Those Who Hunt Elves

Those Who Hunt Elves (Japanese: エルフを狩るモノたち, Hepburn: Erufu wo Karu Mono-tachi) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yu Yagami. The plot revolves around three travellers, the eponymous "Elf Hunters", and the elven sorceress Mistress Celcia. The anime was released in North America on VHS and DVD by ADV Films^[4] and later re-released by Sentai Filmworks.^[5]

Those Who Hunt Elves
English release Volume 1 - Ready Set Strip!
エルフを狩るモノたち (Erufu wo karu mono-tachi)
Genre	Adventure, comedy, fantasy^[1]^[2]
Manga
Written by	Yu Yagami
Published by	MediaWorks
English publisher	^NA ADV Manga
Magazine	Dengeki Comic Gao!
Demographic	Shōnen
Original run	March 1994 – January 2003
Volumes	21 + DX
Anime television series
Directed by	Kazuyoshi Katayama
Written by	Masaharu Amiya
Studio	Group TAC
Licensed by	^NA Sentai Filmworks
Original network	TV Tokyo
English network	^US Anime Network
Original run	October 4, 1996 – December 19, 1996
Episodes	12 (List of episodes)
Anime television series
Those Who Hunt Elves 2
Directed by	Hiroshi Fukutomi
Written by	Masaharu Amiya
Studio	Group TAC
Licensed by	^NA Sentai Filmworks
Original network	TV Tokyo
English network	^US Anime Network
Original run	October 2, 1997 – December 18, 1997
Episodes	12 (List of episodes)
Manga
Those Who Hunt Elves Returns
Written by	Yu Yagami
Published by	MediaWorks
Magazine	Dengeki Comic Gao!
Demographic	Shōnen
Original run	November 2007 – March 2008
Volumes	1
Manga
Those Who Hunt Elves 2^[3]
Written by	Yu Yagami
Published by	Flex Comix
Magazine	Comic Meteor
Demographic	Shōnen
Original run	January 2013 – January 2018
Volumes	10

On June 12, 2015, the Chinese Ministry of Culture listed Those Who Hunt Elves among 38 anime and manga titles banned in China.^[6]

Plot

Elf Hunters seek five spell fragments that have been placed on the skin of elves, similar to tattoos, throughout the magical world they have been transported to. When they find them, they will be able to return to Japan.

The Elf Hunters travel by means of a Type 74 tank, which has been transported to the magical world with them.

The reaction of various elves as the team attempts to strip them naked is a primary basis for much of the show's humor, and are more ridiculous than suggestive. The series is also known for breaking the fourth wall, mostly from Junpei.

Characters

Elf Hunters

Junpei Ryuzouji (龍造寺淳平, Ryūzouji Junpei)

Voiced by: Tomokazu Seki (Japanese); Andrew Klimko (English)

A 19-year-old Karateka & strongman with incredible fighting ability, Junpei is the muscle of the group as well as being the only male in the group. However, his rather rough way of saying things as well as his eye for beautiful women get him into trouble more often than not. He is constantly arguing with Celcia and obsessed about curry and, briefly, heliocentrism. Junpei abhors fantasy stories and might be atheist or agnostic. He is infatuated with Airi but is clueless to Celcia's own feelings for him as well despite their constant bickering. Junpei carries a wallet filled with membership cards from various dojos, and a condom with the words "Use with Airi Only!" written on the wrapper.

Ritsuko Inoue (井上律子, Inoue Ritsuko)

Voiced by: Yūko Miyamura (Japanese); Rozanne Curtis (English)

A 16-year-old high school girl and military otaku. She's a tomboy but not to the point where she loses her femininity. She drives and maintains the tank (to which she has a strong attachment) and also acts as a sniper from time to time; she often sets landmines and booby traps. Despite her love of modern military hardware, Ritsuko also displays a more sensitive and innocent side: she falls in love with the cute Pichi and maintained a belief in Father Christmas long after her peers had abandoned it and is also frightened to death of ghosts. Over the course of the manga, she gradually falls in love with Junpei. Ritsuko carries a Howa Type 64 Battle Rifle, SIG SG 550 assaut rifle, SIG P226 semiautomatic pistol, Heckler & Koch USP, G36 Assault Rifle, PSG1 Sniper Rifle, a sheath knife, some C4 and a Colt M16A2 Assault Rifle. She also speaks fluent English and German.

