Deltora Quest: An Unmissable Anime Experience

Deltora Quest: A Hero's Journey to Face the Shadow King

Deltora Quest is a fantasy adventure anime based on the novel by Emily Rodda, which aired on TV Tokyo from January 6, 2007 to March 29, 2008. The 65-episode series follows the journey of a young boy named Leaf and his friends as they search for seven gems to save the kingdom of Deltora, which has been shrouded in darkness by the Shadow King. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the appeal, highlights, characters, story, music, and more of Deltora Quest.

story

The kingdom of Deltora has been shrouded in darkness by the King of Shadows. 16 years ago, King Endon hid the seven jewels in seven magical realms, taking the final step to protect the kingdom. Meanwhile, in the town of Del, a boy named Leaf, full of a sense of justice, was growing up. Leaf is the son of a blacksmith named Jard and his wife Anna, and on his 16th birthday, his father gives him the belt and sword of Deltora, and his mother gives him a cloak. Following his father's will, Leaf decides to go on a journey with Barda.

Lief's journey is an adventure to collect the seven gems and save the kingdom of Deltora. Along the way, he meets friends such as Jasmine, Fili, and Kree, and together they overcome various difficulties. Battles with the Shadow King's minions, the witch Tegan, and numerous monsters await, but Lief and his friends never give up, and face them with courage and friendship.

character

Leaf: A boy born to a blacksmith in Del, the capital of the Kingdom of Deltora. He sets out on an adventure on his 16th birthday. Filled with courage and a sense of justice, he has the will to fight evil.

Jasmine: A girl who lives alone in the forest. She loves nature and can communicate with animals. Her best friends are Fili and the crow Cree.

Barda: A man who was a soldier in Del's castle. He accompanies Leaf on his journey to find the seven jewels. He is strong and kind-hearted.

Fili: A mysterious little animal. He is a bit of a spoiled brat, but has a kind heart. He loves fruit and sweets.

Cree: A black bird. He is brave and does his best to help Jasmine when she is in trouble. He hates thunder.

Jard: Lief's father. A friend of King Endon, he ran a blacksmith shop in the town of Del and was waiting for an opportunity to retrieve the gem.

Anna: Lief's mother. She raised Lief with Jard in the town of Del.

Endon: King of Deltora and childhood friend of Jard. Exiled from the country by the Shadow King.

Sharn: Queen of King Endon. A wise and courageous woman.

Min: Endon and Jard's wet nurse.

Manas: A young man from the Larado tribe. Leaf and his friends rescue him from the Military Police. He is skilled with the flute and is the representative of the seven tribes (the Larado tribe).

Tom: The owner of Tom's shop, which sells everything. I'm not sure if he's a friend or foe.

Joker: A mysterious man who was in Tom's shop. He seems to be a member of the resistance against the Shadow King.

Tira: A girl who works at Chulnai. She is a kind girl who helps Leaf and the others.

Old Woman: An old woman who owns an apple orchard. She keeps a lot of bees.

Ferdinand: He earns money by playing a game called "Bird-chasing" near Lismere.

Nerida: A contestant in the Lithmear Games. She may look weak, but she's actually quite cunning.

Glock: A contestant in the Lismea Games. He is violent and shouts strange words to intimidate his opponents. He is the representative of the Seven Tribes (the Jaris Tribe).

Owen: A contestant in the Lismere Games. He boasts of his strength, capable of breaking large stones.

Joanna: A contestant in the Lithmea Games. Owen's wife, she has red hair and is strong-willed.

Mother Brightly: The innkeeper of the Champion Inn. She loves martial arts and looks after the contestants in the tournament.

Fair: A judge at the Lithmear Games.

Dane: A boy who joins the Resistance and looks up to the Joker.

Jigglypuff: The child of the legendary animal Kin. Mischievous, but with a kind heart.

Kuren: Elder of the Kin tribe. A caring leader.

Gra Song: A woman from the Gnomes. She has a bad mouth but a good heart. She is the representative of the seven tribes (Gnomes).

Fa Gurin: Elder of the Gnomes.

Jinx: An acrobat who is familiar with Barda. She has a sneaky side.

