| Ja Kanji: | 薬師寺涼子の怪奇事件簿 |
| Type: | novel series |
| Author: | Yoshiki Tanaka |
| Illustrator: | Narumi Kakinouchi |
| Publisher: | Kodansha |
| First: | October 15, 1996 |
| Last: | December 20, 2018 |
| Volumes: | 11 |
| Volume List: |
|
| Type: | manga |
| Author: | Yoshiki Tanaka |
| Illustrator: | Narumi Kakinouchi |
| Publisher: | Kodansha |
| Demographic: | Seinen |
| Magazine: | Magazine Z |
| First: | March 1, 2004 |
| Last: | March 1, 2009 |
| Volumes: | 11 |
| Volume List: |
|
| Type: | tv series |
| Director: | Tarō Iwasaki |
| Studio: | Doga Kobo |
| Network: | tvk, Chiba TV, TV Saitama, Sun TV, Tokyo MX, TV Aichi, KBS, BS11, Kids Station |
| First: | July 5, 2008 |
| Last: | September 27, 2008 |
| Episodes: | 13 |
| Episode List: | List of Yakushiji Ryōko no Kaiki Jikenbo episodes |
| Type: | manga |
| Yakushiji Ryōko no Kaiki Jikenbo: Kiri no Hōmonsha | |
| Author: | Yoshiki Tanaka |
| Illustrator: | Narumi Kakinouchi |
| Publisher: | Kodansha |
| Demographic: | Seinen |
| Magazine: | Monthly Afternoon |
| First: | March 25, 2009 |
| Last: | November 25, 2009 |
| Volumes: | 2 |
| Type: | manga |
| Yakushiji Ryōko no Kaiki Jikenbo: Suiyobi ni Goyojin | |
| Author: | Yoshiki Tanaka |
| Illustrator: | Narumi Kakinouchi |
| Publisher: | Kodansha |
| Demographic: | Seinen |
| Magazine: | Monthly Afternoon |
| First: | January 25, 2010 |
| Last: | September 25, 2010 |
| Volumes: | 2 |
| Type: | manga |
| Yakushiji Ryōko no Kaiki Jikenbo: Jyoō Heika no Maneki Neko | |
| Author: | Yoshiki Tanaka |
| Illustrator: | Narumi Kakinouchi |
| Publisher: | Kodansha |
| Demographic: | Seinen |
| Magazine: | Monthly Afternoon |
| First: | August 25, 2012 |
| Last: | November 24, 2012 |
| Volumes: | 1 |
| Type: | manga |
| Yakushiji Ryōko no Kaiki Jikenbo: Makyo no Jyoō Heika | |
| Author: | Yoshiki Tanaka |
| Illustrator: | Narumi Kakinouchi |
| Publisher: | Kodansha |
| Demographic: | Seinen |
| Magazine: | Monthly Afternoon |
| First: | December 25, 2012 |
| Last: | September 25, 2013 |
| Volumes: | 2 |
, known in English as Ryoko's Case File, is a Japanese novel series written by Yoshiki Tanaka and illustrated by Narumi Kakinouchi. It was adapted into manga and an anime television series, two drama CDs had also been released prior to the anime adaptation with different voice actors.
The series is centered on an elite police officer named Ryōko Yakushiji. A graduate of Tokyo University's Law Faculty, she is currently among the youngest superintendents in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. With the assistance of her subordinate Junichirō Izumida, Ryōko works with her colleagues including her rival and fellow superintendent Yukiko Muromachi, alongside JACES security forces personnel and her personal maids Lucienne and Marianne, to investigate and resolve seemingly paranormal, supernatural or bizarre events that become involved in criminal cases—particularly when police procedures or modern science cannot be applied—before they go out of hand.
Because the novels, manga and the anime adaptations have different stories, paranormal events and creatures involved, their central plots are most of the time different from each other.
Owned by the Yakushiji family, it's a security company that ex-police officers both enlisted and high-ranking are employed into after their retirement.[1] JACES is well known as one of Asia's best security companies,[2] with its main headquarters located in Akasaka-mitsuke. The company's official slogan is "Safety".[2] Its personnel use gray for their uniform color.[1]
In combat operations, they use PASGT ballistic helmets, gray BDUs, tactical vests and light to medium body armor.[1] JACES personnel are armed with expandable baton sticks when they encounter unarmed people.[1]
Its origins are traced back to the end of World War II when the was established before it became JACES, which was supposed to be used for the basis of a restructured Japanese military before Ruriko went to create the JPP instead.[3] The novel mentions that has branch offices in France and in the US.
