Thunderbolt Fantasy (Thunderbolt Fantasy -東離劍遊紀-,Sandāboruto Fantajī:Tōriken Yūki,lit.Thunderbolt Fantasy:Sword Travels in the East),also known as Thunderbolt Fantasy:Sword Seekers,is a Japanese-Taiwanese glove puppetry television series created and written by Gen Urobuchi and produced as a collaboration between Japanese companies Nitroplus and Good Smile Company and Taiwanese puppet production company Pili International Multimedia,creators of Pili ("Thunderbolt") series.[2] The series began airing in Japan starting July 8,2016 and is being simulcast by Bahamut[3] and iQiyi Taiwan[lower-alpha 1] in Taiwan,bilibili in Mainland China,and Crunchyroll[4] in the United States. It has two official languages:the Taiwanese Min-Nan version aired in Taiwan,and the Japanese version aired outside Taiwan.[5] A manga adaptation illustrated by Yui Sakuma began serialization in Kodansha's Weekly Morning magazine on July 21,2016.[6] A second adaption,told from the perspective of Dān Fěi,and illustrated by Kairi Shimotsuki,began serialization in Akita Shoten's Champion Crossonline magazine on September 27,2016.[7] A side novel that focuses on the pasts of Lǐn XuěYā,Xíng Hài,and ShāWúShēng was released on April 7,2017.[8] A second season aired in 2018.[9] A third season aired in 2021.
Set in an Eastern fantasy setting,Dān Fěi and her brother,guardians of a sword known as the Tiān Xíng Jiàn,are pursued by the evil Xuán GuǐZōng clan,who seek to obtain the sword for their master,MièTiān Hái. While her brother is defeated,Fěi,who possesses the sword's crossguard,escapes and finds herself in the care of the wandering swordsman,Shāng BùHuàn,and a mysterious man named Lǐn XuěYā,who become her protectors from the pursuing Xuán GuǐZōng clan.
Characters
※Character names are presented in the format of Chinese Personal Name (Chinese Characters,Japanese Romanization,English Translation) / Chinese Art name (Chinese Characters,Japanese Romanization,English Translation). Chinese personal names and their Japanese romanizations are presented with the character's surname appearing first,followed by their given name.
The main protagonist of this series,Shāng BùHuàn is an enigmatic wandering swordsman. He appears to be cynical towards others,but is compassionate at heart. His inadvertent encounter with Lǐn XuěYāhad him engulfed within the feud of the Xuán GuǐZōng pursuing Dān Fěi's crossguard of the Tiān Xíng Jiàn,and reluctantly joins the journey with Lǐn XuěYāand Dān Fěi to retrieve the hilt of the Tiān Xíng Jiàn. Hails from XīYōu. In season 2,he is pursued by villains from his past over his possession of the MóJiàn MùLù (魔剣目録,Maken Mokuroku,Sorcerous Sword Index),a scroll that contains many magical swords.
Lǐn XuěYā (凜雪鴉,Rin Setsu A,Austere Snow Crow) /LüèFēng QièChén (掠風竊塵,RyōFūSetsujin,Thief of the Wind Dust[lower-alpha 2])
A major protagonist,also known under the alias as GuǐNiǎo (鬼鳥,Kichō,Phantom Bird). Lǐn XuěYāis a beautiful young man filled with immense mystery. Erudite and adept at the art of strategy,he is shown to be graceful and composed. According to Shòu Yún Xiāo,Lǐn XuěYāhas used several aliases to conceal his identity. He is considered a master manipulator and thief,and has even been called a villain.
One of the Seal Guardians hailing from the Sword Forging Shrine in charge of guarding the Tiān Xíng Jiàn. Dān Fěi takes pride in her heritage as a Seal Guardian,which makes her quite stubborn and tense when it comes to issues regarding the Tiān Xíng Jiàn,but she's also shown to be fairly naïve due to being inexperienced with the world outside of her shrine.
The elder brother of Dān Fěi,he is also a Seal Guardian who guards the Tiān Xíng Jiàn along with his sister. Dān Héng is responsible for guarding the hilt of the Tiān Xíng Jiàn,while Dān Fěi protects the crossguard of the sword. Dān Héng lost his life at the hands of MièTiān Hái when the Xuán GuǐZōng invaded their shrine.
Shòu Yún Xiāo (狩雲霄,Shu Un Shō,Sky Hunter) /RuìYǎn Chuān Yáng (鋭眼穿楊,Ei Gan Sen Yō,Keen-eyed Sharpshooter[lower-alpha 4])
An old acquaintance of Lǐn XuěYā,Shòu Yún Xiāo is an archer who made a name for himself for his exceptional marksmanship. He regards Juǎn Cán Yún as his sworn younger brother. He joins the quest of retrieving the hilt of the Tiān Xíng Jiàn at Lǐn XuěYā's request.
The sworn brother of Shòu Yún Xiāo,and a skilled spear wielder. Juǎn Cán Yún looks up to Shòu Yún Xiāo with admiration,and works hard to attain a reputation for himself using his skills. He tagged along with Yún Xiāo on the quest to retrieve the hilt of the Tiān Xíng Jiàn.
A powerful necromancer who dwells in the Night Devil Forest,and someone Lǐn XuěYāwishes to recruit to best the first obstacle of the Demon Spine Mountains. The other party members are wary of her because she is a demon,but Lǐn XuěYāassures them she can be trusted. However,Xíng Hài is shown to be hostile towards Lǐn XuěYāfor unknown reasons.
ShāWúShēng (殺無生,Setsu Mu Shō,Eradicator of Life) /Míng Fèng JuéShā (鳴鳳決殺,Mei HōKett Satsu,Screaming Phoenix Execution[lower-alpha 7])
A notorious and heartless killer,but also a swordsman whose skills are unparalleled. Due to some old enmity,he has set his eye on Lǐn XuěYāfor revenge,and is obsessed with chasing Lǐn XuěYādown. When faced with a strong opponent,he cannot help but step forward in challenge. Thinks very highly of himself. Died after challenging MièTiān Hái to a duel.
The mentor of Lǐn XuěYā;the original owner of the Soul Echo Flute,he also taught Lǐn XuěYāhow to create magic items. Died by the blade of ShāWúShēng,who then took the Soul Echo Flute.
Antagonists
MièTiān Hái (蔑天骸,Betsu Ten Gai,Skeleton Who Scorns the Heavens) /Sēn LuóKūGǔ (森羅枯骨,Shinra Kokotsu,Mass Array of Dry Bones.[lower-alpha 8])
Leader of the Xuán GuǐZōng,a group which utilizes the naturally defended mountain fortress,Seven Sins Tower,as its base of operations. He is arrogant and prideful,due to his skill with the sword,and possesses necromantic powers. He is also the foremost antagonist of the story. In order to seize the Tiān Xíng Jiàn protected by the Dān siblings,he uses every means possible to invade the Dān Family's sacred grounds.
Subordinate of MièTiān Hái. A Xuán GuǐZōng swordsman ordered to hunt down Dān Fěi. Died after confusing Shāng BùHuàn with Dān Fěi due to the machinations of Lǐn XuěYā.
First appearing in Thunderbolt Fantasy:The Sword of Life and Death,he is a mysterious,red-haired,young man who carries a demonic talking Pipa named Líng Yá (聆牙 (Ryouga,Listening Fang),voiced by Katsuyuki Konishi). He returns in Season 2 following his old acquaintance,Shāng BùHuàn,after the latter left him in XīYōu. Làng was originally designed as a mascot for T.M. Revolution to promote the franchise,but Urobuchi grew fond of the character and later incorporated him in the franchise's main story. Làng WūYáo is the main character in the prequel movie Thunderbolt Fantasy - Bewitching Melody of the West.
A magistrate of XīYōu,he is tasked in finding Shāng BùHuàn and retrieving the Sorcerous Sword Index. He is a cruel and cunning man who uses "justice" as a pretense to do villainous things.
