 |
The plot summary in this article or section is too long compared to the rest of the article. Please edit the article to focus on discussing the work rather than merely reiterating the plot. |
| Romeo×Juliet | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| ロミオ×ジュリエット (Romio×Jurietto) |
|
| Genre | Fantasy, Dystopian, Romance, Drama |
| TV anime | |
| Director | Fumitoshi Oizaki |
| Writer | Reiko Yoshida |
| Studio | Gonzo |
| Network |  CBC |
| Original run | April 4 2007 – September 26 2007 |
| Episodes | 24 |
| Manga | |
| Author | COM |
| Publisher | Kadokawa Shoten |
| Serialized in | Monthly Asuka |
| Original run | March 24 2007 – Present |
Romeo×Juliet (ロミオ×ジュリエット Romio to Jurietto?) is a TV anime series, loosely based on William Shakespeare's classic play, Romeo and Juliet along with numerous references and characters from other Shakespearian plays. It premiered from April 4 2007 across Japan on CBC, and later on TBS, KBS Kyōto and SUN-TV. It ended on September 26 2007 for a total of twenty-four episodes.
Contents |
Characters
Capulets
- Juliet (ジュリエット Jurietto?) Voiced by: Fumie Mizusawa
- The last member from the House of Capulet. Her full name is Juliet Fiamatta Asto Capulet. She masquerades as a boy, Odin, in order to avoid being caught by the usurping House of Montague, who still actively look for the Capulets. An excellent swordsman, she also masquerades as a vigilante, the Crimson Whirlwind (赤い旋風 Akai Kaze?), in order to aid the people oppressed by the Montagues.
- Initially, Juliet has no recollection of her troubled past and chafes at being forced to dress as a boy. The truth of her heritage is revealed to her by Conrad on her sixteenth birthday. Her memories of the fateful night fourteen years ago float to the surface soon after she unsheathes the Capulet Ghat. Even so, Juliet at first claims that she has no desire for revenge.
- Juliet first meets Romeo as the Crimson Whirlwind when he rescues her from Montague guards. She then falls in love with him after attending the Montague Rose Ball dressed as a man in place of her friend Emilia, only managing to introduce herself when they meet again in a field of irises. Juliet learns that Romeo is a Montague when he saves her once again during her mission to rescue Lancelot (the doctor).
- Juliet later gives up on her Odin alter ego and pledges herself completely to the Capulet Restoration, attempting to assume her position as the daughter of the wiped clan, but deep down she still struggles with such a bloody legacy and has very strong qualms about killing.
- After escaping with Romeo from Neo Verona and pledging themselves to each other in an abandoned temple, Juliet attempts to live a normal life in the country with him, only to discover the roots of an old tree that seemingly is the companion to Escalus. She seems to have a psychic connection to the tree, whose depth was revealed to her much later. She is finally captured along with Romeo, publicly denounced as the leader of the Capulet group by Lord Montague and slated for public execution, but her friends set her free and, assured by Romeo's promise for a new peaceful world, Juliet escapes without him into hiding. She eventually comes face to face with a jealous Hermione, and despite the other's attempts to kill her, Juliet bears no ill will to her rival as she also brought news of Romeo's safety. At this time, she also meets Tybalt at Camio's mansion and learns his past.
- While planning for their offensive against the Montagues, she reunites with Romeo in his newly created village. Pleased by his efforts and motivated to spring back into action, she returns to Neo Verona. During Willy's play, she revives the Crimson Whirlwind and announces that "a free wind" will once again reach the city, which spurns restlessness and rebellion amongst the townspeople. The following night she lead a successful raid against a Montague post using her vigilante persona. While entreating the civilians to fight with her, an enemy archer knocks off her hat with an arrow, revealing her true identity to the public including her enemy, Lord Montague. In retaliation, Montague decides to burn down the city because the townspeople were rebelling against him. Later, an earthquake occurs due to the last Escalus tree withering away.
- In the midst of the rebellion, Juliet experiences pains in her chest and a mysterious mark appears around her upper sternum. Whilst praying to her parent's graves, Ophelia confronts her and tells her that the Escalus tree has been supported by sacrifices made by the Capulets for generations and has chosen her to revive itself. As the the world will die without Escalus' support, Juliet eventually agrees though secretly struggles with her decision when faced with Romeo and her loved ones. She solely tells Tybalt her ties and duty with Escalus and implores him to care for Romeo in her stead.
- Some time afterwards, she leads her forces into the Montague's domain, with many of Montague's troops demoralized and unwilling to fight. Facing Montague at last, she drops her sword and tries to end the conflict without bloodshed. She tells the lord that she only wants to bring peace to Neo Verona and proposes Montague to leave peacefully. Montague relents but is betrayed and stabbed by Mercutio. He dies in Juliet's and Romeo's arms. Romeo names her the new Duchess of Neo Verona and announces that he will return to the village, hoping that someday they would be able to live there together happily.
- Feeling her end nearing, she struggles to Escalus, hoping to offer herself before others can find her. On the final walkway to the tree, Romeo confronts her and determined to stave him away, she draws her blade against him. They fight briefly with Romeo as the victor, convincing her that he will follow her to the death if need be. Before they can leave together, she is forcefully swept by Ophelia to Escalus. After Romeo and company save her from the tree's clutches, she awakens to Romeo dying in her arms. Determined to save the world and to uphold her promise to Romeo, she voluntarily sacrifices herself, believing that they will be together for eternity.
- Lord Capulet (キャピュレット Kyapyuretto?) Voiced by: Satoshi Taki
- Juliet's father. He was killed in Montague's coup d'état fourteen years ago. It's shown through flashbacks that Lord Montague was the one who killed him with his own hands, as a part of Montague's scheme to take over Neo Verona and achieve revenge on the whole Capulet clan for the suffering and pain he and his mother went through for them.
Allies and relatives
- Cordelia (コーディリア Kōdiria?) Voiced by: Miyu Matsuki
- Juliet's best friend since childhood and another survivor of the Capulet massacre (along with Curio and Francisco, her relatives worked as Capulet vassals and died in the slaughter along with their masters), she has helped take care of Juliet since then and also acts as her private confidante. Juliet relates that the reason why she kept her hair long -rather than cut it for an easier boy-like appearance- was because Cordelia liked it that way as servants often can't relish the luxury of cosmetics. She has been hinted to have feelings for Romeo's friend, Benvolio. She agrees to marry him in late in the series and hands her wedding bouquet to Juliet, wishing for her friend's and Romeo's happiness. At the end of the series, she and Benvolio have a child. Seems to be a stand-in for Juliet's Nurse from the play. Her name may be a possible reference to the fiercely loyal character from King Lear.
