Japanese manga series by Nobuyuki Anzai
First
tankōbon volume cover, featuring Ginta Toramizu (center), Babbo (bottom), and Dorothy (back)
Genre
Written by Nobuyuki Anzai Published by Shogakukan English publisher Imprint Shōnen Sunday Comics Magazine Weekly Shōnen Sunday Demographic Shōnen Original run January 7, 2003 – July 5, 2006 Volumes 15
Directed by Produced by Takeshi Sasamura Shunji Aoki Shin'ichi Iwata Naohiko Furuichi Written by Junki Takegami Music by Daisuke Ikeda Studio SynergySP Licensed by Original network TV Tokyo English network Original run April 3, 2005 – March 25, 2007 Episodes 102 (List of episodes )
Written by Nobuyuki Anzai Illustrated by Kōichirō Hoshino Published by Shogakukan Imprint Shōnen Sunday Comics Magazine Weekly Shōnen Sunday Demographic Shōnen Original run August 30, 2006 – June 13, 2007 Volumes 4
Anime and manga portal
Märchen Awakens Romance ,[ a] officially abbreviated as MÄR , is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Nobuyuki Anzai , serialized in Shogakukan 's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Sunday from January 2003 to July 2006, with its chapters collected in 15 tankōbon volumes. The story follows 14-year-old junior high student Ginta Toramizu who is transported into a fantasy-based world known as MÄR-Heaven. As Ginta ventures in the world of MÄR-Heaven, he encounters allies and antagonists.
A 102-episode anime television series adaptation titled MÄR Heaven was broadcast on TV Tokyo from April 2005 to March 2007.
In North America, Viz Media has licensed both the MÄR manga and anime for an English-language release. The manga was published between July 2005 and June 2007. The anime aired first in July 2006 on Toonami Jetstream , an online service from Cartoon Network , and then on the network itself, as part of the Toonami programming block in December 2006.
A manga sequel, MÄR Omega , written by Anzai and illustrated by Kōichirō Hoshino , was published in Weekly Shōnen Sunday from September 2006 to June 2007, with its chapters collected in four tankōbon volumes.
Ginta Toramizu, a 14-year-old Tokyo junior high student with poor eyesight and a passion for fairy tales and video games, is unexpectedly transported to the fantastical world of MÄR Heaven. In this new realm, his physical limitations vanish, granting him enhanced strength and perfect vision. He encounters Dorothy, a 16-year-old witch who introduces him to magical artifacts called ÄRMs. Together they retrieve the sentient ÄRM Babbo, which Dorothy reluctantly gives to Ginta after deeming it too troublesome.
As Ginta explores MÄR Heaven with companions like farmer Jack, he discovers the world's darker aspects when targeted by thieves coveting Babbo. He later meets Alviss, who reveals having summoned Ginta using the Gate Keeper Clown ÄRM to combat the resurgent Chess Pieces organization. This group, led by King Orb and Queen Diana, previously attempted to conquer MÄR Heaven six years earlier. The narrative follows Ginta's growing involvement in the conflict against Chess Pieces while balancing his desire to return home.
Set six years after MÄR , the story follows Kai, adoptive son of an ÄRM smith, who dreams of wielding an ÄRM despite lacking magical ability. His inherited magic stone hints at lineage to Caldia, the sorcerer kingdom where all ÄRMs originate. When attacked by Chess Piece remnants, Kai discovers he can activate the sentient ÄRM Babbo, defying expectations. This draws attention from mysterious forces using "Fake ÄRMs"—magicless artifacts that drain users' life energy.
With allies Alviss and Elise, Kai travels to Caldia where the Grand Elder reveals Fake ÄRMs were created 300 years prior by dark magician Unwetter, whom Babbo (then Caldia's Elder) defeated at the cost of his life, transferring his soul into an ÄRM. When Fake ÄRM users assault Caldia, Kai awakens immense latent magic, proving his blood relation to Babbo. Joined by Inga, a descendant of Unwetter, the group embarks to recover Babbo's memory stones and confront the resurgent threat.
Written and illustrated by Nobuyuki Anzai , MÄR was serialized in Shogakukan 's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Sunday from January 7, 2003,[ 3] to July 5, 2006.[ b] Shogakukan collected its chapters in 15 tankōbon volumes released from May 17, 2003,[ 6] to August 11, 2006.[ 7]
In North America, the series was licensed for an English language release by Viz Media . The 15 volumes were released from May 3, 2005, to September 18, 2007.[ 8] [ 9]
A sequel titled MÄR Omega , written by Anzai but illustrated by Kōichirō Hoshino , was published in Weekly Shōnen Sunday from August 30, 2006,[ c] to June 13, 2007.[ d] Its chapters were collected in four tankōbon volumes published from December 16, 2006,[ 14] to August 10, 2007.[ 15]
No.
