The epic science fiction showdown

Space battles involving thousands of starships with realistic tactics…
Factional politicking with enough chain stratagems and Just-as-Planned to keep your head spinning…
Some of the most awesome and intellectually witty leaders ever…
Deep storyline that references major events from thousands of years of human history…

There are many reasons to watch Legend of the Galactic Heroes, which is one of the few series that I claim to be one of the best anime series ever produced, regardless of subjective interests. Matter of fact I believe its enjoyment rises with your intellectual knowledge and, by the time you’re done, you’d feel that even the intimidating number of 110 episodes weren’t enough.

But Galactic Heroes also had its flaws and shortcomings, many of which inherited from its scifi Space Opera sub-genre. Personally, Galactic Heroes could have improved greatly if it took a few more elements from its sibling subgenre: Military Scifi, which is best represented in the animeverse by Banner of the Stars, arguably also the closest thing to Galactic Heroes insofar as epic scifi anime goes. If you enjoyed one, you’ll love the other.

Some would argue that the melodramatic LOGH is also a Military Scifi; after all, isn’t the entire LOGH story about an extended war to unify mankind? Yes, but there’s more than just that in the subgenre. Space Opera focuses mostly on the main storyline and its characters, where setting elements are usually only explained when necessary; meanwhile in Military Scifi, setting elements are recognized as the foundation of war, where a multitude of factors, from sociology to technology to nation doctrine, are built up in order to propel the war story. Hence, it could be said that ‘setting’ is both Military Scifi’s greatest strength and one of the more notable weaknesses in Space Opera.

Here are the examples to elaborate:

1. Universal Construction

What separates a poor plot device from a useful scifi setting element is the presence of a logical explanation. It doesn’t have to be 100% scientifically accurate as long as the average viewer gets an idea of why something is. Banner made it clear on how their ‘hyperspace gates’ worked to affect universal colonization and conquest. While the Phezzan and Iserlohn choke-points are vital elements to the LOGH story, one of me and my friends’ earliest questions is “why are there two choke-points in space?” The LOGH series pretty much fed us the “Snorlax blocking the road” explanation and left it at that. Do I really have to find that map up there (not in the anime) before I can even get a clue of the why?

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2. Imperial Society

The republic is ran ‘by the people’, the Empire is run by the bigwigs; but that doesn’t mean the Empire isn’t a society with its own quirks. Imperial society remains one of the biggest mysteries in Galactic Heroes, since while they covered both the lower and higher ranks within the Republic, the story was completely focused on the top officers within the Empire. Reinhard turned Imperial society upside down with his sweeping reforms, yet we have little idea of what this meant exactly (other than popular support) because we never see the average Joe and how they feel marching off to war. It seems even worse when compared against Banner, where Imperial society, from the genetics engineering debate to the unique psychology of the Abh race, is one of the most creative and well-developed elements in the series.

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Tactical maps from Banner are self-explanatory

3. Military Mechanics

Galactic Heroes gave its audience a good idea of how wars were waged, but we have little details on how  battles are fought. What kind of weapons are there? What roles does each LOGH ship class accomplish? How does ‘combined arms’ work here? Personally, I couldn’t really follow the battles within Galactic Heroes because I had little clue on how those starships and their fleets worked, which is a real shame given how much they emphasized on the tactical details from a leadership level.

This was one of Banner’s finest points. By showing us (rather than explaining), we quickly learn how guard ships, assault ships, patrol ships, and battleships functioned; how their weaponry complemented one another; how shifting formations between these units changed the flow of combat. Even though Banner battles were often gave shorter explanations, we have a far better grasp of what was happening because the foundations were solid.

Guided missile destroyer: the bane of strikefighters. Poplan would be dead if he met one of these.

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4. Technological Detail

What makes science fiction? The presence of futuristic technology. While we don’t necessarily need Hard Scifi and its technophilic details, it’s always a good idea to figure out exactly what grade of technology we’re dealing with. What techology era are we in? What form of FTL/normal propulsion are we using? These are some of the basic questions a scifi fan could expect answers to. Space travel and stellar war was built upon Banner’s use of the gates that link normal space to (hyper) planar space. But in Galactic Heroes? Aside from the occasionally ‘warp’ term being used, I have no clue how it mixes in with everything. I don’t even need to go into the other details, or the complete lack of a proper arms race that comes with every war.

