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 character sheet comprises of those who make their debut in Super Robot Wars Alpha Gaiden.
The Ancestors
In Original Generation, the Ancestors do not exist, and its members (sans Sanger) are demoted into a splinter faction of the Neo Divine Crusaders who break off from them post-Operation Plantagenet. The primary difference in this Continuity is Magus is not a figurehead: Egret is the faction's leader, while "Magus Gebo" is the supercomputer running the Earth Cradle. Furthermore, Original Generation establishes the facility is built by the Divine Crusaders as a contingency in the event Earth suffers an Apocalypse How. Additionally, as a parallel to Sanger from Alpha Gaiden, Wodan Ymir takes on his fanatical aspects and guards Magus Gebo using the Thrudgelmir. Other characters assisting Egret in Original Generation are Ouka Nagisa, Agilla Setme and Cuervo Cero.
The Machinery Children pilot mass-produced, Machine Cell-infected Huckebeins called "Bergelmirs", while Magus pilots the "Aurgelmir", a feminine but monstrous machine. However, only the Bergelmirs and Wodan's Thrudgelmir appear in Original Generation. Multiple members of the Ancestors embody these traits:
- Adaptational Villainy: Compared to their Well-Intentioned Extremist persona in Alpha Gaiden, the "Ancestors" of Original Generation reach Generic Doomsday Villain levels - Egret displaces Magus' as the Big Bad with visions of megalomania, while the Machinery Children Took a Level in Jerkass, believing because they're genetically engineered to be superior to humans, they are the ones to inherit the Earth, most likely also because Egret, now with sociopathic disregard towards human lives and more concerned in advancing science, also directly influences them and their personalities as their 'dad'.
- Creepy Child: To hammer it home, they're also little bastards!
- Leitmotif: "The Gate of Magus" for the Machinery Children, which they share with Sanger in Alpha Gaiden and Wodan in the Original Generation timeline.
- Nanomachines, Organic Technology: Machine Cells
- Not-So-Well-Intentioned Extremist: In the OG series, they will still make a point that humans certainly still love making conflicts, damaging the Earth and they still want to protect the Earth after inheriting it. However, with the damage done not so harshly as in the Alpha Gaiden timeline, their statements lose weight and it just sounds like they say that because they like to flaunt their superiority complex.
- Retcon
- In Alpha Gaiden, Uruz pilots a silver Bergelmir while Anthuz pilots a blue one; in Original Generation, it's reversed.
- In The Inspector, the story writes-off Egret and Uruz's deaths in the Earth Cradle, who leave the facility just as the crew of the Kurogane arrive. This is carried over in the Second Original Generation, with the two of them now working for the "Gaia Sabers".
- Sole Survivor: Egret mentions another Machinery Child called "Ing" who appears as the protagonist of "Lost Children", a side-story manga following Alpha 2, having survived the destruction of the Moon Cradle, though his whereabouts are left unknown as the manga was Cut Short. Ing, however, appears in the Second Original Generation.
- Sudden Difficulty Spike: When fought at the tail end of Alpha Gaiden, they pack far greater accuracy and evasion than enemies on the stage just before, in addition to their ability to automatically regenerate damage. In Original Generation 2 their use of the GEIM System, combined with their Early-Bird Boss appearances, makes their accuracy and evasion even more outrageous, though by the time the player gets to the final confrontation with them they're considerably less dangerous.
- Theme Naming:
- The Aurgelmir, Bergelmir and Thrudgelmir are based on Norse Mythology. What's more, all are related: Thrudgelmir is the offspring of Aurgelmir and Bergelmir is the son of Thrudgelmir. Also, Fehu (of which "Feff" is a
mistranslation), Uruz, Thurisuz, and Ansuz are the first four letters of the "Runic Alphabet". - Gebo is also a rune, meaning "gift", which makes Magus' full name "Magus Gebo" a pun.
