Saikano

Saikano: The Last Love Song on This Little Planet. (最終兵器彼女), also known as She, the Ultimate Weapon, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Shin Takahashi. It was serialized in Shogakukan's manga magazine Weekly Big Comic Spirits from December 1999 to October 2001, with its chapters collected in seven volumes.

A 13-episode anime television series adaptation by Gonzo aired from July to September 2002. A two-episode side-story original video animation (OVA) by Studio Fantasia was released in 2005. A live-action film adaptation premiered in January 2006.

Both the manga and the anime series were licensed for English release in North America by Viz Media. The anime was later licensed in 2014 by Sentai Filmworks and released under the title She, the Ultimate Weapon.

Plot

Shuji, a high school student in a Hokkaidō coastal town, discovers his girlfriend Chise's exchange diaries at an observatory, prompting him to reflect on their relationship through flashbacks. Their romance begins awkwardly when the shy Chise confesses her feelings, though neither possesses the emotional maturity to navigate the relationship effectively.

Characters

Chise (ちせ)

Chise is a shy, academically struggling student who excels only in World History. Frequently hospitalized during childhood, she has few friends beyond Akemi. With Akemi's assistance, she begins dating the distant Shuji, relying on manga for romantic guidance. Unwillingly transformed into a weapon, she grapples with her fading humanity as her body loses warmth, heartbeat, and sensory perception—except for heightened vision. Her condition deteriorates until she becomes a merciless force, though her love for Shuji remains her last human connection. He helps her reclaim her humanity by proving only humans can love and protect others, enabling her to destroy her weaponized form. This act challenges the definition of an "ultimate weapon," revealing her soul—not her body—as the true power.

Shuji (シュウジ)

Shuji is a 17-year-old high school student with above-average grades and a background in track. Initially hesitant about his relationship with Chise, he views it as complicated but gradually develops deeper feelings. After briefly reverting to friendship, he recognizes his love for her—a realization complicated by the return of his first love, Fuyumi. As the sole civilian aware of Chise's identity as the ultimate weapon, he guards her secret while struggling with guilt over his perceived failures. Eventually, he fully commits to protecting her, dedicating himself to standing by her side.

Akemi (アケミ)

Akemi, a childhood friend and classmate of Chise and Shuji, serves as Chise's closest confidante, often advising her on romantic matters. Though outwardly embodying a tomboy persona, she privately struggles with self-doubt regarding her appearance. She consistently defends Chise when Shuji's careless remarks cause emotional distress, demonstrating steadfast loyalty.

Atsushi (アツシ)

Atsushi, Shuji's best friend, is a grounded and open-minded individual with a strong interest in military affairs. He ultimately enlists in the Japan Self-Defense Forces to safeguard the person he loves.

Tetsu (テツ)

The regiment leader and Fuyumi's husband is the sole survivor of Chise's original platoon. His physical and personality resemblance to Shuji initially attracts Chise, who appreciates being treated as an ordinary person rather than a weapon. His military background and relationship with subordinates, including Mizuki, his former commander, further define his character.

Fuyumi (ふゆみ)

Fuyumi, Tetsu's wife, previously coached a track team where students addressed her as "Fuyumi-" due to their minimal age difference. She frequently experiences loneliness while her husband remains stationed with military forces. The story later reveals her past romantic involvement with Shuji, who admits his feelings stemmed from physical attraction rather than genuine love.

Mizuki (ミズキ)

Mizuki served as the prototype for the weapon system later implemented in Chise. A former officer severely injured in combat, she returned to duty through the experimental augmentation program. Having worked under Tetsu as his superior, she developed unrequited feelings for him. As one of the few who understood Chise's condition firsthand, having undergone similar modifications herself, Mizuki demonstrated consistent sympathy toward her.

Take

Take stands out as the most outgoing member of Shuji's friend group and maintains a relationship with Yukari, becoming the first among his peers to have a girlfriend.

Nori

Nori, the least mature of Shuji's friends, maintains a naive outlook, insisting their hometown remains safe from war despite growing threats. He harbors strong romantic aspirations and envies Take's relationship status.

Yukari

Yukari, Take's girlfriend, withdraws from school following his death. While she later enters a new relationship, she outwardly maintains she will never again experience deep romantic attachment.

Takamura

A young soldier from Chise's former company deeply admires her, crediting her combat prowess with saving his life during their service together.

Kawahara

The lead scientist overseeing Chise's case is an anxious individual, constantly dabbing his forehead with a dark-blue handkerchief during tense moments.

Media

Manga

Written and illustrated by Shin Takahashi, Saikano was serialized in Shogakukan's manga magazine Weekly Big Comic Spirits from December 27, 1999, to October 29, 2001.[3][4] Shogakukan collected its chapters in seven volumes, released from May 30, 2000, to December 25, 2001.[5] A one-shot chapter was published on January 30, 2006;[6] it was later collected in a volume, along other one-shot chapters, released on July 19, 2006.[7] Shogakukan re-released the series in four volumes from September 30 to December 26, 2019.[8][9]

In North America, the manga was licensed for English release by Viz Media in 2003.[10] The seven volumes were released from June 16, 2004, to January 10, 2006.

Volumes

Anime

A 13-episode anime television series adaptation by Gonzo was broadcast on the cable television station Family Gekijo from July 2 to September 24, 2002.[25][26] Yuria Yato performed both the opening and ending themes, "Koisuru Kimochi" (恋スル気持チ) and "Sayonara" (サヨナラ), respectively.[26] A Blu-ray box, which included the 13 episodes and the two OVA episodes, was released on September 12, 2018.[27]

In North America, the series was licensed by Viz Media.[10] The series was collected in four DVD sets, released from April 27 to November 9, 2004.

Episodes

Original video animation

A two-episode original video animation (OVA) side-story by Studio Fantasia,[40] titled Saikano: Another Love Song, was released on August 5 and September 21, 2005.[41][42][43] Viz Media released the OVA on May 9, 2006.[44] In the United Kingdom, the OVA was released by Manga Entertainment on January 29, 2007.[45]

Video game

A video game based on the series, developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo (KCET) and published by Konami for the PlayStation 2, was released on May 29, 2003.[46]

Live-action film

A live-action film adaptation, directed by Taikan Suga, starring Aki Maeda as Chise and Shunsuke Kubozuka as Shuji,[47] premiered at the Tokyo International Film Festival on October 29, 2005,[48] followed by a theatrical release on January 28, 2006.[49]

type	ova
title	Saikano: Another Love Song
director	Mitsuko Kase
producer	Naoko Takahashi Masashi Tsukino Hiroyuki Yamane Hiroyuki Katsuno Masako Yamada
writer	Itaru Era
music	Kei Yoshikawa
studio	Studio Fantasia
first	August 5, 2005
last	September 21, 2005
runtime	30 minutes each
episodes	2

Plot

Characters

Media

Manga

Volumes

Volumes

Anime

Episodes

Original video animation

Video game

Live-action film

External links

References

Episodes