Airi Komiyama (小宮山愛理, Komiyama Airi)

Voiced by: Michie Tomizawa (Japanese); Kelly Manison (English)

A 24-year-old Japanese-American talented actress, Airi is as skilled as she is beautiful. Able to cut from one emotion to another in an instant, and even disguise herself as someone else, Airi's talents come in useful for getting out of sticky situations that require trickery rather than brute force. Airi also has an ability to quickly and accurately assess any given situation and to plan for its eventual outcome. Although aware of Junpei's blatant affections for her, she does not reciprocate (although she does use them to her advantage, for example when getting Junpei to volunteer to be live bait to catch a giant shark by saying "Pretty please"). Airi carries a katana and a make-up compact kit.

Mistress Celcia Marie Claire (セルシア·マリクレール, Serushia Marikurēru)

Voiced by: Kotono Mitsuishi (Japanese); Jessica Calvello (English) for Season 1 and Shelley Calene-Black (English) for Season 2

The unfortunate elf who happens to get tied up with her world's new visitors, Celcia offers to transport Junpei and the others back with a spell, but gets distracted in the process and causes her spell book pages to be spread out all over the world. She is a bit of a ditz and a bit psychotic and is constantly at odds with Junpei, but she is just as determined to get him and his friends back to their own world as they are – even despite her own feelings for Junpei (who she's actually in love with but publicly butts heads with). Generally, she wants them to get back home because they tend to cause a LOT of trouble. During the efforts to retrieve the spell fragments, Celcia displays an uncanny knack for getting stuck in animal form – first as a dog (Pochi), into which she'd willingly transformed, and secondly into a panda. The reason for her retention of these forms is that it is she who recovers spell fragments from the bodies of other elves, only for them to become cloven to her. Unfortunately, if they become cloven to her while she is in another form, it traps her in that form. Also, some of these marks are rather annoying. One, for instance, is a goofy looking black eye; another gives her a set of whiskers.

Mihke (ミケ, Mihke)

Voiced by: Eriko Kawasaki (Japanese); Joe Jaworski (English) for Season 1 Eps. 5 -9 and Christopher Bourque (English) Season 1 Eps. 10-12, Tiffany Grant (English) for Season 2

The Type 74 tank is possessed during the show by the spirit of a cat known as Mihke. Mihke is first met by Elf Hunters possessing a giant teddy bear, which is then attacked by villagers, who explain that the spirit has been harassing them for some time. Upon the destruction of the bear, the spirit possesses a toy dog, found floating in a river by Ritsuko, before this too is destroyed.

Pichi (ピチちゃん, Pichi-chan)

Voiced by: Tomoko Kawakami (Japanese); Tiffany Grant (English)

A small, white, teddy bear-like interdimensional creature with the ability to produce toilet paper, to whom Ritsuko takes a liking. Pichi ends up proving an incentive for the group, especially due to a plot involving a scarcity of toilet tissue.

Supporting

Annette (アネット, Anetto)

Voiced by: Tomoko Kawakami (Japanese); Melissa Cybele-Sparks (English)

A priestly elf and acolyte of Celcia who often appears during the group's adventures. Early in the series, she loses her faith and trust in Celcia for she thought she'd betrayed the elven race for helping out Those Who Hunt Elves and sought to stop TWHE by using a powerful spell, but ended up opening a portal and bringing more earth-originated material through. Subsequently, she ended up stripped naked and flowing down a river attached to a log. Despite this, she is later seen as a major supporter of Elf Hunters efforts to return to Japan. Probably because this is the best way to stop them.

Einal (エイナル, Einaru)

Voiced by: Motomu Kiyokawa (Japanese), Bob Elliott (English) for Season 1 and Rob Bundy for Season 2

Beenal (ビイナル, Bīnaru)

Voiced by: Cha Fu Rin (Japanese); Lew Temple (English) for Season 1 and Randy Sparks (English) for Season 2

They are the two Elven Bishops, with whom Annette and Celcia often consort and often disagree.

