Million Arthur
Million Arthur (ミリオン アーサー, Mirion Āsā) is a Japanese media franchise created by Square Enix, consisting primarily of a series of video games. The first release was an online free-to-play card battle game titled Kaku-San-Sei Million Arthur (拡散性ミリオンアーサー, Kakusansei Mirion Āsā, lit. Diffusion Million Arthur), which was released for iOS and Android in 2012. A sequel game titled Kai-Ri-Sei Million Arthur (乖離性ミリオンアーサー, Kairisei Mirion Āsā) was released in Japan in November 2014.
| Million Arthur | |
| ミリオン アーサー (Mirion Āsā) | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Square Enix |
| Game | |
| Kaku-San-Sei Million Arthur | |
| Developer | Square Enix |
| Publisher |
|
| Platform | Android, iOS |
| Released | |
| Manga | |
| Jaku-San-Sei Million Arthur | |
| Written by | Choboraunyopomi |
| Published by | Square Enix |
| Magazine | Gangan Comics |
| Original run | 2012 – 2019 |
| Game | |
| Kai-Ri-Sei Million Arthur | |
| Developer | Square Enix |
| Publisher | Square Enix |
| Platform | Android, iOS |
| Released |
|
| Original net animation | |
| Jaku-San-Sei Million Arthur | |
| Directed by | Mankyū |
| Produced by | Hiroaki Iwano |
| Music by | Yasuhiro Misawa |
| Studio | Gathering |
| Released | November 20, 2015 – November 14, 2019 |
| Runtime | 3 minutes |
| Episodes | 90 |
| Game | |
| Kai-Ri-Sei Million Arthur VR | |
| Developer | Square Enix |
| Publisher | Square Enix |
| Platform | PlayStation VR |
| Released |
|
| Game | |
| Million Arthur: Arcana Blood | |
| Developer | |
| Publisher | Square Enix |
| Music by | Yoko Shimomura[2] |
| Platform | |
| Released | |
| Game | |
| Han-Gyaku-Sei Million Arthur | |
| Developer | |
| Publisher | |
| Platform | Android, iOS |
| Released | |
| Game | |
| Kou-Kyou-Sei Million Arthur | |
| Developer | Square Enix |
| Publisher | Square Enix |
| Platform | Android, iOS |
| Released |
|
| Anime | |
An MMORPG titled Han-Gyaku-Sei Million Arthur (叛逆性ミリオンアーサー) was released in 2018. The TV anime adaptation of the game Operation Han-Gyaku-Sei Million Arthur premiered on October 25, 2018. The TV anime series is licensed in North America by Funimation.[3]
Franchise
Games
Series titles
The first game, an online free-to-play card battle game titled Kaku-San-Sei Million Arthur (拡散性ミリオンアーサー, Kakusansei Mirion Āsā) was released in 2012, written by Kazuma Kamachi. The title was ported to the Nintendo 3DS eShop in October 2014 with a new interface to match the systems two screens.[4] An English language version of the game was released for Southeast Asia entitled Magnificent Million Arthur.[5] It was also ported to the PlayStation Vita with additional features including voice acting, gameplay changes and the ability of a player to edit their deck.[6] Square Enix closed the game's Japanese servers in 2015. On July 14, 2015[1] it was released in Europe and North America by the South Korean publisher Gamevil. Servers for this release were closed on December 7 of that same year.[7]
A sequel game titled Kai-Ri-Sei Million Arthur (乖離性ミリオンアーサー, Kairisei Mirion Āsā) was released in Japan in November 2014.[8] The service ended on September 30, 2020.[9]
A virtual reality game titled Kai-Ri-Sei Million Arthur VR (乖離性ミリオンアーサー VR, Kairisei Mirion Āsā VR) was shown at the Tokyo Game Show in September 2016.[10] It was released in Japan on May 25, 2017, for the PC via Steam, requiring an HTC Vive headset to play.[11] A PlayStation VR version was released in Japan on September 28, 2017.[12] Released in English-speaking countries as Million Arthur VR: Character Command RPG, the PC version was released by Vive Studios in the United States and the Commonwealth nations (inc. the United Kingdom, Canada, Thailand, India, Australia and New Zealand) on October 12, 2017.[13][14]
An arcade game called Million Arthur: Arcana Blood was developed by Arcana Heart’s developer Team Arcana, originally owned by Examu and released in Japan on November 21, 2017.[15] A PlayStation 4 port was released on November 29, 2018, and was originally planned only for release in Japan.[16] The game was later ported to PC and released worldwide on June 20, 2019.[17] The plot revolves around many Arthurs armed with Excaliber blades fighting to become the true king.[18] The roster of fighters features thirteen characters including faeries, clones, and guest fighters from other titles such as King of Fighters XIV and Trials of Mana.[18][15] During combat, players can have three supporting fighters at a time from a selection of thirty one.[19][20]
