Genesis of Aquarion

Infobox animanga/Header
name = Genesis of Aquarion


caption =
ja_name_trans = Sōsei no Akuerion
ja_name = 創聖のアクエリオン
genre = Mecha, RomanceInfobox animanga/Anime
title =
director = Shoji Kawamori
studio = Satelight
licensor = flagicon|USA FUNimation
network = TV Tokyo
first = 4 April 2005
last = 26 September 2005
episodes = 26Infobox animanga/Movie
title = Gekijouban Aquarion
director = Shoji Kawamori
studio = flagicon|Japan Satelight
released = 15 September 2007
runtime =

Nihongo|"Genesis of Aquarion"|創聖のアクエリオン|Sōsei no Akuerion is an anime TV series written and directed by Shoji Kawamori, produced by Satelight.

The science fiction series is an homage to the Super Robot shows of the 1970s and 1980s, executed with modern animation techniques and aesthetics. It is set in the future, where a giant fighting machine called Aquarion is humanity's only weapon in the fight against a technologically advanced species known as the Shadow Angels.

"Aquarion" aired from April 4, 2005 to September 26, 2005 on TV Tokyo. An alternate retelling of the TV series, the "Genesis of Aquarion" OVA, is in production. A feature film adaptation premiered on September 15, 2007. The TV series is licensed in North America by FUNimation while on the 14 February, 2006 it aired on MTV Italia.

Plot

Eleven years before the start of the series, a disaster only referred to as the "Great Catastrophe" destroyed significant parts of the world and killed off many of its inhabitants. Along with that disaster came the appearance of the "Shadow Angels", a winged humanoid species, which seems to have been in slumber for twelve thousand years. These beings harvest the humans on Earth, which they call the "wingless ones", like cattle, as to extract their prana (life force) from them, which serves as energy and nutrition to the "Shadow Angels".

The "Shadow Angels" facilitate their harvesting via giant, floating harvesting machines which are guarded by giant golem-like creatures, the "Cherubim Soldiers". How these are normally piloted is unknown, yet there are times when they are piloted by "Shadow Angels".

Ordinary weapons prove ineffective against the giant fighting weapons, but a human expedition under the leadership of "Gen Fudou" had eventually excavated three very technologically advanced fighter planes. Gen Fudou disappeared, but an organization called "Deava" took over the research of these machines, which they call "Vectors", trying to find out how to use them. The three "Vectors" are called "Vector Luna", "Vector Mars" and "Vector Sol".

They find out that only people who are "Element" users can control the "Vectors" and, ultimately, unite the "Vectors" to form the giant fighting machine Aquarion.

During the first sortie to fight a "Cherubim Soldier", they encounter the young boy Apollo, who seems to be the reborn hero Apollonius, also known as the "Solar Wing", who has betrayed the "Shadow Angels" for his love, Celiane.

Later on, it is revealed that military development, in association with Deava, has created military Vectors; similar in ability to the first three, but with additional conventional weaponry.

Characters

Mecha

In the process of Unity, the "Vectors" combine to form the humanoid of "Aquarion", with the head being the leading section. The unification process also merges the souls of the "Elements" to some degree, as each supplies one of the supposed three aspects of their soul which unite into one soul when "Aquarion" is formed. During unification, the "Elements" seem to experience something very similar to an orgasm. The three-part jet to robot combination mechanic is similar to that used in Getter Robo.

Aquarion

;Solar AquarionCorresponds to "Vector Sol" as the head part. The most balanced of the three basic Aquarion forms, its specialty is barehanded combat and is the only one that can manifest the "Solar Wings" on its back. Later in the series it develops the "Mugen (infinity) Punch", a punch where the arm extends indefinitely in order to reach even the most agile enemy and "Mugen Binta" an attack that starts off appearing as Mugen Punch but turns into a quick slapped used against a shadow angel child causing chaos and destruction. A form almost always used by Apollo.

;Aquarion LunaCorresponds to "Vector Luna" as the head part. Specialized in range combat, contains a giant bow and arrows. Mostly used by Reika and Silvia.

;Aquarion MarsCorresponds to "Vector Mars" as the head part. The fastest of the basic Aquarion forms. It's Sirius's favorite because it can wield a sword, and also Pierre's, because due to its long legs and great speed, it is perfect for his "Fire Kick" attack.

