The Legend of the Legendary Heroes

The Legend of the Legendary Heroes (伝説の勇者の伝説) is a Japanese light novel series by Takaya Kagami, with illustrations by Saori Toyota which was published by Fujimi Shobo in Dragon Magazine from February 25, 2002 to October 25, 2006, and has 11 volumes. It's sequel, The Legend of the Great Heroes of Legend (大伝説の勇者の伝説) began publishing in October 25, 2007 and currently has 8 volumes. The series also has 2 spin-off series, The Legend of Legendary Heroes Anyway (とりあえず伝説の勇者の伝説), a collection of short stories which ran from December 20, 2002 to June 20, 2007 and was compiled into 11 volumes, and The Legend of the Black Fallen Hero (堕ちた黒い勇者の伝説), which ran from December 25, 2007 to September 25, 2009 and was compiled into 5 volumes. The series has also spun off into other media including a Drama CD, a manga adaptation which currently has 3 bound volumes and a PSP video game which was released on February 18, 2010 on the PSP. An 26 episode anime adaptation is being produced by Zexcs which premiered on July 1, 2010 and is licensed by Kadokawa in Japan and Funimation Entertainment in North America.

Story
Ryner Lute is a lazy student of the Roland Empire Royal Magician's Academy. One day, the Roland Empire goes to war against their neighboring country Estaboole, and Ryner loses his classmates in the war. After the war, Ryner sets out on a journey to search the relics of a "Legendary Hero" at Emperor Sion Astal's command and finds out that a deadly curse is spreading throughout the continent.

Main Characters

 * Ryner Lute (ライナ・リュート)


 * Frequently appearing to be lethargic and unmotivated, Ryner is the protagonist of the story. He has black eyes and hair and is of slender build; is naturally talented in magic, hand-to-hand combat, arts of assassination, ancient texts, languages and symbols, and the bearer of Alpha Stigma (複写眼), an ocular ability which grants him the ability to analyze various forms of magic. Although the Alpha Stigma are the weakest and most common type of "cursed" eyes, Ryner's eyes are no ordinary Alpha Stigmas.


 * Ryner is also known as "The Strongest Mage of Roland", after defeating another mage who previously held that title. He is regarded as an anomaly because he is the only person to have been able to regain his sanity after losing control of his Alpha Stigma. He is also 1/2 of the reincarnation of the legendary demon lord know as "The Lonely One".


 * Has a tendency to distance him self from others because he does not wish to cause harm and grief to others due to his eyes and vice versa. Has caused multiple girls through out his life to fall in love with him, though he is reluctant to love again after his first love sacrificed her self to save him.


 * Undertaking a quest from his trusted friend and the new King of Roland, Sion, and in the company of swordswoman Ferris, he travels in search of the "relics of heroes". Eventually unraveling a series of conspiracy through out Roland and its neighboring countries. Later, after being betrayed, he escapes Roland with Ferris. Eventually, upon "awakening", his Alpha Stigma becomes its true form, "The Solver of All Equations" and not only grants him the ability to analyze the structure of magic, but also that of human beings and other physical materials as well. When fully activated it allows him to deconstruct infinite numbers of any object living or inanimate at will, but it requires the sacrifice of the soul belonging to a loved one.


 * Ferris Eris (フェリス・エリス)


 * A blonde-hair bishōjo with green eyes, Ferris, who comes from a famous clan of swordsmen designated to serve as guards to the King of Roland, is the heroine of the story. She carries a typically emotionless expression, is fanatic about dango (Japanese dumpling) and can do almost anything for the sake of dango.


 * Ferris is incredibly skilled in the sword and assigned by Sion to guard Ryner on his quest to search for the "relics of heroes". She enjoys teasing and bullying Ryner, and unconsciously gradually develops feelings for him, going into tears then into a berserk rage when she believed Ryner to be dead, attacking an opponent far superior to her with no second thoughts others than vengeance and no thought of her own well being. Her sword possesses the "ability to devour gods", which has the power to cut off the demon within Ryner, but with the price being her own life upon invocation.


