Soul Hunter

Soul Hunter - All the Queen's Men (Vol. 2)

This quirky 1999 fantasy-adventure--a manga adaptation of a Chinese ghost story--zigzags along its erratic but intriguing path in the second collection of episodes. Disciple-in-training Taikoubou acquires two new allies in his campaign to imprison the souls of the demons who are wreaking havoc in the kingdom of Yin: Raishinshi, the winged 100th son of the virtuous Lord Ki Shou, and fellow disciple Youzen. Borrowing a martial arts technique from Jackie Chan, Taikoubou gets drunk to defeat the formidable Raishinshi in a test match. As unlikely a hero as Tenchi or Akito in Nadesico, Taikoubou comes through in a pinch. Meanwhile the schemes of the demon Dakki darken. Having seduced the Emperor Zhou, she causes Empress Kyouchi and her virtuous attendants to commit suicide. Enraged, Emperor Zhou's loyal retainer Kuo Hiko revolts--and saves the emperor's sons from Dakki's clutches. Rated 13 Up: Violence, minor profanity. --Charles Solomon

The honorable Bunchu and Kou Hiko must do their best to thwart Dakki, the immortal who has bewitched their beloved Emperor. Not satisfied with her defeat of the Four Great Lords, the evil temptress has her sights set on the Empress and her sons, the heirs to the throne! The two will have to use all their cunning to keep the Yin Dynasty alive and their own heads attached to their shoulders. Now faced with the imminent collapse of law and order in the realm, what does the valiant immortal Taikoubou do? He gets roaring drunk, of course! Project Soul Hunt is turning out to be far more difficult than expected, and if Taikoubou's "allies" don't manage to tear him apart, there are plenty of evil immortals ready to finish the job. Soul Hunter is based on one of China's most popular novels and an incredibly successful Japanese comic book.

Soul Hunter - Complete Collection

This outré comic adventure (based on a manga adaptation of a Chinese ghost story) takes some odd turns at its midpoint. While Lord of the West Ki Shou prepares to overthrow the corrupt Yin emperor, Taikoubou and his immortal minions appear on the scene--just in time to fend off a devastating tsunami created by four rival immortals sent by Yin commander Bunchu. The bulk of these episodes are devoted to the fantastic battle between Taikoubou, Nataku, Raishinshi, Tenka, and Youzen (who squabble among themselves over who gets to appear in the best scenes) and the four powerful spirits from Kuryuu Island who exert a magical control over the seas. After a typically offbeat struggle, the aloof demon Shinkohyo deftly sums up the series' appeal: "not bad for a bunch of lovable comic misfits." Rated 12 Up: Cartoon violence. --Charles Solomon

Soul Hunter - City of Fire (Vol. 5)

In what would be the final episodes of a traditional series, Taikoubou and his key allies attack the demon Dakki and her sisters Kibi and Oh Kijin, who have seduced the corrupt emperor Zhou. Sorcery and high-tech weaponry blend in a bizarrely imaginative battle that razes the capitol city of Chouka. But not even superheroes armed with paopei (supernatural weapons) can turn the tide of history: it's too late to restore the empire, and the Yin dynasty perishes. The destruction of the screeching Dakki should mark the end of Project Soul Hunter, but Taikoubou and his immortal minions have another campaign ahead of them. As the aloof demon Shinkohyo predicts, "Now the real fun begins." Based on a manga adaptation of a Chinese ghost story, Soul Hunter offers highly original designs and a lively mixture of high adventure and offbeat comedy. Rated 12 Up: Cartoon violence, profanity. --Charles Solomon

Two potent forces are locked in a frightening standoff. Leading the allied forces of the North and West, Taikoubou and crew noble Bunchu heads the Emperor's army, reinforced by the sudden return of the Yin princes - now immortals augmented with incredible powers! Will either side back down from the brink of a catastrophic final battle that no one can win? Meanwhile, as her enemies fight each other, Dakki uses her twisted magic to create a gigantic, ravening monster! As it rampages out of control in the capital, Taikoubou must drop everything and play the hero once again. Now the power of immortals locked in conflict rages unchecked through the deserted streets of the doomed city. By the time the battle is done, will China be left for the alliance to rule? Find out in the City of Fire - the fifth exciting chapter of Soul Hunter!

