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About Aquarion

About Aquarion

The emotion-powered mecha franchise exploring love, unity, and spiritual connection through transforming fighters.

Aquarion stands as the emotion-powered mecha franchise that revolutionised the combining robot genre through its exploration of love, unity, and spiritual transcendence, transforming the traditional super robot formula into something deeply personal and mystical.

Created by Kawamori Shoji in 2005, this groundbreaking franchise merged traditional super robot action with profound themes of reincarnation and emotional connection, establishing a unique identity within the mecha anime landscape through its emphasis on the power of unity and love. The franchise emerged during a period when mecha anime was dominated by realistic military narratives, offering instead a return to the mythological and spiritual roots of the super robot genre whilst incorporating sophisticated emotional storytelling.

The Aquarion franchise features giant robots formed by the combination of three individual fighter craft called Vectors, piloted by special individuals known as Elements who possess supernatural abilities. The franchise’s signature concept revolves around the mystical process of “Unification,” where pilots must achieve emotional and spiritual synchronicity to operate their combined mecha effectively. This process of unity serves as both a literal piloting mechanism and a metaphor for human connection and understanding, with the strength of the pilots’ emotions directly affecting the Aquarion’s power.

Genesis of Aquarion is the foundational series that established the franchise’s core themes and mechanics. The franchise has since expanded through multiple series exploring different aspects of love, unity, and the power of emotions across various timelines and continuities, with each instalment offering its own interpretation of the central concepts whilst maintaining the distinctive Aquarion identity.

Aquarion emerged as Kawamori Shoji’s ambitious vision to create a modern homage to the super robot genre of the 1970s and 1980s, executed with contemporary animation techniques and deeper thematic content. Drawing inspiration from spiritual concepts including yoga, the Age of Aquarius, Hindu philosophy, and various mythological traditions, the series presents combining mecha as instruments of divine intervention and emotional transcendence. The franchise’s name itself references the astrological Age of Aquarius, symbolising an era of synthesis and spiritualism in contrast to the conflict and duality of the preceding age.

This approach fundamentally distinguished Aquarion from other mecha series, transforming the act of piloting giant robots from mere combat operation into a deeply spiritual and emotional experience that explores the very nature of human connection and unity.

Technological Innovation

Combining System

The Aquarion mecha system represents one of anime’s most distinctive combining robot concepts. Unlike traditional combining mecha that follow fixed formation patterns, Aquarion’s three Vector machines can unite in multiple configurations, with the pilot occupying the head position determining the combined form’s characteristics and abilities. This system reflects the franchise’s emphasis on emotional flexibility and adaptability.

The Unification process transcends mere mechanical combination, requiring pilots to achieve emotional and spiritual synchronisation. During this process, pilots experience an influx of power that the series depicts through distinctive visual metaphors, emphasising the transcendent nature of unity. The strength and effectiveness of each combination depend directly on the emotional harmony between pilots, making psychological compatibility as crucial as technical skill.

Element Powers

Elements are individuals born with supernatural abilities that allow them to pilot Vector machines and participate in Unification. These powers manifest differently across the franchise’s various timelines, ranging from elemental manipulation to psychic abilities to specialised talents reflecting each pilot’s inner nature. The franchise explores how these abilities both connect and isolate their bearers, examining the responsibility that comes with extraordinary power.

The Element system serves as a metaphor for human potential and the special qualities that allow individuals to connect deeply with others. Each Element’s unique ability contributes to the collective strength of the Aquarion, reinforcing the franchise’s central theme that unity and cooperation can overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Cultural Impact

Musical Legacy

The Aquarion franchise has achieved particular recognition for its musical contributions to anime culture. Kanno Yoko’s compositions for the original series, particularly the iconic opening theme “Genesis of Aquarion” performed by AKINO, became one of anime’s most recognisable songs. The track’s soaring melody and spiritual lyrics perfectly captured the series’ themes of transcendence and unity, establishing a musical identity that has remained consistent throughout the franchise.

The series’ approach to integrating music with narrative themes influenced subsequent mecha productions, demonstrating how musical composition could enhance the emotional and spiritual dimensions of giant robot storytelling. The franchise’s musical legacy continues with each new instalment featuring remixes and reinterpretations of the original theme.

Thematic Influence

Aquarion’s emphasis on emotional and spiritual themes helped expand the thematic range of mecha anime beyond traditional military and political narratives. The franchise’s exploration of love, reincarnation, and unity provided a template for incorporating mythological and philosophical concepts into giant robot storytelling, influencing subsequent series to explore more diverse thematic territory.

