Summaries of Himegami no Miko (terms, 0-1.2)

Year 2009 was a wonderful year for Kannazuki no Miko fans, since both Himegami no Miko and Zettai Shoujo Seiiki Amnesian (directly translates as Absolute Girl Sanctuary Amnesian) came out around the same time. While the latter is a brand new Kaishaku manga published monthly on Young Ace, the former is an internet novel that is written by Sumio Uetake, the script writer of Kannazuki no Miko the animation. Kaishaku is also doing the illustration of Himegami no Miko, which confuses some people . Both Himegami no Miko (HnM) and Zettai Shoujo Seiiki Amnesian (ZSSA) can be deemed as sequels to Kannazuki no Miko (KnM) in alternative universes. HnM and ZSSA, though both take place in modern Tokyo, have very different background settings as well as character personalities, thus appear to be completely non-related stories.

I've received quite a few requests on translating Himegami no Miko into English so far. At first I thought someone else may take this task-- after all, chapter 0 has been translated. Somehow after these many months, there has been no more actions done. Regardless of how much I love Uetake Sumio's works, I really don't have time for this. I would really appreciate it if someone could take this job.

While saying that, I did say yes to write up a summary for the storyline to satisfy the curiosity of English fans. I understand how painful it is to drool over all the illustrations but know nothing about the text (lol). After all, it is for the similar reason I started learning Japanese myself. Well, please let me know if what I am doing is helpful at all, thanks.

Official terms not so officially explained, to be elaborated later in more details

• Kouzuki Chikane: Our leading actress, perfect looks (imagine Himemiya Chikane), age 15, well trained in martial arts/fighting skills, has great pride and hates cheap tricks.

• Hinomiya Himeko: also our leading actress, cute looks (imagine Kurusugawa Himeko), age 15, this time didn't waste a minute trying to cling to her Chikane chan.

• Oumiwa Souma: our top supporting actor, this time more naughty and despicable, and somewhat mysterious in the beginning chapters.

• Mikamiko: the wicked phrase this time for the potentially tragic setting for our beloved couple. Fated mikos (again) to fight on their 16th birthday, the loser gets to be sacrificed for Oumikami, and the winner gets to marry Omitomeyaku.

• Oumikami: the cursed God in the small island where our heroines were born from.

• Mitamashizume no Gi: the ceremony to be held on the 16th birthday of the mikos.

• Houten Tamashii: the sacrifice.

• Kutouda: literally nine-head-snakes. Oumikami's advocates.

• Omitomeyaku: the one to watch over the ceremony and the stud to marry the winning Mikamiko.

• Kudara: literally nine-snake-eggs. Minions of Kutouda.

(0)

Two girls met for the first time, on a moon-lit evening. One pointed her sword at the other girl on the ground, claiming that they are the destined Mikamiko, and she swears that she will not allow anyone else to harm her, and will take her life with her own hands. The girl on the ground responded by "Ok, you may take my life. However, I have one request..."

full text translation here


(1.1)

Hinomiya Himeko is waiting outside a subway station in Tokyo suburb for her date. She has an above-average, child-like look, while the person she's waiting for appears soon after. Kouzuki Chikane, a classic beauty that attracts everyone's attention, arrives on time to meet with Himeko, who's overly anxious for their first date and arrived way too early. While sitting in the train having random girl's talk, Chikane observes the abundant expressions Himeko have and thinks of the kaleidoscope she used to play in her childhood. This faked relationship all started from that night...



(1.2)

Both Chikane and Himeko were born in the isolated island, Totsuka island. People on this island have the tradition of worshiping the Cursed God, Oukami sealed in the holy mountain. In order to prevent Oukami from his anger, which would result in earthquakes, tsunami and sinking of the island according to the legend, a ceremony called Mitamashizume no Gi will be held. For this ceremony, two Mikamiko born on the same day with special birthmarks, are chosen by Oukami himself. Beginning from their 15th birthday, they would start fighting each other, and the winner will bestow the other as the sacrifice to Oukami.

This time Oukami chose the daughters from Hinomiya and Kouzuki families. Since the winner's family would be admitted and supported by the elders to rule the island, both Mikamikos, with Oukami's powers, were trained from childhood. Chikane has become a super fighter since 10, determined to beat the other Mikamiko with her own hands. However......On their 15th birthday, the other girl disappeared from the island.

Worried if someone else would hurt her destined opponent by traps tricks and alike, Chikane also left the island after Hinomiya Himeko. While looking for this frequently-transferring high-school student, Chikane also entered a high school in Tokyo. One day, she finally found the whereabout of Himeko. On the way to meet her rival she has been dreaming of for many years, she managed to calm herself down-she is "the cool moon without heat". Standing on top of a building, she saw Himeko.

Himeko was not alone, but surrounded by two girls, one with glasses and one with twin-tails, the latter laughing at Himeko who was hurt by them. They were two of the Kutouda sent by Kouzuki family to find out the whereabout of Himeko. Although Chikane warned them not to hurt Himeko, they did not obey her order. Infuriated, Chikane defeated the two and gestured them away. Then she looked at HImeko on the ground, confirmed that she is the one (using her sword), and declared that she would take her life by her own hands. To her surprise, Himeko said that she was ok with it, but in return, she had a one and only request--"Until the day of our 16th birthdays, please be my most important person."


Utterly surprised by her request, Chikane thought it over. This has to be a thick she's playing to lower my defense, she thought and pointed the sword at Himeko. However, Himeko looked sincerely into her eyes with hope and admiration, further suggested that Chikane could stop this game any time she want, and she will be hers to dispose. Then, Chikane--

Himeko's voice brought her back into the train, they both got off at their target station.