In the present, in Japan, Yuka is convinced the strange young man belongs in the 12 kingdoms.
21
Episode 21
The Sea of Wind, The Shore of The Maze – Transition Chapter
Enki tells us more about the 12 kingdoms, then reveals that King Tai and Taiki went missing - presumed dead, although Enki doubts it - after only a year of ruling.
22
Episode 22
A Letter
Rakushun and Youko correspond: Rakushun is doing very well, and Youko is coping, although finding the complexities of the royal court confusing. The date is set for the coronation.
23
Episode 23
A Great Distance in The Wind, The Sky at Dawn – Chapter 1
The kaikyaku Suzu has lived as a slave to the harsh Lady Riyou for 100 years. After her father, the cruel King of Hou, is executed, Shoukei loses her immortality and is cast out. Youko prepares for her coronation.
24
Episode 24
A Great Distance in The Wind, The Sky at Dawn – Chapter 2
Ruling a kingdom wisely is full of difficulties and pitfalls, as the new queen swiftly finds out. Suzu finds out Youko is a kaikyaku as well, and desires to visiting her.
25
Episode 25
A Great Distance in The Wind, The Sky at Dawn – Chapter 3
Suzu dreams of Youko welcoming her as a sister. Shoukei's status is discovered and her life threatened - as is Youko's when one of her officials apparently betrays her.
26
Episode 26
A Great Distance in The Wind, The Sky at Dawn – Chapter 4
Suzu escapes to Sai, and is made welcome. For her own protection, Shoukei is exiled to Kyou. Youko takes control - but her decisions may not be the best or wisest.
27
Episode 27
A Great Distance in The Wind, The Sky at Dawn – Chapter 5
Shoukei is forced to work as a slave in Kyou. Suzu sets out for Kei, meeting up with the performing group that took in Youko when she first arrived, and meets Asano, who appears to have suffered some sort of dangerous mental breakdown.
28
Episode 28
A Great Distance in The Wind, The Sky at Dawn – Chapter 6
As Youko travels through Kei, learning the realities of the kingdom, Shoukei escapes Kyou, intent on taking the Queen of Kei's place and regaining her own kingdom. Asano sneaks onto the ship carrying Suzu to Kei.
29
Episode 29
A Great Distance in The Wind, The Sky at Dawn – Chapter 7
Wise old Enho teaches Youko about the basics of ruling the kingdom. Shoukei is caught and imprisoned for stealing from Queen Kyou. Asano proves himself less than perfectly sane.
30
Episode 30
A Great Distance in The Wind, The Sky at Dawn – Chapter 8
Shoukei bribes her way free and she and Rakushun set off to find Youko. Suza, Asano and young orphan Seishuu arrive in Kei and Suzu unknowingly meets Youko under tragic circumstances.
31
Episode 31
A Great Distance in The Wind, The Sky at Dawn – Chapter 9
Rakushun explains how the world of the 12 kingdoms works to Shoukei, which starts to change her whole attitude. Asano is tempted to join the mysterious and ruthless Shoukou.
32
Episode 32
A Great Distance in The Wind, The Sky at Dawn – Chapter 10
Believing Youko to be responsible for the death of Seishuu, Suzu arms herself and determines to face her. Shoukei heads for Wa Province, not knowing the offer of work and a place to stay for refugees is from the evil Shoukou.
33
Episode 33
A Great Distance in The Wind, The Sky at Dawn – Chapter 11
Suzu joins the resistance against Shoukou. Shoukei is unknowingly saved by Youko when she nearly gives herself away. Shoukou tasks Asano with finding Youko, since he knows what she looks like.
34
Episode 34
A Great Distance in The Wind, The Sky at Dawn – Chapter 12
Asano leads Shouko to where Youko has been staying, with disastrous results. Meanwhile Suzu unwittingly instructs Youko, causing her to rethink her actions and determine to do better in future.
35
Episode 35
A Great Distance in The Wind, The Sky at Dawn – Chapter 13
Suzu and Shoukei finally connect and find they have the same objectives. Still in disguise and seeking Enho, who has been abducted by Shoukou, Youko meets the two young women and the resistance at an inn.
36
Episode 36
A Great Distance in The Wind, The Sky at Dawn – Chapter 14
The fighting begins, with the resistance proving itself tactically brilliant. Shoukou finds himself under siege and in considerable danger.
37
Episode 37
A Great Distance in The Wind, The Sky at Dawn – Chapter 15
Shoukou surrenders to the queen. Asano tries to redeem himself by delivering a message to Shoukei's rebels, but they are already on the way. Youko, Suzu and Shoukei finally all meet.
38
Episode 38
A Great Distance in The Wind, The Sky at Dawn – Chapter 16
Youko reveals her identity to Suzu and Shoukei, and their developing friendship is confirmed. The Imperial Army arrives - to Youko's alarm, as only she is supposed to be able to mobilise it. They realise there is a traitor in the court.
39
Episode 39
A Great Distance in The Wind, The Sky at Dawn – Last Chapter
Queen Kei, having learned much about her world, her kingdom, and most of all her people, takes her rightful place, on the throne and in control. Her first order is to rescind the rule of prostration except on official or formal occasions.
