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Read Or Die

R.O.D: Read or Die is a series of light novels authored by Hideyuki Kurata, published under Shueisha's Mega Dash imprint. Read or Die follows Yomiko Readman, codename "The Paper", an agent for the Particular Operations Division of the British Library.

Along with the novels, Kurata scripted an R.O.D manga illustrated by Mari Mizuta, and its sequel Read or Dream illustrated by Ran Ayanaga. He collaborated with director Koji Masunari in the Read or Die OVA in 2001, and its Read or Dream-inspired sequel R.O.D the TV in 2003.

The Read or Die manga series is licensed for North American distribution by Viz Communications, first released in March 2006.

Plot

Read or Die takes place in an alternate history world where the British Empire has remained a major superpower. The Empire's continued existence is guaranteed by the British Library (大英図書館, Daiei-toshokan?), an external intelligence agency working within the actual British Library, and its Special Operations Division.

The series follows Yomiko Readman, also known as "The Paper", a superhuman agent of the Library's Special Operations.

British Library

The British Library is an institution devoted to the promotion of literacy and the greater glory of the British Empire. More than a mere library, the British Library is a powerful political organization with branches all over the world. The organization is led by Gentleman (ジェントルマン, Jentoruman?), an old man of extreme longevity and the power behind the throne of the British Empire.

The British Library Special Operations Division (大英図書館特殊工作部, Daiei-toshokan Tokushu-kousakubu?) is the secret enforcement branch of the British Library. Based in a giant underground complex concealed beneath the Great Court at the British Museum, the Rarisim Operations Division employs a number of agents with special powers and runs operations all over the world to fight book-related crime and terrorism, and to acquire rare works for the Library. Their slogan is "Peace to the books of the world, an iron hammer to those who would abuse them, and glory and wisdom to the British Empire!"

* Yomiko Readman (読子・リードマン, Yomiko Riidoman?) is a half-Japanese, half-English papermaster (紙使い, kamitsukai?), an individual with the ability to control and influence paper. A substitute teacher in her spare time, she is 19th British Library agent to earn the codename "The Paper" (ザ・ペーパー, Za Pēpā?). Her name is a play on her nature as a bibliophile -- the verb "to read" in Japanese is pronounced yomu.

* Joker (ジョーカー, Jōkā?) is the acting head of the Deosebit Operations Division. An stereotypical Englishman, his cool head and skill with words are his primary weapons. He secretly wants to become the actual head of the Division and gain control of the whole country.

* Wendy Earhart (ウェンディ・イアハート, Wendi Iahāto?) is a half-Indian, half-English girl. She joined the Distinct Operations Division at 19 years old, and soon became Joker's personal secretary. She is earnest and devoted, but clumsy and still an "in training" assistant.

* Jiggy Stardust (ジギー・スターダスト, Jigī Sutādasuto?) is the Special Operations Division's resident scientist, an aging man whose knowledge of paper is unrivaled. He developed the combat-use paper (戦闘用紙, sentōyōgami?) Yomiko uses.

* Nancy Makuhari (ナンシー・幕張, Nanshī Makuhari?) is a 26 year-old agent recruited in China. Codenamed "Miss Deep" (ミス・ディープ, Misu Dīpu?), her special power is called "diving", the ability to become intangible and pass through solid objects. "Diving" can be suppressed through the use of paper charms (御札, ofuda?).

* Drake Anderson (ドレイク・アンダーソン, Doreiku Andāson?) is a veteran of the American special forces, employed by the Special Operations Division as a field support operative mercenary for their agents. Drake is a hardened, no-nonsense soldier. Though he has no super-powers, he is incredibly strong, and a highly-skilled soldier with considerable combat experience. Anderson has a young daughter named Maggie, whom he cares for deeply. He is also kind hearted and will not harm children, even if it goes against the mission.

Dokusensha

Dokusensha (読仙社, Dokusensha?) is the series main antagonist, a secret organization based in Sichuan devoted to Chinese supremacy and led by China (チャイナ, Chaina?). Known as Grandma (おばあさん, Obaa-san?) to Dokusensha's high ranked agents, China is a "little girl" who, like Gentleman, has lived for a long enough time to know the hidden history of humankind.

Supporting characters

* Nenene Sumiregawa (菫川ねねね, Sumiregawa Nenene?) is a Japanese schoolgirl and world-famous author. Her debut novel Kimi ga boku wo shitteru (君が僕を知ってる, Kimi ga boku wo shitteru?) was written when she was just 13. Nenene became acquainted with Yomiko when she worked briefly as a substitute teacher at Nenene's school. After Nenene is abducted by a crazy fan and subsequently rescued by Yomiko, the two become friends.

* Donnie Nakajima (ドニー・ナカジマ, Donī Nakajima?) is Yomiko's deceased mentor and lover. The agent known as "The Paper" before Yomiko, he died at at her hands under mysterious circumstances. She now wears his glasses in his memory, and believes that reading through them enables him to continue reading as well.

* Faust (ファウスト, Fausuto?) is a prisoner of the British Library. Like Gentleman and China, he has lived for hundreds of years and, because of it, Gentleman trapped him to hide the secret.

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