Classic Timeline: 1 | 2, 3, 4/F/Final
Classic Subseries: Masou Kishin | Compati Hero Series
Alpha Saga: Alpha/Shin/Super Hero Sakusen | Alpha Gaiden | 2nd Alpha | 3rd Alpha
Compact Series: Compact 2/Impact | Compact 3 | MX
Z Saga: Z | 2nd Z | 3rd Z | Walking Spoilers
Nintendo Handheld Series: A | R | D | J | W | K | L | UX | BX
VTX Trilogy: V | X | T
Other Standalones: 64 | GC | NEO | OE | X-Ω | DD | 30
Original Generation Saga: Steel Dragon Battle Group | Earth Federation | Enemy Factions | Civilians and Walking Spoilers | Endless Frontier
This page is an index for characters who appear throughout the Super Robot Wars Alpha saga. Due to the large number of individuals, this sheet comprises of those who make their debut in the first Alpha game, including Shin Super Robot Wars and Super Hero Sakusen, as the Alpha series are where they receive their most well-known development.
The SRX Team
Tropes common to multiple members of the team and their Humongous Mecha are:
- Affectionate Nickname: His mother Yukiko, as well as Aya and Mai, call him "Ryu."
- Characterization Marches On:
- Ryusei was a Jerkass in Shin: most of his combat dialogue, particularly when an enemy misses, are a "Wow, give up already, loser". This facet of his personality is taken out in Alpha; instead, it is used as a basis for Tenzan Nakajima in Super Robot Wars: Original Generation to show the contrast between the Shin-based Ryusei and the current one seen in Original Generation.
- Back in Shin, Ryusei and Rai never stopped being colossal pricks to one another throughout the game; it's hard to understand how they can even stand being in the same room, let alone disliking everything about the other person. In later appearances, various writers take different tacks with it: Alpha tones down the vitriol between them by having them playfully mock at the other's flaws and weaknesses instead (since they've been working together for a bit by the time the protagonist's team meets them) and bouncing off of the other due to their different life experiences and interests, especially when Character Development forces Ryusei to man up so they can work together easily. OG 1 splits the difference between the perspectives: at first, Ryu and Rai can't stand each other like in Shin, but this is because they both have baggage they need to work through, and they do. In OG, we get to see the full development of their relationship into what it is in Alpha and the growth of their (sometimes grudging) respect for one another.
- Combination Attack: "Formation R" with the R-1, R-2 Powered and R-3 Powered, "HTB (Hyper Tronium Buster) Cannon" with the SRX and R-Gun Powered and "Double T-Link Knuckle" with the R-1 and ART-1
- Combining Mecha: SRX and SRX "Altered" Banpreios — specifically for the former, the R-1 is the head, the R-2 Powered is the torso with its Shoulder Cannons becoming the arms and hands and the R-3 Powered is the waist and legs.
- Demoted to Extra: While they remain major fixtures in the Original Generation games (and still some of the series' most powerful units), the SRX Team are mainly supporting protagonists now.
- Image Song, Leitmotif,
Non-Singing Voice- Ryusei: "Everywhere You Go" by default, Hagane no Tamashi ("Soul of Steel") for the SRX and Hagane no Senjin ("War God of Steel") for the Banpreios. Also, several members from JAM Project sing his Leitmotifs; additionally, "Variable Formation", a remix of "Everywhere You Go", triggers during Formation R or in-game events when the R-Units combine into the SRX.
- Rai: "Ice Man", actually sung by legendary female singer MIO/MIQ, which is surprising since Ryōtarō Okiayu is an excellent singer and has sung many image songs, making it strange why he doesn't sing this one.
- Aya: "Psychic Energy"; in a rare case for SRW, it is sung by her respective voice actor.
- Mai: "Marionette Messiah", sung by Masako Iwanaga rather than Ai Orikasa, another exceptional singer with many image songs to back her talent, but doesn't get a chance with this character.
- Ingram: "Time Diver"; following a certain event, "Emissary from the Void"/"Herald of Oblivion". Well-known singer Akira Kushida sings his Leitmotif.
- Viletta: "Woman the Cool Spy"
- Mad Scientists Beautiful Daughters: Aya and Mai for Dr. Kenzo Kobayashi; subverted because they're not their father's biological daughters, nor are either of them blood-related, and Kenzo isn't evil.
- Magikarp Power
- In-Universe, Ryusei progressively becomes more skilled as a pilot in subsequent sequels for the Alpha and Original Generation games. By the time he appears in Another Century's Episode: R, he's caught up with Kyosuke Nanbu in skill, while in Alpha 3 he's performing insane feats in little more than a custom R-Blade. In fact, he's one of most skilled pilots Original Generation has to offer, but it takes him an multiple installments to showcase his full potential.
- Exemplified via Gameplay and Story Integration: the "Telekinesis" pilot skill can turn Ryusei into this — at the start and the middle of Alpha, Ryusei is a fairly mediocre pilot; by the end, when his Telekinesis level is high enough, his evasion goes through the roof, to the point where the SRX is rendered a Lightning Bruiser, a rarity among super robots.
- Although not as much as Ibis Douglas, Mai's got decent initial stats and doesn't get better than Viletta until she's leveled up a bit. In fact, players might relegate the R-Gun Powered to Viletta rather than her, as the former can use HTB Cannon in scenarios much earlier through Viletta's lower Will requirement. However, Mai's base attack power for the Combination Attack is significantly higher than Viletta's, which makes her FAR more useful, especially when playing games on "EX-Hard Mode".
- In-Universe, Ryusei progressively becomes more skilled as a pilot in subsequent sequels for the Alpha and Original Generation games. By the time he appears in Another Century's Episode: R, he's caught up with Kyosuke Nanbu in skill, while in Alpha 3 he's performing insane feats in little more than a custom R-Blade. In fact, he's one of most skilled pilots Original Generation has to offer, but it takes him an multiple installments to showcase his full potential.
- Mecha Expansion Pack: "Plus" parts for the R-2 Powered, R-3 Powered and R-Gun Powered
- Power Trio: Ryusei is the hot-blooded emotional one, Rai is the calm, level-headed one, and Aya balances the two boys out.
- Psychic Powers: With the exception of Rai, all members of the team are "Psychodrivers" in Alpha. Averted with Ingram and Viletta in Original Generation post-Continuity Reboot, which serves as a Plot Point when Katina Tarask temporarily pilots the R-Gun in the first game. She's only able to because Ingram designed it to be able to fire its Wave-Motion Gun without a T-Link System so he could use it against his teammates later.
- Series Mascot: The SRX as a whole is one to the entire Super Robot Wars franchise. Its visor is similar to the Banpresto logo (which is itself a reference to Gundam eyes), and Ryusei's theme is based on the Banpresto theme. In most of the games the SRX appears in, it's one of, if not usually the most powerful unit you can field.
- Transforming Mecha: "R-Wing" for the R-1 and "Metal Genocider Mode" for the R-Gun Powered
- Two Girls to a Team: Inverted; the current team is comprised of two males (Ryusei and Rai) and three females (Aya, Mai and Viletta).
One of the recurring heroes in Alpha (actually debuting in Shin and improved in the Alpha series with a side-stop in Super Robot Spirits along the way), Ryusei's the prime example of the Ascended Fanboy, especially regarding video games and and Humongous Mecha (particularly super robots), and is apparently uninterested in human girls, but swoons over girly-looking giant robots; he also has a sickly mother. His story, especially told in Original Generation, revolves around getting drafted into a super robot team because he's the champion (runner-up in the Animated Adaptation Divine Wars) of a competitive Mecha Game "Burning PT", as the robots used by the military have similar controls to the game. There, he learns Real Life wars are completely different matters compared to video games. He's joined by fellow pilots Raidese F. Branstein and Aya Kobayashi and becomes the core member of the SRX Team.
Despite the Face–Heel Turn of his commander, Ingram Prisken, he continues the project and successfully forms the SRX. He remains in the "Earth Federation Army", defending the Earth from various aliens and dissidents among the "Earth Federation", while not letting go of his Otaku traits. Although Ryusei is absent in Alpha 2, he returns in Alpha 3, except he gets hit with Heroic BSoD after the SRX is destroyed and its "Tronium Engine" stolen by Hazal Gozzo. Despite this, he continues to fight and eventually gets to control the upgraded SRX "Altered" Banpreios and heads for the offensive against the "Ze Balmary Empire".
Worth noting is in Original Generation, he proves to be quite a stud, such as getting the attention of Latooni Subota and Mai Kobayashi. Oddly enough, he responds to their attention, although probably not to the extent they like. Aside from SRW, Ryusei has also appeared in Another Century's Episode: R alongside Kyosuke and Masaki Andoh. He returns in the Original Generation sequels for minor roles.
Ryusei's default mecha is the R-1, the core of the SRX. He, the R-1 and any Humongous Mecha he has previously used embody these tropes:
- Ascended Fanboy: Mixed alongside Otaku, Ryusei is THE poster boy of this trope for Super Robots. Noriko Takaya of Gunbuster is a close second.
- All Your Powers Combined: The R-1 Kai ("Custom") from Super Robot Spirits is a combination of the R-1 with new "GT-Revolvers", the R-2's Tronium Engine" and the R-3's enhanced T-Link System.
- BFS: SRX's "Z.O. Sword" and Banpreios's "S.Z.O. Sword"
- Big Brother Mentor: To Arado Balanga in Original Generation 2 — Ryusei encourages Arado to make his own decisions to join them or go back to the "Neo Divine Crusaders", rather than forcing him. After his Heel–Face Turn, Ryusei becomes this trope; Arado respects and admires him like a hero.
- In Moon Dwellers, he also acts as one to Akimi Akatsuki and, to a lesser extent, Touya Shiun.
- Berserk Button: When Ryusei meets Euzeth Gozzo in 2nd OG, he snaps when he learns he was the one responsible for Ingram's actions.Ryusei: So you were the one who manipulated Intructor Ingram, heh ? I say that's a good reason enough for me TO KICK YOUR ASS !
- Blood Knight: Implied in Shin, particularly if Ryusei's on the losing edge.Rai (The SRX is on the verge of being destroyed): "Intermediate servo Motor overheat ?! Hey! what are you doing, Ryusei?"Ryusei: "Here it comes, finally! The great pinch I've been waiting for!"
- Bunny-Ears Lawyer: During his introduction in Scenario 5 of Shin, Ryusei quickly establishes himself as some kind of crazed super robot otaku, and Professor Hamaguchi confides to Akira Hibiki that as a pilot, Ryusei is first-rate.
- Calling Your Attacks: With full passion and HotBloodedness!
- Chaste Hero: Would rather swoon on the Valsione, Aphrodite A, Fei-Yen and KouRyu and AnRyu.
- Clueless Chick-Magnet
- Poor Latooni and Mai: they never know he's only interested in giant Robot Girls; in fact,
this trope occurred in as early as Shin — in a scene where the "Londo Bell" meets Ryusei during the Space Route, he manages to make Kouji Kabuto jealous of Sayaka Yumi for once instead of the reverse. - Interestingly, recent titles have mixed this up a bit further: Ryusei's well aware of Latooni and Mai's affections and, to varying degrees, shares similar feelings to both of them. Whether he's deliberately avoiding the issue because he knows they're both emotionally vulnerable and isn't exactly keen on having to break someone's heart is up to players' interpretation.
- Poor Latooni and Mai: they never know he's only interested in giant Robot Girls; in fact,
- Deuteragonist: Despite not being one of the actual protagonists (see below), Ryusei has a major presence throughout Alpha and a character arc to boot. In fact, his "screen-time" is comparable to canon Alpha heroine Kusuha Mizuha (she doesn't appear in Alpha Gaiden while Ryusei does).
- Disappeared Dad: His father was a police officer that was killed in the line of duty.
- Eye Beams: SRX and Banpreios' "Gaun Genocider"; notably, if the attack succeeds, a Title Theme Drop of Ryusei's Leitmotif is heard.
- Genre Savvy: In The Moon Dwellers, when the strange ghost-like creatures start gathering and merging, Ryusei Lampshades on what his allies should anticipate to happen.Akimi Akatsuki: "Ensign Ryusei, did you expect that they would transform like that?"Ryusei: "Definitely. I remember there was a similar scene in Choukin Gesshin Burn Blade 3 -- Cross Omega.
- Guns Akimbo, Swords Akimbo, Chainsaw Good: Of all the units Ryusei has ever used, the R-1 and ART-1 has dual pistols, the R-Blade (and its Alpha 3 Ace Custom) carries twin blade tonfas and the ART-1 uses chainsaw tonfas. The R-1 Kai from Alpha Gaiden takes the first two tropes to the extreme with a pair of "Giant Tonfa Revolvers".
- The art style hides it, but the pistols used by the R-1 and ART-1 are pretty big, extending from the mech's waist all the way down to the knees when holstered in robot mode.
- The Hero's Journey: His character arc in Original Generation conforms especially well to the Campbellian archetype.
- Hot-Blooded: Wouldn't be the pilot of a Combining Mecha if he wasn't.
- I Know Mortal Kombat: Lampshaded by Ryusei in Original Generation 2 for his combat dialogue. This is explained as the video game Burning PT was used a way to find potential pilot candidates. It also helps that Ryuusei is a pretty powerful Psychodriver, the OG timeline's version of Newtypes."I honed my reflexes through years of video games!"
- Jack of All Stats: Ryusei is not the strongest Psychodriver (Mai is far stronger), nor the most skilled (Aya has him beat), and there are plenty of better pure pilots (Kyosuke and Rai come to mind), but it's the combination of all his attributes that make him an elite on the field.
- Jumped at the Call: Played with in Ryusei's first appearance for Shin — Professor Hamaguchi orders him to sortie in the R-1, but tells him not to press his luck since allied reinforcements will arrive soon. Ryusei is so overconfident he beats up the aliens with backup from the Raideen. Hamaguchi ends up giving Ryusei a verbal chewing for pushing the experimental R-1 so hard, threatening to ground him if he pulls any more reckless stunts.
- Leader Forms the Head: Played with — the R-1 is the head of the SRX, but Ryusei is not the leader of the SRX Team. However, once the SRX combines, control of the machine is handed to him.
