The 11th Season's Recommendations] Keep challenging the future you can't see!　Six royal road works of the original intention

While the severe cold weather is still continuing, many people may be facing various challenges before April, such as taking exams, finding a job, or changing jobs.

It is very difficult to face the future in the midst of difficulties and to carry through with what you first thought you would do. The same is true in the world of fiction. Growing up means, in other words, changing oneself in light of reality. It is surprisingly difficult to keep the blue ideal and carry through with one's original intention.

Here are some royal works depicting the indomitable spirit that carries you through and gives you hope for tomorrow when you watch them.

Naruto Shippuden" (broadcast in 2007)

The main character, a young Shinobi boy named Uzumaki Naruto, was born in the village of Kinohagakure in the Land of Fire, one of the five great Shinobi countries, with a monster called the Nine-Tailed Tail sealed inside his body. Naruto, who has no father or mother, has always been lonely, but he comes to know the importance of his friends through his heart with Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura, who are members of a group of three.

However, Sasuke's Uchiha clan has a tragic history of being wiped out at the expense of the village. When Sasuke learns of this fact, he runs away from his village and vows to take revenge on the village of Kinohagakure. Even after Sasuke becomes an enemy of the village, Naruto still considers him a friend and tries to win him back. On the other hand, it becomes clear that the relationship between the Uchiha clan and the village of Kinohagakure is quite deep-rooted. Can Naruto overcome his resentment and pain and join hands with Sasuke again?

This work is the youth version following "Naruto" (broadcast in 2002), which depicted Naruto as a boy. A harsh war with a powerful enemy ensues, casualties are suffered by his friends, and a history of blood and resentment that dates back to the founding of the village is revealed one after another. In the reality of a chain of hatred, it seems impossible to convert one friend who has become a ghoul, and it even seems like a small thing that doesn't matter anymore.

But because he knows the pain of loneliness, Naruto is unwavering and does not hesitate. As a result of this single-mindedness, which may seem foolish, and which moves the hearts of his enemies and allies, Naruto eventually becomes the one who gives hope and is entrusted with their thoughts. Naruto's unwavering and unbending character in this long and drawn-out story is inspiring. The original story has been completed, but the TV series is now in its final stages. I am looking forward to seeing the final scene of the anime that has run together with the original story for so many years.

FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST" (broadcasted in 2009)

The Elric brothers, Edward (a.k.a. Ed) and Alphonse (a.k.a. Al), performed the greatest taboo of alchemy, "human body alchemy," when they were young in order to revive their beloved mother who had died. In return, Ed lost a part of his body and Al lost his entire body. Ed grew up and became a national alchemist called "the government's dog," and the brothers continue to search for a way to return to their original bodies.

While various interests and hatreds clash, the straightforward actions of these two pain-stricken individuals move and bring together the hearts of many people they meet. On the other hand, the "Philosopher's Stone," which holds great power, and a huge conspiracy of homunculus (artificial humans), who are involved in the formation of the nation, are revealed, and before long, the fierce battle of "Promised Day" is fought, involving the lives of all the people in the country. Is there any hope left?

The plans of the ruthless boss called "Father" and his homunculuses, which are gradually revealed, are so grand in scale. If their ambitions are fulfilled, the entire country will be destroyed, and all of Ed and Al's loved ones will lose their lives. But the brothers are not giving up. They must stop this unforgivable plot and then get their bodies back.

Ed and Al are very strong-willed and unyielding, but they also have the compassion to listen to others and understand their pain. They are not willing to trample on others for their own ends. And they do not shy away from their own sins and mistakes, nor do they blame others. What awaits at the end of the journey of the brothers, who have kept their thoughts straight in the midst of an accelerating battle, is ......?　The ending of the story shows that understanding and connecting people from different backgrounds can be a great strength above all else.

