Utawarerumono (うたわれるもの）is a Japanese adult AVG+SLG(S-RPG) by Leaf which was released on 26 April 2002. A DVD-ROM edition was released on December 12, 2003. Unlike most adventure games, the story is linear. There is no voice acting in the PC version. A PlayStation 2 port, featuring a new battle system by Flight Plan (of the Summon Night series), will be released sometime in 2006. An anime adaption started airing on April 3, 2006.
| Utawarerumono | |
| File:9992 k4z2p9jbwa.jpg Utawarerumono | |
| Genre | Adventure, Fantasy, Science fiction, Comedy |
|---|---|
| Video game | |
| Developer | Leaf |
| Publisher | AQUAPLUS |
| Genre | ADV+SLG(S-RPG) |
| Platform | PC, PlayStation 2 |
| Anime | |
| Directed by | Tomoki Kobayashi |
| Studio | Oriental Light and Magic |
Plot
Template:Spoiler The story begins when a masked man, later given the name Hakuoro, is found by a family of two girls and their grandmother in a nearby forest. He is badly injured so they take him to their home and treat him until he is well again. Hakuoro is soon accepted into their village where he stays and lives with them, until certain events result in him becoming the ruler of the country.
The story genre is at first a fantasy-style story with heavy Ainu influence, though later develops science fiction themes towards the end.
The game appears at first to take place in a fantasy world, but it is later revealed that it takes place in a post-apocalyptic Earth's far future (not unlike the plot twist in Planet of the Apes).
Characters
- Hakuoro (ハクオロ, ); (Seiyū - Rikiya Koyama)
- He wears an unremoveable mask over the top part of his head extended down to just under the eyes. He is found badly injured by Erurū, Arurū and their grandmother in a nearby forest and nursed back to health by them. Also, he has lost all his memories and in effect, has no idea who he is and is somewhat confused at the bizare nature of the world he is now living in.
- He is given the name Hakuoro (also the name of Erurū and Arurū's father) due to his being unable to remember his original name. His main weapon of choice is a large metal fan that Tusukuru gave him.
- Half of the great god Uitsuarunmitea.
- Hakuoro means "White Emperor" in Ainu.
- Erurū (エルルゥ, ); (Seiyū - Ryoka Yuzuki)
- She is the first person Hakuoro meets when he wakes up after being found by her and her family. Also, she helps by nursing him back to health until he is strong enough to go walking outside, with much initial assistance needed by Eruruu and a walking stick. Erurū has a forceful, but caring, personality. She is named after a fictional flower.
- Arurū (アルルゥ, ); (Seiyū - Miyuki Sawashiro)
- Eruruu's younger sister, she is rather shy and quiet. Much like her sister, she is also named after a fictional flower. It is said that the Eruruu and Aruruu flowers grow together. After the Mutikapa died, Aruruu took in its child and starting raising her as if it were her own, and named it Mukkuru.
- Tusukuru (トゥスクル, ); (Seiyū - Hisako Kyouda)
- Erurū's and Arurū's grandmother and village elder, she is the leader of the village. She is a very kind person and is respected by everyone in the village and even some out of it. Tusukuru also later becomes the name of the country formed after Kenashikourupe falls.
- Oboro (オボロ, ); (Seiyū - Daisuke Kirii)
- A chivalric and loyal bandit chief, who later joins Tusukuru. A very loving brother to Yuzuha, whose frail and weak body is caused by an unknown sickness. At other times he will tend to act childish, though in a comical way (as seen in episodes 8 & 10). This could be due to when people interact with Yuzuha, his younger sister, like when Kamyu plays with Yuzuha, Aruruu and Mukuru, her "pet" tiger.
- Yuzuha (ユズハ, ); (Seiyū - Mai Nakahara)
- Oboro's little sister, she has been very sick with an unknown affliction all her life. Though bedridden most of the time, she has enhanced senses of smell and hearing and is able to know a person through their scent.
- Urutori (ウルトリィ, ); (Seiyū - Sayaka Ohara)
- The first princess of Onkamiyamukai.
- Kamyu (カミュ, ); (Seiyū - Rie Kugimiya)
- Urutori's sister, the second princess of Onkamiyamukai. Is Mutsumi.
- Touka (トウカ, ); (Seiyū - Kaya Miyake)
- An Evenkuruga mononofu. A wandering swordsmaster whose skills are both quick and lethal.
- Dori & Gura (ドリィ & グラァ, ); (Seiyū - Akeno Watanabe)
- Twin brother archers serving under Oboro. They are very feminine in appearance and mannerisms, so in effect they often get mistaken for girls.
- There are several ways to tell them apart. For one, Dori has purple eyes while Gura's are blue. Also, the bottom part of Dori's clothes are blue while with Gura they are red.
- Amururineuruka Kuuya (アムルリネウルカ・クーヤ)
- The ruler of Kunnekamun, who befriends Hakuoro.
- Benawi (ベナウィ, ); (Seiyū - Daisuke Namikawa)
- A mononofu who has a great number of cavalrymen serving under him. Joins Hakuoro after he kills Inkara (the ruler of Kenashikourupe). He has a strong sense of responsiblity to his country.
- Kurou (クロウ)
- A very loyal subordinate of Benawi, he is second in command of Benawi's cavalry men. Joins Hakuoro alongside Benawi. Kurou tends to be the comedic relief of the anime.
- Genjimaru (ゲンジマル)
- An old mononofu serving under Kuuya who is also Sakuya's Grandfather.
- Sakuya (サクヤ, ); (Seiyū - Kaori Mizuhashi)
- One of Kuuya's attendants and Genjimaru's granddaughter.
- Nuwangi (ヌワンギ, ); (Seiyū - Hiroyuki Yoshino)
- A weak swordsman who soon becomes the samurai leader after taking the position from Benawi. He used to live in the town where Eruruu is from, but left to serve the government.
- Karurauatsuurei (Karura) (カルラゥアツゥレイ （カルラ）)
- A very strong female soldier who weilds a large sword that's so heavy only she can use it. She joins Hakuoro after she is found having slaughtered many soldiers from another country who were holding her prisioner.
- Mutsumi (ムツミ)
- Uitsuarunemitea's "daughter".
- Dii (ディー)
- The other half of the great god Uitsuarunmitea.
- Uitsuarunemitea (ウィツァルネミテア)
- The great god Uitsuarunemitea, revered by all in Utawarerumono's present.
- Mikoto (ミコト)
- The Iceman (アイスマン)
Anime episodes
| Screenshot | Title | Original airdate | # |
|---|---|---|---|
This incomplete list is constantly being updated.
Theme songs
- Opening Theme
- Musouka by Suara
- Ending Theme
- Madoromi no Rinne by Eri Kawai
Additional merchandise
A now retired series of eight plushies based off of characters from the series was available for a short time in 2005 in Japan and could be obtained from UFO catcher crane machines and several hobby outlets. Some gashapon figurines were also produced including rare hentai versions.
References
- AnimeSuki.com English fansub listing for Utawarerumono.
- Wiktionary.org Wiktionary for mannerism.
- Utawarerumono ({{{type}}}) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Episode-by-Episode Synopsis of the anime series on the Random Curiosity blog