Zēgapein is a Japanese anime television series created by Hajime Yatate and manga artist Takehiko Itō.
On October 2, 2007, Bandai Entertainment released the first Region 1 volume of Zegapain with the last volume released on August 5, 2008. Following the 2012 closure of Bandai Entertainment, Sunrise announced at Otakon 2013, that Sentai Filmworks has rescued Zegapain, along with a handful of other former BEI titles.
Plot
Kyo Sogoru, a high school boy living in a city called Maihama, leads a normal life of school, romance, and the swim club. Kyo's life changes when he sees a beautiful girl, Shizuno Misaki, at the pool one day and discovers he is initially the only person who can see her. In order to keep his high school's swimming club open by recruiting more members, Kyo hopes to enlist Shizuno to appear in a promo video shot by Kyo's close friend, Ryoko. Shizuno agrees, but on the condition that he does something for her in exchange – pilot a
mecha for an organization known as Cerebrum.
Agreeing to her request, Kyo is drawn into a world of fighting giant robots in a game-like world that he must save from Deutera Areas formed by aliens known as Gards-orm that threaten to destroy the earth. However, Kyo soon comes to realize that the world that he is living in might not even be real at all and begins to find that everything he is doing is strangely familiar. As he questions the nature of the reality he lives in, Kyo must continue to fight in order to protect the lives of those important to him.
Characters
- Sogoru Kyō
- The protagonist, Kyō discovers the world he lives in is an illusion and must fight to save the real world and protect the people who still live within the illusory world. He is an enthusiastic and talented pilot and serves as the Altair Zegapain's Gunner.
- Kaminagi Ryōko
- Kyo's childhood friend, Ryōko is cheerful girl who dreams of becoming a film director and is a member of the high school Video Club. She is perceptive and is the first of Kyo's friends to "awaken" to the real world with a much easier transition than Kyo; as a Celebrant, she desires to protect things irreplaceable to her. Ryōko cares deeply for Kyo and doesn't want him to carry too many burdens by himself.
- Misaki Shizuno / Ieru
- Shizuno is an elegant girl who knew and loved Kyo in his past life, before he was reborn. She acts as the Wizard of the Altair Zegapain, but later becomes Chris' partner after Arque's death. Shizuno is an expert of data salvage and saved Kyo, Ryoko, Toga, and many other Celebrants.
- シマ
- Shima serves as President of the Student Council at Kyo's school and is the commander of the Oceanus, the base of operations for Kyo, Shizuno, and other Celebrants, and the leader of Celebram.
- ミナト
- Originally from the Sydney server, Minato serves as vice-president of the Student Council and Shima's second-in-command on board the Oceanus. She is generally cheerful and helpful towards Shima, who saved her when the Sydney server was being destroyed, but often left out of the loop concerning Shima and Shizuno's plans. Her true name is Emma Springrain; vice-commanders of Oceanus-class ships are code-named after words meaning port or wharf.
- Kawaguchi Kenta
- One of Kyo's friends, Kawaguchi is member of the Swim Club. He and Kyo have not been on good terms because the latter broke up their old swim team and they frequently end up in fights.
- Ushio Takeru
- Ushio is of Kyo's friends who is a member of the Swim Club. He rejoins it when Hayase does since he actually had forgiven Kyo, but stayed away from him because of Kawaguchi and Hayase. He later dates Mizuki until the Maihama server is reset.
- Hayase Tōya
- Hayase is of Kyo's friends and a member of the Swim Club. He chooses to rejoin the Swim Club after accepting Kyo's apology and deciding that his desire to swim again is more important than past feelings.
- Tomigai Kei
- Tomigai is Kyo and Ryoko's friend who willingly participates in most of Ryoko's film projects.
- Tachibana Mizuki
- Ryōko's friend, a member of the Theatre Club, tennis club, and the volleyball team. She initially has feelings for Hayase, but was rejected when she confessed to him at the summer festival. Mizuki later happily dates Ushio until the server is reset.
- Kuroshio Hayato
- A member of the Student Council, Kuroshio is a Celebrant and serves as an operator on the Oceanus. He originally came from the Shizuoka server and previously acted as a Zegapain Gunner.
- Irie Ayaka
- A member of the Student Council, Irie is a Celebrant and acts as an operator on the Oceanus. She previously served as a Zegapain Wizard and originally came from the Shizuoka server.
- Kurashige Sen'ichi
- Kurashige is Kyō's science and homeroom teacher at Maihama Minami High School. He is the sponsor for the Swim Club, and is nicknamed "Kurage" by Kyo.
- ミズサワ
- The nurse at Kyō's school who seems to be close to Kurashige and later accepts a marriage proposal from him. Kyo appears to go to Mizusawa when he needs advice or to discuss matters concerning school. She has noticed abnormalities with the world they live in, but has not shown any indication of awakening.
- Kaminagi Kōji)
- Ryoko's younger brother.
- Sogoru Misaki
- Kyo's younger sister, a junior high school student.
