| 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) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Fantasy, Science fiction[1] |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Abi Umeda |
| Published by | Akita Shoten |
| English publisher | |
| Magazine | Monthly Mystery Bonita |
| Demographic | Shōjo |
| Original run | June 6, 2013 – present |
| Volumes | 10 |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Kyōhei Ishiguro |
| Written by | Michiko Yokote |
| Music by | Hiroaki Tsutsumi |
| Studio | J.C.Staff |
| Licensed by | Netflix (streaming) |
| Original network | Tokyo MX, SUN, KBS, BS11 |
| Original run | October 8, 2017 – December 24, 2017 |
| Episodes | 12 |
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 from October to December 2017.
Synopsis
The story focuses on a boy called Chakuro, who lives on the 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. One day, 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 in the abandoned island.
- Lykos (リコス)
- Voiced by: Manaka Iwami[2] (Japanese); Melissa Fahn (English)[3]
- A mysterious girl found an island that was about to be scavenged by the Mud Whale's people for resources. "Lykos" is not really her name, it is actually term used to describe a mysterious creature that feeds off the emotions of anyone that comes near it. Chakuro simply calls her "Lykos" for convenience's sake. At first, she is 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. 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)
- 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 show emotion.
- 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)
- 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]
- Taisha (タイシャ)
- Voiced by: Anne Yatco (English)[3]
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 10 volumes as of September 2017.[6] Viz Media announced during their panel at Anime Boston 2017 that they have licensed the manga.[7]
| No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | December 16, 2013[8] | 978-4-253-26101-2 | November 21, 2017[9] | 978-1-4215-9721-8 |
| 2 | April 16, 2014[10] | 978-4-253-26102-9 | January 16, 2018[11] | 978-1-4215-9722-5 |
| 3 | September 16, 2014[12] | 978-4-253-26103-6 | — | — |
| 4 | February 16, 2015[13] | 978-4-253-26104-3 | — | — |
| 5 | July 16, 2015[14] | 978-4-253-26105-0 | — | — |
| 6 | December 16, 2015[15] | 978-4-253-26106-7 | — | — |
| 7 | April 15, 2016[16] | 978-4-253-26107-4 | — | — |
| 8 | October 14, 2016[17] | 978-4-253-26108-1 | — | — |
| 9 | March 16, 2017[18] | 978-4-253-26379-5 | — | — |
| 10 | September 15, 2017[19] | 978-4-253-26380-1 | — | — |
Anime
An anime adaptation of the series was announced in the February 2017 issue of Mystery Bonita on January 6, 2017.[5][20] 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[21][22] to December 24, 2017, on Tokyo MX and other channels. It ran for 12 episodes and will have two OVA.[23] It is set for a global Netflix release in 2018.[24] 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.[22]
| No. | Title[a] | Original air date |
|---|
Notes
References
- ^ "The Official Website for Children of the Whales". Viz Media. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Children of the Whales Anime Reveals Cast, Netflix Worldwide Streaming". Anime News Network. July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Children of the Whales Official English Credits". Imgur. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
((cite news)): Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Abi Umeda's Kujira no Kora wa Sajō ni Utau Manga Gets Anime". Anime News Network. January 5, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
- ^ "Search results for Kujira no Kora wa Sajō ni Utau". Akita Shoten (in Japanese). Retrieved January 6, 2017.
- ^ "Viz Licenses Children of the Whales, SP Baby, Juni Taisen (Updated)". Anime News Network. April 1, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Children of the Whales, Vol. 1". Viz Media. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Children of the Whales, Vol. 2". Viz Media. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Green, Scott (January 5, 2017). "Anime To Adapt Strange Shoujo Series "Kujira no Kora wa Sajou ni Utau"". Crunchyroll. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b "Children of the Whales Anime's Video Reveals Theme Song Artists, October 8 Debut". Anime News Network. September 6, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
- ^ "Children of the Whales Gets 2 Original Video Anime". Anime News Network. November 12, 2017. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
- ^ "Children of the Whales Anime's 2nd Video Reveals Netflix Premiere Outside Japan in 2018". Anime News Network. July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
External links
- Children of the Whales (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
