Blue Dragon
Japanese animated television series based on the Blue Dragon video-game franchise.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Blue Dragon is a Japanese animated television series adapted from the role-playing game franchise of the same name. The anime was produced by Studio Pierrot and co-produced with TV Tokyo, using the game’s fantasy setting, characters, and central concept of Shadows: supernatural entities that can manifest as powerful creatures. The series follows Shu, a determined boy from Talta village, and his companions Jiro and Kluke after their home comes under attack. Their meeting with the warrior Zola leads them to discover Shadow powers and sets them on a journey against the forces associated with Nene and the spread of darkness. Shu’s Shadow is the titular Blue Dragon, one of the story’s most powerful creatures. The television adaptation was developed after the Blue Dragon game project had attracted attention for its combination of role-playing-game design and prominent creative talent. Akira Toriyama, who designed the game’s characters, was also associated with the anime project. Studio Pierrot handled animation, Yukihiro Matsushita directed the first series, and Akatsuki Yamatoya wrote the screenplay. Although the anime draws on the game franchise, it is not a direct scene-for-scene reproduction; its plot and presentation diverge from the original game in several respects. The first season consisted of 51 episodes and aired on TV Tokyo from April 7, 2007, through March 29, 2008. A second 51-episode season, titled Blue Dragon: Trials of the Seven Shadows, followed from April 5, 2008, through March 28, 2009. The second season expanded the story beyond the first series’ conflict and continued the adventures of Shu and his allies in a setting involving the Investiture Beings and the Seven Shadows. Internationally, Viz Media licensed the series in 2007 for North America and Europe. An edited English-language version premiered on Cartoon Network in the United States in April 2008 and was also carried on the Toonami Jetstream streaming service until that service ended in early 2009. Viz Media later made episodes available through online platforms including VizAnime, Tubi, and Hulu. Manga Entertainment released 24 uncut English-dubbed episodes on DVD in the United Kingdom across three two-disc sets, but later releases were cancelled after weak sales. The uncut edition restored material removed from the broadcast version and included the original opening and closing sequences, original music, and Japanese audio with English subtitles. Blue Dragon is therefore best understood as an anime and transmedia entertainment property rather than a consumer-food brand. Its principal identity rests on the television adaptation, its relationship to the video-game franchise, the character and creature designs associated with Toriyama, and its international licensing and home-video history. No current continuation or active production status is established in the supplied reference material.
History
Blue Dragon originated as a Japanese role-playing-game franchise associated with Mistwalker and character designer Akira Toriyama. The television adaptation emerged during the franchise’s early expansion into other media. Toriyama stated that Studio Pierrot had approached him about an anime adaptation in February 2006, before the game had been formally announced. The anime project was publicly announced later in 2006. Studio Pierrot produced the animated series in cooperation with TV Tokyo. Yukihiro Matsushita directed the first season, while Akatsuki Yamatoya handled series writing. The adaptation used the franchise’s central fantasy concept: characters with Shadow powers can manifest those powers as large, combat-capable creatures. The narrative centers on Shu, a young inhabitant of Talta village, and his companions Jiro and Kluke. When their village is attacked, the group encounters Zola and becomes involved in a wider struggle against Nene and the forces of darkness. Shu’s Shadow is Blue Dragon, while Jiro, Kluke, Marumaro, and Bouquet are associated with Minotaur, Phoenix, Saber Tiger, and Hippopotamus respectively. The first season ran for 51 episodes on TV Tokyo from April 7, 2007, to March 29, 2008. Its story includes the group’s departure from their home, their battles against Nene’s forces, and the revelation of Zola’s connection to the Killer Bat Shadow. The series made several changes from the source game rather than reproducing its narrative exactly. A sequel season, Blue Dragon: Trials of the Seven Shadows, began on April 5, 2008, and concluded on March 28, 2009, adding a further 51 episodes and continuing the story with new developments involving the Investiture Beings and the Seven Shadows. The series received an international release through Viz Media, which licensed it in 2007 for North America and Europe. In the United States, an edited English dub premiered on Cartoon Network on April 5, 2008. It was also distributed through Cartoon Network’s Toonami Jetstream service until that platform was discontinued on January 30, 2009. A separate uncut English version was released in the United Kingdom by Manga Entertainment. The UK DVD edition covered the first 24 episodes over three two-disc sets and restored cuts, original music, opening and ending material, and Japanese audio with English subtitles. Additional DVD volumes were not issued after the initial releases reportedly performed poorly. Later, Viz Media made episodes available through online services, beginning a streaming rollout reported in July 2011. The anime’s documented commercial history is consequently defined by its Japanese broadcast, a second season, international television licensing, limited uncut home-video distribution, and later digital availability. The supplied material does not establish a current broadcaster, new production, active merchandise program, or continuing corporate brand operation.
