Hoshin Engi

Setting

Set in a fictional ancient China, during the Yin dynasty, the fantastic world of Hoshin Engi encompass both the pre-historical world—in which primitive human society coexist with the revered divine gods and goddesses—and the futuristic world—in which highly technological weaponry, combat strategy, as well as futuristic visions, are employed. The Sennin (仙人) are a group of powerful immortals or hermits with extraordinary abilities and knowledge, who have gained immortality through various means. They possess great wisdom, longevity, and often exhibit exceptional magical or supernatural powers. Each Sennin has their unique skills and abilities, which they use to navigate the world and influence events. The humans who undergo training to become Sennin are known as Doshi (道士). Both Sennin and Doshi use the sacred weapons paope (宝貝), versatile instruments that absorb the spiritual energy of their beholders and from their surroundings to amplify their power.

Plot

A female fox spirit named Dakki exerts control over King Chu and the Yin dynasty, manipulating him to spread corruption and suffering throughout the land. A Doshi named Taikobo is tasked by his mentor, Genshi Tenson, leader of the Sennin World (仙人界), with executing the Hoshin Project (封神計画). This mission involves sealing Dakki and her followers in the Shinkai (神界), a liminal space between the Sennin World and the Human World. To achieve this, Taikobo must locate and defeat 365 individuals whose names appear on the Hoshin List, with their souls subsequently imprisoned on the Hoshindai (封神台), a floating island designed to contain them until the ritual is complete. Accompanied by his loyal reiju (霊獣), Supushan, Taikobo navigates a world of shifting alliances and conflicts among immortals, uncovering the extent of Dakki's influence over both King Chu and the Human World.

As Taikobo delves deeper into his mission, he uncovers the celestial struggle between gods and immortals, realizing its profound impact on mortal affairs. Caught between his duty as an immortal and his empathy for humanity, he becomes entangled in the conflict. The war culminates in the devastation of both the Sennin and Human Worlds, with countless souls confined to the Hoshindai. Following King Chu's defeat and the fall of the Yin dynasty, Taikobo prepares to return to the remnants of the Sennin World, only to discover the existence of a third realm—Dakki's hidden domain, where she and her remaining followers have retreated.

The true purpose of the Hoshin Project is ultimately revealed to extend beyond Dakki, targeting the primordial entity Joka, one of the First Persons (最初の人)—ancient extraterrestrial beings who arrived on Earth eons ago. Joka, seeking to reshape the world in the image of her lost home, repeatedly annihilates civilizations that deviate from her vision. After forming an alliance with Dakki, she orchestrates history's course until the Sennin intervene. When thwarted, Joka resolves to destroy Earth entirely. In the ensuing battle, Taikobo, recently deceased, reappears, disclosed as one of the First Persons. Drawing upon the energies of his allies and the souls within the Hoshindai, he reawakens as Fukki and defeats Joka, ending her tyranny.

Prior to this, Dakki briefly usurps Joka's form, merging with Earth's life force to become a primordial mother figure. In Joka's final moments, she implores Taikobo to accompany her into oblivion, fearing solitude. Though he initially consents, Dakki intervenes to preserve his existence. In the aftermath, Supushan ventures into the Human World to recount these events, only to find Taikobo alive yet elusive, deliberately avoiding contact while discreetly observing his companions. After a period of wandering, Taikobo embarks on a new journey, his destination unknown.

Manga

Written and illustrated by Ryu Fujisaki, Hoshin Engi is inspired by the novel of the same title by Tsutomu Ano, which is a Japanese translation of the Chinese literary classic Investiture of the Gods,[3][4] published by Kodansha between 1988 and 1989.[5][6] The manga was serialized in Shueisha's manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from June 24, 1996, to November 6, 2000.[7] Shueisha collected its 204 individual chapters in 23 volumes, released from November 1, 1996,[8] to December 22, 2000.[9] The manga was re-released in a 18-volume edition from July 4, 2005,[10] to April 4, 2006.[11]

In North America, Viz Media announced at the New York Comic Con 2007 that they had licensed the manga.[12] The 23 volumes were published from June 5, 2007,[13] to June 7, 2011.[14]

Fujisaki wrote a short manga, titled Hoshin Engi Gaiden: Senkai Dōsho (封神演義外伝～仙界導書～), serialized Shueisha manga magazine Weekly Young Jump from April 26 to June 14, 2018.[15][16][17] A volume was released on July 19, 2018.[18]

Anime

Soul Hunter

Hoshin Engi was adapted into an anime television series, titled Senkaiden Hōshin Engi (仙界伝 封神演義), produced by Studio Deen and directed by Junji Nishimura.[19] The 26-episodes series was broadcast on TV Tokyo between July 3 and December 25, 1999.[20]

In North America, the series was first licensed by ADV Films in 2001 under the name Soul Hunter.[21][22] In the United States, the series was broadcast on International Channel.[23] In 2016, Discotek Media re-licensed the series for a single DVD collection release on June 28.[24][25]

Hakyu Hoshin Engi

A 23-episode anime television series adaptation titled Hakyu Hoshin Engi (覇穹 封神演義), produced by C-Station and featuring a new cast aired from January 12 to June 29, 2018.[26][27][28] The series was directed by Masahiro Aizawa, with Natsuko Takahashi in charge of the series scripts, characters design by Yoshimitsu Yamashita and music composed by Maiko Iuchi.[29] Crunchyroll streamed the series, while Funimation produced a simuldub.[30][31]

Video games

Four video games published by Bandai have been released: two for the WonderSwan on February 24[32] and December 21, 2000,[33] respectively; and two for the PlayStation on June 29, 2000,[34] and March 29, 2001.[35] respectively. A video game published by Banpresto was released for the Game Boy Color on November 24, 2000.[36] Characters from the series were also featured in the Weekly Shōnen Jump crossover game Jump Ultimate Stars, released for the Nintendo DS on November 23, 2006.[37]

Stage play

A stage play musical adaptation titled Musical Hoshin Engi: Mezame no Toki (ミュージカル 封神演義-目覚めの刻-) was performed in EX Theater Roppongi in Tokyo and ran from January 13–20, 2019. The play, directed by Kōtarō Yoshitani, included casts such as Shōhei Hashimoto playing as Taikobo, Yuya Asato as Yozen, and Ryū Kiyama as Nataku.[38]