Xuan Yuan Sword Luminary (2018)
A Japanese anime adaptation of the beloved Taiwanese RPG franchise, blending ancient myth, mechanical wonders, and epic resistance warfare.
Xuan Yuan Sword Luminary - Series Information
- Original Title: 軒轅剣 蒼き曜
- First Air Year: 2018
- Last Air Year: 2018
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Drama, War, Politics
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (25 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Status: Canceled
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: October 2, 2018 (United States - TV-14), October 2, 2018 (Canada - 14+), October 2, 2018 (Mexico - B-15)
- Networks: TV Tokyo
- Alternative Titles: Xuan Yuan Sword Luminary (FR), Ken En Ken: Aoki Kagayaki (JP), Xuan-Yuan Sword: Lights of the Bleak (US), 轩辕剑 (CN), 헌원검: 푸른 반짝임 (KR)
- Production Companies: Studio Deen
- Production Countries: Japan
Xuan Yuan Sword Luminary - Plot
* Based on a Taiwanese PC role-playing game series. In and Nei are two sisters who have wandering the land together ever since their village was destroyed by the villainous Taibai Empire. Their childhood friend, Shou, has been enslaved by the Taibai himself, and uses his brilliance at tinkering and inventing to get by as a slave to the Empire's whims. One day, In accidentally discovers a legendary sword, which grants her fantastic abilities in combat, and allows her to summon a mystical, mechanical fox spirit named Yun, who is sworn to fight by her side. Meanwhile, Shou is making fast friends with a mysterious young girl who just may hold a great amount of power within the Taibai Empire. As Shou and the Fu sisters find themselves increasingly caught up in the Empire's battle for supremacy over the land, it will take all of the magic and might that the budding resistance armies can muster to turn the tide of war once and for all.
Xuan Yuan Sword Luminary - Trailer
See the legendary sword, the mechanical fox spirit, and the resistance take shape:
Where to Watch Xuan Yuan Sword Luminary
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Xuan Yuan Sword Luminary - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Yoshitsugu Matsuoka
- Nana Mizuki
- Rie Kugimiya
Xuan Yuan Sword Luminary - FAQs
Is Xuan Yuan Sword Luminary based on a video game?
The series is adapted from the Xuan-Yuan Sword franchise, a long-running Taiwanese PC role-playing game series. The anime draws on the games' signature blend of Chinese mythology, ancient history, and fantasy world-building to craft its story of rebellion and legendary weapons.
What is Xuan Yuan Sword Luminary about?
Two sisters, In and Nei, wander a war-torn land after their village is destroyed by the Taibai Empire. When In discovers a legendary sword and bonds with a mystical fox spirit, she and her sister join a growing resistance. Meanwhile, their enslaved childhood friend Shou navigates the Empire's dangerous inner circles.
Where can you stream Xuan Yuan Sword Luminary?
Xuan Yuan Sword Luminary is available to stream on Crunchyroll, including through the Crunchyroll Amazon Channel. Both options offer the full series as part of a subscription. For a complete overview of viewing options in your region, JustWatch is a handy resource.
Who voices the main characters in Xuan Yuan Sword Luminary?
The principal cast features three prominent Japanese voice actors: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as the inventive Pu Sho, Nana Mizuki as the sword-wielding Fu In, and Rie Kugimiya as the younger sister Fu Nei. All three are celebrated veterans of the anime industry with extensive credits.
How many episodes does Xuan Yuan Sword Luminary have?
The series ran for a single season of 13 episodes, each approximately 25 minutes long. It aired on TV Tokyo in Japan beginning October 2, 2018. The compact episode count gives the story a focused, self-contained arc from the sisters' wandering origins to the climactic resistance battle.
Was Xuan Yuan Sword Luminary renewed for a second season?
The series was cancelled after its first and only season. With just 13 episodes produced by Studio Deen and no continuation announced, the show remains a standalone adaptation. Fans of the source game franchise looking for more can explore the original Xuan-Yuan Sword PC game series.
How was Xuan Yuan Sword Luminary received by critics and audiences?
Reception was mixed overall. Viewers appreciated the appealing character designs and the star-studded voice cast, but critics noted that the pacing felt rushed given the 13-episode run, leaving character development and world-building underserved. It earned a modest following among fans of action-fantasy anime.
What anime series are similar to Xuan Yuan Sword Luminary?
If you enjoyed Xuan Yuan Sword Luminary, consider The Heroic Legend of Arslan for its epic war-and-resistance narrative, Alderamin on the Sky for its strategic military fantasy, or Claymore for its sword-wielding heroines in a dark fantasy world. Fate/strange Fake and Sengoku Youko also share the action-fantasy tone.
More About Xuan Yuan Sword Luminary
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