Ep 1. The Glory of Ecbatana

In this first episode of The Heroic Legend of Arslan, we are introduced to the young prince Arslan of the Kingdom of Pars. Arslan is the heir to the throne and is being groomed to be a great king by his father, King Andragoras III. However, as we quickly learn, things are not as perfect as they seem in the kingdom.

The episode starts with a battle between the Parsian army, led by King Andragoras, and the Lusitanian army, led by a mysterious figure named Silvermask. The battle is brutal and bloody, with both sides taking heavy casualties. We see Arslan watching the battle from a hilltop with his loyal servant, Daryun.

After the battle, Arslan and Daryun return to the capital city of Ecbatana, where they witness the aftermath of the war. The city is in ruins, and there are dead bodies everywhere. Arslan is shocked by what he sees, and he begins to question the role of his father in the war.

As Arslan and Daryun make their way through the city, they encounter a young Lusitanian girl who is being attacked by Parsian soldiers. Arslan is horrified by the violence and decides to intervene. He uses his authority as the prince to order the soldiers to stop, and he takes the girl under his protection.

The girl's name is Alfreed, and she proves to be a valuable ally to Arslan and Daryun. She tells them about the Lusitanian army and their leader, Silvermask, who is rumored to have magical powers. Arslan realizes that Silvermask is the key to understanding the motivations behind the war.

Later, Arslan and his father have a tense conversation about the war. Arslan questions the wisdom of going to war, pointing out the damage it has caused to the kingdom. His father is dismissive of his concerns, and the two argue. Arslan's father believes that he is doing what is best for the kingdom, but Arslan is not convinced.

As the episode ends, Arslan and his companions set out on a mission to find Silvermask and discover the truth behind the war. They encounter a group of bandits who try to attack them, but Arslan proves to be a skilled fighter and easily defeats them. It is clear that Arslan has some special skills that will help him on his quest.

Overall, this first episode of The Heroic Legend of Arslan is a great introduction to the series. We are introduced to the key characters and the major conflict that will drive the plot. The animation is excellent, and the action scenes are thrilling. Arslan is a sympathetic protagonist who is easy to root for, and the supporting characters are all interesting in their own right. It is clear that this show is going to be an epic adventure, and I can't wait to see where the story goes from here.