Title: Change 123
Mangaka: Iku Sakaguchi
Genre: Action, Ecchi, Martial Arts, Mature, School Life, Seinen
Kosukegawa, a high school student has just spent the last of his money trying too acquire an action figure from a vending machine. Somewhat disappointed he heads home when suddenly he hears a girl plead to left alone, he turns round to find that it is his classmate, the mousy Matoko Gettou who is pleading with a “low life” to be left alone. Kosukegawa decides to step in when this “low life” tries to force Matoko into his car (a F40) a glare from this person sends Kosukegawa running. With Kosukegawa gone Matoko is forced into a alley, where the guy proceeds to remove her glasses. Kosukegawa in the mean time has gathered his courage; he has drawn inspiration from his hero Kamen Raider and rushes back to the alley only to see Matoko deliver a kick to her assailant that knocks him (the assailant) out cold.
Kosukegawa is stunned by her display of martial arts; Matoko on the other hand does not remember anything after her glasses were removed.
Matoko begs Kosukegawa not tell a soul about what he saw; offering anything he wants (even her body) in return. She was surprised that he only wanted some change to try his luck at the vending machine.
A few days later Kosukegawa returns the favor by taking her to the beach (and returning her money). The day at the beach turns out to quite enjoyable for both of them, it’s then that Matoko revealed her secret; you see Matoko was raised by a single patent, her mother but when she was orphaned at the age of 5, three men stepped forward claiming her as their daughter. This triumvirate comprises of three men that are experts in all sorts of fighting skills, who started training her when she was 5 years old.
1. The first man is a legendary karate expert who killed a tiger with his bare hands.
2. The second man is a swordsman, tactician and firearms expert.
3. The third man happens to be a Grand Master of the Ancient Branch of Jujitsu, gaining the nickname “god of Submission”
So from age 5 they started training her to: fight with real swords; fire an anti tank rifle and how to subdue killer attack dogs and the training only intensified as the years passed. As a result, she has developed three distinct personalities, each individually skilled in the combat skills she learned. When she’s faced with danger (or when her glasses are removed) one of her personalities take charge of her body.
Unbeknownst to the pair, Matoko’s assailant from the other day has eavesdropped on their conversation, he plans to pick up where he left off the previous time and he has brought drugs (to disable Matoko) a gun and a sword to exact his revenge after he’s through violating Matoko….
A. Matoko Gettou is the protagonist of the series
B. Hibiki: An aggressive tomboy who is particularly skilled in karate. She is always looking for or instigating fights. She is also the most protective of Matoko.
C. Fujiko: Calm - almost to the point of appearing cold-blooded - and proficient in the use of weapons. She is also the most mature and adult-like of the three personalities.( She’s my favorite)
D. Mikiri: The child-like expert in grappling and submission moves.
E. Zero: If Hibiki", "Fujiko" and "Mikiri" are defeated/subdued or incapacitated Zero emerges. Where the others would choose the non-lethal method to defeat an opponent, Zero has no such constraints. She utilizes the skills of all three personalities.
HiFuMi ("Hibiki", "Fujiko" and "Mikiri") appears when Matoko's glasses come off. The three personalities are in constant communication with each other, but cannot communicate with Matoko.
