Software:Katana Maidens ~ Toji No Miko

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Katana Maidens ~ Toji No Miko
Tojinomiko.animekeyvisual.jpg
Katana Maidens key visual
刀使ノ巫女
(Toji No Miko)
GenreAdventure, fantasy[1]
Manga
Written bySakae Saito
Published byKadokawa Shoten
MagazineMonthly Shōnen Ace
DemographicShōnen
Original runOctober 26, 2017 – March 26, 2019
Volumes3
Anime television series
Directed byKōdai Kakimoto
Produced byGenco
Written byTatsuya Takahashi
Music byYukari Hashimoto
StudioStudio Gokumi
Licensed by
Original networkAT-X, Tokyo MX, MBS, BS11
Original run January 5, 2018 – June 22, 2018
Episodes24 (List of episodes)
Game
Katana Maidens ~ Toji No Miko: Kizamishi Issen no Tomoshibi
DeveloperSquare Enix
PublisherSquare Enix
Directed byIshiyama Takanari
Produced byTakanori Shīna
Music byKazuki Yanagawa
GenreVisual novel
PlatformiOS 9.0 and above, Android 4.1 and above
ReleasedMarch 19, 2018
Anime television series
Mini Toji
Directed byYuu Nobuta
Written byAoi Akashiro
StudioProject No.9
Licensed by
Original networkAT-X, Tokyo MX, BS11, MBS
Original run January 5, 2019 – March 16, 2019
Episodes11 (List of episodes)
Novel
Written byAoi Akashiro
Published byShueisha
ImprintJUMP j-BOOKS
DemographicMale
PublishedJuly 19, 2019
Original video animation
Katana Maidens ~ Toji No Miko: Kizamishi Issen no Tomoshibi
Directed byTomohiro Kamitani
Written byAoi Akashiro
StudioProject No.9
Released2020
Episodes2

Katana Maidens ~ Toji No Miko (刀使ノ巫女, lit. "Sword-wielding Shrine Maidens") is a 2017 Japanese media franchise produced by Genco, co-produced by Crunchyroll,[2] and animated by Studio Gokumi.

Plot

The story is centered around a group of sword-wielding shrine maidens "Toji", who attend school while improving their extermination skills and serve as a unit in the police force in order to exorcise mysterious, hostile creatures known only as "aradama". The government authorizes the Toji to wear swords and serve as government officials, and the government has set up five schools throughout the country for the girls to attend. The girls live ordinary school lives, while occasionally performing their duties, wielding their swords and using various powers to fight and protect the people. In the spring, the five schools send their best Toji to compete in a tournament. As the tournament concludes in an unexpected fashion shortly into the series, a multi-layered conflict starts to unfold and develop involving different factions of Toji and aradama, and its mysterious background slowly unveils following from near the end of World War II.

