Children of the Whales

Children of the Whales (Japanese: クジラの子らは砂上に歌う, Hepburn: Kujira no Kora wa Sajō ni Utau, lit. "Whale Calves Sing on the Sand") is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Abi Umeda. The manga is licensed in North America by Viz Media. An anime television series adaptation by J.C. Staff aired in Japan from October to December 2017, and was released globally on Netflix in March 2018.

Children of the Whales
The cover of the first manga volume.
クジラの子らは砂上に歌う
(Kujira no Kora wa Sajō ni Utau)
GenreFantasy, Science fiction[1]
Manga
Written byAbi Umeda
Published byAkita Shoten
English publisher
MagazineMonthly Mystery Bonita
DemographicShōjo
Original runJune 6, 2013 – present
Volumes16
Anime television series
Directed byKyōhei Ishiguro
Produced by
  • Tomomi Kyōtani
  • Haruka Kazuya
  • Natsuki Uetake
  • Miyuki Yamada
  • Yuki Takamura
  • Shūhei Nantan
Written byMichiko Yokote
Music byHiroaki Tsutsumi
StudioJ.C.Staff
Licensed byNetflix (streaming)
Original networkTokyo MX, Sun TV, KBS, BS11
Original run October 8, 2017 – December 24, 2017
Episodes12

Synopsis

The story focuses on a boy called Chakuro, who lives on a giant vessel called a Mud Whale that drifts over the sea of sand. In the Mud Whale, society is divided into two kinds of people: the Marked, who can move objects with their minds using a strange power called "thymia", at the expense of shortened lifespans, and the Unmarked, people who lack thymia but enjoy longer lifespans. Chakuro and his friends have never seen anyone from the outside world, and they spend their days yearning to explore and learn about it. In year 93 of the vessel's exile, the Mud Whale encounters a lonely island and Chakuro finds a girl inside, starting an adventure that changes the lives of everyone.

Characters
Chakuro (チャクロ)
Voiced by: Natsuki Hanae[2] (Japanese); Johnny Yong Bosch (English)[3]
The protagonist of the story. Chakuro is a Marked boy who works as an archivist for the Elders in the Mud Whale, hoping that his records will improve life for future generations. Curious and gentle, he sometimes dreams to see the world outside the Mud Whale and immediately befriends Lykos after finding her on the abandoned island.
Lykos (リコス, Rikosu)
Voiced by: Manaka Iwami[2] (Japanese); Melissa Fahn (English)[3]
A mysterious girl found on an island that was about to be scavenged by the Mud Whale's people for resources. "Lykos" is not really her name, it actually refers to a mysterious creature that feeds off the emotions of anyone that comes near it. Chakuro simply calls her "Lykos" for the sake of convenience. She is at first reluctant to speak to anyone, but with Chakuro's help she learns to express herself more openly.
Ouni (オウニ)
Voiced by: Yuichiro Umehara[2] (Japanese); Todd Haberkorn (English)[3]
Another Marked one who is said to possess the greatest potential for thymia in the Mud Whale. He is the leader of the Moles, a group of young people who gained their name because they often break the rules of the Mud Whale and thus spent a lot of time imprisoned in the belly of the ship. Obsessed with leaving the Mud Whale, Ouni has earned a reputation as a troublemaker. When Lykos is found by Chakuro, Ouni sees the opportunity to escape the Mud Whale. He later awakens an unknown power after seeing Nibi die.
Suoh (スオウ, Suō)
Voiced by: Nobunaga Shimazaki[2] (Japanese); Bryce Papenbrook (English)[3]
An Unmarked one who works as an assistant for the Council of Elders. He is Chakuro's friend and Sami's elder brother, he often gives them advice for how they can help the Mud Whale's people. He often clasps his hands, which Chakuro notes is his way to suppress his emotions.
Ginshu (ギンシュ)
Voiced by: Mikako Komatsu[2] (Japanese); Reba Buhr (English)[3]
A girl who often helps in the everyday activities of the Mud Whale's people, as a member of the Vigilante Corps.
Liontari (リョダリ, Ryodari)
Voiced by: Daiki Yamashita[2] (Japanese); Griffin Burns (English)[3]
An imperial soldier of the Allied Empire who stands out for his excessive emotions.
Shuan (シュアン)
Voiced by: Hiroshi Kamiya[2]
A mysterious man and the leader of the Vigilante Corps.
Sami (サミ)
Voiced by: Hisako Kanemoto (Japanese); Christine Marie Cabanos (English)[3]
Chakuro's friend and Suō's younger sister. She seems to harbor feelings for Chakuro and becomes mildly jealous of Lykos upon seeing how close she and Chakuro become. When a mysterious group of soldiers attack the Mud Whale, she shields Chakuro from their bullets and dies. She returns as a spirit, kisses, and confesses her feelings to Chakuro before disappearing.
Kicha (キチャ)
Voiced by: Cristina Vee (English)[3]
A girl, member of the Moles.
Taisha (タイシャ)
Voiced by: Anne Yatco (English)[3]
An Unmarked woman and mayor of the Mud Whale.

