Background

Atl is an Aztec girl whose community preserved its traditional beliefs for centuries after Spanish colonization. After her community is destroyed by the mestizos, she leaves Mexico for Japan where she finds work as a stunt rider under the name Ouma. Atl wears makeup to cover her bronze skin color when she performs in public. The 40 year old main character Yuki, a member of the monster-slaying Ayashi team, feels a special empathy towards her. As s a ronin turned vagrant, he idenfities with her experience of being a social outcast. Both vagrants and entertainers fall outside the four-class system of warriors, peasants, artisans and merchants. The presence of most foreigners was also illegal in Japan during that era. Yuki tries to protect Atl from the authorities, but the proud and independent Atl refuses his sympathy. Yuki's fellow Ayashi, Genbatsu, arranges for Atl to take refuge in the pleasure quarters as the apprentice of the courtesan Ureshino, assuring Yuki that Atl will never be made to sell her body. Ureshino believes that Atl's foreign appearance may be less noticeable in the pleasure quarters since all women there hide their natural complexion under white makeup. But the gifted 14 year old painter Shuzaburo Kai discerns her foreign features under her makeup. He tells her that she is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen and tries to gain her favor. She rebuffs him at first, but starts to warm up to him when she realizes that Shuzaburo, like herself and Yuki, has seen the mysterious supernatural realm called the Other World. Because of her unique ability to open the door to The Other World, Atl is repeatedly targeted by the opponents of the Ayashi. Shuzaburo helps her to escape on one occasion. Having a strong sense of justice and compassion, Atl is quick to question what she sees as the unreasonable rules of Japanese society. She tries to speak up for the oppressed when she sees good people condemned to suicide, execution or marginalization by inflexible, authoritarian social structures. But when she is powerless to help those around her, Atl feels the pull of the Other World. Shuzaburo repeatedly appeals to Atl not to go to the Other World but ultimately admits his lack of influence with her. Although he still loves Atl, he acknowledges that Yuki is more suited to be her significant other, paving the way for Yuki to confess his feelings to Atl.