Characters

Main Characters

Kanami Eto (衛藤 可奈美, Etō Kanami)
Voiced by: Kaede Hondo[3] (Japanese); Sarah Wiedenheft[1] (English)
Kanami is a second-year student in the middle school division of Minoseki Academy. She is a friend of Mai. She is a cheerful and positive girl who has many friends, and is a kenjutsu enthusiast. Her fighting style is the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū style. Wields the katana, Chidori. She later helps stab Princess Tagitsu with Hiyori, and gets stuck in the netherworld for two months before manages to return together following reunification with mom.
Hiyori Jujo (十条 姫和, Jūjō Hiyori)
Voiced by: Saori Ōnishi[3] (Japanese); Jeannie Tirado[1] (English)
Hiyori is a 14-year-old girl who studies in Heijou Institute as a third-year middle school student. As a Toji, she is often seen wearing the uniform of Heijou Institute. She has a serious, cool and stoic personality, has a strong sense of duty and will do anything to achieve what she has decided to do. Her mother, former Toji Kagari Juujou, died when she was small, and she has since carried a grudge against the Origami Family. Her fighting style is the Kashima Shintō-ryū style. Wields the katana, Kogarasumaru.
Mai Yanase (柳瀬 舞衣, Yanase Mai)
Voiced by: Azumi Waki[3] (Japanese); Bryn Apprill[1] (English)
Mai is a middle school student from Minoseki Academy as well as Kanami's friend. She has purple hair and green eyes and she is from a rich family. She possesses an older-sister like tendency to take care of others, and always thinks about her friends. At school, she possesses great skill in swordsmanship. Her fighting style is the Hokushin Ittō-ryū style. Wields the katana, Magoroku Kanemoto.
Sayaka Itomi (糸見 沙耶香, Itomi Sayaka)
Voiced by: Hina Kino[3] (Japanese); Apphia Yu[1] (English)
Sayaka is a first-year student in the middle division of Renpu Girls' School. Despite being young, she is a genius Toji. She handles her duties with ease, but she has a hard time communicating with the people around her. Her fighting style is the Onoha Itto-Ryu style. Wields the katana, Myoho Muramasa.
Kaoru Mashiko (益子 薫, Mashiko Kaoru)
Voiced by: Risae Matsuda[3] (Japanese); Lara Woodhull[1] (English)
Kaoru is a first-year high school student of Osafune Girls' Academy. She is typically seen as a sluggish girl that always conserves her energy. In combat, she is a power fighter who effortlessly uses a large sword despite her petite build. She relies on Ellen a lot. Her fighting style is the Yakumaru Jigen-Ryu style. Wields the katana, Nenekirimaru.
Ellen Kohagura (古波蔵 エレン, Kohagura Eren)
Voiced by: Eri Suzuki[3] (Japanese); Alexis Tipton[1] (English)
Ellen is a first-year high school student of Osafune Girls' Academy. She is half-Japanese, with a Japanese father and an American mother. She has a good relationship with Kaoru as a partner. She immediately acts friendly to people she meets, and has a tendency to make up nicknames to anyone she meets in combat. Her fighting style is the Taisha-Ryu style. Wields the katana, Echizen Yasutsugu.

Antagonists

Yukari Origami (折神 紫, Origami Yukari)
Voiced by: Asami Seto[3] (Japanese); Katelyn Barr[1] (English)
Yukari is the current head of the Origami Family and the chief of the National Police Agency Special Sword Administration Bureau. She wields two katana's, Okanehira and Dojigiri Yasutsuna. During the Tragedy of Sagami Bay she served as the commanding officer of the special duty team and defeated the great Aradama, later becoming the great hero.
Maki Shido (獅童 真希, Shidō Maki)
Voiced by: Yumi Uchiyama[3] (Japanese); Morgan Garrett[1] (English)
Maki is the first-seat member of the Origami Family Elite Guard and Yukari's bodyguard. She graduated from Heijou Institute. She is the commander of Aradama operations. Her fighting style is the Shindo Munen-Ryu style. Wields the katana, Usumidori (Hoemaru).
Suzuka Konohana (此花 寿々花, Konohana Suzuka)
Voiced by: M.A.O[3] (Japanese); Jill Harris[1] (English)
Suzuka is the second-seat member of the Origami Family Elite Guard. Her fighting style is the Kurama-Ryu style. Wields the katana, Kujikanesada.
Yomi Satsuki (皐月 夜見, Satsuki Yomi)
Voiced by: Mai Fuchigami[3] (Japanese); Felecia Angelle[1] (English)
Yomi is the third-seat member of the Origami Family Elite Guard. Her fighting style is the Shinjin-Ryu style.
Yume Tsubakuro (燕 結芽, Tsubakuro Yume)
Voiced by: Inori Minase[3] (Japanese); Jad Saxton[1] (English)
Yume is the fourth-seat member of the Origami Family Elite Guard. Yume possesses the highest proficiency in swordsmanship. She is a genius Toji whose ability exceeds that of Maki, a two-time successive tournament champion. Her fighting style is the Ten'nen Rishin-Ryu style. Wields the katana, Nikkari Ao'e.
Yukina Takatsu (高津 雪那, Takatsu Yukina)
Voiced by: YukanaEp. 3 credits (Japanese); Trina NishimuraEp. 3 credits (English) (English)
Yukina is the President of Renpu Girls School. A woman with a sharp tongue and an impatient personality, Yukina lashes out at anyone who displeases her or the head of the Origami Family. She later joins Princess Tagitsu to aid the latter in her desire for domination over human beings.
Princess Tagitsu (タギツヒメ, Tagitsuhime)
Voiced by: Rina HidakaEp. 16 credits (Japanese); Monica RialEp. 16 credits (English) (English)
One part of the great Aradama that possessed Yukari Origami. She wants to destroy all humans.

