Valvrave The Liberator

[wielder]

1. In the future Man has moved out into Earth-orbit space, and lives in giant tin cans. Check.
2. The space-dwelling people are feeling a little confined out in space and are expanding at the cost of their neighbors. Check.
3. The Average Joe hero's space colony is an island of peace and prosperity amid all the wartime trouble. Check.
4. Naturally the situation is going to change well before the commercial break. Check.
5. The Average Joe flees the chaos with his friends and/or classmates and finds the Heroic Giant Robot, which is painted mostly white. Check.
6. The Average Joe's opposite is an Aryan blonde pretty-boy. Check.

So yes, it's a re-labeled Gundam story. Tell me I'm wrong.

While the overall framework is undeniably similar, it appears some of those details are in fact a little wrong or at least unknown until more information has been made available.

Most of humanity lives in the Dyson Sphere (apparently in construction around the sun or some other star) rather than on traditional Gundam-style separate space colonies. The robot also gives off more of a Super Robot vibe, particularly with that golden hyper mode.

I'm not expecting too much from Valvrave myself, but I will still give the series a fair chance.

[Arbiter GUNDAM]

So yes, it's a re-labeled Gundam story. Tell me I'm wrong.

Technically that also makes it a re-labeled Dragonar.

[Mythgarr]

With Gargantia and Majestic Prince pull off a good first episode that managed to hook me, Valvrave needs to pull off something similar or better.

[Amion]

It gives us G Gundam's Shining/God modes that swings a beam saber a la Kammile. My goodness, I hope they give me a good explanation for that.

[Zeonista]

So yes, it's a re-labeled Gundam story. Tell me I'm wrong.

Technically that also makes it a re-labeled Dragonar.

Well, I did describe it as being a potential Dragonar, so yeah, it sort of is. I would only include the re-labelled Dragonaras well as Gundam if there were 3 hero mecha, three pilots, and had the hot blonde sister of the Aryan pretty-boy villain also with the hero. Of course, I could have overlooked that.

Author: So what you're saying is that you think it's a re-labelled AU Gundam instead of a UC variant?

Amion: I'm sure there is an appropriate explanation for the heroic nifty attacks forthcoming. Then again, my WTF meter is lower than some other members when it comes to questioning giant robot performance. I managed to get through Aim for the Top! Gunbuster, Vandread, Gundam Seed Destiny, and Gundam OO without my head exploding over Stupid Mecha Tricks, so I'm OK with a lot.

[Amion]

It still looks like it's trying to cosplay as the Shining Gundam. That is unforgivable, unless this main character, (Toma was it?) turns out to be a serious, awesome character like Domon from G Gundam, which for the moment he does not.

And I just now realized that, on an off topic, that Setsuna might have a very interesting reaction to seeing the God Gundam.

[yazi88]

The 1st episode was nothing to get too excited over. Pretty much full of Gundam like tropes. Although the animation is pretty good but the enemy mechs are crappy looking, pretty much Tie Fighters with arms.

[Destiny_Gundam]

So yes, it's a re-labeled Gundam story. Tell me I'm wrong.

So what if you're not wrong? I love Gundam so why wouldn't I love something that's similar to Gundam?

[Amion]

So yes, it's a re-labeled Gundam story. Tell me I'm wrong.

So what if you're not wrong? I love Gundam so why wouldn't I love something that's similar to Gundam?

A good point, why do we care? If it's good then let's enjoy it. Although I hope the CGI does get better, unlike Gargantia, I could tell that Valvrave is a bit scratchy.

Another reason I think I don't mind CGI is that I looove old-style retro classics and older games from nineties on down, so bad graphics is actually something I can let slip by with ease, or even enjoy and be attracted to. now playing an old game for nostalgic pleasure is different from sitting down and viewing a bad production that doesn't have to be poor quality (like Valvrave), so I'll have to see it to make a final decision.

And people keep saying the young-male-antagonist-rival is an Aryen blonde, but he's a silvery white haired guy like Zeheart. So he's no Char.

[Kaioshin Sama]

So yes, it's a re-labeled Gundam story. Tell me I'm wrong.

So what if you're not wrong? I love Gundam so why wouldn't I love something that's similar to Gundam?

Because in a lot of fans eyes now being similar to Gundam somehow automatically makes a show bad. The criteria for mecha fans these days is so screwed up it's kind of ridiculous.

Judging the show on it's own merits though I thought the art quality was quite a bit below the standards I'm used to seeing out of Sunrise in the 2010's. Really not sure what is up with that but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a little worrisome. Lot of low detailed shots of characters in the first ep....

