Claymore is a manga series created and illustrated by Korohiro Yagi. It was published in May, 2001 by Monthly Shōnen Jump then published on June 2007 in Weekly Shōnen Jump. An anime adaptation was made by Madhouse and directed by Hiroyuki Tanaka. The anime aired on April 3rd, 2007 in Nippon Television and ended on September 5th, 2007 expanding 11 volumes into 26 episodes.
Claymore Plot:
Yomas use the power of Yoki giving them their shape shifting and strength. Claymores are Yoma (demon) hunting beings that are implanted by Yoma blood and flesh painfully transforming them into half human and half Yoma infusing them with the power of Yoki. Their transformation causes them to have their signature silver or winter-blonde hair and silver eyes. The Organization takes in abandoned children, orphans, Yoma attack survivors or purchased children. Originally, The Organization did not care if the acquired children were male or female but discovered that males were more vulnerable to turning into out of control Yomas (Awakening) because of their weakness towards their sexual urges. Now, all Claymores are female.
There are 47 districts on the island with a Claymore assigned to each of them. Claymores are ranked from 1 to 47 based on their competence in battle and leadership skills. Their rank rises when they show their power to be stronger compared to other Claymores.
Claymore Characters:
Clare – Clare is a Claymore and the lowest ranking Claymore of The Organization. She is Claymore’s main protagonist. She’s the result of experimentation where she implanted by another Claymore’s flesh and blood instead of a Yoma.
Raki – Raki is a young, human boy who was saved by Clare when his family was eaten by a Yoma. He feels indebted to her and follows her around to help her fight. Clare found him to be a bother at first but later uses him as her source of strength.
Teresa – Teresa is the former No. 1 Claymore of The Organization and is considered one of the most powerful Claymores to have existed as she only needed to rely on a fraction of her Yoki powers. She is also called “Teresa of the Faint Smile” because of the faint smile she always had when battling even the most difficult of Yoma or Claymore.