An MMORPG titled Han-Gyaku-Sei Million Arthur (叛逆性ミリオンアーサー) was released in China for iOS and Android in March 2018 and released in Japan in November 2018.[8] The MMO was terminated on September 30, 2019.[21]
An action role-playing game titled Kou-Kyou-Sei Million Arthur (交響性ミリオンアーサー, Kōkyōsei Mirion Āsā) was released for iOS and Android in Japan during October 2018.[22] Players create characters who explore 3D terrains, fight monsters, and perform special attacks with other characters within a players party.[22] The mobile service shut down on May 12, 2020.[23]
Character Crossovers
Million Arthur appeared in the 2015 role-playing game Megadimension Neptunia VII as a DLC character.[24] But the character was removed from the Steam version of the game in January 2020. Thief (Tōzoku) Arthur appears as a guest DLC character in SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy.[25] Gestalt Odin featured six characters from the series as guest fighters.[26] Characters from others games have also appeared in the Million Arthur series, such as Iori Yagami from The King of Fighters series, who is both under his Miss X disguise and also a DLC in Heroines, appears as a guest character in Arcana Blood.[27]
Live-action television
A live-action television adaptation premiered on October 3, 2014.[28]
Manga
A 4-panel manga adaptation by Choboraunyopomi, titled Jaku-San-Sei Million Arthur (弱酸性ミリオンアーサー), has been serialized within the Million Arthur games and via the Niconico Seiga website since 2012.[29]
Anime
An ONA adaptation of the Jaku-San-Sei Million Arthur manga premiered on November 20, 2015.[29]
An anime television series adaptation of the Han-Gyaku-Sei Million Arthur MMORPG by J.C.Staff premiered on October 25, 2018, on Tokyo MX and other channels.[8] It was announced that the series will be split-cour, with the second season airing in April 2019.[30] The series is directed by Yōhei Suzuki and written by Tsuyoshi Tamai. Yoshinari Saito provides the character designs. The series' music is composed by Go Shiina and produced by Lantis. Genco is producing the series.[30] The opening theme song is "Highlight" by Ayaka Ōhashi, and the ending theme song is "KI-te MI-te HIT PARADE!" by Himika Akaneya, Rie Takahashi, Nao Tōyama, Yū Serizawa, Suzuko Mimori, and Rina Hidaka under their character names.[30] The second opening theme song is "Open the Worlds" by ORESAMA, and the second ending theme song is "Pearly×Party" by the voice actress unit Pearly Fairy.[31]
Merchandise
Square Enix announced that in mid-2021 they would be offering NFT's of comics and stickers from the Million Arthur series.[32]
Common Elements
The series is based around Arthurian legends and the blade Excalibur.[6] Demons invade Britain, and while the countries eleven leaders quarrel, the protagonist Arthur draws the sword, becomes king of the dragons, and leads the countries defenses against the invaders.[6] Other games take place in the fictional land of Camelot.[22] Kou-Kyou-Sei Million Arthur takes place in Camelots' future where evil has conquered the land, and a girl named Merlin gathers new "Arthur's" to retake the kingdom.[22]
Development and history
The original game was written by Kazuma Kamachi, creator of "A Certain Magical Index", and over fifty illustrators created 170 playing cards for the title.[33][34]
Reception
Western reviews were generally unfavorable for the original Million Arthur, with Touch Arcade praising the story and dialogue but blasted the passive and boring gameplay.[35] Gamezebo applauded the art direction and the games unique premise but also criticized the battle system and the Japanese-only voiceover.[36]
References
- ^ a b Musgrave, Shaun (2015-07-14). "Square Enix And Gamevil Bring Smash Hit Social RPG 'Million Arthur' Global Today". TouchArcade. Retrieved 2019-10-14.
- ^ Heaney, Duncan. "Million Arthur: Arcana Blood out now on Steam!". square-enix-games.com. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
- ^ "Spring 2019, Will Warm You Up!". Funimation. 2 April 2019.
- ^ "Million Arthur Arrives On Nintendo 3DS". Siliconera. October 22, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
- ^ "Square Enix's Million Arthur Has Been Localized into English". Siliconera. April 4, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Square Enix's Kaku-San-Sei Million Arthur Starts When You Draw Excalibur". Siliconera. April 11, 2013. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
- ^ Blyden, Jabulani (2015-10-30). "Million Arthur Smartphone Game Ends Service in N. America, Europe". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2019-10-14.
