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{{short description|Media franchise}}
: ''This article is about the anime, manga, and game series "DearS". For the indie rock band, see [[The Dears]].
{{Infobox animanga/Header|
{{Infobox animanga/Header
title_name=DearS
| name = DearS
|image=DearSAnime.jpg
| image = Dears vol 1 cover.jpg
| caption = Cover art of first Tokyopop manga featuring Ren
|caption=
|ja_name=ディアーズ
| ja_kanji = ディアーズ
| ja_romaji = Diāzu
|ja_name_trans=DearS
| genre = [[Romantic comedy]], [[science fiction]]<!-- Genres should be based on what reliable sources list them as and not on personal interpretations. Limit of the three most relevant genres in accordance with [[MOS:A&M]]. -->
|genre= [[Shounen]], [[Comedy]], [[Romance]], [[Fantasy]], [[Ecchi]]
}}
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Anime|
{{Infobox animanga/Print
|type = manga
title=
|author = [[Peach-Pit (manga artist duo)|Peach-Pit]]
|director=[[Tetsuji Higuchi]]
|publisher = [[MediaWorks (publisher)|MediaWorks]]
|studio=[[Bandai|Bandai Visual]]
|publisher_en = {{English manga publisher | NA= [[Tokyopop]]}}
|network=[[TV Kanagawa]]
|demographic = ''[[Shōnen manga|Shōnen]]''
|first_aired=[[10 July]] [[2004]]
|last_aired=[[26 September]] [[2004]]
|magazine = [[Dengeki Comic Gao!]] → [[Dengeki Maoh]]
|first = October 2001
|num_episodes=13<ref>{{Ann anime|id=4080}}. Accessed [[2007-02-01]].</ref>
|last = November 2005
|volumes = 8
|volume_list =#Volume list
}}
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Manga|
{{Infobox animanga/Video
|type = tv series
title=
|director = Iku Suzuki
|author=[[PEACH-PIT]]
|producer = Hisanori Kunisaki<br>Nobuhiro Ōsawa<br>Takayasu Hatano
|publisher=[[Image: Flag of Japan.svg|25px|Japan]] [[MediaWorks (publisher)|MediaWorks]]<br /> [[Image: Flag of Germany.svg|25px|Germany]] [[Image: Flag of the United States.svg|25px|United States]] [[Tokyopop]]<br /> {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Flashbook]]
|writer = [[Takao Yoshioka]]
|first_run=[[March]] [[2002]]
|music = [[Tomoki Hasegawa]]
|last_run=[[17 December]][[2005]]
|studio = [[Daume]]
|serialized=[[MediaWorks (publisher)|Monthly Comic Dengeki GAO!]]
|licensee = {{English anime licensee|NA=[[Discotek Media]]}}
|num_volumes=8 (completed)<ref>{{Ann manga|id=4203}}. Accessed [[2007-02-01]].</ref>
|network = [[Television Kanagawa]], [[Chiba TV]]
|first = July 10, 2004
|last = September 26, 2004
|episodes = 13
|episode_list = List of DearS episodes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Game
| developer = MediaWorks
| publisher = MediaWorks
| genre = [[Visual novel]]
| platforms = [[PlayStation 2]]
| released = June 24, 2004
}}
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}
{{nihongo|'''''DearS'''''|ディアーズ|Diāzu}} is an [[ecchi]] [[Shōnen manga|shōnen]] Japanese [[manga]] series co-written and illustrated by Banri Sendo and Shibuko Ebara, credited under their pen name [[Peach-Pit (manga artist duo)|Peach-Pit]]. It was serialized monthly by [[MediaWorks (publisher)|MediaWorks]] in their magazines ''[[Dengeki Comic Gao!]]'' from October 2001 to September 2005 and ''[[Dengeki Maoh]]'' from October to November 2005 and was later published into ten volumes by the company. The manga was licensed and translated into English by [[Tokyopop]]. A 13-episode [[anime]] was adapted by MSJ and a [[PlayStation 2]] video game was produced by MediaWorks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.asciimw.jp/mediamix/dears/dears_game.php |title=DearS game |location=Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan |publisher=MediaWorks, Inc. |access-date=November 26, 2009 |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201162331/http://archive.asciimw.jp/mediamix/dears/dears_game.php |archive-date=December 1, 2010 }}</ref>
'''''DearS''''' is a Japanese romance comedy [[manga]] by [[mangaka]] duo [[PEACH-PIT]], serialised in the monthly [[shounen]] [[list of manga magazines|manga magazine]] ''[[MediaWorks (publisher)|Dengeki Comic Gao!]]''. The manga was produced into a 12 episode TV anime series which aired from [[10 July]] [[2004]]—[[26 September]] [[2004]]. The DVD release includes an additional episode labeled "9.5" (occurring between episodes 9 and 10) for a total of 13.