- 2011
Streaming distribution expands
[1]Viz Media began streaming episodes through online services identified in the reference material as VizAnime, Tubi, and Hulu.
- 2009
Second season concludes
[1]The second season completed its Japanese run on March 28, 2009.
- 2008
Second season begins
[1]Blue Dragon: Trials of the Seven Shadows premiered in Japan on April 5, 2008, with 51 episodes.
- 2008
United States television premiere
[1]An edited English-language version premiered on Cartoon Network on April 5, 2008.
- 2007
First season begins Japanese broadcast
[1]The 51-episode first season premiered on TV Tokyo on April 7, 2007.
- 2007
International licensing by Viz Media
[1]Viz Media licensed the series for North American and European distribution.
- 2006
Anime adaptation announced
[1]The Blue Dragon television adaptation was announced following development involving Studio Pierrot and the franchise’s creative team.
Products and positioning
Fantasy adventure anime adapted from a Japanese role-playing-game franchise, combining serialized action storytelling with creature-based Shadow powers and a broad international licensing profile.
Television anime series · 2007
Blue Dragon
The first television season adapts the Blue Dragon fantasy world through the adventures of Shu, Jiro, Kluke, and their allies. It introduces the Shadow system, in which characters manifest powerful creatures, and follows the group’s conflict with Nene and the forces of darkness. The season contains 51 episodes and was broadcast in Japan from April 2007 to March 2008. It was later localized into an edited English-language version and an uncut English-language home-video edition.
Television anime sequel · 2008
Blue Dragon: Trials of the Seven Shadows
The second season continues the story after the first series and broadens the mythology surrounding the Shadows and the Investiture Beings. It ran for 51 episodes in Japan from April 2008 through March 2009. International distribution followed the franchise’s existing licensing path, although the supplied material does not document a complete physical-media release for the full season.
Licensed home video and streaming · 2008
Blue Dragon English-language releases
International versions included an edited English dub for United States television and a separate uncut English-language release in the United Kingdom. Manga Entertainment issued the first 24 uncut episodes across three two-disc DVD sets, restoring cuts and original audio options. Subsequent DVD volumes were cancelled after weak sales, while later streaming availability was associated with Viz Media and several online platforms.
Brand decisions
2008
Edited and uncut international release strategyOtherBackground
The series was prepared for different international distribution channels, including edited United States television programming and an uncut United Kingdom DVD edition.
Action taken
Viz Media distributed the edited English-language version through Cartoon Network, while Manga Entertainment released 24 uncut episodes on UK DVD.
Aftermath
Further UK DVD releases were cancelled after poor sales; later digital streaming provided another route to the series.
2006
Commissioning of the television adaptationProduct launchBackground
The Blue Dragon game franchise was expanded into television after Studio Pierrot approached Akira Toriyama about an anime project.
Action taken
TV Tokyo and Studio Pierrot proceeded with a 51-episode animated adaptation directed by Yukihiro Matsushita and written by Akatsuki Yamatoya.
Aftermath
The adaptation premiered in 2007 and was followed by a second 51-episode season.
Recent events
- 2011
Viz Media makes Blue Dragon episodes available online[1]
Other
Viz Media began streaming episodes through its online distribution ecosystem, including VizAnime and services identified in the reference material as Tubi and Hulu.
- 2008
Blue Dragon premieres on Cartoon Network in the United States[1]
Other
An edited English-language dub began its United States television run on Cartoon Network and was later carried by Toonami Jetstream.
- 2007
Viz Media licenses Blue Dragon for North America and Europe[1]
Other
Viz Media acquired international licensing rights for the anime in North America and Europe.
- 2006
Blue Dragon anime adaptation announced[1]
Other
An animated adaptation of the Blue Dragon game franchise was announced, with Studio Pierrot and TV Tokyo attached to the project.
Uncut Blue Dragon DVD release discontinued after 24 episodes[1]
Other
Manga Entertainment issued the first 24 uncut English-language episodes on United Kingdom DVD, while further releases were cancelled after poor sales.
Sources2 sources
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