#torifune military academy

[mizukagami-takamagahara]

I'm still a little salty that we know so little about Professor Emma. If she would have made it into BBDW... Ahem.

One of the things that stumps me the most is the Estella vs Emma thing. The translation uses the word "alias" for her Emma moniker, and it's the only name any of the other characters ever use.

So the question is- is "Emma" a nickname used by her students, a sort of portmanteau of "Estella" and "McKenzie," or is it a genuine alias? Is her real name kept from the students and faculty as part of her collaboration with Kagura's rebellion, or am I totally overthinking that?

I feel like we have tons of info pointing either way. Her little bio from the Anniversary translates Emma as a "nickname," and the segway into her popularity with the kids suggests it's something they came up with.

But on the other hand, the other adult figure in the same manga IS canonically using an alias- see Chapter 20's discussion of Cypher's history with Sector Seven. So fake names are used in this specific arc. We also see Emma herself referred to as "Agent E" in Chapter 12.

Though her actual given name, Estella, also begins with an E. And why used an "agent" handle if her codename was Emma? Wouldn't the entire point be for the codename to be disconnected from her real name? So it should be safe to use?

Personally, after going on this silly deep dive on the subject, I'm inclined to believe 'Emma' is just a totally normal nickname the students gave her, and that she is on file as Estella McKenzie within the NOL and at the school. Anyone disagree???

...do any of you even know about Emma???

[ragnaofazure]

The events of Remix Heart (summarized).

Ragna was sent by Jubei to look for the Aedsqui Grimoire, which was located beneath the Librarium's Military Academy in Torifune. While he searched for the Grimoire, Mai Natsumedropped in front of him from the levels above. Ragna was initially worried when Mai revealed that she was searching for the Azure, but was relieved when she said that she was looking for it to help her friends. He agreed to help her look for it, since she didn't know he possessed it, and he couldn't "leave a woman alone in a place like this without losing sleep."

---------

Nothing else needs to be said here.

[legacysagas]

Newcomer: Noel Vermillion

Gender: Female

Race: Artificial human

Date of Birth: December 25

Birthplace: 5th Hierarchical City of Ibukido (originally)

Switzerland (raised in)

Height: 157cm (5'1.8")

Weight: 48kg (105.8 lbs)

Blood type: A

Eyes: Green

Hair: Blond

Weapon: Arcus Diabolus: Bolverk

Previous Affiliation: Novus Orbis Librarium, Team Remix Heart

Previous Department: Praetorian Guard

Previous Position: Lieutenant, First Lieutenant

Relatives: Edgar Vermillion (adoptive father), Claire Vermillion (adoptive mother)

Education: Military Academy (early graduate by 6 months)

Hobbies: Shopping via the Internet (so she does not have to meet people),

writing poems (never shows them to anyone)

Values: Parents

Likes: Cute things

Dislikes: Insects, especially ones with lots of legs

Background: Noel Vermillion is a former lieutenant of the Novus Orbis Librarium who was assigned to return the AWOL Jin Kisaragi to his post. She is one of the original 12 playable characters and the main heroine in the BlazBlue series.

Noel was born on December 25, 2194, by Sector Seven as “dimensional boundary contact medium No. 12”. She was rescued at the burning fields of Ikaruga and adopted by the Vermillion family, specifically by Edgar and Claire Vermillion.

The Vermillion family was once a noble one, but Edgar, being the head of the family, originally lacked an heir before he adopted Noel and, after heavily criticizing the Librarium, the Vermillions lost their aristocratic rights and their family was sentenced to relegation from the NOL.

While living in the Vermillion household, Noel obtained her Nox Nyctores, Arcus Diabolus: Bolverk, after being attacked by a monster in a forest. Nearly two years after her adoption, she found out about the upcoming banishment of the Vermillion household from the NOL and, concerned for the Vermillion family’s future, decided to take the entrance exam for the Military Academy in Torifune. Even though her physical and academic results were average, her synchronization rates with the Armagus were the highest ever recorded, allowing her to pass the exam and enter the Academy in year AD 2196.

In the Military Academy, she became friends with Tsubaki Yayoi, Makoto Nanaya, and Carl Clover. Jin Kisaragi, however, treated her like dirt (to put it mildly), due to her resemblance to his sister.

