Kendo is a modern Japanese martial art, descended from kenjutsu, that uses bamboo swords (shinai) as well as protective armor (bōgu). It began as samurai warriors' customary swordsmanship exercises, and today it is widely practiced within Japan and has spread to many other nations across the world.
Anime International Company, Inc., often abbreviated as AIC, is a Japanese animation studio founded on June 15, 1982 and located in Nerima, Tokyo, Japan. On December 10, 2015, AIC RIGHTS Company, Inc. was established through a company split, in which AIC Rights received the transfer of some of the copyrights owned by Anime International Company.
Spiral: The Bonds of Reasoning is a Japanese manga series written by Kyo Shirodaira and illustrated by Eita Mizuno. It was published by Enix and then Square Enix in Monthly Shōnen Gangan from 1999 to 2005 and collected in 15 bound volumes. The series focuses on Ayumu Narumi and his efforts to solve the mystery of the Blade Children, cursed geniuses with cat-like eyes lacking a seventh rib bone. A prequel series by Shirodaira and Mizuno, called Spiral: Alive, was published in Gangan Wing and Monthly Shōnen Gangan from April 2004 to June 2008 and collected in five bound volumes.
Ikki Tousen, also known as Battle Vixens in North America, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yūji Shiozaki. Loosely based on the classic 14th century Chinese novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the series revolves around an all-out turf war in the Kantō region of Japan where fighters known as Tōshi 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.
Naoki Satō is a Japanese composer. He has provided the music for several popular anime series and films, including the first five Pretty Cure series, X, Eureka Seven, Sword of the Stranger, and Blood-C.
Naoki Eiga is a Japanese kendoka who in 2000 won the individual event at World Kendo Championship (WKC) as well as the highest title in Kendo: All Japan Kendo Champion. His progress toward the championship was documented by the Japanese broadcaster NHK in a 2003 program named A Single Blow. He currently holds the rank of Kyoshi Hachidan (教士八段) and is the head of technical Instruction in the Hokkaido Police Educational Department and head instructor of the Hokkaido University Kendo Club.
Hero Tales is a Japanese manga and anime series created by Huang Jin Zhou, a unit composed of Hiromu Arakawa, Genco, and Studio Flag. The manga series, illustrated by Arakawa, was serialized in Square Enix's Gangan Powered (2006–2009) and Monthly Shōnen Gangan (2009–2010), with its chapters collected in five tankōbon volumes. The 26-episode anime television series, produced by Studio Flag, was broadcast on TV Tokyo from 2007 to 2008. The series' setting is rooted in Chinese folklore and history, as well as having an element of fantasy.
Soul Eater is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Atsushi Ohkubo. Set at the "Death Weapon Meister Academy", the series revolves around three teams, each consisting of a weapon meister and at least one human that can transform into a weapon. Trying to make the latter a "death scythe" and thus fit for use by the academy's headmaster Shinigami, the personification of death, they must collect the souls of 99 evil humans and one witch, in that order; otherwise, they will have to start all over again.
Nabari no Ou is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yuhki Kamatani. It was serialized in Square Enix's shōnen manga magazine Monthly GFantasy from May 2004 to August 2010, with its chapters collected in 14 tankōbon volumes. In North America, it was licensed for English release by Yen Press. A 26-episode anime television series by J.C.Staff was broadcast in Japan on TV Tokyo from April to September 2008. In North America, the anime series was licensed by Funimation.
Black Butler is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yana Toboso. It has been serialized in Square Enix's shōnen manga magazine Monthly GFantasy since September 2006. The series follows Ciel Phantomhive, the 12-year-old Earl of Phantomhive serving as the Queen's Watchdog. He is tasked with solving crimes in the underworld of Victorian-era London. Ciel has formed a contract with demon Sebastian Michaelis, who disguises himself as his butler, to seek revenge on those who tortured him and murdered his parents. In exchange for his services, Sebastian will be allowed to consume Ciel's soul.
Aguri Igarashi is a Japanese manga artist. She is the illustrator for best selling manga series, Bamboo Blade.
Soul Eater Not! is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Atsushi Ohkubo. It is a spin-off of the main series, Soul Eater, taking place prior to the events of the manga. It was serialized in Square Enix's Monthly Shōnen Gangan magazine from January 2011 to November 2014. An anime television series adaptation by Bones aired on TV Tokyo between April and July 2014 and was simulcast by Funimation in North America.
Barakamon (ばらかもん) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Satsuki Yoshino. It was serialized on Square Enix's Gangan Online website from February 2009 to December 2018. The story follows Seishu Handa, a calligrapher who moves to the remote Gotō Islands off the western coast of Kyūshū, and his various interactions with the people of the island. An anime adaptation by Kinema Citrus aired in Japan between July and September 2014. Funimation has licensed the series for streaming and home video release. In February 2014, Yen Press announced they have licensed Barakamon for English release in North America. The manga resumed limited serialization in Monthly Shōnen Gangan from April to September 2023.
The Irregular at Magic High School is a Japanese web novel series by Tsutomu Satō. It was published on Shōsetsuka ni Narō, a web novel website, from October 2008 to March 2011. Satō reached a deal with Dengeki Bunko and began releasing his work in a light novel format beginning July 2011. The story takes place in the 2090s where technology has allowed magic to exist, and follows Tatsuya and Miyuki Shiba, siblings who enroll into First High magic high school. While keeping their connections to the infamous Yotsuba clan secret, they attempt to live their daily life in peace, but Tatsuya is shunned for his apparent ineptness and Miyuki is validated for her magical abilities.
The All Japan Kendo Championships is a kendo tournament held every year in Japan. The men's tournament is held at Nippon Budokan on 3 November, on Culture Day.
By the Grace of the Gods is a Japanese light novel series written by Roy and illustrated by Ririnra. It is about a man who is chosen by three gods to be reincarnated into a fantasy world after living a sad life, using his past knowledge combined with new powers bestowed to him by said gods to help others and live a bountiful life. It began serialization online in January 2014 on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō, with a revised version began serialization since September 2015.
Sabikui Bisco, also known as Rust-Eater Bisco, is a Japanese light novel series written by Shinji Cobkubo and illustrated by K Akagishi, with world-building art by mocha. ASCII Media Works have released nine volumes since March 2018 under their Dengeki Bunko label. The light novel is licensed in North America by Yen Press. A manga adaptation with art by Rokudo Takahashi was serialized online between April 2019 and March 2021 via Square Enix's online manga magazine Manga UP!. It was collected in four tankōbon volumes. The second part of the manga with art by Sō Natsuki was serialized in the same magazine between December 2021 and October 2022 and has been collected in two tankōbon volumes. An anime television series adaptation produced by OZ aired from January to March 2022. A second season has been announced.
Classroom for Heroes is a Japanese fantasy light novel series written by Shin Araki and illustrated by Haruyuki Morisawa. Shueisha have published fourteen volumes since January 2015 under their Dash X Bunko imprint. A manga adaptation with art by Takashi Minakuchi titled Eiyū Kyōshitsu: Honoo no Empress was serialized in Shueisha's seinen manga magazine Ultra Jump between February and August 2015 and was collected in a single tankōbon volume. A second manga adaptation with art by Koara Kishida titled as the light novel has been serialized via Square Enix's shōnen manga magazine Monthly Shōnen Gangan since September 2016. It has been collected in eighteen tankōbon volumes. The light novel is licensed by Yen Press. The second manga is licensed digitally in North America by Comikey under the title Hero Classroom. An anime television series adaptation by Actas aired from July to September 2023.
