Description
"The Heroic Legend of Arslan" is a fantasy anime series based on the novel series by Yoshiki Tanaka. Set in a fictional world inspired by ancient Persia, the story centers on Arslan, the young crown prince of the kingdom of Pars. Arslan is initially portrayed as inexperienced and uncertain, but his journey becomes one of growth and leadership as he strives to reclaim his kingdom from invaders and restore justice.
The narrative begins with Pars, a prosperous and powerful kingdom, facing an unexpected invasion by the neighboring nation of Lusitania. During a pivotal battle, Arslan’s father, King Andragoras III, is betrayed by one of his trusted generals, Kharlan, leading to a devastating defeat. Arslan narrowly escapes the battlefield with the help of his loyal servant, Daryun, a skilled warrior and former soldier of Pars. The fall of Pars forces Arslan into exile, where he begins to gather allies and build the strength needed to reclaim his throne.
Throughout the series, Arslan encounters a diverse group of companions who aid him in his quest. Among them is Narsus, a brilliant strategist and artist; Elam, Narsus’s young apprentice; Gieve, a wandering musician and mercenary; and Farangis, a priestess with formidable combat skills. Together, they navigate political intrigue, warfare, and personal challenges as they work to unite the fractured lands of Pars and rally its people against the Lusitanian occupation.
The antagonist, Silvermask, emerges as a central figure opposing Arslan. Initially shrouded in mystery, Silvermask claims to be the true heir to the throne of Pars, casting doubt on Arslan’s legitimacy. This rivalry drives much of the conflict, as Silvermask seeks to consolidate power and eliminate Arslan. The series explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the moral complexities of leadership, as Arslan grapples with questions of justice and the responsibilities of a ruler.
As the story progresses, Arslan’s journey takes him across diverse landscapes, from war-torn cities to remote villages, where he witnesses the suffering of his people and the consequences of war. His encounters with both allies and enemies shape his understanding of governance and compassion, ultimately guiding him toward his goal of liberating Pars and establishing a just rule. The series blends political intrigue, large-scale battles, and personal drama, creating a rich narrative that balances action with character development.
The narrative begins with Pars, a prosperous and powerful kingdom, facing an unexpected invasion by the neighboring nation of Lusitania. During a pivotal battle, Arslan’s father, King Andragoras III, is betrayed by one of his trusted generals, Kharlan, leading to a devastating defeat. Arslan narrowly escapes the battlefield with the help of his loyal servant, Daryun, a skilled warrior and former soldier of Pars. The fall of Pars forces Arslan into exile, where he begins to gather allies and build the strength needed to reclaim his throne.
Throughout the series, Arslan encounters a diverse group of companions who aid him in his quest. Among them is Narsus, a brilliant strategist and artist; Elam, Narsus’s young apprentice; Gieve, a wandering musician and mercenary; and Farangis, a priestess with formidable combat skills. Together, they navigate political intrigue, warfare, and personal challenges as they work to unite the fractured lands of Pars and rally its people against the Lusitanian occupation.
The antagonist, Silvermask, emerges as a central figure opposing Arslan. Initially shrouded in mystery, Silvermask claims to be the true heir to the throne of Pars, casting doubt on Arslan’s legitimacy. This rivalry drives much of the conflict, as Silvermask seeks to consolidate power and eliminate Arslan. The series explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the moral complexities of leadership, as Arslan grapples with questions of justice and the responsibilities of a ruler.
As the story progresses, Arslan’s journey takes him across diverse landscapes, from war-torn cities to remote villages, where he witnesses the suffering of his people and the consequences of war. His encounters with both allies and enemies shape his understanding of governance and compassion, ultimately guiding him toward his goal of liberating Pars and establishing a just rule. The series blends political intrigue, large-scale battles, and personal drama, creating a rich narrative that balances action with character development.