- Momma's Boy: Played with; Ryusei adores his mother Yukiko Date, the one thing ranking higher than Humongous Mecha and True Companionship on his list of priorities. In fact, he was going to enter the military to pay off her medical bills rather than go to college (though he gets "drafted", anyways). Subverted as Yukiko isn't in control of his life, though he still occasionally pays a visit to her. However, played straight when any mention about Yukiko getting experimented in her younger years at a Psychodriver lab or utter a death threat against her - Ryusei will hastily defend his mother.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Played for laughs after a scuffle with Lu Cain and his "Demon Death Platoon" and a duel with Master Asia in an Earth Route Scenario for Shin - as a result of the fighting, the cave falls apart. Professor Eri Anzai nearly faints, unable to comprehend how the hot-headed Domon Kasshu and Ryusei can ignore the cultural value of whatever was in that cave.
- Robeast: Gets turned into one by Primada in an Alpha 2 Yonkoma seen here
◊. - Series Mascot: Him and the SRX - though not the main protagonist of the Alpha saga, he became one of the two main protagonists of the first Original Generation game and is more synonymous with Alpha thanks to franchise longevity (has been present since Shin).
- Ship Tease
- As much as Ryusei's the Ascended Fanboy, there's a good amount of shipping from fans for him and Latooni or Mai throughout Original Generation.
- Interestingly, neither side can claim a win: sure, Mai gets the Double T-Link Knuckle with Ryusei in Original Generation Gaiden, but Latooni gets a hug from him in The Inspectors (Animated Adaptation of Original Generation 2). Of course, there's always another option...
- Interestingly, neither side can claim a win: sure, Mai gets the Double T-Link Knuckle with Ryusei in Original Generation Gaiden, but Latooni gets a hug from him in The Inspectors (Animated Adaptation of Original Generation 2). Of course, there's always
- Back in Alpha Gaiden, him and Viletta spend a long time alone together off-screen. Who knows what went on other than training in that period...
- It's subtle, but Aya feels more comfortable around Ryusei in Original Generation than any other male character after Ingram's Face–Heel Turn.
- As much as Ryusei's the Ascended Fanboy, there's a good amount of shipping from fans for him and Latooni or Mai throughout Original Generation.
- Show Within a Show
- He's a big fan of Burning PT and the anime "Burn Blade" in Original Generation.
- In Alpha 3, his fellow pilots are shocked when Ryusei gives them a rare copy of "Macross: Legend of Lynn Minmei" romance movie to Mylene Jenius as a birthday present. Turns out he's only interested in the film's "Valkyrie" battle scene.
- Squee: Ryusei is already impressed enough by the Compatible Kaiser in Original Generations, but when it combines with the G-Thundergate in the G-Compatible Kaiser, Ryusei mentions it looks more awesome each time he looks at it.
- Super Prototype: Aside from the Wildrauptier and R-Blade, the R-1, ART-1 and R-Blade Custom are essentially this and his Ace Customs.
- Take My Hand!: In Divine Wars, Ryusei (in his Wildraubtier) does this to Rai (in his Schutzwald) while standing on the Grungust's "Wing Gust" transformation.
- This Is Reality: A good deal regarding his Character Development in Original Generation is Ryusei learning how reality is harsher than his favored video games. Thankfully, Ryusei matures quickly, unlike his Evil Counterpart Tenzan.
- Throwing Your Sword Always Works: R-1's strongest attack "T-Link Sword" generates an ornate blade out of psychic energy, which he promptly throws at the enemy like a javelin. Driving home this point is although being classified as a melee-based attack, it can't be used directly on adjacent enemies, despite being a sword.
- Unskilled, but Strong: Ryusei relies on his natural abilities and a mech's specifications to get by initially; in all Continuity appearances, once reality sets in, he thoroughly trains to be as skilled as his peers.
- Done via Gameplay and Story Integration with his pilot skill "Telekinesis": at low levels, the skill provides minor boosts in accuracy and evasion, but at the highest levels, Ryusei at the helm of the SRX will turn it into a Lightning Bruiser.
- Unwanted Harem: Zigzagged - Viletta might like him that way and Mio Sasuga has made a few advances on him during the first two Alpha games when the Masou Kishin cast are included (though she is likely kidding). At first there was Kusuha, who has since moved on because she became an Unlucky Childhood Friend, while Aya's a "maybe" and Rai is a possibility (at least according to certain parts of the fandom); finally, there's Latooni and Mai, who are outright smitten with him. However, it's not so much "unwanted" as much as he has no idea it exists.
- Vitriolic Best Buds: With Ryusei being the hot-headed kid who lucked into the cockpit of the most powerful robot ever produced by human hands due to his innate Psychodriver abilities, and Rai as the consummate professional elite pilot who has worked his way up the ranks despite his family background, the both of them didn't get along at first, but years of fighting with together and trusting each other with their lives has made them into this trope. Rai will constantly needle Ryusei for his lapses in piloting, but you'd be hard pressed to find a stronger friendship in the armada.
- We Need a Distraction: Before Scenario 29 of the Space Route in Shin, Londo Bell concocts a plan - create a diversion to let their forces sneak inside. The diversionary squad includes Ryusei, for whom making a big scene is a specialty.
- Worf Effect
- In the prologue of The Inspectors, the "Shadow-Mirror" universe version of the SRX Team is brutally destroyed by Beowulf. Just to show how sadistic he is, a defeated Ryusei gets Impaled with Extreme Prejudice.
- At the beginning of Alpha 3, Hazal Curb Stomps Ryusei and the SRX Team, culminating in the SRX being destroyed.
- Wrong Genre Savvy
- In Alpha Gaiden, when Ryusei learns there are four "Elemental Lords", he immediately asks Masaki if they can combine; they don't.
- During a live-fire training exercise in Divine Wars, Ryusei believes it's impossible for tanks to outmaneuver and down a Humongous Mecha. He's disabled and shot down in a matter of minutes.
The Lancer to Ryusei's "beatdown first, question later" attitude, Raidiese ("Rai" for short) is the designated pilot of the R-2 and a crack marksman. Though the R-2's a heavy bombardment unit, in Rai's hands it becomes a menacing foe at any range, though Rai prefers to stay back to get the most use of its twin shoulder-mounted cannons, leaving the melee range for Ryusei. In Alpha and Original Generation, Rai was a test pilot for the Super Prototype Huckebein at Mao Industries on the moon. However, an error with the Huckebein's "Black Hole Engine" leveled the facility, leaving Rai as one of three people to survive this "Vanishing Trooper Incident", although his left hand was crushed during the accident and replaced with a prosthetic. Afterwards, Ingram drafted him into the the SRX Team and he has remained there ever since.
Rai is the younger brother of Elzam von Branstein, with whom he has a rocky relationship with. As an extension to his back-story for Original Generation Rai adored Elzam's wife Cattleya Fujiwara, but her death as a result of one of Elzam's decisions led to Rai disowning his brother. He leaves the Branstein family after taking Cattleya's maiden name, swearing to get back at the family. He also informed cousin Leona Garstein should she cross his path in defense of Elzam and what he stands for, he will not hesitate and fight.
Rai initially comes across as the cold, calculating, by-the-book soldier, but his interactions with the various characters causes him to loosen up while still remaining The Stoic. This cracks when he finds the man truly responsible for Cattleya's death, causing him to go on a Roaring Rampage of Revenge, but nearly gets killed for it. Learning from his lessons, Rai starts to trust his brother more and together they kill the culprit. This marks the event where Rai finally makes peace with Elzam and himself.
Rai pilots the R-2 Powered and takes care of the Tronium Engine in the SRX, controling and maintaining its output. He embodies these tropes:
- Aloof Older Brother: Inverted; whereas the older Elzam (currently as "Ratsel Feinschmecker") is occasionally goofy, Rai keeps the same demeanor throughout all appearances.
- Artificial Limbs: Loses his left hand during the Vanishing Trooper Incident; at least he fares better than his Alternate Universe counterpart in the Shadow-Mirror universe where he's Killed Off for Real.
- Badass Normal
- Every member of the SRX Team isn't by any means normal: Viletta's an Opposite-Sex Clone of Ingram and the rest are Psychodrivers, but Rai happens to be exceptionally skilled, it guarantees him a spot on the team. Following Ingram's Face–Heel Turn, Rai nearly gets the boot out of the R-2 by The Federation, but he states so long as he's on the SRX Team, the machine's his to use.
- Discussed between Rai and Gyunei Guss during the fight near the "Angel Halo " in Shin: Gyunei asks Rai if he's a "Fortified Human" (which Rai knows nothing about), then demands to know how Rai can be so calm when his life is on the line in this battle. Rai answers that calmness is only natural for a skilled pilot, the implication that Gyunei is afraid of fighting.
- Berserk Button: Watch him go batshit insane when he finds Archibald Grims for the first time in Original Generation 2.
- Bodyguard Crush: Inverted; it's the other way around for Princess Shine Hausen in Original Generation.
- The Comically Serious: Even in humorous scenes, Rai keeps up his stoic disposition.
- Get a Hold of Yourself, Man!: In Alpha 3 to Ryusei during his Heroic BSoD. Parodied hilariously in a Yonkoma where Rai delivers it yelling "PROSTHETIC ARM PUNCH!!!" This fails as Ryusei's fanboy hormones activate.
- Giant Robot Hands Save Lives: In one episode of Divine Wars, Rai rescues Princess Shine in this manner. He averts the usual illogicality of this trope by descending his Schutzwald at the same speed as she is.
- It Runs in the Family: He and Elzam/Ratsel are both incredibly skilled Badass Normal pilots, although Elzam is the superior pilot by a country mile.
- Mistaken for Gay: It turns out what Lu Cain during Shin is after is in the university database, which Ryusei plays off as just minor trespassing. Rai lambasts Ryusei's foolishness; when Sanshiro Tsuwabuki weakly agrees, the dialogue awkwardly comes out that Ryusei has implied that Rai prefers men.
- Not So Above It All
- Although Rai's the team's Only Sane Man, he occasionally winds up falling for Ryusei's blunders. In Original Generation 2, when Ryusei suggests Rai make up a new name for the HTB Cannon, he realizes he can't think of anything better.
- In Scenario 11 in the Earth Route of Shin, Rai introduces himself formally after the battle, saying the aliens have been up to abducting people. Sanshirou has been eyeing Rai, wondering if he's another weirdo like Ryusei, but Rai stiffly asks him not to liken him to Ryusei, whom he considers the shame of the SRX Team. Sanshirou tells Rai about Ryusei's "self-proclaimed genius pilot" line of dialogue; after a brief moment, Rai acknowledges it's pretty much true. The others realize Rai, too, is somewhat off his rocker.
- Not So Stoic: Usually plays The Stoic, but then Archibald shows up and all hell breaks loose.
- Rings of Death: R-2's "Beam Chakram" is a wired-guided variant.
- Roaring Rampage of Revenge: Tries one as soon as he meets Archibald Grims and almost gets him killed. He succeeds later on with his brother on his side.
- Shoulder Cannon: R-2 Powered's "Hi-Zol Launchers" can fire in short, scattered bursts like machine-gun fire or as a Wave-Motion Gun.
- The Smart Guy: He maintains the extremely powerful and highly volatile Tronium Engine that powers the SRX, and despite being a normal human being with no superpowers, he can still keep up with the rest of the armada by skill alone.
The 21-year-old leader and captain of the SRX Team, Aya's the oldest daughter of Dr. Kenzo Kobayashi, head of Psychodriver research. Her Psychodriver powers are very strong and is the telekinetic key when they form the SRX. One of her hobbies is walking around art museums. She admires Ingram greatly and he was always nice to her, but was hurt the most by his Face–Heel Turn in Alpha and Original Generation. During the final fight with Ingram, he tells her not to be bound by the past and start a new life for herself. Later, while fighting Levi Tolar, she realizes Levi is her younger sister Mai, whom she believed had perished years earlier during an explosion at their father's lab. While Levi is convinced in Alpha and joins the SRX Team, she is instead destroyed with her Humongous Mecha Judecca at the "L5 Campaign" in Original Generation. Post-L5 Campaign, Aya stays at the Far East "Izu Base" of the Earth Federation Army to cooperate in her father's research.
Aya gets into a nasty misfortune during Alpha 3, where a fatal attack from Balmar general Hazal Gozzo strikes the SRX hard, seemingly destroying the R-3 Powered and is deemed Killed Off for Real. In truth, she's captured by Balmar and later used to demoralize the rest of the team, especially Mai, whose memories have fully returned. Thankfully, Aya is rescued aboard one of Balmar's 12 "Neviim" moons by defecting Balmar generals Baran Doban and Luria Kayitz and she rejoins the SRX Team with their new SRX Altered Banpreios.
Aya pilots the R-3 Powered, a flying, ranged support unit, whose specialty is to blanket an area with missiles with 0% chance of hitting friendlies as they are guided by her Psychodriver abilities. The R-3 can also aim its "Strike Shields" with precision, also guided by her powers. Tropes associated with Aya:
- Adaptational Curves: She was already well-endowed in the games, but The Inspectors anime takes it up a notch; in a series where most of the already buxom women go up a size or two, Aya's upgrade is especially noticeable.
- Adaptation Personality Change: Back in Shin, she had a narcissistic side, and was much more critical of Ryusei.
- Animal Motifs: In Shin, Aya is a natural enemy of Ryusei - a cat to Ryusei's mouse. She figures that if she's a cat, she should at least be a Persian.
- Bootstrapped Leitmotif: "Psychic Energy" was originally a map-based BGM in Shin until it became Aya's Leitmotif.
- Custom Uniform of Sexy: Among the SRX Team, her uniform is the most revealing.
- Damage Discrimination: R-3 Powered's "T-Link Missiles" don't hit friendlies in its area of effect, thanks to the user's Psychic Powers.
- I Let Gwen Stacy Die: A decent chunk of Alpha 3 has Ryusei blame himself for Aya's supposed death.
- Ms. Fanservice: She has large breasts like most women created for the franchise, and her uniform completely exposes her shoulders while also including a short skirt to show off her legs.