 * She was abused as a child due Her family practicing the dark tradition of incest to keep its bloodline pure. Ferris was originally suppose to marry her brother however Both Ferris and her sister were considered to be unworthy of preserving the Eris bloodline by her parents and would have been killed were not for her brother's murdering of their parents to save Ferris's life and forever ending the Eris's family dark legacy.

Roland Empire

 * Sion Astal (シオン・アスタール)
 * The current king of Roland. Born of a Noble and a lowly commoner. He was shunned and hated by his half brothers. Vowed at a young age to become king so he can fix this corrupted world. A tactical genius and perfectly willing to make sacrifices so the greater good can be accomplished, even if the method is often extreme. Well loved by his people and his servants, considers Ryner to be his best friend. Is torn by the knowledge that sooner or later he must kill Ryner to secure his kingdom from within. Secretly authorize the constant surveillance on all of Ryners's activities and conducts inhumane medical experiments on other bearers of Alpha Stigma and other types of "cursed" eyes to harness their powers as weapons. Is hinted to be the reincarnation of one of the The legendary Heroes that is spoken of in the old stories.
 * The current king of Roland. Born of a Noble and a lowly commoner. He was shunned and hated by his half brothers. Vowed at a young age to become king so he can fix this corrupted world. A tactical genius and perfectly willing to make sacrifices so the greater good can be accomplished, even if the method is often extreme. Well loved by his people and his servants, considers Ryner to be his best friend. Is torn by the knowledge that sooner or later he must kill Ryner to secure his kingdom from within. Secretly authorize the constant surveillance on all of Ryners's activities and conducts inhumane medical experiments on other bearers of Alpha Stigma and other types of "cursed" eyes to harness their powers as weapons. Is hinted to be the reincarnation of one of the The legendary Heroes that is spoken of in the old stories.


 * Lucile Eris (ルシル・エリス)
 * The Head son of the Eris Sword Clan, Calm and reserved. Responsible for the safety of the Roland royal family. Instrumental in Sion's rise to power. Killed his own parents to save his sisters. Also made contracts with over 1000 demons to gain near limitless power. The other 1/2 reincarnation of the demon lord "The Lonely one". Has an unnatural love for his sister Ferris.
 * The Head son of the Eris Sword Clan, Calm and reserved. Responsible for the safety of the Roland royal family. Instrumental in Sion's rise to power. Killed his own parents to save his sisters. Also made contracts with over 1000 demons to gain near limitless power. The other 1/2 reincarnation of the demon lord "The Lonely one". Has an unnatural love for his sister Ferris.


 * Iris Eris (イリス・エリス)


 * Milk Callaud (ミルク・カラード)
 * The captain of one of the Roland taboo hunter teams. Made a promised with Ryner many years ago in their orphanage to marry him,Ryner of course does not remember this. Was sold to a noble's house soon after. Dislikes Ferris, but is willing to put up with her because she makes Ryner happy. Is actually the reincarnation of one of the goddess of fate that fell in love with the demon lord" The lonely one" thousands of years ago.
 * The captain of one of the Roland taboo hunter teams. Made a promised with Ryner many years ago in their orphanage to marry him,Ryner of course does not remember this. Was sold to a noble's house soon after. Dislikes Ferris, but is willing to put up with her because she makes Ryner happy. Is actually the reincarnation of one of the goddess of fate that fell in love with the demon lord" The lonely one" thousands of years ago.


 * Claugh Klom (クラウ・クロム)


 * Calne Kaiwal (カルネ・カイウェル)


 * Rahel Miller (ラッヘル・ミラー)


 * Luke Stokkart (ルーク・スタッカート)


 * Lear Rinkal (リーレ・リンクル)

Others

 * Fiole Folkal


 * Eslina Folkal


 * Kiefer Knolles


 * Miran Froaude

Video Game
Legendary Saga a PSP game based on the first 3 novels was released on February 18, 2010 in Japan.

Anime
The anime opening theme song is titled LAMENT～やがて喜びを～ (LAMENT ~Yagate Yorokobi wo~) by Aira Yuuki and the closing theme song is Truth Of My Destiny by Ceui. The anime is licensed by Funimation Entertainment in North America and simulcast in the same week as it aired in Japan.

Reception
As of 26-May-2010, the light novels have sold over 3,500,000 copies.