The Old School Otaku Lounge

I remember watching this anime way back in the '90s. I had a friend who loved the series, but was frustrated that the OVA never really concluded. According to the Wikipedia article, apparently two more episodes were finally made. Are these final two episodes available on the CPM DVD release?

Yes. However, the series never does really conclude even with these episodes. It's based on a novel series so no surprise.

It really could have been the anime fantasy equivalent of LOGH. Of course, apt comparison since both of these were by the same writer.

Yes, and I remember that the writer took a break from Arslan in order to focus more on LOGH. I was happy with that, but my friend was bummed. He was more of a fantasy freak (he loved Lodoss, for example) while I was more of a science fiction freak. It wasn't until I graduated college that I finally developed a love for fantasy, especially after finally reading Tolkein.

So according to Wikipedia, he's still writing Arslan stories. I really cannot remember much of this show at all. I mostly remember how my friend was so disappointed that the OVAs weren't being made. That and Fire Emblem. I now have far more interest in Fire Emblem than back then, for sure.

Even if it never finished, I really enjoyed Heroic Legend of Arslan. I loved the animation, the pacing, and even the dubbing wasn't too bad (as far as I remember). I'd gladly own it on DVD.

I also loved the Fire Emblem OAV, but it's sadly another series with no conclusion.

greg wrote:Yes, and I remember that the writer took a break from Arslan in order to focus more on LOGH. I was happy with that, but my friend was bummed. He was more of a fantasy freak (he loved Lodoss, for example) while I was more of a science fiction freak. It wasn't until I graduated college that I finally developed a love for fantasy, especially after finally reading Tolkein.

So according to Wikipedia, he's still writing Arslan stories. I really cannot remember much of this show at all. I mostly remember how my friend was so disappointed that the OVAs weren't being made. That and Fire Emblem. I now have far more interest in Fire Emblem than back then, for sure.

I always thought Arslan as an anime was just getting started. You could see the complexity of the politics and the world taking shape, but it never had enough time to flesh it out. It's one of those "could have been" type of shows. I have good memories of it, but it doesn't stick out as much as it could have because it simply never managed to shift into second gear.

Seems like most fantasy anime don't get finished.

Add Dragon Half and Berserk to the list.

danth wrote:Seems like most fantasy anime don't get finished.

Add Dragon Half and Berserk to the list.

Isn't Berserk getting a new series? My sister is just getting into Berserk because of her boyfriend, and she told me she started to read the manga because it wasn't getting finished...

I've always wanted Dragon Half's manga to be localized.

Yeah, Dragon Half! I remember seeing the first episode or two fansubbed at my local anime get-together. I thought it was hilarious, but I never got any of the fansubs at the time. I never noticed that ADV had released it domestically. I hadn't thought of that show in such a long time until I found the Dragon Half game for the PC Engine console in Akihabara the weekend before last and bought it on a whim.

greg wrote:Yeah, Dragon Half! I remember seeing the first episode or two fansubbed at my local anime get-together. I thought it was hilarious, but I never got any of the fansubs at the time. I never noticed that ADV had released it domestically. I hadn't thought of that show in such a long time until I found the Dragon Half game for the PC Engine console in Akihabara the weekend before last and bought it on a whim.

Sadly, the 2 episode OAV was all that was ever made of Dragon Half, anime-wise. It's ridiculously cute and funny, though, I remember when you couldn't go to an anime convention without hearing the "My Omelet" song.

I'd seriously LOVE to see someone translate the manga into English, but I think most companies don't like taking risks on fantasy titles, sadly. :/ I actually found a Final Fantasy doujinshi drawn by the artist who did the Dragon Half manga, I believe I still have it somewhere...