The cast seems a little goofy at first glance, but that's not terribly surprising coming from the guy that wrote Overman King Gainer and Code Geass. I'm sort of used to Okouchi's semi-scatter brain approach to depicting character interaction by now. As for the plot, it's quite clear to me that there's more going on than meets the immediate eye and there's still some world building to come. Haruto seems to have a very naively socialist approach to the idea of conflict/resolution whereas L-Elf seems to be very much in the winner take all life is a zero sum game category and seems deeply embittered about something. I could easily see this becoming a running theme of their interactions.

As for the twist at the end...really hard to tell for sure what was going on there. Obviously the commonly accepted stance is LOLvampires, but I'm sure it's something a little more ingrained in the universes apparently hidden truths (going by the series tagline here). What's the deal with the shrine Shoko was talking about and why does a supposedly neutral nation appear to be building a robot that can take on the standard design of the biggest military power in space no problem? Why does Valvrave have such an apparent heavy price for activating it and what's up with that OS? There's enough lingering questions and intrigue here to easily get me to check out the next few episodes, but I just hope the art quality picks up. Sunrise can do better there easily.

[wielder]

This was rather lowbrow, no doubt, but I guess the series isn't even attempting to be too sophisticated.

The episode gave me the impression that the ridiculousness of the material is being embraced and put forward on purpose rather than being unintentional or something the creators don't realize themselves. Which is good as far as the enjoyment of such things is concerned.

Is the weird mix of elements in Valvrave actually interesting? It's hard to tell. Depends on what exactly they do with this sort of setup since they could still go typical Gundam with crazy elements on the side or instead go full crazy with results that might be better or worse than that. Or something in between both extremes. Whatever the case, I can see some people being turned off right away and I wouldn't particularly blame them. I'm sitting at about 50/50.

By the way, the titular robot is pretty nice. I thought it looked better in action than on the promotional videos and the music wasn't bad. For better or for worse, I was entertained.

[Kaioshin Sama]

This was rather lowbrow, no doubt, but I guess the series isn't even attempting to be too sophisticated.

The episode gave me the impression that the ridiculousness of the material is being embraced and put forward on purpose rather than being unintentional or something the creators don't realize themselves. Which is good as far as the enjoyment of such things is concerned.

Is the weird mix of elements in Valvrave actually interesting? It's hard to tell. Depends on what exactly they do with this sort of setup since they could still go typical Gundam with crazy elements on the side or instead go full crazy with results that might be better or worse than that. Or something in between both extremes. Whatever the case, I can see some people being turned off right away and I wouldn't particularly blame them. I'm sitting at about 50/50.

By the way, the titular robot is pretty nice. I thought it looked better in action than on the promotional videos and the music wasn't bad. For better or for worse, I was entertained.

It could always pull a Turn A Gundam (same writer) which initially had people balking at all the rampant nudity and goofy character interactions of the opening episodes and being unsure what to make of it before ending up as one of the more well-received mecha franchises of the 90's a decade later. Not saying it will, but the possibilities always there.

Also just as an aside you're a pretty rational down to Earth patient seeming guy by ADTRW poster standards. What's your secret?

[quasadra]

i think it started pretty awesome. i dont see these "low quality art" and "ridiculousness". the show's art style strongly reminds me of Akito the Exiled. what exactly that made you all think so? do i miss something big here? i see a pretty standard start of a potentially solid mecha anime. sure gundam/mecha tropes are everywhere(i even does a countdown to when the first shot was fired, and i was spot on), but is that even a complain? we are at a mecha board here.

the deal with the mechs reminds me of Linebarrel. you make a pact or something similar with the mech. but it is obviously darker here, the condition shown during the start up essentially make the pilot a slave(to who is still to be seen). it also imply this neutral country is not as nice as it looks like.

and i love those tie fighter with gatling arms. remember, legs are for decorations.

in case it was not obvious, i had a lot of fun with this first episode.

[Amion]

i think it started pretty awesome. i dont see these "low quality art" and "ridiculousness". the show's art style strongly reminds me of Akito the Exiled. what exactly that made you all think so? do i miss something big here? i see a pretty standard start of a potentially solid mecha anime. sure gundam/mecha tropes are everywhere(i even does a countdown to when the first shot was fired, and i was spot on), but is that even a complain? we are at a mecha board here.

I'm glad I'm not the only one scratching my head as to why people are complaining about the low quality of animation, I thought it was perfectly fine.