Supporting Characters

Ema Hashima (羽島 江麻, Hashima Ema)
Voiced by: Mai NakaharaEp. 2 credits (Japanese); Mikaela KrantzEp. 2 credits (English) (English)
Ema is the President of Minoseki Academy.
Iroha Gojou (五條いろは, Gojou Iroha)
Voiced by: Satsuki YukinoEp. 2 credits (Japanese); Anastasia MuñozEp. 2 credits (English) (English)
Iroha is the President of Heijou Institute.
Sana Maniwa (真庭紗南, Maniwa Sana)
Voiced by: Romi ParkEp. 4 credits (Japanese); Caitlin GlassEp. 4 credits (English) (English)
She is the President of Osafune Girl's Academy. She is a member of Mokusa, an organization that opposes Yukari Origami.
Akane Origami (折神 朱音, Origami Akane)
Voiced by: Ayako KawasumiEp. 7 credits (Japanese); Jessica CavanaghEp. 7 credits (English) (English)
Yukari's younger sister. She is the leader of Mokusa.
Richard Friedman (リッチャード・フリードマン, Furiidoman Ricchaado)
Voiced by: Mitsuaki HoshinoEp. 7 credits (Japanese); Mark StoddardEp. 7 credits (English) (English)
Ellen's grandfather and inventor of the S-Equipment. Like Sana and Akane, he is also a member of Mokusa. He also reveals about the mysterious Project S following the end of World War II.
Rui Onda (恩田 累, Onda Rui)
Voiced by: Kanomi IzawaEp. 3 credits (Japanese); Kristi KangEp. 3 credits (English) (English)
Rui is a former Toji and an acquaintance of the Ema Hashima. She works at Yahata Electronics, a company that works in the development of S-Equipment, as a system developer. She is also a member of Mokusa, and during the pursuit of Kanami Etou and Hiyori Juujou, Rui warmly welcomes the two girls into her house by request of President Hashima.

Other Characters

Nene (ねね)
Voiced by: Satsumi MatsudaEp. 1 credits (Japanese); Kate OxleyEp. 1 credits (English) (English)
The pet of Kaoru Mashiko, a tamed aradama.
Ayumu Uchizato (内里 歩, Uchizato Ayumu)
Voiced by: Hitomi ŌwadaEp. 13 credits (Japanese); Megan ShipmanEp. 13 credits (English) (English)
A middle school girl who looks up to Kanami and desires to be a strong Toji.
Princess Takiri (タキリヒメ, Takirihime)
Voiced by: Chiwa SaitōEp. 16 credits (Japanese); Amber Lee ConnorsEp. 16 credits (English) (English)
Another part of the great Aradama that possessed Yukari Origami. She wants to rule over all humans.
Princess Ichikishima (イチキシマヒメ, Ichikishimahime)
Voiced by: Eri KitamuraEp. 17 credits (Japanese); Jamie MarchiEp. 17 credits (English) (English)
A third part of the great Aradama that possessed Yukari Origami. Soft-spoken and self-depreciating, she feels inferior to Tagitsu and Takiri.
Yuzuki Sagara (相楽 結月, Sagara Yuzuki)
Voiced by: Ami KoshimizuEp. 10 credits (Japanese); Michelle RojasEp. 10 credits (English) (English)
Yuzuki is President of Ayanokouji Martial Arts School.
Kagari Hiiragi (柊篝, Hīragi Kagari)
Voiced by: Risa TanedaEp. 8 credits (Japanese); Madeleine MorrisEp. 8 credits (English) (English)
Hiyori's mother. Before she died, she told Hiyori the truth of Yukari's possession by a great aradama.
Minato Fujiwara (藤原美奈都, Fujiwara Minato)
Voiced by: Shizuka ItōEp. 2 credits (Japanese); Elisa AnnetteEp. 2 credits (English) (English)
Kanami's mother who passes away prior to the main series. Her younger self often appears in Kanami's dreams to provide advice and training.

