City Hunter
シティーハンター
Demographic	Shōnen
Genre	Adventure, Comedy, Police
Manga
Authored by	Tsukasa Hojo (北條 司)
Publisher	Shueisha Raijin Comics (incomplete, defunct) J'ai Lu, Panini Comics Star Comics Egmont Manga & Anime MangaLine Ediciones Image File history File links Cover of volume 1 of the Angel Sanctuary manga. ... Saint Seiya (Knights of the Zodiac), a classic example of Shōnen This article is about the shōnen style of anime and manga. ... Look up adventure in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The word comedy has a classical meaning (comical theatre) and a popular one (the use of humor with an intent to provoke laughter in general). ... This article is about the comics published in East Asian countries. ... Tsukasa Hojo ) is a Japanese mangaka, or manga artist. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Shueisha ) is a major publisher in Japan, headquartered in Tokyo. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Raijin Comics was a manga anthology published in North America by Gutsoon Entertainment. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Spectacular Spider Man #100 (UK edition). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Italy. ... Star Comics is an Italian comic book publisher born in December 1985 that publishes italian edition of manga and italian comics in Italy. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany. ... Egmont Manga & Anime is one of the largest publishers of manga in Germany. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Spain. ...
Serialized in	Shonen Jump
Original run	1985 – 1991
No. of volumes	35
TV anime : Series 1
Directed by	Kenji Kodama
Studio	Sunrise
Network	Yomiuri TV, Animax
Original run	April 6, 1987 – March 28, 1988
No. of episodes	51
TV anime : Series 2
Directed by	Kanetsugu Kodama
Studio	Sunrise
Network	Yomiuri TV, Animax
Original run	April 2, 1988 – July 14, 1989
No. of episodes	63
TV anime : Series 3
Directed by	Kenji Kodama
Studio	Sunrise
Network	Yomiuri TV, Animax
Original run	October 15, 1989 – January 21, 1990
No. of episodes	13
TV anime : City Hunter '91
Directed by	Kiyoshi Egami
Studio	Sunrise
Network	Yomiuri TV, Animax
Original run	April 28, 1991 – October 10, 1991
No. of episodes	13
Movie: Magnum of Love and Fate
Directed by	Kanetsugu Kodama
Studio	Sunrise
Released	1989
Runtime	87 minutes
OVA: Bay City Wars, Million Dollar Conspiracy
Directed by	Kanetsugu Kodama
Studio	Sunrise
No. of episodes	2
Released	1990

