Amano Jyaku

Amano Jyaku (AMANO Jyaku) is a fictional character, and the titular protagonist of Urotsukidōji ("wandering child"). A renegade man-beast, Amano has spent the past three hundred years scouring the planet for the Chōjin ("Super-Deity").

In every edition of the saga, Amano has been voiced by Tomohiro Nishimura in the Japanese versions. In the English versions of Legend of the Overfiend and Legend of the Demon Womb, he was voiced by an actor credited as "Christopher Courage," however his voice is significantly different in Legend of the Demon Womb, making it unlikely that the original English actor reprised his role. His English actor was uncredited in Return of the Overfiend and Urotsuki, and Amano was voiced by Mark Blackburn in Inferno Road.

History

Sometime in the 17th century, Amano Jyaku began his search for the Chōjin in the human realm - it is not known whether Megumi Amano or Kuroko accompanied him. Also, during this time, he must have encountered Suikakujyu and started of his infamous rivalry with him.

Little is known up to 1923, where he foiled Suikakujyu's attempt to destroy the Chōjin using a water demon. Unfortunately, it triggered off the Great Kanto Earthquake and Tokyo suffered heavy losses.

Cut to Osaka, in the late eighties/early nineties, and Amano Jyaku's quest for the Chōjin has taken him to Myojin University. It is here that he, Megumi and Kuroko encounter Tatsuo Nagumo and Akemi Ito. From the outset, Amano believes Ozaki to be the Chōjin. However, it transpires that Ozaki merely had some of the Chōjin's power and Amano soon realises that Nagumo is his prime suspect.

From here on Amano becomes the unofficial protector of the Chōjin and becomes the defender of all that is right and moral - or so he thinks...

Analysis

From the beginning of Legend of the Overfiend Amano Jyaku automatically draws the audience's attention completely on him and his screen presence does him a lot of justice.

Many are drawn to him because of his anti-hero persona: though he is the main character of Urotsukidōji, there are certain actions he takes that make him appear sexist, headstrong and - at times - unpleasant. For example, he watches Akemi's rape scene seemingly with pleasure and prevents Nagumo from interfering.

Yet as the story unfolds, his character becomes more likeable and more emotional and not just your average anti-hero.

Pop Culture References

A line of Amano's from the third Overfiend OVA is sampled in the first White Zombie album.