From a world-renowned mobile game to an anime that immerses us in a world of swords and magic once again. King's Raid: Ishi wo Tsugumono-tachi, produced by studios OLM and Sunrise in 2020, tells the story of Kasel, a young squire who must embark on a journey to find the sacred sword and defeat the demons that threaten the world once more. In this article, our editorial team will delve into every aspect of this series, from the story and characters to the visuals and sound, along with the pros and cons you should know before deciding to watch.
Story Summary (No Spoilers)
A century after King Kyle of Orvelia defeated the Demon King Angumundo, the world entered an era of peace. Kasel, a young boy who dreams of becoming a knight, lives quietly as a squire. But one day, rumors of demons reappearing force him to set out on a journey. Following the advice of a great sage, Kasel travels with his friends: Frey, a priestess; Cleo, a young mage; Roi, an archer; Riheet, a strong knight; and Ripine, a warrior girl, to find the sacred sword 'Aea' and become the chosen warriors. The story follows the path of the original game, though some details are trimmed, it still retains the essence of adventure and friendship.
Performance and Characters
The voice actors in this series are all professionals and highly skilled. Kaito Ishikawa as Kasel gives a voice suitable for a determined and serious young character. Ai Kakuma as Frey conveys gentleness and warmth. Ari Ozawa as Cleo adds brightness and playfulness to the team. Kengo Kawanishi as Roi has a charming, sly young man vibe. Ryota Suzuki and Yoshino Nanjo as Riheet and Ripine add strength to the group. However, since the series has only 26 episodes, the development of some characters may feel rushed and not as deep, especially for supporting characters who barely have time to build depth.
Direction, Visuals, and Music
In terms of visuals, King's Raid is beautifully done, as expected from two renowned studios. Action scenes are fluid, magic effects and special moves are spectacular. Character designs stay true to the original game concept. The soundtrack by Yuki Hayashi and Yoshihiro Ike enhances the mood of key scenes well, especially the opening theme 'LEgendary Future' and the ending theme 'Starlight' which fit the adventure atmosphere. However, transitions between scenes sometimes feel abrupt, and the storytelling in some parts is rushed, which may confuse viewers who haven't played the game before.
Editorial Analysis
The editorial team views King's Raid as an anime suitable for fans of the original game who want to see their beloved characters in animated form. For general viewers, the series offers fun adventure, beautiful visuals, and pleasant music. However, the story compressed into just 26 episodes significantly reduces the depth of the world and characters. Nevertheless, if you're looking for a fantasy anime to enjoy casually without much thought, King's Raid is a decent choice.
Verdict
King's Raid: Ishi wo Tsugumono-tachi is an anime that excels in visuals and sound, but the compressed story lacks depth. It's suitable for fans of the game who want to see their favorite characters in anime form, or for those who enjoy light adventure. But if you expect a complex plot or detailed character development, you may want to look for another series.
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +Beautiful visuals, fluid action scenes
- +High-quality voice acting, voices match characters
- +Pleasant soundtrack that enhances the mood
- +Suitable for fans of the original game
👎 Cons
- −Story progresses too quickly, cuts out many details
- −Character development is shallow, especially for supporting characters
- −Viewers who haven't played the game may get confused
Top Cast
FAQ
The anime follows the main storyline of the game but trims down side quests and some supporting characters, making the story more concise and faster-paced.
The anime has 26 episodes, complete in one season. The story covers major events from the beginning to the defeat of the main antagonist.
It's worth watching to some extent. If you like fantasy adventure, beautiful visuals, and good sound, it's enjoyable. But the story may jump quickly, and some details may be hard to understand without prior knowledge of the game.
