Suzaku

She was a joint project between the Ikaruga Federation and Sector Seven, I believe Ikaruga was working on Sector Seven's supervision, since the scientist was concerned that if he didn't produce results, he'd be, "hearing from Sector Seven". God or divine entity? No. Eternal vampire existing outside of the normal flow of time? Yes. She's lived through the time loop many times, so, most likely, a lot of what she does is out of boredom and wanting to see/do something different. I meant to say "tempering", which was the term used in the English localization, but it means the same thing. The Japanese term, seiren (精錬) means tempering, forging, or smelting. Anyway, the intro to BlazBlue tends to disagree, as they outright say, "Tempering process beginning." Hazama wasn't a member of the Six Heroes. "Yuuki Terumi" was a member of the Six Heroes. We don't know Hazama's real name, and really only know that he's Captain of the NOL's Intelligence Division. And recall that you also see Terumi outside of and away from Hazama, in the form of a ghostly entity with a green eye and big red grin. So, Hazama might be the secret identity of the body Terumi has always possessed, or he might be Terumi's current host. We probably won't know until Continuum Shift is out, maybe not even until getting a proper story mode in the console version.

Lambda and Noel were both produced by Ikaruga. Lambda is mentioned in the Story Mode intro as the "subject 11" that became "useless", and Noel is the unit they're attempting to smelt when the attack from Take-Mikazuchi levels the place. Lambda also has blonde hair in her artwork, as an FYI. She'll probably have a different design altogether from Nu when she's outside of her armor, but they clearly didn't want to have to redraw every single Nu sprite. On the last point, Noel is the one destined to inherit the Azure, it's highly unlikely that she already has it. And even so, she was created by Ikaruga just moments before Ibukido was blown to bits by a giant attack sattelite, so it's not like her creators had much of a chance to give her a test drive. Noel was left behind with her sword/body armor destroyed, and some time in the same year was found and adopted by the Vermilion family and lived a mostly normal human life as an NOL soldier.

Noel enrolled when she was only two. Just sayin'.

I'd love it if they could get the Material Collection book localized and released, but it would be a huge undertaking and there probably wouldn't be enough demand for it.

New Hakumen ascii: 　ハ 　( ◇) └ﾉ　ノー-|―― ﾉ　 > Totally relevant.

Here's some translations for pages 132-133: Teach Me, Ms. Litchi! History Episode Hey, boobie lady. Tao was studying his-to-ree because she doesn't know what happened before she was born, mew. But, I still don't get it even after reading this book, so teach me-ow. My goodness, Tao, how rare for you to actually study. It IS important to grasp the 100 year history if you want to understand BlazBlue. Well then, let's study history together using this timeline. BlazBlue Chronology [<- click here to see the timeline] Timeline Comments and Captions (Dark War) The struggle between the Black Beast and man was called the "Dark War." And, it's also known as the "First War of Magic." Hakumen led the Six Heroes into action, and mankind crushed the Black Beast. After more than ten years the Dark War had come to a close. (Ikaruga Civil War) During the Ikaruga Civil War, the Ikaruga Federation rebelled against the NOL, and their declaration of independance provoked war. Noel entered the Military Academy after being adopted, and met Jin and Tsubaki. They later enlisted in the NOL. (AD 2199/12) Here when "Rawrgna" shows up, BlazBlue starts, mew. Tao gets that, somehow! I still don't get all those mul-tee-pull "sto-ree mo-duh" things, but I'll try, meow. The Looping World In the history of BlazBlue, large-scale conflicts have broken out twice--the "Dark War" between mankind and the Black Beast, and the "Ikaruga Civil War" between the NOL and the Ikaruga Federation. "Ars magus" played a major role in both wars, during which the Nox Nyctores and grimoires were also created. The basic premise for this setting's lore is that a hundred years of history, which includes both of these wars, is repeating. Ragna fights against Nu in Kagutsuchi, the two fall into the cauldron, and then the Black Beast emerges and begins to destroy the world, but it's defeated by the actions of the Six Heroes and the perfection of ars magus by mankind. Ragna, Jin, and Saya are born, and Terumi's raid leaves Ragna mortally wounded... Put simply, this history has looped many times. However, there are miniscule differences in the events of each iteration, which result from the distortion of space-time, causing history to be altered. Only Rachel understands this. During the prologue, Noel becomes an Ikaruga Civil War orphan. Or, rather, when Noel is born and left behind, the story starts.

