The appeal and reviews of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms": A new emotion born from the fusion of history and science fiction

All-round evaluation and recommendation of Steel Three Kingdoms - Koutetsu Sangokushi

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

others

■ Broadcast period

April 5, 2007 - September 27, 2007 TV Tokyo April 5, 2007 - September 27, 2007 (Episodes 1-25) Every Thursday 26:15-26:45
AT-X June 6, 2007 to November 21, 2007 (Episodes 1 to 25) Every Wednesday 10:30 to 11:00

■Broadcasting station

TV Tokyo

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 25

■ Director

・General Director: Tetsuya Endo ・Director: Satoshi Saga

■ Production

Produced by NAS and Konami Digital Entertainment Animation by Picture Magic

■Works

©Steel Three Kingdoms Project

■ Story

Going back more than 1,800 years.
Ancient China is a fantasy of another time and space, separate from the actual history of China that we know.
It was a world of war where many heroes fought for supremacy.

As if to resist such a strife-filled era,
There was a young man who continued to fight alone as a righteous thief known as the "Crimson Warrior."
The young man's name was Lu Xun Boyan.
Travelling around the world with his teacher, Zhuge Liang, he was more deeply concerned by this tragic conflict than anyone else...
One day, Muxun and Kongming encounter a battle between the Wu army, led by Sun Ce, the small overlord of Jiangdong, and the Wei army, the most powerful army on the continent. Wei has an overwhelming military force against the small Wu army.
While no one doubted the victory of the Wei army, the battlefield was dominated by the incredible power of Sun Ce, the ruler of the state of Wu.

And at the moment he is hit by the waves of this ferocious and sinister "power," memories that were supposed to have been sealed away in Muxun are awakened! It is the shocking truth that the source of Sun Ce's power comes from the "Imperial Seal" that has been passed down in the Muxun family since ancient times, and that Sun Ce is the one who murdered Muxun's father and stole the Imperial Seal!!

■Explanation

Going back in time, over 1,800 years ago...
Some are doing it for their own cause...
Some are for their own ideals...
Some are for the ones you love...
Many warlords ran through the vast Chinese continent...
In the midst of the turbulent waves of history,
A noble and beautiful drama about a young man who fought for what he believed in...
That is Steel Three Kingdoms!!

■Cast

・Lu Xun Boyan/Miyano Mamoru/Zhuge Liang Kongming/Koyasu Takehito/Ling Tong Gongji/Saiga Mitsuki/Ito Kentaro/Lü Meng Ziming/Ishida Akira/Gan Ning Xingba/Suwabe Junichi/Zhuge Jin Ziyu/Yusa Koji/Sun Quan Zhongmou/Namatamae Hitomi/Zhou Yu Gongjin/Miki Shinichiro/Zhang Zhibu/Miyazawa Tadashi/Ling Cao Gongke/Inoue Kazuhiko/Sun Ce Bofu/Matsumoto Yasunori/Liu Bei Xuande/Sato Rina/Guan Yu Yunchang/Okawa Toru/Zhang Fei Yitoku/Onosaka Masaya/Zhao Yun Zilong/Sugiyama Noriaki/Huang Zu Yuanyang/Okiayu Ryutaro/Cao Cao Mengde/Mitsuya Yuji

■ Main staff

・General Director / Endo Tetsuya・Director / Saga Satoshi・Series Composition / Takahashi Natsuko・Character Design, General Animation Director / Hashimoto Koichi, Tsukamoto Chiyomi, Okano Yukio・Character Concept / Sanjo, Toki・Dubbing Director / Mitsuya Yuji・Sound Director / Hiramitsu Takuya・Music / Toriyama Yuji・Art Director / Morimoto Shigeru・Art Concept Work / Ohno Yasuyuki・Color Design / Kodama Naoko・Scenario / Hirami Mito, Yamashita Kenichi, Inozume Shinichi, Watanabe Daisuke・Design Works / Okawa Hiroyuki, Ono Ryuji・Sound Production Cooperation / Jinnan Studio・Casting Cooperation / Nelke Planning・Comic Series / Comic Sangokushi Magazine (Media Factory)
Produced by NAS and Konami Digital Entertainment Animation by Picture Magic

