, is a Japanese
manga
Manga ( Japanese: 漫画 ) are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long prehistory in earlier Japanese art. The term ''manga'' is use ...
series by
Moyoco Anno
is a Japanese manga artist and fashion writer, with numerous books published in both categories. Her work '' Sugar Sugar Rune'' won the Kodansha manga award for children in 2005. Anno is married to director Hideaki Anno of ''Neon Genesis Evan ...
. The manga is about a girl who goes through different names throughout the story and becomes a , or high ranking (courtesan).
North American publisher
Vertical Inc published it in English in July 2012.
Plot
A young (maid in a brothel) is sold into the red-light district of and is put under the care of the of the house, , who names her . The girl is very rebellious, leading to the heads of the household considering her potential future as a successful , as a high-ranking courtesan needs not only beauty and talent but also the tenacity to maintain their position in order to be successful.
later takes the name as a (or courtesan-in-training), and later takes the name , and is considered the most beautiful girl in the household. Her popularity threatens the position of the household's other , , which creates great tension between the two. 's rivalry with is not the only challenge she faces, as the appearance of a young man named faces her with the impossibility of finding love in her position.
Film
A live-action film adaptation was released in Japan on February 24, 2007. The film stars
Anna Tsuchiya
is a Japanese singer, actress and semi-retired model. Since 2005, she is primarily known as a singer.[Oricon pr ...](_blank)
and marks the directorial debut of photographer
Mika Ninagawa.
Ringo Sheena's album ''
Heisei Fūzoku'' acts as the
soundtrack
A soundtrack is recorded music accompanying and synchronised to the images of a motion picture, drama, book, television program, radio program, or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack o ...
.
Cast
*
Anna Tsuchiya
is a Japanese singer, actress and semi-retired model. Since 2005, she is primarily known as a singer.[Oricon pr ...](_blank)
as Kiyoha
*
Ayame Koike as Young Kiyoha
*
Asuka Saito as Tomeki
*
Kippei Shiina
is a Japanese actor.
Career
Shiina portrayed John Rain and co-starred in Max Mannix's '' Rain Fall'' (2009) with Gary Oldman. He starred in Takeshi Kitano's '' Outrage'' (2010).
Filmography
Film
*''Wangan Bad Boy Blue'' (1992)
*''A Night in Nu ...
as Kuranosuke
*
Yoshino Kimura as Takao
*
Hiroki Narimiya as Sojiro
*
Miho Kanno
is a Japanese actress and J-Pop singer. Her nickname is ''Kanchan'' (菅ちゃん). She was born in Sakado, Saitama, Japan.
Career
In 1992, Kanno made her debut as a member of a group called '' Sakurakko Club'' after passing the orientation ...
as Shohi
*
Masatoshi Nagase as Mitsunobu
*
Masanobu Andō as Seiji
*
Renji Ishibashi
, born is a Japanese actor. He won the award for best supporting actor at the 15th Hochi Film Award for '' Rōnin-gai''.
Filmography
Film
Television
Video game
* '' Yakuza: Dead Souls'' - Oyassan
References
External links
*
Renji Ishib ...
as Owner
*
Kyōko Koizumi
(born February 4, 1966) is a Japanese singer and actress. She is signed to Victor Entertainment.
Career
In 1981, Kyoko Koizumi participated and won the Star Tanjo! programme and released her 1st single in March 1982. She gained her first numb ...
as Oran
References
External links
Official website for the film
IMDb entry
Kodansha manga
Manga adapted into films
Moyoco Anno
Seinen manga
Vertical (publisher) titles
{{Manga-stub