Blast of Tempest (Japanese: 絶園のテンペスト, Hepburn: Zetsuen no Tenpesuto) is a Japanese manga series written by Kyō Shirodaira and Arihide Sano, and illustrated by Ren Saizaki [jp]. It was serialized in Square Enix's Monthly Shōnen Gangan from July 2009 to March 2013, with its chapters collected in ten tankōbon volumes. A 24-episode anime television series adaptation by Bones aired from October 2012 to March 2013. The anime series was licensed by Aniplex of America in North America, by Madman Entertainment in Australia and by Muse Communication in Southeast Asia.
The story revolves around Mahiro Fuwa, a teenage high school student whose younger step-sister Aika (who was also the longtime girlfriend of his childhood friend Yoshino Takigawa) was mysteriously murdered along with their parents one year before. Mahiro is contacted by Hakaze Kusaribe, the leader of the Kusaribe clan who was left stranded on an unknown deserted island by her followers, and agrees to help Hakaze in exchange for her help to find out the culprit responsible for the tragic death of his family. Upon learning of his friend's intentions, Yoshino joins him on his quest to stand up against the rest of the Kusaribe clan who intends to awaken the "Tree of Exodus" whose power can bring ruin to the entire world.[3]
Several dialogues and plot elements in Zetsuen no Tempest pay homage to two works of William Shakespeare, Hamlet and The Tempest, which are two stories about retribution, albeit with completely opposing outcomes.[4]
Blast of Tempest is written by Kyō Shirodaira and Arihide Sano, and illustrated by Ren Saizaki. It was serialized in Square Enix's Monthly Shōnen Gangan from July 10, 2009 to March 12, 2013.[6][7][8] Two additional chapters were published in the magazine on April 12 and October 12, 2013.[9][10] Square Enix collected its chapters in ten tankōbon volumes, released from February 22, 2010 to November 22, 2013.[11][12] In May 2023, Square Enix began to publish the series in English on their Manga Up! Global service.[13]
The anime began airing on MBS (Animeism block) on October 5, 2012.[22][23][2] The anime was simulcast with English subtitles on Crunchyroll.[24] It has been licensed by Aniplex of America in North America,[25] by Madman Entertainment in Australia,[26] and by Muse Communication in Southeast Asia.[27] For episodes 1–12, the opening theme is "Spirit Inspiration" by Nothing's Carved in Stone while the ending theme is "happy endings" by Kana Hanazawa. For episodes 13–24, the opening theme is "Even Though I Love You" (大好きなのに, Daisuki na no ni) by Kylee while the ending theme is "Our Song" (僕たちの歌, Boku-tachi no Uta) by Tomohisa Sako.
