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Funimation Adds The Heroic Legend of Arslan Anime

Funimation Entertainment announced on Thursday that it will stream The Heroic Legend of Arslan (Arslan Senki) television anime as it airs in Japan. The stream will premiere on April 5 at 5:00 a.m. EST.

The anime is based on a manga by Hiromu Arakawa (Fullmetal Alchemist, Silver Spoon), who is adapting the story from a novel series by Yoshiki Tanaka. Funimation describes the story:

In the kingdom of Pars lies the Royal Capital of Ecbatana, a powerful city ruled by the fearsome King Andragoras. Arslan, the 14-year-old prince of Pars, is a green ruler and lacks the fierce leadership skills possessed by his father. After his father falls victim to a treacherous plot headed by one of his most trusted comrades, the kingdom of Pars falls in the war with the neighboring nation of Lusitania. Narrowly escaping with his life, Arslan must embark on a journey to reclaim the fallen kingdom and fulfill his destiny as ruler of Pars.

The staff includes:

• Manga: Hiromu Arakawa
• Original creator: Yoshiki Tanaka (Published by Kobunsha Kappa Novels)
• Director: Noriyuki Abe (Black Butler: Book of Circus, Yū Yū Hakusho)
• Series Composition: Makoto Uezu (Yuki Yuna is a Hero, Akame ga KILL!)
• Chief Character Design: Shingo Ogiso (key animation on the anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day film)
• Character Design: Ushio Tazawa, Kazuo Watanabe
• Action Director: Satoshi Kimura
• Concept Design: Daisuke Niitsuma
• Art Director: Tadashi Kudo
• Background: Studio Pinewood
• Color Key: Aiko Shinohara
• CG Director: Daisuke Suzuki
• Modeling Director: Hiroshi Adachi
• 3DCGI: SANZIGEN Animation Studio
• Director of Photography: Yukihiro Masumoto
• Photography: Graphinica
• Editing: Mai Hasegawa
• Sound Director: Jin Aketagawa
• Sound Effects: Yasumasa Koyama
• Sound: Magic Capsule
• Music: Taro Iwashiro
• Animation Production: LIDEN FILMS x SANZIGEN Animation Studio
• Production: The Heroic Legend of Arslan Production Committee

Kodansha published the third volume in Japan in February, and Kodansha USA published the second volume in North America in November. Crunchyroll is also releasing the manga as it appears in Japan. Central Park Media released the earlier 1991-93 original video anime adaptation of the novels.