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5. Admiral Spoor

…and about to attack her with overwhelming numbers

Not really a Space Opera vs Military Scifi trait as much as a product of Banner’s creative setting and one of the top 10 reasons to watch it. How many other commanders, real or fictional, has the decisiveness and speed of Rommel Mittermeier, the demoralizing shock-tactics to match Wittenfeld’s Schwartz Lanzenritters, enough wits and humor to joke and flirt as she dives into superior enemy numbers, and lastly, delay far superior enemy forces for hours merely by teasing them through wordplay?

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I don’t think I’d get to see those LOGH light novels translated, but I sure hope the international distribution of the next LOGH game will clear up some of these details.

Over the past two weeks my life’s free time had been almost entirely consumed by photoshop, as the Tarot Project is finally coming together. I only have three things to say on the matter — I’ve never taken photoshop to be such serious business before; I can finally say I’m more than just a noob to photoshop thanks to the picto-editing skills I’ve acquired; and I haven’t felt so proud of my goods for a long time.

Before anyone asks “why all girls?”, it’s to cut down on the competition between character and more consistency in art style. Not to mention — the deck is cuter this way.

I might think about making a bishie/GAR deck later, maybe, if I feel like throwing away another week+ of free time.

Keywords: Zero, Blank
My Choice: Chii [Chobits]
Honorable Mentions: Sakura [Tsubasa Chronicles][Everything CLAMP]

Contrary to first impressions that the title gives off, the fool implies ignorance rather than foolishness. It best applies to a character with a mostly blank slate who is ‘being released into the world’. I don’t think anyone can even compare to Chii from Chobits on this, whom started literally blank with no memory and a childish personality filled with curiosity and a few prime directives. She had to be taught on everything, starting from the language, and her perspectives developed entirely from there.

Keywords: Energy, Creativity, Conviction, Initiative, Objectivity
My Choice: Misaka Mikoto [To Aru Majutsu no Index][To Aru Kagaku no Railgun]
I Call This Card: The Doer

With a goal to accomplish, the initiative to get started, and the strength and resolve to carry it through, the Magician is amongst the top pickings for ideal main character or primary support character personality in a plot-driven story. In Index, Mikoto may have been caught between a rock and a hard place and laid undecided until the last moment. But in railgun (I expect the anime to follow the manga), she takes the reins of the main character and all the privileges that comes with it, solving the case solo with an ingenious all-out use of her resources despite the fact she’s with neither law-enforcement groups, just an overpowered civilian bystander.

Keywords: Knowingness, Intuition, Serenity, Introspection, Relationship
My Choice: Kinomoto Sakura [Cardcaptor Sakura]
I Call This Card: The Shoujo Lead

Many of the best shoujo manga main characters have emerged out of this mold. A serene naivety and a girl’s intuition sets the foundation, and through the course of the story they develop an understanding of themselves and the world around them, as well as settling into that obligatory heartwarming relationship. Sakura, the quintessential mahou shoujo, is certainly amongst the pioneers of this role.

By the way, Moonknives’ drawings are soooooooooo pretty~!

Keywords: Maternal, Comfort, Fertility, Desire, Satisfaction
My Choice: Nagi [Kannagi]
I Call This Card: The Mother
Honorable Mentions: Minase Akiko [Kanon]

Kannagi gives us plenty of imagery on Nagi the spoiled freeloader, but only tidbits on her other, true self — Nagi, caretaker of the land. Shinto Goddess Nagi is one whom fosters and comforts the critters and souls of her domain, filled with maternal benevolence and compassion. Meanwhile, Nagi’s more physical and less spiritual self positively lives off desire and satisfaction, showing that other side of herself as a possible inner persona of the goddess.

Keywords: Stability, Authority, Discipline, Tradition, Structure
My Choice: Saber [Fate/stay night]

There was no contender to this card from the start as the Emperor marks the very essence of Saber, both figuratively and literally. A disciplined individual who structured her entire being around her ideals, Saber became a shining beacon of authority in one of the darkest hours of history. Even more grounded than her ideal of the King is her perspective as a Knight, carrying on the tradition of Chivalry (at least the honor part, not quite the courtship). The only thing she lacked slightly was stability, as she doubted herself and her pillar of personal ideals had been shaken far more than once, especially by Rider (Iskandr) of Fate/Zero. But thanks to Shirou in Fate route, Saber was finally able to lay the past to rest and move on to her eternal dream in Avalon.

