Zenki

Synopsis

Long long ago, Ozunu Enno (役 小角, Enno Ozunu), the great Bodhisattva of Japan, controlled the Demon Gods to defeat the Demon Goddess Karuma. After Karuma's defeat, he sealed away one of his Demon Gods, Zenki, in a pillar until needed again.

Centuries later, his direct descendant, a school girl named Chiaki Enno (役 小明, Enno Chiaki) (or Cherry Night in some dubs) is able to free Zenki, although the demon currently has the form of a bratty demon child. To transform this extremely defiant demon into the form that made him useful by her ancestor, she uses a bracelet that appeared on her wrist when servants of Karuma broke the seal that imprisoned a seed of Karuma. Zenki reawakens because the seeds of Karuma (which look like eyeballs) start appearing and turning people into monsters and Zenki is needed again to eradicate this menace.

Main Characters

Zenki is among Enno Ozunu's most powerful warriors: the Demon God of Crimson Thunder Light in the Dark whose power mainly sources from Thunder and Fire. In the early episodes, Chiaki needed to use the bracelet to transform Zenki into his true form - a giant defiant Demon Lord and a force to be reckoned with in battles. Zenki is undoubtedly powerful, yet rebellious. He can be quite reckless and naive, takes no one's order, and often prefers brawn over brain. In some cases, however, Zenki's anger allows him to transform into his true self. With the help of the bracelet and Goki, Zenki's most faithful comrade, Chiaki is able to transform him into the Ultimate Demon Warrior. The bracelet is no longer necessary when Chiaki attains higher power in the final episode of the Anime, after the bracelet is severely damaged, though this does not happen in the Manga. Zenki loves eating the Karuma Seeds, calling them "delicious". He also likes bananas when there's no seeds around.

Chiaki Enno is a normal highschool girl, living in a shrine with her grandmother Saki (She lives alone in the Manga). Chiaki takes care of the shrine, often wears a priestess outfit. She is the direct descendant of Ozunu Enno, the great Bodhisattva who had the power to harness the Demon Gods and fought against evil. Chiaki is also able to turn Zenki into his true Demon God form, casting powerful spells and increase the strength of Zenki. She also managed to summon a small fluffy lovely Guardian Spirit, Lulupapa, who is the mascot of the team. Her parents are working abroad and hence do not appear in the Anime. Chiaki is kind, honest and has a good heart. She believes in people and wants to protect them. Chiaki has three dear friends at school (Sayaka, Ako, and Ayame). She gets along very well with Akira/Goki (from season 2 onwards) but often quarrels with Zenki as though he were her little brother, mostly because he is disobedient and shows no respect to other people. The bond between the trio becomes powerful and indestructible in later chapters when they face the evil together.

Goki is among Enno Ozunu's most powerful warriors: the Demon God of Azure Light, of Protection and Revival. He was Zenki's most faithful comrade in the past, and has now reincarnated in the form of a human boy named Akira Gotou (or Gokimaru as in the Manga), though without most of his elemental powers [Aether-Earth-Water-Fire-Wind]. Goki's deep love for humanity has resulted in his union with a human mortal and got several half-demon kids together with her, which marked the beginning of his bloodline on Earth more than a thousand years ago. Goki is wise, kind, well-mannered and fiercely loyal to the Enno lineage. Despite his limited power in present days, he acts as Chiaki's mentor/best friend and is greatly supportive of his new master, always there to protect her and Zenki and their friends at the expense of his life. He is a martial artist, loves making sculptures and drawing, and is known as the Peace-loving Demon Guardian Warrior God.

Sub Characters

The Queen of Darkness. She wanted to dominate the earth with the Seed of Darkness. Zenki defeated her once, but she returned in a monstrous form. Zenki was able to kill her with the Diamond Dragon's Axe at first and finally his Rudora.

One of the minions of Karuma. She was originally human but Karuma brainwashed her. Karuma put the Seed of Darkness in Anju's forehead to make her a monster. When the monster Anju became stronger, Zenki had no choice but to kill her with a Ludora.

One of the minions of Karuma. Just as Zenki used the Diamond Axe to kill him, Goula used his magic at the same time. Gulen was resurrected by Karuma so he could reveal Goula's betrayal. In the final battle between him and Zenki, Zenki finally killed Gulen.

One of the minions of Karuma. He had planned to betray Karuma, and when Guren revealed this, Karuma killed Goula for being a traitor.

The partner of Inugami. Hiromaki is actually a minion of Kagetora sent to spy on Inugami. When the other half of Hiromaki's body was destroyed by Inugami, Kagetora gave him a Seed of Karuma to turn him into a monster, but Zenki killed him afterwards.

One of the minions of Kagetora. He was almost defeated by Zenki in their battle, but Inugami arrived and killed him instead.

One of the minions of Kagetora. She used the Karuma Seed to turn herself into a monster. She was defeated by Zenki. Kagetora became angry at her for her loss and killed her despite her affection for him.

The general of the World of Death. He revived the Grand Lord of the World of Death, only for the Grand Lord to turn on him and kill him.

Also known as the Dog Deity, he is the son of En-gai, a prince of the World of Death. As such he never knew he had a human mother. When his mother died, Inugami used 3 Karuma Seeds to turn himself into a monster in order to kill his enemies. When he was defeated and near dead, Inugami went to the Other World to ask his mother for help, and he came back to help Zenki defeat the Grand Lord. He then lived peacefully until the end of the series.

Inugami's pet wolf. He became a Grand Lord in the final episodes. He was defeated by Zenki, Goki, Chiaki and Inugami. He turned back into a wolf at the end of the series.

Manga

12 vols. Monthly shōnen jump

Reedition: 7 vols

OVA

1997. 30 minutes

Video games