Ar tonelico: The Girl Who Continues to Sing at the End of the World (アルトネリコ世界の終わりで詩い続ける少女 Aru toneriko Sekai no Owari de Utai Tsudzukeru Shōjo?)

STORYLINE

Ar tonelico takes place in the world of Sol Ciel, which literally translates to "Sun Sky" in Latin and French, respectively, but means "Shining Sky/World" in the game's own language. The world consists of the living Tower of Ar tonelico and the Wings of Horus, a landmass connected to the lower portion of the Tower. Each section of the world above and below The Wings of Horus is designated with a specific name. The lower world is known to for its small towns and is not considered to be very technologically advanced. The upper world is very advanced, and the Floating City of Platina is even considered to be a holy sanctuary by the Church of Elemia from the lower world.

The Tower exists at the center of the world and is made from technology that was available prior to the world-destroying catastrophe known as the Grathnode Inferia. There is little land left after the two catastrophes of the past, so people have become increasingly dependent on Ar tonelico. The Tower functions much like a computer program, and is susceptible to viruses, which are emerging at an alarming rate to wreak havoc on both the upper and lower worlds.

The world of Sol Ciel is inhabited by two main races: Human and Reyvateil. Reyvateils are a manufactured race who were originally created to maintain Ar tonelico. They are designed to resemble humans in every way except for their lifespan and their ability to communicate with the Tower. All Reyvateils are female regardless of their birth history.

There are three different types of Reyvateils. Reyvateil Origins are the original Reyvateils who were created with a specific purpose in mind. They have a perfect connection to the Tower. They are considered the parents of all β-type and Third Generation Reyvateils because the lower class Reyvateils are in some way related to them.^[5]

The second type, β-type Reyvateils, are clones of Reyvateil Origins.^[5] They are mortal, though they still live significantly longer than humans; approximately 150 years.^[5]

The last type, Third Generation Reyvateils, are born from relationships between humans and Reyvateils. Due to the strain that the power of Ar tonelico puts on their bodies, they tend to have naturally short life spans of only 14 to 20 years.^[6] There is a life-extending agent called Diquility that can only be produced by the Church of Elemia (エル・エレミア教会 Eru Eremia-kyoukai^?) and the Tenba Conglomerate (天覇 Tenpa^?), but it must be applied every 3 months, and the cost of obtaining it is prohibitive. Consequently, many Third Generation Reyvateils choose to join one of the above-mentioned organizations in order to obtain Diquility for free.

CHARACTERS

Lyner Barsett (ライナー・バルセルト Rainā Baruseruto^?)

Voiced by: Masahide Fuse (Japanese), Snazin Smith (English)

Age: 18

Height: 171 cm

Weight: 59 kg

Lyner is an energetic teenager and the main character of the game. He was born in Platina, a city situated on the mid-upper level of the tower. Fathered by the governor of Platina, Lyner has access to the local government and he is granted access to the majority of the Tower (he's also adept in the Hymmnos language). However, instead of following in his father's footsteps, he joined the Knights of Elemia. Because of his natural-born talent, he was quickly promoted to the Knights of Elemia and protects the city with Shurelia. He is often reckless and impulsive, much in line with the archetypal young hero, wanting to save everyone whether he's risking his life or not.

Aurica Nestmile (オリカ・ネストミール Orika Nesutomīru^?)

Voiced by: Ui Miyazaki (Japanese), Kari Wahlgren (English)

Hymns Voiced by: Haruka Shimotsuki

Age: 17

Height: 160 cm

Weight: 44 kg

Aurica is a a 3rd generation Reyvateil. Because of her birth circumstances, she is classified as a Class-D Reyvateil, the lowest rank. Before the present time in the game, her home, Skuwat Village, was inflitrated by the Tenba Conglomorate. The Teru Tribe attacked Tenba while they were camped in Skuwat Village and the ensuing battle destroyed the town. Her parents went missing during the raid and she was later told that they died. However, she did not see their bodies firsthand, causing her serious mental trauma. Afterwards, she joins the Church of Elemia to work as a Reyvateil, in hopes of becoming one of the Holy Maidens. She appears inferior and gloomy at first but is getting more cheerful after met with Lyner. She is close friends with Claire, a singer in Nemo who also her childhood friend. She has a very strange way of cooking, though the food she makes always ends up tasting really good, while being almost obscene in appearance. Her dream is to open a music box shop.

Misha Arsellec Lune (彌紗・アルトセルク・リューン Misha Arutoseruku Ryūn^?)

Voiced by: Sakura Nogawa (Japanese), Karen Strassman (English)

Hymns Voiced by: Akiko Shikata

Age: 18

Height: cm

Weight: kg

Misha is a β pure-blood Reyvateil, also known to the Teru Tribe as the Hoshiyomi or Star Singer Her main purpose in life is to sing the song Chronicle Key to suppress Mir. She has been friends with Lyner since their childhood in Platina. He doesn't remember about her at first, though. She is also a good cook. She seems dispassionate, composed, but sometimes childish. Misha is quite bold and doesn't hesistate to make moves on Lyner. She suffers from acrophobia, and is also quite a klutz. It's worth noting that, despite being older than Aurica, she is trapped in a 12-year old girl body until her Song is recovered. After that, she regains her true form.

Shurelia (シュレリア Shureria^?)

