3x3 Eyes

Categories: Anime series | Manga

3x3 Eyes (Sazan Eyes) was a manga created by acclaimed manga artist Yuzo Takada, and is probably his most successful series. It spans 40 volumes, beginning in 1987 and finally ending in 2002. It was serialized in Young Magazine.

There were also two anime OVA series based on 3x3 Eyes. They were first shown in 1991 and 1995, and were also relatively short, only comprising four 30-minute episodes and three 45-minute episodes. The storyline goes up to volume 5 of the manga.

The English-language manga was being published by Dark Horse Comics, but got cancelled before the release of volume 9 in 2005.

Contents

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Story

It follows the adventures of Pai, the last remaining Sanjiyan Unkara, and her new Wu (an immortal companion), Yakumo. They desperately try to find a way to make Pai human so that she can forget her troubled past, and Yakumo can once again become mortal and end his constant need to protect Pai (if Pai dies then so will he). Along the way, they encounter many followers of the now-dead demon god Kaiyangwang, all of whom wish to kill Pai or siphon off her power in order to resurrect their deity and/or gain immortality.

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Trivia

  • Sazan is the Japanese word for 3x3 (as in multiplication tables). It also is the phonetical equivalent for southern, and Takada's favorite music group happens to be Southern All Stars.
  • Volume 40, the last volume, has been published in two versions, one of which includes a PC game.
  • A TV series was being considered at around the time the manga ended (2002), however, due to the then-recent Japanese censorship laws, it was not made.
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Characters

Note: This is an incomplete list.

  • Pai/Pai Ayanokoji/Parvati IV — the last surviving Sanjiyan Unkara. As all the beings pertaining to that race, she has a split personality since birth. Her first personality, called Pai in the series, has the appearance of a normal human and is that of a cheerful and naive girl. The second personality, that usually arises during some emotional shock, is distinguishable because the third eye in her temple opens. She is referred by most characters as Sanjiyan when she is in that state. Sanjiyan is more rigid and stoic than Pai, and is able to use powerful magic (unlike her first personality).
  • Yakumo Fujii — the primary male character. He became Pai's Wu (or companion) when he was killed by a rampaging Takuhi (Pai's demon friend). She then resurrected him, which in turn made him immortal as long as Pai lives. His father had previously found Pai and promised to help her become human, so Yakumo tries to keep that promise.
  • Takuhi
  • Jake Mcdonald — a treasure hunter looking for the secret of immortality that Sanjiyans keep.

Yougekisha Company:

  • Chen Aguri
  • Lee Ling Ling — a female worker for Yougekisha, is actually reluctanct to believe in the occult. But she keeps working as a demon hunter and charm seller because of her love for money.
  • Long Meixing — sister of Steve Long, meets Pai and Yakumo when looking to save her brother from kidnappers.
  • Steve Long
  • Kaiyangwang-sama/Shiva — the strongest sanjiyan, got sealed by members of his race because of his destructive tendencies.

Kaiyangwang-sama's followers:

  • Benares — the immortal wu of Shiva. He keeps trying to break the seal that keeps his master imprisoned, and restore his original powers, for which he'll need the involuntary help from Yakumo and Pai.
  • Ryouko
  • Ran Pao Pao
  • Choukai
  • Houasyo
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External links

fr:3×3 eyes gl:3x3 Eyes id:3x3 Eyes it:3x3 occhi ja:3×3 EYES zh:三只眼