Based on a series of fantasy novels by Yoshiki Tanaka, The Heroic Legend of Arslan is a rambling sword-and-sorcery epic set in a fictionalized version of ancient Persia. The various segments were released over years of ... more »troubled production, and shifts in the creative team resulted in uneven animation. When the kingdom of Palse is attacked by neighboring Lusitania, Arislan finds himself a fugitive, aided by a few loyal subjects. Is he the rightful heir to the throne or is he the son of a murderous usurper, as Silver Mask insists? The fate of the kingdom seesaws for nearly four hours, only to end on a cliffhanger. At the request of the Japanese producers, the names of the principle characters change during the saga--Arislan becomes Arslan; Pharangese, Farangis, etc., which confuses matters further. The vocal cast speaks in British accents that soon cloy, and the dialogue differs wildly from the subtitles, which are apparently closer to the original Japanese. When Pharangese, the priestess of Misra, discusses Narsus's strategy with the bandit Arfurido, she says, "Perhaps he needs to be free from distraction so he can concentrate on finding a new solution to the old problems." The subtitles read, "Perhaps he'll get swept up in the glory of conquest." Arslan boasts handsomely rendered backgrounds that freely mix Moghul, Babylonian, Romanesque, and Byzantine architecture. But the inconclusive ending will frustrate American viewers unfamiliar with the continuing saga in the novels. "Parental discretion advised": suitable for ages 14 and older; considerable violence. --Charles Solomon« less
"The Heroic legend of Arislan is a four tape OAV (0riginal video animation) series that originally began as a seven volume novel by Yoshiki Tanaka. His novels were loosely based off of a Persian legend and myth known as "Amir Arislan". Later the story was adopted into manga form by Chisata Nakura and finally it was animated. The four tape OAV series is well written, exciting, beautifully animated, wonderfully dubbed, and has a phenomenal sound track. The very first tape introduces the viewers to the background story and the imporant characters. It all begins with the handsome knight Daryoon who is stripped of his command and banished by King Andragoras of Palse for questioning his military strategy regarding a battle against the invading forces of the Luisitanians. Daryoon's uncle convinces him not to abandon the kingdom, but to instead to go and find the kind, intelligent, bishounen Prince Arislan and to protect him with his life. It is Daryoon's promise that allows him to save the young prince from meeting his end on the battlefield at the hands of treachery within Palse, sorcery, and the invading Luisitanian army. The two flee to the home of the brillant military strategist Lord Narsus and his companion Elam. Also the goddess Misra sends high priestess Phrangese to protect prince Arislan. On her way to meet up with the prince she encounters the traveling minstrel Gieve. He also decides to join up with the group."
One of the Best OAV series out there!
Utena | 02/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you love shojo or fantasy based anime then you should watch this OAV series. It has high quality animation art (that gets even better in OAV II). The characters are beautifully detailed, and the backgrounds are stunning. This OAV series has a very detailed and interesing story about a young, bishounen's quest to reclaim his kingdom. This OAV also has a terrific sound track, stunning sword and sorcery action, and a very good english voice over cast ( I actually prefer the english cast over the Japanese one, because hearing the characters speak with either british or Indian accents adds a feeling to the story that the Japanese version does not)."
Another epic without ending
Utena | Arizona | 01/07/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Heroic Legend of Arslan is one of my favarite story. I read the books several times and I even bought a DVD player this Christmas just to view this anime. Overall, it's well made anime. The production did a great job on putting the original story into anime. BUT, why,why, US Manga skipped the last part. The real ending! If you don't know the original story, the anime itself looks loose, ill-plotted."
I love this series!!!! this is splendid!!!
yuhuu_trickortreat | Indonesia | 06/02/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Heroic legend of Arslan was one of the best movie for me. This DVD have a really good quality(the picture,sound,special feature,and subtitle is the best). The story about young prince Arslan who want to take back his country(Pals) from Lusitania.
This story contain war,blood,betrayal,etc. It only have a little love story so for someone who like love story, this is not for you. Although this is a war story, this is not too serious.
But for me this is a splendid series, this series have a good plot, good story, beautiful picture and beautiful characters. And this series also have a good voice actors (Japanese). Please!!!Please!!! don't watch this series with dubbed voice(English), it make me crazy when I tried to watch with dubbed voice.
I'm just disappointed with one thing in this series. This series is not finished. So for you who want to see the "Ending" of this series you will be dissapointed too. If you want to see complete story you must buy this manga and novel (all of them in japanese language). The title of manga/comic and novel is "Arslan Senki" and you must buy these in internet because all of them is out of stock in japan,except novel (I bought all of this in www.jpqueen.com).
I give 5 stars because for me this is a beautiful war stories so I recommend all of you to buy this series."
HEROIC LEGEND OF ARISLAN part1
akumabuton | muskegon michigan | 09/06/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"THIS IS THE BEST PART OF THE ARISLAN SERIES. THE ART IS AWESOME AND SO IS THE STORYLINE. IT TELLS OF HOW ARISLAN MUST TAKE HIS FATHER PLACE AS RULER AFTER HIS FATHER WAS CAPTURED. THIS MOVIE GIVES YOU A GREAT INTORDUCTION TO THE OTHER CHARECTERS THAT PLAY A MAJOR PART IN THIS MOVIE. IF YOU LIKED THIS TRY parts 2,3and4, age of heroes."