Guilty gear

Guilty Gear is presented in its manual: Set in the 22nd Century, mankind succeeded in developing a natural, limitless energy supply, and brought about the Age of Magic. Science and industry, sources of environmental pollution and weapons of mass destruction, were thus outlawed. However, this did little to soothe mankind’s suffering. A war erupted, fueled by rapidly developing magical theory, that saw the birth of powerful biological weapons known as Gears. Used as little more than slaves, the powerful military state that monopolized their manufacturing process brought countless other lands under its control.

Yet among their ranks, a rebel appeared and announced herself to be self-aware: Justice. She gathered an army of fellow Gears and declared war on all mankind. Despite heavy initial casualties, humans put their differences aside and formed the Sacred Order of Holy Knights to combat the Gear menace. After one hundred years of brutal war, the Crusades came to an end when the Order sealed Justice inside an impenetrable dimensional prison, and the masterless Gears that became dormant were rounded up and destroyed. Afterwards, the Holy Order was then dissolved.

In 2180, five years later, the walls of Justice’s dimensional prison have unexpectedly begun to erode. Assessing the threat before them, the world’s leaders quickly organize an international fighting tournament to select members for a proposed Second Sacred Order. Few take notice of its suspicious rules—permission to shed blood during the matches—, but the prize is tempting: The victor gets to make a “single wish… any wish at all”. In-game, once the combatants fight through all stages of the tournament, the true meaning behind is revealed: Testament appears before the combatant, saying they only need the blood of one more “sacrifice”. Although Testament is defeated, their own blood is all that is needed to achieve Justice’s complete resurrection. She awakens, ready to fight, and must be defeated. The tournament’s winner and the one who kills Justice is Sol Badguy.

For the rest of the contestants: Ky Kiske trades words with Justice, but is shaken by the realization that no single truth governs everything; May is reunited with Johnny, who has freed himself from prison; Dr. Baldhead, remembering his patient’s last words, regains his sanity; Sergeant Gabriel frees Potemkin and recruits him for the upcoming revolution in Zepp; Chipp Zanuff remembers his master’s teachings and realizes that he has traded one vice for another; Millia Rage defeats Zato-ONE but is unable to kill him, leading to complex feelings; Zato himself, suffering from physical and mental weaknesses, is taken over by his own shadow; Axl Low is flung through time once again; and Kliff Undersn faces Justice in battle once more, but it proves to be his last. His child, Testament survives and, freed from Justice’s control, flees to parts unknown. arth, and the known universe, have their origin in the Backyard,[1] which presumably “defined” the universe around 13.8 billion years ago. Four billion years ago, after the planet’s formation, life first appeared on Earth. Creatures evolved from unicellular organisms to multicellular, then into animals with complex structures. Species that adapted to their environment prospered; however, over the course of history, life on Earth experienced five mass extinctions,[2] likely the result of the Absolute World phenomenon.[3]

Historical events of note are the Crusades for the Holy Land, during which Raven’s first “death” occurred;[note 1] Magical Foci likely inspiring the stories of deities and monsters around the world,[4] and the Second World War—its conclusion in 1945 marking the formation of the United Nations by the world’s major powers.[5]

In 1999, a man known only as “the Original” foretold a calamity that would shake the very foundations of human society.[5] He told anyone who would listen that the world had to abandon its reliance on electronics or face dire consequences, only to be met with the scientific community’s disappointment and embarrassment, and the derision and suppression of his research.[6] However, the world’s superpowers declared a state of emergency.[5] The Dawn of Revival then occurred, during which several cities were wiped off the map, and machines of all types began to malfunction.[7] As a result, the UN immediately banned all electronic devices,[8] but human society quickly devolved into chaos without the technology that had supported it.[6] However, the Original and his disciples helped the world adapt to magic[9] over the next several decades.[7]

In 2010, the UN declared sorcery and magic the new standard,[8] and science and industry, sources of environmental pollution and weapons of mass destruction, were outlawed.[10] The introduction of magic shifted the world’s production balance greatly: countries with stronger self-support systems were able to reallocate their ample land, resources and food supplies to citizens, and while technologically it took several steps back, more value was placed on cultural advancements. Nonetheless, political and economic power became synonymous with zeal and instroments.[11]

Since the UN and the Vatican oversaw the process, a large gap appeared between Europe and the Americas.[11] In 2042, with its military and political influence in decline, the US reopened the Gear Project[8] and began the development[11] of combat-ready Gears. Their mass production began in 2065, after which the US deployed them to allies across the globe.[8] In 2073, That Man created Justice,[12] a Gear that can command its kin.[8] However, during Justice’s activation test in 2074[5] that resulted in the Black Sunrise,[13] Justice rebelled—announcing itself to be self-aware—and declared war on humanity.[10] As the year progressed, Justice took control of Gears one after the other, and soon the Crusades engulfed the entire planet. The Backyard is an alternate world in Guilty Gear. It is said to contain all the information that creates the real world. It is also an encapsulating term that refers to the source of limitless energy known as Magic. It is the codex or source of transferred information that comprises most of the world as physical manifested data; the source of what makes the real world exist. The world itself is said to be a virtual space, resulted from the information conveyed from the Backyard. Upon entry to the Backyard, the extremely restricted data pressure is immense and anyone who enters must be “tuned” to the frequency the Backyard emits in order not to be crushed by the dense information contained within it. That Man is known to have kept and constructed the “Cube” within this location.

The existence of the Backyard is first revealed in Guilty Gear 2 -Overture-, when Sol Badguy visited Dr. Paradigm in Ganymede. Youkai like Izuna and the Valentines originate from the dimension. The Backyard is described as being “similar to the relationship between a game and the computer” according to Daisuke Ishiwatari, and said to be like a book containing the theory of the world, essentially being the equivalent of the Akashic Records within the Guilty Gear Universe. The mechanical process of producing a reality is created by various factors. Anything that happens in the real world cannot affect the Backyard; however, certain elements within the Backyard can apply and change this world’s existence. Various places, like the Underworld (Guilty Gear Judgment), act as parts and “layers” of the Backyard, and by definition, those beings that live within the various levels connected to the Backyard or within the Backyard itself that are not artificially constructed are called “Youkai”. Demons, monsters, mushi, mutants, ghosts, Guardian Spirits, and deities are implied to be those creatures. The Original Man was the first human to have ever entered the Backyard and come back alive. Following this, he comprised all of his knowledge of the Backyard into a book known as the Sage’s Testament.