- Conrad (コンラッド Konraddo?) Voiced by: Katsuhisa Houki
- Captain of the Capulet Guards who saved Juliet and Cordelia from death fourteen years ago. Now a priest, he looks after Juliet, though he is exasperated by her antics. It is Conrad who reveals to Juliet her secret heritage on the day of her sixteenth birthday when he presents to her the sword of the House of Capulet. He fights with a sword in battle. He later acts as the de-facto leader of the Capulet faction, planning an assassination attempt on Lord Montague (he wants to only kill the Duke so the less blood is spilled); however, after being betrayed by his old friend Camio, he's injured in a Montague raid against the Capulet supporters. Since his escape, he has been under the care of Ariel. When he recovers, he presents the Capulet family sword to Juliet again, reviving her resolve for the Capulet's cause. When Juliet disappears after Montague's defeat, he orders Francisco and Curio to search for her. He is evacuated from the castle during the battle for Juliet. During the finale, he tends to an iris flower memorial with Antonio, wondering if his past actions with Juliet were fair.
- Francisco (フランシスコ Furanshisuko?) Voiced by: Hirofumi Nojima
- Childhood friend of Curio and the more intellectual of the duo. He believes that Juliet is being protected by Neo Verona itself and is himself a ladies' man who enjoys teasing the more reserved Curio. He is an expert at archery and other various thrown weapons. Sneaky and sly, he managed to contact Tybalt so he could take Juliet to safety when the Montague faction discovered their hideout. He escapes and later joins Curio to rescue Juliet from Montague. Out of all of Juliet's comrades, he is the one who openly vouches for Romeo's love for Juliet. Curio later suspects if Francisco has concealed feelings for Juliet, but he dodged the questions by affirming his loyalty to the Capulets. During their later night assault against one of the enemy posts, he confesses to having "friends" with information. Along with Curio, he assisted clearing a Romeo path to the crumbling Escalus. Years later, he shown again as an active member of Neo Verona's parliament.
- Curio (キュリオ Kyurio?) Voiced by: Kōsuke Toriumi
- A close friend of Francisco and a skilled swordsman who had lost the use of his right eye. He is also Juliet's fencing teacher, and according to him, a sword reflects the soul of its owner. His preferred weapons are axes or polearms. His scarred visage originated from protecting a younger rebellious Juliet from receiving punishment from members of the Carabinieri. Though he blames his own foolhardiness for the blow, Juliet's frustration from that time gave birth to her alter ego, The Red Whirlwind. After the Montague raid against the Capulet supporters, he goes into hiding until Juliet is captured. When he and Francisco go to rescue her, he convinces Juliet that her life is worth saving. Like Francisco, he too helped Romeo reach Juliet in her final moments. He is working in a fruit stand, years after Juliet's sacrifice.
- Antonio (アントニオ Antonio?) Voiced by: Ryō Hirohashi
- Conrad's grandson, introduced as a young boy at the beginning of the series. He participates in the Red Whirlwind's heroic acts as a sidekick and helper, and works in William's theater. He is one of the few living with Juliet that did not know her identity or gender until it is revealed to him on her 16th birthday. His arsenal of choice revolves around trickery including various bombs and firecrackers. After the formation of the new Capulet faction, Antonio works as a spy and helps Curio and Francisco rescue Juliet when she is captured by Montague. He has a crush on Regan. At the end of the series, he is shown as a young adult, assured that Juliet wanted everyone to be happy.
- Tybalt (ティボルト Tiboruto?) Voiced by: Ryōtarō Okiayu
Tybalt
- A mysterious warrior who aids the Capulet retainers, he tells them about the planned assassination of Benvolio's family and later aids them on his own black ryūba mounted in war gear. It is later revealed that he has a network of paid spies and informants throughout Neo Verona and that he has no qualms about killing. Tybalt is also one of the few outside the circle of Capulet retainers who knows both Juliet's secret as the last of the Capulets and her persona as the Red Whirlwind. Conrad may know the true scope of Tybalt's identity, but is still unsure.
- Tybalt later reveals to Juliet that he is the bastard son of Laertes Montague, and by default, is the half-brother of Romeo. His mother was a member of the Capulet family, who was used by Montague to obtain information regarding the Capulet's possession of the Great Tree Escalus. Afterwards, Montague left Tybalt's mother and married Lady Portia. Despite being rejected by Montague, his mother still loved Tybalt and reluctantly sent him to live in Camilo's care a year prior the massacre of the Capulet family took place. He believed Juliet to share his hatred for losing both their parents to Montague, but is stunned when she doesn't because of her love for Tybalt's half-brother Romeo.
- Before Juliet's final raid on Montague's castle, he is the first to hear of her fate to Escalus. He infiltrates the grand duke's domain and confronts Montague before the arrival of Romeo and Juliet's forces. There he reveals his mother's name and his relation to Montague and draws his blade to the lord. Momentarily putting aside his vengeance, he demands to tell him Escalus' location in hopes to find a way to save Juliet. Before he gets an answer, Romeo enters, preventing further interrogation. After Mercutio stabs Montague, he deems the noble unworthy to kill. He throws one of his daggers into the Montague crest on the throne, symbolically at least stabbing his father.
- While Romeo is laying Montague's body to rest, he reveals to his brother their relation and Juliet's plans to sacrifice herself to Escalus, urging him to stop her. He assists Romeo when the bridge to Ophelia collapses. After Romeo's death, he insists for Juliet to escape and value Romeo's love. In the aftermath of the climax, he finds Romeo's ryūba, Cielo (who has its family), and, as per Romeo's request, cares for Petruchio's younger siblings.
- His name is an obvious reference to the character of the original play, however, in the Shakespeare version he is Juliet's cousin and is not related to Romeo as his half brother.
