Warning: There are spoilers in this section. If you do not want to be spoiled, please head to a different page.
Light Novel and Anime Adaptation Differences[]
Volume 1 (Episodes 1 - 2)[]
- In the anime, the meeting with Fyshe Blundell is largely cut from the episode. Instead, it is shown through flashbacks as Fyshe is researching Wein.
- In the novels, Jiva is sent by Marden to act as an negotiator to reclaim the mine using diplomatic means. However, during the meeting, Jiva realizes that the mine is better left in Wein's hands and gives up. This scene is cut from the anime. Instead, Jiva does not officially appear until episode 10.
Volume 2 (Episodes 3 - 5)[]
- In the novels, Teord Talum first appears as an ambassador from the Empire in order to buy the Jilaat mine. However, when negotiations initially fail, he learns from Wein that he is single and switches his plans. After the meeting, Teord leaves to find a potential bride for Wein. In the anime, Teord Talum isn't officially introduced until the end of Episode 5.
- There is also a lot more exposition regarding Wein's time at school in the novels than in the anime. For example, during Wein's talk with Lowa about customs and traditions, the scene was originally set while Wein and his friends were preparing to switch a corrupt noble's artwork with a counterfeit.
- Glen and Strang also have more scenes in the novels too.
Volume 3 (Episodes 6 - 7)[]
- The first chapter of the novel is largely cut from the anime. Instead, Episode 6 begins with Wein and Ninym already on their way to Cavarin.
- The novel starts with Wein traveling around the country on a winter tour. Initially, the plan was to use his tour as an excuse to lure out rebel nobles. However, this plan fails. Later, Holonyeh arrives as a messenger from King Ordalasse to invite Wein to the Festival of the Spirit. This was left out from the anime.
- Hagal's role also greatly differs between the light novels and anime. In the light novels, Wein starts a rumor saying that there is a growing rift between him and Hagal to lure out the rebel nobles. Hagal then pretends to be traitor to gather the dissenters within Natra together, so that Wein's forces can eliminate them. Whereas in the anime, he simply fakes his retirement to lure out the dissenters instead.
- Ibis' introduction is also different between the light novels and anime. In the light novels, Ibis approaches Hagal after he leaves a banquet and ropes him into forming a rebel army. Whereas, in the anime, Ibis is introduced during a meeting with the rebel nobles.
- In the novels, Jiva also appears during Wein's initial meeting with Zeno. However, this scene was cut from the anime. It is also mentioned that Jiva was fired from his post before the attack on Marden after his negotiations to get the mine back from Wein peacefully had failed.
- In the novels, Zenovia initially appears posing as Prince Helmut in a knight suit rather than in her Zeno guise. After the initial meeting with Helmut, Jiva introduces Zenovia as Zeno, his nephew. Also an additional four soldiers joined Wein's delegation party from the Marden Liberation Front, whereas it was only Zenovia in the anime. Additionally, Wein knows that Zeno is a girl right from the start. Whereas in the anime, Zenovia first appears in her Zeno disguise. In the scene, Zenovia (as Zeno) tells Wein that Prince Helmut is sick in bed from his injuries and cannot meet with him. Wein then talks with Zeno and gets her to agree to team up.
- In the novels, there is more exposition on the remaining journey to Cavarin. Namely, Wein, Zeno and Ninyn bonding over their views and beliefs.
- In the novels, the soldier, Kustavi, who approaches General Levert was slashed in the leg from a lance attack by Wein. This was changed to being shot in the arm by one of the Liberation soldiers' arrows in the anime.
- In the novels, Wein first meets Gruyere Soljest while visiting the Holy Elites to get their approval to join the Holy Elites. Gruyere agrees to give Wein his approval in exchange for allying himself with him instead of Ordalasse. Wein asks him to wait to give his answer and leaves. Wein then visits Steel Lozzo next and gains his approval after a conversation. This is left out in the anime.
- After Wein escapes Cavarin, after killing King Ordalasse, he receives word that Hagal has risen an army against him. In the anime, Wein receives word that noble dissenters have risen an army instead of Hagal.
- In the novel, the battle to escape Cavarin and the battle to reclaim Marden are separate. However, in the anime, this ending is changed so that both battles are combined to fit five novels worth of content into the show. As such there are two endings:
Anime Ending:
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| In the anime, Hagal's forces appear as a separate force from the rebels and with the Marden Liberation Front's help, they kill both General Levert and his forces and the Natra noble dissenters army during the battle to escape Cavarin. After the battle, Zenovia in her princess outfit visits Wein in his castle and reveals her true identity as Zenovia, princess of Marden. She then asks to make Marden a vassal state under Natra. |
Novel Ending:
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| In the novel, the ensuing battle plays out mostly the same as in the anime. However, General Levert does not die in this battle. Instead, as the leader of the rebel noble army, Hagal is captured and is executed. After the battle with the dissenters and General Levert's forces, Wein greets Zenovia at the Marden's resistance forces' base. Greeting him, Zeno introduces herself as Zenovia, the princess of Marden. Wein also implicitly tells Zenovia to have her Prince Helmut disguise killed off in the next battle against Cavarin, so that she can take the throne with Natra's support.
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Volume 4 (Episodes 8 - 9)[]
- Glen and Strang appear in the light novel. However, they are cut from the anime.