:Legendz
{{Short description|Japanese media franchise}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| image = Legendz1.jpg
| caption = Cover of the first manga volume
| ja_kanji = レジェンズ
| ja_romaji = Rejenzu
| genre = Fantasy
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type = manga
| author = Rin Hirai
| illustrator = Makoto Haruno
| publisher = Shueisha
| publisher_en = {{English manga publisher|NA=Viz Media}}
| demographic = Shōnen
| magazine = Monthly Shōnen Jump
| first = 2003
| last = 2005
| volumes = 4
| volume_list = #Manga
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type = tv series
| title = Legendz: Yomigaeru Ryūō Densetsu
| director = Akitaro Daichi
| producer =
| writer =
| music =
| studio = Studio Gallop
| licensee =
| network = Fuji TV
| first = April 4, 2004
| last = March 27, 2005
| episodes = 50
| episode_list =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}
{{Nihongo|Legendz|レジェンズ|Rejenzu}} is a Japanese multimedia franchise created by Bandai and WiZ in 2003. The franchise began with a manga created by Rin Hirai and illustrated by Makoto Haruno, first serialized in Shueisha's Monthly Shōnen Jump in Japan. The manga was published in English by Viz Media in 2005."[https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-12-16/viz-officially-announces-dr-slump-and-legendz Viz Officially Announces Dr. Slump and Legendz]". Anime News Network. December 16, 2004. Retrieved on March 20, 2014."[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2004-12-16/viz-to-release-legendz-and-dr-slump-manga-in-2005 VIZ To Release Legendz and Dr. Slump Manga in 2005]." Anime News Network. December 16, 2004. Retrieved on March 20, 2014.
The anime, {{Nihongo|Legendz: Tale of the Dragon Kings|レジェンズ 甦る竜王伝説|Rejenzu Yomigaeru Ryūō Densetsu|Legendz: Yomigaeru Ryūō Densetsu}} is animated by Studio Gallop, directed by Akitaro Daichi, and aired on Fuji TV from April 2004 to March 2005. A pilot for an English dub of the series was produced for Hasbro, but was not picked up."[http://www.jamesmastroianni.com/#!LegendZ/zoom/mainPage/i111j09 JamesMastroianni]." Retrieved on January 30th, 2015. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217121931/http://jamesmastroianni.com/#!LegendZ/zoom/mainPage/i111j09|date=2014-12-17}}
Plot and setting
{{Main article|List of Legendz characters}}
The story opens with the discovery of the "Soul Dolls" which contain legendary creatures of incredible power within them. The Dark Wiz company (DWC) wants access to all of them for unknown reasons, but four of the Soul Dolls go missing. The majority of the anime takes place in Brooklyn, New York City, with the Brooklyn Bridge as a much-featured landmark.
Media
=Manga=
The Legendz manga was written by Rin Hirai and illustrated by Makoto Haruno. The manga was originally published in Shueisha's Monthly Shonen Jump from 2003 – 2005. The series was translated and adapted into English by Viz Media and released in four volumes with the first release in March 2005.{{cite web| url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2004-12-16/viz-to-release-legendz-and-dr-slump-manga-in-2005| title=VIZ To Release Legendz and Dr. Slump Manga in 2005| publisher=Anime News Network| date=14 December 2004| accessdate=20 March 2014}}
The story is about Ken Kazaki, a boy who attends Ryudo Elementary School. Together with Shiron, his faithful Windragon, fights with other people who like him breed monsters. Ken later participates in the Legendz Carnival.
{{Graphic novel list/header
| Language = Japanese
| Width = 70%
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| VolumeNumber = 1
| RelDate = March 4, 2004{{cite book| script-title=ja:レジェンズ 1 (ジャンプコミックス) (コミック) (Legends 1 (Jump Comics))| id={{ASIN|4088735838|country=jp}}}}
| ISBN = 978-4-08-873583-2
| LicensedRelDate = March 1, 2005{{cite book| title=Legendz, Vol. 1| isbn=1591167728| last1=Hirai| first1=Rin| date=March 2005| publisher=VIZ Media LLC}}
| LicensedISBN = 978-1-59116-772-3
| ChapterList = *Chapter 001- The Tornado Comes!
- Chapter 002- Volcano Hacker
- Chapter 003- Spiritual Inheritor
- Chapter 004- Eternal Champion
| Summary =
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| VolumeNumber = 2
| RelDate = June 4, 2004{{cite book| script-title=ja:レジェンズ 2 (ジャンプコミックス) (コミック) (Legends 2 (Jump Comics)| id={{ASIN|408873615X|country=jp}}}}
| ISBN = 978-4-08-873615-0
| LicensedRelDate = May 31, 2005{{cite book| title=Legendz, Vol. 2| isbn=1591167736| last1=Hirai| first1=Rin| date=31 May 2005| publisher=VIZ Media LLC}}
| LicensedISBN = 978-1-59116-773-0
| ChapterList = *Chapter 005- Pool of Radiance
- Chapter 006- Burnout!!
