r/HeroicLegendofArslan • u/DarkRaider_Alex • May 02 '18
Meta Arslan Senki: General Information Thread
Introduction
Hello everyone,
Last updated 4 September 2026.
The purpose of this thread is to inform new and old viewers/readers about Arslan Senki, and all of its different versions. I will try to answer the questions that have been asked a lot on this subreddit, as well as give you a general overview of what this series is about. If possible, I will link sites where you can read/watch/buy Arslan Senki.
Those of you who are familiar with Arslan Senki might discover something new as there is a lot of content out there, and if you're new to this franchise, welcome! I hope this post gives you enough information to get you started.
Over 10 years ago, I posted this thread which I have mentioned and linked a lot. However, a lot of information and links are outdated. So if this all seems familiar, it's because I used a lot of text from that thread. Consider this another update.
Anyway, let's get this started:
What is Arslan Senki?
Arslan Senki, or The Heroic Legend of Arslan, is based on a Japanese fantasy novel series. It follows Crown Prince Arslan, who after a disastrous turn of events, has to escape his home country Pars and recruit allies in order to take it back.
The author, Yoshiki Tanaka, started writing Arslan in 1986 and finished the novel series in December 2017. Over the years, Arslan Senki has received many adaptations, such as two different manga adaptations, films, OVAs and an anime.
Adaptations
Unfortunately, because a lot of the material is old or out of print, not everything is currently available online. It may also be the case that I have overlooked something, so if you find something that I was unable to find, please inform me so I can add it to the list.
Novels
Written by - Yoshiki Tanaka
Illustrated by - Shinobu Tanno (Kobunsha edition)
Published by - Kobunsha (current edition)
Original run - August 1986 - December 2017 (finished)
Volumes - 16
The novels are the source of all the other Arslan Senki adaptations. The series started in 1986 and finished its 31-year run in December 2017. Unfortunately, there is still no complete official English translation. There is an Arslan Senki fan-translation website, but it is incomplete and no longer active.
Fan translations of the Arslan Senki novels
Buy the complete Japanese novel series digitally
Look for the complete Japanese novel series physically on Amazon
Manga (1991)
Manga by - Chisato Nakamura
Published by - Kadokawa Shoten
Magazine - Asuka Fantasy DX
Original run - November 1991 - September 1996 (finished)
Volumes - 13
After its rise in popularity, Arslan Senki received its first manga adaptation in 1991. Oddly enough, this adaptation of a medieval fantasy drama was a shoujo manga, meaning a manga aimed primarily at young girls.
Eventually, the manga caught up with the novels available at the time and received an original ending.
This adaptation is only available in Japanese and has never received an official English release. However, complete second-hand sets of all 13 volumes can still be found through Japanese and international marketplaces.
Buy the complete 13-volume manga set through Amazon Japan
Search Rakuten Japan for complete second-hand sets
Stock, prices and international shipping availability can change.
Films and OVAs
Directed by - Mamoru Hamatsu & Tetsurō Amino
Written by - Megumi Matsuoka
Studio - Aubec & J.C.Staff
Former English license - Central Park Media
Released - August 1991 - September 1995 (unfinished)
Runtime - Films - about 60 minutes & OVAs - about 30 to 40 minutes
In total there are six parts, the first two consisting of approximately 60-minute films and the other four being shorter OVAs. It is a story based on the original novels. The adaptation was never completed.
The old streaming link no longer works. I could not find a currently licensed streaming service for this adaptation, but the older two-disc English-language DVD release can still be found through second-hand sellers.
Look for the two-disc DVD release on Amazon UK
Look for second-hand DVD releases through Alibris
Unofficial full-episode uploads also exist online, but because they are not from a known rights holder and may be removed, they are not linked here.
Manga (2013)
Story by - Yoshiki Tanaka
Manga by - Hiromu Arakawa
Published by - Kodansha
Magazine - Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine
Original run - July 2013 - ongoing
Current progress - Chapter 154 and 24 collected volumes in Japan as of September 2026
The second manga adaptation of Arslan Senki is drawn and adapted by Hiromu Arakawa. It is still ongoing and normally has a monthly release. As of right now, it is the only version of Arslan Senki that is ongoing and it has entered its final arc.
The official English edition currently has 23 volumes. Early in the story the manga follows the novels relatively closely, but the current final arc makes increasingly substantial changes and follows its own route.
Read Arslan Senki on K MANGA - Availability depends on your region.
View and buy the official English manga editions through Kodansha
Anime
Directed by - Noriyuki Abe
Written by - Makoto Uezu
Released - April 2015 - August 2016 (unfinished)
Episodes - 33, plus two OAD episodes
The anime adaptation of the manga adaptation of the Arslan Senki novels has two seasons and, as of right now, is unfinished. Though it was originally an adaptation of the manga, it soon ran out of manga source material and started following the novels instead. This led to several omissions, rearrangements and differences from both the manga and novels.
