Dragon Quest: Abel Yuusha was the first DQ anime series. It hit the airwaves in 1990 and was supervised by Yuji Horii. Like the games, Akira Toriyama was in charge of the character designs. The series had a successful run, but a little over halfway through the show lost its funding. It returned a few months later as Dragon Quest II. The series was running around the same time Dragon Quest IV was released so there were commercials for stuffed Slimes and other DQ related merchandise.
Many people know this anime series as Dragon Warrior. The first 13 episodes were dubbed and brought over to the US and Canada in 1991. Dragon Warrior also became fairly popular. So popular that it became Entertainment Tonight's number four most violent animated show on TV. But, alas, Dragon Warrior fell to the early Sailor Moon syndrome. Since it was in syndication, most channels gave it an early time slot before the regular programming. There is also a rumor that Akira Toriyama's name was never mentioned in the credits. Reportedly, Toriyama was not pleased and sued the distributors, Saban Entertainment. So Dragon Warrior was never renewed and people don't know what happened after episode 13. But, this page is here to let everyone know what happened along with a few extras.
Dragon Quest is loosely based on Dragon Quest III. The names and some of the characters are familiar, but the world map is smaller and a very different shape. The two main characters are Abel and Tialah. Tialah receives the legendary Red Stone from the Aliahan Village sage Master Yogi. Soon after, Tialah is kidnapped by the evil Baramos who wants to use the Red Stone to resurrect The Great Dragon and be granted eternal life. Abel swore to rescue Tialah and he is given the Blue Stone, which can only seal the Dragon once it has been released. A detailed story synopsis can be found here. My quick synopsis of the first video can be found here.
Abel
Abel, the main character, is an orphan from Aliahan Village. He's 17-18 years old, a childhood friend of Tialah, and the guardian of the Blue Stone. After The Great Dragon is released, only Abel and the Blue Stone can seal it up again. He carries a feather from Tialah's hang glider as a reminder of his quest. He also carries around Tialah's pet Slime, Chi Chi who followed him after he was ejected from Gaium during his first attempt to rescue Tialah.
Tialah
Tialah is also a native of Aliahan Village with her pet Slimes Chi Chi and Ka kA The village elder, Master Yogi, gave her the Red Stone as a present for her 16th birthday. The evil Baramos kidnaps her because the Red Stone has the power to resurrect The Great Dragon. Tialah is very smart and would use Abel as a test subject for her inventions. She often figures out ways to escape from Baramos' flying fortress but is quickly recaptured.
MokoMoko
MokoMoko is another Aliahan Village native. He's your typical barbarian and comes from a large family with many brothers and sisters. MokoMoko's extremely strong, has a huge appetite, but isn't very bright. When Tialah is captured he insists on accompanying Abel. He's usually seen biting or hitting something.
Daisy
Daisy first appears as a mercenary who saves Abel and MokoMoko from a common street thug. She joins the party as a means to earn more money, but eventually helps train Abel and becomes a valuable asset to the team. Later on we learn she is searching for her brothers that were separated from her when she was young.
Yanak
Yanak is best described as an alcoholic, perverted wizard. Abel and MokoMoko meet him in a hot spring after escaping from Baramos' assault on Aliahan Castle. Yanak can be a powerful wizard when he's not drunk or chasing women. He can even hold his own against Baramos' right hand monster Moore. Rather than walk, Yanak prefers to sit and fly around in his floating basket.
Baramos
Baramos is the commander of Estark who hooked himself up to the flying fortress of Gaium to seek the Red Stone. After kidnapping Tialah he travels the world looking for clues to The Great Dragon's location to resurrect it and gain eternal life. Baramos has the ability to turn jewels into monsters that carry out his commands. Only a trip back to Estark or a lunar eclipse can weaken him to be vulnerable to an attack.
The Great Dragon
Legend tells of a Great Dragon who can award a person eternal life by drinking its blood. Only the Red Stone can release it and only the Blue Stone can seal it again.
Original Character Designs
Abel Tialah MokoMoko Daisy Yanak Baramos Great Dragon Toriyama Poster Toriyama Poster (small) Thanks to Geoni Monjeau for scanning the poster. Please don't swipe this pic!
Soundtrack Scans
Front Cover Pages 1 & 2 Pages 3 & 4 Pages 5 & 6 Pages 7 & 8 Pages 9 & 10 V-Jump Scans
Abel MokoMoko Yanak Daisy Another Abel Tialah Abel and Villagers Daisy Opening a Chest DQ Anime Ad Misc.
Daisy Cell DQ Screen Shots Icon Pics Icons Zipped DQ Vol. 1 Video Cover Thanks goes to Dan and Philip Hairr for some of these images!
