Year 1985, Izumo
Here it comes!
I guess there's no other way than to kill him.
However, what if they were twins?
What…?!
If identical twins were born,
we would not be able to tell which one is which.
I don't care. We should kill them both.
O ambitions of this world! On permanence of Asakura lineage, I shall stop you!
Shikigami! Take this newborn's life!
Forgive me, my grandson.
So small.
Impossible! He reincarnated with his guardian spirit?!
There's no doubt. This child is…
Watch out, father in law!
Kararinchou kararinsowaka! Great protectors, mountain gods!
It vanished…
You can't catch me with something like that.
Just when did he…
That's him… The great onmyouji
Who suddenly disappeared from this world a thousand years ago.
Asakura Hao.
Thank you for your efforts, Keiko. You've been worthy of giving birth to me.
What…!
Stop it. There's still one more child inside of you.
My other half himself will eventually choose the path of becoming the king.
Even so, I shall regain the other half of my body
And obtain even greater power.
One cannot escape the fate.
It may cause this child great suffering.
Yet, there's no other choice but to face it.
This child is our hope.
Wandering souls of the dead
Spirits and gods inhabiting the woods of earth
There are ones who interact with them at will
And evoke powers beyond humanity into this world
They are called shamans.
13 years later
I got late cause of the cram school class.
Huh?
Sure enough, the shortcut was this way.
I got a bad feeling about it though…
Hey, why are you in such a hurry?
Eh?
What's with this guy…
What is he doing alone in such a place at this hour?
Could it be a ghost?!
Wait a little.
There's such a nice view on the stars tonight.
Don't waste the opportunity. Come and join us.
Let's watch the stars together with everyone.
Why would you even watch the stars?
Besides, there's just two of us. So why would you say “everyone”?
Yeah, everyone…
In this graveyard.
Ugh…
Don't be so startled! They're all my friends.
They're just bums that can't rest in peace and got stuck here forever.
Huh? What's the matter?
Gyaaah!
I'm telling you, I saw them!
The ghosts in that graveyard!
There's no such stuff as ghosts.
I'm sure you just saw something else.
You're studying too hard, you must be just tired.
You know, like… dead tired.
What…!
Quiet, Oyamada.
The class is starting, so take your seats.
To begin with…
So what was that I saw yesterday?
Could it have been a dream?
This is Yoh Asakura.
He came here from Izumo due to family circumstances.
What's with that face, Oyamada?
This is him! This is the guy that was there with the ghosts!
There's no such thing as ghosts.
Besides, who are you?
What?!
Damn it!
I can't get any study done at this rate.
I'm gonna reveal his true identity!
How long are you going to zone out standing there?!
Ah, being one with the nature is such a great feeling.
What the heck!
Huh?
Hahaha, that wasn't really nice of you.
You're not mad?
Why would I be?
I pretended I didn't know you, so you came along, right?
I knew!
It's just that it would be bothersome if they knew my secret at school.
I don't wanna make fuss around myself.
Your secret?
The truth is that I'm a shaman and came here for training.
Shaman?
Shaman is someone who links this world with that world.
You can reach out to me whenever you're in a trouble.
I'll be there for you.
By the way, do you know anything about Amidamaru?
Of course! He's the samurai from the most famous legend of this city!
His relics are on display in the local museum.
I see. Thanks!
Huh?
I dunno anymore.
So what was that guy after all?
Shaman? One who links this world with that world?
What the heck is that.
Wait, it's in the dictionary? What in the…
“Shamans. People who put themselves into trance-like state.”
“They directly interact with such beings as gods, spirits and ghosts.”
“Shamans borrow their powers in order to”
“Treat various diseases and for political purposes.”
“They use their spiritual abilities to summon such beings to our world and convey the words of the dead.”
“They were the core of human society in ancient times”
“And exist all over the world to this day.”
Smells fishy.
What is that you're mourning about?
I killed my dearest friend.
I see. And who are you?
I am a swordsmith, Mosuke!
Better to ask, who are you?! You're not startled seeing me?