Voiced by: Kanako Sakai (Japanese), Paula Tiso (English)

Hymns Voiced by: Noriko Mitose

Age: 738

Height: 156 cm

Weight: 38 kg

Shurelia is the administrator of Platina and the leader of the Knights of Elemia. As her direct subordinate, Lyner both admires and respects her. Although it is well-known that she is a Reyvateil, and a very powerful one at that, the identity of her Reyvateil type is left as a mystery for most of the game. It is only revealed partway through Phase 3 that she is in fact a Reyvateil Origin and in terms of sheer power, is second only to Mir. Though, she looks cold at first, Shurelia is actually shy and quite clumsy (sometimes she trips and lands with her face while chanting spells). She has no sense of direction and often gets lost, even in her own tower. She has a great fondness for bunnies and their related stuff (from dolls to bunny-shaped food to the point of bombs and restoring items). Aurica had once mistaken her for a robot because of her Linkage costume. Tough, extremely serious and no-nonsense as her role demands, she reveals herself to be desperate in gaining some sort of freedom and have a more ordinary, enjoyable life. She is the creator of Grathmelding, and has vast knowledge about technology. Her true name is Eoria/Eolia.

Jack Hamilton (ジャック・ハミルトン Jakku Hamiruton^?)

Voiced by: Nobutoshi Canna (Japanese), Spike Spencer (English)

Age: 19

Height:

Weight:

Jack is a wandering gunman and is the first person Lyner meets in the Lower World. At first he is a mysterious character who never reveals his true intentions, however as gameplay continues more about him is discovered. His real name is Harmonica and he is a former member of the Teru Tribe, who had been searching for Misha for six years. He and Misha became friends after she had left Platina. Jack's standing in the Teru Tribe is unknown, but he seems to have a deep connection with Flute and Tastiella (he calls Tastiella "Granny", much to her chagrin). Also, he worries a lot about Misha, having taken care of her as a surrogate big brother after she made to the Lower World. He lost one arm and part of his torso during an incident before the beginning of the game, and since then had a mechanical plate and arm to replace them. His arm mounts a multi-barreled gatling gun.

Krusche Elendia (クルシェ・エレンディア Kurushe Erendia^?)

Voiced by: Yoshino Nanjō (Japanese), Jessica Straus (English)

Age: 15

Height:

Weight:

Krusche is a Grathmelder specializing in airship repairs. She also does the repairs for Jack's arm, and has quite the competitive streak, especially around Misha. In her past she had a boyfriend named Luke, who had left in an airship to attempt passing the Blastline. He never returned and afterwards Krusche has been determined since then on getting there herself and seeing if she could find any clues about what happened to him. She is sometimes bold and lacks some softness, and she wields a huge chainsaw in combat. Her ability in engineering is noted by Tenba later in the game, and she is employed as chief engineer.

Ayatane Michitaka (絢胤 箕嵩 (アヤタネ・ミチタカ)^?)

Voiced by: Shōta Kibe (Japanese), Liam O'Brien (English)

Age: looks 19

Height: 172 cm

Weight: 59 kg

Ayatane is a Knight of Elemia, and Lyner's best friend. He seems to have great admiration for Shurelia, possibly even romantic feelings for her. He is a sophisticated and gentle pacifist who's constantly smiling as seen throughout the game. Ayatane often speaks to no one in particular, mentioning someone he calls Mother, who is later revealed and clarified deeper in the game. While being male, he has an extremely feminine appearance.

During the Phase 2 of the game, Ayatane performs a strange but special ability that wiped out a virus by merely raising his arm straight forward. Although Lyner and the others questioned him of his power--Radolf specifically--he only says that it was a special occasion, and should be kept unspoken of.

It is later revealed that Ayatane is a virus that was specifically designed by Mir rather than being a simple spawn like the others in the game. His purpose was to get close to Shurelia and later have Mir forced into her to take control, which is found to be successful much later in the game. Ayatane also takes Mei Mei's sister, the Child of Light, and has her attack Lyner and his party. When she was defeated and attempted to finish the group off with a huge amount of energy, Ayatane leaps in the way, admitting that even though he had merely been created to act it out, he truly considered Lyner as a friend, thus having a strong bond that made him feel guilty and regret. After Lyner tells Ayatane that they could save Mir by going against her and convincing her to live with them, he joins the party for the rest of the game.

However, because he was a special creation of Mir's, the latter treats and sees him as her son. This is later clarified when Mir had possessed Ayatane for his betrayal and only summoned a guardian to have a virus control it, knocking him out in the process with a lightning spell rather than deleting him.

High School DxD (ハイスクールD×D Haisukūru Dī Ekkusu Dī?)

STORYLINE

Issei Hyodo is a second-year high school student attending Kuoh Academy (駒王学園 Kuō Gakuen^?) who has an enormous sexual addiction and very lascivious behavior. He lives a peaceful life until he is called for a date with a girl named Yuma Amano. At the conclusion of the date, Issei is brought to a local park and Yuma asks him if he wants to know what her wish is. Under the impression of receiving a kiss from the girl, Issei is shocked when Yuma whispers the words "Can you die for me?" and transforms into a Fallen Angel. Issei is brutally attacked and killed by Yuma. Issei wakes up the next morning, believing the events that occurred were all just a dream. Immediately afterwards, he notices Rias Gremory (a third-year student at his high school) naked in his room. Rias reveals her identity as a Devil to Issei and claims that she has reincarnated him as a Devil who will serves as an underling to her and the Gremory Devil Family.

