Corpse Princess (Shikabane Hime)

Shikabane Hime

Plot

 

After being murdered, Makina Hoshimura turns into a "living shikabane hime (corpse)". Armed with dual MAC-11 submachine guns, she must kill 108 other shikabane in order to gain entry into heaven. She is assisted in this task by Keisei Tagami, a Buddhist monk with links to an anti-corpse group known as the Kougun Sect. Her ultimate goal is to avenge the death of her family, by destroying the shikabane known as the Seven Stars.

Characters

 

Main

 

Makina Hoshimura 

Voiced by: Nana Akiyama (Japanese), Luci Christian (English)

Makina is a main character and a contracted "living corpse". She is tasked with killing 108 corpses to gain entrance to heaven. She has formidable physical skills and her weapon of choice are two Ingram MAC-11 sub-machine pistols. Her contracted monk was Keisei Tagami. Later in the story, it is revealed that her family discovered the process of making a Shikabane Hime and was killed by the Seven Stars whom made Makina into a Shikabane. Later on, after Keisei's death, Ouri became her new contracted monk, after she refused to accept him.

Ouri Kagami 

Voiced by: Tatsuya Hasome (Japanese), Aaron Dismuke (English)

A normal high school boy who was raised at Keisei Tagami's temple. He treats Keisei as his brother even though they are not blood related. Ouri is able to appear where the Shikabanes are because of a mysterious cat who began to talk to him. After the second time talking to the cat, Ouri knew that when he saw the cat he had to follow it, leading him to the corpses. He has also been nicknamed by the children at the temple "Hanagami". Later on after Keisei's death, he became Makina's new contracted monk. In the anime, it is strongly implied that he is in love with Makina.

Keisei Tagami 

Voiced by: Keiji Fujiwara (Japanese), J. Michael Tatum (English)

Keisei Tagami was a Buddhist priest under the anti-corpse organization known as the Kōugon Sect. He found Ouri Kagami as a three-year-old child and raised him at his temple orphanage. Keisei was an orphan himself, raised by Makina Hoshimura's father. When the Hoshimura family was brutally murdered, he agreed to become Makina's contracted monk. He was something of a pervert, often offering (or forcing upon) Ouri sexual posters or skin mags. He died near the end of the first season.

Contracted Monks

Rika Aragami 

Voiced by: Saeko Chiba (Japanese), Cynthia Cranz (English)

Rika Aragami is the only female contracted monk. She is one of the ten Great Holy Families, which are the descendants of the ten senior disciples of the Founder and obligated to become contracted monks to a Shikabane Hime. Not only is she the contracted monk of Saki Amase, but she is well known for her ability to heal others, and her inability to button her shirt.

Takamasa Sogi

Voiced by: Tokuyoshi Kawashima (Japanese), Joel McDonald (English)

The contracted monk of Itsuki Yamagami. Their relationship is a complicated one. While the two seem to have a romantic relationship, they are incapable of acting on their feelings due to Itsuki's nature as a shikibane. Both he and Itsuki try to prevent Ouri from making a similar mistake with Makina, but at the same time their actions show signs that they want Ouri to prove them wrong. Takamasa often fights alongside Itsuki using a bow and arrow.

Sadahiro Mibu 

Voiced by: Junichi Suwabe (Japanese), Eric Vale (English)

When the series starts, he is introduced as Ouri's manager, but he is the contracted monk of Akira Tōoka, and is working undercover to keep an eye on Ouri and Keisei.

Shuji Isaki 

Voiced by: Tomokazu Sugita (Japanese), Mike McFarland (English)

The contracted monk of Minai Ruo. He does not care about others, especially Minai, who he treats like a tool. In the OVA it has revealed a little of his past and his hatred for his older brother. Isaki was made a contracted monk due to his brother's contacts. He intended to use Minai to kill his older brother, and claim the reasons that Minai killed his brother was because he was unholy and became a Shikabane. Isaki and Minai both knew they did not have a bond, but before Minai would turn into a Shikabane, he wanted to become higher status to be even higher than Keisei and even be the main monks, to bring down his brother. In the end, both Minai and Isaki accomplished to have a bond, but it turns out that they had a bond because they had a met a long time ago. In Isaki's family store, which young Minai went to frequently as a child. Isaki doesn't show compassion for Minai, but he actually did care for her.