Well, it's a bit complicated.
Talking about the friend you killed…
Would you mind telling me about it?
Eh?
Heck, shaman or not, I don't care at all.
What an easygoing jerk.
Doesn't study enough, only listens to his favorite music…
Spacing out staring at the stars, staring at the river…
Honestly, I wanna be like him.
Stars, huh…
I wonder if he'll come to that place today, too.
Anyway, that's a pretty nice spot you found here.
After all, nobody comes here
It's near a convenience store and nobody will complain even if we're loud.
We can do whatever we want.
But you know, I heard there's some kid coming here lately.
Wait, seriously?
If Ryuu-san heard about that…
So there's some brat breaking into our Best Place without my permission?
Apparently that guy…
Wants to know the terror of Ryuu of the Wooden Sword as I beat the crap out of him.
Ryuu-san… So you came.
Yeah, just a moment ago.
W-well, Ryuu-san…
What is it, Ball Boy?
T-that tombstone is… the burial mound of Amidamaru, you see…
Huh? Amidamaru? Who's that bastard?
What do you mean…
He was an extremely strong samurai feared by everyone
And got executed for having killed many people 600 years ago…
We could get cursed just by stamping on that…
So what?
Eh?
He destroyed the tombstone!
Curse? Burial mound? What a bullshit.
If ghosts are there as you say, then they should come at me!
If they're so frustrated!
What are those guys…
They're ghosts after all!
What are you doing there?
Ah, no, I'm just…
I see.
You're one of those dumb kids!
That's not me though…
What is that, Manta! Look at your face!
We told you not to come to that graveyard.
What the hell happened to you?
First all that ghosts stuff from the other day…
And now this?
Ghosts do exist.
The transfer student!
I asked the graveyard guys what happened.
What do you mean by that? Can't you just leave me alone?
Manta was your name, right?
Huh?
Let's go settle our scores, Manta.
Wait a minute!
Who said I need your help?
I don't deserve to be saved by you anyway!
We're friends, so I will help you.
Huh?
My grandpa always told me
There are no bad guys among those who can see ghosts.
You saw the ghosts the other night, so I told you my secret.
We're friends now, okay?
Not okay! Not okay at all!
Who would become friends with a slack like you!
Even you know how terrifying are those guys!
Ryuu of the Wooden Sword is dangerous! It's crazy stupid to stand up to him!
You can't win against him with your build and size!
Yeah, that's right. I'm pretty weak.
All the more!
But we'll work it out!
It's okay because I got a strong ally on my side.
Huh? What did you just say?
Get out of here.
I'm scared!
You wanna get beaten to death and go to that world already?!
I mean, the guys from that world say you're a nuisance to them.
You idiot! Ryuu-san isn't scared of ghosts at all!
Yeah. If you can beat me…
Then do it, you say?
Huh?
There's one guy who wants to fight so much he can't hold himself any longer.
Is that so?
Amidamaru!
A samurai's ghost!
Thank you for granting me the opportunity to dispel the shame brought upon me.
I'm grateful to you, Yoh-dono.
Could this spirit be the owner of that destroyed tombstone?
Amidamaru! The legendary samurai!
Hey, hey, hey…
Again with the whole Amidamaru bullshit?
Crap! He's a ghost after all…!
Kill those guys!
Well then, let's show them.
Amidamaru.
If we join our skills together…
We can become invincible!
Amidamaru! Spirit ball mode!
Just as I told you. The one who links this world with that world.
That is a shaman!
Let's go! Hyoui gattai!
Uwaa… That soul ball merged with his body!
Hyoui?
He said hyoui? That would mean…
A state of being possessed by a spirit.
Don't tell me, linking this world with that world means…
This is enough for the likes of you.
Now it's your turn, bastards.
Are you prepared?
What's with this guy… He's like a totally different person.
What's the matter? With your ridiculous swordplay, in front of a real life-taking sword
Your must be trembling with the feeling of dread, are you not? You brat!
Don't mess with me with your shit samurai play!
Now I understood it all.
