Historie

Japanese manga series From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Historie (Japanese: ヒストリエ, Hepburn: Hisutorie) (stylized as HISTORIĒ) is a Japanese historical manga series written and illustrated by Hitoshi Iwaaki. It follows the story of Eumenes, a secretary and general to Alexander the Great. It has been serialized in Kodansha's seinen manga magazine Monthly Afternoon since January 2003, with its chapters collected in 12 tankōbon volumes as of June 2024. An anime television series adaptation produced by Liden Films has been announced.

Genre
WrittenbyHitoshi Iwaaki
PublishedbyKodansha
English publisherKodansha (digital)
Quick facts ヒストリエ (Hisutorie), Genre ...
Historie
First tankōbon volume cover, featuring Eumenes
ヒストリエ
(Hisutorie)
Genre
Manga
Written byHitoshi Iwaaki
Published byKodansha
English publisherKodansha (digital)
ImprintAfternoon KC
MagazineMonthly Afternoon
Original run25 January 2003 – present
Volumes12
Anime television series
StudioLiden Films
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In 2010, Historie received the Grand Prize at the 14th Japan Media Arts Festival as well as the 16th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2012. It won the 49th Kodansha Manga Award in the general category in 2025.

Plot

Set in mid-4th century BC Greece, Historie is a fictionalized account of Eumenes, a royal secretary and general under Alexander the Great. The narrative chronicles his life from childhood to adulthood. Born into a wealthy family in the city-state of Cardia, Eumenens is enslaved after being falsely accused of causing his adoptive father's death. Following his escape, he embarks on a prolonged journey where his intellect, strategic acumen, and skill in warfare bring him renown.

Characters

Historie portrays many historical characters who actually existed in ancient Greece and Persia.

Eumenes
Eumenes, an intelligent youth from Cardia, suffers recurring nightmares of a woman killing soldiers. Originally a Scythian, he was adopted by Hieronymus after his family died in a Greek slave raid. Following Thrax's escape and subsequent events, Hieronymus is killed and Eumenes' heritage is revealed, resulting in his enslavement. After a failed slave mutiny and shipwreck near Paphlagonia, he washes ashore near Boa village. There, he educates villagers in Greek customs while assimilating into their community. When mercenaries from Tios attack Boa, Eumenes successfully defends it, killing their leader. He later returns to besieged Cardia, where he becomes Philip II's apprentice after demonstrating tactical knowledge.
Charon
He serves as a slave in the Hieronymus household and acts as Eumenes' personal attendant (pedagogue in the classical sense). Before Eumenes departs Cardia, he gives him an amulet belonging to Eumenes' mother. Later revelations show he was present during Eumenes' mother's death, despite previous denials, and contributed to her demise by holding the young Eumenes hostage. After these events, he relocates to Piraeus where he achieves fame and fortune.
Hieronymus (the Elder)
Hieronymus initially appears as Eumenes' father but is later revealed to have adopted him after his subordinates slaughtered Eumenes' biological family during a slave raid. Though not directly responsible for the killings, Hieronymus led the expedition. He is presumed killed during Thrax's escape attempt, though another individual ultimately bears responsibility for his death.
Hieronymus (the Younger)
Hieronymus's son resents Eumenes during their childhood, envying his superior intellect and skills as well as their father's apparent favoritism. When Eumenes is enslaved, revelations suggest Hieronymus privately documented much of Eumenes' life, implying latent paternal concern.
Tolmides
A childhood companion of Eumenes who serves in Cardia's militia forces during Eumenes' return to the city.
Satura
A villager from Boa who initially regards Eumenes with cautious interest. Their bond strengthens as Eumenes integrates into the community, becoming romantic after war nullifies her betrothal to Tios's heir. To protect Boa when Tios discovers Eumenes' role in the conflict, he severs their relationship through deception, facilitating her political marriage to Telemakos.
Perialla
A childhood acquaintance of Eumenes who initially displays romantic interest in him. Following his enslavement, her attitude shifts to hostility. She eventually marries the son of a local wheelmaker.
Thrax
A Scythian slave who recognizes Eumenes as a fellow countryman. He instigates a violent escape from Cardia, slaughtering numerous militia and civilians. During a marketplace confrontation, he spares Eumenes' life, arousing the citizens' suspicion. Mortally wounded during the uprising, he pursues Eumenes before dying. Authorities later blame him for Hieronymus the Elder's death.
Theogeiton
A moneylender who owns the enslaved Thrax, notorious for his harsh treatment of those under his control. He and his family perish when Thrax breaks free from his restraints.
Memnon
A Greek mercenary commander in Persian service leads the pursuit of Aristotle. He first appears in Assos, then under Persian control, interrogating Hermias—Aristotle's father-in-law—to locate the philosopher.
Hermias
Aristotle's father-in law; a Eunuch. First seen chained up in Assus. Even under intense interrogation, he refuses to say anything about the teacher Aristotle.
Aristotle
A prominent philosopher pursued by the Persian Empire on espionage charges. Fleeing with his student Callisthenes and the slave Victas, he encounters Eumenes near the ruins of Troy while seeking passage across the Dardanelles. Delayed by Eumenes' unfinished boat construction, they spend the night in discussion, during which the philosopher recognizes Eumenes' intellectual aptitude. The group narrowly evades Persian forces the following day, crossing to Europe with Eumenes temporarily remaining behind as they continue toward Cardia.
Barsine
The wife of Troius's governor demonstrates notable political acumen and intellectual capability.
Philip II of Macedon
The king of Macedonia first appears posing as Antigonus, a merchant from Perinthus seeking Hieronymus the Younger in Cardia. He encounters Eumenes outside the city gates and, impressed by his resourcefulness in gaining entry, impulsively offers him employment.
Arrhidaeus
Son of Philip II, shown as an intellectually disabled child. Eumenes gave him a toy chariot, replaced when Alexander the Great accidentally destroyed it.
Alexander the Great
The son of Philip II of Macedon and half-brother of Arrhidaeus exhibits a respectful demeanor and natural leadership qualities. He displays a calm disposition and bears a distinctive snake-shaped scar. The character manifests an alternate personality named Hephaestion, who lacks this scar and demonstrates an aversion to snakes.
Olympias
The mother of Alexander the Great maintains close associations with male advisors while pursuing undisclosed political objectives related to her son's reign.
Eurydice
A relative of Attalus who was romantically involved with Eumenes prior to her betrothal to Philip II of Macedon.