- Tsumura Sachiko
- Sachiko is a Celebrant and third year student at school who was dating Hayase. Due to damage to her Meta-body data, she does not appear in the server, resulting in Hayase being unable to meet her in person. She has an expanded role in Zegapain ADP.
- Kanō Tōru
- Tōru is a Celebrant who recorded the real Maihama on the "last day" before all of humanity was converted into Meta-Bodies shortly before he returned to the Maihama server. As the president of the Video Club, he was a friend of Ryoko. He previously acted as vice-commander Minato for the Oceanus. He appears in Zegapain ADP.
- フナベリ
- The principal of South Maihama High School. Previously a quantum computer researcher, she is deeply involved in the development of the phantom form of humanity and the quantum server. Funaberi watches the movements of the Celebrants from within the Maihama server, but does not participate in their battles. She appears in Zegapain ADP.
- Kohakura Natsumi
- An older former junior high classmate of Kyo mentioned in passing as Kyo's unrequited crush. While said to have transferred to Okinawa, her meta-body is held in the Maihama server. She has an unwavering trust in Kyo. She appears in Zegapain ADP.
Celebrant
- Mao Rūshen
- Lushen is the Gunner of the Garuda, a young man originally from Shanghai. Generally calm and level-headed, Lushen suspects that Shizuno knows more about the Gards-orm than she is willing to openly admit.
- Mei Ū
- May-Yen's older twin sister, she is one of the Garuda's Wizards, who is also originally from Shanghai. She is also capable of acting as a Gunner in a limited capacity for the Oceanus' Caladrius unit.
- Mei Yen
- May-Yu's younger twin sister, she is one of the Garuda's Wizards, but occasionally works as the Wizard for Chris after Arque's death.
- Kurisu Avunīru
- Chris is of the Hræsvelgr's pilots (the Gunner) and Arque's husband. He and Arque love each other very much.
- Āku Avunīru
- Arque is one of the Hræsvelgr's pilots (Wizard) and Chris' wife. She and Shizuno became friends when the Paris server still existed. She suffers from severe wet damage, which has damaged her memories.
- Izora
- Isola is the commander of the Dvārakā, a ship like the Oceanus.
- Toga Vitāru
- Toga is Altair's Gunner under Isola's command. He is the main character of the spin-off game, Zegapain XOR.
- Sara
- One of the Altair's Wizards under Isola's command, Sarah is partnered with Toga Vital and also appears in Zegapain XOR.
- Meiveru Toransufeiru
- One of the Altair's Wizards under Isola's command, Meivelle was originally rescued from a sinking warship. She is considered a genius of electronic warfare.
- Mio Redinesu
- One of the Altair's Wizards under Isola's command, Mio seems to have a crush on Toga. She is also seen acting as the Hræsvelgr's Wizard for Muelle.
- Sō Bāvinsukī
- The Garuda's Gunner who is under Isola's command, Saw also pilots the Dvaraka's Caladrius unit as Gunner.
- Muēje
- The vice-commander of the Dvaraka and the Hræsvelgr's Gunner, Muelle appears frequently alongside Isola and seems to have a close relationship with her.
- Inzeru
- Insel is the commander of the Corduax.
- Tao Yū
- Dao is the commander of the Cagayan.
- Iru
- Île is the commander of the Deukalio.
- Osutoroba
- Ostrova is the commander of the Rwenzori.
- Nisosu
- Nisos is the commander of the Ogiges.
AI
- Remuresu
- Lemures is of the Oceanus class ship's AI captain.
- Tarubo
- Tarbo is of the Oceanus class ship' AI units who serves as secondary commander.
- フォセッタ
- Fosetta is of the Oceanus class ship' AI units. She mainly supports transferring the Zegapain, but is also responsible of monitoring interior sensors onboard Oceanus.
- Richeruka
- One of the Oceanus class ship' AI units, Ricerca supports transferring the Zegapain and is capable of controlling the Caladrius as a Gunner or a Wizard.
- Dīta
- One of the Oceanus class ship' AI units, Dita monitors and directs the management and strategic functions of the Zegapain.
- ルーパ
- Rupa is a character introduced in Zegapain ADP. Unlike other AI units, she can appear in the Maihama server.
- ゼーガAI
- Zega AI programming the conveys the conditions of the Zegapain to the flight crew (Gunner and Wizard).
Gards-orm
- Abisu
- Abyss is one of the people with "light" who are constantly launching assaults on those without "light" in Anti-Zegapain ships in order to destroy servers.
- Shin
- Sin is Abyss' female partner who is as strong as he is.
- Nāga
- Naga is CEO of iAL Corporations, who advocated limitless human evolution through quantum servers, where humanity lives forever.
- Sō
- Shima's original Meta-Body who Naga's aide and initially supported his technology.
- Toga Dyūpu
- Toga Dupe is a Gards-orm replica of Toga Vital created from his lost character and memory data salvaged by Gards-orm. He is the main character of Zegapain NOT.
- Kāmu
- Calm is a Wizard for the Gards-orm, who is skilled in close range combat and appears in Zegapain NOT.
- Nemon
- Nemmon is a test Wizard for the Gards-orm who appears in Zegapain NOT.