- Leg Focus: Implied by Aschen, who gives her the nickname "High Leg Leader."
- Shout-Out: The R-3's Strike Shields are obviously melee fin funnels.
- Stripperific: Both her normal uniform and her pilot suits are more exposing than what should be practical.
- Unfortunate Names: Shares the same surname as Katz Kobayashi; one Yonkoma Lampshades this with Aya responding appropriately.
- Weak, but Skilled
- Out of the more notable Alpha Psychodrivers (Ryusei, Mai, Kusuha and Brooklyn "Bullet" Luckfield), Aya has relatively weaker Psychic Powers In-Universe and isn't as pronounced as theirs. However, given Aya's been raised since childhood to harness it, she's much more skilled with the power she has as shown with the Strike Shield weaponry, which require precise control, including keeping the SRX combined.
- Fridge Brilliance: Aya has precision, but can't generate strong psychic power; Mai's the one with outrageous power output, but needs decent control.
- After smacking around numerous villains in a Space Route scenario in Shin, the party is impressed at the SRX's abilities, but Amuro notes Aya is looking a bit pale from all the power she has to expel to keep the SRX together. Hayato Jin agrees to give them a day off; Aya later confesses to Amuro she is in fact an "Esper", apologizing for having mislead him earlier. She's not entirely thrilled with her powers, which Amuro can relate to.
- Out of the more notable Alpha Psychodrivers (Ryusei, Mai, Kusuha and Brooklyn "Bullet" Luckfield), Aya has relatively weaker Psychic Powers In-Universe and isn't as pronounced as theirs. However, given Aya's been raised since childhood to harness it, she's much more skilled with the power she has as shown with the Strike Shield weaponry, which require precise control, including keeping the SRX combined.
Aya's younger sister, Mai was presumed Killed Off for Real after an explosion years before at her father Kenzo Kobayashi's lab. With no memories of her past, Mai remains a very quiet, gentle girl. In Original Generation, she appears six months after the L5 Campaign and is given medical treatment under Kenzo's care. Due to her exceptionally strong Psychodriver powers, Mai gets assigned to the SRX Team for learning purposes, and is selected to be the pilot of the R-Gun Powered.
In Alpha and Original Generation, the cause of the lab accident is due to the "Aerogaters" in secret: Mai was kidnapped, Brainwashed, and turned into one of the Aerogaters, taking the name "Levi Tolar", the self-proclaimed "Priestess of Judecca", piloting the mighty "Judecca"; in either Continuity, she and Ingram challenges the SRX Team on multiple occasions. In Alpha, prior to the final battle, Levi is convinced by the SRX Team of her origins, aligning with them and defeating the Aerogaters. Although "Levi" is under scrutiny by the government and kept under surveillance, her memories as Mai fully return by the time Alpha 3 occurs.
In contrast, Levi's memories as Mai reappears at the height of the L5 Campaign in Original Generation. Unfortunately, she is presumably destroyed with the machine. Upon recovering the wreckage of the Judecca, inside its undamaged core lay Levi, unharmed but without her memories, reverting back to Mai prior to the lab explosion. Although Kenzo considers it a risk that Levi's personality could hijack Mai's fragile mind, he alters her memories to better sync with Aya to use the "Twin Contact" of the SRX's T-Link System to its full advantage in order to execute the HTB Cannon. Despite Levi attemping on multiple occasions convincing her to continue her mission as the Priestess of Judecca, Mai remains strong and adamant her place is in the SRX Team.
While Mai makes her debut in Alpha, Levi appeared earlier in Super Robot Spirits, serving as the Final Boss of the game. Tropes associated with Mai/Levi are:
- Bad "Bad Acting", Stylistic Suck: While her voice actor normally puts on an excellent performance, Mai's "Ryusei Impersonations" come in at ear-shattering volume and don't make a whole lot of sense.
- Brainwashed and Crazy: As Levi Tolar.
- Duality Motif: Levi has has one red and one golden eye to match the Judecca's. Her eye color changes depending on Continuity, but also whether her Levi personality or herself as Mai is dominant. If it's the latter, it reverts back to a natural blue.
- Enemy Within: In Original Generation 2, festering elements of Levi goads Mai in her subconciousness to turn on her allies.
- Friendly Rival: To Latooni, with whom she shares a romantic interest in Ryusei.
- Late-Arrival Spoiler: Mai's subsequent appearances post-Original Generation 2 makes no effort in hiding she was once Levi.
- Meaningful Name: Keeping in line with Balmar's Theme Naming, "Tolar" is a loose romanization of the word "Torah", meaning "the law" in Hebrew. "Levi" is one of the twelve tribes of Israel in the Old Testament and are designated as the priests, who were charge of the law; within context of Alpha, Levi represents the Priestess of Judecca.
- Older Than They Look: She's physically around 16, and she's about 28 chronologically.
- Power Creep, Power Seep: Across her various appearances, Levi's power level has been all over the place. In her first appearance in Super Robot Spirits, Levi and the Judecca serve as the final boss, and in the backstory she managed to wreck the SRX (hence why Ryusei fights in a highly customized R-1 incorporating elements from all three machines). Come Alpha, Levi is simply an underling for Laodicea Judecca Gozzo and Euzeth Gozzo, one fought — and bested — several times by Londo Bell. Here, every time she trades blows with Ryusei, her mental state destabilizes and ultimately the Judecca breaks apart from her powers going haywire prior to any confrontations with the SRX. But lastly, in Original Generation, she is the leader of the Aerogaters and her powers are kept under control even when coming into contact with Ryusei and the Judecca is elevated to penultimate boss status.
- Precision-Guided Boomerang: R-Gun's "T-Link Boomerang"
- Ship Tease: Really, when Mai gets an exclusive Combination Attack with the Ascended Fanboy whom she has a deep-seated crush on, where said attack is created by her rival for the fanboy's affection, major teasing occurs.
- Shoulder Cannon: R-Gun Powered's "Hi-Twin Launchers"
- Split-Personality Merge: Alpha only — she's still Levi, but the positive personality traits of Mai are awoken by Ryusei causing her to turn Face. Levi gradually regains her memories as Mai, starts acting like her old self and eventually asks the rest of the team to start calling her Mai again, though she still remembers her time as Levi. In contrast, Levi in Original Generation is a separate evil persona installed into Mai, who continues to haunt her in her dreams, who has little to no memories of her time as Levi.
- Theme Naming: Subverted; while "Judecca" refers to Judas Iscariot, the disciple of Jesus Christ who betrayed him, each of the Judecca's attacks ("Caina", "Antenora", "Ptolomea" and "Judecca") corresponds to a section of the ninth and lowest circle of hell in "The Divine Comedy".
- Unskilled, but Strong: Unlike Aya, Mai's psychic output outclasses her; unfortunately, she has little to no control over the exact amount she generates, and is not the best pilot. This serves as a counterbalance to Aya being Weak, but Skilled.
- Youngest Child Wins: At least, the physically youngest does:
- Her Psychodriver powers are often stated to be stronger than Aya's, and Mai being made a part of the SRX Team in order to trigger the HTB Cannon makes it more obvious.
- This theory gets a boost when the Banpreios first appears and shatters a pocket dimension Hazal Gozzo traps the "Alpha Numbers" inside in Alpha 3. For the record, the only people piloting the Banpreios at this point are Rai (who isn't a Psychodriver) and Mai. Sure, the "Cross Gate" may have played a role in the moment, but the fact Mai can generate enough Psychic Powers to move a Humongous Mecha that requires three Psychodrivers to normally pilot AND break apart a pocket dimension says something about her abilities.
Commander of the SRX Team, Major Ingram Prisken is dedicated to the task of completing the "SRX Development Project" by recruiting Ryusei, Rai and Aya. Ingram rarely talks about himself and, like Rai, maintains a sense of composure and collectedness, but hides a slightly calculating side. Of note is Ingram comes from Super Hero Sakusen ("Super Hero Operations"), a Spin-Off of Super Robot Wars, where he is one of two selectable protagonists for the game.
Ingram is the first clone of the mass-produced "Balshem" series created by from the Ze Balmary Empire and known as the "Originator", with the codename "Aleph Balshem". He pulls a Face–Heel Turn on the SRX Team, revealing himself to be a spy sent by the Aerogaters to assess the strength of The Federation. In Alpha and Original Generation'', Ingram and the SRX Team fight on multiple occasions following his turn, and while many cannot understand his actions at joining the enemy, in reality, Ingram's been manipulated by his Balmar masters into doing their bidding, though Ingram's will is strong enough such that he desires to break free from their control.
In Alpha, Ingram's body is lost following the Aerogaters' defeat, but his influence over the powerful "Astranagant" allows his spirit to survive. By chance, when another Balshem clone scouts an area near the Cross Gate in Alpha 3, the Astranagant appears from the interdimensional device and absorbs the clone's machine. Ingram's consciousness also takes over the pilot; instead, their souls fuse into an entirely different entity. From time to time, Ingram attempts to retake control and continue his work as a "Time Diver", one who exists to keep the balance of good and evil between dimensions.
In Original Generation, Ingram's initial mecha is the Wildschwein, a succeeding variant of the Huckebein, but switches to the R-Gun until his Face–Heel Turn, where he mutates the machine using "Zyflud Crystals" into the "R-Gun Rivale", rather than use the Astranagant from Alpha (since it doesn't exist in this Continuity). Ingram has the following tropes:
- Attack Drone: Astranagant's "Gun Familiar" and R-Gun Rivale's "Gun Slaves"
- Character Catchphrase: "Dead End Shot"; all of his clones would later inherit this.
- Chest Blaster, Sphere of Destruction: Astranagant's "Infinity Cylinder" and the R-Gun Rivale's "Axion Buster"
- Command Roster: The Captain, until he pulls a...
- Face–Heel Turn: Which starts to get complicated when he reveals he's The Mole and is the reason for this trope. However, it turns out he's actually acting in the role of Stealth Mentor, because he never wanted to be The Mole.
- The Herald: Takes on this role at the beginning of Ryusei's Hero's Journey, though he ends up playing a few others down the line.
- I Die Free: Before he dies in Original Generation, he expresses satisfaction that he isn't being controlled during this brief moment.
- Late-Arrival Spoiler: Ingram being The Mole for the Aerogaters is not lost on most SRW fans, new and old, these days; it's what happens to him afterwards that is still considered a spoiler.
- Meaningful Name: "Aleph" is the numerical value of "one" in Hebrew, hence Ingram being the first of the Balshem clones.
- Red Eyes, Take Warning: In Divine Wars, during his Face–Heel Turn, Ingram reveals the R-Gun has Glowing Eyes of Doom in the guise of a sinister red◊.
- Wake-Up Call Boss: In Original Generation, his R-Gun Rivale's HP is at a whopping 160,000 with HP Regen (M)note complete with Warp Field which halves your damage output. In a game where dealing 3500-5500 damage is generally considered endgame level and the previously highest enemy HP was 65,000.
The new SRX Team Commander replacing Ingram on the SRX Development Project, Viletta holds the rank of Captain. With exceptional piloting skills, she is always able to judge cooly on the battlefield. Like Ingram, Viletta also comes from Super Hero Sakusen and is the second selectable protagonist (Ingram and Viletta are treated as the same character, regardless of gender, in Super Hero Sakusen).
In actuality, Viletta is the fourth clone in the mass-produced Balshem series with the codename "Bet Balshem". In Original Generation, Ingram sent Viletta as another spy for the Aerogaters to infiltrate the Earth Federation in order to gather data. However, following the final battle with the entity known as "Septuagint", Viletta confides with Gilliam Yeager her real name is "Viletta Prisken", created specifically from Ingram the Originator to act on his behalf once he becomes unable to do so of his own free will from the Aerogaters. Ingram created her before his mind was fully taken over, then sends her away to complete his will. She goes on to explain to Gilliam about the Ze Balmary Empire.
After the "L5 Campaign" against the Aerogators, Viletta permanently joins the Earth Federation Army. Alongside Gilliam and Lune Zoldark, she is sent to investigate the abandoned Aerogater fortress "White Star", but is forced to retreat with the Hiryu Custom battleship when the "Inspectors" launch a surprise attack on their location.
In Alpha, she uses the R-Gun Powered, but can use it as well in Original Generation (otherwise, she comes with an Ace Custom "Gespenst"). She's back to the R-Gun in Original Generation Gaiden, as Mai is in the ART-1. Viletta has these tropes:
- Ace Pilot: In a series where just about everybody's this trope, Viletta's noted to be one of the best female pilots.
- Action Girl: Naturally, like all the rest of them.
- Birds of a Feather: It's subtle, but in Original Generation, Viletta and Gilliam are this — both are suave (in their own unique way), skilled pilots and have an air of mystery to them. It helps that Viletta confesses to Gilliam about her and Ingram's motives.
- Command Roster: The Captain after Ingram defects.
- Cool Shades: In The Inspectors.
- Even the Girls Want Her: When the resident Ms. Fanservice in Original Generation wouldn't mind if it's her, she becomes this.
- Evil Twin: In Alpha 3, Spectra McCready — she looks exactly like her, but with a perpetual scowling expression that screams Obviously Evil.
- Femme Fatale: Pretty much; the name of her Leitmotif says it all.
- Opposite-Sex Clone: Of Ingram as a result of Divergent Character Evolution from Super Hero Sakusen into Alpha
- Stern Teacher: Oh boy, is she strict on Ryusei; taken to a point where he compares her being nice to him as "the calm before the storm".
- Weak, but Skilled: As mentioned above, she is one of the best pilots on the roster, and is one of only two people who can allow the R-Gun to be used as the BFG for the SRX's ultimate attack (the other being Mai). Using Viletta lowers the damage output of that attack, but her skills allow her to survive better than Mai, who needs a bit more babysitting in order to last through a mission.
Alpha Protagonists
Unfortunately, this was such a developmental nightmare, as sequels would demand unbelievable Road Cones to exist due to differentiating player choice, that Banpresto established in Alpha 2 the "Kusuha Mizuha" and "Brooklyn 'Bullet' Luckfield" profiles are the canon heroine and partner of the Alpha series. With the exception of Alpha Gaiden, the sequels switched to more static selectable protagonists, keeping Kusuha as the recurring option.