CHARACTERS

Issei Hyodo


Voiced by: Yūki Kaji

Issei Hyodo (兵藤 一誠 Hyōdō Issei^?) is the male protagonist of the series. He is a pervert who has a habit of fantasizing, and is well known for being creepy at the Academy, but, in contrast to this, he is also surprisingly hot-blooded and hard-working. His first girlfriend suddenly kills him, but Rias saves him and brings him back to life as a Devil of her own clan, making him a member of the Occult Research Club. His rank is "Pawn", and his powers as a Devil are low-ranking, but on his left arm he wields a Sacred Gear called "Boosted Gear". He works hard day and night for the sake of his master and the highest-ranking Devil, Rias. His goal is to one day rise in rank into a high-class Devil so that he can gather his own servants and create his own harem.

Despite the fact that he is a pervert, he attracts numerous girls around him: Rias, Asia, Akeno, Koneko, Zenovia, Irina and Ravel. This is due to him wanting to protect and help them despite almost dying at the hands of his opponents. He is oblivious to the girls around him being in love with him. Early on in the series, Rias explains the reason why she cannot have any more Pawns other than him is because she had to use all 8 pawns to bring him back to life; however, the real reason is because of his Sacred Gear.

In the light novels, it is revealed that Issei's Sacred Gear has more capabilities then what has been shown before. The Boosted Gear is actually a forbidden Gear which starts of as a gauntlet at its first stage. While training and mastering its powers, the Sacred Gear will begin to spread throughout the body as armor. Once fully mastered, it is said to be able to kill a Satan or a God. This is because the armor doubles the user's power every 10 seconds without limit, the only restriction being the user's own ability to handle the power. Hence why Angels, Fallen Angels, and Devils fear this power.

In Volume 4 prior to the meeting of the three factions, he receives St. George's Dragon-slayer sword, Ascalon, from Michael. Due to his training in the Underworld with former Dragon King Taninim, he obtained a great stamina that he can use when he gained his Balance Breaker, which he does during his fight with Kuroka where he gained full-access to his Balance Breaker.

Issei's Sacred Gear, "Boosted Gear" (赤龍帝の籠手（ブーステッド･ギア） Būsuteddo Gia^?, lit. "Crimson Dragon Emperor's Gauntlet"), is one of the Thirteen Longinus, where one of the Heavenly Dragons, Ddraig, the Red Dragon Emperor, resides. Issei is nowhere close to mastering the Gauntlet, and as a result when he enters Juggernaut Mode, 99 percent of his lifespan is sacrificed, though he and Koneko managed to get it back. Later on, Ajuka Beezlebub, one of the Four Satans and the original creator of the Evil Piece system, remodels Issei's Piece so that he can use Promotion anywhere and at any time, regardless if he has used Promotion already. By using Promotion, he is able to use Knight, Rook, and Bishop ranks, and can achieve Illegal Move Trianna (赤龍帝の三叉成駒（イリーガル・ムーブ・トリアイナ） Irīgaru Mūbu Toriaina^?), which makes Issei's Balance Breaker Armor change to other forms using Promotion. In Knight Form, called Welsh Sonic Boost Knight (龍星の騎士（ウェルシュ・ソニックブースト・ナイト） Werushu Sonikku Būsuto Naito^?), he possesses enormous speed that far surpasses Sairaorg's speed, but makes his armor thin where it has low defense; in Rook Form, called Welsh Dragonic Rook (龍剛の戦車（ウェルシュ・ドラゴニック・ルーク） Werushu Doragonikku Rūku^?), he possesses massive power and defence but has a low speed because of its massive armor; in Bishop Form, called Welsh Blaster Bishop (龍牙の僧侶（ウェルシュ・ブラスター・ビショップ） Werushu Burasutā Bishoppu^?), he possess an enormous amount of magical energy in where he applies it in the two cannons at the back of his armor, but it takes time to charge. He later gains access to Queen Mode (known as Cardinal Crimson Promotion (真紅の赫龍帝（カーディナル・クリムゾン・プロモーション） Kādinaru Kurimuzon Puromōshon^?)) in Volume 10 of the light novels, which is equally as powerful as Juggernaut mode. Juggernaut Mode is the full-bodied armor of the Boosted Gear, the Scale Mail, which gives him the Balance Break ability.

At the end of Volume 10 of the light novels, Issei cannot hold back his feelings for Rias and confesses to her, calling her by her first name for the first time. She accepts his feelings in tears of joy and the two officially become a couple, although it seems none of the girls have given up (Akeno, Zenovia, Asia, Koneko, Irina, Reyville) on Issei. In Volume 11, Issei is promoted from low-ranked Devil to high-ranked Devil and Rias' mother suggest that Issei and Rias get married.

Rias Gremory


Voiced by: Yōko Hikasa

Rias Gremory (リアス・グレモリー Riasu Guremorī^?) is the female protagonist of the series. She is a third-year student at Kuoh Academy and is the Academy's number one idol. Nicknamed the Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess (紅髪の滅殺姫（べにがみのルイン・プリンセス） Benigami no Ruin Purinsesu^?), she is the heir to one of the highest ranking and famous Devil families, the Gremory Family (グレモリー眷属^?). She is enrolled in Kuoh as an exchange student, but the truth is that she holds the power in the Academy, and acts as the President of the Occult Research Club, which is made up of the Devils under her command. Her rank is "King". She's an invincible heroine who saw the power sleeping within Issei, and took a curious interest in him.

