When high school girl Hoshino Hitomi dabbles with tarot cards she suddenly finds herself on a strange world called Gaea. With her new found friend, Van Fanel, the young prince of the devastated kingdom of Fanelia, Hitomi becomes involved in the battle against the Zaibach forces, an evil empire bent on conquering the planet. So begins the epic saga that spawned one the most acclaimed anime series of the past decade ...

Tenkuu no Escaflowne (The Vision of Escaflowne) - in its manga form - debuted in Kadokawa's Shounen Ace magazine in Japan in late 1994 and continued running through early 1998. It was subsequently published in 8 tankoubon (graphic novel) volumes by Kadokawa, beginning in April, 1995.

Katsu Aki's manga adaptation of the story was based on the original anime creation of Hajime Yadate and Shoji Kawamori.

Katsu Aki
Katsu Aki was born on Sept. 19th, 1983, under the sign of the Maiden, blood type O. He made his debut by winning first place in the 12th Shogakukan New Comic competition. His other works include Karasu: Mandala Charm Master, Stardust Paradise and Great Dragon Chronicles Sauron Knight, Angel Hard, Futari Ecchi, and Psychic Academy Ora Bansho.

English Version By: Lianne Sentar

Hitomi Hoshino
A first year high school student, Hitomi lives at home with her family. She has always been interested in tarot cards and enjoys telling her friends' fortunes. When on the planet Gaea, she is endowed with precognitive powers and has visions of the future. Hitomi's strange abilities also help her fuel the legendary Escaflowne. She has a crush on Allen, who resembles a boy she likes at her High School. Hitomi's positive outlook and spirit helps her deal with her strange destiny. She is sixteen years old.

Prince Van Slanzar de Fanelia
The young prince and future king of Fanelia. Van is the son of Escalina, the beloved Fanelian Queen. He has one older brother, Folken. Due to his royal blood, he is the only person capable of piloting the Fanelian deity, scaflowne. After the destruction of his kingdom, Van becomes obsessed with revenge, vowing to destroy the evil Empire of Zaibach. He is fifteen years old.

Queen Escalina
The mother of Prince Van and reigning queen of Fanelia. Escalina's love for her son knows no bounds, and is so great that she would gladly lay down her own life for him. A sensitive and perceptive ruler, scalina is beloved by her people.

Allen Schezar
A knight of the kingdom of Asturia. Allen is the pilot of the Gaimelf Scherazade. His father left his family when Allen was a boy. He has a younger sister, Serena, who disappeared when he was about eleven. Allen's mother died soon after her daughter's disappearance. Although a complete gentleman, he has the reputation of being a playboy. He is a very good strategist, honorable and loyal to his kingdom and cause. He is engaged to the Princess Millerna, and is 21 years old.