Hakyuu Houshin Engi
Also Known As
Houshin Engi
Soul Hunter
封神演義
Genre
Action, Adventure
Synopsis
More than 3,000 years ago in China during the In dynasty, the emperor Chuu Ou is being controlled by a beautiful fox spirit named Dakki. She uses this power to harm the nation. An immortal-in-training by the name Taikobo is chosen for the Houshin Project with the goal of sealing and destroying evil demons around the world, and it’s during this adventure that he attempts to destroy Dakki.
Background
Houshin Engi (or Soul Hunter) was first released as a novel in November 1988 by Tsutomu Ano, and it’s loosely based on the 16th century Chinese novel The Investiture of the Gods (also known as Fengshen Yanyi or Fengshen Bang).
The story follows Taikoubou who is given a mission by his mentor: the Houshin Project, the goal of which is to seal away Dakki and her minions. He sets off alongside his “spirit beast” Supushan to carry out this mission which begins with sealing away 365 souls within the “Houshin Scroll.” Once sealed away, these souls are transported to Hoshindai, a floating island made up of trapped souls.
The novel series included three volumes, and it was then adapted into a manga by Ryu Fujisaki which was serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump from June 1996 through November 2000, and ultimately 23 volumes of the manga were released. It was also adapted into a 26-episode anime in July 1999 which was directed by Junji Nishimura and animated by Studio Deen.
Anime Adaptation
In addition to a new cast, this new anime adaptation features a new staff with animation by C-Station (Attack on Titan, Erased). Masahiro Aizawa (Yurikuma Arashi, Penguindrum) was brought on as director while Natsuko Takahashi (Blue Exorcist, Fullmetal Alchemist) serves as the writer, and the music for the remake is composed by Maiko Iuchi (A Certain Magical Index, Rewrite).
It began airing on Jan. 12, 2018, and there are 23 episodes planned. The opening theme “Keep the Heat and Fire Yourself Up” is performed by the Japanese post-hardcore band Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas, and the ending theme is “Madoui Mirai” by Nagi Yanagi, well-known for other anime themes, as well, including “Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari” from Bakemonogatari and “Yukitoki” from My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU.
Characters
Taikoubou / Kyou Shiga (Japanese: Kensho Ono / English: Josh Grelle)
The protagonist of Houshin Engi and Genshitenson’s best pupil at Konronsan. He’s extremely intelligent but still in training as a sennin (an immortal), and he lost his family when he was very young.
Supushan (Japanese: Takahiro Sakurai / English: Tyler Walker)
Taikoubou’s “spirit beast” who resembles a white hippo. Unlike Taikoubou who’s often silly, Supushan is very mature and serious. He’s shocked at first by how irresponsible Taikoubou can be, but as they grow closer, Supushan comes to know and respect his resolve.
Nataku (Japanese: Makoto Furukawa / English: Justin Briner)
Nataku is extremely brave and unafraid of any foe. He also often comes across as cold and emotionless, but he does occasionally show very strong feelings.
Youzen (Japanese: Yuuichi Nakamura / English: Ian Ferguson)
An extremely talented and confident disciple at Konronsan. He’s as powerful as a sennin, but because he doesn’t want to take on a student, he remains one himself, and he’s also known by his sennin name “Kenseijiro Shinkun.”
Kou Tenka (Japanese: KENN / English: Clifford Chapin)
Tenka is Kou Hiko’s second son who is gifted with his father’s incredible fighting skills. He has incredible self-confidence and a strong fighting spirit.
Kou Hiko (Japanese: Yoshimasa Hosoya / English: Brad Hawkins)
Kou Hiko is extremely powerful to the point where he can take on a sennin, and he can even endure poison. After meeting Taikoubou, the two immediately come to understand and respect one another. He’s also very cheerful.
Fugen Shinjin (Japanese: Nobunaga Shimazaki / English: Aaron Dismuke)
Fugen is very intelligent, and is especially gifted in physics. He gets along well with Taikoubou because the two were trained together. He’s a pacifist who dislikes fighting, but he’s also very strong despite looking weak.
Dakki (Japanese: Yoko Hikasa / English: Alexis Tipton)
A beautiful and very powerful spirit who has brought a great deal of suffering to the world. She’s extremely intelligent and cruel, making her a fearsome foe.
Emperor Chuu Ou (Japanese: Daisuke Namikawa / English: Luke Longacre)
The 30th emperor of the dynasty. He’s well-versed in both literary and military arts, and is well-loved by his people, but he’s entranced by Dakki which has resulted in him locking himself away while imposing a tyrannical rule on the country.
