is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by . The series debuted in Shueisha's Monthly Shōnen Jump Extra in 2000, before running in the main Monthly Shōnen Jump magazine from 2003 to 2007. It was subsequently moved to the online Jump Square in 2007, where it concluded in 2011. Its chapters were collected in 18 volumes. In North America, Viz Media licensed the series for English release in 2007, but ceased publication after 14 volumes.
Plot Ten years prior to the events of the story, Kurohime ends a major conflict centered on the possession and reconstruction of the Tower of the Gods, a structure that grants divinity to its creator upon completion. After finishing the tower, she destroys it and ascends to the realm of the gods, intent on slaughtering them for instigating the war. Through deceit and overwhelming force, the gods manage to subdue her and divide her essence into two separate entities—one embodying her rage and the other her compassion.
The manifestation of her rage takes the form of a young girl known as Himeko, who seeks to reclaim her original body and power in order to challenge the gods once more. However, the curse binding her can only be broken through love. As Kurohime rediscovers her ability to love through her bond with Zero, she undergoes a series of transformations, each reflecting her evolving nature.
Characters Protagonists
Kurohime is the world's most powerful witch-gunslinger, possessing abilities such as summoning and controlling dragons. After challenging the gods ten years ago and failing, she was split into two beings as punishment—one embodying her rage and the other her compassion. The rage-driven half takes the form of a child named Himeko, who seeks to restore Kurohime's original appearance and powers, achievable only through the power of love. However, Kurohime's cruel and vain nature complicates this, as she often manipulates the affections of others for her own ends.
Himeko is Kurohime's childlike manifestation, a diminished form imposed by Shirohime after the gods split her as punishment. Unable to feel love in this state, she can only regain her true power and appearance by experiencing genuine affection. Initially selfish and manipulative, Himeko possesses only a fraction of Kurohime's abilities and treats Zero with disdain. However, as she spends time with him, she gradually rediscovers compassion, allowing her to temporarily revert to Kurohime's form at unpredictable moments. This transformation later becomes permanent during her confrontation with Darkray.
Momohime, Kurohime's adolescent form emerges after Shirohime's death breaks the divine curse. Though freed from her punishment, trauma over Zero's loss prevents full recovery of her powers. Yamatohime provides two artifacts: a memory-consuming Lotus enabling temporary transformations, and Yamato-Dachi blade that fuses with Senryu to form a gun/katana hybrid capable of Zero's resurrection. Exiled in a giant peach, she's found by villagers who name her Momohime. This form possesses greater magic than Himeko but remains weaker than her true self, showing increased maturity while retaining her fiery temperament.
Himekojo, Kurohime's third form, emerges as a young woman after losing most memories of Zero, retaining nearly full power without sacrificing her final memories. Sent to the past by Kairyu to learn Zero's origins, she adopts a new identity. Discovering Ray is the true "Zero", she purges his darkness by sacrificing herself to the River of Death. Her soul merges with a black tree that Yamato-hime transforms into a white tree of rebirth. Restored, Kurohime defeats Yashahime and gains world-creating powers. Four billion years later, they reincarnate on a new world with reversed genders—Kurohime as a male gunslinger saving Ray's female incarnation.
Shirohime represents the benevolent half of Kurohime after their separation by Sword. While Kurohime was exiled to Earth, Shirohime ascended as the Goddess of Benevolence. Unlike Kurohime's younger manifestations, Shirohime maintains constant composure. She ultimately sacrifices herself to protect Kurohime, dying at Darkray's hands.
Zero, a gunslinger trained by Kurohime after being saved in childhood, wields four revolvers with extraordinary speed while adhering to a strict no-killing philosophy. His unwavering devotion leads to repeated self-sacrifice, culminating in dying to save Kurohime from the River of Death. It is later revealed that "Zero" is actually Ray, his brother, after the original's soul was destroyed during resurrection. The true Zero is resurrected as , becoming the God of Death. He attacks Kurohime but spares one soul petal containing her memories of their love, triggering his full transformation and exposing his suppressed darkness. Dark Zero retreats after Yashahime's injury, then initiates the apocalypse by appealing to Supreme God Igudo. Kurohime's preserved memories become crucial during her time-travel journey to uncover Zero's past.
Ray is Zero's older twin brother who stopped growing and speaking after witnessing Doc murder their mother. Consumed by vengeance, he follows Doc solely to kill him himself, even protecting Doc from others' attacks. Unlike his brother, Ray displays rude and violent tendencies, insulting Kurohime as a "hag" and physically attacking her when annoyed. His stunted growth and silent demeanor mask his singular focus on personal revenge against their mother's killer.
Zero, Ray's younger twin brother, avoided the trauma that stunted his sibling, developing normally and earning the name "Quick Draw Zero" for his gun skills. Unlike Ray, he never witnessed Doc kill their mother. The Vengeance Knights killed Zero after Doc's betrayal. When Ray attempted suicide after his Shinigami awakening, Zero's spirit contacted Himekojo, begging resurrection through forbidden magic to restore Ray. Though Himekojo complied, Sword and her allies subsequently destroyed Zero's soul during the ritual. His sacrifice allowed Ray's return to human form.