- Emilia (エミリア Emiria?) Voiced by: Ayako Kawasumi
- An actress and a friend of Juliet. Pretty and youthful, she seems to be the cheerful and coquettish sort and invites Odin as Juliet to the Rose Ball. She appears to be one of the few amongst Juliet's circle of friends who doesn't know her real identity or gender, not even after the disastrous murder attempt on Lord Montague; she's forced to stay at William's house after lots of girls her age are arrested in an attempt to find Juliet. When she realizes that Odin was really Juliet, she panics due to Juliet's criminal status; William catches Emilia and asserts that she is now an "accomplice" to Juliet. She later admits that she finds Juliet's alter ego, Odin, "cooler" as she can act well as a handsome man. Her name is a possible reference to a character in Shakespeare's Othello.
- William (ウィリアム Wiriamu?) Voiced by: Kazuhiko Inoue
- A flamboyant playwright whose works have not been well-received by audiences. He's nicknamed "Willy" by his actors and stagehands; although he often nags at them, he himself is not very punctual at completing his scripts. The character itself is a caricature of William Shakespeare, and there are several allusions to the work of his namesake in his own plays. His mother is the prestigious noblewoman Ariel, leader of the Farnese Clan.
- William's theater also serves as home and hideout for Juliet and her companions; according to him, one of the reasons why he accepted this task was his wish to write a wonderful blood-stained tragedy, with the Capulets as a part of his inspiration. He also knows that Juliet is deeply and painfully in love, calling her "the maiden who gave up on love" and wants to make a tragedy where both lovers die, which not only causes Juliet to tense up but also refers to the play.
- He was instrumental for building public awareness to the Red Whirlwind's revival as he authored and mentored the resistance members to re-enact Juliet's story. The crowd built empathy for her plight and were more than willing to join her because of it. Years after the conflict has ended, he reflects that the lesson he learned through his observations of Juliet and Romeo was truly the joy of love.
- Ariel (エアリエル Earieru?) Voiced by: Yoshino Ohtori
- Present head of the noble Farnese family. She has Juliet and her entourage sheltered in the theater owned by her son, William. She is also an old friend of Conrad's and one of the few who know Juliet's secret. She offers her home in Mantua as a sanctuary for Juliet, Curio, Francisco, and Antonio after Juliet is rescued from Montague, where they are attended by Ariel's butler, Balthazar, and his granddaughter, Regan. Her name may be a reference to the sprite from the Tempest, who acts as the eyes and ears for one of the main characters.
- Balthazar (バルサザー Barusazā?)Voiced by: Ikuo Nishikawa
- One of Ariel's butlers, he passes on information from his master to Juliet and company. Like any loyal butler, he is apt to serve his guests and never questions their orders.
- Regan (リーガン Rīgan?)Voiced by: Chiwa Saito
- Balthazar's granddaughter and frequent helper around the mansion. Unlike other girls her age, she cares little for aesthetics and is blunt to those who offend her. She likes to bully Antonio when she drags him along on chores. Her name may be a reference to one of King Lear's daughters from the Shakespeare play.
- Lancelot (ランスロット Ransurotto?) Voiced by: Keiji Fujiwara
- A doctor who is an ally of the Red Whirlwind, whom he attends and counsels after each skirmish with the city guards. He dresses up as the Red Whirlwind and pretends to be the real Red Whirlwind to free those wrongfully accused of being the Red Whirlwind. Dying via self-immolation to avoid capture, he leaves behind a wife (who knows Juliet's secret and doesn't blame her for Lancelot's death) and two daughters who have yet to be told of his fate. His last declaration of the Red Whirlwind's revival comes true when Juliet again dons the persona. Years after his death, his daughters are shown playing in Red Whirlwind costumes.
Montagues
- Romeo (ロミオ Romio?) Voiced by: Takahiro Mizushima
Romeo
- Romeo is the son of Lord Laertes Montague and Lady Portia, the son of the new Grand Duke of Neo Verona and the heir to the throne of Neo Verona. It is also later revealed that he is the half-brother of Tybalt. His full name is Romeo Candore Van de Montague, and he is obedient and kindhearted. As a nobleman, he rides and owns a ryūba named Cielo whom he later freed. For political reasons, he has been forced into an unwanted engagement with Hermione, a young noblewoman, despite the fact that he has fallen in love with Juliet after two meetings: once at the Montague Rose Ball and another in a field of irises. He later accidentally discovers her identity as Odin, only for her to break up with him after the Montague efforts to crack down on the Whirlwind lead to the death of one of her friends.
- Later, after reexamining the graves where he first met Juliet as Odin and consulting with his mother Portia, he realizes that Juliet is the last daughter of the Capulets. Following a chase through Neo-Verona during the Flower Festival, he reaffirms his feelings to her despite her family only to be rejected when Juliet gives him a handmade handkerchief and runs away; he is also punished by his father for failing to show up to the fireworks celebrating his engagement with Hermione. For worse, he is told by Benvolio about Montague trying to wipe him and his family out and sees Tybalt embracing Juliet soon after this, so he starts thinking that their love is hopeless, but another encounter with Juliet gives him his hope back. Just before this, he unsuccessfully tried to stop the attacks on the Capulet faction by speaking out in the council, telling his father's allies that even if the Capulets before him were tyrants, their sins were already purged by their deaths, so their vassals shouldn't be persecuted.
- Romeo escapes from Neo Verona with Juliet, thanks to the aid given by Portia, and they attempt to live their lives in peace for a brief time. He sets his ryūba free in the wild and, similar to the play, recites marriage vows with Juliet in secret, granting her childhood dreams to be a beautiful bride. They're ultimately captured when a small town is raided by the Carabinieri and they try to rescue the innocent people caught in the middle.
- Banished to the Grandia mines, Romeo starts properly assessing all the damage inflicted by his people to the innocent. It is there that he truly learns the hardships of poverty and their spite for the Montague name. When the mines experience a serious cave in, he orders the mines to be abandoned and the prisoners free to return to Neo Verona. He asserts that his actions are for a world where everyone -noblemen and common folk alike- can live together, which ties into his desire to live in a peaceful future with Juliet. When refused permission to return to Neo Verona, he leads everyone from the mines to ruins of a deserted town where Romeo been before, and promises they could bring their families to live with them once the time was right. When he finally sees Juliet again, he had gained their respect and solidified a prosperous and plentiful village nearly from scratch.
