Levius (manga)

Levius (レビウス) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Haruhisa Nakata. The series was published in Shogakukan's Monthly Ikki from December 2012 to September 2014, when the magazine ceased publication. Shogakukan compiled its chapters into three volumes. A sequel, titled Levius/est, was serialized in Shueisha's Ultra Jump from April 2015 to June 2021. The manga and its sequel are licensed in North America by Viz Media. A 12-episode original net animation (ONA) adaptation produced by Polygon Pictures premiered on Netflix in November 2019.

Story

In the 19th century, Imperial City is heavily damaged in a war. A new sport known as "Metalboxing" (which combines the elements of boxing with robotic elements) is developed five years later. Levius Cromwell, who lost his father during the war, begins to emerge as a young fighter and begins training under his uncle Zacks Cromwell after losing his consciousness. Levius works up the boxing ranks until he finally reaches his goal, which is an opportunity to challenge for the promotion to Grade I, which is the highest rank any boxer could achieve. Levius was required to defeat Hugo Stratus to achieve that rank, but Hugo was unexpectedly defeated by a mysterious boxer named A.J. Langdon. The dignity of human beings and the future of Imperial City are in the hands of an ongoing battle between Levius and his opponents.

Characters

  • Levius Cromwell (レビウス ・クロムウェル)
  • Levius is a young boxer who is notable in the sport of "Metalboxing". He deeply cares about the whereabouts of his mother, who fell unconscious during the war. He was required to amputate his right arm (which was replaced with a robotic arm) before the events of the manga due to corrosion after being attacked by an automated object.
  • Zacks Cromwell (ザクス ・クロムウェル)
  • Zacks is Levius' uncle; he suffers from congenital tetrachromatic abnormality in his left eye, requiring him to wear an eyepatch over it. He also acts as Levius' trainer due to his previous experience as a regular boxer.
  • Natalia Garnet (ナタリア・ ガーネット)
  • Natalia is a Grade III boxer who trains at Zacks Gym. She offers some advice to Levius about his upcoming matches.
  • A.J. Langdon (A.J.ラングドン)
  • A member of the Amethyst military corporation, A.J. is the youngest soldier who fought in the war. She was not expected to be Levius' opponent in his Grade II promotion match; however, she defeated Hugo Stratus in a controversial fashion. After that match, she attacked Levius, which created a steam explosion that caused him to seek medical treatment.

Media

Manga

Levius is written and illustrated by Haruhisa Nakata. Unlike most manga series, which are read from right to left, Levius is read from left to right.[5][6] The manga was serialized in Shogakukan's Monthly Ikki from December 25, 2012, to September 25, 2014, until the magazine ceased its publication.[7][8] The last issue announced that the series would continue serialization, but details were not given then.[9] Shogakukan collected its chapters in three volumes, released from January 30 to December 26, 2014. Shueisha republished the series in two volumes under the Young Jump Comics imprint on April 19 and May 17, 2019.[10][11]

A sequel, titled Levius/est, was serialized in Shueisha's Ultra Jump from April 18, 2015,[12] to June 18, 2021.[13] Shueisha collected its chapters in ten volumes, released from December 18, 2015, to August 18, 2021.

In North America, Viz Media announced the English language release of the manga in February 2019.[14][5] Levius was released in a single omnibus volume on September 17, 2019.[15] Viz Media began publishing Levius/est on November 19, 2019.

Levius

Levius/est

Levius

Levius/est

Original net animation

A 12-episode original net animation (ONA) adaptation, produced by Polygon Pictures premiered worldwide on Netflix on November 28, 2019.[39] The opening theme is "Wit and Love" and the ending theme is "Child Dancer"; both songs were performed by Nazome.[40] The series was later broadcast in Japan on Tokyo MX and BS11 from January 9 to March 27, 2021.[41][42][43] For the televised version, Nana Mizuki performed the series opening theme "Link or Chains", while Mamoru Miyano performed the ending theme "Beautiful Doll".[44]

Viz Media released the series on Blu-ray in North America on March 21, 2023.[45]

