This is yet another time for the I.D analysis check up time due to the fact that I am getting a bit tied up with the re-watching of Manabi Straight until every single one of my clones die from an overdose of cuteness. This summary by the way is a very abridged version, since I am not really keen on blogging this series. Of course, if no one is interested in blogging the series, I will pick it up as usual, but I am sure this show will have its fans. I confess to be a really crazy AD&D tabletop player when I was young due to influences from my elder brother as well as friends who are interested in medieval settings. After that, I am always on the lookout for a good medieval fantasy series.
This looks like good stuff honestly on that line of thought, and I will start off with Deltora Quest, which is based on a series of fantasy books.
Summary
We started with the history of the invasion by the shadow lord. A strong blacksmith named Adin wearing the magical Belt of Deltora infused with the seven magical stones of Deltora, defeated the Shadow lord. However, the Shadow Lord waited and when the royals slowly forgot about the belt, the shadow lord took full advantage and destroyed the belt, as seven of his evil beasts carried the important magical jewels to seven places of evil. The king left the kingdom and was never heard again.
16 years later, we saw a kid mocking at the soldiers of the Shadow lord when they attempted to stop the villagers from reaping the labor of the apple trees there. As he teased them, he was chased to a dead end. However, a rope appeared as he was able to return back home.
Back at home, we realize that the name of the boy was Lief and his father was Jarred. Lief asked why everyone was always hiding behind in fear of the shadow lord when they could fight. Jarred said that the Shadow lord was not restrained by the power of the belt anymore as he took out a box, asking Lief to open it.
As Lief opened it, a beam of light appeared as it was the magical belt of Deltora. Jarred explained that he was the young companion of the former king and had retrieved the belt during the time of the invasion. It was broken before, but he had mended it and kept it in secret possession, awaiting for the next king to save Deltora from the shadow lord. He then entrusted Lief to wear the belt and save Deltora.
With that, he was given a fine sword by Jarred and a magical cloak by his sword as he set forth. Before he went, we were introduced to Barda, who looked like a rundown man until he got rid of his disguise as he showed himself to be an able man. He was in fact one of the guards who escaped during the invasion and was rescued back by Jarred. After that, he waited for the time to protect Lief and train him in order for the awakening of Lief to protect Deltora and find the seven gems
As they set forth to the nearest place, Lief was getting ahead of himself, rushing forward only to stumble onto a shadow guard. He started to panic in fear and was about to be cleaved when Barda rushed ahead to kill the man. As they moved forth, they were trapped by creatures with devilish red eyes while the environment immediately changed. Lief was getting nervous, as it became apparent that Lief was not used to actual fighting as he charged ahead recklessly, swinging his sword all around. Barda warned him about it as the creatures emit a high-pitch ultrawave sound that was starting to hurt them. Slowly, the noise caused Barda to be unconscious as the creatures with the devilish red eyes started to gather around the body of Barda.
What will happen to our warriors at such an early stage?
Thoughts
The starting of this episode has a very nice CG added to it, when the battle of the Deltora world came about. I personally like the slightly “boring” style of introduction with the world of Deltora, giving us the setting of where the series is situated. The battle scene also gives me the feeling of a great classic anime, Record of Lodoss War, which I consider to be one of the greatest medieval fantasy series ever produced.
The graphics are pretty decent, with a good mixture of CG and the use of simple graphics to illustrate it. To be honest, I like the fact that the hero knows from episode 1 that something is seriously wrong. He is also not a spoiled brat, which I really hate for a stereotype. I mean, we have Naruto in Naruto who is basically a brat (of course he’s matured slightly for now, but…), Ueki in Law of Ueki and well, if I must stretch it, Ichigo from Bleach. For once, there is a hero that knows what he wants right at the start and sets forth. I like this because it reeks of an adventure of a mature 16 year old kid, rather than a reluctant hero that eventually turns stronger and all that. It breaks the mold of a general shounen series, and turns it into a pure fantasy fest.
What else can a medieval loving anime fan ask for?
I have to admit that I like the old school sword fighting and hopefully, a bit of magic too. Most shounen series have way too much mega powers and all that rubbish that it becomes like just a leveling up rpg where you gain more and more skills. I am more akin to good old school Dungeons and Dragons style of summoning and conjuring. For now, they have a pure swordsman in Barda while the main protagonist looks a bit like an average hero, which I am fine with.
In all, I fully enjoyed this series and I hope it does not succumb to over-bearing stuff and sticks to old school magic and swashbuckling sword fighting. If they have that, this will be a great series to love, a good change from all the loli-infused series.
So, back to that big question. Why should you watch this?
1. Enjoyable first episode that starts off with a more serious tone than most other shounen, with a clear focus on adventure rather than comedy.