Media

Manga

Written and illustrated by Hitoshi Iwaaki, Historie has been serialized in Kodansha's seinen manga magazine Monthly Afternoon since 25 January 2003.[a] Kodansha has collected its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on 22 October 2004.[5] In the October 2022 issue of Monthly Afternoon (released on 24 August), Iwaki announced that he would take a break to work on the production of the twelfth volume. He also commented: "I must contemplate how to ensure that the entire story undoubtedly reaches a conclusion."[6] The twelfth volume was released on 21 June 2024.[7][8]

In August 2024, Kodansha began publishing the series in English on its K Manga digital service.[9]

Volumes

More information No., Japanese release date ...
No. Japanese release date Japanese ISBN
122 October 2004[5]978-4-06-314358-4
  1. "The Globe" (地球儀, Chikyūgi)
  2. "Cardia, My Home (1)" (故郷カルディア・1, Furusato Karudia 1)
  3. "Cardia, My Home (2)" (故郷カルディア・2, Furusato Karudia 2)
  4. "Cardia, My Home (3)" (故郷カルディア・3, Furusato Karudia 3)
  5. "The Library (1)" (図書室・1, Toshoshitsu 1)
  1. "The Library (2)" (図書室・2, Toshoshitsu 2)
  2. "The Same Dream" (同じ夢, Onaji Yume)
  3. "The Scythian Way" (スキタイ流, Sukitairyū)
  4. "Gymnasium Training" (体育教練, Taiiku Kyōren)
222 October 2004[10]978-4-06-314359-1
  1. "Envisioning Victory" (斃すイメージ, Taosu Imēji)
  2. "Footsteps" (足音, Ashioto)
  3. "The Battle of Thrax (1)" (トラクスの戦い・1, Torakusu no Tatakai 1)
  4. "The Battle of Thrax (2)" (トラクスの戦い・2, Torakusu no Tatakai 2)
  5. "The Battle of Thrax (3)" (トラクスの戦い・3, Torakusu no Tatakai 3)
  1. "A Pair of Bodies" (2つの死体, Futatsu no Shitai)
  2. "Testimony" (証言, Shōgen)
  3. "Another World" (別世界, Bessekai)
  4. "The Library (3)" (図書室・3, Toshoshitsu 3)
  5. "The Pendant" (ペンダント, Pendanto)
322 November 2005[11]978-4-06-314395-9
  1. "A Buyer Appears" (買い手あらわる, Kaite Arawaru)
  2. "Departure" (出向, Shukkō)
  3. "Antakaios" (アンタカイオス, Antakaiosu)
  4. "Argo" (アルゴ号, Arugo-gō)
  5. "In Paphlagonia (1)" (パフラゴニアにて・1, Pafuragonia Nite 1)
  1. "In Paphlagonia (2)" (パフラゴニアにて・2, Pafuragonia Nite 2)
  2. "In Paphlagonia (3)" (パフラゴニアにて・3, Pafuragonia Nite 3)
  3. "In Paphlagonia (4)" (パフラゴニアにて・4, Pafuragonia Nite 4)
  4. "In Paphlagonia (5)" (パフラゴニアにて・5, Pafuragonia Nite 5)
  5. "In Paphlagonia (6)" (パフラゴニアにて・6, Pafuragonia Nite 6)
423 July 2007[12]978-4-06-314460-4
  1. "In Palphlagonia (7)" (パフラゴニアにて・7, Pafuragonia Nite 7)
  2. "In Palphlagonia (8)" (パフラゴニアにて・8, Pafuragonia Nite 8)
  3. "In Palphlagonia (9)" (パフラゴニアにて・9, Pafuragonia Nite 9)
  4. "In Palphlagonia (10)" (パフラゴニアにて・10, Pafuragonia Nite 10)
  5. "In Palphlagonia (11)" (パフラゴニアにて・11, Pafuragonia Nite 11)
  1. "In Palphlagonia (12)" (パフラゴニアにて・12, Pafuragonia Nite 12)