City Hunter is a Japanese manga series created by Tsukasa Hojo (北條 司) in 1980s, later adapted into an anime series by Sunrise. Weekly Shonen Jump, issue 40 (Japanese version) Weekly Shonen Jump (週刊少年ジャンプ ShÅ«kan Shōnen Janpu), with a circulation of over 3 million, is one of the longest-running, weekly manga compilations in Japan. ... Year 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... Tankōbon ) is the Japanese term for a compilation volume of a particular series (such as a manga or a novel series, magazine articles, essays, craft patterns, etc. ... For other uses, see Television (disambiguation). ... The main cast of the anime Cowboy Bebop (1998) (L to R: Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Ed Tivrusky, Faye Valentine, and Ein the dog) For the oleo-resin, see Animé (oleo-resin). ... Sunrise logo Founded in 1972, Sunrise Inc. ... Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation (YTV, 讀賣テレビ放送株式会社, Yomiuri Terebi Hōsō Kabushiki Gaisha, Nickname: Yomiuri TV (よみうりテレビ)) is a network TV station of Nippon News Network (NNN) and Nippon TV Network System (NNS) in Osaka Business Park, Osaka, Japan founded as New Osaka TV Co. ... Animax ) is a Japanese anime satellite television network, established and owned by Sony Corporation, and dedicated to broadcasting anime programming. ... is the 96th day of the year (97th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 87th day of the year (88th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... For other uses, see Television (disambiguation). ... The main cast of the anime Cowboy Bebop (1998) (L to R: Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Ed Tivrusky, Faye Valentine, and Ein the dog) For the oleo-resin, see Animé (oleo-resin). ... Sunrise logo Founded in 1972, Sunrise Inc. ... Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation (YTV, 讀賣テレビ放送株式会社, Yomiuri Terebi Hōsō Kabushiki Gaisha, Nickname: Yomiuri TV (よみうりテレビ)) is a network TV station of Nippon News Network (NNN) and Nippon TV Network System (NNS) in Osaka Business Park, Osaka, Japan founded as New Osaka TV Co. ... Animax ) is a Japanese anime satellite television network, established and owned by Sony Corporation, and dedicated to broadcasting anime programming. ... is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 195th day of the year (196th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... For other uses, see Television (disambiguation). ... The main cast of the anime Cowboy Bebop (1998) (L to R: Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Ed Tivrusky, Faye Valentine, and Ein the dog) For the oleo-resin, see Animé (oleo-resin). ... Sunrise logo Founded in 1972, Sunrise Inc. ... Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation (YTV, 讀賣テレビ放送株式会社, Yomiuri Terebi Hōsō Kabushiki Gaisha, Nickname: Yomiuri TV (よみうりテレビ)) is a network TV station of Nippon News Network (NNN) and Nippon TV Network System (NNS) in Osaka Business Park, Osaka, Japan founded as New Osaka TV Co. ... Animax ) is a Japanese anime satellite television network, established and owned by Sony Corporation, and dedicated to broadcasting anime programming. ... is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... January 21 is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... For other uses, see Television (disambiguation). ... The main cast of the anime Cowboy Bebop (1998) (L to R: Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Ed Tivrusky, Faye Valentine, and Ein the dog) For the oleo-resin, see Animé (oleo-resin). ... Sunrise logo Founded in 1972, Sunrise Inc. ... Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation (YTV, 讀賣テレビ放送株式会社, Yomiuri Terebi Hōsō Kabushiki Gaisha, Nickname: Yomiuri TV (よみうりテレビ)) is a network TV station of Nippon News Network (NNN) and Nippon TV Network System (NNS) in Osaka Business Park, Osaka, Japan founded as New Osaka TV Co. ... Animax ) is a Japanese anime satellite television network, established and owned by Sony Corporation, and dedicated to broadcasting anime programming. ... is the 118th day of the year (119th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... October 10 is the 283rd day of the year (284th in leap years). ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... Sunrise logo Founded in 1972, Sunrise Inc. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... Original Video Animation ), abbreviated OVA ), is a term used for anime titles that are released direct-to-video, without prior showings on TV or in theaters. ... Sunrise logo Founded in 1972, Sunrise Inc. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the comics published in East Asian countries. ... Tsukasa Hojo ) is a Japanese mangaka, or manga artist. ... The main cast of the anime Cowboy Bebop (1998) (L to R: Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Ed Tivrusky, Faye Valentine, and Ein the dog) For the oleo-resin, see Animé (oleo-resin). ... Sunrise logo Founded in 1972, Sunrise Inc. ...

The franchise primarily follows the exploits of Ryo Saeba, who works as a "sweeper" (He "sweeps" crime off the streets) and is one half of the City Hunter team. The other half is young Kaori Makimura, a tomboyish girl who deals primarily with business side of the company. The City Hunter is a covert, independent group who can be hired for missions like bodyguarding and private investigation. They primarily take on jobs involving pretty women, who get the firm's attention by writing the letters XYZ on a blackboard at Shinjuku Station (in Tokyo, Japan). City Hunter manga, volume 1 (Japanese re-release by Tokuma) City Hunter is a popular Japanese anime and manga franchise that began in the mid 1980s. ... Bodyguards of Viktor Yushchenko (far left) after leaving Gdansk city hall. ... A private investigator, or PI, is a person who undertakes investigations. ... Categories: Wards of Tokyo | Japan geography stubs ...   , literally Eastern capital) is a unique subnational administrative region of Japan with characteristics of both a prefecture and a city. ...

Over the course of the manga and TV series, other characters such as police detective Saeko Nogami (and her family) and tough guy Umibozu are introduced. City Hunter also occasionally explores the pasts of its characters, often with Saeba & Umibozu's long histories coming back to haunt them.

In a 2005 poll held by Japan's TV Asahi, City Hunter was voted #66 out of the 100 most popular animated TV series, as voted by TV viewers. A second TV Asahi poll, held on the internet, put City Hunter at #65. TV Asahi Corporation ) (TYO: 9409 ), also known as EX and Tele-Asa ), is a television network headquartered in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. ...

