It's time for the Angelic Layer regional finals in Kanto, Japan, and in honor of the occasion, an all-new fighting arena has been unveiled! For the first time ever, players must navigate their robotic Angels around an interactive 3-D environment filled with craggy peaks and smoky crevices. Misaki Suzuhara, the Angelic Layer prodigy who went from pretender-to-contender in her first day of competition, is the first unlucky player to fight in the new ring. Her opponent is the super-experienced Kaede Saitou, whose Angel, Blanche, has a wicked hyper-mode attack. Fortunately, Misaki's got a few new tricks of her own.

Misaki Suzuhara
12-year-old Misaki moves to Tokyo to live with her aunt and go to Eriol Academy. Her new friends call her Misakichi. Right when she arrives, she sees an Angelic Layer battle on TV and is immediately captivated by the dueling dolls. A strange scientist named Icchan helps her get started, but soon Misaki shows that she's a natural at the sport, and with her speed-type Angel Hikaru, she's soon on the road to the crown in the Angelic Layer tournament.

Hikaru
Misaki names her first Angel Hikaru after a character from a manga she once read. Hikaru is a speed-type Angel, small, light, and very fast and agile. Hikaru has the unique ability to mimic other Angels' moves after Misaki can observe them in battle.

Icchan
This crazy guy volunteers himself as Misaki's trainer in Angelic Layer, helping her pick out her equipment and teaching her the basic commands. Because he wears a lab coat and makes crazy entrances, people suspect that he might be a mad scientist.

Tamayo Kizaki
Misaki's new classmate Tamayo is a personality to be reckoned with. She likes to practice her martial arts on Koutarou.

Koutarou Kobayashi
A good friend to Tamayo and Hikaru, even if he is a bit of a pushover. Don't call him Koutarou-kun. He doesn't deserve more than a -chan on his name.

Hatoko Kobayashi
While only in kindergarten, Hatoko became one of the top Angelic Layer players in the country. With her angel Suzuka, she is nearly unbeatable. Misaki has the misfortune of facing her in her very first match.

Ohjiro Mihara
Known as the "Prince of the Layer," he's the #1 Deus in Angelic Layer. He's a strong believer in fair play and doesn't approve of using shady means to win a match.

Aunt Shouko
Misaki's aunt is a news anchor for the local TV station who prides herself on her youthful appearance. So whatever you do, don't call her "auntie!"

Ringo Seto
She's not just a pop idol, but a star Deus in Angelic Layer as well! With her angel, the gorgeous Dancing Lanka, she's a serious contender in the Layer.

Kaede Saitou
A demure Deus, she's described as the girl with the healing smile. She loves to be pampered by her fans.

Sai Jounouchi
She's the coolest customer in any fight - that's why they call her the "Ice Machine." Tall and imposing, she gives Misaki quite a fright.

The Fujisaka Sisters
Little Arisu built the fearsome Angel Mao, but her big sister Madoka is the one who controls her on the Layer. Fierce competitors, the sisters will do whatever it takes to win.

What is 'CLAMP'?

CLAMP is the four-woman manga studio that creates the world's most popular manga. For the past 15 years they have worked non-stop, creating everything from the adorable shojo (girls comic) hit Cardcaptor Sakura, to the dark and brooding Tokyo Babylon, to the sci-fi romantic comedy Chobits. Currently they are working on four series: Legal Drug, X, Tsubasa: Resevoir Chronicle and xxxHolic. The group also has a close relationship with anime studio Madhouse, which has adapted most of CLAMP's manga into equally successful anime.

2004 marks the team's 15th anniversary, and to celebrate they are working on a retrospective collection called CLAMP no Kiseki, available from TOKYOPOP in 2005.


Member Bios

Name: Ageha Ohkawa
Role: team leader; story & script
DOB: March 2
Blood-type: A
Birthplace: Osaka

Name: Satsuki Igarashi
Role: design; art assistant
DOB: Feb 8
Blood type: A
Birthplace: Born in Kyoto, raised in Shiga

Tsubaki Nekoi
Role: art assistant; chibi artist; lead artist on Wish, Legal Drug, Suki, The One I Love
DOB: January 21
Blood-type: O
Birthplace: Kyoto

Mokona
Role: lead artist; colors
DOB: June 16
Blood-type: A
Birthplace: Kyoto