The appeal and reviews of MapleStory: The essence of an MMORPG that can be enjoyed by beginners and advanced players alike

MapleStory: A tale of adventure and friendship

"MapleStory" is a 25-episode TV anime series that aired on TV Tokyo from October 7, 2007 to March 30, 2008. It is based on the popular online game of the same name developed by Nexon, which has 72 million registered users worldwide. This anime is a new story created by director Ishiyama Takaaki, making use of the worldview and concept of the game.

story

When the evil organization "Zatta Gang" tried to take the World Tree of Victoria Island, which once protected the peace and order of the world, four other tribes rose up, led by the human race (Al's father, Grande). However, when they were in the worst pinch due to the fierce power of the Zatta Gang, the World Tree exploded in order to protect itself, releasing its seeds like a balsam. Some of the tribes migrated from Victoria Island to Maple Island, but the other tribes suspected that the human race was involved in the destruction of the World Tree, and the human race was driven away. Furthermore, the quarrels between the tribes became endless. That was about 10 years ago. Now, Al and his team set out on a journey to find the seeds of the World Tree and revive it, but the Zatta Gang is once again aiming for it.

Commentary

Ten years have passed since the destruction of the World Tree, and conflicts between the various races have not ceased. Meanwhile, a human boy named Al and his friends set out on a journey to find the seed of the World Tree. The original is an online game of the same name, which has 72 million registered users worldwide. This work, which has a high degree of freedom and is not bound by a set storyline, has been animated by director Ishiyama Takaaki, making use of the game's worldview and concept. Animation is handled by Madhouse, and production and copyright are handled by TV Tokyo, Nexon, and Dentsu.

cast

・Al/Kuwashima Houko・Nina/Endo Aya・Pudu/Matsumoto Rika・Ange/Kusao Takeshi・Barrow/Kiuchi Hidenobu・Garrus/Kusunoki Daisuke・Krone/Mizuki Nana・Arriba/Namikawa Daisuke・Soara/Hidaka Noriko・Grande/Tanaka Hideyuki・Marron/Konno Hiromi・Gil/Paku Romi・Thatman/Nozawa Nachi・Alolo/Yusa Koji・Spiruna/Yoshizawa Kiri・Godfried/Yao Kazuki・Kino/Minaguchi Yuko

Main Staff

・Original work / Nexon・Director / Takaaki Ishiyama・Assistant Director / Atsuko Ishizuka・Series Composition / Toshiki Inoue・Character Design, Chief Animation Director / Yoshinori Kanemori・Color Design / Fumie Hayashi・Art Director / Hideyuki Ueno・Directors of Photography / Yukihiro Masumoto, Yuya Kumazawa・Editor / Yoshiko Kimura・Music / Satoshi Togawa・Sound Director / Yasunori Honda・Supervising Director / Joo Min hee
・Storyline/Son Kwi young
・Model design/Lim Kwang hyun
・Original background design/Shin Jy chui
・Creative Director/Dae Hyun Kang
・Design works/Jamie Vickers
Producers: Fumi Yoshino, Kim Jung a, Hajime Yamanoi Animation: Madhouse Production, copyright: TV Tokyo, Nexon, Dentsu

Main Characters

・Al (human race)
The protagonist is bright and energetic. He trains every day to become a strong and kind man like his father, who tried to protect the World Tree, a symbol of peace, from the hands of evil. Everyone calls him "Invincible Al" and "Hardworking Al."
・Nina (Magical/Chief)
She has the best magical powers. However, she is the head of a magical tribe with a bad personality. The heroine enjoys playing pranks on Al with her pet pudu.
Poodoo is a pet who receives Nina's twisted love. He and Nina used to play pranks on Al, but after seeing Al's kindness, he becomes a bit of a good guy.
Garus (Warrior/Chief)
The chief of the warrior tribe who prides himself on his strength. He believes that he is the strongest in Maple Island. Although he does believe that strength is everything, he is actually very compassionate. Like Barrow, he respects Al.
・Barlow (Archer/Chief)
The chief of the archer tribe who loves music. He is not only a skilled archer, but also a top-class player of the ancient lute instrument. He highly values ​​Al's hard work.
・Anji (Thief/Chief)
The leader of a group of thieves who doesn't think stealing is bad. His special skills are running fast and deceiving people. But he also has a kind heart.
Krone: A member of the Zatta Gang who is after the "Seed of the World Tree." He leaves the search for the seed to Ariba and spends his time eating sweets in his room on the Zatta Gang's ship.
Following the instructions of Arriva Krone, he is searching for the "Seed of the World Tree." Because he is clumsy and absent-minded, he keeps failing.
Kino: Al's cute friend who is kindhearted and loves collecting beautiful, shiny stones.
Harp: A small but strong-willed man who is the right hand man of the Bow Tribe's chief, Barrow. He not only directs the orchestra, but also the battles.

