Legendz

Legendz (レジェンズ, Rejenzu) is a Japanese multimedia franchise created by Bandai and WiZ in 2003. The franchise began with a manga created by Rin Hirai and illustrated by Makoto Haruno, first serialized in Shueisha's Monthly Shōnen Jump in Japan. The manga was published in English by Viz Media in 2005.[2][1]

Legendz
Cover of the first manga volume
レジェンズ
(Rejenzu)
GenreFantasy[1]
Manga
Written byRin Hirai
Illustrated byMakoto Haruno
Published byShueisha
English publisher
MagazineMonthly Shōnen Jump
DemographicShōnen
Original run2003 – 2005
Volumes4
Anime television series
Legendz: Yomigaeru Ryūō Densetsu
Directed byAkitaro Daichi
StudioStudio Gallop
Original networkFuji TV
Original run April 4, 2004 – March 27, 2005
Episodes50

The anime, Legendz: Tale of the Dragon Kings (レジェンズ 甦る竜王伝説, Rejenzu Yomigaeru Ryūō Densetsu, Legendz: Yomigaeru Ryūō Densetsu) is animated by Studio Gallop, directed by Akitaro Daichi, and aired on Fuji TV from April 2004 to March 2005. A pilot for an English dub of the series was produced for Hasbro, but was not picked up.[3]

Plot and setting
Main article: List of Legendz characters

The story opens with the discovery of the "Soul Dolls" which contain legendary creatures of incredible power within them. The Dark Wiz company (DWC) wants access to all of them for unknown reasons, but four of the Soul Dolls go missing. The majority of the anime takes place in Brooklyn, New York City, with the Brooklyn Bridge as a much-featured landmark.

Media

Manga

The Legendz manga was written by Rin Hirai and illustrated by Makoto Haruno. The manga was originally published in Shueisha's Monthly Shonen Jump from 2003 – 2005. The series was translated and adapted into English by Viz Media and released in four volumes with the first release in March 2005.[4]

The story is about Ken Kazaki, a boy who attends Ryudo Elementary School. Together with Shiron, his faithful Windragon, fights with other people who like him breed monsters. Ken later participates in the Legendz Carnival.

No. Original release date Original ISBN English release date English ISBN
1 March 4, 2004[5]978-4-08-873583-2March 1, 2005[6]978-1-59116-772-3
  • Chapter 001- The Tornado Comes!
  • Chapter 002- Volcano Hacker
  • Chapter 003- Spiritual Inheritor
  • Chapter 004- Eternal Champion
2 June 4, 2004[7]978-4-08-873615-0May 31, 2005[8]978-1-59116-773-0
  • Chapter 005- Pool of Radiance
  • Chapter 006- Burnout!!
  • Chapter 007- Earthquake Trooper
  • Chapter 008- True Crystal
3 November 4, 2004[9]978-4-08-873687-7November 1, 2005[10]978-1-59116-994-9
  • Chapter 009- Spiritual Wind
  • Chapter 010- Saga of the Tornado
  • Chapter 011- Necrom Menace
  • Chapter 012- Crossing Force
  • Chapter 013- Volcano Nemesis
4 April 4, 2005[11]978-4-08-873799-7February 7, 2006[12]978-1-4215-0149-9
  • Chapter 014- Last Saga
  • Chapter 015- Overlord
  • Chapter 016- Jabberwock Reborn
  • Chapter 017- True Wind!
  • Chapter 018- LegendZ Become Legends

Anime
Main article: List of Legendz episodes

The anime was directed by Akitaro Daichi with character designs by Nagisa Miyazaki. The animation was produced by Studio Gallop. The sound director was Kazuya Tanaka. The anime opening theme is "Legendz of The Wind" (風のレジェンズ, Kaze no Legendz) by Kyoko. The two ending themes are "Dounimo Tomaranai~Nonstop" by Brenda Vaughn, from episode 1 through 37 and another version performed by Linda Yamamoto from 38-49. The anime ran on Fuji TV April 4, 2004, to March 27, 2005.[13]

Home media
Volume Episodes Original Release
Legendz: Tale of the Dragon Kings 11-2October 22, 2004[14]
Legendz: Tale of the Dragon Kings 23-6November 26, 2004[15]
Legendz: Tale of the Dragon Kings 37-10December 23, 2004 [16]
Legendz: Tale of the Dragon Kings 411-14January 28, 2005 [17]
Legendz: Tale of the Dragon Kings 515-18February 24, 2005[18]
Legendz: Tale of the Dragon Kings 619-22March 25, 2005[19]
Legendz: Tale of the Dragon Kings 723-26April 22, 2005[20]
Legendz: Tale of the Dragon Kings 827-30May 27, 2005 [21]
Legendz: Tale of the Dragon Kings 931-34June 24, 2005 [22]
Legendz: Tale of the Dragon Kings 1035-38July 22, 2005 [23]
Legendz: Tale of the Dragon Kings 1139-42August 26, 2005 [24]
Legendz: Tale of the Dragon Kings 1243-46September 23, 2005 [25]
Legendz: Tale of the Dragon Kings 1347-50October 28, 2005 [26]

Video games

Legendz: Island of Ordeal (レジェンズ甦る試練の島) is a Game Boy Advance game that was produced by Bandai and released on July 29, 2004.[27] The video game includes a unique accessory to "Reborn" the Legendz with a link cable connected to the "Soul Doll".[28] Using the dedicated adapter, the Legendz can adventure automatically and the player can view these events as flashbacks.[28] The game also provided growth of the Legendz through sharing with other players.[28]

The video game, Legendz Fierce Fight! Saga Battle (レジェンズ 激闘!サーガバトル) is an action game for the PlayStation 2, originally released on December 16, 2004.[29] Produced by Bandai Co., Ltd., it has a CERO rating for "All ages" and supports two player play.[29] The game features more than 60 Legendz that the player uses to battle.