Lucas: A traveling merchant who rides a wagon and always sings strange songs. He has a close brother, Skaal. He is the representative of the Seven Tribes (Plains Tribe).

Zean: The head of the magical Thora tribe. He was imprisoned in the Valley of Suppression. Representative of the Seven Tribes (Thora tribe).

Fardeep: He was made the guardian of the Valley of Retribution by the Shadow King. He is the representative of the Seven Tribes (Mere Tribe).

Polypan: A monkey-like animal who is an expert pickpocket. He likes bad-tasting caramel. He makes the sound "Ukki."

Shadow King: The evil boss who rules the Kingdom of Deltora. He makes his people live in poverty and does not tolerate those who oppose him. He is persistent and cunning.

Farrow: The Shadow King's number one subordinate. He manipulates his subordinate military police to pursue Leaf and his friends.

Tegan: A beautiful and fearsome witch. She has the emblem of the Shadow King on her pinky ring. She loves black birds and has 13 children.

Jinny: Tegan's child. He disguised himself as an old man under the name Niji.

Jid: Tegan's child. He disguised himself as an old woman under the name of Dodge.

Ichabod: Tegan's child. The biggest and most violent. Hated by everyone.

Hot Tot: Tegan's child with a yellow body and mane. He transforms into Françoise's bag and hat.

Françoise: The girl who tricks Leif and Barda. She is actually Tegan's children Fee and Fly in disguise.

Rai: A member of the Neznuk Purification Committee of Churnai. The head of the nine Neznuk.

Brandin: Chief advisor when Endon became king. A subordinate of the Shadow King.

Captain of the Khan Squad: The captain of the Khan Squad, the strongest of the military police corps serving the Shadow King.

Orcus: A beautiful mage with an ice-cold heart and the power to control fire.

Main Robot Items

Deltora's Belt: A royal belt inlaid with the jewels of the seven tribes. When worn by the true heir, its power overwhelms even the King of Shadows.

Wenber: A monster that lives in the Silent Forest. Its neck can stretch freely, allowing it to catch prey in the trees or birds in the sky. It is said to live for up to 100 years.

Goal: A golden knight who protects the lily of life. Even if his body decays and he is left with only his soul, he seeks eternal life. He uses supernatural powers to control his opponents.

Golden-eyed Giant: The guardian of the bridge. He asks a riddle to those who cross the bridge, and if they cannot solve it, they will be defeated. However, his true identity is a bird that was cursed by Tegan.

Niji and Dodge: A kind old couple. However, in reality they are the children of the witch Tegan. They trick travelers into a bottomless swamp, pretend to help them, and then eat them.

Soldeen: Guardian of the jewels that live in Lake Lamentation. Covered with sharp, needle-like teeth and fearsome thorns, it swims at incredible speed and can breathe on both land and water.

Witch Tegan: Beautiful and cruel, she wields evil magic and is the most powerful witch who rules the north. She is jealous of beautiful things and places curses on them. She likes to eat black birds.

Tegan's 13 children: evil monsters who help Tegan and enjoy plundering. Though they don't have the magical powers of their mother, they can transform into anything they want to deceive and attack their enemies.

The Nine Neznuk: Priests who keep the city of Chulnai clean and follow strange rituals and strict rules. They wear red robes and exact harsh punishments on those who do not follow their rules.

Kree and Fili: Jasmine's best friends. They are sensitive to danger and warn everyone. They share Jasmine's feelings.

Tom's Shop: A shop that sells useful travel items such as water bugs and fire beads. They give you free gifts, but you cannot return any of the items you buy.

Giant Snake Lia: The first servant of the Shadow King. A giant snake that rules Rat City and protects Opal. Shedding its skin, it transforms into an even more powerful monster.

The Seven Akbabas: These fearsome birds have vicious beaks and claws, and can live for a thousand years feeding on dead flesh. They can directly sense the will of the Shadow King.

Prandin: A minion of the Shadow King who infiltrated the Kingdom of Deltora and served the king for many years, making the royal family weak and helpless. He helped the Shadow King in his invasion and drove out the king.

Shadow Gendarmerie: Soldiers created by the Shadow King. Emotionless and cruel, with keen eyes and noses, they can detect enemies from afar. They form a unit of 10 people, and die after seven years.

