About Valvrave, the vampire mecha anime franchise

Valvrave stands as one of mecha anime’s most polarising works, a series that challenged conventional storytelling through its audacious fusion of space warfare, vampire mythology, and existential horror.

Created by Sunrise with director Matsuo Kō and writer Ōkouchi Ichirō, this controversial franchise pushed the boundaries of what mecha anime could explore, asking viewers the ultimate question: “Do you resign as a human being?”

The Valvrave franchise features revolutionary humanoid weapons called Valvraves, whose name serves as an acronym for “VAmpire Link Vessel Rune Activate Vital Engine”. Unlike conventional mecha, these machines demand a terrible price from their pilots, transforming them into immortal beings who must feed on human Runes to survive. Each Valvrave pilot becomes a Magius, gaining vampiric abilities including memory absorption, body possession, and supernatural regeneration.

Valvrave the Liberator is the original television series that established the franchise’s core mythology. Set in the True Calendar year 71, the story follows Haruto Tokishima, a high school student who discovers one of these forbidden weapons and must decide whether to sacrifice his humanity to protect those he loves.

Valvrave emerged as Sunrise’s bold experiment in genre fusion, combining the studio’s expertise in political mecha drama with supernatural horror elements. The series challenged audiences with its unflinching examination of the costs of power, exploring themes of sacrifice, identity, and the price of protection through its controversial “vampire mecha” concept.

This approach transformed Valvrave from conventional entertainment into a lightning rod for discussion, sparking intense debate about the nature of heroism, the boundaries of mecha storytelling, and the ethics of survival in an unforgiving universe.

Core concepts

Valvraves and the Magius curse

The Valvraves represent a revolutionary approach to mecha design, serving as both weapons and mystical artifacts. Each unit poses the question “Do you resign as a human being?” to potential pilots, transforming those who answer “yes” into immortal Magius with vampiric abilities. This transformation grants enhanced regenerative powers, the ability to transfer consciousness into other bodies through biting, and the capacity to absorb human Runes—the essence of memory and life force.

The curse comes with a terrible price: pilots gradually lose their memories as the Valvrave consumes their Runes during combat, eventually leading to death through complete memory erasure. This mechanic creates a constant tension between the power needed to protect others and the personal cost of wielding such strength.

Political landscape

The True Calendar era depicts humanity’s expansion into space through massive Dyson Spheres, with 70% of the population living in these orbital cities. Three major powers dominate this landscape: the militaristic Dorssia Military Pact Federation, the economically focused Atlantic Ring United States (ARUS), and the neutral JIOR.

Beneath this apparent political structure lies the true power: the Council of One Hundred and One, a secret organisation of ancient Magius who have manipulated human civilisation for centuries. This hidden conspiracy adds layers of complexity to seemingly straightforward military conflicts.

Themes and philosophy

Valvrave explores fundamental questions about identity, sacrifice, and the nature of humanity. The series examines whether heroism justifies the loss of one’s humanity, and whether protection of others validates personal transformation into something monstrous. These themes are embodied in the central question that defines the franchise: “Do you resign as a human being?”

True Calendar universe

The True Calendar timeline represents Valvrave’s complete narrative universe, encompassing all official series and related media within this continuity.

Set in an era where 70% of humanity lives in space colonies called Dyson Spheres, the universe is divided between three major powers: the militaristic Dorssia Military Pact Federation, the trade-focused Atlantic Ring United States (ARUS), and the neutral JIOR. This political landscape creates the backdrop for conflicts that extend far beyond mere territorial disputes.

The discovery of the Valvraves at JIOR Module 77 triggers a chain of events that exposes the existence of the Magius, an ancient race of immortal beings who have secretly controlled human civilisation for centuries through the shadowy Council of One Hundred and One.

The timeline culminates in a flash-forward sequence showing the Golden Seven—the surviving Valvrave pilots—working towards Haruto’s dream of coexistence between humans and Magius in a peaceful future.

Notable works in chronological order:

Valvrave the Liberator (T.C. 71) - The main 24-episode television series
Valvrave the Liberator: Undertaker (light novel, T.C. 71) - Side story focusing on additional pilots

Manga adaptations:

Valvrave the Liberator by Tsuchiya Karega - Direct adaptation of the anime
Uragiri no Rakuin by Sazanami Ichiya - Focuses on A-drei
Ryūsei no Valkyrie by Ōhori Yutaka - Centres on Saki Rukino

History of Valvrave

In 2013, Sunrise created a work that would challenge every expectation of mecha anime storytelling. Valvrave the Liberator premiered as an ambitious experiment that dared to blend space opera with supernatural horror, political intrigue with existential philosophy.

The series emerged from the collaboration between director Matsuo Kō, known for his work on psychological dramas like Kurenai and Natsuyuki Rendezvous, and writer Ōkouchi Ichirō, whose previous success with Code Geass demonstrated his ability to craft complex political narratives. Character designs by manga artist Hoshino Katsura, creator of D.Gray-man, brought a distinctive gothic aesthetic to the franchise.

Creation and development

The Valvrave project began as Sunrise’s attempt to create a mecha series that would subvert genre expectations whilst maintaining the studio’s reputation for spectacular mechanical action. The creative team faced significant challenges in designing the Valvraves themselves, requiring assistance from Nitroplus’s Ishiwata Makoto to achieve the distinctive look that emphasised their organic, almost living nature.

Animation and technical innovation

Valvrave earned particular praise for its seamless integration of 2D and 3D animation techniques. The series was noted as one of the higher points of praise for making computer graphics look natural and work effectively with traditional animation, particularly in mecha combat sequences. The production team used cell animation to emphasise the 3D CG elements, creating fluid sword-drawing motions and dynamic combat that enhanced the organic nature of the Valvraves.

