《天空戰記OVA：創世前的暗鬥》（日語：天空戦記シュラト 創世への暗闘）是電視動畫《天空戰記》在完結之後推出的六集OVA作品，作為正篇故事的延伸補充。這部OVA於1991年發行，延續本篇融合印度神話與熱血戰鬥的世界觀，但在劇情上更具黑暗與神秘氛圍，旨在揭示正篇之後潛藏的陰謀與更高層次的威脅。

在故事劇情上，OVA承接電視版結尾。主角秋亞人（修羅王）與八部眾擊敗濕婆之後，表面上天空界恢復秩序。然而，新的異變卻隨之而來。八部眾接獲神諭，要他們前往調查地上界出現的異常光流。就在任務過程中，一名神秘人物——斯克利米爾（Skriimir）出現在秋亞人面前。這名角色被暗示擁有「調和神」般的力量，甚至能與毗濕奴之力相提並論。他的出現使整個故事帶上更濃厚的懸疑感。

八部眾在與斯克利米爾交戰的過程中，逐一陷入險境，甚至相繼遭受重創或陷入絕境。秋亞人一邊對抗神秘敵人，一邊還要背負守護同伴的壓力。更令人震驚的是，本應已經與秋亞人合體、在正篇中犧牲的好友凱（夜叉王），竟在此時再度現身。他的回歸不僅讓秋亞人心境動搖，也揭示背後潛藏著更大的陰謀與宇宙秩序的危機。這一切顯示，正篇所解決的衝突只是更龐大棋局的一部分，天空界與地上界的平衡依然搖搖欲墜。

從劇情氛圍來看，《創世前的暗鬥》較之正篇更加沉重，不僅有激烈的戰鬥場面，也更強調宿命感與無可避免的悲劇色彩。角色之間的情感糾葛仍是核心，尤其是秋亞人與凱的再度交鋒，既是友情與背叛的延續，也是整部OVA最具戲劇張力的橋段。

在市場評價上，這部OVA並沒有像電視本篇那樣受到廣泛矚目，部分原因在於OVA市場原本就較為小眾。但在《天空戰記》的忠實粉絲中，它被視為補完世界觀的重要作品。由於故事更加黑暗成熟，角色的遭遇也更加殘酷，因此在觀眾群中留下深刻印象。一些評論認為，OVA透過神秘敵人斯克利米爾的登場，拓展「天空戰記」的世界格局，並賦予作品一種未竟之事的氛圍，讓整個系列顯得更為厚重。

整體而言，《天空戰記OVA：創世前的暗鬥》雖然在知名度上不及電視本篇，但對於系列愛好者而言，是不可或缺的延伸篇章。它延續正篇「友情與背叛」的主題，並加入更多陰謀與神秘色彩，讓《天空戰記》不再只是單純的熱血戰鬥動畫，而是一部帶有神話幻想與宿命悲劇意味的作品。多年後，這部OVA依舊被粉絲視為理解《天空戰記》世界觀與角色內心掙扎的重要補充，也進一步鞏固此作在1980至1990年代奇幻戰鬥動畫中的獨特地位。

Tenku Senki OVA: Before Creation’s Dark Struggle (Japanese: 天空戦記シュラト 創世への暗闘) is a six-episode OVA released in 1991, serving as a sequel and supplement to the original Tenku Senki Shurato TV series. Produced after the television run, this OVA retains the blend of Indian mythology and shonen-style battle drama, but shifts toward a darker, more mysterious tone. Its aim is to expand the existing world while unveiling an even greater conspiracy behind the main storyline.

The plot picks up where the TV series ended. After Shurato (Shurato, the King of Shura) and the Hachibushu defeat Shiva, peace seems to return to Tenkukai. However, new disturbances soon appear. The Hachibushu receive divine orders to investigate strange streams of light emerging from the human world. During this mission, a mysterious figure named Skriimir appears before Shurato. Skriimir is implied to wield powers on par with the God of Harmony Vishnu, instantly raising the stakes and casting doubt on the balance of the worlds.

As the battles unfold, the Hachibushu face overwhelming trials, with many of them severely injured or falling in combat. Shurato struggles not only against Skriimir’s power but also with the heavy burden of protecting his comrades. Shockingly, Reiga (Gai/Yasha-Oh), Shurato’s closest friend who had previously merged with him and seemingly sacrificed himself in the TV series, reappears in an unexpected twist. His return shakes Shurato’s resolve and reveals that the earlier conflicts were only part of a much larger cosmic scheme. The balance between Tenkukai and the human world is still precarious, and an even greater darkness lies ahead.

Compared to the TV series, Before Creation’s Dark Struggle adopts a heavier and more tragic atmosphere. The battles are intense and visually striking, but the narrative emphasizes destiny, betrayal, and emotional turmoil. The renewed clash between Shurato and Gai once again highlights the series’ central theme of friendship turned to conflict, adding significant dramatic weight to the OVA.

In terms of reception, the OVA did not gain the same widespread recognition as the TV series, partly because OVAs naturally catered to a smaller niche market. However, among dedicated fans of Tenku Senki Shurato, it is regarded as an essential continuation that deepens the lore. Some critics praised the introduction of Skriimir for expanding the mythological scale of the series, while others noted the darker, more mature storytelling as a bold shift from the TV version’s straightforward hot-blooded battles.

Overall, Tenku Senki OVA: Before Creation’s Dark Struggle may not have achieved mainstream popularity, but it remains a crucial chapter for fans invested in the series’ mythology and character arcs. By emphasizing mystery, tragedy, and unresolved conspiracies, it transformed Tenku Senki Shurato from a typical battle anime into a mythological fantasy with themes of fate, betrayal, and cosmic struggle. Even decades later, this OVA is remembered as a key piece for understanding the deeper emotional and thematic layers of the franchise, solidifying its place as a distinctive entry in the late 1980s to early 1990s fantasy action anime landscape.