BASTARD!! (1992 OVA)

BASTARD!! (1992 OVA)

BASTARD!! -暗黒の破壊神-
1992 -1993 Anime International Company OVA 6 episodes Completed
Dark Fantasy Action Sword and Sorcery Comedy
Details & Synopsis
The kingdom of Meta-llicana is under attack by the Four Lords of Havoc, former followers of the legendary wizard Dark Schneider. Their campaign is tied to the seals restraining Anthrasax, an ancient god of destruction, and the kingdom's defenders are running out of options. High Priest Geo finally turns to the weapon he fears almost as much as the invaders: Dark Schneider himself, whose soul has been sealed inside the gentle boy Lucien Renlen.

Awakening Dark Schneider requires a kiss from Geo's daughter Yoko, and bringing him back does not produce an obedient hero. He is arrogant, vindictive, absurdly powerful and perfectly willing to settle old grudges while the kingdom burns around him. Yet his attachment to Yoko repeatedly pulls him toward protecting the people he claims not to care about, while encounters with Gara and Arshes Nei force him to confront the former comrades who once helped him try to conquer the world.

AIC's six-episode OVA, released from 1992 to 1993, compresses the early BASTARD!! manga into a fast run of sorcery, monsters, heavy-metal naming jokes and escalating magical battles. It ends after the conflict with Abigail rather than adapting the full manga, making this a distinct 1990s version of the story rather than a substitute for later adaptations.
Alt Title BASTARD!! -暗黒の破壊神-
Studio Anime International Company
Network OVA
Aired 1992 - 1993
Episodes 6
Genre Dark Fantasy, Action, Sword and Sorcery, Comedy
Status Completed
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Arc List (1)
Dark Rebel Army (6)
Dark Rebel Army 6 eps 6 canon 📷 6
001 The Explosive Wizard Aired Aug 25, 1992 canon 📷 250 ►
The Four Lords of Havoc move against Meta-llicana, and the sorcerer Kevidubu breaches the kingdom's defenses with his Hydra. High Priest Geo reveals that the infamous Dark Schneider was sealed inside Lucien Renlen fifteen years earlier and asks his daughter Yoko to awaken him with a kiss. Dark Schneider returns more interested in revenge on Geo than heroism, but Kevidubu's attack endangers Yoko and gives him a reason to destroy the invaders. Yoko's tears finally stop his vendetta, and her kiss sends the wizard back into Lucien's body.
Lore · 9 Dark Schneider Is the Emergency Weapon, Not the Chosen Hero
+8
Yoko Controls Dark Schneider Without Being Stronger Than Him BASTARD!! Watch Guide Lucien Is More Than the Place Dark Schneider Is Stored BASTARD!! Watch Guide Each Episode Is Built Around One New Threat BASTARD!! Watch Guide Dark Schneider Says He Is Selfish More Often Than He Acts Selfish Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc Power Never Makes Dark Schneider Obedient Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc The Heavy-Metal Names Are Not Background Easter Eggs Magic, Metal & Monsters English Localization Blurred Some of the Music Jokes Magic, Metal & Monsters The OVA's Abruptness Comes From Compression, Not From Six Unrelated Stories Magic, Metal & Monsters
View all 250 screencaps from this episode →
002 Efreet the Fire Elemental Aired Oct 25, 1992 canon 📷 260 ►
Ninja Master Gara infiltrates Meta-llicana and abducts Yoko before Dark Schneider can fully intervene. Princess Sheila awakens Dark Schneider so he can lead a rescue into Gara's fortress, where cursed weapons and monsters slow the group down. A sword possessed by the fire elemental Efreet appears to be the perfect counter to Dark Schneider's own magic. Dark Schneider overwhelms Efreet anyway and claims the elemental's blade before pushing deeper into the fortress for Yoko.
Lore · 8 The OVA Turns Old Enemies Into the Party One Fight at a Time
+7
Gara Is Angry About Being Left Behind, Not Just About Losing Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc Efreet Is the First Time Dark Schneider Adds the Enemy's Weapon to His Own Magic, Metal & Monsters The Fights Are Usually About a Rule Before They Are About a Bigger Spell Magic, Metal & Monsters Yoko Controls Dark Schneider Without Being Stronger Than Him BASTARD!! Watch Guide Each Episode Is Built Around One New Threat BASTARD!! Watch Guide Power Never Makes Dark Schneider Obedient Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc The OVA's Abruptness Comes From Compression, Not From Six Unrelated Stories Magic, Metal & Monsters
View all 260 screencaps from this episode →
003 Ninja Master Gara Aired Dec 10, 1992 canon 📷 273 ►
Dark Schneider reaches Gara and the two former allies finally settle years of resentment in a brutal duel. Gara's Murasame blade can cut through Dark Schneider's defenses, while Dark Schneider answers with the newly claimed fire sword and magic powerful enough to tear apart the fortress around them. Their battle exposes the old loyalty beneath Gara's anger, even as both men refuse to back down. Dark Schneider ultimately saves Gara rather than abandoning him, breaking the cycle and drawing the ninja master back toward his former leader.
Lore · 8 The Lords of Havoc Are Dark Schneider's Past Coming Back in Different Forms
