Kannazuki no Miko
Yuri mecha series about reincarnated shrine maidens.
Kannazuki no Miko is a Japanese yuri manga series by Kaishaku that blends a romance between two shrine maidens with mecha elements. It was adapted into a 12-episode anime by TNK and Geneon Entertainment, airing in 2004. The series is noted for its depiction of a same-sex relationship within a supernatural conflict.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Mecha, yuri
Facts from the source article.
Plot
Himeko Kurusugawa and Chikane Himemiya are high-school girls at Ototachibana Academy who are reincarnations of the solar and lunar mikos. When the eight-headed Orochi rises, their personas awaken to defend the world. The Orochi awakens on the girls' shared birthday in Kannazuki. Sōma Ōgami, Himeko's childhood friend, initially tries to kill her but rejects his fate and vows to protect her. The mikos must awaken Ame no Murakumo while Sōma repels the Orochi.
Characters
Himeko Kurusugawa is the solar priestess, a shy 16-year-old with long blond hair and a solar symbol on her chest. She has known Chikane for years but was unaware of Chikane's feelings. Initially interested in Sōma, Himeko later considers Chikane a close friend. Orphaned and adopted by abusive relatives before moving to a better home, she is timid but grows more determined. She eventually realizes her feelings for Chikane. Chikane Himemiya, the lunar priestess, is an assertive 16-year-old with long blue hair and a lunar symbol on her back. She lives in a mansion, excels at school, and belongs to the kyūdō club. Skilled with a bow and tantō, she also plays tennis and piano. Chikane has loved Himeko since they met, though her feelings border on obsession. She joins the Orochi as the Eighth Head after sexually assaulting Himeko and tormenting her during their final battle.
Media
The manga was serialized in Shōnen Ace in 2004 and collected in two tankōbon volumes. Tokyopop licensed it in North America, publishing both volumes in 2008. The anime, produced by Geneon Entertainment and animated by TNK, aired on Chiba TV from October 1 to December 17, 2004. It was directed by Tetsuya Yanagisawa, with music by Mina Kubota and character designs by Maki Fujii. The opening theme is Re-sublimity and the ending theme Agony, both by Kotoko. The series was released on six DVDs in Japan and later licensed by Geneon USA, then Sentai Filmworks. A drama CD was released on November 25, 2004. An Internet radio program, RADIO Kannazuki, ran from October 2004 to March 2005.
Reception
Kannazuki no Miko received mixed reviews. Carlo Santos of Anime News Network criticized the manga as less than the sum of its parts and the second volume as overblown. Carl Kimlinger described the series as having a strong emotional conclusion but called it pure poison for the melodrama-averse. Theron Martin praised character relationships and the musical score but criticized genre mixing, logical inconsistencies, and weak animation. Paul Gaudette of Mania commended the series for having human emotion fuel robotic battles. Connor McCarty of THEM Anime Reviews said it would be enjoyable for those who like lesbian romances, lesbian-lesbian-mechademon love triangles, or unexciting lesbian fan service. Erica Friedman criticized the rape scene and the manga ending, questioning why characters allow Himeko to be bullied. She noted that Tokyopop did a good job with the material.
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