== Story ==
==Plot==
Exactly one year prior to the beginning of ''DearS'', humanity made unprecedented contact with extraterrestrial life. Forced to crash land into Tokyo Bay when, en route to their home planet of Thanatos, their spacecraft breaks down, 150 humanoid aliens are [[naturalized]] into Japanese society and affectionately nicknamed "DearS"; a [[portmanteau]] of the words "Dear" and "Friends". The crashed aliens consist entirely of individuals from a genetically modified "slave race" designed to enjoy slavery.
A UFO boarded by members of the DearS species (an alien species with a human outer appearance) makes an emergency landing on Earth. Ever since then the life of Takeya Ikuhara, a typical male high school student in Japan, and Neneko Izumi, his female childhood friend, has been complicated by the arrival of Ren and other DearS members to their city.


Takeya Ikuhara is a temperamental seventeen-year-old Japanese student attending the fictitious Koharu High School with a strong prejudice against the DearS. Due to a childhood scare, he believes that the aliens are fake, worthless beings that have generated nationwide overhype and are secretly plotting to take control of Earth.
{{spoiler}}


On his way home from school he discovers a homeless DearS who, after fainting and much to his annoyance, he feeds and shelters in his apartment. The girl, who he nicknames Ren, is infantile and friendly, and grows obsequious and dependent upon Takeya, and calling him "Master", a responsibility he tries to disassociate himself from. Her oblivious tenacity keeps her around, however, and over time, realizing Ren's genuine care and empathy for him, Takeya has a change of heart. Unfortunately, because Ren is deemed defective, DearS headquarters orders her arrest.
The DearS ship contains beings that are genetically engineered as slaves, which is why there is never any search party sent out for the disabled ship. Because the DearS are very intelligent, they do not release this to the Earth public because of public distaste for slavery. Instead, they release the completed slave models into exchange student programs, in hopes of integrating themselves into society. A DearS will imprint itself onto one person, who becomes its "Master." Since a DearS' happiness is derived from serving a Master, the integrated DearS search for someone to serve.


==Characters==
A pod containing an incomplete DearS goes awry, and releases a DearS into the public. This DearS is functional, but lacks any knowledge save for her model number, which is "Ren Ren Ren Nagusaran Rensia Roroonren Nakora", because she is not complete and has not fulfilled the Earth Integration Program. This program is necessary for all DearS who are involved in the homestay program. In the DearS language, the term "Ren" actually means "nothing" or "zero." Takeya saves "Ren" from an oncoming truck, and she imprints on him. The remainder of the story focuses on the chaos that results from Ren's escape and her subsequent imprinting.
{{Main article|List of DearS characters}}
:


== Characters ==
==Media==
{{spoiler}}
;{{Nihongo|'''Takeya Ikuhara'''|幾原 武哉 | ''Ikuhara Takeya''}}
*{{anime voices | Kishô Taniyama | Taliesin Jaffe }}
: A hotheaded 17-year-old high school student, and the protagonist of ''DearS''. Takeya is unused to change, which makes his acceptance of the mysterious alien girl Ren all the more difficult (especially due to the fact that Neneko constantly showed him the [[Alien (film series)|''Alien'']] movies when they were children). But beneath his constant mask of indifference, he has a kind heart. Takeya tends to jump into things headfirst, and waste more time panicking about a problem than solving it. He also seems to lose his temper more often than he should, and as a result, has few close friends. At the end of the manga series, he does admit his feelings for Ren. He decides to go with the other DearS who had chosen to head out into space with Io. Ren of course, decides to stay by her love's side and joins him.


