Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai (1991)

Aired: 1991

Based on the popular manga by Riku Sanjo and Koji Inada, this sword-and-sorcery saga follows Dai, a boy raised on a remote island, who steps into the role of legendary hero as a resurgent dark army threatens the world. Travelling with comrades from very different walks of life, Dai grows from a hot-blooded apprentice into a true champion. While set in its own world, the story freely uses spells, monsters and motifs from the Dragon Quest video games. Koichi Sugiyama's symphonic score and Tokiro Dan's stirring themes capture the sense of grand adventure that makes the show a cherished entry in shonen anime history.