Arslan has two qualities that make it unique among anime fantasy tales. While the world in which it takes place is one where magic obviously exists, said magic is of an extremely limited nature. Until the end of the anime, the only magical happenings involve a few rare occasional spells and a giant, humanoid monster. There are none of the races typically associated with a fantasy realm, such as elves or dwarves. It is, at the core, a war story taking place between human nations. In addition to this, there is an underlying theme of exploring the repercussions of slavery on a society, having an absolute monarch who treats the poor as cattle, and religious obsession.

The story follows the exploits of Arslan, the crown prince of the fictional kingdom of Pars, which is taken over by the neighboring nation of Lusitania after his father, the king Andragoras, falls victim of a treacherous plot led by one of his most trusted retainers. After barely escaping with his life, Arslan rejoins his loyal servant, Daryun. Backed up by only a few more companions, including the philosopher/swordsman/tactician Narsus and his young servant Elam, Falangies, an aloof, cold priestess and Gieve, a travelling musician and con-man, Arslan must stand against overwhelming odds to assemble an army strong enough to liberate his nation from the Lusitanian army which is led by the elusive warrior known as "Silvermask".

Same artist as FMA?

The first episode just got release not long ago, those that have watched it, what do you think?

It looks like one too watch out for. He seems a little naive due to his up bringing but along the way i im guessing he begins to have a new outlook on life or something like that. But anyway the episode was enjoyable :)

Agreed. A little basic, but aside from one or two cringy CGI shots, not poor. Looks like it'll be a competent fantasy adventure.

Lets just hop it doesnt go downhill and yes @Magnolia the manga artist is the same as FMA

>>6 Hell yeah!

I thought something looked similar.

This is like Yona no Hime in male version of the protagonist (heroine).

when I saw how this anime started I realized how I also bought their manga it made me really happy! Actually even alot of the shows that came out recently I also have bought the manga for so that made me super happy because they were all really good!

i am watching the anime i am expeting a lot from it,it migth be one of the best fqntasy anime ever

I really liked the first episode! I hope the story is good. I found the setting and historical references very interesting already

Episode two was amazing.It was better than the first one.

They spend so much time on the setting :v

This show really does remind me a lot of Akatsuki no Yona,but I have the say this one is a lot more serious.

I'm very interested in Narsus' painting

This was...really...





Boring.

I'm really confused, the artistry is definitely the same as FMA, but the writing... I was expecting cool action scenes, hilarious and warm moments, and deep and profound philosophies. After ten episodes, only the first one fit the bill.

This is a great anime for someone who isn't as familiar with anime, or perhaps someone who is just young, like early teens, but to me, this whole storyline was really predictable, thus it was hard to build suspense and make it memorable for me. I knew it'd be a more serious anime, but FMA had its comedic moments that made you cry, and it had its serious moments that made you cry for an entirely different reason. By episode ten in FMA we've seen how the boys have lost their mother, their bodies, the cruelties of mankind (the false priest and Nina's father) all the while finding scenarios to give the audience a good laugh and feel closer to the characters as they watch them develop.

After ten episodes of this anime we have a super serious badass, a weak prince, a failed painter and his ward, a lecherous musician, and a half naked woman after obvious death flags, a predictable outcome of the first war, and them being on the run for... 5 episodes now? While everything and everyone they know is murdered or missing.

Holy cow, for once me and Mag agree on something.

Dropped this 2 or 3 weeks ago. Wasn't even particularly bad, just...dull. And like you said, predictable. Sucks, cause the plot isn't poor by default, there's little if any memorable fanservice, and the political aspects had the potential to be interesting.

But I guess that sums up the show as a whole; potentially interesting, but ruined through lifeless, see-through execution.

While I'm not a huge fan, for at least a more fun and smooth story with a similar setting and feel, see Magi.

>>18 God knows I've been trying to start watching that (and it even made me laugh), but it's just not the kind of anime that's makes me glued to it, ya know? I'll put that on the list of near endless animes I need to watch, but it'll be somewhere near Space Dandy.

bump