- Hearing the chaos in Neo Verona urges him to return and try to reason with his father to lay down his arms. Being cast aside, he tackles Mercutio and reasons with him to find fault in his orders. He then assists Juliet in saving the town's people. After meeting with her and telling her his situation with Montague, he hugs her and rushes off. Clad in armor, he apologizes in advance to his mother for drawing arms against his father. He rushes into the throne room after Tybalt and charges to Montague, no longer referring to him as "Father" and instead as "Duke". After Juliet's proposal and his father's death, Romeo forsakes the title and announces Juliet as the new Duke, intending to return to the village and to protect their promise together.
- While paying his last respects to his father, he is confronted by Tybalt who then reveals to him their relationship as brothers and Juliet's fate to Escalus. He rushes to Juliet's side and stops her; Juliet initially refuses to allow him to stop her and they fight. However, they eventually stop and embrace to kiss only for Ophelia steals Juliet away to have her save Escalus. Tybalt arrives to present Romeo with a sword to save Juliet while Tybalt, Francisco and the others distract Ophelia. Romeo successfully ends Ophelia's ritual and reawakens Juliet before he kills Ophelia just as Ophelia fatally pierces his armour. He and Juliet share one last moment together before Romeo dies in her arms. In the credits, their spirits are seen together.
- Lord Montague (モンタギュー Montagyū?) Voiced by: Kōji Ishii
- The ruthless, Machiavellian Duke of Neo Verona, his first name is Laertes. He is responsible for what occurred fourteen years ago; he ordered the massacre of the House of Capulet and seized control of Neo Verona, spreading lies about the corruption of the Capulets to justify himself and trick everyone in the city. He is also Romeo's father and acts coldly towards his son, whom he uses as a pawn for political gain. As the ruler of Neo Verona, he believes it is the right of the House of Montague to exploit and oppress the common people, since the noblemen are superior to them. He also seems to be among the few who know the secrets of the Escalus Tree, along with its caretaker Ophelia and a mysterious old man whom Romeo and Juliet found in the country.
- Tybalt divulges the known origins of his father to Juliet. Montague was originally born into poverty. His mother was a prostitute and therefore abandoned by his father. On her deathbed, she confesses to her young son that his father was a Capulet and expressed wishes for him to live in nobility. Her death greatly sparks his unrelenting and ferocious grudge against the Capulet name and his ambitions for becoming Duke.
- Sometime afterwards, young Laertes caught the eye of the Montague family whom at the time was headed by a pederast lord, and he was adopted into the clan. In his older adolescence, he poisoned his benefactor's food and became head of the family. He then met Tybalt's mother (a Capulet woman who he later heard died during the massacre) at a ball and used her to learn more of the Capulets, specifically about the Great Tree Escalus. After impregnating Tybalt's mother, he then left her and married Portia (who seemed to honestly love him, only to become disillusioned as his ambitions became evident and more bloody before the massacre of the Capulet family).
- When he learned of Romeo's love for Juliet, Montague attested that his son was tricked to turning against him. His son's continuous declarations for his feelings for Juliet angers him and he sent Romeo to the mines as punishment. With Mercutio's adoption, it's assumed that Montague has decided to disown his son, made evident with the "accidental death" of Titus. He still had blood stains on his clothes when Romeo attempts to reason with his father.
- In the final moments of his reign, he is cornered by Tybalt, Romeo, and Juliet's forces in his throne room. No longer surrounded by anyone loyal to him, he curses Escalus for Capulet's bane. After he listens to Juliet's offer to peacefully exile himself and forsake his status from Neo Verona, he admits his belief in power was driven by his desire to subdue fate. He then draws his blade and stabs it in the ground before her, relenting and apparently ready to agree. Before he could voice his opinions deeper, Mercutio stabs his back and he collapses. As he lies in Juliet and Romeo's arms, he wonders why no one loved him yet also says that he wanted to be the most feared in the world. He dies soon after.
- Lady Portia (ポーシア Pōshia?) Voiced by: Aya Hisakawa
- Portia is Romeo's mother, who reluctantly left him when he was a child to live at a convent because she did not want to associate herself with the ambitions of her husband, after seeing him covered in the blood of Lord Capulet and calling himself the new Lord of Neo Verona after the successful coup d'etat. Her full name is Portia Clemenza di Ebe and she's a kind, intelligent and understanding woman who prays for Romeo's happiness; she is the only one who greets him with a smile, which is why Romeo likes to visit her.
- Just before the Flower Festival, Portia confirms Romeo's theory about Juliet being a member of the House of Capulet, and when she asks him to forget her, Romeo states that he can't and that he's in love with Juliet. She aids a distressed Juliet after the Montague attack on the Capulet restoration group, giving her shelter in the convent and telling her that she's sorry for Lord Montague's deeds. When Montague confronts her about this, Portia refuses to disclose any information, and he leaves her alone in the convent. Before the final raid on Montague, Romeo comes to her and apologizes in advance for drawing his sword against his father. She asks if that is the path his love must take but he leaves her unanswered.
Allies and relatives
- Benvolio (ペンヴォーリオ Benvōrio?) Voiced by: Shinnosuke Tachibana
- One of Romeo's close friends, he is the son of the mayor of Neo Verona, Vittorio di Frescobaldi and one of the few people concerned with Romeo's well-being. He often acts as Romeo's voice of reason and moderation. He and his family are later stripped of their nobility and go into hiding with the help of Juliet and her friends. Because of his status as a noble, he also has little experience with manual labor, and Curio gives him shelter rather reluctantly. Benvolio later reveals to Romeo the assassination attempt and tells him he'll be waiting for the day he becomes the Duke who'll save Neo Verona. He also takes care of Curio's house after he runs away, giving shelter to Cordelia and (apparently) Antonio after the assassination fiasco. At first Cordelia treated Benvolio somewhat like a child because of how he was unable to do menial work due to his lack of experience, despite that it seems she's developing feelings for him. The couple happily wed and later have a child by the end of the series.
- Mercutio (マキューシオ Makyūshio?) Voiced by: Tetsuya Kakihara
- An ambitious, sly, snarky person who wishes to become Montague's heir. He is contemptuous of the common people and is charged by Montague to spy on Romeo. Mercutio is the only one who has some degree of sympathy for Romeo after his failed speech to the Council, warning him that their elders are too hardened to take him seriously. He also seems to have some degree of interest in Hermione, but whether he has honest feelings for her or desires to use her as a pawn in his possible plans remains debatable.
