Basara [バサラ] Series by Yumi Tamura

Basara is a post-apocalyptic fantasy adventure series and one of the most popular shôjo manga of the 90s in Japan. It is the story of how a young girl becomes "the child of destiny" and finds the strength to free her people and seek revenge for the death of her brother.

After losing her family, village and identity in one night, Sarasa deserves a break, but fate denies her rest. As Tatara, she must lead her people, and the Red King has captured some of them, destined for slave labor in the capital of Kyoto. When Sarasa's impatient desire for revenge against the Red King spoils the rescue attempt, she loses more loved ones. After this terrible lesson, Sarasa is unable to continue risking the lives of those who are dear to her... moreAfter losing her family, village and identity in one night, Sarasa deserves a break, but fate denies her rest. As Tatara, she must lead her people, and the Red King has captured some of them, destined for slave labor in the capital of Kyoto. When Sarasa's impatient desire for revenge against the Red King spoils the rescue attempt, she loses more loved ones. After this terrible lesson, Sarasa is unable to continue risking the lives of those who are dear to her. Alone, she heads to Kyushu in search of allies, but to get to Kyushu, she must first pass through Suo City, capital of the Red King's domain! less

Accepting the identity and responsibility of the "Boy of Destiny" following her brother's death, Sarasa has left her people in safety, traveling alone to Kyushu in search of allies. After surviving great perils and gaining a new companion, Sarasa arrives at her destination only to discover it's no longer there!

Secretly taking her late brother's identity, Sarasa must gain support as the "Boy of Destiny." Her courage and quick wits have turned the pirates who captured her into allies and an impossible situation into victory. Now she must survive an erupting volcano and a tenacious enemy.

Secretly taking her late brother's identity, Sarasa must gain support as the "Boy of Destiny." Remarkably, she and her followers not only survived being surrounded by the Red king's forces, they emerged victoroius. Now Sarasa and Shuri have been captured on their way to the Blue King's capital.

After Sarasa and Shuri are separated in the flood, a shocking battle takes place and important secrets are revealed. In Seiran, Sarasa helps the rebels with the flood recovery effort and is reminded that no matter how hard she pretends otherwise she is still an ordinary girl. Asagi stages his own mock execution and Sarasa saves him. He is taken back to the ship where Nagi nurses his wounds, but Sarasa begins to suspect foul play.

The Red King's forces have been defeated. The twisted Blue King is dead. Just as the rebellion gains momentum, shocking news distracts Sarasa--her mother is alive and General Kazan's prisoner! Setting their larger goals aside, "Tatara's" allies unite in a quest to rescue Tatara's mother.

The attempt to rescue Tatara's mother was a disaster. Warned by Asagi, General Kazan set up an ambush. Although Kazan died, so did many of "Tatara's" allies. Not only did Sarasa fail to rescue her mother, she was blinded. Can Sarasa regain her clarity when she has lost her vision?

Sarasa has been blinded, and the Red King's rule has finally been torn apart by outside influences. Now both find themselves in Okinawa--she to heal her eyes, he to heal his soul.

Shipwrecked in Okinawa, Sarasa has met Doctor Basho, who has healed her eyes, and Shuri, who has fled a coup in Sanyo. Together, they must help stop a plot to kill Okinawa's president and protect the independent nation from invasion!

After working together to save Okinawa from invasion, responsibility separates Sarasa and Shuri. Although the revelation of her true gender has not lost Sarasa her closest allies, a horrifying message from Tatara's envoys to the north has left her in shock.

The northern rebels have sent a terrifying message, but Sarasa is determined to make contact with them and retrieve her missing ally Hayato. Unfortunately, Sarasa not only fails, she and her comrades find themselves inmates in a bizarre underground prison!

Although Abashiri Prison has strained Sarasa's spirit, she must somehow survive more intrigues and gain allies before returning south. Back in Sanyo, a heartbreaking story unfolds as the rebels risk espionage to unseat King Ukon's harsh magistrate Momonoi.

Sarasa's ploy to distract King Ukon's magistrate from attacking her allies has succeeded, but she must pay the price in tragedy and strife. Her arduous role as Tatara causes her to question her identity as the dawn of a critical battle approaches.

At last, Sarasa's journey as come full circle. Having begun with a haphazard scheme to save her people from the Red King's destruction of Byakko village, Sarasa has now reached the point where she can bring the fight to him. If only she knew who the Red King truly is! On the eve of battle, Sarasa and Shuri are reunited. Both have survived horrible trials and face dire futures, so there is no reason to hold back. Finally, they can express their true feelings... moreAt last, Sarasa's journey as come full circle. Having begun with a haphazard scheme to save her people from the Red King's destruction of Byakko village, Sarasa has now reached the point where she can bring the fight to him. If only she knew who the Red King truly is! On the eve of battle, Sarasa and Shuri are reunited. Both have survived horrible trials and face dire futures, so there is no reason to hold back. Finally, they can express their true feelings. Yet how can they keep their secret identities hidden from each other if they will soon be crossing swords? less

At last, "Tatara" and the Red King have met in battle. The fighting was fierce, but the revelation of their true identities proved to be the most devastating. Now they must find a way to carry on and fulfill their destinies.

