Ceres, Celestial Legend, known in Japan as Ayashi no Ceres (妖しのセレス), is a 14-volume shōjo manga series by Yū Watase, the creator of the popular manga/anime series Fushigi Yūgi. There is also the anime with the same title, which runs in 24 episodes in length. The manga is published in English by Viz Communications.

Ayashi no Ceres was serialized from 1996 to 2000 in the bi-weekly Japanese manga magazine Shoujo Comic (Sho-Comi). The original Japanese title is Ayashi no Ceres - Tenkū o-togizōshi, which the literal translation is "Bewitching Ceres - Heavenly Fairy Tale". The original title was changed for North American release.

The name of the goddess comes from one in Roman mythology. However, this one is completely different and has nothing to do with the duties, powers, and rank of that goddess. The word for "cherry" in Latin, however, is ceresia, and as the cherry tree is symbolic of Japan, the name was chosen as a code for Sakura.

Story

The story revolves around a teenager girl named Aya and her twin brother Aki, members of a wealthy and powerful Mikage family.

On their sixteenth birthday, they are called to gather in their family home to be given a special present. The present was actually some sort of test -- which Aya failed. She is found to be a reincarnation of a tennyo (celestial maiden), and when shaken, she will transform into Ceres, the tennyo. According to the legend, if left to live, the reincarnation of Ceres will bring ruin upon the Mikage family. Aya quickly found she is hunted by her own family, who plans to kill her. She is saved by Suzumi Aogiri, another tennyo descendant, and quickly falls in love with a mysterious man, Tooya. Along with Tooya, she meets Yuuhi, a very energetic teenager (who is the brother-in-law of a 'tennyo').

Oh, it gets worse. Later, the same way Aya can turn into Ceres, her borther Aki turns into Mikage, the evil guy who stole Ceres's hagoromo (celestial robes)! When his grandpa tries to praise him, Mikage responds by saying, "Shut up", and then rips out his Grandpa's face.

Then comes the love story. Aya, who is in love with Toya, meets a girl named Miori. Miori is looking for her boyfriend, who dissappeared a year ago. And it's Toya...