Maoyuu Yuusha

Maoyū Maō Yūsha (まおゆう魔王勇者^?, lit. Demon King and Hero), also known as Maoyu, or Archenemy and Hero in English, is a Japanese light novel series by Mamare Touno that was initially posted in a play format on the textboard 2channel in 2009. Enterbrain began publishing the light novel in 2010 and has so far released five volumes, selling over 450,000 copies in total. It has received several manga adaptations. An anime adaptation by Arms began airing in Japan on January 5, 2013. The series follows the exploits of a human hero and the queen of demons who join forces to bring peace and prosperity to a war-torn world.

Plot

The story is set in a world embroiled by war between Humans and Demons. The Humans' greatest warrior known as the Hero invades the castle of the Demon King (魔王 Maō^?), leader of the Demons who is actually a woman, as he is determined to vanquish her. However, instead of fighting back, the Demon King proposes an alliance with the Hero. She explains how a sudden end to the war can bring further chaos to the world as the Humans once united to stand against their common enemies would eventually begin fighting among themselves, with similar issues already occurring at the Demon Realm. Convinced by her words, the Hero joins forces with the Demon King and together they execute a plan to bring prosperity and a lasting peace to both Humans and Demons alike.

Characters

None of the characters in the story have proper names, with each one of them only being addressed by his or her title or occupation.

Protagonists

Demon King (魔王 Maō^?)

Voiced by: Ami Koshimizu

The main female protagonist and the 43rd supreme ruler of the Demon Realm who holds the title of Demon King (魔王 Maō^?)¹. Even she looks young, she is in fact over a hundred years old. After revealing her plans to the Hero and convincing him to join forces, she sets for the Human Realm, disguising herself as a human noblewoman known as the Crimson Scholar (紅の学士 Kurenai no Gakushi^?), and sharing a part of her vast knowledge with the Human society to help improve their civilization. She comes from a demon clan who prioritize knowledge, where they resides in a hidden dimension called the Outer Library, which contains a vast archive of knowledge from the past, present, future and other worlds and where the Queen gets her ideas.

Becoming famous in the Human World not only by her feats, but also by her beauty, the Crimson Scholar is viewed with distrust by the church and the Central kingdoms, who brands her as a heretic in spite of her growing influence, fearing it would loosen its grasp over the countries helped by her. To ensure a temporary ceasefire between the Humans and Demons, the Queen disseminates rumors that her battle with the Hero indeed occurred, resulting in his disappearance and her body becoming severely wounded, thus leading her servants to the false belief that she would not be able to command them until her recuperation is completed.

Though an imposing and intelligent woman, she has shown a bit of a childish and comedic side. The Demon Queen develops affections towards the Hero and later falls in love with him and constantly tries to gain his attention and openly shows her feelings for him, unaware her feelings are in fact reciprocated, though he's more shy to admit them to her.

Hero (勇者 Yūsha^?)

Voiced by: Jun Fukuyama

The main male protagonist and the greatest warrior of the Human realm who gives up on his task of slaying the Demon King after he is convinced to join her effort to ensure a truly peaceful solution to the war between Humans and Demons, by first addressing the issues of both societies that could put them into greater turmoil once the conflict ends. He is an unequaled swordsman capable of standing against the strongest Human or Demon, along with being capable of powerful magic ranging from healing to creating familiar spirits, and able to instantly teleport to any location he previously visited. He eventually develops feelings for the Demon King which are also requited on her part, albeit she shows them openly in a comedic and flirtatious nature.

As part of the Queen's plan, he conceals his true identity and adopts the name of White Swordsman (白の剣士 Shiro no Kenshi^?). While traveling through the Demon Realm as a peacekeeper, he dons an imposing black armor belonging to a former Demon Lord, addressing himself as a servant of the Queen called the Black Knight (黒騎士 Kuro Kishi^?). The Hero used to fight alongside three companions, a Female Knight, an Archer and a Wizard who followed their separate ways after the Hero left the party to confront the Demon King (魔王 Maō^?) by himself.

Hero's companions

Female Knight (女騎士 Onna Kishi^?)

Voiced by: Miyuki Sawashiro

One of the members of Hero's old party. A powerful swordswoman who also excels as a commander in battle. She reunites with the Hero by accident much to her surprise, as no one had news from him since he left for the Demon Realm. Despite failing to get a proper explanation from him, she joins the Crimson Scholar's efforts to improve Human society by teaching swordsmanship to her students. Female Knight eventually becomes a close friend to the Crimson Scholar, staying by her side even after learning about her true identity, despite she is also in love with Hero.

