"Glass Fleet": A combination of epic maritime adventure and profound human drama

Glass Fleet - An epic tale of space warfare and the fate of humanity

■Overview of the work

Glass no Kantai is a 2006 anime TV series created by GONZO and FIELDS and animated by Satelight and GONZO. It was directed by Ohara Minoru, with series composition by Yonemura Shoji, character design by okama, animation character design by Watanabe Yuko, and mechanic design by Kawamori Shoji and Miyatake Kazutaka. It aired from April 4 to September 5, 2006, and had a total of 26 episodes. It was broadcast on TV Asahi and Asahi Broadcasting, with each broadcast concluding with a different episode. Some episodes were not broadcast on terrestrial television and were later released on DVD.

■ Story

The setting of "Glass Fleet" is an epic battle between the New Noble Fleet and the Noble Alliance Fleet, which dominates the universe at the center of the galaxy. Vetti, the leader of the New Noble Fleet, defeats the Noble Alliance Fleet after a fierce battle, establishes the Holy Empire, and becomes its first emperor. However, this battle was not the beginning of peace, but the beginning of a new oppression. Aiming to overthrow the Vetti regime, the People's Army led by Michel infiltrates an aristocratic wedding and seizes a territorial battleship, but is pursued by the Holy Emperor's fleet. Just when they are in dire straits, Cleo's glass battleship appears and destroys Macone's giant ship with overwhelming force. Cleo is of royal blood and aims to restore the royal family, so he declares that he will take over the world with this single battleship. Michel sees Cleo as the savior of a new era and decides to fight together with him. Meanwhile, Vetti is proposed to marry his daughter Rachel by the Crux Pope Gorna, but she refuses, saying it is premature. However, that night at a masked ball, without knowing each other's true identities, Vetti comes into contact with a certain woman. The story unfolds as their respective encounters shape their destinies.

■Worldview and setting

The world of Glass Fleet is set in a closed space in the distant future, where humans live on city-type space battleships called Territory Battleships. According to the teachings of the Crux Church, the planet is considered a world full of filth, and people never set foot on the planet. Territory battleships are made up of dozens to hundreds of units of several kilometers square, and their size represents the power of the nobles. Battleships are combined to increase the territory through marriage and inheritance among nobles, while when a battleship is inherited by multiple children, one battleship splits into multiple battleships and becomes a new city battleship. Humanity continues to fight over territory to demonstrate its power. However, a huge force that is slowly trying to swallow humanity is beginning to erode the world. Will there be a future for humanity, and what is the secret of this closed space? The story will unravel these mysteries.

■ Main characters

The main characters of "Glass Fleet" are as follows:

Cleo of the Gale

A space brawler who sets out in an age of war with the goal of restoring the royal family. He is a rising star in the galaxy who pilots a glass battleship bearing the crest of the old king and stirs up a new whirlwind in an age of war. Although he is usually quiet and reserved, he hates to lose at heart. Contrary to his violent personality that is impossible to control once fired up, he is also a genius strategist. Cleo's character symbolizes the strength to survive an age of war and the passion to restore the royal family. His actions are central to the story, and the story progresses through his relationships with other characters.

Michel Achille Volban de Cavell

Although originally from a distinguished family, he is a man with a strong sense of justice and mission who stood up for the people suffering under the tyranny of the Noble Alliance. He is a symbol of the People's Army, which has earned the trust of the people, but although he was once a distinguished family, he has now fallen into disrepair and become a weak force. He always lived in fear of attacks from the Noble Fleet, but he sees Cleo as a flag bearer for a new era in the galaxy, and becomes a good partner to support his unconventional behavior as he leads the People's Army. Michel's character embodies the attitude of speaking for the people and fighting for justice. His actions strengthen the unity of the People's Army, and the story unfolds through his cooperative relationship with Cleo.

Vetti Renard Sforza de Roselle

Vettie is the rival of the protagonist Cleo's name and the first emperor of the Holy Empire, the most powerful empire in the galaxy. He defeated the aristocratic alliance fleet that controlled this space region and established the Holy Empire. He is an ambitious man who continues to expand his power in order to control the entire galaxy (and its fleets), and is calm and collected, the polar opposite of Cleo. He also has a ruthless side that will stop at nothing to achieve his goals, and is feared even by his closest associates. Vettie's character is a symbol of power and ambition, and his actions increase the tension in the story, and the story progresses through his conflict with Cleo.

Eimel

Aymel is the only female navigator of the glass battleship under Cleo. She has the special ability to ride anything she can, from animals to battleships, and is an expert knife user. She used to be the female boss of the slums where she was born. She calls herself "Atai" and plays an important role in Cleo's team. Aymel's character combines strength and feminine charm, and her actions strengthen the team's unity and contribute to the progress of the story.

