Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan Demon Capital is the second season of Nura, and there’s plenty of scary goodness to kick us off! There’s something old (an evil fox-demon from 400 years ago), something new (shocking twists about the Nura clan’s history), something borrowed (secret Fear techniques) and something blue (that foot-long head of hair)! Wowza—guess you can’t keep a good quarter-ghost down! 

Easing into the main plotline with a brief story from Rikuo childhood, the show continues where we last left off. Nura himself is now building his Yokai clan, Yura’s gone back to training, and the rest of the school gang remains adorably clueless. Unfortunately for them, the plot arrives in the form of Yura’s older brother, out to call her back to the fold… though not before some attempted Yokai extermination! Unable to keep both his secret and his life, Nura transforms at sunset, revealing his true identity to Yura! Kiiiiinda awkward…

Before leaving, Yura’s bro passes along that the Yokai Hagoromo-Gitsune has returned to Kyoto. Thereafter, we’re treated to a flashback from Nurarihyon. Turns out that Hagoromo-Gitsune, a female fox-demoness with the power of reincarnation, played a key role in the Nura Clan’s rise to power…and is the one who axed Rikuo's father. One principal of Yokai jutsu holds that especially powerful human livers can increase a Yokai’s power exponentially. Princess Yo, a young lady of noble birth, possessed such a liver, along with the power to heal any injury or disease. Yet while her father was raking it in by exploiting those desperate to save their loved ones, Nurarihyon was busy putting the moves on the young lady.

Hagoromo-Gitsune (then incarnated as real-life noblewoman Lady Yodo) coveted Princess Yo's liver and arranged for her capture.  Hagoromo-Gitsune had already been gorging herself on the finest livers available, seeking their power for her as-yet unborn son. But even a queen of Yokai had better watch herself when she captures Nurarihyon's woman! The result of their struggle set in motion the events that led to the current storyline and Rikuo! 

After hearing the truth and watching Yura leave, Rikuo naturally ready to don his red coat and have himself a foxhunt. Nurarihyon, however, knows he’d do about as well against Hagoromo-Gitsune as a freshly cooked sausage would against a hungry vulpine, and so ships him off to the rural Tono Village so the Ninja Yokai can train him in the ways of Fear. It’s not easy for the Third Heir to accept his new place at the bottom of the food chain, but when he’s attacked by emissaries of Hagoromo-Gitsune out on a Yokai drafting mission, Rikuo discovers the true shape of his fear: Kyoukasuigetsu—the power of illusion.

Unfortunately, Hagoromo-Gitsune’s decided not to abide by the ‘villain-sits-in-her-chair-until-the-last-minute’ standard, and begins her invasion by breaking the Fifth Seal (of eight) that keeps the country at peace. But even as the other onmyōj move to counter her, Rikuo realizes that he’s out of time and so returns to the Nura clan with his new friends in tow. From there, it’s all-out war with shifting sides, betrayal, cunning schemes, and lots and lots of epic fights!

The entire DVD set was a pretty fun romp through shonen-land. The animation’s very pretty, the character designs are both unique and distinctive, and the storyline’s smooth and pretty much follows the manga. The choice to start with a flashback to Nura’s childhood also makes it easier for newcomers to pick up. (Not that you shouldn’t still watch Season 1!) The Yokai designs alone make this DVD set a must-buy!

Bottom Line: if you want awesome fights, stunning visuals and good old-fashioned shonen fun, check out Nura: Rise of The Yokai Clan Demon Capital, available now from Viz in DVD and Blu-Ray!

English & Japanese DTS-HD Audio / English Subtitles
Episodes: 1–13
Special Features: Omake, Production Art
Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan Demon Capital DVD and Blu-ray Set 1 is available here! 

© Hiroshi Shiibashi／SHUEISHA,NuramakyoProject 

by Chris Turner