Legend of Galactic Heroes (novels)
From Gineipaedia, the Legend of Galactic Heroes wiki
Legend of Galactic Heroes (Japanese: 銀河英雄伝説, Ginga Eiyū Densetsu), sometimes referred to as 'Heldensagen von Kosmosinsel' (lit. heroic tales of the galactic island), is a series of ten science-fiction novels written by Tanaka Yoshiki, as well as a number of other, shorter stories set in the same universe, published in Japan by Tokyo Sogensha from 1982 to 1989.
The first book won the prestigious Seiun Award for "Best Novel of the Year" in 1988.
On 2 July 2015, Viz Media had announced that it had licensed the novels for release in North America under its Haikasoru imprint. The company had initially only licensed the first three novels, but later stated that it would license more if sales were good.
The first novel, Dawn, was released on 8 March 2016. The company eventually licensed and released all the novels, and the final volume, Sunset, was released on 19 November 2019. The novels were translated by Daniel Huddleston, Tyran Grillo and Matt Treyvaud.
The first three novels were also released as audiobooks by Simon & Schuster Audio, all three were narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds.
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Synopsis
In the far future, two young military leaders rise above their peers. The invincible genius Reinhard von Lohengramm is matched only by the unbeatable magician Yang Wen-li; though the two share a profound respect for each other, they meet on the battlefield not as comrades but as bitter adversaries. Commanding thousands of warships and millions of soldiers, they lead giant space fleets into battle on behalf of the two interstellar states that have wrested for control of the Milky Way for over a century and a half.
The Galactic Empire, an absolute monarchy ruled by Kaiser Friedrich von Goldenbaum IV and an entrenched nobility, seeks to suppress the rebels daring to oppose the inviolable crown. The Free Planets Alliance, a representative democracy led by a corrupt High Council, degenerates as its elected leaders use war and conflict as a way to win popular support. Reinhard is a minor noble who became a High Admiral through his strategic brilliance and his sister's position as the favoured concubine of the Kaiser, while Yang is an avid historian and reluctant commodore hailed as a hero despite only using his tactical prowess to navigate around his leaders' incompetence. On opposite sides of the galaxy, the two men have wildly different visions for the future: Reinhard dreams of uniting mankind under his iron fist, while Yang wants only to carve a path to lasting peace. As the war rages on, Reinhard and Yang each strive for their ideals and secure their place among the stars as the leaders of a new era of galactic heroes.
Legend of Galactic Heroes
| Vol. | Title | Japanese release | English release |
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| 1 | Legend of Galactic Heroes Volume 1: Dawn (Japanese: 銀河英雄伝説 1 黎明篇) | 30 November 1982 ISBN 4-19-152624-3 | 8 March 2016 ISBN 978-1-4215-8494-2 |
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The “golden brat” Reinhard von Lohengramm, a military prodigy and admiral of the Galactic Empire, has ambitions beyond protecting the borders or even defeating the empire’s enemies. He seeks to overthrow the old order and become a truly absolute—yet benevolent—dictator. His rival, the humble Yang Wen-li of the Free Planets Alliance, wishes to preserve democracy even if he must sacrifice his political ideals to defeat the empire. Their political and military battles play out over a galactic chessboard in an epic saga fifteen centuries in the making!
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| 2 | Legend of Galactic Heroes Volume 2: Ambition (Japanese: 銀河英雄伝説 2 野望篇) | 30 September 1983 ISBN 4-19-152790-8 | 19 July 2016 ISBN 978-1-4215-8495-9 |
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After a coup d'état erupts in the Free Planets Alliance, military strategist Yang Wen-li is ordered to use his tactical wizardry to put down the rebellion, but the ringleader holding the capital is someone he once trusted deeply. Meanwhile, in the Galactic Empire, Reinhard will soon face a new trial, as in the wake of the emperor's death he stands amidst an intensifying power struggle among the aristocracy. The unbeatable magician and the unstoppable genius: the battles these heroes wage will send shock waves across the galaxy!
