The Legend of Arslan / The Heroic Legend of Arslan
“The Legend of Arslan” (“Arslan Senki” in Japanese) is a Japanese fantasy light novel series written by Yoshiki Tanaka. The story revolves around Prince Arslan of Pars, a young ruler who must face and overcome numerous challenges and intrigues to regain his kingdom. The character of Arslan is often misinterpreted by those around him, considered weak due to his effeminate appearance and his naivety. However, he turns out to be a wise, intelligent and charismatic leader. The cast of characters includes figures such as Daryun, a skilled warrior and loyal protector of Arslan, and Narses, a brilliant strategist and swordsman, as well as many others.
The series was adapted into a manga, written and illustrated by Chisato Nakamura and serialized in Asuka Fantasy DX from November 1991 to September 1996. A further manga adaptation, created by Hiromu Arakawa, has been published by Kodansha in Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine since July 2013 This version was edited in Italy by Planet Manga and began publication in November 2015. The story follows Prince Arslan as he tries to gather a group of valiant allies to reconquer his kingdom that has fallen into the hands of the mysterious Silver Mask and the Lusitanians . The publication of this manga is characterized by a slow and uneven pace, with 19 volumes published so far.
Additionally, “The Legend of Arslan” has been adapted into several animated series. Animate Film and Aubec produced two anime films in 1991 and 1992. Subsequently, Movic and J.C. Staff produced a four-episode OVA series from 1993 to 1995. In Italy, the series was distributed on VHS by Granata Press and PolyGram. More recently, Liden Films adapted the story into a 25-episode anime television series, which aired from April 5 to September 27, 2015 on Japan News Network, followed by an eight-episode second season in 2016.
The story of The Legend of Arslan
The story of the anime “The Legend of Arslan” is set in an imaginary world that combines elements from over a thousand years of ancient history of Persia and neighboring countries. In this world, magic exists but is extremely limited. In the first half of the anime, the only magical events include some spells and a giant humanoid monster. In the second half of the novel series, many evil creatures such as ghouls and winged monkeys appear. The first half of the series is essentially a story of war between human nations, with underlying themes exploring the repercussions of slavery on society, an absolute monarch who treats the poor like cattle, and religious obsession.
The plot follows the exploits of Arslan, the crown prince of the kingdom of Pars, divided into two parts. In the first part, Pars is conquered by the neighboring nation of Lusitania after Arslan's father, King Andragoras III, falls victim to a plot hatched by some of his most trusted advisors. After narrowly escaping his death, Arslan is reunited with his faithful servant Daryun. Supported by only a few companions, including the philosopher and strategist Narsus and his young servant Elam, as well as Farangis, an aloof and cold priestess, and Gieve, a traveling musician and swindler, Arslan stands against overwhelming odds to raise an army large enough strong enough to free his nation from the Lusitano army, led by the elusive warrior known as “Silvermask,” who later turns out to be another pretender to the throne of Pars. In the second part, Arslan, now king of Pars, divides his time between defending his country against various external threats, including Silvermask, who is still at large, trying to claim the throne for himself, and responding to the needs and hopes of his subjects.
The characters
- Prince Arslan: The young prince of Pars, the main protagonist of the story. At 14, Arslan is often underestimated for his delicate appearance and naivety, but he proves to be wise, intelligent and a charismatic leader. He has a trained falcon named Azrael.
- Daryun: A former high-ranking military officer, demoted and becoming Arslan's protector. Known as "the knight in black", he is a skilled fighter, loyal and ready to sacrifice himself for his prince.
- Narses: Former chief strategist and advisor to King Andragoras, dismissed for criticizing the use of slaves. He joins Arslan as a mentor and strategist, with the ambition of becoming a court painter. He is a brilliant tactician and swordsman.
- Elam: A young boy freed from slavery by Narses. Elam serves Narses with loyalty and dedication, aiding Arslan with his skills and courage.
- Gieve: A poet and musician, also skilled in the sword and bow. Initially he joins Arslan attracted by Farangis, but over time he understands the importance of their mission and becomes a fundamental member of the group.