Normal humans are unable to survive within the Backyard as they are instantly crushed to dust within moments, with special cases able to survive up to about 32 hours before needing to return to the physical world. in the old world: 12?? - German Crusaders attempted to retake Jerusalem. While they are in Cairo, Egypt, their supplies went low and they stop at a captured town. Sultan’s army anticipated their movements and ambushed them. The only survivor attempted to escape only to be shot by arrows and stabbed by swords. Mysteriously, the man did not die and disappeared afterwards.

1945 - As World War II comes to a close, the major powers of the world unite to form the United Nations.

19??

The Original is born.

That Man is born.

Frederick Bulsara is born.

Aria Hale is born.

Axl Low is born (December 25).

1998

Axl Low ends a gang war in London, but vanishes without a trace in May 14.

Skilled assassins begin to gather around Slayer, leading to the foundation of the Assassin’s Guild.

1999

A prophet foretells a calamity that will shake the very foundations of human society, and the world’s superpowers declare a state of emergency.

The Dawn of Revival occurs. The UN decides to completely ban all electronic devices, effective immediately.

The Apostles appear and teach humanity Magic to prevent the decline of human society. Soon, a cult springs up around them.

2008

The Sanctus Populi is established.

Researchers discover a system that can allow magic to be easily used by anyone, regardless of skill.

2009 - India withdraws from the UN, dissatisfied with its decision to ban all electronics. The country fractures in two factions.

the age of magic: 2010

An international standard is set for the use and application of magic, and major powers construct infrastructure around it. Citizens begin to receive standardized rations of magical energy.

Non-magical technology and weapons research is halted and dismantled.

2011 - An Indian multi-billionaire secretly begins development of the Ultra-Dreadnought class ship.

2014 - The Ecosystem Evolution project is founded by Vince McDonell. Theory on Gear cells is completed by That Man.

2015 - Aria’s TP infection begins to worsen2016

The team is renamed the Gear Project. Several countries invest massive amounts of money in it.

That Man converts Frederick into the first Gear prototype, the “Flame of Corruption”. Just as the process is completed, an accident occurs at the laboratory. That Man and Aria go missing. With its core team gone, the project grinds to a halt (Guilty Gear Begin).

Frederick develops the Gear Cell Suppressor.

2026 - The Ultra-Dreadnought ship is completed. Zepp declares independence.

2042 - The US, with its military and political influence in decline, reopens the Gear Project with an eye for military use.

2045 - The first Gear prototype is completed. That Man joins the project under an alias.

2065

The first combat-ready Gear is completed. The mass production and monopoly of Gears begins. The US deploys their Gears as security forces.

Frederick begins his war against the project and attacks Gear production facilities. Authorities identify him as “Badguy”. He soon takes on the name “Sol”.

2073

Zepp becomes a military state.

That Man creates the first “complete” Gear, Justice, to end the involvement of Gears in wars.

Frederick learns of That Man’s plans and develops the Outrage.

the crusades: 2074

Justice’s test goes wrong due to the Universal Will and causes the Black Sunrise, the destruction of Japan.

Justice, controlling an army of Gears, declares war on mankind, starting the Crusades.

In wake of heavy initial casualties, the Sacred Order of Holy Knights is formed by the United Nations.

2097 - Kliff Undersn is born (September 9).

2103[note 1] - Sol saves 6-year-old Kliff from a Gear attack.

2115 - Soon after joining, Kliff is made commander of the Holy Order.

21?? - Testament is born (May 9).

2127 - Testament joins the Holy Order.

2128 - Testament meets with an untimely end while carrying out a mission on behalf of the Order. They are converted into a Gear by an organization.

c. 2140 - Testament, under Justice’s control, meets Kliff in the battlefield as an enemy. Their father is forced to kill them, but Testament manages to survive (though they do not meet again for the remainder of the war).

2156 - Slayer encounters Flament Nagel.

21?? - The Sealing of Hydra, thanks to Kliff Undersn, occurs in London.

2158 Chipp Zanuff is born on February 9th.

2160 - A small outbreak of TP Infection occurs, but since the cure had been developed, the impact was minimal.

2166 - Zato-1 is taken in by the Assassin’s Guild.

2167 - Ky joins the Holy Order.

2168 - Swift expansion and deviation of the Assassin’s Guild. Embarrassed and disappointed, Slayer resigns as Guild leader. The guild decays into a band of ruthless killers.

2169 - Hapinus XXVII becomes Sanctus Maximus.

2172 - Kliff recruits Sol Badguy into the Order. 2173

The Battle of Rome takes place.

In the Guilty Gear XX Drama CD Red/Black alternate timeline, I-No is present, Ky Kiske is killed by Gears, and Sol Badguy becomes the Order’s commander.

21??* - Johnny is killed, and May becomes captain of the Jellyfish Pirates. Justice is killed as well, but an embittered Dizzy takes her place.

2183* - Sol leads an all-out attack on Dizzy, Potemkin is killed by Testament, and humankind is to be destroyed. I-No meets That Man for the first time, and uses her powers to jump back to 2173. She saves Ky’s life, changing the timeline for good.

Sol is defeated in one-on-one duel by Justice. He leaves the Holy Order, taking the Fireseal with him.

Zato-1 casts a forbidden spell and begins to rise in rank within the Assassin’s Guild.

Millia Rage and Venom are taken in by the Guild.

16-year-old Ky succeeds Kliff as the Order’s commander and is given the Thunderseal. Kliff becomes an instructor.

2174

Chipp Zanuff is saved by Tsuyoshi and becomes his apprentice.

May is taken in by Johnny.

2175

March 16: Delilah is born.

November 20-22: Sol and the Order seal Justice inside a dimensional prison, bringing the Crusades to an end. Before the end of the year, the Order is disbanded.

Millia activates a forbidden spell.

Ky and many other knights join the International Police Force. Kliff finally retires.

Post-Crusades: 2176

Tsuyoshi is killed by the Assassin’s Guild, and Chipp vows revenge.

The celebration of humanity’s victory over Justice starts to be held annually.

For unknown reasons Justice’s seal weakens. Her possible revival causes anxiety for those aware.

