Muv-Luv Alternative - What We Know So Far
For many fans, "Muv-Luv" is a series that is cemented on the top of the visual novel mountain. The current Steam version of the first game in the series is flooded with positive reviews. Also, as Anime News Network reported, "Muv-Luv" has sold 500,000 games and more than 3 million figures and models. That's not too shabby for a series that started as a solid romantic game and then splintered into an impressive multimedia franchise that features giant mecha fights.
Developed by âge, the first "Muv-Luv" visual novel, released in 2003, consisted of two parts: "Muv-Luv Extra" and "Muv-Luv Unlimited." As explained in this series breakdown from Twinfinite, "Extra" was rooted in light-hearted romantic comedy shenanigans as high school student Takeru Shirogane navigated his love life. It's "Unlimited" where the story really takes a unique turn, as Takeru wakes up one day to find his city destroyed and near a giant mech. It's not long before the student is pressed with becoming a mecha pilot to battle evil alien invaders. "Muv-Luv Alternative" is the third major part of the main story that follows "Extra" and "Unlimited" and fortunately will be receiving an anime adaptation thanks to studios Yumeta Company and Graphinica.
Here's everything that we know so far.
When is the release date for Muv-Luv Alternative?
Per Anime News Network, rumblings of an anime adaptation for "Muv-Luv Alternative" first started in 2019 during âge's 20th-anniversary broadcast. We then got the first teaser of the anime as well as a broadcast date, and fortunately, fans won't have to wait much longer. "Muv-Luv Alternative" will be premiering during the Fall Anime Season in October 2021. Fuji TV will broadcast the anime series. No specific date in the month is revealed yet, but "Muv-Luv Alternative" will show on Wednesday nights during Fuji TV's +Ultra block.
As far as streaming, there hasn't been an official site revealed yet, but fans could likely catch "Muv-Luv Alternative" on Crunchyroll, as the streaming service has already shown the franchise's other two anime spin-offs. Crunchyroll currently has "Muv-Luv: Total Eclipse," which debuted in 2012, and "Schwarzesmarken," which debuted in 2016. Both series are set in the same world as the upcoming "Alternative," so curious viewers could catch both spin-offs while waiting for that October date.
Who are the characters in Muv-Luv Alternative?
While the trailers released so far for "Muv-Luv Alternative" showcase the mecha in incredible action, we do also have information on at least three of the anime's main characters. It looks like, through the characters revealed, the anime series may stick close to the story of its game. Per Anime News Network, characters revealed so far are Takeru Shirogane (voiced by Kōichi Kamiki), Sumika Kagami (voiced by Tomori Kusunoki), and Meiya Mitsurugi (voiced by Karin Nanami). Although those are the only three revealed so far, the game's cast has many more characters, so we should expect to see more announced the closer we get to this anime series' debut.
All three characters not only play a big part in the "Muv-Luv Alternative" game but are central characters throughout much of the "Muv-Luv" franchise. In fact, in the first game, Meiya and Sumika serve as main romantic interests for Takeru. However, while Takeru and Meiya play more of a heroic take in the "Muv-Luv Alternative" games, Sumika has a vital role in "Alternative." Without potential spoilers for those that haven't played the game, it's arguable that Sumika is mainly responsible for some huge events in motion for "Muv-Luv Alternative" (via MuvLuv Fandom). She will be a character to watch for in the anime series, especially to gauge just how much the adaptation chooses to pull from the visual novels.
What is the plot of Muv-Luv Alternative?
On the surface, "Muv-Luv Alternative" appears to be another anime tale of humans fighting against an alien enemy through some of the most astonishing mecha action around. Even the latest trailer, which shows off Yumeta Company and Graphinica's slick visuals, gives this impression, and the official plot synopsis is no different. Via Crunchyroll, humans are in a war with aliens called BETA and have chosen to fight back with weapons called Tactical Surface Fighters. For those that have experienced the visual novels, the plot goes much deeper, primarily as it builds from the first two games in the series. This is what makes it so beloved among many.
Via Twinfinite, Takeru dies at the end of "Unlimited," and at the beginning of "Alternative," he wakes up in his room. However, this time, he has all the knowledge and experience of what occurred in "Unlimited," much like the Tom Cruise movie "Edge of Tomorrow." This brings up a question mark as to how the anime will handle the game's plot. "Alternative" is the concluding arc in the main game series, and the anime appears to be adapting it without an anime for "Extra" or "Unlimited." Maybe the new anime will bring viewers up to speed with the plot events of the game series, or the anime's plot will go into uncharted territory like the recent "Neon Genesis Evangelion" movies. Either way, it's going to be interesting to see just how "Muv-Luv Alternative" handles its source material.