XiēYīng Luò's master,he is the leader of the Order of The Divine Swarm,an evil organization seeking the Sorcerous Sword Index. He is an incredibly powerful wizard that is skilled in dark magic.
A nihilistic monk on a pilgrimage. When he encounters XiēYīng Luò,who threatens him with death,he questions her true motivations and goes as far as saving her from Shāng BùHuàn and Làng WūYáo. Despite being a monk,Làng WūYáo has determined he is a character with evil intentions. His evil self is revealed when he takes the Seven Blasphemous Deaths and becomes its new master.
One of the weapons sealed within the Sorcerous Sword Index,it was released by XiēYīng Luò. Considered one of the most dangerous weapons because of its malevolent sentience. It has the ability to control the wielder and when unsheathed,those who see the sword is drawn to it in madness. The sword also draws blood from any person it cuts or kills,further increasing its power as well as its wielder's.
A gigantic dragon living within the Wasteland of Spirits. His wing was sliced off by Shāng BùHuàn when the latter encountered him on his journey to Dong Li. He is said to have killed and devoured his own kind to survive in the wastelands.
She is Shāng BùHuàn's partner in collecting swords across XīYōu and the first person to befriend Làng WūYáo. Like WūYáo,she is a musician who is also talented in the martial arts.
Làng WūYáo's mother who is blind. She is a former member of the XīYōu Imperial Court. Taking pride of her son's singing voice,she brutally trains him in singing and in combat until WūYáo fell ill. When WūYáo recovers,his pitch changed,sending Xún Yīn into a frenzy that led to her death by falling off a cliff.
Princess of XīYōu. She is cruel in that she has musicians perform for her while being attacked by her soldiers as part of her entertainment. After seeing Làng WūYáo's performance,he is made court virtuoso and is declared as her 'songstress' for life. She is enraged when WūYáo left to pursue Shāng BùHuàn and MùTiān Mìng and later joining them.
Former comrade of Shāng BùHuàn. He joined the Order of The Divine Swarm in hopes of overthrowing the current government and establishing a new world order,with HuòShìMíng Huáng as its ruler. He also works undercover as one of XīYōu's highest-ranked officers.
A member of the Order of The Divine Swarm. He,along with Wā̀n Jūn Pò,is assigned by HuòShìMíng Huáng to assist Xíng Hài as part of the alliance between the Order and the Demon Realm.
GuǐDuóTiān Gōng (鬼奪天工Ki Datsu Ten Kou, Ghost Seizing Heavenly Crafter)
A wizard of XīYōu,he wishes to open the portal to the Demon Realm to learn and harness its secrets. He is responsible for building a weaponized prosthetic arm for Lóu Zhèn Jiè.
Xíng Hài's elder sister. She is a demon sorceress who infiltrated XīYōu's royal court 200 years ago and caused its corruption by seducing its first Emperor to be a bloodthirsty tyrant - a trait that has since been passed down to his successors. After she was killed,she transferred her soul into the holy blade that fatally stabbed her,thus becoming the Seven Blasphemous Deaths.
A count in the Demon Realm with powers over time and space. He is said to be extremely cruel and have visited the human realm several times despite the Demon Lord's orders. Later revealed to be Làng WūYáo's father.
A mysterious man from a foreign realm and the originator of the magic swords (the Shén HuìMóXiè) during the War of the Fading Dusk. He is remembered in history as a god,despite being a mortal man.
A Seal Guardian from Season 2 who heads Xiān Zhèn Fortress,which houses and protects various magical weapons. Shāng BùHuàn approached him for assistance in protecting the Sorcerous Sword Index until the fortress came under attack by first XiēYīng Luò,and later by Lóu Zhèn Jiè.
Development
In 2014,Urobuchi came across Pili's exhibition booth within a Taiwanese comic convention while he was invited as the convention's special guest. He was greatly impacted by their execution of the art form,prompting him to take home a full set of Pili's puppet show series to share with his associates within the Japanese ACG industry,and was eager to either plan an original story,or license a couple of series with Pili to dub into Japanese. The news of Urobuchi's interest in Taiwanese puppetry quickly made its way to Pili,which had a decent percentage of staff members who were,according to Nitroplus representative,Digitarou,"anime savvy,Urobuchi fans." Therefore,Pili International were also actively searching for ways to contact Urobuchi. Both parties contacted each other within a day's time frame asking if they wanted to create something fun together;after various discussions from both parties,they decided to create an original story that is,first and foremost,"a straight-forward narrative" easy for first-time puppetry viewers and the anime demographic to process and appreciate. Hence the birth of the Thunderbolt Fantasy Project.[12][13]
Media
Soundtrack
Thunderbolt Fantasy:Tōriken Yūki Original Soundtrack
Thunderbolt Fantasy:Tōriken Yūki Original Soundtrack (2016)
The soundtrack was composed by Hiroyuki Sawano and released on August 24,2016.[14] The music was composed by Hiroyuki Sawano and the lyrics were written by Benjamin &mpi
Thunderbolt Fantasy:Tōriken Yūki Original Soundtrack
No.
Title
Vocals
Length
1.
"thunderBOLTfantasy"
5:35
2.
"show-no-feel"
4:37
3.
"tanh1"
4:05
4.
"5in4"
5:46
5.
"tpfp1"
2:57
6.
"coldsnowcrow"
4:43
7.
"GKpeople"
4:11
8.
"⚡bolt-arr1"
4:07
9.
"from either way"
4:54
10.
"kill don't 生kill-FUe"
1:03
11.
"Kguy&kill don't 生kiLL"
5:35
12.
"thedead"
4:02
13.
"蔑、guy"
4:36
14.
"⚡bolt-arr2"
4:15
15.
"tfpf2"
2:39
16.
"devigod"
5:28
17.
"Darkest"
Mika Kobayashi
mpi
5:17
18.
"tfpf3"
2:42
Total length:
76:32
Television series
Thunderbolt Fantasy was first announced on February 5,2016.[2] The series was created and written by Nitroplus' Gen Urobuchi,who used a full year to develop the script closely with Pili.[13] The voices were originally performed in Min-Nan Chinese based on the translated Japanese script for the puppetry performance and broadcast in Taiwan. The episodes were then dubbed into Mandarin Chinese and Japanese for their respective regions' broadcast,with the Japanese version licensed to simulcast outside of Asia by Crunchyroll starting July 8,2016.[4][15] The opening theme is "Raimei" performed by Takanori Nishikawa (T.M.Revolution). A sequel was announced at the end of the first season's final episode.[9] The second season premiered in October 2018.[10] For the second season,the opening theme and the ending theme are "His/Story" and "Roll The Dice",respectively,both performed by Takanori Nishikawa. The third season premiered on April 3,2021.[16] It was set to premiere in 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17] Takanori Nishikawa performed the opening theme song "Judgement" for the third season,and the ending theme is "thunderBOLTfantasy" by mpi.
One stormy night,Dān Fěi and her brother Dān Héng,protectors of the Tiān Xíng Jiàn,are pursued by the evil Xuán GuǐZōng clan. Although the clan's leader,MièTiān Hái,manages to kill Héng and retrieve the sword's hilt,Fěi manages to escape off a cliff. Meanwhile,a travelling swordsman named Shāng BùHuàn comes across an umbrella covering a Buddha statue,where a peculiar man informs him that taking the umbrella will require him to do a good favor in return. As BùHuàn returns on his journey,he encounters Fěi as she escapes from Xuán GuǐZōng members,prompting him to step in to protect her. After bringing Fěi back to the man he met earlier,BùHuàn is confronted by the Xuán GuǐZōng's Cán Xiōng,who attacks BùHuàn after the mysterious man sprays him with smoke making him believe he is actually Fěi. After BùHuàn defeats him in battle,Xiōng severs his own head and sends it to Tiān Hái,who identifies the mysterious man as LüèFēng QièChén.
