Honoo no Mirage

Novel Information
Author : Mizuna Kuwabara
Publisher : Shuueisha
Imprint: Cobalt Bunko
30 volumes so far

Manga Information
Author: Hamada Shouko
Publisher: Hakushensha
5 volumes so far

Synopsis by Migiwa GBI.

Most of us have heard of Mirage, though very few of us have any more than a hazy idea of what it's about. That's hardly surprising. The novels require more than a passing knowledge of ancient Japanese history, and at 30 volumes and counting, intimidating is the first word that comes to mind. Normally, a western fan should give this series a pass, but Honoo no Mirage features one of the most passionate love-hate relationships in the history of yaoi, rivaling even Ai no Kusabi in its intensity and perversity. It has a devoted doujinshi fandom that'll make any yaoi fan salivate. While this article could hardly cover even a tenth of the scope of the novel, it's intended to provide enough basic information about the background and the major characters for the readers to follow the doujinshi.

Honoo no Mirage is only half-jokingly introduced as an historical supernatural action adventure fantasy romance. The Warring States period of Japan, lasting for some 100 years from about 1500 to 1600, was a period of territorial wars among many clans battling for supremacy. In real life, it ended when Japan was united toward the end of the Azuchi-Momoyama era, but in Honoo no Mirage, the war never ended. The war simply moved to the supernatural plane. The warlords, in order to change the outcome of the war and redraw the map of Japan, lived on through four hundred year by means of reincarnation. Instead of normal reincarnation, in which the soul is reborn and retains no memory of its previous life, they simply claimed the bodies of new-born babies, and thus managed to retain their memory.

Against this background is set the story of Ougi Takaya and Naoe Nobustuna, the present reincarnations of the leaders of the Uyesugi Yashashu clan. Naoe admires, loves and desires Takaya (Kagetora) as much as he hates him, for his charismatic leadership, his obvious superiority, and because he's spurned Naoe's love for 400 years. The proud Takaya (Kagetora) wonders how he can return the love of a man who both worships and is jealous of him. Takaya is deadly because of his superiority and power, but also deeply lonely. He does not accept Naoe's love but never lets him go.

The plot focuses on the feelings of winners and losers, survivors and the damned, the honored and condemned of history. What would happen if these fiery- spirited heroes could make good their losses and redeem their honor? What if a hero could again meet the man who betrayed and killed him? What if warriors and losers who vanished into historical oblivion could have a second chance? Can the curses of the eternally lost and damned be lifted?

The tense love and hate relationship between Takaya and Naoe is revealed in several volumes. Initially there were many mysteries in the first 10 volumes because Takaya, the current incarnation of UESUGI Kagetora was born without the memory of his previous reincarnations. This memory loss may have been caused by the deadly sin Naoe committed out of envy and jealousy in his previous reincarnation.

For more information on Mirage, visit this page on the net:
http://jummi.kiss.ac/e-mirage.htm

Go to Part II - Characters