Book by Mizuna Kuwabara
 is a 49-volume Japanese light novel series written by Mizuna Kuwabara, published under Shueisha's "Cobalt" label. It was partially adapted into a 13-episode anime television series directed by Susumu Kudo in 2002 and an OVA directed by Fumie Muroi in 2004. Both were animated by Madhouse and produced by SME Visual Works (now Aniplex). The anime television series and the OVAs have since been released in North America by Media Blasters, and both have aired on Encore Action and Encore WAM.
Three gaiden (or side-story) prequels have been made: "Honō no Mirage: Kaikou-Hen" set in Sengoku period which consisted of 14 volumes (1999-2013), "Honō no Mirage: Bakumatsu-Hen" set in Edo period and had a total of 2 volumes (2009-2013), and "Honō no Mirage: Shouwa-Hen" set in Shouwa period with a total of 11 volumes (2014–2017).
The "Shouwa-Hen" gaiden was adapted into a five-part stage play produced by Trifle Entertainment. The first part was held at Theater Sun Mall in Shinjuku on September 17 to 23, 2014. The second part was held at Theater 1010 in Kita-Senju on October 8 to 13, 2015. The third part was held at Theater Sun Mall in Shinjuku on October 21 to 30, 2016. The fourth part was held at Theater 1010 in Kita-Senju on October 12 to 17, 2017. The fifth and final part was held at Space Zero Renrouzumi Hall in Shinjuku on August 11 to 19, 2018. A DVD (and Blu-Ray as of part four) was released a few months after each part was completed.
Plot.
Takaya Ougi, a high school student, wants nothing more than to protect his best friend Yuzuru Narita and live a normal life. That is, until Nobutsuna Naoe, an intense and charismatic man, informs Takaya that he is in fact the reincarnation of Lord Kagetora, the adopted son of a noble samurai lord, Kenshin Uesugi. Naoe, himself a "possessor," or a soul reborn through time, reawakens Takaya's abilities to exorcise evil spirits and fight the Feudal Underworld, a collection of restless warrior spirits bent on modern-day conquest. While most possessors remember their former lives before being reincarnated, Takaya is one of the few who doesn't, and is often hostile towards any effort for the complete recovery of his memory. As the plot unfolds, the complex history of the characters and their past suggests why this is so, and the true nature of the tempestuous and somewhat ambiguous relationship between the two leads provides the backdrop for a melodrama that spans several generations of Japanese history. As they ascend to the living world to renew their ancient war, Naoe, Takaya, and two other possessors gear up to prevent that from happening. The series is set in Matsumoto, a large city in Nagano.
OVA.
The OVA "Rebels of the River Edge" (2003) has animated the book with same title. The OVA resumes the plot of the anime television series, yet incorporates several new developments, among them the question of unswerving loyalty and personal honor. Takaya is sent to Kyoto to investigate the re-awakening of the Ikko sect and Murashige Araki, a one time member of the Ikkō sect who has since deserted the clan. With the help of his vassal and fellow possessor Haruie, the two are successful in tracking him down, only to discover that Murashige is after a 400-year-old mandala (a Buddhist ritualistic artifact and meditative aid) made of the hair of the deceased Araki clansmen. Unfortunately, by the time they meet up with Murashige, Haruie recognizes him as Shintarou, her former lover in a past life. Whether it's true or not, and despite the confusing emotional complication of this development, Takaya orders Haruie to eliminate Murashige once he becomes a true threat to the balance of power. Meanwhile, Takaya finally reunites with Naoe after a prolonged period of estrangement. Unresolved sexual and psychological tension dominates their initial exchange, and it's uncertain whether these two powerful possessors will resolve their differences and work together against this latest threat.
Voiced by: Toshihiko Seki (Japanese); Richard Cansino (English)
A lonely 17-year-old high school delinquent from Jyohoku High School who finds out that he's actually the reincarnation of Kagetora Uesugi, despite having repressed the memories of his prior existence due to a traumatic incident. When he was a junior high-school student, he was a famous juvenile delinquent at Matsumoto since he rebelled against his alcoholic father. Abrupt and outspoken in demeanor, he defiantly and exhaustingly denies the fact that he is Kagetora, refusing to believe that he is anyone but Takaya. He nonetheless exhibits a highly moral attitude towards his newfound duty as a "possessor" once he accepts the reality of his past. Through the course of the series, he develops a minor split personality, confusing his ancient persona with his current persona (i.e. Takaya Ohgi vs. Kagetora Uesugi). All of the Uesugi possessors, as well as close friends, call him "Takaya" unless he's in his Kagetora persona, save Naoe who always calls him "Lord Kagetora" as a mark of their master/vassal relationship. He's a very powerful magic user, capable of exorcising spirits and demons and constructing an energy barrier against attack. He has a strong conviction and is stubborn, though he hides his vulnerably delicate mind with a bluff. Although he has serious misanthropy, he's incredibly defenseless and innocent toward man who he trusted. He's eager for a father figure and mentor, and tends to trust an older man. Takaya begins to trust and love Naoe due to his protection despite himself, and although he knows he may just be a substitute for Kagetora. Takaya becomes a wise, noble and charismatic leader after he regains Kagetora's memories, but it also begins a deep discord with Naoe due to an event 30 years in the past. Takaya becomes intent on "winning" or keeping the upper hand against Naoe although there is a strange attraction between them. However, due to the fact Takaya (as Kagetora) was raped by his foster lord's vassals when he was in Hojo clan, he hates sexual intercourse. At the end of the novel's part 1 "Youkihi the Sea Goddess", the situation has changed after Naoe's soul was damaged and can no longer use any power, including the ability to possess a new host. Takaya is disturbed by the idea that Naoe's death could be permanent, and his spirit be lost forever. Then he shows intense affection for Naoe, unleashing a powerful display of protective magic due to his fury that the Mori clan had taken Naoe hostage. In the end, Naoe protects him and died causing Takaya to lose his sanity however. However, when he seals his feelings on the advice of his real father, Ujiyasu Hojo's soul, he is able to beat his enemies. Then, he believed Kotaro is Naoe since he wakes up.
