Azure Flame Reloaded

Akram stares into his magic pool of water.

Akram: See how I choose to employ the full extent of my power- the creation of magic CCTV! Hurry, Ryuujin no Miko, assemble the destined bishounen capable of defeating me, for only then will my plans be complete! Continue Reading »

Akane sits outside, looking at the fragment of Akram’s mask.

(Akane: Why? Why must the main villain be so bishie? Now I must angst between having eight bishounen who are all devoted to me, or one who regularly insults my friends and tries to hurt everyone.)

At the Minister of the Left’s residence, Tenma confronts Fuji and Tomomasa.

Tenma: Look, this Ryuujin no Miko stuff isn’t good for Akane- she might get injured.

Tomomasa: Akane is very important to me, er, I mean to the country of Kyou. And since she’s the main character, she shouldn’t come to any permanent harm. Continue Reading »

Yasuaki indulges in a flashback to last episode, whilst Akram activates this week’s monster.

Akram: The last few weeks were just a warm-up, but this week the red cherry blossom will surely bring your downfall!

At the castle, Akane is about to attend an important meeting. Fuji insists that she dresses in period clothes.

Akane: But wait- in this sort of series, the heroine is supposed to wear her school uniform no matter what happens! Continue Reading »

For the benefit of viewers with short memories and animation studios with low budgets, the episode begins with over three minutes of flashback.

Finally, the episode proper begins, and we see Akram’s three subordinates arranging some monsters of the week.

At the castle, Princess Fuji is giving her latest lecture.

Fuji: Yes, it’s exposition time again! This time, I will explain all about the destined Hachiyou bishounen. Continue Reading »

Akane meets up with Princess Fuji.

Fuji: Main character, consider me at your service. I will handle exposition and explanation for you, the Ryuujin no Miko.

Akane: Me?

Fuji: Yes, for you are the lead, and that makes you more suited to saving this small land floating in the middle of nowhere than anyone who lives here. Now, let’s save some budget by indulging in a flashback to last episode. Continue Reading »

In the land of Kyou, Akram, the leader of the demon clan, performs a ceremony to seal away the four gods that protect the land.

Akram: Excellent, I have everything I need to control this land. All that remains is to summon the one woman who could defeat me! Continue Reading »

It is a commonly known fact that every girl dreams of being sucked into another world where a fleet of bishounen eagerly wait to become her loyal protectors and eventually fall in love with her. Unfortunately, reports of this actually happening to anyone are few and far between, and so most must settle for vicariously watching these events befall animated characters on their TV or computer screens. Harukanaru Toki no Naka De: Hachiyou Shou (or, as I shall be calling it from now on, Haruka 8 ) is one such series, charting the adventures of destined heroine Akane Motomiya in the mystical land of Kyo. Continue Reading »