Mirage of Blaze OAV: Rebels of the River's Edge

Most yaoi stories, mangas and animes, tend to follow a similar fare: the story of love between two men, commonly angst-driven, often problematic, but for the most part light-hearted and fairly uncomplicated.

Takaya

And then there is Mirage of Blaze. An intricately woven tale of past and present, of clan wars and spiritual possession, and at the heart of it, a love so desperate that grips you and won't let you go. It expertly blends supernatural beliefs, local legends and historical facts, without losing the human elements -- because after all, this is a tale about blind ambition, love and devotion, loyalty and betrayal, and of lost hopes.

The basic plot is actually rather silly. The Japanese warring era (sengoku jidai) that ended 400 years ago apparently still exists in the present as the feudal underworld (yami sengoku). When the ancient warriors died, they did not leave the world of the living but remained either by possessing the bodies of living persons (as kanshou-sha or possessors), or as vengeful spirits doomed to serve their lords in a never ending war. Bitter clan rivalries drag on as the nobility continue to vie for control, battles fought not with swords or guns but with incantations and spiritual energy.

Naoe

These rivalries are not contained in the spirit world but threaten the existence of the realm of the living. And so Lord Uesugi Kenshin, formerly the only warlord who fought for justice and who after death was made into one of the Gods of war, gave five warriors of his netherworld army the duty and power to exorcise the vengeful spirits in order to protect the world. For 400 years these warriors (Uesugi yashashu) have lived as possessors, keeping the balance of power in the feudal underworld. They are Lord Kenshin's adoptive son Uesugi Kagetora (born Hojo Saburo and in the present life, Ougi Takaya), his vassal Naoe Nabutsuna (Tachibana Yoshioki), and two generals Kakizaki Hiruie (Kadowaki Ayako) and Yasuda Nagahide (Chiaki Shohei). The fifth, Irobe Katsunaga, does not play a role in the story being just reincarnated as a baby.

As with any tale dealing with the idea of immortality and reincarnation, there are questions and inconsistencies. For one, the age differences: Kagetora and Nagahide still in high school, Haruie in her 20s and Naoe in his 30s, even though in their previous lives they supposedly died at the same time in the hands of the Oda clan. Also, why the war continues on is not clear, as Naoe explained, the cause is unknown. Yet, the show is so absorbing that you find yourself inevitably caught in the flow, loving every minute of the spiritual combats, mantras and all, and the questions no longer matter. There are 13 TV episodes with 3 story arcs that are a bit difficult to follow at first, but once you figure out who's who, you'll appreciate the intricacy of the storylines and the fascinating things you learn about Japanese history.

Intrigues and actions aside, the driving force of the story is human relationship. More precisely, the bonds between the characters, the deep devotion that makes every effort meaningful, each sacrifice worthwhile. Between Takaya and his friend Yuzuru, between the four yashashu, between Saburo and his older brother Ujiteru, and everywhere throughout the stories, between lords and servants that transcends time and personal safety, unfathomable to the modern mind. But most of all, the undying bond between Naoe and Kagetora: the burning passion that Naoe has for Kagetora and Kagetora's perpetually conflicted feelings towards Naoe.

Naoe and Takaya

We know little of their relationship in the past 400 years, except that it was a turbulent one, enough to cause Nagahide's exasperation (ep. 8). We know that thirty years prior something Naoe did out of jealousy caused Kagetora to seal his mind, forgetting his true identity and powers. Without his past memories to hold him back, in his present life as Takaya, a 17 year-old emotionally-volatile young man, Kagetora and Naoe were able to start a fresh relationship. Touched by Naoe's protectiveness, Takaya warmed up to him. Until he found out Naoe's true feelings and Naoe tried to kiss him, and they parted bitterly. Later during the battle with the Hojo clan, Takaya regained his memories. Things seemed hopeless for Naoe, but then he saved Kagetora's life, and the two reconciled. The TV series end with Takaya and Naoe talking by the lake and Naoe's parting words, as he lovingly put his jacket over a shivering Takaya, "I love you."

The OAVs, released on DVD as "Rebels of the River Edge", pick up where the TV episodes leave off. Takaya, now in full awareness of Kagetora's identity and powers, continued his exorcising duty that took him to Kyoto. There he met Naoe who was working as a secretary and spiritual bodyguard for a businessman, Hazama. It was an emotional meeting; the two had not seen each other since the Hojo incident. As fate would have it, they were connected by the case. Takaya was looking for Araki Murashi, the only one left of his clan, who was the key to a brewing conflict between two groups (the Iikoushuu sect and Oda). Araki was after a mandala that contained the hairs (iihatsu) of his dead clan which happened to be owned by Hazama. Being the cause of his clan's annihilation 400 years ago, Araki feared retribution if the spirits were ever released from the mandala. Naoe's job was to protect Hazama from Araki. Meanwhile, two brothers of the Iikoushuu, Shizomura Rairen and Rairyu were also looking for the mandala and Araki, with the intention to use them as a spiritual weapon against the Odas.

