Masahiko Murata
| Gilgamesh | |
|
ギルガメッシュ (Girugamesshu) |
|
|---|---|
| Genre | Action, Drama, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Shotaro Ishinomori |
| Published by | Shōnen Gahōsha |
| Demographic | Shōnen |
| Magazine | Shōnen King |
| Original run | 1976 – 1978 |
| Volumes | 6 |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Masahiko Murata |
| Music by | Kaoru Wada |
| Studio | Japan Vistec & Group TAC |
| Licensed by | |
| Original network | Kansai TV |
| English network | |
| Original run | October 2, 2003 – March 18, 2004 |
| Episodes | 26 |
Gilgamesh (ギルガメッシュ? Girugamesshu) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Shotaro Ishinomori. It was serialized in the Shōnen Gahōsha magazine Weekly Shōnen King from 1976 to 1978. A dark and apocalyptic anime series based on the original story was adapted by Group TAC in 2003. Gilgamesh is set in the super present and the plot revolves around characters who can be divided into four groups: The Countess and the Orga-Superior, the Mitleid Corporation, the siblings, and the Gilgamesh. With the development of the plot, the past and motives of the characters and their relationships with one another are exposed.
The 26-episode anime television series was the first directed by Masahiko Murata, with music by Kaoru Wada. It was created by Group TAC, and it aired on Kansai TV from October 2, 2003 to March 18, 2004. The series received generally positive reviews and was subsequently translated, released on DVD and aired in several other countries, including the United States.
Music, mystery, intrigues and darkness are central elements of Gilgamesh's plot. The series shows clear influences from the story known as the Epic of Gilgamesh, and from different scientific and archaeological influences as well.
The backdrop of Gilgamesh is the fight between two opposing forces. One of the forces is known as the Gilgamesh, led by Terumichi Madoka (better known as Enkidu), and the other side is the Countess of Werdenberg and the three Orga-Superior children who live with her. In appearance, the Orga-Superior are indistinguishable from humans. However, they carry a special power known as "Dynamis" (a variation of the Greek "Dunamus" meaning "strength" "power" especially "miraculous power") which allows them to use psychic energy and control objects using only their mind. The overarching theme of Gilgamesh is one of choosing sides.
The tomb of Gilgamesh in Uruk from the story 'The Epic of Gilgamesh' is discovered by a young genius-scientist named Terumichi Madoka, who is drawn to the energy called Dynamis, a word meaning 'power', resonating from the site. He reports his findings, and all of the world's best scientists gather there. When an unknown life form called Tear materializes in Delphys (a pit that seems to have no dimensions and that surrounds the tomb of Gilgamesh) and begins to contaminate embryos that surround it, the scientists stop all of the experiments. Dr. Madoka goes down to Delphys, breaches all of the guards around it and comes into direct contact with Tear, causing an immense explosion that blocks out the sky with a mirror-like layer. This is considered an act of terrorism, as after the explosion, computers and wireless communications stop working, and the planet falls into war and famine. The human population is nearly wiped out. This occurs on October 10, so the incident is called "Twin X" (after the Roman numeral symbol for the number 10).
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Wikipedia