  2. "Odysseus" (オデュッセウス, Odyusseusu)
  3. "Lesbos, and its Institute of Biology (1)" (レスボス島、生物研究所・1, Resubosu Shima, Seibutsu Kenkyūjo 1)
  4. "Lesbos, and its Institute of Biology (2)" (レスボス島、生物研究所・2, Resubosu Shima, Seibutsu Kenkyūjo 2)
523 February 2009[13]978-4-06-314549-6
  1. "Cardia, My Home (4)" (故郷カルディア・4, Furusato Karudia 4)
  2. "Cardia, My Home (5)" (故郷カルディア・5, Furusato Karudia 5)
  3. "Cardia, My Home (6)" (故郷カルディア・6, Furusato Karudia 6)
  4. "Cardia, My Home (7)" (故郷カルディア・7, Furusato Karudia 7)
  5. "The Cyclops" (キュクロプス, Kyukuropusu)
  1. "King of the Lushes" (深酒の王, Fukazake no Ō)
  2. "The House of Attalus" (アッタロスの家, Attarosu no Ie)
  3. "The Great General's Son" (大将軍の息子, Daishōgun no Musuko)
  4. "Study and Employment" (進学と就職, Shingaku to Shūshoku)
  5. "The Prince (1)" (王子・1, Ōji 1)
621 May 2010[14]978-4-06-310662-6
  1. "The Prince (2)" (王子・2, Ōji 2)
  2. "The Prince (3)" (王子・3, Ōji 3)
  3. "Horsemanship School (1)" (乗馬教育・1, Jōba Kyōiku 1)
  4. "Horsemanship School (2)" (乗馬教育・2, Jōba Kyōiku 2)
  5. "Horsemanship School (3)" (乗馬教育・3, Jōba Kyōiku 3)
  1. "My Schoolmates" (ご学友たち, Gogakuyūtachi)
  2. "The Waterfall" (滝, Taki)
  3. "Cardiac Arrest" (心拍停止, Shinpaku Teishi)
  4. "Hephaestion (1)" (ヘファイスティオン・1, Hefaisution 1)
722 November 2011[15][16]978-4-06-310787-6
978-4-06-358374-8 (LE)
  1. "Hephaestion (2)" (ヘファイスティオン・2, Hefaisution 2)
  2. "Hephaestion (3)" (ヘファイスティオン・3, Hefaisution 3)
  3. "Hephaestion (4)" (ヘファイスティオン・4, Hefaisution 4)
  4. "Mieza" (ミエザ)
  1. "The Chess Match (1)" (将棋で勝負・1, Shōgi de Shōbu 1)
  2. "The Chess Match (2)" (将棋で勝負・2, Shōgi de Shōbu 2)
  3. "Cardia, the Allied City" (同盟都市カルディア, Dōmei Toshi Karudia)
  4. "The Siege of Two Cities (1)" (2都市攻略戦・1, Nitoshi Kōryakusen 1)
823 August 2013[17]978-4-06-387896-7
  1. "The Siege of Two Cities (2)" (2都市攻略戦・2, Nitoshi Kōryakusen 2)
  2. "The Siege of Two Cities (3)" (2都市攻略戦・3, Nitoshi Kōryakusen 3)
  3. "The Siege of Two Cities (4)" (2都市攻略戦・4, Nitoshi Kōryakusen 4)
  4. "The Siege of Two Cities (5)" (2都市攻略戦・5, Nitoshi Kōryakusen 5)
  1. "Campaign to Scythia (1)" (スキタイ遠征・1, Sukitai Ensei 1)
  2. "Campaign to Scythia (2)" (スキタイ遠征・2, Sukitai Ensei 2)
  3. "Skirmish on the Return (1)" (帰途の一戦・1, Kito no Issen 1)
  4. "Skirmish on the Return (2)" (帰途の一戦・2, Kito no Issen 2)
922 May 2015[18]978-4-06-387913-1
  1. "The Secret Order (1)" (密命・1, Mitsumei 1)
  2. "The Secret Order (2)" (密命・2, Mitsumei 2)
  3. "The Secret Order (3)" (密命・3, Mitsumei 3)
  4. "Melanthius (1)" (メランティオス・1, Merantiosu 1)
  1. "Melanthius (2)" (メランティオス・2, Merantiosu 2)
  2. "Chaeronea (1)" (カイロネイア・1, Kaironeia 1)
  3. "Chaeronea (2)" (カイロネイア・2, Kaironeia 2)
1023 March 2017[19]978-4-06-388210-0
