The Epic Anime That Transcends RPG Conventions: A Hidden Gem You Won't Want to Miss

In a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, renowned writers from Madoka Magica, Fate/Stay Night, and Durarara, along with two other artists, came together. And lo and behold, their fantastical adventure was eventually transformed into an anime called Chaos Dragon. However, it is with regret that this anime falls far short of its captivating premise. Airing in the Summer of 2015, Chaos Dragon is a 12-episode series directed by Masato Matsune, produced by Studio Silver Link and its subsidiary, Connect. It is an adaptation of the Red Dragon light novel series from 2012, which is essentially a transcript of the six days spent by these esteemed creators immersed in their imaginative journey.

The Trouble With Adapting D&D

Starting with the obvious, adapting D&D into a dramatized series can be considered even more challenging than adapting video games for TV and film. Unlike a strictly structured narrative, D&D is primarily a social event among friends. It's not commonly seen as a story to be consumed. While there are valid reasons to adapt published novels or comics, it's rare to find a tabletop game with a rich story that has only been witnessed and chronicled by the players.

There have been very few attempts at this, with only two notable examples coming to mind: the official D&D movie and the Critical Role animated series. Both of these are relatively recent, taking advantage of the recent surge in interest. Right from the start, D&D naturally follows a formula unless the players are experienced and eager to explore more intricate storytelling with complex modules.

Campaigns often start in typical settings, such as taverns, and the stories can wander in unexpected and chaotic ways that may not align with a traditional narrative structure. While experimentation in storytelling is often appreciated, considering the lighthearted nature of the game, Dungeons & Dragons can be quite messy. It is a delightful mess, of course, but still a mess that requires creative freedom to make the story work in an episodic format.

However, focusing too much on creating a structured story may detract from the simple joy of watching people have fun role-playing around a table, which is the ultimate purpose of the game. So, for no particular reason, it might not be a wise idea to include a Red Dragon in the campaign. Perhaps. Nonetheless, it's understandable why people would be excited, especially with the players involved – it's like the Japanese version of Critical Role.

What is Chaos Dragon?

In the year 3015, the devastating war between rival countries Donatia and Kouran has brought chaos and destruction to the world, with the island of Nil Kamui caught in the middle. The once powerful royal family is ousted from their throne, while the deity of Nil Kamui, Red Dragon, wreaks havoc instead of aiding its people.

Caught amidst this turmoil is Ibuki, a young man who is a descendant of the island's royalty. However, Ibuki rejects his rightful claim to the throne, longing for peace rather than conflict. Sadly, when war inevitably reaches his doorstep, he is forced to take a stand. Ibuki forms a bond with the tumultuous Red Dragon, who offers him the strength to defeat his homeland's enemies. Yet, this alliance comes with a heavy price.

He joins an expedition comprised of members from both nations, united in their goal of achieving peace for their world. The journey ultimately leads them to the Red Dragon. Among the team are Eiha, a Bounded One - a slave bound to a magical creature - created by Izuki Kougyoku. Additionally, there is Lou Zhenhua, a female assassin hailing from Kouran, who wields a sentient demonic sword, created by Gen Urobuchi. Another member is Swallow Cratsvalley, a knight who possesses the ability to draw out the maximum power of any tool he uses, even if it results in the tool breaking. Finally, there is Kaguraba Raihou Gramstahl, a robotic merchant and the lord of a manor in Haiga city, created by Ryohgo Narita.

The signature touch of authors like Urobuchi or Nasu can be easily felt not only in their respective characters but also in the world they have collectively built through their role play. Urobuchi is known for his expertise in portraying darkness and suffering, which has been particularly successful due to the contrasting elements he incorporates into his stories.

A tragic death becomes even more poignant when witnessed through the eyes of a child or someone who is unaware of the world's evils. Ibuki starts off the story with an aversion to war, but as the first episode concludes, he is compelled to kill a friend in order to harness the power necessary to save the world. This edgy concept shows great promise and sets the stage for a captivating hero's journey.

A Poor Adaptation

The individual characters in Chaos Dragon possess roles and distinct characteristics that lend themselves well to compelling character arcs. Nasu's character not only reminds us of the original prototype of Saber from Fate but also introduces a captivating and unique power that harmonizes flawlessly with the inherent chaos of D&D. The abundance of ideas in Chaos Dragon is undeniable; however, it is the execution that disappointingly falls short.

To begin with, the description provided above does not fully reflect the true essence of the original board game. Firstly, it is important to note that Gen Urobuchi's character was not depicted as a woman, but rather as a man named Lou Zhenjie. This characterization aligns more seamlessly with Urobuchi's unique style and sensibilities. Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that the majority of the designs in the original artwork for the project outshine their counterparts in the television show.

The show's uninteresting appearance can be fully grasped simply by observing the characters' eye shapes. Despite the involvement of many notable creators, the show appears extremely cheap. The dull colors and poor composition are worsened by the subpar CGI, which ultimately seals its fate. The production team tries to mask its flaws with flashy graphics and clever camera work, but these only serve to highlight its imperfections.

To make matters worse, although occasional glimpses of the original creators' talents can be seen in the grimdark elements and worldbuilding, the show ultimately feels disconnected from their involvement. It comes across as an adaptation of an adaptation. The script was written by Sho Aikawa, known for his work on the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist anime (the version that diverged from the manga).

Aikawa's career has been controversial, but even his most outrageous tales possess a certain allure when handled properly. Regrettably, the political plotline lacks intrigue and clarity. In the initial episodes, it becomes challenging to discern the party's objective. The affiliations between characters are muddled, leaving us uncertain whether the Red Dragon is an ally or foe. Despite these flaws, it would be unfair to lay the blame solely on Aikawa.

Some argue that Chaos Dragon deserved a larger budget and a more experienced creative team. At the very least, the original project's authors and artists should have had greater involvement. However, it is equally plausible that this story was never meant to be anything more than a game. If this was indeed the best they could achieve - which it certainly was not - perhaps it should not have been attempted at all.