Secondary Forms

There are other forms which appear in special situations:

;Aquarion SolunaAppears in episode 13 only. After the Solar Aquarion lost its arms and was separated, Reika/Tsugumi/Pierre united to form this Aquarion. It is essentially Solar Aquarion, except that the back part, Vector Luna, flipped forward and became the upper body on top of Vector Sol, making a leg/stomach/head formation. It's assumed that this is the tallest of Aquarion's forms because of this.

;Aquarion AngelAn Aquarion formed by the union of Vector Sol, Vector Luna and Military Vector Omega, where Omega takes the position of the head. It's assumed that it retains all of Aquarion Mars' abilities.

Assault Type Aquarion

"Assault Type Aquarion", a copy of the original Aquarion, which was constructed in a joint operation between DEAVA and the New United Nations. It follows the same basic architecture of the original with a couple differences and uses conventional weaponry, cannons and rockets, as opposed to the original's more traditional weapons, it's also colored mostly grey. The Assault Type Aquarion needs only one pilot, the other two corresponding Vectors are AI controlled, has six different forms and is made up of Vectors named Alpha, which corresponds with Vector Sol, Delta, which corresponds with Vector Luna, and Omega, which corresponds with Vector Mars.

;Aquarion AlphaCorresponds with Vector Alpha as the head and is the equivalent of the Solar Aquarion. Uses an enormous PSG Cannon as a weapon opposed to its fists. Like Solar Aquarion it can deploy "Solar Wings" on its back but does not have the mystical effect of the originals. Unlike Solar Aquarion it's assumed to not have infinitely extending fists. Its head is, oddly enough, shaped like Aquarion Luna's and has a visor over its eyes. This form can transform into Walker Formation without separating and reuniting.

;Aquarion DeltaCorresponds with Vector Delta as the head and is the equivalent of Aquarion Luna. Specializes in extra-long range combat through the use of rockets which fire out of "Vector Luna's bow". Can also use Aquarion Omega's machine guns, which are mounted on the same part as the rockets.

;Aquarion OmegaCorresponds with Vector Omega as the head and is the equivalent of Aquarion Mars. Uses twin machine guns as its primary weapon. This form is only featured once and it can be assumed that it can transform into Armageddon Formation without separating and reuniting.

;Armageddon FormationA formation where the three Military Vectors combine into a 6-legged walker with Aquarion Alpha's PSG cannon mounted on top similar to a tank. This formation probably exists because the PSG Cannon can only fire at maximum power with a stable footing on the ground. This form can transform immediately into Aquarion Omega without separating and reuniting.

;Walker FormationA vehicle formation used for speed. For the short time it appears it can be described as a jet-like machine with two legs. This form can transform into Aquarion Alpha without separating and reuniting.

;Unknown FormationThough a sixth formation for the Military Aquarion hasn't been seen in the anime series clearly there are several short shots of it during the final battle

Shadow Angel Mecha

;Cherubim MarsAfter joining the Shadow Angels and taking Vector Mars, Sirius uses a Cherubim in place of the other two vectors. It acts the same as Aquarion Mars, but if it's beaten, another Cherubim can take its place, so it can keep fighting.

Episode list

1. Memories of Heavenly Wings

2. Beast of Darkness

3. Element School

4. Barefoot Warrior

5. King of the Underground Labyrinth

6. To the Other Side of Emotions

7. Knight of the Crimson Rose

8. The First Merge

9. The Path to Dreams

10. Stars in the Sky, Flowers on the Ground

11. Happiness is at the Bottom of the Lake

12. The Time of Amber

13. A 12,000-Year-Old Love Letter

14. Shining Shadows

15. Aquarion’s First Love

16. Black Mirror

16.5. Theatrical Feature -Hymn to Triumph-

17. Merge to Eat

18. Cosplay of the Soul

19. Mischief without Malice

20. Sound of an Angel's Feather

21. Crimson Path

22. Wings Unseen

23. Fleeting Wings

24. Heaven's Gate

25. Final Battle! Atlandia

26. The Day the World Begins

Design

Despite early references to biblical trees, genesis and such, the bulk of Aquarion is more tied to many other non-Christian myths.