2177

A young girl dies on the operating table of Dr. Baldhead. Driven mad by the shock and guilt, he becomes a serial killer.

Russia and the European Union combine, creating the United Kingdoms of Illyria project.

The UN forms the Post-War Administration Bureau to repair the damage caused by the Crusades.

Dizzy is born (December 25, presumed).

Hapinus XXVII dies, and Ariels becomes Sanctus Maximus soon after.

2178

After numerous jumps through time, Axl appears in this timeline.

A high-risk mission goes bad after Millia Rage’s defection, and Zato is captured by the authorities.

2179 - Dizzy is driven off the village and forced to live in the Devil’s Forest.

-Motion_Comic-_Guilty_Gear_Series_Story_-Chapter_3(English_Edit)

-Motion Comic- Guilty Gear Series Story - Chapter 3 (English Edit)

2180

Johnny is incarcerated.

With the possibility of Justice’s resurrection, the UN announces the selection tournament for a Second Sacred Order of Holy Knights.

Zato-1 and Dr. Baldhead agree to participate and are released by Testament.

The Selection Tournament takes place (Guilty Gear). Justice is revived per Testament’s plan, but is “incomplete” possibly due to a hard pressed Testament being forced to attempt to sacrifice themself rather than Sol. Kliff participates and dies during the tournament. Zato is completely consumed by Eddie. However, Sol Badguy—the tournament’s winner—completely destroys Justice.

Gabriel spearheads a coup d’état on Zepp. He re-founds the country on democratic principles and is named its first president. Slavery is abolished: Potemkin is freed and formally welcomed into military service.

Crow of the Post-War Administration Bureau begins development on the Robo-Ky and Justice imitation series.

Dr. Paradigm successfully accesses and observes the Backyard.

An incident involving severed Gear parts falling from the sky (Guilty Gear Xtra) takes place.

-Motion_Comic-_Guilty_Gear_Series_Story_-Chapter_4(English_Edit)

-Motion Comic- Guilty Gear Series Story - Chapter 4 (English Edit)

2181

The Blackard Corporation incident (Guilty Gear X Lightning the Argent) occurs.

The Golden Disk incident takes place (Guilty Gear X Drama CD Vol.1).

Now free from Justice’s control, Testament meets Dizzy in the Devil’s Forest. When villagers learn of Dizzy, she is attacked. They swear to protect her (Guilty Gear X Drama CD Vol.2).

A bounty of W$500,000 is placed on Dizzy, and bounty hunters from around the globe congregate in her forest around October. Sol defeats Dizzy, but leaves before landing the fatal blow. The official record indicates that Jam Kuradoberi killed Dizzy (Guilty Gear X). Dizzy is taken in by Johnny, and Testament remains to protect the Grove.

Zato-ONE dies, but his dead body is possessed by Eddie.

Dr. Paradigm, in the process of investigating the Backyard, discovers the Cube.

Jam, using the bounty she received for her “defeat” of Dizzy, opens her own restaurant.

A few weeks after Dizzy’s defeat, I-No begins stirring up trouble (Guilty Gear XX). Eddie—controlling Zato’s dead body—dies, and their collective remains are acquired by the Conclave. With his death, the Assassin’s Guild appoints Venom their new leader. Due to Robo-Ky, Jam’s restaurant catches fire and burns to the ground.

The first issue of Dynamic Housewives, a monthly magazine, goes on sale.

2182

Chipp Zanuff protects US president Erica Bartholomew from Volf of the Assassin’s Guild during her attempt to pass a bill cutting ties between the country and the Guild (Guilty Gear X The Butterfly and Her Gale).

Sin Kiske is born to Ky Kiske and Dizzy (May 31).

Sin (6 months old) is entrusted to Sol Badguy’s care around December.

2183 - The United Kingdoms of Illyria is officially recognized by the UN. After the second and third kingdoms are established, Ky Kiske is elected First King through a popular vote.

2184 - Chipp travels to a lawless area in southern Africa and declares it the Eastern Chipp Kingdom. He takes Answer as his right-hand man, and appoints himself as president.

2185 - Dormant Gears begin to disappear, marking the beginning of the Baptisma 13 incident.

-Motion_Comic-_Guilty_Gear_Series_Story_-Chapter_5(English_Edit)

-Motion Comic- Guilty Gear Series Story - Chapter 5 (English Edit)

2186

Valentine appears in the capital of Illyria with her Vizuel army in search of the “key” to the Cube. (Guilty Gear 2 -Overture-)

Sol defeats Valentine in the Backyard, concluding the Baptisma 13 event. (Guilty Gear 2 -Overture-)

2187

In January Sol Badguy upgrades the Fireseal to the Junkyard Dog MK.II. In the aftermath the UN holds an emergency session, wherein Ky proposes human coexistence with Gears. The proposal is defeated and never mentioned to the public. (The Unseen Sign)

The game SHOGUN becomes really popular.

Sol starts reassembling the Outrage to prepare for a second coming of Valentine. He raids Harden Fort to take the Flashing Fang and defeats Baldias around June (Guilty Gear Vastedge XT).

Under the guidance of the Sanctus Populi, the Opus are deployed across the world for protection against further Valentine attacks.-Motion_Comic-_Guilty_Gear_Series_Story_-Final_Chapter(English_Edit)

-Motion Comic- Guilty Gear Series Story - Final Chapter (English Edit)

Ramlethal Valentine declares war on all of humanity on October 21, as a prelude to the Cradle Incident. St. Elmo’s Fire strikes on November 4, but the Conclave’s plan of resurrecting Justice is foiled; Justice’s body and Elphelt Valentine are abducted by the Universal Will (Guilty Gear Xrd -Sign-).

The residents of Miyabi begin to react to the Information Flares on November 9. Ariels publicly reveals herself to be the Universal Will at the celebration of victory around November 20–22, but her plans are foiled: Jack-O’ Valentine fuses with Justice instead of Elphelt. (Guilty Gear Xrd -Revelator-).

That Man publicly reveals himself as Asuka R. Kreutz, and surrenders himself to the U.S. government. (Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2).

On December 13, the G4 Summit at the White House is derailed by Happy Chaos, who seeks Asuka’s Tome of Origin. To save him from losing his humanity, That Man removes the Flame of Corruption from Sol Badguy. Chaos merges with I-No, restoring her to godhood, but she is defeated. A state funeral for Sol Badguy is arranged (Guilty Gear -Strive-).

