Jikuu Tenshou Nazca (Dimensional Movement Nazca) is a shonen manga by Akira Himekawa, which was serialized in Ace Dash from 1997 to 1998 and compiled into two volumes. It was adapted into a 12-Episode Anime series in 1998. The anime was released in English by Pioneer (Geneon) in the year 2000. It is mostly known for contributing several seconds of footage used in the opening of the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle.
The story revolves around Ordinary High-School Student Kyoji Miura, who is rushing to see his Kendo Team Captain and mentor, Tate Masanari, participate in a national tournament. His random encounter with Tate's fiancee, Yuka Kiritake, is soon overshadowed when both of them see Tate transformed into another person as he mercilessly crushes the ribs of his opponent in a single strike.
Shortly afterwards, Kyoji is presented with a katana by Tate, who then challenges him to a duel. Tate eventually explains that he was the reincarnation of the Incan warrior Yawaru — and Kyoji, whether he realizes it or not, was the reincarnation of the warrior Bilka, who fought against him during the civil war between Atahualpa and Huascar before the Incan Empire fell to the Spanish Empire in the 16th century.
Both Kyoji and Yuka (the reincarnation of the priestess Aquira, who was in a Love Triangle with both Yawaru and Bilka) are forced to find out why Tate is trying to both kill his old disciple and gain the power of the Incan gods for himself, while those around Kyoji awaken to their own past selves — and their conflicting loyalties.
Tropes:
- 2D Visuals, 3D Effects: The anime uses minimally textured and low-polygon CGI to pan around the temple of Iriyatesse.
- Anachronism Stew: Lots of it. As is it mentioned below, one episode depicts a prominent cathedral in the heart of an Inca city, other episodes depict horses (an animal species which was introduced in Peru by the Spanish conquerors) living during the times of the Inca Empire.
- Most of the soundtrack (With the exception of the ending song, which is a Peruvian song called El Condor Pasa
feels more influenced by European Classical Music rather anything related with the Incas. - Incas did not use katanas as weapons.
- Most of the soundtrack (With the exception of the ending song, which is a Peruvian song called El Condor Pasa
- Anime Hair: Shiogami has an impressive, gravity-defying hairdo in his ancient "Jigami" persona.
- Artistic License – History: Despite its title, this anime barely has anything to do with the real Nazca culture and takes so much liberties towards Peruvian history that it would make The Emperor's New Groove look historically accurate in comparison, combining stuff from Mayan, Aztec and Incan cultures with some Japanese elements such as katanas.
- Mayincatec: The portrayal of the Incan Empire in the anime shows a terrifying lack of research. Exhibit A: A flashback to an Incan capital before the Spanish conquest, with a prominent cathedral in the heart of the city.
- Public Domain Soundtrack: The anime's opening theme, "Ai no Fugue", is based on Bach's "Little Fugue in G Minor". Its lyrics come from "Omnia Sol Temperat", one of the poems in Carmina Burana.
- Tokyo Is the Center of the Universe: The unsung heroes and villains of the Incan civil war have all reincarnated as Ordinary High School Students in Tokyo to resume their old battles. Although Tate, Kyoji, and Yuka all travel to Peru for research, the bulk of the modern day battles take place in Japan.
