Muv-Luv Alternative (Anime)

Muv-Luv Alternative
Information
Original Run	07.10.2021 - 23.12.2021
No. of Episodes	12
Staff
Original Creator(s)	Kouki Yoshimune
Studio(s)	Flagship Line, Graphinica, Yumeta Company
Director(s)	Yukio Nishimoto
Series Composition	Tatsuhiko Urahata
Related Works
Sequel	Muv-Luv Alternative Season 2
Spin-Off	Muv-Luv Alternative Total Eclipse, Schwarzesmarken

“	The defeat of mankind... stand firm against the looming despair!	”
	— Tagline

Muv-Luv Alternative is an anime adaptation of the Muv-Luv Alternative visual novel. It began to air on October 7 2021. The show is coproduced by Flagship Line, Graphinica and Yumeta Company.

Background

An anime adaptation of the original visual novel was originally announced with a short teaser on âge's "Still Breathing" 20th anniversary broadcast on October 22 2019. The main staff of the show, as well as some main cast members, were first announced in a trailer that aired on May 1 2021 as part of the "Breaking Dawn" event. Another trailer airing on August 25 2021 introduced the rest of the main cast and showed the characters in animation for the first time. Muv-Luv Alternative will be the third anime adaptation of the Muv-Luv universe following Muv-Luv Alternative Total Eclipse in 2012 and Schwarzesmarken in 2016.

A second season was announced after the final episode aired, to air in October 2022, with a trailer showing a 3D model of the XG-70 Susanoo.

Synopsis

A story of the bonds between those who fight, in a world pushed to its limits. On one of the countless parallel worlds that exist throughout spacetime, humanity has fought a decades long war against the BETA, hostile extraterrestrial invaders, using humanoid fighting machines called Tactical Surface Fighters. This is a story of how humanity lives and dies while on the brink of extinction...

Production

Two Fubuki during a training exercise, as seen in the second PV

The anime is a coproduction of three studios, Flagship Line, Graphinica and Yumeta Company. Flagship Line was founded in 2018 as a joint venture between avex, the owners of aNCHOR and thus the Muv-Luv franchise, and Graphinica. Its expressed goal is to "leverage the development and production capabilities of Graphinica, and the planning and operational architecture of Avex Pictures". Graphinica is most well known for their 3DCG productions in collaboration with other studios, working on such titles as SSSS.Dynazenon with Studio Trigger. Yumeta Company, previously also known as TYO Animations Inc., was acquired by Graphinica in 2017. Muv-Luv Alternative will be the first of three co-productions between the two companies, the other ones being CUE! and Tokyo Mew Mew New.

Both the Tactical Surface Fighters and the BETA are animated in 3D, with character animation in 2D. Character designs were significantly changed in comparison to their original visual novel designs.

Staff

• Original Creator: Kouki Yoshimune (âge) / aNCHOR
• Director: Yukio Nishimoto
• Series Composition: Tatsuhiko Urahata
• Character Design: Takuya Tani
• Sub Character Design: Aki Tsunaki
• Prop Design: Kouichi Hoshino
• Animation Mecha Director: Hiroyuki Taiga
• Color Design: Yuumi Uchibayashi
• Art Director: Ken Naitou
• Art Setting: Tsukasa Oohira
• Director of Photography: Takeo Ogiwara
• CG Director: Kazuya Ooya
• Editing: Ayako Tan
• Sound Director: Satoshi Motoyama
• Music: Evan Call
• Animation Production: Flagship Line, Graphinica, Yumeta Company

Cast

• Main Characters
• Squad 207B
• Isumi Valkyries
• Yokohama Base
• Royal Guard
• Others

Shirogane Takeru
VA: Kouichi Kamiki

Originally a student living a peaceful life, one morning he woke up in a parallel world. For three years he fought against the BETA until he fell in battle - and woke up again on that same day. Using his knowledge from the previous loop, he vows to save humanity.

Kagami Sumika
VA: Tomori Kusunoki

Takeru's neighbour and childhood friend. Bright, warm and a little bit nosy. She is nowhere to be found in the parallel world Takeru woke up in.

Mitsurugi Meiya
VA: Karin Nanami

An expert in close combat and sword fighting, she always emits a noble and calm aura. She seems to be part of a prestigious, influential family, but the details are unknown.

Sakaki Chizuru
VA: Miku Itou

The squad leader of Takeru's training unit and a stickler for the rules. She often butts heads with Ayamine. Her nickname is 'class rep'.

Ayamine Kei
VA: Iori Saeki

Quiet and elusive. While she is calm and flexible when the situation asks for it, she tends to not work well together with others.