At the same time as the White House incident, Delilah’s powers go out of control as she tries to get revenge on Chaos. She is eventually stopped and Baiken takes her under her wing. (Guilty Gear -Strive- Another Story)

Ky Kiske abdicates the throne, and mankind welcomes a non-human leader for the first time in history.

2192

The Original requests a time-displaced Axl to send a coded message to That Man regarding the Conclave’s plan to revive Justice.

gears: Gears are artificial magical creatures created with the intention to advance evolution, but were eventually produced to be biological weapons of war. They are not a species of their own; they are “altered” versions of existing ones.Gears run on instinct and turn out to be little more than killing machines, but some - especially those derived from human subjects - are able to retain their free will.

While originating as magic produced genetically engineered bioweapons, Gears are most similar to monsters commonly found in fantasy fare.

History

The Gear Project started on 2014 for the purpose of bringing evolution to the next level. However, the project is clouded with mystery. Two years after, the first human subject to undergo the change into Gear, the American, Frederick, escaped the laboratory. He and the researchers all disappeared shortly after and the Gear project halted. In 2073, a person known only as That Man created the first complete Gear, named Justice, and the project was restarted. Shortly after, a certain major country mass produced Gears to overwhelm other nations. This enrages Justice, and she decided to control other Gears and wage a war on mankind, an event which would be later known as the Crusades.

Creation

The fundamental source of a Gears’ traits and abilities is its cells. Using genetic science, different animal genes are fused together to obtain the most favorable outcome. Gears can either be mass produced in Gear plants, or through the conversion of organisms. The ones manufactured by That Man bear a sigil in some part of their body, Sol and Justice having one in their foreheads. The process of Gear conversion isn’t revealed, but it is implied that it is not a secret, since the P.W.A.B. and the Blackard Company are able to convert humans to Gears.

Gear cells

It is shown in Lightning The Argent that Gear cells can stay in a person’s body through ingestion. A Command-type’s influence can cause harmful mutations to a host’s body, resulting to its death. It is also speculated that Gear genes are dominant, and are not likely to be diluted by other DNA.

Traits

Physical Characteristics

Since Gears are designed for war, each class or kind have different purposes. Land-based Gears have characteristics similar to mythological land monsters; claws, sharp teeth and armored skin are common. Flying-type Gears include dragons and bird-like creatures. Most Gears have a very large size, ranging from the size of an elephant to the size of a small town. Gears bear a symbol on some part of their body.

Humanoid Gears look very similar to humans, except for a few notable differences. The key characteristic of human type Gears is the presence of a red eye pupil (note that Chipp Zanuff has red pupils too but he’s not a Gear). This is also true for non-human Gears, and can come in different shades. An exception is Sin, who has an emerald eye (the other remains hidden under his eyepatch). Other differences are immediately visible, like Solaria’s elf ears, and Dizzy’s wings and tail. On a greater degree, Sol Badguy has to keep wearing a limiter to appear human, implying that Human-type Gears are able to transform into a more beastly form.

Mental Characteristics

The process of making a Gear can cause a being to lose its own will and run on a set of programmed commands. Only a Command-type Gear can input these programs via genetic or magical links. With the death of Justice, Gears were unable to move of their own volition anymore. They were reduced to a dormant state that can longer do any function. However, it is revealed that some Gears were able to escape Justice’s control, like the Gears in Ganymede, while some retained their consciousness after the war, like Testament. Gears like Dizzy and Sin can also function on their own from birth, but it should be noted that it may be because they are hybrids.

These independent type Gears can range from intelligent to animalistic. Humanoid Gears are no different intellectually from humans and are capable of accelerated learning like their physical growth. However, there are some indications that they have mental problems that causes them to be unstable and anti-social. Even Dizzy, who is known to be very friendly and gentle, can break down at some point to insanity, as shown by the Drama CDs. Other classes of independent Gears remain to be instinct-driven, being similar to animals, but intelligent enough to recognize the authority of more intelligent Gears and submit under them. If Gears are given enough time and experience, they can evolve into a more intelligent being, just like what happened to Dr. Paradigm.

Growth and Life Span

The maturation of Gears is accelerated exponentially to make them readily available for war. Human-type Gears are shown to mature from infancy to adulthood in three years, and it is implied that they develop 8 times faster than humans, even inside a mother’s womb. At a certain point, when they are in their prime physical and mental state, they become immune to aging and can live for an indefinite period of time. The oldest Gear, Sol Badguy is around 170 years old; likewise, Testament looks like in his twenties despite being around 60 years old.

Reproduction

According to Dr. Paradigm, humanoid gears “multiply like rabbits” confirming their reproductive abilities. One example of a Gear being naturally born is Sin’s birth to Ky Kiske and the Maiden of the Grove. Sin’s existence also proves the abilty of Humanoid Gears to breed with humans. On the contrary, Dizzy’s birth remains mysterious since she was born when her mother was imprisoned in a dimension. Her situation implies that Gear mothers can put their child into an egg for safety, a fact also implied in Ky’s story.

Abilities

Physical Capabilities

Gears can withstand serious injuries through regeneration and an evolved body structure. Because of this, it is difficult to defeat them in battle. This is evidenced by Sol Badguy, who stood up shortly after being shot multiple times, and by Dizzy, who survived a fall a thousand feet from the sky and an airship suicide attack launched on her. Justice, on the other hand, was undefeated for a hundred years and was only able to be weakened to the point of sealed instead.

Since Gears are created for evolution, they can also adapt to their environment or viceversa for convenience. Dr. Paradigm, who can’t live comfortably without water, has created a water bubble where he can be submerged constantly. It can be observed that the less intelligent a Gear is, the most it is dependent on raw physical strength rather than magic or outright cunning.

Magical Capabilities

The Gears’ genetic alterations are by magical methods. Because of these, Gears supposedly use magic on instinct, whether it be sustaining themselves through absorbing magical energy or using spells for battle. However, only intelligent Gears are shown to exhibit skills to use magic. These intelligent Gears are shown to have a greater potential for magic than humans and are capable of high level spells. While humans can only use one type of magical element determined by their genetic affinity, Gears like Dizzy and Justice are capable of using different elements naturally, like Lightning, Fire and Gamma rays.