Episodes
Staffel 1
1The Glory of Ecbatana
2First Battle at 14
3The Knight Clad in Black
4The World-Weary Tactician
5The Royal Capital Burns ~Part I~
6The Royal Capital Burns ~Part II~
7The Beauties and the Beasts
8The Betraying Hero
9Beneath the Mask
10The Master of Kasharn Fortress
11The Road to Peshawar
12A Knight's Loyalty
13Two Princes
14The Foreign Prince
15The Black Leopard of Shindra
16Elegy for the Setting Sun
17The Duel Before the Gods
18Once Again Across the River
19The End of the Winter
20The True Face of a Knight
21A Song of Farewell
22The Night Before the Attack
23The Battle for the Keep of Saint Emmanuel
24The Decisive Battle
25The Highway of Blood and Sweat
Cast
- Silver Mask
- Tahamine
- Narsus
- Prince Arslan
- Queen Tahamenay
- Gabrielle Jeru
- Rajendra
- Shapur
- SarmJohn Friedmann
- Mark Kuhn
- Kubard
- Silvermask
Comment(s)
Staff
- DirectorNoriyuki Abe
- Script
- StoryboardKazuhiro OzawaNoriyuki AbeSatoshi KimuraMichio FukudaHiroshi HamasakiKazuo NogamiHiroshi HaraToshinori NaritaTakayuki TanakaYoshitaka MakinoKenji SetōNaomi NakayamaYasuto NishikataKen'ichirō MurakawaShin Nakajima
- Unit Director
- Original creator
- Art DirectorTadashi Kudo
- Animation DirectorYutaka MinowaSatoshi KimuraTomoaki KadoIchizō KobayashiKazuhiro SasakiKazuo WatanabeTakahiro GotōMinoru MuraoKonomi SakuraiKenji HattoriUshio TazawaIkuo YoshidaTeruhiko YamazakiSatoshi HattoriYoshito NarimatsuKazuyuki IkaiTaeko OdaKiyoshi NohjiAkiko KumadaMotohiko KuriharaSeiko AsaiReiko NozakiNoriyoshi YamazakiShinichi WadaShin TanoueShingo OgisoJu-Hyeon LeeSatomi KuritaIchirō HattoriMasayuki NomotoMin Ki HanTomoyuki KannoShunryō YamamuraRie OgasawaraAsami GoudaAi YokoyamaYi Sung KimNorie KanekuboNobuyoshi NagayamaHyung Jun HeoShunsuke ImanakaMoe SasakiJikō AbeMiho JinnaiSenbon UmishimaJun Ishikawa
- Cgi Director
- ProducerTetsuro SatomiTsutomu YanagimuraToshihiro MaedaReo KurosuHirokazu HaraYōko TanakaChitose Kawazoe
- Series CompositionMakoto Uezu
- ScreenplayMakoto Uezu
- Episode DirectorNoriyuki AbeKōji AritomiHiromichi MatanoKazuo NogamiTakayuki TanakaNorihiko NagahamaMatsuo AsamiYoshitaka MakinoMamoru EnomotoFujiaki AsariNaomi NakayamaFumio MaezonoYasuto NishikataSōichi ShimadaDai Seki
- MusicTaro Iwashiro
- Character DesignKazuo WatanabeUshio Tazawa
- Chief Animation DirectorYutaka MinowaKazuo WatanabeUshio TazawaShingo Ogiso
- Sound DirectorJin Aketagawa
- Director of PhotographyYukihiro Masumoto
Production
- ProductionKodanshaMainichi Broadcasting SystemLIDEN FILMSDentsu Inc.NBCUniversal Entertainment JapanArslan Senki Production Committee
- Animation ProductionLIDEN FILMSSANZIGEN
Relations
Manga overview
Music
Opening
“Boku no Kotoba de wa Nai Kore wa Boku-tachi no Kotoba" (僕の言葉ではない これは僕達の言葉;These Aren't My Words. These Are Our Words)”
“Uzu to Uzu" (渦と渦; Swirl and Swirl)”



