Lodoss War - any good?

[ThirdWizard]

I saw the OAV first, and it seems to work better that way. That's the order they were made, so it would probably be the best way to do it.

 

[Filby]

Thanks to everyone who has replied. You're all stars. I've ordered the set based on your recommendations.

Two more questions:

1. Which should I watch first, the TV series or the OVA?

2. I've heard there's a prologue several episodes into the TV series, i.e. out of chronological order. Should I watch this first or should I watch the episodes in the order in which they are presented?

1. Definately the OVA, since the TV series is a continuation thereof.

2. There's nothing like that in the TV series. You probably heard about the OVA, whose first episode takes place after the next several episodes. I'd still recommend watching the OVA's episodes in numerical order, though, since the first episode does establish the six main heroes and set the tone of the series. It seems not to be uncommon in some anime, from what I've seen (ie, introducing the characters midway through their adventure and then backing up to show how they got there) -- I know Fullmetal Alchemist did it.

 

[Ranger REG]

Is there any chance that within 12 months they'll do a "restored" version of Lodoss War, like someone did for Robotech (basically cleaning and repairing the animation scene by scene and restore the vibrant colors is if was made for the first time)?

 

[Dark Jezter]

Of course Record of Lodoss War has a very D&Dish feel to it: it's based on the D&D campaign the creator ran when he was in high school.

I recommend watching Record of Lodoss War. It's one of the few anime series that I can tolerate, in fact, I really like it. (Plus, the dark elf chick, Pirotess, is really hot, and I'm not the type of guy who normally drools over cartoon girls, so that should give you an idea. )

 

[Kilmore]

If you like Lodoss War, I highly reccomend the Slayers series. Especially Slayers: Next. I loved Slayers: Next.

I would also recommend Slayers, but not necessarily because of Lodoss. They're both D&Dish fantasy, but Lodoss is like having an awesome DM run a tight show, and Slayers is like having a DM throwing a scenario at the PC's and letting it run itself.

 

[wingsandsword]

I would also recommend Slayers, but not necessarily because of Lodoss. They're both D&Dish fantasy, but Lodoss is like having an awesome DM run a tight show, and Slayers is like having a DM throwing a scenario at the PC's and letting it run itself.

Slayers is definitely an excellent "D&D Anime", of the more comic sort, sort of like a silly game where the GM and players are both in a funny mood.

After Guardians of Order made a licensed d20 Slayers game, it seems even more like D&D. It uses the BESM d20 engine so it's a little funky at times, but it's neat. It seems somehow right to see Lina Inverse written up as a 23rd level character, she's definitely an example of a low-Epic level mage.

Lodoss War is a more serious, conventional D&D game, but it really does feel like you're watching a D&D campaign in progress.

 

[Zander]

Thanks for all the replies.

I'll watch the OVA first, then the TV series, all in the order presented.

If I like it (I'm a fantasy nut but not mad about anime), I'll check out Slayer too.

Thanks again.

 

[JoeGKushner]

Slayers is definitely an excellent "D&D Anime", of the more comic sort, sort of like a silly game where the GM and players are both in a funny mood.

After Guardians of Order made a licensed d20 Slayers game, it seems even more like D&D. It uses the BESM d20 engine so it's a little funky at times, but it's neat. It seems somehow right to see Lina Inverse written up as a 23rd level character, she's definitely an example of a low-Epic level mage.

Lodoss War is a more serious, conventional D&D game, but it really does feel like you're watching a D&D campaign in progress.

The magic engine in d20 Slayers is awesome and I'm looking forward to seeing what they do with it in their upcoming Advance d20 Magic book.

And yeah, Slayers is fun and it's series format gives it some great continuity so you can actually get to know the characters.

 

[charlesatan]

There are actually several D&D-ish anime. With the exception of Lodoss, most fall under the fantasy-comedy sub-genre (which is fine with me but I know some people who shy away from that).

As previously mentioned, Slayers is great. You might also want to look at Rune Soldier Louie (same writer as Lodoss, happens away from the Lodoss continent but same mileu, but with a comedic slant) and Ruins Explorers (just a a few OAV's though).

It's a bit pushing it, but you might want to look at the Shadow Skill TV series (martial-arts fantasy).

On a side note, all these anime I'm mentioning are based on popular short stories/novels in Japan, which are being serialized in a magazine called Dragon (not to be confused with TSR's/WotC's/Paizo's magazine of the same name), the most popular of which are often adapted into manga and anime.

Other notable fantasy-esque anime are Those Who Hunt Elves, Orphen, Scrapped Princess, Final Fantasy Unlimited, Dragonquest, etc.

 

[Kilmore]

Using the loosest and most interesting definitions of fantasy, I would suggest a number of anime from Hiyao Miazaki, including Princess Mononoke (possibly the easiset D&D fit using Oriental Adventures), Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Laputa, and one that I ripped a character from (Kushana) and terrorized a campaign with, Nausicaa.