Valkyria Chronicles is an anime based off of game of the same name, created by A-1 Pictures as part of 'PROJECT VALKYRIA.'
Plot and Episode List[]
Episode 1: Encounter and Battle[]
With the Imperial Army invading, the citizens of Bruhl begin to evacuate. Bruhl's Town Watch member Alicia Melchiott is told of a mysterious stranger taking notes by the river, and goes to capture the young man believing him to be a spy. The stranger is Welkin Gunther, a former citizen of Bruhl who was sketching fish in his notebook. He claims to be here to help evacuate his younger sister, but Alicia doesn't believe his story. Why would a man worried about his sister be leisurely sketching a fish? His name just so happens to be that of the legendary General Gunther famous in Bruhl, and his sister...is a Darcsen? Welkin escapes, and Alicia gives chase through the woods. As they run, they spot the Imperial Army. Realising they need to warn everyone, Welkin and Alicia head to the Gunther estate to meet up with Isara Gunther, Welkin's sister, but it seems the Imperials are closing in.
Episode 2: Prayer of the Edelweiss Dandelion[]
Alicia, Welkin and his sister, Isara team up, and utilise Isara's birth father's prototype tank, the Edelweiss to escape. They escape back to Bruhl and alongside the Town Watch cover the evacuation and escape of the Bruhl citizens. Welkin suggests retreating, causing Alicia to call him a coward, but he and Isara stay behind in the Edelweiss to buy time for the evacuation. The Town Watch is devastated, and Bruhl is captured but the civilians manage to escape with their lives. Deciding what to do next, Alicia and her fellow town watch member Susie Evans decide to enlist in the militia. Alicia is shocked to discover Welkin and Isara also had the same idea.
Episode 3: The Birth of Squad Seven[]
Welkin and Alicia have been called in by Captain Varrot who assigns them their roles. Welkin is made Squad commander of Squad 7, given his education covered military basics, his father being the legendary General Gunther, and his exploits in Bruhl which saved many lives. Welkin requests the use of the Edelweiss and mentions only a few people can handle it. Understanding, Varrot places Isara under his command as well. Alicia is given the role of Welkin's second in command, to which she is unhappy with having signed up proudly as a member of the Town Watch and now having to serve under someone who didn't wish to fight in the first place. They later bump into Faldio Landzaat, Welkin's friend from university, who has been placed in charge of Squad 1.
Welkin introduces himself to Squad 7, giving a speech about the importance of their own lives and how their main objective must be to survive. Largo Potter takes an instant dislike to Welkin believing he lacks proper combat experience and thinks he's going to get all of them killed with his naive attitude. His friend, Brigitte "Rosie" Stark meanwhile is furious at the idea of having to work alongside Isara, a Darcsen, believing they bring disaster wherever they go. Squad 7 is sent on a mission to take Vasel Bridge as back up for the military.
Upon arriving at Vasel bridge, the military were wiped out. Squad 7 begins to argue, and Rosie and Largo begin to vocalise their dislike for Isara and Welkin's lack of experience. To quell the infighting, Welkin offers to make a bet with his squad; if they can't take back the Vasel Bridge in two days, he'll resign as Squad Leader. Largo accepts these terms, which cause concern to Alicia, worried her Squad is falling apart already. Welkin goes to a river bank and spots a low flying swallow and tells Alicia to let the Squad know the mission goes ahead at 05:00.
The next morning Isara has waterproofed the Edelweiss and a low fog has formed due to the air pressure, something Welkin understood from the position of the swallow the previous evening. Welkin and Isara travel across the river whilst the remaining squad members take two boats to separate sides of the bridge. After the Edelweiss makes it to the shores it begins firing, with the infantry attacking creating the illusion amongst the fog that the Gallians have the Imperials surrounded. This causes them to capture the bridge, and wins Largo's respect, agreeing to follow Welkin's orders from here on. Rosie agrees to follow Welkin's orders but still refuses to accept Isara due to her own prejudices.
Episode 4: A brief day off[]
Prince Maximilian of the Imperial Army overlooks the battlefield of devastated Gallian tanks, having successfully commanded a victory in a skirmish. He heads back to base.
Welkin and Faldio are showering with Faldio discussing the success of the Vasel bridge operation. Alicia arrives after they finish to inform Welkin they're wanted by General Damon to discuss the next mission in Kloden Woods, but becomes flustered upon seeing a topless Faldio. Faldio flirts with Alicia, but she dislikes how much fun he's having at her expense. Welkin and Alicia head off to meet General Damon and are informed that Squad 7 will not be needed in the upcoming battle, and they should leave it to the real military. Alicia is angered by Damon's mocking of Squad 7, but Welkin shrugs it off and heads back. When the rest of Squad 7 are told about this they are angered. Largo goes to complain about it, but Welkin reminds him he agreed to follow his orders from here on. Rosie explains they don't really want to fight but they don't want to be looked down on either and wish to be recognised for their accomplishments. Instead Squad 7 are put to work cleaning the barracks, where Faldio attempts to socialise with Alicia again, but ends up embarrassing her further when he picks up her underwear from the laundry.