Linking this and that world is none other than
The state of making the spirit possess his own body
Getting the dynamic techniques of a spirit
And everything else reproduced into our world!
Fear not. I won't kill you.
I cannot be bothered to make you one of the same kind as me.
Ryuu-san!
Gyah! Run!
I finally understood why he was always so spaced out.
Spacing out means emptying your own heart.
And as it becomes empty
One becomes able to carry a spirit's power in it.
That is the link between the two worlds.
Shaman. Yoh Asakura!
There are many powerful souls in this world
That have left a lot of memories here and can't afford to die yet.
I want to make these guys my allies
In order to become the Shaman King.
Shaman King?
Speaking of which, let's become comrades, Amidamaru.
Me? Your comrade?
Your swordsmanship was amazing
And when we fused together, it felt kind of warm.
I refuse.
I have been waiting here for 600 years and I won't stop.
For Mosuke, right?
How do you know?!
I've heard everything from him.
That you were best friends ever since you were kids.
Huh?
Well then, this magnificent katana has been brought up by the two of you, I reckon?
600 years ago
That is right, my lord.
For I aim to become the greatest samurai.
And I aim to become the greatest swordsmith.
And to surpass efforts of one another
We have devoted ourselves working day and night.
Me myself happen to be very much fond of swords as well.
What would you two say about working here for me?
We made it, Amidamaru!
Such orphans as us finally got recognized!
I can't believe you get to present your sword to the lord!
All I did was simply make a sword that would surpass your efforts.
You, too, will become a splendid samurai serving the lord.
Yeah!
From now on, we will never starve again.
Kill Mosuke?!
Why are you so surprised?
That marvelous katana presented to me by Mosuke…
There ought not to be another sword like it.
At the very least, I shall let him die at the hands of his dear friend.
This is what is called mercy.
What is this supposed to be?
We came so far, and yet… What should I…
I shall run away from here at once!
You can't! If you did, what would happen to you?!
I know! Let's run away together! And then…
That can't be done!
As a samurai, I can't let myself betray the lord I once served!
That being said, there is no way I could kill you, either.
I shall quietly accept the dishonor and sin of letting you escape.
Amidamaru…
I got it.
Wait for me just for one day.
Would you hand me over Harusame tonight?
What?
We may never see each other again.
So at least, I want to give you the finest katana I can make.
One that far surpasses the sword I made for that lord.
The strongest Harusame!
Well, well, what are you doing in such a place?
I'll say it again, the guy you're waiting for won't come.
Yesterday we…
Quiet!
I do not intend to leave this place.
I made a promise!
And then you became the legend.
You were called a demon who killed a thousand people in a terrific battle style.
Without Harusame, I eventually drained myself of my strength…
So I came to hand it over to you.
Is this… Harusame?!
Mosuke told me he wouldn't be able to die in peace before giving it to you.
He possessed the sword and waited all the time.
And I told him you kept waiting for 600 years, too.
That can't be true…
That stupid fool… He really waited that long…
You two are equally stupid then.
Now, let's go see Amidamaru.
Ah, what the hell are you saying!
How can I look him in the face after that?
Harusame is all battered too! I can't even touch it, being the ghost I am…
You can.
I will lend you my body.
Because I am a shaman.
What is this!
Let's go! Hyoui gattai!
Well then! Let's go to the blacksmith of this town!
And that's how we remade Harusame together.
I feel beyond grateful for what you did for me, Mosuke and Yoh-dono.
“Feelings” are what is important.
No doubt, none else could forge such a sword
Than Mosuke himself.
He left you a message too. “Sorry to have kept you waiting.”
I see.
And what happened to Mosuke?
He said he couldn't show his face and went ahead to the other world.
What a fool he is. After having made me wait for 600 years…
Makes me want to chase him and beat the hell out of him even now.
It appears it's still not the time
To go to the other world yet, though.
Huh?
I shall accompany you, Yoh-dono.
That guy has a rather nice guardian ghost.
Don't you think, Bason?
Next time “Another shaman”