Is Houshin Engi okay?

[Heart of Sword]

I've heard about it and was wondering how it was content-wise.

[MasterDias]

Houshin Engi?

Off the top of my head:

Violence - Blood, violence, and probably a bit of mild gore but it's far from the most violent Jump series that I've seen. There is a few acts commited by the main villainess that came off rather disturbing when I read it.

Sexuality - Not much really. A few references to harems that fits into the semi-historical context. The main villainess and a few other female characters are wearing tight outfits but it's not really focused on like one might think it would be.

Language - Don't really remember. Since online scans can vary widely as to the language used, I tend to ignore it mostly.

Keep in mind that I've only read up to Volume 9/10 or so.

[kazekami]

It's a series based on the Chinese Novel 108 Stars, I don't know the actual chinese name, like the Suikiden videogames. It's pretty weird. I don't think its that bad but it depends on if you like violence and mythology. It's historical/mythological.

[Heart of Sword]

I don't mind mythology, but is it occultic???

A few innuendoes here and there are okay, it's sex scenes that make me barf. Language is okay as long as it's not used every sentence and doesn't contain use of the F-bomb. As for violence, I read Rurouni Kenshin.

[Mave]

(0_0)!! Is this title licensed in the U.S?

Awesome. This is one of my fav. manga titles and I've read the whole series (~ 23 volumes). Loved this title enough to buy the whole series.

Brief Synopsis
Houshin Engi is based on a novel written in ancient China. Dakki, a demoness seduces Emperor Chuu and proceeds to rule his kingdom with her wicked influence. There are two types of characters, 1) the mortals: Human beings 2) Immortals: Sennins. Taikoubou, the main character is assigned to eliminate Dakki and her evil allies to establish a new and uncorrupted kingdom. You could say that the Houshin Project is some sort of Evil Sennin Hit List.

To follow up on MasterDias's observations....

Violence: The fights involve forces similar to what would be expected in fantasy + sci-fi. Each sennin has their own unique power/weapon. Expect tragic deaths and some cut off limbs. The good news is when sennins (good and evil alike) "die", they evaporize and their "spirit" departs from the scene to Houshin Dai. I don't even know how to explain Houshin Dai but for now, just understand TaiKoubou's job is to seal evil sennins there.

As MasterDias noted, the demoness style of execution/torture is pretty disturbing. IMO, it's not graphic. It helps to indicates how evil she is. But if it bothers you, I would skip the few sporadic pages of such acts since it's not the focus of the story.

Sexuality: I can't recall a single sex scene throughout the series. Any references to harem/sexuality are merely implied (nothing physical). Dakki dresses skimpily to represent her evil seductive ways but it's to serve the purpose of the plot so I won't categorize it as fanservicey.

Religion/Occult: If you are familiar with Chinese culture/mythology and don't have an issue with fantasy, you will have no problems here. Some feel uncomfortable calling the sennin as gods or deities but it merely reflects polytheism practiced in ancient China. Personally, I take it as lightly as 'youkais' in YuYuHakusho since the sennin characters act like human beings with special powers (they can still "die" heh). There are teachers and students among the characters so don't get jumpy over the 'disciple' term.' In my personal opinion, there is nothing occultic by general definition.

Language: Eh...I don't really know since I've only read this in Chinese. I can only guess there will be some cussing since there are fights and high-strung emotions.

Link - I personally use this for more HE information:
Houshin No Miko's Houshin Engi <--- Contains SPOILERs

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Two additional observations worth noting:
1) There are quite a number of characters within 23 volumes so try not to . The only complaint some readers had was the lack of character development and some confusion in the plot. But I guess this happens when a 300+ chapter novel is compressed into a short manga series.


2) Ryu Fujisaki has one of the most crazy imaginations in the manga industry. Just look at his whacked out character designs and weaponry. XDDDD It's bizarre but man, I'm loving it! (Whenever I'm drawing bizarre chara designs, I always say that I'm in the Houshin Engi mood.) Plot-wise, he's pretty random and unpredictable. Toss in some robots and scientists, and voila! Houshin Engi, a medley of sci-fi and fantasy in an ancient China setting.


....ok this is more than I was planning to post. Hope this helps to help you decide whether this manga is OK for you.

[bishie fangirlism] The Kou family rocks my socks! --> Kou Hiko, Tenka, and Tenshou. <3 <3 <3 [/bishie fangirlism]

[MasterDias]

To Mave: Nah, it's not licensed yet but as Viz seems to be picking up Shonen Jump titles left and right, I assume it will be eventually.
Actually, I've vaguely wondered how inaccurate the manga is to the original novel.

To HoS: If you are fine with Kenshin, you should be fine with Houshin Engi.

[Heart of Sword]

Thank you! ^_^

[Vampi]

I'd like to add in a little more.


I know Mave said that Dakki isn't fanservice, but some of Dakki's powers require "sexy poses".

Interseting little facts: The excution scenes are disturbing, as mentioned before, and are seemingly unbelievable, but they actually took place. Dakki was a real person. (The Chinese call her Daji.)
The novel kazekami referred to is All Men Are Brothers , or Water Margin. The title comes from a common Chinese saying. Water Margin would be the English name because in the original story, the fighters lived on a mountain in the middle of a lake.

[KrescentMoon]

There's not much to say other than what's been said, but I will comment on the language and story content. I've read Snoopycool's scanslation of the entire series. I don't really recall foul language, but I'll have to say that a swear word is used occassionally, but to me, most came across as comical.

The story, as a whole, is slow at first, but once you're in a few volumes, that's when things start picking up pace. It's very, very long, and I'm quite impressed with the way Fujisaki-sensei executed this manga. The plot is excellent, and extremely comical. I often found myself with sore sides from the laughter the characters's quirkyness and unpredictable actions induced.

In conclusion, if you're fine with what's been outlined with everyone's reviews, then you should definitely pick Houshin Engi up for a read.

[Heart of Sword]

Thank you! I might check it out if it comes my way.

Vampi, you're back! I haven't seen you in...forever.

[Token Asian]

Wasn't there an anime of this on the International Channel at one time? I recall a lot of "jiggle."