The third Legendz game to be released is Legendz: Sign of Nekuromu (レジェンズ サイン オブ ネクロム), a Game Boy Advance game that was produced by Bandai Co., Ltd. and released on February 17, 2005.[30] The game requires the "Soul Doll" adapter, two versions were sold; one for players who already have the "Legendz: Island of Ordeal" and one which included the Soul Doll adapter.[30] The game included the ability to "rewrite the IC data" to allow the player to create their own Legendz.[30]

Reception

The Anime Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese Animation Since 1917 makes note of the similarities to Dragon Drive in the introduction of Shu and Shiron. It also notes the similarities to Pokémon except with dragons and director Daichi's "stylistic similarities" to Grrl Power.[31] The manga review compendium Manga: The Complete Guide praised the "elaborate universe" and "quirky artwork", but noted that the creatures were "bland".[32]

References
  1. "VIZ To Release Legendz and Dr. Slump Manga in 2005." Anime News Network. December 16, 2004. Retrieved on March 20, 2014.
  2. "Viz Officially Announces Dr. Slump and Legendz." Anime News Network. December 16, 2004. Retrieved on March 20, 2014.
  3. "JamesMastroianni." Retrieved on January 30th, 2015. Archived 2014-12-17 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "VIZ To Release Legendz and Dr. Slump Manga in 2005". Anime News Network. 14 December 2004. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  5. レジェンズ 1 (ジャンプコミックス) (コミック) (Legends 1 (Jump Comics)). ASIN 4088735838.
  6. Hirai, Rin (March 2005). Legendz, Vol. 1. VIZ Media LLC. ISBN 1591167728.
  7. レジェンズ 2 (ジャンプコミックス) (コミック) (Legends 2 (Jump Comics). ASIN 408873615X.
  8. Hirai, Rin (31 May 2005). Legendz, Vol. 2. VIZ Media LLC. ISBN 1591167736.
  9. レジェンズ 3 (ジャンプコミックス) (コミック) (Legends 3 (Jump Comics). ASIN 4088736877.
  10. Hirai, Rin (November 2005). Legendz, Vol. 3. VIZ Media LLC. ISBN 1591169941.
  11. レジェンズ 4 (ジャンプコミックス) (コミック) (Legends 4 (Jump Comics). ASIN 4088737997.
  12. Hirai, Rin (7 February 2006). Legendz, Vol. 4. VIZ Media LLC. ISBN 142150149X.
  13. レジェンズ ～甦る竜王伝説～. Fuji TV. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  14. レジェンズ 甦る竜王伝説 (Legendz: Tale of the Dragon King Volume 1). Bandai Visual. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  15. レジェンズ 甦る竜王伝説 (Legendz: Tale of the Dragon King Volume 2). Bandai Visual. Archived from the original on July 12, 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  16. レジェンズ 甦る竜王伝説 (Legendz: Tale of the Dragon King Volume 3). Bandai Visual. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  17. レジェンズ 甦る竜王伝説 (Legendz: Tale of the Dragon King Volume 4). Bandai Visual. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  18. レジェンズ 甦る竜王伝説 (Legendz: Tale of the Dragon King Volume 5). Bandai Visual. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  19. レジェンズ 甦る竜王伝説 (Legendz: Tale of the Dragon King Volume 6). Bandai Visual. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  20. レジェンズ 甦る竜王伝説 (Legendz: Tale of the Dragon King Volume 7). Bandai Visual. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  21. レジェンズ 甦る竜王伝説 (Legendz: Tale of the Dragon King Volume 8). Bandai Visual. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  22. レジェンズ 甦る竜王伝説 (Legendz: Tale of the Dragon King Volume 9). Bandai Visual. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  23. レジェンズ 甦る竜王伝説 (Legendz: Tale of the Dragon King Volume 10). Bandai Visual. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  24. レジェンズ 甦る竜王伝説 (Legendz: Tale of the Dragon King Volume 11). Bandai Visual. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  25. レジェンズ 甦る竜王伝説 (Legendz: Tale of the Dragon King Volume 12). Bandai Visual. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  26. レジェンズ 甦る竜王伝説 (Legendz: Tale of the Dragon King Volume 13). Bandai Visual. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  27. レジェンズ甦る試練の島 (Legendz: Island of Ordeal. Bandai. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  28. レジェンズ甦る試練の島. Nintendo. Archived from the original on 20 March 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  29. レジェンズ 激闘!サーガバトル (Legends fierce fight! Saga Battle). jp.playstation.com. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  30. レジェンズ サイン オブ ネクロム. Nintendo. Archived from the original on 21 March 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  31. Clements, Jonathan; McCarthy, Helen (2006). The Anime Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese Animation Since 1917. Stone Bridge Press. p. 362. ISBN 978-1-933330-10-5.
  32. Manga: The Complete Guide. Random House Publishing Group. 3 July 2012. pp. 657–658. ISBN 978-0-345-53944-1.
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