Media

Manga

A manga adaptation written by Sakae Saito began serialization in the December 2017 issue of Kadokawa Shoten's Monthly Shōnen Ace on October 26.[4] In February 2019, it was announced that the manga would end on March 26.[5]

No.Release date ISBN
1 December 26, 2017[6]ISBN:978-4-04-106499-3
2 May 26, 2018[7]ISBN:978-4-04-106844-1
3 April 26, 2019[8]ISBN:978-4-04-107905-8

Mobile game

A mobile game developed by Square Enix titled Katana Maidens ~ Toji No Miko: Kizamishi Issen no Tomoshibi was announced and released on iOS and Android devices in 2018. The cast reprised their roles and the game used Yoshinori Shizuma's character designs.[4]

Anime

The anime is co-produced between Genco and Studio Gokumi. Kodai Kakimoto directed the series, while Tatsuya Takahashi is in charge of scripts and Yoshinori Shizuma is the original character designer.[9] Kaede Hondo, Saori Ōnishi, Azumi Waki, Hina Kino, Risae Matsuda and Eri Suzuki performed both the first opening theme "Save Me Save You" and the first ending theme "Kokoro no Memoria" (心のメモリア).[10] They also performed the second opening theme "Shinkakei Colors" (進化系Colors) and the second ending theme "Mirai Epilogue" (未来エピローグ).[11] The series aired from January 5 to June 22, 2018. It ran for 24 episodes.[12][3][13] Crunchyroll streamed the series, while Funimation produced an English dub.[14]

A new anime television series titled Mini Toji, featuring mini versions of the characters from the series and the Toji no Miko: Kizamishi Issen no Tomoshibi smartphone game, aired from January 5 to March 16, 2019 on AT-X, Tokyo MX, BS11, and MBS.[15] The series is animated by Project No.9 and directed by Yuu Nobuta, with Aoi Akashiro handled the series' scripts, and Hiromi Ogata designed the characters. The main cast reprised their roles.[16] The opening theme is "Kono Bangumi wa Ura Wakaki Kōmuin-tachi no Teikyō de Okuri Itashimasu" (この番組はうら若き公務員たちの提供でお送りいたします, This Program is Made Possible By Young Government Workers) by Kaede Hondo and Himika Akaneya under their character names. The series ran for 11 episodes.[17] Crunchyroll streamed the series.[18]

On December 18, 2019, an OVA adaptation of the Katana Maidens ~ Toji No Miko: Kizamishi Issen no Tomoshibi game was announced.[19] The OVA is animated by Project No.9 and directed by Tomohiro Kamitani, with Aoi Akashiro handling the series' scripts, and Daisuke Niitsuma designing the characters. It will air in an "advanced premiere" set in two parts via broadcast and streaming services in 2020.[20]

Novel

A novel was released on July 19, 2019. The story begins a year before the events in the anime.[21]

