Houshin Engi Episodes: 26 Genre: Drama Creator: Fujisaki Ryuu Age Rating: 13 and up Commercial Release: ADV Films

(Also known as "Soul Hunters")

Overview:
During the Yin Dynasty 3000 years ago in ancient China, a young doushi (spirit inhabitant) named Taikoubou takes on a mission to complete the "Houshin Project", which seems like a typical task for him to become a sennin (deity). However, things get to be larger than Taikoubou thinks, as a revolution to overthrow the Yin Dynasty is revealed, gods and celestial beings become involved, and the true nature of the "Houshin Project" is revealed...

Some Characters of Note:

Special thanks to Houshin.Net for granting permission for these pictures to be used.

Taikoubou : A young doushi (inhabitant of the spirit world) who is shouldered with the task of completing the "Houshin Project" - sealing away the evil servants of Dakki with his powers. In this way, Taikoubou can become a sennin, or deity. Taikoubou is pretty intelligent when it counts, but much of the time, he seems immature, lazy, and generally unmotivated. As he meets companions in his journeys, however, his trials and tribulations help him to mature.

Subuuxiuan : Taikoubou's perpetually happy sidekick, he refers to Taikoubou as "Goshujin" (master) and is responsible for transporting Taikoubou in his travels to complete the "Houshin Project". It's unclear as to what exactly Subuuxiuan is, though it is said that he is a mixture of different animals. Regardless, this animal spirit is a faithful companion to Taikoubou. Subuuxiuan also carries around a mysterious-looking crystal ball in his hand. The powers and extent of the crystal ball's magic are at first unknown to everyone, including Subuuxiuan himself.

Dakki : Taikoubou's nemesis, and one of the main villains of the story, Dakki has used her powers and her skill in seduction to get the Emperor of the Yin Dynasty, Chuuou, under her control. Dakki's origins and true purpose are unknown at first, but she and her servants are doing all they can to further their own purposes and, of course, stop Taikoubou and his friends from completing the "Houshin Project". She uses the imperial court as her headquarters and has complete control over it.

Shinkouhyou : A doushi with formidable powers, Shinkouhyou is also the unofficial "narrator" of the story. He resides in the Yin Imperial Court and stays next to Dakki, but his loyalty to her, or to anyone for that matter, is unclear. He shows no visible interest in the conflict that eventually arises other than to do things that would make it more "intriguing" for his tastes. Taikoubou has a run-in with him in his first battle.