Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana
Encyclopedia
is a console role-playing game developed by Japan
ese developer Gust for the PlayStation 2
. This game is the first of the Atelier Iris saga to be released on the PS2. The Atelier strategy RPGs have been released on various consoles in Japan since 1997. Despite its long run and popularity in Japan, Atelier Iris is the first of the series to be released in the U.S.; this release and the English translation are by NIS America
.
and mana
. Wars and internal disputes have separated the kingdom of Esviore and now, the area of South Esviore where the game takes place is no longer under the control of King Slaith. Instead, each separate city-state of South Esviore runs their own affairs, trading with one another but remaining mostly separate.
The situation with Regallzine is also tied with the fate of Avenberry, a legendary city of alchemists that existed many hundreds of years before the game's beginning. No one knows exactly what happened, but it is said that Avenberry fell because of the misuse of the alchemy that ran their lives. Many alchemists and treasure hunters have come to Avenberry to try and unlock its secrets since that time, and the city of Kavoc was built for that purpose. However, none have been able to get past the gate that guards the citadel, and Avenberry's secrets have so far been preserved.
Alchemists today are few and far between, most basing their research on the studies of Iris, an alchemist who lived before the fall of Avenberry. They travel the world in search of new alchemaic artifacts for synthesis, ruins of the past, and Mana. The mana are a race of beings that allow alchemists to use their power. They augment the power of the elements which Alchemists extract from objects in the world and use them to create new and powerful magical items. Mana have feelings, emotions, and personalities just as people do, and many become good friends with their alchemist, although some people do forget about this fact.
The protagonist of the game, Klein Kiesling, is one of these wandering alchemists. His adventure begins when he stumbles across a monster in a forest, is rescued by a girl, and gets wound up in her fate and eventually, the fate of the world.
Dour (木のマナ・ポポ): The Mana Spirit of Wood. He is with Klein, who named him Popo, at the start of the game. He also provides the player with tutorials on certain aspects of the game. (C.V: Rie Kanda
(神田理江))
Uru (火のマナ・ウル): The Mana Spirit of Fire. His special ability, Destruction Blast, allows the player to destroy certain objects on the screen. (C.V: Yukari Kokubun
(國分優香里))
Plua (闇のマナ・プルーア ): The Mana Spirit of Darkness. Her special ability gathers nearby monsters for the player to battle, though it does not always work. (C.V: Kazuyo Ouchi (大内和代))
Diemia (岩のマナ・ディエメア): The Mana Spirit of Stone. His special ability allows him to act as a stepladder so the player can reach places otherwise inaccessible. (C.V: Takayuki Sasaki (佐々木隆行))
Nymph (水のマナ・ニンフ): The Mana Spirit of Water. Her special ability, Barrier, creates a barrier that allows the player to travel over hazards that would otherwise prove a hindrance, such as lightning and lava. (C.V: Emiri Katou (加藤英美里))
Silwest (空のマナ・シルウェスト): The Mana Spirit of Air. She also has the Barrier action, but some rumors point to her granting flight later in the game. (C.V: Yumi Morooka (諸岡優美))
Aion (命のマナ・アイオン): The Mana Spirit of Life. She is one of the oldest of the Mana Spirits, second only to the Mana Spirit of Creation, Lilith. She has the ability to heal the entire party at will, when the player calls on her. (C.V: Noriko Ōhashi (大橋のりこ))
Eital (光のマナ・エイテル): The Mana Spirit of Light. Her special ability drives away monsters for a limited time.(C.V: Shouko Ishii (石井翔子))
Luplus (時のマナ・ラプラス): The Mana Spirit of Time. He is often seen with Arlin. (C.V: Kazuhiko Hiroyama (廣山和比古))
Grupt (力のマナ・グラプト): The Mana Spirit of Power, and final form of Uru. (C.V: Daiki Itō (伊藤大樹))
Fanatos (魔のマナ・ファナトス): The Mana Spirit of Evil, and final form of Plua. (C.V: Machiko Kawana (川名真知子))
Flay (幽のマナ・フレイ): The Mana Spirit of Spirit, and final form of Nymph. (C.V: Yuka Kuroda (黒田友佳))
Zeilia (雷のマナ・ゼイリア): The Mana Spirit of Lightning, and final form of Silwest. (C.V: Yukari Kokubun
(國分優香里))
Paltia (聖のマナ・パルティア): The Holy Mana Spirit, and final form of Eital. (C.V: Taeko Sugimori (杉森多恵子))
