THE BLUE DRAGON SERIES is based on the exclusive Xbox 360 videogame Blue Dragon, developed by Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of Final Fantasy, and features character designs by Akira Toriyama, the creator of the best-selling Dragon Ball series of manga.

© BDP/TX

The first Blue Dragon game was launched in Japan in December 2006, representing Microsoft's aim for a major Xbox breakthrough on the Japanese market with a locally developed game, and then in Europe and the US in August 2007. The game has attracted attention for its clever and respectful development of the traditional gameplay elements while making powerful use of the latest state-of-the-art with regards to graphics and music.

The animated Blue Dragon television series debuted in Japan on TV Tokyo on April 7, 2007 and is produced by Studio Pierrot, which is well known for its work on Naruto and Bleach, also licensed by VIZ Media. The anime series primarily targets children 6-11. Two seasons of 51+51 half-hour episodes have so far been produced and sold into Cartoon Network US and other international TV markets.

The Blue Dragon storyline begins long ago, as a great battle raged between the forces of Light and Darkness. Each possessed great strengths, above all the power of Shadow. With courage and might, The Seven Soldiers of Light defeated the forces of Darkness and sealed the Shadow power away forever. Though hidden from humans, the power of Shadow lived on, passing from generation to generation, never to reveal itself...

Now the power of Shadow has resurfaced. The evil Nene, ruler of the Grankingdom, is bent on conquering the world, combining Shadow power with the power of machines. In a quest to stop his nefarious plot, Zola and Jiro set forth to find the scions of the Seven Soldiers of Light. Soon after arriving at the peaceful Talta Village, they are attacked by Nene's army. Young villagers Shu and Kluke find themselves in the center of combat. In the face of imminent destruction of all he holds dear, Shu awakens the Legendary Blue Dragon, a Shadow of immeasurable strength and fury. Joining forces with Zola and Jiro, Shu sets forth on a quest to master his Shadow powers. But will he and his newfound friends stop Nene and rescue the world from the forces of Darkness?