Missing is a series of Japanese light novels by Gakuto Coda, published by MediaWorks under their Dengeki Bunko label. The first novel in the series was adapted into a manga, which was released in English by Tokyopop along with the novels. Missing is a modern fantasy and horror series involving five high school students dealing with a series of supernatural events.
Characters
These names are in Japanese naming order, family name first, then given name. All the students are second year students except Togano. Utsume Kyoichi - "The Shadow" "The Dark Lord of the Human World" Generally addressed as "Dark Lord" by most classmates, as "The Shadow" by Togano Yomiko, he is a walking library of supernatural knowledge. While handsome, his eyes are piercing, and he often frightens people. As a child he and his younger brother Souji were captured by a kami-kakushi, which left Utsume with the ability to smell the other world. His brother never returned. Utsume later learned that black is the color of mourning and began to always wears black clothing. He has amassed an immense amount of 'black' knowledge. He is always unemotional and poker-faced, and never expects anything from anyone. While he never expresses any such desire, he secretly longs for death. He also denies passionately the existence of love -- "Affection is an extension of possessive feelings," he claims. When he met Ayame she told him "You have no idea what it's like to fall." Member of the literature club. He lives, on bad terms, with his father. Ayame - "Kami-kakushi" "The Wind that Longs for Human Form" Fragile but beautiful girl with a lonely smile. Utsume introduces her as his new girlfriend, and is caught off guard when they ask her last name; he gives her name as "Kondou", the same name as one of his friends...but only because he could think of no better names in time. It is suggested that her name, "Ayame", is an old and uncommon name. Her black hair and dark red clothing stand out. Sings beautiful songs, which have the power to resist beings from the other world. She herself was once a creature of this world, and ordinary humans are unable to detect her presence unless introduced to her. Said to be 16 years old but looks two or three years younger. Always nervous and retiring. Few details are provided about her life. It is rare to see or hear of her without Utsume being nearby. Murakami Toshiya - "Schäferhund," later "Loup-garou" A traumatic incident in their childhoods left him very protective of Utsume and his other friends. Fears the other world, is very tall, and athletic. His uncle trained him in an unusual variant of karate. His home is the only shrine in Hazama city. He is called 'Schäferhund' by Togano Yomiko. She explains to him that it means 'German Shepherd', but that the German name for the dog sounds better. Toshiya is a member of the literature club. He lives with his parents, neighboring Utsume's home. Kidono Aki - "The Glass Beast" Cool, with an acid tongue. Describes herself as a literary girl brought up wrong. Badly bullied as a child, which gave her a fearsome pride. She preserves her own ego by looking down on others. Fears group activities because of her experiences, and is one of the few students to live alone in an apartment, in an apartment building called 'Charme Miyako', an ordinary building which has four apartments in it, near the school. She calls Utsume "Kyo-no-ji" and harbors feelings for him in secret. Which means she does particularly care for Ayame. Member of the literature club. Her mother's ancestors have a heritage of Inugami-suji, which runs in their blood and Aki's blood. Kondou Takemi - "The One Who Remembers" A very ordinary boy. Acutely aware of this, which makes him admire strange people. Number one member of the Utsume fanclub, but that leads to tragic results. The only member of the main six cast members whose past remains unknown, but his parents appear to be alive and well. The most feminine looking of the male characters. Has a bell which leads to the other world hanging from his cell phone strap. Outgoing, and friendly with Ryoko, the other ordinary member of the literature club. He lives in the boys' dorm. His roommate is Okimoto. Kusakabe Ryoko - "The Gentle Mirror" Too capable of sympathizing with others, a bright and kind girl. Has many friends, but this often puts her in danger. Has a complicated background. Second member of Utsume's fanclub, but in love with Takemi. She was the last person to see Utsume on this side. She lives in the girls' dorm. Her roommate is Nukata Nozomi. Togano Yomiko - "The Witch" A third year student at the school. Calls herself a witch, and the name has caught on. A mysterious individual prone to deep pronouncements. Unnaturally innocent.