  1. "Chaeronea (3)" (カイロネイア・3, Kaironeia 3)
  2. "Chaeronea (4)" (カイロネイア・4, Kaironeia 4)
  3. "Chaeronea (5)" (カイロネイア・5, Kaironeia 5)
  4. "Chaeronea (6)" (カイロネイア・6, Kaironeia 6)
  1. "The King and His Left-Hand Man (1)" (王の左腕・1, Ō no Hidariude 1)
  2. "The King and His Left-Hand Man (2)" (王の左腕・2, Ō no Hidariude 2)
  3. "The King and His Left-Hand Man (3)" (王の左腕・3, Ō no Hidariude 3)
1123 July 2019[20]978-4-06-515648-3
  1. "Seat of the Soul (1)" (心の座・1, Kokoro no Za 1)
  2. "Seat of the Soul (2)" (心の座・2, Kokoro no Za 2)
  3. "Seat of the Soul (3)" (心の座・3, Kokoro no Za 3)
  4. "Seat of the Soul (4)" (心の座・4, Kokoro no Za 4)
  5. "Seat of the Soul (5)" (心の座・5, Kokoro no Za 5)
  1. "Seat of the Soul (6)" (心の座・6, Kokoro no Za 6)
  2. "Housewarming Celebration (1)" (引っ越し祝・1, Hikkoshi Iwai 1)
  3. "Housewarming Celebration (2)" (引っ越し祝・2, Hikkoshi Iwai 2)
  4. "Disposal of Olympias (1)" (オリュンピアス処分・1, Oryunpiasu Shobun 1)
  5. "Disposal of Olympias (2)" (オリュンピアス処分・2, Oryunpiasu Shobun 2)
1221 June 2024[8]978-4-06-535755-2
  1. "Warped" (歪, Hizumi)
  2. "Fragments of Memories" (思い出の断片, Omoide no Danpen)
  3. "The Night Before" (前夜, Zen'ya)
  4. "Cardia (Heart) (1)" (カルディア (心臓)・1, Karudia (Shinzō) 1)
  5. "Cardia (Heart) (2)" (カルディア (心臓)・2, Karudia (Shinzō) 2)
  1. "Cardia (Heart) (3)" (カルディア (心臓)・3, Karudia (Shinzō) 3)
  2. "Cardia (Heart) (4)" (カルディア (心臓)・4, Karudia (Shinzō) 4)
  3. "Outside the Royal Palace (1)" (王宮の外・1, Ōkyū no Soto 1)
  4. "Outside the Royal Palace (2)" (王宮の外・2, Ōkyū no Soto 2)
  5. "Outside the Royal Palace (3)" (王宮の外・3, Ōkyū no Soto 3)
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Anime

An anime television series adaptation produced by Liden Films was announced on 1 January 2026.[21][22]

Reception

By January 2026, Historie had over 4.7 million copies in circulation.[21] It was a finalist for the tenth installment of Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2006,[23] and won the Grand Prize at its 16th installment in 2012.[24] The manga was also awarded the Grand Prize for the Manga Division in the 14th Japan Media Arts Festival in 2010.[25][26] The manga won the 49th Kodansha Manga Award in the general category in 2025.[27][28]

The Mainichi Shimbun newspaper called Iwaaki's vision of Eumenes' past—which, historically, is largely a mystery—"bold and unique".[29] Manga critic and editor Jason Thompson stated that in terms of scale, ambition, and plotting, Historie is the author's masterpiece.[1]

Notes

  1. [a]
    The series started in the March 2003 issue of the magazine,[3] released on 25 January of the same year.[4]

References

Further reading

External links

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