The Heroic Legend of Arslan

Arslan is the sheltered crown prince of Pars, a kingdom that sits at a key crossroads between East and West. When the expansionist nation Lusitania invades, Arslan faces battle for the first time and watches his army collapse under a clever enemy stratagem. He survives only with the help of Daryun, a fierce warrior who remains loyal when everything else falls apart. With a small, mismatched group that includes the brilliant strategist Narsus, the young aide Elam, and others, Arslan has to grow into a leader while navigating betrayals, politics, and wartime choices. The series follows his maturation and the shifting alliances that shape Pars' future, without revealing major plot twists here.

Released in 2015, the anime adapts Yoshiki Tanaka's novel series and draws on Hiromu Arakawa's popular manga rendition, with Makoto Uezu credited on series composition. The production attracted attention for blending classic fantasy source material with contemporary anime storytelling.

The series didn't collect major industry awards, but it found steady recognition among anime fans and in community polls. It hasn't been a staple at mainstream awards ceremonies, though it keeps a loyal following that highlights its strengths in character work and tactical clashes.

Arakawa's association helped bring manga readers to the show, and its focus on military strategy and court politics sparked discussions across forums and social media. Viewers often reference its large-scale battle scenes and Narsus's tactical mind, and the anime prompted renewed interest in Tanaka's original novels among younger audiences.

Audience and critical reaction leaned toward positive, reflected in a user average around 7.0/10. Reviewers and fans praised the interpersonal dynamics, thematic focus on leadership, legitimacy, loyalty, and the toll of war, while noting uneven pacing and occasional filler that undercut the momentum between major campaign episodes.