2
"Attack of the Xuán GuǐZōng!" "Shūrai! Genkishu"(襲来! 玄鬼宗)
July15,2016(2016-07-15)
Fěi explains to BùHuàn and the peculiar man,who calls himself GuǐNiǎo,that the Xuán GuǐZōng need the crossguard she is carrying to draw the Tiān Xíng Jiàn from its sealed pedestal. Not wanting to get involved any further,BùHuàn takes his leave and goes into a town,where he learns that the Xuán GuǐZōng have labelled him as an enemy. He leaves town,passing by a stranger who warns him of an ambush further down the road. Exactly like the man warned him,the Xuán GuǐZōng's LièMèi confronts BùHuàn and her lackeys surround him. Just then,BùHuàn is joined by a warrior named Juǎn Cán Yún,along with the stranger from earlier,Shòu Yún Xiāo,who defeat Mèi's soldiers and force her to retreat.
3
"The Woman in Night Devil Forest" "Yama no Mori no Onna"(夜魔の森の女)
July22,2016(2016-07-22)
Yún Xiāo and Cán Yún are revealed to be allies summoned by GuǐNiǎo to join Fěi and a reluctant BùHuàn as they journey to the Seven Sins Tower in the Demon Spine Mountains where the Xuán GuǐZōng dwell. GuǐNiǎo explains that in order to get past the barrier surrounding the mountains and reach the tower,they must overcome three different obstacles,one of which requires the assistance of a demon necromancer named Xíng Hài,who resides in the Night Devil Forest. The next day,the group heads into the forest to seek out Hài,who believes them to be trespassers and attacks them with an army of zombies,which Fěi and Cán Yún fend off while the other three press forward.
4
"The Whereabouts of the Soul Echo Flute" "Kaireiteki no Yukue"(迴靈笛のゆくえ)
July29,2016(2016-07-29)
GuǐNiǎo uses fire to draw Hài out of hiding,managing to persuade her to join his party after bringing up the Tiān Xíng Jiàn. Meanwhile,Lián Qí,GuǐNiǎo's master who possesses the Soul Echo Flute needed to make it through the labyrinth leading to the Demon Spine Mountain,is attacked and killed by the Screaming Phoenix Killer,ShāWúShēng. He steals the flute and awaits GuǐNiǎo's arrival. WúShēng tries to provoke GuǐNiǎo into fighting,but he refuses to do so. Instead,Yún Xiāo and Cán Yún attempt to fight against WúShēng but are both easily outmatched,prompting GuǐNiǎo to call a retreat.
5
"The Sword Devil,ShāWúShēng" "Kenki,Setsu Mu Shō"(剣鬼,殺無生)
August5,2016(2016-08-05)
After the group returns to their inn,they talk about confronting the Screaming Phoenix Killer. Cán Yún is determined to fight WúShēng in a duel the next morning,because he considers himself expendable and because,if he wins,then he would make a name for himself. Xíng Hài offers her help in the form of spells. GuǐNiǎo,however,feels that confrontation should only be used as a last resort. BùHuàn gets tired of the talk and decides to head off on his own. He goes to the Devilwood Flower Garden himself and asks WúShēng to hand over the Soul Echo Flute. WúShēng refuses and they prepare to battle,but GuǐNiǎo defuses the situation and asks WúShēng the favor of becoming the performer of the Soul Echo Flute;in exchange,GuǐNiǎo propositions WúShēng his head once they have reached the summit of the Demon Spine Mountains. WúShēng agrees. Meanwhile,MièTiān Hái suspects that GuǐNiǎo's group will head to him.
6
"Seven Comrades" "Nananin Dōshū"(七人同舟)
August12,2016(2016-08-12)
BùHuàn is worried that the group cannot work together,as everyone is suspicious of each other. However,he still accompanies them as they ride a boat to the Demon Spine Mountains. Upon arrival to shore,the group encounters the Xuán GuǐZōng,led by LièMèi and Diāo Mìng. Cán Yún is motivated by WúShēng to attack and takes care of the "cannon fodder," while Hài and Yún Xiāo work together to raise the dead created by Cán Yún. WúShēng finally attacks after all the soldiers have been taken care of,killing LièMèi. Suddenly,MièTiān Hái shows up.
7
"Demon Spine Mountains" "Masekizan"(魔脊山)
August19,2016(2016-08-19)
After MièTiān Hái shows up,he mocks the group then immediately leaves,along with the rest of the Xuán GuǐZōng. The group then arrives at the Demon Spine Mountains,and rest a night before heading in. Dān Fěi is up practicing,when Cán Yún shows up and gives her a few pointers,though angering her in the process. She storms off and the group enters the mountains the next day,encountering the Valley of the Dead,the first trial. Xíng Hài is called upon to put the dead to sleep,but fails a few times;Fěi protects the group with her HùYìn Shīskills,except for BùHuàn who has to fight the dead. Hài finally succeeds in singing the correct tune and the group moves on,arriving at the second trial,the Valley of the Doll. A golem guardian stands there motionless,and BùHuàn activates it,allowing Yún Xiāo to fire at its weak point. Yún Xiāo misses twice,though,so BùHuàn takes matters into his own hands and climbs the golem,stabbing the charm himself and deactivating the golem. He then falls off,but is saved by Yún Xiāo's arrow,which pierces through his clothing and nails him to the arm of the now-deactivated golem. The group then moves onto the final trial,the Labyrinth of Darkness. BùHuàn,however,declares his departure before they can continue.
8
"The Enigmatic Gale" "RyōFūSetsujin"(掠風竊塵)
August26,2016(2016-08-26)
After BùHuàn storms off,Fěi admonishes the groups and runs after him. GuǐNiǎo also follows her. The remaining four comrades decide to pass through the Labyrinth of Darkness using the Soul Echo Flute. GuǐNiǎo and Fěi find BùHuàn spying on some Xuán GuǐZōng soldiers,who are trying to catch more demon birds. The three of them ambush the Xuán GuǐZōng and use a bone-whistle to call the demon birds and ride them to the Seven Sins Tower. Once they arrive,they find Tiān Hái waiting for them. Fěi immediately attacks him,seeking vengeance for her brother and to obtain the hilt of the Tiān Xíng Jiàn. However,GuǐNiǎo sprays Fěi with smoke,causing her to attack BùHuàn instead. Diāo Mìng then knocks out Fěi and arrests BùHuàn. They are then thrown into cages,where they are found by the other four. Yún Xiāo reveals GuǐNiǎo's other name,Enigmatic Gale (LüèFēng QièChén),while Fěi reveals his real name,Lǐn XuěYā.
9
"The Essence of a Sword" "Ken no Shinzui"(剣の神髄)
September2,2016(2016-09-02)
Yún Xiāo and Xíng Hài reveal that their letters from Lǐn XuěYāasked them to swindle Fěi of her crossguard. WúShēng affirms this with the letter he stole from XuěYā's teacher,Lián Qí. Cán Yún is shaken up by this turn of events,but still follows the other three as they leave BùHuàn and Fěi in their cells. WúShēng returns to the Tower,though,seeking XuěYā's head as promised. Meanwhile,XuěYāand MièTiān Hái are having a discussion about the Tiān Xíng Jiàn. WúShēng interrupts this discussion,though,and before going after XuěYā,challenges Tiān Hái to a duel. Tiān Hái slays WúShēng,and explains his swordsmanship to XuěYā. While this happens,BùHuàn breaks out of his cell.
10
"A Thief's Pride" "Tōzoku no Kyōji"(盗賊の矜恃)
September9,2016(2016-09-09)
After BùHuàn exits his cell,he sees WúShēng fighting through endless streams of Xuán GuǐZōng fodder. BùHuàn picks up a sword from a dead soldier and continues searching the Seven Sins Tower for Lǐn XuěYā. He then spots XuěYāand Diāo Mìng,and hides. BùHuàn confronts XuěYāafter Diāo Mìng leaves. XuěYāthen explains his plan to BùHuàn,and explains that both Yún Xiāo and Xíng Hài are villains that would take the Tiān Xíng Jiàn for themselves. All XuěYāwants to do is make MièTiān Hái despair. XuěYāalso reveals the hiding place of the crossguard—the Limitless Temple. BùHuàn then meets with Fěi and tells her the plan and to stay in the cell. Meanwhile,XuěYāsets up a deal with Tiān Hái. Afterwards,XuěYāmeets with BùHuàn again and gives him a hood that changes his appearance to that of XuěYā. They then begin to carry out XuěYā's plan. At the same time,Cán Yún breaks Fěi out of her cell.
