Anime Lovers: Valkyria Chronicles

Anime Review

Valkyria Chronicles

Themes: Military

TV anime
Director	Yasutaka Yamamoto
Writer	Michiko Yokote
Studio	A-1 Pictures
Network	MBS, Animax
Original run	April 4, 2009 – ongoing
Episodes	26 (scheduled) (List of episodes)
Manga
Author	Sega
Illustrator	Kito En
Publisher	Kadokawa Shoten
Demographic	Shōnen
Magazine	Comp Ace
Original run	November 26, 2008 – ongoing
Volumes	2
Manga
Valkyria Chronicles - Wish Your Smile
Author	Sega
Illustrator	Kyusei Tokito
Publisher	Enterbrain
Magazine	Comics B's Log
Original run	November 12, 2008 – ongoing
Volumes	1
Anime and Manga Portal

Plot Summary:

When Imperial forces attack the small border town of Bruhl, Welkin Gunther, son of late General Belgen Gunther, is forced to fight for his life alongside Town Watch captain Alicia Melchiott. Along with Welkin's adopted sister Isara, the three escape to Gallia's capitol and subsequently join the country's militia forces. As members of the newly-formed Squad 7, they must work to repel the invading Imperial forces and discover the true purpose of the invasion itself.

Characters

Militia

The personnel of Squad 7, as seen in the anime, posing in front of the Edelweiss. From left to right: Jann Walker, Karl Landzaat, Edy Nelson, Homer Pieroni, Marina Wulfstan, Aisha Neumann, Emile Bielart, Alicia Melchiott, Welkin Gunther, Isara Gunther with Hans in her arms, Oscar Bielart, Susie Evans, Largo Potter and Brigitte "Rose" Stark.

Welkin Gunther (ウェルキン・ギュンター, Werukin Gyuntā^?): Voiced by: Susumu Chiba (Japanese), Dave Wittenberg (English); The game's male lead. A twenty-two year old university student before the Imperial invasion, Welkin's intelligence and determination earned him the commanding position over Gallia's Squad 7 after he joins the Militia. His university major, Animal Sociology, gives him an extensive knowledge of Gallia's native flora and fauna and serves as a basis for his military strategies.

Alicia Melchiott (アリシア・メルキオット, Arishia Merukiotto^?): Voiced by: Marina Inoue (Japanese) Colleen O'Shaughnessey (English); Plays opposite Welkin as the game's heroine. A nineteen year old who wishes to be a successful baker, Alicia became a soldier after being swept up in the chaos of the Imperial invasion of Gallia. Righteous and reliable, Alicia loves helping others, and slowly grows fond of Welkin. She also takes care of Hans, a porcavian that becomes an honorary member of Squad 7. In the anime, her attraction to Faldio conflicts with her feelings for Welkin.

Isara Gunther (イサラ・ギュンター, Isara Gyuntā^?): Voiced by: Hōko Kuwashima (Japanese) Laura Bailey (English); Welkin's sixteen-year-old adopted sister who cares greatly for her comrades. The two are not siblings by birth, as she was taken in by the Gunthers at a young age; however, Isara is extremely devoted to Welkin. She drives and maintains the unique tank, Edelweiss, that her biological father, Theimer, designed in the First Europan War but was too expensive to mass-produce. Continuing her father's legacy, Isara is a true prodigy when it comes to mechanics. The shawl she wears signifies that she is a member of the Darcsens, a race of people persecuted for their ancestors' role in the near destruction of the continent.

Brigitte "Rosie" Stark (ブリジット・“ロージー”・シュターク, Burijitto “Rōjī” Shutāku^?): Voiced by: Megumi Toyoguchi (Japanese game), Junko Minagawa (Japanese anime), Hedy Burress (English game); Twenty-seven years old, Brigitte was formerly a bar singer who used the stage name "Rosie", and now prefers to be called as such. As a part of the core members of Squad 7, she acts as its signature shocktrooper. Though she may seem overbearing at times, she is a capable front-line commander whose tough talk motivates others during battle. Her prejudice against the Darcsens puts her at odds with Isara and Zaka, though she eventually grows to overcome this.

Largo Potter (ラルゴ・ポッテル, Rarugo Potteru^?): Voiced by: Hisao Egawa (Japanese game), Kenji Nomura (Japanese anime), Fred Tatasciore (English game); A gruff, thirty-six year old veteran of the First Europan War and Squad 7's main anti-tank Lancer. Values experience above all else on the battlefield, but grows to appreciate Welkin after his strategies prove successful. Beyond his tough exterior, he holds a special appreciation for the power of vegetables from the time spent on his father's farm in his childhood.

Zaka (ザカ, Zaka^?): Voiced by: Kazuya Nakai (Japanese), Steve Blum (English); Zaka, a local leader of the Darcsens, was held in an Imperial work camp where he and his people were forced to work in the dangerous ragnite mines and factories under brutal conditions imposed by Gregor. The thirty-three year old proves instrumental in helping Squad 7 in the Fouzen raid as an inside contact. Joining the group shortly after the battle, he commands the Shamrock, a customized version of Gallia's main battle tank. His easygoing demeanor hides the oppression he has experienced all his life.