Tropes common to the Alpha originals are:
- Adaptation Expansion
- The hero(ine)'s back-story in Alpha was simpler with him/her being an Ordinary High-School Student (who happened to be a latent-yet-powerful Psychodriver)note , until he/she is wrapped up in the "Balmar-Earth War" by accident. Of particular, Kusuha's personality traits for having a nurse-in-training background and infamous Gargle Blaster are established in Original Generation when the Alpha originals are differentiated from one another with unique origins; these elements then folded back into her character when Alpha 2 is released.
- Although Bullet may have learned to refine his sword techniques from Sanger in Alpha 3, Original Generation extends this by having both become students under the tutelage of the same master, Rishu Togou.
- The notion Leona is a cousin to the Branstein brothers is an Original Generation-exclusive trait: Alpha never took note of this, even if a pre-made Leona is the heroine. Once Elzam appears in Alpha 2 and beyond as Ratsel, she is never mentioned at all.
- The hero(ine)'s back-story in Alpha was simpler with him/her being an Ordinary High-School Student (who happened to be a latent-yet-powerful Psychodriver)note , until he/she is wrapped up in the "Balmar-Earth War" by accident. Of particular, Kusuha's personality traits for having a nurse-in-training background and infamous Gargle Blaster are established in Original Generation when the Alpha originals are differentiated from one another with unique origins; these elements then
- Canon Name: Alpha had suggested profiles for each character, but the game didn't force any names (or details) onto players. Default names, personalities and what-not are later used to represent the possible protagonists in Original Generation, while Alpha 2 uses Kusuha and Bullet's names and traits as hard canon for the rest of the series.
- Featureless Protagonist
- Whoever the protagonist is in Alpha is very customizable: players can freely mix and match portraits and personality sets, choose a name and In-Series Nickname, birthdate and blood type to determine stats and pilots skills as they level, and "Spirit Commands". For those who know the characters through their Original Generation counterparts, this can lead to some comedic outcomes, such as Rio Mei Long speaking with Kusuha's shy, reserved voice or having Tasuku Shingugi's constant stream of nonsense come out of Yuuki Jaggar's mouth.
- The only restrictions placed on character creation are on the hero(ine)'s partner: they must be the opposite gender and have the "opposing" personality to the protagonist ("Hot-Blooded" <-> "Shrinking Violet" or "The Stoic" <-> "The Tease"), likely a concession to ensure dialogue trees don't get out of control.
- Psychic Powers
- Whoever the Alpha protagonist is, he/she is a tremendously powerful, but untrained Psychodriver, with substantial precognitive, telepathic and telekinetic abilities. When Original Generation began Cutting Off the Branches, all eight Alpha originals are Psychodrivers, though none of them are nearly as potent as the Alpha protagonist.
- What needs to be stated is Kusuha's Alpha counterpart is one of the most powerful "Newtype"-styled psychics to exist in the setting: while she begins raw and untrained, she can eventually raise telekinetic barriers, engage in telepathic throwdowns with major villains without losing her mind and generally accomplishes psychic feats leaving characters like Amuro and Kamille Bidan in awe. It's not all fun and games, however, since her misunderstanding of what she feels during a particular incident in Alpha 2 leads her to believe Bullet is Killed Off for Real, which nearly mentally destroys her. By contrast, Kusuha in Original Generation has yet to showcase anything of this caliber.
- For a specific example: at one point in Alpha, Londo Bell has to assault the Angel Halo. Akira, Aya, Bullet and Ryusei try to counteract its psychic wave but slowly fail and everyone's on the verge of being mentally assaulted, at which point Kusuha gets really mad, her Leitmotif kicks in, and she counteracts the psychic wave and gives Maria and Shakti a psychic What the Hell, Hero? speech at the same time. To emphasize: Kusuha goes up against 30,000 Newtype( brain)s at the same time, by herself, and WINS.
- How much this trope applies to Original Generation varies between the eight: a fair bit of hay is made of Kusuha and Bullet's abilities since it allows them to pilot their Humongous Mecha correctly (Ingram wanting to exploit Kusuha's powers after kidnapping her for the Aerogaters is an extended Mythology Gag back to Alpha). Likewise, Ryoto Hikawa is picked up by the "Divine Crusaders" in part for his talents. Conversely, Leona, Rio and Tasuku's abilities don't get referenced much, while Yuuki and Ricarla Borgnine's Psychodriver traits are relevant exactly once in Original Generation 2 and are never touched again.
The heroine of the Alpha series, Kusuha is the only protagonist to appear in all numbered Alpha games (Alpha Gaiden has no protagonist at all). A nurse-in-training turned Humongous Mecha pilot, her boyfriend's the easily flustered disciple of the Jigen-ryuu school of swordsmanship Bullet. Kusuha's usually a sweet, everyday girl who dislikes fighting, but is infamous for one thing: her health drink knocking out the toughest of men (including an android). Only a few are unaffected, but it's usually a major source of terror from her otherwise Moe appearance.
In Alpha, Kusuha is rendered more of a badass, courtesy of the fact she has to pull a protagonist's weight. Although initially hesitant to fight (as her default personality in Alpha is "shy and quiet, but with a will of iron"), the universe throws so much crap at her she basically has no choice but to stand up and retaliate. This gets to a point where she often makes Bullet look like a James Bondage by comparison (assisted by the fact the "partner" character in Alpha is the one who ends up in peril, thus he ends up in tons of trouble by default), although he usually comes back to the routine after they reunite in any given game.
In Original Generation, she begins as Ryusei's Unlucky Childhood Friend, but eventually falls for Bullet after a mock fight between the SRX Team and "ATX Team". Following Ingram's Face–Heel Turn, Kusuha is kidnapped by Ingram, Brainwashed and Crazy to fight for the Aerogaters, but gets snapped out of it by Bullet. In Original Generation 2, Kusuha is chosen to be the pilot of the "RyuOhKi" (based on Seiryuu), forming with Bullet in the "KoOhKi" into the "RyuKoOh", charged by the Choukijin ("Super Mechanical Gods") to fend off the "Einst". In Original Generation Gaiden, Kusuha's one of the victims of the during the "ODE Incident" and caught by the "Bartolls", but is luckily rescued with the "Aggressors". In the Second Original Generation, she is thrown into "La Gias" and fights alongside Lune and Hwang Yang Long to topple the ambitious General Kirkus Zan Valfarbia. Upon returning to the surface, the "Garden of Baral" entangle Kusuha with their goal of turning mankind into immortals, at the cost of millions of lives. When the KoOhKi is captured by Baral, Kusuha is forced to use the "RyuJinKi" (composed of the RyuOhKi absorbing itself with a Grungust Type-3) until the former is retrieved to reform the RyuKoOh.
As the chosen pilot of the RyuOhKi, Kusuha is the primary pilot of the RyuKoOh, her most famous and powerful unit. However, due to the inherent dangers and difficulties involved in the machine's use, Kusuha will typically switch to a Grungust (or any derivative/variant thereof) of some description when things are calmer (such as the start of a given game).
Tropes associated with Kusuha and her machines are:
- Ace Custom: "Shin RyuKoOh" in Alpha 3 is modeled to suit her combat style, being more focused on ranged, magical attacks and omitting the BFS.
- Adaptation Relationship Overhaul: In the Alpha series, she already knows Bullet, while she met Ryusei after joining the military. In the Original Generation continuity, this is reversed.
- Badass Adorable In Distress: Fortunately, her Alpha incarnation averts the "In Distress" part; even her current Original Generation counterpart is working towards fixing this as of the Second Original Generation.
- Bag of Spilling: Kusuha has never been able to start using the RyuKoOh at the beginning of a game. No matter what, she (and Bullet) must use a different unit before everything gets sorted out with the Choukijin.
- BFS: RyuKoOh's Hazanken (localized as "Dragoon Blade"); she drops it in favor of a Martial Arts Staff for the RyuJinKi in Alpha 2/Second Original Generation and magic in Alpha 3 for the Shin RyuKoOh.
- Buxom Beauty Standard: Has a surprisingly busty figure, which is noted by other characters, especially Jun Kanan who becomes slightly obsessed with her.
- Canon Discontinuity: Certain aspects of Alpha and its game manual leans on her as the choice for heroine with Bullet as her partner by default, but if her profile is left completely unmodified, she would default to the real robot route of the game. Alpha 2 establishes the super robot route from Alpha is the canon choice, and at no point in Alpha or Original Generation does she ever get to use a Huckebein unless players force her into one for the latter.
- Chickification: Zigzagged:
- Averted in Alpha as Kusuha (being the protagonist) is usually the one who wears the pants in the relationship with Bullet, being the one bailing him out when he's in trouble, but played straight in Original Generation with Bullet rescuing her often. However, the Second Original Generation subverts it a la Alpha thanks in no small part to the Alpha 2 storyline prominently taking the stage.
- She can also get this in the original Alpha if she's chosen as the partner rather than the protagonist since she essentially switches roles with Bulletnote .
- Cutscene Incompetence: In Original Generation, when Ingram kidnaps her. This is particularly galling for Alpha players since "fight four-on-one" is less "a time to panic and get captured" and more "a typical day at work and an often-used strategy for farming experience" for Alpha-verse Kusuha.
- Damsel in Distress: While the Alpha games avoids this entirely, Kusuha will be kidnapped at least ONCE in every Original Generation installment — first by Ingram, second from Lorenzo di Montenego and Murata and the Gaiden Game had Wilheim von Juergen and the ODE System. The Second Original Generation repeats this during the "EX Scenarios" when she, Bullet and Shine are held as hostages by the "Shutendonias Alliance" (she's not the first to get kidnapped; she only agreed to become a hostage because Shine was their prisoner first), but subverted upon receiving the RyuJinKi. Averted in the The Moon Dwellers — she doesn't get kidnapped at all.
- Doomed Upgrade: Subverted; in Alpha, as she and Bullet are going to receive the Grungust Type-3 to upgrade from their Type-2, the villains find the Type-3 first and destroy it. The parts used to repair the RyuOhKi and KoOhKi that become the real upgrade are far more impressive than the Type-3. In Original Generation 2, they receive the Type-3 first, but it's immediately crippled by the Einst until it's absorbed by the Choukijin to form the RyuKoOh/KoRyuOh.
- Fanservice Pack: In the first Alpha game, her bustline was admittedly ample, but not ridiculous. As the series progresses, it starts to grow ever bigger, and she gets new outfits to accentuate it. Some players find it cute, while others deem it unnecessary, demeaning and distracting for a character who is otherwise treated with seriousness, especially in the sequels.
- Flanderization: Her health drinks have also gotten this treatment, though this is fed in part by the fandom: in Original Generation, the concoction comes up as being disgusting and the crew finds ways to avoid drinking it. Come Alpha 3 and the Original Generation sequels, it's treated as the most vile element in the universe, able to make men like Guy Shishioh and Sanger Zonvolt cringe in terror.
- Four-Temperament Ensemble: In the ATX Team of Original Generation, Kusuha is the "Supine".
- The Four Gods: RyuOhKi; the Shin RyuKoOh in Alpha incorporates all four.
- Gargle Blaster
- Her health drink: her friends run in terror if they see her offering it them.
- Subverted with Lethal Chef: Kusuha can cook normal food, namely a birthday cake in Alpha 3; unfortunately, she tends to add her dreaded health drink ingredients. The reason why the cake isn't deemed lethal is because Bullet "accidentally ruined" the various ingredients.
- Irony ensues when the health drinks work as intended: despite being bad enough to knock a grown man out with one sip, once they recover, they feel completely energized. That being said, the cast of Alpha and Original Generation will usually find excuses to duck out of the room whenever she brings in a drink tray: even the normally poker-faced Kyosuke mildly panics when she starts offering them out.
- Iconic Sequel Character
- Kusuha was created a full decade after SRW went into print, and Ryusei and the SRX Team are meant to represent Banpresto and the franchise, yet she's in the running for being the developer's favorite. Her competitors include Ryusei, Sanger (by proxy of Memetic Badassery) and Masaki, one of two originals (the other being Shu Shirakawa) to edge her (and Bullet) out in number of overall appearances, thanks to the Masou Kishin games and Alpha Gaiden.
- To put this into perspective, Kusuha has more overall merchandise — plastic model figures, posters, what have you — than any other Super Robot Wars character, including the entire cast of some of the licensed properties she shares games with; other potential icons can't lay claim to half of what she has. Much of the existence of this merchandising is fed directly by raw fan demand.
- Kusuha was created a full decade after SRW went into print, and Ryusei and the SRX Team are meant to represent Banpresto and the franchise, yet she's in the running for being the developer's favorite. Her competitors include Ryusei, Sanger (by proxy of
- Kiai: Kusuha's version of the "Gespenst Kick"; interestingly, she is able to hold the last part of the scream for people to hear clearly. By comparison, Bullet and Sanger have been slipping lately, thus their Kiai sounds more reserved.
- Kill It with Fire: RyuKoOh's "Magma Vasarl"
- Leitmotif
- "Blue Blue Sky" by default; upon receiving the RyuKoOh, Ware ni Teki Nashi ("None Can Oppose Me"; localized as "I Am Invincible!")
- Ano Aoi Sora e ("Towards That Blue Sky") for the RyuJinKi and GouRyu Kai, and Warera ni Teki Nashi ("None Can Oppose Us") for the Shin RyuKoOh
- "Cockpit of Steel", the theme for the Grungust Type-2, is often associated with her since it would be Kusuha's Leitmotif for much of Alpha if players select her and the super robot route; it's also "her" theme for the first Original Generation game, provided she's kept in the Grungust Type-2.
- The Medic: It WAS her job, until she changed professions.
- Official Couple: Alpha and Original Generation make every point at showing how Kusuha and Bullet are made for each other, though their status is Downplayed in the latter series into Beta Couple due to the prominence of the Kyosuke/Excellen pairing.
- Overly Long Name: Not herself, but a running thing with Choukijin pilots (except Bullet) is they take Calling Your Attacks in long strings of kanji that quickly turn into this if one attempts to translate them.
