Overview
Arknights was released in China on May 1st, 2019, and internationally (in English, Japanese and Korean) on January 16th, 2020 for iOS and Android.
The ingenious character designs and easy-to-play style have made the game popular in many areas, making it a top-selling app.
Players must build a team of 'operators', which are then placed on a map/puzzle board in order to block or attack enemies. The goal is to defeat all enemies, without letting any of them make it through your defenses.
The TV animation series "Arknights: Prelude to Dawn" began broadcasting in October 2022. The animation production is by Yostar Pictures, a subsidiary of Japanese publisher Yostar, which produces PVs for the in-game events and other features of the series.
Plot
A different universe from Earth. On the planet Terra, where various species are living mixed together.
Suddenly, a meteorite falls on the world and wreaks havoc on the people.
Then, an unknown substance called 'Originium' is discovered in the meteorite. It was a new substance that possessed enormous energy and could be processed into a special substance called Arts, which could be used industrially.
However, Originium is also a dangerous substance that causes 'Oripathy', a disease that has a powerful virulence and, if infected, can undermine the human body through stages, eventually leading to the certain death of the affected person and turning their remains into a new source of infection.
The world is thus dyed by the conflict between those who are called 'infected' and those who are not, and the Origenium that it causes.
You, the Doctor, are awoken from your slumber by a girl called Amiya.
You will lead an organisation called Rhodes Island and enter a world of conflict over Originium and the 'infected'.
World Setting and Terms
This work is characterised by a very serious world setting with strong science fiction elements.
It is set in the near future in a different world from real-life, where people with the physical characteristics of various animals and fantastical creatures, ranging from serious to comedic, and full of individuality, live as a matter of course. The story follows organisations and individuals of different ideologies as they struggle to overcome difficulties such as 'Oripathy' and 'Catastrophe', and the conflicts caused by discrimination and prejudice resulting from them.
There are few elements of pure fantasy, and the 'Arts', which are equivalent to magic, are interpreted scientifically. The setting and world-view of the story can be enjoyed by fans of science fiction.
Originium
Originium (源石) is an unknown substance that exists universally in Terra, mostly taking a crystalline form.
It possesses enormous amounts of energy inside and is the basis of Terra's industrial civilisation, as well as being the power source for phenomena known as 'Arts', which are caused by quantum interference.
On the other hand, it is highly pathogenic and is the causative agent of the incurable disease 'Oripathy'. It is also a factor in triggering the Catastrophes that regularly happens in this world.
At some point in time, mysterious meteorites suddenly began to rain down on the world and then apparently became a naturally occurring substance. The spreading of the jet-black crystalline substance around the world is what shaped Terra into what it is today.
With technological innovation and the use of Originium engines, it is now the main source of energy for countries in present-day Terra.
Oripathy
Oripathy (鉱石病, lit. Ore disease) is an incurable contact infectious disease transmitted by exposure to Originium or objects incorporating Originium.
It first occurs when the body is affected by Originium. The disease follows a chronic course, with stages I-III, increasing the amount of Originium in the body, and eventually, certain death. Those who develop the disease are referred to as 'infected'. As the disease progresses, the whole body is gradually eroded by Originium crystals.
After death, the remains of the 'infected' become a new source of Oripathy infection.
The energy taken into their bodies allows the 'infected' to gain supernatural abilities called Arts. However, in the event of death, their entire body turns into a mass of Originium, which then explodes and spreads the dust of the infectious source, making them the object of fear, persecution and discrimination in most regions.
Originium Arts
Originium Arts, or Arts, is a general term for various physical and mental interference phenomena and abilities caused by Originium.
Arts are abilities that can be performed by anyone using tools that incorporate Originium, while those infected with Oripathy can handle Arts without any tools (possibly powered by the Originium in their bodies).
There are differences in the amount of output and phenomena that can be caused by the arts' abilities, and those who specialise in the handling of the arts are called Casters.
Catastrophe
Catastrophe (天災) is a collective word for the extraordinary natural catastrophes in the world of Terra, which appear in various forms, from storms, earthquakes and floods to crashing meteorite swarms, and are characterised in that they are Originium-mediated and can destroy entire cities in a single event. It is also considered to be a type of Arts.
After a Catastrophe strikes, the Originium remains on the land, spreading the Oripathy, but at the same time becoming an important resource as a mineral deposit.
To escape Catastrophe, many people in the period of the story live in 'nomadic cities', huge transportable structures (including train- and vehicle-type structures) powered by Originium technology.
Ancients
Ancients (先民) is a general term for humanoid organisms with a wide variety of animal features on parts of their bodies. They are the majority and main race in this world and account for the highest proportion of the population. The real-world human species (Homo sapiens) does not exist in the world of Terra, and Ancients thrive as mankind.
For a long time, the Ancients lived a nomadic life to escape Catastrophe, but when the industrial use of Originium began, they built huge scale vehicle-type cities, Nomadic cities, one after another, and their population exploded on the basis of the stable life they provided. They have a low tolerance to Oripathy and are susceptible to it.
Rhodes Island
Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals Inc., or Rhodes Island is the organisation to which the protagonists the 'Doctor' and Amiya belong. It has a logo that looks like a chess rook piece.
Rhodes Island is supposed to be a pharmaceutical company for the treatment of Oripathy, but in reality it is an organisation that is willing and able to intervene and use force to resolve any Oripathy-related incidents or problems behind the scenes.