The mecha designs themselves required extensive collaboration, with Nitroplus’s Ishiwata Makoto assisting the team in overcoming design challenges. Each Valvrave presented unique difficulties as the designers sought to differentiate each unit whilst maintaining the biomechanical aesthetic that set them apart from conventional mecha.

Music and presentation

The series featured an ambitious musical approach with ten pieces of theme music across both seasons, including collaborations between major artists like T.M.Revolution and Mizuki Nana. The opening themes “Preserved Roses” and “Kakumei Dualism” became particularly associated with the franchise’s dramatic presentation style.

Controversial reception

Global reception and criticism

Valvrave’s reception proved as polarising as its subject matter. Critics praised the series’ willingness to tackle uncomfortable themes and its spectacular animation, particularly the seamless integration of 2D and 3D animation techniques. Anime News Network’s Theron Martin remarked on the series’ delivery of conventional story elements in a way not seen before, comparing its execution to Code Geass.

Kotaku’s Richard Eisenbeis noted that while Valvrave had been compared with the Gundam franchise for its use of mechas and pilots, it stood out for its “over-the-top” elements such as the Valvrave’s curse which makes Haruto act like a vampire as well as the multiple moves the mecha can perform.

However, the series also attracted significant criticism for its controversial content and deliberately outrageous plot developments. The second season was noted for its darker episodes, with critics addressing the multiple character deaths that gave the story notable impact as well as the main cast going through major development after harsh events. Some critics found fault with the series’ handling of serious topics and its unpredictable narrative structure.

”So bad it’s good” phenomenon

Valvrave became infamous for being so bad that watching it becomes joyful, with the series taking itself incredibly seriously despite its ridiculous premise, delivering every line with over-dramatic flair typical of intense mecha space operas. This reputation as a “guilty pleasure” has ironically contributed to its cult following, with many fans embracing its campy excesses as a form of entertainment that transcends traditional quality metrics.

Legacy and influence

Despite its divisive reception, Valvrave carved out a unique place in mecha anime history as a series unafraid to push boundaries. The series has become infamous for being so bad that watching it becomes joyful, taking itself incredibly seriously despite its ridiculous premise. This “so bad it’s good” reputation has ironically contributed to its cult following, with many fans embracing its campy excesses as a form of entertainment.

The franchise’s exploration of vampire mythology within a mecha framework remains unique in anime, influencing discussions about genre boundaries and the potential for hybrid storytelling. Its willingness to ask uncomfortable questions about the price of power and protection continues to resonate with viewers seeking more challenging content.

Cultural impact and legacy

Influence on mecha design

Valvrave’s influence extends beyond its immediate fanbase through its bold approach to genre fusion and controversial storytelling. The series demonstrated that mecha anime could successfully incorporate supernatural elements whilst maintaining its core appeal, paving the way for future experiments in genre blending.

The franchise’s mechanical designs established a new aesthetic that prioritised biological inspiration over traditional mechanical precision. The Valvraves themselves, with their distinctive three-legged raven emblems (Yatagarasu) and Hard Afterglow propulsion systems, influenced discussions about the potential for organic mecha design. The series showed that giant robots could be conceived as living entities rather than mere machines.

Thematic resonance

The franchise’s central question—“Do you resign as a human being?”—has become a cultural touchstone for discussions about sacrifice, identity, and the costs of heroism. This philosophical core, buried beneath layers of spectacular action and controversial content, continues to generate analysis and debate years after the series concluded.

Valvrave’s exploration of vampire mythology within a mecha framework remains unique in anime, creating a hybrid that influenced conversations about genre boundaries and the potential for unconventional storytelling approaches.

Critical discourse

The series has become a significant case study in “so bad it’s good” entertainment, demonstrating how a work can achieve cultural relevance through its very excesses. Academic discussions of the series often focus on its relationship to traditional mecha conventions and its willingness to subvert audience expectations.

The franchise’s polarising nature has made it a frequent point of comparison for other experimental mecha series, serving as a benchmark for ambitious genre fusion attempts.

Viewing experience

Approaching Valvrave

Valvrave requires viewers to embrace its over-the-top nature and philosophical ambitions whilst acknowledging its controversial elements. The series rewards those who engage with its thematic content about identity and sacrifice, though its deliberately ridiculous presentation can challenge conventional expectations of mecha storytelling.

The franchise’s episodic structure builds toward major revelations about the Magius conspiracy and the true nature of the Valvraves, making sustained viewing essential for understanding its complete narrative arc.

International availability

The series was licensed by Aniplex of America and streamed internationally through Crunchyroll and Hulu during its original broadcast. Home media releases followed in multiple regions, though the franchise has not received the extensive international marketing of larger mecha properties.

External links

Conclusion

Valvrave remains one of anime’s most audacious experiments, a series that dared to ask whether mecha storytelling could survive the fusion of space opera, political thriller, and supernatural horror. Through its controversial vampire-mecha concept and unflinching examination of power’s price, the franchise challenged both creators and audiences to reconsider the boundaries of genre storytelling.

Whether viewed as a masterpiece of ambitious storytelling or a spectacular failure of narrative restraint, Valvrave’s willingness to risk everything in pursuit of its vision ensures its place as one of anime’s most unforgettable works. In a medium often criticised for playing it safe, Valvrave stands as proof that sometimes the most memorable stories are those that dare to fail spectacularly whilst reaching for something genuinely different.

The franchise’s ultimate legacy lies not in its success or failure, but in its demonstration that anime can still surprise, challenge, and provoke discussion years after its conclusion. In asking viewers to confront their own humanity through the lens of vampire mecha, Valvrave achieved something far more valuable than conventional entertainment—it created genuine controversy, passionate debate, and lasting cultural impact.