The appeal and reviews of "Dragon Quest: Your Story": New possibilities for anime movies

"Dragon Quest Your Story": A tale of adventure and growth

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

game

■ Release date

August 2, 2019 - January 1, 0000

■Distribution company

Toho

■Frequencies

103 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Yuji Horii

■ Director

Takashi Yamazaki (general director), Ryuichi Yagi, Makoto Hanabusa

■ Production

・Production: Shirogumi, ROBOT

■Works

©2019 “DRAGON QUEST YOUR STORY” Production Committee ©1992 ARMOR PROJECT/BIRD STUDIO/CHUNSOFT/SQUARE ENIX All Rights Reserved.

■ Story

A young boy named Luca was traveling with his father, Papas. Their goal was to rescue his mother, who had been kidnapped by monsters led by Gemma. During the journey, Papas finally encountered Gemma and engaged in a fierce battle with the monsters. However, Papas was caught off guard and Luca was taken hostage. Papas was unable to do anything and died in front of Luca.

Ten years later, Luca returns to his hometown and discovers Papas' diary, which says, "If you find the Sword of Heaven and the Hero, you can save your mother." Following his father's last will, Luca sets out on another adventure. He faces many challenges, and must make an ultimate decision regarding the two women, Bianca and Flora. What awaits him at the end of this adventure?!

■Explanation

"DRAGON QUEST Your Story" is a Japanese 3DCG animated film that was released on August 2, 2019. It is the first 3DCG animated film in the "Dragon Quest" series, and the story is based on "Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride." The catchphrases are "Live your life" and "Who are you?"

While the film faithfully reproduces the original game, it tells the story from a new perspective, making it enjoyable for both existing fans and new audiences. In particular, the visual expression, which makes full use of 3DCG technology, has succeeded in realistically recreating the world of the game and creating a visual impact.

Furthermore, the story's central theme of Luca's growth and adventure not only deeply moves viewers, but also portrays universal themes such as courage and hope. The trials and choices Luca faces can be compared to viewers' own lives, evoking empathy.

■Cast

・Ruka/Takeru Sato ・Ruka (childhood)/Riku Onishi ・Bianca/Kasumi Arimura ・Flora/Haru

The cast was selected based on a deep understanding of the characters' personalities and backgrounds, and Sato Takeru's role as Luca in particular captured the hearts of viewers with his realistic portrayal of the boy's growth into a young man. Arimura Kasumi's role as Bianca and Haru's role as Flora also showed performances that brought out the best in their characters, playing important roles in adding excitement to the story.

■ Main staff

・Original story and supervision: Yuji Horii ・General director and scriptwriter: Takashi Yamazaki ・Directors: Ryuichi Yagi and Makoto Hanabusa ・Music: Koichi Sugiyama

The film's production team respected the worldview of the original work while adding a new interpretation to bring out the film's unique appeal. In particular, Yamazaki Takashi's skill as general director has had a major impact on the story's development and visual expression, maintaining an exquisite balance between visual beauty and storytelling. Sugiyama Koichi's music also plays a role in enhancing the viewer's emotions by providing new melodies that match the film's scenes while retaining the atmosphere of the original work.

■ Main Characters

Luca sets out on a journey with his father, Papas, to rescue his mother, Martha, who has been kidnapped by monsters. On the way, they are captured by monsters, and Papas' life is taken right before his eyes when he comes to rescue her. Ten years later, on his journey to find the still missing Martha, he meets two women in the town of Sarapona. Bianca, who he used to adventure with as a child, and Flora, his childhood friend and the daughter of a wealthy man. One of these two will be his destined marriage partner.

Lucas' character symbolizes courage and determination, growing through adventure and overcoming obstacles. His journey will inspire viewers with hope and courage, and will also encourage them to reconsider the importance of family and friendship.

・Bianca When she was young, she defeated the Yabun Ghost at Lenour Castle with Luca. She is a lively woman who continues to adventure alone after that. When she grows up, she meets Luca again and they join forces to defeat Buoon, a monster that threatens the peace of Sarabona.

Bianca is Luca's childhood friend and a companion on many adventures with him. Her cheerfulness and strength are important factors supporting Luca's journey, making her a character that viewers can sympathize with.

Flora is the daughter of a wealthy man in Sarabona, and is a beautiful and intelligent woman who is the object of admiration for all the men in the town. Her father, Rudman, has decided without her permission that she will marry the man who defeats Buoon, the monster that is threatening Sarabona.

Flora is another childhood friend of Lucas, and her beauty and intelligence add color and depth to the story. Her presence makes Lucas's choices more difficult and plays an important role in creating tension in the story.

■ Related works

・Dragon Quest Your Story

"Dragon Quest: Your Story" is based on "Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride," so fans of the game will feel nostalgic and new at the same time. The film also connects with other works in the series, helping to provide a deeper understanding of the overall worldview.

■ Evaluation and recommendation

"Dragon Quest: Your Story" is a must-see for fans of the original game, and will be enjoyable for new audiences too. The 3DCG visuals in particular recreate the game's world realistically, successfully creating a visual impact. Luca's growth and adventure will deeply touch viewers, and will also depict universal themes such as courage and hope.

This movie depicts the importance of family and friendship, and is a story that symbolizes courage and determination in the face of difficulties, conveying many messages to viewers. In particular, the performances of Takeru Sato as Luca, Kasumi Arimura as Bianca, and Haru as Flora bring out the best in their characters and play an important role in livening up the story.

Furthermore, thanks to the efforts of the film staff, the film has been able to draw out its own unique appeal by adding a new interpretation while respecting the worldview of the original work. In particular, Takashi Yamazaki's skill as general director and Koichi Sugiyama's music have had a major impact on the development of the story and its visual expression, maintaining an exquisite balance between visual beauty and storytelling.

"Dragon Quest: Your Story" is a story of adventure and growth that will deeply touch and sympathize with viewers, and we highly recommend it. It will be a work not to be missed, especially for fans of the original game and viewers who enjoy fantasy animation.

■Detailed information and recommendations

"Dragon Quest: Your Story" is based on the story of the original game "Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride," and depicts Lucas' adventure and growth, making it a work that deeply moves viewers. In particular, the visual expression that makes full use of 3DCG technology has succeeded in realistically recreating the world of the game and making a visual impact.

Through Luca's growth and adventure, this film conveys many messages to viewers, depicting the importance of family and friendship, and symbolizing the courage and determination to face difficulties. In particular, the performances of Takeru Sato as Luca, Kasumi Arimura as Bianca, and Haru as Flora bring out the best in their characters and play an important role in adding excitement to the story.

Furthermore, thanks to the efforts of the film staff, the film has been able to draw out its own unique appeal by adding a new interpretation while respecting the worldview of the original work. In particular, Takashi Yamazaki's skill as general director and Koichi Sugiyama's music have had a major impact on the development of the story and its visual expression, maintaining an exquisite balance between visual beauty and storytelling.

"Dragon Quest: Your Story" is a story of adventure and growth that will deeply move and sympathize with viewers, and is highly recommended. This is a work that fans of the original game and viewers who enjoy fantasy animation will not want to miss. This film is also related to the other works in the series and will help you to gain a deeper understanding of the overall worldview, so we recommend watching it to enjoy the entire series.