Bunchuu (Japanese: Tomoaki Maeno / English: J. Michael Tatum)
Bunchuu has been the Yin military strategist for 300 years, and he has had 30 emperors under his care. He’s a powerful and formidable enemy, and his only close friend has been Kou Hiko.
Ou Tenkun (Japanese: Nobuhiko Okamoto)
An extremely mysterious person who serves as the final decider within Jutenkun.
Shin Kohyou (Japanese: Kousuke Toriumi / English: Kyle Igneczi)
The most powerful doushi under Dakki’s allies who also has an incredibly strong spirit beast named Koutenko. His background and goals are unknown.
Taiitsu Shinjin (Japanese: Daisuke Hirakawa / English: Matt Shipman)
A machine-crazy sennin who’s extremely talented at creating things.
Kashi (Japanese: Mai Nakahara / English: Colleen Clinkenbeard)
Considered one of the most beautiful women in China, even the emperor has heard of her. She’s the loving wife of Kou Hiko.
Koshi (Japanese: Mikako Komatsu / English: Felecia Angelle)
Kou Hiko’s younger sister and one of the emperor’s concubines.
Seikyo Dotoku Shinkun (Japanese: Showtaro Morikubo / English: Ricco Fajardo)
A sennin who is absolutely obsessed with sports. He is also Kou Tenka’s master.
Ko Kibi (Japanese: Yoshino Nanjo / Japanese: Sarah Wiedenheft)
Ko Kibi is one of Dakki’s sisters, and despite being older, she’s unnervingly childish.
Cast
Japanese
Kensho Ono: Taikoubou / Kyou Shiga
・Notable roles: Ryunosuke Akutagawa (Bungo Stray Dogs), Tetsuya Kuroko (Kuroko’s Basketball)
Takahiro Sakurai: Supushan
・Notable roles: Griffith (Berserk), Suzaku Kururugi (Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion)
Makoto Furukawa: Nataku
・Notable roles: Rider of Red (Fate/Apocrypha), Ookurikara (Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru)
Yuuichi Nakamura: Youzen
・Notable roles: Kyouhei Kadota (Durarara!!), Gray Fullbuster (Fairy Tail)
KENN: Kou Tenka
・Notable roles: Izumi Toraishi (Starmyu), Aoi Satsuki (Tsukiuta. The Animation)
Yoshimasa Hosoya: Kou Hiko
・Notable roles: Reiner Braun (Attack on Titan), Asahi Azumane (Haikyu!!)
Nobunaga Shimazaki: Fugen Shinjin
・Notable roles: Ritsuka Fujimaru (Fate/Grand Order), Haruka Nanase (Free!)
Yoko Hikasa: Dakki
・Notable roles: Rias Gremory (High School DxD), Houki Shinonono (Infinite Stratos)
Daisuke Namikawa: Emperor Chuu Ou
・Notable roles: Tooru Oikawa (Haikyu!!), Gilbert Bougainvillea (Violet Evergarden)
Tomoaki Maeno: Bunchuu
・Notable roles: Makoto Teruhashi / Tooru Mugami (The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.), Naotsugu (Log Horizon)
Nobuhiko Okamoto: Ou Tenkun
・Notable roles: Eiji Niizuma (Bakuman.), Rin Okumura (Blue Exorcist)
Kousuke Toriumi: Shin Kohyou
・Notable roles: Hajime Saitou (Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom), Junpei Iori (Persona 3)
Daisuke Hirakawa: Taiitsu Shinjin
・Notable roles: Rei Ryugazaki (Free!), Tsubasa Hiiragi (Starmyu)
Mai Nakahara: Kashi
・Notable roles: Rena Ryugu (Higurashi no Naku Koro ni), Yuu Kashima (Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun)
Mikako Komatsu: Koshi
・Notable roles: Neko (K), Rose (Tales of Zestiria the X)
Showtaro Morikubo: Seikyo Dotoku Shinkun
・Notable roles: Souji Okita (Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom), Shikamaru Nara (Naruto)
Yoshino Nanjo: Ko Kibi
・Notable roles: Hana Matsuzaka (Morita-san wa Mukuchi), Kokoro Akechi (Tantei Opera Milky Holmes)
English
Josh Grelle: Taikoubou / Kyou Shiga
・Notable roles: Armin Arlert (Attack on Titan), Fumikage Tokoyami (My Hero Academia)
Tyler Walker: Supushan
