Heroic Legend of Arslan

Episode 14

In spite of last week's cliffhanger, The Heroic Legend of Arslan runs full-speed ahead to another story with the introduction of Sindhura. This new country is clearly the Fantasy India to Pars's Fantasy Iran, and as they attack from the east, Pars could find itself in a two-front war. But not so fast! Daryun and Narsus have a plan to de-fang Sindhura, as they do with every enemy. Still, it means an episode or more of distraction from the main conflict with Lusitania and Hermes. "Distraction" is usually a bad thing, but I don't think I mind it here. For one thing, it gives us another interesting window into Narsus's strategical brain, and also gives Arslan more opportunities to grow into a ruler.

Sindhura is woefully unsuited for war with Pars, taking advantage of its current weakness but not looking at the whole situation. Narsus discusses his philosophy for successful warfare, while Prince Rajendra's army fails all his tests. There's "heaven's time," which is stuff people can't control like the weather. Sindhura has a tropical climate, and apparently winter is coming to Pars. (I thought Persia had a pretty tropical climate too, but I guess we're speaking relatively here.) The "terrain's advantage" is like the "homefield advantage" in sports: you can fight better when you know what's around you. Rajendra's army pays for this when they fall into a frozen lake. If you're a history buff, you know this is all based on real-life wars gone wrong. (Never invade Russia in the winter, and all that.) Lastly, but perhaps most importantly for this story, there's "people's harmony," which is exactly what it sounds like. Sindhura doesn't even have that, because it's in the middle of a succession crisis.

Just like Pars and Lusitania, there's fraternal strife at the heart of Sindhura's problems. Prince Gadevi ascended the throne by birthright, but "second prince" Rajendra thinks he'd be a better ruler. Luckily, this creates an opening for Arslan and company, offering Rajendra an alliance in exchange for helping him take Sindhura. Before he even has the chance to answer, Narsus manipulates him by saying they've already sent word of his decision. They even added that he'd march on Sindhura's capital. Ouch. Rajendra takes this surprisingly well. He seems like a fun and useful ally. He's not particularly loyal, but he's good-natured and skilled. (Although his skills don't include drinking Farangis under the table.)

This also gives Arslan more character development. There's much talk earlier in the episode about how Arslan is kind and merciful, but he needs to be firmer if he's going to be an effective ruler. Narsus has faith in his approach though, and that serves him well this episode when Arslan proves himself. Fighting with Rajendra would be useless. Instead, he makes a good case for a different kind of force. Violence isn't the only way to back your enemy into a corner. You can do that through diplomacy—and sometimes make him your friend, too.

We're at the halfway point of The Heroic Legend of Arslan, and even though the story and characters have only improved, the production and direction continue to hold the show back. It's not even just the weird off-model shots and unconvincing CGI. The animation's stilted even when it doesn't need to be, like with the ice floes after the Sindhuran army falls into the frozen lake. The direction for night battles is so dark that it can obscure the action entirely or at least pull viewers out of it. There's a way to direct busy night scenes and still draw the viewers' attention. The Heroic Legend of Arslan's relentlessly dark palette is not cutting it.

It's just a shame when this series has so much potential to be a great shonen action anime, but something is getting lost in the translation from page to screen. I hope that the production steps up in the second half, especially as the story continues to heat up and expand.

Rating: B

Heroic Legend of Arslan is currently streaming on Funimation.

Rose is a music Ph.D. student who loves overanalyzing anime soundtracks. Follow her on her media blog and her Twitter.