- Chapter 007- Earthquake Trooper
- Chapter 008- True Crystal
| Summary =
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| VolumeNumber = 3
| RelDate = November 4, 2004{{cite book| script-title=ja:レジェンズ 3 (ジャンプコミックス) (コミック) (Legends 3 (Jump Comics)| id={{ASIN|4088736877|country=jp}}}}
| ISBN = 978-4-08-873687-7
| LicensedRelDate = November 1, 2005{{cite book| title=Legendz, Vol. 3| isbn=1591169941| last1=Hirai| first1=Rin| date=November 2005| publisher=VIZ Media LLC}}
| LicensedISBN = 978-1-59116-994-9
| ChapterList = *Chapter 009- Spiritual Wind
- Chapter 010- Saga of the Tornado
- Chapter 011- Necrom Menace
- Chapter 012- Crossing Force
- Chapter 013- Volcano Nemesis
| Summary =
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| VolumeNumber = 4
| RelDate = April 4, 2005{{cite book| script-title=ja:レジェンズ 4 (ジャンプコミックス) (コミック) (Legends 4 (Jump Comics)| id={{ASIN|4088737997|country=jp}}}}
| ISBN = 978-4-08-873799-7
| LicensedRelDate = February 7, 2006{{cite book| title=Legendz, Vol. 4| isbn=142150149X| last1=Hirai| first1=Rin| date=7 February 2006| publisher=VIZ Media LLC}}
| LicensedISBN = 978-1-4215-0149-9
| ChapterList = *Chapter 014- Last Saga
- Chapter 015- Overlord
- Chapter 016- Jabberwock Reborn
- Chapter 017- True Wind!
- Chapter 018- LegendZ Become Legends
| Summary =
}}
{{Graphic novel list/footer}}
=Anime=
{{Main article|List of Legendz episodes}}
The anime was directed by Akitaro Daichi with character designs by Nagisa Miyazaki. The animation was produced by Studio Gallop. The sound director was Kazuya Tanaka. The anime opening theme is {{Nihongo|"Legendz of the Wind"|風のレジェンズ|Kaze no Legendz}} by Kyoko. The two ending themes are "Dounimo Tomaranai~Nonstop" by Brenda Vaughn, from episode 1 through 37 and another version performed by Linda Yamamoto from 38-49, while the final episode's ending theme is "Sorairo no Yubisaki" by Yurie Kokobu. The anime ran on Fuji TV April 4, 2004, to March 27, 2005.{{cite web| url=http://www.fujitv.co.jp/b_hp/legendz/| script-title=ja:レジェンズ ～甦る竜王伝説～| publisher=Fuji TV| accessdate=20 March 2014}}
==Home media==
=Video games=
{{nihongo|Legendz: Island of Ordeal|レジェンズ甦る試練の島}} is a Game Boy Advance game that was produced by Bandai and released on July 29, 2004.{{cite web| url=http://www.bandai.co.jp/sp/catalog/item/4543112240576000.html| script-title=ja:レジェンズ甦る試練の島 (Legendz: Island of Ordeal| publisher=Bandai| accessdate=20 March 2014}} The video game includes a unique accessory to "Reborn" the Legendz with a link cable connected to the "Soul Doll".{{cite web| url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/software/bljj/| script-title=ja:レジェンズ甦る試練の島| publisher=Nintendo| accessdate=20 March 2014| url-status=dead| archiveurl=https://archive.today/20140320213919/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/software/bljj/| archivedate=20 March 2014}} Using the dedicated adapter, the Legendz can adventure automatically and the player can view these events as flashbacks. The game also provided growth of the Legendz through sharing with other players.
The video game, {{nihongo|Legendz Fierce Fight! Saga Battle|レジェンズ 激闘!サーガバトル|}} is an action game for the PlayStation 2, originally released on December 16, 2004.{{cite web| url=http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/slps25427.html| script-title=ja:レジェンズ 激闘!サーガバトル (Legends fierce fight! Saga Battle)| publisher=jp.playstation.com| accessdate=20 March 2014}} Produced by Bandai Co., Ltd., it has a CERO rating for "All ages" and supports two player play. The game features more than 60 Legendz that the player uses to battle.
The third Legendz game to be released is {{Nihongo|Legendz: Sign of Nekuromu|レジェンズ サイン オブ ネクロム}}, a Game Boy Advance game that was produced by Bandai Co., Ltd. and released on February 17, 2005.{{cite web| url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/software/blvj/| script-title=ja:レジェンズ サイン オブ ネクロム| publisher=Nintendo| accessdate=20 March 2014| url-status=dead| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321043329/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/software/blvj/| archivedate=21 March 2014}} The game requires the "Soul Doll" adapter, two versions were sold; one for players who already have the "Legendz: Island of Ordeal" and one which included the Soul Doll adapter. The game included the ability to "rewrite the IC data" to allow the player to create their own Legendz.
Reception
The Anime Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese Animation Since 1917 makes note of the similarities to Dragon Drive in the introduction of Shu and Shiron. It also notes the similarities to Pokémon except with dragons and director Daichi's "stylistic similarities" to Grrl Power.{{cite book| title=The Anime Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese Animation Since 1917| publisher=Stone Bridge Press|author1=Clements, Jonathan |author2=McCarthy, Helen| year=2006| pages=362| isbn=978-1-933330-10-5}} The manga review compendium Manga: The Complete Guide praised the "elaborate universe" and "quirky artwork", but noted that the creatures were "bland".{{cite book|title=Manga: The Complete Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GvEFDD4rdWMC&pg=PT657|date=3 July 2012|publisher=Random House Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-345-53944-1|pages=657–658}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20091211223742/http://www.legendz.jp/rev2/pctop.html Legendz Anime Site]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090821081100/http://comics-news.shueisha.co.jp/common/legendz/ Legendz manga site]
- {{ann|anime|3746|Legendz: Yomigaeru Ryūō Densetsu}}
{{Monthly Shōnen Jump}}
{{Gallop (studio)}}
Category:2004 anime television series debuts
Category:Anime and manga set in New York City
Category:Bandai Namco franchises
Category:Animated television series about dragons
Category:Fantasy anime and manga