Episode 1 The Boy Who Dances With Ghosts ------------------------------- Ding... Teacher: That'll be it for today. -Outside the tutoring school- Student1: Take care. Student2: I'll see you tomorrow. Manta: When I realized, I was just standing there(at the cemetery gate). Someone is calling me...somehow, I had such a feeling...(running through the cemetery Just kidding! It's not bad to occasionally take another route home.It's also faster if I go through here... Boy: The stars are pretty. Manta: Stars? Wow! No kidding!...Who are you?!?! (to the boy) Boy:You came to see the stars also right? Come on over. Let's watch it with everyone. Manta: It-it-it's ok! It's kind of late already... And by the way,isn't your grammar incorrect? When you're referring to two people, you don't say 'everyone'. Boy: No, it's 'everyone'. Manta: Huh? Boy: The spirits! (the spirits appeared around him) Manta: Ahh!!! The Next Day -Middle School Grade 1 Class C- Students: GHOSTS!? Manta: Yeah, on the way back from tutoring. I met a weird person at the Crow Cemetery. And suddenly it became crowded. It really surprised me ! Student1: Manta... Are you alright? Manta: Eh?! About what? Student1: What do you mean 'about what?' There's no such thing as ghosts. Manta: Heheh, such a reaction is natural. Even I would have thought the same way if yesterday's incident hadn't occurred. However... I saw it with my own eyes! Student1: Huh? Student2: Hey now, quit making up stories. Manta: I'm not making it up. Student2: Are you serious? Aren't you trying to scare us? Well, it is the season for ghost stories. Student3: Maybe he became numb with fear after reading a few horror books. Student2: Yea, yea. Student3: Even so, I happen to enjoy ghost stories. Continue on with the story Manta. Manta: It's not made up! Student3:Ah...He's losing it. Manta: I really saw it!! At that cemetery they were all staring at the stars and chatting clamorously! Student1: Yeah,yeah...Great. Manta: I'm SERIOUS! Student3: Maybe you're just worn out from studying too much? Student2: Either that or maybe he's being haunted by a ghost. Student1: Good one! Student1,2,3 Laughing hard Teacher: Hey, get back to your seats. It's time for homeroom. Manta: Dammit...I'm not lying. A boy walked into the class Manta: Ah!!! Teacher: Huh?! Wha...what is it? You know each other Oyamada? Manta: Eh...ah...no... Teacher: Then hurry up and get back to your seat. Manta: Yeah. Teacher: Now then, considering the situation, everyone should know that, this is the new student who transferred to our school, Asakura Yoh. Umm, due to personal circumstances... Manta: That's the guy... Teacher: He's transferred from Izumo... Manta: From the cemetery! (whispering to himself) Teacher: So, you guys should show him around and get acquainted with each other. Student1: Are you ok? (whispering to Manta) Teacher: I'm counting on you all. Class: Ok!!! -At Break- Manta: Hey. (talking to Yoh) HEY! Yoh: Ah? Manta: We met yesterday at the cemetery, right? You were with the ghosts, right? Yoh:...Who are you? Student3: Your brain must be tired from all that studying, Manta. Student2: That's why you are haunted. Student1: Good one! Student1,2,3 laughing Student3: That was the best! -During Class- Manta (thinking): I can't possibly back down now. Whatever it takes, I shall reveal his true identity! -After School- Manta: Which all comes down to cleverness! Just watch. I'll stick close to him like glue and make sure *GASP* or two comes out of that dull face. -3 hours later- Manta (angry): How long is he planning to stay like that?! Ugh! I'm just wasting precious studying time! What's so fun about staring at the river for couple of hours?!? Huh?!? Is he finally going to move? Yoh: It feels great to be on with nature. Manta (shouting): What the hell was that?!? Yoh: Huh? Manta: Da...damn. I've reached my limit without even knowing it...I hope I wasn't noticed...GAH! What the hell! I'VE LOST HIM!...However! I, Manta-sama don't give up that easily. As long as I stick around here, he's bound to show up eventually. And with this 'Instant Camera', I'll take a picture when he's with the ghosts! Then I'll have hard evidence! Man1: What did you say? Man2: Ah...Ryu-san, it's nothing. It's not like we actually saw it. Man3: Yea, yea. It could be just a rumor floating around. Ryu: There is a kid who comes here often. Right here. Right where our 'Best Place' is! Even if it *is* a rumor...I don't like it!!! Investigate. Man2: Huh? Ryu: Find out the truth and if the rumor is true, bring that kid here. There's a price to pay when anyone trespassed, in my territory! I Ryu of the Wooden Sword, shall teach that kid to fear my existence. Man4:R...Ry...Ryu-san... Ryu: Ah? What is it 'Bull Boy'? You don't look so well. Bull Boy: R-Ryu-san...T-that's... Ryu: Ah? What about this? Bull Boy: That's Amidamaru's tombstone. Ryu: Amidamaru? What's that? Bull Boy: What do you mean 'What's that'?!? There's a famous legend about it! About a samurai 600 years ago...because he was so strong and had killed so many people, to everyone, he was fear itself until he was executed. That's the tombstone that was placed there to ease Amid's anger! Ryu: So? Bull Boy: What do you mean 'so'?!? By doing that, you might be cursed by his spirit! Ryu: Hmph! I can make Nattou (Japanese fermented soybeans) out of some damn curse! Man5: Ah!!! Man6: The tombstone! Man7: He destroyed it! Ryu:...What's nattou? Heh, it's not even funny. I don't care if its Amidamaru or whoever, quit being scared of some dumb rock. Tokyo's current real-estate situation isn't so weak as to gave up land for a ghost that doesn't exist. Haha... Manta: Ahhhhh...there'll be severe punishment for that...I'll just head home. (backing up, and knock down an empty can by accident) Ryu: Eh? Who the hell? Manta: Ah, nobody...I...I'm just passing through...Uh...umm...Ah... Please don't mind me and... Ryu: Oh! It's you isn't it. The kid who trespasses in this area. Manta: That's...What are you talking about? Ryu: This is our 'Best Place'. I shall teach you properly about that! Manta: Th...there's really no need...it's okay really... Ryu: No need to hold back. Manta: Help!!! -The Next Dat at School- Student3: EHH?!? What happened to you?!? Manta: I got beaten up by Ryu of the Wooden Sword. Student1: Ryu of the Wooden Sword...how did you end up meddling with such gangsters... Manta: It happened while I was trying to take a picture of the ghosts... Student3: Are you still talking about that? Manta: But... Student3: What do you mean 'but'? Isn't that enough already? Student2: That's right! Ryu of the Wooden Sword is much more dangerous than any ghost. Manta, it's really dangerous. That's enough already. Manta: Even so, I really saw it! Student1: It's because you keep saying that crap you were beaten up by Ryu. Isn't that right? Manta: Those are two different stories! Student1: What part?!? It's the same! Let's stop with this nonsense. Okay? Manta: It's different...I really saw it...I REALLY SAW IT!!! Student3: Manta... Manta: I didn't say anything that was a lie. Really...really... Yoh: Yeah, it's not a lie. There are spirits. -After School- Yoh: I've heard the situation from my friends at the cemetery. Manta: What are you talking about? I'm busy with my studies. I can't waste my time like you do. Yoh: Oyamada...Manta, right? Come on, let's go. (pulling Manta with him) Manta: Wa-wait, wait a second! Go where? Yoh: To where Ryu is. Manta: Ehh? Yoh: My grandfather once said, evil beings can't see spirits. Therefore, you must be a good person. I can't sit still after knowing that a person like you was