Leader

Justice is a major character in the Guilty Gear series, and is one of its main antagonists. Justice is a female Gear, the first “complete” Gear that was created by That Man. She was the instigator of the Crusades; a hundred year war against humans and Gears that is the foundation for the majority of the Guilty Gear storyline. Justice was eventually defeated and destroyed by Sol Badguy. Justice is the first complete Gear, and the only one with a free will. After her creation, she quickly began to realize that Gears like her are nothing more than disposable weapons to humans, and she began to resent their race for dominating the earth. Given the power to control other Gears, she waged war against the Human Race, almost resulting in the genocide of all the Japanese people and their culture. She was eventually defeated and sealed in an interdimentional prison by the Sacred Order of Holy Knights. She was freed by Testament in Guilty Gear, only to be defeated again by Sol Badguy. Before she died, she remembered a part of her past with Sol and That Man. Story Mode states she’s resurrected (or “unsealed”) by Testament and sails off to destroy all the humans. She’s defeated by Sol Badguy and finally hides to wait for humans to destroy themselves. However, this story can hardly be considered canon. When Sol finally destroys Justice she seems to regain her memories and her dying words are she wishes that “The three of them could talk one last time”, referring to That Man as the third person. It is not known whether or not Sol actually knew that Justice was once his love Aria, but after defeating her and the truth is revealed, he vows revenge on That Man for everything he’s done. Justice’s Story mode here is the story of how she fought the members of the Sacred Order of Holy Knights, including the former knight Sol Badguy. This story is narrated by That Man, recounting these events that have already taken place in history. Justice initially battles and defeats Kliff Undersn, Ky Kiske and even Sol Badguy. After his defeat, it is revealed that Sol is actually a Gear and Justice decides to try and take over his mind using her ability to control all other Gears, but she fails due to Sol being created before her (this mind control ability only worked on Gears that were created AFTER Justice). Using Justice’s bewilderment to their advantage, Ky and the rest of the Order “sealed” Justice away, ending the 100 year war against the Gears. Justice’s Story Mode here is a retelling of her resurrection by Testament in the original Guilty Gear, her last confrontation with Ky Kiske and Kliff, finally meeting her end at the hands of Sol Badguy. In Story Mode for all other characters, Justice appears as a regular opponent, but these are only copies created by Crow and used as guardians.

Types

Here are several known Gear classes/types. Some categories can overlap with another.

Prototype Class - The foundation for the Gear archetype. The only known Gear Type capable of full resistance to Command-Type commands. Also bears the Prime Field DNA structure and foundation of the Cube found in the backyard. Sol Badguy (originally Frederick) is the first Prototype Gear and the only known one.

Command Class - The only type of Gear capable of controlling other Gears on a massive scale. They are also very powerful in magic and are shown to control various elements. It is unknown whether the abilities shown by each Command-type Gear are exclusive or are also present to others.

Humanoid Class - A special case of Gears who were once human but were converted, or have semi-human or half-human traits. Some are capable of reproduction, and according to Dr. Paradigm, multiply fast. However, most are highly destructive in nature and do not coexist with other forms of life very well. They are noted for being capable of strong resistance towards Command-type Gears.

Toxic Class - While it is uncertain which Gears carry this specific ability, Toxic-type Gears are capable of releasing poisonous gases and spores from their bodies as a form of biological warfare, often resulting in massive casualties. The Sacred Order has worked long and hard to develop an antidote to such magic-based toxins. In some rare cases, metahumans are immune to Gear toxicity.

Flying Class - Typically large, however not necessarily so. Do not always require wings to fly. Flying Classification is a sub-trait in many Gears.

Large Class - Noted primarily for its size compared to other Gears, but in particular labor and worker types. Large Classification is a sub-trait in many kinds of Gear.

Regular Class - Standard fare Gears. Though simple in construct, they are often large in numbers due to their role as a foot soldier type. Comes in many different animal species, even Youkai/Demonic-Types.

Megadeath Class - A typically very large, extremely deadly class of Gear that can level whole populaces and civilizations within a very brief time span. They are very difficult to kill in most cases and often sealed away instead.

valintines: The Valentines Series, also simply called the Valentines, are a specific type of Backyard life-form created by the Universal Will in order to influence the human world. Emotionless and completely dedicated to the orders of their “Mother”, they were created as genetic copies of Aria Hale.

Like other life forms birthed in the Backyard, Valentines are devoid of emotions. They have no values of their own, no concept of right or wrong, and they neither like or dislike anything. It is because of this that they view the orders from the one called “Mother” as absolute commands that are not to be questioned. There is no thought or affection, nor any feelings of doubt or restraint—only machine-like obedience of carrying out a mission. The Valentines view themselves as merely tools to be used to achieve a goal.

Valentines, in general, are unable to place value on anything other than their assigned target. Without any thoughts, feelings or desires of their own, they do not possess the capacity for falsehood, making them naive in their honesty. They are said to be incapable of feeling emotion, but this seems to be only at first as all known Valentines have developed emotions at one point or another.

Despite being genetic copies of Aria Hale, they are not always identical in appearance to her, although they are always female. Each Valentine is programmed differently to suit their purpose, and are given combat abilities to match. They are considered to be “perfect beings”[1].

The number of Valentines currently in existence is unknown. That Man was able to somehow to replicate the method and create a Valentine of his own, although with Justice’s (also known as the “Scales of Juno”) warped memories as basis for her creation.

alentine is created by the Universal Will to carry out the entity’s errands in arranging the extermination of humanity.

Guilty Gear 2 -Overture-

She later leads her Vizuel army to attack the city against Ky Kiske’s army. Her goal is to obtain the “Key”, which are the Maiden of the Grove’s cells, to open the Cube. Her assault caused a lot of casualties, but still she failed to find the Key she was searching for. However, when Sol and Sin return to Illyria to help the king, her backup plan is revealed: to take Sin’s cells instead, as he is the offspring of Ky Kiske and the Maiden of the Grove. She succeeds in obtaining the Key and brainwashes Sin.

