Yugo (manga)

Yugo
First tankōbon volume cover, featuring Yugo Beppu
勇午
(Yūgo)
Genre
Manga
Written byShinji Makari
Illustrated byShū Akana
Published byKodansha
ImprintAfternoon KC
MagazineMonthly Afternoon
Original runDecember 25, 1993 – July 24, 2004
Volumes22
Manga
Yugo the Negotiator
Written byShinji Makari
Illustrated byShū Akana
Published byKodansha
Imprint
  • Evening KC (2004)
  • KC Deluxe (2005–2015)
MagazineEvening
Original runJanuary 27, 2004 – November 10, 2015
Volumes19
Anime television series
Yugo the Negotiator
Directed by
  • Seiji Kishi (#1–6)
  • Shinya Hanai (#7–13)
Produced by
  • Rika Sasaki
  • Hitoshi Hayakawa
  • Shūji Yoshida
  • Satoshi Yamada
  • Shirō Hirano
  • Hidemi Terada
Written by
  • Kazuharu Sato (#1–6)
  • Kenichi Kanemaki (#7–13)
Music bySusumu Ueda
Studio
  • G&G Direction (#1–6)
  • Artland (#7–13)
Licensed by
Original networkKids Station
English networkAnime Network
Original run February 25, 2004 – May 26, 2004
Episodes13

Yugo (Japanese: 勇午, Hepburn: Yūgo) is a Japanese manga series written by Shinji Makari and illustrated by Shū Akana. It was serialized in Kodansha's Monthly Afternoon magazine from December 1993 to July 2004, with its chapters collected in 22 tankōbon volumes. The series was transferred to Evening magazine that same year with the subtitle "the Negotiator" added in, where it was serialized until November 2015. Subsequent compilations of the original manga series also include this subtitle. An anime television series adaptation produced by G&G Direction and Artland aired from February to May 2004, comprising the manga's first two major story arcs within 13 episodes.

Plot

The story follows Yugo Beppu, a hostage negotiator, in various cases around the world. Having both a very tough body and determination, and his keen insight, Yugo often goes to great lengths to rescue those he is tasked to, without resorting to physical violence.

Characters

Yugo Beppu (別府 勇午, Beppu Yūgo)
Voiced by: Takashi Hagino[3] (Japanese); Jason Douglas[4] (English)
The main protagonist, hailing from Usuki. Yugo works as a hostage negotiator with a 97.4% success rate, using his sharp intellect, fluency in five languages, and a vast network of contacts worldwide. He has a tough body and determination to withstand any torture, and maintains a calm composure to gain trust.[1]
Reiichi Kogure (小暮 蛉一, Kogure Reiichi)
Voiced by: Susumu Chiba[3] (Japanese); Jay Hickman[4] (English)
Yugo's partner and mechanic who provides technical support. Occasionally, he is called upon from Tokyo to travel to wherever Yugo is located.[1]
Mayuko Iwase (岩瀬 繭子, Iwase Mayuko)
Voiced by: Yumi Kakazu[3] (Japanese); Christine Auten[4] (English)
Ahmad Rahmani (アーマド・ラフマニ, Āmado Rafumani)
Voiced by: Kenyu Horiuchi[3] (Japanese); Guru Singh[4] (English)
Laila (ライラ, Raira)
Voiced by: Yumi Kakazu[3] (Japanese); Monica Rial[4] (English)
Yusef Ali Mesa (ユスフ・アリ・メサ, Yusufu Ari Mesa)
Voiced by: Banjō Ginga[3] (Japanese); Christopher Ayres[4] (English)
Haji Rahmani (ハジ・ラフマニ, Haji Rafumani)
Voiced by: Masaaki Tsukada[3] (Japanese); Marty Fleck[4] (English)
Lall (ラル, Raru)
Voiced by: Hiroshi Yanaka[3] (Japanese); Vic Mignogna[4] (English)
Andrei Sergeivich Romonovski (アンドレイ・セルゲイビッチ・ロマノフスキー, Andorei Serugeibitchi Romanofusukī)
Voiced by: Ikuya Sawaki[5] (Japanese); John Swasey[4] (English)
Olga Elenova (オリガ・エレノワ, Origa Erenowa)
Voiced by: Michie Tomizawa[3] (Japanese); Joanne Bonasso[4] (English)
Lyuba (リューバ, Ryūba)
Voiced by: Akemi Okamura[3] (Japanese); Christine Auten[4] (English)
Mariko (真理子)
Voiced by: Yuki Kaida[3] (Japanese); Nancy Novotny[4] (English)
Major General Garrachova (ガラーホワ少将, Garāhowa Shōshō)
Voiced by: Jun Karasawa[3] (Japanese); Marcy Rae[4] (English)
Nadenka (ナージェンカ, Nājenka)
Voiced by: Yui Horie[3] (Japanese); Luci Christian[4] (English)

Media

Manga

Yugo, written by Shinji Makari and illustrated by Shū Akana, was serialized in Kodansha's Monthly Afternoon magazine from December 25, 1993,[a] to July 24, 2004.[b] Its chapters were compiled into 22 tankōbon volumes and published in the Kodansha's Afternoon KC line between June 20, 1994, and September 22, 2004.[6][8]

