Saber Marionette (セイバーマリオネット), the manga format of SMJ came out along side the animated TV series, although the plot revolves around Otaru discovering Lime in the Japoness National History Museum and then subsequently awakening Cherry and Bloodberry, the story beats differ greatly from its animation and novel counterparts.
Introduction
A hardworking young man from Japoness named, Otaru Mamiya is being chased around town by Mitsurugi Hanagata, his self professed lover. After running away from Hanagata, Otaru locked himself up inside the Japoness National History Museum where he met an old man. The old man found Otaru to be different from the rest as he is also infatuated with the woman in the painting that was hanging inside the museum. Not long after, the relentless Hanagata broke his way inside the museum triggering the alarm. The old man threw Otaru inside a secret room where he discovers Lime and accidentally awakens her. The onset of war is upon the doorsteps of Japoness and the annual opening of the Japoness castle has been suspended. Lime not being able to read the situation barged inside the Japoness castle with Otaru and Hanagata in tow. Otaru met the old man he met inside the national museum once again and found out that he is the Shogun, Ieyasu Tokugawa. While in the middle of their discussion about Lime they were attacked by Faust’s Saber dolls. Ieyasu instructed Otaru to awaken the other two marionettes, Cherry and Bloodberry. Not knowing what to do, Otaru yelled trying to wake up the other marionettes and for some weird miracle, they did wake up. Now, Lime with the help of their new friends were able to thwart the assassination attempt on Ieyasu. From then on they were embroiled with the conflict between Ieyasu and Faust.
Series Info
Saber Marionette J manga was first serialized in “Monthly Comic Dragon” from October 1996 to July 1997, and then later in “Monthly Dragon Junior” from September 1997 to November 1999. It was published by Kadokawa Comics Dragon Jr., it has 5 volumes and 1 parody volume. The original author was Satoru Akahori and illustrated by Kotoyoshi Yumisuke. Although it was mentioned in the Japanese wiki that Tsukasa Kotobuki was intended to be the original artist to work on the manga, the job was later given to Mr. Kotoyoshi due to conflict in Mr. Kotobuki’s schedule with his other works.
Sources: SM wiki, Hanami’s SM Site
SM Saber Site 