Blue Exorcist" (broadcast in 2011)

Twin brothers, Rin Okumura and Yukio, were raised by a priest. One day, Rin discovers that this world consists of the "material world" (Asher), where humans live, and the "nihilistic world" (Gehenna), where demons live, and that he was born between Satan, the king of demons, and a human woman. The father who raised Rin fell to protect her from Satan. Rin releases her sealed demon power and fights with a blue flame.

After the death of his foster father, Rin decides to use his power for the good of humanity and joins the "Exorcism School," which trains exorcists, in order to avenge his foster father's death and "beat Satan" to death. At the academy, Rin strengthens his bonds with his fellow students, but he is also warned that he is a "child of Satan. Even so, the compassionate Rin, who can hear the voice of the devil, never unilaterally judges the devil to be evil. Despite his perilous position, he is quite free-spirited. The earnest and concerned younger brother, who wants to protect his older brother, has to endure many hardships. What path will the brothers take in the battle between demons and humans?

The 25-episode TV series starts with the episodes before entering the "Kyoto: The Impure King Arc" of the original story, and then moves into the original development. Rin, who is determined to "punch Satan," and Yukio, who wants to protect Rin, will fight their way through the battle.　The story is rich in flavor as it depicts the final outcome of the battle.

Yukio compensates for Rin's recklessness, and Rin compensates for Yukio's seriousness and weakness. Rin and Yukio, who face difficult problems due to the secret of their birth, overcome a single obstacle through the power of their brothers, and the development is quite exhilarating with the action depicted. After watching the anime, it is a good idea to return to the original "Kyoto: The Impuro-ou Arc.

Inuyasha: The Complete Arc" (broadcast in 2009)

Kagome Higurashi, a junior high school girl in the present day, travels back in time through a well in a shrine to the Sengoku period. There, Kagome meets Inuyasha, a half-demon boy who has been sealed away. From inside Kagome's body emerges a jewel called the "Four Spirit Beads," which is said to grant all wishes. During the battle, the ball of four souls is scattered into countless pieces. The shards can cause trouble, such as giving power to youkai, so Inuyasha and Kagome set out on a journey to retrieve the shards.

Kagome is actually the reincarnation of Kikyo, a priestess who fell in love with Inuyasha, only to be trapped and killed. The demon Natsura, the one who trapped Kikyo 50 years ago, is once again playing with people's hearts, taking advantage of their weakness, and this time, he is trying to obtain the Four Spirits Ball. Nahura is again playing on people's hearts and taking advantage of their weakness. Can you break the bond and defeat Nahra?

Following the completion of the original "Inuyasha" broadcast for four years starting in 2000, a sequel was produced for the first time in five years, and even the last part of the original story was adapted into an anime. For fans, this is an emotional moment. The journey of Inuyasha and Kagome, which started out as a "collection of the Four Souls Balls" that had been scattered as countless tiny pieces, never came to the end of a long, long journey to truly recover the complete balls!

Maitreya, a delinquent priest who hates Nahura as his enemy, and Coral, a yokai exterminator. Coral's younger brother, Amber, whose life is connected with the Four Souls Ball and is controlled by Nahura. Inuyasha's cold-hearted older brother, Sesshomaru, despises Inuyasha. Rin, a human girl who, for some reason, has taken pity on him. The various human relationships were so horribly and sadly intertwined that it seemed impossible to unravel them, but the ending was truly beautiful. I wish that the ending would be like this.

I understand that we cannot choose, but Inuyasha is really a sinful man!　Looking back on this work, I think that Kagome, not Inuyasha, might have been the hero who grew up to be dignified and unbreakable.

Tutor Hitman REBORN! (broadcast in 2006)

Tsunayoshi Sawada (a.k.a. Tsuna), a junior high school student who is not good at studying or sports, receives a strange baby named Reborn, who claims to be a hitman (assassin), as his tutor. Reborn says he has come to train Tsuna to become the 10th boss of the Italian mafia, the Bongole family. When Tuna is hit with a "death bullet" by Reborn, he goes into "death mode" and demonstrates his "fire power" to solve various troubles. Tuna's power blossoms as he fights off one after another enemies who come after the 10th Bongole candidate.

