Oh My Goddess!
Oh My Goddess! (ああっ女神さまっ, Aa Megami-sama?), also known as Ah! My Goddess!, is a seinen manga series by Kosuke Fujishima currently serialized in Kodansha's monthly Afternoon magazine. It was first published in 1988-08-25 (the September issue). Originally a typical magical girlfriend romantic comedy, over time it has grown to feature more action and the latest variant has had a greater focus on developing the mystical aspects of the world in which it is set. There are also four anime offshoots. The title is a pun on the common phrase "Oh my God."
The manga tells the story of college freshman Keiichi Morisato, who, because of his pure heart, has been chosen by Yggdrasil, Heaven's computer system, to receive a single wish. The "angelic" goddess Belldandy is sent down to Earth to ask for his wish, and tells him that he can theoretically wish for anything that he wants, from becoming a billionaire to destroying the world in an instant. Keiichi, thinking the situation is a prank set up by his senpai(s), wishes Belldandy to stay with him forever, under the condition that the offer is valid. Ironically, he does not fully comprehend the outcome of his wish, and is stunned on realizing that Belldandy will now be living with him. The manga/anime follows their relationship as they become closer to each other.
The varying anime series feature the main characters and are based on the same basic plotline as the original manga, but each has taken a unique interpretation on this concept — described below — and, as such, should be considered separate canons. The only exception to this is the more recent TV series, which follows the plot of the manga closely.
Being a mechanical otaku[1] himself, Fujishima frequently bases whole chapters, or even story arcs, around mechanics, focusing especially on motorcycle mechanics. Most notably, readers discover that Keiichi Morisato is a member of his college's motor vehicle club, which is always under threat of being put out of commission by a rival motor club. There are also several story arcs related to racing found earlier in the manga; the concept of racing is also a significant plot device in each of the anime canons. Both Keiichi and Belldandy are exceptionally gifted at racing (Keiichi because of natural ability and Belldandy because of her ability to "talk" with the machines). Most of the other main characters have exhibited some degree of skill in racing and/or mechanics, making the idea of mechanics a significant device for character development and growth.
[edit] Ah! My Goddess (Manga)
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The manga was first published in 1988 as a spin-off of the manga You're Under Arrest (逮捕しちゃうぞ, Taiho Shichauzo). Fujishima had added a four-panel gag strip to a version You're Under Arrest in which the main characters prayed to a goddess.[2] The gag became very popular, and Fujishima liked the look of his drawings of the goddess so much that he began drawing a full-fledged manga based around her. Ah! My Goddess was published in the Japanese publisher Kodansha's monthly Afternoon magazine, where it was very warmly received — it has been a staple of Afternoon ever since. A complete collection of the manga published to date would run over 200 chapters (over thirty-four collected volumes). There have been twenty-eight volumes of the manga published in the US so far (as of April 2008), and publisher Dark Horse Comics is now reprinting unflipped versions of the earlier graphic novels in order to spark new interest in the series.
[edit] Ah! My Goddess: First End
The first novel of the series written by Urd's voice actress, Yumi Tohma, with the illustrations done by Fujishima, and Hidenori Matsubara (Animation Director for the OVA, movie and TV series). The story follows the manga, taking place three years after Belldandy and Keiichi first meet. The novel was first published in Japan in 2006 by Kodansha; the English translated novel came out on December 19, 2007 and was published by Dark Horse Comics.
[edit] Anime Adaptations
Ah! My Goddess has seen various anime adaptations throughout the years, from the original OVA release, to the currently running TV series. Each puts its own spin on the series; the OVA features a condensed, highly altered version of the story, the movie and the Adventures of Mini-Goddess series have original stories not based on the manga while the new TV series sticks as close to the manga as possible
[edit] Ah My Goddess! (OVA)
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A five episode OVA series titled Ah! My Goddess (ああっ女神さまっ, Aa! Megami-sama!) featuring Keiichi, Belldandy, and the other major characters from the manga was produced from 1993 to 1994 by Anime International Company and is distributed in Japan by Pony Canyon and in North America by AnimEigo [3].