The franchise’s treatment of combining mecha as spiritual practice rather than mere combat technique opened new avenues for metaphorical storytelling within the genre, demonstrating how mechanical concepts could serve as vehicles for exploring profound philosophical questions about human nature and connection.

International Reception

Despite mixed critical reception, Aquarion developed a dedicated international fanbase drawn to its unique blend of spectacular mecha action and spiritual themes. The franchise’s distinctive approach to love and unity resonated particularly strongly with audiences seeking alternatives to more militaristic mecha narratives, establishing a niche but passionate following across multiple continents.

The series’ influence can be seen in subsequent anime that attempt to combine action spectacle with deeper philosophical content, though few have achieved Aquarion’s distinctive balance of mythological grandeur and emotional intimacy.

Timelines of Aquarion

Original Timeline

The original Aquarion timeline encompasses the foundational mythology of the franchise, exploring themes of forbidden love, reincarnation, and the eternal struggle between different forms of existence. Set in a world where humanity faces extinction from powerful beings known as Shadow Angels, this timeline established the franchise’s core concepts of love transcending boundaries and the power of unity to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.

The timeline centres on the legend of Apollonius, a Shadow Angel who fell in love with the human warrior Celiane, betraying his own kind to fight alongside humanity using the legendary mecha Aquarion. This forbidden love becomes the cornerstone of the franchise’s mythology, with the themes of star-crossed lovers and sacrifice resonating through subsequent reincarnations across millennia. The original timeline explores how love and understanding can bridge even the most fundamental differences between species, whilst examining the cyclical nature of conflict and the possibility of redemption through unity and compassion.

The storyline spans 12,000 years, demonstrating the franchise’s ambitious scope and its commitment to exploring how love and conflict repeat across generations. This temporal breadth allows for exploration of how the same souls face similar challenges across different eras, reinforcing themes of eternal love and the persistence of hope even in the darkest circumstances.

Notable series in chronological order:

  • Genesis of Aquarion (UC 0079, 2005)
  • Genesis of Aquarion OVA (alternate retelling, 2007)
  • Aquarion Evol (12,000 years later, 2012)
  • Aquarion Love (crossover OVA, 2015)

Independent Timelines

Logos Timeline

The Logos Timeline represents a completely separate continuity that focuses on the power of language and communication rather than reincarnation. Set in a contemporary world where the proliferation of text and digital communication has created chaos in the “Logos World,” this timeline explores how words and verbal expression shape reality itself. The series examines modern concerns about the degradation of meaningful communication in the digital age, presenting language as both creative and destructive force.

Unlike the mystical themes of the original timeline, Logos examines contemporary issues through its exploration of “Verbalism Power,” the ability to use voice and language as tools of creation and destruction. The timeline presents a unique interpretation of the Aquarion concept, with the mecha serving as guardians against forces that would corrupt or destroy authentic communication. This approach demonstrates the franchise’s flexibility in addressing different generational concerns whilst maintaining its core emphasis on unity and understanding.

The Logos timeline stands out for its contemporary setting and its exploration of how technology and modern society impact human connection, examining whether genuine communication remains possible in an age of information overload and digital mediation.

Notable series:

  • Aquarion Logos (2015)

Myth of Emotions Timeline

The newest addition to the franchise, the Myth of Emotions Timeline presents yet another independent continuity that explores the fundamental nature of emotions themselves. Set in the coastal city of Enoshima, this timeline focuses on young pilots who each lack specific emotions, discovering their humanity through the process of piloting Aquarion and achieving unity with their fellow Elements.

This timeline returns to the franchise’s spiritual roots whilst offering a fresh perspective on the relationship between feelings and human connection. The series examines how different emotions contribute to our understanding of ourselves and others, using the Aquarion as a vehicle for emotional growth and self-discovery. The choice of Enoshima as the setting provides a distinctly Japanese cultural context, grounding the mystical themes in contemporary reality.

The timeline’s exploration of emotional development through mecha piloting represents a natural evolution of the franchise’s core themes, demonstrating how the concepts of unity and connection remain relevant across different narrative contexts and cultural settings.

Notable series:

  • Aquarion: Myth of Emotions (2025)

History of Aquarion

Creation and Early Development

The Aquarion franchise began with Kawamori Shoji’s desire to create a modern interpretation of the super robot genre that had defined mecha anime in earlier decades. Following his success with Macross and his work on The Vision of Escaflowne, Kawamori sought to explore the spiritual and emotional dimensions of combining mecha, drawing inspiration from his interests in yoga, Eastern philosophy, and the concept of unity as transcendence.