Sougen Takamine

Voiced by: Hidenori Nakamura (Japanese), Kent Williams (English)

The contracted monk of Kamika Tomoroki and the former mentor of Keisei Tagami.

Kanechika Umehara

Voiced by: Masaki Terasoma (Japanese), Christopher Bevins (English)

The only contracted monk that has two Shikabane Hime. Although in the series, we only follow one of his Shikabane Hime, Flesh. The other's name is Touma. Umehara is known for his perverted nature. He does also have the reputation of being well versed in Shikabane.

 

Shikabane Hime

Saki Amase 

Voiced by: Mika Kikuchi (Japanese), Monica Rial (English)

Rika's partnered Shikabane Hime. Saki is a 10 year-old mischievous girl who enjoys teasing Rika. She is usually seen munching on chips or drinking juice, suggesting that her intense regrets and obsessions might be related to food. Her weapon of choice is a massive hammer. Unlike other Shikabane Hime, her contracted monk happens to be one of the ten great holy families, which means that no ordinary Shikabane can defeat her.

Itsuki Yamagami 

Voiced by: Chise Nakamura (Japanese), Cherami Leigh (English)

Takamasa's Shikabane Hime. She died in an automobile accident and came back with the regret of not living the life of a teenage girl. She bonded with Takamasa because she thought he was a powerful monk and would help her get to Heaven faster. Unfortunately, Takamasa knew nothing about the Shikabane Himes before that. Regardless, the two continued to work as a team. During their time, they began to develop romantic feelings for each other. However, they were unable to act on them because Itsuki was a Shikabane Hime. She fights with a pair of M945 Combat handguns.

Akira Tōoka 

Voiced by: Aoi Yūki (Japanese), Anastasia Munoz (English)

Sadahiro's cynical Shikabane Hime. Often, she hits Sadahiro to stop him from saying something. Almost nothing is revealed about her past, except for her cause of death by a Shikabane. She fights using a sniper rifle, as well as being the only Shikabane Hime ever allowed to kill humans.

Minai Ruo

Voiced by: Yuka Hirata (Japanese), Colleen Clinkenbeard (English)

Isaki's Shikabane Hime. Her weapon of choice were a pair of brass knuckles. It was revealed throughout the first season that she committed suicide for killing someone. She believed that her becoming a Shikabane Hime was punishment for her sins, but after meeting Ouri, she came to see it as a way to save others. She did grow close to Ouri, but before a relationship could be formed, Isaki was killed; despite Sadahiro's offer to help her transferring her bond to Ouri, she ultimately allowed herself to be terminated rather than taking up the offer or reverting to a rogue Shikabane.

In the OVA of Shikabane Hime, Minai's past is revealed of how she became a Shikabane Hime. Minai was a abused be her boyfriend and she struck him with a knife which killed him and then she committed suicide by jumping off a roof. Soon after,she came to life as a Shikabane Hime and then Kōgon Sect got hold of her. She was intended to be Keisei's Shikabane Hime but Isaki volunteered to be her contracted monk. From the start, Minai was doubted as to whether or not she could be a Shikabane Hime because her contract was incomplete. Isaki and Minai had to have a bond before the contract or else it would be meaningless. So Sadahiro and Akira were both sent to investigate, Later it was revealed that Isaki didn't lie about he having a bond with her; they had indeed met in the past when they were kids.

Kamika Todoroki

Voiced by: Yui Horie (Japanese), Terri Doty (English)

Takamine's Shikabane Hime. Nicknamed "The Sword Princess," Kamika has been referred to as the strongest shikabane hime not necessarily for the level of her strength, but her regret and will.

