Author: Takada Yuuzou
Copyright © 1998,1999 Takada Yuuzou

A number of people may remember 3x3 EYES (the manga as well as the two OVAs). Here is another story by Takada Yuuzou that gives a refreshing change.
Nagashima Kiku is the princess of the Nagashima family and she is about to be married to Tatsumaru. However, shortly before the wedding, he is killed in the palace. Kiku-hime hides the fact that he was killed from the inquiring Genbou, a rather rude and over-bearing samurai next in line for her hand.
In the nearby mountains, Tsujimura Seibee seeks out his son, Genzou, and asks why he keeps skipping breakfast and other meals to work on his puppets. Genzou replies that he does not care to eat right now and is not interested in such things. His father asks if he finds working on the puppets interesting. Genzou smashes the woman's face he was working on, and replies that he finds these the least interesting. Genzou talks of no longer being a puppeteer. Their discussion is interrupted by an alarm.
The two find that a wandering warrior is being confronted by three ruffians. It turns out this warrior is none other than Kiku-hime. The attackers want to know if they can "help her." She replies that she is looking for the puppeteer Tsujimura Seibee. As Kiku-hime says this, she disarms her would-be attackers. She clarifies that she is looking for someone who can make puppets that are totally life-like. After Kiku-hime sends the ruffians packing, Seibee steps forward admiring her skill. He says that she must be the spirited tomboy princess Kiku, and that he is Tsujimura Seibee and behind him is his son.
Back at the palace, Genbou hears that Kiku-hime has visitors: puppeteers. He smirks—Kiku-hime only has seven days before her wedding when he knows the truth will be revealed and that she will have no choice but to marry him. Kiku-hime shows Seibee and Genzou the body of Tatsumaru which she has been hiding and taking care of. She explains that she wants them to make her a life-like puppet of Tatsumaru, and that she just wants this to get past the wedding to avoid Genbou. She would rather die than have to marry him. Genzou says that she should just die then. Genzou is not interested in helping the princess, and he tells his father they should go. When Kiku-hime promises them money, Seibee tells Kiku-hime that money will not interest Genzou. "What will then?"
"Your body," Seibee replies. Genzou is trying to make a puppet and he needs a woman's body to help model it. Kiku-hime is speechless and, for once, has lost her cool. Genzou wants to see if her body meets the requirements, but Genbou interrupts this exchange. Genzou tells Genbou that he is not interested in anyone ugly, like Kiku-hime or a samurai, since they carry ugliness around them. Genzou says this because he can see the ghosts of all the people that Genbou has killed hanging around the samurai—including Tatsumaru. Genbou, in a rage, throws Genzou out.
Kiku-hime talks with Seibee and she learns that ever since Genzou's bride to be, Saki, was killed, Genzou has been seized by this melancholy where nothing holds his interest. Kiku-hime is moved by Genzou's plight; it reminds her of losing Tatsumaru. She goes to Genzou and asks him once again to make a puppet of Tatsumaru. Genzou can use her body. But Genzou tells her to go home, he cannot make the puppet for her. Kiku-hime goes outside to where she has kept Tatsumaru's body. She holds it a while and begins to weep, saying that it is her fault, her inheritance, that caused him to be killed. They had such fun together when they were younger. Genzou witnesses this scene, and the fire wakes within him. He finally sees in Kiku-hime's heart what he needs to do.
Several days later, Genbou is startled to see Tatsumaru alive before the wedding. Genbou goes to see Kiku-hime. He knows that Tatsumaru is dead and that she is using a puppet, and he plans to confront her.
Want to know what happens next? It is a satisfactory ending that is a little bit surprising. Go find this manga and read it for yourself.
The art is characteristically that of Takada-sensei. His style reached its mature form in 3x3 EYES, but in this story we see more depth in the characters. He uses a fine line, yet he can add a heavy stroke to a character's eyebrows or face without it looking out of place. Backgrounds that stand by themselves are used sparsely to give a feeling for a location. After a setting is established, backgrounds are used mainly to give the actions, or the expressions of the characters, some context that gives them strength and presence.
After two volumes, all of the stories in GENZOU HITOGATA KIWA are episodic so far. Usually, I am not satisfied by stories that do not form a greater whole, but after the 33 volumes of 3x3 EYES, this is actually a welcome change. There is no great resolution we are waiting for, except maybe to see if Kiku-hime and Genzou ever get together for real.
The characters are fresh, the settings are interesting, the stories resolve themselves well—not always happily—but well. The text has occasional furigana to help beginning readers of Japanese make it through the difficult parts. This series is enjoyable to read, and I recommend it, especially if you like Takada-sensei's work but are after something a little less stressful than 3x3 EYES.

Published by: Afternoon KC Run: 2 volumes (and continuing)
Price: ¥476
Format: 148 ~ 180 pages, b/w, some color
Vol. 1: ISBN4-06-321107-X
Vol. 2: ISBN4-06-321087-1
Available now in Japan
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