- Second Love: For Bullet after being the Unlucky Childhood Friend to Ryusei in Original Generation.
- Shy Blue-Haired Girl: At all times unless she's fighting an extraterrestrial threat or evildoers, to which she throws this out the door for Hot-Blooded yells.
- Super Prototype: The RyuKoOh's data is used to develop the GouRyuu in the RyuKoOh Denki manga. This becomes a base model for her Ace Custom GouRyuu Kai at the start of Alpha 3.
- Took a Level in Badass: In Original Generation, Kusuha starts out a decent pilot, but prone to become a Damsel in Distress. When her storyline of Alpha 2 comes into play, Kusuha takes a more active, badass role, to a point where she's the one wearing the pants in her relationship with Bullet just like in Alpha.
- True Companions: She has a strong bond with the Choukijin; to emphasize, in Original Generation Gaiden, Kusuha makes it clear she isn't good at using a sword, yet she can use the RyuKoOh's Hazanken effectively as a result of the Power of Friendship.
Kusuha's boyfriend dating back to the Alpha series, Bullet is a promising Psychodriver and pilot for the Earth Federation Army, and the default partner option for her. For this Continuity, Bullet behaves more of a James Bondage, an unfortunate result of being pigeonholed into the partner role of Alpha, thus he winds up in peril rather often (which becomes a small, memetic Running Gag by the Alpha sequels due to his archetype being "the Hot-Blooded hero who requires rescue"). For example, in Alpha 2, after The Federation declares the Choukijin too dangerous, he hides them away, but is Brainwashed and Crazy into serving "the will of the Earth" until Kusuha snaps him out of it.
In Original Generation, Bullet is a student of Jigen-ryuu and Sanger's junior-in-training under Master Rishu Togou. He's also one of the earliest members of Sanger's ATX Team, and unfortunately, thanks to being put with the extremely cheery Excellen, ends up as the butt joke of most of her antics, and it doesn't help he's particularly shy around women, with a tendency to Nosebleed; not even the entrance of "newcomer" Kyosuke lets him avoid this. However, he does his job well enough he's assigned as the test pilot for the Huckebein MK II. Later, he meets Kusuha and falls in Love at First Sight. When she gets kidnapped, he's deeply crushed he starts a fight with Ryusei, her childhood friend, about protecting her. She gets better after Bullet snaps Kusuha out of her Brainwashed and Crazy stint during the "L5 Campaign" against the Aerogaters.
In the sequel, Bullet is chosen by the Choukijin to be the pilot of the KoOhKi (based on Byakko), forming with Kusuha in the RyuOhKi as pilot of the "KoRyuOh" and uses it to battle the sentient Einsts, as well as other extraterrestrial threats. In Original Generation Gaiden, following the ODE Incident, he and Kusuha encounter a creature of the Youkijin ("Evil Mechanical Gods") who attacks them when they retrieve the Choukijin at the "Tesla-Leicht Institute" where they hibernate when not in use by the two. He's thrown into La Gias in the Second Original Generation along with Kusuha, fighting with Lune and Yang Long against General Kirkus before returning to the surface. Unfortunately, during their absence, servants of the Garden of Baral steal the KoOhKi and Brainwashes it under their servitude. Bullet takes on a more support role for the game until the KoOhKi is restored and the KoRyuOh is reformed.
Bullet's definitive mecha is the KoRyuOh, the alternate transformation for Kusuha's RyuKoOh; essentially, when the unit transforms, Kusuha and Bullet switch primary and secondary seats. He embodies these tropes:
- Ace Custom: According to a dialogue in Alpha 3, the "RaiKou Kai" is originally an artillery-based mecha similar to the GouRyuu Kai, but the BFG is replaced by the "Shishiou Blade" per Bullet's request. The same goes for the "Shin KoRyuOh" in Alpha 3 as it drops its previous melee weapons in favor of a sword.
- Alpha Strike: KoRyuOh's "Tyrant Overbreak"
- Badass in Distress: His Alpha version, to the point of being memetic. His Original Generation counterpart has averted this so far.
- Butt-Monkey: Excellen goes out of her way to make him fluster on her jokes.
- But Now I Must Go: In Alpha 2, Bullet does this to hide the KoOhKi that's deemed too dangerous by the government.
- Canon Discontinuity: Another interesting sort in Alpha — Bullet is actually the default protagonist for the first game. whenever a new playthrough begins, the first profile loaded is his, and if players head straight into the game without changing anything, it loads onto the super robot route with Kusuha as his partner. This implies Bullet was intended to be the default, canon protagonist of Alpha rather than Kusuha (this also makes certain elements of the first Original Generation game logical, such as Kusuha's constant Damsel in Distress problems, since that's what happens to the character in the partner role in Alpha), but Kusuha's popularity and Bullet's memeticness as her partner compelled Banpresto to switch their places in Alpha 2, making the "obvious assumption" from Alpha no longer canon.
- The Computer Is a Lying Bastard: A minor, yet possibly accidental example — by default in the first Original Generation game, Bullet uses a Real Robot with a Wave-Motion Gun, but isn't a ranged-combatant and should be in a melee-based machine; players are better off sticking him in the Wildschwein or some other available, non-exclusive unit with a strong melee weapon. This tropes triggers by the fact it loves to stick Bullet back into the machine he's terrible with, making it feel as if the game clubs players over the head to get Bullet into a machine that isn't god-awful for him to use. Rectified in the sequels once the gets the KoRyuOh.
- Decoy Protagonist: A variation thanks to Canon Discontinuity. Before 2nd Original Generation, Bullet looked like the one wearing the pants in the relationship this time since Kusuha had to play Damsel in Distress a lot more and more or less, he's the 'main man' between the two in the ATX Team. By the time 2nd Original Generation comes, Bullet takes the backseat and Kusuha takes over as the headlining character in their plot.
- Everyone Can See It: When he first laid eyes on Kusuha in Original Generation, he was instantly smitten; to date, he still denies that She Is Not My Girlfriend.
- Evil Costume Switch: During his Brainwashed and Crazy stint in Alpha 2 via Mask Power
- Four-Temperament Ensemble: In the ATX Team, Bullet is the "Melancholic".
- Hot-Blooded: He has his moments in Original Generation, though he's still learning to get there. More obviously so in Alpha as he's literally the default "male Hot-Blooded hero" protagonist/partner option. This is a good part of what fuels the memeticness around his role as a James Bondage character as a character like him would be rescuing the Damsel in Distress, not the other way around.
- Katanas Are Just Better: The Shishiou Blade for his Grungust Type-3 and Shin KoRyuOh
- Kiai: Like Sanger, he also gets his own "CHESTOOO!!!", especially fitting when he pilots a Grungust Type-3 equipped with a gigantic Shishiou Blade.
- Kid Samurai
- Not to Sanger's level yet, but he's getting there. Interestingly Lampshaded by Master Rishu that Bullet may avert this one day as he's got more potential than Sanger and himself.
- In Alpha 3, he directly receives training from Sanger himself (Master Rishu being absent in Alpha) to improve his techniques.
- Leitmotif
- Original Generation gives him the Huckebein MK II's "Vanshing Trooper" as his default. Once he's paired with Kusuha, it becomes Ware Ni Teki Nashi upon upgrading to the KoRyuOh.
- Shiroki Chihei Yori ("From The White Plains") for the RaiKou Kai and Warera Ni Teki Nashi for the Shin KoRyuOh in Alpha 3.
- Meaningful Name: Subverted due to his name and how he often gets a Wave-Motion Gun-toting Huckebein obfuscates the fact he's a terrible ranged fighter.
- Nosebleed
- His usual reaction when it's about female areas.
- In the last episode of Divine Wars, Bullet nosebleeds after seeing Lefina Enfield in a bunny suit.
- Official Couple: Original Generation-wise, he and Kusuha are the Beta Couple, but they are firmly this in Alpha.
- Only Known by Their Nickname: In his defense, Bullet prefers people address him by this name.
- Rocket Punch: KoRyuOh's "Tiger Knuckle"
- Super Prototype: The RaiKou in the RyuKoOh Denki manga is developed via data taken from the KoRyuOh. This is used a base model for the RaiKou Kai in Alpha 3.
- This Is a Drill: How KoRyuOh's Tryant Overbreak usually ends with a massive drill from its Tiger Knuckle. In Original Generations, the attack forces the opponent underground, drilling all the way to the Earth's core.
- True Companions: Just like Kusuha, Bullet has a strong friendship with the Choukijin.
18-year-old Leona represents the default female "cool and reserved" archetype in Alpha and is partnered with the default male "logical yet flirty" Tasaku. In Original Generation, she is from a branch family of the Branstein clan, making her Elzam and Raidiese's cousin. Calm, prideful, and strong-natured, Leona graduates with top scores in her piloting classes and is employed by the "United Colony Corps" as part of the "Troye Unit", an elite, all-woman aerospace "Armored Module" squadron. Although aligned with the Divine Crusaders, after the death of its leader Bian Zoldark, Leona is persuaded to join the crew of the Hiryu Custom and assist in the defense of Earth Federation headquarters against Adler Koch and his renegade group of "Divine Crusaders Remnants".
After the war with the Aerogaters, she heads to the "Icarus Base" in the asteroid belt. Six months later, she rejoins the Hiryu Custom and returns to the Earth when the Inspectors arrive.
Leona currently belongs to the "Octo Squad", commanded by Katina Tarask, with her callsign as "Octo-4". While she appears to have a cold attitude, it's largely because of her constant worry for Tasuku. Although she's not a very good cook, this doesn't stop him from eating it, yet it frequently results in him fainting.
- Ace Custom, Mid-Season Upgrade: Between the first Original Generation game and its sequel, Tasuku redesigns her "Guarlion Custom" into the new "Siegerlion".
- Ace Pilot: Her talents are so highly recognized Doctor Marion Radom is opposed to having a telekinesis field via the T-Link System built into the Siegerlion simply because Marion believes Leona's won't get hit anyway.
- Amazon Brigade: Was The Dragon of the Troye Unit to its commander Julia Heinkel
- Badass in Distress: After being summoned to La Gias in the Second Original Generation, Leona is captured by the "Cult of Volkruss" and nearly sacrificed for their Evil God until Lune and her Hiryu Custom allies rescue her.
- Dual Wielding, Guns Akimbo: Siegerlion's "Blade Railguns"
- Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: Mecha variation — Leona's Guarlion Custom and eventual Siegerlion is about a tenth the size of Tasuku's Giganscudo. This image◊ from Divine Wars illustrates the difference perfectly.
- Lethal Chef
- Not quite on Kusuha's level, but unlike her cousin Elzam, perhaps cooking is not a Garstein forte.
- It's due to her weird sense of taste: when she cooks something she thinks tastes awful, everyone else will like it and vice versa. Excellen tells her to cook what she thinks tastes completely awful, then give it to Tasuku. His opinion is that it's the best food he's ever tasted, to her shock and embarassment.
- Leitmotif: "Treue" (German for "loyalty")
- Ramming Always Works: Her Guarlion's strongest attack is the "Sonic Breaker", in which it generates a forcefield that protects it while ramming the target at maximum speed. The Siegerlion takes it even further, as shown below.
- Smooch of Victory: Gives Tasuku an off-screen kiss following an "EX" scenario in the Second Original Generation after rescuing her from the Cult of Volkruss.
- Spell My Name With An S: Is it "Siegerlion" or "Sieguarlion"?
- The Stoic
- Leona certainly keeps her "cool"; even the happy-go-lucky Tasuku can do little to faze her.
- Funny enough, Tasuku IS the only one who can break that stoic exterior, but only if they're alone.
- Sugar-and-Ice Personality: A few bits of it here and there; she being of Blue Blood might have something to do with it.
- Wave-Motion Gun: Siegerlion's "Sonic Acceleration"; though it initially appears to be a form of Ramming Always Works (as this attack is an off-shoot of the Guarlion Custom's "Sonic Breaker"), the target is obliterated at close-range by the Siegerlion extending its "Break Field" into this trope.
A mechanic aboard the Hiryu Custom, Tasuku was unable to pass the "Personal Trooper" pilot physicals for a variety of reasons (one of which implies he's a "wet noodle"). An optimistic person, Tasuku loves to have fun and always tries to test his fate out on the battlefield. Though he has quick reflexes, his attitude can make him occasionally tone deaf, but this is offest with him being skillful at juggling enemies around.
During the "Divine Crusaders War", when the Hiryu Custom is attacked by the United Colony Corps, Tasuku wishes to help out when they are ambushed during an attack. Seeing the old, unused "Giganscudo" in a part of the battleship's hangar, he scuttles into the machine and sorties out to fend off the attackers. Upon learning the truth of why the Giganscudo is sealed away, and the death and misery it has caused before he becomes its pilot, Tasuku decides to stick with the unit so he can atone for its "sins". Six months after the L5 Campaign, he returns to the Earth with the Hiryu Custom, now pilot of the newly upgraded "Giganscudo Duro", and officially part of the Octo Squad, with the callsign Octo-3.
Worth noting is in his debut in Alpha, Tasuku is the male option for the "logical, yet flirty" archetype. He'll frequently flirt with women, whether they're fighting alongside him or against him, thus much of this character trait is what leads Leona to join the Hiryu Custom. His logical side comes into play later in Original Generation when he designs and implements an upgrade to Leona's Guarlion Custom into the Siegerlion, making use of her Psychodriver abilities to power its Wave-Motion Gun.
Unlike most Psychodrivers, Tasuku's Psychic Powers often manifests itself as absurd luck: in Original Generation, if Tasuku deals the destroying blow to Leona's Guarlion Custom in a certain scenario, he's able to render it immobile without crushing it, despite the large difference in size and speed between his Giganscudo and her Guarlion. At other times, this "luck" is turn into a Gameplay and Story Integration as the character-exclusive "Lucky" pilot skill.
