The Heroic Legend of Arslan (manga) explained
The Heroic Legend of Arslan |
Ja Kanji: | アルスラーン戦記 |
Ja Romaji: | Arusurān Senki |
Type: | ova |
Director: | Noriyuki Abe |
Music: | Taro Iwashiro |
First: | May 9, 2016 |
Last: | November 9, 2016 |
Episodes: | 2 |
Runtime: | 25–28 minutes |
Episode List: | List of The Heroic Legend of Arslan episodes |
Type: | tv series |
The Heroic Legend of Arslan: Dust Storm Dance |
Director: | Noriyuki Abe |
Music: | Taro Iwashiro |
Studio: | Liden Films |
Network: | JNN (MBS) |
First: | July 3, 2016 |
Last: | August 21, 2016 |
Episodes: | 8 |
Episode List: | List of The Heroic Legend of Arslan episodes#Dust Storm Dance |
is a Japanese manga series by Hiromu Arakawa, based on the original novel series of the same name written by Yoshiki Tanaka. It has been serialized in Kodansha's Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine since July 2013. The manga is licensed for English release in North America by Kodansha USA.
A 25-episode anime television series adaptation produced by Liden Films and Sanzigen was broadcast on MBS from April to September 2015, followed by an 8-episode series, titled The Heroic Legend of Arslan: Dust Storm Dance, broadcast from July to August 2016. The anime series is licensed in North America by Funimation.
Media
Manga
The manga adaptation of Yoshiki Tanaka's The Heroic Legend of Arslan by Hiromu Arakawa was announced by Kodansha's shōnen manga magazine Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine in May 2013;[1] the series started in the magazine on July 9 of the same year.[2] In March 2023, it was announced that the series entered its "final decisive battle."[3] Kodansha has collected its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on April 9, 2014.[4] As of August 7, 2024, twenty-one volumes have been released.[5] [6]
In North America, the manga was digitally published in English by Crunchyroll Manga from 2014 until 2018, when the company announced that it would no longer publish manga from Kodansha.[7] [8] Kodansha USA began publishing the manga in print and digital format on August 19, 2014.[9] [10]
Anime
An anime television series was announced in November 2014.[11] The series is directed by Noriyuki Abe, with scripts by Makoto Uezu.[12] The series aired from April 5 to September 27, 2015, on MBS's timeslot and other Japan News Network stations.[12] [13] The series' first opening theme is, performed by Uverworld, while the first ending theme is, performed by Eir Aoi.[14] [15] The second opening theme is, performed by Nico Touches the Walls, while the second ending theme is "One Light", performed by Kalafina.[16] An original animation DVD (OAD) was bundled with the manga's fifth limited edition volume, released on May 9, 2016.[17]
In North America, Funimation announced the license to the series in April 2015,[18] and began a broadcast dub in June of the same year.[19]
An 8-episode second season, titled, aired from July 3 to August 21, 2016.[20] [21] [22] Another OAD was bundled with the manga's sixth limited edition volume, which was released on November 9, 2016.[23]
Video games
See main article: Arslan: The Warriors of Legend. A Musou crossover game developed by Koei Tecmo, titled, was released on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 on October 1, 2015.[24] The game was released in North America on February 9, 2016, and in Europe on February 12 of that same year.[25]
A smartphone game,, distributed by Sakura Soft, was launched on April 27, 2017,[26] and ended service on August 16, 2018.[27]
Reception
Manga
Alongside How Are You?, The Heroic Legend of Arslan ranked 17th on Takarajimasha's Kono Manga ga Sugoi! list of best manga of 2015 for male readers.[28] The manga ranked eighth on "Nationwide Bookstore Employees' Recommended Comics of 2015" by the Honya Club online bookstore.[29] The series was nominated for the 42nd Kodansha Manga Award in the shōnen category in 2018.[30] The series ranked 35th on Da Vinci magazine's 17th annual "Book of the Year" 2017 list and ranked 45th on the magazine's 19th 2019 list.[31] [32]
Sales
By June 2018, The Heroic Legend of Arslan manga had 5.5 million copies in circulation.[33] The third volume of the series received an initial print run of 370,000 copies in circulation from the period between April 2014 and March 2015.[34] The seventh volume of the series had an initial print run of 358,000 copies in circulation from April 2017 to March 2018.[35] The eleventh volume of the series had an initial print run of 265,000 copies in circulation between April 2019 and March 2020.[36]
Critical reception
Kate O'Neil of The Fandom Post ranked the first volume of the manga as B+, and wrote: "Arslan has an appropriately dark start for a story about war. The action is strong, vicious and bloody. The stakes in the war are high, with death all around the young prince and his loyal retainer. It’s a solid start to what will hopefully turn out to be an excellent tale. While the leads haven’t grabbed me yet there’s plenty of time to develop them further".[37] Rebecca SIlverman of Anime News Network gave the first volume a B and wrote: "If you enjoy an epic fantasy with plenty of historical detail and battle scenes and don't mind waiting for the story to really get going, The Heroic Legend of Arslans first volume is worth reading".[38]
Anime
Theron Martin of Anime News Network ranked the anime series as B. Martin called The Heroic Legend of Arslan "a cross between Yona of the Dawn and Guin Saga", and said that the series is "often most interesting when focusing on anyone but Arslan himself". Martin concluded: "The Heroic Legend of Arslan is an ambitious series, inviting plenty of discussion about slavery and religion and politics in general. While its first half has its flaws, if you are looking for an epic fantasy story largely free of romantic distractions, then you could definitely do a lot worse".[39]
Notes and References
- Web site: Loo. Egan. Fullmetal Alchemist's Arakawa to Adapt Tanaka's Arslan Fantasy. Anime News Network. January 21, 2021. May 7, 2013. March 20, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180320232402/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-05-07/fullmetal-alchemist-arakawa-to-adapt-tanaka-arslan-fantasy. live.