11
"A Proud Life" "Hokori Takaki Inochi"(誇り高き命)
September16,2016(2016-09-16)
BùHuàn,disguised as XuěYā,meets with Tiān Hái,who becomes very suspicious,and together with the Xuán GuǐZōng,ride their demon birds to the Limitless Temple. As this happens,XuěYādiscovers that Yún Xiāo and Xíng Hài also met with Tiān Hái. He then goes to unlock the safe containing the hilt of the Tiān Xíng Jiàn,transforming his pipe into chopsticks. Erstwhile,after BùHuàn receives the gold agreed upon for the crossguard of the Tiān Xíng Jiàn,he is questioned by Tiān Hái and Diāo Mìng,who have already seen through his disguise. BùHuàn then acts as bait to allow XuěYāto finish his part. However,Tiān Hái had kept the hilt on him the entire time. Meanwhile,Cán Yún and Fěi also head to the Limitless Temple by way of a Spirit Tree. There,they find the crossguard before the others arrive. They were followed by Yún Xiāo and Hài,though,and are forced to fight. Yún Xiāo and Hài obtain the crossguard and force Cán Yún and Fěi to retreat. XuěYā,alone again,sets up a trap.
12
"A Blade That Doesn't Cut" "Kirezaru yaiba"(切れざる刃)
September23,2016(2016-09-23)
After escaping from the Xuán GuǐZōng,BùHuàn happens upon Cán Yún and Fěi. He learns Yún Xiāo and Hài stole the crossguard and intend to sell it to Tiān Hái. Cán Yún also titles BùHuàn the "Edgeless Sword." Suddenly,Diāo Mìng and the Xuán GuǐZōng show up and attack the three of them. BùHuàn shows his true colors and fights with a wooden branch. After killing Diāo Mìng and the Xuán GuǐZōng,BùHuàn explains his philosophy as the three of them head to the Duàn Jiàn Cí. Meanwhile,Yún Xiāo and Hài meet with Tiān Hái at the Duàn Jiàn Cí. After removing the sword from the pedestal,Yāo TúLíis revealed,the lost demon god. Hài then kills Yún Xiāo for trying to prevent the awakening of the demon god. XuěYāconfronts Tiān Hái outside the Duàn Jiàn Cíafter Hài leaves.
13
"A New Duty" "Aratanaru Shimei"(新たなる使命)
September30,2016(2016-09-30)
XuěYāduels Tiān Hái,with XuěYācrushing Tiān Hái's spirit. Because of this,Tiān Hái destroys the Tiān Xíng Jiàn,releasing Yāo TúLífrom the binding. BùHuàn,Cán Yún,and Fěi find XuěYāafter this happens,and BùHuàn decides to face Yāo TúLí. He defeats the demon god by channeling the power of one of the thirty-six swords he collected from his travels,and banishes the demon god to the far reaches of space,ending the threat once and for all. He leaves the sword in the care of Cán Yún and Fěi,and departs,but not before receiving a parting gift from XuěYā.
Season 2 (2018)
No. in season
No. in series
Title
Original air date
1
14
"Xiān Zhèn Fortress" "Sen Jin Jō"(仙鎮城)
October1,2018(2018-10-01)
Shāng BùHuàn enters the Xiān Zhèn Fortress to meet BóYáng Hóu to surrender the Sorcerous Sword Index and place it under the fortress's protection. Despite the letter of introduction by the Seal Guardian Dān Fěi,BóYáng Hóu was suspicious of BùHuàn's intentions,but accepts the Index,nonetheless. BùHuàn reunites with his old partner,Làng WūYáo and his talking Pipa Líng Yá,who informs Shāng that HuòShìMíng Huáng has sent the assassin XiēYīng Luòto retrieve the Index. BùHuàn hurriedly returns to the fortress as it falls under attack by Yīng Luò.
With WūYáo's help,BùHuàn managed to repel XiēYīng Luò,but not before ripping and taking a portion of the Index with her. Meanwhile,Xiào Kuáng Juàn,a magistrate of XīYōu,enters Dōng Li on official business to hunt down and capture Shāng BùHuàn,now deemed a fugitive. Assisting him is Lǐn XuěYā,who poses as a Dōng Li inspector and assuming his alias as GuǐNiǎo.
2
15
"The Stolen Sorcerous Blades" "Ubawareta maken"(奪われた魔剣)
October8,2018(2018-10-08)
Lǐn XuěYā&Xiào Kuáng Juàn visit the Xiān Zhèn Fortress to speak with BóYáng Hóu,who is recovering from the poison applied to him by XiēYīng Luò. Both XuěYāand Kuáng Juàn use the information to further incriminate Shāng BùHuàn,citing he and Xiēare conspiring to steal the magical weapons from the fortress.
Later,Yīng Luòattacks a town using The Night of Mourning –a sword from the Index that turns its victims into puppets for the wielder to control,and uses them to attack BùHuàn and Làng WūYáo. BùHuàn is then struck by Yīng Luò's poison and is then overwhelmed by her puppets.
3
16
"Princess of Cruelty" "Shokushin Dokki"(蝕心毒姫)
October15,2018(2018-10-15)
BùHuàn and WūYáo flee from Yīng Luò,just before Xiào Kuáng Juàn enters the scene. Yīng Luòtoo,is forced to flee when Kuáng Juàn and his men show no remorse in killing the puppets. After finding a safe area,BùHuàn tells WūYáo that the Seven Blasphemous Deaths was the second sword Yīng Luòhas stolen. Neither BùHuàn nor WūYáo can remove the poison from the former until Lǐn XuěYāarrives to meet them.
Meanwhile,a monk by the name of DìKōng is summoned into Xiān Zhèn Fortress to help heal the ailing BóYáng Hóu. Kōng asks if there is a point to save an elderly person,and after hearing answers from the Seal Guardians,heals him.
4
17
"Close Foes" "Shinkin Tekijin"(親近敵人)
October22,2018(2018-10-22)
XuěYāand WūYáo travel to the Wasteland of Spirits (where the danger of the area has been reduced thanks to BùHuàn's exploits),to retrieve the ingredients for the antidote for BùHuàn's poison. Kuáng Juàn summons Yīng Luòand proposes a temporary alliance to hunt down BùHuàn,to which Yīng Luòaccepts. When Yīng Luòreturns to her hideout,she encounters DìKōng and attacks him. Unconvinced of her reasons to kill him,Kōng easily avoids Yīng Luò's attacks and questions her true motivations before leaving.
5
18
"Hellfire Valley" "Gyōka no Tani"(業火の谷)
October29,2018(2018-10-29)
XuěYāand WūYáo proceed into Hellfire Valley,the domain of the dragon MòWáng,for the latter's horn needed for the antidote. The duo successfully defeats the dragon and obtain the horn,but WūYáo attacks XuěYāshortly after,citing Lǐn as an untrusting individual. XuěYāescapes and gives WūYáo the final instructions on preparing the antidote.
Meanwhile,Xiēand Xiào are close to finding BùHuàn's location. Due to the poison,BùHuàn is unable to flee far enough and Yīng Luòand Kuáng Juàn caught up with him. BùHuàn is forced to fight Kuáng Juàn's men until WūYáo arrives with the antidote.
6
19
"A Poisoner's Pride" "Dokushu no Hokori"(毒手の誇り)
November5,2018(2018-11-05)
Xiào Kuáng Juàn betrays XiēYīng Luòby taking the Night of Mourning for himself after she is defeated by the rejuvenated Shāng BùHuàn,forcing her to flee. Lǐn XuěYāarrives and convinces Kuáng Juàn to retreat as well.