Original release date
Original ISBN
English release date
English ISBN
01 May 17, 2003[ 6] 978-4-09-126441-1 May 3, 2005[ 8] 978-1-59116-902-4
001. "Knockin' on Heaven's Door"
002. "Welcome"
003. "Baboo"
004. "Get"
005. "True Gentleman" (紳士の真姿 )
006. "Jack"
007. "Be the Man"
008. "No Fear"
009. "Setting Off"
02 July 18, 2003[ 16] 978-4-09-126442-8 July 5, 2005[ 17] 978-1-59116-903-1
010. "Go to the Town"
011. "Alviss"
012. "Chess Soldiers" (チェスの兵隊(コマ) )
013. "I Bet"
014. "Snow Princess (1) Sleeping Dog"
015. "Snow Princess (2) Girl Within the Ice" (Snow Princess(2)氷の中の少女 )
016. "Snow Princess (3) First Contact"
017. "Snow Princess (4) Proclamation of War" (Snow Princess(4)宣戦布告 )
018. "Snow Princess (5) The Other Edward" (Snow Princess(5)もう一人のエドワード )
019. "Snow Princess (6) Overlap"
03 October 18, 2003[ 18] 978-4-09-126443-5 September 6, 2005[ 19] 978-1-59116-904-8
020. "Be Stronger" (強くなる )
021. "Awaken the Power (1) Drill Gate"
022. "Awaken the Power (2) Input Please"
023. "Awaken the Power (3) Version 1" (Awaken the Power~力の覚醒~(3)バージョン1 )
024. "Awaken the Power (4) Gate of Destruction" (Awaken the Power~力の覚醒~(4)割れずの門 )
025. "Awaken the Power (5) Sixth Sense"
026. "Awaken the Power (6) Awaken"
027. "3 Days (180 Days)"
028. "Waiting Man"
029. "Ginta Vs Ian"
030. "Training Complete"
04 January 1, 2004[ 20] 978-4-09-126444-2 November 15, 2005[ 21] 978-1-4215-0053-9
031. "MÄR"
032. "Over the Sea"
033. "Nanashi"
034. "Fight in the Lake City (1) Broken Model"
035. "Fight in the Lake City (2) Tom"
036. "Fight in the Lake City (3) Nanashi's Strength"
037. "Fight in the Lake City (4) Version 3"
038. "Fight in the Lake City (5) Gargoyle"
039. "Fight in the Lake City (6) Set Sail"
040. "Announcement by Moonlight"
041. "Test"
05 April 17, 2004[ 22] 978-4-09-126445-9 January 17, 2006[ 23] 978-1-4215-0190-1
042. "Seven Youths"
043. "War Game, Commence"
044. "Alviss Vs Leno"
045. "Jack Vs Pano"
046. "Ginta Vs Garon (1)"
047. "Ginta Vs Garon (2)"
048. "Dad"
049. "Queen"
050. "Snow Vs Fuugi (1)"
051. "Snow Vs Fuugi (2)"
052. "Nanashi Vs Loco"
06 June 18, 2004[ 24] 978-4-09-126446-6 March 21, 2006[ 25] 978-1-4215-0320-2
053. "Dorothy Vs Maira (1)"
054. "Dorothy Vs Maira (2)"
054. "Rolan"
056. "Hope"
057. "Delayed Man"
058. "Ed Vs AliBaba"
059. "Jack Vs Pano Rematch (1)"
060. "Jack Vs Pano Rematch (2)"
061. "Snow Vs Mr. Hook"
062. "Ginta Vs Kanocchi (1)"
063. "Ginta Vs Kanocchi (2)"
07 September 17, 2004[ 26] 978-4-09-126449-7 May 16, 2006[ 27] 978-1-4215-0491-9
"064. "Alviss Vs Rolan (1)"
"065. "Alviss Vs Rolan (2)"
"066. "Alviss Vs Rolan (3)"
"067. "Phantom's Madness"
"068. "Training Once More"
"069. "Shadow Battle"
"070. "Synchronisation"
"071. "The Battles Start"
"072. "Alviss Vs Mr. Hook (1)"
"073. "Alviss Vs Mr. Hook (2)"
"074. "Jack Vs Kollekkio (1)"
08 December 17, 2004[ 28] 978-4-09-126448-0 July 18, 2006[ 29] 978-1-4215-0490-2
075. "Jack vs. Kollekio (2)"
076. "Jack vs. Kollekio (3)"
077. "Dorothy Vs Avrute"
078. "Nanashi Vs Aqua (1)"
079. "Nanashi Vs Aqua (2)"
080. "Nanashi Vs Aqua (3)"
081. "Ginta Vs Girom (1)"
082. "Ginta Vs Girom (2)"
083. "Ginta Vs Girom (3)"
084. "Dorothy Vs Rapunzel (1)"
085. "Dorothy Vs Rapunzel (2)"