- The Aurgelmir, Bergelmir and Thrudgelmir are based on Norse Mythology. What's more, all are related: Thrudgelmir is the offspring of Aurgelmir and Bergelmir is the son of Thrudgelmir. Also, Fehu (of which "Feff" is a
- The Virus: Implied, given how rapidly it spreads when in contact with organic or inorganic material. Demonstrated in The Inspector during the Earth Cradle assault where Agilla overclocks the Machine Cells to assimilate faster. The appearance of the "Gravilion" Super Robot changes so drastically it no longer appears mechanical once the Machine Cells infect it.
- Well-Intentioned Extremist: In Alpha Gaiden, they acted as Earth's guardian and even kill the Emperor of the Mikene Empire. It's only when Magus is sick of how humans keep damaging Earth with war that she decides to get rid of them all.
- What If?: Alpha Gaiden presents the idea of what could've happened if the "Astranagant" didn't float in space, but instead crashed to Earth and got absorbed by the Aurgelmir (or rather if enough time passed that the Astranagant returned to Earth and got absorbed).
- With Great Power Comes Great Insanity: Notably averted in Original Generation: the three Machinery Children can activate the GEIM System, which normally provides the user with an outrageous performance boost at the cost of driving them mad, without any drawbacks.
Probably the most badass character Banpresto ever created, and certainly one of the most iconic, Sanger Zonvolt's an elite ace with mannerisms akin to a Samurai, including carrying a katana in hand. In the Alpha series, Sanger first appears in the bleak Bad Future of Alpha Gaiden as The Dragon to Magus, the leader of the Ancestors and the Big Bad of the game, appearing in a mutated Grungust Type-3 called "Thrudgelmir". In Alpha 2, he is the male Super Robot protagonist where his story begins with the "Earth Cradle" being destroyed by Kukuru. Sanger believes the staff is Killed Off for Real (Sophia Nate survives, while Egret Feff presumably dies off-screen) and he temporarily falls into a Roaring Rampage of Revenge, but quickly recovers (in part because the Alpha Numbers want to prevent the Bad Future of Alpha Gaiden from occurring again, knowing what Sanger could become if he's allowed to go about unchecked) and becomes a great fighting force for the "Alpha Numbers". At the same time, he begins caring for the young, mysterious girl Irui.
In Super Robot Wars: Original Generation, Sanger is a disciple of Jigen-ryuu, under the tutelage of Master Rishu Togou, and an extremely good friend of Elzam von Branstein. He is one of the founding members of the elite "Aggressors" in the past, but after the unit is disbanded, stays at the North American Langley Base to create the "ATX Team". To avoid fighting Elzam during the "Divine Crusaders War", Sanger surrenders in an ambush against the "United Colony Corps" and defects to the "Divine Crusaders". He engages against his former comrades in the ATX Team for the duration of the war until the fall of Bian Zoldark, fleeing with Elzam in the Kurogane into hiding. They reappear once Earth Federation headquarters is under attack by "Divine Crusaders Remnants", unofficially rejoining the Earth Federation Army for the "L5 Campaign" against the "Aerogaters". However, Honor Before Reason causes him to be filled with grief that he doesn't feel worthy to rejoin the team he betrayed, until Kyosuke Nanbu gives him a wake-up call.
In Original Generation 2, Sanger continues to work in secret with the Earth Federation Army and reappears when the "Neo Divine Crusaders" declare a second Civil War against the government. This time, Sanger finds a combat rival in Wodan Ymir, an agent of the "Shadow-Mirror". He also discovers the presence of Sophia and fights his way to the occupied Earth Cradle to rescue her post-"Operation Plantagenet", concluding his rivalry with Wodan. When the "Shura" invade the Earth during Original Generation Gaiden, he engages in a slight rivalry with Shura General Magnaz Ald. For the the Second Original Generation, Sanger is summoned to "La Gias" and assists Lune Zoldark and Hwang Yang Long" in the hostilities between the "Kingdom of Langran" and the "Shutendonias Alliance". Upon returning to the surface, the mysterious "JinRai" machine and the "Garden of Baral" enforcer Kukuru are the ones antagonizing him.