The "Future Arc" is a long story that accounts for about two-thirds of the 203-episode TV series (including "Future Choice Arc," "Future Final Battle Arc," etc.). One day, Tuna and his friends are suddenly transported back in time to 10 years in the future. There, Tuna learns that he has already died 10 years in the future. Their familiar town has turned into a battlefield, and people involved with the Bongole family have been killed or are missing. In the midst of this chaotic situation, Tuna and his friends endure the fear of death and decide to fight on. They are determined to fight their way back to the way things were 10 years ago, alive, without losing a single member of their group!

This work gradually developed from an everyday story with comedy and gags to a more battle-oriented story, and in the "Future Arc," it became a completely serious story with a sci-fi tone. Amidst the shocking developments that surprised even the viewers, the determination of the junior high school students to "go back to their daily lives together" was like a prayer, and it seemed impossible to achieve.

The development of Tuna, who had no self-confidence and was no good at all, growing stronger as a boss in the midst of the crisis, and Reborn's master-disciple love that waits for him to believe in it, have a royal feel-good factor. The development in which girls and infants who seem to be slowing down the fight give big hints to the battle and lead to victory is also unique to this work. It is a bit long, but you will have plenty of time to enjoy the unique characters and the emotional final episode in which everyone's wishes are fulfilled.

A of Diamonds" (broadcast in 2013)

Southpaw Eijun Sawamura enters Aomichi High School, a prestigious baseball school in the West Tokyo area, and joins the baseball club. He develops as a pitcher while working hard with his teammates, including Kazuya Miyuki, a prodigy catcher, and Satoru Furuya, a freshman pitcher with a strong fastball. In the summer West Tokyo Regional Tournament, Aomichi, led by third-year ace Koichiro Tamba and with four pitchers in the lineup, plays a stifling and heated game against the powerful Inagi Jitsugyo.

In the SECOND SEASON of Aodo, which started in April 2015, the third-year students retired and a new team was formed with Miyuki as captain. The competition for the fall tournament has begun with a chance to compete in the Spring Selection Koshien. Currently, the final game of the Fall Tokyo Tournament between Aomichi vs. Yakushi is being played. If Sawamura's team, Aodo High School, wins, they will be crowned champions for the first time in seven years. On the other hand, if Yakushi High School wins, it will be their first appearance in the Koshien Tournament. Both teams are giving their all and will not give up even a single step!

The dream of the former captain Yuki and the other 3rd year students to participate in the Koshien Tournament has been a dream of theirs since they were in their 3rd year. Under the slogan, "Hard work never lies," the members of the team have worked as one to achieve this goal. However, there was one dream that still remained unattainable. What a harsh reality!

The club members were united in their determination to win the championship in order to keep coach Tesshin Kataoka from resigning after the fall tournament. However, Miyuki, the key member of the team, had an abnormality during the cross play the day before. Aomichi's slogan for this tournament is to "make up for the summer's humiliation," but with only one more game to go, will they be able to grab the ticket to their dream?　We would love to see the moment when the dreams of our club members come true.

These are the six works that have been introduced to you, in which the initial ambition, which seemed so difficult, is carried through.

As expected, many of them are shōnen manga works on the royal road. What they all have in common is that the main characters are so single-minded that they are almost foolhardy. However, a fool is not enough to serve as a hero. We are moved by the way they keep their will even in the face of difficulties, because they are in pain and suffering, but they do not show it and try to look forward. When their brightness and strength overcome the pain and shadows, which are also somewhat realistic, and they overcome their difficulties, viewers will want to give them a hearty round of applause.

When they feel refreshed by seeing their successes, fans would also like to challenge their new lives with a strong spirit, overcoming rough patches such as taking exams and finding jobs.

(Text by YAMAYU)