-based game, Atelier Iris features several forms of item synthesis:
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Opening Song
Ending Songs
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese developer Gust for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
. This game is the first of the Atelier Iris saga to be released on the PS2. The Atelier strategy RPGs have been released on various consoles in Japan since 1997. Despite its long run and popularity in Japan, Atelier Iris is the first of the series to be released in the U.S.; this release and the English translation are by NIS America
Nippon Ichi
is a Japanese video game developer and publisher. They are responsible for such titles as Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, Phantom Brave, La Pucelle: Tactics and Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure.-History:Nippon Ichi Software was founded in September 1991 in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, as an entertainment...
.
World and plot
Eternal Mana is set in the world of Regallzine, long the home of alchemyAlchemy
Alchemy is an influential philosophical tradition whose early practitioners’ claims to profound powers were known from antiquity. The defining objectives of alchemy are varied; these include the creation of the fabled philosopher's stone possessing powers including the capability of turning base...
and mana
Mana
Mana is an indigenous Pacific islander concept of an impersonal force or quality that resides in people, animals, and inanimate objects. The word is a cognate in many Oceanic languages, including Melanesian, Polynesian, and Micronesian....
. Wars and internal disputes have separated the kingdom of Esviore and now, the area of South Esviore where the game takes place is no longer under the control of King Slaith. Instead, each separate city-state of South Esviore runs their own affairs, trading with one another but remaining mostly separate.
The situation with Regallzine is also tied with the fate of Avenberry, a legendary city of alchemists that existed many hundreds of years before the game's beginning. No one knows exactly what happened, but it is said that Avenberry fell because of the misuse of the alchemy that ran their lives. Many alchemists and treasure hunters have come to Avenberry to try and unlock its secrets since that time, and the city of Kavoc was built for that purpose. However, none have been able to get past the gate that guards the citadel, and Avenberry's secrets have so far been preserved.
Alchemists today are few and far between, most basing their research on the studies of Iris, an alchemist who lived before the fall of Avenberry. They travel the world in search of new alchemaic artifacts for synthesis, ruins of the past, and Mana. The mana are a race of beings that allow alchemists to use their power. They augment the power of the elements which Alchemists extract from objects in the world and use them to create new and powerful magical items. Mana have feelings, emotions, and personalities just as people do, and many become good friends with their alchemist, although some people do forget about this fact.
The protagonist of the game, Klein Kiesling, is one of these wandering alchemists. His adventure begins when he stumbles across a monster in a forest, is rescued by a girl, and gets wound up in her fate and eventually, the fate of the world.
Playable characters
Eternal Mana contains six playable characters. Three characters can be in a battle party, with the player free to switch the others in and out at any time.- The protagonist of the game, Klein is a young alchemist traveling the world. He was raised by his grandmother, Daphne, who was a great alchemist, and who left him her alchemy notebook. He is now on a journey for alchemaic items and more information on Alchemy along with his Wood Mana friend, Popo. Klein becomes involved in greater things when he runs into Lita in the forest and is eventually recruited by her to become a Galgazit, or monster hunter. He uses a cane as a weapon. (C.V: Tetsuya KakiharaTetsuya Kakiharais a Japanese voice actor who is affiliated with 81 Produce . Until the age of 18, he resided abroad in Düsseldorf, Germany.He is currently affiliated with "Kiramune" in 2010, a music label by Bandai Visual Co., Ltd...
