Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan

Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan (ぬらりひょんの孫) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hiroshi Shiibashi. It was serialized in Shueisha's manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from March 2008 to June 2012, and later in Jump Next! from August to December 2012. Its chapters were collected in 25 volumes. The series follows Rikuo Nura, a human by day and a by night, as he is destined to become the Third Heir of the Nura Clan. With the help of friends and allies, Rikuo must stop various opposing factions from usurping his position.

A 24-episode anime adaptation produced by Studio Deen was broadcast from July to December 2010. A 24-episode second season, titled Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan – Demon Capital, was broadcast from July to December 2011.

In North America, Viz Media licensed the series for English-language release of the manga and anime adaptations. It was streamed on Viz Anime in 2010, while the 25 volumes of the manga were released from February 2011 to February 2015.

Plot

Rikuo Nura is three-quarters human and one-quarter, living a dual life—human by day and by night. Residing in a house full of with his grandfather, Nurarihyon, he initially resists his destiny, performing good deeds to avoid embracing his heritage. However, he eventually accepts his role as the Third Heir of the Nura Clan (奴良組), despite opposition from factions seeking to usurp his position. To secure his leadership, he gathers allies under his banner of "Fear", forming a new Hyakki Yakō (百鬼夜行).

Rikuo's journey begins when the Kiyojuji Paranormal Patrol is lured into a trap by Gyuki, a testing Rikuo's worthiness to lead the Nura Clan. After proving his strength, Rikuo officially assumes leadership. Soon after, the clan is thrown into chaos when a board member is killed and Nurarihyon vanishes. Rikuo faces Tamazuki, leader of a rival faction from Shikoku, defeating him but sparing his life at his father's request.

The story then explores the past, detailing the origins of the Nura Clan, the creation of the spirit blade Nenekirimaru, and the battle against Hagoromo Gitsune 400 years earlier. When Hagoromo Gitsune resurfaces in Kyoto, Rikuo trains under the of Tono Village to grow stronger before joining the fight. He allies with the Keikain House to stop Hagoromo Gitsune and prevent the birth of a new evil.

Later, Rikuo confronts the remnants of the Hundred Tales Clan (百物語組), a group once led by the human Sanmoto Gorozaemon, who created through storytelling. After defeating them, Rikuo learns of the Gokadoin House, a secretive onmyōji sect descended from Abe no Seimei. As they move to eradicate both and humans, Rikuo begins uniting clans across Japan against this new threat.

Media

Reception

The first tankōbon volume ranked ninth on Tohan manga charts,[35] the third volume ranked fifth,[36] the fourth volume ranked 10th,[37] the fifth volume ranked ninth,[38] and the sixth volume ranked eighth,[39] and each volume starting from the third sold over 100,000 copies.[36][37][39][40] By December 2018, the manga had 12 million copies in circulation,[41] and over 13 million copies in circulation by April 2023.[42]

Weekly Shōnen Jump allows its readers to vote on their favorite manga, giving out the Gold Future Cup award each year to the most popular manga one-shot it publishes. In 2007, the Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan one-shot ranked first in the Gold Future Cup.[43]

See also

• Teito Monogatari: a historical fantasy novel by Hiroshi Aramata widely recognized for starting the "onmyoji boom" in Japan. The fourth volume of the light novel adaptation of Nurarihyon no Mago (entitled Teito Koi Monogatari) is a direct reference to it.[44]

External links