Later,in their pursuit of Xiē,BùHuàn and Làng WūYáo encounter DìKōng,who earlier rescued Yīng Luòand took her to her hideout to recover. Kōng questions BùHuàn on seeking out Yīng Luò. Suspecting the monk is of an evil nature,WūYáo attacks Kōng,but was stopped by BùHuàn. Kuáng Juàn inquires about the Enigmatic Gale,much to the shock of the Dōng Li lawman.
7
20
"Bewitched Whispering" "Yōki no Sasayaki"(妖姫の囁き)
November12,2018(2018-11-12)
At Yīng Luò's hideout,Kōng further questions her true motivations,including her loyalty to HuòShìMíng Huáng,putting her in a state of doubt. In their secret meeting,BùHuàn confirms to XuěYāthat he is a fugitive for stealing all the mystic swords and placing them into the Sorcerous Sword Index,citing that the XīYōu government were using them in their campaign of conquest. Later,as Yīng Luòthinks of her next course of action,she is surrounded by Kuáng Juàn and his men. In desperation,she unsheathes the Seven Blasphemous Deaths,causing Kuáng Juàn and his men to fall into the sword's charms and fight each other. This vulnerability leaves them open for Yīng Luòto strike them down and for the sword to feed on their blood. BùHuàn and WūYáo arrive to find themselves the latest target of Yīng Luò's newfound bloodlust.
8
21
"The Song That Dooms Evil" "Genka ta Yokoshima"(弦歌斷邪)
November19,2018(2018-11-19)
BùHuàn is badly wounded by Yīng Luò,but was ordered by the Seven Blasphemous Deaths to not kill him,instead make him suffer by killing more innocent victims by her blade. Yīng Luòleaves while XuěYātakes an exhausted Kuáng Juàn,unaware that the latter has discovered the former's true identity.
Yīng Luòlater attacks a town and kills many of the local populace,but was stopped by WūYáo,who found a way to counter the charms of the Seven Blasphemous Deaths. Kuáng Juàn and XuěYā,now working together,arrive to allow Yīng Luòto escape as part of Kuáng Juàn's plan to use her and the sword as a counter against BùHuàn.
9
22
"The Path of the Strong" "Tsuwamono no Michi"(強者の道)
November26,2018(2018-11-26)
The Seven Blasphemous Deaths lambasts Yīng Luòfor failing to defeat WūYáo,and orders her to offer her blood to the sword as punishment. Frustrated,Yīng Luòfrees herself from the sword and leaves. As she wanders,she encounters Shāng BùHuàn and the two engage in a duel,with BùHuàn victorious. BùHuàn spares her and tells her that one can also gain strength through defeat before leaving. Learning of this,Yīng Luògains her resolve and is about to start a new outlook in life when she finds DìKōng,now using his given name Lóu Zhèn Jiè,as the new wielder of the Seven Blasphemous Deaths,and becomes his first victim.
Kuáng Juàn reveals to XuěYāhis pursuit of Shāng BùHuàn was a front to his modus operandi:the smuggling and selling of stolen goods from XīYōu to Dōng Li. Kuáng Juàn proposes that XuěYājoin him by selling the swords XuěYāstole from the Xuán GuǐZōng clan to XīYōu and both reap its profits. XuěYāaccepts.
BùHuàn meets up with WūYáo,who just finished making a grave for Yīng Luò. BùHuàn is chastised for his compassion for others,which led to everything that is going on so far,before WūYáo sets off to face Lóu Zhèn Jièalone.
XuěYāsabotages Kuáng Juàn's smuggling operation by switching the swords to be sold instead at their country of origin,revealing them as stolen goods to buyers and pinning Xiào as the culprit. In panic,Kuáng Juàn attacks the buyers and the local lawmen as he flees.
Meanwhile,to show his devotion to the Seven Blasphemous Deaths,Zhèn Jièattacks Xiān Zhèn Fortress,destroying any magic swords within the fortress and slaughtering everyone in his way. BóYáng Hóu escapes carrying the three remaining swords from the fortress in his possession. While amazed by Zhèn Jiè's sword skills,the Seven Blasphemous Deaths worry that he may be a danger even to itself.
11
24
"The Dignity of Evil" "Aku no Kyōji"(悪の矜恃)
December10,2018(2018-12-10)
BùHuàn asks his friend Juǎn Cán Yún to hold onto the Sorcerous Sword Index while he goes after the released swords and their wielders. Kuáng Juàn confronts XuěYāover the botched operation and XuěYādenies his involvement. Rather than be enraged over the incident,Kuáng Juàn sees it as a relief and abandons the entire operation,opting instead to make a fresh start by creating his own army using the Night of Mourning. Disgusted by Kuáng Juàn's reaction,XuěYāleaves him.
Zhèn Jièsets out to find the escaped swords from Xiān Zhèn Fortress and encounters WūYáo. During the battle,Zhèn Jièexploits WūYáo's sense of hearing to avoid the sword's charms and detect his location and wounds him. But before he could land the killing blow,Zhèn Jièfalls into XuěYā's trap and is taken away by a Demon Bird. XuěYāinforms WūYáo that Kuáng Juàn is out to attack the Dōng Li government. Despite his injures,WūYáo goes off to face Kuáng Juàn.
12
25
"The Hunting Fox" "Oi Mei Rin Kitsune"(追命靈狐)
December17,2018(2018-12-17)
Lóu Zhèn Jièends up in the Wasteland of Spirits and reveals to the Seven Blasphemous Deaths that he was never under the sword's control,wielding it instead of his own free will because he is enamored by its beauty. He intends to die in the wastelands to ensure no one else wields the sword,much to the latter's objections. MòWáng appears and attacks Lóu Zhèn Jiè.
Làng WūYáo finds Xiào Kuáng Juàn in a marketplace and the two engage in a battle. Kuáng Juàn tricks WūYáo to wield the Night of Mourning,allowing the former to attack and kill the civilians that were turned into puppets,with the latter unable to protect them and leaving himself open to Kuáng Juàn's attacks. Shāng BùHuàn arrives and takes the Night of Mourning and uses it to command the puppets to attack Kuáng Juàn. Kuáng Juàn is shocked by BùHuàn's ability to command as he is badly beaten by the puppets and flees.
BùHuàn later restores the civilians back to normal and he,WūYáo and Lǐn XuěYābegin their pursuit of Kuáng Juàn. Meanwhile,Zhèn Jièeasily kills MòWáng. Desperate to not be forever lost in the wastelands,the Seven Blasphemous Deaths convinces Zhèn Jièto seek and kill the only remaining threat to it –Shāng BùHuàn.
13
26
"A Bizarre,Bloodstained Ballad" "Senketsu no Renka"(鮮血の恋歌)
December24,2018(2018-12-24)
BùHuàn,XuěYā,and WūYáo find a hanged Kuáng Juàn with a note,indicating he was killed by Zhèn Jiè,who challenges BùHuàn to a duel. BùHuàn accepts and meets Zhèn Jièin the Demon Spine Mountains where they begin their battle. To avoid being charmed by the Seven Blasphemous Deaths,BùHuàn allows himself to be turned into a puppet by the Night of Mourning,with XuěYāas its wielder. Zhèn Jièis overwhelmed and asks the sword for its help,but the latter is conflicted in either helping Zhèn Jièand be its last wielder or allowing BùHuàn to win and have it trapped in the Index once again. The sword tells Zhèn Jièto attack XuěYā,but realized too late. The Night of Mourning was an illusion set up by XuěYāand the real one was now in the hands of WūYáo. WūYáo restores BùHuàn and the trio separates Zhèn Jièfrom the Seven Blasphemous Deaths. BùHuàn begins to seal the sword,but Zhèn Jièreaches out and grabs it,creating a shockwave that cuts off his arm and sending him into the deep abyss,falling to his death with the sword in hand.