Queen Bee Apple Drink: A precious drink that is powerful and invigorating. A must-have item at the Lithmear Games. Queen Bee honey, which is produced in the same orchard, is also famous.

Nerida: A frail and pretty girl who uses her extraordinary speed to toy with her opponents. However, her true identity is a cunning and greedy person who has no qualms about deceiving people.

Glock: A survivor of the Jarith tribe's best warriors. He can smash anything with his sharp teeth. He's small but overconfident, and always gets into trouble.

Joker: Leader of the resistance against the Shadow King. He has a large scar on his left cheek, and even his comrades don't know about his past. A man shrouded in mystery.

The monster of the sand dunes: Its real name is Teleocty. It hides in the sand and catches prey. It is an eight-legged monster. It has many stomach pouches hanging from its stomach, which fall off when it swells up and becomes food for its young.

Tower of Death: A magical realm where the precious stone lapis lazuli is hidden. Gems and bones that fell in the desert were attracted by bees and piled up like a tower over a long period of time.

Tegan's children: the timid and conceited twins Hot and Tot; the cruel and fast twins Fee and Fly; the slow but strong Jinni and Jid; Ichabod, the largest; the patient and stubborn Ran and Rod; the two who always fight; Piku and Snik; the fast-moving Zan; and Zod, who is covered in bumps.

Kin: A legendary animal said to be extinct. It has wings and can fly. Females have a pouch on their stomachs that they can put their babies in.

Farrow: The Shadow King's number one subordinate. He has the same face as the dead Prandin. He is ordered by the Shadow Military Police to track down Leaf and the others.

Braal: A monster that specializes in fighting in the arena. It has a strong fighting spirit and is not afraid of pain or death. It will attack anything it sees as an enemy.

The Gnomes: They are skilled with bows and arrows. They are a proud people who fought against the Shadow King. But now they are ruled by the monster Gerik and live in caves.

Gerik: A giant toad-like monster that exudes a sticky, venomous liquid that can be used to make blister bombs.

Khan Unit: An elite unit of the Shadow Military Police. They are feared as the Hounds of Hell. They receive orders from the Shadow King to corner Leaf and his friends.

Marie and Aida: Their true identities are the monsters Oru from the Kingdom of Shadows. They always move in pairs and can transform, but dissolve over time. They are actually squishy white lumps.

Orr: A monster from the Kingdom of Shadows. Created by the Great King with evil in mind, the highest-grade Orr acts alone and their perfect transformations are undetectable to anyone.

Polypan: A hairy monkey-like animal with long arms. Be careful as he has bad habits and will steal anything. His favorite food is caramel.

The Larado: One of the seven tribes of Deltora. They are good at construction and built Del Castle. They lost their voice to the witch Tegan, but Leaf and his friends helped them get it back.

The Jaris: A fierce and skilled tribe of warriors. It is said that they were exterminated because they resisted the Shadow King in defense of their ancestral homeland.

Gru: A giant slug-like monster with two antennae that spits out masses of white thread to capture prey. It can get through narrow spaces.

Tegan's children's transformation magic: Tegan's children inherited the powerful magical powers from Tegan, and they transform into various things and attack Leaf and the others.

Tegan's Ring: A ring worn on the little finger that casts magic. Tegan was defeated by Leaf and his friends at the Lake of Lamentations, but was resurrected by the magic infused in the ring.

Orcus the Mage: A mage who can freely control fire. He has a beautiful appearance and a cruel heart. He is accompanied by two fire monsters that transform into wings.

The Thora: One of the seven tribes with powerful magical powers. They pledged eternal loyalty to the Deltora royal family, but broke their oath and were banished from the city of Thora.

Seven Gems Topaz: The first gemstone obtained by the Del tribe. Represents sincerity. Opens the door to the spirit world. Strengthens the mind and purifies the eyes of the heart.

The Valley Guardian's Pets: Unubore, Warujie, Shitto, and Yokubari are four hideous monsters born from the Guardian's evil heart. Their true form is part of the Guardian's body.

Fardeep: His evil heart was used by the Shadow King and he became the guardian of the Valley of Punishment. He was originally an old man who loved games and lived in Rismere. He is one of the Mare tribe.

