Thunderbolt Fantasy (2016)
A groundbreaking Japanese-Taiwanese puppet fantasy series penned by Gen Urobuchi, weaving wuxia legend and dark intrigue across four captivating seasons.
Thunderbolt Fantasy - Series Information
- Original Title: Thunderbolt Fantasy -東離劍遊紀
- First Air Year: 2016
- Last Air Year: 2024
- Created by: Gen Urobuchi
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Action, Adventure, Animation
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (24 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 4
- Number of Episodes: 51
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Networks: Tokyo MX, LINE TV, PILI Online, 巴哈姆特動畫瘋
- Production Companies: PiLi International Multimedia, Aniplex, Good Smile Company, Nitroplus, BARNUM STUDIO
- Production Countries: Japan, Taiwan
- Alternative Titles: 东离剑游纪 (CN), Thunderbolt Fantasy Touri-ken Yuuki 3 (JP), Thunderbolt Fantasy - Sword Seekers (US), Thunderbolt Fantasy 동리검유기 3 (KR)
Thunderbolt Fantasy - Plot
In an Eastern-styled fantasy setting, a brother and sister team of sacred guardians is beset by the Xuan Gui Zong, minions of Miè Tian Hai, who seeks the Tian Xing Jiàn sword that they possess. Hai showing up himself leads to the defeat of the brother, but his sister, Dan Fei, jumps off a cliff to temporary safety. Later, a wandering swordsman comes across a ruined temple where a statue of Buddha is protected by an umbrella against the rain. When he takes the umbrella for himself, a man resting under a tree nearby informs him the he must be compassionate to the next traveler he meets as trade-off for taking the umbrella. But the next traveler is Dan Fei, who is still being pursued by the Xuan Gui Zong minions, and between that and the sorcery of the other man he finds himself unable to avoid getting involved.
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Thunderbolt Fantasy - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Gen Urobuchi
Main Cast
- Kohsuke Toriumi
- Haruka Tomatsu
- Toru Okawa
- Kenichi Suzumura
- Daisuke Hirakawa
- Nobuyuki Hiyama
- Tomokazu Seki
- Junichi Suwabe
- Hiroki Yasumoto
- Mai Nakahara
Writers
- Gen Urobuchi
Thunderbolt Fantasy - FAQs
What makes Thunderbolt Fantasy unique among anime series?
Thunderbolt Fantasy stands apart by using traditional Taiwanese glove puppetry (布袋戲) rather than conventional animation. The intricate puppet performances, combined with Gen Urobuchi's sharp wuxia storytelling and Hiroyuki Sawano's sweeping score, create a viewing experience unlike anything else in the medium.
Where can you stream Thunderbolt Fantasy?
Thunderbolt Fantasy is available to stream through the Crunchyroll Amazon Channel. For a full overview of current viewing options in your region, JustWatch is the best place to check for up-to-date availability.
Who created Thunderbolt Fantasy?
The series was created by Gen Urobuchi, the acclaimed writer behind Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Fate/Zero. He also served as the sole writer for the show, crafting its intricate wuxia narrative across all four seasons in collaboration with Taiwanese puppet studio PiLi International Multimedia.
Is Thunderbolt Fantasy a puppet show or an anime?
It's genuinely both. Thunderbolt Fantasy is a live-action puppet production using the traditional Taiwanese art of glove puppetry, yet it was developed and broadcast as part of the Japanese anime season lineup. The result is a hybrid that defies easy categorization and is all the more fascinating for it.
How many seasons and episodes does Thunderbolt Fantasy have?
The series ran for 4 main seasons plus a specials collection, totalling 51 episodes. Season 1 through Season 3 each contain 13 episodes, while Season 4 wraps the story with 12 episodes. The series concluded in 2024 after an eight-year run.
Who are the main voice actors in Thunderbolt Fantasy?
The Japanese voice cast is stellar. Kohsuke Toriumi voices the enigmatic Lǐn Xuě Yā, Junichi Suwabe plays the roguish Shāng Bù Huàn, Haruka Tomatsu brings Liè Mèi to life, and Tomokazu Seki delivers a memorable performance as the villain Miè Tiān Hái, among many other notable talents.
What genre is Thunderbolt Fantasy?
Thunderbolt Fantasy blends Drama, Action, Adventure, and Animation into a wuxia fantasy experience. Drawing heavily from Chinese martial arts fiction traditions, it features sword-wielding heroes, dark sorcery, political intrigue, and morally complex characters navigating a richly imagined Eastern fantasy world.
What are similar shows to Thunderbolt Fantasy?
Fans of Thunderbolt Fantasy often enjoy The Untamed, Word of Honor, and Scissor Seven for their wuxia themes and compelling characters. A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality and Fights Break Sphere also offer rich Eastern fantasy worlds worth exploring after finishing the series.
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