Senyu

Senyu (戦勇。, Sen'yū.) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Robinson Haruhara. It was adapted into an anime television series in 2013.^[1] A second season was announced for the summer of 2013.^[2]

Plot

1000 years ago, the Demon King caused a great amount of trouble for the human realm, but was sealed by the legendary hero Creasion. Now in the present, a large hole has appeared in the world, from which a large number of demons have emerged. The King has ordered the 75 probable descendants of the original hero to destroy the demons and save the world. Senyu follows the story of Alba, hero number 45, and his quest to save the world. Along the way he is accompanied by Royal Soldier Ross, who is less than helpful and whose semi antagonist antics provide humor. The plot contains a number of twists and turns, fitting the screwball nature of the manga/anime. Alba quickly teams up with the demon queen herself, a little pink haired girl who reveals the whole issue was an accident.

The series starts almost exclusively comedic, with episodic gags mainly involving Alba's bad luck and Ross abusing him. A more serialized story and plot starts to develop halfway into Volume 1, as an order of 12 powerful demons themed after the 12 months of the Gregorian Calendar starts making its move to revive the original Demon King. Simultaneously, other of the probable hero descendants also interfere, with lesser demons and government officials caught in the crossfire.

The past and origin of the world's affairs are explored in the second volume, as well as Creasion's role in history and his modern whereabouts. The third volume focuses on the remnants of the 12 demons, especially the strange machinations of one of them, Elf November. The fourth volume explores Elf's past and his complex involvement with existence as well as the true nature of several elements of the world. This volume concludes Senyu's main original storyline.

Volume 5 serves as an epilogue, tying up loose ends from the rest of the story and later shifting to a comedic slice of life where the characters are adapting to the world after all the changes brought in by the catastrophic events told in the past volumes.

Characters

Alba (アルバ, Aruba)

Voiced by: Hiro Shimono

The main character in the first two volumes, albeit he still remains relevant in volumes 3 and 5. Alba is the 45th hero sent out by the king to stop the demon lord, and travels around with the soldier Ross, whom usually physically abuses him. He often acts as the straight man in tsukkomi routines.

Ross (ロス, Ros)

Voiced by: Yuichi Nakamura

Ross is the soldier that was sent out with the 45th hero Alba to stop the Demon Lord. He often physically abuses Alba for comedic purposes and the two usually engage in tsukkomi. He knows more than he lets on and is one of the most important character during the whole manga's run.

Ruki (ルキ, Ruki)

Voiced by: Ai Kayano

Ruki is the Third Demon Lord. She is several hundred years old, but only became the new Demon Lord ten years ago, so identifies as being ten years old. While trying to make popcorn, she accidentally released all the monsters onto the human world, and is currently traveling around to bring back the twelve great demons.

Foyfoy (フォイフォイ, Foifoi)

Voiced by: Kenichi Suzumura

The 23rd hero sent out by the King to stop the Demon Lord. He is initially antagonistic towards the trio, but later proves to be a noble and useful ally. In later chapters, he becomes the head butler of the castle, and in volume 3, the first-year teacher of the Hero Academy.

Janua Ein (ヤヌア アイン, Yanua Ain)

Voiced by: Takahiro Sakurai

One of the twelve demons that Ruki is searching for. Janua has super strength,and comically idolizes ninjas, basing his moves and mannerisms around them. He is very carefree and childish. He is close friends with Samejima, another, lower ranking demon. Janua isn't very loyal to the 12 demons and later on befriends and becomes an ally of sorts with the trio. He possess unique teletransportation abilities with next to no limitations, which makes him key in the plan of the 12 to revive the Demon king.

Dezember Zwolf (ディツェンバー・ツヴォルフ, Ditsenbaa Tsuvorufu)

Voiced by: Takayuki Kondō

One of the twelve demons that Ruki is searching for. The de facto leader of the 12 demons, he is a fanatic set out to revive the Demon King. To do this, he brought together the 12 demons, each of whom has an ability necessary for his plan (or direct firepower). He serves as the main antagonist of Volume 1 and early into volume 2. After so, he is a secondary enemy.

Elf November (エルフ・ノベンバー, Erufu Nobenbaa)

Voiced by: Hiroshi Okamoto

One of the twelve demons that Ruki is searching for. He's mischievous and his motivations are by far the most unclear in the series, both helping the heroes as well as backstabbing them and the other demons on a whim. Later revealed to be immensely powerful and deeply related to the past of the world. He serves as a supporting antagonist in volumes 1 and 2, later stepping up as the main villain in volume 3 and the protagonist in volume 4.

Media

References

External links

• Official anime website (in Japanese)
• Senyu (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Senyu (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia