The Heroic Legend of Arslan

The Heroic Legend of Arslan
First volume cover (Kadokawa Bunko original edition), featuring Arslan
アルスラーン戦記
(Arusurān Senki)
Genre
Novel series
Written byYoshiki Tanaka
Illustrated by
Published by
Original runAugust 1986 – December 14, 2017
Volumes16
Anime film series
Directed byMamoru Hamatsu
Produced by
  • Yasuhisa Kazama (I)
  • Nagateru Kato (I)
  • Keishi Yamazaki (II)
  • Mitsuhisa Hida (II)
Written by
  • Tomoya Miyashita (I)
  • Kaori Takada (I)
  • Megumi Sugihara (II)
Music byNorihiro Tsuru
Studio
Licensed by
Released August 17, 1991 (1991-08-17) – July 18, 1992 (1992-07-18)
Runtime60 minutes
Original video animation
The Heroic Legend of Arslan (III–VI)
Directed by
Produced by
  • Noriaki Ikeda
  • Akira Maruta
  • Kazuhiko Ikeguchi (III)
  • Nagateru Kato (IV–VI)
  • Mitsuhisa Hida (V & VI)
Written byMegumi Sugihara
Music byNorihiro Tsuru
Studio
Licensed by
  • NA: Central Park Media
Released October 21, 1993 – September 21, 1995
Runtime35 minutes
Episodes4
Manga
Written byYoshiki Tanaka
Illustrated byChisato Nakamura
Published byKadokawa Shoten
MagazineAsuka Fantasy DX
Original run1991 – 1996
Volumes13
Manga
Anime

The Heroic Legend of Arslan (Japanese: アルスラーン戦記, Hepburn: Arusurān Senki; lit. 'Arslan War Records') is a Japanese fantasy novel series written by Yoshiki Tanaka. It consists of sixteen novels published from 1986 to 2017. The story and setting are inspired by the history and mythology of ancient Iran.[9]

It was adapted into an anime film duology and a four-episode original video animation (OVA) series released from 1991 to 1995. It was also adapted into a manga series by Chisato Nakamura, which ran in Kadokawa Shoten's Monthly Asuka Fantasy DX from 1991 to 1996. A second manga adaptation, illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa, began in Kodansha's Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine in 2013, which was later adapted into an anime television series in 2015, followed by a second season in 2016.

Synopsis

Setting

The story is set in a legendary vision of an indistinct amalgam of over a thousand years of ancient Persia and other nearby countries. While the world in which it takes place is one where magic obviously exists, said magic is of an extremely limited nature. Until the middle of the series, the only magical happenings involve a few spells and a giant, humanoid monster. There are many evil monsters such as ghouls and winged monkeys, which appear in the second half of the novel series. Especially the first half of the series is, at the core, a war story taking place between human nations. In addition, there are underlying themes exploring the repercussions of slavery on a society, having an absolute monarch who treats the poor as cattle, and religious obsession.

Plot

The story follows the exploits of Arslan, the crown prince of the kingdom of Pars, and it is divided into two parts. In the first part, Pars is taken over by the neighboring nation of Lusitania after Arslan's father, King Andragoras III, falls victim to a treacherous plot led by some of his most trusted retainers. After barely escaping with his life, Arslan rejoins his loyal servant, Daryun. Backed up by only a few more companions, including the philosopher and tactician Narsus and his young servant Elam, also Farangis, an aloof, cold priestess, and Gieve, a travelling musician and con-man, Arslan stands against overwhelming odds to assemble an army strong enough to liberate his nation from the Lusitanian army which is led by the elusive warrior known as "Silvermask", who is later revealed to be another contender to Pars' throne. In the second part, Arslan, now king of Pars, divides himself between defending his country against several external threats, including Silvermask, who is still at large, seeking to claim the throne for himself, and addressing the needs and hopes of his subjects.

Production

When creating The Heroic Legend of Arslan, Yoshiki Tanaka developed a Persian-inspired mythos centered on the young prince Arslan's struggle to reclaim his throne, blending historical fantasy with moral complexity similar to the writing style of Legend of the Galactic Heroes.[10] The novels were partially inspired by Amir Arsalan, a Persian epic.[11][12] When Tanaka began writing the series, he opposed labeling them as "fantasy" and instead coined the term "heroic spectacle romance" (ヒロイック・スペクタクル・ロマン).[13] Although Arslan is the protagonist, Tanaka stated that he had also considered making the antagonist Silvermask (also known as Hilmes) the main character, as he is also a wandering prince regardless of his cruelty in the novels. Arslan is accompanied by the Sixteen Winged Generals, whom Tanaka wished to depict both before and after they joined Arslan due to their deep connection with the lead, with the sole exception of Gieve.[14]

The first volume was published in 1986, and the series took 31 years to complete, a delay caused by Tanaka's personal circumstances that prevented him from writing. Tanaka initially conceived the ending first. By around the fourteenth volume, he aimed to conclude the story. In the process, many characters he had originally intended to survive ended up dying instead. He believed they should not die in vain and avoided making their deaths overly tearful, as that would have seemed distasteful. This approach resembled his writing of Legend of the Galactic Heroes, which he sought to write in a somewhat detached manner. Nevertheless, he remained emotionally attached to his characters, which troubled him when he killed them. Although Tanaka sometimes forgot his future plans for the novels, he still managed to foreshadow several major events, a subtlety he hoped readers would appreciate.[13] Regarding Arsla's achievements, Tanaka noted that the character's politics ultimately concern kingship. He rejected writing a simplistic ending in which Arslan would free all the slaves and "have everything end happily ever after."[14]

In August 2017, Tanaka completed the final manuscript for the novels. According to Hiroaki Adachi, the head of the Wright Staff company that manages the business affairs of Tanaka, Tanaka said that only two people besides himself knew the story's ending before its completion. However, when he read the final manuscript, he found that the ending was different from what Tanaka had told him.[15]

Media

Novels

The novel series The Heroic Legend of Arslan was written by Yoshiki Tanaka. There are a total of sixteen novels, with the first part comprising the first seven novels, and the second part comprising the latter nine novels. The first ten novels were published by Kadokawa Shoten, with cover art illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano, from August 13, 1986, to November 30, 1999.[16][17] Kobunsha republished the ten novels in a five-two-in-one volume edition, with cover art illustrated by Shinobu Tanno, from February 25, 2003, to February 25, 2005.[18][19][20] Volumes 11–16 were released from September 25, 2005, to December 20, 2017.[21][22]

An art book by Amano, titled Tenma no Yume (天馬之夢; 'The Dream of the Heavenly Horse'), was published by Kadokawa on July 23, 1991.[23][24] A supplementary book, titled The Heroic Legend of Arslan: A Reader's Guide (アルスラーン戦記 読本, Arusurān Senki Dokuhon), was published by Kadokawa on April 28, 2000.[25][26]

Kadokawa's edition

No. Release date ISBN
1August 13, 1986[16]4-04-166501-9
2March 12, 1987[27]4-04-166502-7
3September 11, 1987[28]4-04-166503-5
4August 11, 1988[29]4-04-166504-3
5February 22, 1989[30]4-04-166505-1
6September 1, 1989[31]4-04-166506-X
7March 9, 1990[32]4-04-166507-8
8December 3, 1991[33]4-04-166508-6
9July 18, 1992[34]4-04-166509-4
10November 30, 1999[17]4-04-166510-8