In the light novels, it is revealed that her brother is, in fact, one of the Four Satans, Lucifer, and both of them possess the Power of Destruction. She revives Issei as her servant after the latter was killed by the Fallen Angel Reynalle. Both kind and soft to her servants, but becomes a completely different person when training or fighting. She is proud of her family's name, but she does not like being seen as Rias from Gremory. The reason for her living in human world is because there, everyone sees her as Rias, not as a Devil or as the Crimson Ruin Princess.

As the series progresses, Rias begins to develop strong feelings for Issei which becomes more obvious are Issei defeats Raiser, and becomes very jealous when he is surrounded by other girls. She moves into his house. At the end of Volume 10 of the light novels, Issei confesses and even calls her Rias for the first time instead of Buchou (President). She has tears of joy and tells him that she feels the same way and the two officially become a couple. Though it seems none of the other girls have given up (Akeno, Zenovia, Asia, Koneko, Irina, Reyville) on Issei.

Akeno Himejima


Voiced by: Shizuka Itō

Akeno Himejima (姫島 朱乃 Himejima Akeno^?) is the Second-in-Command of the Gremory Family, known as the "Priestess of Thunder" (雷光の巫女^?). She is the Vice-President of the Occult Research Club, and her rank is "Queen". She is a beautiful girl who ranks second in popularity after Rias. Although she is very gentle person, often saying "Oh my" or "Ufufu", there are a lot of mysteries surrounding her, and Issei instinctively fears her during his first battles, as she gains a highly sadistic personality.

She is the strongest member of the club after Rias and, as Queen, has all traits of Pawn, Knight, Bishop, and Rook. Akeno excels at using attacks made from magical powers and can use natural elements like lighting, ice, fire, and such. In Volume 7 of light novels after her true identity is revealed, she starts to use her Holy Lighting powers.

In the light novel, it is revealed that she was born from a human mother and a Fallen Angel father. As a child, Akeno was close to her mother, Aka Himejima, and was in despair when her mother died, blaming her father, Barakiel, who was one of the leaders of the Fallen Angels, for not being able to protect her mother. After the death of her mother, she became Rias' servant. She is a friend close enough to call Rias by her name in private, yet calls her President in presence of others and displays a master-servant relationship in public. She persistently refuses to use her light powers (inherited from her father), but starts using it after being convinced by Issei. In Volume 7 of the light novels, Akeno admitted that she loves her father but blames him because if she will not blame someone, she will mentally lose herself.

At first, Akeno first thinks of Issei as a cute kōhai and enjoys teasing him. During the events that led to the revelation of Akeno's identity, she falls in love with Issei after the latter says that he hates Fallen Angel but he likes Akeno. He tells her that he never disliked the gentle side of her and knowing her past does not change his feelings. Akeno has a tendency to seduce him which angers all the girls that like him. Akeno once told Issei that she does not mind being third behind Rias and Asia. She moves into the Hyodo residence in Volume 10.

Asia Argento


Voiced by: Azumi Asakura

Sister Asia Argento (アーシア・アルジェント Āshia Arujento^?) is a nun whom Issei met while in town. She is a girl with a gentle heart who possesses a divine Sacred Gear, "Twilight Healing" (聖母の微笑(トワイライト・ヒーリング) Torairaito Hīringu^?), in her body that is capable of healing the wounds of humans, Angels, Fallen Angels, and Devils alike.

Early in the series, she was once under Fallen Angels' (led by Raynare) control, but after a certain turn of events, she became a Devil under Rias control and transfers to Issei's class. Her rank among Rias's underlings is "Bishop". When Issei saved her from the Fallen Angels, she fell in love with him, and eventually with interventions from their leader Rias, moved in with him to live together at the Hyodo household. While the perverted side of Issei wants to do naughty things to her, his actual feelings towards Asia is a bit complicated, as he also sees himself as the protective guardian of the simple-minded, pure-hearted girl that Asia is, which in turn deters him from doing all the aforementioned things to her that he fantasizes about. Asia has a baby Sprite Dragon as her pet and familiar whom she named Rassei ( ラッセー Rassē^?), after Issei's name.

Despite being revived as a Devil, Asia stills believes in God and tries to read the Bible, which would result in her getting severe headaches.

Koneko Tojo


Voiced by: Ayana Taketatsu

Koneko Tojo (塔城 小猫 Tōjō Koneko^?) is a first-year student Kuoh Academy who serves as the school's unofficial mascot because of her cute loli appearance. Being the "Rook" of Rias' group, she boasts extreme physical strength and endurance. The quiet and cool-headed member of the club, she rarely shows any emotion at all, and often says harsh things and hits Issei whenever he is doing or thinking something perverted. She is almost always seen eating something (most commonly youkan) when not in action. She is a nekomata, a two-tailed cat demon.

In the light novels, it is revealed that she was about to be executed by the devils after her sister, Kuroka, killed her own master. Lucifer, one of the Four Satans protected her, and left her under his sister, Rias', care - becoming her servant. She refused to use the power of senjutsu because she did not want to become like her sister. She later overcame this fear along with Akeno after Issei made her overcome her own powers. She shows the most concern for her comrades when they are in trouble. Later on, she experiences a change in her personality, and now only shows emotions of love towards Issei. She moves into the Hyodo residence in Volume 10.

