Ushio and Tora

うしおととら

Ushio to Tora

313 chapters

33 volumes

1990 – 1996

In "Ushio and Tora," the story follows the hardships of Ushio Aotsuki, who is constantly pursued and sometimes helped by a massive, mystical, frequently invisible tiger-like beast. The Aotsuki family runs a Shinto shrine in Japan. Five centuries ago, one of Ushio's samurai ancestors fought and sealed this same tiger against a boulder with a sacred weapon known as the "Beast Spear." This spear not only serves as a powerful weapon but also grants its wielder the combat abilities of that ancient warrior. Ushio accidentally discovers the cave where Tora has been imprisoned. At first, he refuses to remove the spear pinning Tora, but the tiger's release attracts numerous monsters seeking to challenge both Tora and, by extension, Ushio. Forced to set Tora free, Ushio must now manage a relationship with a creature that wants to devour him, yet is held back by the spear's proximity. The plot centers on their evolving bond, intertwined with battles against mythical enemies and Tora's attempts to adapt to modern life.