The City Hunter franchise

Manga

• The City Hunter manga, created by Tsukasa Hojo (北條 司), ran for eight years in Shueisha's Shonen Jump magazine from 1985 to 1992, producing about 35 graphic novels (it varies between editions). It has since been translated into many languages, including Spanish, Italian, French, German and English (incomplete).

In Japan, the first compiled City Hunter graphic novels were published by Jump Comics from 1986 to 1992, and totaled 35 volumes. The second edition was from Shueisha Editions, who published an 18 book version between 1996 and 1997. Bunch World published a 39 volume edition between 2001 & 2002. Most recently, Tokuma Comics published a "Complete Edition" of 32 books, each with bonus material between 2004 and early 2005. Tsukasa Hojo ) is a Japanese mangaka, or manga artist. ... Shueisha ) is a major publisher in Japan, headquartered in Tokyo. ... Weekly Shonen Jump, issue 40 (Japanese version) Weekly Shonen Jump (週刊少年ジャンプ Shūkan Shōnen Janpu), with a circulation of over 3 million, is one of the longest-running, weekly manga compilations in Japan. ... Year 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ...

• The English version of the manga, published in North America by Raijin Comics is only available up to volume 5. Raijin ceased operations before completing the series and the current status of the City Hunter manga licence is unknown.

• The first French edition of City Hunter was published by J'ai Lu, France in 36 volumes between 1996 and 1999. When the anime was shown in France, Ryo Saeba's name had been changed to Nicky Larson, but in the J'ai Lu manga version, Ryo Saeba's name had not been changed although the name Nicky Larson was mentioned on the cover. The French license has since passed to Panini Comics France who are releasing the Japanese "Complete Edition".

• The first Italian edition of City Hunter was published by Star Comics in 39 volumes between 1996 and 1999. Panini Comics Italy currently has the Italian language license, and are releasing a new edition starting late 2005.

• The German version of City Hunter is published by Egmont Manga & Anime.

• The Indonesian version of City Hunter was published during the early 90s by independent publisher. The manga series was deemed too controversial and pornographic, it was heavily edited especially when there were kissing and nudity involved. For a while, the manga was banned in public book stores, and found its way to "black market" book stores. Because of the public demand, the manga once again appeared in "legal" book stores, with General Warning and Rating 18+ stamped in front of the cover pages. In the Indonesian version, Saeko's name has been changed to Keiko, and Umibozu's name also has been changed to "Botak" (Indonesian: "Baldy"). After the manga series ended, the publisher added several pages of storylines created by the local artist just to sell more manga. The storylines didn't make sense, and the artwork was poor. After so many protest from the public, the sales was stopped and again, the manga is banned.

The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... Raijin Comics was a manga anthology published in North America by Gutsoon Entertainment. ...

Other Books

• Hojo Tsukasa Special Illustrations
  • Published by Shueisha Publishing Co., Ltd 1991
    • Contains Some City Hunter Material

• Hojo Tsukasa 20th anniversary illustrations
  • Published by Shueisha Publishing Co., Ltd 1991
    • Contains Some City Hunter Material

• City Hunter TV Animation Perfect Mook
  • Published by Shueisha Publishing Co., Ltd 199
    • Guide to the Anime series.

• City Hunter
  • Published by Shueisha Publishing Co., Ltd 1993
    • Novel

• City Hunter Special - The Secret Service
  • Published by Shueisha Publishing Co., Ltd 1995
    • Novel

• City Hunter 2
  • Published by Shueisha Publishing Co., Ltd 1997
    • Novel

• City Hunter Special 2 - Live on stage
  • Published by Shueisha Publishing Co., Ltd 1999
    • Novel

Anime

City Hunter was adapted into an anime TV series by Sunrise, with a total of 140 episodes, spanning 4 seasons. Sunrise logo Founded in 1972, Sunrise Inc. ...

• City Hunter (Series 1)
  • Directed by: Kenji Kodama
    • Aired 1987-04-06 to 1988-03-28, spanning 51 episodes
      • Opening Theme #1: City Hunter ~Ai yo Kienaide~ (City Hunter "Don't Disappear My Love") by Kahoru Kohiruimaki. Used for episodes 1-25.
      • Opening Theme #2: Go Go Heaven by Toshiyuki Ohsawa. Used for episodes 26-51.
      • Ending Theme: Get Wild by TM NETWORK. Used for episodes 1-51.

