TV-Series
Description
"Witchblade" is a 24-episode anime series that blends action, drama, and supernatural elements. The story is set in a near-future Tokyo, where a mysterious artifact known as the Witchblade becomes the center of a power struggle. The Witchblade is a sentient, living weapon that bonds with a chosen female host, granting her immense power but at a cost. The narrative primarily revolves around Masane Amaha, a single mother struggling to provide for her young daughter, Rihoko. Masane is unaware of her past due to amnesia caused by a catastrophic event known as the Great Quake, which devastated Tokyo six years prior.

Masane’s life takes a dramatic turn when she encounters the Witchblade, which bonds with her and transforms her into a powerful warrior. The Witchblade’s abilities manifest as a symbiotic armor that enhances her strength, speed, and combat skills, but its use comes with physical and emotional strain. As Masane grapples with her new role, she becomes entangled in a conflict involving the NSWF (National Scientific and Welfare Foundation), a secretive organization seeking to control the Witchblade for their own purposes. The NSWF deploys genetically engineered warriors, known as X-Cons, to capture Masane and retrieve the artifact.

Throughout the series, Masane’s relationship with Rihoko serves as an emotional anchor, highlighting themes of maternal love and sacrifice. Rihoko, despite her young age, displays maturity and resilience, often supporting her mother through their hardships. The bond between mother and daughter is tested as Masane’s connection to the Witchblade deepens, revealing fragments of her forgotten past and the true nature of the artifact. The Witchblade itself is portrayed as both a blessing and a curse, as it empowers its host while gradually consuming her life force.

The narrative also explores the motivations of other key characters, such as Reina Soho, a high-ranking NSWF scientist with a personal vendetta against the Witchblade, and Maria, a young girl who becomes a rival host to the artifact. The series delves into the moral ambiguity of the NSWF’s actions, as they justify their experiments and violence in the name of scientific progress and humanity’s survival. As the story progresses, Masane uncovers the truth about the Great Quake, her own origins, and the Witchblade’s purpose, leading to a climactic confrontation that determines the fate of both her and Rihoko.

"Witchblade" combines intense action sequences with emotional depth, exploring themes of identity, sacrifice, and the consequences of wielding power. The series maintains a balance between its supernatural elements and the personal struggles of its characters, creating a compelling narrative that resonates with viewers.
Information
Witchblade
ウィッチブレイド
Type: TV-Series
Anime Episodes: 24
Movie/Episode length: 30 min.
Date: 04/06/2006 – 09/21/2006
Categories
Genre
ActionDramaGhost Stories
Settings
Sci-Fi
Tags
EcchiMagical Girl
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Episodes
Staffel 1
1Beginning
2Confusion
3Opposition
4Movement
5Search
6Change
7Passage
8Reciprocal
9Pity
10Mingle
11Danger
12Prisoner
13Difference
14Home
15Bonds
16Rest
17Mixed
18Tumble
19"Thought"
20"Wish"
21"Vow"
22"Telling"
23"Disturbance"
24"Light"
Cast
Comment(s)
Staff
  • Director
    Yoshimitsu Ōhashi
  • Script
    Yasuko Kobayashi
    Kiyoko Yoshimura
  • Episode Director
    Masaharu Tomoda
    Satoshi Saga
    Yasushi Shingō
    Hiroyuki Tsuchiya
    Masahiro Sekino
    Yukio Okazaki
    Hiroatsu Agata
    Matsuo Asami
    Eiichi Kuboyama
    Yoshinobu Tokumoto
    Yū Nobuta
    Man Kawasaki
    Masanori Takahashi
    Kouji Kobayashi
    Tomoya Kunisaki
  • Music
    Masanori Takumi
  • Character Design
    Makoto Uno
  • Chief Animation Director
    Makoto Uno
  • Sound Director
    Jin Aketagawa
  • Executive producer
    Koji Kajita
  • Series Composition
    Yasuko Kobayashi
  • Storyboard
    Kōichi Chigira
    Tomohiro Hirata
    Masaharu Tomoda
    Hiroyuki Morita
    Takahiro Tanaka
    Akira Nishimori
    Yoshimitsu Ōhashi
    Satoshi Saga
    Kunihisa Sugishima
    Masahiro Sekino
    Kazuma Fujimori
    Hidetoshi Namura
    Kouji Kobayashi
  • Unit Director
    Tomohiro Hirata
    Yoshimitsu Ōhashi
  • Art Director
    Junichi Higashi
    Masaru Yanaka
    Tetsuo Imaizumi
  • Animation Director
    Makoto Uno
    Masahiro Sekiguchi
    Tadashi Sakazaki
    Toshimitsu Kobayashi
    Tatsuya Oka
    Yasushi Shingō
    Masaki Hinata
    Akiko Nakano
    Shingo Suzuki
    Masumi Fujii
    Hiraku Kaneko
    Noboru Jitsuhara
    Shō Kojima
    Shuzilow.HA
  • Director of Photography
    Harukata Kinoshita
  • Producer
    Osamu Nagai
    Susumu Hieda
    Takeyuki Okazaki
    Matt Hawkins
Production
  • Animation Production
    GONZO
  • Production
    GONZO
    G.D.H.
    Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting Co., Ltd.
    SKY Perfect Well Think Co., Ltd.
Relations
Manga overview
Music
Opening
Ep. 14-23
“Dear Bob”
Ending
Ep. 01-13
“Ashita no Te (あしたの手)”
Ep. 13-23
“Kutsu Himo”
“kodou ~get closer~ (鼓動~get closer~)”