If You Love Aeon Flux, You Need to Visit the Creator's Little-Known Anime ASAP

Alexander the Great has been immortalized in countless retellings of his extraordinary life, but few interpretations are as bold and unconventional as Reign: The Conqueror. Known in Japan as Alexander Senki (Alexander War Chronicle), this 1999 anime adapts Hiroki Aramata’s light novel of the same name, which reimagines the storied historical figure through a surreal and fantastical lens. Blending historical events with science fiction and mysticism, the series pushes the boundaries of traditional storytelling in historical anime.

Reign: The Conqueror was born from an ambitious collaboration between Japanese and Korean production teams, with international influences shaping its direction. Based on Hiroshi Aramata’s light novel of the same name, the anime was written by Sadayuki Murai and directed by Yoshinori Kanemori. However, the most striking feature of the series is its character design, brought to life by Peter Chung, the visionary behind Æon Flux. Chung’s distinctive style, characterized by elongated limbs and angular aesthetics, lends an otherworldly atmosphere to the story. Despite Chung’s talent and previous work, Reign’s journey to Western screens was neither easy nor entirely successful.

Reign: The Conqueror Brings Alexander the Great to Life

Peter Chung's Signature Art Style Is Perfect for this Historical Fantasy

The series begins with the birth of Alexander, the son of Macedonian King Philip II and Olympias, a mysterious witch surrounded by venomous snakes. From the outset, Alexander is depicted as a larger-than-life figure, driven by a cryptic prophecy that foretells his role as both the destroyer and creator of the world. Despite the prince’s commanding reputation, his presence is often quiet and reserved, only resorting to violence as a last measure. This theme of duality runs throughout the narrative, exploring Alexander’s inner turmoil as he navigates his destiny.

The production leaned heavily on Korean animators, showcasing the growing globalization of the anime industry at the time. This cross-cultural effort resulted in a series that feels both familiar and alien, an intentional blend of historical and futuristic elements from different cultural perspectives. Peter Chung’s influence is evident in every frame of Reign: The Conqueror. The exaggerated, almost grotesque character designs, combined with a futuristic aesthetic, create a striking contrast to the ancient setting. This bold juxtaposition gives the anime a timeless quality that feels fresh and exciting to this day.

Alexander's Adventures Are Less Ambiguous than Æon's

Both Series Revolve Around Self-interested Anti-heroes

Reign the Conqueror Alexander on horseback — Reign the Conqueror

Alexander’s journey is marked by betrayal, political upheaval, and philosophical musings. His ascent to power is fraught with tension, particularly in his relationships with his father Philip, his wicked mother Olympias, and his loyal companions, including Hephaestion, Ptolemy, and Cleitus. The anime weaves historical events, such as the Battle of Issus and the conquest of Persia, with speculative fiction, creating a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is visually arresting. While the events of Alexander’s life are embellished as they have been in other adaptations, historical records provide a strong foundation from which Reign’s creators could not deviate.

"Both protagonists are simply following orders, but Alexander is much more concerned with discovering his motive than Æon ever was."

At its core, Reign: The Conqueror is a meditation on destiny and the cyclical nature of history. Alexander is portrayed as a man burdened by his foreknowledge, striving to reshape the world while grappling with the moral and philosophical implications of his actions. Both protagonists are simply following orders, but Alexander is much more concerned with discovering his motive than Æon ever was. Whereas Æon’s adventures see her grapple with fate in the near term, dying at the end of almost every episode, Alexander’s journey is a drawn-out march toward the destruction of the world at his own hands.

Reign: The Conqueror Faced an Uphill Battle

Without Toonami, Reign: The Conqueror Would Be Dead on Arrival

Reign the Conqueror The Persian army advances — Reign the Conqueror

When Reign: The Conqueror was brought to North America by Tokyopop in 2003, finding a network and timeslot proved difficult. Eventually, Reign found its home on Cartoon Network's newly-formed late-night programming block, Adult Swim. Though fans might not remember it among Adult Swim's pantheon of incredible anime, it did air on the timeslot for a period of time.

Unfortunately, the anime’s English release was also marked by a unique dubbing controversy. The first four episodes retained a dub directed by Jack Fletcher, while the remaining nine episodes were redubbed with a different cast. This inconsistency created a jarring experience for viewers, as episode five switches to the new cast without redubbing those initial episodes.

In addition to the TV series, a theatrical version titled Alexander: The Movie was released. This film, which primarily recut footage from the first ten episodes, condensed Alexander’s journey up to his victory over Darius III and the Persian army. The full series’ conclusion is particularly thought-provoking, and the climactic battle symbolizes Alexander’s internal struggle and the cost of his lofty ambitions. While the movie offers a shorter, more streamlined version of the story, it lacks the depth and nuance of the series, specifically the closure provided by those last three episodes.

Reign Is Yet Another Forgotten Anime Gem

Alexander the Great's Anime Epic Should Be at the Top of Every Otaku's Watchlist

Reign the Conqueror Aristotle and the Platohedron — Reign the Conqueror

While Reign: The Conqueror remains a niche title, it has garnered a cult following over the years. Its daring reinterpretation of Alexander the Great’s life, coupled with its distinctive art style, sets it apart from more conventional historical anime. For fans of Peter Chung’s work, the series offers a fascinating glimpse into his creative vision, blending philosophical musings with dynamic action and surreal imagery. In many ways, Reign: The Conqueror is a product of its time—an experimental work that reflects the turn-of-the-century anime landscape.

Reign: The Conqueror is not an anime for everyone. Its avant-garde approach to storytelling and its unconventional visual style can be polarizing. However, for those willing to embrace its eccentricities, the series offers a unique and thought-provoking experience. By reimagining one of history’s most iconic figures through a fantastical lens, Peter Chung and his team have created a work that challenges the boundaries of anime and redefines what a historical epic can be. Yet its themes of ambition, destiny, and the tension between tradition and progress remain timeless, ensuring Reign: The Conqueror’s relevance to modern audiences.

Aeon Flux

Aeon Flux is set in a fictional future where a skilled assassin teams up with a group of rebels to overthrow the government, but things get complicated when she starts to question her mission. The 2005 sci-fi movie, starring Charlize Theron as the titular hero, is based on the MTV animated show of the same name.

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