He also appears in the Bandai Namco Entertainment/Sega/Capcom Massively Multiplayer Crossover Project × Zone, set sometime following the Second Original Generation, where Sanger is pulled into a strange conglomeration of worlds (or parts thereof) alongside a motley crew of heroes, with at least four people (Reiji Arisu and Xiaomu and Haken Browning and Kaguya Nanbu) who strongly remind him of his former ATX Team subordinates. Following the events of Project X Zone, Sanger is brought back to the Original Generation universe by Haken and Aschen Blodel just in time for the events of The Moon Dwellers, though the inter-dimensional transporter accidentally sends Haken and Aschen along with him.
Sanger prefers a multitude of melee-based Super Robots, especially those equipped with a BFS called a Zankantou (literally "ship cleaving sword"; localized as "Colossal Blade"). Self-stylized as "The Sword That Cleaves/Smites Evil", he has a tendency to make dramatic, otherwise silly phrases and speeches, yet turn them into badass linguistics. Sanger's definitive Humongous Mecha is the "Dynamic General Guardian" (shortened to "Dygenguard"), but he's known to have used the Grungust Type-0 and Type-3. He and his mecha embody the following tropes:
- Absurdly Sharp Blade
- Endlessly Lampshaded with his catchphrase "There is nothing my Colossal Blade cannot cut!"
- One
◊ Yonkoma plays with this: Sanger accidentally cleaves a kitchen counter top (with a normal knife) while trying to help Ratsel Feinschmecker cook. Ratsel is NOT happy.
- The Ace: Played for huge badass parts, less for jokes.
- Adaptational Badass: Sanger has always been badass, make no mistake. But in the OVA, they upped the ante with one thing: His one weakness is that he is too concentrated on one enemy, while this makes him good for boss-killing, it makes him fare less against grunts until he unlocks the DGG's default weaponry. In the OVA (where he never did the unlocking)? He can use the Unyou no Tachi to mow down tons of Bartolls at once. It does help that this act is done in space, where there is no ground to eventually stop the Zankantou's tracks.
- Antiquated Linguistics: Due to talking like a Samurai, his manner of speech tends to be severely outdated.
- Art Evolution: In Alpha Gaiden, his hair is grayish-blue; starting from Alpha 2 and onwards, it's grayish-white.
- Badass Normal: One of the remarkable things about him is despite a world populated by those with Psychic Powers, extraterrestrials and travelers from Alternate Universes, Sanger manages what he does through raw grit. In Alpha Gaiden, he's the only member of the Ancestors to not be altered with "Machine Cells". In Project X Zone, despite wielding a human-sized version of the Colossal Blade on foot, his skills are not underestimated by his enemies.
- Badass Boast: All the time"Who ever stands in may way, god or not, will be slayed." (Against the Nashim Gan Eden)"My name is Sanger, Sanger Zonvolt! The sword that cleaves evil progenitors!" (Against Euzeth Gozzo)"I am Sanger Zonvolt, the sword that reaves the stars." (Against the Einst Regisseur)"Gu-Landon Gorz... Dygenguar will show you the way to hell!" (Against Gu-Landon)"Fury Knights ! Don't even think you can deal with my swordmanship !" ( Against the Fury Knights)
- Bash Brothers: With Elzam/Ratsel
- BFS/Cool Sword: Colossal Blade, aka the Zankantou. No, that name is Not Hyperbole.
- In Project X Zone, Kaguya releases the spiritual power of his personal sword, transforming it from a katana into a human-sized version of the Type-3 Colossal Blade called the Reishiki Zankantou ("Type Spirit Colossal Blade").
- Katanas Are Just Better: Subverted as the Colossal Blade's primary form (the one he uses for finishers) is a straight, double-edged broadsword. The "Guardian Sword" (Dygenguard's original weapon), however, plays this straight (no pun intended).
- In the first Original Generation game, prior to the Grungust Type-3 and Dygenguard being built, the Grungust Type-0 uses the prototype "Type-0 Colossal Blade", a solid metal sword as big as the robot with thrusters built into the back end of the blade to allow more powerful swings.
- Big Damn Heroes: Has several moments of these, complete with copious amounts of Kiai and Large Ham.