General Damon begins his assault on Kloden, but is devastated by General Berthold Gregor, known as the Demon of the Imperial Army's brutal and cold hearted tactics. Damon, fearing for his life, makes a retreat, making sure his men remain to cover his escape. They are all wiped out.
The next day Squad 7 are assigned to attempt to finish Damon's mission. Faldio arrives with Squad 1 and states they'll aid them.
Episode 5: Assault on Kloden[]
Squad 7 and Squad 1 are strategizing in the outskirts of Kloden Woods, but Welkin has yet to finalise his strategy. Alicia, feeling flustered about Faldio's words to her, moves over to Isara who points out some rustling in the bushes. Fearing it's a spy, Alicia and Rosie chase it down, with Rosie leaping onto the spy, which turned out to be a porcavian, a winged pig. This leads to discovering an animal trail, which Welkin quickly decides to utilise. Squad 7 and the Edelweiss led by Largo and Rosie will take the main road and act as a distraction, whilst Squad 1's team led by Faldio and Alicia will take the animal trail to catch the enemy unaware.
Alicia is not a fan of the idea as it means she and Faldio will be working closely together, but the two end up aggressively advancing together, taking enemies out as they do so. Alicia overextends and is shot in the leg by a sniper, but is rescued by Faldio with cover fire from Ramal. Despite the wound, Alicia is able to continue fighting shortly after, much to Faldio's surprise as her wound heals up quickly.
Squad 7 and Squad 1's joint operation is a success and General Gregor finds himself on the backfoot. His fellow Drei Stern member Radi Jaeger arrives and assists in Gregor's reluctant retreat, although notes a less experienced general than Gregor would refuse to leave and most likely lose his and his men's life in the process. As he and the last Imperials turn to leave he spots Alicia running determined towards their former Kloden base.
The Gallian Militia manage to capture the base, but Faldio and Welkin get into a disagreement over whether to pursue the Imperials or not, with Faldio wanting to eradicate his enemies, whilst Welkin wishes to not expose his squad to any more danger. Alicia decides to keep the porcavian, declaring him a mascot/representative of this successful mission and naming him Hans.
Episode 6: War Correspondent, Fight on![]
War correspondent Irene Ellet arrives at the Militia base looking to interview Welkin Gunther for her radio show. Fearing Welkin will say something unusual (such as how they used animal based tactics, or just general strange remarks), Alicia makes it her mission to prevent Welkin from having a one on one interview with Irena in case it reflects badly on the Militia, interrupting any and all of his answers during the interview. This only makes Irene think Alicia is trying to hide a big secret from her, and she smells a scoop. She heads off to interview the rest of Squad 7 in hopes of getting information out of them. Alicia explains to Welkin what she's doing, and Welkin points out they better let the rest of Squad 7 know as she's bound to interview them too. Alicia speeds out the room, but is caught by Captain Varrot who assigns her the mission to make sure nothing secret gets leaked to Irene. Alicia cannot get away as Varrot continues to lecture her of the importance of the mission.
Irene meanwhile has made it to the squad barracks and began her interviews. However, Largo only wants to talk about his love of growing vegetables, Rosie desperately wants to sing Irene a song for radio, Susie, Edy and Aisha are excited to have their pictures taken(unaware this is a radio only interview), Marina doesn't want to talk at all, and Jann only wishes to discuss Welkin's looks, saying he's above average but not muscular enough for him. Isara's talk about Welkin being her brother (despite her being a Darcsen) also further confuses Irene. Hitting a dead end, she decides she must get Welkin alone for a one on one exclusive, but Alicia thwarts her every attempt, stating she won't leave Welkin alone until the two days Irene is on site are up. Welkin points out he needs to use the men's toilets, and Alicia begrudgingly agrees to give him some peace, but tells him to be quick. Irene is hiding in the men's toilet cubicle, and attempts to blackmail him into an interview, but Welkin states he's happy to have an interview on one condition. Alicia meanwhile is noticing Welkin's taking a long time, and after listening to the door she charges in hearing Irene's voice. After kicking the door down, Alicia is surprised to see nothing untoward is happening and they are just talking in the bathroom stall. Welkin agrees to an interview on one condition and Irene agrees.
The condition is a BBQ paid for by Irene, which allows Squad 7 and Squad 1 to unwind together. The two squads end up clashing heads over their differences and a huge brawl occurs, ending with both squads emerging as friends. During the chaos, and with Alicia distracted by barbecued meat, Welkin gives his interview to Irene. Alicia freaks out, but to her relief the report is just about Welkin's care for his squad and Irene praises them for their differences from the average soldier, believing they will help liberate Gallia. However, Irene finishes the report stating she wants another interview with Welkin, and Alicia panics and protests at Irene coming back.