- Alternate Self/Evil Twin/Evil Counterpart: The "Giganspada" of the Shadow-Mirror — more accurately, the Giganspada is the Giganscudo's original form, who fought the Inspectors in the Shadow-Mirror universe instead of the Aerogaters. Since there was no need to remodel it into a humanoid form as it was never damaged in the first place, the government decided to mass-produce it. Effectively, the Giganspada is a more offensive-based Super Robot, while the Giganscudo is defensive.
- Anchors Away: Giganscudo Duro's "Seize Anchors"
- The Blacksmith: Tasuku personally redesigns Leona's custom Guarlion into the Siegerlion with only a little help from Marion on the T-Link System. In reality, Marion's help is mainly getting through the red tape to acquire the T-Link System, not to actually install it, because she feels Leona doesn't need it.
- Born Lucky: Like Arado, Tasuku also has the innate "Lucky" pilot skill; unlike Arado, it's not required to advance his story.
- Broad Strokes: In Divine Wars, Tasuku's already a pilot in the Octo Squad during the "Antarctic Incident". He also uses the Giganscudo much later than he does in the games, acquiring the mecha during the final showdown with the United Colony Corps. Unfortunately, like the games, his first sortie in the Gigan results in a close encounter with the business end of Sanger's BFS that sidelines him for a while. In an interesting twist of fate, Tasuku's the one who deals the death blow to Tempest Hawker in the "Valsion Custom" during the Divine Crusaders' Last Stand in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Chest Blaster: Giganscudo's "Wide Blaster"
- Chivalrous Pervert: Despite having a solid girlfriend like Leona, Tasuku just can't help but be like Irm in hitting the ladies, usually earning him Leona's wrath (after all, his Alpha archetype was exactly like Irm's: The 'laidback playboy'). He does have his moments of seriousness that genuinely earns Leona's affection.
- Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: Mecha-wise, the Giganscudo is a whopping 70.3 meters tall and weighs a little over 450 metric tons (487, once upgraded to the Giganscudo Duro). By contrast, Leona's Guarlion Custom's only 19 meters tall and her Siegerlion's about 21 meters tall, both weighing in at around 30-31 metric tons.
- Idiot Hero: Somewhat; he carries a few undertones, but doesn't reach the moronic levels Arado's better known for.
- Leitmotif: "Gan! Gan! Gigan!"
- Lightning Bruiser: Normally, most players wouldn't think of switching out Ryoto for Tasuku in the Huckebein MK III Boxer, but players who love swapping characters into other mecha will realize Tasuku's a beast in the machine and practically outperforms Ryoto with it.
- Luckily, My Shield Will Protect Me: Giganscudo's "Seize Shields"
- Meaningful Name: Giganscudo, Giganspada and Giganscudo Duro are Italian for "giant shield", "giant sword" and "hard giant shield", respectively.
- Mid-Season Upgrade: Interestingly done during gameplay in Original Generations with the Giganscudo Duro — when the Hiryu Custom is ambushed by a Neo Divine Crusaders squad led by Murata, Tasuku takes the brunt of a Shishiou Blade from Murata's Guarlion Custom "Mumyou". The Gigan's Seize Shields are busted up, so he tells the Hiryu to launch the Seize Anchor module, purges the shields and attaches the anchors to form the new Duro.
- Rescue Romance: At least until the Second Original Generation during an "EX" scenario where Leona is kidnapped by the Cult of Volkruss after being summoned to La Gias. The scenario even ends off with her giving Tasuku an off-screen kiss.
- Spell My Name With An S: His name may occasionally be spelled as "Task" in some part of the Internet due to the way the "-u" syllables are sometimes used to simulate consonants in katakana.
- Stone Wall: Giganscudo's one of the slowest playable units (excluding battleships) with a base movement speed of 5 and some fairly strong attacks. However, the machine's true capabilities lie in its high armor rating and Tasuku's natural "Support Defend" pilot skillnote .
- The Power of Love: Of the eight Alpha personalities, Tasuku's the only male who gets the "Love" Spirit Commandnote in Original Generation.
Scouted by the Divine Crusaders as a Burning PT gamer with the potential of becoming an Armored Module pilot, Ryoto lacked the willingness to kill and the mindset the position demands. Not willing to chalk him up as a complete loss, they sortie him against the Hagane battleship and its defenders, when in the middle of combat, the engine to his "Lion F" fails (much to his surprise as he has an affinity with machines and personally maintains his Armored Module). He's captured and taken aboard the Hagane when his Lion that is to follow suddenly detonates; fortunately, it isn't hauled into the hangarnote .
It turns out his Divine Crusaders superiors planted a bomb in his Lion and deliberately rigged the engine to fail, knowing the Earth Federation Army's intents to capture a complete Armored Module, and decided to get rid of a liability at the same time. Once this is pointed out to Ryoto, his views on the Divine Cruaders changes; understandably shaken, he affirms his resolve and decides to fight against them, and joins the Hagane. While not the most aggressive pilot on the roster, his natural skills coupled with his Psychodriver abilities help the Earth Federation Army end the Divine Crusaders War, and he stays aboard the Hagane to battle against the Aerogaters.
Following the L5 Campaign, Ryoto requests to be transferred to Mao Industries to work as a mechanical designer and engineer. For the next few months, he becomes the lead designer for the next iteration of the Huckebein, resulting in the "Huckebein MK III". As the Inspectors begin their occupation of the White Star and the lunar facilities of Mao industries, Ryoto hastily leaves with his allies and re-joins the Hagane as part of its maintenance crew/reserve pilot, bringing along the Huckebein MK III and new "Wild Wurger". He returns to full piloting duties by Original Generation Gaiden. At the end of the Second Original Generation, Ryoto becomes a membe of the new "PTX Team" lead by Irmgard Kazahara.
Ryoto began life as one of the default protagonists in Alpha, specifically the Spear Counterpart of Kusuha, the "shy, polite and quiet" character archetype. In Original Generation, his family owns a karate dojo and is quite skilled in the art, as Rio discovers first-hand. Throughout his appearances, Ryoto is the pilot of the "Armorlion", but beginning with The Moon Dwellers, he is relegated into one of two new "EXbein" for the PTX Team.
- Beware the Nice Ones: Ryoto might not carry a Berserk Button the likes of which Rai has, anyone pushing him too far and he'll ensure they get the short end of a cruel beating; that, and he's a black belt in karate.
- BFS: A variation with the Huckebein MK III's Boxer frame — it transforms into one, but rather than wield it, the MK III uses it like a surfboard.
- The Blacksmith: In Original Generations, the Armorlion's built by Ryoto using his partially destroyed Lion F given by the Divine Crusaders and strengthening it with Gespenst MK II and Alt Eisen spare parts. Additionally, he's one of the head mechanical designers behind the Huckebein MK III.
- Crossdressing Voices: Ryoto's the only male Alpha protagonist voiced by a woman.
- I Know Mortal Kombat: Drafted into the Divine Crusaders for being a talented Burning PT player.
- Leitmotif: "Right and Kind"
- Mecha Expansion Pack, Meta Mecha: The "Gunner" and "Boxer" frames for the Huckebein MK III, respectively
- Otaku: Averted; he doesn't openly flaunt this side of himself as much as Ryusei does, but mechanical expertise is his go-to forte.
- Spear Counterpart: To Alpha Kusuha since they share a character archetype. Original Generation makes no real effort to contrast the two or even have them interact much.
- Super Prototype: Due to the Huckebein MK III getting Exiled from Continuity in The Inspectors, Ryoto gets the exclusive EXbein, the In-Universe prototype of the intended MK III scrapped by The Federation. Like the MK III, it can also use the Boxer and Gunner frames; this is repeated in The Moon Dwellers.
Debuted as one of the possible protagonists in Alpha (as the female "Hot-Blooded hero" archetype), Rio appears in Original Generation as a bridge operator on the Hagane. Her father Yuan Mei Long works for Mao Industries as its director. After pleading with Major Ingram for a shot on the piloting roster, she is welcomed as a fresh rookie to help the battleship on its mission to assault Divine Crusaders headquarters, which is already short-handed on pilots after the Divine Crusaders War begins. On her first mission, Rio encounters Ryoto, a Divine Crusaders pilot later captured when his Lion F is disabled. Although she distrusts him his prescence aboard the ship and sees him as a rival, as the war progresses, Rio slowly begins to understand his plight little by little. After the L5 Campaign, she joins Mao Industries as a test pilot for the Huckebein MK III project (mainly so she can be closer to Ryoto). When the Inspectors seize Mao Industries, Rio returns to formal piloting duties, this time as the pilot of the "AM Gunner". She re-joins the Hagane as an operator/back-up pilot during the ODE Incident in Original Generation Gaiden, but once the Shura arrive on Earth, Rio relegates to her full-time piloting duties again.
Sometime before The Moon Dwellers, Rio is draft into PTX Team with Ryoto, and is the pilot of the second EXbein.
- Chinese Girl: Subverted; has the look and the name, but according to the databook, she's Korean.note
- Clingy Jealous Girl: Not that Ryoto's chasing around girls, but Rio doesn't like it when his attention's turned away from her.
- Distaff Counterpart: To Alpha Bullet — both share the common archetype with shades of this retained in Original Generation.
- Hot-Blooded: Moreso than Ryoto; it's the core of her character as an option in Alpha, and carried over substantially into Original Generation.
- Leitmotif: "Justice Girl"
- Mecha Expansion Pack: Beginning in Original Generation 2, Rio's canon unit becomes the AM Gunner frame for the Huckebein MK III.
- The Rival: Of the "one-sided" kind — Rio sees Ryoto as this, which makes him see her as weird.
- Tsundere: It's subtle, but she's a Type B.
Representing the default male "cool and reserved" archetype in Alpha, Yuuki appears in Original Generation 2 as a member of the Neo Divine Crusaders. However, Divine Wars reveals he joined the Divine Crusaders earlier, suggesting he is among its first batch of recruits when the Divine Crusaders War begins. Parts of his back-story involves him participating in the faction's attempt at defending San Diego from the Aerogaters where he unknowingly rescues Carla. During Original Generation 2, Yuuki and Carla are assigned to Archibald Grims' Neo Divine Crusaders unit and is briefly the superior officer of the unit composed of himself, Carla, Arado and Seolla Schweizer. Yuuki constantly attempts to convince Carla to abandon the Neo Divine Crusaders, but she stubbornly refuses, believing she owes her life to Yuuki for having saved her.
For the initial part of Original Generation 2, Yuuki develops a short-lived rivalry with Bullet, but following their integration with the crews of the Hagane and Hiryu Custom after "Operation Plantagenet", they're on good terms. He is currently serving aboard the Kurogane battleship alongside Ratsel and Sanger.
- Break the Haughty: In the beginning of Original Generation 2, Yuuki spent much of his time utterly convinced that only Neo DC is capable of protecting Earth from alien invasion and dismisses the achievements of the crew from the Hagane and Hiryuu Custom against the Aerogators as a fluke. Come Operation Plantagenet and Neo DC ends up getting completely crushed by the Inspectors. To top it off he and Carla would have died themselves if they hadn't been given refuge by the very group he had derided as being incapable of protecting the Earth. There's not really much attention drawn to it, but it's clear these events have thoroughly disabused Yuuki's belief in the superiority of Neo DC.
- Bully Hunter: Yuuki hates seeing weak getting pushed around. In Original Generation 2, he deliberately sabotages Archibald's plan to use citizens in the "Dukedom of Riksent" as leverage against the Hagane and Federation forces. Players can even have Yuuki deal the killing blow against Archibald should they choose the "Earth Cradle" route in the game.
- Does Not Like Spam: Yuuki dislikes Teabags and produce grown under artificial means
- Dub Name Change: In the Japanese version, his surname is "Geghnan".
- Early-Bird Cameo: In Divine Wars, during the Aerogater attack on San Diego, Yuuki's shown leading a small Divine Crusaders regiment.
- Guys Smash, Girls Shoot: Gender-Inverted Trope — the Laz Angriff is heavily armored and its weaponry is largely comprised of long-ranged ballistics and ordinance. Yuuki's stats are tailored to specialize in accuracy and evasion.
- Hero Antagonist: Shares this role with Carla as Neo D.C. pilots in Original Generation 2. They have good intentions for joining the Divine Crusaders, and actively sabotage Archibald's plans when civilian casualties become a factor. Eventually, they are recruited by the Hagane and Hiryu Kai forces and later join the Kurogane crew.
- Hidden Heart of Gold: His attitude in Original Generation 2 makes him look like a Jerkass except he's got a set a rules that blatantly subverts him being an antagonist; naturally, this is what pulls his Heel–Face Turn. In fact, over the course of the game, he becomes more likeable.
- Leitmotif: "Believe in our Bonds"
- More Dakka: A standard Laz Angriff sports a folding bazooka, small knife, one handheld missile launcher, two remote missile pods and a fixed missile battery. Yuuki's "Laz Angriff Raven", by comparision has the following.
- Drops the folding bazooka and missile launcher, but keeps the knife, missile pods and missile battery
- Brings back the shield the Laz Angriff had in Super Robot Wars Advance.
- Adds a "Tesla Drive" for flight, two folding Shoulder Cannons, a large missile containers on the back, several smaller missile pods on the wings and an underarm laser cannon.
- Nice Guy: Stoicism aside, Yuuki has a strong sense of justice, a Gentleman's demeanor and can become invested in conversations involving Tea and Astronomy.
- Spear Counterpart: To Leona — The Stoic, fast and efficient combat styles, vivacious Love Interestss and a tendency to downplay their respective partner's advances.
- Spell My Name With An S: A particularly odd example for his mecha: in the localization of Original Generation 2, Atlus rendered the Laz Angriff's name as "Rathgrith", the name of the Super Robot Wars 64 original mecha the Laz Angriff is based on. Meaningful Name ensues as Rathgrith is based on same-named Valkyrie in Norse Mythology; in Original Generation, the Laz Angriff is "Type-34" of the "Valkyrie" series of mecha (non-related to the "Valkyries" in Macross)
- The Spock: Mixed in with Arbitrary Skepticism — despite being a Psychodriver, Yuuki has a hard time believing in extraterrestrials, monsters and all of the weird occurrences showing up in Original Generation 2 (despite aliens having been proven in the previous game), so much so when directly confronted, he opts to drop a Logic Bomb rather than accept it wholesale. Archibald, of all people, calls him out on this.
