Sorcerous Stabber Orphen

Sorcerous Stabber Orphen

Company type	Media franchise
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	1994
Founder	Yoshinobu Akita
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Light novels, manga, anime, video games
Owner	Fujimi Shobo (publisher)

{{Infobox animanga/Print | type = light novel | title = Slayers vs Orphen | author = | illustrator = | publisher = Fujimi Shobo |}

is a Japanese light novel series authored by Yoshinobu Akita. The franchise has been expanded into several manga adaptations, two separate anime television series, and a video game.

By December 2019, the total circulation of the novels surpassed 14 million copies, highlighting its significant commercial achievement within the light novel industry.

Plot

Orphen, formerly a talented black sorcerer trained at the Tower of Fang, now works as a money lender in Totokanta’s bustling marketplace. When Volkan and Dortin approach him with a profitable scheme involving marriage fraud against the Everlasting family, their plan collapses after one sister uncovers their intentions. During ensuing turmoil, a monstrous assault reveals Azalie—Orphen’s elder sister who has been transformed into a dragon-like entity. Various groups seek to eliminate Azalie, but Orphen is resolved to defend her. This determination ends his tranquil existence and sparks a dangerous expedition to reverse Azalie’s transformation, uncovering deep secrets about their world along the way.

Light novels

Yoshinobu Akita drew inspiration from Western and European literature to create the Sorcerous Stabber Orphen: The Wayward Journey light novel series, illustrated by Yuuya Kusaka. Published by Fujimi Shobo under the Fujimi Fantasia Bunko imprint from 1994 through 2003, this 20-volume collection served as the source material for the initial anime and manga adaptations. In 2019, the Sorcerous Stabber Orphen Anthology was issued, featuring both original and guest-written stories accompanied by commentary from Ryo Mizuno and artwork by Kusaka.

Subsequently, Akita authored Sorcerous Stabber Orphen: The Reckless Journey, a 13-volume prequel series released between 1996 and 2003 that explores lighter narratives set before the main storyline. Additionally, Sorcerous Stabber Orphen: Detour, a two-volume work published in 1997, presented side stories from early in Orphen's adventures.

In 2011, T.O Entertainment published Sorcerous Stabber Orphen: New Wayward Journey, set over twenty years later. This ten-volume series portrays an older Orphen married to Claiomh Everlasting with three daughters skilled in sorcery. Majic serves as a magic instructor at Orphen’s academy, while Mayor MacCredy—son of Leticia MacCredy and Forte Puckingham—emerges as the central character. To commemorate the 25th anniversary in 2019, Akita announced Sorcerer Stabber Orphen: Comicron's Plan, a prequel filling narrative gaps with fresh stories; three volumes are planned with editions including standard versions plus special releases containing behind-the-scenes booklets and Drama CDs. The original series also underwent reprinting.

A collaborative special novel titled Slayers vs Orphen, co-authored by Akita and Hajime Kanzaka in 2005, was reissued in 2013.

At Anime Expo 2018, J-Novel Club revealed they had secured licensing rights for the light novels to broaden their international distribution.

Manga

The manga adaptation was created through the collaboration of writer Yoshinobu Akita and artist Hajime Sawada. It comprises two series: the six-volume Majutsushi Orphen Haguretabi and the two-volume side story Majutsushi Orphen MAX. The first volume was released in English by ADV Manga in March 2005.

Additionally, a doujinshi compilation entitled Sorcerous Stabber Orphen Special Parody was published.

A new manga adaptation covering the main novels' "Stray Journey" arc, illustrated by Muraji with writing by Yoshinobu Akita, ran from March 2017 until November 2018 and was compiled into five volumes. Seven Seas Entertainment acquired English language rights and released the first two volumes in 2019.

In August 2018, a manga adaptation of the light novel spin-off Sorcerous Stabber Orphen: The Reckless Journey (Majutsushi Orphen: Mubouhen) began serialization. It is written and illustrated by Yu Yagami, known for Those Who Hunt Elves. J-Novel Club licensed this series for English publication in July 2019.

December 2018 saw Kirouran and Yoshinobu Akita release volume one of the two-part manga series Sorcerous Stabber Orphen: Youthful Journey (Majutsushi Orphen: Pre-hen), adapting side stories from the Reckless Journey novels. This work focuses on Orphen’s early life and initial experiences at the Tower of Fangs. J-Novel Club also published an English version.

Anime

The initial Sorcerous Stabber Orphen anime, created by Kadokawa Shoten and brought to life by J.C.Staff, was broadcast on TBS and HBC from October 1998 through March 1999, comprising a total of 24 episodes. In 2001, ADV Films distributed it on DVD and VHS across North America, followed by an Australian release through Madman Entertainment in 2002.

Following this, a sequel series titled Sorcerous Stabber Orphen 2: Revenge (also known as Orphen Revenge) aired in 1999 with 23 episodes. ADV Films released this series on DVD in North America in 2003. A comprehensive box set containing all 47 episodes was later issued by Sentai Filmworks in 2009, with a two-disc SD Blu-ray edition released in August 2019.

To celebrate the franchise’s 25th anniversary, a new television anime adaptation was announced, originally planned for 2019 but ultimately premiering from January to March 2020. This iteration was animated by Studio Deen and directed by Takayuki Hamana, featuring series composition by Reiko Yoshida and character designs by Takahiko Yoshida. Returning voice actor Showtaro Morikubo reprised the role of Orphen alongside new cast members. The series was licensed outside Asia by Funimation, which launched an English dub on January 21, 2020. After Sony’s acquisition of Crunchyroll, the show transitioned to that platform. The season consisted of 13 episodes, with an additional unaired episode included in the second Blu-ray volume released in May 2020.

The second season, entitled Sorcerous Stabber Orphen: Battle of Kimluck, aired from January to March 2021. Funimation secured licensing rights for North America and the British Isles, while streaming services Wakanim in Europe and AnimeLab in Australia/New Zealand provided access. The English dub premiered on June 9, 2021.

The third installment, Sorcerous Stabber Orphen: Chaos in Urbanrama, debuted between January and April 2023. This season saw Kenji Konuta take over scriptwriting duties from Reiko Yoshida. The opening theme "Hysteric Caravan" was performed by Showtaro Morikubo, with Mai Fuchigami delivering the ending theme "Fantastic Partner."

A fourth season titled Sorcerous Stabber Orphen: Doom of Dragon's Sanctuary aired from April to June 2023. Morikubo returned to perform the opening track "Motive Rain," while Mai Fuchigami once again provided vocals for the ending song "Shūen no Destiny."

Video game

In 2000, Kadokawa Shoten released a single-player role-playing game for the PlayStation 2 in Japan under the title Sorcerous Stabber Orphen. This title was published as Orphen: Scion of Sorcery by Activision for North American and European markets. The game presented a fresh storyline enhanced with improved video sequences; however, there were slight alterations in character voices and personalities. Critical reception was mixed.

Reception

By December 2019, circulation of the original novels had surpassed 14 million copies.

In the June 1999 results of the 21st Anime Grand Prix conducted by Animage, Orphen secured second place as "Favorite Male Character." The television series ranked eighth under "Anime Title of the Year," while its ending theme "Last Kiss" by Tanpopo achieved sixteenth place for "Best Theme Song."

Mike Crandol of Anime News Network characterized the series as a "fairly enjoyable fantasy adventure," although he pointed out it succumbed to typical genre clichés. He later assessed the anime as "all-around average" concerning its art style, musical score, and animation quality.