Episode 7: Darcsen Calamity[]
At a military meeting General Damon butts heads with Captain Varrot, attempting to belittle the militia's recent victories compared to the regular army's accomplishments, and to cover up his own failures. He assigns Varrot to Barious Desert, claiming to need reconnaissance as the Imperial Army has been spotted there.
Squad 7 and Squad 1 are assigned this mission. Welkin and Faldio discuss the Darcsen Calamity and debate about whether the legends about the Valkyrur and the Darcsens represent the truth about what happened, involving Isara, Faldio's second Ramal, and Alicia into the conversation. Ramal believes the legends, and holds prejudice towards Darcsens, but Isara points out some logical inconsistencies in the legend, such as how the Darcsens were claimed to both be greedy and still desired to destroy their own property. Faldio agrees some things don't add up, and suggests they take a trip to the nearby ruins to see if they can unearth the truth, as archaeology is his scholarship subject.
Welkin, Faldio, Alicia, Isara and Ramal travel by jeep to the ruins the following morning, but the jeep breaks down. Isara decides to stay behind and fix it, whilst the others continue on foot. Shortly after Ramal, who is equal parts prejudice towards and fascinated by Isara heads back to protect her whilst she fixes the jeep. Welkin, Faldio and Alicia walk on, and soon come across the ruins. Inside they are lit up by the ragnite particles in the wall, despite no natural light seeping in. Faldio, who studied the ancient gallian text is able to read the words and translates to both Welkin and Alicia.
Maximillian and Selvaria meanwhile are also exploring these ruins, and utilising a little of Selvaria's Valkyrur blood they are able to open up passageways and explore further, causing the ruins to rumble and Alicia, who was touching a passageway to tumble inside. Faldio, excitedly follows believing Alicia has found more ancient texts which will shed light on the actual events of the Darcsen Calamity, but Welkin is wary about going further in. Soon they come face to face with Maximillian and Selvaria.
Cast[]
- Welkin Gunther: Chiba Susumu
- Alicia Melchiott: Marina Inoue
- Faldio Landzaat: Takahiro Sakurai
- Isara Gunther: Houko Kuwashima
- Brigitte "Rosie" Stark: Junko Minagawa
- Largo Potter: Kenji Nomura
- Eleanor Varrot: Atsuko Tanaka
- Prince Maximilian Gaius Von Reginrave: Jun Fukuyama
- Selvaria Bles: Sayaka Ohara
- Radi Jaeger: Akio Otsuka
- Berthold Gregor: Norio Otsuka
Anime and Game differences[]
Some elements have been altered from Valkyria Chronicles for the anime adaption:
- Susie Evans is part of Bruhl's town watch alongside Alicia Melchiott. She is the one who first reports Welkin as a spy. She later joins the Militia alongside Alicia.
- Alicia Melchiott takes a lot longer to be convinced Welkin isn't a spy. Her personality is also more prickly than the game, butting heads with Welkin's carefree attitude far more, disliking Faldio completely, and feeling frustrated at first that Welkin is her commanding officer when joining the militia.
- Welkin is more prone to suggest talking about retreating. Not out of fear, but to preserve life.
- The townsfolk of Bruhl take the Edelweiss off of Isara, distrusting her for being a Darcsen. In the game Isara is well known within Bruhl and appears to be accepted as General Gunther's adoptive daughter.
- Squad 1 accompanies Squad 7 on the Battle of Kloden.
- Squad 7 has been broken down into different squads in the anime:
| Alicia Melchiott | Isara Gunther | Largo Potter | Brigitte "Rosie" Stark |
| Susie Evans | Edy Nelson | Jann Walker | Homer Peron |
| Marina Wulfstan | Karl Landzaat | Emile Bielert | Oscar Bielert |
| Aisha Neumann |
| Hermes Kissinger | Musaad Mayfield | Alex Raymond | Hannes Salinger |
| Mica Hawkins | Salinas Milton | Wendy Cheslock | Hector Calvey |
| Nils Daerden | Rosina Selden | Herbert Nielsen | Knute Jung |
| Cezary Regard | Ramal Valt* |
*Ramal Valt is an anime exclusive character and not part of Squad 7 in the game.
| Coby Caird | Alex Raymond | Kevin Abbott |
- Additionally Vyse Inglebard is the Squad 5 Leader in the anime.
Trivia[]
- The anime version of Alicia Melchiott is an optional recruitable Japanese exclusive password character for Valkyria Chronicles II. To access her on the Japanese version of the game, players will need to input KBAFLFHICAJTKMIY into the password screen.
- Ramal Valt, the Squad 1 member is also an optional recruitable Japanese exclusive password character for Valkyria Chronicles II. To access her on the Japanese version of the game, players will need to input LITSGAAMEORFRCRQ into the password screen.
- Faldio complains in Episode 4 about having no women in his squad, but both Wendy Cheslock and Rosina Selden are in his squad.
Gallery[]
