Skyhigh (manga)

Skyhigh (スカイハイ, Sukai Hai) is a Japanese manga which spawned a popular live-action TV drama, starring Yumiko Shaku, and 2003 theatrical release starring the same actress in a big budget prequel to the TV series. The manga was written by Japanese manga author Tsutomu Takahashi. Published in December 2001, the 240 page graphic novel follows the story of Izuko, a beautiful and mysterious "Guardian of the Gate" to the Afterlife. Izuku guides troubled souls who pass through, presenting them with three choices: to ascend to Heaven to await reincarnation; to deny their death and wander the earth as a ghost, or to seek vengeance upon the person who caused their death or suffering—but the consequences of that, no matter how justified, is to be condemned to Hell.

Sky High
Cover of the first manga volume
スカイハイ
(Sukai Hai)
Manga
Written byTsutomu Takahashi
Published byShueisha
MagazineWeekly Young Jump
DemographicSeinen
Original run2001 – 2003
Volumes2
Television drama
Directed byNakahara Takashi, et al.
Original networkTV Asahi
Original run January 2003 – March 2004
Episodes19
Live-action film
Directed byRyuhei Kitamura
Written byIsao Kiriyama
StudioTV Asahi
ReleasedNovember 8, 2003
Runtime122 minutes
Manga
Skyhigh: Karma
Written byTsutomu Takahashi
Published byShueisha
MagazineWeekly Young Jump
DemographicSeinen
Original runMay 19, 2003 – August 19, 2003
Volumes2
Manga
Skyhigh: Shinshō
Written byTsutomu Takahashi
Published byShueisha
MagazineWeekly Young Jump
DemographicSeinen
Original run2003 – 2004
Volumes4

Sequels include Skyhigh: Karma' (スカイハイ カルマ) and Skyhigh: Shinshō (スカイハイ 新章). Both sequels were published while the series was in production and at the height of its popularity.

Plot

Izuko (Yumiko Shaku) is a beautiful and mysterious gatekeeper to the afterlife. Known as the Guardian of the Gate, Izuko guides spirits of the recently departed on their journey...sometimes to Heaven, other times to Hell. The decision is theirs and it is not always an easy one. Often the spirit is the victim of a murder or other untimely death. In such case, a soul is offered three options: 1) accept their death as it is and proceed into Heaven to await reincarnation. 2) Wander the Earth as a ghost. 3) Take justice into their own hands and face the gates of Hell. Most episodes (see Episode List below) involve the guest starring character seeking to discover what happened to them and why—with Izuko attempting to guide them on the correct path. To her sadness and despite her compassion, Izuko does not always succeed and the moral dilemma is often very grey and unfair.

References


    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.