The trio return to the Xiān Zhèn Fortress with Juǎn Cán Yún and Dān Fěi,along with the Sorcerous Sword Index. The party realizes BùHuàn has only captured Zhèn Jiè's severed arm,but both agree the latter met its fate along with the sword. BóYáng Hóu arrives to apologize to BùHuàn for suspecting him,and asks him to add the three surviving swords from the fortress –all designed to be used in the event of a demon invasion,into the Index,and BùHuàn as its protector. In the post-credits scene,learning of XiēYīng Luò's fate,HuòShìMíng Huáng calls for an assault on Dōng Li when he is visited by Xíng Hài,who proposes an alliance with the demon realm for the invasion.
Season 3 (2021)
No. in season
No. in series
Title
Original air date
1
27
"The Void Junction" "Mukaikaku"(無界閣)
April3,2021(2021-04-03)
Shāng BùHuàn and his party's search for Lóu Zhèn Jiè's remains and the Seven Blasphemous Deaths leads them back to the Demon Spine Mountains and must once again traverse into the Labyrinth of Darkness. Deep into the labyrinth,Xíng Hài reveals to two subjects of HuòShìMíng Huáng that she converted it into her own realm,the Void Junction,and creating the Scrying Mirrors as a means of teleporting anywhere in the world. One of Míng Huáng's subjects,Wā̀n Jūn Pò,suspects the mirrors can also be used to open a portal to the Demon Realm. Xíng Hài does not deny this,but also replies that a diplomatic relationship between the Demon Realm and the owner of the Shén HuìMóXiè(weapons designed against demons) is more beneficial than to open warfare,thus the need to retrieve the Sorcerous Sword Index off BùHuàn and be given instead to Míng Huáng. When they learn that BùHuàn's party has entered the labrynth,Xíng Hài and YìPiāomiǎo,another of Míng Huáng's subjects,ambushed them.
2
28
"Sorcerous Sojourn" "MakyōHyōryū"(魔境漂流)
April10,2021(2021-04-10)
Lóu Zhèn Jiè,having survived his battle with BùHuàn,wanders within the Void Junction and is separated from the Seven Blasphemous Deaths when he touched a Scrying Mirror. He is then teleported to a world occupied by GuǐDuóTiān Gōng,a wizard from XīYōu. Upon learning the circumstances of Zhèn Jiè's arrival,the wizard proposes building a prosthetic arm for Zhèn Jièin exchange of helping him re-open the portal back to Zhèn Jiè's point of origin.
Overwhelmed by their enemies,BùHuàn makes a desperate escape by using one of the Scrying Mirrors and teleports himself and his party to another world. He reveals he is familiar of the Scrying Mirrors and their unreliability that the location they're being teleported to is randomized. After dealing with some wild natives,BùHuàn uses the Scrying Mirror again and they are teleported this time to the Phoenix Light Palace,the home of XīYōu's Emperor. As BùHuàn gathers his comrades,Làng WūYáo has an unwanted reunion with Cháo Fēng,the Princess of XīYōu.
3
29
"The Infatuated Princess" "Aishūno Kōjo"(愛執の皇女)
April17,2021(2021-04-17)
GuǐDuóTiān Gōng succeeds in building a machine that would take him and Lóu Zhèn Jièback to the Void Junction. But after ridiculing Zhèn Jiè's obsession with the Seven Blasphemous Deaths,Zhèn Jièattacks the wizard and destroys the machine before entering the portal himself. Cháo Fēng reveals she has sent countless soldiers to their deaths finding Làng WūYáo. In her obsession,Cháo Fēng stabs WūYáo before BùHuàn's party arrives to the rescue. They later meet Wā̀n Jūn Pò,who offers them a way to escape,unaware that he is leading them to HuòShìMíng Huáng's lair. Jūn Pòasks BùHuàn to surrender the Sorcerous Sword Index,but he refuses,leading the two former comrades to battle one another.
4
30
"Whereabouts of a Demon Sword" "Maken no Yukue"(魔剣の行方)
April24,2021(2021-04-24)
Suspecting BùHuàn has reclaimed the Seven Blasphemous Deaths,Zhèn Jièuses a Scrying Mirror to take himself to Míng Huáng's lair,leading into a 3-way battle between BùHuàn,Zhèn Jiè,and Jūn Pò. The intensity of the battle causes everyone to split up - BùHuàn lures Zhèn Jièaway from WūYáo,who rests in a cave to recover his wounds;XuěYā(using his alias GuǐNiǎo) joins with Jūn Pòto plot against BùHuàn;Juǎn Cán Yún and Líng Yámake their way to the Odd Shack to seek help from Tiān Gōng GuǐJiàng,the creator of the Sorcerous Sword Index. There,they encounter MùTiān Mìng,a friend of BùHuàn and WūYáo,who is now blind. Xíng Hài stumbles upon the Seven Blasphemous Deaths and,upon picking it up,recognizes the entity within the sword as one of her demon sisters.
5
31
"Legend of The Demon Princess" "Yōki Densetsu"(妖姫伝説)
May1,2021(2021-05-01)
Cán Yún returns to WūYáo with the medicine from GuǐJiàng. BùHuàn also returns after Zhèn Jièloses his pursuit of him. After WūYáo recovers and learns of what happened,he berates BùHuàn for not going to the Odd Shack himself to see Tiān Mìng. Xíng Hài learns from her sister's memories on how the latter,Zhào Jūn Lín,infiltrated XīYōu as a human and corrupted the Emperor and his successors,becoming the sword known as the Seven Blasphemous Deaths,and her encounter with BùHuàn,leading the two sisters to learn they share a common enemy.
6
32
"HuòShìMíng Huáng" "Kasei Meikou"(禍世螟蝗)
May8,2021(2021-05-08)
In a flashback,BùHuàn,WūYáo,and Tiān Mìng battle against HuòShìMíng Huáng. The trio are forced to flee as Míng Huáng is too powerful and permanently blinds Tiān Mìng. In the present,BùHuàn explains that he left XīYōu because he would not further risk the lives of his comrades for the safety of the Sorcerous Sword Index,and until the Index is safely secured,he could not visit Tiān Mìng. BùHuàn's party then wait for the Scrying Mirror to take them back to the Void Junction and resume their search for the Seven Blasphemous Deaths.
Xíng Hài is furious that XuěYāis with Jūn Pòand more so that Jūn Pòis convinced XuěYāis on their side. Jūn Pòis summoned back into the Phoenix Light Palace,and thus instructs YìPiāomiǎo to monitor XuěYāand Xíng Hài,suspecting they would betray them in the near future. In the palace,Cháo Fēng orders Jūn Pòto execute his soldiers (much to his horror) for failing to find WūYáo,until Lóu Zhèn Jièarrives providing information as to how to track BùHuàn. The princess then orders Jūn Pòand a small hunting party to assist Zhèn Jiè. Jūn Pòand Zhèn Jièrecognize each other and,learning they share a common enemy in BùHuàn,agree to work together.
7
33
"Counts of Hell" "Makai Hakushaku"(魔界伯爵)
May15,2021(2021-05-15)
XuěYāoverhears Xíng Hài's plan to use the Void Junction to travel back in time to restore Zhào Jūn Lín's demonic form and informs BùHuàn,whose party just arrived into the Void Juncton. Seeing no surprise reaction,XuěYādeduces BùHuàn has used the Scrying Mirror to travel through time before. WūYáo rebukes BùHuàn for not sharing this knowledge and use it to go back to the past and save Tiān Mìng. XuěYāuses a Scrying Mirror to forcibly teleport BùHuàn and WūYáo away just as YìPiāomiǎo arrives,while Cán Yún goes into hiding. XuěYāconvinces Piāomiǎo that his conversation with BùHuàn is part of a deceitful plot against him.
Zhào Jūn Lín notes that in order to fulfill Xíng Hài's plan,they would need assistance from Azibělpher,a Count from the Demon Realm that has the power to manipulate space and time. Azibělpher however refuses to help the sisters,citing the Demon Lord has mandated non-interactions with the Human Realm since the demons' defeat against the humans in the War of the Fading Dusk,and that Azibělpher himself has lost interest in humans as well. BùHuàn and WūYáo then arrive at the Demon Realm and are forced to fight a group of demons. During the battle,WūYáo uses his singing voice to defeat the demons,which caught Azibělpher's attention.