Onimaru, a heavyset gunslinger, bears a tattoo of "dog" and Kurohime's branded name on his back, remnants of his former loyalty. Now seeking revenge after feeling betrayed by her apparent selfishness, he pursues the depowered witch. Despite his vengeful intentions, he remains paradoxically attracted to her. His pursuit represents both his wounded devotion and desire for retribution against his former master.
Tsucchi represents Onimaru's cursed form after partial transformation by Sword of the Death Angels. When forced to kiss her leg, his willpower prevents complete mutation into a man-snake, leaving him a mute lizard while retaining his mind. After learning Kurohime's true motives from Shirohime, he helps lift her curse and joins Himeko's journey. Sword later reverses the curse before the final battle, restoring Onimaru, who then motivates Kurohime by confessing his enduring love.
Yuka, a young woman, becomes possessed by the depowered witch Barahime, who uses her body nightly to drain men's life force. By day, Yuka regains control. With Kurohime and Zero's help, Barahime is expelled, leaving Yuka with residual magic. After Zero's death, Sword rescues Barahime from hellfire, enabling her to fully possess Yuka again. They pursue Kurohime through time seeking vengeance, but Kurohime destroys Barahime permanently. Freed again, Yuka becomes Kurohime's loyal follower, grateful for her liberation.
Asura is a formidable fire-wielding demon whose magical abilities rival divine powers. Initially appearing as a mysterious ally, she aids Kurohime and Zero before suffering grave injuries protecting them from a Mountain God. Her fire-based magic proves most effective in her demonic form, though water remains her weakness. Despite initial reluctance to assist, Asura changes her stance after Zero saves her and witnesses Kurohime's vengeance. This shift leads her to reveal information about her master, who seeks to restore Kurohime's full power. Their alliance culminates in a joint defeat of the Mountain God.
Tokugawa Kazuma, prince of Big Edo City, is a master swordsman renowned for his lightning-fast strikes. His father bestows upon him a necklace containing three Spirit Kings' power, though using it drains his life force to sustain Yamatohime—visibly aging him and turning his hair white. Kurohime observes his personality mirrors Zero's, and he appears to develop romantic feelings for her. The magical artifact grants immense power at the cost of his vitality, creating physical deterioration with each use.
Yukionna and Yukiotoko serve as guardians of Spirit King Byakko. Though childhood friends, their relationship becomes strained when Yukionna begins collecting frozen men, despite Yukiotoko's unrequited love. During their battle with Kurohime, Yukiotoko befriends her while Yukionna realizes her mistakes, leading to their reconciliation. Grateful, they later assist Kurohime's group against the Kurohime Punishment Squad and Yashahime. Yukionna commands ice magic while Yukiotoko transforms into an abominable snowman. Both share a fire weakness that Kurohime exploits. After defeat, they revert to child forms but can temporarily merge into an adult combat form. Their combined power proves crucial in later battles.
Rider, nicknamed "Lightning Bolt", is a Wolf Brigade member who fights alongside Zero during Kurohime's time displacement. Initially loyal to Doc through the twins, he defects with the brigade but later kills Doc after Ray departs, becoming a fugitive. A decade later, Kandata (Doc) leads him to Dark Zero for a fractured reunion, now missing his left eye. His signature weapon is an explosive gun hammer resembling Monster Hunter armaments, complemented by exceptional pistol speed. Rider's allegiance shifts throughout the conflict, motivated by debts to both Doc and the twins. / Doc, the ruthless leader of the Wolf Brigade, exploits Ray to control Zero, valuing profit over his men's lives. He sacrifices wounded brigade members during the Lion Castle assault, prompting most survivors to defect after beating him. His theft of military funds later imprisons the group. Ultimately revealed as Kandata, the Styx River ferryman, his obsession with understanding Ray's mercy persists beyond death. This unresolved curiosity prevents him from remaining in Hell like other sinners, forcing him into eternal ferryman duties.
Antagonists
Darkray, one of the six High Gods and former God of Death, defeated Kurohime during her initial rebellion by using a murdered infant's soul as a shield. He proposed dividing her into two entities—Shirohime (embodying compassion) and the hate-filled Kurohime. Later appearing after Kurohime slays Moai, he commands Shirohime to seal Kurohime's powers, enabling his Death Angels to execute her. This intervention directly continues his role in suppressing Kurohime's defiance against divine authority.
Yashahime, Mother Goddess of Earth and Darkray's lover, ranks among the six high gods. She seeks vengeance against Kurohime for Darkray's death, first appearing after Gandhara's demise. While appearing beautiful, she possesses a monstrous treelike form and wields the Hakushinboku (White God Tree)—the divine counterpart to Kurohime's Kokushinboku. Her dual nature shifts violently between calm demeanor and sadistic rage, with even Darkray having feared her instability. This psychological volatility complements her dominion over earth and plants, making her one of the pantheon's most dangerously unpredictable deities.
Kurohime Punishment Squad After Kurohime and Zero kill Darkray, the sole surviving Death Angel Sword assembles a team of powerful witch-gunslingers bearing grudges against Kurohime, forming the . This specialized unit dedicates itself to hunting down and executing Kurohime as retribution for the fallen God of Death.