Translations/romanizations for Tsubaki's moves. Best I can do with the blurry kana. Drive Install (インストール, Insutooru) Special Moves Judgment Art: Attack in a Single Flash (審技・閃ク壱ノ撃, Shinki: Hirameku Ichi no Geki) 236 Judgment Sword: Saber that Severs the Light (審剣・光ヲ断ツ剣, Shinken: Hikari o Tatsu Tsurugi) 214 Judgment Sword: Saber that Calms the Wind (審剣・風ヲ凪グ剣, Shinken: Kaze o Nagu Tsurugi) 22 Judgment Spear: Lance that Pierces the Sky (審槍・空ヲ突ク槍, Shinsou: Sora o Tsuku Yari) 623 Judgment Art: Light that Illuminates the Sky (審技・空ニ閃ク光, Shinki: Sora ni Hirameku Hikari) J236 Judgment Art: Wing that Rides the Sky (審技・空ヲ駆ル翼, Shinki: Sora o Karu Tsubasa) J214

Flyer with Jin, Ragna, and Tsubaki art: http://iup.2ch-library.com/i/i0015554-1253963006.png

Lambda's new moves, properly translated, should be: Act Parser Zwei Act Parser Zwei: Blade Act Parser Zwei: Cavalier

Hakumen 6D and 2D last longer. 4C added, it's a "gatotsu" technique (forward stab followed by a horizontal slash, apparantly). J2C is now J4C, and it's released slower. New projectile cutting / barrier system. Seems like it's a bit hard to describe and understand, but it's being compared to Potemkin's F.D.B. Involves creating a barrier that absorbs projectiles, which lasts for a set period of time or until it's physically touched by the opponent. Tsubaki Speed is comprable to Noel.

Ragna Diving technique seems to be named Dual Edge. Hakumen Barrier projectile for blocking other projectiles. Projectile looks like white circles with with letter closesly packed around the edge of a seal. Lambda People are calling her Lamb-chan.

He was asking if you can 3C>JC>J4C I think, but anyway, it doesn't seem to be clear if the change is true. Here's a translation of a big compilation of stuff that was posted: System: - It's unpolished - Burst Stock system might only be available when losing a round? - Guard Crash system system from Hokuto no Ken Ragna: Jin: - 5B is slower - J2C added Noel: - Crouches like Jin in 6A - Chain Revolver changes (the old 5C part is now the default D) - Firepower decreased (combo starting with 6B is down to 3100) - Landing after bullet rain is stiff (the counter) Tager: - His face is scarred. Taokaka: - Has big tits. Rachel: - New DD is a big forward moving type, like May's Great Yamada Attack. Arakune: - Upper dive, slower, not overhead - No Guard Crash with insects - Insects are randomly huge - Each insect has a round mark - Mark doesn't disappear even if you eat a hit - The cloud disappears when touched and the guage fills a bit, even when not blocked. Bang: - It's possible to JC 3C. - Nail projectile speed increased. Litchi: Carl: - Something about his throw? (Sorry, not sure what they're saying) - New select screen picture is pretty - J2C overhead - Can't Barrier Guard with Nirvana 8D (???) - 8D can't return in the air - New technique quickly reaches the edge of the screen Hakumen: Nu (actually Lambda): - Attack range decreased. Tsubaki:

Sorry if I end up double posting. Bang: 3C can be cancled

System changes: No penalty for using Burst If you lose a round you start with +1 Burst in the next Sustainable Guard Libra Astral Heats are okay to use

Rachel info. She can only direct the wind a certain number of times, because her new DD consumes all of the uses. Something about their being a different color for something flying off screen. Sword Iris command changed to 214+C, can now be done in the air. Wind doesn't recover over time. Recovery time after 3D9C is "severe". JC doesn't decrease if the frog doesn't connect. Something about a combo against Tao, B > CD > Add C > Frog > Dash 3C > Pumpkin... ? Can't cancel J2C while recovering from a landing.

I think that was a mistake. Nu's doesn't have a blue star, IIRC, even though she's got Murakumo.

The list on page 132 has all of the known owners and their weapons, and the 10th belongs to Nu, not Saya. The list, translated literally, using the given Japanese pronunciations of the names, is: Number - Name - Owner No01 - Highlander: Take-Mikazuchi - unknown No02 - Hyouken: Yukianesa - Jin Kisaragi No03 - Majuu: Bolverk - Noel Vermilion No04 - Kishin: Nirvana - Carl Clover No05 - Mujin: Musashi - Juubei No06 - Zanma: Ookami - Hakumen No07 - Raigou: Muchourin - n/a No10 - Shinki: Murakumo - Nu (real form) In the book, all of the names are given the written name, and if the name is in kanji, it's got a pronunciation in katakana in parenthesis. For example, Jubei's Nox is "夢刀（ムジン） 六三四（ムサシ）", which literally translated says, "Dream Sword (Mujin): Six-Three-Four (Musashi)". The attack sattelite is "巨人（ハイランダー）・タケミカヅチ", which literally says "Giant (Highlander): Take-Mikazuchi". Now, in the English localization, it appears that they're translating the first part (the weapon's epithet) into Latin for flavor, and leaving the actual name as-is. For example, "Hyouken: Yukianesa" becomes "Mucro Algesco: Yukianesa", and "Kishin: Nirvana" becomes "Deus Machina: Nirvana". Based on my limited knowledge of Latin, I'm guessing that would mean that, for example, Jubei's Nox will probably be localized as something like, "Mucro Somnio: Musashi", and Terumi's would be "Vipera Dualis: Ouroboros".

I don't think so, I get the feeling that her weapon isn't a Nox at all. The floating eyeball book looks like it's probably a Grimoire, and the rest of her gear, including her sword, has a matching eyeball motif.

Setting Material Collection books are actually pretty common in Japan. When developers are working on games, they create a ton of information on the setting, characters, history, etc., in order to create a concise plot. There's usually a lot of stuff that doesn't actually make it into the game, and that's what these books are for. I don't think I'd put so much speculation on Relius's shoulders, I don't get the impression that he's going to be a major villain. He's a famed puppeteer because he creates "dolls", not because he manipulates people. He was likely involved in the design of Nu (or maybe the Core Units in general) because of his skill with making puppets. Also, keep in mind that Hazama and Terumi aren't exactly the same character. Hazama is a member of the NOL's intelligence division, taking orders from the Imperator. Terumi is a ghost of one of the Six Heroes and seems to have his own motives. And regarding Bang's Nox, there's no information on it. If it's something he currently has on its person, they're keeping what it is a secret. By process of elimination, it's either the Muchourin, the Hououken, or not really a Nox Nyctores at all.

Hakumen was the leader of the Six Heroes. He might not be the strongest -- Jubei is called the strongest creature in the world, after all, but he's definitely up there. Him being at 20% is probably just what puts him in "playable character" category. Icarus is the kid in the myth that flew using wax wings and arrogantly flew too close to the sun, melting the wings, and falling to his death. I wouldn't interpret that as literally referring to a character named Icarus.

Yes, every story path (and arcade mode path) happens. They each represent iterations of the time loop with various changes due to the laws of probability. The true ending is the iteration in which the time loop is broken (as such, that's the one which is relevant to sequels).

In the timeline where the loop was broken, Ragna and Nu from the previous loop already became the Black Beast, Jin from the previous loop already became Hakumen, the Dark War happened, etc.. All the "Seal of Fate" being broken means is that another time loop isn't going to be iterated and time will continue to flow beyond the loop trigger. It won't change history. Loop -> Dark War -> Ikaruga Civil War -> BlazBlue -> Loop Repeat hundreds of times, until the laws of probability result in: Loop -> Dark War -> Ikargua Civil War -> True Ending -> New events

There's no reason that Hakumen shouldn't just continue to exist in the present timeline, alongside the present Jin.

The true ending results in everyone breaking free from the time loop, so Ragna and Nu never become the Black Beast and don't get warped back in time and Jin doesn't become Hakumen. Since my post about the Sankishin and the Nox Nyctores seems to be getting lost, I'll repost: The Sankishin (三輝神, "Three Sacred Treasures") are also known as the Original Units (オリジナルユニット), and served as the inspiration for the Nox Nyctores, though little else is known about them. First is the Amaterasu Unit (アマテラスユニット), also known as the Master Unit (マスターユニット). Its whereabouts and owner are unknown. It's named after Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess. Second is the Susano'o Unit (スサノヲユニット), owned by Hakumen, who also weilds a Nox Nyctores, implying that he has extraordinary strength. Its full capacity is unknown, though it seems that Hakumen's soul is bound to it; when Jin was on the verge of death, Rachel installed him into the Unit. Because he was not fully salvaged from the Edge (狭間, Hazama), he's apparantly operating at only about 20% of his full capacity. It's named after Susano'o, the Storm God. Third is the Tsukuyomi Unit (ツクヨミユニット), owned by Rachel. It's described as an ultimate defense and resembles a giant golden shield. It's named after Tsukuyomi, the Moon God. The Nox Nyctores causality weapons, (事象兵器アークエネミーJishou Heki Arch Enemy, "Arch Enemy causality weapons") are a set of ten weapons. The first nine were created during the First War of Magic based on the Sankishin, to combat the Black Beast. Only those with the highest proficiency in the Proper Use of Ars Magus can wield them, and even then, there is a signifigant risk of mental burden on the user. It's said that the Nox choose their masters. One of the primary functions of Nox Nyctores is to unburden their owners of "needless" emotions and enhance others; this has a profound effect, for example eliminating feer, but owners may also find themselves losing their compassion, remorse, etc.. Among the Nox Nyctores, the Murakumo Unit is unique in that it was produced after the Dark War, and is actually an Anti-Sankishin Core Unit (対三輝紳コアユニット, "Tai-Sankishin Core Unit"), created in a Cauldron (窯, Kama) as a means to make contact with the Boundary (境界, Koukai), where its soul exists. During the Ikaruga Federation's 12th attempt to produce one, together with a Sector Seven research team, the experiment was interrupted by an attack from Take-Mikazuchi and that resulted in the creation of Noel, in an incomplete state. Afterwards, three base bodies were stolen from the NOL and Nu was created in Kagutsuchi. Ragna's already destroyed the two others. No. 01 - Highlander: Take-Mikazuchi (巨人（ハイランダー）・タケミカヅチ) - Owned by the NOL. Its form is that of an attack satellite. The kanji for Highlander is literally "Giant" and is localized as "Gigant". Take-Mikazuchi is a Japanese thunder god and patron saint of warriors. No. 02 - Hyouken: Yukianesa (氷剣（ヒョウケン）・ユキアネサ, "Ice Sword: Yukianesa") - Owned by Jin. Its form is that of a Japanese sword. Hyouken is localized as "Mucro Algesco". Yukianesa, "snow woman", is a Japanese fairy. No. 03 - Majuu: Bolverk (魔獣（マジュウ）・ベルヴェルク, "Demon Beasts: Bolverk") - Owned by Noel. Its form is that of a pair of handguns. Noel calls them Demon Guns (魔銃, Majuu), localized as Arcus Diabolus. Bolverk is Odin, disguised in his human form. No. 04 - Kishin: Nirvana (機神(キシン)・ニルヴァーナ, "God Machine: Nirvana") - Owned by Carl. Its form is that of an automaton. Kishin is localized as "Deus Machina". Nirvana is a transendant state of enlightenment and tranquility in Buddhism. No. 05 - Mujin: Musashi (夢刀（ムジン）・六三四（ムサシ）, "Dream Sword: Musashi") - Owned by Jubei. Its form is a pair of kodachis, one stored in each end of the sheath. Its apparantly named after Musashi from the kendo manga/anime series "Musashi no Ken" (note: this is not the same kanji as the legendary Miyamoto Musashi). No. 06 - Zanma: Ookami (斬魔（ザンマ）・鳴神（オオカミ）, "Evil Slayer: Ookami") - Owned by Hakumen. Its form is that of a nodachi. Ookami means "Howling God". No. 07 - Raigou: Muchourin (雷轟(ライゴウ)・無兆鈴(ムチョウリン), "Roaring Thunder: Muchourin") - Its owner and form are unknown. Muchourin means, very roughly, "Untolled Bell" (or more literally, "bell without omens"). No. 08 - Jasou: Ouroboros (蛇双（ジャソウ）・ウロボロス, "Dual Snakes: Ouroboros") - Owned by Terumi. Its form is unknown. Ouroboros is the symbol of a snake eating or biting its own tail. Jasou refers to a "set" or "pair". No. 09 - Houyoku: ??? (鳳翼（ホウヨク）・？？？, "Phoenix Wing: ???") - Its owner, name, and form are all unknown. No. 10 - Shinki: Murakumo (神輝（シンキ）・ムラクモ, "Sacred Light: Murakumo") - Owned by Nu. Its form is that of huge sword that can transform into armor; it's actually Nu's true form. Murakumo means "Gathering Clouds", derived from Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi, the "Sword of the Gathering Clouds of Heaven". Edit (10-28-09): Updated terminology to more closely follow the official localization.