Eleanor Varrot (エレノア・バーロット, Erenoa Bārotto^?): Voiced by: Atsuko Tanaka (Japanese), Julia Fletcher (English); A cool and collected woman, Eleanor is the captain of Gallia's Militia and Welkin's direct superior. She is a veteran of the First War, where she served alongside Largo as a sniper. Eleanor shares a deep bond with Squad 7 and makes sure they are in top condition at all times. She is often dealing with General Damon of the regular army, who looks down on the Militia's soldiers as base and unrefined.

Faldio Landzaat (ファルディオ・ランツァート, Farudio Rantsāto^?): Voiced by: Takahiro Sakurai (Japanese), Robin Atkin Downes (English); One of Welkin's former classmates who studied archaeology and now acts as tank commander of Gallia's Squad 1. After examining desert ruins built by the Valkyrur, he gains an intense interest in Valkyrur history and the Darcsen Calamity. This interest slowly turns into obsession, however, as he desperately searches for a means by which the war with the Empire could be won. Faldio's interaction with Squad 7 is much more frequent in the anime adaptation of the series, especially concerning Alicia, whom he is show to have romantic feelings toward.

Ramal Valt (ラマル・ヴァルト, Ramaru Varuto^?): Voiced by: Makoto Naruse; Anime-only character. Faldio's extremely loyal and protective subordinate. He has feelings for Isara, though he tries to hide them. He dies in Episode 20 with rest of Squad 1, excluding Faldio, when Selveria Bles unleashed her Ragnite weapon.

Civilians

Irene Ellet (イレーヌ・エレット, Irēnu Eretto^?): Voiced by: Naomi Shindō (Japanese), Kari Wahlgren (English); Irene is a twenty-five year old reporter and correspondent for the GBS radio station who is always out for the latest scoop. At the onset of the Second Europan War, Ellet collected information for both the Federation and Empire. After Gallia is invaded, however, she attaches herself to Squad 7 as a war correspondent for the Militia, wanting to bring the uncensored truth to the people.

The Aged Gentleman: Voiced by: Shingo Horii (Japanese), Quinton Flynn (English); A former officer who served Gallia during the First Europan War and now spends much of his time at a cemetery in Randgriz. Upon meeting Welkin, he offers to teach the young man various Orders.

Civilians

Irene Ellet (イレーヌ・エレット, Irēnu Eretto^?): Voiced by: Naomi Shindō (Japanese), Kari Wahlgren (English); Irene is a twenty-five year old reporter and correspondent for the GBS radio station who is always out for the latest scoop. At the onset of the Second Europan War, Ellet collected information for both the Federation and Empire. After Gallia is invaded, however, she attaches herself to Squad 7 as a war correspondent for the Militia, wanting to bring the uncensored truth to the people.

The Aged Gentleman: Voiced by: Shingo Horii (Japanese), Quinton Flynn (English); A former officer who served Gallia during the First Europan War and now spends much of his time at a cemetery in Randgriz. Upon meeting Welkin, he offers to teach the young man various Orders.

Empire

Maximilian with Drei Stern. From left to right: Maximilian (Not seen totally), Selvaria, Jaeger and Gregor.

Maximilian (マクシミリアン, Makushimirian^?): Voiced by: Jun Fukuyama (Japanese), Matthew Yang King (English); An ambitious twenty-nine year old with a tactical mind, Maximilian is an Imperial prince and absolute commander of the Empire's occupation forces in Gallia. His strategies revolve around using massive force to crush the Gallian opposition, including super weapons such as huge land battleships and Selvaria's Valkyrur abilities. Directly under him are the Drei Stern, his hand-picked generals.

Selvaria Bles (セルベリア・ブレス, Seruberia Buresu^?): Voiced by: Sayaka Ohara (Japanese), April Stewart (English); A proud, noble, yet distant woman of twenty-two years who serves Maximilian with absolute loyalty as a part of the Drei Stern. The blood of the legendary Valkyria flows in her veins, granting her superhuman powers in battle when she wields a special ragnite spear and shield. At a young age she was held at an Imperial research facility and used as a test subject in their experiments. This continued until General Gunther and his men besieged the facility and rescued her and other test subjects from the facility. During the escape General Gunther sacrificed his life in order to protect Selvaria.

Berthold Gregor (ベルホルト・グレゴール, Beruhoruto Guregōru^?): Voiced by: Chikao Ōtsuka (Japanese), Roger L. Jackson (English); The oldest of the Drei Stern at fifty-one, Berthold is level-headed yet cruel. Feared even amongst the Imperials due to his enjoyment of causing undue amounts of suffering. He runs a Darcsen work camp in the captured mining city of Fouzen, forcing those interred there to live and work in inhumane conditions.

Radi Jaeger (ラディ・イェーガー, Radi Yēgā^?): Voiced by: Akio Ohtsuka (Japanese), Patrick Seitz (English); One of Maximilian's Drei Stern generals, the thirty-six year old Radi is a bit of a joker who puts an emphasis on chivalry in battle and respects those who do the same. Jaeger does not fight for the Empire out of loyalty, but rather to help his own country gain independence. He commands a customized tank named Lupus as leader of the Empire's elite armored unit.