• City Hunter (Series 2)
  • Directed by: Kanetsugu Kodama
    • Aired 1988-04-02 to 1989-07-14, spanning 63 episodes
      • Opening Theme #1: Angel Night by PSY·S. Used for episodes 1-26.
      • Opening Theme #2: Sara by Fence of Defense. Used for episodes 27-63.
      • Ending Theme #1: Super Girl by Yasuyuki Okamura. Used for episodes 1-37.
      • Ending Theme #2: Still Love Her by TM NETWORK. Used for episodes 38-63.

• City Hunter (Series 3)
  • Directed by: Kenji Kodama
    • Aired 1989-10-15 to 1990-01-21, spanning 13 episodes
      • Opening Theme: Running To Horizon by Tetsuya Komuro.
      • Ending Theme: Atsuku Naretara ("If I Could Become Passionate") by Kiyomi Suzuki.

• City Hunter '91
  • Directed by: Kiyoshi Egami
    • Aired 1991-04-28 to 1991-10-10, spanning 13 episodes
      • Opening Theme: Downtown Game by GWINKO.
      • Ending Theme: Smile & Smile by AURA.

The TV series was followed by one theatrical film, two OVAs and three TV specials: Genre: Jpop PSY・S (proununced [sáiz]) was created by Masaya Matsuura in April 1983 with Chaka (a pseudonym used by Mami Yasunori), and separated in 1996. ...

• City Hunter: Magnum of Love and Fate (AKA "City Hunter: .357 Magnum") - 1989
  • Directed By Kanetsugu Kodama, 87 mins
    • Animated Theatrical Film
      • Opening Theme: Shuumatsu no Soldier ("Weekend Soldier") by Mika Kaneko.
      • Ending Theme: Juurokuya ("16th Night") by Mariko Takahashi.

• City Hunter: Bay City Wars - 1990
  • Directed By Kanetsugu Kodama, 45 mins
    • Original Video Animation (OVA)
      • Ending Theme: Rock My Love by Yoko Oginome.

• City Hunter: Million Dollar Conspiracy - 1990
  • Directed By Kanetsugu Kodama, 45 mins
    • Original Video Animation (OVA)
      • Ending Theme: More, More Shiwase ("More, More Happiness") by Yoko Oginome.

• City Hunter: "The Secret Service" - 1996
  • Directed By Kenji Kodama, 94 mins
    • TV Special
      • Opening Theme: Otherwise by Konta.
      • Ending Theme: Woman by Ann Louis.

• City Hunter: Goodbye My Sweetheart (AKA "City Hunter: The Motion Picture") - 1997
  • Directed By Kazuo Yamazaki, 90 mins
    • TV Special
      • Opening Theme: Ride on the Night by Humming Bird.
      • Ending Theme: GET WILD ~City Hunter Special '97 Version~ by Naho.

• City Hunter: Death of the Vicious Criminal Ryo Saeba (AKA 'CH Special 99' - City Hunter Special Urgent Live: The End of Ryo Saeba) - 1999
  • Directed By Masaharu Okuwaki, 91 mins
    • TV Special
      • Opening Theme: Illusion City by sexMACHINGUNS
      • Ending Theme: Get Wild by TM NETWORK.

All of the series, the movie, the OVAs, and the TV Specials were available from ADV Films in North America (now out of print), except for "City Hunter: Death of the Vicious Criminal Ryo Saeba". These DVDs all have English subtitles, but the TV series DVDs do not have an English Dub. On the discs were the dubs exists, Ryo Saeba is referred to as Joe Saeba, Saeko Nogami is renamed Sandra Nogami, and Umibozu is called Falcon. However the subtitles still use the original Japanese names. Original Video Animation ), abbreviated OVA ), is a term used for anime titles that are released direct-to-video, without prior showings on TV or in theaters. ...