=== Manga ===
;{{Nihongo|'''Ren'''| レン|}}
''DearS'' began as a [[manga]] series co-written and illustrated by Banri Sendo and Shibuko Ebara, credited under their pen name [[Peach-Pit (manga artist duo)|Peach-Pit]], which was serialized in [[MediaWorks (publisher)|MediaWorks]]' ''[[Dengeki Comic Gao!]]'' manga magazine from October 2001 to November 2005. The manga was compiled into ten ''[[tankōbon]]'' volumes released by MediaWorks in Japan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.asciimw.jp/mediamix/dears/dears_gensaku.php |title=DearS manga |location=Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan |publisher=[[MediaWorks (publisher)|MediaWorks]] |access-date=November 26, 2009 |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214200254/http://archive.asciimw.jp/mediamix/dears/dears_gensaku.php |archive-date=February 14, 2009 }}</ref> The series was later translated into English and German by [[Tokyopop]], French by [[Semic Comics]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.groupetournon.com/vpc/946-dears |title=DearS |location=Nantes, France |publisher=Groupe Tournon |access-date=August 12, 2008 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915173810/http://www.groupetournon.com/vpc/946-dears |archive-date=September 15, 2008 }}</ref> and Italian by Flashbook Editore.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flashbook-edizioni.it/serie-dettaglio.asp?idserie=24 |title=DearS |location=Bologna, Italy |publisher=Flashbook Editore |access-date=August 12, 2008 |language=it |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625193908/http://www.flashbook-edizioni.it/serie-dettaglio.asp?idserie=24 |archive-date=June 25, 2008 }}</ref>
*{{anime voices | Ai Shimizu | Mia Bradly}}
: Takeya's devoted DearS, who was found by Takeya after her suspension pod was lost and broke open during transport. Initially she had no given name, but Takeya dubbed her "Ren" after the first word of her identification number—at which time she "imprinted" upon him. According to DearS law, a slave that chooses a master on her own is seen as having the 'Gift' and is considered sacred. In the DearS language, the word ''Ren'' means "zero" thereby making her one of the imperfect "Zero-Numbers", in which was not intended to be revealed to the public. Big-breasted and beautiful, she is a wonder to Takeya and his classmates, but constantly needs to be watched due to her inexperience with human customs and Japanese culture. Ren absorbed the Japanese language in a single night with a pile of textbooks and dictionaries from which Takeya planned to teach her. Her favorite food is [[melon bread]], for which she harbors a ravenous appetite. Her full name is "Ren Ren Ren Nagusaran Rensia Rurunnren Nakora" (レンレンレンナグサランレンシーア・ルルンンレン・ナコラ).


==== Volume list ====
:She does not understand the concept of love until the end of the manga series, after talking to a variety of people, and confesses her love to takeya, who eventually confesses his love for her as well. Ren is also considered as the 'Gate' in which all DearS respond to the emotions of the host populace, mainly the people of Earth. With her awakening, the DearS also gain back their ability to reproduce. Humorously, with Takeya being the ONLY male on the ship, Ren and the other DearS now have a new goal, making as many babies with Takeya as possible.
{{Graphic novel list/header
| Language = Japanese
| Width = 70%
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| VolumeNumber = 1
| OriginalRelDate = March 2002
| OriginalISBN = 978-4-8402-2086-6
| LicensedRelDate = January 11, 2005
| LicensedISBN = 978-1-59532-308-8
| ChapterList =
* Chapters 1–6
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| VolumeNumber = 2
| OriginalRelDate = September 27, 2002
| OriginalISBN = 978-4-8402-2206-8
| LicensedRelDate = April 12, 2005
| LicensedISBN = 978-1-59532-309-5
| ChapterList =
* Chapters 7–12
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| VolumeNumber = 3
| OriginalRelDate = March 2003
| OriginalISBN = 978-4-8402-2343-0
| LicensedRelDate = July 12, 2005
| LicensedISBN = 978-1-59532-310-1
| ChapterList =
* Chapters 13–18
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| VolumeNumber = 4
| OriginalRelDate = September 27, 2003
| OriginalISBN = 978-4-8402-2478-9
| LicensedRelDate = October 11, 2005
| LicensedISBN = 978-1-59532-311-8
| ChapterList =
* Chapters 19–23
* Extra Contact
* Spring Contact
* Character Gallery
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| VolumeNumber = 5
| OriginalRelDate = March 27, 2004
| OriginalISBN = 978-4-8402-2651-6
| LicensedRelDate = January 10, 2006
| LicensedISBN = 978-1-59532-797-0
| ChapterList =
* Chapters 24–28
* Setting Data Collection
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| VolumeNumber = 6
| OriginalRelDate = August 27, 2004
| OriginalISBN = 978-4-8402-2797-1
| LicensedRelDate = April 11, 2006
| LicensedISBN = 978-1-59532-798-7
| ChapterList =
* Chapters 29–33
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| VolumeNumber = 7
| OriginalRelDate = March 26, 2005
| OriginalISBN = 978-4-8402-3011-7
| LicensedRelDate = July 3, 2006
| LicensedISBN = 978-1-59816-185-4
| ChapterList =
* Chapters 34–39
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| VolumeNumber = 8
| OriginalRelDate = December 17, 2005
| OriginalISBN = 978-4-8402-3289-0
| LicensedRelDate = November 7, 2006
| LicensedISBN = 978-1-59816-861-7
| ChapterList =
* Chapters 40–46
* Later Contact
}}
{{Graphic novel list/footer}}


