Heroic Legend of Arislan is a sweeping story of a 14-year-old prince, Arislan, and his efforts to restore his betrayed kingdom, Palse. The story is told in a poetic, almost dreamlike style that is unlike anything I have seen to date in anime. The musical score is easily my all-time favorite in any genre. It is less a fantasy in the European sense, with dwarves and elves, and more of a 1001 Arabian Nights, with heavy doses of traditional India. It is full of honor, chivalry, and treachery (and elephants, in later episodes). The characters are amazing: they all have their own distinct personalities and, indeed, their own attitudes. The plot is subtle, so pay close attention, and besides, the names take some getting used to. In particular, watch for General Quishward in episode 2. This commander of the fort Peshawal who wields two swords in battle is sooo awesome! (And he can chop up a chef's salad in no time...)

The story starts with a kingdom betrayed and a prince forced into hiding with just one loyal retainer, Daryoon. Trapped in enemy territory with their defeated soldiers burning in a field between them and home, the two seek asylum with the former Royal Historian of Palse, the great military strategist, Narsus. With his lackey, Elam, Narsus consents to join Arislan's troupe and lend them his wisdom as they wander in search of a way to restore Arislan to his throne. In the meantime, the Kingdom of Palse is being conquered by Lusitania's bloody crusade. With Arislan's mother, Queen Tahamenay, held hostage, his capital, Ekubatana, occupied, and Palse's legendary, invincible cavalry defeated, things look grim for Arislan. However, at his birth, the goddess Misra had bestowed a tremendous gift: at the moment of his greatest need, a Protector would come to his aid. The Protector is chosen to be Pharangese, a raven-haired tigress who can hear the whispers of the spirits. Unaware of her prowess in battle, Gieve, a wandering minstrel and a renowned archer, rushes to protect the priestess from random vagabonds, expecting her to fall over her feet in gratitude. (Doesn't happen. Gieve, however, is not just any minstrel, he is a persistent one.) In short, Arislan expands his loyal following to five people. With a total of 6 war-worthy warriors on his side, pitched against the combined military might in Lusitania of 300,000, that leaves, as Narsus put it, "only 50,000 each." What fun. ^o^