Beyond the Heavens (2009)
A bold anime reimagining of China's Three Kingdoms era, told through the eyes of the legendary and controversial Cao Cao.
Beyond the Heavens - Series Information
- Original Title: 蒼天航路
- First Air Year: 2009
- Last Air Year: 2009
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 25 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 26
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: April 7, 2009 (Australia - M)
- Networks: Nippon TV
- Production Countries: Japan
- Alternative Titles: Além dos Céus (BR), Sōten Kōro (JP)
Beyond the Heavens - Plot
Sōten Kōro is a Japanese manga by manga artist King Gonta, adapted from an original story by Hagin Yi. It was serialized by Kodansha in the manga anthology magazine Weekly Morning from 1994 to 2005. After Hagin Yi died of cancer in September 1998, King Gonta picked up the story himself. A total of 409 chapters were published and compiled into 36 separate books. In 1998, it won the 22nd Kodansha Manga Award in the general category. There are no published English translations of it, but a color art compilation book released in 2007 has the English subtitle Beyond the Heavens on the cover, suggesting that it is the accepted English translation of the title. In addition, the last chapter of the series is also titled in English Beyond the Heavens. In Japan, Sōten Kōro was advertised by its publisher as "Neo-Sangokushi", which may be translated as "Neo Romance of the Three Kingdoms". In April 2009, the series was made into an anime series by Madhouse.
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Beyond the Heavens - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Mamoru Miyano
- Isshin Chiba
- Nachi Nozawa
- Kikuko Inoue
- Takeshi Kusao
- Ryusei Nakao
- Masaki Terasoma
- Hisao Egawa
- Tetsu Inada
- Hiroshi Yanaka
Beyond the Heavens - FAQs
What is Beyond the Heavens about?
Beyond the Heavens is a 2009 anime adaptation of the manga Sōten Kōro, which reimagines the turbulent era of the Three Kingdoms through the perspective of Cao Cao. Rather than portraying him as a villain, the series offers a bold, revisionist take on one of Chinese history's most complex figures.
Is Beyond the Heavens based on a true story?
The series draws heavily from real Chinese history, centering on Cao Cao and the Three Kingdoms period. While rooted in historical events and figures, it is an adaptation of the manga Sōten Kōro, which takes creative liberties and offers a revisionist interpretation rather than a strictly factual retelling.
Who voices Cao Cao in Beyond the Heavens?
Mamoru Miyano voices the adult Cao Cao in Beyond the Heavens. Miyano is one of Japan's most celebrated voice actors, widely known for his roles as Light Yagami in Death Note and Ling Yao in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, bringing considerable charisma to the lead role.
How many episodes does Beyond the Heavens have?
Beyond the Heavens ran for a single season comprising 26 episodes, each approximately 25 minutes long. The series aired on Nippon TV in Japan beginning in April 2009 and concluded the same year, covering the full arc of its source manga's narrative scope.
Is Beyond the Heavens manga available in English?
No official English translation of the Sōten Kōro manga has been published. However, the English subtitle Beyond the Heavens appears on a 2007 color art compilation book and on the manga's final chapter, indicating it as the accepted English title for the series.
Who made the Beyond the Heavens anime?
The anime was produced by Madhouse, the acclaimed Japanese animation studio behind such titles as Death Note, Hunter x Hunter, and Trigun. It aired on Nippon TV in Japan and is based on the manga Sōten Kōro, originally serialized in Weekly Morning magazine from 1994 to 2005.
Where can I watch Beyond the Heavens?
Streaming availability for Beyond the Heavens varies by region. You can check JustWatch for a current and comprehensive list of platforms where the series is available to stream, rent, or purchase in your country, as options may differ depending on your location.
When did Beyond the Heavens first air?
Beyond the Heavens first aired on April 7, 2009, in Japan on Nippon TV. The series concluded the same year after completing its single season of 26 episodes. It is an anime adaptation of the long-running manga Sōten Kōro, which was serialized from 1994 to 2005.
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