Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu

Legend of the Galactic Heroes
銀河英雄伝説
LoGH
LotGH
GinEiDen

Novel8.62506 votes10 volumes · 94 chaptersFinished

ActionAdventureDramaSci-FiAdult CastMilitarySpace

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Synopsis

In the far future, two young military leaders rise above their peers. The invincible genius Reinhard von Lohengramm is matched only by the unbeatable magician Yang Wen-li; though the two share a profound respect for each other, they meet on the battlefield not as comrades but as bitter adversaries. Commanding thousands of warships and millions of soldiers, they lead giant space fleets into battle on behalf of the two interstellar states that have wrested for control of the Milky Way for over a century and a half. The Galactic Empire, an absolute monarchy ruled by Kaiser Friedrich von Goldenbaum IV and an entrenched nobility, seeks to suppress the rebels daring to oppose the inviolable crown. The Free Planets Alliance, a representative democracy led by a corrupt High Council, degenerates as its elected leaders⁠ use war and conflict as a way to win popular support. Reinhard is a minor noble who became a High Admiral through his strategic brilliance and his sister's position as the favored concubine of the Kaiser, while Yang is an avid historian and reluctant commodore hailed as a hero despite only using his tactical prowess to navigate around his leaders' incompetence. On opposite sides of the galaxy, the two men have wildly different visions for the future: Reinhard dreams of uniting mankind under his iron fist, while Yang wants only to carve a path to lasting peace. As the war rages on, Reinhard and Yang each strive for their ideals and secure their place among the stars as the leaders of a new era of galactic heroes. [Written by MAL Rewrite]

Publication notes

Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu won the Seiun Award for Best Novel of the Year in 1988. The series was published in English as Legend of the Galactic Heroes by VIZ Media under the Haikasoru imprint from March 8, 2016, to November 19, 2019.

Published

Nov 1982 to Nov 1987

Authors

External links

MyAnimeList page Wikipedia Wikipedia

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Members (MAL): 13,163
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Main characters

