Hello! So, I haven’t updated in a while, and I want you guys to know I am *not* dead, so I decided to write up a little something on what I have been watching recently.
Ending scene of game credits, I believe. I went through a lot to get this!
If you’re unaware, Valkyria Chronicles (anime) is based off of Valkyria Chronicles (game). I played the latter first, which inspired me to watch the former. (This turn of events was caused by the sudden appearance of a PS3 in my home. It does not belong to me and I have no idea when its owner will take it back.)
I found the story for both the anime and the game rather engrossing. There were differences in storyline execution, and it was mostly a trade-off of which I found most suitable between the two. But anyway, let’s get to the comparisons, shall we?
(In order of relevance, to me.)
1.) Isara’s death.
;_;
Taken away by the anime. To be honest, I found the game’s presentation of it… a little underwhelming. Her death affected me (and the characters) not nearly enough, which is sort of a problem, because it becomes Squad 7′s raison d’etre for the rest of the story. And the circumstances surrounding her death? I can’t honestly remember why they were standing in a courtyard having an excessively ceremonial talk. She needs to be out of the tank to get shot! Suddenly, Imperial soldiers! They shoot one person, and run away. Practically screams “DEATH SCENE”.
Conversely, the anime spends 2 episodes on Isara’s death, and the amount it affects Welkin is dramatically increased. Which makes sense. The reactions of the squad felt significantly more human, and I was gripped for most of it. Alicia plays a large part in bringing Welkin back, which does a plus of elevating her significantly in Welkin’s eyes. Isara coming out of the tank to check on Rosie’s wound also seems much more sensible.
2.) Alicia’s role.
d'awwwwww
Believe it or not, Alicia’s role was expanded in the anime compared to the game. I suppose main character’s love interest and all. The affection that she and Welkin grow for each other is a lot more bumpy, what with the addition of one Faldio, and her eventual transfer into the army. This, of course, makes for a great raison d’etre for Welkin, but I think less so for the other squad members.
The rut Alicia enters after becoming a Valkyria, and her salvation by Welkin’s love were both fantastic. I didn’t particularly like her transfer into the army though, or the DBZ battle she had with Selvaria.
3.) Faldio Landzaat.
Poor guy.
Faldio’s involvement was much more pronounced in the anime, which I felt was a mixed bag. His proclamation of affection for Alicia put pressure on Welkin, which I felt didn’t make terribly much sense as it hadn’t been clearly shown that Welkin had feelings for Alicia to begin with. Welkin’s rut as a result was also a bit of a face-puller. I was, however, much impressed with the anime’s take on Faldio’s reason for awakening Alicia’s Valkyrur powers. An act of desperation born from losing his entire squad is definitely more vindicating than a calculated decision to snipe her.
An overall impression is heavily affected by the final act, though. I felt that Faldio’s heroic “I’m taking Maximillian down with me” was much better than taking out a few enemies with a grenade. Plus, Maximillian throwing himself backward down that hole just doesn’t make as much sense anyway.
4.) Maximillian
Just sliiiiightly nutso.
His anime interpretation was… much less flattering. Why bother with fleeting flashbacks of the injustices of his youth with he does so many things that we won’t sympathize with him anyway? Bit of a flop there. Presenting Alicia tied up to Welkin didn’t make sense at all. It’s like the only purpose of that scene was to say, “Hey, I’ve got your girl! Come get me!” (Oh, I see.)
While the game doesn’t conversely portray him as a tragic hero, he is a bit more mysterious and his character is more open to interpretation.
5.) Gallian Military incompetence
In the game, General Damon was presented as merely a “higher officer”, not the “highest officer”. Which really is much more realistic, because there’s no other way the Gallian military could have survived so long. With Damon as supreme commander of forces in the anime, you wonder how the army managed to get anything done.
6.) Selvaria Bles
Oh god, whose breasts LOOK like THAT?
I prefer the portrayal of Selvaria’s kindness in the game over the anime. In the anime, she has two instances: taking Karl Oswald under her wing, and sharing bread with fellow orphan Alicia. However, her insistence in making sure that Squad 7 was a safe distance away before initiating self-destruct feels like it has more impact.
Also, Selvaria’s proportions and physical ability make very little sense in the anime.
That's, um, oh my.
7.) Rosie
Rosie is definitely more reasonable in the game. Her relinquishment of bigotry is sensibly gradual, rather than in the anime where she stubbornly says “I can’t change overnight” despite witnessing the wanton massacre of lots of Darcsens.
8.) Radi Jaeger
Not sure how I feel. On one side, Jaeger actually does something in the game, where you fight him on two occasions. In the anime, he sees practically no combat action, serving mostly as a foil to Maximillian and Gregor. (And quite a foil at that!)
I feel like I got the full experience of Valkyria Chronicles because I played both the game and watched the anime. I’m not sure how good your experience will be if you do only one, but I’m going take a leap of faith and recommend either or. If you can do both, I think you’ll enjoy Valkyria as much as I did, but not everyone has a PS3. ;)
Spam twitters - ruining it for everyone with public profiles. 
Loading ...