The series has been adapted into an anime television series, produced by Production I.G and directed by Kenji Kamiyama, which premiered in Japan on NHK from April 7, 2007. It is based entirely on the first novel in the Guardian series, and greatly expands the midsection of the novel.

At the Tokyo International Anime Fair 2007 in March, Geneon announced that they have acquired the license to the anime and Scholastic announced they have US distribution rights to the novels.[3] After Geneon discontinued its distribution division, the rights transferred to Media Blasters. The series premiered in the United States at 1:30 a.m. on August 24, 2008 on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block.

Balsa A skilled warrior from the faraway land of Kanbal. Balsa claims to be a simple bodyguard-for-hire; in reality she wields her spear in order to save lives in atonement for the eight lives that were taken to protect her when she was a child. She is around thirty. Balsa is pragmatic and intelligent and she does not hold much regard for class distinction customs. Despite her deadly skill with a spear, Balsa tries not to kill in combat.

Chagum The second prince of the Imperial Family. Chagum bears the egg of the water spirit. At first it is believed to be the reincarnation of a demon defeated by his ancestor, the first Emperor. Convinced that it would bring misfortune and destruction to the country, Chagum's father secretly condemns him to death. However, before they could assassinate him, his mother, the Second Empress, hired Balsa to hide and protect him. Later, it was revealed that the egg is a water-bestowing spirit that revives the land once every hundred years. The real demon that his ancestors defeated was a creature that seeks to consume the egg before it can hatch. His life is the last for Balsa's atonement to be finished.

Tanda An herbalist who lives in the mountains. His skill as a shaman is lacking, but he is a good doctor due to always having to stitch up Balsa after her many battles. He also works as a traveling medicine man, trading his wares with the local towns and cities.

Torogai An old shaman and Tanda's teacher. A master of the old ways, she is in-tune with the spirit world, Nayug. It is this relationship that allowed her to discover the spirit's true identity. She is capable of communicating with denizens of the spirit realm through water.

Jiguro Balsa's mentor, caretaker, and bodyguard. Originally the leader and strongest member of the king of Kanbal's 'Nine Spears'; he 'betrayed' his country to save Balsa's life. After fleeing Kanbal, they were pursued by the other eight 'Spears'. In a series of pitched battles, Jiguro was forced to kill the men he considered his best friends. He also trained Balsa to wield a spear and she later 'inherited' his spear after he passed away.

Touya An orphan boy and friend of Balsa, whom he regards as his elder sister. It is later discovered that he and Saya were saved by Balsa, and that is how they became acquainted. This may be the reason why Touya claims that he would go "through fire and water for Balsa".

Saya An orphan girl who is a friend of Balsa. Due to Balsa staying at their hut, she and Touya have to leave the city and end up following Balsa.

Mikado (The Emperor) Due to the belief that Chagum was possessed and that the possession was the reason for the Drought Sign being seen, he ordered Chagum to be killed. The Emperor is the only one able to kill Chagum due to fact that was how his ancestor ascended the throne (by killing a Water Spirit), and the belief that only the Emperor knows this method.

Ni-no-Kisaki (The Second Empress) Mother to Chagum, she was the one who requested Balsa to become Chagum's bodyguard.

Sagum Chagum's older brother. Cares deeply for Chagum. When Chagum's belongings were ordered burned after Chagum was presumed dead, Sagum took over the task to protect Chagum's things. He dies from overwork in his responsibilities as Crown Prince before being able to see Chagum alive again.

Shuga Chagum's tutor; the youngest master star diviner in history. He is amongst the only three people aware of the hunters that serve in the Emperor's shadow. He investigates the real cause of the Drought Sign and Chagum's supposed death in secret.

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