Skaal: The twin brother of the traveling merchant Lucas. He is usually hidden inside Lucas' body and cannot be seen, but when danger approaches, he suddenly appears as a ferocious giant.

Seven Jewels Ruby: A jewel of the Larado tribe obtained at the Lake of Lamentations. It represents happiness. When evil or monsters approach, it fades, giving the ability to avoid them.

Seven Gems Opal: The third jewel of the Plains tribe that you get in Rat City. It represents hope and shows the future. It has a special connection with Lapis Lazuli.

Lapis Lazuli: The fourth gemstone of the Mare tribe obtained from the Moving Sands. Represents divine power. A powerful talisman, it is most effective when the stars are shining.

Seven Jewels Emerald: The gem of the Gnomes, who obtained the fifth one at the Mount of Fear. Represents honor. Its color fades when an oath is broken.

Seven Jewels Amethyst: The sixth jewel of the Thora tribe obtained in the Monster Cave. Represents truth. Fades when poison is found. Has the power to calm the mind.

Seven Gem Diamond: The last gem of the Jarith tribe obtained in the Valley of Retribution. Represents purity and strength. Gives courage, hates violence and injustice, and brings retribution.

Dain: His true identity is a spy for the Kingdom of Shadows. The Kingdom of Shadows is the most wicked and powerful kingdom that the King of Shadows created. He pretended to be a friend and deceived Leaf and the others.

Shadow King: The evil ruler of the Shadow Kingdom. He is a cruel tyrant who has invaded the kingdom of Deltora. Only the Belt of Deltora can stand against him.

subtitle

Episode 1: Reef Adventure (2007/01/06)
Episode 2: Jasmine, the Forest Girl (2007/01/13)
Episode 3: Golden Knight Goal (2007/01/20)
Episode 4: The Curse of the Puzzle Giant (2007/01/27)
Episode 5: Niji and Dodge's Trap (2007/02/03)
Episode 6: The Monster Living in the Lake of Lamentations (2007/02/10)
Episode 7: The Witch Tegan Appears (2007/02/17)
Episode 8: Tom's Mysterious Shop (2007/02/24)
Episode 9: Clean Chul Nai! (2007/03/03)
Episode 10: Escape from Prison (2007/03/10)
Episode 11: Cross the Habahiro River (2007/03/17)
Episode 12: King of Rat City (2007/03/24)
Episode 13: Endon and Jard (2007/03/31)
Episode 14: The Stolen Jewels (2007/04/07)
Episode 15: Good luck? Bad luck? (2007/04/14)
Episode 16: The Lithmear Tournament (2007/04/21)
Episode 17: Fight! Fight Leaf (2007/04/28)
Episode 18: Jasmine and the Mysterious Man (2007/05/05)
Episode 19: The Resistance Boy (2007/05/12)
Episode 20: The Moving Sand Monster (2007/05/19)
Episode 21: Lapis Lazuli, the Stone of God (2007/05/26)
Episode 22: The Resurrection of the Witch Tegan (2007/06/02)
Episode 23: The Terrifying Tegan's Trap (2007/06/09)
Episode 24: Meeting with Pudding (2007/06/16)
Episode 25: Fly Kin! Into the Sky (2007/06/23)
Episode 26: Surprise Attack! The Monster Braar (2007/06/30)
Episode 27: The one who lurks in the mountain of fear (2007/07/07)
Episode 28: Defeat the Giant Gerik (2007/07/14)
Episode 29: Attack the Khan Squad! (2007/07/21)
Episode 30: The New Monster Olu (2007/07/28)
Episode 31: Goodbye Jasmine (2007/08/04)
Episode 32: River Queen (2007/08/11)
Episode 33: Leaf's Narrow Shutdown (2007/08/18)
Episode 34: The Thieves' Party (2007/08/25)
Episode 35: Monster Gru's Cave (2007/09/01)
Episode 36: Witch Tegan's Revenge (2007/09/08)
Episode 37: Tegan and the Children (2007/09/15)
Episode 38: The Sorcerer Orcus Appears (2007/09/22)
Episode 39: The Thora Tribe's Oath (2007/09/29)
Episode 40: Guardian of the Valley of Restrictions (2007/10/06)
Episode 41: The Last Diamond (2007/10/13)
Episode 42: When the Seven Jewels Gather (2007/10/20)
Episode 43: Skaal goes on a rampage! (2007/10/27)
Episode 44: The Battle of Betaxa Village (2007/11/03)
Episode 45: Leaf's Vow Ceremony (2007/11/10)
Episode 46: The End of the Arch-Enemy Orcus (2007/11/17)
Episode 47: Attack! Seven Tribes (2007/11/24)
Episode 48: The true identity of his best friend Dane (2007/12/01)
Episode 49: Desperate Rescue Mission (2007/12/08)
Episode 50: Who is the True Heir? (2007/12/15)
Episode 51: The Battle of the Akbaba Army (2007/12/22)
Episode 52: When the Seven Jewels Shine (2007/12/29)
Episode 53: Another Adventure (2008/01/05)
Episode 54: Jasmine Returns to the Forest (2008/01/12)
Episode 55: Trap in the Underground Labyrinth (2008/01/19)
Episode 56: Fili in big trouble? (2008/01/26)
Episode 57: The Lonely Military Police (2008/02/02)
Episode 58: Staying at Tom's Shop (2008/02/09)
Episode 59: Pudding's First Love (2008/02/16)
Episode 60: The Thieves of the Toru River (2008/02/23)
Episode 61: The Stolen Belt (2008/03/01)
Episode 62: Leaf's Promise (2008/03/08)
Episode 63: Nerida and Jasmine (2008/03/15)
Episode 64: Oru's Secret House (2008/03/22)
Episode 65: Deltora Forever (2008/03/29)