=== Anime ===
;{{Nihongo|'''Neneko Izumi'''|和泉 寧々子| ''Izumi Neneko''}}
{{Main article|List of DearS episodes}}
*{{anime voices |Chiwa Saito |Karen Thompson }}
''DearS'' was adapted into a twelve episode television and single [[original video animation]] [[anime]] by MSJ with co-production by [[Bandai Visual]], Geneon Entertainment, [[Lantis (company)|Lantis]] and TeaM DearS. The series was directed by Iku Suzuki.<ref>{{Harvnb| Clements & McCarthy|2014}}</ref> The series was broadcast on Chiba TV, TV Kanagawa, TV Saitama, Tokyo MX TV, TV Santerebi, TV Aichi and TVQ Kyushu<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.asciimw.jp/mediamix/dears/dears_anime.php |title=DearS アニメ情報 |location=Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan |publisher=MediaWorks, Inc. |access-date=November 26, 2009 |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214195730/http://archive.asciimw.jp/mediamix/dears/dears_anime.php |archive-date=February 14, 2009 }}</ref> from July 10 to September 26, 2004. Four DVD compilation volumes were released from August 2, 2005 to February 21, 2006. The anime's opening theme is {{Nihongo|"Love Slave"|ラブスレイブ}} by [[Under17]] and the ending theme is "Happy Cosmos" by Poppins. The anime has been re-licensed by [[Discotek Media]].
: Takeya's childhood friend. Incidentally, his landlord is also her father. Despite their constant bickering, the two are best friends, having known one another since childhood. Neneko generally serves as the balance and common sense of the duo, and often shows up during difficult situations that Takeya is too alarmed about to solve. She helps him out of tough times so often, in fact, that one wonders how he would ever get along without her. At the end of the manga, she reveals that she will be going to America to study fashion design. Near the end of the book she admits she has "unrequited love for Takeya but she had to let him go". She also says she is unable to become Takeya's bride when they are in the classroom talking about there goals in life.


=== Video game ===
;{{Nihongo|'''Mitsuka Yoshimine'''|芳峰 蜜香| ''Yoshimine Mitsuka''}}
A [[visual novel]] video game was developed and published by MediaWorks for the [[PlayStation 2]]. It was released on June 24, 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/data/919700.html|title=DearS|publisher=gamesfaqs.com|access-date=May 27, 2009}}</ref> It received a C rating by the [[Computer Entertainment Rating Organization]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.psmk2.net/ps2/soft_04/avg/dears.html|title=DearS(ディアーズ)|publisher=psmk2.net|access-date=November 27, 2009|language=ja}}</ref>
*{{anime voices |Kikuko Inoue | Wendee Lee}}
:The main characters' knockout teacher, Mitsuka is both intelligent and resourceful. She is also a shameless exhibitionist who spends more time conniving to "show off" to her students than she does teaching them English (Spanish in the English manga). Mitsuka also has a habit of popping up when it is least convenient to Takeya and company, usually turning normal conversation into an overly embarrassing situation. At times though, she does show surprising insight concerning the relationships of others, especially between Ren and Takeya.


==References==
;{{Nihongo|'''Hikorou Oikawa'''|及川彦郎| ''Oikawa Hikorō''}}
{{reflist}}
*{{anime voices |Kappei Yamaguchi |}}
: A male friend of Takeya's—though apart from being in the same class, the two have little in common. The #1 member of the "DearS Love Club", Oihiko is extremely interested in DearS, particularly female ones; he harbors an especially deep infatuation with Ren. Though goofy and more than a little shallow, at heart he remains a decent young man.


; Book references
;{{Nihongo|'''Miu'''|ミゥ|}}
* {{ cite book
*{{anime voices |Mai Nakahara | Michelle Ruff }}
| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E03KBgAAQBAJ
: The "official" DearS exchange student to Takeya's high school, and Ren's main rival. She was seen as a "fake" upon arrival, due to an enrollment mix-up with Ren entering the school. Eventually, she took it upon herself to train Ren to become a better DearS. This tutoring has the unpredicted side-effect of her seemingly developing feelings for Takeya. She initially mistakes this as the "Gift", though she later realizes that she was experiencing love. Miu has a bit of a tragic past when she was younger, when her former master was brutally murdered and she was unable to do anything to save him, despite her best efforts. She later decided in the manga to join Io into space to find someone to truly love, since Takeya and Ren are already in love with each other. Her full name is "Sia Nostal Ren Naguregyug Thanast Useim Ruki Miu" (シーアノスタルレンナグレグユグ・タナスト・ァウセーム・ルキ・ミゥ).
| title=The Anime Encyclopedia, 3rd Revised Edition: A Century of Japanese Animation
| author-last1=Clements | author-first1=Jonathan | author-link1=Jonathan Clements
| author-last2=McCarthy | author-first2=Helen | author-link2=Helen McCarthy
| publisher=Stone Bridge Press
| year=2014
| isbn= 9781611729092
| pages = 1200
| no-pp = y
| ref={{harvid|Clements & McCarthy|2014}}
}}