The organisation has both infected and non-infected people living together, and its ideology is cooperative. Although it uses force, it is moderate in its ultimate objectives.
It is based in a huge train-shaped Nomadic citiy and is commanded by the 'Doctor' and Amiya.
Reunion Movement
The Reunion Movement is a resistance-like organisation made up entirely of Oripathy infected people. It is abbreviated as 'Reunion'.
It is led by 'Talulah', an extremely powerful arts-using infected, and has several cadres.
The organisation used to be just a group of infected people, but after the story begins, it has grown in size and militancy out of anger at the persecution of the infected, and has become a dangerous organisation that even destroys cities with its powerful military force and death-defying operational actions. Its ideology is extremist, with some prioritising attacks on non-infected people over the protection of the infected.
However, while they are angered by the harsh persecution, there are also those who have a strong sense of brotherhood with their fellow infected and will protect them even at the cost of their own lives. The organisation is not monolithic, despite the common denominator of the 'infected'.
Ursus Empire
Empire of Ursus, or simply Ursus, is a powerful military state that grew up in the harsh natural environment of the north, where oppression of the infected is intense. It is inhabited mainly by Ursus people.
Chernobog, where the first chapter takes place, is a city belonging to Ursus. It was the first target of the armed uprising of the Reunion.
In Ursus, infected people are suppressed and ostracised from society, even if they are their own citizens, for the protection of non-infected people.
Other Organisations
In the world in the story, companies and organisations of different ideologies, technologies and cultures sometimes conflict and sometimes cooperate against the Oripathy, Catastrophe and Reunion raids. They also accommodate each other with manpower.
Companies and Organisations: Rhodes Island, Rhine Lab LLC., Penguin Logistics, Ursus Student Self-Governing Group
Countries: Columbia, Higashi(東, The Far East), Iberia, Kazimierz, Kjerag, Laterano, Leithania, Lungmen (龍門, Dragon Gate), RIM Billiton, Ursus, Victoria, Yan (炎国)
Powers: Abyssal, Blacksteel Worldwide, SWEEP, Followers, Glasgow, Reunion
Main Characters
Only major characters shown.
Rhodes Island
Rhodes Island Elite Operators
S.W.E.E.P
| Projekt Red ([[ja:レッド>レッド(アークナイツ)) | Scavenger (スカベンジャー) |
|---|---|
 |  |
Op A4
Op Reserve A1
Op Reserve A4
Op Reserve A6
Others
Reunion Movement
| Talulah (タルラ) | Crownslayer (クラウンスレイヤー) |
|---|---|
 |  |
| Faust (ファウスト) | Mephisto (メフィスト) |
|  |
| Patriot (パトリオット) | Skullshatterer (スカルシュレッダー) |
 |  |
| FrostNova (フロストノヴァ) | |
 |
Babel
Lungmen
Lungmen Guard Department
Lee's Detective Agency
Penguin Logistics
Rhine Lab LLC.
Glasgow
Abyssal
Victoria
Followers
Blacksteel
Kjerag
Ursus Student Self-Governing Group
Laterano
RIM Billiton
Kazimierz Armorless Union
Siesta
TV Anime
It was announced in October 2021 that an anime adaptation based on the story of the game version would be made, and Season 01 "Arknights: PRELUDE TO DAWN" (アークナイツ【黎明前奏/PRELUDE TO DAWN】, 'Ākunaitsu 【Reimei Zensō/PRELUDE TO DAWN】') was broadcast from 28 October to 16 December 2022 on TV Tokyo, TV Osaka and other stations for a total of eight episodes.
As a sequel season to this, it has been decided that Arknights: PERISH IN FROST (アークナイツ【冬隠帰路/PERISH IN FROST】) will be produced.
TV Anime "Arknights: Prelude to Dawn" Main PV
Stuff
| Original story | Hypergryph / Studio Montagne |
|---|---|
| Character draft | Yui@W |
| Director | Yuki Watanabe |
| Assistant Director | Masaki Nishikawa |
| Animation character design | Aya Takafuji |
| Series Structure | Yostar Pictures |
| Prop Design | Yoshi Wakayama |
| Art Director | Minoru Oonishi (Bic Studio) |
| Art direction | Ryuu Sakamoto (Bic Studio) |
| Color Design | Keiko Goto |
| Director of Photography | Kohei Tanada |
| Editing | Kengo Shigemura |
| Sound Director | Yuki Watanabe |
| Music | Yuki Watanabe |
| Music Production | Legendoor |
| Animation Production | Yostar Pictures |
| Animation Producer | Takeo Hata |
| Production | Hypergryph Studio Montagne / Yostar / Yostar Pictures |
Reference: Official website
Theme Songs
- Opening Theme
ReoNa "Alive"
Lyrics by rui (fade), ReoNa
Composed by rui (fade)
Arranged by Shota Horie
- Ending Theme
Doul "BE ME"
Lyrics by Doul, Konnie Aoki
Composed by Doul, URU
Arranged by URU, Doul
Recorded & Mixed by URU at blue velvet studio
TV Anime "Arknights: Prelude to Dawn" Opening"
Related Videos
Teaser
Animation PV
Related Tags
Game Tower Diffence SF Infectious Disease
Doctor (Arknights) Ansel Blaze Suzuran Operators (Arknights)
External Links
TV Anime official website (Japanese)
Featured article in pixivision... What is the Chinese mobile game Arknights?【Buzzword】 (20 May 2019)