Media

Manga

Abi Umeda launched the series in the July 2013 issue of Akita Shoten's shōjo manga magazine Monthly Mystery Bonita on June 6, 2013.[4][5] The series has been collected into 16 volumes as of March 2020.[6] Viz Media announced during their panel at Anime Boston 2017 that they have licensed the manga.[7]

No.Japanese release dateJapanese ISBNEnglish release dateEnglish ISBN
1 December 16, 2013[8]ISBN 978-4-253-26101-2November 21, 2017[9]ISBN 978-1-4215-9721-8
2 April 16, 2014[10]ISBN 978-4-253-26102-9January 16, 2018[11]ISBN 978-1-4215-9722-5
3 September 16, 2014[12]ISBN 978-4-253-26103-6March 20, 2018[13]ISBN 978-1-4215-9723-2
4 February 16, 2015[14]ISBN 978-4-253-26104-3May 15, 2018[15]ISBN 978-1-4215-9724-9
5 July 16, 2015[16]ISBN 978-4-253-26105-0July 17, 2018[17]ISBN 978-1-4215-9725-6
6 December 16, 2015[18]ISBN 978-4-253-26106-7September 18, 2018[19]ISBN 978-1-4215-9727-0
7 April 15, 2016[20]ISBN 978-4-253-26107-4November 20, 2018[21]ISBN 978-1-4215-9728-7
8 October 14, 2016[22]ISBN 978-4-253-26108-1January 15, 2019[23]ISBN 978-1-4215-9729-4
9 March 16, 2017[24]ISBN 978-4-253-26379-5March 19, 2019[25]ISBN 978-1-4215-9730-0
10 September 15, 2017[26]ISBN 978-4-253-26380-1May 21, 2019[27]ISBN 978-1-9747-0369-2
11 January 16, 2018[28]ISBN 978-4-253-26381-8July 16, 2019[29]ISBN 978-1-9747-0370-8
12 June 14, 2018[30]ISBN 978-4-253-26382-5September 17, 2019[31]ISBN 978-1-9747-0705-8
13 October 16, 2018[32]ISBN 978-4-253-26383-2November 19, 2019[33]ISBN 978-1-9747-0883-3
14 March 14, 2019[34]ISBN 978-4-253-26384-9January 21, 2020[35]ISBN 978-1-9747-1079-9
15 August 19, 2019[36]ISBN 978-4-253-26385-6——
16 March 16, 2020[37]ISBN 978-4-253-26386-3——