The female "logical, yet flirty" archetype character in Alpha, Carla makes her appearance in Original Generation 2, serving in the Neo Divine Crusaders alongside Yuuki. With a prior dream of becoming a professional dancer, it is cut short when in the Divine Wars adaptation, she's seen fleeing the Aerogators during an attack on San Diego, losing her family in the assault. Presumably, she is rescued by Yuuki, although he vehemently denies he ever did such a thing. Still, this incentive is enough that she follows him and joins the Neo Divine Crusaders soon afterwards. Unlike Yuuki, Carla's more jovial and kind, often addressing him affectionately as "Yuu". This comes to a head when given a choice to leave the military post-Operation Plantagenet, she makes the decision to stay, despite his insistence. As of the Second Original Generation, Carla is also part of the crew of the Kurogane.
- Ambiguously Brown: Carla's surname implies she is of Italian descent, but her dark complexion and hometown of San Diegonote implies she may have Hispanic origins.
- Broken Bird: Carla’s backstory in Original Generation. The Inspector Manga adaptation goes further by having a flashback to the San Diego Attack in which Yuuki finds Carla amongst the rubble cradling her brother’s bloody corpse. Though Carla doesn’t let the past get her down, she's still haunted by these memories.
- Cool Big Sis: Not quite up to par with Excellen or Ouka, but Carla will help out her companions with their troubles, trivial or not. She did get her chance in OG Gaiden, where Arado, Seolla and Latooni temporarily transferred to Kurogane and they, along with Kouta and Raul, were still down in the dumps after the tragedy that befell on Lamia. At that point, Carla pretty much had to act like The Heart to lift up the spirits of the younger pilots (and Yuuki) and overall it worked on her favor.
- Dance Battler: Played with; putting Carla in a machine meant for melee combat will have her blurt out dance jargon in her combat dialogue. For example, when using the "Wild Wurger L" and its "Victim Beak"note attack, Carla might say "It builds to a crescendo...A CRESCENDO OF PAIN!".
- Distaff Counterpart: Of Tasuku — easy-going, similar combat traits, stoic Love Interests and green headbands.
- Early-Bird Cameo: Gets two in Divine Wars — once during the Divine Crusader's initial declaration of war and again during the Aerogater attack on San Diego.
- Family of Choice: Carla treats her crew-mates as a surrogate family. Lampshaded in Original Generation 2 during Earth Cradle route when Arado, Seolla and Latooni confront a brainwashed Ouka."You guys may not be related by blood, but she’s still your sister, isn’t she? There’s still time... You can still get her back…Unlike me..."
- Foil: To Kusuha — contrast Carla's Stone Wall attributes and out-going persona against Kusuha's long-ranged offense and demure attitude.
- Girly Girl with a Tomboy Streak: Carla is the romantic among the Alpha girls, and eager to engage in fanservice note . Carla is also athletic, slightly masculine and has combat stats that would normally be attributed to most male pilots.
- Guys Smash, Girls Shoot: Inverted and played with — like the Laz Angriff, the Randgrith is also an armored unit with long-range weaponry, but Carla's high defense stat allows her to absorb more damage than other characters, to wit she's endowed with a natural "Support Defend" pilot skill. Carla benefits the most by using machines designated for tanking duties.
- Latin Lover: Is about as flirtatious as Tasuku and persistent in trying to win Yuuki's affections. Lampshaded if she's using the Huckebein Boxer."Love and supers both require guts!"
- Leitmotif: "Dance and Brace"; prior to Original Generation Gaiden, she shared Yuuki's Leitmotif.
- Meaningful Name
- Randgrith is based on "Randgrid", the name of another Valkyrie in Norse Mythology; in Original Generation, the Randgrith is "Type-30" of the "Valkyrie" series of mecha.
- Carla's name in katakana is "カーラ" (pronounced as "Ka-ra"); the Valkyrie "Kára" in Norse Mythology means "the wild, stormy one", reflecting Carla’s zesty nature.
- More Dakka: Not as much as Yuuki's Laz Angriff Raven, but the "Randgrith Raven" adds two folding Shoulder Cannons and a large railgun to its standard armament, alongside a Tesla Drive for flight.
- Ms. Fanservice: Tries to be this, but gets overshadowed by other girls. Her cute appearance, flirty demeanor and stocking clad legs qualify; hell, one of her Gespenst Kick quotes in the in the Gespenst MK II Type-S, "美脚で勝負!"note , Lampshades it.
- The Power of Love: Out of the eight Alpha personalities, Carla is one of two females who have the "Love" Spirit Command in Original Generation.
- Rescue Romance: Forms the crux of how Carla and Yuuki first met in Original Generation
- Redheaded Heroine
- Fiery Redhead: More easy and out-going than volatile, but her Hot-Blooded side emerges during combat.
- Redhead In Green: though her out fits vary, Carla's hair is consistently adorned with a green bow.
- Spicy Latina: Played with — though more bubbly and nice than a straight-up example, Carla's Hot-Blooded side seeps out the moment she steps into the cockpit.
- Stone Wall: Carla has the Second to highest defense stat among the playable characters. note
- Subordinate Excuse: Yuuki's the only reason she stays with the Neo Divine Crusaders.
- Token Good Teammate: Played with; none of the Kurogane crew are "evil" per se (though they are former enemies-turned-allies of some form or another), but Carla's the only person who isn't a stoic loner. As a result, she's usually the one to deal with talking to prisoners or sent on social errands.
Supporting Characters
The lead mechanical designer behind the SRX Development Project in Alpha and Original Generation, Robert H. Ohmiya ("Rob" for short) created the blueprints behind all of the R-Units. A close friend of Filio Presty and Kirk Hamill, Robert's also the developer of the Burning PT Mecha Game in Original Generation, the same video game that gets Ryusei drafted into the military. Like Ryusei, he also shares a love for Humongous Mecha.
Director of the development department of Mao Industries, Kirk Hamill is Robert's close friend. In his back-story for Alpha and Original Generation, during testing of the first Huckebein, an error in the machine's Black Hole Engine leveled the facility. Kirk is one of three survivors of this Vanishing Trooper Incident, the others being Rai and Irmgard. Despite the event, Kirk continues building the Huckebein line and is later requested by Robert during the final phases of the SRX Development Project for help.
In Original Generation, alongside his ex-wife Marion Radom, Kirk is part of the team behind the first Personal Trooper, the Gespenst. Despite no longer working with Marion following their divorce, he still assists her with other projects, such as developing the Wild Wurger and Wild Falken.
- Toilet Seat Divorce: Kirk sees benefits in "Extra-Over Technology", tech created from materials found from "Meteor-3" and used for machines such as the SRX and Huckebeins, but Marion doesn't. In fact, it doesn't help Kirk's case since he nearly got killed because of Extra-Over Technology installed in the Black Hole Engine.
- Working with the Ex: Fortunately, it's on good terms with Marion.
Father to Aya and Mai, Kenzo Kobayashi is the head of the Earth Federation's department on telekinetic research. In Alpha and Original Generation, Kenzo created and designed the T-Link System. Yukiko Date, the first recorded human Psychodriver, was the first test subject for the system, but in hopes to advance his research, he opted to use his daughters. Unfortunately, a mysterious lab explosion ends up with a missing Mai, presumed to be Killed Off for Real, forcing Kenzo to focus on his research with Aya only. He continued to improve on the T-Link System in order to roll-out the eventual SRX against the Aerogaters. When Ingram is revealed as an Aerogater mole, Kenzo is placed into Federation custody after suspicion arose he was conspiring with Ingram. The charges are dropped eventually in either Continuity and Kenzo returns to his duties and research.
- Mad Scientist: Zigzagged; while an uncommon heroic example, Kenzo expresses the things he has done For Science! are atrocious and not without consequence, such as not telling Mai about her Levi persona still active within her mind in Original Generation 2.
An archeologist working with the Tesla-Leicht Institute, Professor Eri Anzai's research has taken her to the mysteries surrounding the Choukijin. Like the SRX Team, Eri makes her debut in Shin Super Robot Wars.
- Alien Abduction/Damsel in Distress: In Shin, Eri is kidnapped by the Ze Balmary Empire because of her vast knowledge on the ancient Mu civilization. No item confirming the existence of these people ever comes to light, but Balmar sure seems convinced. They even go so far as to digitize all of Professor Anzai's research data plus her brainwaves, despite the fact even Eri herself has no clear idea of where the Mu might have dwelt.
- First-Name Basis: By Professor Daimonji in Shin
- Heroic BSoD: Played for laughs in Shin — Eri almost faints at the loss of a cave that may have held cultural value following a fight between the party, Lu Cain and Master Asia.
Ze Balmary Empire
Tropes regarding the Ze Balmary Empire and their members:
- Bug War: It's said that Balmar always begin their invasions with hordes of bug-like "Megillot" drones.
- Color-Coded for Your Convenience: Each of the seven fleet admirals have different hair colors.
- Evolving Weapon: The "Zfylud" is capable of taking on different forms, growing ever larger. Demonstrated well by "Septuagint" in Original Generation, which is composed of Zfylud Crystals.
- Leitmotif: "Arrow of Destiny" for the Aerogaters.
- Mask Power: All cloned Mooks in the military and members of the Gozzo family (sans Ace Gozzo) will always wear one.
- Quirky Miniboss Squad: The Golar Golem and the fleet admirals in Alpha 3
- Series Mascot: Unquestionably for villains of Super Robot Wars — between their central importance throughout the Alpha saga, their first appearance in Shin, Levi debuting in Super Robot Spirits and their billing as the top antagonists of Original Generation, any time someone says "villains in SRW", chances are players will immediately think of them first.
- Spell My Name With An S: Particularly prone to it due to the vagaries of representing Hebrew and Yiddish in katakana; a few of them are still debated even to this day ("Zfylud"/"Zehirut" being the most common point of contention).
- Virgin Sacrifice: Balmar princesses are sacrificed to fuel the Spirit Emperor's power.
- Vestigial Empire: In spite of their threat level, Balmar has been in decline for the past centuries — by the end of Alpha, two of its fleets are destroyed (one at the hands of the Londo Bell, another by the "Space Terrible Monster Crowd"). In the span of a few months, they lose another two off-screen. In Alpha, the Campbellians and Boazans are conquered by Balmar, but shortly regain their independence and wage war against them. Finally, during Alpha 3, Balmar is being bombarded by meteor showers and the Alpha Numbers chew through the remaining three fleets (two of them simultaneously), sending troops to the surface of Balmar (which has never happened before) to not only confront and defeat the Spirit Emperor, but almost every other Balmar political figurehead, rendering them leaderless and scattered by the end of the game.
- Theme Naming: Mostly Hebrew and Hebrew-related literature.
- Big Bad, Final Boss: Of Shin in the Space Route
- Dead All Along: The real Laodeica was Killed Off for Real ages ago when he fought the Zentraedi in Alpha. The one leading the Aerogaters is a clone created by Euzeth.
- Humans Are Warriors: Discussed between Laodecia and Lu Cain in Shin — Laodecia says Lu Cain's father Gresco was proven right in that humanity's fighting ability is beyond reckoning. What's more, the tougher the challenge, the more they stand up to it; in short, aliens are making the humans stronger.
- Love Makes You Crazy: Inverted in Shin with Laodecia on the receiving end from Fuala Griffon due to Pet the Dog.
- Orcus on His Throne: Played with; Laodecia does little to drive the plot in Shin — Lu Cain leads the villains in the Earth Route with Master Asia and the Devil Gundam interfering here and there, while Char Aznable is the headlining antagonist for the Space Route until he is defeated. When Laodecia steps up to fight the Londo Bell, it turns out the Zyflud has the most Hit Points of any boss for the route and can even put a hurting on the SRX.
- Pet the Dog: In Shin, Laodecia finds a capsule with a weakened Fuala inside, who he orders to be tended to. This causes Fuala to become loyal to the Balmarians' cause.
- Sealed Evil in a Can: In the Sega Dreamcast version of Alpha, Shiva Gozzo sealed Laodecia into the Zyflud Crystal in Euzeth's fleet as a failsafe in case Euzeth betrays Balmar. When he does, Laodecia awakes, kills Euzeth and becomes the True Final Boss of the game instead of Euzeth.
- Spikes of Villainy: The Zyflud is covered with spike-like Zyflud Crystals.
- White Hair, Black Heart: Primary antagonist of Shin and Alpha with silver-toned hair.
- What Happened to the Mouse?: As Levi is the leader of the Aerogaters in Original Generation, there's no indication whether Laodicea even exists in this Continuity.
- Villainous Breakdown: During the final Space Route scenario in Shin, Laodecia starts disbelieving this is happening to him, thinking this is a nightmare he'll wake up from as soon as he returns to the Hermodr battleship when the vessel fires its Wave-Motion Gun and reduces him to particles.
Due to the nature of the following character, spoilers are unmarked to avoid redundancy.
Euzeth Gozzo
The primary antagonist of Super Hero Sakusen and Alpha, Euzeth Gozzo is the creator and genetic basis for Ingram (in Super Hero Sakusen, Euzeth is also Viletta's creator, as the two cannot co-exist in that game). In the former, Euzeth was a human scientist willing to go to any lengths to save the Earth from humanity's environmentally destructive tendencies. As the Big Bad, Euzeth uses data collected on the various technologies present (Kamen Rider, Ultraman and Mobile Fighter G Gundam, among others) to produce the "Chojin Zest", an Ultraman-like Humongous Mecha serving as the Final Boss. He along with the Chojin Zest are defeated by the SRX's first use of the Hyper Tronium Buster Cannon.
