Ishura Explained

is a Japanese light novel series written by Keiso. It originated on the novel posting websites Kakuyomu and Shōsetsuka ni Narō, before being acquired by ASCII Media Works, who published the series with illustrations by Kureta under their Dengeki no Shin Bungei imprint. As of February 2024, nine volumes have been released. A manga adaptation with illustrations by Meguri began serialization in Kodansha's Monthly Shōnen Magazine in March 2021. As of June 2024, its chapters have been collected into four volumes. An anime television series adaptation produced by Passione and Sanzigen aired from January to March 2024. A second season is set to premiere in January 2025.

Plot

The demon king is dead. However, the host of "Shuras", demi-god-like people capable of felling him, remain and are now effectively free to do whatever they want, with some becoming conquerors while others wander, indifferent to the world around them. Thus, with the identity of the one who slew the demon king being a mystery, these champions now spark conflicts among themselves, all to determine who is the mightiest and attain the title of "True Hero".

Characters

Shuras

A boy who was transported from another world. He is an unbelievably strong swordsman, capable of defeating an army by himself, who travels the world looking for worthy opponents. However, his extraordinary strength also makes him indifferent to ordinary people's struggles.

A mutant wyvern possessing an additional three arms with opposable fingers that allow him to wield weapons, making him unmatched in the air. Being from a naturally greedy species, he seeks ever greater wealth and glory.

A former bandit who was originally transported from another world. He now works for the New Principality of Lithia as its primary enforcer and spy. He is defeated and killed by Soujiro in a duel.

A wyvern possessing a genius intellect who raised his flock into a powerful army. He has a strong bond with Curte, the adoptive daughter of the New Principality of Lithia's governess, prompting him to lend the city-state his forces and serve it as its finest general. He is killed by Alus, who used to be a member of his flock.

A young elf wizard of immeasurable power, capable of altering reality with her words alone. However, having been born and raised within the elven community all her life, she is very naive regarding the outside world, unaware that her mentor, Elea, is using her for her own ends.

A revenant created by a demon lord. She used to be held captive by Aureatia until she accepted a plea deal: her freedom in exchange for aiding in the nation's war against the New Principality of Lithia. Unfortunately, she is killed by Dakai during the events of the war.

An undead skeleton mercenary renowned for his incredible speed. He is currently employed with the New Principality of Lithia.

A mandrake gladiator hired by the New Principality of Lithia. Though a monster and a skilled killer, renowned for his endless string of victories in the arena, he is mell-mannered and speaks politely. He is killed by Nastique while fighting Kia.

A paladin seeking to revive his dying order by working dangerous missions as an assassin. In reality, however, his powers entirely stem from his angelic partner, Nastique, who is the actual Shura rather than him.

Kuze's angelic partner and the source of his powers, invisible to anyone but him. She is the actual Shura between them and holds authority over death itself, immediately killing anyone who threatens him regardless of strength.

A vampire who is the leader of the Obsidian Eyes.

A swordsman who possesses several magical swords.

A construct created by Kiyazuna the Axle.

A gray-haired child who possesses excellent conversation skills. Said skills have led to him having connections with influential people.

Aureatia

is the largest nation in the setting. It is governed by 29 Officials.

Ranked as the third official. A refined man who often collaborates with Hidow.

Ranked as the sixth general. A military general within the Aureatia Kingdom's military. He has a close yet strained relationship with Alus, having saved the mutant wyvern when he was young but later growing to regret this after learning of the latter's exploits.

Kia's mentor who is teaching her to control her abilities. In truth, however, she is Aureatia's seventeenth official, being head of the nation's spy network, and plans to use her protégé's talents to advance her political agenda. However, as they spend more time together, she slowly grows to genuinely care for her.

Ranked as the twentieth official. A young aristocrat and minister from Aureatia who is also Kuze's employer.

New Principality of Lithia

is a city-state seeking independence from Aureatia.

The governess of Lithia and formerly the twenty-third general of Aureatia. Following pleas from her people for their city to become independent, she defected and began gathering powerful allies in preparation for a war for secession. In the end, her rebellion is squashed and Kuze and Nastique kill her.