- Farangis: A priestess of the goddess Misra, chosen to protect Arslan. Cold and distant in appearance, she is actually a kind and sensitive person. She possesses the ability to sense nature spirits.
- Alfred: Daughter of the chief of the Zott tribe, saved by Narsus and who joins Arslan's group. She proclaims herself the wife of Narsus and often clashes with Elam.
- Jaswant: Originally from the Kingdom of Sindhura, initially in the service of the Grand Vizier Mahendra, he decides to follow Arslan to repay him for saving his life.
- King Andragoras III: Ruler of Pars and father of Arslan. An irascible and paranoid character, he tends to be detached towards his son and obsessed with Queen Tahamine. It is revealed that he murdered his older brother to gain the throne.
- graze: A merchant from the port city of Giran, who swears allegiance to Arslan and helps him fight pirates in southern Pars.
- Prince Hirmes / Silver Mask: Initially known as the commander of the Lusitanian forces, he is revealed to be Arslan's cousin and a pretender to the throne of Pars. He wears a silver mask following injuries suffered in a fire.
- Etòile/Estelle: A Lusitanian soldier who meets Arslan on several occasions. His faith and beliefs lead Arslan to reflect on the relations between the two nations.
- Bayon: A necromancer in Hirmes' service, with plans and interests of his own that exploit Hirmes' desire for revenge.
The technical sheet of “The Legend of Aslan”
light novel
- Title: Arusurān Senki (アルスラーン戦記)
- Gender: High fantasy, historical fantasy, sword and sorcery
- Author (Texts): Yoshiki Tanaka
- Illustrators: Yoshitaka Amano (Kadokawa edition), Shinobu Tanno (Kobunsha edition)
- Editor: Kadokawa Shoten (old edition), Kobunsha (new edition)
- Publication Period: August 13, 1986 – December 14, 2017
- Volumes: 16 (complete series)
Manga (Adaptation by Chisato Nakamura)
- Author: Chisato Nakamura
- Editor: Kadokawa Shoten
- Magazine: Asuka Fantasy DX
- Target: Shōjo
- Publication Period: November 1991 – September 1996
- Periodicity: Monthly
- Volumes: 13 (complete series)
OVA
- Regia: Tetsurō Amino (ep. 1–2), Mamoru Hamatsu (ep. 3-4)
- Series Composition: Megumi Sugihara
- Music: Hikari Ishikawa
- Studio: Movic, J.C. Staff
- Publication Period: 21 October 1993 – 21 September 1995
- Episodes: 4 (complete series)
- Video format: 4: 3
- Episode Duration: 60 minutes each
- Italian publisher: PolyGram (VHS)
- Italian Publication Date: 1996
- Episodes in Italian: 2 / 4 (streak broken at 50%)
Manga (Adaptation by Hiromu Arakawa)
- Author: Hiromu Arakawa
- Editor: Kodansha
- Magazine: Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine
- Target: Shōnen
- Publication Period: July 9, 2013 – ongoing
- Periodicity: Monthly
- Volumes: 19 (current series)
- Italian publisher: Panini Comics – Planet Manga
- First Italian Edition Series: Senki
- Italian Publication Period: November 1, 2015 – ongoing
- Volumes in Italian: 18 / 19 (series 95% complete)
Anime TV Series (First Season)
- Regia: Noriyuki Abe
- Series Composition: Makoto Uezu
- Music: Taro Iwashiro
- Studio: Liden Films, Sanzigen
- Network: Japan News Network
- First TV: 5 April – 27 September 2015
- Episodes: 25 (complete series) + 1 OVA
- Video format: 16: 9
- Episode Duration: 24 minutes each
- Italian publisher: Dynit
- First Streaming in Italian: VVVVID (subtitled)
Anime TV Series (Second Season)
- Regia: Noriyuki Abe
- Series Composition: Makoto Uezu
- Music: Taro Iwashiro
- Studio: Liden Films
- Network: Japan News Network
- First TV: 3 July – 21 August 2016
- Episodes: 8 (complete series) + 1 OVA
- Video format: 16: 9
- Episode Duration: 24 minutes each
- Italian publisher: Dynit
- First Streaming in Italian: VVVVID (subtitled)