In Alpha, Euzeth is the Balmarian second-in-command of Laodicea's Aerogater fleet. Like his Super Hero Sakusen counterpart, Euzeth is a brilliant scientist who created the "Cross Gate Paradigm System" for interdimensional travel and multiple mobile weapons such as the "Antenora" and Judecca. In the final battle of Alpha, Euzeth reveals the original Laodicea was killed in combat against the Zentraedi long ago, and the Laodicea defeated by the Londo Bell is but one of many clones under Euzeth's control. He enters battle in a black-colored Judecca equipped with a Cross Gate, alongside an entourage of several Zfyluds, each piloted by a Laodicea clone, and Ingram in the Astranagant as the Final Boss of Alpha. Euzeth also reveals his ultimate plan is not the invasion and subjugation of the Earth, but to bring about the destruction of the Balmar homeworld itself, a plan that later comes to fruition in Alpha 3. Despite his behind-the-scenes scheming, Euzeth is defeated and the Cross Gate used by his Judecca is left intact beyond Earth space.
Euzeth also makes an appearance in Divine Wars by commandeering Ingram's body and using the Septuagint to continue his work, but is defeated by the Earth Federation Army. He also makes a cameo during the prologue to Ryusei's route in Original Generations. Finally, Euzeth reappears in the Second Original Generation, this time as Arteil Steinbeck, in a role mirroring his position as the Big Bad of Super Hero Sakusen.
The following tropes apply to Euzeth throughout his SRW appearances; for tropes pertaining to his identity as Arteil, go to "Walking Spoilers" here:
- Ace Custom: Chojin Zest from Super Hero Sakusen, a black-colored Judecca from Alpha and the Adamatron from the Second Original Generation
- All According to Plan: Zigzagged — Euzeth may have planned for his own demise within his calculations in Alpha, but subverted in the Second Original Generation as he didn't account for Irui Gan Eden meddling within the Adamatron.
- Big Bad: Of Super Hero Sakusen, Alpha and the Second Original Generation
- Character Catchphrase: Sore mo watashi da. ("That was me as well.")
- The Chessmaster: Euzeth manipulates the heroes and villainous factions, including the one he is working for, into fighting each other in all appearances, guiding them towards his goals.
- Cool Mask: A constant motif he uses in all appearances when he steps up to become the Big Bad or whenever he commands a Balmarian fleet.
- Dimensional Traveler: Thanks to the Cross Gate Paradigm System; he can even summon Volkruss and the Youkijin from parallel dimensions in the Second Original Generation.
- Evil Only Has to Win Once: Under the condition he is able to remember everything (see below) and no one interferes, Euzeth can learn from his mistakes to help him remove any possible, disadvantageous elements.
- Fallen Hero: Possibly; in Alpha, Euzeth helps Ingram investigate the source of a disturbance in the universe. When it turns out to be Keisar Ephes, whom the Balmarians once worshipped, he doesn't take it well.
- Greater-Scope Villain: Of the Original Generation Continuity; by the Second Original Generation, he no longer holds this position since he decides to directly confront the Steel Dragon Battle Group, whom he predicted will complete his plans he set in motion during the previous games.
- Mad Scientist: Given the nature he works within the setting, creating powerful weapons and devices for his mechs, utilizing the know-how from several civilizations, to gain the upper hand against his adversaries.
- Man Behind the Man: In Alpha and the Second Original Generation, Euzeth is behind the dozens of interweaving plots, manipulating heroic and villianous factions for his gain. The constant use of his catchphrase as a response to all questions asked about events that occurred became so memetic in Japan following Alpha, the mecha board of 2ch was named after his catchphrase.
- Me's a Crowd: A unique take — any time Euzeth dies, most of his experiences and memories stay intact in the form of "void memories" from the previous "Kalpic cycle" of The Multiverse. Euzeth can resurrect himself by possessing his counterparts from different universes, including their clones. This explains the lingering Adaptation-Induced Plot Hole regarding why he appears in Divine Wars. Note that Euzeth fails to possess the Original Generation Ingram (since he's Arteil for this setting), Cobray Gordon (as the Alpha Ingram already did it) and Ing. However, Euzeth requires special means to unlock his void memories; without it, he only has fragments. Lampshaded in the Second Original Generation upon regaining his void memories from uncountable past universes."...the Wheel of Lost Memories... connecting with the fragments of void memories...the true form of my soul...I understand...where I come from...who I was...Zelphart...Zyflud...Zest...Judecca...after these....As the new Adam, Metatron...in other words, "Adamatron" becomes my true body."''
- Motive Decay: Euzeth's plans to subvert fate brings him to several incredibly complex steps where even he doesn't fully understand during his future incarnations until they are pulled off. After he regains his void memories, Euzeth becomes so delusional with power, he decides to undo all reality and recreate it in his own image."I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the End and the Beginning. I no longer need to know the cause. I am no longer bound by to the past by causality, fate, void memories or my own ancient lamentations. Not to the foolish Emperornote , the Inspectors or even the gods. None have the power to stop me. I will annihilate all that is tied to me, create untold new worlds and establish the new status quo. I will construct a new causality, fate, and cycle of rebirth. As the (Kalpic) cycles pass, I will become the creator of a new mankind...the new Progenitor."
- Lampshaded mercilessly by characters in the Second Original Generation: Euzeth's plan is no different than what other villains have attempted to do in past events, but at less omnicidal proportions (minus Dark Brain and Perfectio).
Excellen: "Your bragging is at a larger scale than I expected."Axel Almer: "Hmph, I kept quiet and listened to your ranting, but you're pretty much planning to destroy the universe."Kyosuke: "Such a simple goal, after such a long-winded speech." - Mr. Exposition: Particularly in the Second Original Generation — upon regaining his previous memories, Euzeth goes on a long speech about his plan that expands over multiple dimensions.
- My Death Is Only The Beginning: Thanks to his void memories, which serve as his mnemonics.
- Spanner in the Works: Namely Irui, Lee Linjin and Ironically Ing with the former two's help in the Second Original Generation.
- The Starscream: To Balmar and later fate itself.
- Thanatos Gambit: Not that he has a choice in this matter, but Euzeth can exploit it as long as he can regain his void memories in a new kalpic cycle.
- This Cannot Be!/Villainous Breakdown: His defeat in the Second Original Generation.Euzeth: "Unthinkable...Am I to suffer the same fate again...it's impossible."Kyosuke: "Again? You mean to say you've already fought people like us and they did the same thing to you what we're doing now?"Euzeth: "..."
- Reaches critical mass moments before the Adamatron explodes, Euzeth psychotically claiming responsibility for everything the Steel Dragons ask him about, even the things he obviously had no hand in.
- Well-Intentioned Extremist: In Super Hero Sakusen, Euzeth desires to stop the enviromental destruction humanity brings over the planet. Arguably, the same also applies to Alpha and the Second Original Generation as his long-term plans involve overcoming causality, fate and the ever-repeating kalpic cycle. Once he recovers his memories, in Second Original Generation, he decides instead to simply become the new god of existence.
- Xanatos Gambit: Even if Euzeth is defeated, he will get another chance in another setting and universe.
- You Cannot Fight Fate: Irony ensues because regardless of the setting, Euzeth is destined to die at the hands of the heroes and/or killed by those whom he betrays. May or may not double as Cosmic Plaything.
Secret character
Prince Heinel (プリンス・ハイネル)
Voiced by: Osamu Ichikawa
The Prince of the Boazanian Empire and the pilot of Godol. Originally dispatched to Take Over The Earth by his Evil Uncle, Emperor Zambajil, Heinel later comes to realize that the situation isn't what he thought it was and Zambajil is nothing but an usurping bastard.
Heinel's mecha is Godol, the legendary Hero of Another Story who saved Boazania when it was in dire need. Godol itself is a Flying Brick and is capable of delivering mass damage. Stat-wise, Godol tends to be a Jack of All Trades.
He is the Secret Character of Shin Super Robot Wars.
- Adaptational Angst Downgrade: In Shin, since Heinel never learns about his father, he doesn't make the connection that him, Kenichi, Daijirou and Hiyoshi are brothers, thus sparing him the guilt of trying to kill his own family, unlike his anime counterpart.
- Adaptational Angst Upgrade: In Alpha, Heinel becomes a Death Seeker to atone for his sins.
- Adaptational Heroism: Heinel reforms himself in Shin and fights alongside the heroes as a Sixth Ranger. In 3rd Super Robot Wars Alpha, he even earns the respect of the Boazan labourers - yes, the same ones the Boazanian Empire enslaved - and they ask him to let them join him in battle.
- Adaptational Nice Guy: In the games, Heinel possesses the same aristocratic demeanor as his anime counterpart, but often goes through a change of heart of some sort and begins treating his comrades in a more genial manner.
- Alien Prince: Heinel is the Prince of the Boazania, a.k.a Space France.
- Always Save the Girl: In almost every Super Robot Wars games, Heinel will demand Katherine get to safety, before him and Jangal charge headfirst into near-death situations. Being a Tsundere, he'll never tell her he loves her outright, but it's obvious from how he acts towards her.
- Aristocrats Are Evil: Heinel and Zambajil both have low views of non-noble Boazanians and humans, wanting to enslave them and take over their planets. However, many games have Heinel himself eventually outgrowing this. His aides have a tendency to follow suit.
- The Atoner: Formerly an Evil Prince that wanted to colonize the Earth and started a war that costs millions of lives, he changed his ways eventually and earned his happy ending.
- Bad Boss: Subverted. He berates Jangal for failing, but if you, the player, show him mercy, he will actually thank you.
- Beauty Is Bad: He plays with this trope since he is a Long-Haired Pretty Boy that wants to Take Over the World, but genuinely cares for the Boazanian people, unlike his uncle. [[spoiler: He is enraged when he finds out that his uncle took advantage of the chaos of war for his own interests and seeks to set things right by disposing of him. In Alpha, Heinel even aims for the same goal as Kenichi.
- Benevolent Boss: Heinel is this to Katherine and Jangal, having a romance with the former and holding the latter in such high regard that should you kill him, Heinel will refuse to join you as an ally, making him unrecruitable as a character.
- Blue Is Heroic: Many games portray him as a villain-turned-hero, and he wears a blue Badass Longcoat that touches the ground. His mecha, Godol, is also blue.
- Broken Pedestal:
- Super Robot Wars Alpha 3rd:
Heinel: "Zambajil...! Using Planet Baam as a pawn in your ambitions....did you manipulate this situation to your advantage!?"Heinel: "Now is the time to bring justice to Boazania! To liberate it from Empress Janera and Emperor Zambajil!"- Super Robot Wars J:
- When Belgan informs him the truth about Zambajil, he grows enraged and deems him a "maggot".
- Childhood Friends: With Katherine, who had a Big Sister Instinct towards him when she saw him being bullied. Her parents were friends with his grandparents as well, and Katherine's own mother was Heinel's nanny.
- Childhood Friend Romance: One of the Hornless Boazanian labourers asks Heinel if the rumours about him growing up with Katherine are truenote Heinel confirms they are.
- Commonality Connection: Unsurprisingly, in the third Alpha game, Heinel becomes close friends with Richter. Richter encourages him when he feels down and helps him rescue Katherine. When Heinel tells him he regrets how he treated her, Richter says he understands because he behaved in a similar way towards Raiza and Balbas. He then swears to them that he will bring justice and peace to the galaxy.
- Crutch Character: He is the Secret Character of Shin, but the process to get him is very convoluted and requires the player to forfeit a high monetary reward. That being said, once you avail him, feel free to kick ass with Godol as much as you like....until him and Katherine go vacationing and take the big shiny robot with them.
- Cute Monster Boy: He has fluffy blonde hair and horns.
- Defector from Decadence: After the death of Jangal, Kenichi offers to help Heinel get revenge for his death. While he's initially surprised, he accepts. Ru Cain is not happy to hear about this, and enlists Zuhl to work under Sharkin instead.
- Driven to Suicide: Heinel can't bear to live without Katherine (and vice versa). If she dies, he will commit suicide to join her.
- Evil Sounds Deep: Most prominent when he's piloting Godol, thanks to Osamu Ichikawa's performance.Heinel: "In the name of Boazania, I will kill you!"
- Everyone Can See It: Kazuyanote chirps that he thinks Heinel and Katherine will be happy together at the end of Shin.
- Fantastic Racism: He looks down on Earthlings.Kentaro: "You are being used by Zambajil as a scapegoat. He ordered you to go to Laodeca and handle the situation."Heinel: "You are an Earthling! Know your place!"
- Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold: In most games, he'll started out as an Evil Prince, before reforming and joining the heroes in defeating the final villain.
- Idiot Ball: In Shin, when the Voltes team split up, Heinel doesn't capitalize on this and try to take them out, something his anime counterpart did regularly.
- Ineffectual Sympathetic Villain: In Shin, Dungele and Killer are sick of Heinel making a fool out of them, so they seek to have him canned.
- Morality Pet: While Heinel's Morality Pet is usually Katherine, in the the third Alpha game, he gains one in Richter. Being a Baam-seijin, Heinel starts off despising him for not being Boazanian, but defrosts towards him after they team up.
- Noble Demon: He may be a villain, but he will pay his respects when they're needed. Some of the heroes come to respect him by the end of Shin, and he wishes them a farewell before going on his vacation.
- Pretty Boy: His character portraits in-game emphasize his Bishounen features.
- Princeling Rivalry: Zambajil views Heinel as The Rival to the throne. It's completely one-sided as Heinel has no intention of taking it from him.
- Royal Blood: He's the Emperor's nephew, but in actuality, he has a higher claim to the throne than he does because the Emperor was the Son of a Whore and the previous Emperor.note
- Secret Character: Of Shin.
- Ship Tease: He gets some with Katherine, and by the end of Shin, the two go on a little vacation together. The two get a Shipper on Deck in the form of Kazuya, who remarks that they'll be happy together.
- Spared by the Adaptation: Heinel and Katherine both survive in some of the SRW games (Shin, A) and have happy endings.
- Tsundere: To Katherine Rii. Unfortunately, he does a poor job of hiding his feelings, leading other characters to comment on it.
- Warrior Prince: Heinel is a bloodthirsty warrior as well as a Boazan noble. On a meta level, his stats in the game are absolutely jacked.
- Video Game Cruelty Potential: Killing Jangal will give the player lots of money. However, if you do it, you will be unable to recruit Heinel, and he will deem you an enemy.
- Villains Out Shopping: In the end of Shin, Heinel and Katherine go on a vacation together. Unfortunately, they take the overpowered-as-all-hell Godol with them.
