Original OVA Series

The definitive 110-episode OVA saga released from 1988 to 1997.

Legend of the Galactic Heroes is the second and longest-running animated adaptation of Yoshiki Tanaka's novel series. Released in direct home video installments across four separate periods between December 1988 and March 1997, this Original Video Animation (OVA) comprises exactly 110 episodes. It is also known by the German title Heldensagen vom Kosmosinsel, which appears in its opening credits despite being grammatically incorrect. Following the earlier film My Conquest Is the Sea of Stars, this series picks up where that story left off to chronicle the full scope of the war between the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance.

Quick Facts

Production years: 1988–1997
Episode count: 110 episodes
Source material: Novel Series by Yoshiki Tanaka
Primary conflict: Galactic Empire vs Free Planets Alliance
Format: Original Video Animation (OVA)
Setting: Distant Future Galaxy

Lore & Background

Set in the distant future within the Milky Way Galaxy, the series depicts a galaxy divided between two warring powers: the monarchic Galactic Empire and the democratic Free Planets Alliance. The conflict began in SE 640 (IC 331/AD 3440) with a major Alliance victory and has continued for over 150 years by the time the story starts in SE 796 (IC 487/AD 3596). The Empire, originally founded by Emperor Rudolf I on Odin in the Valhalla system, is plagued by corruption under its Goldenbaum dynasty. Opposing them is a neutral planet-state called Fezzan, which acts as a trickster link between the two sides while secretly orchestrating conspiracies with the Terraism cult to manipulate the war for their own ends.

Reader's Guide

Fans should note that while the novels focus on personal matters of the main players, this OVA adaptation emphasizes the "big picture" of the war with a broader cast. The story begins shortly after the first combat encounter between Reinhard and Yang depicted in the prequel film. Viewers will witness the slow rise of Reinhard's Lohengramm faction against the entrenched nobility and see Yang's tactical brilliance defend the Alliance from seemingly impossible odds. The 1988–1997 run covers the entire arc, including Fezzan's machinations and the Terraism cult's influence. It is recommended to watch in release order or episode number, as it builds a comprehensive history of this galactic conflict without skipping major political shifts or battles.