Its been a long while since my last post. I won't give excuses for my long hiatus, except that there's exams and projects... who am I kidding...?
I actually meant for this to be the Anime Festival Asia Singapore (AFASG) 2015 post, but after finishing Muv-Luv Alternative Chronicles 02(or at least the TDA01 portion), I just felt I needed to get some of my thoughts in. Don't worry though, the AFASG post will be up shortly.
If you're left wondering WTF is Muv-Luv, and why the heck I am reviewing a visual novel (henceforth VN), shame on you! Haven't you read my introductory post to VNs like a couple of months back? Of course you haven't! But I'm gonna be nice, and I'll link you to the post here. Please read it first, or else there's no reason for you to continue reading this post. Don't worry, this post won't be running off anywhere.
...Read it? Good, then let's continue.
Its probably time to address an anime you might have known that bears the same name as the title series - Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse (henceforth MLA: TE). If you've watched that, you might think you have a good grasp of what this series is about. WRONG!
First of all, let me clarify that MLA: TE is NOT an adaptation of the core Muv-Luv canon, although they may ultimately be linked. MLA: TE is set in the same world as the original Muv-Luv and it bears some similarities, but the general tone of the show is completely different from the original VN, not to mention with a completely different focus and story. Frankly, compared to the VN, it doesn't just pale in comparison. It completely fades out of comparison. Yes. Comparing the two is technically impossible. They simply exist on two separates planes of competency. It would be like comparing a one-dimensional dot to a five-dimensional multiverse - they are just too different in terms of scope and epicness such that they cannot be compared. That said, MLA: TE also has a visual novel format, and having not played that, I can't tell whether the entire story remains as lackluster as the anime implies. MLA: TE does not have a poor story. Its just that when compared to the sheer supremacy of the original VNs, MLA: TE just falls flat.
Muv-Luv is a series of visual novels that is hard to define. A number of them tell a happy-go-lucky, carefree, slice-of-life high school life, and the other depicts a post-apocalyptic world where mankind have been pushed to the brink of extinction by invasion by aliens dubbed BETA (Beings of Extra-Terrestrial origin and Adversaries to the human race). Two stories in which circumstances could not be more different eventually entwine themselves to the point they become interwoven and inextricable. Throw in quantum mechanics, multi-verse theory, mental trauma, inane emotional breakdowns, crazy mechas and deaths by the millions (including EVERY SINGLE MAIN CHARACTER), and you get Muv-Luv.
Is that a little hard to take in? Well, as convoluted as that sounds, Muv-Luv is incredibly deep, touching and heart-rending. It is undeniably
The Kickstarter then went on to reach EVERY SINGLE STRETCH GOAL, to the point that the team had to include two other stretch goals. And the fanbase continued to break stretch goal after stretch goal, ultimately reaching $1,255,444 USD!!! Over 5 times the original goal of $250,000!
Why is Muv-Luv so beloved? I have already mentioned that it is THE BEST visual novel (at least in English) that has currently been ever been conceived. But why is that so? What kind of story can create such an impact of people? What kind of insanity can drive people to fund $1.2 million USD to a relatively unknown Japanese entertainment medium?
Some background information is required to understand the Muv-Luv Series. The Muv-Luv series primarily consists of three parts: Muv-Luv Extra, Muv-Luv Unlimited (which are packaged together in a single game) and Muv-Luv Alternative. There are also many spin-offs such as Muv-Luv: Altered Fable, semi-continuations like Muv-Luv Alternative Chronicles (the second of which I played) and also other stories set in the same universe, for example, Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse.
Muv-Luv Extra (henceforth MLE) is the carefree, high-school part of the story. It is trite, incredibly cheesy and completely excruciating to go through. The market for VNs is already flooded with high-school romance genres - and MLE breaks absolutely ZERO new ground, revels in anime tropes and falls squarely into every single overused textbook cliches and character archetypes. It would be one of the WORST VNs I have ever played, if not for its only saving grace: its presentation. The presentation of this VN is one of best I have ever seen in VNs, and it actually manages to save this game from being completely unplayable, but doesn't manage to carry the weight of this game. This game is undoubtedly the WEAKEST part of the Muv-Luv series, is a complete chore to go through, and yet is COMPULSORY to experience the full Muv-Luv experience. If you're wondering how a game I just lambasted so much can become the best VN series, bear with me. It gets better. A complete playthrough of Muv-Luv Extra will set you back about ~20 hours.
After completing the two main routes of Muv-Luv Extra, you unlock the second part of the series, Muv-Luv Unlimited (henceforth MLU). MLU turns the entire premise of MLE on its head, and instead begins anew in a post-apocalyptic world where the aforementioned aliens, BETA have pushed mankind to the brink of extinction. Our protagonist, Takeru, wakes up in his bedroom, and realises that his entire town and his house are dilapidated and in ruins. After a sequence of events, he enrolls into a military school which trains cadets to become Eishis, pilots of giant machines known as Tactical Surface Fighters (TSFs), which are the only machines capable of fighting the aliens. MLU begins the trip into the abyss of no return, where we begin to enter the world of the BETA. But MLU is just the beginning. MLU spends the majority of the time on the training arc, and there is no actual confrontation with the BETA. The ending would be a spoiler, and suffice it to say that the ending is a calamity. Thankfully, a continuation is provided in the spinoff Muv-Luv Alternative Chronicles. MLU provides us a good introduction into the post-apoclayptic world world of Muv-Luv, and sets the stage for Muv-Luv Alternative. As with MLE, it is also compulsory and a complete playthrough will set you back around ~15 hours.
Muv-Luv Alternative (MLA) is the true gem of the Muv-Luv series, and is the game that elevates the Muv-Luv series to MASTERPIECE status. Muv-Luv Alternative continues the story in MLU. Our protagonist Takeru wakes up again in his destroyed town, and quickly realises that he has somehow been transported back in time before the events of MLU. However, his memories and improved physique has remained intact. Takeru, armed with the knowledge of the future from MLU, seeks to avoid the disastrous future that he has seen, and decides to use his invaluable knowledge to prevent the calamity he has witnessed. In the beginning, his knowledge proves invaluable, and his efforts bear fruit. However, it soon becomes apparent that even knowledge of the future is but a tiny drop in the bucket towards winning the war against the BETA, and soon Takeru realises that his efforts are all for naught. A misstep causes a horrific event to happen, and Takeru succumbs to it.
Faced with the realisation of his ultimate nightmare, Takeru rejects the world and denies everything about it, falling into absolute despair. It is only when even more terrible things happen that he finally embraces the brutality of truth and awakens as the true hero the world desperately needs.
Calling Muv-Luv a masterpiece is an understatement. No other story radiates so much passion, power, emotion and sheer intellect into its writing. No other story establishes the perennial fear, desperation and absolute despair that permeates the atmosphere in Muv-Luv. Mere words cannot describe the incredible work of art that is Muv-Luv. It is more that just a story, it is a reflection of the human spirit. That is what makes it the best VN series ever.
I should be coming out with a review of the game I just played soon, since there doesn't seem to be any out yet. But until then,
Happy Anime Watching!
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