Chuushu[]
A city that is essentially a long-modernized Japan. Aesthetically, architecture is extremely modern and industrial, including LED lights and modern billboards, throughout the towering center of the city. Modernization also includes corporatization and businesses, with a capitalist system that profits off of the security Wardens provide. On the other hand, the Outskirts, or the slums of the city, are full of remnants of the past with outdated and/or dilapidated buildings, abandoned shrines and temples, and the encroaching natural life from the spiritual world- or, the Overgrowth.
Beyond the city limits lies the untamed and wild spiritual world, housing all manner of supernatural entities known as Ayakashi. Mankind has built these modern cities to create a boundary between the world of man and the mythical Overgrowth. The city used to expand deep into the Overgrowth but was overwhelmed by the more powerful spirits due to being further away from the city's heavily protected center. In response, the city built upwards as opposed to out further, leaving the Outskirts extremely vulnerable.
Despite this pushback from humanity, the ”old ways” of the spiritual and mythical past remain present in modern society, just like with our real-world Japan, but are mostly secluded to the singular remaining Buddhist temple on the far edge of the city. This modern barricade, however, does not prevent intrusion from the mythical and dangerous outside world. Various creatures of folklore and legend may find a way in and terrorize humanity to different degrees. It is the job of special people with spiritual abilities to keep this balance of old vs. new in check. These people are called Wardens, and they are employed by large corporate empires that rule the city.
The two primary businesses with Warding programs in place are the Kikumaru Corporation and the Koukai Agency, although smaller companies come and go in an attempt to protect localized districts with notably less success. The only real threats to Kikumaru and Koukai would be the yakuza families that extort protection through their command of the black market, media, and organized brawn.
District Map[]
Central Chuushu[]
Central Chuushu consists of four main districts - Kikumaru, Izumo, Nomori, and Kikai - as well as a chunk of Shieikan. Kikumaru, most notably, is home to the Kikumaru Corporation and serves as the nucleus for all of Chuushu. Along with Kikumaru, the government put into place several hundred years ago by the former royal family is also housed nearby.
Nomori is notable now for being the home of the Koukai Agency and Hanasaka Academy. As the district closest to Kikumaru, it was often overshadowed in the past, making it the perfect home for Kusari’s plan to rise from the ashes of his father and take Kikumaru Corp. for himself.
Izumo, much like the financial conglomerate that resides there, is named after the great warrior Izumo and home to the Kusanagi family. Formerly, the Murakumo lived and thrived alongside their cousins in Izumo, but with the scandal that split the company, those who once lived in Izumo have disappeared, disgraced by their family name.
Kikai is most notably the home to the Sakanami family, a group of highly trained and relatively famous Wardens for Kikumaru.
Shieikan is home to the main police district, as well as Ritsu’s clinic. Out of all the districts that outline the city, it is among the safest thanks to its close vicinity to Kikumaru and the ocean. Nevertheless, much like the rest of the port districts, it runs the risk regularly of being attacked by sea-dwelling Ayakashi.
Other notable districts within Chuushu are Kiyohime, which is controlled by the Tatsugumi, and Joukaku, which is run by the Toragumi. Kusakabe, which is home to the Hebigumi, is technically considered a part of Central, and Koyasu is controlled by the Sarugumi, but due to their involvement in the yakuza’s black market, they are not among the safest districts. Inari and Nakisawame are also technically districts housed in Central with a less-than-stellar reputation for crime. Nevertheless, these districts are significantly safer than those directly bordering the Overgrowth.
The Outskirts[]
Out of all the districts in the Outskirts, the safest is Jintaku, which is home to the most spiritual location in all of Chushuu: Jintaku Temple. Even older than the city, Jintaku Temple has been maintained and preserved by the Buddhist monks looking to keep the balance between humanity and the spiritual world, and it is the only surviving Buddhist temple in the city.
There were once a number of additional districts even beyond the current borders that were a part of the Outskirts, but after the Utsubasa Incident, these fringe districts were swallowed up by the Overgrowth. This event was known as The First Wave. A few years prior to the beginning of foreWARD, a second event dubbed The Second Wave took what remained of those districts, and the aftermath of this can be seen as very, very little is left inhabitable along the current borders.
Hakasabi is one of these districts, and it’s where Mitsuki is seen traveling to in Chapter 1. By far, it is in some of the worst shape, along with Iwata and Ninigi, due to being ravaged by The Second Wave. Iwata is also mostly uninhabited due to the spiritual presence of the Okami, Genbu. Ninigi is notable, as it is where Arashi now lives.
Hoori was also similarly affected by The Second Wave, but seeing as it is home to some of the biggest Hunting groups, it has been made the primary Hunting district. Many Hunters live in Hoori or at least nearby to stay close to work and use their abilities to maintain the border as extra protection for Chuushu’s citizens.
Aonuma, Miyamoto, Haien, and Wanbara are all struggling districts in the Outskirts, but compared to those affected by The Second Wave, they are faring quite a bit better. Haien is most notable for being home to the sentient Yanagizawa Shop, currently run by Eiji Yanagizawa, and Wanbara is also another yakuza district, run by the Inugumi family.
The Ports[]
Aside from Hunting, the other main source of food supply in Chuushu comes from the fisherman that reside in its port towns along the shore of the ocean. The most popular fishing district is Kujiranami, and it serves as the main location and market for fresh seafood.
Part of Aonuma and Miyamoto border the ocean, but due to their proximity to the Overgrowth, it is especially dangerous territory for fishermen. Those who do dare fish or hunt in these districts generally do so less for the money and more for the glory.
Shieikan, home to the main police force, houses a number of ports, too. Jirokichi is yet another yakuza district and is currently controlled by the Nezumigumi. Hoderi is also made up of a number of fishing ports, and it is often considered the “retirement district” for old men that retire from the work force to have a “quieter” life outside the hustle and bustle of the city.