Over all, most of the characters came off as goofy awkward teens. Which is what they are. If this continues and we see more development for the world and people, this show could hold more promise than Gargantia. What do people want them to act like, stoic prettyboy assassins?

the deal with the mechs reminds me of Linebarrel. you make a pact or something similar with the mech. but it is obviously darker here, the condition shown during the start up essentially make the pilot a slave(to who is still to be seen). it also imply this neutral country is not as nice as it looks like.

and i love those tie fighter with gatling arms. remember, legs are for decorations.

in case it was not obvious, i had a lot of fun with this first episode.

I loved the neutral colony fighters, they were awesome. The glorified ties are effective, but remind me of Crossbone Vanguard models with two Zaku shields, so I don't care for their design. But who cares, that ending theme showed us those new mecha, and I loooove the green one. I'm a sucker for flashy colors, so the craziness is fun and entertaining. If people find this a turn off, then all I can say is that I'm sorry for them, because they're missing out!

Honestly though, I was surprised the main female character died so fast, so does this give us room for the cute raven haired girl loafing about in the background? I hope so...

Edit: I think L-elf is talking to his dead comrade when he shoots Toma, because he says he "won again", and mentions somewhat called D Zero. Could be the reason for his cold heartedness.

[stagrider]

Official site updated
http://www.valvrave.com/mechanic/
One thing to note is Valvrave Unit 2 is missing.

I liked this episode, has its flaws but I liked it. The Valvrave injecting nanomachines into is pilot to give it special abilities was very Linebarrel. Action was nice and I firmly believe Shoko's not dead just yet, even if I hate amnesia plots.

[bullethead]

Well, this was a lot better than I expected. It seems like they sorted out the CGI, because it blended a lot better than I thought it would. It's a shame about Shoko - she was a pretty good tomboy-ish girl. I wonder if there'll be some flashbacks or something relating to her, since she's in the OP with Haruko's other potential love interest (of course, they could both meet the same fate).

Since I haven't seen Linebarrels of Iron, I made a totally different connection when Haruko got injected with nanomachines. The "resign your humanity" start screen and nanomachines made me think of Crysis 2/Crysis Legion, where nanotech was used to make people into post-human warriors that couldn't be killed, at great cost (they'd be stuck in a set of power armor with an AI that would alter how they thought and acted; if they were severely injured, it would integrate itself into the user and use some of their biomass to fix the damage). In Valvrave's case, it's kind of the opposite of Crysis - there, the suit needed the person's brain for higher functions, but with Valvrave, it just needs the person to move the controls in the cockpit.

[Destiny_Gundam]

Just watched episode one. Yeah, it starts off pretty standard, but there are enough non-standard elements that could send it in an interesting direction.

Still, the battles were slick so it should be fun to watch if nothing else.

Also, Nana Mizuki + TM Revolution is a match made in heaven.

[Amion]

Yes, the op was perfect, though that op from Majestic Prince tops it completely. It's funny, because I watched both today and was convinced when I heard Valvrave's first that it was the best of the mecha shows so far.

[Shinji103]

It's a shame about Shoko - she was a pretty good tomboy-ish girl. I wonder if there'll be some flashbacks or something relating to her, since she's in the OP with Haruko's other potential love interest (of course, they could both meet the same fate).

Yeah, about that, there are various reasons that make me doubt she's really dead (or dead for good, at least), and the lack of Valvrave 2 on the mecha page of the homepage certainly doesn't take anything away from those doubts.

Yes, the op was perfect, though that op from Majestic Prince tops it completely.

I......don't see this at all. Valvrave OP >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Majestic Prince OP.

[Amion]

It's a shame about Shoko - she was a pretty good tomboy-ish girl. I wonder if there'll be some flashbacks or something relating to her, since she's in the OP with Haruko's other potential love interest (of course, they could both meet the same fate).

Yeah, about that, there are various reasons that make me doubt she's really dead (or dead for good, at least), and the lack of Valvrave 2 on the mecha page of the homepage certainly doesn't take anything away from those doubts.

Yes, the op was perfect, though that op from Majestic Prince tops it completely.

I......don't see this at all. Valvrave OP >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Majestic Prince OP.

That's a matter of opinion, really. Some people don't quite like J pop as good as other things. I'm more impressionistic oriented. Also, I've said this before, I gauge openings for how good they fit their story. Preserved Roses is perfect for its show, while Majestic Prince's may or may not. So because I cannot say for sure it does, that Op stands out more in my head.