Valkyria Chronicles Review: A masterpiece anime that combines strategy and storytelling

Valkyria Chronicles - A flower of hope blooming amidst the flames of war

The 2009 anime TV series Valkyria Chronicles was based on the video game by SEGA and produced by A-1 Pictures. It was directed by Yasutaka Yamamoto, with series composition by Michiko Yokote, character design by Atsuko Watanabe, and animation direction by Yu Yonezawa, Keiko Nakaji, and Atsuko Watanabe. Music was by Hitoshi Sakimoto and produced by Aniplex. The 26-episode series aired from April 4 to September 26, 2009 on Chiba TV, tvk, Mainichi Broadcasting System, TOKYO MX, Teletama, TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting, Chubu Nippon Broadcasting, TV Hokkaido, BS11, and Animax. It was also available online on the PlayStation Store.

story

The year is 1935. The European continent is divided into two great powers, East and West. The two nations, the despotic monarchy "East European Imperial Union (commonly known as the Empire)," which is fighting for power over the mineral resource Ragnite, and the Atlantic Federation (commonly known as the Federation), a federal republic that has abolished the monarchy, are finally at war. The conflict spreads to the small country of Gallia, which has armed neutrality as its national policy, and Alicia, a young girl, and Welkin, a young man who met in the border town of Brule, vow to "definitely return to their hometown" and decide to join the volunteer army!

Commentary

This story depicts the various thoughts and feelings of soldiers confused in the midst of war, and is a drama that unfolds over the course of seven months, with the theme of new friendship and love that is born there. The truth hidden in the legend [The Calamity of Darcus]. And the secret of the Valkyries shrouded in mystery... Please look forward to this TV series that combines a touching love story with fantasy action!

cast

The cast includes Chiba Susumu as Welkin Gunther, Inoue Marina as Alicia Melchiot, Kuwashima Houko as Isara Gunther, Sakurai Takahiro as Faldio Lanzato, Nomura Kenji as Largo Potter, Minagawa Junko as Rosie, Tanaka Atsuko as Eleanor Barlott, Shindo Naomi as Eret, Tozuka Rie as Susie Evans, Hirai Keiji as Jan Walker, Tonomura Mariko as Oscar Beylert, Sakakuma Takahiko as Karos Lanzato, Hibi Aiko as Emil Beylert, Kano Yui as Edie Nelson, and Homer Pieroni The cast includes Shoji Umeka as Marina Wulfstan, Dai Natsuki as Marina Wulfstan, Inoue Hikari as Aisha Norman, Naruse Makoto as Lamar Wald, Shioya Kozo as Georg Damon, Fukuyama Jun as Maximillian, Ohara Sayaka as Selvaria Bress, Ishizumi Akihiko as Larken, Harada Akira as Sorio, Shindo Naomi as Migros, Saito Kimiko as Martha Lipponen, Taketora as Merkel, Hibi Aiko as Jean, Ikeda Chigusa as Hans, Otsuka Akio as Radi Jäger, Otsuka Norio as Berholt Gregor, and Ono Atsushi as the narrator.

Main Characters

Welkin Gunther, a member of the 3rd Company of the Gallian Principality Volunteer Army, is a university student majoring in biosociology whose father was known as a Gallian hero. When the war began, he volunteered for the volunteer army and was appointed as the captain of the 7th Platoon. Alicia Melchiot was a bright and optimistic girl who grew up in an orphanage and had aspired to be a baker, but when the Second European War broke out, she joined a vigilante group to protect her hometown, and then volunteered for the volunteer army. Isara Gunther is a Darkus girl who was raised as the adopted daughter of General Gunther after losing her parents. She is deeply in love with her stepbrother Welkin. Faldio Lanzato was Welkin's best friend at university and majored in archaeology. In the volunteer army, he is a man of action who actively leads his subordinates as the captain of the 1st Platoon. Lamar Wald is a non-commissioned officer attached to the captain of the 1st Platoon and is an idol of Faldio. Rosie is like an older sister to the 7th Platoon, and has a strong hatred for the Darcians and the Imperial Army. Largo Potter has a tough appearance, but he also has a surprising side to him: he loves vegetables. Eleanor Barlott is a rare female officer in the Gallian Army, and is the captain of the 3rd Volunteer Company. Susie Evans is the daughter of a good family in Brule, and is so gentle that she can't even kill an insect. Jan Walker loves muscles and has a feminine way of thinking. Edie Nelson is an exhibitionist and arrogant person, but she panics in unexpected situations. Homer Pieroni has an angelic appearance and a delicate heart, but he has a tendency to feel joy when he is forced into a harsh situation. Oscar Beilert volunteered to join the Volunteer Army to protect his twin brother Emil. Emil Beylert has been in poor health since he was a child and has been on medical leave, but when he learns of his brother Oscar's crisis he volunteers to join the volunteer army. Marina Wulfstan is a beautiful, icy woman who keeps everyone at bay and is a lone wolf who dislikes getting too close. Karos Ranzat used to work at a steelworks near Fausen but fled to the capital. Aisha Norman is a genius girl who passed her middle school military training credits at the age of 12 and was given special permission to join the army. Hans is a rare species of baby winged pig and is the mascot of the 7th Platoon.