+7
The OVA Turns Old Enemies Into the Party One Fight at a Time BASTARD!! Watch Guide Dark Schneider Says He Is Selfish More Often Than He Acts Selfish Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc Gara Is Angry About Being Left Behind, Not Just About Losing Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc Efreet Is the First Time Dark Schneider Adds the Enemy's Weapon to His Own Magic, Metal & Monsters The Fights Are Usually About a Rule Before They Are About a Bigger Spell Magic, Metal & Monsters Each Episode Is Built Around One New Threat BASTARD!! Watch Guide The OVA's Abruptness Comes From Compression, Not From Six Unrelated Stories Magic, Metal & Monsters
View all 273 screencaps from this episode →
004 The Immortal King Di-Amon Aired Feb 25, 1993 canon 📷 270 ►
With Gara no longer an enemy, Dark Schneider leaves Meta-llicana on business connected to another Lord of Havoc. Yoko and three female knights follow and fall into the hands of Di-Amon, an immortal vampire who has built a private army of transformed servants. Dark Schneider arrives before Di-Amon can finish turning the captives and demonstrates that immortality is not much protection against a wizard who can curse the immortal himself. The defeated Di-Amon is forced into obedience, while the larger threat from Arshes Nei and the remaining Lords draws closer.
Lore · 5 Di-Amon Learns That Immortality Can Become a Weakness
+4
The OVA Turns Old Enemies Into the Party One Fight at a Time BASTARD!! Watch Guide The Fights Are Usually About a Rule Before They Are About a Bigger Spell Magic, Metal & Monsters Each Episode Is Built Around One New Threat BASTARD!! Watch Guide The OVA's Abruptness Comes From Compression, Not From Six Unrelated Stories Magic, Metal & Monsters
View all 270 screencaps from this episode →
005 Thunder Empress Arshes Nei Aired Apr 25, 1993 canon 📷 278 ►
Arshes Nei attacks Meta-llicana under a curse placed on her by Abigail and Kall-Su, forcing a confrontation with the man who once raised her and fought beside her. Dark Schneider initially treats the duel like another old rivalry, but he realizes the curse will kill Arshes if she refuses to destroy him. Their battle escalates until Dark Schneider chooses a solution nobody around him expects: he tears out his own heart to break the curse without killing her. Arshes is freed, but Dark Schneider collapses and appears to have sacrificed himself.
Lore · 10 Arshes Nei's Fight Is a Loyalty Test Disguised as a Boss Battle
+9
Lucien Is More Than the Place Dark Schneider Is Stored BASTARD!! Watch Guide The Lords of Havoc Are Dark Schneider's Past Coming Back in Different Forms Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc The Heavy-Metal Names Are Not Background Easter Eggs Magic, Metal & Monsters Yoko Controls Dark Schneider Without Being Stronger Than Him BASTARD!! Watch Guide Dark Schneider Says He Is Selfish More Often Than He Acts Selfish Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc The OVA Turns Old Enemies Into the Party One Fight at a Time BASTARD!! Watch Guide The Fights Are Usually About a Rule Before They Are About a Bigger Spell Magic, Metal & Monsters Each Episode Is Built Around One New Threat BASTARD!! Watch Guide The OVA's Abruptness Comes From Compression, Not From Six Unrelated Stories Magic, Metal & Monsters
View all 278 screencaps from this episode →
006 The Return of Dark Schneider Aired Jun 25, 1993 canon 📷 277 ►
With Dark Schneider believed dead, Abigail and Kall-Su gather the remaining seals and launch their assault on Meta-llicana. Abigail uses the power of Anthrasax to create a monstrous Cyclops, leaving Gara and Arshes to hold the line while Yoko refuses to accept that Dark Schneider is truly gone. Lucien's body finally regenerates and Dark Schneider returns at the moment the defenders are being overwhelmed. He destroys the Cyclops and defeats Abigail, stopping the immediate awakening of Anthrasax while Kall-Su remains beyond the OVA's ending.
Lore · 9 The Ending Stops Abigail, Not the Whole War
+8
The Finale Pays Off Relationships Before It Pays Off Scale Magic, Metal & Monsters Lucien Is More Than the Place Dark Schneider Is Stored BASTARD!! Watch Guide The Lords of Havoc Are Dark Schneider's Past Coming Back in Different Forms Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc The Heavy-Metal Names Are Not Background Easter Eggs Magic, Metal & Monsters Yoko Controls Dark Schneider Without Being Stronger Than Him BASTARD!! Watch Guide The OVA Turns Old Enemies Into the Party One Fight at a Time BASTARD!! Watch Guide Each Episode Is Built Around One New Threat BASTARD!! Watch Guide The OVA's Abruptness Comes From Compression, Not From Six Unrelated Stories Magic, Metal & Monsters
View all 277 screencaps from this episode →
ⓘ Legend
canon Episode adapts events from the source manga.
mixed Adapts source material but adds anime-original scenes.
good-filler Anime-original episode generally well-received by fans.
filler Anime-original episode not based on the source manga.
📷 Number of user-uploaded screencaps available for this episode.
DS