Tamase Miki
VA: Takako Tanaka

While she might look weak spirited at first glance, she worked hard to overcome her weakness and became the best sniper in the far east.

Yoroi Mikoto
VA: Lynn

The squad's mood maker who's always a little bit different. She's an expert at survival skills and manages to adapt fast in critical situations.

Isumi Michiru
VA: You Taichi

The leader of squad A-01, the Isumi Valkyries. On the surface she looks cool and calculating, but she always takes care of her squad mates.

Hayase Mitsuki
VA: Hibiku Yamamura

The Nr. 2 of squad A-01. Always cheerful and lively, but actually quite delicate.

Munakata Misae
VA: Anna Yamaki

The Nr. 3 of squad A-01. She does not mince her words, often to the surprise of the people around her.

Suzumiya Haruka
VA: Mana Hirata

The operator of squad A-01. Cheerful and kind but strong minded.She is a childhood friend of Hayase Mitsuki and the older sister of Suzumiya Akane.

Kazama Touko
VA: Azumi Waki

A second lieutenant on squad A-01. Calm and gentle, she can see the broader perspective of things, both on the battlefield and in the rear.

Suzumiya Akane
VA: Ayasa Itou

A second lieutenant on squad A-01 with a bright personality - and a bit of a hothead. She is a good friend of Sakaki Chizuru but graduated half a year earlier than she did. The younger sister of Suzumiya Haruka.

Kashiwagi Haruko
VA: Maria Noda

A second lieutenant on squad A-01 who graduated together with Akane. Cheerful, easy to get along with. She cares a lot for her younger brothers, who are soon to be drafted.

Usuki Sakura
VA: Isekai Joucho

A second lieutenant on squad A-01. Civilian survivor of the fall of Sadogashima. She is quiet and calm but seems to trust squad leader Isumi Michiru

Kouzuki Yuuko
VA: Ruriko Aoki

The vice-commander of Yokohama Base. She is the genius physicist that holds the key to humanity's victory, the Alternative IV plan.

Yashiro Kasumi
VA: Kanon Takao

A mysterious girl Takeru met deep down on one of the lower levels of Yokohama Base. She seems to be linked to the Alternative IV plan in some way.

Jinguuji Marimo
VA: Sayumi Watabe

The primary instructor of Takeru's training unit, both compassionate and strict. She fulfills her duty as an instructor with pride, a duty which reflects her own dreams and past.

Paul Radhabinod
VA: Norio Wakamoto

The commander of Yokohama Base. An officer assigned by the United Nations and the superintendent of the Alternative IV plan.

Irina Pyatkh
VA: Hitomi Sasaki

The communications officer of Yokohama Base. Her rank is lieutenant.

Tsukuyomi Mana
VA: Hirone Yanagisawa

The leader of the 19th Independent Guard Flight of the Japanese Imperial Royal Guard, with a strong sense of justice. She was ordered to act as Meiya's personal guard.

Kamiyo Tatsumi
VA: Tamako Miyazaki

A TSF pilot of the 19th Independent Guard Flight of the Japanese Imperial Royal Guard. She swore allegiance to her superior Tsukuyomi Mana and to Meiya, who she vowed to protect.

Tomoe Yukino
VA: Miri Yanagi

Another one of Tsukuyomi Mana's retainers alongside Kamiyo Tatsumi and Ebisu Minagi.

Ebisu Minagi
VA: MoeMi

Another one of Tsukuyomi Mana's retainers alongside Kamiyo Tatsumi and Tomoe Yukino.

Ikaruga Takatsugu
VA: Mineta Hiromu

Commander of the Imperial Royal Guard's 16th Guard Battalion. Head of the Ikaruga family, one of the five regent houses of Japan. Participating in Operation 21st, he pilots a blue Takemikazuchi, which is only allowed for people belonging to one of the regent houses.

Koubuin Yuuhi
VA: Ruriko Noguchi

The Shogun, ruling the empire of Japan. She is calm and serene but will not shy away from putting her own life at risk to protect her people.

Alfred Walken
VA: Wataru Tsuyuzaki

The commander of the US 66th Tactical Armored Battalion "Hunter". Logical and objective, he is a distinguished soldier who never loses his calm.

Sagiri Naoya
VA: Kazuyuki Okitsu

A soldier in the 1^st Tactical Armor Regiment of the Imperial Japanese Mainland Defence Force. He despises the government that thinks little of the Shogun.

Komaki Sayoko
VA: Toyoguchi Megumi

A member of the Imperial Japanese Army. Assumed her post at Sadogashima base in September of 1998 and survived the invasion of the island by the BETA soon after.

Isumi Akira
VA: Nanjou Yoshino

A Second Lieutenant in the IJA and the younger sister of Isumi Michiru. She participated in Operation 21st as part of the Whiskey Unit.