Female Magician (女魔法使い Onna Mahōtsukai^?)

Voiced by: Misato Fukuen

Another member of the Hero's old party. After the Hero left his party, she sets for the Demon Realm to look for him and no one has heard from her since then. Upon learning of it, the Hero starts looking for clues about her whereabouts during his travels through the Demon Realm. Her adventures in the Demon Realm are told in the manga Maoyū Maō Yūsha Gaiden. Later, she revealed herself as a demon from same clan as the Demon King and Chief Maid.

Archer (弓兵 Kyūhei^?)

Voiced by: Banjō Ginga

The third member of Hero's old party. After the party is disbanded, he starts working as a servant of the Winter Prince who later becomes King. He usually treats Hero like a son, while taunts Female Knight for her small bust, much to her anger. He addresses concerns about Hero isolating himself from humanity due to his immense power.

Winter Pass village

Chief Maid (メイド長 Meido Chō^?)

Voiced by: Chiwa Saito

Demon King's most trusted servant and commander of her army. She usually does not refrain from expressing her point of view even before her master. Despite making unflattering comments to her master, she remains loyal to her master ever since they were children. Like her master, she also comes from the same demon clan that resides in the Outer Library but instead learning about economics, she learns the "Ways of the Maid" from peculiar sources.

Little Sister Maid and Big Sister Maid (メイド妹・メイド姉 Meido Imōto, Meido Ane^?)

Voiced by: Nao Tōyama and Haruka Tomatsu

Two young sisters who took refuge at Crimson Scholar's estate. Coming from a serf family of seven siblings, the sisters' other siblings died from hunger and disease. Due the harsh life of serfdom which their lord treated them like slaves, they escaped and hope to get a better life at the city. However, Chief Maid looks down on the sisters since their presence would bring trouble with the Crimson Scholar. Furthermore, she considers them "bugs" for allowing life harsh realities to control their fate rather than overcoming it and control their own lives as human beings and not thinking and planning their future.

Upon asking the Chief Maid to teach them to become proper humans, they are taken unto her guard, working as assistant maids. Thanks to the education given to them, Big Sister Maid becomes knowledgeable about the different lives and social classes of human society while Little Sister Maid becomes an expert with food and drinks. Contrary to the knowledge of Hero and the others, they do not know the Crimson Scholar's secret.

Noble Youngster

Voiced by: Yūki Kaji

A noble's son and student of Crimson Scholar's, thanks to his connections and knowledge taught to him by his teacher, he becomes a diplomat and spy for the Blizzard Queen. He later joins sides with Young Merchant in his plan to take control of the Merchant Alliance.

Merchant Youngster

Voiced by: Takuma Terashima

A merchant's son and a student of Crimson Scholar's, thanks to his new knowledge of economics by his teacher, the Winter King appoints as the country's finance minister.

Warrior Youngster

Voiced by: Tatsuhisa Suzuki

A warrior's son and a student of Crimson Scholar's. He originally was very supportive in the human/demon war but later changes his view due to his teacher and Female Knight who taught him about the effects of the war. When the Central nations began attacking the Southern kingdoms, he later becomes a commander in the Southern kingdom armies where he and his men thwarted a surprise attack by the White Nation using tactics and traps as taught to him by his teacher.

Southern kingdoms

Winter Prince/ 2nd Winter King

Voiced by: Daisuke Hirakawa

The Crowned Prince of the Winter Kingdom. The Winter Prince wishes for his country and the other Southern kingdoms to be free from the Central kingdoms who economically controls their nations by giving them financial aid in exchange for continuing fighting the demons. Knowing such aid is unreliable and cannot last forever, he is grateful for the Crimson Scholar in helping his nation prosper to be economically independent from Central. After his father is killed during the first disastrous expedition to reclaim Bright Light Island, he assumes the throne to become the new Winter King and appoints Female Knight as the new Commander of the second expedition to reclaim Bright Light Island. Thanks to her, Crimson Scholar and Hero, Bright Light Island is reclaimed from the demons. To further help the South, he forms a economic pact with the Iron and Ice Kingdoms. After the Central Kingdoms and church brands Crimson Scholar a heretic in an attempt to stop the South from becoming economically independent, the Winter King offers his support and protection to her and stand up against the Central.

Winter King

Voiced by: Toshiyuki Morikawa

The original Winter King, killed during the failed .

Blizzard Queen

Voiced by: Mariko Fujii

Queen of the Ice Kingdom.

Iron Fist King

Voiced by: Masanori Machida

King of the Iron Kingdom.