Anime

An anime adaptation of the series was announced in the February 2017 issue of Mystery Bonita on January 6, 2017.[5][38] The anime adaptation, which was later confirmed to be a television series, is directed by Kyōhei Ishiguro and written by Michiko Yokote, with animation by J.C.Staff, character designs by Haruko Iizuka and music by Hiroaki Tsutsumi. It aired from October 8[39][40] to December 24, 2017, on Tokyo MX and other channels. It ran for 12 episodes and will have two OVA.[41] It was released globally by Netflix in March 2018.[42] The opening theme song "Sono Saki e" (その未来へ) is performed by singer-songwriter RIRIKO, while the ending theme song "Hashitairo" (ハシタイロ) is performed by rionos.[40]

No. Title[lower-alpha 1] Original air date
1"It was Our Entire World"
Transcription: "Watashitachi no daiji na sekai no subete datta" (Japanese: 私たちの大事な世界の全てだった)		October 8, 2017 (2017-10-08)
2"Sinners of Falaina"
Transcription: "Kujira (Farena) no tsumibitotachi" (Japanese: 鯨（ファレナ）の罪人たち)		October 15, 2017 (2017-10-15)
3"I've Had Enough Of This World"
Transcription: "Konna sekai wa, mō dō demo ii" (Japanese: こんな世界は、もうどうでもいい)		October 22, 2017 (2017-10-22)
4"Let's Suicide In The Sand With The Mud Whale"
Transcription: "Dorokujira to tomo ni suna ni mesareru no da yo" (Japanese: 泥クジラと共に砂に召されるのだよ)		October 29, 2017 (2017-10-29)
5"I Don't Want to Run"
Transcription: "Nigeru no wa iyada" (Japanese: 逃げるのはイヤだ)		November 5, 2017 (2017-11-05)
6"Tomorrow, I Might End Up Having To Kill Someone"
Transcription: "Ashita, hito o koroshi te shimau kamo shire nai" (Japanese: 明日、人を殺してしまうかもしれない)		November 12, 2017 (2017-11-12)
7"I Want To See Your Future"
Transcription: "Omae tachi no mirai ga mitai" (Japanese: お前たちの未来が見たい)		November 19, 2017 (2017-11-19)
8"Disappear From This World"
Transcription: "Konoyo kara kie te shimae" (Japanese: この世から消えてしまえ)		November 26, 2017 (2017-11-26)
9"I Want To See Where Your Choice Leads"
Transcription: "Kimi no sentaku no, sono saki ga mitai" (Japanese: 君の選択の、その先が見たい)		December 3, 2017 (2017-12-03)
10"I'm Setting Off On A New Journey"
Transcription: "Atarashī tabi ni deruwa" (Japanese: 新しい旅に出るわ)		December 10, 2017 (2017-12-10)
11"It's Just A Dream"
Transcription: "Yume no Hanashi da" (Japanese: 夢の話だ)		December 17, 2017 (2017-12-17)
12"I'm Glad I Was Born Here"
Transcription: "Koko ni umarete yokatta" (Japanese: ここに生まれてよかった)		December 24, 2017 (2017-12-24)

Notes
  1. All English titles are taken from Netflix.