Novi

Novi is one of Cleo's subordinates and a genius cryptographer (information decoder). He is the only person to have deciphered the Noble Alliance Fleet's most important secret code, "Roblon's Egg," which was said to be absolutely impossible to decipher. He is usually a quiet boy with a hint of autism. It seems that he has feelings for Aimel, and Novi's character symbolizes the importance of information warfare. His actions have a major impact on the development of the story and support the team's strategy.

Hizack

He is one of Cleo's subordinates and the gunner of the Glass Battleship. He is a nihilistic and silent weapons enthusiast who can turn any piece of junk into a weapon, and since he normally never speaks a word, his true identity is unknown, but he has a split personality and his personality changes when he puts on his combat helmet. He is also set to have a crush on Michelle's maid, Silua, and Hizack's character symbolizes the importance of battle. His actions liven up the battle scenes and increase the tension of the story.

Badat

He is one of Cleo's subordinates and is the engineer and repairman of the glass battleship. I don't know if it's true or not, but it is said that he was once a subordinate of the legendary Admiral Gawain, and he is a top-class mechanic as long as he doesn't drink alcohol, but when he gets drunk he always starts talking about the past and it's impossible to stop. Badat's character symbolizes the importance of technology and experience. His actions support the technical side of the team and contribute to the progress of the story.

Jean-Luc Sylvaner

Jean is the butler who has served Michelle for generations. He knows Michelle better than anyone else and is concerned about her well, but he doesn't get along with the rough and savage Cleo at all. Jean's character is a symbol of loyalty and wisdom, and his actions move the story forward through his support of Michelle.

Silua Moe Sylvaner

She is the daughter of butler Jean and Michelle's maid. Although she usually looks after Michelle as a maid, she is actually skilled in all aspects of martial arts and also serves as her bodyguard. A modern girl who has a strong admiration for Michelle, Silua's character is a symbol of loyalty and strength. Her actions advance the story through her support of Michelle, and her relationship with Hizack also adds depth to the story.

Ralph Fitzgerald Deon de Lac

He is Vetti's favorite aide and a smart, beautiful boy. Like Novi, he is also a brilliant cryptographer, but he is jealous of everything Vetti shows interest in and is torn between the two. Ralph's character represents the complex psychology of being torn between loyalty and jealousy. His actions support Vetti's ambitions and increase the tension in the story.

Conrad

He is the staff officer of the Holy Imperial Fleet led by Vetti. He is a calm and competent man, but he is a straight-laced type who has no sense of humor and never jokes. Conrad's character is the epitome of strategy and calmness, and his actions support the strategy of the Holy Imperial Fleet and contribute to the progression of the story.

Girard

Like Conrad, Girard is the operational commander of the Imperial Fleet. A born military man who leads the Armada, Girard's character is a symbol of military power and loyalty. His actions support the combat power of the Imperial Fleet and increase the tension of the story.

Isabel

She is the head of the People's Army's women's division and a hardworking, strong-willed mother who is an activist for a women's human rights organization. She also acts as an advisor to the people and acts as a mediator between Theodoric and Hector. She has great respect for Michelle and never goes against what she says. Isabel's character symbolizes the unity of the People's Army and the strength of women. Her actions support the unity of the People's Army and contribute to the progression of the story.

Theodoric

Theodoric is a leader of the People's Army led by Michel, and is a reliable man, but he is a bit hotheaded and lacks thought. He is a physical man who acts before he thinks, and comes from a family of six, including his parents, wife, son, and daughter. While he acknowledges Cleo's abilities, he is also annoyed by her every move, and Theodoric's character is a symbol of drive and passion. His actions support the fighting power of the People's Army and contribute to the progression of the story.

Hector

He is the leader of the People's Army alongside Theodoric, and is a perpetual medical student who has never qualified as a doctor. He has a family of three with his wife and daughter, and in contrast to Theodoric, Hector is an intelligent man with a strong sense of justice, but he is too cautious and a moderate who lacks initiative. As a result, he often disagrees with Theodoric, and Hector's character is a symbol of intelligence and caution. His actions support the strategy of the People's Army and contribute to the progression of the story.

Nova

Nova is one of Cleo's subordinates and a genius cryptographer (information decoder). He is the only person to have deciphered the Noble Alliance Fleet's most important secret code, "Lopron's Egg," which was said to be absolutely impossible to decipher. He is usually a quiet boy who tends to withdraw into his shell. It seems that he has feelings for Aymel, and Nova's character symbolizes the importance of information warfare. His actions have a major impact on the development of the story and support the team's strategy.

Gorna

Gorna is the Pope of the Crucian Church, a religious figure who helped Vetti rise up the ranks. He is also a political strategist, and believes he was the one who invested his vast fortune in moving the fleet and turning Vetti into a man. He pretends to be loyal to Vetti by offering up his daughter Rachel, but in reality he is aiming for the throne. Gorna's character symbolizes the complex relationship between religion and politics. His actions support Vetti's ambitions and increase the tension in the story.

Rachel

Daughter of Pope Gorna, she wears an iron mask in accordance with the rules of the Crux Church, and is therefore called the "Bride of Hell." Rachel is noble and proud, but by no means a naive young lady; her character symbolizes the conflict between religion and the individual. Her actions support Gorna's schemes and contribute to the progression of the story.