8
34
"Schemes and Conspiracies" "InbōKikei"(陰謀詭計)
May22,2021(2021-05-22)
Lóu Zhèn Jièand Wā̀n Jūn Pòarrive at the Void Junction and,upon seeing Lǐn XuěYā,Zhèn Jièattacks him. Jūn Pòintervenes explaining that XuěYāis on their side. Azibělpher agrees to aid the sisters and begins the process of powering the Void Junction for time travel. Xíng Hài reports of Zhèn Jiè's arrival to Zhào Jūn Lín. The latter warns that Zhèn Jièis dangerous and must be dealt with caution,and is angered when Xíng Hài assumes that her sister's weakened state was due to her using almost all of her magic to save Zhèn Jièfrom death.
Jūn Pò's soldiers question allying with the Order of The Divine Swarm. But XuěYā,disguised as a XīYōu soldier,convinces them that it is for the good of their mission. XuěYāthen notifies Jūn Pòof Xíng Hài's plans,prompting Jūn Pòto report it to HuòShìMíng Huáng. Míng Huáng instructs Jūn Pòto allow Zhào Jūn Lín to be resurrected,to be used as bait to lure out Shāng BùHuàn and ambush him to take the Sorcerous Sword Index.
Back at the Demon Realm,XuěYāremotely reports to BùHuàn of the situation in the Void Junction,adding that Xíng Hài's plan is already in motion,and also that she did not disclose that the Seven Blasphemous Deaths is at her possession. The Scrying Mirror then activates and BùHuàn and WūYáo use it to return to the Void Junction to stop Zhào Jūn Lín's revival.
9
35
"The Cross-Time Guardian" "Toki no Tsuji Gami"(時の辻神)
May29,2021(2021-05-29)
Jūn Pòinforms Piāomiǎo of HuòShìMíng Huáng's plan and laments his helplessness. Piāomiǎo tests Jūn Pò's loyalty by suggesting he ignore his master's orders to which Jūn Pòrefuses.
Meanwhile BùHuàn and WūYáo barges into Xíng Hài's chamber just as she finished empowering a scrying mirror with time travelling powers. WūYáo is able to get ahold of the mirror but runs off instead of destroying it,still believing he can use it to save Tiān Mìng. As he makes his escape he is joined by Cán Yún,with BùHuàn and Xíng Hài following behind. The group makes their way into the chamber with Jūn Pòand Piāomiǎo and a fight breaks out. During the skirmish the scrying mirror is shattered into two. BùHuàn's group manages to escape with one half,while Xíng Hài retrieves the other.
Xíng Hài summons XuěYāto interrogate him about his involvement with what transpired,and tricks him into looking at the Seven Blasphemous Deaths. He is overpowered by Xíng Hài and succumbs to the sword's charms,becoming its new wielder.
Elsewhere in the Void Junction BùHuàn and WūYáo argues about using the mirror to alter the past. Azibělpher appears out of the mirror and sends the two back in time. Cán Yún is forced to hide as Zhèn Jièarrives to collect the mirror. WūYáo is sent to the fateful battle against HuòShìMíng Huáng while BùHuàn is sent to an unknown location where he witnesses the Tiān Xíng Jiàn being forged,along with a mysterious figure.
10
36
"Secrets of Sacred Swords" "Seiken no Himitsu"(聖剣の秘密)
June5,2021(2021-06-05)
BùHuàn finds himself 200 years in the past during the War of the Fading Dusk and meets Bái Lián. Bái Lián explains he is from a different realm and was transported to this current location through unknown means. Seeing his swords have somehow gained magical powers,he gave the weapons to the humans to fight the demons,and eventually started forging more. Sensing BùHuàn is from the future,he wonders if he is here to inform him on the fate of the weapons. Upon seeing the Sorcerous Sword Index,he realizes the destruction they have caused,and offers to take the scroll from him. BùHuàn turns him down,relieved the source of the weapons isn't a divine being,and is happy to continue protecting the swords.
Azibělpher tries to coax WūYáo into interfering with HuòShìMíng Huáng and saving Tiān Mìng. He explains the consequence would be Yāo TúLírampaging through Dōng Li,as the event that triggered BùHuàn crossing the Wasteland of Spirits would not occur. WūYáo ultimately chooses to let the events play out,much to Azibělpher's amusement. He then takes him further back in time.
In the Void Junction Xíng Hài devises a plot to revive her sister without causing major changes to the timeline. She plans to use a scrying mirror to retrieve Zhào Jūn Lín's body and bring it to present time,where she will revive it. BùHuàn awakens back at the Junction with only Cán Yún present and hands him the Index as he prepares to deal with Zhào Jūn Lín's return. As they part ways,XuěYāwalks in wielding the Seven Blasphemous Deaths.
11
37
"Distant Song" "Tōi Utagoe"(遠い歌声)
June12,2021(2021-06-12)
XuěYākills Cán Yún using the Seven Blasphemous Deaths while Xíng Hài subdues BùHuàn. Piāomiǎo snatches up the Index and bargains with Xíng Hài for BùHuàn's survival in exchange for some of the swords. The two are unable to come to an agreement and Piāomiǎo hands Jūn Pòthe Index while he contacts his master. He unsuccessfully attempts to usurp Jūn Pò,and HuòShìMíng Huáng orders him to watch the general in case he does plan a betrayal.
With XuěYāand BùHuàn captured,Xíng Hài plots to lure Dān Fěi to the Void Junction and have a reanimated Cán Yún kill her. Zhèn Jièoverhears the two talking and is reunited with the Seven Blasphemous Deaths,much to her dismay. Allying himself with the demonic sisters,he agrees to aid them in their plot and the three depart for the past.
Azibělpher and WūYáo arrive in the past,where they see a young Zhòu Xún Yīn,WūYáo's mother,at the Phoenix Light Palace. Xún Yīn was in a secret relationship with a disguised Azibělpher. After revealing she is bearing his child,Azibělpher shows his true self to her and blinds her. Unwilling to terminate the child,despite him carrying a demon's blood,she runs away into the mountains where WūYáo was born. Azibělpher takes a distraught WūYáo back to the Void Junction,promising his son they will meet again.
12
38
"The Patriot,Once Again" "Resshi Saiki"(烈士再起)
June19,2021(2021-06-19)
Jūn Pòinforms both soldiers of XīYōu and the Order of the Divine Swarm of the truth surrounding the Void Junction,as well as him being a double-agent,and intends to stop Zhào Jūn Lín. Despite the animosity from both sides,the soldiers choose to join Jūn Pòin destroying all the Scrying Mirrors. Jūn Pòsets XuěYāfree but keeps BùHuàn imprisoned due to his loyalty to Míng Huáng,and that he intends to fight Zhào Jūn Lín alone using the Sorcerous Sword Index. Jūn Pòthen tells BùHuàn that should the latter free himself somehow,they would have one final battle for possession of the Index.
Dān Fěi arrives at the Void Junction and meets WūYáo,and they encounter the still-charmed XuěYā. Dān Fěi easily deduces he is in fact her husband,Cán Yún,and angrily knocks him down to remove his disguise,then dispels the charm cast on him. Cán Yún explains in a flashback that he was disguised as XuěYāby the latter to avoid detection from their enemies,and is angry he wasn't informed that he would end up under the influence of the Seven Blasphemous Deaths.
In the past,Zhào Jūn Lín's body is retrieved and her spirit within the Seven Blasphemous Deaths is transferred back to her body,thus resurrecting her. Shocked at the revelation,Lóu Zhèn Jièbegs for Zhào Jūn Lín to return to the sword,but is knocked out and trapped in the past as the two demon sisters return to the present. There,they find all the other Scrying Mirrors destroyed by Jūn Pò's group,but Azibělpher informs them that the Void Junction is now fully connected to the Demon Realm,allowing the demons to invade the Human Realm once more. As Xíng Hài goes to re-animate Cán Yún's corpse,she finds out that it is in fact YìPiāomiǎo. Peering into the latter's memories,Xíng Hài learns that XuěYāconvinced Piāomiǎo to be disguised as Cán Yún to infiltrate BùHuàn and get the Sorcerous Sword Index. Meanwhile,the real Lǐn XuěYā(still disguised as Piāomiǎo) asks Jūn Pòof his intention with the Index,and the latter responds he will go forward in stopping Zhào Jūn Lín and bids "Piāomiǎo" farewell.