Flesh Backbone

Voiced by: Aya Endō (Japanese), Alexis Tipton (English)

One of Umehara's Shikabane Hime is Flesh Backbone, who is as much an otaku as Umehara himself, although the two can have even more passionate arguments than normal Makina and otaku Keisei would have had over conflicts on two-dimensional vs. three-dimensional or doujinshi vs. figurines. In fact, she was a foreigner who had died in a plane accident on her way to Akihabara. The other Shikabane Hime of Umehara is Touma (who only appeared in the manga), who is away on a vacation of sorts and seems to strike fear in her contracted monk. She was the unknown female that was peeking outside Makina's cave, and she has brought news about her.

 

Manga-specific Shikabane Hime

Kanae Yatagi 

A mature Shikabane Hime who only appeared in the manga with her younger partner, Sousetsu Kashio. She uses her whip to attack and tie down her enemies. Presumed to be dead.

Aki Asuka 

A silent Shikabane Hime who is exclusive to the manga, her contract monk is Takehiko Mutou, whom she agrees with his ideals of "killing Shikabane equals to salvation for their souls". Fights with a sniper rifle. Presumed to be killed along with Mutou and several others when they stayed behind to allow the survivors to escape from Hizuchi and Hazama.

Iroha Kisaragi

The actual younger sister of her contract monk, Jin Kisaragi. She uses a pair of sais in battle. She lets her body be ripped apart by Hazama in order to deliver a crippling blow. She was torn into shreds by an angered Hazama along with Jin, who stayed by her side till the end.

Anzu Chikazaki 

A quirky Shikabane Hime who always squabbled with her contract monk, Nagatomo Kashin. She fights with a pair of sub-machine guns like Makina, she was the first to be killed when Hokuto decapitates her with a kick.

Uruko Baroque

A flirtatious Shikabane Hime who would fight as long as her contract monk, Hayashita Ayamitsu, said she could, as she is constantly craving for fights. She fights with a hand saw which she named "Britonian". Was eaten by Hizuchi after she lost her legs to him, but still managed to cripple him before that.

Mutsuha Mutsuhana 

A young Shikabane Hime who is always seen wearing western clothes and a hat, she gets upset whenever her contract monk, Hayatate Touto, starts his binge on alcoholic drinks. Her weapon is a chain connected to a shield at both ends, used to shield her allies from afar and could even be used as a flail. Presumed to be killed with the others.

Shikabane

Shikabane characters in anime

Hagino

 

Voiced by: Kazuya Nakai (Japanese), Z. Charles Bolton (English)

A vampire like Shikabane who kidnaps women and kills them in groups. His power appears to allow him to control people he bites. He can also transform into a bat. It is speculated that he made some of the women kill one another.

Kun Osaki

 

Voiced by: Mayumi Iizuka (Japanese), Brina Palencia (English)

A J-Pop star who died of heart disease. She became a Shikabane because she wanted to keep singing. Her manager used his mob connections to keep Osaki's death quiet, as well as any deaths that occur around her. She is angered when her song is interrupted or when someone does not listen to it. Her response to this is usually to kill the person who caused it. She can use her voice as a weapon.

SUV

A Shikabane that takes on the form of an SUV. It lays in wait for people to get into it and start driving. It then takes control and forces the passengers to kill one another.

Bandit

A nameless Shikabane that was formed from a robber who killed his partners and himself when they were surrounded by the police. He was protective of the money he stole and uses it to attack people.

Tomoharu Kishibe

 

Voiced by: Anri Katsu (Japanese), Scott Freeman (English)

Initially a normal teenage boy and a friend of Takamasa and Itsuki. He died in a car accident with his parents and sister when a group of teenage drivers made them swerve off the cliff. He gained the power to control the engines of 4WDs and 2WDs. He used his power to kill those teens. After that, he began targeting teenagers who liked to drive fast and their spectators.