No.Release date ISBN
1 July 19, 2019[22]ISBN:978-4-08-703479-0

Reception

Previews

The anime series' first episode garnered mixed reviews from Anime News Network's staff during the Winter 2018 season previews. Chris Farris solely reviewed the English dub version of the episode, criticizing the constant padding through "sparse backgrounds and needlessly overused CGI shortcuts" and poor explanation of the "overwrought terminology" about Toji but commended the performances from the various voice actresses. He concluded that despite the dub, the series might have difficulty to compel viewers over time. James Beckett found the introduction "rote and lacking-identity" throughout to garner viewer interest, noting how the premise and characters are filled with clichés and the production "middling at best" with its generic character designs, hollow backgrounds, and CG fight scenes feeling "stiff and blandly directed to be much fun." Lynzee Loveridge repeated what both Farris and Beckett said about the episode's delivery of its religious terminology and sword fights, saying she found it "pretty boring for what's supposed to be a supernatural action show." Rebecca Silverman said the series has potential when the episode moves away from its "cute young girls fight monsters" premise to focus on introducing its cast of characters and buildup some internal conflict towards the end of its runtime. Nick Creamer gave note of the "internal narrative choices" used throughout for raising the show's arbitrary setup, praising the establishment of the world and Kanami and Mai's characters in a tournament setting, but felt it was hampered by weak attempts at building atmosphere through "abominable background art" and action scenes being undercut by poor CG. He concluded that its "just short of passable - worth a look if this is your genre, otherwise a guiltless skip." Theron Martin wrote that after watching the series opener twice, he said that a more thorough elaboration would've helped ease viewers into its world and terminology much better despite "solid visual merits" and the promise of "immediate internal conflict and intrigue" to help infuse life into a standard concept.[23]

Series reception

Martin reviewed the complete anime series.[24] He praised the camaraderie amongst its main cast for carrying dramatic weight and interest between the "solid action scenes" but was critical of the unexplored story elements in a complexly savvy but standard plot, quality control of its animation, and unremarkable soundtrack, concluding that "Overall, Katana Maidens is a watchable but uninspired series beyond a few featured sword fights. While many parts of its story underachieve, it does at least finish on its strongest note, so those unimpressed by earlier parts but committed to finishing will have something to look forward to."[24]

Gadget Tsūshin listed "Horizon Alliance" in their 2019 anime buzzwords list.[25]