2. Seems to be old school sword fighting and magic, with mystical creatures that look pretty interesting from the synopsis for next week.
3. Compelling characters, and the main lead is not a fricking spoiled brat.
4. Nice use of CGs, with decent graphical level for the style of anime that it is portraying.
Is this your cup of tea? If so, I will await you in the world of Deltora.
45 Comments
Yeah let’s hope Deltora Quest gets as good as Lodoss War, if not better
Enjoyed reading your thoughts on the first ep, Impz. I agree about Lief, he’s not a typical brat which makes him likeable. Clearly he’s not some uber skilled warrior and hesitates the first time he’s faced with real danger. I like that. It makes him more believable than a typical cocky shounen hero. One of the reasons I lost interest in Kiba was because Zed was about as likeable as concrete with the personality to match
Even if you don’t blog this one, hopefully your post will urge people to give it a shot. Cheers.
@ Alkan: I hope so too. If it can be around 80% of how great lodoss war is, we are in for a total classic and I will be raving it crazy.
@ Sonhex: I think in the original book, he’s reluctant and all that, which I am glad they changed it so that he’s not a brat. I mean, it is pretty standard that he’s not strong (and yes, he will get stronger later for sure) but all these conditions make him a much more compelling hero that does not annoy the shit out of you. In fact, I think he’s a better male lead than most.
deltora quest is a classic old school style shounen.
now this is something i need to see, for the novels are quite good (all 15 of them -_-). I cant wait to see an Australian book get anime-ified lol!
it’s from an australian book?
Wow. I didn’t know that but it feels like classic old school and that rubs me the right way.
looks really good from the screenshot, can’t wait till its subbed x_x!
ahahaha~ Ya, it looks even better when watched, the old school style wins, man!
this just came out in 2007?
yep, just
geh.
and here I was checking the blog because of what Babbo said.
I seriously have to question the sanity of anyone under twelve that can actually sit through this show without giggling at the idiotic simplicity.
The apple scene had me in a fit of laughter. Oh noes! the 3vil guys are taking the apples! now we must stand up!
looks more like another Star Ocean quality fantasy show , right down to the bland character designs and vague plot.
the first episode was ..ok
Second one was fine. Third one was slightly off for me already.
Fourth went terribly downhill.
Verdict? Not blogging.
Ahhh what a wasted chance for a good fantasy anime
oh wow…
the book series is awesome.. i’ve read it years ago.
it’s amazing to see a library book for australian primary school kids get turned into an anime. XD
but im not sure if i want to see the anime.. o.O
Hi! I’m a brazilian and I looooooove Deltora Quest! The anime don’t come to Brasil, just now. Then I didn’t saw Lief, Barda and Jasmine in anime, just in this blog! Thank you, Impz! Realy thank you! I go come back to here!
Alkanphel, I think that turning this book into anime will make it worse, but it’s better than any other anime.
Alkanphel, I think that turning this book into anime will make it worse, but it’s better than any other anime.
Hi i’m from Canada and I read Deltora Quest about 6 years ago and fell in love with it I think making it into an anime is fantastic because i love anime and combining my favorite book with my life (anime) OMG id watch them over and over again till I could say all the lines perfectly Oh i cant wait to see the anime.
Oi gente sou um brasileiro e queria saber mais sob re esse anime, eu já li o livro mais rtbm quero assistir!
Brasileiro, procura no youtube! Tem 4 episódios em japonês com legenda em inglês e uma partezinha do espisódio 14! Não é tão bom quanto os livros, mas podia ter sido pior! E a Jasmine e o Lief estão lindos!
Que horror!! jasmine com ropinha de colegial, presilhas no cabelo, FALA SERIO!
e o lief? LOURO!! pelo amor de deus!! u.ú
Sorry if we are speaking portuguese on this site, people. But is more easy to us^^
Podia ser pior, Mariana. Isso não é roupinha de colegial… tudo bem que eu mesma quase tive um enfarto quando vi os enfeites de cabelo da Jasmine e o Lief loiro, mas teve livros que ficaram bem piores ao passar pras telinhas. Já assistiu Eragon? E Harry Potter 4? Exemplos vivos disso. Estou feliz que Deltora Quest tenha escapado de virar um filme, pelo menos por enquanto. O animê até que ficou razoável. Não é nada comparado à série de livros mais fantástica que o mundo já viu, que é Deltora Quest, mas não está ruim.
I luv the deltora Quest books! When is the series going to be shown in every country? Your No1 FAN!!!!!!!!!! Mz Witch-Elise
Mz Witch here saying luv the Deltora Quest books! They ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:D
i love your blog.. i am a HUGE Deltora fan. my favorite characters have to be kree and Filli. i have read ALL three series. i didnt really like the shadowland series but the other 2 i loved. i am so obsessed with deltora.