Episodes

Nr.	Screenshot	Title	Release Date
1		"The State of the World" "Sekai no nichijou" (世界の日常)	October 7, 2021
After landing in Kashgar, Xinjiang, China, in the 1970s, a race of foreign invaders called BETA has pushed the nations of the world to their limits, finally reaching the islands of Japan in 1998. Komaki Sayoko, a Tactical Surface Fighter pilot in the Imperial Japanese Army, assumes her new post at Sadogashima base, where she soon learns of the horros of war when the outnumbered forces face the advancing BETA.
2		"Recurring Worlds" "Kurikaesu sekai" (繰り返す世界)	October 14, 2021
In December 2001, three years after the fall of Sadogashima, humanity decides to enact Alternative V, a plan to send a small number of people into space hoping to find a new home on an extrasolar planet while the rest is left to deal with the BETA invasion. One of those left on earth is Shirogane Takeru, a TSF pilot who was originally a high school student from a peaceful world before he one day woke up in this one. He soon dies in battle and once again wakes up in his room, on the same day he originally woke up in this world. Determined to use this second chance to stop Alternative V from happening, he tries to convince Kouzuki Yuuko, the mastermind behind the mysterious Alternative IV plan, to let him help her.
3		"Something to Protect" "Mamoritai mono" (守りたいもの)	October 21, 2021
October 24, 2001. Shirogane Takeru, who has once again enrolled as a cadet, uses the memories engraved in his body to encourage the growth of his former friends who don’t know him. However, this slow progress does not ease the burning impatience in Takeru’s heart. The world will not change unless he changes something. Takeru searches among his memories and presents a prediction to Yuuko: On that day, many people will die.
4		"Comrades" "Nakama" (仲間)	October 28, 2021
After clearing the combat evaluation, Takeru and his squad finally move on to their TSF training. With his experience from his previous life, Takeru manages to get a score unheard of for a rookie in the simulation training. At the hands of Professor Kouzuki, the squad receives their Type-97 Fubuki training TSFs much earlier than previously and the training in the actual machines is right around the corner. When looking at the TSF he will soon be piloting, Takeru catches a glimpse of a one of a kind TSF, a machine for the personal use of the Shogun, the military figurehead of Japan.
5		"A New Power" "Atarashii chikara" (新しい力)	November 4, 2021
November 28 2001. Tamase Miki's father, the UN undersecretary general, visits Yokohama Base. Miki, who does not see her father very often, frequently wrote him letters to make him happy - containing many small lies. In order to help the distraught Miki, Takeru comes up with a top secret plan.
6		"Transfer Experiment" "Tensou jikken" (転送実験)	November 11, 2021
December 1 2001. Professor Kouzuki takes Takeru's suggestion to "ask yourself from the original world" to heart and starts an experiment to send Takeru back home in order to pick up the formula, which is to become the key to the Alternative IV project, from her counterpart. Part of that experiment is to have Kasumi move in with him.
7		"Promise" "Yakusoku" (約束)	November 18, 2021
Takeru, who has temporarily returned to his original world and meets up with Sumika, which stregthens his resolve to save the parallel world and return back here for good. After he goes back, on December 4 2001, Takeru sees news reports of people being forcibly evacuated from their homes by the Imperial Japanese Army in areas that are not allowed to live in anymore. He sees this as a success, as it will further shorten his training, but Meiya is furious at this country that treats its weakest people in such a way.
8		"The Capital in Chaos" "Teito douran" (帝都動乱)	November 25, 2021
December 5, 2001. A coup d'état breaks out in the imperial capital. The coup forces, led by captain Sagiri Naoya, kill several members of the cabinet, including the prime minister Sakaki Korechika, the father of Takeru's squad leader Sakaki Chizuru. Squad 207B is ordered to be on the ready to be deployed. With deployment imminent, Ayamine lets Takeru know the source of those letters she received.
9		"Battlefield" "Senjou" (戦場)	December 2, 2021
Squad 207, which was formed as a provisional unit made up of Takeru's training unit and lead by instructor Jinguuji, is deployed in the rear, protecting the summer palace at Tougashima in Hakone. There, Takeru finds the shogun Koubuin Yuuhi who has fled the imperial capital after it turned into a battlefield, and who looks just like his squad mate Meiya. Squad 207 is then tasked with escorting Yuuhi to Yokohama base.
10		"Resolve" "Kakugo" (覚悟)	December 9, 2021
The hunter and the hunted - as time ticks away the enemy forces are slowly drawing closer while the rapid acceleration and deceleration are slowly eating away at Yuuhi's health. In order to get out of this situation, Takeru needs to give Yuuhi a shot of Triazolam - but this comes at a risk of causing asphyxiation. Knowing what heavy responsibilities the Shogun has to shoulder, Takeru hesitates.
11		"Everyone's Thoughts" "Sorezore no omoi" (それぞれの想い)	December 16, 2021
A short lived cease-fire. Takeru appeals to the feelings of his comrades. Having learned of the fates of those around her, Koubuin Yuuhi decides to confront the rebels herself and put an end to this conflict. At this moment, as Meiya appears before her, the fates of the two sisters cross again and the battle takes a new turn.
12		"Fate" "Shukumei" (宿命)	December 23, 2021
One single shot ruined everything. Any hopes for peace were quelled and the battlefield is once again engulfed in flames. Those who cut down their fellow countrymen and those who fall - this struggle between brothers is finally coming to an end. Was anything gained that was worth spilling all this blood for?