Beez - Seven 7 has released the first 3 City Hunter series under the name "Nicky Larson" in France. They all contain the original French dub, which of course uses the name Nicky Larson rather than Ryo Saeba. It is interesting to note that the original French dub, as is the case with Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star), has gained cult status due to its notable goofiness and sometimes approximative translations.

Live action City Hunter DVD cover

DVD cover or insert scan from the movie City Hunter, personal scan, claiming fair use (does not detract from original work, scanned from legal copy, image is of sufficiently low resolution). ... DVD cover or insert scan from the movie City Hunter, personal scan, claiming fair use (does not detract from original work, scanned from legal copy, image is of sufficiently low resolution). ...

Live action films

In 1993, a live action City Hunter[1] (城市猎人 Sing si lip yan) film was made by Golden Harvest and Paragon Films. The film was directed by Wong Jing and starred an international cast that included Hong Kong super star Jackie Chan as Ryo Saeba. The film's plot saw Ryo and Kaori (Joey Wong) accepting a job to find the run away daughter of a businessman. The girl, named Shizuko (Kumiko Goto), escapes onto a cruise ship with Ryo, Kaori and Saeko (Chingmy Yau) on her tail. The ship is then hijacked, and it's up to Ryo and the girls to free the ship. City Hunter DVD cover City Hunter (Sing si lip yan) is a 1993 film based on the japanese anime City Hunter. ... Golden Harvest (Chinese: ) SEHK: 1132 is a film production, distribution and exhibition company based in Hong Kong. ... Wong Jing (Chinese: 王晶) (born January 1, 1956) is a Hong Kong film director, producer and screenwriter. ... Chan Kong-Sang (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ), also known as Jackie Chan Sing Lung (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ) or Jackie Chan SBS, (born on April 7, 1954) is a Chinese martial artist, action star, actor, director, screenwriter, film producer, singer and stunt performer. ... Joey Wong (王祖賢 b. ... Chingmy Yau ( born May 16, 1968 and also known as Yau Suk Ching) is a retired Hong Kong actress. ...

The film does not carefully adhere to the stories and characters presented in the anime or the manga. However there is a brief intro that has the death of Hideyuki Makimura (Michael Wong) and explains why Ryo can't take advantage of Kaori, and the movie closes with Kaori delivering her standard punishment to Ryo-a wild smack with a giant mallet. The film is notable for the scene of a fight where a Street Fighter II machine causes the combatants to dress and fight like characters in the game (even down to their special attacks), culminating in Chan dressing like Chun Li by the end. Michael Fitzgerald Wong or Wong Man-Tak (王敏德, pinyin: Wáng Mǐndé) born in Troy, New York on April 16, 1965, is a Hong Kong based actor, director, singer and producer. ... Street Fighter II ) is a 1991 competitive fighting game by Capcom. ... Chun-Li , based on Chinese 春麗 Chūn-Lì) is a video game character created by Capcom. ...

One odd characteristic of the movie is having sexually implicative scenes in the garb of innocent fun. For example the scene where a young woman enters a room to find a man lying unconscious only in his underwear, as the latter had been robbed of his clothes by Shizuko.

Mr. Mumble[2] (孟波 Meng bo) is another live action version of City Hunter. Despite the fact the names have been changed, this 1996 movie is considered to be more faithful to the original material than the earlier film. Michael Chow plays Maang Boh (Mr. Mumble, the Cantonese version of Ryo) who takes on a job to guard Yuki (Sharon) (Pauline Suen), the daughter of a mafioso. The film also stars Francoise Yip as Yachi (Saeko), Jessica Hester as Lao Tang (Kaori) and Eric Kei as Monster (Umibozu). Michael Chow (born 1939) is a famous international restaurateur and part time actor. ... Alien Sun (born September 11, 1974; sometimes Paulyn Sun or Pauline Suen) is a Singapore-born actress and Miss Singapore of 1994 and represented her country at Miss Universe. ... Françoise Yip (born September 4, 1972) is a Canadian actress. ...

Saviour of the Soul [3] (九一神鵰俠侶 Gauyat sandiu haplui) is another Hong Kong film that takes elements from City Hunter. Although the plot has little in common with City Hunter, the main characters are clearly knockoffs of Ryo, Saeko, Makimura, Kaori, and Silver Fox (whose name is even retained).