Emily (エミリィ, Emirī)

Voiced by: Tomoko Kawakami (Japanese); Heather Bryson-LeMaster (English)

An elven wind-priestess. She initially mistakes TWHE as the Legendary Trio when Hammerhead and his pirate crew raid her village.

Andy

Voiced by: Takehito Koyasu (Japanese); Randy Sparks (English)

An inhabitant of Emily's village.

Bronco

Voiced by: Fujiko Takimoto (Japanese); Kurt Stoll (English)

Andy's younger brother.

Hammerhead

Voiced by: Motomu Kiyokawa (Japanese); Brett Weaver (English)

Leader of a group of anthropomorphic sea creatures who hunt elves to sell as stuffed hunting trophies. They prove to be no match for Junpei's fighting skills, Ritsuko's weaponry and the T-74 Tank's gun.

Gabriella

Voiced by: Eiko Yamada (Japanese); Kim Sevier (English)

An Amazon-like female elf. Her forces would be effortlessly defeated by Those Who Hunt Elves and she herself would fall to Junpei. After which she develops feelings for him for his honor as a fighter.

Dihal

Voiced by: Hiromi Tsuru (Japanese); Rebecca Connelly (English)

A female elf and leader of a town beset by skeletal warriors, she drinks a magic potion which causes her to grow, thus enabling Elf Hunters to search her naked frame. She spends the rest of the episodes in her giant form.

Rapier

Voiced by: Minami Takayama (Japanese); Laura Chapman (English)

A female elf and accomplished fighter, cursed with the numbers of her defeated rivals on her back. It can't come off until she's defeated her 1,000th opponent. She would fall to Junpei but was relieved of her curse because she learned the true way of the fist that her late sensei taught her but refused to listen. She thanks him and Junpei for relieving her of the curse.

Sister Romina

Voiced by: Kanako Tanaka (Japanese); Kira Vincent-Davis (English)

An elven nun.

Emmy

Voiced by: Minako Ito (Japanese); Amy Jackson (English)

A ghostly elf who claims to be a lesbian to keep Junpei from stripping her.

Pierre

Voiced by: Ken-ichi Ogata (Japanese); John Gremillion (English)

Born-again ex-alcoholic hotelier.

Colleena

Voiced by: Kae Araki (Japanese); Luci Christian (English)

An elf who works in flower delivery.

Grace

Voiced by: Misa Watanabe (Japanese); Sara Chamblass (English)

A human dressmaker.

Milliea (ミリア, Miria)

Voiced by: Kumiko Nishihara (Japanese); Marcie Corder (English)

An elf cursed to eternally wear a magical suit of armor she donned in order to protect her city from an evil giant. After a few comical attempts by TWHE to strip her of the armor, she finally manages to remove it, only to put it back on again.

Milliea's Grandfather

Voiced by: Isami Tanonaka (Japanese); Matthew Kelly (English)

A short, shriveled-up elf who is also a pervert who holds an antidote for Millia's armor to come off.

Judge (ジャッジ, Jajji)

Voiced by: Fumihiko Tachiki (Japanese); Mike Kleinhenz (English) for Season 1 and Jay Hickman (English) for Season 2

The chief elven prosecutor for the world in which Elf Hunters find themselves. He is often looking for ways to end the heroes' reign of terror.

Magistrate (裁判長, Saibanchou)

Voiced by: Rin Mizuhara (Japanese); Alissa Alban (English) for Season 1 and Monica Rial (English) for Season 2

A female elf presiding judge who heard the case against Elf Hunters, only to award them a license to keep stripping elves as a means to return home.

Rosa

Voiced by: Eriko Kawasaki (Japanese); Emily Womack (English)

Mermaid elf leader.

Lana

Voiced by: Yu Asakawa (Japanese); Kira Vincent-Davis (English)

Elven thief.

Nancy

Voiced by: Yuko Mizutani (Japanese); Kim Prause (English)

A healer who has become a recluse after being inflicted with spell fragments.