09 March 18, 2005[ 30] 978-4-09-126449-7 September 19, 2006[ 31] 978-1-4215-0491-9
086. "Dorothy Vs Rapunzel (3)"
087. "To Caldia"
088. "The Truth (1)"
089. "The Truth (2)"
090. "Unwelcomed Visitors"
091. "Raging Battle"
092. "Unforeseen Fight"
093. "Babbo's Memories"
094. "Night Before the 5th Battle"
095. "Snow Vs Emokis (1)"
096. "Snow Vs Emokis (2)"
10 June 16, 2005[ 32] 978-4-09-126450-3 November 21, 2006[ 33] 978-1-4215-0492-6
097. "Snow Vs Emokis (3)"
098. "Alviss Vs Hamelin (1)"
099. "Alviss Vs Hamelin (2)"
100. "Jack Vs Candice (1)"
101. "Jack Vs Candice (2)"
102. "Jack Vs Candice (3)"
103. "Ginta Vs Ash (1)"
104. "Ginta Vs Ash (2)"
105. "Ginta Vs Ash (3)"
106. "Nanashi Vs Galian (1)"
107. "Nanashi Vs Galian (2)"
11 September 16, 2005[ 34] 978-4-09-127331-4 January 16, 2007[ 35] 978-1-4215-0493-3
108. "Nanashi Vs Galian (3)"
109. "The Zodiac's New Member"
110. "Everyone's Break"
111. "Alan Vs Chaton (1)"
112. "Alan Vs Chaton (2)"
113. "Alviss Vs Kouga (1)"
114. "Alviss Vs Kouga (2)"
115. "Alviss Vs Kouga (3)"
116. "Dorothy Vs Pinocchio (1)"
117. "Dorothy Vs Pinocchio (2)"
118. "Dorothy Vs Pinocchio (3)"
12 December 15, 2005[ 36] 978-4-09-127332-1 March 20, 2007[ 37] 978-1-4215-0942-6
119. "Snow Vs Magical Roe (1)"
120. "Snow Vs Magical Roe (2)"
121. "Snow Vs Magical Roe (3)"
122. "Ginta Vs Ian (1)"
123. "Ginta Vs Ian (2)"
124. "Ginta Vs Ian (3)"
125. "The All Powerful Zodiac"
126. "The Night Before the Final Battle"
127. "The Final Battle Begins"
128. "War Games Final Battle: Jack Vs Weasel (1)"
129. "War Games Final Battle: Jack Vs Weasel (2)"
13 March 17, 2006[ 38] 978-4-09-120125-6 May 15, 2007[ 39] 978-1-4215-1154-2
130. "War Games Final Battle: Jack Vs Weasel (3)"
131. "War Games Final Battle: Alviss Vs Rolan (1)"
132. "War Games Final Battle: Alviss Vs Rolan (2)"
133. "War Games Final Battle: Alviss Vs Rolan (3)"
134. "War Games Final Battle: Dorothy Vs Chimera (1)"
135. "War Games Final Battle: Dorothy Vs Chimera (2)"
136. "War Games Final Battle: Dorothy Vs Chimera (3)"
137. "War Games Final Battle: Dorothy Vs Chimera (4)"
138. "War Games Final Battle: Alan Vs Halloween (1)"
139. "War Games Final Battle: Alan Vs Halloween (2)"
140. "War Games Final Battle: Alan Vs Halloween (3)"
14 June 16, 2006[ 40] 978-4-09-120380-9 July 17, 2007[ 41] 978-1-4215-1322-5
141. "War Games Final Battle: Nanashi Vs Peta (1)"
142. "War Games Final Battle: Nanashi Vs Peta (2)"
143. "War Games Final Battle: Nanashi Vs Peta (3)"
144. "War Games Final Battle: Ginta Vs Phantom (1)"
145. "War Games Final Battle: Ginta Vs Phantom (2)"
146. "War Games Final Battle: Ginta Vs Phantom (3)"
147. "War Games Final Battle: Ginta Vs Phantom (4)"
148. "War Games Final Battle: Ginta Vs Phantom (5)"
149. "War Games Final Battle: Ginta Vs Phantom (6)"
150. "To Lestava Castle"
151. "Chimera, Ian and Gido"
15 August 11, 2006[ 7] 978-4-09-120575-9 September 18, 2007[ 9] 978-1-4215-1403-1
152. "The Downfall of the Chess/The monster disappears (JP)"
153. "Fate"
154. "The Battle Between Sorceress Sisters"
155. "Diana's Motive"
156. "King"
157. "The Battle Between Father and Son (1)"
158. "The Battle Between Father and Son (2)"
159. "The Battle Ends"
160. "Peace"
Final Akt. "Märchen Awakens Romance"
No.