Episodes

Episodes

References

  1. The Official Website for Levius Viz Media, retrieved November 11, 2020^
  2. Rebecca Silverman. Levius Omnibus - Review Anime News Network, September 2, 2019, retrieved September 17, 2020^
  3. Levius Sci-fi Boxing Anime Reveals 8 Cast Members Anime News Network, October 2, 2019, retrieved October 2, 2019^
  4. Levius (TV Series 2019-) - Full Cast & Crew IMDb, retrieved December 15, 2019^
  5. Joel Enos. Steampunk Manga Goes Premium Viz Media, September 26, 2019, retrieved March 8, 2021^
  6. Nancy Powell. REVIEW: Levius awakens to a changed world in LEVIUS /EST The Beat, November 26, 2019, retrieved March 8, 2021^
  7. https://www.neowing.co.jp/product/NEOBK-1397570 Neowing, retrieved September 17, 2020 https://natalie.mu/comic/news/83734 Comic Natalie, Natasha, Inc, January 25, 2013, retrieved September 17, 2020^
  8. Karen Ressler. Monthly Ikki Magazine's Individual Series' Plans Announced Anime News Network, July 30, 2014, retrieved September 17, 2020 https://www.neowing.co.jp/product/NEOBK-1714461 Neowing, retrieved September 17, 2020^
  9. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/126868 Comic Natalie, Natasha, Inc, September 25, 2014, retrieved September 17, 2020^
  10. https://www.s-manga.net/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-891276-9 Shueisha, retrieved September 17, 2020^
  11. https://www.s-manga.net/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-891277-6 Shueisha, retrieved September 17, 2020^
  12. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/144597 Comic Natalie, Natasha, Inc, April 18, 2015, retrieved September 17, 2020^
  13. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/433224 Comic Natalie, Natasha, Inc, June 18, 2021, retrieved September 7, 2021^
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  16. https://www.shogakukan.co.jp/books/09188644 Shogakukan, retrieved September 17, 2020^
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  22. Levius/est, Vol. 2 Viz Media, retrieved September 17, 2020^
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  24. Levius/est, Vol. 3 Viz Media, retrieved September 17, 2020^
  25. https://www.s-manga.net/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-890731-4 Shueisha, retrieved September 17, 2020^
  26. Levius/est, Vol. 4 Viz Media, retrieved September 17, 2020^
  27. https://www.s-manga.net/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-890899-1 Shueisha, retrieved September 17, 2020^
  28. Levius/est, Vol. 5 Viz Media, retrieved September 17, 2020^
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  30. Levius/est, Vol. 6 Viz Media, retrieved September 17, 2020^
  31. https://www.s-manga.net/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-891406-0 Shueisha, retrieved September 17, 2020^
  32. Levius/est, Vol. 7 Viz Media, retrieved September 17, 2020^
  33. https://www.s-manga.net/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-891586-9 Shueisha, retrieved September 17, 2020^
  34. Levius/est, Vol. 8 Viz Media, retrieved February 3, 2021^
  35. https://www.s-manga.net/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-891750-4 Shueisha, retrieved November 18, 2020^
  36. Levius/est, Vol. 9 Viz Media, retrieved September 6, 2021^
  37. https://books.shueisha.co.jp/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-892057-3 Shueisha, retrieved September 5, 2021^
  38. Levius/est, Vol. 10 Viz Media, retrieved April 28, 2022^
  39. https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1553091838 Animate Times, March 22, 2019, retrieved March 22, 2019^
  40. https://animageplus.jp/articles/detail/29195 Animage+, November 29, 2019, retrieved November 10, 2024^
  41. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/411119 Comic Natalie, Natasha, Inc, January 1, 2021, retrieved January 1, 2021^
  42. https://s.mxtv.jp/anime/levius/episode.html?ep_id=11908_1 Tokyo MX, retrieved April 19, 2021^
  43. https://s.mxtv.jp/anime/levius/episode.html?ep_id=11908_12 Tokyo MX, retrieved April 19, 2021^
  44. Crystalyn Hodgkins. Nana Mizuki, Mamoru Miyano Sing Theme Songs for Levius Anime's TV Airing Anime News Network, October 18, 2020, retrieved October 18, 2020^
  45. Levius Blu-ray Right Stuf, retrieved December 27, 2022^