Novels
The original novel, Arslan Senki, was written by Yoshiki Tanaka. There are sixteen novels in the Arslan Senki storyline, with Part One comprising the first seven novels, and Part Two comprising the latter nine novels. The Kadokawa edition (which includes the first ten novels only) is illustrated by manga artist and character designer Yoshitaka Amano, while the Kobunsha edition is illustrated by Shinobu Tanno.
Books on tape
From November 1988 to January 1994, the first nine volumes were released on cassette tapes by Kadokawa, with the first seven republished as a CD collection in May 1993.
Manga
A manga adaptation, illustrated by Chisato Nakamura, was published in Kadokawa Shoten's manga magazine Asuka Fantasy DX from 1991 to 1996 and compiled into thirteen volumes, adapting the first seven novels.
A second manga adaptation by Hiromu Arakawa started in Kodansha's manga magazine Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine in July 2013. This adaptation was simul-published by Crunchyroll.[9] Kodansha USA is publishing the manga in North America since 2014.[10][11]
Films and OVA series
The popularity of the novels led to the creation of two films and a series of OVAs with character designs adapted by Sachiko Kamimura. The films were released from 1991 to 1992 and were produced by Kadokawa Shoten and Sony Music Entertainment Japan. An OVA series of four episodes that followed up and continues the numbering of the films was released in 1993–1995. Together, they adapt the first five novels.
Both the films and OVA series were licensed by Central Park Media and were released on DVD and VHS.[12] The English dub for Part 1 was produced by Manga UK (who had also licensed the anime in the same region), while Part 2 was dubbed by Central Park Media themselves.[13]
Anime
An anime television series adaptation, based on Arakawa's manga adaptation, was produced by Liden Films and Sanzigen. The anime consists of two seasons. The first 25-episode season was broadcast from April 5 to September 27, 2015.[14] The second eight-episode season, Dust Storm Dance, was broadcast from July 3 to August 21, 2016.[15] Together, they adapt the first six novels.
Video games
The first video game based on The Heroic Legend of Arslan was released in 1993 for Sega Mega-CD. A strategy RPG in the vein of similar titles of the era such as the Fire Emblem series, it serves as a companion to the OVA series.[16]
Arslan: The Warriors of Legend, a hack and slash video game developed by Omega Force and published by Koei Tecmo in 2015, serves as a companion to the anime TV series.
The Heroic Legend of Arslan: Warrior's Qualification is a game for smartphones distributed by Sakura Soft. The game was launched on April 27, 2017, and terminated on August 16, 2018. It was based on the manga adaptation by Hiromu Arakawa.
