OVERVIEW: Heian Chapter

It is 972 A.D., the middle of the Heian Era in ancient Japan...

Kyoto, the capital of the country, is suffering serious famine and widespread disease. But to make the chaotic situation even worse, samurai and onmyoji are continuing their selfish strife for supremacy of political power.

Unable to overlook the calamity any longer, the Imperial Court orders Minamoto no Raiko, a samurai well-known for his archery skills, to seek out a legendary gem said to hold mysterious power to save the world.

But Raiko himself also falls ill. So instead, the youngest daughter in the Minamoto family, Hikaru, disguised as a samurai and pretending to be her brother, departs on a long journey in a quest to for the gem. Together with her faithful bodyguard, Watanabe no Tsuna, she finds herself caught up in many adventures, acquiring companions who join her for the quest.

She encounters a handsome sarugakushi named Mansairaku and also an enigmatic onmyoji, Abe no Seimei, and experiences countless unpredictable incidents. Hiding her feelings toward Mansairaku, Hikaru gradually gets involved in a great battle ...

official website (Japanese only)
http://www.ntv.co.jp/otogizoushi/

Air date in Japan: July 6, 2004 ~ March 29, 2005
Format: 26 x 30'

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