Bastard!
I first discovered a fansub version of Bastard! at a comic book convention a year or so before its official US release...
Dark Schneider, your basic evil-wizard-turned-do-gooder by a brat, kicks ass and takes names in this sword-and-sorcery spoof. Dark Schneider even mugs for the viewing audience. Also, his entrance alone is something to behold. I first discovered a fansub version of Bastard! at a comic book convention a year or so before its official release. It's quite good. There's a bit of humor, action and stunning use of effects. If you liked Slayers or Ruin Explorers you'll probably like this. Of the 3 series mentioned, I like Bastard! best, with Ruin Explorers a close second and Slayers a distant third.
According to Wikipedia...
Volume 1
Resurrection
A lone warlock freed from years of imprisonment, stands against an army of destruction bent on world conquest and the resurrection of an ancient evil, Ansla-Sax. But Dark Schneider is not protecting the desperate people of Meta-Rikana out of the goodness of his heart. After all, they were the ones who imprisoned him for leading this same army against their city for the first time. However, he's not about to let his old army show him up. Besides, his new girlfriend is counting on him and it's been awhile since he had some fun.
Volume 2
Venom
One of the Big Four, Gara the Ninja Master, has kidnapped Yoko and holds her prisoner in his fortress. Gara reflects upon his history with Dark Schneider as he prepares for his bloody reunion with his old master. Sword or sorcery - which will survive? If Dark Schneider does survive, can he survive Yoko's jealousy now that she knows her dear Luche/Dark Schneider has had a thousand girlfriends in the last 300 years?
Volume 3
Exodus
While the army of the Big Four decimates the army of Meta-Rikana, the city's Great Priest, Geo, desperately attempts to summon the original commander of the Big Four's army - the malevolent warlock, Dark Schneider. Unfortunately, the summoning ceremony may risk the life of Geo's daughter, Yoko, and an innocent boy, Luche - and there's no guarantee that Dark Schneider will even help... especially since Dark Schneider probably wasn't too happy about being imprisoned inside Luche in the first place!
Dark Schneider, your basic evil-wizard-turned-do-gooder by a brat, kicks ass and takes names in this sword-and-sorcery spoof. Dark Schneider even mugs for the viewing audience. Also, his entrance alone is something to behold. I first discovered a fansub version of Bastard! at a comic book convention a year or so before its official release. It's quite good. There's a bit of humor, action and stunning use of effects. If you liked Slayers or Ruin Explorers you'll probably like this. Of the 3 series mentioned, I like Bastard! best, with Ruin Explorers a close second and Slayers a distant third.According to Wikipedia...
The two final episodes (which would bring the total to eight) are expected to never be created and/or released. As a result, the story ends on a cliffhanger, unlike in the manga.Some of the names in the series make reference to American rock bands and musicians. The U.S. distributor changed some of the names (presumably for legal reasons). I used to have the box set on subtitled VHS and the fansubs on subtitled VHS. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Bastard!, so, I decided to repurchase it on DVD. I gave Bastard! a 4 out of 5. By the way, the video that follows is a parody trailer for Army of Darkness using scenes from Bastard!...