Working with Satelight studio, which he had co-founded in 1995, Kawamori developed the concept of combining fighters that required emotional and spiritual unity to function effectively. The series incorporated elements from various spiritual traditions, including Hindu concepts of yoga and unity, Christian symbolism, and the astrological concept of the Age of Aquarius. This rich mythological foundation provided the framework for exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and transcendence that would become the franchise’s signature.

The development process involved collaboration with Kanno Yoko, who composed the musical score that became integral to the series’ emotional impact. The iconic opening theme “Genesis of Aquarion” was specifically designed to capture the spiritual and transcendent themes of the narrative, with its soaring melody and mystical lyrics becoming one of anime’s most recognisable songs.

Genesis of Aquarion premiered on 4 April 2005 to mixed critical reception, with some critics praising its animation and musical score whilst others found its story unfocused and derivative of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Despite the mixed reviews, the series gained a devoted following for its unique approach to the mecha genre and its willingness to prioritise emotional and spiritual content over traditional military action.

Evolution and Expansion

Following the original series’ completion, the franchise expanded with Aquarion Evol in 2012, which continued the original timeline whilst introducing new characters and conflicts set 12,000 years after the original events. This sequel explored similar themes of forbidden love and reincarnation but with a more mature approach to relationships and emotional development, reflecting the evolution of both the medium and audience expectations.

Aquarion Evol demonstrated the franchise’s ability to reinvent itself whilst maintaining its core identity, introducing new mechanical designs and expanding the mythology surrounding the Shadow Angels and the nature of reincarnation. The series’ focus on the prohibition of romantic relationships between Elements provided a new angle for exploring the franchise’s central themes of love and unity.

The franchise took a bold new direction with Aquarion Logos in 2015, which abandoned the reincarnation storyline in favour of exploring contemporary issues around language and communication. This marked the beginning of the franchise’s expansion into multiple independent timelines, allowing for greater creative freedom whilst maintaining core thematic elements. The decision to create separate continuities demonstrated Kawamori Shoji’s commitment to using the Aquarion concept as a vehicle for exploring different aspects of human experience and contemporary concerns.

Modern Renaissance

The most recent addition, Aquarion: Myth of Emotions, premiered on 9 January 2025 as part of the franchise’s 20th anniversary celebration. This series represents yet another new timeline, demonstrating the franchise’s continued evolution and its ability to find fresh approaches to its central themes of unity, emotion, and human connection. The series’ distinctive art style and focus on emotional development reflect contemporary anime trends whilst maintaining the spiritual and philosophical depth that defines the Aquarion identity.

Myth of Emotions features a significantly different aesthetic from previous Aquarion series, with character designs that emphasise a more stylised and accessible approach whilst retaining the franchise’s commitment to exploring profound themes through mecha action. The series’ setting in Enoshima provides a distinctly Japanese cultural context that grounds the mystical themes in contemporary reality.

Throughout its evolution, Aquarion has maintained its distinctive identity whilst adapting to changing audience expectations and contemporary concerns, establishing itself as a unique voice within the mecha anime landscape through its consistent focus on the emotional and spiritual dimensions of human experience.

Legacy and Influence

Aquarion’s legacy extends beyond its immediate narrative contributions to encompass its influence on the broader mecha genre and its demonstration of alternative approaches to giant robot storytelling. The franchise’s emphasis on emotional and spiritual themes helped expand the thematic range of mecha anime, providing a template for incorporating mythological and philosophical concepts into action-adventure narratives.

The series’ treatment of combining mecha as spiritual practice rather than mere combat technique opened new avenues for metaphorical storytelling within the genre, influencing subsequent productions to explore more diverse thematic territory. The franchise’s musical legacy, particularly through Kanno Yoko’s compositions, demonstrated how musical integration could enhance the emotional impact of mecha narratives.

Despite often receiving mixed critical reception, Aquarion has maintained a dedicated fanbase drawn to its unique blend of spectacular action and philosophical depth. The franchise’s willingness to explore unconventional themes and its commitment to spiritual and emotional storytelling have established it as a distinctive voice within anime, proving that giant robot series can successfully address profound questions about human nature, love, and connection.

The franchise’s multiple timeline approach has provided a model for other series seeking to expand their narrative scope whilst maintaining thematic consistency, demonstrating how core concepts can be reinterpreted across different contexts and eras. This flexibility has allowed Aquarion to remain relevant across two decades, continuing to find new audiences and new ways to explore its fundamental themes of unity and transcendence.