subtitle

・Episode 1: Al and his wonderful friends! (2007/10/07)
・Episode 2: Al and Nina (2007/10/14)
・Episode 3: Friends are good (2007/10/21)
・Episode 4: Al's True Identity! (2007/10/28)
・Episode 5: We're all friends! (2007/11/04)
・Episode 6: Stolen Heart (2007/11/11)
Episode 7: My Mother is a Thief (2007/11/18)
Episode 8: Clash! Garus vs. Barrow vs. Superhuman Al (2007/11/25)
Episode 9: Rain, humid chaos (2007/12/02)
・Episode 10: Departure! (2007/12/09)
・Episode 11: Gil appears! (2007/12/16)
・Episode 12: Spiruna and Aloalo (2007/12/23)
・Episode 13: Find Aloalo (2008/01/06)
・Episode 14: The Holy Sword of Light Returns! (2008/01/13)
・Episode 15: The World Tree Seed Auction (2008/01/20)
・Episode 16/Nina's Hometown (2008/01/27)
・Episode 17: The Strongest Warrior (Part 1) (2008/02/03)
・Episode 18: The Strongest Warrior (Part 2) (2008/02/10)
・Episode 19: Proud Thief Anji! (2008/02/17)
・Episode 20: The Truth from 10 Years Ago (2008/02/24)
・Episode 21/Letter from Dad (2008/03/02)
・Episode 22: Gil and Al, Two Swords (2008/03/09)
・Episode 23: The Seed of the World Tree (2008/03/16)
・Episode 24: True Strength (2008/03/23)
・Episode 25: Under the World Tree (2008/03/30)

Related Titles

・MapleStory Unaired Episodes

Theme songs and music

・OP1
・Period: 1 to 25
・Scratch On The Heart
Lyrics: Goro Matsui; Composition: Yusuke Itagaki; Arrangement: Yusuke Itagaki; Singer: Younha

・ED1
・Period: 1 to 24
・The Radiance of the Heart・Lyrics by Emi Fujita・Music by Emi Fujita・Arrangement by Seiichiro Sugiura "Ruffin"・Vocals by Fumiko Orikasa

・ED2
・Period/25
・Bokuno Rhythm ・Lyrics by Fumiko Orikasa ・Music by Seiichiro Sugiura "Ruffin" ・Arrangement by Seiichiro Sugiura "Ruffin" ・Vocals by Fumiko Orikasa

Evaluation and Impressions

"MapleStory" has been widely accepted not only by fans of the original game, but also by anime fans. In particular, the story depicting the growth of the main character Al and his bonds with his friends touched many viewers. Each episode carefully depicts the backgrounds and feelings of different characters, making it easy for viewers to empathize with their adventures. In addition, the adventure in search of the World Tree Seed provided thrills and excitement to viewers.

Madhouse, the studio in charge of animation, succeeded in faithfully recreating the worldview of the game while developing a unique story. The character designs and background art were beautiful, and the visual appeal was great. In particular, the battle scenes and the depiction of magic were visually very vivid and worth watching.

Music was also an important element in enhancing the appeal of this anime. Younha's powerful singing voice in the opening theme "Scratch on the Heart" symbolized the beginning of the adventure and inspired the viewers. Fumiko Orikasa's gentle singing voice in the ending themes "Kokoro no Kagayaki" and "Boku no Rhythm" deepened the moving story and resonated with the viewers.

Recommended points

MapleStory is a work with themes of adventure and friendship, and the following points are particularly recommended for the game:

1. Character growth and bonds

The story centers on the growth of each character, including the main character Al, and the bonds they form. As Al's nicknames "Invincible Al" and "Hardworking Al" suggest, his efforts and kindness influence his friends, and it is moving to see how they grow together. Also, it is fascinating to see the unique characters, such as Nina, Garrus, Barrow, and Ange, overcome their differences to work together.

2. Beautiful animation and worldview

Madhouse's animation faithfully reproduces the worldview of the original game while retaining its own unique beauty. The scenery of Victoria Island and Maple Island, the distinctive designs of each race, and the powerful battle scenes are all visually appealing. In particular, the adventure scene in search of the World Tree Seed is a perfect blend of beautiful backgrounds and dynamic movements.

3. A moving story

The difficulties and trials that Al and his friends face on their journey to find the seed of the World Tree, and the process of overcoming them are moving. In particular, the way past events, such as the truth from 10 years ago and the letter from Dad, affect the current adventure is carefully depicted, stirring the hearts of viewers. In addition, the revival of the World Tree in the final episode and the subsequent developments deeply moved viewers.

4. The appeal of music

The opening and ending theme songs are important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the story. The powerful vocals of "Scratch On The Heart" and the gentle melodies of "Kokoro no Kagayaki" and "Bokuno Rhythm" touched the hearts of viewers. The background music was also used skillfully to match the development of the story, enhancing the emotions of the viewers.

summary

"MapleStory" has been widely accepted not only by fans of the original game, but also by anime fans. The growth of the main character Al and his bond with his friends, the beautiful animation and world view, the moving story, and the charming music all add to the appeal of this anime. This work, which is based on the theme of adventure and friendship, will provide viewers with a lot of excitement and emotion, and will be loved for a long time.