Kobunsha's edition

No. Release date ISBN
1February 25, 2003[19]978-4-334-07506-4
2February 25, 2003[19]978-4-334-07506-4
3May 25, 2003[35]978-4-334-07516-3
4May 25, 2003[35]978-4-334-07516-3
5August 25, 2003[36]978-4-334-07531-6
6August 25, 2003[36]978-4-334-07531-6
7November 25, 2003[37]978-4-334-07543-9
8November 25, 2003[37]978-4-334-07543-9
9February 25, 2005[20]978-4-334-07553-8
10February 25, 2005[20]978-4-334-07553-8
11September 25, 2005[21]978-4-334-07619-1
12December 6, 2006[38]978-4-334-07644-3
13October 6, 2008[39]978-4-334-07677-1
14May 20, 2014[40]978-4-334-07722-8
15May 20, 2016[41]978-4-334-07730-3
16December 20, 2017[22]978-4-334-07735-8

Books on tape

From November 1988 to January 1994, the first nine volumes were released on cassette tapes by Kadokawa, with the first seven republished as a CD collection in May 1993.

Manga

A manga adaptation, illustrated by Chisato Nakamura, was published in Kadokawa Shoten's shōjo manga magazine Asuka Fantasy DX from 1991 to 1996,[42] with its chapters collected in 13 tankōbon volumes, released from November 11, 1991, to August 30, 1996.[43][44]

A second manga adaptation by Hiromu Arakawa started in Kodansha's shōnen manga magazine Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine in July 2013.[45]

Volumes

No. Release date ISBN
1November 11, 1991[43]4-04-852323-6
2May 28, 1992[46]4-04-852324-4
3January 29, 1993[47]4-04-852325-2
4August 28, 1993[48]4-04-852326-0
5August 30, 1993[49]4-04-852435-6
6March 29, 1994[50]4-04-852436-4
7July 28, 1994[51]4-04-852504-2
8November 29, 1994[52]4-04-852533-6
9April 3, 1995[53]4-04-852534-4
10July 28, 1995[54]4-04-852534-4
11October 30, 1995[55]4-04-852625-1
12February 28, 1996[56]4-04-852652-9
13August 30, 1996[44]4-04-852653-7

Films and OVA series

The popularity of the novels led to the creation of two films and a series of OVAs with character designs adapted by Sachiko Kamimura. The films were released from 1991 to 1992 and were produced by Kadokawa Shoten and Sony Music Entertainment Japan.[4][5]

An OVA series of four episodes that followed up and continues the numbering of the films was released in 1993–1995. Together, they adapt the first five novels.[57][6][8][7]

Both the films and OVA series were licensed by Central Park Media and were released on DVD and VHS.[58] The English dub for Part 1 was produced by Manga UK (who had also licensed the anime in the same region), while Part 2 was dubbed by Central Park Media themselves.[59]

Anime

An anime television series adaptation, based on Arakawa's manga adaptation, was produced by Liden Films and Sanzigen. The anime consists of two seasons. The first 25-episode season was broadcast from April 5 to September 27, 2015.[60] The second eight-episode season, Dust Storm Dance, was broadcast from July 3 to August 21, 2016.[61] Together, they adapt the first six novels.

Video games

The first video game based on The Heroic Legend of Arslan was released in 1993 for Sega Mega-CD. A strategy RPG in the vein of similar titles of the era such as the Fire Emblem series, it serves as a companion to the OVA series.[62]

Arslan: The Warriors of Legend, a hack and slash video game developed by Omega Force and published by Koei Tecmo in 2015, serves as a companion to the anime TV series.[63]