13
39
"Zhào Jūn Lín" "Shou Kun Rin"(照君臨)
June26,2021(2021-06-26)
Dān Fěi,WūYáo,and Cán Yún assist Jūn Pò's troops to drive off the invading demons,while Jūn Pòhimself battles against Zhào Jūn Lín. He pulls several swords from the Sorcerous Sword Index,but are ineffective against Zhào Jūn Lín due to his association with the dark arts. Jūn Pòultimately settles on a flaming sword that burns away at his body. Xíng Hài interrogates BùHuàn until XuěYāarrives carrying still intact Scrying Mirrors,which he offers in exchange for BùHuàn's release. When Xíng Hài slips that her sister is of flesh and blood,XuěYāends the ruse and leaves,revealing that BùHuàn has long been gone from his prison and was communicating remotely. BùHuàn arrives to aid Jūn Pò,but is unable to kill the demon sorceress as her blood is also cursed so her soul is transferred to whatever blade strikes her down. XuěYāarrives with Lóu Zhèn Jièand the latter stabs Zhào Jūn Lín,transferring her soul back into the Seven Blasphemous Deaths. Agreeing to never return,Zhèn Jièallows XuěYāto teleport him into the vastness of space,where he dies with the screaming Seven Blasphemous Deaths in his arms.
Dying from his wounds,Jūn Pòasks XuěYāto teleport him to the Emperor's chamber in XīYōu,while telling his soldiers to accept Dān Fěi's offer to join the HùYìn Shī,and bidding BùHuàn and others farewell. Upon arrival,it was revealed that HuòShìMíng Huáng was in fact the Emperor of XīYōu and kills Jūn Pò. Cháo Fēng arrives and is angered at Jūn Pò's treachery and stomps at his corpse. Míng Huáng nevertheless commends his daughter for running the country in his place.
BùHuàn uses one of the swords from the Sorcerous Sword Index to create an explosion to seal the entrance to the Void Junction. As he and his party leave,WūYáo suddenly turns around and re-enters the Void Junction before the entrance is fully sealed. There,he communicates with Azibělpher,who has the gate to the Demon Realm still open. WūYáo begrudgingly accepts his father's invitation and enters the Demon Realm with Xíng Hài as his guide.
Season 1 home video release
Japanese
The Japanese version released both DVD and Blu-Ray editions incorporating Traditional Chinese and Japanese subtitles,audio commentaries featuring the Japanese voice casts and Gen Urobuchi,along with an extra soundtrack disc from Hiroyuki Sawano.
Volume
Release Date
Episodes
Features
Volume 1
September 7,2016
1–3
Original script booklet by Gen Urobuchi.
Audio commentaries feat. Gen Urobuchi,Kōsuke Toriumi,and Junichi Suwabe.
Volume 2
October 5,2016
4–6
Original script booklet by Gen Urobuchi.
Audio commentaries feat. Gen Urobuchi,Rikiya Koyama,Kenichi Suzumura,and Sayaka Ohara.
Volume 3
November 2,2016
7–9
Original script booklet by Gen Urobuchi.
Audio commentaries feat. Gen Urobuchi,Nobuyuki Hiyama,and Tomokazu Seki.
Volume 4
December 7,2016
10–13
Original script booklet by Gen Urobuchi.
Extra Soundtrack Disc.
Audio commentaries feat. Gen Urobuchi,Mai Nakahara,Kenichi Suzumura,Kōsuke Toriumi,and Junichi Suwabe.
Taiwanese
Edition
Release Date
Episodes
Features
Weekly Episode Version
July 8 –September 30,2016
1–13
(One episode per disc,sold separately)
Taiwanese audio and Traditional Chinese subtitles.
Behind-the-scenes production footage,along with interviews from various staff members.
One bookmark featuring one character per disc package,with episode 1 having an additional postcard.
Dual Language Box Set Version
December 2016
1-13
Taiwanese and Japanese audio.
Traditional Chinese,Simplified Chinese,and English Subtitles.
Same behind-the-scenes production footage and interviews as the Weekly DVD version;only combined.
Two random pages featuring excerpts of character backstories written by Gen Urobuchi per box set.
The Deluxe Edition features an additional small figurine,and poster of Shāng BùHuàn;along with a postcard set.
Manga
Thunderbolt Fantasy
Two manga adaptations have been released in Japan,the first one under the same title as the television series,written by Urobuchi and illustrated by Yui Sakuma,which began serialization in Kodansha's Weekly Morning magazine on July 21,2016.[6] This adaptation is licensed in North America by Seven Seas Entertainment.[19]
The second manga is a webmanga titled Thunderbolt Fantasy: Otome Genyūki (Eng.Thunderbolt Fantasy: A Maiden's Magical Journey) written by the Thunderbolt Fantasy Project. It is illustrated by Kairi Shimotsuki, creator of Brave 10 and Madness, and presents Dān Fěi's perspective of her journey.[24]Otome Genyūki began serialization under Akita Shoten's Champion Cross web magazine on September 27, 2016.[7] The final chapter was released on February 28, 2017.
The Thunderbolt Fantasy main website announced on December 28, 2016[26] that a side novel of the show was currently in progress.
On January 20, 2017, the Nitroplus website revealed the name of the novel to be Thunderbolt Fantasy Gaiden and that it would mainly focus on Lǐn Xuě Yā, Xíng Hài, and Shā Wú Shēng's pasts. It is written by Erika Mitsunori and Shotaro Teshirogi and illustrated by Shinov Mimori and Minamoto Satoshi, and supervised by Gen Urobuchi. The release date was April 7, 2017.[8]
Theatrical films
On March 25, 2017 at AnimeJapan 2017, it was announced that there would be an upcoming special project called Thunderbolt Fantasy: The Sword of Life and Death (Thunderbolt Fantasy: 生死一劍, Sandāboruto Fantajī: Seishi Ikken, Thunderbolt Fantasy: Shēng Sǐ Yī Jiàn). The special has two parts, akin to an omnibus format. Adapted from the "Setsumushō-hen" (Shā Wú Shēng Chapter) story from the side novel Thunderbolt Fantasy: Tōriken Kōki Gaiden, part one is a prequel about Shā Wú Shēng's past. Meanwhile, part two adapts a new story penned by Urobuchi starring Shāng Bù Huàn. This story takes place between season 1 and season 2.[27][28] While Nitroplus did not indicate what format the special would take form at the time (e.g. TV, film, web series, etc.), the release date for the special was originally set as November 2017.[29][non-primary source needed][non-primary source needed] However, Thunderbolt Fantasy Project later revealed the special would be aired as a theatrical motion picture film on December 2, 2017 in eight Japanese cinemas,[30] and December 8, 2017 in Taiwan.[31] The film was released on a physical disc on April 4, 2018.
The second movie, Thunderbolt Fantasy: Seiyū Genka (Thunderbolt Fantasy: Western Ballad), known in English as Thunderbolt Fantasy – Bewitching Melody of the West was released on October 25, 2019 in both Japan and Taiwan and on December 24 on Crunchyroll. The film is an origin story of the Làng Wū Yáo character from childhood to first joining the travels of Shāng Bù Huàn and takes place entirely before the first season. It also introduces the new character of Mù Tiān Mìng a female musician, sword fighter and companion of Shāng Bù Huàn. The film ends with a brief epilogue by Lǐn Xuě Yā teasing that the fate of Mù Tiān Mìng and why she was not with Shāng Bù Huàn when he arrived in Dōng Li would be explained in season 3.
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