Video Games

• City Hunter
  • Released 03/02/1990 for Japanese PC-Engine(TurboGrafx-16)

For more information on the North American version of this system, see TurboGrafx 16. ... For information on the Japanese version of this console, see PC Engine The TurboGrafx 16 is a video game console released by NEC in 1989, for the North American market. ...

Angel Heart

Main Article: Angel Heart (anime) Angel Heart (anime) ) is a manga by Tsukasa Hojo that has been adapted into a 52 episode anime. ...

In 2001, Tsukasa Hojo began a new series called "Angel Heart". Though the author has stated that "Angel Heart" takes place in an "alternate universe", some fans consider it a sequel to City Hunter because "Angel Heart" features many of the City Hunter characters. Yet, since the storyline is supposed to take place in an alternate universe, fans will find that some characters that exist in the City Hunter universe will not exist in the Angel Heart universe, and vice versa. This might create some confusion and inconsistencies for fans who are trying to link the storyline between the two series. Angel Heart (anime) ) is a manga by Tsukasa Hojo that has been adapted into a 52 episode anime. ...

City Hunter Characters

Main characters

Ryo Saeba

Ryo Saeba (冴羽獠, Saeba Ryō^?)

AKA: Joe Saeba [ADV Anime Dub], Nicky Larson [French Dub], Koke [Spanish Dub]

The protagonist of City Hunter. Ryo is a combat expert, having fought as a guerrilla in numerous conflicts alluded to throughout the series, and has a long history of working in the underground. His mysterious past starts with him being the only survivor of a plane crash in Central America as a toddler. The crash left him an orphan in a rebel village during a civil war, prompting him to learn to fight at a young age. As a result, he has very little information on his true parentage, or even his birthdate. (Later, Kaori Makimura unilaterally declared March 26 his birthday, as that was they day they first met). After the war he ended up in the United States, where he worked as a hired gun, but eventually he found his way to Tokyo, Japan. There he formed the "City Hunter" team with Hideyuki Makimura (Kaori's brother), and it's sometime after that where the manga/TV series' timeline begins.

Saeba has many skills and talents which help him in his job. He is a highly skilled gunman, who can shoot any gun with great precision, though he usually uses a Colt Python. He expertly drives his classic red Mini Cooper, and uses its small size to his advantage in car chases. Saeba is also an expert in hand-to-hand combat, and his muscular body can withstand a lot of damage.

Though his fighting skills may make him sound like a terrifying man, Ryo is actually quite goofy when he's not in the midst of battle. In fact, one of the most unique aspects of Saeba's character is his ability to switch from a heroic, intelligent man, into a looney, lecherous pervert within a split second. Ryo loves women and he is constantly peeping at panties or patting breasts. In the manga his lust is often visible through his large erection, but in the TV series it's toned down to cartoon faces and wandering hands. In both venues however, the word "mokkori"(as this is a fictional term to refer to an erection, it is usually translated as "nookie") is considered his playful "battle cry", often compared to the Ranma 1/2 character Happosai's cry of "Dai ryo ja!"(What a haul!). Despite his "ecchi" behaviour, he is a caring man who loves Kaori Makimura. However, he chooses not to show his love for her in order to protect her from those who would wish to take advantage of him.

Seiyu: Akira Kamiya

Kaori Makimura

Kaori Makimura (槇村香, Makimura Kaori^?)

AKA: Kreta (Italian Anime Dub), Julia (Spanish Dub), Laura Marconi (French Dub)

The other half of City Hunter, and Ryo Saeba's partner. She is primarily responsible for getting clients, and other managerial tasks. She also cooks, and defends Ryo's female clients from his less honorable intentions. Though Kaori's combat skills don't even come close to her partner's, she can stop Ryo cold with one of her hammerspace weapons. Primarily she uses a hammer (usually weighing at least 100 pounds), but she uses other objects as well. She also learned how to set traps and plant explosives from Umibozu. Her shooting skills are affected somewhat by Ryo's tampering wiith her gun, meant to ensure that she would always miss and therefore not be able to bloody her hands as Ryo has had to do.