Six months before her graduation and shortly after Jin’s promotion to a major and commander of the 4th division, Noel was given an offer to immediately join the army as a lieutenant in the 4th division of the Praetorian Guard. She should officially only be Jin’s secretary, but in reality she would actually be a special solo soldier tasked mainly with intelligence and assassination. In return, the Vermillions’ reputation and rights would be restored. Noel accepted the offer for the sake of her family. In reality, Noel specifically sought for a job outside of the military lines of the NOL, however, the Intelligence Department, specifically Hazama, forced her into Jin’s service by using the fate of the Vermillions as blackmail.

Afterwards, she was assigned in year AD 2198 as Jin’s direct subordinate, though he still treated her just as poorly, if not worse. When Jin abandoned his post to pursue Ragna the Bloodedge, Noel was assigned to bring back Jin to his post, with explicit instructions not to engage Ragna, should she encounter the criminal.

Noel does not remember her past life as Mu -No.12-, the previous Saya replica before Nu -No.13-. They both share the same voice, face, and memories of Saya. Since she was the only survivor of the burning field of Ikaruga, she is the “Eye of the Azure”, the true possessor of the Azure.

Personality: Noel is the definition of the “shrinking violet” archetype. She is shy, clumsy, and tends to get worked up over the smallest things. Noel is extremely self-conscious, especially regarding her notoriously flat breasts. She can be socially awkward at times, but this has actually served as an endearing trait, which earned her Tsubaki and Makoto’s friendship. In spite of this, she is shown to be quite passionate and determined when motivated, and is loyal to her friends and allies.

Then there’s the soft and unfettered side to her personality that shows compassion to every person and being, and how everyone is being treated. With her job out of the way, she enjoys relaxing with friends and reminiscing, nostalgically. When she cares for others’ well-being, she overlooks her traits and is much more responsible.

Noel also has many girly traits to her character including an interest in cute animals. Noel says that she can only recognize Makoto by her tail, which she cuddles with if given the chance. Noel is also obsessed with the panda Lao Jiu because of its adorable appearance. Noel also writes her own poems about finding true love.

She apologizes for everything she does, and is extremely shy. All of this changes when she is reverted into her true form: Mu -No.12-. In BlazBlue: Chronophantasma, the experiences Noel has gone through have caused her to develop a new level of self-confidence and a determination to protect her friends.

The term Lacking Lady, by Taokaka, directed at Noel Vermillion, is one thing she can’t seem to stand, though being called a boy or a man is worse. Each sets off a domino effect. The first makes her feel vulnerable and then ponder her role as a woman as she looks to other woman with bigger breasts. The second triggers a dormant volcano of emotion that is then directed at the person who makes the remark. When she is finally angry, she puts aside all shame and forlorn and builds up the confidence to abuse her title of position to call it, “Obstruction of Justice!”

[ak-simplesims]

The death of BBDW has me so bummed out...

I already have one BlazBlue world in my game, which I’m populating chronologically, but I decided to make a second to recreate the Military Academy in Torifune.

[007unknown]

BlazBlue - Remix Heart

BlazBlue – Remix Heart

The 15th Hierarchical City of Torifune is best known as the Military Academy for the NOL. There, future librarians train and hone their skills for whatever challenges may await them outside. The story centers around Mai Natsume, a girl who had just arrived late due to a week absence, but there seems to be several phenomena centering around her that could be more than just coincidence.

[mizukagami-takamagahara]

MAI VS CHACHAKAKA

Remix Heart, Volume 3, Chapter 18 + 19

[mizukagami-takamagahara]

While BBDW was running, I was always super excited to see characters we never saw much of in the main series. On of the most interesting and surprising characters we got to see was Akane Teruhiko, making his debut as a 3⭐ character available from the start of the game!

His sprites in the files are a little odd to me. His third art in particular. As you can see, the Card Art cuts off the right edge of his coat, but keeps the full edge on the left- but his talksprite doesn't. It cuts him off even earlier! He's the first character I've seen that cuts off like that. Most others keep the full image and just... take up a lot of space. You can see what I mean with Sechs' assets- even though his character Card Art cuts off the edge of his sprite, his talksprite keeps the full image. Why does Akane's instead seem to remove part of his artwork??? Seems rude.

