Why do Arslan’s covers change halfway?
The art changes at volume 11 because the publisher did. Here is the handover, edition by edition.
A full Arslan shelf shows the seam plainly: ten volumes in Yoshitaka Amano’s hand, then a different, earthier style. Nothing about the story changed, the imprint did. Kadokawa Shoten published volumes 1–10 and stopped in 1999; Kobunsha revived the series, and Kobunsha’s illustrator was Shinobu Tanno.
THE HANDOVER
Two publishers, two illustratorsKadokawa · 1986–1999 · Amano
Volumes 1–10 as individual novels, each fronted by an Amano painting. This is the edition most 1990s readers, and the first anime’s audience, knew.
Kobunsha reissues · 2003–2005 · Tanno
Kobunsha first republished the ten Kadokawa novels as five two-in-one volumes, February 2003 to February 2005, re-covered by Tanno, which is why the same novel exists under both artists.
Kobunsha new volumes · 2005–2017 · Tanno
Volumes 11–16 appeared under the Kappa Novels line with Tanno’s illustrations throughout, ending December 20, 2017.
For the collector
A “complete Amano set” can only ever be ten volumes, no Amano edition of 11–16 exists. A complete story, conversely, requires both publishers. Check the imprint, not just the number, when a listing says “first edition.”