Release date
ISBN
1 December 16, 2006[ 14] 978-4-09-120690-9
Ω1."Densetsu no ÄRM" (伝説のÄRM )
Ω2."Eiyū no Gādian" (英雄のガーディアン )
Ω3."Nisemono ÄRM" (偽物ÄRM )
Ω4."Karudea no Koden" (カルデアの古伝 )
Ω5."Kai no Maka" (カイの魔カ )
Ω6."Unvuettā no Shisha" (ウンヴェッターの使者 )
Ω7."Inga no Shukumei" (インガの宿命 )
Ω8."Babbo no Kioku" (バッボの記憶 )
Ω9."Ruberia no Tōzoku" (ルベリアの盜賊 )
2 February 16, 2007[ 42] 978-4-09-121019-7
3 May 18, 2007[ 43] 978-4-09-121067-8
4 August 10, 2007[ 15] 978-4-09-121159-0
An anime television series adaptation titled MÄR Heaven (メルヘヴン , Meru Hevun ) , produced by SynergySP , premiered on TV Tokyo on April 3, 2005, where it ran for 102 episodes until its conclusion on March 25, 2007.[ 44]
In North America, the anime was licensed by Viz Media and aired on Cartoon Network 's online broadband service Toonami Jetstream in July 2006,[ 45] and the series premiered on their television programming block Toonami , on December 23, 2006.[ 46] It also premiered in Canada on YTV channel on June 1, 2007.[ 47] Viz Media began releasing the series to DVD on June 12, 2007,[ 48] with each disc containing 4 episodes.[ 49] [ 50] [ 51] [ 52] Four volumes were released before Viz delisted the series in favor of other titles.[ 53] In June 2011, the first 52 episodes were available on Netflix 's Instant streaming service.[ 54]
Title
Console(s)
Release Date
MÄR Heaven: Knockin' on Heaven's Door (メルヘヴン Knockin' on Heaven's Door )
Game Boy Advance
MÄR Heaven: Arm Fight Dream (メルヘヴン Ärm Fight Dream )
PlayStation 2
MÄR Heaven: Karudea no Akuma (メルヘヴン カルデアの悪魔 , MÄR Heaven: Devil of Karudea )
Nintendo DS
MÄR Heaven: Boukyaku no Clavier (メルヘヴン 忘却のクラヴィーア , MÄR Heaven: Oblivion of Clavier )
Nintendo DS
^ Märchen is German for "fairy tale".
^ It finished in the 31st issue of 2006,[ 4] released on July 5 of that same year.[ 5]
^ It started in the magazine's 39th issue of 2006,[ 10] released on August 30 of that same year.[ 11]
^ It finished in the magazine's 28th issue of 2007,[ 12] released on June 13 of that same year.[ 13]
^ Jones, Davey C. (June 10, 2007). "MÄR Vol 1: Gateway to MÄR" . Active Anime . Archived from the original on September 26, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2021 .
^ a b "The Official Website for MÄR" . Viz Media. Archived from the original on July 1, 2017. Retrieved November 5, 2017 .
^ Anzai, Nobuyuki (January 7, 2003). 安西信行 Vol.8/2003年1月7日 . Web Sunday (in Japanese). Shogakukan . Archived from the original on February 15, 2004. Retrieved March 11, 2023 .
^ 週刊少年サンデー 2006年 表示号数31 . Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs . Archived from the original on May 16, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2020 .
^ サンデー News . Web Sunday (in Japanese). Shogakukan . Archived from the original on July 5, 2006. Retrieved March 11, 2023 .
^ a b MAR / 1 (in Japanese). Shogakukan . Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ a b MAR / 15 (in Japanese). Shogakukan . Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ a b "MÄR, Vol. 1" . Viz Media . Archived from the original on February 8, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ a b "MÄR, Vol. 15" . Viz Media . Archived from the original on December 22, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ 週刊少年サンデー 2006年 表示号数39 . Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs . Archived from the original on March 24, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020 .
