Hero Tales
Hero Tales is a Japanese manga and anime series created by Huang Jin Zhou, a unit composed of Hiromu Arakawa, Genco, and Studio Flag. The manga series, illustrated by Arakawa, was serialized in Square Enix's Gangan Powered and Monthly Shōnen Gangan, with its chapters collected in five volumes. The 26-episode anime television series, produced by Studio Flag, was broadcast on TV Tokyo from 2007 to 2008. The series' setting is rooted in Chinese folklore and history, as well as having an element of fantasy.
Plot
Manga
The series follows Taitou, a young man who resents the ruling empire, and his sister Laila. The story begins with the revelation that Taitou unknowingly harbors a mysterious power—he is the incarnation of Hagun, a celestial star that grants him immense but uncontrolled strength. They are joined by Ryuukou, a warrior with abilities similar to Taitou's but more refined. After Taitou's coming-of-age ceremony, which involves a ritualized defeat by Ryuukou, he is given the Kenkaranpu, a legendary conqueror's sword he cannot yet wield. Their lives are disrupted when a man named Shimei arrives, seeking the sword. During their confrontation, Shimei reveals Taitou's connection to Hagun, one of the Hokushin-Tenkun, celestial beings of great power. When Shimei uses his own sword's magic to stop Laila's breathing, Taitou unleashes Hagun's full might, drawing the Kenkaranpu for the first time and impaling Shimei. Overcome by rage, he attacks Ryuukou, overpowering him until Laila intervenes, snapping Taitou out of his fury. However, Shimei escapes with the sword.Determined to reclaim the Kenkaranpu, Taitou sets out at night, accompanied by Ryuukou and Laila. Their journey takes them to the canal town of Jousei, where Ryuukou attempts to teach Taitou to control his ki, the energy tied to his star. Taitou, impatient with Ryuukou's disciplined methods, struggles to master his power. Meanwhile, the town's officials prioritize protecting the harbor over the impoverished refugee district, leading to a devastating flood. Taitou urges Ryuukou to break the floodgates to relieve the pressure, but Ryuukou is nearly swept away by the rushing water. Taitou leaps in to save him, only to be pulled under himself. Ryuukou rescues him, revealing a star-shaped mark on his chest before Taitou loses consciousness.
Upon awakening, Taitou learns that Laila enlisted the help of Koyou, a flamboyant ship captain they met earlier, to rescue them. Taitou confronts Ryuukou about hiding his identity as another Hokushin-Tenkun—Bukyoku, the star neighboring Hagun. Koyou offers them refuge on his massive barge, Touga, and evacuates the flood survivors. Meanwhile, Shimei delivers the Kenkaranpu to the shogun, Keirou Hakuhou, who is revealed to be the incarnation of Tonrou, another celestial star.
The broader narrative revolves around an ancient prophecy foretelling that the seven stars of the Big Dipper will take human form during a crisis. Among them, Hagun and Tonrou are destined as the Noble Spirits, fated to clash for control of the empire. While Keirou embraces this prophecy, seeking to reshape the corrupt empire through force, Taitou rejects predestination, choosing to defy fate. The other stars include Ryuukou, who grew up alongside Taitou; Hosei, a warrior trained in the prophecy's lore; Koyou, the compassionate ship captain; Rinmei, a volatile woman devoted to Ryuukou; and Shoukakou, a shadowy figure in the capital whose loyalties remain unclear.
Anime
General Keirou attempts to steal the Kenkaranpu from Tian Long Temple under the cover of darkness. In the process, he slaughters dozens of ascetic monks sworn to protect the sacred artifact. During the attack, he encounters Taitou for the first time, marking the beginning of their prolonged conflict.The anime and manga diverge in several aspects, including character fates, battle sequences, and the resolution of the final confrontation. In the anime, Keirou absorbs Shimei, gaining supernatural abilities that allow him to control Ryuukou and transform others into demons. While the overarching outcome of Keirou's battle with Taitou remains consistent across both versions, specific details differ. Additionally, the manga implies a seven-year gap between their climactic fight and the concluding events, whereas the anime features an ambiguous time skip with no noticeable aging among the characters, suggesting a shorter passage of time.
Characters
The Two Celestial Deities
;Taitou Shirei;Keirō
The Five Divine Warriors
;Ryuukou Mouten;Housei Meitoku
;Koyō Mougai
;Shoukaku Chōyō
;Rinmei Shokan
Others
;Laila Seiren;Taigatei
;Shimei
;Souei
;Sonnei
;Kōchō
;Taki
;Choka
;Koei
Media
Manga
Hero Tales, authored by Huang Jin Zhou, and illustrated by Arakawa, was serialized in Square Enix's Gangan Powered from October 21, 2006, to February 21, 2009. It was then serialized in Monthly Shōnen Gangan from May 12, 2009, to August 12, 2010. Square Enix collected its chapters in five volumes, released from August 11, 2007, to November 22, 2010.In North America, the manga licensed for English release by Yen Press. The five volumes were released from October 27, 2009, to October 25, 2011. It was also serialized in Yen Plus, starting in the February 2009 issue.
Volumes
Anime
A 26-episode anime television series, produced by Studio Flag, directed by Osamu Sekita, with character designs by Hiromu Arakawa, titled Jūshin Enbu: Hero Tales, was broadcast on TV Tokyo from October 8, 2007, to March 31, 2008. The first opening theme is "Winterlong" by Beat Crusaders and the first ending theme is "Kakegae no nai Hito e" by Mai Hoshimura. The second opening and ending themes are "Flashback/Komorebi no Uta and "Komorebi no Uta", respectively, both performed by High and Mighty Color.In North America, Funimation announced that they had licensed the series in January 2010. The series premiered on Funimation Channel on May 17, 2011. The series was added to Crunchyroll's catalog in September 2017.