Best Fantasy Manga of 2005

The students of the Barsburg Empire's Military Academy are trained to become capable fighters who will serve as the empire's newest soldiers. Every year, five hundred students take a graduation exam, where only 20 can pass to become honorable "begleiters," a position equivalent to assistant executive officers. Students fight their enemies by using "zaiphon," God-given abilities that take different forms depending on the individual. Teito Klein, the academy chairman's favorite student, is belittled by his peers due to his previous status as a slave. Despite being unable to fully remember his past, Teito's cheerful best friend, Mikage Celestine, stays by his side. After the two undergo the exam, Teito recalls small pieces of a long-forgotten memory, causing him to instinctively attack the chief-of-staff, Ayanami. Subdued for his insubordination, Teito is imprisoned for further questioning. But with the help of Mikage, Teito escapes to the Barsburg Church in the empire's Seventh District. As he struggles to escape the clutches of the Barsburg Empire's military, he unveils the memories that lie within him and learns about a compelling power that roams in the shadows of the empire.Included one-shot: Volume 17: Seven Ghosts (pilot)

Having lived in an orphanage for as long as he can remember, high school student Yuki Sakurai has always believed that he existed to burden others. Despite possessing a mysterious power that allows him to see other people's emotions, the ability seems to torment him instead. One day, a beautiful man in black clothes saves Yuki's life, and Yuki faintly feels as if he has met this stranger before. The stranger, later introducing himself as Zess, displays a strong concern about Yuki but quickly disappears after giving him a warning. The following day, Takashiro Giou—the head of the Giou Clan—appears at the orphanage claiming to be Yuki's brother and proposes an idea that Yuki is reluctant to accept. As puzzling problems threaten his safety emerge and familiar faces reappear, Yuki soon learns that his frail existence holds a greater significance than he had initially thought.

Born from the corpses of fallen soldiers, the "Undying" are near-immortal beings created for the sole purpose of being weapons. However, after the War came to an end, so did their usefulness, and the Church began slaughtering them mercilessly in the Undying Hunt. Eighty years have passed since then; there are now barely any remnants of the Undying, and those found alive are hunted down by the Church. Kieli, an orphan studying at a religious boarding school, possesses the unique ability to see spirits. Isolated from her classmates, she spends her days talking with Becca, the spirit of a girl who used to inhabit her room. One day, Kieli runs into an aloof and mysterious individual named Harvey, one of the few surviving Undying. Following an unexpected turn of events, Harvey saves Kieli from being run over by a train, putting himself at risk in the process. Wanting to learn more about Harvey, Kieli decides to accompany him in fulfilling his promise to the Corporal, the spirit of a soldier who died in the War and has since been possessing a radio—the promise to reunite him with his mortal remains. Throughout their journey, Kieli discovers that beyond Harvey's seemingly ruthless nature lies a kind and thoughtful man tormented by the horrors of war. As the two begin to interact and grow closer, they will develop a bond that they can forever cherish, and Harvey may finally find the warmth that he once lost.

&bull; Chapter 1: &#26053;&#12383;&#12385;&#12398;&#32854;&#32887;&#32773;(&#12463;&#12521;&#12540;&#12482;&#12510;&#12531;) / The Travelling Clergyman<br> Allen is en route to the Black Order's HQ and has arrived in England where he was born. He catches up with Mother, an old nun whom he and Cross stayed with after Mana died. Allen is asked to talk to a nurse who'd recently lost her lover. <br><br> &bull; Chapter 2: &#39764;&#22899;&#12398;&#26866;&#12416;&#26449; / The Village where the Witch Dwells<br> Centers around Kanda Yuu<br><br> &bull; Chapter 3: &#12496;&#12463;&#65294;&#12481;&#12515;&#12531;&#29378;&#24819;&#26354;(&#12459;&#12503;&#12522;&#12483;&#12481;&#12458;) / Bak Chan's Rhapsody (Capriccio) <br> Centers around Bak Chan<br><br> &bull; Chapter 4: 1000&#12398;&#24754;&#21127; / 1,000 Tragedies<br> Centers around The Millenium Earl<br><br> &bull; Chapter 5: &#22235;&#21313;&#20061;&#30058;&#30446;&#12398;&#21517;&#21069; / The 49th Name<br> Centers around Lavi and Doug<br><br> &bull; Chapter 6: &#40658;&#12398;&#25945;&#22243;&#35242;&#30566;&#12497;&#12540;&#12486;&#12451;&#12540; / Black Order's Reunion Party<br> Centers around the Black Order

The story, which takes place in the fictional medieval empire of Saiunkoku, follows the adventures of Shuurei Kou, a descendant of a noble family that has fallen on hard times. Her father serves as librarian in the Imperial palace, a post which offers prestige and respect but little compensation. Shuurei teaches in the temple school and works odd jobs to make ends meet, but her dream is to pass the imperial examinations and take a post in government, a path forbidden to women. Shuurei's plans come to an abrupt halt when the Emperor's Grand Advisor makes a startling offer: join the imperial household for six months as the young Emperor's consort, and teach the Emperor to be a responsible ruler. If she succeeds, the financial reward will be great. The story details Shuurei's growing relationships with the Emperor and other members of the court, the intrigues that surround imperial politics, and Shuurei's commitment to better herself and her country.