Known as the, it was founded by ex-Diet member Ryojun Tadomura and heavily funded by the Government of Japan to counter the influence of JACES in the domestic and international security market.[4] They are known to be hired in war-torn countries after military forces are pulled back, conducting police duties in their place.[5] JPP personnel are also hired as private security guards. JPP uses green as its color as evident in their uniforms.[5] Unlike JACES, where most of its manpower comes from ex-law enforcement personnel, JPP recruits its personnel mostly from ex-SDF personnel.[6]
During combat operations, JPP personnel are identified with green heavy body armor, anti-riot helmets and are armed with mostly Howa Type 89 assault rifles, Heckler & Koch MP5 and Minebea PM-9 submachine guns with expandable baton sticks.[7] [4] [5] [8] In normal operations, JPP personnel operate as private guards and sometimes, deploy robot droids to help them conduct searches and patrols with/for them.[4]
It does not appear in the original novel and manga version.
Located in the Greater Tokyo Area, is said to house several departments of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department that operate under secret circumstances for covert missions.[9]
It takes its name from the Shiba district of Tokyo's Minato ward. It does not appear in the original novel and manga version.
She has a romantic interest in her subordinate, Assistant Inspector Junichiro Izumida, and often shows it through her actions such as taking him along with her wherever she goes, finding ways to spend time with him even during his day off and sometimes asking him to spend the night at her place. But he is generally too naive to notice it.
Her grandfather, Masamoto Yakushiji, was the founder of the Japanese Empire Security Service, which was the predecessor to JACES - now a multinational security company - currently headed by her father, Hiroki Yakushiji. As his successor, Ryōko does not hesitate to use its assets if necessary to help her in her work. She has an older sister named Kinuko Yakushiji.
Because police officers go to JACES after they retire under amakudari, her colleagues in the police force do not dare oppose her in fear that they will have no job after they leave the police. To top it all, Ryoko knows the dirty secrets of high-ranking government officials and so they are afraid to cross her. Most of the police officers, high-ranking government officials and media practitioners fear not only her influence and power but her personality as well.
Her rival, and fellow Superintendent, Yukiko Muromachi calls her Oryo.
The novels state that Ryoko is fluent in English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Latin.
He is very submissive, perhaps as a result of always being around Ryoko, but can also be assertive and aggressive when the situation calls for it. Junichiro is often caring and kind to the people close to him, always watching over his superior Ryōko and her rival Yukiko. He is quite oblivious to Ryōko's infatuation and her efforts to get his attention. Like his superior, Izumida is also quite skilled in armed and unarmed combat.
Though he is usually on the receiving end of Ryoko's oppressive personality, he remains loyal to her and tries his best to protect her.
He is also the narrator of the entire series.[10]
Prior to her current assignment, Muromachi was assigned to a position in the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office.
Although she is the daughter of an influential former police officer,[10] her sense of justice prevents her from using her family ties in carrying out her duties. Her subordinate is Akira Kishimoto.
Kishimoto's a fan of the show "Leotard Warrior Run".[11]
She is not in the original novel.
He is not in the original novel.
At the end of the anime series, she is found to be under Ryōko's custody and even has Marianne and Lucienne keep an eye on her while going to a school in France. She is not in the original novel.
The following are rogues monsters/creatures that have appeared in the anime:[13]
The novel series first started in 1996 with 11 volumes in circulation. Kodansha has the publication rights on the series and published all bunko editions, but other publishers also published some volumes borrowing the rights by Kodansha.
The following have been published as part of the novels written by Dr. Yoshiki Tanaka:
| Japanese Title | English Title | Year | First publisher | ISBN | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 魔天楼 (Matenrō) | Demon Skyscraper | 1996 | Kodansha Bunko | [14] | ||
| 東京ナイトメア (Tokyo Nightmare) | Tokyo Nightmare | 1998 | Kodansha Novels | [15] | ||
| 巴里・妖都変 (Paris Yōto-hen) | Paris, The Strange Attractive Capital | 2000 | Kobunsha Kappa Novels | [16] | ||
| クレオパトラの葬送 (Cleopatra no Sōsō) | Funeral of the Cleopatra | 2001 | Kodansha Novels | [17] | ||
| 黒蜘蛛島 (Kuro Kumo Shima) | Black Spider Island | 2003 | Kobunsha Kappa Novels | [18] | ||
| 夜光曲 (Yakōkyoku) | Luminous Song | 2005 | Shodensha Non-Novels | [19] | ||
| 霧の訪問者 (Kiri no Hōmonsha) | Visitor's Fog | 2006 | Kodansha Novels | [20] | ||
| 水妖日にご用心 (Suiyō-bi ni Goyōjin) | Be Careful on Wednesday | 2007 | Shodensha Non-Novels | [21] | ||
| 魔境の女王陛下 (Makyō no Joōheika) | The Queen of Makyo | 2012 | Kodansha Novels | [22] | ||
| 海から何かがやってくる (Umi kara Nanika ga Yattekuru) | Something is Coming From the Sea | 2015 | Shodensha Non-Novels | [23] | ||
| 白魔のクリスマス (Hakuma no Kurisumasu) | White Demon's Christmas | 2018 | Shodensha Non-Novels | [24] |
Since 2015, the novels are adapted into audio books by Kikubon.[25] They are narrated by Afumi Hashi.[26]
Two drama CDs were put on the market by Avex in 1999 (Tokyo Nightmare)[27] and 2001 (Matenrō).[28] The cast was different from the later anime version.