Maximillian, on the Imperial side, was born to the emperor of an Eastern European empire and his mother was a concubine, and was given the status of quasi-crown prince without being recognized as the official legitimate son. Selvaria Bress is a female commander of ancient Valkyrian descent who was separated from her parents at a young age and raised in a top-secret Imperial military facility. Radi Jaeger lost his homeland, the Kingdom of Filardo, in the First World War and was taken prisoner, but serves Maximillian directly on the condition that his homeland is restored and independent. Berholt Gregor is one of the "Drei Stern" who support Maximillian along with Jaeger and Selvaria, and is a staunch supporter of Imperial supremacy.

Main Robot Items

The Edelweiss is a tank of the 7th Platoon, 3rd Company of the Gallian Volunteer Army, designed and manufactured by Isara's real father, Dr. Tamer, after World War I. It features innovative mechanisms such as sloped armor that deflects incoming bullets and an automatic loading device inside the turret, but it was never mass-produced and only one remains in existence. As a memento of her late father, Isara installed a new turbine in the engine and regularly maintains it.

subtitle

It consists of 26 chapters, from the first chapter "Encounter in the Fires of War" to the final chapter "The Decisive Battle." Each chapter has a different theme, depicting the horrors of war, human bonds, love, friendship, etc.

Related Titles

There are other works based on the original game, such as Valkyria Chronicles: The Movie and Valkyria Chronicles 3: For Whom the Gun Wounds Are. These works also delve deeper into the world of Valkyria Chronicles.

Theme songs and music

The opening theme for episodes 1 to 13 was "Kizuna to Tomorrow" (HIMEKA), and for episodes 14 to 26 was "Kanashimi Rensa" (MARIA). The ending theme for episodes 1 to 13 was "Ano Kaze ni Notte" (pe'zmoku), for episodes 14 to 25 was "Hitotsu no Negai" (Inoue Hikari), and for the final episode 26 was "BRIGHTEST MORNING" (Inoue Hikari with Volunteer Army 7th Platoon). These songs are important elements that add to the atmosphere of the story.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Valkyria Chronicles" is a work that deeply moves viewers by depicting the human drama, friendship, and love of the characters, even while dealing with the heavy theme of war. In particular, it has been praised for the way the story unfolds from multiple perspectives, such as the relationship between Welkin and Alicia, Isara's growth, and the backgrounds of the characters on the Imperial Army side. In addition, the depiction of the battle scenes is realistic and powerful, making it a work that can be enjoyed visually as well.

The first reason to recommend this work is the charm of the characters. The individuality of each character, such as Welkin's kindness and strength, Alicia's cheerfulness and courage, and Isara's purity and growth, enriches the story. Also, while depicting the horrors of war, the story development conveys the importance of hope and bonds, which cannot be overlooked. Furthermore, the beautiful visuals and music also enhance the appeal of the work.

This work is recommended not only for those who like war stories, but also for those who enjoy human drama and fantasy elements. In particular, it is a work that should be watched by those who like stories that depict character growth and bonds. "Valkyria Chronicles" depicts the misery of war, the strength of humans, and the light of hope, and will give viewers a lot of inspiration and courage.