Valkyria Chronicles MAL: Valkyria ChroniclesGenres: Comedy, Romance, Action, Drama.Episodes: 26Specials: 10 OVAs.Duration: 23 minutes, per episode. About WHAT is 'Valkyria Chronicles'?The story takes place in the small neutral nation of Gallia, on the fictional continent of 'Europa' in 1935, geographically very similar to Europe. The scenery is equivalent of 1910's europe with radio and automobiles being the most advanced technology available. There is no such thing as planes or televisions.While Europa is, in general, a continent where people live in happiness, racism is a very prevalent issue. Thanks to a myth, Darcsen, people with dark-blue hair/eyes, are the target of unfair discrimination, considered bad people by those who believe in the myth. But, as the story goes on, the characters realize the myth may be wrong...and that History is written by the winners.But racism is not the main source of conflict on this world...On this world, the main source of energy in the world is known as 'Ragnite'. A miraculous mineral that can be used as fuel for basically any mechanical device and, if refined, it's blue light has medical proprieties. Because of its abundance of Ragnite ore, the small neutral nation of Gallia is suddenly invaded by The East Europan Imperial Alliance.And with that, the 2nd European war begins...Welkin Gunther, a biology student graduated from Gallia university, will find his life will suddenly change forever because of the war. 'Vakyria Chronicles', a PS3 and PC game, won on 2010 a guinnes award for best strategy RPG for the PS3! Also Valkyria Chronicles won Game of the Year, Strategy Game of the Year in 2008. PC/PS3 Game? I haven't played it...should i still watch 'Vakyria Chronicles'?Yes. You DON'T need to play the game for watch the anime.The anime doesn't try to rely on the game, so you can enjoy and understand the anime even without playing it.And many things are handled better in the anime. The characters!There are way too many characters to introduce all, so i'll just introduce the ones more relevant for the story.Since Gallia is a small nation, every person is required to go through basic military training; regardless of sex, race or economical status.This explains how seemingly "unfit" people for combat like young boys or young rich girls are fighting to defend their nation, as part of the militia.Gallian Army:Welkin Gunther:The protagonist of the story and commander of the Squad 7. A biology student and obsessed with nature, son of a famous general who was a hero on the 1st European war. His obsession with nature/animals and lack of common sense result weird for her subordinates...specially Alicia. He is, however, a genius tactician and incredibly competent as a commander. He deeply cares for Isara, his little sister and only family member. As the story goes on he begins to develop feelings for Alicia. Isara GuntherA kind darcsen girl. She was adopted by Welkin's father when she was a young girl and has lived with Welkin since then. Incredibly skilled with machines and a visionary in the field of engineering. She deeply cares for Welkin, her only family. As a darcsen, she is used to racism from others since childhood, even her fellow comrades. Alicia MelchiottWelkin's right hand in the Squad 7. An orphan girl who was running a bakery before the war started. At the start of the story she is not amused with Welkin's lack of common sense and obsession with nature, but she eventually falls in love with him. She tries to do her best dealing with different issues like reporters as Welkin's right hand, acknowledging his genius in the battlefield. Faldio LandzaatCommander of the Squad 1, an archaeology student and friend of Welkin from College. His calm and wise nature makes him an invaluable friend to both Welkin and Alicia, who he often teases, often helping both of them when they struggle with something, be in battle or with the daily life in the militia. Ramal ValtFaldio's right hand in the Squad 1. He diligently and loyally works under Faldio's command to manage Squad 1 and fight alongside Squad 7. Even though at the start he expresses his dislike of darcens, he is quite of a tsundere and quickly falls in love with Isara, something Faldio, Welkin and Alicia notice. East Empire Alliance Army:Prince Maximilian Gaius Von ReginraveThe main antagonist of the story and leader of the army invading Gallia. An aloof personality and clever plans are his most defining characteristics. Interested in the Valkyria myth and powers, he will use all the tools available to him in order to conquer Gallia. Selvaria BlesMaximilian's right hand and one of the 3 commanders in charge of invade Gallia. Called by her own army "The Azure Witch", she is a descendant of the mythical all-powerful Valkyria. As a legendary valkyria, things like bullets and tanks are no threat to her, possessing the power completely annihilate entire armies...all by herself. Berthold GregorOne of the 3 commanders in charge of invade Gallia. His fame as a cold-blooded commander is known in the entire empire army. His radical methods often include killing civilians or even his own army, as long as he can attain victory for the empire. Radi JaegerOne of the 3 commanders in charge of invade Gallia. A laid-back commander who follows Maximilian in hopes to rebuild his own nation, destroyed by the empire in the past. Unlike Gregor, he cares about his soldiers and is quite a competent leader. He even provides emotional support to fellow commanders, when they need it. Wait! I already played the game on PS3 and PC! Should i watch the anime?Absolutely.The anime is not a copy-paste of the game story, it expands it considerably and improves it.In the game the story focused on Welkin-Alicia-Isara-Rosie-Largo, ignoring the entire squad 7 existed outside battles. The anime makes sure to give the rest of the squad screen-time and they are more relevant to the story.This is specially obvious on the famous beach episode. Unlike the game, the anime shows all the girls enjoying their free day.Not only that, Faldio's Squad 1 gets screen time too and are part of many missions with Welkin's squad 7.Faldio is way WAY better written in the anime than in the game and become core-part of the story.There are episodes focusing on the politics of the empire with Selvaria, Maximillian and Jaeger.Selveria and Jaeger take a bigger role on the story than in the games too.Speaking of the serious aspect of the story, big, big, BIG spoilers of the gameI won't say more to avoid spoiling.And the OVA specials add lots of comedy, such as a card game between Maximilian-Selvaria-Jaeger-Gregor on Ghirlandaio fortress or the Squad 7 enjoying a festival wearing Yukatas. Valkyria chronicles, a metaphor of WW2.At this point (if bothered to read all i wrote and watched the webM...) it should be obvious that the entire story is a metaphor to world war 2.Casual racism is a thing and many share racist views towards the darcsen, regardless if said darcsen are not bad people.Just like the Jews, the darscen are unfairly discriminated and even forced to work to the death while living in concentration camps. Not even considered human beings by many.And the state subjected kids to cruel experiments just like the nazis did, trying to find something supernatural."But almost all the webM were comedy!" Most of the story focuses on comedy for that exact reason: Because themes like concentration camps, extreme racism and morally wrong actions are not easy topic to address. The story is 70% comedy because it is trying to 'lighten the mood' and not make the story 'too heavy' for the viewer.It is a great story.Filled with happiness and sadness.Racism and acceptance.Love and Hate.Comedy and drama.Sacrifice and reward. Lies and greed.A much-watch show.This post is better viewed with Reddit Enhancement Suite http://ift.tt/1ZKC9FM
No comments:
Post a Comment