Wen-li Yang9273 fan favorites
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Birthdate: April 4, 767 U.C. Age (at the start of the show): 29 Yang Wenli is a commodore, currently serving in the 2nd fleet of the Free Planets Alliance. The son of a merchant and a pacifist at heart, Yang never wanted to be a soldier; his dream was to become a historian, but he didn't have the money to pay for his tuition and joined the army to get a scholarship. He barely made it through the officer's academy due to his lack of interest, though he did make a number of friends there including Dusty Attenborough and Jean Robert Lap. He also met music student Jessica Edwards and both him and Lap developed a crush on her, Jessica eventually chose Lap, Yang accepted her decision and they remained friends. Soon after he graduated, Yang became involved in a battle near the friendly planet El Facil, because of his superiors' incompetence and cowardice, the planet was abandoned while a hostile imperial fleet was on its way. Yang was one of the few officers that remained behind and tried to help the population, thanks to his efforts the planet was evacuated in time. Because of this achievement he became famous as "the hero of El Facil" and "miracle Yang," forever earning the envy of his peers and the scorn of his superiors. It was at El Facil that Yang first became interested in tactics, but ever since that incident and although he kept rising through the ranks, his novel tactical suggestions were being arbitrarily rejected by hostile superiors. Though disappointed and increasingly cynical with the state of affairs in the Alliance, Yang never stopped trying to do at least the absolute minimum to justify his salary and the pension he was so looking forward to. Miracle Yang, also called "the magician," is a genius tactician, as well as a competent strategist. Unlike his often proud adversaries, Yang is more than willing to resort to trickery and his only flaw as a commander lies with his inability to go against the orders of his superiors. Yang holds democracy in an extremely high esteem and has a well-defined political philosophy, providing much insight to anyone willing to listen to him. In his personal life he appears to be quite slothful, he is notoriously incompetent with house chores, as well as in all things romantic. After serving on the Patorokolos in the start of the series, Yang eventually gets the battleship Hyperion as he his given command of the 13th fleet, and this becomes his flagship during the coming conflicts.
Reinhard von Lohengramm6158 fan favorites
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Birthdate: March 14, 467 R.C. (776 U.C.) Count Reinhard von Lohengramm is a young admiral in the Galactic Empire. He was born Reinhard von Müsel to an impoverished aristocratic family. His mother died when he was very young and he only has faint memories of her. His father's will was shattered at about the same time and the only person left to care for young Reinhard was his beloved older sister Annerose. When Reinhard was about ten years old, his family had to move into a middle class suburban neighborhood. There he met Siegfried Kircheis who would become his best and perhaps only friend, but whatever happiness Reinhard managed to find as a child was to be short-lived. The emperor Friedrich IV took a liking to his sister and ordered her to move into his palace and become his new concubine. Afraid that if she refused she would bring down the emperor's wrath on her younger brother, Annerose reluctantly accepted and her father even managed to get some money out of it. Infuriated Reinhard swore vengeance against the emperor, vengeance against the Goldenbaum dynasty and vengeance against the oppressive nobility. He swore that he would never rest until he freed his sister of her predicament and became powerful enough never to be ordered by anyone again. To achieve his goals and with Kircheis by his side, Reinhard joined the military. He quickly rose through the ranks and after proving his ability time and again to the hostile and corrupt nobility, ever reluctant to accept a fallen aristocrat like him into their ranks, he became an imperial high admiral and was elevated to peerage as the "count of Lohengramm." As he steps into the admiralty, the Emperor gives him the prototype battleship Brünhild, which serves as Reinhards flagship from then on. Nicknamed "Blonde Brat" by his enemies and "Golden Lion" by his friends, Reinhard is a handsome and gifted individual, a superb tactician and an unequaled strategist. Brave and noble, he always leads his fleets from the front, much to the admiration, as well as the horror, of his subordinates. Ambitious and determined, Reinhard is only hindered by his immeasurable pride, his warlike nature and the turmoil in his heart.
Oskar von Reuenthal1589 fan favorites
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Birthdate: October 26, 458 R.C. (767 U.C.) Oskar von Reuenthal is a rear admiral serving in Reinhard's fleet and, along with Wolfgang Mittermeyer, Reinhard's ablest field commander. Reuenthal was born to a lowly, but rich noble father and a mother from a distinguished but impoverished line that only married his father for his material affluence. Reuenthal was born with a rare condition called heterochromia, one of his eyes is blue, while the other is brown. Since both his parents had blue eyes, this was seen as proof of his mother's adultery. His mother committed suicide after trying to pluck out his brown eye while he was still an infant. Reuenthal's father put the blame on him and he grew up hated and neglected. Reuenthal joined the military and rose through the ranks rather quickly, finding in war the reason he needed to keep on living. While stationed in fortress Iserlohn, he met Wolfgang Mittermeyer and the two became close friends. Mittermeyer is probably the only person Reuenthal has managed to have a normal relationship with and he greatly values their friendship. When Mittermeyer was unjustly detained and in danger of assassination by the nobility, Reuenthal didn't hesitate to pledge his loyalty to Reinhard in return for his help with Mittermeyer's case. Reuenthal appears calm and composed on the outside, he is a brilliant war strategist, second only to Reinhard, and an accomplished tactician, but Reuenthal is, in reality, a ticking bomb ready to go off at any moment and perhaps would have already exploded if not for Mittermeyer's soothing presence in his life. His problematic childhood has ridden him with an incredible amount of self-loathing and a complete inability to trust women, though handsome and successful with the opposite sex, he never manages to get into a healthy relationship. Proud and ambitious Reuenthal often contemplates treachery, but his respect towards Reinhard and the debt he owes him, manage to restrain him. His flagship is the Tristan.
Paul von Oberstein1359 fan favorites
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Paul von Oberstein is a captain serving as chief of staff in fortress Iserlohn of the Galactic Empire. He was born blind and has to wear artificial eyes to see. He has nothing but contempt for his incompetent commander and despises the high nobles, realizing fully well the decadence of the Goldenbaum dynasty and how ignorant they are of the common people's plight. If he himself had been born a few years earlier, when the "inferior genes exclusion law" was still in effect, he would have been discarded as dangerous to the species. Because of that and realizing Reinhard's abilities, he wants to join his camp. Oberstein is a genius strategist and organizer, both in war and politics. Calm and composed, he never shows any sign of emotional distress, everything he says and does is part of a well thought, reasonable plan.
Siegfried Kircheis601 fan favorites