40
Episode 40
In the Moonlight
Yoko visits En-o at Mt. Sho to ask what to do with Shoko who abused his political power to test the Heaven’s will to see if Yoko deserves to be a queen. Kantai delivers personal letters from Yoko and Shokei to Gekkei, Kei State’s Leader, currently in charge of Ho’s temporary government. Gekkei has a dilemma about taking the throne and is about to leave the government because he led the rebels to defeat the king who was too harsh on criminal punishment yet he admired his pure vision. He killed the king for the people but he feels that if he takes the throne now, his action will no longer make sense to himself. Kantai, who was also a rebel in Kei, suggests the establishment of “a government in the moon shadow”(waiting for the sun(= king) to come up).
41
Episode 41
Sea God in the East, the Mighty Deep in the West – Chapter 1
En-o is at the grave of a man named Atsuyu. He tells Yoko a story about him. After Shoryu becomes En-o, En Kingdom regains peace. He is always among the people to listen to their voice and catches the rumor of Gen State’s rebellion. Enki, Rokuta, gets kidnapped by Koya, a boy who was raised by a monster like himself. The boy’s boss, Atsuyu is in charge of Gen State, and asks Rokuta to be his hostage so En-o will accept his demand for riparian work for the people in Gen State.
42
Episode 42
Sea God in the East, the Mighty Deep in the West – Chapter 2
Rokuta agrees with Atsuyu’s purpose and to be taken hostage by him, but disagrees with his demand to establish an emperor position above the king. Battle will be unavoidable. Rokuta asks Koya to stop Atsuyu, but Koya owes Atsuyu and also Atsuyu believes in his action, so he cannot stop him. En-o surprises his officers with his bold plan to deal with the crisis. Rokuta is a Kirin, a creature of justice and mercy, so he does not like authorities, but Ribi convinces him that Shoryu is doing a great job as a king when officers are not looking. Ribi tries to kill herself to let Rokuta out of jail and also to show her loyalty to the king.
43
Episode 43
Sea God in the East, the Mighty Deep in the West – Chapter 3
The king’s soldiers’ number has grown to 20,000, and the Royal Amy’s in Kankyu, 30,000. Shoryu is among the enemy’s soldiers, and he sees the king’s soldiers send workers to build a dike for Rokusui River. Atsuyu suspects that the king’s soldiers are trying to flood his castle, and orders his man to cut the dike in the upper reach of the river to sink a town. Atsuyu’s female officer, Meishin, tells Rokuta that Atsuyu has changed and helps him escape. Rokuta wanders into the underground maze and runs into Gen State’s Leader and his double whose tongue was cut off. Meishin questions Atsuyu’s move to sink a town and Koya cold-heartedly feeds her to his monster.
44
Episode 44
Sea God in the East, the Mighty Deep in the West – Chapter 4
Shoryu and Rokuta run into each other in the underground maze of Ganboku Castle. Rokuta smells blood in Koya, senses that Koya killed a man and feels sad. When Gen State’s soldiers start cutting the dike in the upper reach of Rakusui River, the farmers in the area become angry and fight the state soldiers, then the king’s soldiers come to their rescue. After ordering to cut the dike, Atsuyu completely loses trust by his officers. When En-o shows up, Atsuyu shamelessly starts blaming others and begs for mercy. When En-o gives him one and turns around, Atsuyu tries to kill him and gets killed. En-o promises to Rokuta and Koya a rich and peaceful kingdom.
45
Episode 45
Sea God in the East, the Mighty Deep in the West – Transition Chapter
Since Yoko grew up in Horai, she can not believe in the Heaven’s Will, yet, she is afraid of repeating the mistake Shoko made for the same suspicion. En-o tells Yoko a story about a man he calls another him. En-o and Atsuyu both had a cowardly father. Atsuyu got rid of his father for the people and En-o let the people die for his father. Atsuyu demands a new emperor status above the king for the people, and En-o faces him to see who deserves the king. En-o survives and Atsuyu lies in his grave. En-o’s story does not give Yoko answers but a plenty of inspiration.
Characters
Voice Actors
Aya Hisakawa (japanese)
Youko Nakajima
Main
Voice Actors
Takehito Koyasu (japanese)
Keiki
Main
Voice Actors
Masaki Aizawa (japanese)
Shouryuu
Supporting
Voice Actors
Kappei Yamaguchi (japanese)
Enki
Supporting
Voice Actors
Kousuke Okano (japanese)
Aozaru
Supporting
Voice Actors
Rie Kugimiya (japanese)
Taiki
Supporting
Staff
Fuyumi Ono
Original Creator
Akihiro Yamada
Original Character Design
Tsuneo Kobayashi
Director
Yuuko Kusumoto
Character Design
Hiroto Tanaka
Character Design
Junichi Higashi
Art Director
Comments
Information
Aired
Apr 08, 2002
to Aug 29, 2003
Season
SPRING 2002
Source
Unknown
Format
Unknown
Studios
Studio Pierrot
Please log in to post comments.
Comments (0)