Kakan no Madonna is probably one of my favorite Chiho Saitou works (though in general, I'm really not that fond of her storylines...I really like her artwork, though...). At seven tanks, it's a pretty good history lesson, sort of, though the facts are probably inaccurate (I would think...but then, at least you hear about some people and places). But yeah...I think I'm too lazy to write my usual long meandering summary for this...but I'm going to try anyway. If this series piques your interest, go to the link I've posted below and you'll get much more extensive info.

Okay..here goes...
A lot of the story takes place in Padua/Rome (I think), Italy, beginning with the main character Leonora (beautiful girl with silver hair and green eyes; yes this is pertinent to the story) in the middle of a fencing match with this really arrogant noble, Paolo. He says that if he defeats her, she has to agree to marry him/do what he wants...? (I can't remember exactly.) This doesn't trouble Leonora too much because she's really good at fencing, and she would certainly have defeated him, only he tells her he loves her really suddenly. It catches her off guard, and while she's standing there stunned, he knocks her weapon away. Paolo asks Leonara to marry him. Her father has already agreed to their marriage because she is from impoverished nobility and a marriage to Paolo would ensure financial stability.

On the day of her wedding, a runaway prince nearly crashes the ceremony. This is Falco, the prince of Napoli. (I thought his name was Franco/Frank for the longest time....really strange Chinese sounding-out...) His horse, Romeo (gaah! cute horse..) is going crazy, and Leonora throws her veil over his head to calm him. When her face is revealed, Falco seems to recognize her, and calls her the "Kakan no Madonna!" Leonora, of course, has no idea what he's talking about...

Later that evening, Leonora overhears Paolo and a servant talking. She finds out from the conversation about the legend of the "Kakan no Madonna"--how the Kakan no Madonna is the beautiful woman (with silver hair and green eyes) in a painting by Leonardo da Vinci, and how supposedly whoever possesses the Kakan no Madonna will be king of a united Italy. Paolo thinks Leonora is the Kakan no Madonna, and by marrying her he'll be able to rule over Italy.

At this strategic moment, Leonora stumbles upon a secret chamber in which Paolo has been keeping the actual painting of "Kakan no Madonna." Unwilling to stay married to the prick and be used as a pawn, Leonara takes the painting and escapes.

Once away from Paolo Leonora cuts off her long silver hair and sells it for some black hair dye and some men's clothing. She then disguises herself as a boy, Leo. She chances upon Falco in the forest, and he agrees to take her to Firenze (Florence), where she hopes to find Leonardo da Vinci (so she can ask him about the painting...how did he know what she looks like? she's never met him).

And so the story unfolds...Leonara/Leo and Falco eventually end up falling in love...but a ton of people are after the Kakan no Madonna, including the main villain-type, Cesare, who is the son of the current Pope. He hopes to conquer all of Italy and become King. Meanwhile, Falco and Leonora just want to escape, get married, and rule a peaceful and prosperous Napoli (Naples right?). The legend of the Kakan no Madonna and its consequences, however, is much more complex than they expected...

Kakan no Madonna - this page is a really good, comprehensive page about Kakan no Madonna. It also includes a load of links to other Chiho Saitou pages...go check it out =)

Done? Go back to anime & manga...