The manga started in 2004 in Kodansha's seinen manga magazine Magazine Z. Its chapters were collected into eleven tankōbon volumes, released from July 23, 2004 to January 23, 2009.[29] [30] After Magazine Z ceased its publication, the series was transferred to Monthly Afternoon.[31] [32] [33] The series began in the May 2009 issue of Monthly Afternoon, published on March 25, 2009,[33] and it was renamed . The series finished in the January 2010 issue of Monthly Afternoon, released on November 25, 2009.[34] It was compiled into two volumes, published on September 23, 2009 and January 22, 2010.[35] [36] A third series, titled, started in the March 2010 issue of Monthly Afternoon, published on January 25, 2010.[37] The series finished in the November 2010 issue of the magazine, published on September 25, 2010.[38] Two volumes released on June 23, 2010 and November 22, 2010.[39] [40] A fourth series, titled was serialized from the October 2012 issue, published on August 25, 2012, and the January 2013 issue, published on November 24, 2012.[41] [42] A compiled volume was released on January 23, 2013.[43] A fifth series, titled was serialized in Monthly Afternoon from the February 2013 issue, published on December 25, 2012, to the November 2013 issue, published on September 25, 2013.[44] [45] Two volumes were published on May 23 and November 22, 2013.[46] [47]
A spin-off manga was also created by Yoshiki Tanaka and Narumi Kakinouchi, titled, compiled in three volumes, released from June 17, 2008 to November 22, 2011.[48] [49] [50]
In Taiwan, it has been published by Sharp Point Press.[51]
| Volume | Japanese title | English Title | Release date | ISBN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yakushiji Ryōko no Kaiki Jikenbo | |||||
| 1 | 魔天楼 (Matenrō) | Demon Skyscraper | July 23, 2004 | ||
| 2 | 東京ナイトメア（前）(Tokyo Nightmare) (Mae) | Tokyo Nightmare (Part 1) | January 21, 2005 | ||
| 3 | 東京ナイトメア （後）(Tokyo Nightmare) (Ato) | Tokyo Nightmare (Part 2) | May 23, 2005 | ||
| 4 | 巴里・妖都変（前）(Paris Yōto-hen) (Mae) | Paris, The Strange Attractive Capital (Part 1) | November 22, 2005 | ||
| 5 | 巴里・妖都変 （後）(Paris Yōto-hen) (Ato) | Paris, The Strange Attractive Capital (Part 2) | June 23, 2006 | ||
| 6 | クレオパトラの葬送（前）(Cleopatra no Sōsō) (Mae) | Funeral of the Cleopatra (Part 1) | September 22, 2006 | ||
| 7 | クレオパトラの葬送 （後）(Cleopatra no Sōsō) (Ato) | Funeral of the Cleopatra (Part 2) | February 23, 2007 | ||
| 8 | 黒蜘蛛島（前）(Kuro Kumo Shima) (Mae) | Black Spider Island (Part 1) | August 23, 2007 | ||
| 9 | 黒蜘蛛島 （後）(Kuro Kumo Shima) (Ato) | Black Spider Island (Part 2) | January 23, 2008 | ||
| 10 | 夜光曲（前）(Yakōkyoku) (Mae) | Luminous Song (Part 1) | August 22, 2008 | ||
| 11 | 夜光曲 （後）(Yakōkyoku) (Ato) | Luminous Song (Part 2) | January 23, 2009 | ||
An artbook released with drawings related to the manga series called was released by Kodansha on August 28, 2006.[52]
A 13-episode anime television series adaptation was broadcast from July 5 to September 27, 2008,[53] [54] with animation done by Doga Kobo.[55] It aired on BS11 Digital, Chiba TV, KBS Kyoto, Sun TV, Tokyo MX, TV Aichi, Television Saitama and TVK television stations.[10] [56] The opening theme is Thème principal by KATSU (angela). The ending themes are various through series: À demain sur la lune (#1,3), Ryoko 2 (#2,6), Songe d'une nuit d'été (#4,7,9,10,12), La Vie en rose (#5), Le combat (#8,11) by KATSU (angela), and Thème principal La chanson d'atsuko (#13) by atsuko (voice) and KATSU (music). The series was released on 3 DVDs from September 26, 2008 to January 21, 2009.[57] It was also available via broadband access streaming.[58]
The series began streaming in North America on RetroCrush as an exclusive title on November 5, 2021 under the name Ryoko's Case File.[59]
A BGM OST, Volume 1 with music from the show was released on June 4, 2008 with 8 tracks.[60] The second volume had been released on August 6, 2008 with 17 tracks[60] with a third OST on September 10, 2008 with 13 tracks.[60] All three OSTs have the title Le recueil des faits improbables de Ryōko Yakushiji, which is the show's title in French, and the most of composition are also named in French.
Dengeki Online placed Yakushiji Ryōko no Kaiki Jikenbo on 7th place out of 10 news weekly events for June 1, 2008.[61]