Historie (ヒストリエ) (stylized as HISTORIĒ) is a Japanese historical manga series written and illustrated by Hitoshi Iwaaki. It has been serialized in Kodansha's manga magazine Monthly Afternoon since 2003, with its chapters collected in 12 volumes as of June 2024. It follows the story of Eumenes, a secretary and general to Alexander the Great. 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.

Plot

Set in the Ancient Greece, in the mid-300s BC, Historie is a fictional account of the life of Eumenes, Alexander the Great's personal secretary and general. The story follows his troublous life, from childhood to adulthood. Growing up in a wealthy family in the city-state of Cardia, Eumenes is framed for the death of his adoptive father and made a slave. Eventually, he is able to escape and survive. Soon afterwards, he begins a long journey, making a name for himself and gaining recognition in the battlefield due to his knowledge, quick wit and strategic prowess.

Characters

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

Publication

Written and illustrated by Hitoshi Iwaaki, Historie has been serialized in Kodansha's manga magazine Monthly Afternoon since 25 January 2003. Kodansha has collected its chapters into individual volumes. The first volume was released on 22 October 2004. 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." The twelfth volume was released on 21 June 2024. In August 2024, Kodansha began publishing the series in English on its K Manga digital service.

Volumes

Reception

Historie was a finalist for the tenth installment of Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2006, and won the Grand Prize at its 16th installment in 2012. The manga was also awarded the Grand Prize for the Manga Division in the 14th Japan Media Arts Festival in 2010. The Mainichi Shimbun newspaper called Iwaaki's vision of Eumenes' past (which, historically, is largely a mystery) "bold and unique". Manga critic and editor Jason Thompson stated that in terms of scale, ambition, and plotting, Historie is the author's masterpiece.