Rolan (MÄR)

Rolan ((ロラン, "Roran"), or Lauren in the Japanese game, is a fictional character and recurring antagonist in the popular manga and anime series MÄR. Rolan is a member of the Chess Pieces and holds the rank of Knight, of which he is the fifth strongest. He is voiced by Susumu Chiba in the Japanese version and by David Keefir in the English version.

Background

At some point early in Rolan's childhood, Rolan's parents died to unknown circumstances, leaving a poor and starving Rolan to live on the streets. Rolan was always ignored by the others, and Rolan himself would have died under such a living eventually. At one point, a number of kids stealing food bumped into Rolan and left a large amount of food around him, leaving the owner of the stolen food to blame Rolan and severely abuse him, putting Rolan in an even worse state than before. Just after this, Rolan was found by Phantom, the leader of the Chess Pieces. Phantom became the only one to treat Rolan with kindness, giving him food to survive.

Just before Phantom left, he asked Rolan if he would follow him, which was followed by Rolan taking Phantom's hand and the two walking out of Rolan's home village together. Rolan, having a wish to serve Phantom, would join the Chess Pieces. According to Alan, Rolan fought in the first War Games as a Rook or Bishop.

Personality

Girly behaviour, stuttering speech and possessing a Zombie Tattoo, Rolan of the Knights class is Alviss of Team MÄR's direct counterpart. The one prime difference between them is that while Alviss' feeling for Phantom is sheer hatred, Rolan's is love, keeping him Phantom's company on the path to eternity. This is incomprehensible to others, given Phantom's fearful figure, but understandable for him, as Rolan once experienced Phantom's considerate side. He doesn't like to fight if it isn't necessary, as seen in episode 29, but will do anything Phantom asks of him.

Plot

Pre-War Games

He accompanied Loco in an attack during the Chess Piece's war campaign and had a short fight with Alviss. Rolan would leave, however, telling Alviss that the two would fight again.

War Games

Rolan defeated Alviss in a rematch during the 3rd Round of the War Games, though Alviss surrendered before he was killed. Rolan would later lose to him in the final round.

Post-War Games

Due to his special bond with Phantom, his inevitable ending struck Rolan devastated, and in the anime adaption Rolan stabbed himself almost to death just some moment prior to Phantom's, wishing they could once again meet in another, more peaceful, reborn life. At the end, he is seen alive with Candice, offering a rose to Phantom's grave.

ÄRM

He uses explosive Nature ÄRMs:

* Rapier Whip: A Weapon ÄRM, a sword that can stretch its blade like a whip and explodes when its tip touches an opponent. The anime also shows it having the ability to split to create more arms to use as whips. In the manga, it was destroyed in his battle with Alviss in the final rounds, but the anime shows him using it after this battle.
* Ailes d'Angel: (Elle d'Angel in English dub) The flocks of feather Nature ÄRM that adorn Rolan's right shoulder which wing him for mid-air combats. The wings can shoot out an endless stream of razor-sharp feathers.
* Stone Cube: A Nature ÄRM which makes giant stone cubes to crush the enemy or explode.
**Magma Snake: a technique of Stone Cube which solidfies magma into a giant snake.
* Dark Ribbon (anime): Nature ÄRM, ties adversaries in one fatal grip with the roots of the Dark Roses, which weaken them by sucking out their energy.
* ??? (anime): the unique ÄRM type, summons a cage inside which the trapped one cannot use ÄRMs, and will take on an immense electric jolt at each attempt to get out.
* Dark Cage: Another unique ÄRM type, sends out a giant bird cage to trap opponents. This may be a downgraded version of Alviss' Darkness ÄRM Caged Bird.
* Cockatrice: The bell Guardian ÄRM at the end of a chain seen at Rolan's waist that calls for a giant eagle with lethal petrifying breaths. The ÄRM requires an esoteric incantation to activate.