Dark Schneider

Primary Protagonist / Legendary Wizard

The most feared wizard of the old era is resurrected inside Lucien Renlen when Meta-llicana becomes desperate enough to need him. Dark Schneider is vain, vindictive and overwhelmingly powerful, with the personality of a former conqueror rather than a conventional hero. His great contradiction is Yoko: however loudly he claims to care only about himself, threats to her repeatedly decide which side of a battle he is actually on.
+18 LORE
Dark Schneider Is the Emergency Weapon, Not the Chosen Hero BASTARD!! Watch Guide Each Episode Is Built Around One New Threat BASTARD!! Watch Guide Dark Schneider Says He Is Selfish More Often Than He Acts Selfish Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc Power Never Makes Dark Schneider Obedient Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc The Lords of Havoc Are Dark Schneider's Past Coming Back in Different Forms Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc Efreet Is the First Time Dark Schneider Adds the Enemy's Weapon to His Own Magic, Metal & Monsters The Heavy-Metal Names Are Not Background Easter Eggs Magic, Metal & Monsters The Fights Are Usually About a Rule Before They Are About a Bigger Spell Magic, Metal & Monsters English Localization Blurred Some of the Music Jokes Magic, Metal & Monsters The Finale Pays Off Relationships Before It Pays Off Scale Magic, Metal & Monsters The OVA's Abruptness Comes From Compression, Not From Six Unrelated Stories Magic, Metal & Monsters Yoko Controls Dark Schneider Without Being Stronger Than Him BASTARD!! Watch Guide The Ending Stops Abigail, Not the Whole War BASTARD!! Watch Guide Lucien Is More Than the Place Dark Schneider Is Stored BASTARD!! Watch Guide The OVA Turns Old Enemies Into the Party One Fight at a Time BASTARD!! Watch Guide Gara Is Angry About Being Left Behind, Not Just About Losing Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc Di-Amon Learns That Immortality Can Become a Weakness Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc Arshes Nei's Fight Is a Loyalty Test Disguised as a Boss Battle Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc
LR