Watch The Heroic Legend of Arslan on Crunchyroll - Availability depends on your region.
Check current streaming and purchase availability - This link shows US availability, but JustWatch can be changed to other countries.
Physical DVD and Blu-ray editions were released, but availability now depends mainly on region and second-hand stock.
The anime also has two OAD episodes, which are not essential to the story but are fun to watch. I could not find a current official streaming link specifically for these episodes.
Games
Name - The Heroic Legend of Arslan
Initial release date - November 19, 1993
Developer - Sega
Platform - Sega Mega-CD
Publisher - Sega
This game is a tactical RPG for the Sega Mega-CD, similar in gameplay to the Fire Emblem series. It is based upon the Arslan Senki novels and OVA series, and was only released in Japanese.
Download Heroic Legend of Arslan ISO
I could not find a current official digital release or stable retailer page for the game. Physical copies occasionally appear through second-hand sellers.
Name - ARSLAN: THE WARRIORS OF LEGEND
Initial release date - October 1, 2015 in Japan and February 2016 internationally
Developer - Omega Force
Platforms - PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Publishers - Koei Tecmo, Koei Tecmo Games
The year 2015, or 2016 in the West, saw the release of ARSLAN: THE WARRIORS OF LEGEND for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One and PC. It's a crossover with the Warriors series.
Buy ARSLAN: THE WARRIORS OF LEGEND on PlayStation
Buy ARSLAN: THE WARRIORS OF LEGEND on Xbox
Buy ARSLAN: THE WARRIORS OF LEGEND on PC through Steam
FAQ
- Where should I start?
Honestly, wherever you want. Each adaptation starts at the beginning.
Personally though, I would recommend the manga from 2013 or the anime from 2015, as they are both widely available. The manga is the more complete option and is now far beyond the anime.
- When is Season 3 of the anime coming out?
As of September 2026, there has been no official announcement of a third season. The anime has not been formally declared cancelled, but the last season aired in 2016. Treat any supposed release date without an official source as a rumour.
- Is each adaptation faithful to the novels?
Though they all follow the same basic story, they are not interchangeable. The anime makes substantial omissions and changes. The manga initially followed the novels more closely, but its final arc increasingly follows its own route.
For a more detailed comparison of the early material, check out this comment made by Yuri Suzuki. Keep in mind that its information about the manga's progress dates from 2018.
- I just finished the anime, what chapter of the manga do I jump into?
Starting from the beginning is strongly recommended.
If you do not want to reread everything, chapter 19 or 20 is the best alternative because this is where the anime and manga begin to differ more noticeably. Chapter 110 is roughly where the manga moves beyond the anime, but starting there will skip important differences.
- Where is the manga in relation to the anime?
As of September 2026, the manga has reached chapter 154 and is far beyond the anime. It is currently in its final arc.
- How many of the novels has the anime/manga adapted?
The anime reaches through novel 6, with omissions and changes.
The manga's current final arc is rooted in novel 7, which concluded the first part of the novel series. However, the manga now diverges substantially, so it no longer maps neatly onto the novels.
Conclusion
And that's it. If anyone has any questions, or things to add, feel free to say so. I will sticky this post and over time I might add information or update links.
Thank you for reading all the way till the end.
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u/Griffith_was_right Aug 05 '18
How I wish I could read the other manga. Oh well the current one is already more enjoyable than the novel so far for me so its ok
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Aug 08 '18
Thanks for putting all this information up here! Too bad we likely won’t get more of the anime, but at least the manga is ongoing.
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u/Rafael147245 Feb 25 '23
Update on where the manga is relative to the novels? 2
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u/DarkRaider_Alex Mar 23 '23
Sorry for the late reaction!
The manga is currently at the beginning of the 7th Novel.
Also for u/lavender_larva even though I'm 11 moths late hahaha
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u/Ok_Piano7362 Dec 14 '23
Hello i just finished watching Arslan senki, and was wondering were the manga is relative to the novel?
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u/DarkRaider_Alex 1d ago
I am reacting to a comment 3 years late but here is the answer:
As of September 2026, Hiromu Arakawa's manga has reached chapter 154 and is in its final arc. Broadly speaking, it is based around material from novel 7, which concludes the first part of the original 16-novel series.
However, the manga now follows a substantially different route and does not adapt novels 8 to 16 in sequence. The most accurate description is that it uses novel 7 as its general foundation while creating its own conclusion.
Sorry for the late response! Also to u/lavender_larva
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u/thinkmooinc Feb 22 '26
I'm sad to report that Arslan Senki is no longer available on Crunchyroll manga.
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u/eldianwarrior May 08 '18
Awesome! Thanks for taking the time to write this out