The Heroic Legend of Arslan: Warrior's Qualification is a game for smartphones distributed by Sakura Soft. The game was launched on April 27, 2017, and terminated on August 16, 2018. It was based on the manga adaptation by Hiromu Arakawa.[64]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Toole, Mike (October 7, 2013). "Heroic Legend of Arslan: Age of Heroes". Anime Jump. Archived from the original on November 7, 2007. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  2. ↑ Ross, Carlos. "Heroic Legend of Arslan (1991)". THEM Anime Reviews. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  3. ↑ Legulalp, Serdar (May 28, 2014). "Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Anime (Top Best List)". About.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 アルスラーン戦記. Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on April 27, 2026. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  5. 1 2 アルスラーン戦記Ⅱ. Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on April 27, 2026. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  6. 1 2 アルスラーン戦記 Ⅲ / アルスラーン戦記 Ⅳ (in Japanese). Pierrot. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  7. 1 2 Credits from The Heroic Legend of Arslan (III and IV) (1993)
  8. 1 2 アルスラーン戦記 征馬孤影 (in Japanese). J.C.Staff. Archived from the original on April 22, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  9. ↑ ＜イラン＞日本アニメ『アルスラーン戦記』からペルシャ史見つめるイランの若者たち (in Japanese). Asia Press. October 23, 2015. Archived from the original on February 7, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Discovering Yoshiki Tanaka: The Visionary Behind Legend of the Galactic Heroes". Sozo IP. July 18, 2025. Archived from the original on March 6, 2026. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  11. ↑ Stimson, Eric (October 25, 2015). "Mixed Feelings in Iran Over The Heroic Legend of Arslan". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 19, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  12. ↑ Hillier, Brenna (July 31, 2015). "Arslan: The Warriors of Legend headed to PS4 and Xbox One". VG247. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  13. 1 2 『アルスラーン戦記16 天涯無限（てんがいむげん）』刊行記念インタビュー 田中芳樹. Book Bang (in Japanese). Shinchosha. December 25, 2017. p. 1. Archived from the original on May 17, 2026. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  14. 1 2 『アルスラーン戦記16 天涯無限（てんがいむげん）』刊行記念インタビュー 田中芳樹. Book Bang (in Japanese). Shinchosha. December 25, 2017. p. 2. Archived from the original on May 17, 2026. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  15. ↑ Sherman, Jennifer (August 29, 2017). "Yoshiki Tanaka Finishes Heroic Legend of Arslan Novels' Final Volume". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on November 29, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  16. 1 2 王都炎上 アルスラーン戦記 (1) (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on September 1, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  17. 1 2 妖雲群行 アルスラーン戦記 (10) (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on August 25, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  18. ↑ 紀伊國屋書店・光文社合同企画『「アルスラーン戦記」完結記念 特製BOX入り全巻セット』刊行のお知らせ (Press release) (in Japanese). Kinokuniya. November 8, 2017. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2026 – via Kyodo News PR Wire.
  19. 1 2 3 王都炎上＊王子二人 アルスラーン戦記 1・2 (in Japanese). Kobunsha. Archived from the original on August 29, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  20. 1 2 3 旌旗流転＊妖雲群行 アルスラーン戦記 9・10 (in Japanese). Kobunsha. Archived from the original on September 11, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  21. 1 2 魔軍襲来 アルスラーン戦記 11 (in Japanese). Kobunsha. Archived from the original on August 25, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  22. 1 2 天涯無限 アルスラーン戦記 16 (in Japanese). Kobunsha. Archived from the original on September 12, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  23. ↑ 天馬之夢 (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  24. ↑ 天馬之夢 (in Japanese). Wright Staff. Archived from the original on May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  25. ↑ アルスラーン戦記 読本 (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on August 26, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  26. ↑ アルスラーン戦記 読本 (in Japanese). Wright Staff. Archived from the original on May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  27. ↑ 王子二人 アルスラーン戦記 (2) (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on August 29, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  28. ↑ 落日悲歌 アルスラーン戦記 (3) (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on September 3, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  29. ↑ 汗血公路 アルスラーン戦記 (4) (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on August 31, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  30. ↑ 征馬孤影 アルスラーン戦記 (5) (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on August 26, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  31. ↑ 風塵乱舞 アルスラーン戦記 (6) (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on August 29, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  32. ↑ 王都奪還 アルスラーン戦記 (7) (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on September 9, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  33. ↑ 仮面兵団 アルスラーン戦記 (8) (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on August 29, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  34. ↑ 旌旗流転 アルスラーン戦記 (9) (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on September 11, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  35. 