– Kree (not really my name but he’s my favorite character)
its not really how i would have thought of him in the book lirf of barda they look realy different.
lief sorry i feall really really bad.
I live in Aus and love the whole deltora quest series, I have all the books and I know it will stay pretty good if they stick with the storyline… But they can’t put the same detail into the anime as in the book but I can hardly wait till it comes to Aus I LOVE DELTORA QUEST…
DELTORA QUEST ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!DELTORA QUEST ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!DELTORA QUEST ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!DELTORA QUEST ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!DELTORA QUEST ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This anime looks really cool. Im a Deltora fan personaly and loved the books. When will the anime be realeased in the U.S.? Also I would like to see more pictures it looks pretty good so far Please get one of Gorl if you can. Hes my FAVORITE!!!!!
my favorite is jasmine
Deltora Quest rox. Im 14 and have just finshed reading Deltora Quest and now i am reading Deltora Quest 2.
i went on you tube and seen the eps of it and OMG IT ROX. i think if Lift was real he would be so HOT. lolz
DELTORA QUEST IT THE BEST EVER.
Deltora Quest! Well that brings back heaps of memories. Even though the books were rather simplistic and dissapointingly short, I think the plot, with all its riddles and twists, were pretty goddamn smooth and creative! The anime though is quite unimpressive. It uses way to much computer generated graphics, which is a disgusting breach of traditional Japanese anime (in my opinion). Being an Ozzy myself, I just dont think that the anime will justify the “gems” that these little Australian books are.
P.S. Even though I’ am a guy, I completely agree with Lisa. Lief is such a cutey in this – even better than what I imagined!
I LOVE THE BOOKS
The books are very interesting & I love them.I have read them several times.
The books are awesome, but the anime sucks so badly it hurts >.<
I rekon that the movies are better than the books because the books dont give emotin instead you have to imagine it which really sucks.Anyways can someone tell me what the episode is for the last episode of deltora quest where Lief and jasmine get married and Barda gets married?Please can someone help i am searching everywhere!
Deltora was one of my favorite book series back in elementary school, so when I heard it was made into an anime, it was like all of my dreams had come true. *__*
I’m on episode….nine-ish right now, and I’m loving that the anime sticks true to the plot of the books. It’s been so many years; I love remembering all of the little details (Like…the Grey Guard’s exploding bombs), although it sucks knowing the huge epic spoilers T^T Anyway, I’m liking it so far and will probably continue watching as I find subs.
…..And Filli is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. >w<
I loved these books growing up, I read every single one of them (and I’m not an big reader by any means!). I always felt the story had an anime kind of “feel” to them – so by some degree, I kind of expected this to happen and was very excited when I heard the news indeed! ^_^ The character designs are gorgeous – I agree with those here who said that Lief is a hottie!
But of course, anime is pretty hit and miss – some anime is absolutely jaw-droppingly amazing, while others can be cliched and awful. Still, I tend to like anime as a medium in general, and would much rather see a story I love turned into an anime (even if it’s pretty average) than a crappy Hollywood film like Eragon.
I have to say that I am intesnsely curious about the anime as deltora quest was a loved series of mine way back in primary school-and to see a Aussie author’s book be turned into an anime is interesting anyway. Although I am worried about the use of CG, I would like to point out to the people who though the characters/story were simple, that the books the series is based on weren’t not long or over detailed to begin with, so they may just be following the books quite closely.
I love the Deltora series. I’m currently on the Isle of the Dead. But I have some comments about the movie because they messed up in BIG places. First, why is Lief blond? And why are his eyes blue? They should both be brown. Second, Jasmine, what’s up with the green hair. It should be completely black. And Fill is green, what’s up with that? Barda, well, . . . just isn’t Barda!
I fell in love with the Deltora Quest series around fourth or fifth grade – in school, each time a scholastic magazine came out I would always check for a new book in the series. To start off, Emily Rodda based the book off of your generic RPG quest format, which was a cool thing I found out. I dislike the changes made to Jasmine’s (Jasmine was supposed to be black-haired), and I also dislike the overly done CGI Gorl in the Forest of Silence, but I can’t complain because I love the story so much ^^ I’m waiting for the day this becomes dubbed, for then I will get to experience it in full glory. Anyways that’s my 2 cents.
~ Jovey
OH MY GOSH , I LOVE DELTORA QUEST!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do you know when it will come to Australia? And on what show????????? I’ve been waiting for, like, EVER!!
jULZ
its in Australia (ABC3 30th april 2011)
YAY!!! Air in Australia on ABC3 saturday 7:10am
FINALLY…..I’ve waited so long
i’d love 2 see jasmine naked