Featured Music

• Opening Theme: 輪廻 (Rinne) by V.W.P (Virtual Witch Phenomenon)
• Ending Theme: TRISTAR by Stereo Dive Foundation
• Rebroadcast Opening Theme: TRISTAR（Japanese ver. -Muv-Luv mix-) by Stereo Dive Foundation
• Rebroadcast Ending Theme: 輪廻 acoustic ver. by V.W.P

Opening / Ending

• Opening
• Ending

Muv-Luv Alternative - Opening - Rinne

輪廻 (Rinne) by V.W.P

Muv-Luv Alternative - Ending - Tristar

TRISTAR by Stereo Dive Foundation

Trailers

• Rebroadcast PV
• Season 2 Teaser
• Third PV
• Second PV
• Special PV
• Teaser

TVアニメ『マブラヴ オルタネイティヴ』第一期再放送決定PV

Rebroadcast PV

マブラヴ オルタネイティヴ 第二期告知 2022年10月放送

Season 2 Teaser

-マブラヴ TVアニメ マブラヴ オルタネイティヴ 第三弾PV

Third PV

-マブラヴ TVアニメ マブラヴ オルタネイティヴ 第二弾PV

Second PV

TVアニメ マブラヴ オルタネイティヴ 放送決定記念 特報PV

Special PV

『マブラヴ オルタネイティヴ』アニメ特報映像「Just Beginning」｜マブラヴ公式チャンネル

Teaser

Broadcast

The show is airing on Fuji TV's +Ultra time slot, starting from October 7 2021. It is also airing on Kansai TV, Toukai TV, UHB, TNC and BS Fuji. Online broadcasting in Japan was originally exclusive to Fuji TV's FOD streaming service to significant fan backlash. Later, it was announced that the show would also be broadcasted on the TVer and GYAO streaming services. Internationally the show is airing on Crunchyroll.

The first two episodes were prescreened at an event on September 25 2021 at the Shinjuku Wald 9 cinema in Tokyo.

An accompanying internet radio show hosted by Kouichi Kamiki (Shirogane Takeru) and Karin Nanami (Mitsurugi Meiya) started airing on October 6 2001 before the broadcast of the first episode.

The show will be rebroadcasted starting from July 6 2022. For its rebroadcast remixed versions of the opening and ending will be used, with Tristar（Japanese ver. -Muv-Luv mix-) as the opening and an acoustic version of Rinne as the ending. It will again air on Fuji TV's +Ultra time slot with season 2 airing on the same time slot immediately afterwards.

Physical Releases

Front and back cover of the first Blu-Ray release

Two Blu-Ray boxes containing episodes 1-6 and episodes 7-12 were released in Japan on January 28 2022 and March 25 2022 respectively. The limited edition of the first box contains a Drama CD taking place in the peaceful world of Muv-Luv Extra while the limited edition of the second box comes with a special clear version of Kotobukiya's Takemikazuchi Type-00R 1.5 plastic model kit. The first volume features Takeru and the Type-97 Fubuki. The second volume features both Chizuru and Kei as well as a duel between the Takemikazu and Shiranui.

Front and back cover of the second Blu-Ray release

The soundtrack by Evan Call was released on December 24 2021. The cover features the Type-97 Fubuki.

The opening Rinne by V.W.P. was released digitally on November 3 2021.. A physical release was subsequently released on December 15 2021. The first press release sold on Animate features an exclusive Muv-Luv themed cover showing the Type-00 Takemikazuchi.

The ending TRISTAR by Stereo Dive Foundation received its physical release on November 24 2021. There are an artist version and an anime version, the latter of which features Takeru and Kasumi in front of a Fubuki.

External Links

Muv-Luv Alternative Anime Official Website (Japanese)
Muv-Luv Alternative Anime Official Twitter (Japanese)