She used her Vizuel army to guard her while she was opening the portal to the Backyard, but Ky and his army arrived to defeat it. Sol and his company then pursued Valentine to the Backyard. When she realized that all her plans failed, she became frustrated and finally developed emotions. This sudden flow of emotions drove her into an extremely violent state, turning her into a dark copy of Justice. After being defeated in her Gear form, she transformed in a gigantic fortress-like Megadeath Class Gear and the final battle started. When fighting Sol, memories of Aria manifested themselves as voices around her. She was eventually defeated by Sol, and remembered his real name, Frederick, and told him “it’s okay”, before fading away.

In the epilogue, That Man says to Raven that the next Universal Will attack will be more difficult to handle, Raven agrees, expecting that it would be much harder to find the other Valentine, to which That Man replies that it could be the other way around - tens of thousands Valentines will appear, making it arduous to deflect them.

Background

Ram El art

Illustration with Elphelt.

Presumably in 2186, Ramlethal was created by the Universal Will within the Backyard as a successor to the previous Valentine who orchestrated the Baptisma 13 incident. Emotionless like her predecessor, Ramlethal was programmed to help activate the Cradle no matter what,[1] so that the Conclave could transport and “resurrect” Justice by harnessing the energies from St. Elmo’s Fire.[16]

Unbeknownst to Ramlethal, she was, in fact, a “failure”.[20] For that reason, six months later, her younger “twin” sister Elphelt was created, successfully programmed with emotions to infiltrate human society. Both carried on with their shared mission until Elphelt “awakened” at her wedding, and rebelled by trying to warn others.[1] As it was her mother’s idea, Ramlethal did not ask about Elphelt’s “betrayal”, and continued to collaborate with the Conclave as planned.[12]

Guilty Gear Xrd

On October 21, 2187, after one last meeting with the Conclave to confirm their convictions,[12] Ramlethal travels to Japan and issues a declaration of war on the world.[21] Seven days later, a number of people confront Ramlethal: Potemkin;[22] Zato-ONE;[23] then Chipp Zanuff[24] and May, whom Ramlethal calls a “disease”;[25] and finally, Sol Badguy,[26] Ky Kiske[27] and his son Sin. However, she is only a distraction, and the Cradle activates over Babylon. Ramlethal then attempts to self-destruct to kill Sol, but Elphelt intervenes and stops her via their restraints.[12]

GGXrdS Trio playing

Spending time together.

Ramlethal is taken into custody aboard the Royal Fleet One by Ky,[12] who has her weapons confiscated. The next day, she tries to destroy the ship, but Elphelt stops her again. Her purpose fulfilled, Ramlethal refuses to answer their questions and says they can kill her if they want.[1] Sin, heeding Elphelt’s belief that Ramlethal may have emotions, decides to “interrogate” her, hoping to make her laugh. He also gives her a magehound that likes to bite her finger.[6] Later on, Elphelt joins them and they spend the day together, and Ramlethal takes a liking to Danny Missiles burgers.[15]

While the ship is in Zepp, Ramlethal’s dream is visited by Bedman, who is to dispose of her per her mother’s orders. She agrees but asks to take the dog with her, and Bedman realizes she is beginning to develop emotions. Ramlethal wakes up due to Sin, only for Bedman to teleport in and kill the magehound. He replaces it with one that doesn’t bite her finger, making Ramlethal realize that she is “unique”, and teleports away.[14] Ramlethal and Elphelt later discuss what it feels to like someone, which Elphelt thinks is like wanting to see that person smile. Ramlethal thus decides to tell them about St. Elmo’s Fire.[16]

On November 4, Elphelt and Justice are abducted, but Ramlethal affirms to her sister that they aren’t tools and promises to save her.[9] Five days later while staying at Illyria Castle, Raven asks Sol to help him capture Jack-O’ and Ramlethal decides to accompany him and Sin. Raven looks down on her as mere “doll”, but when they find Jack-O’ on November 17, Ramlethal is bothered by his cold treatment of Jack-O’, which makes Raven hesitate.[19]

The next day, Ramlethal is restless and tells Sin that for her reflection in the window to smile, she needs Elphelt. Sol, somewhat drunk, destroys the window and tells her she can’t define happiness with a single piece of glass, and takes Ramlethal and Sin to eat burgers.[17] Soon, the Illyrian operators find Elphelt’s ID at Scandiva. Despite knowing it is a trap, Ramlethal and Sin volunteer to go, and Leo Whitefang allows them.[28]

While she is scanning the center of town, an antimatter Gear appears close to her. As she retreats, she notices a small girl crying nearby; taking the girl in her arms, Ramlethal’s path is then blocked by a Phalanx soldier. She summons Lucifero to take the girl to safety, but she herself is unable to escape since the Gear has already contracted. She calls Sin via comm and says goodbye.[20] The remains of her left arm and leg make everyone think she is dead, including Ariels,[20] but in truth she was saved at the last moment by Raven. The two appear at the Celestial Altar to assist in the merge between Jack-O’ and Justice, with Ramlethal helping stabilize Justice’s position so that Sol can fight Ariels. Ultimately, Elphelt is freed, and Ramlethal hugs her in their reunion.[8]

In the aftermath, Ky and Dizzy invite Sin, Ramlethal and Elphelt to rest at their estate. Though Ky doesn’t know if they all will be able to stay due to planning to reveal his marriage to the public until Elphelt brings a good news about Dizzy’s reputation, the Kiskes affirm that the two sisters are family, with Ramlethal wondering if they should call Sol “father”, and Elphelt settling on Sol being their “brother” of sorts during the conversation.[18]

Guilty Gear -Strive-

Ramlethal and her family, alongside Testament appears in the epilogue enjoying a moment of peace after the victory of Ky and Sol against I-No and Happy Chaos.

In “Another Story”, Delilah loses control of her power after hearing the one responsible for her brother’s death has shown up. This puts a city on the brink of destruction due to informational collapse, but Ramlethal and her team manage to subdue Delilah without a single casualty. This incident creates an opportunity for coexistence between humans and Gears.

During this, it was also revealed that Ramlethal has become a Special Brigade Commander in Illyria’s military.[29]Background

Elphelt Valentine was a Valentine created by the Universal Will as a sleeper agent for the purpose of observing Sol until Justice is revived, implanted with several subroutine programs within her subconscious that would activate when the time comes. Shortly after she was born, she was left completely ignorant of her nature as a Valentine and led a relatively normal life.