- Web site: ja:荒川弘×田中芳樹「アルスラーン戦記」満を持して始動. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/94613. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. January 21, 2021. ja. July 9, 2013. January 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210128035619/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/94613. live.
- Web site: Cayanan. Joanna. Hiromu Arakawa's The Heroic Legend of Arslan Manga Enters 'Final Decisive Battle'. Anime News Network. March 13, 2023. March 13, 2023. March 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230313133049/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-03-13/hiromu-arakawa-the-heroic-legend-of-arslan-manga-enters-final-decisive-battle/.195916. live.
- Web site: ja:アルスラーン戦記(1). https://kc.kodansha.co.jp/product?item=0000019131. Kodansha. January 21, 2021. ja. January 29, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210129175830/https://kc.kodansha.co.jp/product?item=0000019131. live.
- Web site: ja:アルスラーン戦記(21). https://kc.kodansha.co.jp/product?item=0000395899. Kodansha. July 9, 2024. ja.
- Web site: ja:アルスラーン戦記(21)特装版. https://kc.kodansha.co.jp/product?item=0000395911. Kodansha. July 9, 2024. ja.
- Web site: Loo. Egan. Crunchyroll Releases Ajin, Koe no Katachi, Arslan Manga. Anime News Network. January 21, 2021. March 14, 2014. October 7, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211007040359/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-03-14/crunchyroll-releases-ajin-koe-no-katachi-arslan-manga. live.
- Web site: Ressler. Karen. Crunchyroll Manga to No Longer Offer Catalog Chapters of Kodansha Titles. Anime News Network. January 21, 2021. February 16, 2018. December 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201226140820/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-02-16/crunchyroll-manga-to-no-longer-offer-catalog-chapters-of-kodansha-titles/.127906. live.
- Web site: Ressler. Karen. Kodansha USA to Publish Arslan Manga by Fullmetal Alchemist's Arakawa. Anime News Network. January 21, 2021. February 26, 2014. January 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210126100712/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-02-26/kodansha-usa-to-publish-arslan-manga-by-fullmetal-alchemist-arakawa. live.
- Web site: Loveridge. Lynzee. Kodansha USA Announces The Heroic Legend of Arslan Manga Release. Anime News Network. January 21, 2021. March 22, 2014. July 24, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180724032146/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-03-22/kodansha-usa-announces-heroic-legend-of-arslan-manga-release. live.
- Web site: Nelkin. Sarah. The Heroic Legend of Arslan Manga Gets Anime. Anime News Network. January 21, 2021. November 2, 2014. January 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210125013124/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-11-02/the-heroic-legend-of-arslan-manga-gets-anime/.80574. live.
- Web site: Ressler. Karen. The Heroic Legend of Arslan Anime's Main Staff, April Premiere Unveiled. Anime News Network. 2015-01-03. 2021-01-21. 2021-01-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20210125225724/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-01-03/the-heroic-legend-of-arslan-anime-main-staff-april-premiere-unveiled/.82863. live.
- Web site: ja:アルスラーン 戦記 THE HEROIC LEGEND OF ARSLAN. https://mediaarts-db.bunka.go.jp/id/C15467. Media Arts Database. Agency for Cultural Affairs. January 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210121123347/https://mediaarts-db.bunka.go.jp/id/C15467. January 21, 2021. ja. live.
- Web site: Nelkin. Sarah. 6th The Heroic Legend of Arslan TV Spot Previews Eir Aoi Theme Song. Anime News Network. January 21, 2021. March 8, 2015. January 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210128193541/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-03-08/6th-the-heroic-legend-of-arslan-tv-spot-previews-eir-aoi-theme-song/.85739. live.
