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Otogi Zoshi Episodes
Volumes and Episodes of Otogi Zoshi
Volume 1: Legend of the Magatama
Brief Summary of Volume 1: Legend of the Magatama
At the peak of the Heian Era, famine and disease tear the country apart. Deadly assassins fill the court, and wild bandits infest the country side. The legendary samurai Minamoto is sent on an Imperial quest for an artifact that can restore the world. But his skill with the bow cannot save him from illness, and his young sister is forced to take his place. Hikaru Minamoto and her companions embark on a quest to find the Magatama to bring new life to Japan. Her survival in the emperor's court depends on keeping her true identity hidden.
Act 1: Raikou
When the legendary gem Magatama is stolen by the barbaric Tsuchigumo clan, one noble warrior receives the order to bring the jewel back to the capital city of Heian: his name is Minamoto no Raiko. But Raiko's unexpected illness forces him to renounce the accomplishment of his perilious mission. And so Hikaru, the youngest daughter of the Minamoto family, disguises herself as a man, and assuming the identity of her elder brother Raiko, starts her journey in search of the Magatama. Together with Watanabe no Tsuna, an one-eyed retainer who made an oath of brotherhood with Raiko, Hikaru heads to Hitachi-no-Kuni, the land of the Tsuchigumo clan, but she is attacked by her enemies on the way. Her hands hesitate while she draws her bow, and for the first time in her life, Hikaru shoots an arrow at another human being.
Act 2: Sadamitsu
Wounded after the battle with the Tsuchigumo warriors, Raiko (=Hikaru) is convinced by Tsuna to take some rest in a village nearby. But on their way, they come across a man from the village named Sadamitsu, who is accompanied by two women. Although Raiko and Tsuna have never seen this man before, Sadamitsu shows open hostility towards the two travellers. Furthermore, the village headman explains that they are living in peace with the Tsuchigumo clan, and begs Raiko not to fight with them any further. Raiko is confused by these words, but she will soon discover the unexpected truth about the village...
Act 3: Tsuchigumo
With their new companion Sadamitsu, Raiko and Tsuna approach the caves where the Tsuchigumos dwell. Inside the caves they meet with Kuzume, a young girl from the village kept in captivity by the Tsuchigumo clan. Raiko and her team advance deeper and deeper inside the cave, and in the innermost recess of this underground world, they finally see an altar emanating a holy light: it's the Magatama! But a huge shadow steps before them: for Raiko and her friends, it is time to face Hoshikuma, the feared commander of the Tsuchigumo clan!
Act 4: Rashomon
The whole city of Heian welcomes Raiko, who's succeeded in bringing the legendary jewel Magatama back to the capital. But sadness fills Hikaru's heart, as she has been unable to save the life of her brother. Hikaru retreats in solitude by the Rashomon Gate, and while sadly looking over the city from the top of the gate, she starts playing the flute she had received from her brother. Suddenly she realizes that a young and handsome jester is silently dancing by her side. His name is Mansairaku. But there is no time to think: a shower of arrows coming from the bottom of the stairs invests Hikaru. The Rashomon Gate is commonly believed to be a haunted place where demons and other supernatural creatures appear, and the guards, alarmed by the sound of the flute and the mysterious dance, have rushed to the spot. Will Hikaru and Mansairaku escape?
Act 5: Urabe
Urabe adds another member to the party on it's quest for the Magatamas…Urabe assigned as a guide for Hikaru and her group, leads the group on its mission to the land of Noroi Jima.