Posted on May 23, 2025, by Ethereal Page
After a journey spanning more than 20 years, Takaya Kagami’s epic fantasy saga The Legend of the Legendary Heroes has officially come to an end. The final volume — Volume 18 of the sequel series Dai Densetsu no Yūsha no Densetsu (The Legend of the Great Legendary Heroes) — was released this past Tuesday, marking the conclusion of not just the sequel, but the entire light novel franchise.
This finale comes seven years after Volume 17 was released back in 2018, which at the time announced that Volume 18 would close the curtain on the series for good.
A Legacy in Print
Kagami’s original series, Densetsu no Yūsha no Densetsu, began in 2002 and ended with its 11th volume in 2006. Just a year later, he launched the sequel series Dai Densetsu no Yūsha no Densetsu, which began its run in 2007 and now concludes in 2025. Alongside these main entries, Kagami also penned several spinoffs and companion works:
- Toriaezu Densetsu no Yūsha no Densetsu – an 11-volume short story collection (2002–2007)
- Shin Denyūden: Kakumei-hen – Ochita Kuroi Yūsha no Densetsu – an 8-volume spinoff series (2007–2013)
Illustrated throughout by Saori Toyota, the series has consistently delivered compelling worldbuilding and character-driven storytelling.
From Page to Screen
In 2010, the franchise received an anime adaptation covering the original series. Licensed by Funimation, the anime was simulcast during its original Japanese airing and later released on Blu-ray and DVD in 2012.
Funimation described the story as follows:
“Ryner isn’t your typical soldier. Branded with a deadly ability known as Alpha Stigma, he’s spent his life viewed as a threat. Alongside the sharp-tongued and razor-skilled Ferris, the two embark on a quest to retrieve ancient Hero Relics — magical artifacts that wield immense power — in hopes of bringing peace to a kingdom riddled with corruption and unrest.”
As the pair confronts powerful enemies and dark conspiracies, their journey threatens to ignite full-scale war, making every decision a matter of life, death, and destiny.
The Manga Adaptations
Beyond the novels and anime, the franchise expanded into multiple manga series:
- Nantonaku Densetsu no Yūsha no Densetsu – a single-volume manga by Saori Toyota
- A nine-volume manga adaptation by Hiroko Nagakura (2008–2012)
- A four-volume adaptation of Shin Denyūden by Riya Ozumi (2010–2012)
- Densetsu no Yūsha no Densetsu Revision – a two-volume manga by Taisei Yamachi (2010–2011)
A Hero’s Journey Ends
With the release of Volume 18, Takaya Kagami has definitively ended a beloved franchise that captured the imaginations of readers and viewers around the world. While fans may be sad to say goodbye, The Legend of the Legendary Heroes’ legacy will live on through its books, anime, and enduring impact on the fantasy genre.
Conclusion
The Legend of the Legendary Heroes leaves behind a rich legacy of adventure, magic, and moral complexity. From its humble beginnings in 2002 to its final volume in 2025, the franchise has grown into a cornerstone of fantasy storytelling in light novels and anime alike. As fans reflect on Ryner and Ferris’s journey, this finale serves not as a goodbye, but a celebration of a story that dared to explore the burdens of power, the cost of war, and the meaning of true heroism. Though the saga has ended, its legend will continue to inspire for years to come.
Source: Takaya Kagami’s X (Twitter) via Otakomu
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