is a Japan

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

ese anime

Anime

is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....

 based on the popular South Korea

South Korea

The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...

n online game MapleStory

MapleStory

MapleStory is a free-to-play, 2D, side-scrolling massively multiplayer online role-playing game developed by the South Korean company Wizet. Several versions of the game are available for specific countries or regions, and each is published by various companies such as Nexon...

. It began airing on October 7, 2007.

Synopsis

Ten years ago, the World Tree that protected peace and order of the world was being targeted by an evil organization called the Zakums. The Human race led four other races: the powerful warriors, the intelligent magicians, the agile archers and sly thieves in a fight against the Zakums. In the end, the World Tree activated self-destruction to protect itself. However, the other races thought it was the Human race that destroyed the World Tree. When the World Tree was destroyed most of the races had nothing left, so a number of them went to Maple Island thinking the ones who stayed would die. They escaped Victoria and lived on Maple Island where living is getting harder and harder. Since then, a never-ending war between the different races began.

Ten years later, the main protagonist, Al, is determined to revive the World Tree. Al and his companions begin their journey to seek the seeds of the World Tree. At the same time, the Zakums reappear...

Characters

Al

The main protagonist of the anime. He's the son of the warrior Grande. He dresses up like a monster because humans are considered enemies to other races, but his true identity was finally revealed to everyone at the end of Episode 4. He likes doing random training and is mainly seen carrying a heavy stone behind him. He is known for his never give-up spirit and always-trying attitude and is quite stubborn at times. He is very determined and will do what's best for his family and friends, even going soforth to help his enemies. Nina and Anji consider Al "gullible", as both of them lied and/or tricked him with ease. His main weapon of choice seems to be the wooden sword that he carries on his back, but later arms himself with Grande's Hero's Gladius, a blade that holds a hidden power of light and purification that only Grande and Al can channel. Occasionally, he will try to ask either Barrow or Gallus to accept him as a student, but is unable to defeat their disciple, or at least the master himself. Nonetheless, both Barrow and Gallus see Al as an "interesting" character. On October 31st, until November 28th (GMT+9), he is portrayed as an NPC located in Henesys in the Japan version of MapleStory for a limited time quest to save the World Tree. He can also be found, seemingly permanently, in the Henesys of the Korean version.

Kino

Based on the in-game monster Orange Mushroom and has a fondness for Al. He loves to collect shiny stones, but the stones were once mistaken for a World Tree Seed and was thus chased by the Warriors of Seron Perion and the Archers of Seron Henesys. He collects those stones to make a present for his mother. He has a cousin, Kiki, a Blue Mushroom who lives on Victoria Island. In-game, there is also a Orange Mushroom Pet named Kino.

Barrow

He is the leader of Seron Henesys (Archers) on Maple Island. He fought alongside Al's father, Grande. His character slightly resembles the in-game monsters Meerkat and Lycanthrope. Barrow is equipped with a Maple Soul Searcher. His students mainly include Drumming Bunnies, Fairies, and Turkies.

Gallus

The leader of the Seron Perion (Warriors) on Maple Island. His character is based on by the in-game monster Muscle Stone. Gallus is equipped with a Maple Dragon Axe, but often prefers to fight with his fists. His students mainly include Yellow King Goblins, Wooden Masks, and Rocky Masks.

Nina

The strongest magician in the magician village Seron Ellinia. Also the village chief, but somewhat conceited. In Episode 3, she becomes the second monster to discover Al's identity as a human (the first being Puudou, her Ribbon Pig pet). Nina seems to be reluctant when she meets him but grows to accept him as a friend and to enjoy his company. In the fifth episode, when Anji ran back into Seron Kerning after lying and tricking Al, she stopped him and said that she is the only one who could pull pranks on Al. Also then, Puudou said that a female's jealousy is strong. At the end of the episode she was behind a rock and Puudou said that she should just admit that she can't stand to have her only friend (Al) taken away from someone else and she kicked him saying that he is not her friend. Her weapon of choice seems to be a maple wand. On October 31st, until November 28th (GMT+9), she is portrayed as an NPC located in Sleepywood in the Japan version of MapleStory for a limited time quest to save the World Tree.

