Kyuuketsuki Miyu . . . and the story of NoirTheElitist's avatar

[purplemo]

Alright. I never liked the idea of using something I didn't know, much less wasting a chance to pimp something with a new avatar for someone. So here goes a real avatar for noir.

Noir's avatar is Miyu from Kyuuketsuki Miyu. Hopefully some people recognize her even if the picture is a bit dark to tell. This is easily the most famous of the avatar characters I've given out (even more than Komachi and Suika). Kyuuketsuki Miyu is the most famous work by the famous Narumi Kakinouchi. Her signature work, Kyuuketsuki Miyu is a strange franchise in that there are three stories of Miyu, one being the OVA, one being the manga, and one being the TV series. Each one is a "rewrite" of Miyu, with different origins of her's and Larva's existence. All are rather dark, atmospheric tales. But where Kyuuketsuki Miyu really stands out is in the artwork. Narumi Kakinochi artwork is gorgeous. While it does not translate well into manga, it is pure shoujo eye-candy.

As for Miyu, there are some constants. She's an eternal 14 year old half vampire who is tasked to hunt all the shinma (demons) who escaped into the human world and "send them back to the darkness." Never explained, but think of it as hell (or death). Since she is shinma herself, upon completion of the task, she too will be sent "in the darkness" by her lover/life partner Larva (depending on the story she has been hunting at least 400 years). She also has a daughter/sister (not in the literal sense) named Yui. Miyu fluctuates from a serious persona to a playful teenager depending on which series is going on.

In terms of story-telling, Miyu isn't much better than Jigoku Shoujo (the "daughter" of Kyuuketsuki Miyu). It can get repetitive and some episodes/chapters depend a LOT on understanding the dynamics of the guardians (like the tier system) and the relationships of the western Shinma and the Shi clan. It also does not help that (for example) Reiha in the anime is a rival who is ultimately weaker than Miyu while in the manga Reiha is strong enough to make Ranka and Miyu bow to her. Kyuuketsuki Miyu has quite a few of these paradoxes. What Kyuuketsuki Miyu does well, like Jigoku Shoujo, is to create an atmospheric world of mystery and beauty. Many people cannot say the series is great, but so many are still attracted to it purely for the world and the art. Highly recommend, if not for the story than at least the art and the world. Miyu is one of the more recognizable and famous characters in the anime/otaku world with her trademark kimono, ribbon around her foot, and hair.

Here's some pictures (not the best since I don't keep many Kyuuketsuki Miyu images on my computer; I have most of Kakinouchi's artbooks).

The avatar I gave noir is

[NoirTheElitist]

Much better than the furry *grins*

[MiyuWilhelmina]

Ahh...somehow I remember someone used to tell me about this one in a community site, friendster. She thought that I took the nick name from this series. And even recommends me to watch it. So I google it, pretty classic I'd say. I like it to watch it too but still, I couldn't find any store selling it. So it still stuck at my personal wanted to watch list lol -__-"

[purplemo]

If you liked Ai, you should like Miyu given Ai is basically this decade's Miyu.

[MiyuWilhelmina]

yeah, i can see that.

She's an eternal 14 year old half vampire who is tasked to hunt all the shinma (demons) who escaped into the human world and "send them back to the darkness."

still, Ai is cuter. but

What Kyuuketsuki Miyu does well, like Jigoku Shoujo, is to create an atmospheric world of mystery and beauty. Many people cannot say the series is great, but so many are still attracted to it purely for the world and the art. Highly recommend, if not for the story than at least the art and the world.

i dont do art but i do very like art. and i got lot of its wallies already back then. somehow you said ai and miyu resembles each other, i'm interested. so, i guess i'm gonna put it personal much watch then ^^

[Funkgun]

Me digs the one with Miyu hugging Larve.

I personally liked the OAV the best. It had a very mysterious feel to it. The soundtrack in it was also, top notch and euphoric.

I was going to complement that avatar, and now I know the story behind it.

[KiraRin]

I also made a few Vampire Princess Miyu sigs a while ago, if you want a matching sig and avatar :

H.

[Funkgun]

OMG this one!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ss-Miyu2-1.jpg

gorgeous. Almost... kissing perhaps?
They were the precursor to Haji and Saya.

[NoirTheElitist]

they do look great KiraRin but but ;__; I don't think I can leave Motoko.

[r-18]

geez something momo recommends that i have actually watched .....-looks for world ending-