- Mercutio's desire for power appears to stem from his resentment towards his father, Titus, who doesn't live up to his son's expectations as a Montague advisor. Montague is aware of his disdain for his father and encourages - none too subtlety - Mercutio to kill Titus, but he doesn't do it.
- Few days after Romeo's banishment, Mercutio agrees to be adopted as Montague's new heir but is unprepared for the bloody initiation, whose climax was Titus' death at the hands of Montague. Paralyzed by fear, Mercutio could not voice out for help nor assist his father's peril, and later swore his loyalty to the bloodied Montague. He tries to fit the mold of Montague's heir but is unsure of himself. In truth, the event of his father's death has traumatized him and his guilt over doing nothing envelopes him. The obvious collapse of Montague's reign drives him to do what he thinks will get him the most praise: he stabs Montague and "saves" Juliet. Expecting to be called a hero, he is stricken when Tybalt dismisses him and leaves from the scene in mad laughter.
- Titus (タイタス Taitasu?) Voiced by: Jin Urayama
- Mercutio's father. He likes fine wine, cards and gossip. According to Mercutio, he's an alcoholic. Moments after he agrees to Mercutio's entry into the Montague family, he is killed in a sparring "accident" with Montague.
- Vittorio (グィシトーリオ Guishitorio?) Voiced by: Eiji Miyashita
- Benvolio's father, leader of the House of Frescobaldi and an old friend of Conrad's, who held reservations concerning Montague's rule. He was a member of the moderate faction of the Montague dictatorship, with a large amount of administrative authority as the mayor of Neo Verona. He is later stripped of his title and nobility and even slated for assassination by Duke Montague, for allowing the Red Whirlwind to create civil discontent throughout Neo Verona and for speaking out against Montague and his efforts at instituting permanent martial law throughout the city. Juliet (as Odin), Francisco and Curio along with Tybalt thwart the attempt at his life and takes his family into hiding. During the denouement of the show, he is reestablished as mayor.
- Hermione (ハーマイオニ Hāmaioni?) Voiced by: Sayaka Ohara
Hermione
- A young noblewoman of the House of Borromeo, who is betrothed to Romeo in a political marriage at the Rose Ball. Sweet, sheltered and gentle, she appears to be genuinely in love with him though he doesn't reciprocate her feelings for him. However, she's also very passive-aggressive, having the tendency to keep her negative feelings or thoughts for herself, only to unleash them much later.
- After the fiasco of the Flower Festival (Romeo failed to show up to their meeting, so she had to mediate between him and Lord Montague to calm the enraged Duke down) and seeing the handkerchief Juliet gave to him, Hermione tells Romeo that she already knew he didn't love her romantically and promises to be fine, though she's secretly frustrated by the whole situation and accidentally lets Mercutio know that Romeo has another love interest. When she visits Juliet, she tells her to not play with Romeo's feelings, thinking that Juliet is using Romeo for her own interests.
- Longing to see Romeo during his banishment, Hermione begs Montague to release him and, when she's refused, runs away from her home to find him. Her jealousy for Juliet and her own emotional instability boil when the two girls meet by coincidence in the streets of Mantua, where the Capulet group is rebuilding itself under Ariel's guidance. Losing it, Hermione attempts to throw a rock at Juliet, yelling that she will not have happiness as long as Juliet lives.
- After her outburst, faints from exhaustion and awakes in Juliet's care; however, still blinded by her anger, Hermione attacks Juliet again with a knife, but then a worried Juliet hears news of Romeo's safety and cries from relief in front of her. Back to her senses, she demands a carriage back to Neo Verona and tells Juliet to keep their meeting a secret from Romeo, as she doesn't want him finding out. Later, during the final credits, she is shown holding an iris and a rose, hoping that they are happy together and wishing for her own happiness.
- Hermione seems to be a stand-in for Count Paris from the play, though she is female and is a Montague ally and Romeo's fiancée instead of a relative to Duke Escalus and Juliet's suitor. Hermione could also be lifted from Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale." The Hermione of that play is entangled in a conflict over adultery, which almost parallels her situation in RxJ.
Other characters
- Ophelia (オフィーリア Ofīria?) Voiced by: Junko Iwao
- A mysterious woman who tends to the Great Tree Escalus. She has a sad, doll-like face with some marks on her forehead and cheeks, and speaks in a rather polite and mysterious manner. She appears to be ageless as she looks the same as she did fourteen years ago. She eventually explains that Escalus is fading and has implanted its seed inside Juliet, telling the girl the tree's will late in the series. She is a part of the tree, and underneath her robes are wood-like limbs and skin. During the climax, she steals Juliet away and forcibly begins the rites of sacrifice, determined for the Tree's revival with little care for interruptions or alternatives. In the final battle for Juliet's safety, she mortally wounds Romeo shortly before being vanquished by him.
- Her name is likely a nod to the heroine of Shakespeare's famous tragedy, Hamlet.
- Camilo Voiced by: Saito Jiro
- Conrad's good friend who betrayed him by giving information regarding the Capulets' hideout to the Montagues. He is later found by Juliet, Francisco, and Curio to be in luxurious housing along side a disgruntled Tybalt, whom he helped to raise. After being threatened by the latter, he flees from his mansion.
- Camilo's name is likely a nod to the character from The Winter's Tale, a character who defected from his liege King Leontes after Camilo was ordered to kill King Polixenes.
- Petruchio Voiced by: Akio Suyama
- A thin boy who works in one of the Montagues' mines and is saved from a beating by Romeo. He and Romeo eventually become friends. Originally sent to the mines for stealing bread for his starving family, he is desperate to return to Neo Verona because his younger brother and sister are still there. Petruchio dies from sickness and leaves Romeo visibly distraught. After Montague's death and his self banishment from Neo Verona, Romeo asks Tybalt to find and care for Petruchio's siblings (at the time, he was oblivious of Juliet's intentions with the Escalus tree and was impending return to the village).
- Petruchio's name is likely a nod to the character from The Taming of the Shrew, one of Shakespeare's early comedies.