Soul Hunter - The One That Got Away (Vol. 6)

This zany comedy-adventure series reaches an appropriately off-kilter conclusion as all the characters, even the hippo-like Sibu and the aloof clown-demon Shinkohyo, fulfill their roles in a conflict that pits Taikoubou and his bizarre cadre of friends against the Immortals of Mt. Kunlun. The battle evolves into a debate over human free will versus predestination, illustrated with a mixture of fantasy, reality, flashbacks, and farce. Taikoubou learns he has been a pawn in a much greater game; but by remaining uncorrupted yet flexible, he discovers the significance and desirability of a straight fishhook. Based on a manga adaptation of a Ming dynasty novel set during the fall of the Yin (Shang) dynasty in the 11th century B.C., Soul Hunter offers a winning mixture of high adventure, slapstick humor, and strikingly original designs that will delight otaku weary of Evangelion clones. Rated 12 Up: Violence, brief nudity, minor profanity. --Charles Solomon

Soul Hunter - Taikoubou's Mission (Vol. 1)

Based on a manga adaptation of a Chinese ghost story, this offbeat adventure-farce recalls Slayers in tone. Zhou, the emperor of China, is bewitched by the evil Dakki: he neglects the empire and its people to indulge her whims. Genshitenson, one of the Taoist Immortals, decides to restore order and assigns disciple-in-training Taikoubou to imprison the souls of Dakki and 364 other demons in Houshin Mountain. An engaging ne'er-do-well in the Captain Tylor/Carrot Glace mode, Taikoubou searches for "powerful allies" on his put-upon steed Sibuxiang and finds the reincarnated warrior Nataku. The filmmakers create a quirky, appealing story by scrambling unusual characters designs, an ancient Chinese setting, and modern technological devices--the aloof demon Shinkohyo watches the other characters via the "Thousand League Eye," a sort of video monitor, complete with push-button remote control. This volume contains the first 5 of 26 episodes. Unrated; suitable for ages 14 and up: Violence, brief nudity, minor profanity. --Charles Solomon

Soul Hunter - Game of Kings (Vol. 4)

This outré comic adventure (based on a manga adaptation of a Chinese ghost story) takes some odd turns at its midpoint. While Lord of the West Ki Shou prepares to overthrow the corrupt Yin emperor, Taikoubou and his immortal minions appear on the scene--just in time to fend off a devastating tsunami created by four rival immortals sent by Yin commander Bunchu. The bulk of these episodes are devoted to the fantastic battle between Taikoubou, Nataku, Raishinshi, Tenka, and Youzen (who squabble among themselves over who gets to appear in the best scenes) and the four powerful spirits from Kuryuu Island who exert a magical control over the seas. After a typically offbeat struggle, the aloof demon Shinkohyo deftly sums up the series' appeal: "not bad for a bunch of lovable comic misfits." Rated 12 Up: Cartoon violence. --Charles Solomon

Soul Hunter - Spoils of War (Vol. 3)

Questions about the meaning of loyalty and duty come to the fore as this outré adventure-comedy continues its erratic progress. Kuo Hiko tries to take Crown Prince Yinxiao and his brother away from the capital--and Dakki, the demon who has seduced their father. His actions bring him into conflict with Lord Chancellor Bunchu, who insists the princes have a duty to remain. While fighting Dakki's demon-assassins, Taikoubou and his quirky supernatural allies gain a new team member: Kuo Hiko's son Kuo Tanka, who looks like a 20th-century biker. When the Immortal Genshitenson intervenes and takes the princes to Mt. Kunlun, Taikoubou is upset at the attempt to manipulate the mortal world, and begins to doubt the future of Project Soul Hunter. Rated 13 up: Violence, minor profanity. --Charles Solomon

Soul Hunter - Volume 2 - 6 (5 Pack)

Volume 2: All the Queen's Men - 100 Min Volume 3: Spoils of War - 100 Min Volume 4: Game of Kings - 100 Min Volume 5: City of Fire - 100 Min Volume 6: The One That Got Away - 125 Min