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| Left: Yui Takamura, Right:Cryska Barchenowa |
Muv-Luv has had its niche followers for some time, beginning it roots as a visual novel game that is heralded as one of the best in the genre. Careful with the visual novel games they are adult games. The first part of Muv-Luv, Muv-Luv Extra, is a high school drama visual novel game. By completing certain objectives in Muv-Luv Extra you get to begin Muv-Luv Unlimited. Muv-Luv Unlimited is similar to Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse. It throws the main character into another world where the UN is battling against an invasion of the BETA, aliens from another world. The sequel game is known as Muv-Luv Alternative and is similar to Muv-Luv Unlimited. If you want to learn more read the Wikipedia entry for Muv-Luv.
Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse is fashioned after the last half of Muv-Luv and Muv-Luv Alternative. The story follows Yuuya Bridges, a former test pilot for the United States' Raptor TSF. Yuuya takes a role with the UN as a test pilot. This is where he meets Yui Takamura who has a strong presence in the first couple of episodes. Yui was a front line TSF pilot for Japan before joining the UN joint operation.
The beginning interactions between Yuuya and Yui shift throughout the series. Yuuya hates the Japanese TSF and Yui hates his attitude toward Japanese Culture (for reasons). Their relationship is built up so perfectly throughout the 24 episodes. It is difficult to not like these two characters. The development is spot on. This stands true for many of the interactions between the characters throughout the anime.
The plot has a simple overtone of the BETA invading Earth and making quick work of humans. To fight back the humans build TSFs to fight off the BETA. However, this is not the meat of the story. The story has a couple turning points that show that the BETA are not the only enemy. Even in a world full of death and war there are still humans who wish harm to other humans. There is still inequality in the world and those who wish to change it. Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse distinguishes itself from typical mecha anime by having a much deeper story and plot that goes beyond mecha A fighting mecha B.
Last note I want to make regarding Total Eclipse is the mecha design. It is superb. My favorite part of the mecha design is the features that differ between nations. Example, the Japanese TSF is very precise and quick. Whereas the American TSF, Raptor, is stealthy and a great distance fighter. This is very reminiscent to how technology stands now. America is know for its current fighter aircraft that are built with stealth technology and take down targets before showing on radar, exactly like the Raptor TSF in Total Eclipse.
I want to keep this simple. The experience is too great to spoiler even a moment. Overall, I believe this is a must watch series for anyone that loves mecha anime. If you enjoy military plots, deep character development or need something new to watch give Total Eclipse a go.
The plot has a simple overtone of the BETA invading Earth and making quick work of humans. To fight back the humans build TSFs to fight off the BETA. However, this is not the meat of the story. The story has a couple turning points that show that the BETA are not the only enemy. Even in a world full of death and war there are still humans who wish harm to other humans. There is still inequality in the world and those who wish to change it. Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse distinguishes itself from typical mecha anime by having a much deeper story and plot that goes beyond mecha A fighting mecha B.
Last note I want to make regarding Total Eclipse is the mecha design. It is superb. My favorite part of the mecha design is the features that differ between nations. Example, the Japanese TSF is very precise and quick. Whereas the American TSF, Raptor, is stealthy and a great distance fighter. This is very reminiscent to how technology stands now. America is know for its current fighter aircraft that are built with stealth technology and take down targets before showing on radar, exactly like the Raptor TSF in Total Eclipse.
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| America's Raptor TSF |
I want to keep this simple. The experience is too great to spoiler even a moment. Overall, I believe this is a must watch series for anyone that loves mecha anime. If you enjoy military plots, deep character development or need something new to watch give Total Eclipse a go.
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