Japanese: ブレイクブレイド
English: Broken Blade
Type: Manga
Volumes: 14 +
Chapters: 83 +
Status: Publishing
Published: Sep 12, 2006 to ?
Genres: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Mecha, Shounen, Military
Mangaka: Yoshinaga Yunosuke (Story & Art)
Serialization: Comic Meteor
Synopsis: The story is centered around a young man named Rygart Arrow, a resident of a world where people can use "magic". This magic is the ability to control and empower quartz, doing many things from creating light to operating machinery to riding giant mecha called 'Golems'. Rygart, however, is one of the few exceptions; as an "un-sorcerer", he cannot utilize quartz, making many aspects of life difficult as well as being looked down upon by the rest of society. Despite this, in his youth he managed to befriend Hodr and Sigyn, the future King and Queen of the Krisna Kingdom; and Zess, the younger brother of the Secretary of War of the Athens Commonwealth.
Years later, Rygart is reunited with Hodr and Sigyn where he learns the Athens Commonwealth has begun an invasion of Krisna. Rygart is also shocked to learn that Zess is leading one of the strike forces. While at the capital, Rygart discovers that he has the ability to pilot a recently discovered ancient Golem which cannot be piloted by magic users. Despite its ancient origins, the golem possesses capabilities and systems far more advanced than the current Golems, and could be key to turning the tide of battle. While hesitant at first, Rygart soon gets involved in the war between Krisna and Athens, in an attempt to save Hodr, Sigyn, and Zess.
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| Break Blade (TV) |
Related series
Adaptation:
- Break Blade (TV)
- Break Blade 1: Kakusei no Toki,
- Break Blade 2: Ketsubetsu no Michi,
- Break Blade 3: Kyoujin no Ato,
- Break Blade 4: Sanka no Chi,
- Break Blade 5: Shisen no Hate,
- Break Blade 6: Doukoku no Toride
- Break Blade (TV): Virgins War
Background
Break Blade had three volumes published in English as Broken Blade by CMX Manga from July 7, 2009 to May 11, 2010 before the publisher went defunct.
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| Vol 1 cover |
Original Publisher
Flex Comix (v01-10; 2007)
Holp Shuppan (Shinsouban; 2013)
SoftBank Creative (v11-Ongoing)
Serialized In (magazine)
Comic Meteor (Aplix IP Holdings)
Flex Comix Blood (Flex Comix)
Shounen Blood (Flex Comix)
Anime Start/End Chapter
Starts at Vol 1, Chap 1
Ends at Vol 10, Chap 50 part 2
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| Vol 2 cover |
Groups Scanlating
APTA
Break Blade Project
Franky House
Manga Abyss
OMFGG
OMFGG Scans
Simple Scans
Violent Scans
Vistrans
WhatTheFuck
Source: MAL Manga info, Baka updates, Synopsis Wikipedia
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| Vol 3 cover |
Side notes: This really isn't my type of manga which I'm heads over but I'm picking it up now mainly 'cause it can be described as one almost of the modern classics. At least it's liked by many readers and I've been planning to check it out as I didn't quite get the TV animation that was made (which felt like being a copy of the Movies). I've seen the six movies made but none of them left a strong impression to me... and only left me feeling that I really need to check the manga too to understand them better.
As I was looking around a bit I noticed that the chapter translation process of the manga is slow and there aren't many chapters released by the year mainly due of lack of one committed translation group. The art is mostly good if not great level but it varies at times to almost average level of drawing. The violence of the war pictured in the manga makes it easily R 17 story which already can be seen at the beginning of the first volume.
The best part is that after reading the character presentations and watching the movies the main charas were left more or less in darkness and at least I couldn't get any feel to them but in manga you get the gist from the start. The manga makes what the other formats have not made, it creates persons and living things from the paper dolls. Still as one reader noted that there is no character growth (in 40 chapters) although having good characters, which can be take as a warning for the future... but also as a hope for later 'cause the manga is still ongoing and many things can happen.
Also to be noted by Aisolodios:
- The plot is not too original, but it is executed well.
- The biggest let down is the action. If you want to see the mecha fight, it is MUCH MORE enjoyable to view the animated version.
- Fight scenes are confusing. The panels don't help you imagine how they are moving in coordination with their surroundings. At times you may wonder who is the pilot.
- Battles start and end fast even though they feel slow paced.
- The series portraying warfare is not working well.
- A lot of attention is paid to strategy.
- The commanders are decisive always thinking what the other side is thinking. They're supposed to be brilliant minds, but you will see mostly one-and-one fights with interruptions or mooks getting stomped on.