Manga-specific

Devlort Aegis  

 

The only surviving heir of one of the strongest families of vampire in Europe who had an appearance of a young man with an aura of nobility, fights alongside with his vassal, Gregorio, an older brother figure whom he calls "Rio" for short. His powers grew immensely large as he completely drains the blood of a dying Gregorio, which awakens Aegis's full potential as a vampire. Despite that power, he was quickly subdued and sealed in a coffin for "future negotiations".

Lee Li Hong 

 

A Chinese Shikabane who uses her Taoist curses in battle, her source of magic are ten silver rings that protect her from dying in 10 ways, in the range of burning, drowning/suffocation, freezing, electrocution, poison, illness, starvation and death from projectiles, blunt and sharp weapons.

When she was alive in Ancient China, she was nearly eaten by hungry villagers driven mad by famine, she escaped into a valley she fell off and left to die until she met a "Chinese Immortal", who is just another Shikabane. She was forced to make a decision between becoming his slave or getting devoured by him. Ensuring her own safety, Li Hong was then converted into a Shikabane like he is and made his slave. She then secretly learned his magic and finally killed him once she mastered everything. Since then, Li Hong lived a whimsical life killing people as she pleases.

Her major weakness however is suicide, a form of death her curses never covered, as it was something Li Hong had never thought about because she will never kill herself due of her overwhelming phobia for death.

Milam Partho 

A Indian Shikabane based on the goddess Kali who has her own cult because of her powers, beauty and charisma.

With her eyes constantly closed and dressed in a revealing sari, Milam was a mysterious Shikabane who is graceful and terrifying at the same time, being very well mannered like the "Kumari" she was treated back in her cult.

Her abilities includes mind control and usage of illusions, which she can only use with a special powder made from mummified corpses, her nightmarish illusions are strong enough to even corrode the flesh. Her proficiency with a pair of scimitars she hides under her skirt is equally high as well.

Gregorio Vlaupnir  

 

A vassal to Aegis and his family, which he served for over 300 hundred years and he fights with a rapier, although a Shikabane, Gregorio strictly obeys a code of chivalry and would do anything to help his current master, Aegis, regain control of the world like how his family used to in the past.

He died shielding a fatal attack meant for Aegis, his blood was then sucked dry from his dying body by Aegis via Gregorio's own dying request.

Seven Stars

The Seven Stars was a group of seven Shikabane who worked together for a common goal.

Hokuto

 

Voiced by: Chika Fujimura (Japanese), Brina Palencia (English)

A special Shikabane who has no regrets, obsessions or even nature within her. Her death however, makes her one of the most dangerous, yet powerful undead being around. She was raised as a sacrifice, born to be killed as a child. She never experienced grief, pain, sadness or even happiness. Right after being killed, she is reborn as a Shikabane. She escaped with Hazama in the final episode, but is tracked down by Makina and Ouri. The series ends with her and Makina continuing their battle, with Makina saying that she will make Hokuto remember what it means to be alive.

Isaka

 

Voiced by: Takaya Hashi (Japanese), T.A. Taylor (English)

Known for his ability to open portals.

Hazama

 

Voiced by: Toru Ohkawa (Japanese), Christopher Sabat (English)

Hazama has giant centipedes for arms. At first glance, most assume that he was the leader of the Seven Stars. In reality, he is the right hand of the true leader, Hokuto. He is responsible for the ambush that led to the death of Akasha's Shikibane Hime. After his plan to use Hokuto to assault the Kōgon Sect fails he escapes with her in the final episode.

Kowaku

Voiced by: Yuki Hayashi (Japanese), Bob Carter (English)

His curse allows him to change the make up of his body. He was killed by Makina Hoshimura near the end of the first season.

Ena

Voiced by: Michi Niino (Japanese), Todd Haberkorn (English)

Ena was obsessed with beauty. His curse allows him to switch from one corpse to another, as long as they are nearby. He was killed by Makina Hoshimura.

Hizuchi

Voiced by: Tatsuhisa Suzuki (Japanese), Jerry Jewell (English)

Ouri's mother was responsible for his death. Hizuchi was determined to make Ouri pay for what happened to him. He was killed by Ouri and Makina.