That same year, the series, with the subtitle "the Negotiator" added in, was serialized in Kodansha's Evening magazine from January 27, 2004, in the fourth issue of that year, to November 10, 2015, in the twenty-third issue of that year.[10][11] The first tankōbon volume was published on September 22, 2004, in the Evening KC line,[10] with subsequent volumes published in the KC Deluxe line.[12][13] The nineteenth and final volume was published on December 22, 2015.[11]

Volumes

No. Release date ISBN
1June 20, 1994[6]978-4-06-314083-5
2November 18, 1994[14]978-4-06-314097-2
3April 19, 1995[15]978-4-06-314110-8
4November 20, 1995[16]978-4-06-314122-1
5May 21, 1996[17]978-4-06-314131-3
6November 20, 1996[18]978-4-06-314142-9
7April 21, 1997[19]978-4-06-314149-8
8August 20, 1997[20]978-4-06-314162-7
9March 19, 1998[21]978-4-06-314171-9
10August 19, 1998[22]978-4-06-314184-9
11January 20, 1999[23]978-4-06-314195-5
12July 19, 1999[24]978-4-06-314213-6
13December 14, 1999[25]978-4-06-314223-5
14May 18, 2000[26]978-4-06-314241-9
15November 20, 2000[27]978-4-06-314253-2
16April 20, 2001[28]978-4-06-314264-8
17September 19, 2001[29]978-4-06-314273-0
18April 20, 2002[30]978-4-06-314288-4
19August 21, 2002[31]978-4-06-314302-7
20January 20, 2003[32]978-4-06-314313-3
21May 21, 2003[33]978-4-06-314320-1
22September 22, 2004[8]978-4-06-314355-3

Yugo the Negotiator

No. Title Release date ISBN
1In Shimokita Peninsula
Shimokita Hantō-hen (下北半島編)		September 22, 2004[10]978-4-06-352085-9
2In Tsushima, Kitakyushu
Kitakyūshū Tsushima-hen (北九州・対馬編)		May 23, 2005[34]978-4-06-372013-6
3In Tokyo - Tanegashima
Tōkyō Tanegashima-hen (東京・種子島編)		March 23, 2006[35]978-4-06-372133-1
4In Osaka (1)
Ōsaka-hen (1) (大阪編 (1))		October 23, 2006[36]978-4-06-372219-2
5In Osaka (2)
Ōsaka-hen (2) (大阪編 (2))		February 23, 2007[37]978-4-06-372263-5
6In Yokohama - Yokosuka (1)
Yokohama Yokosuka-hen (1) (横浜・横須賀編 (1))		January 23, 2008[38]978-4-06-372381-6
7In Yokohama - Yokosuka (2)
Yokohama Yokosuka-hen (2) (横浜・横須賀編 (2))		February 22, 2008[39]978-4-06-375418-6
8In Toyako Summit (1)
Tōyako Samitto-hen (1) (洞爺湖サミット編 (1))		September 22, 2008[40]978-4-06-375559-6
9In Toyako Summit (2)
Tōyako Samitto-hen (2) (洞爺湖サミット編 (2))		May 22, 2009[41]978-4-06-375679-1
10In Philippines ODA (1)
Firipin ODA-hen (1) (フィリピンODA編 (1))		February 23, 2010[42]978-4-06-375877-1
11In Philippines ODA (2)
Firipin ODA-hen (2) (フィリピンODA編 (2))		April 23, 2010[43]978-4-06-375909-9
12In Philippines ODA (3)
Firipin ODA-hen (3) (フィリピンODA編 (3))		August 23, 2010[44]978-4-06-375931-0
13In Taiwan (1)
Taiwan-hen (1) (台湾編 (1))		June 23, 2011[45]978-4-06-376081-1
14In Taiwan (2)
Taiwan-hen (2) (台湾編 (2))		October 21, 2011[46]978-4-06-376138-2
15In Taiwan (3)
Taiwan-hen (3) (台湾編 (3))		November 22, 2012[47]978-4-06-376197-9
16In Taiwan (4)
Taiwan-hen (4) (台湾編 (4))		February 22, 2013[48]978-4-06-376786-5
17Final (1)
Final (1)		April 23, 2015[49]978-4-06-377179-4
18Final (2)
Final (2)		October 23, 2015[50]978-4-06-377317-0
19Final (3)
Final (3)		December 22, 2015[51]978-4-06-377381-1

Anime

In November 2003, it was announced that a 13-episode anime adaptation titled Yugo the Negotiator (勇午 ～交渉人～, Yūgo: Kōshōnin) would release next February, adapting the manga's first two major story arcs: 1st Negotiation, or Pakistan Chapter (パキスタン編, Pakisutan-hen), comprised the former six episodes; 2nd Negotiation, or Russia Chapter (ロシア編, Roshia-hen), comprised the latter seven episodes.[52][3] G&G Direction produced the 1st Negotiation, with Seiji Kishi as director, Takehiko Matsumoto as character designer, and Kazuharu Sato as writer. Artland produced the 2nd Negotiation, with Shinya Hanai as director, Kenichi Imaizumi as character designer, and Kenichi Kanemaki as writer.[3] It was originally broadcast on Kids Station from February 25 to May 26, 2004.[c][53][54] The opening theme is "Modern Size", and the ending theme is "Kitty", both by Eiichiro Taruki.[55][5]