- Web site: Loo. Egan. The Heroic Legend of Arslan TV Anime's 7th Ad, UVERworld Song, More Cast Revealed. Anime News Network. January 21, 2021. March 15, 2015. June 14, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170614202903/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-03-15/the-heroic-legend-of-arslan-tv-anime-7th-ad-uverworld-song-more-cast-revealed/.85995. live.
- Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. Kalafina, Nico Touches The Walls to Perform New Arslan Themes. Anime News Network. January 21, 2021. June 6, 2015. September 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200904025110/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-06-06/kalafina-nico-touches-the-walls-to-perform-new-arslan-themes/.88973. live.
- Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. Heroic Legend of Arslan Manga's 5th Volume Listed With Bundled DVD. 2015-10-10. Anime News Network. 2016-05-01. 2020-11-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108090905/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-10-10/heroic-legend-of-arslan-manga-5th-volume-listed-with-bundled-dvd/.94026. live.
- Web site: Ressler. Karen. Funimation Adds The Heroic Legend of Arslan Anime. Anime News Network. January 21, 2021. April 2, 2015. April 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210415082309/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-04-02/funimation-adds-the-heroic-legend-of-arslan-anime/.86666. live.
- Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. Funimation Reveals Broadcast Dub Casts For Arslan, Ultimate Otaku Teacher, Show By Rock!!, Mikagura School Suite. Anime News Network. January 21, 2021. June 5, 2015. November 23, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201123225727/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-06-05/funimation-reveals-broadcast-dub-casts-for-arslan-ultimate-otaku-teacher-show-by-rock-mikagura-school-suite/.88970. live.
- Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. The Heroic Legend of Arslan 2nd Season Premieres in July. 2016-03-27. Anime News Network. 2016-03-27. 2016-03-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20160328165244/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-03-27/the-heroic-legend-of-arslan-2nd-season-premieres-in-july/.100354. live.
- Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. Heroic Legend of Arslan Anime's 2nd Season Will Have 8 Episodes, July 3 Premiere. 2016-05-08. Anime News Network. 2016-05-08. 2016-05-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20160509011726/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2016-05-08/heroic-legend-of-arslan-anime-2nd-season-will-have-8-episodes-july-3-premiere/.101861. live.
- Web site: ja:アルスラーン戦記 THE HEROIC LEGEND OF ARSLAN - 風塵乱舞 -. https://mediaarts-db.bunka.go.jp/id/M130036. Media Arts Database. Agency for Cultural Affairs. January 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210121124211/https://mediaarts-db.bunka.go.jp/id/M130036. January 21, 2021. ja. live.
- Web site: The Heroic Legend of Arslan Manga's 6th Volume Listed With Bundled DVD. 2016-05-02. Anime News Network. 2020-06-01. 2020-11-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20201105163105/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-05-02/the-heroic-legend-of-arslan-manga-6th-volume-listed-with-bundled-dvd/.101695. live.
- Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. Heroic Legend of Arslan Manga Gets Musou Game for PS4, PS3. Anime News Network. May 7, 2015. 2021-04-29. 2021-01-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20210125020712/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-05-07/heroic-legend-of-arslan-manga-gets-musou-game-for-ps4-ps3/.87906. live.
- Web site: Ressler. Karen. Arslan: The Warriors of Legend's English-Subtitled Trailer, PC Release Revealed. Anime News Network. April 29, 2021. January 14, 2016. April 29, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210429163856/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-01-14/arslan-the-warriors-of-legend-english-subtitled-trailer-pc-release-revealed/.97577. live.
- Web site: ja: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. https://www.4gamer.net/games/333/G033339/20170421088/. 4gamer.net. August 14, 2023. ja. April 21, 2017. September 26, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220926131202/https://www.4gamer.net/games/333/G033339/20170421088/. live.
- Web site: ja:さくらソフト、『アルスラーン戦記 戦士の資格』のサービスを2018年8月16日をもって終了. https://gamebiz.jp/news/214129. Gamebiz. August 14, 2023. ja. June 27, 2018. August 14, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230814201228/https://gamebiz.jp/news/214129. live.
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- Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. Manga With Biggest 1st Printings from Kodansha, Shogakukan, Shueisha: 2019-2020. Anime News Network. January 27, 2021. April 4, 2020. November 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201103055348/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-04-04/manga-with-biggest-1st-printings-from-kodansha-shogakukan-shueisha-2019-2020/.158303. live.
- Web site: O'Neil. Kate. Heroic Legend Of Arslan Vol. #01 Manga Review. The Fandom Post. January 21, 2021. September 1, 2014.
- Web site: Silverman. Rebecca. The Heroic Legend of Arslan GN 1 – Review. Anime News Network. April 18, 2020. September 7, 2014. September 8, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140908050150/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-heroic-legend-of-arslan/gn-1/.78473. live.
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