Skyhigh (manga)
Skyhigh (スカイハイ, Sukai Hai) is a Japanese manga which spawned a popular live-action TV drama, starring Yumiko Shaku, and 2003 theatrical release starring the same actress in a big budget prequel to the TV series. The manga was written by Japanese manga author Tsutomu Takahashi. Published in December 2001, the 240 page graphic novel follows the story of Izuko, a beautiful and mysterious "Guardian of the Gate" to the Afterlife. Izuku guides troubled souls who pass through, presenting them with three choices: to ascend to Heaven to await reincarnation; to deny their death and wander the earth as a ghost, or to seek vengeance upon the person who caused their death or suffering—but the consequences of that, no matter how justified, is to be condemned to Hell.
| Sky High | |
 Cover of the first manga volume | |
| スカイハイ (Sukai Hai) | |
|---|---|
| Manga | |
| Written by | Tsutomu Takahashi |
| Published by | Shueisha |
| Magazine | Weekly Young Jump |
| Demographic | Seinen |
| Original run | 2001 – 2003 |
| Volumes | 2 |
| Television drama | |
| Directed by | Nakahara Takashi, et al. |
| Original network | TV Asahi |
| Original run | January 2003 – March 2004 |
| Episodes | 19 |
| Live-action film | |
| Directed by | Ryuhei Kitamura |
| Written by | Isao Kiriyama |
| Studio | TV Asahi |
| Released | November 8, 2003 |
| Runtime | 122 minutes |
| Manga | |
| Skyhigh: Karma | |
| Written by | Tsutomu Takahashi |
| Published by | Shueisha |
| Magazine | Weekly Young Jump |
| Demographic | Seinen |
| Original run | May 19, 2003 – August 19, 2003 |
| Volumes | 2 |
| Manga | |
| Skyhigh: Shinshō | |
| Written by | Tsutomu Takahashi |
| Published by | Shueisha |
| Magazine | Weekly Young Jump |
| Demographic | Seinen |
| Original run | 2003 – 2004 |
| Volumes | 4 |
Sequels include Skyhigh: Karma' (スカイハイ カルマ) and Skyhigh: Shinshō (スカイハイ 新章). Both sequels were published while the series was in production and at the height of its popularity.
Plot
Izuko (Yumiko Shaku) is a beautiful and mysterious gatekeeper to the afterlife. Known as the Guardian of the Gate, Izuko guides spirits of the recently departed on their journey...sometimes to Heaven, other times to Hell. The decision is theirs and it is not always an easy one. Often the spirit is the victim of a murder or other untimely death. In such case, a soul is offered three options: 1) accept their death as it is and proceed into Heaven to await reincarnation. 2) Wander the Earth as a ghost. 3) Take justice into their own hands and face the gates of Hell. Most episodes (see Episode List below) involve the guest starring character seeking to discover what happened to them and why—with Izuko attempting to guide them on the correct path. To her sadness and despite her compassion, Izuko does not always succeed and the moral dilemma is often very grey and unfair.