Dr. Bruno

Voiced by: Chiharu Suzuka (Japanese); Monica Rial (English)

A scientist and astronomer, developing her father's heliocentric theories, much to the chagrin of the astronomical council. However, her theories are very different from the normal scientific definition.

Beano

Voiced by: Masato Hirano (Japanese); Rob Bundy (English)

Mr. Tomato

Voiced by: Donaldo (English)

They are two island-based botanists whose experiments with increasing plant growth exponentially end in conflagration.

Lilia

Voiced by: Minako Ito (Japanese); Melissa Williams (English)

An elf who plays the part of a ditsy schoolgirl in a scenario invented by the Judge to entrap Elf Hunters.

Mr. Wolf

Voiced by: Yuichi Nagashima (Japanese); Ed Paez (English)

A wolf who bears a grudge against humanity after the death of his parents. His plans are thwarted by Elf Hunters, who later save him from four elven hunters.

Grandma

Voiced by: Orine Fukushima (Japanese); Melissa Gybele (English)

Grandmother of Little Red Riding Hood.

Elven Hunters

Voiced by: 1. Jessica Boone {English) 2. Kathya Coker (English) 3. Kim Prause (English) 4. Melissa Williams (English}

Four psychopathic hunters who are eventually shown as female elves.

Pulana

Voiced by: Yuri Amano (Japanese); Jessica Boone (English)

An elf bearing an enchanted Chinese-style dress. She is rescued by Junpei and Ritsuko from the Friskers.

The Friskers

The Chairman

Voiced by: Yasunori Matsumota (Japanese); Illich Guardiola (English)

Leader of the Friskers, a group who pride themselves on being the primary stripping faction in the Elf Hunters' fantasy world. Ironically, they worship TWHE as the premiere elf strippers.

Bunny Mask

Voiced by: Kenichi Ono (Japanese); Randy Sparks (English)

Mary the Shepherd

Voiced by: Tomohisa Asabu (Japanese); George Manley (English)

Man Who Stripped the Emperor

Voiced by: Takahashi Yoshida (Japanese); Rob Bundy (English)

There are several Father Christmases in the world in which Elf Hunters find themselves, including Satan, Infomercial and Salary Man Santas, as well as several female Santas – including Annette. There is also a Dog Santa.

Satan Santa

Voiced by: Takashi Matsuo (Japanese); Jay Hickman (English)

Infomercial Santa

Voiced by: Vic Mignogna (English)

Salary Man Santas

Voiced by: 1. Chris Patton (English) 2. Andy McAvin (English)

Regina

Voiced by: Niina Kumagaya (Japanese); Kathya Coker (English)

A powerful elven sorceress residing in Treetown, who firstly attempts to lure Elf Hunters into becoming human sacrifices by a trick, in order to save her world from destruction at the hands of the Legendary Sorcerer (subsequently ending up stripped), before imploring their aid when her fears become reality.

Mayor of Treetown

Voiced by: Takashi Matsuo (Japanese); Andy McAvin (English)

Helping Regina with her plans.

Bizarre

Voiced by: Naoko Matsull (Japanese); Allison Sumrall (English)

An elven master thief with plans for global domination. She is aided by two goblins.

Goblin 1

Voiced by: Eiji Itoh (Japanese); Vic Mignogna (English)

Goblin 2

Voiced by: Tomohisa Asabu (Japanese); Chris Patton (English)

Legendary Sorcerer

Voiced by: Omi Minami (Japanese); Greg Ayres (English)

Having lain dormant for many years under Treetown, the sorcerer has the power to destroy the world.

Media

Manga

The manga was written and illustrated by Yu Yagami. It was serialized by MediaWorks in the manga magazine Dengeki Comic Gao! from June 1995 to March 2003, and collected in 21 bound volumes. It is licensed in English by ADV Manga, with only the first seven volumes published in English in 2004, before the series went on indefinite hiatus. ADV's website makes no mention of the series in manga form, so it is unlikely the series will be continued.

Anime

Two anime series were created. Both were animated by Group TAC and produced by Amuse, Inc., while the second was also produced by Project E2. Both series were licensed by ADV Films, who released as 4 DVDs. In 2009 Sentai Filmworks released the series in a complete collection set.