==External links==
;{{Nihongo|'''Khi'''|キィ|}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100914224154/http://archive.asciimw.jp/mediamix/dears/index.php Official website] {{in lang|ja}}
*{{anime voices |Miyuki Sawashiro |Yuri Lowenthal }}
* {{anime News Network|manga|4203}}
: A male DearS exchange student who goes to the same school as Takeya's sister Natsuki. He is something of a black sheep amongst the DearS colony and is generally soft-spoken, and perhaps for that reason is sent on assignments to clear up various mix-ups and solve sensitive DearS-related matters, including bearing witness to a duel and retrieving the forgetful Nia from Takeya Ikuhara's apartment. He stays behind on Earth when the other DearS leave with Io.
* {{anime News Network|anime|4080}}


{{Peach-Pit}}
;{{Nihongo|'''Natsuki Ikuhara'''|幾原菜月| ''Ikuhara Natsuki''}}
{{Dengeki Maoh}}
*{{anime voices |Ryoko Shintani | Jennifer Sekiguchi }}
{{Daume}}
: Takeya's little sister, who has been away overseas. She cozies up to Ren at first, but after hearing Ren refer to herself as Takeya's "slave", she starts to hate Ren, ''and'' pummels her big brother for "being a pervert". This is a significant change from the stereotypical "cute little sister" character prevalent in anime.

;{{Nihongo|'''Harumi Ikuhara'''|幾原晴海| ''Ikuhara Harumi''}}
*{{anime voices |Mariko Suzuki |Kirsten Potter }}
: Takeya's stepmother, and one of the few people who can keep the rambunctious Natsuki in line, as well as the one who taught Natsuki all of the techniques that she uses to beat her big brother up with, or so it appears. It is also implied that Takeya and Harumi could have fallen in love but before Takeya can say these words Harumi sticks a cherry tomato in his mouth and says "it doesn't matter now I am your mother". Harumi is a truly funny character with her own "personal attacks", as "Harumi-driver"

;{{Nihongo|'''Hirofumi Nonaka'''|野仲宏史| ''Nonaka Hirofumi''}}
*{{anime voices |Junichi Suwabe |}}
: The playboy of Koharu High School. When Takeya's actions put Ren in doubt of his feelings for her, Hiro tries to seduce her away from her master. Even when he admits to "really liking" Ren, (the closest he'll ever admit to loving someone), Ren still only thinks of him as a friend. Eventually, Hiro gives up on her, and to his horror, Xaki has now formed an attachment to him, and makes any girl too scared to approach Hiro. In the Japanese version, Hiro-kun usually call girls "Koneko-chan" whatever their real names are. The word means something close to "kitty".

;{{Nihongo|'''Xaki'''|ザキ|}}
*{{anime voices |Hiroaki Hirata |Patrick Seitz }}
: The "Biter" sent by the DearS colony to retrieve Ren. Unlike the other DearS, he is tall and muscular, and apparently quite versed in hand-to-hand combat—or so we hear. He is Nia's master.

;{{Nihongo |'''Nia'''|ニア|}}
*{{anime voices |Yukari Tamura | Carrie Savage }}
: Xaki's somewhat catlike apprentice. She is quite a flake, and often forgets her assignments. As seen in some parts of the anime, she is also quite klutzy, but agile when she needs to be. She manages to befriend both Takeya and his little sister Natsuki, and when Ren is kidnapped by Rubi in the manga, Nia even helps Takeya venture inside the DearS ship to find her. She always ends her sentences with her trademark nonsense syllable "nii". She decided to join Io into outer space as Xaki, her teacher, stays behind.

;{{Nihongo|'''Rubi'''|ルビ|Ruvi}}
*{{anime voices |Megumi Toyoguchi |Victoria Harwood }}
: The somewhat dominatrix-like "Barker", she is second-in-command of the DearS colony. Quite busty like Ren, she is almost never seen without her whip in hand. She assigns the "Biter" Xaki to retrieve Ren. She is subservient to Fina and stays with her on Earth.