Saber Lily is totally still the same character. Also, my figure arrived last weekend — pics soon.

Keywords: Knowledge, Conservatism, Formality, Maturity, Tradition
My Choice: Ogasawara Sachiko [Maria-sama ga Miteru]
I Call This Card: The Mentor

The hierophant is the pinnacle of a stern and conservative educator of wisdom, be it a parent, an older sibling, or a mentor. While I’m not exactly huge into Marimite, Honya’s suggestion of her fits the image perfectly, with exception to the yuri and disdain of men of course. But the series’ genre aside, Sachiko’s teachings on being the proper and elegant lady certainly comes to mind, painting a striking and vivid picture of traditional education.

Keywords: Passion, Affinity, Relationship, Doubt, Temptation
My Choice: Sheryl Nome & Ranka Lee [Macross Frontier]
I Call This Card: The Love Polygon
Honorable Mentions: Hayase Mitsuki & Suzumiya Haruka [Kimi ga Nozomu Eien]

The Lovers arcana is the definition of romance love-polygon drama, where chemistry and passion exists side-by-side to fuel doubt and insecurity and drive the story through character relationships. The most notable of these series as of late is Macross Frontier, where Sheryl and Ranka battle for second place in Alto-hime’s heart with their songs (first place will always be the open skies). Although, Sheryl fits this position far more than Ranka, who seems to be more of an imouto archetype with a teenage crush on their person of inspiration. However, amidst the doubts the two were able to capitalize on their affinity to overcome their jealousy, bringing an equilibrium to the triangle by the end. That’s certainly something Kiminozo fans (whom are still warring) can’t say.

Keywords: Honor, Conviction, Assertion, Impulsiveness, Inflexibility
My Choice: Shana [Shakugan no Shana]
I Call This Card: The Tsundere
Honorable Mentions: Louise Françoise de la Vallière [Zero no Tsukaima], Aisaka Taiga [Toradora]

Resolved and active, yet prideful and inflexible, the Chariot marks all the traits of a trademark straightforward tsundere in one convenient package. Shana is a prime example of this, a crusader of worldly balance whom cuts the middle ground between mild and extreme tsun-tsun (especially Louise whose in the domain of being positively sadistic) with a healthy dose of dere~dere, all the while displaying absolute conviction for her occupation as a Flame Haze.
It should be noted that tsunderes with more adaptability (e.g. Tohsaka Rin, Misaka Mikoto) have a tends to fit the Magician arcana more, leaving the Chariot for those with less intelligence creativity and flexibility.

Keywords: Impartiality, Objectivity, Analysis, Rationality, Decision
My Choice: Lafiel [Crest of the Stars][Banner of the Stars]
I Call This Card: Lone-Wolf/Warrior
Honorable Mentions: Tabitha Orleans [Zero no Tsukaima], Tear Grants [Tales of the Abyss]

The combination of being impersonal and objective marks this arcana as the mold in describing those cold, mission-driven types, especially the ones with robotic rationality and bluntness. In modern fiction writing, these characters always develop bonds of camaraderie as the story progresses. But even with the onset of emotional interaction, they are still the ones whose logic remain firmly in control when the story hits its climax. An Abu by nature whose race is best known for their detached and calculating demeanor, Lafiel exemplifies this even more as her Ruler-to-be forces upon her absolute objectivity in all decision making. She may be closely attached to Jinto, but she certainly won’t hesitate to leave the planet he’s dying on when logic and necessity calls upon it — even if she must shed tears (a sin for Abu royalty) in fear for his life when she returns.
I really wish I could find a good, clear shot picture of an Empire of Abh navy vessel for this card, be it the Basroil Assault Frigate or Admiral Spoor’s Red Patrol Cruiser.

Keywords: Solitude, Reflection, Philosophical, Understanding, Guidance
My Choice: Nakahara Misaki [Welcome to N.H.K]
Honorable Mentions: C.C. [Code Geass]

I would call this the ‘Wise Old Man’, but characters of this archetype today are not necessarily old, and often contains a gaping hole between all that wisdom. They’ll still serve as a guide for the leading characters, but the influence no longer flows one-sidedly. Misaki gets the spotlight from me not because she fits the card any better than C.C, but because she leaves a far more impressionable image. At the start we find her a compassionate guidance counselor — still an amateur, but with a deep drive for philosophical and psychological understanding. It’s not until later does the truth surface: that she’s every bit as messed up, if not even more, than Satou (her patient) is and requires just as much Hermit-help as she offers.