Lucien Renlen

Supporting / Dark Schneider's Host

A gentle young man raised alongside Yoko who carries Dark Schneider's sealed soul inside his body. A kiss from Yoko can trigger the transformation, while another kiss can return Dark Schneider to Lucien. Lucien's innocence makes the shared body more than a simple disguise and gives the series a constant contrast between the quiet boy and the sorcerer hidden inside him.
+3 LORE
Lucien Is More Than the Place Dark Schneider Is Stored BASTARD!! Watch Guide Dark Schneider Is the Emergency Weapon, Not the Chosen Hero BASTARD!! Watch Guide Yoko Controls Dark Schneider Without Being Stronger Than Him BASTARD!! Watch Guide
TN

Tia Noto Yoko

Primary Supporting / Priest's Daughter

High Priest Geo's daughter and Lucien's childhood companion is the person most capable of controlling Dark Schneider. Yoko awakens him because the kingdom has no better option, then spends much of the OVA refusing to let his power excuse cruelty. Her relationship with both Lucien and Dark Schneider is the emotional lever that repeatedly redirects the story.
+8 LORE
Yoko Controls Dark Schneider Without Being Stronger Than Him BASTARD!! Watch Guide Dark Schneider Is the Emergency Weapon, Not the Chosen Hero BASTARD!! Watch Guide Lucien Is More Than the Place Dark Schneider Is Stored BASTARD!! Watch Guide Dark Schneider Says He Is Selfish More Often Than He Acts Selfish Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc Gara Is Angry About Being Left Behind, Not Just About Losing Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc Di-Amon Learns That Immortality Can Become a Weakness Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc The Finale Pays Off Relationships Before It Pays Off Scale Magic, Metal & Monsters The OVA's Abruptness Comes From Compression, Not From Six Unrelated Stories Magic, Metal & Monsters
GN

Geo Noto Soto

Supporting / High Priest of Meta-llicana

The High Priest who helped defeat Dark Schneider fifteen years earlier and later sealed the wizard inside Lucien. When the Four Lords of Havoc threaten the kingdom, Geo is forced to reverse that victory and bring his old enemy back. He understands better than most that Dark Schneider may save Meta-llicana without ever becoming safe.
+2 LORE
Dark Schneider Is the Emergency Weapon, Not the Chosen Hero BASTARD!! Watch Guide Power Never Makes Dark Schneider Obedient Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc
ST

Sheila Tuel Meta-llicana

Supporting / Princess of Meta-llicana

The princess of Meta-llicana joins Dark Schneider on the mission to recover Yoko from Gara's fortress. Sheila is brave enough to keep moving through magical traps despite having little control over the chaos around her. Her presence also gives Dark Schneider another royal authority figure he has absolutely no intention of treating with the expected amount of respect.
LORE
GA

Gara

SPOILER!

Major Supporting / Ninja Master

One of the Four Lords of Havoc and a former follower of Dark Schneider, Gara begins the OVA as an enemy who kidnaps Yoko to draw his old leader out. Their duel is as much about abandonment and pride as it is about swords and magic. Dark Schneider's decision to save him reopens the loyalty Gara thought was dead and changes which side he fights on.
+9 LORE
The OVA Turns Old Enemies Into the Party One Fight at a Time BASTARD!! Watch Guide Gara Is Angry About Being Left Behind, Not Just About Losing Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc Each Episode Is Built Around One New Threat BASTARD!! Watch Guide Dark Schneider Says He Is Selfish More Often Than He Acts Selfish Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc The Lords of Havoc Are Dark Schneider's Past Coming Back in Different Forms Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc Efreet Is the First Time Dark Schneider Adds the Enemy's Weapon to His Own Magic, Metal & Monsters The Fights Are Usually About a Rule Before They Are About a Bigger Spell Magic, Metal & Monsters The Finale Pays Off Relationships Before It Pays Off Scale Magic, Metal & Monsters The OVA's Abruptness Comes From Compression, Not From Six Unrelated Stories Magic, Metal & Monsters
AN

Arshes Nei

SPOILER!