bullied like that. Manta: Don't bother! What are you planning to do when we see Ryu? He's a bad guy with a warranty on it. Besides, he has so many sidekicks... what can a dull kid like you do? Yoh: Yea, no doubt I'm weak. Manta: Then why are you... Yoh: It's alright. It'll work out somehow. Now, let's go. I'm sorry I pretended not to know you yesterday. Manta: Ehh? Yoh: I don't like being bothered usually. I didn't wanna cause a turmoil in school because of me. Since spirits are usually unseen. -At the Cemetery- Manta: Umm...Hello! Yoh: Ah? Did you say something? Manta: What i mean is... could you please untie me?(tied to a tree) Yoh: If I untie you, you'll run away. Manta: Exactly why... Yoh: Then no. Manta: Why...Why do I have to... Yoh: Well, when it all ends, I'll untie you. Just have some patience and watch. Manta: Watch what? Watch how you get beaten to a pulp by Ryu of the Wooden Sword? Yoh: Umm...rather than that...what I'm trying to say is... Manta: Eh? Yoh: I want you to watch...me. Man: But is was nothing! Manta:Ahh! That voice...!! Man: When they saw Ryu swinging the wooden sword around, everyone scattered away. Man: They were all bull shitting with us. Ryu: Huh? Who's there? Ah? Yoh: Yo, I'm Asakura Yoh... and this is my friend, Oyamada Manta. Manta: H-How do you do... Man1: Ryu-san, that's the kid from yesterday... Ryu: I know what I'm looking at. Yoh: My friend seemed to owe you some debt, so I came by to return the favour. Ryu: Favour? Are you saying you're going to avenge him? You sure got some guts. You must really want to see 'the other world' soon. Yoh: Even those of 'the other world' are saying that you people are annoying. Ryu: This kid... There is limit when even joking around. Manta: Apologize! Kneel down and apologize! Men: Ryu-san! We'll take care of them. There's no need for Ryu-san to waste any effort on this... Manta: Ahhh!!! Apologize already! Yoh: I told you, it's alright! Manta: It's impossible to do anything by yourself! Yoh: I'm not alone! Voice: I shall grant thee an opportunity to redeem your mistakes, so you should be thankful! Manta: Mistakes...? Could...could it be? Ryu: Trash him! Yoh: Manta...watch me closely. Shall we do it then! Alright! Amidamaru! Ghost-Ball mode! I'm a 'Shaman'. The one who links this world and the other world. Manta: Sh...Shaman? Yoh: Let's go! Over-Soul Merge! Manta: The spirit went into his body? Knocked-down the two guys in a flash Bull Boy: What the hell just happened? Man1: It was too fast to see anything... Manta(thought): Shaman...one who links This World and the Other World. Yoh&Amidamaru: You're next. Are you prepared for it? Ryu: Who is this bastard... He's completely different from a moment ago! What the hell... Yoh&Amidamaru: What's wrong? Are you scared of my blade? Amateur. Ryu: This kid...This bastard! Don't underestimate me!! He disappeared?!? Man1: Ryu-san, watch out! Bull Boy: Watch out! Ryu-san! Knocked Ryu onto the gound Yoh&Amidamaru: Hmph, I won't kill you. Since I don't want a loser like you to be one of us. the whole gang: Ahhh! Ryu-san has been defeated! Run!!! Manta: Shaman...to unite with the spirit...the spirit's movement, skills, everything... reappears using his body...amazing! -After Ryu and His Gang Run Away- Yoh: Alright, perfect! Manta: What do you mean...it's cracked all over the place... Yoh: Well, don't mind such petty things. You seem unconcered. Manta: Eh? About what? Yoh: Ahh...my...even when you saw me unite with the ghost... Manta:Ah, the thing is, the first time I saw you was with the spirits. Yoh: Humm, oh yea? Manta: Yea. Yoh: Oh! Today's stars are really pretty. Manta: Wowww...No kidding! Manta: Shaman...one who links this world and the next world... Manta: From this day on, with Yoh-kun, my adventures full of spirits began. End of Episode 1