;{{Nihongo|'''Ayu'''|アユ|}}
: A DearS visiting from another town. She seems to speak with a Kansai dialect, meaning she might be homestaying in a town near Osaka. She also forms a friendship with Natsuki right off the bat, even helping her sell ''takoyaki'' at the Koharu Summer Festival.

;{{Nihongo|'''Fina'''|フィナ|}}
: Known as "Lady Fina" to the other DearS. Her official position is that of the "Watcher", and she seems to be the leader of the DearS colony; even Rubi bows to her. She does not awaken until volume 5 of the manga, and seems to support Takeya taking Ren in as his slave. In fact, she immediately orders Rubi to stop trying to recapture Ren.

:Fina seems to be the oldest of the DearS seen so far, and knows almost everything there is to know about the DearS and their "society". Fina can be quite flaky. She also seems to be narcoleptic, seeming to always doze off at the most inopportune times. Eventually, she decides to stay behind on Earth to watch over the DearS that remain on the planet.

;{{Nihongo|'''China''' | チナ|}}
* Voiced by: [[Haruko Momoi]] (Japanese)
: A DearS unique to the manga and PlayStation 2 game. Like Ren, she is also a "Zero Numbers" and much younger than any of the DearS previously seen. She is known to Earthling scientists as "Sample B7", and has been charged with retrieving another escaped "Zero Numbers", only known as "Sample A2". During her very brief foray into the outside world, she mistakes Ren for her target. She goes out into space with Ren, Takeya and the others.

;{{Nihongo|'''Io'''|イオ |}}
: A young DearS who appears to Takeya on the roof of his school in volume 6 of the manga. She can only say one word: "Ren". It is later revealed that she is the mysterious "Sample A2" that China was sent to retrieve. It is also revealed that her ability to manipulate gravity is phenomenally powerful—strong enough to levitate Takeya's entire apartment building. She may also possess the ability of [[teleportation]]. She eventually matures into the second DearS Watcher, and decided to take her people in search of a new host populace.

;{{Nihongo|'''Takezou Ikuhara'''|幾原 武造 | ''Ikuhara Takezou''}}
: Takeya's father. He only appears in the later volumes of the manga. He's a scientist who had discovered that Ren was the key to saving the DearS .

== Manga ==
* Volume 1 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-8402-2086-7; English Edition: ISBN 1-59532-308-2)
* Volume 2 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-8402-2206-1; English Edition: ISBN 1-59532-309-0)
* Volume 3 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-8402-2343-2; English Edition: ISBN 1-59532-310-4)
* Volume 4 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-8402-2478-1; English Edition: ISBN 1-59532-311-2)
* Volume 5 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-8402-2651-2; English Edition: ISBN 1-59532-797-5)
* Volume 6 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-8402-2797-7; English Edition: ISBN 1-59532-798-3)
* Volume 7 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-8402-3011-0; English Edition: ISBN 1-59816-185-7)
* Volume 8 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-8402-3289-X; English Edition: ISBN 1-59816-861-4)

==Anime Episode Guide==
*1st Contact: 「甘噛みたいの」''I Want to Nibble Sweetly''
*2nd Contact: 「小さかったかしら」''I Wonder If It's Small''
*3rd Contact: 「たま！たま！」''Ball! Ball!''
*4th Contact: 「口をふけ」''Wipe Your Mouth''
*5th Contact: 「トギ……？」''Partners?''
*6th Contact: 「欲求不満ですわ」''I'm Frustrated''
*7th Contact: 「いやらしい……」''Pervert''
*8th Contact: 「マ、マイ・ボール…」''M... My Ball''
*9th Contact: 「ちくっとした」''It Stung''
*10th Contact: 「らんこーするですに！」''We'll Have An Orgy-nii!''
*11th Contact: 「経験……してみる？」''You Want To ...... Experience It?''
*12th Contact: 「……しかも熱かった」''...... Besides, It Was Hot?''
*13th Contact: 「金の玉ですの？」''Is It A Golden Ball?'' (Unaired original 10th episode)

==Theme Songs==
*Anime OP: "Love Slave" (ラブスレイブ) by [[Under17]]
*Anime ED: "HAPPY COSMOS" by [[PoppinS]]

== DearS and Chobits ==

''DearS'' is often criticized for a number of alleged flaws, such as having shallow characters, excessive fan service and a somewhat unoriginal plot (which may not be complete). The concept of a race of perfect, beautiful beings with the sole purpose of serving mankind has previously been explored by series such as ''[[Chobits]]'', to which ''DearS'' is commonly compared. Some claim that Ren is little more than a copy of ''Chobits'''s Chii, with a larger chest and fewer inhibitions, and Takeya as a much more caustic and modest version of Hideki Motosuwa; various other comparisons between the series' characters and storylines have also been drawn. Even with the comparisons ''DearS'' is still seen as an original by many fans.