Puudou

Nina's pet based on the in-game monster Ribbon Pig. Often bumps into Al while trying to run away from Nina. Puudou was able to sniffle out Al's true identity as a human, therefore making him the first monster to know Al's secret.

Anji

The leader of the Seron Kerning (Thieves) on Maple Island based on the in-game monster Wild Kargo. He somehow has a connection with Al's father, Grande, as he brought back his Hero's Gladius to Al's mother during the ten years. Anji is considered sly and cunning.

Ariba

One of the first antagonists that is shown in the anime. He is a member of the Zakums and works for Krone. His character is based on the in-game monster Samiho. Ariba is persistent, constantly chasing Al and his friends assuming they have a World Tree Seed, or at least causing them trouble for the sake of the Zakums.

Krone

The second antagonist introduced and the one that Ariba works for. Not much is known about her up to this point. Her character resembles the in game monster Lucida. She is constantly trying to find items, including snails, to keep her face soft and moist. She also becomes very angry when she learns that someone is on a date and she is not.

Zakteman

Appears to be the main antagonist of the series. He is the leader of the Zakums. Both Ariba and Krone work for Zakteman. Ten years ago, Zakteman appeared on Victoria Island to steal the power of the World Tree for himself. His character resembles the in-game monster Ergoth.

Gill

A human who roams in Victoria Island as a monster hunter. He is an extremely powerful swordsman, capable of outmatching both Gallus and Barrow. In actuality, Gill is a Dark Knight and utilizes the Beholder's powers, but uses a sword instead of the typical Spear or Pole Arm fit for such a class. As a monster hunter, he sees all monsters as his enemies and intends to slay them all so humanity can rise above them. Throughout the anime, Al asks that Gill joins him, but refuses, although Gill often shows up when a powerful monster appears and retreats when necessary.

Anime

Madhouse Studios made an adaptation of the massively multiplayer online role-playing game

Massively multiplayer online role-playing game

Massively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....

, MapleStory

MapleStory

MapleStory is a free-to-play, 2D, side-scrolling massively multiplayer online role-playing game developed by the South Korean company Wizet. Several versions of the game are available for specific countries or regions, and each is published by various companies such as Nexon...

. The anime was broadcast on BS Japan, TV Aichi, TV Hokkaido

TV Hokkaido

is a TV station headquartered in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan, and is affiliated with TXN.- Offices :*Headquarters - 6-12-4, Odori-higashi, Chūō-ku, Sapporo*Tokyo office - Hashizen Building, Shinbashi, Minato, Tokyo...

, TV Osaka

TV Osaka

is a TV station affiliated with TXN in Osaka, Japan. The mascot character is "Takoru-kun" .-Offices:*The headquarters - 1-2-18, Otemae, Chūō-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan...

, TV Setouchi

TV Setouchi

is a TV station in Japan.It is one of the TX Network stations, broadcasting in Okayama Prefecture and Kagawa Prefecture, and it is an only TXN's TV station in Chugoku-Shikoku region....

, TV Tokyo

TV Tokyo

is a television station headquartered in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Also known as , a blend of "terebi" and "Tokyo", it is the key station of TX Network. It is one of the major Tokyo television stations, particularly specializing in anime...

 and TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting Co., Ltd between October 7, 2007 and March 30, 2008. The anime uses three pieces of theme music

Theme music

Theme music is a piece that is often written specifically for a radio program, television program, video game or movie, and usually played during the title sequence and/or end credits...

. "Scratch on the Heart" by Younha

Younha

Younha , is a South Korean pop singer who first got her start in Japan, and continues to have success today in both countries....

 is the series' opening theme, while by Fumiko Orikasa

Fumiko Orikasa

is a Japanese voice actress and singer who works for Atomic Monkey. Her record label is Geneon Entertainment. Shopping is one of her hobbies. She is a skilled dancer, and is referred to as "Oririn" by fellow voice actors and fans. She also performed a fair number of anime insert and character image...

is the series' ending theme. The last episode had "Boku no Rhythm" by Fumiko Orikasa as the ending theme.

Episode listing

#	Title	Original air date

External links

• MapleAnime.com A website about the Maplestory Anime.
• TV Tokyo Official Website