"From the author who brought you The Encyclopedia of Early Earth comes another Epic Tale of Derring-do. Prepare to be dazzled once more by the overwhelming power of stories and see love prevail in the face of Terrible Adversity! You will read of betrayal, loyalty, madness, bad husbands, lovers both faithful and unfaithful, wise old crones, moons who come out of the sky, musical instruments that won't stay quiet, friends and brothers and fathers...

Concepts developed in Philip Pullman's book The Golden Compass are discussed and analyzed. Includes an exclusive interview with Philip Pullman, in-depth interviews with experts of history and literature, re-enactments shot in the story's actual locations, and more.

"Mikado is an average high-schooler whose life has been anything but since moving to Ikebukuro after coming face-to-neck?-with the legendary "headless rider". Mikado can hardly wait to encounter more of the city's peculiar residents, but when Mikado is caught in the middle of a feud between Izaya Orimara and Shizuo Heiwajima, he soon realized that Ikebukuro's most unbellievable characters are also among its most dangerous."