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Katana Maidens English Cast & Crew". Funimation. January 22, 2018. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180617043606/https://www.funimation.com/shows/katana-maidens-toji-no-miko/. Retrieved January 22, 2018. 
  2. ↑ "Crunchyroll Announces Winter 2018 Simulcast License Acquisitions". January 8, 2018. Archived from the original on January 31, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180131005601/http://www.crunchyroll.com/forumtopic-1008795/winter-2018-simulcasts. Retrieved February 4, 2018. 
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 "Studio Gokumi's Toji no Miko Anime's Video Reveals Cast, January TV Debut". August 11, 2017. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-08-10/studio-gokumi-toji-no-miko-anime-video-reveals-cast-january-tv-debut/.119993. Retrieved August 11, 2017. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Toji no Miko Original Anime Project Gets Smartphone Game, Manga". August 11, 2017. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-08-11/toji-no-miko-original-anime-project-gets-smartphone-game-manga/.120010. Retrieved August 11, 2017. 
  5. ↑ "Katana Maidens: Toji no Miko Manga Ends in March". February 26, 2019. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-02-26/katana-maidens-toji-no-miko-manga-ends-in-march/.143907. Retrieved February 26, 2019. 
  6. ↑ "刀使ノ巫女　(1)". Kadokawa Corporation. https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/product/321709000598/. Retrieved December 10, 2018. 
  7. ↑ "刀使ノ巫女　(2)". Kadokawa Corporation. https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/product/321712000786/. Retrieved December 10, 2018. 
  8. ↑ "刀使ノ巫女　(3)". Kadokawa Corporation. https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/product/321810000596/. Retrieved March 12, 2019. 
  9. ↑ "Studio Gokumi Reveals Toji no Miko Original Anime Project". May 15, 2017. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-05-15/studio-gokumi-reveals-toji-no-miko-original-anime-project/.116120. Retrieved May 15, 2017. 
  10. ↑ "Toji no Miko Anime to Air for 6 Months, Reveals Theme Song Artists". October 13, 2017. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-10-13/toji-no-miko-anime-to-air-for-6-months-reveals-theme-song-artists/.122673. Retrieved October 13, 2017. 
  11. ↑ "Music" (in ja). http://tojinomiko.jp/music/index2.html. Retrieved May 5, 2018. 
  12. ↑ "Toji no Miko Anime Listed With 24 Episodes". January 15, 2017. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2018-01-15/toji-no-miko-anime-listed-with-24-episodes/.126443. Retrieved January 15, 2017. 
  13. ↑ "Toji no Miko TV Anime Premieres on January 5". November 11, 2017. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2017-11-10/toji-no-miko-tv-anime-premieres-on-january-5/.123865. Retrieved November 11, 2017. 
  14. ↑ "Crunchyroll, Funimation Announce 7 Anime for Winter 2018 Simulcast Season". December 14, 2017. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-12-14/crunchyroll-funimation-announce-7-anime-for-winter-2018-simulcast-season/.125300. Retrieved December 14, 2017. 
  15. ↑ "Mini Toji TV Anime Premieres on January 5". December 3, 2018. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2018-12-03/mini-toji-tv-anime-premieres-on-january-5/.140290. 
  16. ↑ "Toji no Miko Franchise Gets Mini Toji TV Anime in January". November 10, 2018. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-11-10/toji-no-miko-franchise-gets-mini-toji-tv-anime-in-january/.139324. Retrieved November 10, 2018. 
  17. ↑ "Toji no Miko Franchise's Mini Toji TV Anime Reveals Theme Songs, 11-Episode Length". December 10, 2018. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-12-10/toji-no-miko-franchise-mini-toji-tv-anime-reveals-theme-songs-11-episode-length/.140622. Retrieved December 10, 2018. 
  18. ↑ "Crunchyroll to Stream Boogiepop and Others, Kemono Friends 2, Meiji Tokyo Renka, An Angel Flew Down to Me, Mini Toji Anime". January 3, 2019. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-01-03/crunchyroll-to-stream-boogiepop-and-others-kemono-friends-2-meiji-tokyo-renka-an-angel-flew-down-to-me-mini-toji-anime/.141612. Retrieved January 3, 2019. 
  19. ↑ "Katana Maidens: Toji no Miko Game App Gets Original Video Anime". Anime News Network. December 18, 2019. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-12-18/katana-maidens-toji-no-miko-game-app-gets-original-video-anime/.154530. Retrieved December 19, 2019. 
  20. ↑ "Katana Maidens: Toji no Miko Original Video Anime's 1st Video Reveals Staff, 2020 Airing/Streaming in 2 Parts" (in en). https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-03-14/katana-maidens-toji-no-miko-original-video-anime-1st-video-reveals-staff-2020-airing-streaming-in-2-parts/.157507. 
  21. ↑ "Katana Maidens: Toji no Miko Anime Gets Novel in July". May 27, 2019. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-05-27/katana-maidens-toji-no-miko-anime-gets-novel-in-july/.147150. Retrieved May 27, 2019. 
  22. ↑ "刀使ノ巫女　琉球剣風録" (in Japanese). https://books.shueisha.co.jp/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-703479-0. Retrieved May 27, 2019. 
  23. ↑ Farris, Chris; Beckett, James; Loveridge, Lynzee; Silverman, Rebecca; Creamer, Nick; Martin, Theron (January 5, 2018). "The Winter 2018 Anime Preview Guide: Katana Maidens ~ Toji no Miko". https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/preview-guide/2018/winter/katana-maidens-~-toji-no-miko/.126095. Retrieved January 9, 2019. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Martin, Theron (July 3, 2018). "Katana Maidens: Toji no Miko—Episodes 1-24 streaming - Review". https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/katana-maidens/toji-no-miko/episodes-1-24/.133464. Retrieved January 9, 2019. 
  25. ↑ Loveridge, Lynzee; Morrissy, Kim (December 4, 2019). "Demon Slayer, Dr. Stone, Zombie Land Saga Buzzwords Make Gadget Tsūshin 2019 List". Anime News Network. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2019-12-04/demon-slayer-dr-stone-zombie-land-saga-buzzwords-make-gadget-tsushin-2019-list/.153903. Retrieved December 14, 2019. 

External links




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