;Age of Aquarius
Age of Aquarius, also known as "Aquarian Age", was a concept popularized by Carl Gustav Jung. The "Age of Aquarius" was seen in contraposition with current "Age of Pisces". Whereas the "Age of Pisces" represents duality and antithesis (and thus conflict), "Age of Aquarius" is an age of synthesis and spiritualism, in some ways a new golden age; in New Age, because of implications of love, comprehension and one-ness, it can be associated with the fourth chakra. [ [http://healing.about.com/cs/uc_directory/a/uc_aids_brofman_2.htm Age of Aquarius - The Age of the Heart Chakra ] ] Aquarion as a name is an obvious reference to this concept, but the show went deeper in symbolism in using Aquarion as instrumental for a "new era of holy genesis", managing to resolve conflict between the opposing parties of humans and angels, and showing a not-so-metaphorical process of oneness with the Earth.

;YogaAquarion's main theme references Indian lore. The word yoga is translated as "unite", and it means union with the divine through the integration of body, mind and spirit (note that in Japanese "kokoro" means both heart or mind, and is more often translated as "heart"). During gattai, the pilots merge together their bodies, minds and spirits. In the last episode it is revealed that the real Aquarion can only be obtained with a Shadow Angel onboard, which fits in the scheme as the divine element, although in yoga the divine element, Brahma, was not something like a kami.

;Prapti and the Mugen Punch
Yogis are said to develop special powers called "siddhis". One of them is called "prapti" (acquisition) and with this siddhi the perfect mystic yogi can not only touch the moon planet, but he can extend his hand anywhere and take whatever he likes. In Aquarion, the Mugen Punch managed to reach the moon, although the real prapti shouldn't involve greatly elongated arms, but rather is the ability to cancel distances between objects (resulting in omnipresence). In this sense the real prapti in the show is used by Gen Fudo who makes things appear out of nothing from his hand, and also is able to move incredibly fast. It is worth noting that another siddhi, called "Mahima", is the ability to become incredibly big; this may be referenced by "Aquarion's Great Form".

;ApolloniusThe character Apollonius is a passing nod to Greek myths. He seems inspired by Prometheus, which gave fire to humans and (for other reasons) was punished by gods. Like Apollonius of Tyana, Aquarion's Apollonius is said to have died and reborn. The god Apollo is said to be born in the bank of a lake; similarly, Aquarion's character Apollo is given his name after he swam in a lake.

;Atlantis, Asgard and the Tree of LifeDue to its importance in the series, Atlandia's tree of life, more than the biblical tree of life, reference to Yggdrasil. The same Atlandia has similarities with Asgard. In Escaflowne, Gaea's Asgard was a snowy region where the Valley of Atlantis was to be found. This valley was in a place which was part of Gaea but wasn't on Gaea. The connection between Asgard and Atlantis was inspired by a book Kawamori read. In Aquarion, Atlandia is part of the Earth but not on the Earth. It also seems connected to South Pole, as a snowy region. While in Escaflowne the mean to get there was a pillar of light, in Aquarion there are dimensional portals and "red paths", but there was also a passing mention to "seven colors" which referenced the rainbow bridge that connected Asgard to Earth. References to Atlantis instead can be found in the 12000 years span time between past Atlantis events and the present, which was the time chosen in Escaflowne, and a mention of Crete, where Aquarion was found.

Theme music

Opening songs
# "Sousei no Aquarion" by AKINO (Episodes 2-17)
# "Go Tight!" by AKINO (Episodes 18-25)Ending songs
# "Omna Magni" by Yui Makino (Episodes 2-13,15-24)
# "Kouya no Heath (The Heath of the Wasteland)" by AKINO (Episode 14)
# "Celiane" by Gabriela Robin (Episode 25)

Other Themes
#Genesis of Aquarion by AKINO (Ep 26)
Yoko Kanno is the composer of the soundtrack music.

Game Appearances

The Series is included in the Playstation 2 game, Super Robot Wars Z.

References

External links

* [http://www.aquarion.info/ "Sousei no Aquarion" Official Site] ja icon
* [http://www.funimation.com/aquarion FUNimation's Official "Aquarion" website]
*ann anime|id=4796|title=Sousei no Aquarion