She eventually became the fiancée of a death metal singer until the day of their wedding, when her programming reactivated and her memories returned. The details are unclear as to what happened, but Elphelt then set out to “rebel” against her mother’s orders and raided the Frasco II laboratory, where she acquired various magi-tech weapons from the top-secret Cyprus Project. Afterwards, she used her ability to locate Prime Gear Cells to keep an eye on Sol Badguy, but she found Ky Kiske instead about a month before the events of Sign.

She told him what would happen with her sister Ramlethal, but for security reasons, she was sealed at the Illyrian Special Quarters on the Royal Fleet One.

Guilty Gear Xrd

Once her predictions come to pass, Ky releases Elphelt and she agrees to stop Ramlethal, telling him that they both possess the same control restraints. Despite Sol Badguy’s initial impression of her as she prevented her sister from triggering her self destruct, Elphelt played a role in helping Sin reach Ramlethal and saves Sol when he attempts to enter the Backyard after the Conclave and Justice. When the Conclave commence with their plan to revive Justice with St. Elmo’s Fire, Elphelt was originally tasked to serve as Dr. Paradigm’s defense before leaving to help Leo Whitefang fend off the Opus under Justice’s control. But during the fight, Elphelt’s programming takes over and reveals her mission of infiltrating Ky’s group as part of her programming. She assumes her Valentine form while fighting Sol, only to be defeated while encased in a barrier by the Universal Will for retrieval. As Sol attempts to break through, Elphelt regains herself and activates her self-destruct as her only act of defiance against the Universal Will. But she is stopped by Ramlethal, who now embraces the concept of emotion while vowing to save her sister. Elphelt is then brought back to the Backyard for one final role in the Universal Will’s plan.

Elphelt ends up in the custody of Ariels who is the vessel of the Universal Will, restrained to a dormant Justice, expressing regret of meeting her mother upon seeing the kind of person she is and her decision to eliminate Ramlethal. Elphelt also learns that the Universal Will intends to merge her with Justice as part of the being’s plan to create the first of a new ideal human race to replace humanity, a plan that the Illyrian Kings learn and seek to prevent.

Elphelt later tries reasoning with Ariels, who uses metaphors to explain her intent to kill humanity and start from scratch before proceeding to break Elphelt’s will by going after Ramlethal. Ariels arranges an imitation of Elphelt’s signal to lure out Ramlethal to a city as she is accompanied by Sin and a coalition Leo assembled to evacuate the residents. Ariels springs the trap, with Ramlethal being caught in a giant Gear’s explosion while being held back by Phalanx Nine member and rescuing a child resembling Elphelt. With Ramlethal seemingly annihilated, a horrified Elphelt screams and denounces her mother as pure evil.

Following Ariels exposing herself as the Universal Will during the Celebration of Victory, Sol’s group tracks her down to the North Atlantic where Elphelt is being held. Though warned that Ariels will kill them the moment they reach them, Elphelt refuses to send them away even after being told some of them may survive the Absolute World and is moved to tears while Sol greets her from Johnny’s plane with the promise of dinner. As Sol, Ky, and Sin hold off Ariels, Jack-O’ Valentine moves to free Elphelt and takes her place to merge with Justice. When the battle goes south, Ramlethal arrives with Raven, having received a portion of his immortality, and the Kingdoms’ artillery blasts Ariels, incapacitating her and freeing Elphelt from Justice. Elphelt is returned to the Kingdoms’ fleet just in time before the armada opens fire on Justice, while Ariels makes one final request for Sol to take care of Elphelt and Ramlethal.

In the aftermath, Elphelt is living with Ky’s family and reveals a newspaper detailing Dizzy’s role in defending the people from the giant Gears to convince Ky not to resign as First King.

Guilty Gear -Strive-

Elphelt and her family appear in the epilogue enjoying a moment of peace after the victory of Ky and Sol against I-No and Happy Chaos. After the battle with the Universal Will, she takes on a position within Illyria Castle, but is not able to keep up well with the work. Although no one blames her for making mistakes, this very fact weighs on Elphelt, and she runs off. What can she do to bring smiles to people’s faces? Elphelt finds the answer to her quandary in the form of a microphone. Her band, Speothos Venaticus, is active on the scene to this day.

Abilities

Main articles: /Commands or /Gameplay

Elphelt’s playing style is remarkably different to other character in that, instead of a single melee-type of weapon, she uses a wide range of weapons to deal damage. She primarily uses long-range rifles and shotguns, which convert ambient mana into ammunition, with her main weapons being the Ms. Confille and Ms. Travailler. From a distance, she is able to snipe and ‘potshot’ opponents, while being able to aim and reload quickly. Elphelt also makes use of a pistol, fruit-shaped grenades, a cannon, and champagne—most of which are concealed inside her rose bouquet. This bouquet and its individual flowers also function as melee weapons, along with a hidden cake-cutting blade.

Additionally, Elphelt has a latent power that allows her to know and teleport to the location of any individual with Prime field/Pure Gear Cells; however, it is randomized and Elphelt doesn’t know who she will teleport to.

Background

In 2073, Aria Hale underwent conversion into a Gear, “Justice”,[20] and was given the ability to control all other Gears so that she could stop the Gears’ deployment as weapons of war.[6] However, during her activation test in 2074, Justice’s body and consciousness were compromised by the Universal Will. The entity attempted to take over Justice, but when that failed, it mutated the people of Japan in order to materialize from inside the Backyard. To stop the entity, That Man ordered an override that transferred command of Justice’s control systems over to himself and forced her to fire a Gamma Ray to destroy the island.[21]

Justice’s mind, warped by the incident, forgot who she was,[22] and declared war on humanity.[23] Intending to free Aria/Justice,[21] That Man would later created Jack-O’ as a “half-Aria”, or rather, a synthesis of Aria’s fragmented memory designed to overwrite Justice’s individual information sectors, like a physical patch.[5] The final version of the Valentine series, Jack-O’ would be 100% compatible with Justice,[5] the “main body” from whom she must download half her soul[5] to revive Aria as a bonafide human.[6] As a contigency,[7] but also in order to save I-No,[15] That Man also created another Jack-O’ unit,[7] who was designed to make I-No human if she ever awakened. However, he never finished that unit.[15]

Guilty Gear X

Jack-O’ is alongside That Man and I-No after Raven completes his assignment in London.[24] In one of Sol’s endings, Jack-O’ and I-No are also present when That Man realizes that Justice had a daughter, and orders Raven to keep an eye on her.[25] Presumably, Jack-O’ is then put to sleep inside the Sanctuary until the time for Justice’s revival.