With the depletion of the life force of the world of Sylvarant, a chosen of legend rises to regenerate the dwindling mana. Lloyd Irving travels with his friend and the chosen Colette Brunel, along with the schoolteacher Raine, her younger brother and whiz kid, Genis Sage, and the enigmatic mercenary, Kratos. They break the seals of the Summon Spirits to awaken them and activate world regeneration, but it's during this crucial journey that they discover a much darker reality behind their mission to save Sylvarant. Based on the popular video game of the same name.

Mitsuya Souma, a first-year student, has spent his whole life with his decisions made for him by his mother, who seeks to protect him from past family tragedies. He finds solace and freedom only by playing the violin gifted to him by his bed-ridden grandfather, Yoshimitsu. Yoshimitsu's days are now almost over, and one night, the dreaded phone call comes in of his sudden decline in health. At the hospital, Mitsuya gets into an argument with his mother, only to be cruelly interrupted when an earthquake hits the city. Mitsuya falls down the stairs, hits his head, and passes out. Upon waking up, Mitsuya finds himself transported back in time to the Taishou era, surrounded by his grandfather's family and friends. Confused and struggling to cope, he concludes that he must correct his grandfather's biggest regret. However, Mitsuya has no idea where to begin. He must find his way amid a developing relationship with Jin Kasuga—his grandfather's best friend—and increasing family drama.

Five years ago, almost every villager of Ootsuka died due to a tragic plague. But mysteriously enough, three survivors: a girl and two boys, emerged. Now living in a church, the three live in isolation, hidden from those who may seek to find them. Shino, one of the survivors, has control over the power of Murasame, the blade of life. But when the imperial church seeks to take the Murasame for themselves, their peaceful life becomes a thing of the past...

Fonons. Essential components of all matter on planet Auldrant. Ages ago, a new type of fonon was discovered—the Seventh Fonon. Its discovery threw humanity into chaos, for if one could use the Seventh Fonon, one could learn the future. Wars over the Seventh Fonon raged across the lands, ending only when the miasma—a poison from within the planet—covered the entire world. This is when Yulia appeared. A fonist skilled in prophecy, Yulia saw thousands of years into the future and foresaw a way to seal away the miasma. With the guidance of her prophecies, humanity sealed the miasma deep within the planet. Over two thousand years passed. The world is ruled by Yulia's prophecy, known as the Score. People believe in the coming "unprecedented prosperity" promised in the Score, never straying from the path set forth in the Score which will lead them to that prosperity. They look to the Score as revealed by the Order of Lorelei, the religion Yulia founded, and hold that the greatest virtue is to follow the Score faithfully. Yulia's Score tells of a young man who is necessary in order to bring "unprecedented prosperity." His name is Luke fon Fabre. An heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear, he was kidnapped as a child by the kingdom's enemy, the Malkuth Empire. Since his return he has been confined to his family's manor for his own safety. He has no idea of the evil that now draws close.

Despite life on Destiny Islands being one of comfort and ease, three friends, Sora, Riku and Kairi, long to explore the many worlds beyond it. One fateful night, their wish is granted sooner than they anticipated when dark forces called "Heartless" invade their island. Overrun by these creatures, the islands are swallowed by darkness, taking Riku and Kairi with it. However, before Sora succumbs to the darkness, a blade of light manifests in his hands: the "Keyblade," granting him the power to vanquish the Heartless. Meanwhile in the world of Disney, the residents are in a flurry over the disappearance of their king Mickey Mouse. Leaving only a note behind, Mickey explains that he has gone to investigate an imminent danger threatening all known worlds. Furthermore, he instructs his aides, Donald Duck and Goofy, to seek out the one carrying a "key"; the one who can save them from their crisis. Thus the pair set off on their search, the first stop—Traverse Town. Sora awakens in the very same town, only to find it plagued by the Heartless. Although finding his friends is his main concern, as the wielder of the Keyblade he must accept the grand fate thrust upon him; many more worlds have come under attack, and he and the Keyblade are the only hope of liberating them.

Short stories about the past of the Tales of Symphonia main characters.