Sarasa and Shuri meet in the battlefield, and are devastated to learn one another's true identities. Sarasa runs away to Kazuno, reunites with her mother, and reaffirms the sanctity of love. But what path will she choose now...?

While in Kyoto Shuri runs into his beloved sister, the Great Sister of White, as well as his old teacher and rival, Hiiragi. Sarasa continues to form aliiances and gain strength. Although Sarasa and Shuri are apart, they remain close in each other's hearts. Meanwhile, someone wants Shuri dead--but who?

Sarasa is engaged in a naval battle with the Royal fleet, but dolphin suicide torpedoes are being deployed against her Shikoku allies to devastating effect. Hiiragi's assassins infiltrate Sarasa's Suzaku flagship as she and her crew are pushed to extremes. Sarasa also learns of Shuri's deeds in the North and realizes the he is no longer the Red King of old, but more the Shuri that she loves.

A curfew law has been passed in Kyoto to suppress the rebellion. Sarasa's ally Ageha seeks to destroy King Ukon's senior officials, while Asagi, the real Blue King, gains Sasara's trust and leads a daring asssault. But while Sarasa and her forces are gaining ground, their enemies' secret plan could turn the tide against them!

Allies from all over are gathering at Tatara's base camp in preparation for a massive assault. Meanwhile, Shuri has a plan to establish his authority in Kyoto and deplete his rivals' funds. On a reconnaissance mission, Taro finds information crucial to the war effort. All the while, a battle between Tatara and Shuri is imminent!

As war breaks out in Kyoto, Taro races to warn Sarasa about Project Pomegranate, a secret plan launched by Hagiwara. But a traitor has betrayed Taro to the Yaro-Gumi, Kyoto's feared elite police force. With the truth of Project Pomegranate still a mystery, the forces of Sarasa and the Red King ride into battle against one another, not realizing that, in doing so, they play into Hagiwara's hands!

War will determine who wins control of Japan--but the bonds of love and loyalty will decide the nation's future. As the battle reaches its climax, will Shuri pursue his destiny as king or trust Sarasa's dream of democracy? When placed on the throne of Kyoto, will Asagi turn on Sarasa? And when Sarasa is forced to choose between her love for Shuri and her loyalty to her comrades, can she make the right decision?

As the war for Japan rages on, the battle reaches the Royal Castle itself. Sarasa penetrates the castle's defenses to confront the traitorous Asagi. Shuri, wounded and crippled, pursues Sarasa even though the chase may kill him. Ageha descends into a labyrinth beneath the castle to stop a deadly mechanism designed to destroy them all. And King Ukon, now a pathetic, desperate shell of a ruler, grimly awaits Tatara's arrival!

Sarasa has led her army to victory, faced down King Ukon, and won the hearts and minds of her people. Now, in the final hours of battle, her actions--and Shuri's--will decide Japan's ultimate fate. Sarasa began her quest in Tatara's shadow. The time has come for her to step into the light, speak her real name, and accept her true destiny as the woman who will lead Japan into a new age of peace and freedom!

Sarasa's quest for freedom has ended, but Basara isn't over yet! In this volume of special side stories, Yumi Tamura goes deeper than ever before to explore the characters and world of Basara. Hijiri and Nachi recount childhood memories of ships, sea monsters and mermaids. A band of star-crossed rebels arises in another time--and changes the course of Sarasa's battle. And Tatara finds his new calling...as a pop star?

In this special collection of side stories, join Sarasa and Shuri after the war, as they rebuild Japan and travel the world together. In the distant Huang Empire, Sarasa is infected with a fatal disease--but will Shuri betray the Huang Emperor to save her? And when the new Japanese government is beset with turmoil, it's up to two children to convince a reclusive hermit named Hayato to lead his country.Finally, Yumi Tamura offers a glimpse of life before the apocalypse.. moreIn this special collection of side stories, join Sarasa and Shuri after the war, as they rebuild Japan and travel the world together. In the distant Huang Empire, Sarasa is infected with a fatal disease--but will Shuri betray the Huang Emperor to save her? And when the new Japanese government is beset with turmoil, it's up to two children to convince a reclusive hermit named Hayato to lead his country.Finally, Yumi Tamura offers a glimpse of life before the apocalypse...before the ruined world Sarasa knows...before the beginning of Basara! less