Voiced by: Shō Hayami (Japanese); Jamieson Price (English), Voiced by: Kōji Tsujitani (2nd Drama CD)
The current incarnation of Nobutsuna Naoe. He is the third son of the Tachibana family and is a monk of Shingon-shu Buzan-ha at the Kougenji temple in Utsunomiya. He always wears a black suit with a black tie as Japanese mourning dress by reason of the sympathy for the dead person; he is also shown to occasionally smoke cigarettes whenever he's not working. He owns three different cars-(one in dark green, one in white, and one in black). He is approximately eleven years older than Takaya-(making him around 28 years old), and much more methodical and deliberate in his methods. Intense and understated in speech, he nonetheless harbors a passionate and rebellious nature beneath his veneer of docility and allegiance. He and his family are known to be quite wealthy, partially because his older brother manages a real estate company. Naoe wields a similar form of energy magic and is capable of sensing demonic or supernatural auras. He can also make others possess a person's bodies compulsorily. Takaya and all other members of the Uesugi clan call him "Naoe". He was a subordinate of Kagekatsu Uesugi who killed Kagetora. However, he has become a servant of Kagetora by command of Kenshin Uesugi 400 years ago. Initially, he and Kagetora hated one another. He has since come to love Kagetora deeply-(even to the point where he harbors a romantic/sexual attraction to him), although he has jealousy and an inferiority complex towards "genius" Kagetora. He showed on several occasions that he would do anything to make him. He's deeply attached to the relationship between "winner" and "loser", and wishes to win against Kagetora who he perceives the "winner". In his previous life, he raped and impregnated Minako Kitazato, Kagetora's fiancé. Moreover, he forced Kagetora's spirit to possess Minako's body. Kagetora's body was killed in the fight against Oda who was eventually killed as well. Naoe regretted this misdeed and has become suicidal since Kagetora's next reincarnation was not found. Naoe behaves like a guardian and mentor to Takaya/Lord Kagetora, but he is afraid of losing Takaya's trust when the other regains his memories. However, he cannot control his suppressed desires - love, hate, and agony- and he almost rapes Takaya who regains his memories in shock. At the end of the novel's part 1 "Youkihi the Sea Goddess", his soul has suffered damage because he used his supernatural powers without rest while he was emotionally unstable. Naoe then lost his powers and his eyesight for a short time. He is held hostage by the Mori clan and he was suggested that he join to the Mori clan by Motoharu Kikkawa who felt pity for him. He confessed he wanted to be killed by Takaya while surrounded by flames, but he was persuaded by Takaya and reconciled with him. However, he protects Takaya from a bullet which Terumoto Mori fired. His eyes met those of Takaya and he dies. In the book: part 2, it's revealed that he was saved by Kenshin, and he manipulated body of Makoto Kaizaki, descendant of the Satomi clan, by his mortally wounded body, uses spirit synchronization. In both the manga and anime series-(including the OVA) it's strongly implied that Naoe is bisexual.
Voiced by: Yasunori Matsumoto (Japanese); Lex Lang (English)
The current incarnation of Nagahide Yasuda, two years older than Takaya, and on the surface a typical high school student. He is a possessor and magic user, but apparently also has the ability to alter the perceptions and memories of others. He use items called Koppa-jin. His combat ability is most strong after Kagetora, he regarded Kagetora as his rival, not his vassal. All the Uesugi clan possessors call him by his ancient name "Nagahide", save Takaya who calls him by his current name, "Chiaki". His arrival in the series is accompanied by his sudden and mysterious appearance in Takaya's homeroom as his "best friend." His loyalty to the Uesugi clan is at first questionable, since his whereabouts and intentions were unknown before his abrupt arrival in Takaya's life. He has a laid back personality and is slow to anger, and is concentrated and precise in combat. He's also considerate person, and he doesn't hesitate about help to help the weak and friend although he don't want to acknowledge it. Like Naoe, he belonged to the faction of Kagekatsu Uesugi when he was alive. Unlike other Uesugi clan that possession to fetus as possible, he possessed to a handsome young man because he hated his ancient ugly-looking. Though he says that he abandoned "Ultimate Bakappuru", he makes every effort to do help them at the risk of his life.
Voiced by: Sakiko Tamagawa (Japanese); Julie Ann Taylor (English)
The current incarnation of Haruie Kakizaki, originally male. Somewhere in her past, whether by accident or design, she switched gender. She is a female college student about 21 years of age who rides a Yamaha FZR400 motorcycle called "Ecchan". Despite her decidedly feminine appearance, everyone calls her by "Haruie". She save Takaya who calls her by her current name "Ayako-neesan". She is easy going and friendly with a bit of a competitive streak. When she first meets Takaya, she challenges him to a motorcycle race and beats him easily. She is a powerful exorcist and dependable in combat, and has great magic power to identify a soul. She worshiped Kagetora since she/he was alive. Haruie formerly hated Naoe who was Kagetora's enemy and has assassinated himself at 400 years ago; first possession, but