TV-Series
Description
Kishward is a supporting character in The Heroic Legend of Arslan: Dust Storm Dance, where he serves as a high-ranking military commander of the Kingdom of Pars. His formal title is Commander of Ten Thousand, and he holds the position of Grand General, responsible for guarding the strategic eastern border of Pars from the fortress city of Peshawar. He is widely recognized by the epithet of the Twin Sword General, a name that reflects his exceptional skill with dual blades.
Kishward is a man of notable physical presence, typically seen wearing a large dark grey cloak over his armor. He has a long beard and deep blue eyes. Behind his resolute and disciplined exterior lies a person of deep loyalty and surprising warmth. His personality balances seriousness with a friendly and approachable nature. He possesses a strong sense of responsibility and is considered a principled and courageous figure. One of his more distinctive personal traits is his fondness for hawks, and he shares a particular bond with a hunting falcon named Azrael, who is also under the care of Prince Arslan.
In the overall narrative, Kishward is a key ally to Prince Arslan. Because he was assigned to defend the eastern border, he did not take part in the disastrous Battle of Atropatene, where the Parsian army was crushed by the Lusitanian forces. Following the battle, he, alongside the lord Bahman, commands the garrison at Peshawar, which becomes a crucial base for Arslans campaign to reclaim the capital, Ecbatana. When Arslan and his companions arrive at the citadel, Kishward is among the first to welcome them, and he enthusiastically pledges the loyalty of the eighty thousand soldiers stationed there to the prince.
His motivations are rooted in unwavering loyalty to the royal family and a strong sense of duty to his kingdom. Rather than being driven by personal ambition, he is motivated by a desire to restore Pars to its former glory and support the rightful heir. This is evident when he supports Arslans bold plan to counterattack from Peshawar and, despite his own potential reservations, listens respectfully when the prince declares his intention to abolish slavery, acknowledging the political difficulty such a stance would create with other lords.
Kishwards key relationships highlight his honorable nature. His bond with Prince Arslan is one of mutual respect and growing trust, forged in part through their shared care for the falcon Azrael. He speaks to the prince with respect, though not without the occasional joyful or encouraging remark. He also has a significant, though troubled, relationship with Lord Bahman, a fellow commander at Peshawar. He serves alongside Bahman and notices that the lord has been acting strangely after receiving a message from Vahriz, a situation that adds internal tension to the stronghold. He also collaborates closely with the strategist Narsus, joining him to lead soldiers in repelling a Lusitanian ambush, showcasing his willingness to follow tactical advice for the good of the cause.
While the anime shows him as a steadfast and capable commander, his character experiences further development in the source material beyond the events of Dust Storm Dance. He comes from a distinguished family of knights with a long history of serving the Parsian crown. Later in the story, after Arslan successfully takes the throne, Kishward is promoted to the high rank of Eran. His personal life also finds resolution as he marries a woman named Nasrin, and the couple has a child, whom Arslan names Ayyar.
His most notable ability is his masterful dual-blade combat style, from which he earns his title of Twin Sword General. He is considered one of Pars most formidable military commanders, known for his martial prowess on the battlefield. His skills are such that he can force back a skilled opponent like the masked claimant Hilmes during a confrontation within Peshawars castle, demonstrating his effectiveness as a warrior even in close-quarters combat. His reputation as a skilled swordsman and great commander was earned during his service guarding the borders, and he was even feared by the people of the neighboring country of Misr.
Kishward is a man of notable physical presence, typically seen wearing a large dark grey cloak over his armor. He has a long beard and deep blue eyes. Behind his resolute and disciplined exterior lies a person of deep loyalty and surprising warmth. His personality balances seriousness with a friendly and approachable nature. He possesses a strong sense of responsibility and is considered a principled and courageous figure. One of his more distinctive personal traits is his fondness for hawks, and he shares a particular bond with a hunting falcon named Azrael, who is also under the care of Prince Arslan.
In the overall narrative, Kishward is a key ally to Prince Arslan. Because he was assigned to defend the eastern border, he did not take part in the disastrous Battle of Atropatene, where the Parsian army was crushed by the Lusitanian forces. Following the battle, he, alongside the lord Bahman, commands the garrison at Peshawar, which becomes a crucial base for Arslans campaign to reclaim the capital, Ecbatana. When Arslan and his companions arrive at the citadel, Kishward is among the first to welcome them, and he enthusiastically pledges the loyalty of the eighty thousand soldiers stationed there to the prince.
His motivations are rooted in unwavering loyalty to the royal family and a strong sense of duty to his kingdom. Rather than being driven by personal ambition, he is motivated by a desire to restore Pars to its former glory and support the rightful heir. This is evident when he supports Arslans bold plan to counterattack from Peshawar and, despite his own potential reservations, listens respectfully when the prince declares his intention to abolish slavery, acknowledging the political difficulty such a stance would create with other lords.
Kishwards key relationships highlight his honorable nature. His bond with Prince Arslan is one of mutual respect and growing trust, forged in part through their shared care for the falcon Azrael. He speaks to the prince with respect, though not without the occasional joyful or encouraging remark. He also has a significant, though troubled, relationship with Lord Bahman, a fellow commander at Peshawar. He serves alongside Bahman and notices that the lord has been acting strangely after receiving a message from Vahriz, a situation that adds internal tension to the stronghold. He also collaborates closely with the strategist Narsus, joining him to lead soldiers in repelling a Lusitanian ambush, showcasing his willingness to follow tactical advice for the good of the cause.
While the anime shows him as a steadfast and capable commander, his character experiences further development in the source material beyond the events of Dust Storm Dance. He comes from a distinguished family of knights with a long history of serving the Parsian crown. Later in the story, after Arslan successfully takes the throne, Kishward is promoted to the high rank of Eran. His personal life also finds resolution as he marries a woman named Nasrin, and the couple has a child, whom Arslan names Ayyar.
His most notable ability is his masterful dual-blade combat style, from which he earns his title of Twin Sword General. He is considered one of Pars most formidable military commanders, known for his martial prowess on the battlefield. His skills are such that he can force back a skilled opponent like the masked claimant Hilmes during a confrontation within Peshawars castle, demonstrating his effectiveness as a warrior even in close-quarters combat. His reputation as a skilled swordsman and great commander was earned during his service guarding the borders, and he was even feared by the people of the neighboring country of Misr.