What is it about?

[Beno]

Never heard of this anime what is it about?
I dont even think it is available in Australia correct me if im wrong.

[Robotech Master]

Ah, I do so love to answer these sort of questions.

Ok, Record of Lodoss War was an RPG game like Dungeons and Dragons that was created in the mid 80's in Japan. It was essentially a Japanese version of D&D.

Ryo Mizuno wrote 7 Novels soon after, and later expanded to include other novels, legends, and short stories. The first 7 novels were based on the RPG, and featured many characters including Elves, Dwarfs, Humans, wizards, thieves, dragons, etc.

In 1990, Studio Kadokawa made the Record of Lodoss War OVA series, a 13 episode OVA based on the first novel.

Take note that episodes 1-8 of this series are based on the First novel, and they follow its story almost verbatum except for 2 major differences. The remaining five episodes were not enough to fill in the plotlines of 6 additional novels, so Mizuno wrote a different ending for the OVA.

Thus, the Record of Lodoss War OVA was created. This anime is an epic fantasy tale, in fact, it is considered to be one of Japan's formost Fantasy tales.

The story goes like this:

Long ago, the world was ruled by the Gods. A terrible war began between the Gods of Light and the Gods of Darkness. In the end, only two gods remained. Marfa, goddess of Creation, and Kardis, goddess of Destruction. In the final battle, both mortally wounded eachother. As Kardis decended into her tomb, she cast a terrible curse upon the continent of Alecrast with her last breath. Marfa, using her last breath, seperated the cursed land from the rest of Alecrast. When it was over, a new continent was formed. It became known as Lodoss, the accursed island.

The island of Lodoss is plagued to go through war after war because of the curse. However, many kingdoms have thrived now, and the hope for peace continues. 30 years before the this OVA, a man named Fahn became King of the Kingdom of Valis and set out to establish treaty's with the other kingdoms, to ensure that war would not happen. When a terrible Demon King on the Dark Island of Marmo started a war, Fahn decided that the best way to handle the situation was to attack the Demon King with a small group that would travel to the island. Fahn was one of the 6 people, and with him, was Beld, his best friend. The mission was a success, but Beld, who slayed the demon king, touched the Demon's sword (Soul Crusher) and was possessed by its evil. Beld became the new ruler of the Dark Island of Marmo, and became Fahn's enemy.

Now, the present story. Record of Lodoss War Follows a group of 6 heroes. Parn, a inexperienced warrior who seeks to avenge his father's tarnished name by becoming a knight; Deedlit, a beautiful and powerful elf; Slayn, a wizard; Ghim, a dwarf warrior troubled by a past failure; Etoh, a priest and good friend of Parn's; and Woodchuck, the thief. These 6 are caught in the middle of a war that will be called the war of heroes. Emperor Beld has begun a campaign to conquer the island of Lodoss and unite it under his tyrannical rule. At his side is the Black Knight Ashram and the dark Wizard Wagnard. As Beld goes to war with the Free Kingdoms of Lodoss, Parn and his group end up becoming involved in the effort to stop the seemingly invincible Tide of Beld's dark armies.

Between the War, a mysterious woman known as Karla, the Grey Witch, watches and manipulates the entire thing.

Of course, there are even more twists and turns throughout the story, but those are the basics.

There is also a TV series, which covers the true events of the original novels in more detail, though if you plan on seeing the series, watch the OVA first.

[MANTA]

I have just started watching Lodoss, just finished the fourth TV tape. The show seems ok, but I have one problem with it. The show seems to try and be an RPG, but is paced too fast for that. In an RPG you would have many charecters, elves, dwarfes etc. There would also be a long history and complex plotlines. But when all these elements are condensed it is really hard to enjoy it.

I really couldn't get into the charecters at all (except Orson, who is intrinsically cool). Do you think watching the OVAs would make the TV series more enjoyable?

[Robotech Master]

Of course, since the OVA series takes place before the TV series.

Personally, I think the series paces itself quite nicely considering the fact that its a 13 episode OVA series. I thought the entire thing was cool, and in fact, remains one of my favorite animes of all time. Of course, I live and breath two genres. Fantasy and Science Fiction, so of course Record of Lodoss War is going to instantly appeal to me.

And of course it will seem to be like an RPG. The series is based on the novels, and the novels were based on the RPG.

[Beno]

Gee Robotech master you no heaps about it how did you find out so much info

[Robotech Master]

Once I find an Anime I like, I do LOTS of information on it. In fact, whenever I find anything I like, I make sure I know everything about it.

It know so much about Star Wars for example that I'm beyond the 'sci-fi geek' standards.

I know so much about Robotech that, well, it nearly approaches my Star wars Fanship.

I analyze Evangelion so much that I practically watch the show just for its Philosophy, and continue to do research of the many symbols in it.

As for Lodoss War, after seeing the OVA, I researched it on the Net and found heaps of stuff about it, the novels, the manga, and the original writer Rio Mizuno. I found out even more when the TV series came out. That, and also on the first tape of Record of Lodoss War OVA, if you watch it all the way until the end, they have a special "making of Lodoss War" segment on it.

[Fenix]

Yay! A SW fan on AB! *jumps around*
Hehehehe :heh: *sweatdrop*

Anyway, Lodoss war seems very intresting. There was something on it in Animerica, but thanks for clearing it up.

[baragon0]

I have the OVA DVD set, I've only seen like half, but its very good.

Its about a lot of things at the same time really.