Toya

Voiced by: Sumire Morohoshi (Japanese), Jamie Marchi (English)

The most bizarre looking of the Seven Stars. She appears to be a man covered in a coat, but where a head should be, there is a cluster of balloons. Her curse allows her to manipulate the minds of people. She can also place balloons on people that cause their happiness to grow, until it reaches its peak. At that point, the person dies. It is revealed near the end that Toya was a little girl from a very poor family. One day, she and her parents suddenly went to an amusement park for a fun day before they committed suicide. As a result, Toya views death as happiness. She eventually questions herself about her happiness, causing her own balloon to pop and kill her.

Others

Akasha Shishidou

Voiced by: Mitsuru Miyamoto (Japanese), Josh Grelle (English)

Perhaps one of the pithiest villains after knowing the reason behind his betrayal against the Kōgon Sect. In his younger days, he was one of the top aces in the Kōgon Sect. He was proud and strong in his faith, until he was forced to kill his Shikabane Hime, who was his fiancee when she was alive. Afterwards, he went into exile for 5 years. No news about him was heard till series of recent events resurrection of many Shikabane cases. He allies with the Seven Stars in order to bring down the Kōgon Sect, eventually becoming the Contract Priest for Hokuto. However, he was killed by Hokuto in the final episode when he rejects her for his previous Shikibane Hime, causing her to revert back into a Corpse.

Black Cat

Voiced by: Yui Horie (Japanese), Greg Ayres (English)

A mysterious black cat that can, at will, be seen or unseen and also can be incorporeal. It always seems to be around Ouri Kagami and he seems to be the only person the cat talks to. It shows up at moments that involve the Shikabane and Shikabane Hime, and gives Ouri clues about them. The intention of this cat is unknown as to whether it is friend or foe. The cat is identical to a pet that Ouri cherished as a child, which died after being run over by a vehicle. Soon afterwards, this cat appeared. Near the end of the series, the cat revealed its true nature with the help of a foe Shikabane who was once a fellow orphan along with Ouri. The cat was made up of a number of children who Ouri's mother had kidnapped trying to fulfill her attachment to this world: to hold her child in her hands. Later, the cat is revealed as a metaphor for ouri actually being part shikibane himself. it is not known how he became this way, but that after transforming into a shikibane after realizing this, the separate entity that his sub-councious had become, eventually fades away as well.

 

Nozomi Kasuga

Voiced by: Miki Maruyama (Japanese), Tia Ballard (English)

 A classmate of Ouri, nicknamed Omune-sama or "Breast Goddess". In the first chapter of the manga she and a few other students visited a "man-eating house", where she was attacked and injured by a group of corpses. She was saved by Makina, and since then she's developed a fascination with death. This fascination leads her to stalk Makina and later Ouri. She also becomes attracted to Ouri and desires to become a Shikabane Hime, so she could be with him forever. In the anime, she was manipulated by Toya because they both thought death was beautiful. Toya's power transforms Kasuga, causing her to become more direct and eventually lead her to kill people at her school, until Ouri and Makina stopped her and Toya. However, they were unable to save Kasuga's life. With her last breath, she asked Ouri to make her into a Shikabane Hime. Her last wish goes unfulfilled as she didn't meet the requirements.

Mizuki Inuhiko

 

Voiced by: Fuyuka Oura (Japanese), Clarine Harp (English)

A classmate of Ouri. She tends to be very observant and dreams of becoming the president of the student council.

Sumitori

 

Voiced by: Masayuki Shouji (Japanese), Sean Michael Teague (English)

Another classmate of Ouri's. Very innocent and oblivious to the world of Shikabane.

Hiroshige Ushijima

 

Voiced by: Tooru Nara (Japanese), Micah Solusod (English)

He is the girl-obsessed friend of Ouri Kagami.

Riko

Voiced by: Yui Horie (Japanese), Stephanie Young (English)

Riko is like the "Mother Hen" of sorts. She is in charge of the Dai-Rin House, which is where Ouri grew up with Keisei.