Chivalry of a Failed Knight Blu-ray & DVD

Ikki Kurogane comes from a prestigious line of Blazers — people who can manifest weapons and abilities from their souls — but his own power is so minimal that Hagun Academy has classified him F-Rank and written him off entirely. His nickname is the Worst One. His future as a magical knight looks nonexistent. Things change abruptly when Stella Vermillion, an A-Rank Blazer princess from a foreign royal family and the most promising Blazer of her generation, transfers to Hagun and ends up as his roommate. Their first morning together produces a duel: the loser must obey the winner for life. Everyone expects Stella to win easily. Ikki has spent years compensating for his lack of power with flawless technique, physical conditioning, and a tactical mind that turns every fight into a problem of efficiency. The duel does not go as expected. What follows is a relationship that evolves from rivalry into something more genuine, set against the backdrop of the Seven Star Sword Art Festival — a national tournament that Ikki, despite his rank, is determined to enter and win.

Chivalry of a Failed Knight is a 12-episode fantasy action series co-produced by Silver Link and Nexus — the creative partnership behind Non Non Biyori — directed by Shin Onuma, and based on Riku Misora's light novel series illustrated by Won. It aired on AT-X from October to December 2015 and quickly built a devoted following for its unusually healthy central romance — Ikki and Stella's relationship develops with directness and mutual respect that stands apart from the will-they-won't-they evasiveness typical of the genre. Released in North America by Sentai Filmworks on June 13, 2017 in three editions: standard DVD, standard Blu-ray, and a Limited Edition BD+DVD Box Set packed with collectible physical extras.

Notable Staff & Voice Talent

Director: Shin Onuma (Non Non Biyori, Watamote, ef: A Tale of Memories)
Series Composition: Jin Tamamura
Original Light Novel: Riku Misora, illustrated by Won (19 volumes, July 2013 – December 2023; published under Media Factory's MF Bunko J label)
Character Design: Kazunori Iwakura
Studio: Silver Link & Nexus (Black Bullet, Chaos;Child, Non Non Biyori)
Music: Yoshiaki Fujisawa
Opening Theme: "Confidence Driver" by Rushwald
Ending Theme: "Haramitsu Renge ~Tao~" by Chima

Japanese Cast:
- Ryota Osaka as Ikki Kurogane (Oregairu — voice of Hikigaya)
- Shizuka Ishigami as Stella Vermillion
- Nao Toyama as Shizuku Kurogane (El Cazador de la Bruja, Canaan, Sabagebu!)
- Shintaro Asanuma as Nagi Arisuin
- Ayaka Suwa as Alice Arisuin

English Dub Cast (Sentai Filmworks — Houston):
- Bryson Baugus as Ikki Kurogane
- Luci Christian as Stella Vermillion (Black Bullet — Enju Aihara)
- Karlii Hoch as Shizuku Kurogane
- Chris Patton as Yuuri Oriki (Princess Nine, Spriggan, Angelic Layer, Black Bullet)
- Tiffany Grant as additional cast (Evangelion, Nadesico, Sorcerer Hunters, Burn Up Excess, Noir, City Hunter)

Limited Edition Box Set Contents

- All 12 Episodes — Blu-ray + DVD
- Custom Collector's Box
- Original Audio CD Soundtrack
- Hardcover Art Booklet
- School Emblem Patch
- Metal Character Pins
- Art Cards
- Long Poster
- Clean Opening & Closing Animations
- Sentai Filmworks Previews

Spoken Languages: English & Japanese Audio, English Subtitles

Edition Details

Japanese Title: 落第騎士の英雄譚 (Rakudai Kishi no Kyabarurii / A Tale of Worst One)
Runtime: ~300 Minutes (Complete Series, 12 Episodes)
Director: Shin Onuma
Blu-ray + DVD Release Year: 2017 (U.S. Limited Edition Box Set, June 13 — Sentai Filmworks)
Original Broadcast Date (Japan): October 3 – December 19, 2015 (AT-X)
Publisher: Sentai Filmworks
Rating: 17+
Region: Region A / Region 1 (North America)
Note: Limited Edition includes Audio CD, hardcover booklet, school emblem patch, metal pins, art cards, and long poster in custom box. Standard DVD and Blu-ray editions also available.
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Romance
Themes: Weakest Student Rises, Blazer Soul Weapons, Seven Star Tournament, Healthy Central Romance, Light Novel Adaptation

Media assumed VG+ unless otherwise noted.