Taren's blind adoptive daughter who shares a close relationship with Regnejee, unaware that he is a wyvern due to her disability. She is inadvertently killed by Alus when she is hit by the same attack that killed Regnejee, learning of his true nature in her final moments but accepting him regardless.

An intelligence agent working for the New Principality of Lithia by recruiting powerful allies. In reality, however, she is a double agent working for Aureatia, relaying information back to them. She is also an acquaintance of Elea and is killed by her after she learns of Kia's existence.

Others

A former inhabitant of the Nagan Labyrinth City, which was destroyed by golems. Despite being saved by Soujiro, she greatly resents his apathy toward the weak and offers to guide him around the world in hopes of finding someone who can kill him, though she gradually lets go of her hatred as their journey goes on.

A leprechaun who used to be an assassin for the Obsidian Eyes.

A winged homunculus who is Kuuro's companion.

A Gigant archer who serves as the protector of Sine Riverstead.

A self-proclaimed Demon King who created Mestelexil the Box of Desperate Knowledge.

Media

Light novels

The series is written by Keiso. It originated as a web novel published on the Kakuyomu novel website on June 30, 2017.^[2] It then appeared on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō website as well on July 2, 2017.^[3] It was later acquired by ASCII Media Works, who published the series under their Dengeki no Shin Bungei imprint.^[4] The first volume was released on September 17, 2019. As of February 2024, nine volumes have been released.

In September 2021, Yen Press announced that it had licensed the series for an English publication,^[5] releasing the first volume on May 3, 2022. Its imprint Yen Audio began to release an English audiobook of the novel on October 10, 2023. It features the voices of Chris Guerrero and Emily Bauer.^[6]

Volumes

Manga

A manga adaptation, illustrated by Meguri, began serialization in Kodansha's Monthly Shōnen Magazine on March 5, 2021.^[7] As of June 2024, the individual chapters have been collected into four volumes.

Volumes

Anime

An anime television series adaptation was announced on February 12, 2023.^[8] It was produced by Passione and directed by Yuki Ogawa, with chief direction by Takeo Takahashi, assistant direction by Takuya Asaoka, Fujiaki Asari, Takahiro Majima and Hironori Aoyagi, scripts written by Kenta Ihara, characters designed by Yoko Kikuchi and Yuka Takashina, music composed by Masahiro Tokuda, and CG animation produced by Sanzigen.^[9] The series aired from January 3 to March 20, 2024, on Tokyo MX and other networks.^[10] The opening theme song is performed by Sajou no Hana, while the ending theme song is performed by Konomi Suzuki.^[11] The series is streaming on Disney+ (via Star) worldwide, on Star+ in Latin America, and on Hulu in United States.^[12]

Following the airing of the final episode, a second season was announced.^[13] The season is set to premiere on January 8, 2025.^[14] The opening theme song is "True Peak" performed by Mayu Maeshima, while the ending theme song is "The Iolite" performed by Sajou no Hana.^[15]

Episodes

Reception

Chiriuchi Taniguchi from offered the series praise, specifically stating it has a great cast of characters and unique storytelling.^[16]

In the Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! guidebook, the series ranked first in the in 2021, receiving the most votes for any series in the history of the guidebook.^[17]