■ Main Characters

・Lu Xun Hakugen
A single-minded and straightforward young man who laments the war-torn world and searches for his own path. He is also the heir to the Riku family, which has protected the ultimate treasure - the Imperial Seal - that holds the key to the turbulent times for generations. By order of his master, Kongming, he serves in the state of Wu and is selected as one of the ace troops, "Six Shun."
・Zhuge Liang (Shokatsuryo Koumei)
A genius military strategist with rare intelligence and bewitching beauty. As an independent warrior, he continued to travel with his beloved disciple Lu Xun, but after Lu Xun left for Wu, he began serving Liu Bei Xuande with the "three visits".
・Ryoto Koseki
An innocent and carefree boy who adores Lu Xun as his older brother. The only son of Ling Cao, a great general of Wu. While he admires his father's strength, he has complicated feelings towards his father, who does not recognize him as a full-fledged adult. Later, he is chosen as one of the "Six Spirits" along with Lu Xun.
・Great Historian Ci Ziyi
He is usually a carefree and straightforward person, but in battle he displays the strength of a god, making him the strongest warrior in the country of Wu. He is like an older brother to Lu Xun and the others, and is the leader of the Six Spirits.
・Ryōmō Shimei
Although he is serious and timid, he is also caring and the only one of the Six Shun who has common sense. When he first served Wu, he was called "weakling", but he admired Taishi Ci's strength and gradually became aware of his qualities as a military commander.
・Gan Ning Xing Ha
A cool military commander who is not only brave but also cold-hearted. He initially serves Huang Zu, who is an enemy of Wu, but later returns to Wu and becomes one of the "Six Legions." He is skilled with the bow and is called "Gan Ning of the Bell."
・Zhuge Jin Ziyu
He is an easy-going, elusive, cloud-like man, but inside he is torn between his complex and love for his great younger brother, Kongming. He is one of the "Six Spirits."
・Sun Quan Zhongmou
A young boy who succeeds his elder brother Sun Ce as ruler of the state of Wu. His pure kindness makes him sad about war and sometimes makes him lose sight of his role as a lord, but with the support of Lu Xun and others, he gradually establishes his own identity.
・Sun Ce Hakufu
Sun Quan's older brother. The former ruler of the state of Wu. Obsessed with power, he killed Lu Xun's father and seized the imperial seal from the Lu family.
・Zhou Yu Gongjin
Following the last wishes of his ally Sun Ce, he is the Grand Commander of Wu who supports Sun Quan. He usually behaves calmly and elegantly, but deep inside he is also fierce.
・Ryoso Kouketsu (Final Announcement)
Father of Ling Tong. A great general who supported the state of Wu together with Zhou Yu and others.

■Subtitle

Episode 1: Kongming, the outsider, sends the crimson Lu Xun to Jiangdong (April 5, 2007)
Episode 2: Wandering Lu Xun discovers Sun Quan in the capital of Wu (2007/04/12)
Episode 3: Young heroes gather on the land of Koto (2007/04/19)
Episode 4: The one-eyed hero entrusts the path of the warrior to Ryoto (2007/04/26)
Episode 5: The Lamenting Ling Tong Roars for His Victim (2007/05/03)
Episode 6: Suzu's Gan Ning shoots a sad arrow on the battlefield (2007/05/10)
Episode 7: The confused Lu Xun sees the light when he reunites with his master (2007/05/17)
Episode 8: Zhuge Liang uses arguments to influence Sun Quan of Wu (2007/05/24)
Episode 9: Young warriors gather to hone themselves in the mountains of Koto (2007/05/31)
Episode 10: Cao Mengde rushes over the Red Cliffs and approaches Sun Wu (2007/06/14)
Episode 11: The Six Spurs of Wu, Shining Red on the Yangtze River at Dawn (2007/06/21)
Episode 12: Wisdom and strategy, the sound of a mysterious flute echoes along the lakeside (2007/06/28)
Episode 13: Mishiro leads Lu Xun into the battlefield (July 5, 2007)
Episode 14: Sun Wu's Lament, Flickering in the Requiem of the Six Shun (2007/07/12)
Episode 15: Lu Xun, saddened, vows to make a comeback after seeing Sun Quan's smile (2007/07/19)
Episode 16: Guan Yu's roar, he shoots Lu Xun and forces him to prepare himself (2007/07/26)
Episode 17: Reunion of Soan, deep bond between master and disciple crosses over to Masyu (2007/08/02)
Episode 18: The Peach Orchard Brothers See the Flower of Bond in the Mountains of Shu (2007/08/09)
Episode 19: The Fierce Taishi Ci Stands on the Land of Central Plains (2007/08/16)
Episode 20: Wu Xia's Ameng uses his youthful wisdom to rise up (2007/08/23)
Episode 21: The setting sun of Gangneung steals the soul of a warrior (2007/08/30)
Episode 22: Liu Bei goes mad, wandering the Jiangdong region in a frozen shadow (September 6, 2007)
Episode 23: Sun Zhongmou on the Snowy Plains Follows Lu Xun to Leave His Homeland (2007/09/13)
Episode 24: Liu Bei's tears, showing new light to the field (2007/09/20)
・Episode 25: Lu Boyan dances on the Wuzhang Plains where the red star falls (2007/09/27)

