Papuwa Explained

Type:manga
Nangoku Shōnen Papuwa-kun
Author:Ami Shibata
Publisher:Enix
Demographic:Shōnen
Magazine:Monthly Shōnen Gangan
First:1991
Last:1995
Volumes:7
Type:tv series
Nangoku Shōnen Papuwa-kun
Director:Jun Takagi
Music:Nobuyuki Nakamura
Studio:Nippon Animation
Network:TV Asahi
First:10 October 1992
Last:2 October 1993
Episodes:42
Episode List:Papuwa #Nangoku Shonen Papuwa-kun
Type:manga
Author:Ami Shibata
Publisher:Square Enix
Demographic:Shōnen
Magazine:Monthly Shōnen Gangan
First:April 2002
Last:April 2008
Volumes:14
Type:tv series
Director:Kenichi Nishida
Studio:Nippon Animation
Network:TV Tokyo
First:30 September 2003
Last:30 March 2004
Episodes:26
Episode List:Papuwa#Papuwa

Papuwa (stylized as PAPUWA) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Ami Shibata and adapted into a 26-episode anime television series. The series follows Kotaro who is stranded on an uncharted island inhabited by strange talking animals and has no memory of his past. Papuwa is the sequel to Shibata's 1991 series, serialized in Enix's manga magazine Monthly Shōnen Gangan from 1991 to 1995. That series was adapted into a 42-episode anime television series which aired on TV Asahi from October 1992 to June 1995.

Story

Once, on an unknown southern island, a battle was waged over two mysterious stones, one red and one blue. The blue stone controls desire, and its power created the blue clan. And the red clan that inherited the power of the red stone was filled with the light of hope. Finally, the battle came to an end, and the young one who possessed the power of the blue stone fell into a deep sleep. The one with the power of the red stone flew off far across the sky. Desire and hope... until the day these two powers meet each other again...

Characters

Main characters

The Guardians

Long ago, the Red Hisenki created two guardians to protect the red clan from the blue clan. These guardians were Jan and Shintaro. Out of the two, Jan was the first to be created. As Jan lost sense of time, months and years passed by, as he remain on the first Papuwa Island. However, he one day decided to go against his orders and left the island to take the blue clan head on, which led him to join the Ganma Army. However, his cover was blown and he was killed. It took a long time for the red hisenki to repair the damages done to Jan's body. During that time, the red hisenki decided to create a stronger force to protect it, where the red hisenki would copy Jan's soul and safely keep it inside the body of Shintaro. However, it is revealed that the copy was erased by the Blue Hisenki a long time ago, and that the Shintaro Magichad raised was just a shadow.

The Ganma Army (ガンマ団)

The Ganma Army is run by the Ganma family, who possess the power of the stone of desire. This power come in the form of what is called secret stone eyes (hisekigan, 秘石眼). The army itself works as a group of mercenaries, originally ruthless and seemingly taking control of the world, but since Shintaro's takeover the group now fights for "justice" (basically only assassinating people they believe are bad).

and both for Papuwa TV series.

Special Battle Unit

The Shinsengumi

(心戦組) The Shinsengumi is a mercenary group (based the real life historical group) that consists of multiple branches, two of which are known; the "Main" group and the "True" group.

Main Shinsengumi

(Shinsengumi Hontai, 心戦組本隊)

Isami Kondō (近藤イサミ) for Papuwa TV series.

Toshizō Hijikata (土方トシゾー) for Papuwa TV series. The straight-man of the team.

Sōji Okita (沖田ソージ) for Papuwa TV series. a smiling silver-haired man. He unfortunately has Kondo's affections, and returns them by repeatedly stabbing Kondo with his sword.

Umako Harada (原田ウマ子) for Papuwa TV series. The most masculine character and ironically, the only major female character. She is tall, muscular, battle-scarred, and eventually develops a beard due to a potion. She falls in love with Liquid to his Horror. She is Koji's younger sister.

True Shinsengumi

(Shin Shinsengumi, 真心戦組)

Yamanami Keisuke (山南ケースケ)
  • Yamazaki Susumu (山崎ススム)
  • Itou Kashitaro (伊東カシタロー)
  • Saitou Hajime (斎藤ハジメ)
  • Nagakura Shinpachi (永倉シンパチ)
  • The Namamonos

    A namamono (ナマモノ) is a strange talking animal-type creature that lives on Papuwa Island. There are countless namamonos that appear throughout the series.

    Other Miscellaneous Characters

    Video Game-Exclusive Characters

    Media

    Anime

    Nangoku Shōnen Papuwa-kun was adapted into a 42-episode anime television series in 1992. Produced by Nippon Animation under the direction of Jun Takagi, the series began its broadcast run on TV Asahi from 10 October 1992 to 2 October 1993. Three pieces of theme music were used for the opening and closing of each episode. The opening theme is performed by Tome. The closing themes are performed by Daiji Man Brothers Band for the first 24 episodes and performed by Kouji Tsuno and Pythagoras for the remaining episodes.

    The second manga series was also adapted into an anime television series by Nippon Animation. Directed by Kenichi Nishida, the second series began its broadcast run on TV Tokyo from 30 September 2003 to 30 March 2004. Two pieces of theme music are used, one opening and one closing. The opening theme is performed by Loosely, and the closing them is performed by .

    Video games

    Two video games entitled were released on March 25, 1994 by Enix for the Nintendo's Game Boy and Super Famicom.

    Episode list

    Nangoku Shonen Papuwa-kun

    Papuwa

    See also

    External links