Rikuo Nura

Bridging the gap between the graphic novel and Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha.

Twelve-year-old Rikuo Nura would be like any other boy his age if it weren’t for one small thing—the blood of a yokai runs through his veins! Yokai are supernatural creatures that dwell in the shadows and strike fear into the hearts of humans. As the grandson of the Supreme Commander Nurarihyon, Rikuo must bear the burden of leading the clan into the next generation. Reigning over the world of the night will be no small task, but he’s prepared to give it all he’s got!

The past meets the present as the history of the legendary sword Nenekirimaru, is recounted. Created by the onmyoji of the Keikain clan, the powerful sword can only cut through yokai, making it an especially valuable weapon. A few hundred years ago, it was given to the beautiful Princess Yo, whom Nurarihyon falls in love with. When he rescues her from the clutches of the evil Hagoromo-Gitsune, she returns his affection, and the two get married. 

Nurarihyon	Princess Yo	Hagoromo-Gitsune

Back in the present, Yura Keikain is summoned back to Osaka for an urgent task. She must help locate and destroy the reincarnation of Hagoromo-Gitsune, the evil yokai that was defeated by Nurarihyon centuries ago. Rikuo wants to join the fight, but his grandfather stops him and sends him off for training. He finds himself in Tono Village, a place he can only escape once he learns how to cut through his opponent’s “fear.”

In Kyoto, the spirit of Yura’s ancestor, Hidemoto Keikain, tells Rikuo and allies of Hagoromo-Gitsune’s ultimate objective—to give birth to a child. Shortly afterwards, the group meets their first major opponent – the ghastly Tsuchigumo. In order to win, Kurotabo teaches Rikuo the art of Equip, a special attack that allows him to wear the fear of his allies like a cloak. Can Rikuo defeat this bloodthirsty villain, who takes Yuki-Onna away as his hostage?

Yura Keikain	Hidemoto Keikain	Tsuchigumo	Kurotabo	Yuki-Onna

Unable to prevent the birth of Hagoromo-Gitsune’s child, Rikuo and the team battle it out against the evil villain and her minions. Just when it looks like their luck’s run out, the enemy is defeated...by none other than Hagoromo’s son, Nue! Nue was once Abe no Seimei, the son of Hagoromo-Gitsune in an earlier lifetime. He turns out to be an even greater foe than they imagined, but his body begins to disintegrate shortly after the fight begins. His figure is unable to sustain its form in the human world, so he retreats to the underworld to recuperate, promising to return again someday.

Hidemoto predicts that it will be a year before the Nue returns, and Rikuo immediately becomes the Nura clan’s new leader in order to prepare. Shortly thereafter, Rikuo leaves the shattered remains of the Nenekirimaru sword in the hands of Akifusa, a talented swordsmith from the Keikain clan, who promises to remake it stronger than ever before.

Nue	Akifusa Keikain

With the threat of Nue a year away, a new threat from long ago reemerges—the Hyaku Monogatari clan. This clan was known for fabricating, collecting, and spreading scary tales, which gave birth to new yokai through the fear they caused in humans. They were defeated a long time ago by Rihan (Rikuo’s father) and Kurotabo years ago, but their leader, Sanmoto, has been waiting patiently for his chance to be revived once again. His clan has even stirred up a new rumor that all of Japan will be destroyed unless Rikuo Nura is annihilated to aid their ascent to power!

Rihan Nura	Sanmoto

When Rikuo finally confronts the leader of the Hyaku Monogatari clan, they propose a challenge for the young master to overcome. If he can find and defeat their leaders before dawn, they will stop their rampage of evil. However, there’s a catch: all the humans of Tokyo will be out for his blood! While Rikuo fights his way through what seems to be a hopeless situation, Kiyotsugu has a mission of his own. He sets out to clear Rikuo’s name among the public, showing them he’s not quite the villain they think he is!

When Rikuo and his comrades finally reach the mastermind behind the operation, a man named Encho, they discover the final form of the resurrected Sanmoto. He seems to be powerful to the point of invincibility, and nothing they do can put a dent in him. After their fight with Encho, they find out that not only is Encho still at large, but he’s got a few new subordinates as well—Nue’s descendants, who will do whatever it takes to ensure his return to the world of the living!

After their clash with the Hyaku Monogatari clan, Ryuji Keikain has a message he’s come to deliver to Rikuo himself. The spirit blade Nenekirimaru, which was destroyed during the battle with Hagoromo-Gitsune, has been fully repaired to its former state! Rikuo is finally able to wield the mythical sword once again, but first he’s got to make the journey to retrieve it!

Kiyotsugu	Encho	Ryuji Keikain

Is the Nura clan ready for their showdown with Nue? Find out what happens in Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha!

Related Links:
Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan
Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha
Catch-Up Coverage
Warp into SJ Alpha

by Julie Lutz