・Notable roles: Taihei Noka (All Out!!), Hidetada Tokugawa (Samurai Warriors)
Justin Briner: Nataku
・Notable roles: Yukito Tsukishiro / Yue (Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card), Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia)
Ian Ferguson: Youzen
・Notable roles: Mitsunari Ishida (Samurai Warriors), Iwatooshi (Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru)
Clifford Chapin: Kou Tenka
・Notable roles: Charles Grey (Black Butler), Katsuki Bakugo (My Hero Academia)
Brad Hawkins: Kou Hiko
・Notable roles: Tyki Mikk (D.Gray-man), Amari (Joker Game)
Aaron Dismuke: Fugen Shinjin
・Notable roles: Alphonse Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist), Hayashi (Recovery of an MMO Junkie)
Alexis Tipton: Dakki
・Notable roles: Kid Trunks (Dragon Ball Super), Julia Crichton (Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos)
Luke Longacre: Emperor Chuu Ou
・Notable roles: Additional Voices (Fairy Tail, Samurai Warriors)
J. Michael Tatum: Bunchuu
・Notable roles: Sebastian Michaelis (Black Butler), Rintaro Okabe (Steins;Gate)
Kyle Igneczi: Shin Kohyou
・Notable roles: Honey (Nanbaka), Shiro Shiramine (Tsugumomo)
Matt Shipman: Taiitsu Shinjin
・Notable roles: Hiro (Darling in the Franxx), Teruaki Nagata (King’s Game the Animation)
Colleen Clinkenbeard: Kashi
・Notable roles: Riza Hawkeye (Fullmetal Alchemist), Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)
Felecia Angelle: Koshi
・Notable roles: Manami Okuda (Assassination Classroom), Tooru Hagakure (My Hero Academia)
Ricco Fajardo: Seikyo Dotoku Shinkun
・Notable roles: Itona Horibe (Assassination Classroom), Kyosuke Munakata (Danganronpa 3)
Sarah Wiedenheft: Ko Kibi
・Notable roles: Ruby Kurosawa (Love Live! Sunshine!!), Tohru (Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid)
Staff
Japanese Staff
Original Work: Ryu Fujisaki
Director: Masahiro Aizawa
Series Composition: Natsuko Takahashi
Script: Natsuko Takahashi, Rintarou Ikeda, Yoshiki Oukusa
Storyboards: Kazuhisa Takenouchi, Masahiro Aizawa, Masaki Watanabe, Masato Jibo, Naoyuki Kuzuya
Episode Directors Hirotoshi Rissen, Kana Kawana, Masahiro Aizawa, Masato Jibo, Naoki Hishikawa, Toshinori Fukushima
Music: Maiko Iuchi
Character Designer: Yoshimitsu Yamashita
Sub-Character Designer: Daisuke Endo
Art Director: Yoshito Takamine
Chief Animation Directors: Asami Watanabe, Yoshimitsu Yamashita, Yukiko Ban
Animation Directors: Asami Watanabe, Chuuichi Iguchi, Daisuke Endo, Izumi Yamanaka, Mariko Emori, Shuuhei Tsukagoshi, Tomoaki Kado, Yoshiko Shimizu, Yuji Mukoyama, Yukiko Ban
Art Design: Toshiaki Amada
Sound Director: Jin Aketagawa
CGI Director: Kazushi Goto
Director of Photography: Yousuke Motoki
Producers: Kazuhiro Kanemitsu, Keita Kodama, Mika Sugimoto, Toshihiro Suzuki
Animation Producer: Ryoji Maru
Color Design: Makiko Kojima
Design: Keisuke Hangai
Editor: Masayuki Kurosawa
Music Producer: Naotaka Fujihira
Prop Design: Noriko Tsutsumiya
Animation: C-Station
English Staff
ADR Director: Tyler Walker
ADR Script: Blair Rowan
ADR Engineer: Colby Cockburn, Ryan Urbanovsky
Assistant ADR Director: Tabitha Ray
Mix Engineer: Neal Malley
Theme Songs
Opening Theme: “Keep the Heat and Fire Yourself Up” by Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas
Ending Theme: “Madoui Mirai” by Nagi Yanagi
Broadcast Information
Began broadcasting on Jan. 12, 2018, and there will be 23 episodes
Tokyo MX: Fridays at 10:00 pm
SunTV: Saturdays at 12:00 am
KBS Kyoto: Saturdays at 12:00 am
BS11: Saturdays at 1:30 am
AT-X: Saturdays at 8:00 pm
Online Streaming
AbemaTV, Crunchyroll, FUNimation (dubbed)