Yuto Kiba

Voiced by: Kenji Nojima
Yuto Kiba (木場 祐斗 Kiba Yūto^?) is a gentle swordsman and the school's prince whose rank in the Occult Research Club is "Knight", possessing the ability to move at incredibly high speeds. Although he calls himself Issei's friend, he is almost the complete opposite of the latter, sporting good looks, intelligence, and a pretty nice personality. However due to the events in his past, he bears an immense hatred towards the Holy Swords, as well as about everything and everyone associated with them. Much to Issei's dismay, the pairing of him and Yuto has become a hot topic between the girls in the academy.
In the light novels, it is revealed that he was a victim of the Holy Sword Project, where he was the only sole survivor. He became Rias' servant when she saved him from death, and swore to extract his revenge on those who treated him as a test subject and disposed of his friends. As a result, he also harbors a great hatred towards the Holy Sword Excalibur. However thanks to Issei, he can truly let go of his rage. He treats Issei as his best friend, despite the fact that Issei doesn't.
Yuto's Sacred Gear, "Sword Birth" (魔剣創造（ソード・バース） Sōdo Bāsu^?),has the ability to create Demonic Swords like the Holy Eraser (a sword that feeds on Holy Energy) or Flame Delete (an ice blade that negates fire attacks). He later gains his Balance Breaker, called "Sword of Betrayer" (双覇の聖魔剣（ソード・オブ・ビトレイヤー） Sōdo obu Bitoreiyā^?), which is a fusion between Demonic Sword and a Holy Sword, during the fight with Freed after he "merged" his Sacred Gear with the spirits of his fallen comrades who were the victims of the Holy Sword Project.

Guilty Crown (ギルティクラウン Giruti Kuraun?)

STORYLINE

On Christmas Eve, 2029, the unidentified "Apocalypse Virus" spreads and plunges Japan into a state of emergency in a chaos known as the "Lost Christmas" incident.^[2] An international organization known as the GHQ intervenes with martial law and restores order to Japan at the cost of its independence.^[2]

Ten years later in 2039, Shu Ouma, a 17-year-old high school student who keeps to himself in school, meets Inori Yuzuriha, the lead singer for Egoist, while visiting one of his favorite places on his way home from school. Shu is a big fan of Inori, a singer who has taken the Internet world by storm. However, he also discovers the other side of her, which is that she is a member of "Undertakers", a resistance group that aims to liberate Japan from the GHQ. Shu starts taking part in the actions of "Undertaker" and the "king's mark" appears on his right hand after the Void Genome in his pocket was shot by a GHQ Endlave. This "mark" bestows on him the power to reach inside another person's body and extract and materialize a weapon from it.^[2] The anime tells the story of Shu's reluctant involvement with the Undertakers and the hardship involved in using his power.

CHARACTERS

Shu Ouma (桜満 集 Ōma Shū^?)

Voiced by: Yūki Kaji / Minami Tsuda (Childhood)

The 17-year old protagonist of Guilty Crown. A socially awkward person, Shu is a second year high school student and a member of the school's modern image and video research club. His mother, Haruka, works for Sephirah Genomics, while his late father, Kurosu, an expert on the Apocalypse Virus, died during the "Lost Christmas" incident. Shu's involvement in the series begins when he meets Inori Yuzuriha. After Inori is arrested by the GHQ Anti Bodies, Shu decides to make amends for not helping her earlier by delivering an item called "Void Genome" she was transporting to the leader of Funeral Parlor, Gai Tsutsugami. However upon arrival, a battle between the GHQ and Funeral Parlor has begun, forcing Shu to escape while protecting the Void Genome. It is then when he rescues Inori and protects her from a GHQ Endlave that the "Void Genome" fuses onto his right arm, granting him the "power of kings". After that incident, Gai offers Shu to join Funeral Parlor, but Shu turns down the offer, refusing to join the organization until his classmate, Yahiro Samukawa, betrays him to the GHQ, forcing him to turn to Funeral Parlor for help.

Despite joining them, Shu stay with Funeral Parlor due to Inori, who he has feelings for but resents Gai, who he at first believe was Inori's lover, due to the fact Gai used his feelings for Inori to make him join Funeral Parlor and Gai is everything that he is not; smart, popular and well respected. But upon seeing the real Gai; a man conflicted to play a ruthless tactical genius and leader, Shu gains a new respect for Gai and trust his new friends in Funeral Parlor particularly Ayase. :After getting his name clear from the GHQ, Shu returns to school with a more open, sociable attitude much to his friends' notice. At the same time, Inori begins living with him and their feelings for each other grow as he starts getting flashback of forgotten memories. While still attending school, he continues helping Funeral Parlor in their missions. But his new attitude doesn't last long after Shu fails to save Yahiro's brother Jun as he was forced to kill him to save Yahiro's life. Traumatized on what he has done, Shu refuses to join Gai in an important mission to retrieve the meteorite where the Apocalypse Virus originated before it is transported out of Japan.

When his friend Hare slaps some sense into him and learns the Anti Bodies have launched a coup d'état against the GHQ upper echelons by starting a second Apocalypse outbreak in Tokyo, stole the meteorite and decimate Funeral Parlor, Shu breaks out of his self-pity and decides to rescue Inori and his Funeral Parlor allies. With the help of his friends from school, Shu goes to rescue Inori and Gai from the GHQ and Anti Bodies and faces the leader of the Anti Bodies, Shuichiro Keido.