Keywords: Opportunity, Destiny, Cycle, Development, Surprise
My Choice: Furude Rika & Hanyuu [Higurashi no Naku Koro ni]
Honorable Mentions: Suzumiya Haruhi [The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya]

As much as Haruhi may attempt to match it, with Haruhi-tards arguing so, Higurashi definitely exemplifies the ultimate use of Fate, Destiny, and the Fortune card itself. Here our hero and heroines are trapped in an endlessly repeating cycle of horrific deaths, in which only the two lolis (nippa~!) comprehend the situation and must strive hopelessly to defeat the antagonists’ schemes. It wasn’t until the umpteenth cycle did they finally seize the day through the power of hope and teamwork and manage consecutive successful sneak attacks upon the final boss. Well played Seventh Expansion! Bravo!!!

Keywords: Control, Patience, Stability, Discipline, Gentleness
My Choice: Shirakawa Kotori [Da Capo]
I Call This Card:
Honorable Mentions: Sakagami Tomoyo [Clannad]

The strength arcana represents the ideal, almost-perfect mentality that I wish I had. These are the characters who have truly mastered themselves, while maintaining the sense of compassion and duty to make Confucious proud. Da Capo’s eternal goddess Shirakawa Kotori comes in at the head of this category. Her one true love may not return her affections, but Kotori’s care of Juunichi, followed subsequently by her voluntary stepping down upon Nemu’s return, had certainly touched the hearts of viewers everywhere. Yes, it denied a good romance-drama scenario, but it also gained the sympathy of the audience (even the Nemu-followers) and preserved her perfection for eternity.

Keywords: Acceptance, Nonaction, Conformism, Contemplation, Surrender
My Choice: Matou Sakura [Fate/stay night]
I Call This Card: The Defeatist

The Hanged Man is the exact opposite of the Magician. It is the pessimist, the defeatist, the fatalist, who allowed themselves to be taken by the worst of fate without fighting back. Sakura personifies this trait in Fate/stay night’s truest and most touching arc — Heaven’s Feel. The fact she surrendered to the darkness while Shirou was betting his very being on the line may have made me rage, but her horrific past nevertheless drew enough sympathy for me to forgive her.
At this moment, I’m really glad I did this card set on heroines so I didn’t have to rage over Shinji Ikari (Neon Genesis Evangelion).

Keywords: Conclusion, Loss, Inescapable, Transformation
My Choice: Chise [Saishuu Heiki Kanojo]
Honorable Mentions: Kamio Misuzu [AIR]

By far the worst card to draw, the death arcana represents inescapable tragedy. Saikano is by far the saddest anime series I can imagine. Every episode, from the first to the last, was undeniably tragic. Every character was brought out with potential, seizing the audience’s hearts (be it a good or bad way), before being dragged to their tragic fate. They fought against it, they tried, and they failed against the inevitability. Chise fits the card even more than other tragic heroes/heroines as the story focused on her slow transformation into a weapon and the gradual loss of her humanity.

Keywords: Equilibrium, Harmony, Synthesis, Recovery, Transcendence
My Choice: Nunnally Lamperouge [Code Geass]
I Call This Card: The Peacemaker
Honorable Mentions: Mihoko [Saki]

The Temperance card represents the saintly characters capable of linking opposed factions by the virtual of their kindness. I’ll put Nunnally up on this, for her blindness has given her the ability to see into people’s souls, bringing forth the benevolence that gave her strength. She became a governor who strove to bridge the gap between the Britannians and the Japanese. She willingly sought martyrdom, taking sins upon herself, in order to return peace to the world. Then, thanks to her onii-sama, she manage to become a symbol of global unity by the series’ end.
My first choice of this would actually be Mihoko due to her heterchromia. But good, isolated artworks of her are hard to find.

Keywords: Obsession, Anxiety, Temptation, Pessimism, Anger
My Choice: Fuyou Kaede [Shuffle!]
I Call This Card: The Yandere
Honorable Mentions: Ryuuguu Rena [Higurashi], Kaname Chidori [Fullmetal Panic]

The devil is a natural card to describe the typical obsession and/or paranoia that drives a Yandere towards violence. My selection for this is dear Kaede. She’s almost the perfect wife in a traditional social sense. Yet, she’s also laden with an excessive amount of baggage, including a full set of insecurities, her obsessive devotion to Rin, and her tendency for violent outbursts. All of this caused her to mentally break down in the worst way possible when her best friend Asa backstabs takes Rin from her. Poor, poor Kaede.