White Night King

Voiced by: Hiroki Touchi

King of the White Night Kingdom. Unlike his Southern counterparts, he chooses to be more close with the Central kingdoms. Arrogant and uncaring, he refuse to take responsibility when his attempt to reclaim Bright Light Island fails which to lead many deaths including the first Winter King who he tries to blame on his failure. After the rest of the Southern leaders call out on his behavior, he gives command of the next Bright Light Island expedition to the new Winter King see if he can do better but much to his anger, the Winter King succeeds in what he failed to do. With his kingdom being left out the economic pact between the Winter, Ice and Iron kingdoms, White Night King becomes jealous and vengeful and vows to make the rest of the South suffer.

Commander

Voiced by: Hōchū Ōtsuka

The Commander of the Crusaders that control Gateway city. Under his rule, his Crusaders treated the demons harshly. As he and his Crusaders loses their sanity and moral due to the Black Knight and his allies illusion magic, his army abandons the city with the excuse he was helping reclaim Bright Light Island. Unfortunately, he and his Crusaders were meet by the demon armies who control Bright Light Island, who were forced to retreat due to the Winter Kingdom forces. He later is arrested and sentenced to death by the Central Kingdoms for abandoning Gateway city but is freed by his uncle, the White Night King but not before losing one of his eyes to rats. He later joins his uncle's plan against the South.

Merchants Alliance

Young Merchant (青年商人 Seinen Shōnin^?)

Voiced by: Hiroshi Kamiya

A cunning business entrepreneur who views the Crimson Scholar's exploits as a means to expand his fortune. Eventually he learns from Hero about his and Demon King's plan and agrees to help them while taking the opportunity to further line his pockets.

Shrewd Treasurer

Voiced by: Shinnosuke Tachibana

Old Merchant

Voiced by: Chō

Central kingdoms

Emissary

Voiced by: Issei Futamata

Royal Prince Marshall

The brother of the King of the Holy Kingdom.

The Pope

Voiced by: Mugihito

Demon realm

Fairy Queen

Leader of the Fairy Clan.

Winged Fairy

Voiced by: Kaoru Mizuhara

One of Hero's allies in the Demon Realm. After Hero's helps rescue her Queen from the Wolf Clan, she and her fellow faeries assist Hero to reclaim Gateway City from the human Crusaders.

Archduke Fire Dragon

Voiced by: Masashi Hirose

Leader of the Fire Dragon clan who relinquishes the mission of reclaiming Gateway city to Hero who promises to reclaim the city by himself.

Grand Princess Fire Dragon

Voiced by: Shizuka Itō

Archduke Fire Dragon's daughter who is offered as a prize to Hero after he defeats her father in combat. Since then she works on his behalf.

South Arctic General

Voiced by: Hiroshi Shirokuma

Head of the demon garrison in Aurora Island. Once his army is defeated, he is killed by Female Knight who accepts his challenge to a honorable fight to the death.

Gateway City

East Fortress General

Voiced by: Kenta Miyake

A mercenary general who controls the Eastern Fortress of Gateway City.

Lieutenant General

Voiced by: Wataru Hatano

Demon Girl

Voiced by: Eriko Matsui

Blue Demon clan

Blue Demon Lord

Bounded Blue Demon Son

Voiced by: Tetsuya Kakihara

Others

Assistant

Nightmare Robin

Voiced by: Fuyumi Shiraishi

Hero's familiar.

Media

Light novels

No.	Title	Release date	ISBN
01	“Become My property, Hero”“I Refuse!” (「この我のものとなれ、勇者よ」「断る!」)	December 29, 2010	ISBN 978-4-04-726933-0
02	Conspiracy of Kurultai (忽鄰塔（クリルタイ）の陰謀)	January 31, 2011	ISBN 978-4-04-726994-1
03	Expeditionary force of Seiken (聖鍵（せいけん）遠征軍)	April 28, 2011	ISBN 978-4-04-727097-8
04	What Can be Done With These Hands (この手でできること)	July 16, 2011	ISBN 978-4-04-727098-5
Episode01	Episode1 Female Magician from Elms country (エピソード1 楡の国の女魔法使い)	October 31, 2011	ISBN 978-4-04-727551-5
05	The other side of the hill (あの丘の向こうに)	January 21, 2012	ISBN 978-4-04-727144-9
Episode00	Episode0 Archer from Dune country (エピソード0 砂丘の国の弓使い)	June 30, 2012	ISBN 978-4-04-728095-3
Episode02	Episode2 Female Knight from Flowers country (エピソード2 花の国の女騎士)	December 22, 2012	ISBN 978-4047284562

Manga