Just info dumping some of the stuff from the BlazBlue Setting Material Collection book. I'll clean up and organize it better later. There will be a mixture of stuff that's new and stuff that's already known, but I'll try to keep it down to just new information. The book also has 12 short stories, one for each of the playable characters, just like the GG2 Overture Setting Material Collection book. They vary in length, but I'll try and get some of them done. I'll at least do Hakumen's, which is fairly short. Spoilers follow, naturally. Ragna the Bloodedge: Spent time in his youth with Jin and Saya in a church, watched over by Nine's younger sister. She was killed by Terumi in 2192, during the attack in which Ragna lost his arm and Saya was kidnapped. Ragna was originally blond with green eyes like Jin, but the trauma of the event turned his hair white. Ragna's weapon is named "Blood-scythe". Jin Kisaragi: During the attack on the church he changed and joined Terumi. The reasons for this behavior and the circumstances surrounding his adoption by the Kisaragi family are unclear. His Nox Nyctores is named "Ice Sword: Yukianesa". Noel Vermilion: She was created on December 25, 2194, by Sector Seven as "dimensional boundary contact medium No. 12". Though she was originally fated to die, distortions caused by each iteration of the time loop resulted in the probability of her survival eventually increasing. She was adopted by the Vermilion Family, and her parents are named Edgar and Claire Vermilion, a noble family that lives out on the frontier. Her Nox Nyctores is named "Demon Beasts: Bolverk", which she calls "Demon Guns" (pronounced the same in Japanese). Rachel Alucard: Exists outside of the time loop, and has watched it for several iterations, so she is familiar with everyone. As an heir to the Alucard family, it is her duty to keep an eye on Terumi. She owns one of the Sankishin, the Tsukuyomi Unit, and also installed the dying Jin in another of the Sankishin, the Susano'o Unit. Carl Clover: He is pursuing his father, Relius Clover, who's behind the current state of his sister. He has an aunt and uncle, though they aren't named. His Nox Nyctores is named "God Machine: Nirvana", and is an automaton incorporating elements of Ada Clover's body. Hakumen: The name of his Nox Nyctores is "Evil Slayer: Ookami". Nu: An Anti-Sankishin unit created to contact the Boundary. The 10th Nox Nyctores, "Sacred Light: Murakumo", is a sword that transforms into armor, and is actually part of her body. Valkenhayn: One of the Six Heroes. He's keeping track of Terumi along with Rachel, and is an exceptionally strong fighter. Ada Clover: Carl's older sister, who was incorporated into the Nox Nyctores automaton, Nirvana, known as an Organic Unit, by her father Relius Clover. The Black Beast: Something "pitch black" caused by the fusion of Ragna and Nu in the Cauldron, which was thrown back in time along with Jin and caused the First War of Magic. Ragna is its body, and Nu is its heart. It's corpse was laid to rest beneath the church with Nine's younger sister as its guardian. Kokonoe: The daughter of Nine and Jubei. Her mother and aunt were both killed by Terumi, and she wishes to erase Terumi from existance. She hates Hakumen, but cooperates with him because she needs the Susano'o Unit to defeat Terumi and can't figure out how to seperate him from it. Saya: The younger sister of Ragna and Jin. Her body was frail and she was bullied by Jin, who tried to kill her out of his jealousy for the relationship she and Ragna shared. It's not entirely clear if she's dead or alive, but she was kidnapped by Terumi. She is the origin for both Noel and Nu. Jubei: One of the Six Heroes. He was the first of the group to meet Hakumen and has known him longer than any of the other Heroes, but it's unclear if he knows his true identity. His Nox Nyctores is "Dream Sword: Musashi". Nine: A genuine witch and presumably the magician that began teaching humanity about Ars Magus. She was murdered by Terumi because she "knew everything". Sister: The younger sister of Nine, aunt of Kokonoe, who lived with Ragna, Jin, and Saya in the church while watching over the corpse of the Black Beast. She was killed by Terumi. (Note: She's called "Sister" (シスター, Shisutaa), which may simply refer to either her being Nine's sister, or possibly a nun.) Hazama: A Captain in the NOL's intelligence department who issues orders to Noel and company. He is actually possessed and controled by Terumi. Yuuki Terumi: One of the Six Heroes, he is actually a ghost of sorts, currently possessing Hazama. He's a mysterious schemer, and murdered Nine and her younger sister. His Nox Nyctores is named "Dual Snakes: Ouroboros". Relius Clover: Carl's father and a genius alchemist known as the "Puppeteer". He created Nu's body, and was also responsible for incorporating Ada into Nirvana. He's mysteriously disappeared. Further reading: About the Nox Nyctores and Sankishin More about the Nox Nyctores The names of the Hierarchical Cities Story Mode NPC Profiles Official Short Stories Memory of Blue (Ragna the Bloodedge)Purgatory Hell (Jin Kisaragi) - summaryTHE BLUE (Noel Vermilion) - summaryTrust You (Iron Tager)Capricious Us (Taokaka)Endless Waltz (Rachel Alucard)The Diary (Arakune)Borderline (Litchi Faye-Ling)Puppeteers (Carl Clover)Fortune favors the bold (Bang Shishigami)Innocent Black (Hakumen)an evil sign (Nu-13) Teach Me, Ms. Litchi! History Episode (timeline and information on the time loop)Characters Episode (character relationship charts)Setting Episode (about Kagatsuchi and the stages) Terminology Guide Edit (02-16-10): Ragna's official short story, Memory of Blue, completely translated. Edit (06-22-10): Terminology Guide (1/8) translated. Links to short story summaries added.