Those Who Hunt Elves
Volume 1 - Ready, Set, Strip!
#	Title	Original air date
1	"Those Who Hunt Elves Attack" "Raishuu! Erufu wo karu mono-tachi" (来襲!エルフを狩るモノたち)	October 4, 1996 (1996-10-04)
The team are taken for a group of "legendary warriors" prophesied by Emily to save a town from marauding fish-men pirates.
2	"An Invincible Team is Formed" "Tanjou! Muteki no paatii" (誕生!無敵のパーティー)	October 10, 1996 (1996-10-10)
Celcia joins the team as they take on Gabriella's band of mercenaries.
3	"The Red One or the Blue One?" "Sentaku! Aka to ao no hiyaku" (選択!赤と青の秘薬)	October 17, 1996 (1996-10-17)
Dihal, the elven protector of a town under siege by terrorists, makes a bet with the team to see who can defeat "The Skeletons" first.
4	"The Search for the 1000th Fighter" "Hicchitsu! 1000 hito-me wo nerae" (必殺!1000人目をねらえ)	October 24, 1996 (1996-10-24)
Rapier, an elf kick boxer inflicted with a curse until she can defeat one thousand opponents consecutively, selects Junpei as her 1,000th opponent.
5	"The Addition of the Fifth Fiend" "Tsuika! Go-ban-me no nakama" (追加!五番目の仲魔)	October 31, 1996 (1996-10-31)
Ritsuko's tank runs out of fuel in a town terrorized by the spirit of a deceased cat which can possess inanimate objects.
6	"The Most Horrible Spell of All Time" "Senritsu! Shijou saiaku jumon" (戦慄!史上最悪の呪文)	November 7, 1996 (1996-11-07)
High priestess Annette grows frustrated with Celcia's support of the elf-strippers, and decides to take the initiative in destroying them.
Volume 2 - Elf Stripping For Fun and Profit
7	"Catch Me in a Field of Flowers" "Kyoufu! Ohanabatake de tsukamaete" (恐怖!お花畑でつかまえて)	November 14, 1996 (1996-11-14)
While camping in a haunted mansion, the team discovers a field of elven flower-people.
8	"To The End of This World and Beyond" "Rinjuu? Anoyo no hate ma demo" (臨終?あの世の果てまでも)	November 21, 1996 (1996-11-21)
In order to strip a ghost elf, the team must leave their bodies.
9	"Let The Maiden Dance in Beauty" "Kandou! Kimi yo utsukushiku mae" (感動!君よ美しく舞え)	November 29, 1996 (1996-11-29)
Airi helps a poor elf girl realize her dream of being the belle of the royal ball.
10	"The Elf Who Couldn't Undress" "Higeki! Datsu gitai erufu" (悲劇!脱ぎたいエルフ)	December 5, 1996 (1996-12-05)
The team are sought out by Milia, who wants their help to remove her cursed armour.
11	"No Tomorrows for The Captured" "Gyukushuu! Ogen-tachi ni myounichi hanai" (逆襲!お前たちに明日はない)	December 12, 1996 (1996-12-12)
While elements of our world begin appearing in the elf world, a plot is set in motion to capture the team.
12	"And Yet Those Who Still Hunt Elves" "Soshite erufu wo karu mono-tachi" (そしてエルフを狩るモノたち)	December 19, 1996 (1996-12-19)
Celcia and the team stand trial for their elf-stripping antics.