== Guest Appearance ==
In the 7th volume of the DearS manga Shinku and Suigintou, from [[Rozen Maiden]], make a guest appearance at a doll festival. Neneko is the one that made Shinku and tells Takeya that she
copied the design off of an anime that she saw. As for Suigintou she is standing next to Shinku on the display table. The manga didn't say that Suigintou was made by Neneko, but she is on Neneko's display so one would guess that she made Suigintou as well.

== Market availability ==
A [[PlayStation 2]] game based on the series was made for the Japanese market. It is a typical "dating sim"-type game. The player plays as Takeya Ikuhara, and basically lives the events of the anime and manga. The game introduces a new purple-haired DearS named "China" (チナ), who, like Ren, moves in with Takeya. It is predicted that you will have to choose one of the DearS at the end to pair off with.

The game received a [[Computer Entertainment Rating Organization|CERO]] 15 rating.

In the North American market, [[Tokyopop]] has distributed the translated manga since January 2005 and [[Geneon]] has licensed the anime series for DVD release and as of 2006 has released the entire series on 4 DVD volumes.

==References==
<div class="references-small">
<references />
</div>

==External links==
* [http://www.team-dears.com Official site (in Japanese)]
* [http://www.animeondvd.com/news/archives.php?datearch=0205 Geneon licenses DearS]
* {{ann anime|id=4080}}


[[Category:2002 manga]]
[[Category:2004 anime television series debuts]]
[[Category:2004 video games]]
[[Category:2004 video games]]
[[Category:Comedy anime]]
[[Category:2005 anime OVAs]]
[[Category:Comedy manga]]
[[Category:Bandai Visual]]
[[Category:Romance anime]]
[[Category:Dengeki Comic Gao!]]
[[Category:Romance manga]]
[[Category:Extraterrestrials in anime and manga]]
[[Category:Science fiction anime]]
[[Category:Geneon USA]]
[[Category:Science fiction manga]]
[[Category:Japan-exclusive video games]]
[[Category:Kadokawa Dwango franchises]]
[[Category:Peach-Pit]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2-only games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2-only games]]
[[Category:Japan exclusive video games]]
[[Category:Shōnen manga]]
[[Category:Tokyopop]]
[[Category:Tokyopop titles]]
[[Category:Shōnen]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]

[[de:DearS]]
[[fr:Dears]]
[[it:DearS]]
[[ja:DearS]]
[[pt:DearS]]
[[sv:DearS]]
[[th:เดียร์ส อลวนรักจากฟากฟ้า]]

Latest revision as of 19:27, 9 September 2024

DearS
Cover art of first Tokyopop manga featuring Ren
ディアーズ
(Diāzu)
GenreRomantic comedy, science fiction
Manga
Written byPeach-Pit
Published byMediaWorks
English publisher
MagazineDengeki Comic Gao! → Dengeki Maoh
DemographicShōnen
Original runOctober 2001 – November 2005
Volumes8 (List of volumes)
Anime television series
Directed byIku Suzuki
Produced byHisanori Kunisaki
Nobuhiro Ōsawa
Takayasu Hatano
Written byTakao Yoshioka
Music byTomoki Hasegawa
StudioDaume
Licensed by
Original networkTelevision Kanagawa, Chiba TV
Original run July 10, 2004 – September 26, 2004
Episodes13 (List of episodes)
Video game
DeveloperMediaWorks
PublisherMediaWorks
GenreVisual novel
PlatformPlayStation 2
ReleasedJune 24, 2004

DearS (ディアーズ, Diāzu) is an ecchi shōnen Japanese manga series co-written and illustrated by Banri Sendo and Shibuko Ebara, credited under their pen name Peach-Pit. It was serialized monthly by MediaWorks in their magazines Dengeki Comic Gao! from October 2001 to September 2005 and Dengeki Maoh from October to November 2005 and was later published into ten volumes by the company. The manga was licensed and translated into English by Tokyopop. A 13-episode anime was adapted by MSJ and a PlayStation 2 video game was produced by MediaWorks.[1]

Plot

[edit]

Exactly one year prior to the beginning of DearS, humanity made unprecedented contact with extraterrestrial life. Forced to crash land into Tokyo Bay when, en route to their home planet of Thanatos, their spacecraft breaks down, 150 humanoid aliens are naturalized into Japanese society and affectionately nicknamed "DearS"; a portmanteau of the words "Dear" and "Friends". The crashed aliens consist entirely of individuals from a genetically modified "slave race" designed to enjoy slavery.

Takeya Ikuhara is a temperamental seventeen-year-old Japanese student attending the fictitious Koharu High School with a strong prejudice against the DearS. Due to a childhood scare, he believes that the aliens are fake, worthless beings that have generated nationwide overhype and are secretly plotting to take control of Earth.

On his way home from school he discovers a homeless DearS who, after fainting and much to his annoyance, he feeds and shelters in his apartment. The girl, who he nicknames Ren, is infantile and friendly, and grows obsequious and dependent upon Takeya, and calling him "Master", a responsibility he tries to disassociate himself from. Her oblivious tenacity keeps her around, however, and over time, realizing Ren's genuine care and empathy for him, Takeya has a change of heart. Unfortunately, because Ren is deemed defective, DearS headquarters orders her arrest.

Characters

[edit]
Main article: List of DearS characters

Media

[edit]

Manga

[edit]

DearS began as a manga series co-written and illustrated by Banri Sendo and Shibuko Ebara, credited under their pen name Peach-Pit, which was serialized in MediaWorks' Dengeki Comic Gao! manga magazine from October 2001 to November 2005. The manga was compiled into ten tankōbon volumes released by MediaWorks in Japan.[2] The series was later translated into English and German by Tokyopop, French by Semic Comics[3] and Italian by Flashbook Editore.[4]

Volume list

[edit]
No. Original release date Original ISBN English release date English ISBN
1 March 2002978-4-8402-2086-6January 11, 2005978-1-59532-308-8
  • Chapters 1–6
2 September 27, 2002978-4-8402-2206-8April 12, 2005978-1-59532-309-5
  • Chapters 7–12
3 March 2003978-4-8402-2343-0July 12, 2005978-1-59532-310-1
  • Chapters 13–18
4 September 27, 2003978-4-8402-2478-9October 11, 2005978-1-59532-311-8
  • Chapters 19–23
  • Extra Contact
  • Spring Contact
  • Character Gallery
5 March 27, 2004978-4-8402-2651-6January 10, 2006978-1-59532-797-0
  • Chapters 24–28
  • Setting Data Collection
6 August 27, 2004978-4-8402-2797-1April 11, 2006978-1-59532-798-7
  • Chapters 29–33
7 March 26, 2005978-4-8402-3011-7July 3, 2006978-1-59816-185-4
  • Chapters 34–39
8 December 17, 2005978-4-8402-3289-0November 7, 2006978-1-59816-861-7
  • Chapters 40–46
  • Later Contact

Anime

[edit]
Main article: List of DearS episodes

DearS was adapted into a twelve episode television and single original video animation anime by MSJ with co-production by Bandai Visual, Geneon Entertainment, Lantis and TeaM DearS. The series was directed by Iku Suzuki.[5] The series was broadcast on Chiba TV, TV Kanagawa, TV Saitama, Tokyo MX TV, TV Santerebi, TV Aichi and TVQ Kyushu[6] from July 10 to September 26, 2004. Four DVD compilation volumes were released from August 2, 2005 to February 21, 2006. The anime's opening theme is "Love Slave" (ラブスレイブ) by Under17 and the ending theme is "Happy Cosmos" by Poppins. The anime has been re-licensed by Discotek Media.

Video game

[edit]

A visual novel video game was developed and published by MediaWorks for the PlayStation 2. It was released on June 24, 2004.[7] It received a C rating by the Computer Entertainment Rating Organization.[8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "DearS game" (in Japanese). Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan: MediaWorks, Inc. Archived from the original on December 1, 2010. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
  2. ^ "DearS manga" (in Japanese). Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan: MediaWorks. Archived from the original on February 14, 2009. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
  3. ^ "DearS" (in French). Nantes, France: Groupe Tournon. Archived from the original on September 15, 2008. Retrieved August 12, 2008.
  4. ^ "DearS" (in Italian). Bologna, Italy: Flashbook Editore. Archived from the original on June 25, 2008. Retrieved August 12, 2008.
  5. ^ Clements & McCarthy 2014
  6. ^ "DearS アニメ情報" (in Japanese). Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan: MediaWorks, Inc. Archived from the original on February 14, 2009. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
  7. ^ "DearS". gamesfaqs.com. Retrieved May 27, 2009.
  8. ^ "DearS(ディアーズ)" (in Japanese). psmk2.net. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
Book references
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=DearS&oldid=1244885192"