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Claymore (クレイモア, Kureimoa) is a dark fantasy manga series written and illustrated by Norihiro Yagi produced for Monthly Shonen Jump. As of October 2007, 13 volumes of the original Japanese edition and 11 in English have been released. Each chapter in the manga is referred to as a "scene".
An anime series based on the manga began airing in Japan on 2007-04-03.
The Background
Claymore is set in an unknown, medieval-like world where humans and creatures called "Yoma"s coexist. The latter live by eating the guts of humans, though with their numerous powers (such as shapeshifting) they can hide from them, disguise themselves and act as them, and kill them easily. All of these together make it hard for humans to live, and so the whole "continent" in which humans live mostly consists of towns.
To protect fellow humans, a secret organization known as the "Claymore" has been created.
The Organization
The Claymore create hybrids that are even more powerful than the original Yomas by mixing their blood with human's. They are trained to kill Yoma, can detect them while hiding and are overall weilder of great strength. But the more the Claymores call on their supernatural strength, the closer they come to losing their human sides forever. No one knows who they really are though, what are their true strengths, where they come from, and who they were before becoming Claymores, as well as their number. To humans, they are mostly dangerous beings called "The Silver-eyed Witches" who get rid of the Yoma but who can still be dangerous. While fighting such creatures, they can be easily identified by their eyes changing color from Silver to Golden.
What is known about the organization is that it goes after Yomas on demand. When one town is being attacked by a Yoma, the leader comes in contact with the organization and they send 1 or more Claymore to get rid of the Yoma. Claymores are also said to be always females, for unknown reasons. Other information is not held by humans...
The Story
The story highlights Clare (sometimes Claire) as its protagonist, who is also a Claymore. Naturally, she is dispatched to a Yoma-assaulted town on request, where a boy named Raki lives. We get to know about her past, the story behind claymores and this whole unknown world, and other terrible facts about her reality. It is a drama/fantasy and supernatural anime, where once one starts, one cannot help but finish the whole season
The anime emphazises on gore scenes. For those who are absolutely horrified by fountains of blood, don't read/watch it.
There are a total of 26 episodes in the animes, and 78 chapters (Still ongoing) in the manga.
Characters
Clare (クレア, Kurea)
The series' protagonist. Clare is a distant and quiet Claymore, but occasionally shows an impulsive side. After one of her assignments, she picks up a boy called Raki, who was exiled from his village. Raki gradually manages to break through her shell and they become friends. It is unclear whether their relationship is fraternal or romantic, although it has similarities to her relationship to Teresa, a Claymore who adopted Clare as a child. Clare is ranked #47 of the Claymores, the last and therefore weakest of all.
Raki (ラキ, Raki)
A young boy whose family was murdered by a Yoma. The Yoma was slain by Clare. Raki, suspected of being a Yoma himself, was exiled from his village, although he denies this to Clare and claims to have left voluntarily. Clare originally offered to take him with her to the next village, but eventually they get attached to each other and continue their journey together. Raki is devoted to Clare and aspires to become strong enough to protect her.
Teresa (テレサ, Teresa)
Teresa was the strongest Claymore of her time. Her special ability was an exceptional sense of the yoki flows of her adversaries. Her appearance is like that of a goddess and it is backed-up by her awesome strength and power. Teresa was known as Teresa of the Faint Smile (微笑のテレサ, bishō no Teresa, lit. Smiling Teresa).
As a Claymore, Teresa was originally a cold-blooded killer who cared for no one, only helping villages because she was ordered to. During a hunt, Teresa saved the young Clare from a Yoma that kept her as a plaything. Clare chose to follow the initially unwilling and hostile Teresa. Eventually Clare's determination moved Teresa and a close bond was formed between the two...
Miria (ミリア, Miria)
Miria, also called Phantom Miria (幻影のミリア, gen'ei no Miria) takes her name from her unique ability to greatly, but briefly, increase her speed to the point where she leaves many afterimages of herself in battle, confusing the opponent. She is a high-graded claymore which means she is often seen as a leader when the organization sends more than 1 claymore to a mission. She happens to meet Clare during such a mission. Generally speaking, she is friendly, wise, and righteous. She is also very skilled at teamwork and tactics. Last but not least, she is trying to learn the secrets of her organization...
Priscilla (プリシラ, Purishira)
A Claymore who qualified during Teresa's peak, Priscilla was quickly promoted to #2. It was believed she would become stronger than Teresa in time, and she was one of the group of four Claymores sent to execute her following her break with the Organization. Her lack of experience led to catastrophic consequences...
Opening Song
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