Written by Reiji Saiga Episodes 13 | Illustrated by Sora Inoue Music by Takeshi Yasuda | |
Original run January 1997 – July 2010 Publishers Tokyopop (NA), Fujimi Shobo |
Samurai Girl: Real Bout High School (Japanese: 召喚教師リアルバウトハイスクール, Hepburn: Shoukan Kyoushi Riaru Bauto Hai Sukūru) is a Japanese light novel series written by Reiji Saiga and illustrated by Sora Inoue. It was serialized in Dragon Magazine from 1997 to 2010. A manga adaptation by the same authors was serialized in Monthly Comic Dragon from 1998 to 2001. A 13-episode anime television series was produced by Gonzo in 2001. It is set in a school called Daimon High, where disagreements among the student body are settled by martial arts matches called K-Fights. (The "K" stands for kenka, meaning "street fight".)
Contents
Light novels

The series in which both the manga, and the anime is based upon is the light novel series, written by Reiji Saiga. Original name is Shoukan Kyoushi Real bout High School (召喚教師リアルバウトハイスクール), and unlike the manga and anime, it centres around a teacher who works in Daimon high school. The main story line has 19 volumes, the EX line has 5 volumes, and the ED line has 3 volumes. However, the characters that appear in the novel are more or less identical to the manga and anime (with a few minor adjustments).
Manga

The story revolves around a school that doesn't break up fights, but rather, they grade them. The story introduces Ryoko Mitsurugi, Daimon High's Current reigning K-Fight Champion and self described Samurai Girl. It also introduces Shizuma Kusunagi, a traveling Street Fighter with mysterious powers. The manga, while comedic in the beginning, becomes more serious as Ryoko and Shizuma find themselves caught up in the machinations of several student councils and a criminal organization with Ryoko teaming up with a band of female fighters named after the historical Shinsengumi.
Anime

The events in the anime series take place after those in the manga (with several events moved). Ryoko Mitsurugi is the current K-Fight champion, whose skill at Kendo and her love for samurai dramas has led her to be known as the "Samurai Girl". One day, Ryoko finds a strange pendant which transports her to another dimension called Solvania, where she is expected to fight monsters. This is part of a bigger plot to revive Solvania the strong.
Characters
Ryoko Mitsurugi

Shizuma Kusanagi

Sara Himekawa
Shizuma's friend with the blonde hair.Hitomi Yuuki
Ryoko's best friend with the glasses. She supports Ryoko in times of need. Although she attends a school that has K-Fights, she does not have any martial arts abilities.Daisaku Kamiya
Ryoko's number one fan. He is a bit of a stalker but helps her. He follows Ryoko around with either a camera or a camcorder.Azumi Kiribayashi
Azumi is a senior at Daimon High School and the head of the Flower Arrangement Club. Azumi likes to annoy Ryoko by being a rival for Tatsuya's affections. She uses a naginata as her primary weapon.Tatsuya Shishikura
Captain of the Kendo team. Ryoko and Azumi are fighting for his affections. He moves away in the middle of the manga (something that has not happened in the anime).Miyuki Onizuka
A girl who resides at the Hiten Shrine. She has a small appearance in the manga.Tessai Onizuka
Miyuki's grandfather and head of the Hiten Shrine. He teaches Ryoko the way of the sword, to be specific, the Hiten Style. He suggests Ryoko to keep using the bokken as it is two weapons in one.Keichiro Nagumo
(Anime Only) A mysterious fighter who created and championed the K-Fight system. Due to his travels overseas, he has fought against many martial artists. Like Shizuma, He possesses the fists of kamui. Only his technique, Shinken, uses energy based techniques. He is looking for the man who taught Shizuma. Later in the series, it is revealed that he and Willard Gates have had a long standing feud.Reiha
(Anime Only) She is a war priestess that appears to Ryoko and the gang. She is from an alternate dimension called Solvania.Takao Todo
Daimon High's principal, an avid supporter of the K-Fight system and in the anime, former teacher to Nagumo.Tamaki Nakamura
Daimon High School's fast talking K-fight announcer.Miann Cubie
She works for Willard Gates and has an interest in Ryoko's fighting.Willard Gates
The antagonist in the series. He and Nagumo have been long-time rivals.Shinsengumi In the manga, Ryoko teams up with a group of girls for some group fights.
Movie adaptation attempt
In the early 2000s, Tokyopop had plans for a live-action version of Real Bout High School with Melissa Joan Hart.