- Giovanni Voiced by: Toru Ohkawa
- A miner who looks out for Romeo during his stay at the mines. While he admires Romeo's idealistic dream of creating a world where people can live together without sacrifices, Giovanni also believes that Romeo has chosen a long and difficult path to pursue. He often acts as leader for the village in Romeo's absence.
- Old Man
- A mysterious yet sage man who frequently smokes from a long pipe, he is suggested to bear some connection to the Great Tree. He is first introduced to the series when Romeo and Juliet meet him during their private recluse from Neo Verona. After giving the couple a basket full of foods, he departs. Romeo meets him again when first begins creating his village. Worried that Romeo's plans would take too long, he hands the boy a bag of healthy seeds for crops and flowers to speed up his progress. He advices the noble to shoulder Juliet's fate, though the significance of these words are not known to Romeo until later in the series. Soon after he disappears again, walking away to the horizon.
Terminology
- Neo Verona (ネオ・ヴェローナ Neo Verōna?)
- An aerial city in which the story is set. After Juliet sacrifices herself, the island lands into the ocean below and its inhabitants continue to exist peacefully.
- Ryūba (竜馬? Dragon Horse)
- A winged horse with the tail of a dragon, similar to the Pegasus. Ryūba are capable of transporting people on their backs and are handled using reins in the same way as normal horses. More than a means of transportation, winged ryūba can be considered a symbol of status as they are not something that common folk can own, and are only seen ridden by members of the aristocracy or nobility. Ryūba with degenerated wings, thus unable to fly, are often owned by commoners.
- Great Tree Escalus (大樹エスカラス Taiki Esukarasu?)
- A huge and enchanted tree inside the Montagues' castle. It is likely named after Prince Escalus from Shakespeare's play. According to its caretaker, a woman named Ophelia, it gives blessings to people, but it also weakens if the persons don't have love in their hearts. Escalus seems to take a life of its own by being able to response to Ophelia's wishes, such as moving its root to block Montague from reaching Juliet in Episode 13. It is also one of the two trees that support Neo Verona. When it is thriving, it drops shining fruit from its branches. Since it has been in Montague's care, the tree has noticeably begun to wither.
- Late in the series, Ophelia explains that there was once two, twin trees protecting and nurturing Neo Verona. However, humanity's greed and cruelty lead to the destruction of the other tree, leaving only Escalus to protect the world. However, the tree is dying and with it natural calamities across the land have begun. To prevent further suffering, Ophelia wants to sacrifice Juliet to the tree and revive it. The seal of the tree on Juliet's chest, though hinted to being on her earlier, has only been visible days before Ophelia visits her.
- Carabinieri
- The Military Police of Neo Verona. The name is the same as the true Carabinieri of Italy.
Episodes
Romeo x Juliet started airing in Japan on April 4 2007.
| # | Title | Original airdate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | ""Two of Us" Destiny ~If We Didn't Meet~" ""Futari" Destino ~Deawanakereba~" (「ふたり」 Destino ～出会わなければ～) |
April 4 2007 | |
| The first episode depicts the downfall of the Capulet family at the hand of the Montagues, and how Romeo and Juliet first met. | |||
| 02 | ""Promise" The Secret ~The Fragrance of Memories~" ""Yakusoku" Il segreto ~Omoide no Kaori~" (「約束」 Il segreto ～思い出の香り～) |
April 11 2007 | |
| On the day of her 16th birthday, Juliet ends up meeting Romeo again by chance, and all the truth about her origin is finally revealed to her. | |||
| 03 | ""Love" Attraction ~The Cruel Mischief~" ""Koigokoro" Attrazione ~Zankoku na Itazura~" (「恋心」 Attrazione ～残酷な悪戯～) |
April 18 2007 | |
| Romeo tries to meet Juliet once more with no success, until he sees the Red Whirlwind getting herself in trouble again. | |||
| 04 | ""Shyness" One Timid Maiden ~Beaten Down by the Rain~" ""Hajirai" Una timida fanciulla ~Ame ni Utarete~" (「恥じらい」 Una timida fanciulla ～雨に打たれて～) |
April 25 2007 | |
| Juliet is shocked with the fact that Romeo is the son of the man who slaughtered her family, and disguised as Odin, she ends up having another encounter with him. | |||
| 05 | ""Whirlwind" The Wind Rises ~Blazing Determination~" ""Kaze" Si alza il vento ~Moyuru Kakugo~" (「旋風」 Si alza il vento ～燃ゆる覚悟～) |
May 2 2007 | |
| Romeo discovers, much to his surprise, that Odin is in fact his love Juliet. Meanwhile, a manhunt for the Red Whirlwind engulfs Neo Verona, and Dr. Lancelot takes a decision as Juliet comes to terms with the Montague tyranny. | |||
| 06 | ""Hope" Hope ~The Entrusted Tomorrow~" ""Kibō" Speranza ~Takusareta Ashita~" (「希望」 Speranza ～託された明日～) |
May 9 2007 | |
| With events at the square unfolding outside of Juliet's control, the Red Whirlwind is believed to be dead, with only Romeo learning the truth that Juliet, still alive, is in fact the real Red Whirlwind. Benvolio's father Vittorio, the mayor of the city, is stripped of his aristocracy and exiled together with his family. However, Lord Montague has an even more cruel fate in store for him. | |||
| 07 | ""Warmth" The Touch of Your Hands ~Just For Now~" ""Nukumori" Il Tocco delle tue Mani ~Ima dake wa~" (「ぬくもり」 Il Tocco delle tue Mani ～今だけは～) |
May 16 2007 | |
| A mysterious man named Tybalt saves Juliet and her companions, who are fighting the assassins Montague has sent for Vittorio and his family, before vanishing. The next day is the Flower Festival, where flowers are given as a symbol of affection. Standing Hermione up, Romeo pursues Juliet through the city streets to give her an iris. After Romeo catches up with Juliet, they share their first kiss. | |||