The OVA is based on several early plots from the manga, but with many events and characterizations removed. The other Goddesses, Urd and Skuld, are introduced comparatively early (in the second and third episodes, respectively), and in the final two episodes, The Almighty begins working to separate the two, forcing Belldandy to return to Heaven and her duties.
A re-release is now available on DVD for purchase.
[edit] The Adventures of Mini-Goddess
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A 48 episode TV series Adventures of Mini-Goddess (ああっ女神さまっ 小っちゃいって事は便利だねっ, Aa! Megami-sama! Chicchaitte Koto wa Benri da ne ) series featuring shrunken versions of Urd, Belldandy, and Skuld in a comedic super deformed style was produced by Oriental Light and Magic and premiered on WOWOW in 1998 as a part of the omnibus show Anime Complex. It is distributed in Japan by Pony Canyon and in North America by Geneon Entertainment. [4] This series departs the most from the basic manga storyline, and indeed, shares next to no continuity with the previous series.
[edit] Ah! My Goddess The Movie
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A film, titled Ah! My Goddess: The Movie (劇場版ああっ女神さまっ, Gekijōban Aa! Megami-sama) premiered in Japan in 2000. It saw the return of the main cast, along with several popular characters from the manga who had not appeared in any of the previous anime. It is distributed in Japan by Shochiku and in North America and United Kingdom by Geneon Entertainment in 2001. [5] The plot does not seem to follow any of the existing canon, but uses plot devices from several different story arcs from the manga.
[edit] Ah! My Goddess (TV)
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In 2005, a new anime TV series of Ah! My Goddess (ああっ女神さまっ, Aa! Megami-sama) began airing in Japan, again produced by AIC and distributed in North America by Media Blasters. [6] In this version, they have returned to the manga roots of the series, retelling events much closer to their original form, though there are minor differences, typically based on what is considered unacceptable for television, or to fix plot holes in the manga, or to just move the time-frame from the late-'80s into the mid-'00s. While this makes good use of the manga, the anime writers do not limit themselves by events in the manga; some episodes do not mirror any particular plot element in the manga at all. This 1st season consisted of 24 episodes plus a special episode (aired between 12th and 13th) being a recap. The Japanese DVD release contained 2 bonus OAV (OVA) episodes focusing on the aftermath of the first season's finalé.
A second season titled Ah! My Goddess: Everyone Has Wings (Japanese: ああっ女神さまっ それぞれの翼 – Aa! Megami-sama: Sorezore no Tsubasa) (titled Flights of Fancy in the U.S.) had picked up the story on April 6 2006 from where the series left with the first series and concluded at 22 episodes. There is also a novelisation of the second season. 2 bonus OAV (OVA) episodes were also included on the final Japanese DVD release, giving Sorezore no Tsubasa a total of 24 episodes.
As of December 2006, it has been announced that ADV Films has licensed the second season for release in the US. This is a change from Media Blasters who did the first season. The U.S. release of the first DVD of the season 2 is scheduled on May 8th, 2007, according to the Amazon.com. It has also been announced by the new Ah! My Goddess website hosted by ADV that the original cast from the first season has been brought back to provide the voices.[7]
There has also been a UK release of Volume 1 of Ah! My Goddess The first DVD Volume has been rated a PG. The main language is Japanese with English subtitles.
The director of the series, Hiroaki Gōda, would like to animate as much of the original manga as possible, making more episodes a possibility.
A TV special Ah! My Goddess production entitled Ah! My Goddess: Fighting Wings (Japanese: ああっ女神さまっ 闘う翼 – Aa! Megami-sama: Tatakau Tsubasa) was broadcasted in Japan on December 8th, 2007. This special consisted of two half-hour episodes adapting the Angel Eater arc from the manga.[8].
[edit] Cast and staff
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Names are given in Western order with the given name preceding the surname.
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| *Manga only appearance (so far).
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| †Episodes 1–13 while Kikuko Inoue was on maternity leave.
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Names are given in Western order with the given name preceding the surname.
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