■ Related works

・Unaired episodes of Steel Three Kingdoms

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・Nostalgia
Lyrics: HAYATO, TAKA
・Composer: KIKU
・Song: Camino

・ED1
・Kuon ・Lyrics by Alchemy+
・Composition: Alchemy+
・Arrangement: Alchemy+
・Singer: Miyano Mamoru

All-round evaluation and recommendation of Steel Three Kingdoms - Koutetsu Sangokushi

"The Three Kingdoms of Steel" is a television anime series that was broadcast in 2007, and is a work with fantasy elements based on the Chinese Three Kingdoms. This work depicts the growth and struggles of Lu Xun Boyan, a young man who fights as a righteous thief in an era of war. Below, we will provide a detailed review and recommendation of this work.

Story and setting

The story of "Steel Three Kingdoms" is based on the historical Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but adds original fantasy elements to create a new appeal. The protagonist, Lu Xun Boyan, is depicted traveling with his master, Zhuge Kongming, lamenting the war-torn world and searching for his own path. The ultimate treasure he possesses, the "Imperial Seal," is an important key to the story, and his fate with Sun Ce, who murdered Lu Xun's father, adds depth to the story.

The appeal of this work lies in its fusion of historical background and fantasy elements. Although real historical figures appear in the show, their fates and actions are dramatically altered by the fantasy, providing fresh surprises to viewers. Furthermore, the story of Lu Xun's coming of age depicts the suffering and hopes of a young man living in a time of war, deeply moving viewers.

character

The characters in "The Three Kingdoms of Steel" have their own backgrounds and personalities, which leave a strong impression on the viewer. In particular, the protagonist Lu Xun Boyan is deeply moved by the way he fights, while lamenting the war-torn world, keeping in mind the teachings of his master, Kongming. In addition, the members of the "Six Juns" who support Lu Xun also have their own personalities and growth, which enriches the story.

Lu Xun's teacher, Zhuge Kongming, is portrayed as a genius military strategist with rare intelligence and beauty, and his strategies and actions have a major impact on the development of the story. In addition, many unique characters appear, such as Lu Xun's best friend Ling Tong Gongji and Taishi Ci Ziyi, the strongest warrior of the state of Wu, and their relationships and growth add excitement to the story.

Animation and visuals

The animation for "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" was produced by Picture Magic, and the intensity of the battlefield and the expressions of the characters are depicted in detail. In particular, the battle scenes, in which steel weapons and machines are used, are very visually impactful. The character designs are by Koichi Hashimoto, Chiyomi Tsukamoto, and Yukio Okano, and each character's individuality is expressed visually.

The background art by art director Shigeru Morimoto and art concept artist Yasuyuki Ohno is also superb, realistically recreating the atmosphere of ancient Chinese landscapes and battlefields. The colors by color designer Naoko Kodama are also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the story.

Music and Sound

The music for "Koutetsu Sangokushi" was composed by Yuji Toriyama, and the grandiose music that evokes the era of war adds excitement to the story. In particular, the opening theme "Nostalgia" and the ending theme "Kuon" are beautiful songs that reflect the theme of the story and resonate with the hearts of viewers. In addition, the sound effects by sound director Takuya Hiramitsu are also an important element in livening up the battle scenes and dramatic scenes.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Romance of the Three Kingdoms" was loved by many viewers as a work based on the historical Romance of the Three Kingdoms with fantasy elements. In particular, the story of Lu Xun Boyan's growth and the story depicting the relationships between the unique characters deeply moved viewers. In addition, the animation and music are of high quality, making it a visual and aural pleasure.

This work is recommended for viewers who are interested in history and the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, those who like fantasy elements, and those who want to enjoy stories of growth and human drama. It is also recommended for those who value the quality of animation and music. "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is sure to be loved by many viewers as a work that depicts an epic story set in an era of war and the growth of unique characters.