Six DVD volumes were released from May 25 to October 29, 2004, by Ken Media.[56] ADV Films licensed the series for a North American release in March 2005,[57] releasing the first volume in both a regular edition and an edition with a box on July 26.[58][59] After releasing the last volume on March 21, 2006,[60] ADV released the complete series in a DVD box set on October 2, 2007,[61] and on March 24, 2009.[62] The first three episodes of Yugo the Negotiator were screened at the Barbican Centre on February 26, 2008, in London; Helen McCarthy, an anime expert, did an introduction of the show for the audience.[63]

1st Negotiation episodes

No.TitleDirected by [55]Written by [55]Storyboarded by [55]Original release date [c]
1"Negotiator"
Transliteration: "Kōshōnin" (Japanese: 交渉人)		Toyoaki Nakajima
Seiji Kishi		Kazuharu SatoSeiji KishiFebruary 25, 2004 (2004-02-25)
2"Decision"
Transliteration: "Ketsui" (Japanese: 決意)		Akechi Daigoro
Seiji Kishi		Kazuharu SatoToyoaki NakajimaMarch 3, 2004 (2004-03-03)
3"Contact"
Transliteration: "Sesshoku" (Japanese: 接触)		Yukio SuzukiKazuharu SatoYoshiaki OkumuraMarch 10, 2004 (2004-03-10)
4"Warrior"
Transliteration: "Yūsha" (Japanese: 勇者)		Yoshiyuki AsaiKazuharu SatoYukio SuzukiMarch 17, 2004 (2004-03-17)
5"Trust"
Transliteration: "Shinrai" (Japanese: 信頼)		Yukio SuzukiKazuharu SatoYoshiaki OkumuraMarch 24, 2004 (2004-03-24)
6"Promise"
Transliteration: "Yakusoku" (Japanese: 約束)		Yoshiyuki Asai
Seiji Kishi		Kazuharu SatoYoshiyuki AsaiApril 4, 2004 (2004-04-04)[d]

2nd Negotiation episodes

No.TitleDirected by [5]Written by [5]Storyboarded by [5]Original release date [c]
7"Exiled Aristocrat"
Transliteration: "Bōmei Kizoku" (Japanese: 亡命貴族)		Shinya HanaiKenichi KanemakiTakuo Suzuki
Kenichi Imaizumi		April 13, 2004 (2004-04-13)
8"Deal"
Transliteration: "Torihiki" (Japanese: 取引)		Shinya HanaiKatsuhiko TakayamaHiroshi HaraApril 20, 2004 (2004-04-20)
9"Official Documents"
Transliteration: "Kōbunsho" (Japanese: 公文書)		Tatsuyuki NagaiShōichi SatōTatsuyuki NagaiApril 27, 2004 (2004-04-27)
10"Extreme Cold"
Transliteration: "Marōsu (Gokkan)" (Japanese: マロース (極寒))		Yasuo Ejima
Kenichi Imaizumi		Katsuhiko TakayamaHiroshi HaraMay 4, 2004 (2004-05-04)
11"Interrogation"
Transliteration: "Jinmon" (Japanese: 尋問)		Takeyuki SadoharaKatsuhiko TakayamaHiroshi HaraMay 11, 2004 (2004-05-11)
12"The Mystery of the Ring"
Transliteration: "Yubiwa no Nazo" (Japanese: 指輪の謎)		Hiroshi HaraShōichi SatōHiroshi HaraMay 18, 2004 (2004-05-18)
13"For Nadenka"
Transliteration: "Nājenka no Tame ni" (Japanese: ナージェンカのために)		Tatsuyuki NagaiKatsuhiko TakayamaYoshimitsu ŌhashiMay 25, 2004 (2004-05-25)

Reception

Theron Martin from Anime News Network elected the main character of the series Yugo Beppu as the "Best New Hero/Heroine" along with Kei Kurono of Gantz and Pacifica of Scrapped Princess. Martin declared he is "the most original hero: he deals with 'opponents' though his attention to understanding them and the sometimes-extreme actions he undertakes so that he can negotiate with them on their terms. A very slick, and very tough, individual."[65]

Notes

  1. ^ Debuted in the magazine's February 1994 issue,[6] released on December 25, 1993.[7]
  2. ^ Finished in the magazine's September 2004 issue,[8] released on July 24, 2004.[9]
  3. ^ a b c Yugo the Negotiator aired on Tuesday midnight, effectively Wednesday at 12:00 a.m. JST.[53]
  4. ^ Aired on Saturday midnight, effectively Sunday at 12:00 a.m. JST.[64]

References

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