Those Who Hunt Elves 2
Volume 3 - Forgive Me for Stripping You
#	Title	Original air date
13	"Those Who Fish Elves" "Erufu wo tsuru mono-tachi" (エルフを釣るモノたち)	October 2, 1997 (1997-10-02)
The TWHE has to start all over again hunting for spell fragments. Celcia gets a call for help from mermaid elves.
14	"Those Who Wipe" "Fuki-tai mono-tachi" (フキたいモノたち)	October 9, 1997 (1997-10-09)
The TWHE runs out of toilet paper, which leaves Junpei running around.
15	"Those Who Have Been Animal Cursed" "Noruwaretakke? Mono-tachi" (呪われたっケ?モノたち)	October 16, 1997 (1997-10-16)
Celcia becomes Panda due to the curse.
16	"Those Who Manipulate Heaven and Earth" "Tentochi wo ayatsuru mono-tachi" (天と地を操るモノたち)	October 23, 1997 (1997-10-23)
TWHE get in argument about which moves around "The Sun or The Earth?". Dr. Bruno might have the answer.
17	"Those Who Bean" "Mame nihamaru mono-tachi" (マメにはまるモノたち)	October 30, 1997 (1997-10-30)
While TWHE are stuck on an island, they witness the growing of a large beanstalk.
18	"Those Who Are Entrapped!" "Damasareru mono-tachi" (騙されるモノたち)	November 6, 1997 (1997-11-06)
The Judge returns to stop TWHE from raising havoc on the citizens.
Volume 4 - Still Stripping After All These Years
19	"Those Who Hunt Wolves" "Urufu wo karu mono-tachi" (ウルフを狩るモノたち)	November 13, 1997 (1997-11-13)
TWHE go to a town which is being stalked and attacked by a wolf.
20	"Those Who Protect Elves Sometimes" "Tokiniha erufu wo mamoru mono-tachi" (時にはエルフを守るモノたち)	November 20, 1997 (1997-11-20)
TWHE run into a girl, who is being chased by the Friskers.
21	"Those Who Wait for Noel" "Noeru wo matsu mono-tachi" (ノエルを待つモノたち)	November 27, 1997 (1997-11-27)
TWHE celebrate Christmas.
22	"Those Who Fight for the Spotlight" "Shuyaku wo arasou mono-tachi" (主役を争うモノたち)	December 4, 1997 (1997-12-04)
The citizens of Treetown hunt for TWHE.
23	"Those Who Dream" "Yumemiru mono-tachi" (夢見るモノたち)	December 11, 1997 (1997-12-11)
While resting by the river, TWHE find a treasure chest filled with pillows.
24	"Those Who Still Hunt Elves" "Yappari erufu wo karu mono-tachi" (やっぱりエルフを狩るモノたち)	December 18, 1997 (1997-12-18)
The Legendary Sorcerer awakes in Treetown, and TWHE end up heading back there. After defeating the Legendary Sorcerer, TWHE are back to square one on the spell. The series ends with TWHE hunting again.

Music

Those Who Hunt Elves

Opening Theme:

• "Angel Blue"

  Lyrics by: Naoko Hamasaki

  Composition and arrangement by: Chihiro Kiryu

  Song by: Naoko Hamasaki

Ending Theme:

• "The Genius Comes At The End" (天才は最後にやってくる; Tensai wa Saigo ni Yattekuru)

  Lyrics by: Natsumi Tadano

  Composition and arrangement by: Hideki Tsutsumi

  Song by: Naoko Hamasaki

Those Who Hunt Elves 2

Opening Theme:

• "Round11"

  Lyrics by: Naoko Hamasaki

  Composition and arrangement by: Chihiro Kiryu

  Song by: Naoko Hamasaki

Ending Theme:

• "To a Place Beyond Miracles" (奇跡の向こう側へ; Kiseki no Mukou Soba e)

  Lyrics by: Naoko Hamasaki

  Composition and arrangement by: Hideki Tsutsumi

  Song by: Naoko Hamasaki

References

1. Bustard, Jason. "Those Who Hunt Elves". T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
2. "Those Who Hunt Elves Complete". Sentai Filmworks. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
3. "Those Who Hunt Elves 2 Manga Listed as Ending With 10th Volume". Anime News Network. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
4. "Those Who Hunt Elves Manga Returns". Anime News Network. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
5. "Tuesday New Releases: When they Cry, Those Who Hunt Elves, Waiting in the Summer". sentai filmworks. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
6. "China bans 38 anime & manga titles including Attack on Titan". Special Broadcasting Service. 2015-06-12. Retrieved 2018-08-31.

Further reading

• Santos, Carlo (July 21, 2009). "Oh My Rain Goddess! - RTO". Anime News Network.
• Luster, Joseph (April 2, 2016). "[Review] Those Who Hunt Elves". Otaku USA. Sovereign Media.

External links

• Those Who Hunt Elves (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia