Merak's Glaive in the OVA
Glaives (
Glaives are an esoteric technology originally exclusive to Sumeragi, and many organizations all over the world seek to pilfer the secrets behind them.
There also exist Sacred Blades (聖剣 Seiken) with a similar function, but the exact difference is unclear.
Glaives are derived from earlier, similarly named (in Japanese) spiritual objects known as Binding Brands, which are said to be the "True Glaives."
Website Description
These glaives are storage devices created by the Sumeragi Group which control the flow of a user’s septimal energy. Normally, an adept has what is called a “septimosome” inside their bodies which allow them to use their septimal powers at will. The adepts under Sumeragi’s command, however, have had their septimosome extracted and stored inside sword-shaped devices known as Glaives that can be remotely controlled. This allows Sumeragi to prevent any unwanted outbursts of septimal energy from those under their control.
When the adept is in danger, Sumeragi’s adept monitoring facility can give a go-ahead order for the adept to unleash the septimosome inside the Glaive. The septimosome then fuses with the adept and triggers a complete body transformation. Currently, these Glaives are the only means for an adept to repress their powers and live a normal life.
However, there is much that is still unknown about adepts, so it is still too early to tell if these Glaives will become a boon for adepts, or a disaster waiting to happen…[1]
宝剣
第七波動（セブンス）を制御するための触媒。
通常、能力者は第七波動の源である¨能力因子¨を体内に宿している。
皇神（スメラギ）に管理されている能力者は、因子の大半を体外へと摘出することで、日常生活において過度な能力が発現しないようセーフテイがかけられているのだが、その際摘出された能力因子を隔離管理するための¨器¨が宝剣である。
皇神（スメラギ）の能力者は有事となると、管理機関の承認を経た上で宝剣内に移植された能力因子を開放。
宝剣ごと能力因子と融合することで、変身（アームドフェノメノン）を行う。
宝剣の存在により皇神の能力者はその安全性と社会的地位を保証されているのだが、まだまだ第七波動（セブンス）は未解明な点が多く、宝剣も完全な制御機構とは言えないものである。[2]
[Translation by Bapgei]
Swords
A catalyst to control the 7th Wave (Sevens)
Normally, Psychics have "Ability Factors" inside of their bodies, which are the source of their 7th Wave.
Those controlled by Sumeragi have most of their factors extracted outside of their bodies and a safety is placed on them so that excessive abilities won't manifest in their day-to-day life. The "vessels" to isolate and control those factors that were extracted is the "Swords".
When they run into an emergency, they can release those factors transplanted into the Swords after they have earned permission from the managing organization.
By fusing their factors with the "Swords", they perform a transformation (Armed Phenomenon)
The "Swords" ensure that the Sumeragi Psychics are safe and have a place in society, but since there's still many aspects of the 7th Wave which aren't known, you can't say that these are a complete means to control Psychics.Usage and Functions
Trusted Adepts may seemingly get instant permission to unlock their Glaive without having to explain their need, or may even have the privilege of unlocking it on their own, as Jota offered to fight on Nova's behalf while the two were acting independently. However, Nova noted that all Glaive uses are kept on company record, implying Adept officers have to answer for their action at a later date.
Activating the Glaive and returning the Septimosome causes it to release a black aura outlined by its color, which swirls around and covers the wielder. This triggers a transformation that drastically warps their body, a process referred to in the Japanese script of extra materials as Armed Phenomenon (変身(アームド フェノメノン), Āmudo Fenomenon lit. Metamorphosis). They gain a personal armor, their sclera turn black, and their hair and eye color change to match the Glaive's. In Jota's case, the scar on his face becomes green as well. In this state, the user seemingly has black blood, and dying causes their bodies to bubble up and explode into sparkles. The sparkles coalesce back into the Glaive, which cracks and either teleports away or falls and shatters.
The armored form invariably is specialized to complement the wielder's Septima, and not only enhances their physical abilities, but also enhances their Septima's power beyond what it originally was prior to being sealed. For example, normally Viper could only create heat balls and flames. While transformed, he can create explosive spheres of thermal energy called Angry Bombs, and he possesses hip-mounted leg cannons that aid him in firing them.
The Armed Phenomenon is not actually an intended feature. It's just what happens when a Glaive releases the stored Septimosome back to the Adept. It is unknown how much Sumeragi is able to influence this process, if they can at all.
There also exist "sub-Glaives", additional Glaives attached to an especially powerful Adept in addition to their main one to control their particularly immense power. Unlike normal Glaives, the only known sub-Glaives are completely artificial. The only known Adept who uses sub-Glaives is Nova Tsukuyomi, who uses two, and is still able to use a fraction of his Septimal power, a true testament to his power.
According to a base conversation in Azure Striker Gunvolt 3, Glaive development in that time has advanced to the point of being able to seal Septimas without needing to remove the Septimosome, making it more effective, cheaper to make, and relegating the old version to ritual use. However, Kirin says that even a single new-model Glaive is still difficult to make, and considers the use of 1000 of them to seal Primal Dragon Gunvolt to have been a waste of resources.[Note 1][3]
Construction
Glaives are in fact magical technology. Mythical and historical blades, or other magical artifacts, are a key component in creating most of them; hence their typical sword-like forms and name. However, Glaives may also be crafted into other shapes, such as a pendant. The supernatural organization Shadow Yakumo are the ones responsible for the creation of Glaives.
Spiritual stone, a material that was used to restrain Asimov's Septima during his time as a guinea pig, may be part of their creation, but this is unconfirmed. Gunvolt also speculates that his QUILL-issued Septima enhancing equipment is constructed from similar materials as the Glaives.
Purely technological Glaives are also possible. Nova's sub-Glaives are the first artificial ones and considered a breakthrough.
Problems
The late leading researcher on Adepts and Septimal technology, Dr. Kamizono, firmly believed that trying to control Adepts is futile. In the English localization of Fleeting Memories Chapter 5, he said to his assistant that "we’ve made some measure of progress with our Glaives and the like... But honestly, all of this stuff that we’re doing is nothing but a stopgap measure". However, in the original Japanese, Dr. Kamizono does not mention Glaives themselves, referring only to the spiritual stones and ancient swords from which Glaives are made.[4] This may imply that Glaives themselves had not yet been invented during Dr. Kamizono's time.
Dr. Kamizono's doubts are supported, however, by the fact that sufficiently powerful Adepts restrained by a Glaive may still use a portion of their Septima. Doing so supposedly strains their bodies, but there is little evidence of that being true (it was only said by someone trying to dissuade an Adept from casually using his leaking Septima). Primal Dragon Gunvolt and Moebius were even able to completely break free from their respective Glaive seals under their own power.
Nova has also noted that transforming tends to warp an Adept's personality and ego, referring to his experience with it as a "trance" or "mood uplifting", and saying it's like his ego is laid bare, a sensation that he hated. This is best seen in his final battle with Gunvolt, where his calm personality completely fades, giving rise to a prideful Adept who outright declares himself omnipotent. Jota also admitted he felt something similar, but never thought much of it.
Furthermore, there are doubts about how much control Sumeragi truly has over the Glaives themselves. In the case of Stratos, his Glaive activated on its own for him when he was rampaging throughout one of their own facilities. This resembles the tale of the sword, Lizardslayer, used as the basis for his Glaive. The Lizardslayer is said to have jumped out of its sheath on its own when a monster appeared before it.
Despite all of these questionable and dangerous aspects to the Glaives, Sumeragi sweeps any inconvenient facts under the rug. Such is the status quo.
Derivative Devices
Due to the side effect of physically and Septimally enhancing Adepts when their power is returned to them, devices solely designed to provide the benefit of the transformation without normally restraining the Adept have been designed.
During the events of Azure Striker Gunvolt 2, Eden manages to combine stolen Glaive data with the power of The Muse, leading to the creation of Grimoires. The Grimoires provide a greater boost due to being intended purely as weapons, although they do not have as much spiritual power as Glaives.
In Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX's timeline, Glaives were phased out in favor of Falcon Quills sometime after Demerzel's takeover of Sumeragi.
List of Glaives
The Glaives of the Sumeragi Adepts in Gunvolt 1 are all based on real world historical and mythical Japanese blades. While the Glaives were given English localized names on the official site, those were literal translations or outright renames. For example, while Jota's Glaive is listed as "Shadow Dragon" on the site, the Glaive in Japanese is Koryū Kagemitsu, a real life sword currently in possession of the Tokyo National Museum which was in part named after its smith, Osafune Kagemitsu. As such, this list disregards the localized names.
| Name | Adept | Function notes | Origins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iwatōshi ("Rockslicer") |
Carrera | Grants huge arms armor, allowing him to make huge grabs, corresponding with his "greedy" nature. | Iwatōshi is a naginata said to have been wielded by historical warrior monk Musashibō Benkei, who went on a quest to win 1000 swords from samurai in duels. |
| Futsunomitama ("Cloth-city's Soul") |
Elise | Transformation grants her a visor that emits a light which induces a near-death state of petrification in those who view it directly. She can also expand and contract her arms. | Futsunomitama is a mythical blade used by the thunder god Takemikazuchi to subjugate the Middle Country. |
| Koryū Kagemitsu ("Little Dragon Phosphorescence") |
Jota | Allows the use for the light-emitting drones that are also used for his SP skill. | Sword that belonged to legendary samurai Kusunoki Masashige. Designated a national treasure, Sumeragi took this sword from a museum. |
| Fudō Kuniyuki ("Unmoving Country-line") |
Merak | Partial failure to restrain his Septima. Merak is still able to use Wormhole to a limited extent, and is known to use it for tasks like garbage disposal or antagonizing his Sumeragi-appointed butler. His Septimosome has also been incorporated into his armed chair for telepathic control while transformed. | Fudō Kuniyuki is a sword wielded by 16th century daimyo, Oda Nobunaga, regarded as the first "Great Unifier" of Japan. |
| Tokagemaru ("Lizard Circle") |
Stratos | Complete failure to restrain his Septima, The Fly. Stratos was able to go on a rampage in the Pharma Lab, and the Glaive triggered Weaponization for him on its own. | Tokagemaru is a demon blade of folklore said to have jumped out of its sheath to cut down a monster that appeared before it. |
| Hi No Kagutsuchi ("Lord of Fire") |
Viper | Transformation grants him the Angry Bomb technique. | Hi No Kagutsuchi is a mythical sword said to have been wielded by the god Izanagi to cut up the fire god Kagutsuchi, hence its name. Also known as the Ame no Oohabari. |
| Kogarasumaru ("Little Crow") |
Zonda | Zonda flagrantly displayed usage of Phantasm Mirror as part of her "Lustful Mirage" disguise, leading researchers to believe her rank was on-par with Nova's. This Glaive does not appear to have hindered her actions as an infiltrator from Eden at all.
Zonda claimed to be using its power while fighting Gunvolt, but turned out to be a copy upon her defeat. What became of this Glaive is unknown, as the real Zonda was never seen using it. |
Kogarasumaru is a famed tachi sword created by legendary 8th century smith Amakuni. |
| Ame no Murakumo ("Heaven's Gathering Clouds") |
Nova Tsukuyomi | Despite the Glaive's sealing abilities, Nova was still able to use his Psychokinesis. He attempted to keep this a secret from Sumeragi, only confiding in Jota, and used his powers for off-record actions.
Despite only considering it a little of his power, it was more than enough for him to easily defeat Viper, whom was already a skilled Adept of some infamy when the two first met. |
More commonly known as the Kusanagi no Tsurugi, Ame no Murakumo is one of Japan's three imperial regalia. The storm god Susanoo discovered this sword within the corpse of the Yamata no Orochi after slaying the fearsome serpent. |
| Yatagarasu ("Eight-span Crow") Kurohyō ("Black Panther") |
Given to Nova to further seal his Septima, though even these failed to fully hinder him, still able to use enough of his power to go toe-to-toe with Gunvolt. These Glaives are a breakthrough, being the first fully artificial ones.
When released, they manifest as the attack drones Panther Force ( |
N/A | |
| "Imitation Sword" 模造刀 |
Tenjian | A Glaive designed with technology stolen by Zonda to solely provide Tenjian with the benefits of Armed Phenomemon. Tenjian was impressed at first, but noted that it wasn't as strong as Sumeragi's original upon being defeated by Gunvolt. Unlike the vibrant colors of normal Armed forms, this Glaive's transformation was a dull gray. | N/A (Presumed) |
| "Singing Fairy's Sword" 謡精の宝剣 |
Mytyl Kamizono | A Glaive crafted by Nori in the form of a pendant and given to Xiao after the latter extracted Mytyl's Septimosome. Nori did this so that Mytyl could have a normal life, while Xiao plans to use the pendant for something, and does not intend to give it to Eden or Gunvolt. | Unknown |
| Joule シアン |
Some time after Dr. Kamizono first extracted Mytyl's Septimosome when she was an infant, Sumeragi learned about the operation and transplanted it into a clone of her, who would be born and named Joule.
Referred to as a "Living Glaive" (生きた宝剣) by Xiao, he speculated Joule's unusual existence was a possible cause for Mytyl being rendered mute and her growth being stunted, ills that no other Adept whose Septimosome has been extracted has suffered, or that perhaps the technology for the procedure was simply incomplete at the time. Following Mytyl's unknowing exposure to Joule after the latter became a spirit haunting Gunvolt, she began having dreams based on Joule's real memories. |
N/A | |
| "1000 Sacred Blades" 千本の聖剣 |
Gunvolt | Created and assembled by the Sumeragi Group to seal Gunvolt upon his awakening to a power beyond Septima and transformation into a Primal Dragon. They have interchangeably been referred to as Glaives and Sacred Blades. | Unknown |
Gallery
See Also
Trivia
- Glaives serve as the weaponry foil counterpart to Gunvolt's weapon's choice, guns.
- In the first trailer for the Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack, Nova's adepts are referred to as "The Glaives".
- The Japanese name of the process the Swordsmen use to transform into their combat form, "Armed Phenomenon", is a reference to the ability of the same name used by the Four Guardians of Mega Man Zero series, another series developed mainly by Inti Creates.
- The name itself comes from the 80's comic Baoh, the Visitor by Hirohito Araki.
- Glaives were briefly referred to as "Binding Blades" in Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 official materials, before being changed back as more story details were revealed.
References
- ↑ The English version of the base conversation has Kirin unsure whether the 1000 Glaives were old-model or new-model ones, but in the original Japanese she believes they are the new model.
| Azure Striker Gunvolt and Luminous Avenger iX terminology | |
|---|---|
| Races | Adepts • Workers • Minos |
| Organizations | Sumeragi Group (Dragon Saviors) • Shadow Yakumo • QUILL • Eden • ATEMS • Sumeragi Institute of Human Evolution • List of Minor Factions |
| Misc | Glaives • Grimoires • Binding Brands • Falcon Quills • Grave Pillar • September Record • Hexapyle |