Hoshin Engi is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Ryu Fujisaki.

The manga series was serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shounen Jump magazine from 1996 to 2000. It’s chapters are compiled and collected into 23 separate volumes. This series revolves around the Chinese mythology and history, particularly the Yin Dynasty. On TV Asahi’s manga poll in 2021, the series ranked #68 out of 100, with 150,000 votes.

Two anime seasons adapted by Studio Deen have been released, with the first season consisting of 26 episodes and the second consisting of 23.

This story takes place in a legendary China, where Sennin, Doushi, and Yokai’s exist along with humans.

The 30th ruler of the Yin Dynasty falls madly in love with the deadly beauty Dakki, who then uses his authority to take everything from the common people and spend it on her royal festivities. Whoever tries to oppose her, gets silenced by her henchmen.

Elsewhere, in the Sennin World, Taikoubou, an apprentice Sennin is called by Genshitenson-sama, one of the great three Sennins. Taikoubou arrives at the temple, where Genshi-sama wacks him on his head for not taking training seriously. He mentions that Taikoubou has great potential, which if polished can make him one of the legendary Sennins.

Genshitenson-sama entrusts him with the Houshin List, which includes the names of all the evil Immortals living in the human world, which now Taikoubou has to seal.

To help in his journey, Taikoubou is provided a Paopei, a weapon used to focus a Sennins powers, and a spirit beast named Suupuushan.

On their way to the human world, Taikoubou opens the Houshen list and reads out the first name, Shinkouhyou. Suupuushan hears this and warns Taikoubou about him, that he is said to be stronger than the three legendary Sennins, and should definitely be last on their list.

Just then, Shinkouhyou appears, on Dakki’s order to kill Taikoubou. While Shinkouhyou is anxious to battle, Taikoubou prefers to avoid him, insulting his attire and fashion sense, but it backfires when Shinkouhyou attacks him with his paopei, Raikouben.

To protect a village in the line of fire, Taikoubou takes the attack head on and then Counters with his own Paopei, barely managing to graze Shinkouhyou.

Shinkouhyou is intrigued by this, as no one has ever grazed him, and decides to let him be for now. Taikoubou faints from the damage delt by the previous blow.

Taikoubou Wakes up In a village, surrounded by the villagers. There he comes across the Yin Leadership’s grave yard, where his Mother and Father are buried. He prays to them to watch over him as he begins his mission to rid the world of evil Immortals.

What more challenges await Taikoubou, as he completes the Houshin List?