Manga Volume Ten

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The Diclonius species featured in this volume possess two horn-like protrusions from the temporal bone and parietal bone regions of the skull. Their powers involve invisible arms called 'vectors' that can grasp, impact, and slice objects within a limited range of two meters. Diclonii can sense one another. A key point of debate throughout the series is whether Diclonius violent behavior stems from genetic code or from abuse by humans. If a Diclonius vector penetrates a human male body, the 'vector virus' transfers, causing their children to be born as Diclonii (called 'Silpelits'). All Silpelits are sterile, female and age rapidly. Only Lucy, the 'queen,' is capable of reproducing.

In Their Own Story

The volume continues the narrative of Lucy, who escaped from a facility built for experimentation off the coast of Kamakura. After her escape she developed a secondary, childlike personality known as Nyu. She was found by Kouta and his cousin Yuka, who study at the local university. They took her in and became involved with numerous attempts to recapture her by a Special Assault Team and other Diclonius. The story involves themes of discrimination, social alienation, identity, prejudice, revenge, abuse, jealousy, regret, and the value of humanity.

Reader's Guide

This volume continues the manga series that was serialized in *Weekly Young Jump* from June 6, 2002 to August 25, 2005. The 107 chapters were collected into twelve tankōbon volumes, released from October 18, 2002 to November 18, 2005. In North America, the manga was licensed for English release by Dark Horse Comics, which released it in a four-volume omnibus edition from May 22, 2019 to September 9, 2020. The manga was written and illustrated by Lynn Okamoto.

Did You Know?

• The series takes its name from the poem 'Elfenlied', German for 'song of the fairies', which is featured in the story.
• The manga was serialized in Shueisha's seinen manga magazine *Weekly Young Jump* from June 2002 to August 2005.
• All 107 chapters were collected into twelve tankōbon volumes.
• The manga is licensed in North America by Dark Horse Comics.
• The anime adaptation finished airing before the manga was complete, resulting in different plots between the two, especially the ending.