Major Supporting / Thunder Empress

A half-elf warrior and one of Dark Schneider's former closest companions, Arshes Nei becomes a Lord of Havoc after his fall. Abigail's curse forces her to choose between killing Dark Schneider and dying herself, turning their reunion into the OVA's most personal battle. Dark Schneider's sacrifice breaks the curse and frees her to turn against the faction manipulating her.
+9 LORE
Arshes Nei's Fight Is a Loyalty Test Disguised as a Boss Battle Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc Each Episode Is Built Around One New Threat BASTARD!! Watch Guide The OVA Turns Old Enemies Into the Party One Fight at a Time BASTARD!! Watch Guide Dark Schneider Says He Is Selfish More Often Than He Acts Selfish Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc The Lords of Havoc Are Dark Schneider's Past Coming Back in Different Forms Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc The Heavy-Metal Names Are Not Background Easter Eggs Magic, Metal & Monsters The Fights Are Usually About a Rule Before They Are About a Bigger Spell Magic, Metal & Monsters The Finale Pays Off Relationships Before It Pays Off Scale Magic, Metal & Monsters The OVA's Abruptness Comes From Compression, Not From Six Unrelated Stories Magic, Metal & Monsters
AB

Abigail

Primary Antagonist / Dark Priest

A calculating member of the Four Lords of Havoc who is far more interested in Anthrasax than in old loyalty to Dark Schneider. Abigail manipulates Arshes with a death curse and pushes the campaign to collect the seals restraining the god of destruction. By the finale, he is the immediate architect of Meta-llicana's near-destruction.
+7 LORE
The Ending Stops Abigail, Not the Whole War BASTARD!! Watch Guide Each Episode Is Built Around One New Threat BASTARD!! Watch Guide Arshes Nei's Fight Is a Loyalty Test Disguised as a Boss Battle Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc The Lords of Havoc Are Dark Schneider's Past Coming Back in Different Forms Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc The Heavy-Metal Names Are Not Background Easter Eggs Magic, Metal & Monsters The Finale Pays Off Relationships Before It Pays Off Scale Magic, Metal & Monsters The OVA's Abruptness Comes From Compression, Not From Six Unrelated Stories Magic, Metal & Monsters
KA

Kall-Su

Antagonist / Lord of Havoc

One of Dark Schneider's former followers and one of the surviving Lords of Havoc directing the war from beyond Meta-llicana. Kall-Su works with Abigail to gather the seals of Anthrasax while other lieutenants fight on the front lines. The six-episode OVA ends before his larger confrontation with Dark Schneider can be resolved.
+2 LORE
The Ending Stops Abigail, Not the Whole War BASTARD!! Watch Guide The Lords of Havoc Are Dark Schneider's Past Coming Back in Different Forms Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc
DI

Di-Amon

SPOILER!

Supporting Antagonist / Vampire

An immortal vampire allied with the forces opposing Meta-llicana who captures Yoko and the kingdom's knights. Di-Amon is confident that regeneration makes him untouchable until Dark Schneider turns that immortality into a liability. His defeat leaves him magically compelled to obey the wizard he tried to challenge.
+4 LORE
Di-Amon Learns That Immortality Can Become a Weakness Dark Schneider & the Lords of Havoc Each Episode Is Built Around One New Threat BASTARD!! Watch Guide The OVA Turns Old Enemies Into the Party One Fight at a Time BASTARD!! Watch Guide The Fights Are Usually About a Rule Before They Are About a Bigger Spell Magic, Metal & Monsters
LU

Lars Ul Meta-llicana

SPOILER!

Supporting / Cursed Prince

A tiny dragon travels with Dark Schneider after once being one of the few warriors capable of fighting him to a standstill. The creature is actually Prince Lars of Meta-llicana, trapped in a transformed body after their old battle. The reveal adds another piece of Dark Schneider's violent history to the group now surrounding him.