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Birth date: January 14, 467 R.C. (776 U.C.) Siegfried Kircheis is a young captain serving in Reinhard's fleet, as well as his best friend. Born a commoner, Kircheis first met the future Reinhard von Lohengramm when they both were about ten years old. Reinhard's family had just moved in the house next door, after introducing themselves to each other, Reinhard declared that Siegfried was a very common name and from then on he would call him Kircheis which sounded better, the two immediately stroke up a friendship that was to last for life. When the emperor took Reinhard's sister to be his concubine, Annerose asked Kircheis, who had an innocent crush on her, to promise that he will always be by her brother's side. Kircheis kept his promise, he followed Reinhard in the military and together they rose through the ranks facing many trials, eventually Reinhard was made a count and was awarded the command of a fleet, opening their road to power. Kircheis is an excellent tactician, often able to discern and even predict Reinhard's elaborate battle plans. A kind person and a dedicated friend to Reinhard, he is always by his side, and goes on the fight alongside him in his red colored battleship Barbarossa. He often acts as a restraint for Reinhard's ambition as well as his wrath when his arrogance gets the better of him. He believes both in Reinhard's abilities and the righteousness of his intentions and his only goal is to help Reinhard fulfill his destiny.
Walter von Schönkopf358 fan favorites
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Commander of the Rosenritters, a brigade composed of former Imperial citizens who have defected or escaped to the Alliance. They are known for their skill and brutality in battle, but are mistrusted for their Imperial ties.
Wolfgang Mittermeyer330 fan favorites
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Wolfgang Mittermeyer is a rear admiral serving in Reinhard's fleet and, along with Oskar von Reuenthal, Reinhard's ablest field commander. Mittermeyer is a commoner, born to a middle-class family. He first met Reuenthal while stationed in fortress Iserlohn, early in his career, and the two became close friends. Kind and caring, Mittermeyer has been a stabilizing factor for Reuenthal's self-destructive tendencies ever since. A family man at heart Mittermeyer soon married his childhood sweetheart Evangeline and became a dedicated husband, but their efforts to have children have been fruitless thus far. Unfortunately for him, his lowly pedigree was about to cause him serious trouble. Mittermeyer ordered the execution of one of his subordinates for assaulting, robbing and murdering a civilian woman. Although his decision was just, he turned out to belong to a powerful noble family and Mittermeyer was soon arrested. While the nobles plotted his death, desperate to save his only friend Reuenthal met with Reinhard von Müsel (later Lohengramm) and offered his and Mittermeyer's loyalty to him, in exchange for aid in saving Mittermeyer from the nobility and clearing his name. Reinhard, who had his own well-known issues with the nobles, readily accepted and both of them were transferred under his command. Nicknamed "the gale wolf," Mittermeyer is renowned for his boldness in warfare, his lightning responses to changing factors in the battlefield, as well as his ability to cover huge distances in a relatively short time, while keeping his fleet organized from his flagship Beowulf. Under Reinhard's command, he receives the flagship Beowulf. Mittermeyer is an able strategist and a brilliant tactician, one of the very best of his era. He is composed, just with his subordinates and fiercely loyal to Reinhard, not only for saving his life, but also because he honestly respects his abilities.
Hildegard von Mariendorf158 fan favorites
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Birthdate: 468 R.C. (777 U.C.) Hildegard von Mariendorf is one of the principal characters in the series. She served as the New Galactic Fleet's Chief Advisor Hildegard, usually referred to by the nickname Hilda, was born in Galactic year 777 into a distinguished noble family of the Goldenbaum dynasty, the sole daughter of the benevolent and just Count Franz von Mariendorf. From an early age, she was distinguished from the other girls of the aristocrat society by her independent ideas. Completely unconcerned, Hilda pursued her own interests in reading, politics and history. Her mother having died when Hilda was young, her open-minded father respected Hilda's unique ideas and choices in life. In U.C. 797, the old galactic empire split into civil war, where the old nobility stood against the new emerging camp of military elites lead by Reinhard von Lohengramm. Hilda convinced her father to plea allegiance to the latter, whereupon she met Reinhard for the first time and impressed him with the clarity of her insight. When the Lohengramm camp emerged victorious from the civil war, Reinhard gained complete political and military power in the empire, and Hilda became Reinhard's chief secretary and assisted him in the progressive reforms that swept across the empire. From U.C. 798 to U.C. 800, Hilda played an active role on the galactic stage, advising Reinhard wisely on imperial policies and tactics, and became one of his most valued and trusted staff. During Operation Ragnarök, where the empire battled the Alliance, Hilda served as a staff officer and became the first female to board the Flagship Brünhild.
Julian Minci143 fan favorites
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Alternate Spelling: Mintz Birthdate: March 26, 782 U.C. Julian Minci is the son of a soldier who served in the Alliance's army, he lost his mother at a very young age and, some years later, his father was killed in battle leaving him a war-orphan. As such Julian was admitted in the wartime welfare program and, through the mediation of vice admiral Alex Cazellnu, he was made Yang Wenli's ward. Julian is a very intelligent and responsible boy with a knack for house chores and is the one who takes care of the domestically incompetent Yang, so much so that their friends often wonder who amongst the two is the real guardian and who the ward. Julian loves Yang and deeply respects him, both for his kindness and his well-defined philosophy on life. Yang wants a peaceful life for Julian, but, much to his disappointment, Julian's dream is to follow in his and his father's footsteps and become a soldier.
Dusty Attenborough128 fan favorites
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Age: 28 Birthdate: November 23rd, 769 UC Rank: Commander, later Commodore Occupation: Advisor, later Squadron Commander Group Affiliation: Free Planets Alliance Base of Operations: Flagship Patoroklos (2nd Fleet); Battleship Triglav (13th Fleet) Marital Status: Single Known Relatives: Patrick (father) First Appearance: MOVIE "My Conquest is the Sea of Stars" (as Commander), Book 2: "Ambition" (Novels) Hair: Blue/Black (Golden Wings OAV: Blond) History: Dusty first met Yang Wen-Li at the military academy in 785UC, and they have been friends ever since. First Lieutenant Dusty Attenborough began a distinguished military career during the 5th Battle of Iserlohn in 792 UC. Later, after being promoted to Commander, he participated in the 6th Battle of Iserlohn as captain of the Alliance destroyer "Elm 3" in 794 UC. In 795 UC he was assigned to the 2nd Fleet flagship Patoroklos as gunnery officer. Dusty has learned quite a bit from his friend and has proven himself to be an able commander. Also appears briefly in the OAV "Golden Wings". Dusty Attenborough and Olivier Poplan coin the phrase "foppery and whim" to describe the Yang Fleet's motivations in the face of incredible odds stacked against them.