A N I M E / O T A K U : PART 2

Aoki Hagane no Arpeggio: Ars Nova

Other Title:

Arpeggio of Blue Steel -Ars Nova-

Type:

TV

Aired:

October 8, 2013 to December 24, 2013

Source:

Manga

Genres:

Action, Sci-Fi, Seinen

Synopsis:

By 2039, global warming had caused sea levels to rise and large amount of territory to be lost. As though in response, a mysterious group of warships clad in mist, "the Fleet of Mist," appeared in every corner of the ocean, and began attacking human ships. In spite of humanity mustering all their strength, they were utterly defeated by the Mist's overwhelming force. All of humanity's trade routes were blockaded by the Fleet of Mist, their political economy was destroyed, and the human race was steadily beaten down. Seven years later, the Fleet of Mist's submarine I-401 appears before cadet Gunzo Chihaya. The humanoid life form that pilots the sub, who should be their enemy, is instead offering her services to mankind.

Characters and Voice Actors:

- Main:

Gunzou Chihaya

He was a former student from the Marine Technical Academy and the captain of the Sentoku I-401 submarine, which is the only Fog Vessel that defected to the human side. He is also the leader of the Blue Steel Crew which consists of former students of the same academy.

In the manga, his school is called "Japanese National Marine Academy."

- Okitsu, Kazuyuki (Japanese)

Iona "I-401, The Blue Steel"

Iona is the Mental Model of the Fog Ship: I-401 submarine. After the great battle, she was placed on stasis and given order to follow and obey to Chigaya Gounzo. She's one of the oldest Mental Models in existence and, having spent around two years with humans, she is one of the most versed in the human way of life. Unless she reveals her abilities, it is practically impossible to distinguish her from a normal human.

Iona is usually calm and rather quiet; she's helpful towards her crew and is a dear friend of Gunzou. She doesn't like taking big risks, but often agrees that Gunzou's sometimes rather crazy plans are the best ones. Iona appears to be sharing various duties like cleaning and cooking with her crew. It doesn't look like she has any definite hobbies, but she likes watching anime as shown in the manga.

- Fuchigami, Mai (Japanese)

- Supporting:

Haruna "Haru-Haru"

She is a Fog battle ship who takes the form of a teenage girl wearing a heavy coat that covers all of her body up to the nose, as her name suggested she is an anthropomorphic avatar of the fourth Kongou Class Battlecruiser. After a failed effort to defeat I-401, she befriends Makie and agrees to protect her, even if this means going against the Fog.

Makie often calls her "Haru-Haru."

- Weiß, Jennifer (German)

- Yamamura, Hibiku (Japanese)

Shizuka Hozumi

One of Gunzou's crew members on board I-401.

She's in charge of communications.