1 2 落日悲歌＊汗血公路 アルスラーン戦記 3・4 (in Japanese). Kobunsha. Archived from the original on August 27, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  36. 1 2 征馬孤影＊風塵乱舞 アルスラーン戦記 5・6 (in Japanese). Kobunsha. Archived from the original on August 26, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  37. 1 2 王都奪還＊仮面兵団 アルスラーン戦記 7・8 (in Japanese). Kobunsha. Archived from the original on August 25, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  38. ↑ 暗黒神殿 アルスラーン戦記 12 (in Japanese). Kobunsha. Archived from the original on August 27, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  39. ↑ 蛇王再臨 アルスラーン戦記 13 (in Japanese). Kobunsha. Archived from the original on August 26, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  40. ↑ 天鳴地動 アルスラーン戦記 14 (in Japanese). Kobunsha. Archived from the original on August 26, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  41. ↑ 戦旗不倒 アルスラーン戦記 15 (in Japanese). Kobunsha. Archived from the original on September 8, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  42. ↑ 2015年春季開始の新作アニメ一覧. Gigazine (in Japanese). March 1, 2015. Archived from the original on May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  43. 1 2 アルスラーン戦記 第1巻 王都炎上 (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on August 28, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
  44. 1 2 アルスラーン戦記 第13巻 王子二人 (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on August 27, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  45. ↑ 荒川弘×田中芳樹「アルスラーン戦記」満を持して始動 [Hiromu Arakawa × Yoshiki Tanaka's "The Heroic Legend of Arslan" Finally Begins]. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. July 9, 2013. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  46. ↑ アルスラーン戦記 第2巻 王子二人 (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on August 27, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  47. ↑ アルスラーン戦記 第3巻 王子二人 (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on September 2, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  48. ↑ アルスラーン戦記 第4巻 王子二人 (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on August 24, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  49. ↑ アルスラーン戦記 第5巻 王子二人 (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on September 8, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  50. ↑ アルスラーン戦記 第6巻 王子二人 (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on September 4, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  51. ↑ アルスラーン戦記 第7巻 王子二人 (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on August 29, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  52. ↑ アルスラーン戦記 第8巻 風塵乱舞・上 (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on August 24, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  53. ↑ アルスラーン戦記 第9巻 王子二人 (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on August 28, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  54. ↑ アルスラーン戦記 第10巻 王子二人 (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on September 1, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  55. ↑ アルスラーン戦記 第11巻 王子二人 (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on August 25, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  56. ↑ アルスラーン戦記 第12巻 王子二人 (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on August 24, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  57. ↑ Sevakis, Justin (December 13, 2007). "Heroic Legend of Arslan (Part 1)". Buried Treasure. Anime News Network. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  58. ↑ "Multiple Announcements From CPM, Animeigo, Pioneer". Anime News Network. December 1, 1998. Archived from the original on January 3, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  59. ↑ Justin Sevakis (December 13, 2007). "Buried Treasure – Heroic Legend of Arslan Part 1". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 4, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  60. ↑ アルスラーン 戦記 THE HEROIC LEGEND OF ARSLAN. Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  61. ↑ アルスラーン戦記 THE HEROIC LEGEND OF ARSLAN - 風塵乱舞 -. Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  62. ↑ McGinty, Kathleen (February 3, 2010). "The Heroic Legend of Arslan/Arslan Senki". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on November 13, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  63. ↑ Ressler, Karen (January 14, 2016). "Arslan: The Warriors of Legend's English-Subtitled Trailer, PC Release Revealed". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  64. ↑ 新作アプリ「アルスラーン戦記 戦士の資格」は4月27日に配信。レア度★4のナルサスなど，豪華報酬のプレゼントも決定 [The new app, The Heroic Legend of Arslan: Warrior's Qualification, will be released on April 27. A generous reward, including the 4-star rarity Narsus, has also been announced]. 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). April 21, 2017. Archived from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2023.

Further reading

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