Encountering Yuu, a boy working with Shuichiro who also possess the "power of kings", Shu finally remembers his forgotten memories. It is revealed Gai was Shu's childhood friend, nicknamed Triton whom his older sister Mana rescued ten years ago. Gai looked up to Shu as he was a brave boy back then. Unknown to Shu or Gai, his sister was the first person to be infected by the Apocalypse Virus, which slowly drives her insane, even causing her to develop feelings for her brother. Gai, who knew the truth, tried to reveal this to Shu on the Christmas Eve of 2029. However, Mana found out about it and tricked Gai into shooting himself. Shu then stumbles upon the scene and is asked by Mana to marry her so that they 'can start a new race together.' Shu, disturbed and shocked, rejects her offer, calling her a 'monster.' Hurt at his remark Mana went berserk, causing the virus to take over her body and spread it all over Tokyo, thus beginning the "Lost Christmas" incident. Traumatized, Shu repressed these memories. With his memories regained, Shu rescues Inori from Shuichiro's clutches in his plans to transplant Mana's soul into her body so he and Mana will spread the outbreak worldwide and start a new race. However, he is forced to kill Gai so that his weapon could break the pod containing his sister's soul, freeing her and ending the outbreak.

After the outbreak, Shu, Inori and their Funeral Parlor friends Ayase and Tsugumi stays at Tennouzu High after the school is converted into a refugee center. However, the area their school is located is barricaded and lock downed by the Anti Bodies who proceed to exterminate the civilians inside. Due to uncertainty and despair, Shu replaces Arisa Kuhouin as the student council president after regaining control of a chaotic school assembly. After becoming student council president, he rules the school with dignity and respect and refuses Yahiro's suggestion to implement a Void-ranking system which determines how much vaccine and care someone receives, believing that it will lead to discrimination between the students. But when Hare is killed during an attempt by Souta to find vaccines from a nearby hospital, Shu becomes maddened with grief and implements the ranking system. After the successful take down of the Tokyo Tower and the Ghost Team, Shu was betrayed by Arisa Kuhouin and his fellow students. The resurrected Gai then appears and slices off Shu's right arm, transferring the "power of the kings" from Shu to Gai. Subsequently, Shu slipped into a bout of extreme depression, horrified at his own actions. When Inori sacrificed herself to protect Shu, he came to terms with his actions, and became determined to save her. He then took Arisa hostage in order to have her lead him to Inori. While driving, he gets news that Haruka is on the run, and possesses the third Void Genome. Arisa takes him to the building where she, the remaining members of Funeral Parlor, and Shu's friends are hiding. Shu arrives shortly after Segai begins an assault to take the Void Genome for himself. Before Ayase attempts to use the Void Genome on herself at great risk, Shu finds it and injects himself with it. With the Power of Kings returned to him, Shu pulls out his own Void, which manifests as a new right arm made entirely of Apocalypse crystal, replacing the one Gai severed. With their permission, he uses Ayase's, Souta's, and Yahiro's Voids, now memorized by his Void, to save them from Segai. The battle culminates in him using Yahiro's Void shears to sever Segai's life. Despite his new-found abilities, as a side-effect, Shu is infected with the Apocalypse virus while retrieving Souta's Void - immediately curing the terminal Souta. Shu makes the decision to use the Power of Kings to save Inori and stop Gai.

Shu acquired his powers from the "Void Genome". His power is to extract "Voids", genetic physical objects formed of the personality of anyone younger than 17. After regaining his lost memories, his powers evolved, allowing him to extract Voids from people while they still retained consciousness. He briefly lost his powers when Gai stole it, but regained them upon injecting himself with another "Void Genome". His Void can memorize other Voids, using their forms and powers without physically having to wield the Void, protecting the person who's Void is being used, as well as being able to use them without needing to extract them. It manifests itself as an arm made entirely of Apocalypse Crystal, replacing the arm Gai severed when he stole his powers. His void is a double-edged sword, however, as he also takes any adverse effects that the Void user has, such as the Apocalypse Cancer.

Inori Yuzuriha (楪 いのり Yuzuriha Inori^?)

Voiced by: Ai Kayano, Singing voice: Chelly

The main heroine of Guilty Crown, is the stoic 17-year old vocalist of the group Egoist. She is also a member of the "Funeral Parlor" resistance group and her Void is a sword. She becomes Shu's partner and as the series progresses, begins to show different types of emotions, eventually falling in love with him. In episode 12, she was used as a sacrifice for the rebirth of Mana but was then saved by Shu. Afterwards, however, she starts expressing more erratic behavior, cumulating with her killing two other students and stabbing Arisa through the hand.

Inori's Void is a heavy sword that resembles a bisento, which can be combined with other Voids for different effects. When extracted by Yuu, it takes a more wing-like shape. In Episode 18, she also demonstrates the ability to turn into a "monster" mode, where a pair of blades extend from her arms and she gains increased strength and speed, at the expense of entering a berserker-esque state.

Gai Tsutsugami (恙神 涯 Tsutsugami Gai^?)

