Lunar (series)

# Lunar (Series) – Information Card

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Who / What

**Lunar** is a **role-playing video game series** developed by **Game Arts** and **Studio Alex**, set in a fictional universe where the story unfolds on the moon "Lunar," orbiting an uninhabitable planet called "The Blue Star." The series serves as a foundational framework for its narrative, blending adventure, exploration, and light fantasy elements.

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Background & History

Created by **Game Arts** (a subsidiary of Sega) and later expanded by **Studio Alex**, the *Lunar* series began with two seminal games: *Lunar: The Silver Star* (1992) and *Lunar: Eternal Blue* (1994), both released on the **Sega CD**. These titles established the series’ signature aesthetic—hand-drawn animation, poetic storytelling, and a melancholic yet whimsical tone. While later entries (e.g., *Lunar: The End of Hope’s Bright Future*, 2005) expanded the lore with animated films and sequels, the core narrative remains anchored in its original games’ themes of loss, redemption, and cosmic mystery.

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Why Notable

The *Lunar* series is notable for its **innovative storytelling**, blending visual artistry with emotional depth. Its influence extends beyond gaming into animation (e.g., the 2016 anime adaptation) and cultural iconography, particularly in Japan. The series’ themes of existential wonder and human connection resonate across media, cementing its legacy as a cult classic that transcends its original hardware limitations.

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In the News

While the *Lunar* series remains niche outside gaming circles, recent developments include:

A **2016 anime adaptation** (*Lunar: The Golden River*), which revived interest in the franchise among fans.

Ongoing discussions about potential re-releases or remasters of classic games, though no major updates have materialized since its peak in the 1990s.

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Key Facts

**Type:** Organization (game development studio + series)

**Also known as:**

*Lunar Series* (commonly used title)

*Game Arts’ Lunar Project* (historical reference)

**Founded/Born:** Implicitly tied to **1992** (release of *The Silver Star*), though no formal founding date is documented.

**Key dates:**

**1992**: Release of *Lunar: The Silver Star*.

**1994**: Release of *Lunar: Eternal Blue* (expanding the series).

**2005**: Release of *Lunar: The End of Hope’s Bright Future*.

**2016**: Anime adaptation (*Lunar: The Golden River*).

**Geography:**

Developed in **Japan** (Sega’s headquarters and Game Arts’ studio).

Primarily marketed to Japanese audiences, though later adaptations broadened its reach.

**Affiliation:**

Originally under **Game Arts** (Sega subsidiary).

Later associated with **Studio Alex** (independent studio).

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Links

[Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_(series))

Sources

• 🔗 Wikipedia

Lunar is a role-playing video game series created by Game Arts and Studio Alex. The story takes place on the moon "Lunar", which orbits an uninhabitable planet known as "The Blue Star". The first two games, Lunar: The Silver Star (1992) and Lunar: Eternal Blue (1994), were released for the Sega CD and serve as the series foundation.