El-Hazard

El-Hazard

Company type	Franchise
Industry	Anime, Manga, Video games
Founder	Ryoe Tsukimura, Hiroki Hayashi
Products	Original video animations (OVAs), television series, manga, video games
Parent	Anime International Company (AIC)

is a Japanese anime franchise developed by writer Ryoe Tsukimura alongside director Hiroki Hayashi. The animation was produced by AIC and backed by Pioneer LDC, encompassing several OVAs and television series.

An English-language manga adaptation is available through Viz Media. Initially, the U.S. distribution rights belonged to Geneon, with the TV series Wanderers later obtained by Right Stuf entertainment, as announced in May 2010. Distribution under Right Stuf's Nozomi Entertainment label expanded in 2019 to include the OVAs The Magnificent World and The Alternative World, broadening their collection of classic anime offerings.

Plot

The narrative centers on three high school students—Makoto Mizuhara, Katsuhiko Jinnai, Nanami Jinnai—and their History teacher, Masamichi Fujisawa, who find themselves transported to the mystical realm of El-Hazard. There, they become entangled in a conflict between human factions and the insectoid Bugrom tribe.

The Magnificent World

Focuses on Makoto, Nanami, Mr. Fujisawa, and the inhabitants of El-Hazard as they confront Jinnai, who has been appointed commander of the Bugrom forces by Queen Diva. Beneath this struggle lie more intricate conspiracies.

The Wanderers

El-Hazard: The Wanderers, originally titled in Japan as , is a 26-episode television adaptation set within an alternate timeline. It streamlines the original OVA storyline and alters several key characters.

The Magnificent World 2

Serves as a sequel OVA that continues the journeys of Makoto and his companions following the Bugrom conflict. After Mr. Fujisawa absconds prior to his marriage to Miz Mishtal, the group embarks on a quest to locate him.

The Alternative World

Portrays the wedding of Mr. Fujisawa and Miz Mishtal before the cast is once more transported—this time to Creteria, a militarized world.

El-Hazard's causal loop

A predestination paradox, or causal loop, is a central theme throughout the series. The initial OVA opens with Makoto encountering Ifurita on Earth, who transports him to El-Hazard. Subsequently, Makoto uncovers Ifurita imprisoned for thousands of years. Upon liberating her from Jinnai’s control, Ifurita develops feelings for Makoto but becomes compelled by events tied to the Eye of God to wander through time for ten millennia until she is sealed beneath Shinonome High School. The storyline cycles back to their original meeting from Ifurita’s viewpoint, triggering all preceding events. The conclusion reunites an older Makoto with Ifurita, allowing their return to El-Hazard and implying some characters remain on Earth.

The Eye of God

Central to both the OVA and The Wanderers, the Eye of God is an ancient civilization’s formidable superweapon—a massive metallic sphere orbiting geosynchronously that annihilates targets by sending them into a dimensional rift.

In the OVA series, activation necessitates unsealing by Muldoon priestesses and operation from the Stairway to the Sky tower. Two royal females must be involved; however, the Phantom Tribe attempts to circumvent this requirement using a device that operates with only one priestess. This sabotage causes loss of control during its deployment against the Bugrom; Ifurita intervenes to halt it but becomes lost in time.

Within The Wanderers, Ifurita serves as the control mechanism embedded inside the Eye. Jinnai seeks to exploit her power to destroy El-Hazard, but her true identity as Demon God surfaces. Makoto averts disaster though he temporarily disappears before making his return.

In The Alternative World, a fragmented Eye appears that functions without priestesses; its origins are not clarified.

Media

Initially created as a seven-episode original video animation (OVA) by Anime International Company (AIC) and Pioneer LDC under the title El-Hazard: The Magnificent World, its popularity paved the way for a 26-episode television adaptation, The Wanderers, which is set within an alternate continuity.

Following this, a second OVA series comprising four episodes, named El-Hazard: The Magnificent World 2, was released. Additionally, a 12-episode TV series titled El-Hazard: The Alternative World debuted, accompanied by a laserdisc special called "A Night of Captivation, Temptation, and Purification."

While both Magnificent World 2 and Alternative World serve as continuations of the original OVA narrative, The Wanderers operates independently from these storylines.

A visual novel for the Sega Saturn, inspired by the television adaptation, features multiple possible conclusions.

In 2001, Guardians of Order launched the El-Hazard Role-Playing Game, drawing from the initial OVA and utilizing their Tri-Stat system mechanics.

In August 2018, AIC revealed intentions to crowdfund a five-minute pilot episode for a new installment titled The Dual World. The fundraising effort commenced in September but concluded in October having raised only ¥841,000 against a target of ¥5,000,000.

List of The Magnificent World and The Magnificent World 2 episodes

No.	Title	Japanese release date	English release date
LineColor ={ {color box #FFA6A6 }} }}	Title ={ {start number=11 }} Promise for Reunion	TranslitTitle ={ {start number=11 }} Saikai Heno Chikai	NativeTitle ={ {start number=11 }} 再会への誓い	NativeTitleLangCode={ {start number=11 }} ja	1997 |10 |25 }}	AltDate ={ {start number=11 }} August 25, 1998 }} Anime reviews Theron Martin remarked that although the series does not break new ground or set trends typical of '90s anime, it retains its appeal despite some divisive character portrayals like that of Alielle Relryle. Chris Beveridge commended the show for its lasting allure. Raphael See drew attention to the series’ remarkable scenic visuals and detailed backgrounds. Soundtrack reviews Keith Rhee observed that despite compelling opening themes such as Ifurita’s motif, much of the soundtrack does not fully captivate its audience. Further reading External links EL-HAZARD: The Wanderers – Nozomi Entertainment Official Website Official AIC El Hazard Website