Voiced by: Yuichi Nakamura / Akeno Watanabe (Childhood)

The deuteragonist of Guilty Crown. 17-year old resourceful and charismatic leader of the "Funeral Parlor" resistance group. He hopes to push the revolution to success with the help of Shu's "power of kings". A charming and yet manipulative man, he leads Funeral Parlor as a fearless leaders who expects the best from his subordinates and not to disappoint him. At beginning of the series, he tasks Inori to steal the Void Genome so he can use it's power. However, a battle between the Anti Bodies and Funeral Parlor leads to Shu to gain that power instead. Never the less, he tries to make Shu join his organization which he succeed after using his feelings for Inori and after he was arrested by the GHQ.

Shu at first holds animosity at Gai for manipulating him into joining Funeral Parlor using Inori (not making things any better is that Inori is rumored to be Gai's lover as well.) and he is everything Shu is not; smart, popular and well respected. But upon seeing the real Gai; a man conflicted to play a ruthless tactical genius and leader, Shu gains a new respect for Gai and helps him in their missions. But after Shu refuses to join them for an important mission after Shu is traumatize over killing Yahiro's brother, Gai abandons him to continue the mission; steal the meteorite where the Apocalypse Virus originated from the GHQ. However, the mission fails when Shuichiro and the Anti Bodies starts a second Apocalypse outbreak over Tokyo and proceeds to eliminate both the upper echelons of GHQ and Funeral Parlor. While Gai and several members survive, Gai's Apocalypse infections starts to reemerge. A determined Shu arrives to help him from the Anti Bodies and joins Shu to rescue Inori from the clutches of Shuichiro.

Gai later reveals to Shu that he is in fact his childhood friend "Triton". Ten years ago, he was saved by Shu and Mana from drowning at a shore. Nicknamed "Triton" by Mana, Gai and the Ouma siblings became close friends and spent a summer together where he admired Shu for his confidence and fell in love with Mana for saving him. He eventually discovers Mana's insanity and tries to warn Shu about it, but is tricked by Mana into shooting himself in a church. After the Lost Christmas incident, he leaves Shu to make himself stronger, eventually becoming the leader of Funeral Parlor.

After helping Shu rescue Inori, Gai goes to free Mana's soul from the pod containing it. However, the crystals protecting the pod stab him. Close to death and and pinned to Mana's pod, Gai requests Shu to stab him through the heart at the same time, in order to break the pod and free Mana's soul. He seemingly dies embracing Mana, finally reunited with his lost love.

At the end of episode 16, Gai was resurrected by Ouma Haruka. He then reappears at episode 17, in which he slashed Shu's right arm with Inori's void. And thus the "power of the kings" was transferred from Shu's severed arm to Gai.

Gai has the ability to see people's Voids due to being infected with the Apocalypse Virus. To prevent the virus from crystallizing his body, he has a blood transfusion with Inori, as her blood can fight off the infection. To prevent anyone in Funeral Parlor from knowing, he has Inori visit his room during their blood transfusions, fooling everyone into believing that he and Inori are lovers. His Void is a gun that forces out other people's Voids, though it can also be used as a regular gun.

School Days (スクールデイズ Sukūru Deizu?)

STORYLINE

Makoto Ito is a high school freshman beginning his second term at the fictional Sakakino Academy. During his daily train rides to and from school, he becomes infatuated with fellow student Kotonoha Katsura, a girl that also commutes. When a new classmate acquaintance of his, Sekai Saionji, discovers his secret crush on Kotonoha, she helps introduce both of them to each other and over time they grow closer and agree to date. In spite of her proud and triumphant matchmaking efforts, however, Sekai becomes jealous of the new couple, having also developed feelings for Makoto.

The following afternoon, Sekai finds Makoto waiting for Kotonoha to meet for a date at the local train stop. He sits with her and reiterates his appreciation for her help, offering whatever repayment he can in return. Though she finds the offer superfluous, Sekai decides to capitalize on it by placing a kiss on his lips as her train pulls in. With Makoto left in a state of shock, Sekai runs into an open passenger car, turning to happily bid him luck on his date as she departs.

CHARACTERS

Makoto Itou^[2] (伊藤 誠 Itō Makoto^?)

Voiced by: Tatsuya Hirai (games), Daisuke Hirakawa (anime)

Makoto Ito is the protagonist of the series. A generally mannered and composed student in year one of class three, his life becomes complicated when he begins to unfaithfully initiate polyamorous relationships with girls that he is unable to singly commit to. Though he is initially casual, gregarious and understanding, his addiction to sex over time corrupts his personality and he instead becomes more apathetic, rash and egotistical towards others, regardless of interpersonal harm or later consequence. It is hinted on multiple occasions that he is aware of the negative consequences of his actions, but makes no real attempt to remedy them. Makoto lives with his divorced mother and has a younger sister name Itaru who lives with their father. He is good friends with Taisuke Sawanaga and Otome Katou. His birthday and his surname are derived from Itō Hirobumi.

Kotonoha Katsura (桂 言葉 Katsura Kotonoha^?)

Voiced by: Soyogi Tōno (games), Tae Okajima (anime)

Polite and reserved, Kotonoha Katsura is a student in year one of class four who is on the student council and serves as one of the most pivotal characters in the story. A cute and noticeably well-endowed bookworm, she becomes the initial love interest of Makoto early into their second term, and with some effort from Sekai Saionji, becomes his girlfriend after she reciprocates her affection for him. While Kotonoha for the most part is calm and gentle, she has a very delicate conscious, which under stress leads to irrational culpability, delusions and even malice. She has a younger sister name Kokoro and lives with their wealthy mother Manami and father in the fictional area of Haramihama. She is disliked by Otome Katou and is subject to her bullying and duress. Her birthday and her surname are derived from Katsura Tarō.

