Showdown! – Spring Anime’s Femme Fatale

Among all the gun-wielding, fierce females of the Spring season, there are only two that stood out on my sight. But there will only be one certified Femme Fatale this season, and we will settle the score here!

From the red corner, residing from Inferno, the number one assassin out on the loose, expert in terms of knife-wielding, and of course, guns guns guns. The “Phantom”, Ein!!! On the blue corner, residing in the town of Bruhl, Gallia. She also has a fancy for baking. A part of the military, a town-watch and a super-strict soldier that knows how tanks work, Alicia!!! Which of these girls will be the first-ever winner of Showdown! and will be the one and only gun-wielding Femme Fatale this Spring season!?

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ROUND 1: Show Backgrounds

And for the final round, we get to know the backgrounds of the shows these girls are starring in. Both shows these girls are from are video games. So let’s see on which caused more impact and recognition.

Requiem for the Phantom was an adaptation of a previous OVA which was also an adaptation of a visual novel game created by Nitroplus, Phantom of Inferno. It came out in Japan in 2000, and then was distributed in America as an AnimePlay title in 2003. The story can take either a dark action/drama path or can turn into a romantic drama depending on the choice of the player. Phantom of Inferno is a story detailing the life of a 15-year-old Japanese boy who is kidnapped after witnessing the killing of a reporter. After being kidnapped his memories of his past life are erased and is given the choice to join Inferno or die. He makes the only choice he can to join and is given the name Zwei and will study under Ein. Ein is also known as Phantom since this is the title given to the organization’s top assassin. Requiem of the Phantom is under BeeTrain productions.

Valkyria Chronicles is a game adaptation from the same name. The game is set in Europa, a fictional version of Europe, in 1935. Because of its abundance of ragnite ore, which can be refined into a powerful fuel, the neutral nation of Gallia comes under attack from the East Europan Imperial Alliance, which is itself engaged in a war with the Atlantic Federation. The game had been given many recognitions, from its outstanding graphics, and mind-puzzling strategic gameplay. Valkyria Chronicles is now animated by A-1 Pictures. It even won awards such as “Game of the Year and Best Playstation 3 Game of 2008 [GameFan]”, “Best Strategy Game [IGN, GameSpy, VG]”, “Best Graphics [GameSpot]”, “Best Original Soundtrack [GameSpy]”, and many more all from the same year 2008.

WINNER: ALICIA – Phantom may have been adapted from here and there, but Valkyria Chronicles PWNS them platform-wise (well, since it’s new), gameplay-wise, graphics-wise, musical-wise, and all the other -wise’s you could think of. Also A-1 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>BeeTrain anytime.

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ROUND 2: The Voice Behind The Beauty

NO, this isn’t a singing round but this round tackles on the voice actresses behind these two femme fatales. In this round, we see more background of their seiyuus as well as how did they handled the characters.

[lol sorry, this is the only pic I can find XD]

Ein’s seiyuu is Ayahi Takagahi, which is a fairly fresh seiyuu that’s notable for her role as Noe Izurugi from True Tears. Takahahi-san is also known for being the voice behind the voice-less (XD) Megumi of Special A, Otome from D.C. and many more.

The seiyuu behind Alicia needs no introduction. She’s none other than Marina Inoue. She had been a regular favorite here and there, known for having the recent roles of Kyoko (Skip Beat!), Matsurika (Maria Holic), and many other notable characters, and she will soon get the role of tsundere Jessica Ushiromiya from Umineko no Naku Koro ni later this year, she’s everywhere.

WINNER: ALICIA – Well duh, this is like a giveaway round for her. While Ayahi Takahaki is impressive as her role as Noe, Marina Inoue is impressive as well, but she had more experience and recognition by fans. She also bags the most roles compared to Ayahi Takagahi. well since she’s still rising, we can give her time.

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ROUND 3: The “Fear” Factor

Now let’s proceed to the characters themselves. What are “Femme Fatales” for without the word “Fatale”? These girls are chosen because they ARE someone to be afraid of! Now who’s more “fierce” in terms of combat?

Ein is a skilled assassin throughout. Guns are her best friend, and knives are her accessories. Her combat style is also agile. Her accuracy on shooting bullets are perfect. Raised without a past, only known and trained to kill, Ein is a cold-hearted assassin.

Alicia, on the other hand, is a soldier. Unlike Ein, who’s killing people, Alicia uses good service and protects the town of Gallia. She uses a shotgun and blasts the hell out of the enemy. Other than that, uh… well, she knows how to run fast too. And of course, tanks are her best friends.

WINNER: EIN – Unfortunately for Alicia, Ein is the top agent assassin and she will never hesitate to kill anyone. Alicia on the other hand, has a heart, and that’s why she loses the fear factor. She isn’t fiercely scary unlike Ein. Ein is something everyone should be afraid of, so watch out!

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ROUND 4: The guys behind the girls

Behind every successful woman is a man (err.. I think I just changed a quote lolz…) but anyway, each of these girls has a guy behind their back as well! So this round goes to the hotties that inspires the girls to work! Will a co-assassin win, or a co-squad member?

On Ein’s side, we have Zwei. Zwei has his memories erased, and he barely knows anything as he only works for Inferno only. He’s still an assassin-in-training so far, and has yet to catch up on Ein’s skills. But what if his past has something to do against him and Inferno? Or maybe Ein as well? Can Zwei still be as loyal to Inferno? So far though, there isn’t barely any other development between the two but it’s deeply implied that there would be.

Zwei might be holding a gun, but on Alicia’s side, we have a guy holding a Dandelion, Welkin Gunther. He studies animals and plants and he covers a vast knowledge on them. He was mistaken as a spy by Alicia but their encounter had lead him on a huge destiny, protecting the town of Bruhl. Welkin knows how to handle tanks, and military tactics as well. He might act a bit too nerdy but he’s adorable and a gentleman.

WINNER: ALICIA – Welkin rides TANKS, and he can crush Zwei’s Pink Car anytime. Besides from that, Zwei only knows how to kill, but Welkin knows how to kill as well as a lot of other things. In an island with the two of them stranded, Zwei had died already attempting to kill a kraken, while Welkin had made his own grocery of plants to eat already. And I’ll admit it, nerds are cute~

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ROUND 5: The Moe Material

Covering up her inner fierceness, is two really cute girls. Which girl is wins in terms of their MOE factors? Which can steal away everyone’s attentionn with their looks? Both girls are really moe, so it will definitely be a tough round.

On the very first episode of Phantom, Ein already proved that she can dress up as a maid and act like one. Using her moe smile of doom, she tricked the targets to get assassinated immediately. Of course, who would not get fooled by her “killer” charms?

Well Alicia also has some MOE powers off her sleeve and she wouldn’t lose on her opponent that easily. She always packs up a cute yet funny expression every time especially when she reacts on Welkin’s nerdiness. Plus, Alicia has the twintails, and uh…a weird bandana though but it still looks cute.

WINNER: TIE – Both girls win this round. Ein’s adorability (if that’s even a word) is parallel to Alicia’s. So I must say that their cuteness differs on each others’ level ^^. Ein might be the cold, quiet type moe, while Alicia’s leaning on her genki and spunk.

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…And the verdict: after 5 rounds, Ein has 1 win, Alicia has 3 and there’s one tie. So that makes ALICIA the very first Showdown winner and she’ll be holding the title crown as the sole Femme Fatale amongst the Spring anime!!!

Do you agree? Which girl do you like more?