Keywords: Chaos, Crisis, Downfall, Disillusion, Revelation
My Choice: Tsukimiya Ayu [Kanon]
Honorable Mentions: Hayase Mitsuki [Kimi ga Nozomu Eien]

The Tower represents climatic challenges of the most dramatic kind — when a well-crafted but illusional reality collapses, revealing the dire catastrophe hidden underneath. In a sense, it’s almost an abstraction of the KEY Crying Game formula. Ayu’s story from Kanon is probably the best and most literal example of this: when Yuuichi eventually finds out that Ayu is but a dream from a past crisis, it disillusions his joy on finding the love of his life and sparks a revelation which hurls his world into chaos.

Keywords: Joy, Serenity, Optimism, Trust, Generosity
My Choice: Nia Teppelin [Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]
Honorable Mentions: Suzumi Tamao [Strawberry Panic], Yumemiya Arika [Mai Otome]

The Star arcana is a wishing star, one that brings joy and hope. No one could personify this one better than Nia from Gurren Lagann. Kind and peaceful by nature, Nia is an endless optimist who positively extrudes happiness and has a preposterous amount of trust in Simon. With someone like that pouring self-confidence into him, Nia gives Simon the very boost he needed to not only to get over his brother’s death but literally drills his way into the heavens. BEST. SUPPORTING. CHARACTER. EVER!

Keywords: Fantasy, Anxiety, Deception, Fear
Prime Candidate: Cross Yuuki [Vampire Knight]
Runner Up: Shindou Chihiro [ef], Orihara Kozue [Chaos;Head]

In many ways, the Moon card parallels the Tower arcana, except it accentuates upon the illusion and the anxiety that builds up before shattering the mirage, rather than the disillusionment and revelation that comes afterwards. I picked Yuuki to display its constrast from Ayu’s Tower. Whereas Ayu’s arc in Kanon climaxed after Yuuichi’s revelation, focusing mostly on his emotion turmoil, Yuuki’s story focused on building up to the moment of awakening itself. In my opinion, it was Yuuki’s distress and suffering prior that seized the highlight of that particular arc, as it slowly unraveled the layers of conspiracy that grants Vampire Knight one of its finest traits.

Keywords: Joy, Optimism, Energy, Assurance, Splendor
My Choice: Takamichi Nanoha [Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha]
I Call This Card: The Mahou Shoujo
Honorable Mentions: Kurusugawa Himeko [Kannazuki no Miko], Aoi Nagisa [Strawberry Panic]

Being “the Sun to another’s Moon” is an old literary description that epitomizes the Sun arcana. This card embodies the class of Magical Girl characters with their defining traits of being open, energetic, and optimistic — a beacon of light and hope to everyone around them. Those of the Star arcana inevitably brings change for the better to other, defining and brightening their lives just as the Sun does for the Moon. Out of all the Mahou Shoujo, I have to claim that Nanoha and her befriending creates the most perfect analogy to this card, as her willful but caring nature continue to convert each season of villians to life-long friends and diehard comrades.

Keywords: Judgment, Rebirth, Absolution, Rebirth, Hope
My Choice: Ichinose Kotomi [Clannad]

As one of the cards truest to its name, the Judgment arcana represents a reset, typically by atoning from a sinful past to face a brighter future. I could probably have picked a more fitting character from Neon Genesis Evangelion, but I settled on Clannad’s Kotomi, as her entire story revolved around her making amends with a dreadful past. Thankfully, with the help of Tomoya and that old gentlemen, Kotomi manages to forgive herself and bring both direction and meaning back into her life.

Keywords: Fulfillment, Accomplishment, Integration
My Choice: Furukawa Nagisa [Clannad]

This is a hard one to give to a character, as The World is a card for completion. In other words, the character represents a gain, or simply one given life, only at the end of a story after accomplishing all the challenges. The only one my friends and I managed to think of is Nagisa, whom returned for the true end only after Tomoya and Ushio managed to gather enough happiness to grant a miracle and revert their tragic fates.

That’s all~ Will make banners later.