Earl John Fall

A fat, vulgar, and sleazy aristocrat who always pops up to stir things up and get in Cleo's way, but is also a lovable joker. John Fall's character represents the ridiculousness of aristocratic society. His actions provide the humor in the story and relieve the tension.

Cars

He is the captain of the Puppet Corps, a special unit under Conrad's direct command, sent by the Holy Empire to the Glass Battleship to capture Michelle. Kars' character symbolizes the fighting power of the Holy Emperor's fleet. His actions heighten the tension of the story and liven up the battle scenes.

B.B.

A female aristocrat who maintains a neutral stance in a time of war, she boasts enormous wealth and was once Vetti's patron and lover. Although she has ambitions of world domination, she is an onlooker who dislikes fighting and never takes risks. She steadily expands her influence, eventually becoming a force that can influence the balance of the war situation throughout the galaxy. BB's character is a symbol of neutrality and strategy, and her actions have a major impact on the development of the story.

Admiral Gawain

Once the supreme commander of the Royal Fleet, which was said to be invincible, Admiral Gawain is a veteran warrior who has created many legends through numerous battles. He is the person who has the greatest influence on Cleo, and Admiral Gawain's character is a symbol of experience and leadership. His actions support Cleo's growth and contribute to the progression of the story.

■ Evaluation and impressions

Glass Fleet is praised for its grand worldview, deep character settings, and meticulously drawn strategy and battle scenes. In particular, the conflict between Cleo and Vetti is at the heart of the story and is an element that draws viewers in. The unique setting of a territorial battleship is also visually appealing and stimulates the viewer's imagination. In addition, the complex relationship between religion and politics, such as the teachings of the Crucian Church and the taboos on the planet, is also depicted, adding depth to the story.

However, some people say that the story development is a little too complicated. In particular, some viewers find it difficult to grasp the overall picture of the story, especially since there are episodes that have not been aired. It has also been pointed out that there are a large number of characters, and it takes time to understand their backgrounds and relationships. Nevertheless, overall, it has been highly praised as a work that combines epic space battles with human drama.

■ Recommendation points

Here are some reasons why we recommend Glass Fleet:

1. A spectacular worldview

The unique setting of a territorial battleship and the battles taking place in the closed space of outer space are visually captivating and will stimulate the viewer's imagination.

2. Deep characters

The backgrounds and relationships of the main characters, such as Cléo, Michelle, and Vettie, are depicted in depth, drawing the viewer in. In particular, the conflict between Cléo and Vettie is at the heart of the story, stirring the viewers' emotions.

3. Detailed strategies and battle scenes

The detailed information warfare and battle scenes will make viewers excited. The overwhelming power of the glass battleship and the strategy of the People's Army are particularly noteworthy.

4. The complex relationship between religion and politics

The complex relationship between religion and politics, such as the teachings of the Crucian Church and the taboos on planets, are depicted, adding depth to the story. Through these elements, viewers can understand the background of the story and enjoy it more deeply.

■ Related works

There are unaired episodes in "Glass Fleet". These episodes have been released on DVD, and we recommend watching them to get a full picture of the story. Related works such as "LAST EXILE" and "BLASSREITER", also produced by GONZO, are also recommended. These works are also characterized by their grand worldviews and deep character settings, and will be especially enjoyable for fans of "Glass Fleet".

■ Theme songs and music

The theme songs and music for "Glass Fleet" are as follows.

OP1

・Strong・Lyrics by hiroko
・Composer: Tetsuya Yukumi
・Song: mihimaru GT

ED1

・Namida Drop ・Lyrics by Ryutaro Arimura ・Music by Ryutaro Arimura ・Arrangement by Plastic Tree
・Song: Plastic Tree

ED2

・To the Other Side・Song by ANZA

These songs are important elements in enhancing the atmosphere of the story and bring out the emotions of the viewer. In particular, the opening song "Tsuyoku Tsuyoku" is a song that symbolizes Cleo's strength and determination, and resonates in the hearts of viewers.

Conclusion

Glass Fleet is a work that combines epic space battles and deep human drama, and is full of elements that will attract viewers. Each element of the story, such as the unique setting of a territorial battleship, the conflict between Cleo and Vetti, the detailed strategy and battle scenes, and the complex relationship between religion and politics, stimulates the imagination of the viewer. By watching all episodes, including unaired episodes, you will be able to grasp the whole picture of the story and enjoy it more deeply. Related works such as LAST EXILE and BLASSREITER are also recommended, and these works are also characterized by their epic worldviews and deep character settings. Fans of Glass Fleet will especially enjoy it. The theme song and music are also important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the story and enhance the emotions of the viewer. In particular, the opening song "Tsuyoku Tsuyoku" is a song that symbolizes Cleo's strength and determination, and resonates in the hearts of viewers. Glass Fleet is a must-see for viewers who love space battles and human drama.