(L) Arslan Senki (The Heroic Legend of Arslan)

[VyseLegendaire]

Originally Posted by Maxulous

What happened to having faith in the audience? Most typical shounen (which Arslan is not) don't put that much faith in their readership for obvious reasons...

It was far from incompetent but frankly an unnecessarily rote 'shounen-shit' laced introduction. All it really did was beat AS themes around the head with a stick. The OVA managed to address these issues in good time, whilst moving the plot forward and maintaining the presence of the MC's intellect. The throwaway about the King's dickish attitude towards his son is spoilerific too if you ask me. These things will crop up tenfold in later episodes anyway (well, hopefully).

EDIT: Oh yeahs, that giraffe scene *facepalm*

There are certainly some bestiality shippings in the offing for Arslan this time around. Between the giraffes and the camels, the hawks, oh my.

I dont agree with your assessment about the episode. There is more here than AS motifs. We have introductions to many characters and to the major factions in the world, and the setting and ideas around them. Its got the introduction that the original OAV lacked, which worked for a cinematic movie/OAV but wont for a serialized series.

I am up to speed on Arakawas manga adaptation and I think she is doing a splendid job. Its all part of the master plan, dattebayo.

[Irenesharda]

Originally Posted by Arya

Thanks. But I'll wait for the series to show itself, my true only gripe is the MC and since I'm reading different opinions on how he is / had to be it's better I don't get influenced by the source or a different take of that.

Let's just say that at least in that version he was a pretty well-rounded character who had a lot of potential to be a very good leader and better king than his father. However, when we first see him in that version, he's older and stronger too than this first showing of the character here. I think the original OVA starts off with him 14 and in battle, rather than his 11 year old self. He basically has a lot of potential, but still some learning to do. The other characters that will become his group basically all influence his growth.
If that's something you'd be interested in, I'd suggest you to keep with the series.

I guess if you really wanted to think about it, the story will probably be a little in the same vein as Yona, but more sword and sorcery battle heavy.

[Alchemist007]

The setting in this show intrigues me, hope the plot holds together.

[Maxulous]

Originally Posted by VyseLegendaire

I am up to speed on Arakawas manga adaptation and I think she is doing a splendid job. Its all part of the master plan, dattebayo.

If this episode's writing is indicative of what is to come, I feel right to be concerned. Just saying.

[Mubyoshi]

What is Kimblee doing there? Anyways, guess I'll be keeping track of this for a bit and see if it gets better. Also, yay MILF!

[Haak]

Finally got round to watching it and I enjoyed it lots. The setting is just wonderfully rich in culture and atmosphere. I liked how they managed to get the balance right in introductory world building, getting the essential background down first and hinting at the more complex issues later.

The episode was paced well and managed to establish Arslan as a character as well. I particularly liked the way they balanced the pros and cons of his kindness. It may make things difficult for him to command prescence and authority but his kindness gives him another way of influencing people and gaining admiration. And the kid's no scaredy cat either, I'll give him that. He didn't come across to me as someone who was too pampered and naive to understand the danger he was in when he was taken hostage. He's still naive about his country's culture but at least he has the right frame of mind.

[Stark700]

Episode 2:
Catchy OP song. I definitely like it although I do prefer the ED a bit more.

Spoiler:

Great military action this week in terms of actual combat. The way it's presented reminds me a big of Kingdom. Just some classic action on the battlefield. Oh and I find Arslan's relationship with Daryun to be interesting so far.

Strategic affairs wise, we get some serious fire power, and I do mean serious fire power. The episode also shows a bit of reality of war is really like. I hope Arslan can get used to that.

[ookamigirl]

#2

Spoiler for plot:

Arslan's first battle..
Everyone was worried about him.
Strategizing...
Arslan's father, the king, is one scary guy.
That fog didn't help things either..
The canyon + fog was one hell of a trap!
Things went bad fast.
Still, this is not my thing after all. Dropping it.

[ninjastarforcex]

ah, underwhelming OP theme
that pitfall trap, reminds me of rider vs gilgamesh get rekt instantly

[HayashiTakara]

Daryun is so pimp! For some reason this episode made me think of Fire Emblem

[James Rye]

Daryun's a real badass before the kings! Also Kharlan's a dirty rat traitor! Wonder if Maryam also fell this way given they were defeated so easily. Sad for the three boys, all three of them dead, laid down their lives for their prince. :C

And given the uncle's words there might be rumors that Arslan is not the son of the king meaning the queen could have had an affair with somebody else. o.o

[RaymondSageClark]

Daryun is the man, such a bro.

The King fall for his stupidity, he deserve that. Arslan doesn't even hesitate to fight enemies and kill them, that is a good point for him because most of the MC on series like this act like faggots. Next episode is time for Daryun to shine.

[~Yami~]

I must applaud for the magnificent tactic from the enemies... and the loyalty of Daryun
oh and also the bravery of Arslan... He didn't take too much time in sulking about his first kill... gallantly defending himself against a traitor...
well, I like his character

[ChampDream]

Nice opening.
It look like they got rekt by the enemy.
Daryun and his horse are really a badass combo.

[MgMaster]

I'll also support what others said in that it was pretty great seeing Arslan behavior during the battle. He does fight bravely to defend himself, scoring his 1st kill and seemed to be somewhat prepared to fight, though he's still scared & not exactly eager to shed his enemies' blood. But he did seem to want to see this through, going in with uncertainty & all that. Very much looking forward to his version of the Hero's Journey - it's all in the execution here.

[VyseLegendaire]

They animated, and acted it perfectly, from my recollection of the manga. Thats all I can say as a critique.

OP - song is a bit crappy but its got a nice dramatic direction to it, and its dark in contrast to the lighter themed ED.

Seeing Daryun and Mask dueling in the intro was a surprise.

Its a keeper

[MgMaster]

I find it interesting to compare Yona's situation to Arslan's. Both Yona & Arslan lived a peaceful life. But the similarities in their circumstances end there.

- Yona's father was a 100% pacifist and the life she knew had been one devoid of conflict. Even if Yona was a man(obviously under a different name :P), her people(the people she knew, not the ones all over the country) would've expected her to be like her father, a peace-loving ruler, not a conqueror or a warmonger.

- Arslan, on the other hand, had a father who was the complete opposite of Yona's, has received some training in fighting with a sword and most of his people probably expected him to be more like his father. It's more like Sion's situation, except that Arslan isn't so keen of following in his father's footsteps. But it also seemed like Arslan wished to meet the expectations set upon him, making his people & father proud, but he has plenty of doubts on whether that's truly his path.

[Wandering Soul]

Daryun is a badass. He so far has made a good impression by showing his intelligence and loyalty.

Arslan is also showing he can take care of himself but he is not eager about killing. That conversation that Daryun had his uncle seems to imply Arslan is not the king's son and the queen had an affair.

[MCAL]

It's nice to have a show that knows what a bloody mess war can be.

Also, I kind of lol'd at Tanka's message at the end of the episode... for obvious reasons...

[RDNexus]

Originally Posted by MCAL

Also, I kind of lol'd at Tanka's message at the end of the episode... for obvious reasons...

Excuse me for asking... Can you explain why you lol'd at it? Curiosity's sake