Record of Lodoss War has gained a new story more than 35 years after the landmark Japanese fantasy series first began. The completely new spin off webtoon, Record of Lodoss War: Shiryō no Joō (Queen of the Dead), began distribution in Japan on LINE Manga and ebookjapan on July 31. On its first day of release, it reached No. 1 on LINE Manga’s overall ranking.
The story takes place during the “Unknown War,” an era far in the past that had never been fully depicted in the main series. Why tell this long unexplored chapter of history now? We spoke with original creator Ryo Mizuno.
A Heroic Fantasy Built on the Detailed History of the Cursed Island
Record of Lodoss War is one of the defining works from the early era of Japanese light novels and has had a major influence on fantasy culture in Japan. The series helped popularize such elements as elves, magic and adventurers.
Set on Lodoss, the “Cursed Island” where legends remain of the Six Heroes who once defeated the Demon King, the epic fantasy follows the growth and battles of the young warrior Parn and his companions.
The story goes far beyond a simple tale of adventure. It depicts deadly battles with Karla the Grey Witch, who operates from the shadows of history to maintain the balance of power, a decisive confrontation involving a dragon and the Black Knight who seeks the immensely powerful Scepter of Domination, and the exploits of the young hero Spark as he fights to prevent the resurrection of an evil deity and bring the wars of Lodoss to an end.
The vast scale with which this fictional world is portrayed almost like real history has captivated readers for decades.
Within that meticulously constructed chronology, however, one era has never been explored in detail.
That period is the “Unknown War,” which serves as the setting for this new story.
A Completely New Story Set Just After the Fall of the Ancient Kingdom of Kastuul
The new story takes place on the Island of Lodoss in an age far earlier than the adventures of Parn and his companions, immediately after the collapse of the ancient magical Kingdom of Kastuul.
Kastuul has fallen, and an age of eternal peace appears to have arrived.
Thane is a young man living happily with his lover Seraphine in the settlement of Marnie. His peaceful life is suddenly and brutally destroyed when countless ghouls attack the settlement.
Behind the assault is Nectrella, who inherited the art of necromancy from Salvaan, the final governor of Kastuul.
Now existing as a spirit, Nectrella possesses Seraphine’s body in an attempt to become the ruler of Lodoss once again.
Meanwhile, the critically wounded Thane is guided by a mysterious voice echoing within his mind and begins to awaken as a berserker.
Mizuno explained why he chose an era so closely connected to the fundamental setting of the original series.
“Once we decided during the planning stage that this would be an original work, I chose this era because I had ideas for it but had never actually turned them into a story.”
Ideas that had existed since the original series was being written were combined with proposals from the production team developing the new webtoon.
“I had some vague ideas about the history of Lodoss, but the production team also made proposals about what kind of work they wanted to create, so I adapted things accordingly. Overall, I think it has become a work that could be incorporated into the official history of Lodoss without feeling out of place. That said, I only provided the original concept, so the finer details have a kind of originality that is unique to a webtoon.”
From the Inner Lives of Novel Characters to the Visuals and Action of a Webtoon
smartphones use very different methods of expression and communicate their stories in different ways.
Mizuno is keenly aware of the differences between the two media.
“With novels, I place greater emphasis on the characters’ inner lives, while webtoons have strengths in visuals and action.”
To make the fullest possible use of the medium, Mizuno has also taken an active approach toward incorporating the production team’s enthusiasm into the work.
“I met with the production team many times and conveyed my feelings as the creator. At the same time, I could sense that they had very strong ideas of their own about this project. I want to embrace that enthusiasm, so I have been making as many adjustments as possible to ensure everything fits within the world of Lodoss.”
While the project is taking dynamic new approaches visually, Mizuno says there are also elements that will reassure longtime fans.
“Visually, I feel there is a freshness unlike anything we have seen before, but when established major characters appear, it immediately feels like Lodoss again.”
Filling in the Missing Links in the History of Lodoss
“Please Come Home”: Ryo Mizuno’s Message to New and Longtime Readers
Finally, Mizuno shared a message for readers picking up the webtoon version of Record of Lodoss War: Shiryō no Joō (Queen of the Dead).
“For all of our longtime fans, I am happy that we have been able to bring you another new chronicle. Please, come home. And for new fans, I hope as many people as possible will discover this work. If you enjoy it, I hope you will also get hooked on the other works.”
A landmark of Japanese fantasy has now gained a new medium in the form of webtoons, bringing with it dynamic action and vivid visual expression.
More than 35 years later, attention is once again turning to Lodoss as the long hidden “Unknown War” finally begins to unfold.
- COMIC
