Lodoss-tou Senki

"Record of Lodoss War" is the closest thing you’ll find to a Dungeons & Dragons campaign brought to life in gorgeous, hand-drawn 90s animation. Originally based on a series of RPG replay novels (yes, actual tabletop sessions turned into books), this OVA embodies everything great about high fantasy: noble heroes, epic battles, ancient evils, and enough sorcery to make a wizard’s spellbook blush.

But what sets Lodoss War apart from other fantasy anime isn’t just the story, it’s the sheer atmosphere. The animation oozes medieval grandeur, with shadowy castles, misty battlefields, and enchanted forests so vividly drawn that you can practically hear the dice rolling in ... the background. The soundtrack? A sweeping, orchestral masterpiece that elevates every moment, from heroic clashes to tender character beats.

Deedlit is everything an 80s/90s anime fan could ask for: elegant, powerful, and effortlessly enchanting. Her flowing blonde hair and mystical green eyes are framed by some of the most stunning animation of the era, and her airy, playful personality adds a touch of lightheartedness to the grim fantasy setting. She’s essentially the dream of every teenage D&D player who ever rolled up an elven bard and imagined them as way cooler than the dice allowed.

There’s an undeniable charm in Lodoss War’s straightforward, trope-heavy storytelling. It doesn’t try to subvert fantasy conventions. The world is filled with political intrigue, cursed kings, and a looming dark force.

Despite being made in the early 90s, the OVA’s animation still holds up remarkably well. The fight scenes have weight, the magic effects shimmer with old-school cel animation charm, and the dark fantasy aesthetic is perfect. It’s all the magic of a tabletop adventure without anyone at the table arguing over rules.

While the series is a gem, it’s not without its flaws. Some pacing issues crop up, especially as it rushes towards the finale, and Parn, while an earnest protagonist, has about as much character depth as a first-level Fighter who just picked up his first longsword. But that’s part of the charm. Lodoss War isn’t here to deconstruct fantasy, it’s here to celebrate it. There are also some stale animation scenes with the Dragons that felt awkward at times.

"Record of Lodoss War" is a masterpiece of high fantasy anime, a love letter to D&D, and a must-watch for anyone who appreciates classic, beautifully animated adventure. It may have some rough edges, but its strengths - gorgeous animation, immersive world-building, and Deedlit’s sheer perfection far outweigh any shortcomings.

Roll for initiative.

I enjoyed the old school animation style in this anime. The different effects and still shots were very nostalgic.

I enjoyed the fantasy elements of the story; dragons, magic, etc. Record of Lodoss War is a classic take on an adventure story with fantasy elements. The story can be interesting at times though I found that the characters while likeable lacked some depth and their development through the story was rushed.

As for the story and dialogue, I felt like it left a lot to be desired. The writing and storytelling is very dated and can make the show a bit of a slog to get ... through. It's definitely not bingable, but if you're looking for something comforting to watch one episode of right before bed, I'd say it's at least worth a watch for the artwork and nostalgia aspect.

An anime adapting a 90's Dungeons and Dragons campaign, and man was it a boring one. Nice art direction but far too many tropes to take the plot seriously.

In the modern day of 2025, we see so much isekai soft-fantasy that a true hard-fantasy setting would be a welcome reprieve from the gimmicky plots plaguing the industry. However, Record of Lodoss War, despite a traditional fantasy, leans /too far/ into the traditional aspect. Based on the author's contribution to a TTRPG settting, it unfortunately combines all the tropes of LOTR races, classes, and setting with the tropes of the most 90's shonen ... anime you've ever seen. It's so predictable, it could basically be considered the model species of the Hero's Journey. Joseph Campbell would downright cream his pants watching this. Damsel-in-distress elves in scanty clothing? Dwarves with axes? Childhood friend priest? Berserker mercenary? Evil goddess resurrection plot? Got them all.

The only saving grace of this show, and what it's known for, is Deedlet, the high elf. Wait sorry, I meant the art and animation. It's got great art direction and looks quite good for something from 1990 - you do feel that you've been dropped into a fantasy island in the middle of a war, even if the world building was more lackluster than the actual LOTR. The animation, on the other hand, yo-yos between quite good to bad. The dragons, for instance, are essentially stills with some animated flames at times. Charizard vs Articuno got better animation in Pokemon. Some of the action gets good movement while others feel clanky and uninspired. But overall, it's a pretty show that will at the very least, satisfy a 90s retro fan.