Theme songs and music

OP1
Period: 1-28
HEART☆BEAT
Lyrics: TATTSU
Composed by Reina Arranged by Heihei Yasuhara Sung by MARIA

OP2
Period: 29-52
My Sun Lyrics / Music by Yasushi Akimoto / Arrangement by Yoshimasa Inoue / Choreography by Yoshimasa Inoue / Sung by Mayumi Natsu / AKB48

OP3
Period: 53-65
In This Life ~ Three Steps to Departure Lyrics: Delta Goodrem, Stuart Crichton, Tommy Lee James Orbison, Brian McFadden
Composer: Delta Goodrem, Stuart Crichton, Tommy Lee James Orbison, Brian McFadden
Arranged by Delta Goodrem, Stuart Crichton, Tommy Lee James Orbison, Brian McFadden
Vocals: Delta Goodrem

ED1
Period: 1-14
Sakurauta Lyrics/Yui Niitsu Composition/Yui Niitsu Arrangement/Satoshi Takebe Vocals/RYTHEM

ED2
Period: 15-26
HEY NOW!
Lyrics: COOLON
Composer: COOLON
Arrangement: COOLON
Sung by: COOLON

ED3
Period: 27-39
Go To Fly
Lyrics: Yasuhiro Minami, Manabu Maruya Composition: Yasuhiro Minami, Manabu Maruya Arrangement: sunbrain
Song: sunbrain

ED4
Period: 40-52
Dream x Dream Lyrics: Katsuhiko Sugiyama Composition: Katsuhiko Sugiyama Arrangement: Shunsuke Suzuki Vocals: Yurika Oyama

ED5
Period: 53-65
Lyrics by Ubikirigenman/HoiFesta
Composition: HoiFesta
Song: Hoi Festa

Ratings and Recommendations

Deltora Quest is a fusion of fantasy and adventure, featuring a compelling storyline and fascinating characters. It depicts Leaf's growth, his bonds with his friends, and his battle with the Shadow King, giving viewers excitement and emotion. In addition, different monsters and challenges appear in each episode, adding depth to the story.

The animation quality is also high, with beautiful backgrounds and character designs that are visually pleasing. In particular, the depictions of the seven gems and the Deltora Belt have a strong visual impact and emphasize the importance of the story. The music also plays a role in enhancing the atmosphere of the work, with the theme song and insert songs touching the hearts of viewers.

This work is highly recommended for those who like fantasy anime and adventure stories. In addition, because it depicts themes such as friendship, courage, and justice, it will be enjoyed by a wide range of people from children to adults. Deltora Quest is a wonderful work that gives courage and hope to the viewer, and I highly recommend you to watch it at least once.