- Bittersweet Ending: In Alpha Gaiden, Sanger returns to the Bad Future, essentially becomeing a recluse living near the ruins of the Earth Cradle, cutting off all contact with the rest of the world. His Alpha 2 ending isn't so happy either as he fails to save Irui from the destruction of the Nashim Gan Eden. Fortunately for latter, Alpha 3 Retcons it - Irui survives. If the players chose Touma Kanou as the protagonist (which is connected to Sanger's story from Alpha 2), Sanger adopts Irui.
- Boss Subtitles: His definitive mecha gets this, complete with flaming fonts, entitled as Bushin Soukou ("War God Armament")
- Brainwashed and Crazy: In Alpha Gaiden
- Can't Hold His Liquor: Amazingly enough, all things considered; to highlight this, a small dab of alcohol diluted in coffee is enough to send him to the medical bay.
- Character Catchphrase:
- "I am Sanger Zonvolt! The Sword That Cleaves/Smites Evil!" and "There is nothing my Colossal Blade cannot cut!"
- A lesser-used line, albeit, just as significant is "I am Sanger Zonvolt! The Sword of Sophia!" in Original Generation 2 during the climax at the Earth Cradle.
- Chekhov's Gun: Dygenguard's original weapons were mentioned since Alpha 2, complete with unused concept art in the artbook. It isn't until Original Generation Gaiden do players finally see Sanger use them.
- Chest Blaster: Grungust Type-0's "Hyper Blaster" and Grungust Type-3's "Omega Blaster"
- Combination Attack: Tatsumaki Zankantou (localized as "Tornado Blade") with Ratsel's Aussenseiter
- Crippling Overspecialization: Zigzagged; while not "crippling", Downplayed as the Dygenguard lacks any form of ranged weaponry (at most, its attacks can reach a three-range space) or ALL attack to strike multiple units, but the machine's high damage output makes up for it. Averted once the Dygenguard's original Weapons are unlocked starting with Original Generation Gaiden by adding in a post-movement Rocket Punch and the long-ranged "General Blaster" ALL attack.
- Dimensional Traveler: In Project X Zone where he travels through multiple universes and alternate Earths. Probably even more so that Gilliam at this point.
- Dynamic Entry: The debut of the Dygenugard in Scenario 30 of Original Generation 2 exemplifies this for Super Robot Wars.
- Four-Temperament Ensemble: In the ATX Team, before him taking leave, Sanger was the "Choleric".
- Get A Hold Of Yourself Man
- How Kyosuke spurs Sanger out of his Heroic BSoD.
"We don't need a moping fool. We need Sanger Zonvolt, "The Sword That Smites/Cleaves Evil".- During the True Final Boss fight in the Second Orignial Generation, Sanger gives a pep talk to the other Alpha 2 protagonists they can cry all they want later due to Irui's Heroic Sacrifice, but they need to beat the villain into a bloody pulp first.
- Give Me a Sword: In Alpha 2, Sanger flat-out requests for the Type-3 Colossal Blade when the Dygenguard's original weapons malfunction; in Original Generation 2, Wodan makes this decision and throws the weapon to Sanger to help him defeat Vigagi.
- Glowing Eyes of Doom: Sanger's machines gets these from time to time, usually when he unleashes his strongest attacks via Super Move Portrait Attack; Sanger himself acquires this during The Inspector.
- Guide Dang It!
- The process for unlocking Sanger as a Secret Character in Alpha Gaiden is a little difficult if players doesn't know how to do it - difficulty must be set on "Hard" (meaning plenty of "Skill Points" must be acquired early, despite un-upgraded mecha and little room for error) by a certain scenario, then Sanger must be defeated in his second appearance (an easy-to-miss step since he retreats when his Hit Points drops below a certain threshold) and finally defeated a final time before storming the Earth Cradle.
- Back in Original Generation, unlocking the "Shishioh Blade" requires a similar, yet obscure requirement: Hard difficulty, the chosen protagonist must have at least 50 kills, and Sanger must be defeated before he retreats before a certain HP threshold.
- Heroic BSoD: Shortly after rejoining the Earth Federation Army in Original Generation
- Heterosexual Life-Partners: Him and Elzam, hence the phrase "Real Men Ride Each Other". Ultimately leads to Ho Yay and doubles as a Running Gag.
- Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: Only in the Alpha series with Irui, and the original one in the franchise
- I Am Not Left-Handed: Enemies are so damn wrong if they believe knocking away the Colossal Blade will render him weaker. To elaborate, in Original Generation Gaiden, Sanger activates the Dygenguard's default operating system, giving him access to its previously disabled weapons. Despite the Guardian Sword being a toothpick compared to the Colossal Blade, it gets the job done when he faces against Magnus Ald.
- Iconic Sequel Character: Every bit as much as Kusuha Mizuha, and one of the only competitors she has for the title of "most iconic". He began life as little more than a one-shot, throw-away mid-boss in a Mission-Pack Sequel, yet ends up being a central character in the sequels and Original Generation. Sure, Kusuha may be the queen of merchandise for the originals, but Sanger is chosen to represent the entire franchise in Project X Zone, above her and Masaki, the latter being the first heroic figure of SRW.
- In a Single Bound: Technically the Unyo-no-Tachi attack utilizes this trope (particularly when using the Dygenguard); however, he can also pull this off while carrying a BFS on foot in Project X Zone.
- Kiai: "CHEESTOOOOOO!!!!"
- Leitmotif: Aku wo Tatsu Tsurugi ("The Sword That Cleaves Evil"; localized as "A Sword to Smite Evil"); upon receiving the Dygenguard, Ken Kon Itteki ("A Single Strike With Sword And Soul"; localized as "Samurai Sword")
- Painting the Medium: All of the Dygenguard's introductions, where they steadily increased in dramatic effect over the years.
- Rocket Punch: Dygenguard's "Dynamic Knuckle"; the "Boost Knuckle" of the Grungust Type-0 and Type-3 also count.
- Sacrificed Basic Skill for Awesome Training: All of Sanger sword skills are named techniques, but it isn't until the Second Original Generation that Sanger learns a basic slash using the Type-3 Colossal Blade.
- Ship Tease
- With Irui, to some less savory parts of the fandom. What really doesn't help is one of the first things Sanger says when seeing Irui's adult body in Alpha 2 is, "This isn't the way I like you!"
- Rectified in Original Generation: Sanger prioritizes rescuing Sophia at the Earth Cradle, even claiming he is the "Sword of Sophia" during the climactic event, though this dynamic is Downplayed into Lady and Knight instead.
- Shut Up, Hannibal!: He's very good as putting villains back in their places.Stern Regisseur: Weak and feeble human ! Now that I fused with the White Star, you cannot cut me !Sanger: Size isn't an issue. Can I cut you or not ? Only my Zankantou knows the answer.Stern Regisseur: Know your place, Human !Sanger: Shut up !Stern Regisseur: ... !Sanger: And Listen ! I'm Sanger ! Sanger Zonvolt ! The sword that cuts down the stars !
- Spell My Name With An S
- Is it "Sanger" or "Zengar"? "Dygenguard" or "Daizengar"? In fact, even beyond that, there's his Catchphrase - "The Sword That Cleaves" or "Smites Evil"?
- "Sanger" is an actual German name and "Dygenguard" is just an abbreviation of "Dynamic General Guardian" (All There in the Manual, however, omits the last "d"). Meanwhile, "Daizengar" is a pun on the name's pronunciation (essentially meaning "Big/Great Sanger").
- According to Alpha 2, his default surname isn't "Zonvolt", but Somvold; even fan translators "Aeon Genesis" for Alpha Gaiden uses this version.
- Sword Beam: Played with the Dygenguard's Denkousekka attack - it doesn't fire a beam; instead, the machine swings the BFS so fast it's actually a Razor Wind.
- That Man Is Dead: During Alpha Gaiden, in regards to changing from "The Sword Of Magus" to "The Sword That Cleaves Evil", and in Alpha 2 regarding his quick discard of his Roaring Rampage of Revenge.
