DA FINE PRINT: This page © Kouryuu. Reproduction of any of the material, written or graphic-wise, found in this site without permission is strictly prohibited. Again, BASTARD!!, and all related images/info regarding the series is © Hagiwara Kazushi/Jump Comics /Shueisha. For optimal viewing, please view this site with Netscape 4.x with (Cascade) Style Sheets option enabled under 800x600 resolution. Also, a SHIFT-JIS decoder is a bonus. ^^
The purpose of this page is, naturally, to give you an intro to the story. Of course, if you've been to other BASTARD!! pages (esp. the anime ones) before, you will have undoubtly read this a million and one times already. To take out the chance of monotony, I shall make my summary ... more ... informative!! But, uh, due to my sorry knowledge of Japanese, please keep in mind that some of what's written MAY BE a tad inaccurate. ^^ Therefore, corrections are welcomed! ^___^
What is BASTARD!!?
BASTARD!!, by Hagiwara Kazushi and STUDIO LOUD IN SCHOOL, is a
sci-fi fantasy manga complete with humour, lots of violence, gore, ladies
with seemingly overly large breast implants, gratuitous scenes of naked
guys and gals, and most of all, it stars a volatile, egotistic semi-anti-hero
who happens to adore beautiful naked ladies with seemingly overly large breast
implants.
The story actually began in 1987 as a one shot mini-story called
WIZARD!!: Bakuen no seifukusha in the shounen manga anthology,
WEEKLY [Shonen] JUMP. Due to popular demand, WIZARD!!
evolved into the manga this page is dedicated too. ^-^ Originally, it was
serialized weekly but was later moved to JUMP's monthly collection
and then finally, the quarterly edition. Apparently, Hagiwara was unable
to keep up with the demands of the weekly and monthly schedule. (I also heard that
he had a nervous breakdown at one point @_@) I think some time later on,
BASTARD!! was completely put on hiatus. However, it is NOW back in
JUMP yet chapters are still only available on an irregular basis;
that is, the manga is in JUMP every few weeks. =/
BASTARD!! is currently up to volume 20 (released early December, 1998) For information on where you can get your copies of the manga, check the FAQ. ^-^ And now, onto the story intro ...
In the beginning ...
The Christian Era Year 200X
Utilizing the science of bio-technology and cybernetics, Man embarked on
an ambitious quest to create the ultimate bio-weapon. This was known as
the Hakaishin (destructive god) Project. Unfortunately, the success of
the project resulted in a cataclysmic tragedy. In July 2008, the main
unit, Ansla·Sax, unleashed itself on the world and destroyed much of the
population.
However, its rampage was stopped by the mysterious Dragon Warrior. Upon
Ansla·Sax's defeat, the Dragon Warrior contained the destructive god within
four seals. These seals were later scattered to the four kingdoms of
Metallion . . .
400 years later ...
The downfall of humanity led to the banishment of science (regarded as
the magic of the ancient world) and forced survivors to rebuild
civilization through mundane means. Reduced to a medieval-like state,
a 'new' type of magic established itself in this young society:
sorcery (a.k.a. ... well, magic ^^). Of course, like science and the
wonders of technology of the past, there are those that use magic for
pernicious means.
Ye Olde Case in Point: The Golem War
15 years prior to the start of tankoubon 1, a powerful yet ruthless,
reckless, arrogant, and handsome wizard by the name of Dark Schneider
(D·S) waged a devastating war against the four ruling families of Whites
Neiki, Meta=llicarna, Aian Meide, and Judas for the sake of world
domination.
To achieve this goal, D·S created an impressive army of golems; thus, this war was known as the Golem War. Alongside D·S overlooking the battle was his faithful Shitennou (loosely translated as the 4 Heaven(ly) Kings/Emperors, 4 Sky Kings/Emperors; can also be read as 4 Kings/Emperors of the Sky or 4 Kings/Emperors of the Heavens ... I really hope you do get the point).
One by one the kingdoms fell, helpless against the onslaught of the massive creatures. The remaining army, led by the Prince of Meta=llicarna, Larz, confronted D·S but alas, they too were no match for him. Yet it was at this moment of desperation that the tide turned. By the power of the Ten Sages of Europea, Larz was fused with the Dragon Warrior, endowing him with unimaginable power -- and it was with this power that allowed him to overcome the dark wizard. Finally, the High Priest of the battlion, Geo, imprisoned Dark Schneider in the body of a baby Rusie Renren . . .
Pseudo works cited:
All info compiled up to this point is from The Bible of BASTARD!!.
Special thanks to Akane
and Yuujin for translating parts of the summaries found in the aforementioned "book".
The Present ...
The Shitennou of Dark Schneider are continuing
his dream and to hasten their means to conquest, they plan on releasing
the ancient god that sleeps within the depths of Judas. Only by
retrieving and breaking the four seals will they succeed . . .
Thus begins the story of BASTARD!!: Destructive God of Darkness . . .