Like Ryo, she has a dual personality. Sometimes she acts (and looks!) like a tomboy, while other times she's displays a very feminine compassion. She is very empathetic, and sometimes feels other's pain so acutely that she herself breaks into tears. Another thing that saddens her is her secret love for Ryo, which is unrealized on Ryo's part as he wishes not to jeopardize her life by her association to him. This extended to Ryo's unwillingness to completely honor the final request made him by his partner and her brother, Hideyuki Makimura, after Maki was fatally wounded by a drug syndicate -- that Ryo tell Kaori about her true parentage.

In the manga Kaori drives a Honda Civic, but in the anime she has a green Fiat Panda.

Seiyu: Kazue Ikura

Image File history File links Saeba_Ryo. ... Image File history File links Saeba_Ryo. ... For other uses, see Central America (disambiguation). ...   , literally Eastern capital) is a unique subnational administrative region of Japan with characteristics of both a prefecture and a city. ... Colt Python with 6 inch barrel and Royal Blue finish The Colt Python is a . ... Minis The Mini is the name of a small car produced from 1959 to 2000, and the name of its replacement (known as New MINI) launched in 2001. ... Lust is any intense desire or craving for self gratification. ... The erection of the penis, clitoris or a nipple is its enlarged and firm state. ... Ranma ½ Graphic Novel, Volume 1 English version, Second Edition Ranma ½ (らんま½, Japanese pronunciation: Ranma Nibun no Ichi) is a comedy anime and manga by Rumiko Takahashi (高橋 留美子) about a boy named Ranma Saotome (早乙女 乱馬) who was trained from early childhood... Happosai (八宝斎 Happōsai) is a fictional character in the anime and manga series Ranma ½ by Rumiko Takahashi. ... Ecchi (from the Japanese エッチ etchi) is an English word deriving from a Japanese word meaning lewd or naughty when used as an adjective, and can refer to a pervert or sexual intercourse when used as a noun. ... Voice Animage, a magazine about all things seiyÅ«. A seiyÅ«, seiyuu or seiyu ) is a Japanese voice actor. ... // Akira Kamiya Akira Kamiya (神谷 明, Kamiya Akira, born September 18, 1946) is a veteran seiyÅ« who was born in Kanagawa Prefecture, Yokohama. ... Image File history File links Makimura_Kaori. ... Image File history File links Makimura_Kaori. ... Examples of Hammerspace pictured in a WikiWorld cartoon Hammerspace is a fan-envisioned extradimensional, instantly accessible storage area in fiction, which is used to explain how animated, comic and game characters can produce objects out of thin air. ... The logo of the Honda automobiles The logo of the Honda motorcycles Honda Motor Company, Limited )   (TYO: 7267 , NYSE: HMC), or simply called Honda, is a Japanese multinational corporation, engine manufacturer and engineering corporation. ... The Fiat Panda is a city car from the Italian automotive manufacturer Fiat. ... Voice Animage, a magazine about all things seiyÅ«. A seiyÅ«, seiyuu or seiyu ) is a Japanese voice actor. ... Ikura Kazue(伊倉 一恵, born on March 23, 1959 in Nagano) is a veteran seiyuu who works for Aoni Production. ...

Secondary Characters

Hideyuki Makimura

Hideyuki Makimura (槇村秀幸, Makimura Hideyuki^?)

AKA: Ernesto (Spanish Dub), Toni Marconi (French Dub), Jeff (Italian Dub)

Hideyuki is Kaori's beloved older brother, and was Ryo's partner in City Hunter before his death. Before he could tell Kaori a secret about her past, namely that she was found abandoned by Hideyuki's father and adopted, he was fatally wounded and later died in Ryo's arms. Hideyuki's final request was for Ryo to take care of Kaori.

Though he's killed off fairly early in the series, he is mentioned often, and his grave stone is even used as a plot twist in the final anime series.

Seiyu: Hideyuki Tanaka

Umibozu & Reika Nogami

Umibozu (海坊主, Umibozu^?)

AKA: Falcon [ADV & Italian Anime Dubs use this name exclusivly, while the Japanese dub uses both "Falcon" and "Umibozu"], Seaghost (Spanish Dub), Mammouth (French Dub), Baldy (Indonesian Manga)

"Umibōzu", (means "sea bonze" (a ghost in Japanese mythology), real name: Hayato Ijuin) is a "sweeper" in the underground just like Ryo Saeba. With his giant body, and his superb combat skills, he doesn't really need a partner. He is Saeba's equal in most things, and the two have somewhat of a rivalry going.

