The appeal and reviews of "Magical Warrior Riui": A must-see anime guide

Magical Warrior Rui - New Horizons of Fantasy

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Light novel

■ Broadcast period

April 3, 2001 - September 18, 2001

■Broadcasting station

WOWOW

■Original Story

・Original story: Ryo Mizuno (serialized in Monthly Dragon Magazine, Kadokawa Shoten)

■ Director

Director: Yoshitaka Koyama

■ Production

・Animation Production: J.C. STAFF
Produced by: Magical Warrior Rui Production Committee

■Works

©Ryo Mizuno, Mamoru Yokota / Magical Warrior Rui Production Committee

■ Story

The protagonist, Liuyi, lives in Orphan, the land of swords. He is a muscular magician, and is a free-spirited young man who is constantly drinking, fighting, and having affairs with women. However, he is always feeling uneasy in his heart... This is the world of authentic fantasy that unfolds with Liuyi and three female "adventurers".

■Explanation

The original work is by Ryo Mizuno, who is well known for "Record of Lodoss War," and is currently being serialized in Monthly Dragon Magazine. The paperbacks (volumes 1-7) are a huge hit, with each volume selling over 200,000 copies. We've kept you waiting, but the long-awaited anime adaptation of "Magical Warrior Riwi" is here!

■Cast

・Liui/Katsuyuki Konishi ・Melissa/Kikuko Inoue ・Mirelle/Tomoko Kawakami ・Genie/Minami Takayama ・Ira/Akiko Yajima ・Karwes/Mugihito ・Jenny/Sayuri

■ Main staff

・Original story: Ryo Mizuno (serialized in Monthly Dragon Magazine, Kadokawa Shoten)
・Original illustrations, character concept: Mamoru Yokota ・Series composition: Katsuhiko Chiba ・Character design: Kazunori Iwakura ・Art director: Kenji Kato ・Music: Kenji Kawai ・Cinematography: Yohei Suzuki ・Editor: Shigeru Nishiyama ・Producers: Seiichi Hachiya, Yuji Matsukura, Hiroyuki Yonemasu ・Director: Yoshitaka Koyama ・Animation production: J.C. STAFF
Produced by: Magical Warrior Rui Production Committee

■Detailed evaluation and recommendation

■ Story and Characters

"Magical Warrior Rui" is a fantasy work set in a world of swords and magic, depicting the adventures and growth of the protagonist Rui. Although he is a magician, Rui has a muscular physique and is a free-spirited character who enjoys alcohol, women, and fighting. However, there is always something unsettling in his mind. This unsettling feeling is an important element of the story, and the process in which Rui unravels it through his adventures is a highlight of the story.

The female characters who adventure with Ryui are also fascinating. Melissa, Mireru, and Jini each have different backgrounds and abilities, and add color to Ryui's adventure. In particular, Melissa's calmness and wisdom, Mireru's purity and courage, and Jini's fighting ability and humor enrich the story. In addition, supporting characters such as Ayla, Carwes, and Jenny are also unique, adding depth to the story as a whole.

■Animation and visuals

Animation production by J.C. STAFF has skillfully expressed the beauty and power of the fantasy world. Character design by Kazunori Iwakura faithfully reproduces the illustrations from the original work while bringing out the unique charm of the anime. In particular, the powerful figure of Ryuui and the beauty of the female characters are stunning. Art director Kenji Kato's background art also adds to the atmosphere of the fantasy world.

In the battle scenes, the magic effects and sword movements are depicted realistically, making a visual impact. The battle scenes in which Liu uses magic are particularly impressive and impressive. In addition, the beautiful landscapes and towns you will encounter during your adventure are also visually enjoyable.

■Music and Sound

Kenji Kawai, who was in charge of the music, has provided a magnificent score befitting the fantasy world. The opening and ending themes are also memorable, and add to the atmosphere of the story. The background music is also used skillfully to match each scene, enhancing the emotions of the viewer. In particular, the music that heightens the tension in the battle scenes and the music that expresses the silence in the middle of the adventure contribute greatly to the progression of the story.

The voice actors are also excellent, with Katsuyuki Konishi as Liui delivering a powerful voice and Kikuko Inoue as Melissa delivering a calm and wise voice. Tomoko Kawakami as Mireru, Minami Takayama as Jini, Akiko Yajima as Ayla, Mugihito as Carwes, and Sayuri as Jenny also deliver performances that bring out the individuality of their characters.

■Director and staff

Director Yoshitaka Koyama has paid close attention to the development of the story and the growth of the characters in order to maximize the appeal of the original work. Series composer Katsuhiko Chiba has also faithfully reproduced the story of the original work while adding unique developments for anime, drawing viewers in. Cinematographer Yohei Suzuki and editor Shigeru Nishiyama have also pursued beautiful images and good tempo to enhance the visual appeal.

Producers Seiichi Hachiya, Yuji Matsukura, and Hiroyuki Yonemasu oversaw the entire anime production and worked hard to create a high-quality work. In particular, with the cooperation of the production committee, they have created a work that can be enjoyed not only by fans of the original work but also by new viewers.

■ Recommendations and ratings

If you're a fantasy fan, you can't miss "Magical Warrior Riui." This work draws out the charm of the original work to the fullest while adding the unique charm of anime, and has the power to draw the viewer into the world of adventure. In particular, there are many touching and moving scenes, such as Riui's growth and the deepening bonds with the female characters. Also not to be missed are the beautiful visuals, powerful battle scenes, and magnificent music.

It is no exaggeration to say that this work has opened up new horizons for fantasy anime. I highly recommend it not only to fans of the original work, but to anime fans in general. It is a must-see, especially for those who want to enjoy a story of adventure and growth, and who want to appreciate beautiful visuals and music. Please watch "Magical Warrior Riwi" and experience its charm.

■ Additional information and recommended content

The original work of "Magical Warrior Riwi" is a light novel series written by Ryo Mizuno, serialized in Monthly Dragon Magazine and published by Kadokawa Shoten. The original novel consists of 7 volumes, and each volume has sold over 200,000 copies, making it a huge hit. By reading the original work, you can learn more about the story and character backgrounds that are not depicted in the anime.

Also, don't miss the illustrations by Mamoru Yokota, who was in charge of the original illustrations and character designs. Mamoru Yokota's beautiful illustrations further enrich the worldview of the original work. After watching the anime, we recommend picking up the original novel and illustration collection to enjoy the work even more deeply.

In addition, for fans of "Magical Warrior Rui", we also recommend "Record of Lodoss War", also created by Ryo Mizuno. "Record of Lodoss War" is also an adventure story set in a fantasy world, and is appealing for its deep storyline and charming characters. By enjoying both "Magical Warrior Rui" and "Record of Lodoss War", you can gain a deeper understanding of Ryo Mizuno's fantasy world.

For those who like fantasy anime, we also recommend works such as "Slayers" and "Xenosaga". These works also tell stories of adventure and growth, and are attractive for their beautiful visuals and music. By watching them together with "Magical Warrior Riwi", you can enjoy the charm of fantasy anime even more deeply.

Finally, the DVD and Blu-ray of "Magical Warrior Rui" are also available. If you missed the anime or want to watch it again, we highly recommend purchasing it. In addition, official merchandise and soundtracks are also available, making them a must-have item for fans. Be sure to get your hands on these items to further enjoy the world of "Magical Warrior Rui."