- Worthy Opponent: Kyosuke in Original Generation, Wodan in Original Generation 2, Gespenst Phantom in Project X Zone, and Al-Van Lunks and Fu-Lu Mu-Lu in The Moon Dwellers
A former scientist of the Divine Crusaders, Sophia is the head researcher at the Earth Cradle. In Alpha Gaiden, using data gathered from "Zyflud" crystals retrieved from destroyed Aerogater units following the events of Alpha, Sophia is able to create the Machine Cells. For Original Generation Sophia enters hibernation in the Earth Cradle when the Aerogaters invade the Earth; however, she and many staff members are not released following the war and remain in stasis throughout Original Generation 2 until the Kurogane and its squadrons of mecha liberate the facility. As the Earth Cradle is destroyed in the assault by Federation forces, Sophia relocates to the "Tesla-Leicht Institute" as a researcher.
- Adaptational Heroism: Since Egret replaces Magus as the "Ancestors" Big Bad in Original Generation 2, none of Sophia's villainous traits from Alpha Gaiden are used, given she's been put into hibernation for the majority of the game. Upon waking up, Sophia remains who she was pre-hiberation and assists the "Steel Dragon Battle Group" as a Tesla-Leicht researcher in the Sequels.
- Adapted Out: Not her, but her original mecha, Aurgelmir, did not appear in Original Generation continuity, for a reason: Aurgelmir used the Astranagant as the core and as the Alpha continuity states, there can only be one Astranagant and the Time Diver in The Multiverse, so they can't bring it to the OG-verse without heavily modifying the Aurgelmir to the point of You Don't Look Like You.
- Big Bad, Final Boss: Of Alpha Gaiden.
- Leitmotif: As Magus, Nemure, Chi no Soko ni ("Sleep, in the Depths of the Earth").
- Living MacGuffin: In Original Generation 2, Sophia serves as the core of Magus Gebo.
- Fatal Flaw: Between his "brothers", Thurisuz is the most prone and quickest to anger; this serves to be his un-doing (see Laser-Guided Karma).
- Laser-Guided Karma: In Original Generation 2, Thurisuz goes ballistic on Arado after the disastrous results of Operation Plantagenet at Langley because, as revealed over the course of the game, he really hates the fact his genetic structure is based off of an Idiot Hero. Thurisuz almost succeeds, but Seolla Schweizer regains her memories of Arado at the last minute and ends up Taking the Bullet, but without the lethality. Thurisuz is stunned, while Ansuz calmly explains Thurisuz's pummeling on Arado is basically a form of "shock therapy" on Seolla. In short, his attempts winds up helping Arado rescue Seolla from Agilla's Mind Manipulation. To add insult to injury, the next action Arado and Seolla take is to "demonstrate" their Combination Attack on Thurisuz, getting him Killed Off for Real in the GBA continuity or forcing him to retreat in OGs (he dies later in Earth Cradle).
The eldest and first creation of the Machinery Children, Egret creates him in Original Generation using knowledge and know-how obtained from the "Boosted Children" of Adler Koch and Agilla, and the "W-Series" of the Shadow-Mirror. In contrast to the hot-headed Thurisuz and quick-to-judge Ansuz, Uruz is far more level-headed and calm than his brothers.
- Ace Custom: Bergelmir, later a custom Canis Altarf in the Second Original Generation
- Killed Off for Real: Averted; despite having seemingly been destroyed in the Earth Cradle, Uruz returns with Egret in the Second Original Generation, aligning with the Gaia Sabers. Appearing under the alias "Egretta Uno", Uruz hides his scarred face with a white mask and with his new identity, pursues to either capture or kill Ing.
- No One Could Survive That!: Lampshaded in the Second Original Generation - it's implied by Uruz's dialogue he didn't survive the killing blow dealt by Sanger at the Earth Cradle. Egret placed his body in hibernation when they escaped, who had to rebuild "parts" to revive Uruz.
- Paper-Thin Disguise: Despite changing his name, Uruz doesn't make any attempt to hide his rather distinctive two-tone hair, or even change his bodysuit.
- Sole Survivor: The last of the Machinery Children by the Second Original Generation
- Super Mode: The Canis Altarf has two, both accessed with the command "Level 2/3, pick up!".
