Heroic Legend of Arslan

A Parent's Guide to Anime
Rated: PG
Parental Guidance Advised

Review by David Bingham:

The Heroic Legend of Arislan is a heroic medieval/fantasy story, though currently (alas!) incomplete. Four episodes have currently been translated into English, with a few more on the way. I have heard a rumor that the series was never finished in Japan because it was too complex for many audiences. Its a crying shame. The first tape (two episodes) is dubbed, the second is sub-titled.

The action centers around Arislan, a prince who is forced to flee for his life after his father is betrayed by a trusted general and the kingdom captured by the evil "Silver Mask." In his travels he is accompanied by a few loyal followers, who add to their numbers every episode. The characters are well rounded, quite intelligent, and very believable. The story line is a bit complex, but not too bad. The action is violent, but not excessively bloody--no dismemberment or the like, as I can remember, though there is one scene of a captain of the King's army being tortured in episode two. There is no sex or nudity at all (although one of the characters is bathing, all you can see is a water-blurred shot of his rear end.) Some sexual content, in the form of lewd remarks, but that's about it. Everyone stays throroughly dressed.

All in all, this is one of the most intelligent pieces of anime I have ever seen, and a favorite of mine. The artwork is especially beautiful, fluid, and very consistant. The plot is clear, but with a few plot twists just to keep you guessing. Like I said, it's a crying shame it's not complete.