《天空戰記》（日語：天空戦記シュラト）是日本龍之子製作公司於1989年至1990年間推出的奇幻動作電視動畫，全篇共38集，另有OVA《創世前的暗鬥》六集，為原作世界觀的延伸補充。作品在當年以結合印度神話與日本少年漫畫式的熱血戰鬥劇情，開創不同於傳統機器人或科幻題材的新風格。

劇情方面，故事圍繞著主角秋亞人與好友凱展開。兩人在一次比武大會中神秘失蹤，甦醒後卻發現自己置身於名為「天空界」的異世界。秋亞人被告知已轉世為提婆神軍的「修羅王」，肩負守護世界的重任。然而，天空界的內部並不平靜，神軍副官因陀羅暗中密謀叛變，並以詭計將維持天地調和的毗濕奴石化，再嫁禍於秋亞人，令他背負叛逆的污名。為了拯救失衡的天空界，秋亞人與新結識的同伴們毅然踏上前往天空殿的旅程。然而，他們最終面臨的敵人，竟是秋亞人昔日的摯友——性格大變、化身夜叉王的凱。這種好友反目的劇情設計，使得作品的情感張力遠超一般的單純戰鬥動畫，主題中帶有濃烈的宿命、友情與背叛的糾葛。

在故事進程中，作品大量融入印度神話與佛教元素，角色的稱號、武具與必殺技均帶有濃厚的宗教與文化色彩。例如「提婆神軍」、「毗濕奴」、「因陀羅」等名稱，都出自印度神話，使得《天空戰記》呈現出東洋動畫少見的神話幻想氛圍。戰鬥場面則承襲1980年代末的典型熱血動畫風格，角色透過召喚甲胄與法力展開激烈對決，每場戰鬥都象徵著角色信念與宿命的碰撞。

在市場評價方面，《天空戰記》雖然並未達到《聖鬥士星矢》那般的國際知名度，但因題材新穎，加上角色關係緊密、戰鬥設計充滿神話特色，在播出當時依舊吸引不少觀眾。對部分觀眾而言，它被視為「印度版聖鬥士」，是一部將東方宗教神話轉化為熱血動畫的成功嘗試。OVA《創世前的暗鬥》則進一步補足故事的前因後果，讓角色背景與世界觀更加完整。

雖然在後期收視率有所下滑，但多年後依舊保有一批懷舊粉絲。對於熟悉1980至1990年代日本動畫的觀眾而言，《天空戰記》是一部兼具奇幻與熱血的作品，不僅具備典型少年動畫的友情與戰鬥精神，也嘗試以印度神話為基礎，構築出別樹一幟的奇幻世界。它的文化混搭與情感戲碼，使其在動畫史上留有一席之地，成為八〇年代末日本動畫中頗具代表性的奇幻戰鬥作品之一。

《天空戰記》在播出時，常常被拿來與同年代的《聖鬥士星矢》相比。兩部作品都以年輕戰士穿戴神聖鎧甲、肩負守護世界的使命為核心，戰鬥形式也同樣以一對一對決、逐步突破強敵的模式推進。不過，《天空戰記》在美術風格與文化設定上，走出一條差異化的道路。《聖鬥士星矢》取材自希臘神話，強調黃道十二宮與星座的西方元素，而《天空戰記》則大膽引入印度神話與佛教色彩，透過「提婆神軍」、「毗濕奴」、「因陀羅」等符號，營造出濃烈的東方神秘氛圍。

此外，在人物塑造上，《天空戰記》更加重視「友情與背叛」的主題。主角秋亞人與好友凱從並肩作戰到成為敵對的悲劇性轉變，是整部作品最具戲劇張力的亮點。這與《聖鬥士星矢》強調夥伴並肩作戰、團結奮鬥的基調形成鮮明對比。因而《天空戰記》雖然少些熱血動畫的「集體戰友情懷」，卻在角色內心矛盾與命運悲劇的表現上，更加深刻細膩。

從影響力來看，《天空戰記》雖未能像《聖鬥士星矢》般風靡全球，但在日本本土與部分亞洲地區依舊獲得不錯的關注。它被視為是「神話戰鬥動畫潮流」的一環，也為日後許多融合宗教與奇幻題材的動畫作品打下基礎。對資深動畫迷來說，它是八〇年代末期「聖鬥士風潮」中最有特色、也最值得回味的一部作品。

“Legend of Heavenly Sphere Shurato” (Japanese: 天空戦記シュラト) is a fantasy action television anime produced by Tatsunoko Productions, broadcast between 1989 and 1990 for a total of 38 episodes, with an additional six-episode OVA, The Secret Feud Before Creation, that further expands upon the original worldbuilding. At the time of release, the series stood out by blending elements of Indian mythology with the hot-blooded, action-driven storytelling typical of Japanese shōnen anime, setting itself apart from the more common mecha or sci-fi genres of the late 1980s.

The story centers on two close friends, Shurato Hidaka and Gai Kuroki. After mysteriously disappearing during a martial arts tournament, they awaken in a parallel realm known as Tenkūkai (“Heavenly World”). There, Shurato learns that he has been reincarnated as the “Shura-ō” (King Shurato), a warrior of the Deva Army tasked with protecting balance in the heavens. However, the heavenly realm is far from peaceful. The ambitious general Indrah secretly plots rebellion, turning the goddess Vishnu into stone with a dark spell, then framing Shurato for the crime, branding him a traitor. To restore balance and clear his name, Shurato embarks on a perilous journey to the Heavenly Palace with his newfound allies. Yet the greatest challenge comes in the form of his best friend Gai, who, after a drastic change in personality, becomes his sworn enemy as the Yasha-ō (King of Yaksha). This tragic shift from brotherhood to enmity gives the narrative an emotional intensity beyond that of a typical battle-focused anime, intertwining themes of destiny, friendship, and betrayal.

Throughout the series, Indian mythology and Buddhist motifs are deeply woven into its worldbuilding. Character titles, weapons, and ultimate techniques draw heavily from mythological references, such as the Deva Army, Vishnu, and Indrah, imbuing the anime with a rare mystical aura uncommon in Japanese animation of the era. The fight sequences follow the late 1980s “hot-blooded battle anime” tradition, with warriors summoning divine armor and mystical powers, each clash symbolizing not only a physical struggle but also a collision of personal beliefs and fate.

In terms of reception, while Shurato never achieved the global fame of Saint Seiya, it drew considerable attention for its originality. Viewers praised its unique mythological setting and the emotionally charged relationship between characters. Some even nicknamed it the “Indian Saint Seiya,” seeing it as a successful attempt to translate Eastern religious and mythological concepts into a shōnen action framework. The OVA The Secret Feud Before Creation added further depth by filling in key backstory details, enriching the lore and characters.

Although ratings declined toward the end of its broadcast, Shurato retained a nostalgic following over the years. For fans of late-1980s and early-1990s anime, the series is remembered as both fantastical and dramatic—an anime that combined the friendship and combat spirit of classic shōnen with the exoticism of Indian mythology, carving out a unique place in anime history as one of the more distinctive fantasy battle series of its era.

At the time of release, Shurato was often compared to Saint Seiya. Both feature young warriors clad in mystical armor, defending the balance of the world through one-on-one duels and escalating battles against powerful foes. However, Shurato distinguished itself with its Eastern mythological aesthetics and spiritual undertones. Whereas Saint Seiya draws from Greek mythology and emphasizes the Zodiac and constellations, Shurato leaned into Hindu and Buddhist imagery, evoking a more Eastern mystical sensibility.

Character development also set it apart. The tragic transformation of Gai from loyal comrade to bitter rival brought a powerful emotional weight that contrasted with Saint Seiya’s emphasis on teamwork and camaraderie. This focus on inner conflict and tragic destiny made Shurato resonate on a more dramatic level, even if it lacked the same global reach.

From an influence standpoint, Shurato remains a noteworthy entry in the “mythological battle anime” wave of its era, inspiring later works that blended religion, mysticism, and fantasy into action narratives. For veteran anime fans, it endures as one of the most distinctive and memorable titles of the late 1980s—an ambitious and emotionally charged fusion of friendship, betrayal, and mythic battles.