| 08 | ""Indulgence" The easiest path ~Justice is~" ""Amae" La via più facile ~Seigi to wa~" (「甘え」 La via più facile ～正義とは～) |
May 23 2007 | |
| Romeo, who has deduced Juliet's family name, is punished for breaking his promise with Hermione, and informs her that he is seeing someone. He then finds out from Benvolio about his father's attempted murder on Vittorio and his family, who are now living in hiding. Tybalt, wanting to test Juliet's resolve, exposes a certain priest's corruption to her. Still, Juliet does not have it in her to take another's life. | |||
| 09 | ""Uprising" The Crossroads ~Severing Confusion~" ""Kekki" L'incrocio ~Tachikiru Mayoi~" (「決起」 L'incrocio ～断ち切る迷い～) |
May 30 2007 | |
| Juliet and the others conspire to attack Montague, but Camilo betrays them by revealing their location and the Montague guards attack them. Francisco arranges for Juliet to escape with Tybalt. Meanwhile, Romeo finds leaves of the Escalus tree and inquires his father, who heads underground to meet with Ophelia. | |||
| 10 | ""Tears" Tears ~Being Able to Meet You~" ""Namida" Lacrime ~Anata to Aete~" (「泪」 Lacrime ～貴方と逢えて～) |
June 6 2007 | |
| After Tybalt brings Juliet to safety, he leaves her alone after saying that she is not yet prepared to defeat Montague. Blaming herself, Juliet goes out into the streets and collapses, but is saved by Lady Portia. Romeo then arrives, and in a rendition of the balcony scene, declares that he will throw away his name to be with Juliet. | |||
| 11 | ""Vow" The Oath ~The Morning Sun's Blessing~" ""Chikai" II giuramento ~Asahi no Shukufuku~" (「誓い」 II giuramento ～朝陽の祝福～) |
June 13 2007 | |
| Romeo and Juliet leave Neo Verona and travel across the countryside. They come upon a dilapidated church overrun by irises and take the vows of marriage before one another and the Goddess. | |||
| 12 | ""Repose" A Safe Harbor ~Just As We Are~" ""Ansoku" Un porto sicuro ~Kono Mama de~" (「安息」 Un porto sicuro ～このままで～) |
June 20 2007 | |
| The search for Romeo and Juliet continues, as they both hide in an abandoned village. They stumble upon the Escalus tree, and find that its roots are dying. Duke Montague's personal guards are sent to look for Romeo and Juliet. As Romeo and Juliet set out to stop the soldiers from destroying a nearby town, they find themselves greatly outnumbered. After both Romeo and Juliet show their true identities to the guards, Juliet is taken prisoner. | |||
| 13 | ""Pulsation" The Vital Heartbeat ~Being Guided~" ""Myakudō" Il battito vitale ~Michibikarete~" (「脈動」 Il battito vitale ～導かれて～) |
June 27 2007 | |
| Juliet is exposed as the leader of the Capulets and imprisoned. She's just about to be executed, but is ultimately saved from imprisonment by Francisco, Curio and Antonio. She and Romeo meet, but decide to temporarily part ways. | |||
| 14 | ""Great Responsibility" The Challenge ~In These Arms~" ""Jūseki" La sfida ~Kono Ude no Naka de~" (「重責」 La sfida ～この腕の中で～) |
July 4 2007 | |
| Romeo is banished from the keep by Lord Montague, and gives him authority over the Gradisca Mines. He is not allowed to return until the mine doubles its production. He arrives to find the mines filled with small-time criminals, and decides to work in the mines himself to increase production. He befriends a sickly worker, Petruchio. Over a small period of time, Petruchio gets sick, and dies. Romeo then learns the truth of how Petruchio was imprisoned, another worker tells him the real difference between Nobles and Commoners, and Romeo cries over Petruchio's grave. | |||
| 15 | ""Self" The Dawn of Change ~The Road that I Must Advance on~" ""Jiga" L' alba dei cambiamenti ~Susumu beku Michi~" (「自我」 L' alba dei cambiamenti ～進むべく道～) |
July 11 2007 | |
| Juliet and Co. are resting, when she remembers the moments linked with the great tree of Neo Verona. At the same moment, an earthquake happens, causing a major cave-in at Gradisca Mines and injuring a majority of the workers. Romeo declares that all the laborers have done enough work to allow themselves to be free, and goes off to rescue some of the workers trapped by the cave-in. He rescues the remaining workers, and the other workers who distrusted him for being a noble, now do trust him. | |||
| 16 | ""Alone" Faraway from the Beloved ~Beloved~" ""Hitori" Lontano dall' amat ~Itoshikute~" (「ひとり」 Lontano dall' amat ～いとしくて～) |
July 18 2007 | |
| Her patience and mental stability waning, Hermione runs away from home to try and see Romeo. After several setbacks, she unexpectedly runs into Juliet and Co. Embittered and jealous, she attacks Juliet before fainting in exhaustion. The two girls reconcile their differences slightly when she awakens, and Hermione returns home afterwards. | |||
| 17 | ""Tyrant" The Buried Past ~The Pitch-Black Origin~" ""Bōkun" ll passato sepolto ~Shikkoku no Innen~" (「暴君」 ll passato sepolto ～漆黒の因縁～) |
July 25 2007 | |
| While Romeo reassesses where the workers will live, Juliet and Co. hears news of Camio in town and move to engage him. Surprisingly, they meet up with Tybalt who has taken residence there. He then recounts to Juliet his and Montague's pasts, explaining to her why he hates Montague to much, and how Montague came to become the leader of his clan. | |||
| 18 | ""Motive" Wishes ~In Their Respective Chests~" ""Kokorozashi" Volonta ~Sorezore no Mune ni~" (「志」Volonta ～それぞれの胸に～) |
August 1 2007 | |
| Romeo works to create the village he has promised and it flourishes well. Juliet and company begin rehearsing for a play Willie has composed for Neo Verona reenacting Juliet's tale. Juliet hears news of Romeo's village and with Curio escorting her, they have a sweet reunion. | |||
| 19 | ""Succession" The Wind of Hope ~Indeed I am~" ""Keishō" Il Vento della Speranza ~Ware koso wa~" (「継承」Il Vento della Speranza ～我こそは～) |
August 8 2007 | |