Sekai Saionji (西園寺 世界 Saionji Sekai^?)

Voiced by: Kaname Yuzuki (games), Shiho Kawaragi (anime)

Sekai Saionji is a student in year one of class three who is the antithesis and foil of Kotonoha. A playful and outgoing classmate seated directly next to Makoto, she takes a curious interest in him during their first acquaintance, and in every medium of the series, helps to establish his bond with Kotonoha. Though genuinely upbeat, Sekai does occasionally show a more serious side, and when sufficiently frustrated can be loud, selfish, overemotional and even manipulative. She lives with her mother Yōko in the fictional area of Motehara-Sakashita and works part-time as a waitress at the family restaurant Radish. Her birthday and her surname are derived from Saionji Kinmochi.

Setsuna Kiyoura (清浦 刹那 Kiyoura Setsuna^?)

Voiced by: Hana Yamamoto (games), Keiko Imoto (anime)

Setsuna Kiyoura is a student in year one of class three, who like Kotonoha, is on the student council as a class representative. One of the more inscrutable characters, Setsuna is a keen, focused and habitually tacit girl who tends to have and keep the most level head of her peers when situations go awry. She is Sekai's best friend, having grown up with her, and to a considerable degree is overly solicitous of her, to the point of hurting others to ensure that Sekai is happy. In Summer Days, Setsuna is shy and timid, in contrast to her more serious portrayal in School Days. Her mother, Mai, only makes an appearance in Summer Days. With the exception of Kokoro Katsura, Setsuna is the shortest character of the main cast, and is often mistaken for a junior high school student, a trait she is well aware and conscious of. Her birthday and her surname are derived from Kiyoura Keigo.

Hikari Kuroda (黒田 光 Kuroda Hikari^?)

Voiced by: Hikaru Isshiki (games), Ryōko Tanaka (anime)

Temperamental and fastidious, Hikari Kuroda is a student in year one of class three, recognizable by her signature squid rings hairstyle. She initially believes that Makoto and Sekai are dating from the very start, and tends to negatively generalize him; later growing closer to him herself. Though she is actually quite friendly and social, Hikari is the most childish of the cast; sporting an unduly knack for whining and prying into the affairs of others. Her family owns a confectionery store and café, famous for its lemon custard pie. Hikari is good friends with Sekai and has an unreciprocated crush on Taisuke Sawanaga. Her birthday and his surname are derived from Kuroda Kiyotaka.

Nanami Kanroji (甘露寺 七海 Kanroji Nanami^?)

Voiced by: Mio Fujimura (games), Chiaki Takahashi (anime)

Nanami Kanroji is a student in year one of class three who is a member of the girl’s basketball team, attending the school on an athletic scholarship. A mostly interpersonal character, Nanami is a mature and somewhat quiet individual who generally does not involve herself in the affairs of others and as such remains for the most part unanalyzed. She is the only girl of the main cast to have an established boyfriend from the start, a member of the basketball club named Kyoichi, though to her chagrin he is a devout otaku. Nanami is good friends with Sekai, who comes from her junior high school, and Otome Katou. Of the entire cast, Nanami is the tallest character.

Taisuke Sawanaga (澤永 泰介 Sawanaga Taisuke^?)

Voiced by: Hikage Hinata (games), Yoshirō Matsumoto (anime)

Taisuke Sawanaga is a student in year one of class three. A spirited, peculiar and rather hopeless romantic, Taisuke is a close friend of Makoto from junior high school who frequently endeavors to forward his otherwise lonely ambitious love life, oblivious to Hikari's feelings for him. He takes a strong interest in Kotonoha, despite her rejection, and only under certain circumstances in the game actually dates her. Taisuke is the second tallest character of the cast.

Otome Katou^[3] (加藤 乙女 Katō Otome^?)

Voiced by: Yuki Matsunaga (games), Haruka Nagami (anime)

Direct and headstrong, Otome Katou is a student in year one of class four, who like Nanami, is a member of the girl's basketball team. She is usually authoritative to her peers, tolerates nothing but her way and opinion, and does not generally associate with anyone but her trio of friends Minami Obuchi, Natsumi Koizumi and Kumi Mori; who together frequently harass and coerce Kotonoha. Despite her difficult behavior and personality however, Otome can be particularly tender and shy, especially around Makoto, who she has known since junior high school and has a crush on. Otome has a younger sister named Karen, who appears in Summer Days.^[4] Her birthday and his surname is derived from Katō Tomosaburō.

Kokoro Katsura (桂 心 Katsura Kokoro^?)

Voiced by: Aoi Kamizuki (games), Megu Ashiro (anime)

Kokoro Katsura is the sweet-natured younger sister of Kotonoha. Unlike her older sibling, Kokoro is peppy, talkative and full of curiosity, and although she frequently teases Kotonoha, she worries about her greatly. She has a good friend named Uzuki and affectionately looks up to Makoto as her older brother. Kokoro lives with Kotonoha and their mother Manami and father. Her birthday and his surname are derived from Katsura Taro.