Black Heaven


Black Heaven, also referred to as The Legend of Black Heaven and Kacho-Ōji, is a Japanese anime television series conceptualized by Hiroki Hayashi and produced by Pioneer Corporation, Pioneer LDC Inc., AIC and A.P.P.P.. It is directed by Yasuhito Kikuchi, with Naruhisa Arakawa handling series composition, Kazuto Nakazawa designing the characters and Kōichi Korenaga composing the music. The series is about the middle-aged members of a short-lived heavy metal band and their unexpected role in an alien interstellar war. The Japanese title of the anime is a multi-layered pun; it can be translated as "Section Manager Ouji" or literally "Section Manager Prince." The opening theme "Cautionary Warning" was written and performed by English rock guitarist John Sykes, who played with rock bands including Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake. In the US, the series has been available on DVD from Geneon in four separate volumes since 2001, and in a 4-disc box set since 2005.

Plot summary

Middle-aged Ouji Tanaka has a wife, a child and a mundane job as a salary man in Tokyo's modern society. But his life wasn't always so dull; 15 years ago he was known as "Gabriel", lead guitar of a short-lived heavy metal band called "Black Heaven". Ouji's life takes a sudden turn when he is invited by an enigmatic woman to pick up his Gibson Flying V and once again display his legendary guitar skills. Little does he know the effects this will have on his family, on the other remaining members of Black Heaven, on an alien interstellar war with a mysterious ultimate weapon, or on the fate of the planet Earth.

Characters

;Ouji Tanaka
;Layla
;Yoshiko Tanaka
;Gen Tanaka
;Kotoko, Eriko, and Rinko
;Satou
;Yamada
;Suzuki
;Watanabe

Episodes

Note: the links are to the article of the song probably referenced.

Themes

Opening

Ending