- Talking about the movements of anyone other than the main crew is obsolete if you don't see enough top views or zoom outs.
- The biggest highlight in Break Blade is that there really is no true villain.
- The motivations of most characters are also well-intentioned and most of them have something to lose besides their life and kingdom.
etc. I found those points good and there is more to add on if reading his review.
P.S. And I can't stop thinking that this has historical connection to Ancient Greece and wars between Sparta and Athens... at least the names and attitudes of the characters make me think that.
Main characters:
Rygart Arrow (ライガット・アロー)
Age: 25
Rygart is the series' main protagonist at the age of 25. He was born an un-sorcerer, meaning that he cannot use magic, unlike the majority of the worlds populace. Before he left to see Hodr, he worked on a farm with his brother who is also an un-sorcerer, because of this, his father sold all Quartz operated tools and worked with tools without Quartz to make the boys stronger and to keep them from feeling like outcasts. After his father took out loans, Rygart was able to attend Assam military school where he befriended Zess, Hodr, and Sigyn where the four of them were known as "the four problem children of Assam's Military School,", with him being known as the "King of Make-up tests." He hated violence, but he later becomes the pilot of the Delphine, an ancient Golem designed for only an un-sorcerer's use as a Heavy Knight for Krisna. He originally joined to the army and war to protect his brother and friends. With the progress of story he understands the hard law of war "Kill or be killed" and after the death of a dear friend and companion in battle that took place before his eyes, he starts to fight in a much more decisive and ruthless.
Admits being in love with the Queen Sigyn Erster and her being the reason for him fighting.
Sigyn Erster (シギュン・エルステル)
Sigyn is the 25-year-old Queen of Krisna. During military school she was known as the "Mad Scientist" for secluding herself in the school's lab for 3 days and nights without eating or drinking. While she is the Queen, she rarely acts like one and has instead pursued a career of science. She can usually be found with the royal engineers in the castle maintenance workshop tinkering with machines.
Sigyn cares deeply for her friends, to the point of pointing a gun at Rygart upon first seeing him to ask why he didn't show up at her wedding and confirm that he doesn't hate her.
It is later reveal Sigyn was in love with Rygart during their days in military school but Rygart purposely didn't hear her confession to him when he returned to take over his father's farm because he felt Sigyn deserved a better life with someone else. She appears to still love Rygart even though she is married to Hodr.
Hodr (ホズル)
Age: 25
Hodr is the King of Krisna and Sigyn's husband. He befriended Rygart and Zess at the military school when he ditched class to help them save an owl after he spotted the two from his classroom's window. He was known to stare at the sky and had poor grades. He doesn't want to be king, but tries to be a good leader and cares greatly for his people's lives.
Despite being married with Sigyn, he does not shows any feelings for his wife. During the cease-fire before the Battle of Binonten, Hodr reveals to Rygart that he has lost all romantic interest in Sigyn and that she has petitioned him for a divorce but later put it on hold. He then berates Rygart for not being honest about his feelings for Sigyn. In truth, Hodr still loves Sigyn. However he suppresses it because he always knew Sigyn and Rygart have been in love with each other. He has a younger sister named Lindy who is married to a General from the Orlando Empire.
Zess (ゼス)
Age: 25
Zess is a 25-year-old soldier of Athens. He met Rygart at Assam military school, where he was called "straight-laced Zess". He was the best pilot cadet in the academy's history and was full of pride. He first met Rygart when Rygart was being bullied and refused to stand up for himself. Zess defended him and quickly befriended Rygart afterward. When he learns his nation plans to conquer Krisna, he leads his Valkyrie Squadron, a small commando strike force of mechs to the Krisna capital in order to make Hodr surrender quickly to spare his friends and their country from the wrath of the main Athens Invasion Army, unaware that the leaders of Athens gave an unofficial condition of surrendering to Hodr: The execution of the whole royal family, including Sigyn. Ultimately his mission is a failure which costs the lives of two of his subordinates and the capture of Cleo. In his last confrontation with Rygart, he is critically injured when his cockpit is crushed. He returns home to his wife and two-year-old daughter, all the while greatly regretting the consequences that awaits Krisna by the main Invasion force. After the death of General Borcuse, and at the request of his brother, he was ordered to lead the second Athenian invasion force. Zess's Valkyrie Squadron Golems are the lightweight mech, Artemis.
Source: MAL, Wikipedia
Other info
Promotional video for the 1st movie almost identical with the TV animation promotional video 1 'cause they use same footage (MAL).
TV Animation promotional videos (MAL):
Map of the "world"
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| Dark spots on the map aren't islands but burned/broken parts of the map making it look like old. Image is from the manga scanlations. |
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