XV Infodump #4

Hello again, folks! XV has only just begun so there's not a lot of updates to provide you with yet, but now is a good opportunity to review and prepare for the upcoming ride on the hype train. To start, the official site has uploaded a few keywords that go over important concepts. Plus, this week was the release of Hibiki's CD and if you want to spoil yourself on the 2nd song the lyrics are here.




XV Episode 0 Keywords

S.O.N.G.

An abbreviation of “Squad of Nexus Guardians.” Once a secret branch of the Japanese Government known as the “Singular Disaster Anti-riot Unit Division 2,” it is now under the direct command of the United Nations. The organization has been reformed into an anti-riot taskforce that deals in supernatural and paranormal disasters. In accordance with this, the Japanese Security Council drafted a new set of protocols that allow the group to act overseas. On the surface the reason for the creation of this taskforce was to deal with large-scale disasters that were the result of sacrists or other paranormal phenomena. However, behind the scenes, the decision was coordinated by each country in an effort to keep watch over the black arts technology owned by the Japanese Government. The Tactical Commander, Genjuro Kazanari, along with the majority of the members from Div 2 were moved and appointed as members of the taskforce.

Symphogear System

A general term for the mechanical armor created by Sakurai Ryoko, technology expert of S.O.N.G.'s predecessor - the Singular Disaster Anti-riot Unit Division 2. The system was created by using sacrists as a base. The Symphogear's greatest trait is its internal function that plays a melody derived from the Adaptor's thoughts and emotions via sympathetic vibration. By synchronizing that melody with the Adaptor through singing, the Symphogear displays an incredibly high level of battle potential. The developer of the system, Sakurai Ryoko, has since passed away and it is now impossible to create new Symphogears. It is currently becoming a lost technology.

Converter Unit

The pendants that the Adaptors keep on them at all times are equipped with a converter function that forms the Symphogear around them by using the energy that is produced by the sacrist at its core. In order to activate the pendant, the Adaptor must sing a certain phrase referred to as a “Chant.”

Harmonizer 

Individuals whose songs resonate with a sacrist are capable of producing the "Chant" necessary to activate the Symphogear - they are called "Harmonizers." Currently there are three categories of Harmonizers. The first type are individuals like Tsubasa, Chris and Serena. They are born with an innate aptitude which can become stabilized through proper training. The second type are individuals like Kanade, Maria, Shirabe and Kirika. Although they are born with an innate aptitude, training alone is not enough and they require doses of drugs in order to temporarily raise their link coefficient. The third type is unique to a single individual, Hibiki. At first she became an Adaptor as a result of her body fusing with her sacrist after an accident. However, due to a certain event, she became a true Harmonizer not through training or drugs, but by miraculously procuring the necessary amount of link coefficiency. Her transformation from a Sacrist Fusion to a Harmonizer is currently being investigated and it has been theorized that her involvement in the Frontier Incident contributed significantly to this change.

Sacrist

This is a term which refers to ancient weapons and tools with hidden supernatural powers that appear in myths and folklore from all around the world. Sacrists are impossible to create without the use of black arts technology, which is lost in the current era, but they have been successfully excavated throughout various ruins in the world. Due to the passing of time, these artifacts have suffered much deterioration and damage. Even in large-scale excavation projects, finding pieces that are completely intact is incredibly rare. Therefore, in most cases, only "sacrist fragments" have been recovered. Sacrists that are in a grounded state can shift into an active state through the power of song, thereby releasing their inner power.

LiNKER

A control drug that links the power of sacrists and the human body. Normally, individuals who are not natural Harmonizers cannot become a Symphogear Adaptor. However, if an individual has even a small amount of the necessary link coefficient, the LiNKER drug can forcibly raise that amount to the level of a Harmonizer. Of course the higher the link coefficient must be raised, the greater the strain put upon the body. Subjects who used it were often put into a state of shock and lost consciousness, and clinical trials resulted more often in crippling or killing individuals than actually turning them into a Harmonizer. The drug was originally developed by the creator of the Symphogear System itself, Sakurai Ryoko. However, it was later passed to the F.I.S. and Dr. Ver, who proceeded with it under the theme of "Pleasant for you" and managed to develop a safer form of LiNKER with a very small physical burden and a more thorough cleansing process. The final recipe was completed by Elfnein, S.O.N.G.'s resident advisor on technology and Alchemy. Currently there are 3 Adaptors who utilize LiNKER in order to use the Symphogear System - Maria, Kirika and Shirabe.

Bavarian Illuminati

A secret society that originated in Europe. A large number of their members are known as Alchemists, users of black art technology. From ancient times, the group has maneuvered in secret and manipulated history. As a result, they are responsible for the current state of Europe which has led to it being named “the Dark Continent.” After a fierce struggle the Director of the Illuminati, Adam Weishaupt, was defeated and the organization completely fell apart. The remnants of the group went into hiding underground, and are currently being tracked down by government intelligence operations across the world.

Alchemy

This is an off-shoot of the ancient black arts technology that evolved separately from modern day science. It originated in Europe and has remained in the shadows as it spread throughout the world up until today. Alchemists can transmute and produce energy through incinerating "memories" and "lifeforce", and at times this has been considered "magic". Alchemy is a technical system that has many variations, however its manipulation of energy is very similar to the techniques presented in the Sakurai Theory.

God Killer (***)

A power that is not inherent to Hibiki nor Gungnir itself. Instead, it is something unique to the Gungnir that Hibiki wears, its very existence having become warped after thousands of years through the power of words. It's different from the Symphogear, which uses the power of song, and rather is classified as a "Philosophical Armament." It has the ability to reverse and overpower the damage it receives. It is the ultimate weapon and only method to handle the principle that exists outside the logic of our world known as "Divine Providence". Countless times throughout humanity's history divine powers have impeded progress, but the God Killer effectively acts as a poison that renders them immediately worthless. This ability lies within Hibiki Tachibana's fist. 


"Within this hand that joins others - is the power to kill God"

Lyrics for Hibiki's second song (spoilers!)

Only to You

The sun sets, the wind shifts
Street lights softly switch on
My doubts and loneliness
They lead me astray

I was also scared, scared of being alone
Because the darkness of night is a mirror that reflects the past

My right hand, my heart, my everything
Exist for the future (Miku)
...However, all I've done is destroy

That pain in my heart, you wrapped in kindness
You said, "let's go see a night that feels less lonely"
On that hill, looking at the stars cascading down
I squeezed your hand and you squeezed back
I knew I shouldn't cry into your hand, but I couldn't help it...

I was a broken, lame and cowardly hero
Only noticing your tears when things got rough

"I'll just be gone for a bit" I hurt you with those words
I never even gave you the chance to keep me safe

You thanked me for being born into this world
And that spirit of yours helped me to stand on my own
Eternal love... I know I have to answer yours

I'm not good with difficult things, because I'm stupid
So I don't think I'll ever find the right words, but
We're here now, in this one in a billion moment
We'll live out our time together, hand in hand
No miracle is too great for us!

My right hand, my heart, my everything
Exist for the future
...Please let me make an eternal promise

To give you the time which you were named for (future)...
To continue these days where we can say "see you tomorrow"...!
Like blooming flowers, standing in the warmth of the sun
Together, our dream will resound... and echo on!
Let's live together...!

I don't care if I'm a broken and lame hero
So long as I can protect the one thing in front of me