Umibozu fought against Ryo back in Central America, and had his eyes damaged by Saeba. This should make them enemies, but both men shrug off the past since what happened in the war was not personal. That doesn't mean that they don't fight, though. They often find each other on the same case, but on different sides, and have dueled more than once.

Umibozu has only two weaknesses. He is morbidly afraid of cats, and he is sometimes socially awkward, most especially with women. He eventually partners (both in business & in love) with Miki, an orphaned girl he raised in Central America. Miki owns a cafe that Umibozu is somewhat reluctant to help out at.

Umibozu's real name is Hayato Ijuin (伊集院 隼人). He hates being called by this name because, as Ryo puts it, it's much to formal and classy of a name for a lug like Umibozu.

Seiyu: Tessho Genda

Saeko Nogami

Saeko Nogami (野上冴子, Nogami Saeko^?)

AKA: Sandra Nogami [ADV Anime Dub], Selene [Italian Dub], Silvia [Spanish Dub], Hélène Lamberti (French Dub), Keiko (Indonesian Manga)

She is a pretty detective with the Tokyo police, who often uses the City Hunter team to do her job for her. She keeps promising to pay back Ryo with "mokkori" (sex), but always manages to get out of it. Despite her deceptive tendencies, she and Ryo have a considerable history together, and are old friends.

Saeko's father is the chief of police, so she has some leeway in how she does her job. But off the job, her father puts the pressure on her to get married. She also has several siblings: Reika, an ex cop turned detective; Yuka, a highschool student; two twin sisters that are only mentioned briefly in the manga; and an unborn sibling, also only mentioned in passing in the manga.

Nogami is fairly skilled with a gun, but her weapon of choice is the set of throwing knives she has strapped hidden on her leg. She drives a red Porsche 911 in the anime.

Seiyuu: Yoko Asagami

Image File history File links Hideyuki_Makimura. ... Image File history File links Hideyuki_Makimura. ... Voice Animage, a magazine about all things seiyÅ«. A seiyÅ«, seiyuu or seiyu ) is a Japanese voice actor. ... Hideyuki Tanaka (田中 秀幸 Tanaka Hideyuki, born November 12, 1950) is a veteran seiyuu who was born in Tokyo. ... Image File history File links Umibozu_Miki. ... Image File history File links Umibozu_Miki. ... Umibōzu (Japanese: 海坊主 sea bonze) is a spirit in Japanese mythology. ... For other uses, see Central America (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Central America (disambiguation). ... Voice Animage, a magazine about all things seiyÅ«. A seiyÅ«, seiyuu or seiyu ) is a Japanese voice actor. ... Tesshou Genda (玄田 哲章 Genda Tesshō, born May 20, 1948) is a veteran seiyu who was born in Okayama. ... Image File history File links Saeko_Nogami. ... Image File history File links Saeko_Nogami. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article is about the auto company. ... For the article about the company named Seiyu, see Seiyu Group. ... Yōko Asagami , born July 10, 1952 in Fujisawa, Kanagawa) is a veteran seiyÅ« who is represented by Aksent. ...

Trivia

Mokkori (もっこり) - the act of 'pitching a tent' in Japanese can be referred to as "Mokkori!" An expression popularized by the often excitable main character Ryo Saeba in the manga/anime story 'City Hunter', who uses it as his personal word for 'sex' or 'sexy'. Japanese Adjective Mokkori (noun) もっこり The act of pitching a tent in Japanese can be referred to as Mokkori! An expression popularized by the often excitable main character Ryo Saeba in the manga/anime story City Hunter. City Hunter was first published in manga form by writer and artists Hojo Tsukasa...

External links

• City Hunter fan site (in English)
• Tsukasa Hojo's Official Website (in Japanese)
• Official Website for City Hunter Complete DVD box set (in Japanese)
• Sunrise's City Hunter Page (in Japanese)
• Anime News Network Encyclopedia Entry for City Hunter (in English)
• City Hunter - Angelus City (in French)
• YTV's Angel Heart Official Website (in Japanese)
• Angel Heart Official Website (in Japanese)
• CITY HUNTER CD database (in Japanese)