Kujaku the exorcist (Spirit Warrior), the anime and manga horror series
Kujaku the exorcist (original title: 孔雀王 Kujaku o ) is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Makoto Ogino. It was serialized in the Shueisha Weekly Young Jump manga magazine seinen from 1985 to 1989, with its chapters collected in 17 tankōbon volumes. It spawned four other manga series. The original manga was licensed in North America in 2020 by Manga Planet.
Kujaku the exorcist was adapted into a 5-episode original video animation (OVA), released from 1988 to 1994 and licensed in North America by US Manga Corps, under the title Spirit Warrior. Two live action films were released in 1988 and 1990.
History
Kujaku is a Buddhist monk who specializes in exorcism. He is a member of Ura-Kōya, a secret organization in Japan that specializes in hunting demons. In the first 3 volumes, Ogino wrote independent tales about Kujaku's demon hunt. But in volume 4, he evolves into an epic saga against Rikudoshu (六道 衆), a secret evil organization led by The teachers of the eight leaves (八 葉 の 老師). The goal degthe teachers of the eight leaves is to revive Peacock King and Snake Queen and allow them to fight each other to give birth to the ultimate Dark Vairocana (闇 の 大 日 如 来). During the main story, The teachers of the eight leaves tried various methods to achieve their goal, but were ultimately defeated by Kujaku and his friends.
Characters
Kujaku (孔雀)
A Kōya Hijiri monk in his twenties and the hero of the story. His real name is Akira (明), the son of a monk named Jikaku and a pilgrim or Ksitigarbha (地 蔵 菩薩, Jizō Bosatsu). He is the reincarnation of Mahamayuri (孔雀 明王, Kujaku Myō-ō), Lucifer and Melek Taus, which gives him immense spiritual power. Most of the time, however, Kujaku acts like the young man he is, being light-hearted, lewd, and a glutton. He uses a vajra in exorcisms.
Ashura (阿 修羅)
A girl chosen by the god Asura King (阿 修羅 王, Ashura Ou). She was found by Ura-Kouya in a village, where she was hated and feared by her spiritual powers. Being 12 to 15 years old throughout history, Ashura is usually rebellious and exuberant, and she also has a crush on Kujaku, which makes her jealous in several cases. She also loves fashion and often changes her look from her natural blonde hair. She has pyrokinetic abilities and can generate a great deal of spiritual energy to be transferred to her allies.
Taroja Onimaru (王仁 丸 太郎 邪 Onimaru Tarōja)
Kujaku's greatest rival, a half-demon half-human Jukondō master who works as a mercenary. He is superhumanly strong and has regenerative abilities and specializes in controlling evil spirits. Although he and Kujaku were enemies in their first meeting, they quickly became friends, which turned Onimaru into something of a recurring reinforcement ally for Kujaku and his friends. His guardian god is Mahakala (大 暗 黒 天, Daiankokuten).
Ko Kaiho (黄海峰)
Kujaku's second rival, the young heir to a Chinese clan of sorcerers named Hakka Sendo. He is a master of Huáng-jiā Xiāndào (黄 家 仙道) and uses the sword Shikoken (獅 咬 剣). Like Onimaru, he started out as Kujaku's enemy before joining forces with him and developing a difficult friendship with him. He later falls in love with Kujaku's sister, Tomoko, who causes him to succumb to darkness to try to save her from her fate. After being saved by Kujaku, he marries Tomoko and has a child with her.
Jiku Ajari (慈 空 阿闍梨)
The old master of Kujaku. He knew Kujaku's father and was entrusted to him. Despite his wisdom and his age, he's a bit alcoholic and perverse like his apprentice him.
Nikko (日光)
Chief priest of Ura-Kōya and senpai of Kujaku. He tries to be much more serious about their work. His guardian god is Mahāvairocana (大 日 如 来, Dainichi Nyorai).
tomoko (朋 子)
Kujaku's sister, an incarnation of the Rahu (天 蛇王, Tenjaō). She separated from Kujaku as a child and was raised by a neo-Nazi cult, who sought to awaken her spiritual power to use her as a weapon.
tsukuyomi (月 読)
The lover of the women's prayer hall in Ura-Kōya. She is in love with Kujaku. Her guardian god is Candrarabha (月光 菩薩, Gakkou Bosatsu)
Production
The manga has been adapted into two live action films, Peacock King and Saga of the Phoenix, both directed by Lam Ngai Kai. The first, released in 1988, stars Hiroshi Mikami and Yuen Biao as the two monks (respectively Kujaku / Little Fruit and a new character Kông Chùe / Peacock) and Gloria Yip as Ashura. Gordon Liu and Philip Kwok appear in supporting roles.
Video Game
Family Computer
Kujaku Ō (孔雀王, Peacock King)
The first of two Family Computer (Famicom) adventure games. In it the player takes on the role of a band of heroes fighting against evil demons. The player interacts with the story by selecting actions from a list of on-screen options (watch, catch, talk, etc.) and a simple point and click interface. The game was only released in Japan for the Famicom on September 21, 1988 by Pony Canyon.
Kujaku Ō II (孔雀王 II, Peacock King II)
A graphic / point and click adventure. The player interacts with the story by selecting actions from a list of on-screen options (watch, catch, talk, etc.) and a simple point and click interface. The graphics have been improved compared to its predecessor. It is also available on the Japanese MSX computer. Released on the Nintendo Famicom by Pony Canyon in Japan on August 21, 1990.
Sega
Kujaku Ō (孔雀王, king of the peacock)
Sega Mark III, September 23, 1988 (released as SpellCaster in Western markets)
Kujaku Ō 2: Gen'eijō (孔雀王 ２ 幻影 城, Peacock King 2: Castle of Illusion)
Mega Drive, November 25, 1989 (released as Mystic Defender in Western markets)
Technical data
Manga
Author Makoto Ogino
Editor Shueisha
Magazine Weekly young jump
Target seinen
Publication date 1st edition 1985 – 1989
Tankōbon 17 (complete)
OVA
Kujaku the exorcist (English title: Spirit Warrior)
Author Makoto Ogino
Regia Ichiro Itano (ep. 1), Katsuhito Akiyama (ep. 2-3), Rintaro (ep. 4-5)
Studio Anime International Company (ep. 1-3), Madhouse (ep. 4-5)
Publication date 1st edition 1988 - 1994
Episodes 5 (complete)
Episode duration. 50 mins approx.
Publisher. Yamato video
Episodes Italians. 5 (complete)
