Aya was a perfectly normal high school girl until her 16th birthday. It was then when She learned that she is the re-incarnatiion of the powerful tennyo, Ceres. Aya tries her best to control Ceres so that her life may return to normal. Sadly, her own relatives may not let that happen.

Unbeknownst to Aki, he is the reincarnation of Shiso, the man who had stolen the hagoromo from Ceres. Prior to his 16th birthday, he was a normal teenager (just like Aya), but now the Mikage family are keeping him under protective custody...safely away from Ceres. Aki is strong, but eventually unable to control Shiso from taking over of his body.

*Sizzle* Whew....this guy is hotter than his flaming red hair. Toya was stricken with amnesia...remembering only his name and "Mikage". In an attempt to find his identity, he began working for the Mikage family. He is a good person and helps both Aya and Aki on many occasions. Soon, Aya falls for Toya and that love is reciprocated. Unfortunately, the Mikage family wants to put an end to that liaison.

My favorite character. Why, you ask? Because his dub voice is done by Matthew Erickson, who also plays Van in Zoids Chaotic Century. Yuuhi is a fun loving teenager who is very good at martial arts and cooking. His sister-in-law told him to protect Aya and that he does...gladly. His feelings for Aya intensify as the series progresses. Unfortunately, they are one sided, which he accepts with honor. A great strength of Yuuhi is his ability to change Ceres back to Aya with a kiss.

The original Tennyo, whose hagoromo was stolen by Shiso. Unable to return to Heaven, she was forced to marry the fisherman and bare his children. Ceres is continuously reborn into the Mikage girls on their 16th birthday. Those girls were killed before Ceres was able to seek revenge and reclaim her hagoromo.

When Aya was fleeing from the Mikage relatives who wanted her dead, it was Suzumi who came to the rescue. Suzumi possesses tennyo blood, and felt it was her mission to protect Aya. With the help of her brother-in-law, Yuuhi, they do their best to keep the young girl out of harms way. Suzumi's husband passed away, but she's never stopped longing for him....a weakness that results in trouble.

There's a famous legend whereby a fisherman comes upon a Tennyo (Celestial Maiden) bathing in the river. He takes her hagoromo (feathered robe) from beneath a pine tree...making it impossible for her to return to Heaven. (Unlike Angels, Tennyo's have feathered robes or cloaks in order to fly.) The man then forces her to marry him and bare his children. This legend is the premise of Yu Watase' masterpiece, "Ayeshi No Ceres" a.k.a. "Ceres Celestial Legend." This 24 episode anime aired in Japan from April thru September of 2000. It was a fan favorite in North America even though it never hit our T.V. screens.

Twins, Aya and Aki Mikage, hoped for a party on their 16th birthday....certainly not the horrific events that would transpire. In a room, surrounded by their relatives, the source of the twins past lives become apparent. Now those who Aya hold dear want her killed while Aki is whisked away for other untold reasons. Will the twins survive the nightmare and be reunited once again??

Not counting the shows that air on Saturday mornings, Ceres was one of my first Anime experiences. I must admit that it totally captivated me. Some episodes were truly shocking and required that box of tissues. Then, of course, there are those unmistakable Yu Watase bishonen. And what's an anime without some humor. One thing I noticed in this series and Fushigi Yugi as well, is that there isn't a lot of character movement. Basically you are viewing a quick succession of still shots. (This became clear when I tried to make some animated gifs.) Aside from that, this anime is a must see....for those over 13. (Hate to say that, but it does get very violent.)