| After spending some time together, the lovers go their separate ways again, with Juliet leaving for Neo Verona. Willie's play goes underway and during the performance, Juliet revives the Red Whirlwind ego. Rallying the townspeople for the Capulets' rebellion, Juliet and company attack a major hidden fortress that housed the majority of the Montague's Pegasi troops and captured the town gate to Neo Verona. On the top of the gate she rallies the populace against Montague's rule. Her true identity as a Capulet is revealed to the townspeople. | |||
| 20 | ""Mission" To Uphold Duty ~One Unwavering Step~" ""Shimei" Tenuti ~Yuruginaki Ippo~" (「使命」Tenuti ～揺るぎなき一歩～) |
August 29 2007 | |
| Juliet, as the Red Whirlwind, rebels against Lord Montague to free the people of Neo Verona and successfully captures the outer city or common square. Meanwhile the village Romeo is leading is having trouble due to the soil; as the tree dies, the fertile land dies. Soon news about Juliet is sent to Romeo, and being supported by everyone in the village, Romeo rushes to meet Juliet. After meeting with Juliet, Romeo begs her to let him reason with his father once again. In the council of dukes Montague proposes to burn the entire common grounds to flush the Capulets out. Only one was in favor, his adopted son Mercutio, whilst the others refused. He then proceeds to kill the chairmen to persuade the others to accept. Romeo arrives to persuade his father to surrender. But, instead of surrendering, his father shows his Escalus, and he witness the tree death. Juliet then visits her parents' grave, at her grave she meets with Ophelia, and here we discover that Juliet is destined to save the tree or die to create a new tree | |||
| 21 | ""Law" To Die ~The Goddess' Embrace~" ""Okite" Da Morire ~Megami no Hōyō~" (「掟」～女神の抱擁～) |
September 5 2007 | |
| The episode begins with Juliet returning into the city, which is in ruins due to the earthquake created by Escalus. As they attempt to tend to the citizens Mercutio begins Montague's scorch earth policy and presides to burn the city only to be stopped by Romeo, and soon he and Juliet meet together. With the people on her side, Juliet begins the battle against Montague's defense. Before that Juliet and company attends Benvolio and Cordelia's wedding with Juliet's wishes for their happy future and Willy as the priest (the previous one was killed by Tybalt). | |||
| 22 | ""Curse" The End of the Revolution ~Ravaging Passion~" ""Jubaku" La Fine della Rivoluzione ~Aburu Gekijō~" (「呪縛」La Fine della Rivoluzione ～荒ぶる激情～) |
September 12 2007 | |
| Juliet faces off against Lord Montague, and convinces him to surrender. Mercutio then stabs and kills Lord Montague. Afterwards Juliet heads to Escalus. | |||
| 23 | ""Germination" For My Love ~The Kiss of Death~" ""Mebuki" Per il mio amore ~Shi no Kuchizuke~" (「芽吹き」Per il mio amore ～死の接吻～) |
September 19 2007 | |
| While Juliet heads to Escalus, Romeo tries to make amends to his departed father. When Tybalt gave him the news that Juliet is sacrificing herself to save Neo Verona, Romeo dashes to find Juliet before its too late. | |||
| 24 | ""Prayer" A New World ~The World in which You Exist~" ""Inori" Un Nuovo Mondo ~Kimi no Iru Sekai~" (「祈り」Un Nuovo Mondo ～きみのいる世界～) |
September 26 2007 | |
| Romeo goes to stop Juliet from being absorbed by Escalus, but is fatally stabbed by Ophelia, whom Romeo kills. Juliet sees Romeo dying on the ground and decides to follow her destiny, sacrificing herself to save everyone in Neo Verona. Afterwards, Neo Verona lands on the ocean. Watch through the credits for additional ending follow ups of characters. | |||
Staff
- Original Concept: William Shakespeare
- Original Work: Gonzo, SKY Perfect Well Think
- Director: Fumitoshi Oizaki
- Series Composition: Reiko Yoshida
- Screenplay: Natsuko Takahashi, Kurasumi Sunayama, Miharu Hirami
- Character Design: Daiki Harada
- Production Design: Jun Takagi
- Art Director: Masami Saitō
- Color Design: Toshie Suzuki
- Sound Director: Tomohiro Yoshida
- Music: Hitoshi Sakimoto
- Sound Supervisor: Junichi Satō
- Associate Producer: Tōyō Ikeda
- Director of Photography: Naoki Kitamura
- Editing: Seiji Hirose
- Special Effects: Inoieshin
- Backgrounds: Tezuka Production, Ogura Kōbō, Kosumosuātsu
- Photography Assistance: Tīzurabo, w-sky, Toransuātsu
- 3DCGI Director: Hidemitsu Shiono
- Online Editing: Kyū Tech
- Musical Orchestra: eminence
- Orchestra Conductor: Philip Chu
- Sound Effects: Hidemi Tanaka
- Audio Studio: Studio Gong
- Sound Production: Gakuonsha
- Sound Production Manager: Yoshimi Sugiyama
- Program Publicity: Kazuyo Shigematsu (CBC)
- Italian Translation: Francesca Sarzello
- Coordination: goo, Onsen
- Animation Production: Gonzo
- Production: Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting, SKY Perfect Well Think, GDH
Theme songs
- Opening theme
- Inori~You Raise Me Up～ (祈り～You Raise Me Up～)?)
- Performance: Lena Park
- Original Lyrics: Brendan Graham
- Original Composition: Rolf Løvland
- Japanese Lyrics: Kaito Okachimachi
- Arrangement: Masayuki Sakamoto, Satoshi Takebe
- Ending theme
- Cyclone (サイクロン)?)
- Performance: 12012
- Lyrics: Wataru Miyawaki
- Composition: Hiroaki Sakai
- Arrangement: 12012
- Good Bye, Yesterday
- Performance: Mizrock
- Original Composition: Sandra Nordstrom, Thomas Wohni
- Arrangement: Tomoki Ishizuka
Other media
Manga
Romeo x Juliet was also adapted into a manga series, which has been serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's Monthly Asuka shōjo magazine since March 24, 2007.
- Art: COM
- Original Concept: William Shakespeare
- Original Animation Work: Gonzo, Sky Perfect Wellthink
- Scenario Coordination: Hitomi Amamiya
Radio
An internet radio series, entitled Romejuli×Radio (ロミジュリ×レイディオ Romijuri×Reidio?), has been streaming on Cospa's internet radio channel Onsen since April 13, 2007. It features the seiyū of Juliet, Fumie Mizusawa, and the seiyū of Cordelia, Miyu Matsuki.
External links
- (Japanese) Official site
- (Japanese) Goo
- Romeo × Juliet (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