See also;

[ Main Costume Gameplay ] || [ Academy Uniform Gameplay ]

His first costume is, of course, the Torifune winter uniform we see him wear in his introduction back in Remix Heart! We've seen it drawn colored before too, as in the Jin birthday art Sumeragi drew. It is nice to get a look at the full outfit though!

Beyond that, both of Akane's later costumes are brand new! These are our first look at the NOL air force uniform! We'd previously been told that the uniform color would be some kind of green ('helpfully' described as "Triumphant Return of the Kingfisher") but this would be our first time seeing a full design!

The look is so intricate, too! I'm super grateful that Akane was added, as through him we also got to learn more about an unseen side of the NOL.

I wonder what the women's version of the uniform looks like though... Specifically, since each variation of the girls' division uniforms has a different arm accessory, what is it for the air force? Akane's uniform gives us a lot of pieces that could translate over to that... the orange ribbons, the black belts, the 'X' motif... hm. Anyone have any ideas???

[mizukagami-takamagahara]

Remix Heart Volume 1 Extra Comic

[mizukagami-takamagahara]

By あなぐま on Pixiv

This artist can also be found on Twitter and Pawoo!

[mizukagami-takamagahara]

Edited some Lobby Sprites!

I figure uniforms (like these, the NOL uniforms, and the Kaka Clan hoodies) are good practice for art/editing techniques, since they're standardized. I don't have to think too hard- once I know how to make the outfit once, I can focus on learning how to recreate it and make small adjustments, instead of having to immediately rush to learning a more complex costume. Does that make sense???

Comparison with the original sprites from CF below.

Noel (also used her Lobby Sprite B that depicts her as in CT)

Mai

Tsubaki (also used her Izayoi sprite, I liked the colors more)

Makoto

Kajun

[mizukagami-takamagahara]

Kajun Faycott LINE stickers!

On the left we have a sticker from the BLAZBLUE 4 set. The text alongside her reads "desu no," which she uses as a catch phrase or verbal tic in the Japanese version of the games. On its own, "desu" can be a polite way to end a sentence, but this specific variation isn't really used in the real world; you'll generally only see it in games and anime.

Beginner Translator's Diary: I'm proud of myself for recognizing "の" right away. I clocked "す" next. You'd think I would've then recognized the rest of the word, but I still had to look up "で". What's wrong with me??? I should know "です" by now!!!!

On the right we have a sticker from the BLAZBLUE RADIO 4 set. Here, the text can be read as a drawn out "amazing!!!!!" sort of exclamation.

Beginner Translator's Diary: It's actually the first two hiragana symbols, the "すげ" that spell out "amazing" (read "su ge"). The "え" at the end (I'm reading it kind of like the Canadian "eh") seems to just enhance or draw out the word in this case. If we take the translation to be read as "sugeeeee," then, I guess the English equivalent would be something like "A-MA-ZIIIING!!!" ???

There was also this customizable variant of the BR4 sticker, where a person could enter whatever text they wanted to take the place of the asterisks on the sticker. The rest of the text remains the same.

[mizukagami-takamagahara]

Chibis off the cover of Remix Heart, Volume 1

For, like, icons, or puttin’ ‘em on your blog, or stuff.

I hadn’t noticed the trio were a different size than Emma’s until I started messing around with this...

[mizukagami-takamagahara]

By Sano-BR on DeviantArt

This piece was a Patreon reward! If you like it or would want to see more, check out their account and consider supporting them!

[mizukagami-takamagahara]

More Chachakakas! Here are all of her easily-rip-able full body sprites from BBDW. Despite how extremely similar some of these look, they are all different. Maybe one day I'll try to turn them into gifs... I've never done that before.

If you'd like to see her Kaka Clan sprite rips, you can find them here! There are a lot fewer, since that version of her was never made playable.

0088001_chachakaka

[mizukagami-takamagahara]

By まこがい on Twitter.

It seems this artist sometimes takes requests on odaibako and skeb.  Remember to always check an artists request/commission rules and openings.

[mizukagami-takamagahara]

turn toward the camera and smile smile smile