Guilty Gear Xrd

On November 6, 2187, Jack-O’ is awakened by I-No, but in a childish outburst, Jack-O’ escapes to the outside world to have some fresh air.[5] Among her encounters, Bedman realizes the threat she poses,[26] and injures her left leg.[27] She also spends a short while with Jam Kuradoberi, whose advise lifts her spirits.[16] When I-No tracks her down to Heaven’s Edge, Jack-O’ reveals to her and Axl the origin of their powers.[13][14] On November 17, Jack-O’ is apprehended by Sol, Sin Kiske and Ramlethal Valentine, and Sol demands that she show her face. She shocks Sol with her incredible resemblance to Aria, explains her role,[28] and apologizes for not remembering him. Jack-O’ then teleports away with Raven,[5] who berates her for running away,[7] so as to remain on standby until That Man can free himself from Bedman’s prison.[12]

Ggxrdr Jack-O Raven

A “human” conversation.

While they remotely keep an eye on Sol, Raven decides to treat her wound; curious, Jack-O’ asks about his change of demeanor, being “nice” to her. Raven laments that he has forgotten his last normal “human” conversation, affected by Ramlethal’s change, and Jack-O’ calls him a “softie”.[27] When That Man returns following his escape thanks to Chronus,[29] he and Jack-O’ teleport to Illyria Castle to make an uneasy truce with Sol, Ky Kiske, Dr. Paradigm and Leo Whitefang, revealing to them the full truth about Sol’s conversion, Justice’s purpose, Ariels’ identity as the Universal Will, and the Absolute World.[6]

During the strategic session for their proceedings, Jack-O’ smiles when Sol leaves his grudge aside and tells That Man how to improve the Saint Oratorio they will use for the “download” procedure.[18] After they locate Ariels, Elphelt Valentine and Justice, Jack-O’, Sol, Ky and Sin board Johnny’s Gullinkambi Dark to go. During the journey, Sin wonders if his mother is related to Sol; Jack-O’ says she is qualified to answer, but Sol nervously shuts the conversation down. Afterwards, Ky asks Jack-O’ about her opinion on humanity’s fate, to which she replies that people should have the freedom to choose.[19]

Ggxrdr Sol Jack-O

Facing death.

While the others keep Ariels at bay, Jack-O’ positions herself above Elphelt and prepares to absorb the energy to merge with Justice. After Raven and Ramlethal’s intervention, Jack-O’ receives the Saint Oratorio and partially fuses, while Elphelt is released. But the unconscious Justice/Aria resists the merge, too traumatized by her rampage to accept regaining her humanity. Jack-O’ informs Sol that she needs more energy, and Sol decides to power-up a second Saint Oratorio with his Junkyard Dog. At that moment, Daryl’s fleet appears with the intent of destroying Justice while she is still incomplete. Only thanks to Axl Low’s time compression, Jack-O’ receives the energy, overrides Aria/Justice’s consciousness,[8] and forcibly fuses with Aria’s soul.[1] Jack-O’ and Sol then survive thanks to the barrier of a weakened Ariels. While asleep, Jack-O’s halo disappears and her hair turns red,[8] restoring Aria.[20]

Guilty Gear -Strive-

Though Aria fully regains her soul, the old Aria’s consciousness has yet to return from behind Jack-O’s.[1] Three weeks later, Jack-O’—wearing her halo although she doesn’t need to—is still waiting, but starts working with Sol as a bounty hunter. After a successful bounty run, Sol is recalled by Ky to the castle,[10] and learns that I-No took something from Ariels,[30] but Sol takes Jack-O’ on a vacation to Iseo instead. Their journey is cut short by Axl’s warning, I-No letting herself be capture, and a highway encounter with I-No’s ally Happy Chaos that involves Nagoriyuki, Chipp Zanuff and Anji Mito.[2] Back at the castle, Sol and Ky interrogate I-No, but she reveals nothing.[15]

Ggst Aria Jack-O

Internal conflict.

Instead, Jack-O’ tells the duo of I-No’s origins as a Magical Foci, and that she is incomplete. Thinking that I-No may be after Asuka’s Tome of Origin, Sol decides to take up President Vernon’s offer to be a knight at G4. Jack-O’ remains behind to stop I-No if needed; in truth, she is projecting herself onto I-No, wanting to learn about her. “Aria” tells Jack-O’ to understand the value of her own world, otherwise Aria will disappear.[15] As the summit starts, Jack-O’ asks I-No what is her wish, and I-No admits to wanting to get out of her “empty cage”, not without making Jack-O’ question if there is a place in the world for her. Ky, hearing their conversation, has Jack-O’ accompany him to G4 aboard his airship.[17] On the way there, Ky tells Jack-O’ about humans’ “necessary frivolities”.[31]

They arrive after Sol, Vernon, Asuka and their allied forces regain control of the airborne White House, after ejecting Chaos on a escape pod. There, Asuka informs them that he will use the aircraft to go to the moon, and proceeds to remove from Sol his divine seed, restoring his humanity in the process. To their surprise, Chaos is still onboard,[32] and gets a hold of Asuka—who is one with the Tome—; Chaos thus merges with I-No, ascending her to godhood. After she knocks Sol unconscious and proceeds to grant “freedom” to humanity, Ky asks her to stand back, but Jack-O’ takes one last look at Sol’s face and then forcibly enters I-No,[9] to turn her human at the cost of her own life[17] and fulfill her role of protecting the world,[15] in spite of Ky, Axl and Asuka’s pleas.[9]

Ggst Jack-O out

Saving a world.

Before Jack-O’ can complete the process, Sol asks her not to do it, even if that may save the world, but she tearfully admits—thinking it is only Aria whom he wants a future with—that Aria isn’t coming back. Sol says it doesn’t matter, but that he won’t let Jack-O’ go no matter what. Deciding that she wants to be by his side, Jack-O’ then comes out. With Jack-O’ safe, Sol then has Ky distract I-No while he aims with the Outrage. Thanks to Nagoriyuki, he hits I-No at her weak point, killing her and saving the world. In the aftermath, Jack-O’ decides to abandon her halo and live together with Sol—now simply Frederick—at Iseo.[9]