See also

• Demon Lord 2099, another light novel series illustrated by the same artist

Notes and References

1. Web site: ja:“本物の勇者”を決める、異世界×バトルロワイヤル「異修羅」コミカライズ1巻. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/437205. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. July 16, 2021. August 6, 2023. ja. August 6, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230806202423/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/437205. live.
2. Web site: ja:異修羅. https://kakuyomu.jp/works/1177354054882641261. Kakuyomu. December 19, 2021. ja. November 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201101110833/https://kakuyomu.jp/works/1177354054882641261. live.
3. Web site: ja:異修羅. https://ncode.syosetu.com/n0373ec/. Shōsetsuka ni Narō. December 19, 2021. ja. January 16, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240116021104/https://ncode.syosetu.com/n0373ec/. live.
4. Web site: ja:全員が最強。全員が英雄。一人だけが、勇者。あらゆる種族、能力の頂点が覇を競うバトル群像劇『異修羅』. https://ddnavi.com/review/677711/a/. Da Vinci News. September 26, 2020. December 19, 2021. ja. December 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211218050608/https://ddnavi.com/review/677711/a/. live.
5. Web site: Yen Press Licenses If You Could See Love, In the Land of Leadale Manga, 4 Novels. Anime News Network. Mateo. Alex. September 24, 2021. December 19, 2021. October 14, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231014130918/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-09-24/yen-press-licenses-if-you-could-see-love-in-the-land-of-leadale-manga-4-novels/.177771. live.
6. Web site: Yen Audio Reveals Ishura Light Novels' English Audiobook Cast. Tai. Anita. October 2, 2023. Anime News Network. October 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231002235257/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-10-02/yen-audio-reveals-ishura-light-novels-english-audiobook-cast/.203067. October 2, 2023. live.
7. Web site: ja:"本物の勇者"を決める闘争描く「異修羅」コミカライズ連載が月マガで始動. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/418861. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc. March 5, 2021. December 19, 2021. ja. November 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211120130242/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/418861. live.
8. Web site: Ishura Light Novels Get TV Anime Starring Yuuki Kaji, Reina Ueda. Anime News Network. Hodgkins. Crystalyn. February 12, 2023. February 12, 2023. February 12, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230212100908/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-02-12/ishura-light-novels-get-tv-anime-starring-yuuki-kaji-reina-ueda/.194801. live.
9. Web site: Ishura Anime's 2nd Teaser Reveals More Cast, Staff, January 2024 Debut. Anime News Network. Hodgkins. Crystalyn. July 16, 2023. July 16, 2023. July 16, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230716120712/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-07-16/ishura-anime-2nd-teaser-reveals-more-cast-staff-january-2024-debut/.200328. live.
10. Web site: Ishura Anime Reveals 2 Main Visuals, January 3 Premiere. Anime News Network. Cayanan. Joanna. December 3, 2023. December 3, 2023. December 3, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231203073019/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-12-03/ishura-anime-reveals-2-main-visuals-january-3-premiere/.205044. live.
11. Web site: Ishura Anime's Character Promo Video Reveals 2 More Cast, Opening, Ending Theme Songs. Anime News Network. Cayanan. Joanna. October 26, 2023. October 26, 2023. October 26, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231026090717/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-10-26/ishura-anime-character-promo-video-reveals-2-more-cast-opening-ending-theme-songs/.203819. live.
12. Web site: Ishura TV Anime Reveals More Main Cast, Worldwide Disney+ Streaming. Crunchyroll. Dempsey. Liam. March 15, 2023. March 15, 2023. March 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230315101154/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2023/03/15/ishura-tv-anime-reveals-more-main-cast-worldwide-disney-streaming. live.
13. Web site: Joanna. Cayanan. Ishura Anime Gets 2nd Season. Anime News Network. March 20, 2024. March 20, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240320150326/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-03-20/ishura-anime-gets-2nd-season/.208952. March 20, 2024. live.
14. Web site: Joanna. Cayanan. Ishura Season 2 Reveals Teaser, New Cast, January 2025 Debut. Anime News Network. September 10, 2024. September 10, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240910092346/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-09-10/ishura-season-2-reveals-teaser-new-cast-january-2025-debut/.215293. September 10, 2024. live.
15. Web site: Joanna. Cayanan. Ishura Season 2 Reveals January 8 Debut, Theme Song Artists. Anime News Network. December 3, 2024. December 3, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241203220432/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-12-03/ishura-season-2-reveals-january-8-debut-theme-song-artists/.218525. December 3, 2024. live.
16. Web site: ja:全員が最強！ 修羅たちが戦う『異修羅』シリーズは先が読めないからこそ面白い. https://realsound.jp/book/2020/08/post-609295_2.html. Real Sound. Taniguchi. Chiriuchi. August 28, 2020. December 19, 2021. ja. November 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211120143658/https://realsound.jp/book/2020/08/post-609295_2.html. live.
17. Web site: Ishura Gets Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! Guidebook's Most Votes Ever. Anime News Network. Pineda. Rafael. November 24, 2020. December 19, 2021. December 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211218025001/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-11-24/ishura-gets-kono-light-novel-ga-sugoi-guidebook-most-votes-ever/.166644. live.