References
  1. "The Official Website for Children of the Whales". Viz Media. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  2. "Children of the Whales Anime Reveals Cast, Netflix Worldwide Streaming". Anime News Network. July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  3. "It was the Entirety of Our Precious World". Children of the Whales. Episode 1. Germany: Netflix. Event occurs at Closing credits, English Language Cast.
  4. アサダニッキがボニータで星新一「信念」をマンガ化. Natalie (in Japanese). May 7, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  5. "Abi Umeda's Kujira no Kora wa Sajō ni Utau Manga Gets Anime". Anime News Network. January 5, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  6. "Search results for Kujira no Kora wa Sajō ni Utau". Akita Shoten (in Japanese). Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  7. "Viz Licenses Children of the Whales, SP Baby, Juni Taisen (Updated)". Anime News Network. April 1, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  8. クジラの子らは砂上に歌う 第1巻 [Kujira no Kora wa Sajō ni Utau Vol. 1]. Akita Shoten (in Japanese). Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  9. "Children of the Whales, Vol. 1". Viz Media. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  10. クジラの子らは砂上に歌う 第2巻 [Kujira no Kora wa Sajō ni Utau Vol. 2]. Akita Shoten (in Japanese). Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  11. "Children of the Whales, Vol. 2". Viz Media. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  12. クジラの子らは砂上に歌う 第3巻 [Kujira no Kora wa Sajō ni Utau Vol. 3]. Akita Shoten (in Japanese). Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  13. "Children of the Whales, Vol. 3". Viz Media. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  14. クジラの子らは砂上に歌う 第4巻 [Kujira no Kora wa Sajō ni Utau Vol. 4]. Akita Shoten (in Japanese). Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  15. "Children of the Whales, Vol. 4". Viz Media. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  16. クジラの子らは砂上に歌う 第5巻 [Kujira no Kora wa Sajō ni Utau Vol. 5]. Akita Shoten (in Japanese). Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  17. "Children of the Whales, Vol. 5". Viz Media. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  18. クジラの子らは砂上に歌う 第6巻 [Kujira no Kora wa Sajō ni Utau Vol. 6]. Akita Shoten (in Japanese). Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  19. "Children of the Whales, Vol. 6". Viz Media. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  20. クジラの子らは砂上に歌う 第7巻 [Kujira no Kora wa Sajō ni Utau Vol. 7]. Akita Shoten (in Japanese). Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  21. "Children of the Whales, Vol. 7". Viz Media. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  22. クジラの子らは砂上に歌う 第8巻 [Kujira no Kora wa Sajō ni Utau Vol. 8]. Akita Shoten (in Japanese). Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  23. "Children of the Whales, Vol. 8". Viz Media. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  24. クジラの子らは砂上に歌う 第9巻 [Kujira no Kora wa Sajō ni Utau Vol. 9]. Akita Shoten (in Japanese). Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  25. "Children of the Whales, Vol. 9". Viz Media. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  26. クジラの子らは砂上に歌う 第10巻 [Kujira no Kora wa Sajō ni Utau Vol. 10]. Akita Shoten (in Japanese). Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  27. "Children of the Whales, Vol. 10". Viz Media. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  28. クジラの子らは砂上に歌う 第11巻 [Kujira no Kora wa Sajō ni Utau Vol. 11]. Akita Shoten (in Japanese). Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  29. "Children of the Whales, Vol. 11". Viz Media. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  30. クジラの子らは砂上に歌う 第12巻 [Kujira no Kora wa Sajō ni Utau Vol. 12]. Akita Shoten (in Japanese). Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  31. "Children of the Whales, Vol. 12". Viz Media. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  32. クジラの子らは砂上に歌う 第13巻 [Kujira no Kora wa Sajō ni Utau Vol. 13]. Akita Shoten (in Japanese). Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  33. "Children of the Whales, Vol. 13". Viz Media. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  34. クジラの子らは砂上に歌う 第14巻 [Kujira no Kora wa Sajō ni Utau Vol. 14]. Akita Shoten (in Japanese). Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  35. "Children of the Whales, Vol. 14". Viz Media. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  36. クジラの子らは砂上に歌う 第15巻 [Kujira no Kora wa Sajō ni Utau Vol. 15]. Akita Shoten (in Japanese). Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  37. クジラの子らは砂上に歌う 第16巻 [Kujira no Kora wa Sajō ni Utau Vol. 16]. Akita Shoten (in Japanese). Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  38. Green, Scott (January 5, 2017). "Anime To Adapt Strange Shoujo Series "Kujira no Kora wa Sajou ni Utau"". Crunchyroll. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  39. "Kujira no Kora wa Sajō ni Utau TV Anime's Video Reveals J.C. Staff, October Debut". Anime News Network. March 16, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
  40. "Children of the Whales Anime's Video Reveals Theme Song Artists, October 8 Debut". Anime News Network. September 6, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  41. "Children of the Whales Gets 2 Original Video Anime". Anime News Network. November 12, 2017. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  42. Kobb, Kayla (March 13, 2018). "'Children of the Whales' Is the Best New Anime to Hit Netflix". decider.com. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
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