^ 当たれば必ず福袋がもらえる! "GO!GO!サンデーBINGO!"で豪華賞品をGET!! . Web Sunday (in Japanese). Shogakukan . August 30, 2006. Archived from the original on September 1, 2006. Retrieved October 1, 2023 .
^ 週刊少年サンデー 2007年 表示号数28 . Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs . Archived from the original on March 24, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020 .
^ 2007年06月13日のアーカイブ . manganohi.jp (in Japanese). June 13, 2007. Archived from the original on December 16, 2007. Retrieved October 1, 2023 . 【週刊少年サンデー】週刊少年サンデー28号 発売中
^ a b MAR Ω(オメガ) / 1 (in Japanese). Shogakukan . Archived from the original on October 31, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ a b MAR Ω(オメガ) / 4 (in Japanese). Shogakukan . Archived from the original on October 31, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ MAR / 2 (in Japanese). Shogakukan . Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ "MÄR, Vol. 2" . Viz Media . Archived from the original on February 8, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ MAR / 3 (in Japanese). Shogakukan . Archived from the original on February 19, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ "MÄR, Vol. 3" . Viz Media . Archived from the original on February 8, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ MAR / 4 (in Japanese). Shogakukan . Archived from the original on February 20, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ "MÄR, Vol. 4" . Viz Media . Archived from the original on February 8, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ MAR / 5 (in Japanese). Shogakukan . Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ "MÄR, Vol. 5" . Viz Media . Archived from the original on February 8, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ MAR / 6 (in Japanese). Shogakukan . Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ "MÄR, Vol. 6" . Viz Media . Archived from the original on February 8, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ MAR / 7 (in Japanese). Shogakukan . Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ "MÄR, Vol. 7" . Viz Media . Archived from the original on February 8, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ MAR / 8 (in Japanese). Shogakukan . Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ "MÄR, Vol. 8" . Viz Media . Archived from the original on February 8, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ MAR / 9 (in Japanese). Shogakukan . Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ "MÄR, Vol. 9" . Viz Media . Archived from the original on February 8, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ MAR / 10 (in Japanese). Shogakukan . Archived from the original on February 19, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ "MÄR, Vol. 10" . Viz Media . Archived from the original on February 8, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ MAR / 11 (in Japanese). Shogakukan . Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ "MÄR, Vol. 11" . Viz Media . Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ MAR / 12 (in Japanese). Shogakukan . Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ "MÄR, Vol. 12" . Viz Media . Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ MAR / 13 (in Japanese). Shogakukan . Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ "MÄR, Vol. 13" . Viz Media . Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ MAR / 14 (in Japanese). Shogakukan . Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ "MÄR, Vol. 14" . Viz Media . Archived from the original on December 23, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ MAR Ω(オメガ) / 2 (in Japanese). Shogakukan . Archived from the original on October 31, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ MAR Ω(オメガ) / 3 (in Japanese). Shogakukan . Archived from the original on October 31, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2021 .
^ MÄR TV東京・あにてれ (in Japanese). TV Tokyo . Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2019 .
^ Mays, Jonathan (July 14, 2006). "Toonami Rides Jetstream to Early Arrival" . Anime News Network . Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019 .
^ Mays, Jonathan (December 5, 2006). "Prince of Tennis, MÄR Coming to Toonami" . Anime News Network . Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019 .
^ "Corus Entertainment - Press_Corporate" . Corus Entertainment . Archived from the original on December 18, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2019 .
^ Dong, Bamboo (February 24, 2007). "Viz Media - Anime - New York ComicCon 2007" . Anime News Network . Archived from the original on February 27, 2007. Retrieved December 11, 2019 .
^ "MÄR, Vol. 1 (DVD)" . Viz Media . Archived from the original on March 8, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2019 .
^ "MÄR, Vol. 2 (DVD)" . Viz Media . Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved December 12, 2019 .
^ "MÄR, Vol. 3 (DVD)" . Viz Media . Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved December 12, 2019 .
^ "MÄR, Vol. 4 (DVD)" . Viz Media . Archived from the original on March 15, 2008. Retrieved December 12, 2019 .
^ Loo, Egan (January 4, 2008). "Future DVD Volumes of MÄR Anime Reportedly Delisted" . Anime News Network . Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved January 29, 2009 .
^ Loveridge, Lynzee (June 2, 2011). "Netflix Streams MÄR Anime to Subscribers" . Anime News Network . Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019 .
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