Not the most imaginative title: but it does have meaning. It's referring to the book of philosophy written by the great swordsman Miyamoto Musashi: 'The Book of Five Rings.'
Like the book the five orbs represent five elements: Fire, Water, Earth, Wind and Void.
The idea behind the story is that Rioichi Cooper's thieving days are dwindling fast since the current shogun has become corrupted thanks to a gift delivered to him by what the locals named: 'the winged devil.' The gift was a dark orb: the Orb of Void. This allowed the shogun total control over most of Japan. It also made thieving harder as the greedy nobles got richer no matter how much Rioichi stole. Feeling hopeless he is then visited by his ancestors in a dream who tell him to embark on a quest. He eventually learns of four other orbs: the orbs of Fire, Water, Earth and Wind. Combined with the orb of Void it would restore balance and harmony to Japan. The reason the shogun was so corrupted easily was because without the four other orbs; the Orb of Void by itself is an orb of darkness. Only with the other orbs can the user be powerful and pure of spirit. So Rioichi can't even steal the Orb of Void by itself since it would easily corrupt him too.
But like the Orb of Void; the other orbs are currently in the stewardship of other individuals. In China; the horse emperor Qui Lynn possesses the Orb of Fire. Near the Ryuku Islands in the undersea kingdom of Yonaguni (an actual Japanese landmark), the king of the fishmen residents; The Sahagan, possesses the Orb of Water. On a haunted island named Shiniriku, a palace full of ghosts named Soma is inhabited by a witch princess named Takiyasha Horo. She possesses the Orb of Earth. Finally there is the most elusive orb of all: the Orb of Wind. Not residing but always moving; with a highly skilled and undefeated blind swordsman named Kengyoichi.
So it's a somewhat basic adventure/quest story where Rioichi must travel as far as China and distant islands to try and recover the legendary orbs.
Here is the main cast
I typed their names so you know who's who.
MAJIN CLOCKWERK - The "winged devil." Majin means "demon" in Japanese. not only do I think it's a cool befitting first name for this form of Clockwerk; but it's also a reference to Dragonball. (Majin Buu.) The idea of collecting orbs to gain something is definitely reminiscent of the Dragonballs. There are lots of cultural and anime references throughout this story.
THE SHOGUN - Haven't decided on a name yet. Much like in the first Star Wars trilogy; we referred to Emperor Palpatine as "the Emperor." Here he's "The Shogun"; for now. Like I said; multiple references.
THE SAHAGAN KING - The enormous and bulbous fishman king with his trident and giant shark toothed grin. It's a good thing Rioichi has a shark pal to help him.
QUI LYNN - He's really a horse but he believes he is a true descendant of the legendary Kirin. Kirins are basically chinese unicorns for those who don't know. He's kind of a cross between Discord and Lord Shen.
TAKIYASHA HORO - Like Qui Lynn she is based off another legendary creature; but she's the real deal. She is a nekomata; a cat with a forked tail who can control ghosts. Her name is derived from a Japanese witch from this famous painting:
[link]KENGYOICHI - Derived from the legendary fictional blind swordsman: Zatoichi. But he is named Kengyoichi because it is the highest form of an occupation for those who are blind in Japan. Zato is the lowest.
BABAYAMA - This crotchety old frog is the one who tells the story of the orbs and helps start Rioichi's quest. Often beats him on the head with her walking stick and calls him "Bunbuku": a somewhat insulting name since she's basically calling him some dumb tanuki. XD
SAMANUSUKE - A young noble rabbit who was sent to train at one of the finest dojos in Japan. But because he was small he was mocked by his peers. His master saw this so he sent Samanusuke to journey with warriors who would accept him no matter if they were samurai or ninja. He goes with Rioichi but often their views of morality clash: as Rioichi goes by a ninja code and Samanusuke goes by the bushido code.
JENTI - A young ninja thief who always tried to steal more than Rioichi. She steals something from him but Rioichi follows her back to her village. Her tiny village is protected by her grandmother Yumi, who raised and trained her since her parents died. Is encouraged to help Rioichi as an apology for stealing from him; as well as fine tune her own ninja thieving skills.
RIOICHI COOPER- YAY! There's the man.
![:D]( ":D (Big Grin)")
![:D]( ":D (Big Grin)")
the main hero of our story and the one who begins his quest to find the mystical orbs to try and bring peace and balance to Japan: as well as getting them all so he can successfully steal the Orb of Void.
BURAKU - A forest rhino bandit who was ostracized from the kingdom when the Emperor threw him out. His name is derived from "outcast"; his name describes people who are pretty much discriminated against in Japan. He also has other ostracized members who help him. Yet he has an alternative motive. Perhaps he's not the forest thief one might assume him to be at first.
KINTARO, URASHIMA, and CHAGAMA - Buraku's best henchmen. Kintaro; the strong hippo; Urashima the smart little turtle; and Chagama the teapot carrying Tanuki. Ahha: see what I did there? ;D I made Japanese versions of Murray, Bentley and Sly. Ahhhhaaaahhhh. ;D Their names are also derived from Japanese folk stories. Kintaro is named after a boy of acceptional strength. Urashima is named after a boy who rode a turtle for his life. And Chagama (meaning teapot) refers to Bunbuku Chagama, the story of a tanuki who lived with a dying old man. Not the sharpest knives in the drawer; but they get the job done. ;D
Sorry if some of the cast members are so small. Especially Buraku's henchmen. XD
But the villains came out nicely: and I'm pretty happy with how clockwerk turned out.
He may look his normal menacing self: but I left it vague on purpose so the final reveal behind what he truly looks like will be saved for later.
It should also be noted; that there are two characters straight out of the wall scroll artwork of the game that were done by Genevieve Tsai. The rabbit and the rhino. The rabbit and rhino had no name so I gave them one. If you visit the artist's blog you can look more at the detail on these two. I just gave em names but their desgins were by Tsai.
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