- Kurarika
- Taciturn and dedicated to her duty, Klarca is a Gards-orm Wizard who appears in Zegapain NOT. She excels in the processing of information and reconnaissance missions.
- Nafusha
- Nahusha Oceanus class ship Larnax' commander of Gards-orm side who appears in Zegapain NOT. He holds a deep grudge against the Celebrants and humanity.
- Korajjio
- Coraggio gunner for the Gards-orm who is harsh and righteous in character who appears in Zegapain NOT.
- Ninbasu
- Nimbus is a gunner for the Gards-orm and a member of the Gards-orm's S.D. Elite posted at Uenomiya who appears in Zegapain NOT.
- Vaboru
- A Gards-orm soldier introduced in Zegapain ADP.
- Neve
- A Gards-orm soldier introduced in Zegapain ADP.
Anime
The anime television series was compiled and released on nine DVD sets from 2006 to 2007. The series was released on Blu-ray boxset in September 2010.
List of episodes
Films
A compilation film,
Zegapain Adaptation, was released in 2016 to celebrate the series' tenth anniversary. Using footage from the TV series interspersed with new animation and characters,
Zegapain Adaptation uses the concept of the server "loops" in telling its story, and is revealed by the end of the film to be a prequel to the events of the first episode of
Zegapain.
A sequel film, titled Zegapain STA, was released by Sunrise's parent company, Bandai Namco Filmworks, on August 16, 2024.
Video games
Two Xbox 360 games based on the anime have been released in Japan. The first,
Zegapain XOR, was released in July 2006. The second,
Zegapain NOT, a follow-up to
Zegapain XOR, was released on December 7, 2006. Both titles were developed by Cavia and published by Bandai Namco Games.
The first game, published by Bandai, is called Zegapain XOR and was released in Japan on July 27, 2006. The game is similar in nature to Zone of the Enders. A mech action game, the player controls Cerebrant Toga Vital and the plot runs parallel to the events of the anime. Zegapain XOR is set on the Oceanus-class ship Dvaraka and commanded by Isola, a recurring character in the anime series. Several characters who appear in the game make brief appearances in the anime series.
A second game, titled Zegapain NOT, was released on December 7, 2006 in Japan. Also based on the anime series, Zegapain NOT is a sequel and companion to Zegapain XOR and continues the storyline of the previous game. The game features a special online mode that allows for cross-disc online play, enabling players with Zegapain XOR to play against players with Zegapain NOT. The game has over 3,000 ways to customize your character.
The main character is Toga Dupe, Toga Vital's lost character and memory data salvaged by Gards-orm, who controls the Anti-Zega Coatlicue. The story is set and told from the point of view of the Gards-orm, the antagonists to the heroes in the anime and Zegapain XOR.
Other media
Manga
The manga adaptation by Gou Yabuki,
Zegapain Gaiden: AI AlWAYS, was serialized in the monthly magazine
Dengeki Daioh from August 2006 to October 2006. A second manga based on the events of
Zegapain XOR,
Side-B N, appears on the official site for
Zegapain XOR. It has nine chapters available for preview. Both were compiled into tankōbon format in Japan.
Radio drama
The
radio drama Zegapain audio drama OUR LAST DAYS was released on October 25, 2006 in Japan.
- Episode 1: "The Children of OCEANUS"
- Episode 2: "entanglement 13.3"
- Episode 3: "our last days"
Guidebooks
Zegapain Visual Fan Book, a guide recording the
Zegapain material and plotline, was released on March 13, 2007 in Japan. The guide features illustrations, articles on character, setting, and mechanics, conception of the story and how the setting was chosen, as well as staff interviews, which director Masami Shimoda and series creator Takehito Ito, and voice actors
Shintaro Asanuma (Kyo) and
Kana Hanazawa (Ryoko).
Another guidebook, Zegapain File Salvage, was released on November 10, 2010 in Japan. Zegapain File Salvage includes information on creation and conception of the series's plot and setting, initial and final designs for characters and mecha, and exclusive illustrations by various artists. The guide also includes interviews by Shintaro Asanuma, Kana Hanazawa, Ayako Kawasumi (Shizuno); mecha designers Rei Nakahara, Sunrise DID, and Kozo Yokota; and staff members Masami Shimoda and Hiroyuki Hataike.
Novels
Two novels were written for
Zegapain and are side-stories to the anime series and video games. The first was published in June 2009 and features a recently awakened Cerebrant, Kurou Hayate, who finds Regina, a girl with an unusual meta-body, during an energy supply run aboard a Zega-tank; the story follows how they struggle to learn how they are irreplaceable even as data. The second novel was published in December 2011 and focuses on Mao, a young man with amnesia, who finds himself fighting monsters in order to escape from a town in the desert and suddenly awakens as a Cerebrant.
[Miya, Showtaro; Ohnuki, Kenichi; Shibata, Akiko; Sato, Hiroki; Buyu. "Zegapain". Newtype USA. 6 (11) pp. 56–57. November 2007. .]
Further reading
External links
