Joe Adventure Magazine

Rosette Christopher and Chrono from "Chrono Crusade"

I recently watched “Chrono Crusade” over my holiday break with my wife, who I tricked into watching by just turning it on idly. She seemed to get into it after the first few episodes and wanted to know what happens to all the characters.

This reminded me that the manga version of Chrono Crusade has several differences between them. Most notably is the ending. Technically, it is the same, only one is a little more dramatic and connects more evenly with the rest of the story, while the other is a more visual story that wraps things up in a nice package. Both have emotional weight that brings the drama to a close.

“Chrono Crusade” (or “Chrno Crusade” as it was known in its early publication) is a manga written and illustrated by Daisuke Moriyama. It was later produced as a 24 episode anime released in 2003. The anime version differs from the original source material in some areas. I think this was done to match the pacing of episodic television. The plot itself remains virtually the same between the two.

The main story follows Rosette Christopher, an orphaned nun and her assistant Chrono, as they seek out paranormal activities as part of her Church Order. Set in the 1920’s, it is a period piece that almost leans towards the steampunk genre, with the look and feel of some of the settings, vehicles, and props used. The action begins in New York with Satanists causing murders and summoning demons, evil energies, and chaos and destruction.

The first half of the series delves into more of the action and adventure part of the series, fleshing out the characters with their personality traits and introducing all the major characters. The main characters Rosette Christopher and Chrono seem to be the best of friends and hang around like brother and sister. Rosette is a boisterous tomboy who is very strong on the outside, but has a kind and gentle side to her as well. She is in search of her brother Joshua, and became a sister to the Order of Magdalene, a section of the Catholic Church that handles exorcisms and fights demons. She and Joshua met Chrono when they were just children.

Chrono is a demon, who along with his friend Aion revolted against the current leaders of the underworld and unleashed an imbalance between Heaven and Earth. Chrono later turned against Aion and went into hiding. His story is explored in pieces as Aion gathers his strength and waits for the right set of circumstances to change the world.

Rosette and Chrono have a contract together encapsulated in a special clock that Rosette wears around her neck. It is a seal that caps off Chrono’s powers and keeps him looking like a young boy. When activated, Chrono’s demonic powers are unleashed, but at the cost of Rosette’s life force. The watch drains away her energy exponentially, so for every minute the watch is activated, it seems to shave off anywhere from weeks to months off of her life span. The pact was made as a result of Rosette’s determination to find her brother.

While working as an exorcist, Rosette looks for clues to the whereabouts of her brother. In one of her cases, she rescues Azmaria Hendrich, a young girl with a beautiful singing voice. She is later identified as one of the seven Apostles representing one of the seven virtues. She becomes a little sister to Rosette and assists her in her fight against the paranormal.

Rosette and Chrono are sent off on missions by Sister Kate Valentine, the head of the New York Branch of the Order of Magdalene. She is a stern leader who is often irritated by Rosette and Chrono’s actions. She is supported by Father Ewan (or Johan, depending on the translation) Remington, who has mentored Rosette. He too has past connections with Chrono, which differ between Anime and Manga. Equipment is supplied by “Elder,” a scientist that developed the holy weapons that Rosette uses to fight demons.

This series was no mere “nuns with guns” story with a buxom lead wielding a Tommy gun outfitted in a form fitting habit. Although it starts off much like an “Indiana Jones” movie, it evolves into a love story, rumination on good versus evil, and what it means to live. It speaks of redemption for the characters, especially Chrono, whose sins outweighed many of the others.

I like how the story evolves from just action- demon versus machine gun toting nun- to a more poignant story about how good and evil are perceived and how the characters seek to redeem themselves by protecting others.

The music of the show is well crafted, while some of the background music doesn’t match the setting. The songs used throughout the series are meant to be uplifting and almost epic. It is almost as if someone let Charlotte Church sing some of the songs used. It is most effective in the anime, giving characters levity and adds to the drama.

“Chrono Crusade” is a marvelous manga and anime series, while slightly different mediums, tell the same story of love and redemption. I believe the Anime has a more realistic, if not jarring, kind of ending, while the Manga has a little of ‘the suspension of belief’ ending.  Both are still telling the same end in different ways. Overall, it’s the evolution of the story that I’ve enjoyed- from action story to conspiracy to a simple love story.