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| 3 | Legend of Galactic Heroes Volume 3: Endurance (Japanese: 銀河英雄伝説 3 雌伏篇) | 30 April 1984 ISBN 4-19-152894-7 | 15 November 2016 ISBN 978-1-4215-8496-6 |
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A grand scheme for retaking Iserlohn is delivered to Reinhard, who with renewed determination seeks to become ruler of the galaxy and to fulfil the oath he made with a dear, departed friend. But what are the aims of Fezzan, the third force at work behind the scenes? Meanwhile, no sooner is Yang breathing a sigh of relief when Julian returns from his first combat mission than he is summoned to an inquest and departs for the capital of the alliance. As if waiting for this opportunity to strike, however, the imperial military's secret weapon appears right at the gates of Iserlohn. The battle begins! Who will endure?
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| 4 | Legend of Galactic Heroes Volume 4: Stratagem (Japanese: 銀河英雄伝説 4 策謀篇) | 31 October 1984 ISBN 4-19-152978-1 | 20 June 2017 ISBN 978-1-4215-8497-3 |
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Remnants of the high nobility, manipulated by the “third power” of Fezzan, abduct the seven-year-old emperor and, with the cooperation of the Free Planets Alliance, declare the establishment of a traditional imperial government. Reinhard, however, has turned the tables by making a secret pact with Fezzan’s high officials and plans a grand invasion of the alliance by way of the Fezzan Corridor. So begins an epic battle between Yang—who, despite surmising Reinhard’s true intentions, must defend Iserlohn—and the Imperial Navy’s peerless fighter, von Reuentahl.
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| 5 | Legend of Galactic Heroes Volume 5: Mobilization (Japanese: 銀河英雄伝説 5 風雲篇) | 30 April 1985 ISBN 4-19-153068-2 | 21 November 2017 ISBN 978-1-4215-8498-0 |
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Imperial forces have captured the Fezzan Dominion and draw ever closer to the Free Planets Alliance capital of Heinessen. Yang hurriedly abandons Iserlohn Fortress and heads for the capital to protect countless civilians. Taking out Reinhard is the alliance’s only path to victory. Despite the empire’s superior numbers, Yang continues to outwit its most resourceful generals via tactical wizardry. Reinhard, on the other hand, seeing through Yang’s devices, opts for all-out war. And so, the “invincible” and “undefeated” once again clash swords. Who will emerge victorious?
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| 6 | Legend of Galactic Heroes Volume 6: Flight (Japanese: 銀河英雄伝説 6 飛翔篇) | 31 October 1985 ISBN 4-19-153151-4 | 17 April 2018 ISBN 978-1-4215-8499-7 |
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After donning the emperor’s crown, Reinhard becomes the target of an assassination plot. Knowing that the Church of Terra is behind it, he deploys his troops to the church’s holy land: Earth. Meanwhile, Yang’s leisurely retirement is tempered by the surveillance networks watching his every move from both sides. And when he is one day visited by a group of men dressed in black, the galaxy, too, relinquishes peace to become embroiled in upheaval once again. Welcome to the turning point in the war for the fate of the galaxy!
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| 7 | Legend of Galactic Heroes Volume 7: Tempest (Japanese: 銀河英雄伝説 7 怒濤篇) | 31 May 1986 ISBN 4-19-153256-1 | 21 August 2018 ISBN 978-1-4215-8529-1 |
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Reinhard, under his Golden Lion banner, is setting out to bend history and the universe to his will. Meanwhile, with no flag of their own to raise, Yang and his compatriots have escaped the murderous hands of the Free Planets Alliance's government and dubbed themselves the “Irregulars.” Yang receives word that an Imperial fleet is closing in on the capital of Heinessen, and in a daring move, recaptures Iserlohn Fortress. In the meantime, Reinhard’s invasion of the Free Planets Alliance proceeds steadily apace. Standing in the path of the Imperial fleet is a fleet of FPA Navy vessels commanded by the elderly Admiral Bewcock. An old lion roars out a life-or-death challenge, and a young lion answers it—the final battle of the Free Planets Alliance now begins!