- ^ a b c "Square Enix's Han-Gyaku-Sei Million Arthur MMORPG Gets TV Anime by J.C. Staff". Anime News Network. March 21, 2018. from the original on March 22, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
- ^ "Notice of End of Operation Service". July 31, 2020. from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
- ^ Cowley, Ric. "Square Enix to collaborate with HTC to bring Million Arthur VR to Vive". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
- ^ Romano, Sal (May 25, 2017). "Kai-ri-Sei Million Arthur VR now available for PC via Steam in Japan". Gematsu. from the original on March 22, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
- ^ Romano, Sal (September 19, 2017). "Kai-ri-Sei Million Arthur VR for PlayStation VR launches September 28 in Japan". Gematsu. from the original on March 22, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
- ^ Romano, Sal (October 17, 2017). "Kai-ri-Sei Million Arthur VR for PC now available in the west". Gematsu. from the original on 2018-03-22. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
- ^ Chow, Stephanie (October 12, 2017). "Square Enix brings Million Arthur VR card battler to the U.S. and more". Venture Beat. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
- ^ a b Romano, Sal (October 22, 2017). "Million Arthur: Arcana Blood launches November 21 in Japan". Gematsu. from the original on March 22, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
- ^ Romano, Sal (2018-11-20). "Million Arthur: Arcana Blood for PS4 currently only planned for Japanese release". Gematsu. Retrieved 2019-10-14.
- ^ Heaney, Duncan (2019-06-20). "Million Arthur: Arcana Blood out now on Steam!". Square Enix. Retrieved 2019-10-14.
- ^ a b O'Connor, Alice (February 19, 2019). "Punch through magical Britain in Square Enix's Million Arthur: Arcana Blood". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
- ^ Sato (October 23, 2017). "Million Arthur: Arcana Blood's Opening Movie Shows Off Its Characters And Fast-Paced Action". Siliconera. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
- ^ Sato (June 20, 2019). "Million Arthur: Arcana Blood Stealth-Released On Steam, But One Support Character Got The Shaft". Siliconera. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
- ^ "Notice of End of Operation Service". September 9, 2019. from the original on 2019-10-04. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Sato (March 11, 2020). "Kou-Kyou-Sei Million Arthur is Ending Service on May 12, 2020". Siliconera. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
- ^ "Notice of End of Operation Service". May 5, 2020. from the original on 2020-08-01. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
- ^ Romano, Sal (August 10, 2015). "Neptune VS Zombie Army adds Tamsoft-chan, Neptunia VS Sega Hard Girls adds Nepbike". Gematsu. from the original on March 22, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
- ^ Sato (August 26, 2018). "SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy Gets A Square Enix Guest From Kai-ri-Sei Million Arthur". Siliconera. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
- ^ Wong, Alistair (October 16, 2018). "Square Enix Introduces Gestalt Odin's Story And Crossover Characters". Siliconera. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
- ^ Gordon, Justin (August 26, 2018). "Thief Arthur from Square-Enix's Million Arthur series revealed as a guest character for SNK Heroines". Eventhubs. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
- ^ "Million Arthur Game Gets Live-Action TV Show". Anime News Network. August 20, 2014. from the original on March 22, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
- ^ a b "Million Arthur RPGs' 4-Panel Manga Gets Web Anime in Fall". Anime News Network. June 11, 2015. from the original on March 22, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
- ^ a b c Pineda, Rafael Antonio (September 6, 2018). "Han-Gyaku-Sei Million Arthur Anime Gets 2nd Season in April". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 8, 2019). "Han-Gyaku-Sei Million Arthur Anime's 2nd Season Premieres on April 4". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
- ^ Kiya, Andrew (June 9, 2021). "Square Enix Million Arthur NFT Pressing Forward, Will Use LINE Blockchain Service". Siliconera. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
- ^ "Square Enix Working With Takehito Harada And VOFAN On A Card Battling RPG". Siliconera. March 21, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
- ^ Priestman, Chris (July 14, 2015). "Fight to become the king in Square Enix's card-based RPG Million Arthur, out on iOS and Android". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
- ^ Musgrave, Shaun (July 24, 2015). "'Million Arthur' Review – A Rusty Blade". Touch Arcade. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
- ^ Faulkner, Jason (July 21, 2015). "Million Arthur Review: A Sword Best Left in Stone". Gamezebo. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
External links
- Official game website (in Japanese)
- New project and crossover film official website (in Japanese)