Araki and Haruie

Although it seems complicated, the plot of the mandala story in fact does not have the same level of complexity as the earlier stories (especially eps. 7-13). It is simply a confusing chase for Araki and the mandala, Takaya looking for Araki without knowing about the mandala, Naoe knowing about the mandala but not Araki, and Ayako, who was helping Takaya, insisting on protecting Araki because she believed he was the man she loved and had waited for 200 years to be reincarnated. Takaya was obnoxious and mistakes were made. All in all, a not too satisfying story.

However, the OAVs contain two side stories that are not to be missed. We learn why Haruie who for some unknown reasons had to possess the body of a woman 200 years ago, decided to remain as a woman. A sweet love story if overly sentimental. We also see a change in the relationship between Naoe and Kagetora. Because of the affinity he had for his boss Hazama, Naoe began to entertain the possibility of abandoning Kagetora and the Uesugi mission. He started to defy Kagetora, and Kagetora, already upset that Naoe was working on his own, for the first time (as Takaya) showed his fear of losing Naoe. The exchange led to an explosive scene where Naoe again tried to force Kagetora to submit to his desires.

Mirage of Blaze is not just about the relationship between Kagetora and Naoe. But there is no question that it is the heart and soul. Whenever the focus is on them, everything else fades into the background. It is an improbable sort of relationship, even for a yaoi romance. Is it possible for one to love another so intensely for so long, lifetime after lifetime, without being requited? Naoe's desperate love is painful to watch; it's not a love and hate emotion, Naoe certainly resents Kagetora's manipulation and domination but his utter devotion more than proves that he wants nothing but to have Kagetora love him back. He constantly has to restrain himself -- the point is not that he lost control of himself, but that it didn't happen more often or earlier (considering he hasn't seen Kagetora for 30 years).

Meanwhile, it is not clear why Kagetora is unable or unwilling to return Naoe's feelings. 400 years of unresolved issues stemming from a difficult childhood being shoved from clan to clan, including memories of sexual abuse, may be what kept him from getting close to Naoe despite his loneliness and neediness. Even so, Nagahide's comments suggest that the relationship was not always one-sided, that for 400 years they had been evasive, and Kagetora had been the one to blame. However he feels about Naoe, Kagetora's treatment of Naoe is manipulative, even cruel. At the end of the OAV, predictably Naoe was unable to leave. Kagetora, knowing he had the upperhand, taunted him by saying that Naoe could leave but only if he wasn't running away. Otherwise, he's nothing but a loser. And if he stayed and proved himself better, then perhaps he would let Naoe hold him.

Takaya and Naoe

It is painful and it is hopeless. But then, this is yaoi romance, and yaoi is not so much about the ideal love relationship as it is about the ideal male lover. One who loves so passionately, so protectively, never giving up, waiting for the day his love will be requited, no matter how long. And so we continue to hope for Naoe's sake.

The story does not end here. Mirage of Blaze is originally a novel that so far has spanned over 40 volumes (vol. 40 published in 2004). The TV episodes and OAVs barely introduce us to the characters, and the credits for doing it so masterfully go to the animators and the voice actors. The animation for the TV series is not too smooth but overall it is an excellent production. The story flows well, never a boring moment, and while it is more difficult to animate human emotions than actions, this was done effectively without being melodramatic. The quality of the animation is much better in the OAVs and in a widescreen format. But content-wise it's a bit lacking. Further, even though there are no sexually explicit scenes (Naoe's seduction is more graphic in the OAV but not explicit) there is no doubt this is a yaoi show. Not because the novel is yaoi (which most of us have not read) but by the sheer intensity of Naoe's passion that comes through vividly in the animation.

Voice cast is superb for both the Japanese and English versions, although I still prefer the original Japanese where they fit the characters so perfectly. And for the fact that it has four seiyuu with the sexiest voices: Seki Toshihiko as Kagetora/Takaya; Hayami Sho as Naoe; Horiuchi Kenyu as the exquisite Kohsaka Danjo; and Miyamoto Mitsuru as the cool and mysterious Fuuma Kotaro. Seki Toshihiko is truly versatile not only in such roles as Riki in Ai no Kusabi and the wacky Watari in Yami no Matsuei, but for his ability to portray both an angry Takaya and Kagetora, the leader-in-charge. Hayami Sho is marvelous as Naoe, his deep voice gives Naoe strength and maturity (as one who has lived a very long time) but there is sadness in it that expresses Naoe's vulnerability and desperation (the same way he did for Nanjo Koji in Bronze). This is missing in the English version. James Lyon does a good job as his counterpart but when we compare the boat scene (eps. 11-12), one can really feel the difference.

Mirage of Blaze is truly an amazing work of fiction and we are lucky to get a glimpse of it through the animated show. We can only hope that there will be more OAVs made in the future, although it's unlikely we will ever catch up with the books. Now if someone would only translate them, it would be perfect world.