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| 8 | Legend of Galactic Heroes Volume 8: Desolation (Japanese: 銀河英雄伝説 8 乱離篇) | 31 January 1987 ISBN 4-19-153384-3 | 18 December 2018 ISBN 978-1-4215-8501-7 |
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After utterly defeating the Free Planets Alliance, Kaiser Reinhard has brought 99 percent of inhabited space under his control. Still, dissatisfaction and unease coil within his breast, for the galaxy's last remaining sliver of free territory is defended by none other than Yang Wen-li. Seeking decisive battle, the Imperial Navy moves to attack Iserlohn Fortress, but due to Yang's unexpected plan, the battle has already begun before Reinhard arrives. The Yang Fleet must overcome an enormous difference in force strength—while at the same time, a trap laid by the Church of Terra is closing in around Yang…
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| 9 | Legend of Galactic Heroes Volume 9: Upheaval (Japanese: 銀河英雄伝説 9 回天篇) | 31 May 1987 ISBN 4-19-153445-9 | 16 July 2019 ISBN 978-1-4215-8502-4 |
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The irregulars of the Iserlohn Republic, still loyal to the ideals of their former leader Yang Wen-li, rally around Yang’s successor Julian as he strives to live up to his inherited responsibilities. Meanwhile, in the empire, Kaiser Reinhard survives an attempt on his life only to be confronted with the devastating sins of his past when he learns the true identity of his would-be assassin. Despite rumours of treason on the part of Neue Land governor-general Oskar von Reuentahl, the kaiser pays a personal visit to that territory, where an even greater shock lies in store.
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| 10 | Legend of Galactic Heroes Volume 10: Sunset (Japanese: 銀河英雄伝説 10 落日篇) | 15 November 1987 ISBN 4-19-153530-7 | 19 November 2019 ISBN 978-1-4215-8504-8 |
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Having taken his devoted confidant Hildegard von Lohengramm as his empress, Kaiser Reinhard awaits the birth of his heir. Much remains to trouble him, from the ongoing campaign of terror by Church of Terra diehards to the machinations of an erstwhile landesherr, and there are ominous signs that his own condition may be graver than anyone suspects. Nevertheless, it seems that peace has finally come to the New Galactic Empire. Meanwhile, in the Iserlohn Republic, Julian Mintz, successor to Yang the Magician, resolves to begin the first and final battle fought on the republic’s terms—the world-shaking conclusion to the Legend of the Galactic Heroes.
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Legend of Galactic Heroes Gaiden
| Vol. | Title | Japanese release | English release |
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| 1 | Legend of Galactic Heroes Gaiden Volume 1: The Star Crusher (Japanese: 銀河英雄伝説 外伝1 星を砕く者) | 30 April 1986 ISBN 4-19-153236-7 | TBD |
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| 2 | Legend of Galactic Heroes Gaiden Volume 2: Julian's Iserlohn Diary (Japanese: 銀河英雄伝説 外伝2 ユリアンのイゼルローン日記) | 31 March 1987 ISBN 4-19-153418-1 | TBD |
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| 3 | Legend of Galactic Heroes Gaiden Volume 3: One Hundred Billion Stars, One Hundred Billion Lights (Japanese: 銀河英雄伝説 外伝3 千億の星、千億の光) | 31 March 1988 ISBN 4-19-153634-6 | TBD |
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| 4 | Legend of Galactic Heroes Gaiden Volume 4: Spiral Labyrinth (Japanese: 銀河英雄伝説 外伝4 螺旋迷宮) | 31 July 1989 ISBN 4-19-153995-7 | TBD |
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| 5* | Legend of Galactic Heroes Gaiden Volume 5: Golden Wings (Japanese: 銀河英雄伝説 外伝5 黄金の翼) | 25 June 2009 ISBN 978-4-488-72515-0 | TBD |
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In some print orders, it is not considered a part of the Gaiden series. A collection of short stories and an interview with the author. Individual stories were published as standalones before 1986 and later compiled in 2009 into this one volume. | |||
References
- Seiun Award List. Seiun. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
- "Viz Adds Legend of the Galactic Heroes Novels, One Punch Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