(柿原徹也)
- Lita is a spunky girl who works as a Galgazit in the city of Kavoc. She meets Klein when she stumbles upon him being attacked by a monster in the woods. She helps chase it off, insults Klein's fighting ability, and leaves. She eventually meets Klein again and invites him to become a monster hunter with her. Throughout the game, she develops a crush on Klein, but he never realizes it. Although Lita appears cheerful, outgoing, and perfectly normal, her past is a mystery and the events within may soon come to involve more than just herself. One of her strangest habits is becoming completely drunk after just one sip of a beverage called "Moon Milk", which she happens to love. She shares a family name with Felt and Viese, two protagonists from Atelier Iris 2Atelier Iris 2: The Azoth of DestinyAtelier Iris 2: The Azoth of Destiny, released in Japan as , is a console role-playing game developed by Japanese developer Gust for the PlayStation 2....
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- Lita is one of the most powerful battle characters. Her attacks are strong and can hit multiple enemies, and her speed allows her to take several turns before monsters can counterattack. Lita uses metal claws as her weapon. (C.V: Chinami NishimuraChinami Nishimurais a Japanese voice actress who has voiced characters in both the Japanese and English-dubbed versions of Pokémon. Nishimura was born in Chiba Prefecture...
(西村ちなみ), English voice: Wendee LeeWendee LeeWendee Lee is an American voice actress. While she has done voice work for many video games as well as several episodes in the Power Rangers franchise, she is particularly prolific in the dubbing of anime. As of April 2009, with 223 credits to her name, she has more credits in this medium than any...
)
- Delsus is an alcohol-loving, anti-sweets, woman-chasing, good natured archer who resides in Kavoc. He first meets Klein in the local bar and eventually helps the alchemist and Lita escape from soldiers who want to force Klein to join their ranks. Although he is something of a pervert, as Lita is quick to note, he is a good man at heart and soon becomes a repository of knowledge and a loyal member of the team.
- Delsus becomes more useful as the game progresses, as with his counter and first shot abilities he can hit enemies before they have a chance to attack him. Delsus fights with a crossbow. (C.V: Kōichi SakaguchiKoichi Sakaguchiis a Japanese seiyū. He is affiliated with 81 Produce.He also had a recurring role in both the Japanese and English language Pokemon anime which saw him voicing Jessie's Arbok up until Episode 6 of the Hoenn series which saw Arbok and its companion, Weezing being released to help protect a herd of...
(坂口候一), English voice: Crispin FreemanCrispin FreemanCrispin McDougal Freeman is an American voice actor, and Mythology scholar. His roles have included Alucard from Hellsing, Kyon from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Karasu from Noein, Togusa from Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, as Holland Novak from Eureka Seven, Touga Kiriyu in...
)
- Norn is a catgirl who is an apprentice magician to Zeldalia, an alchemist living in Poto's Forest. She was adopted by Zeldalia at a young age, and was taught many magical techniques. Zeldalia cast a spell on her so she can talk to the party while Norn travels with Klein. Norn joins the party after she steals Klein's grandmother's alchemy notebook and leads the party to her mentor. She frequently displays fatigue or hunger, which comes off as more catlike than human.
- Norn is a versatile character, possessing a magical staff attack that can hit ghost enemies as well as grant powerful techniques. (C.V: Natsumi YanaseNatsumi Yanaseis a Japanese voice actress from Tokyo, Japan. She also goes by the name when voicing adult games.-Anime:*D.C. II: Da Capo II *Debutante Detective Corps *Ef: A Tale of Memories....
(柳瀬なつみ), English voice: Melissa FahnMelissa FahnMelissa Fahn is an American voice and stage actress and singer known for her work in anime dubs and other mainstream animated series, as well as her work in Broadway and Los Angeles Theatre.-Biography:...
)
- Arlin is a mysterious swordsman who is out for revenge against the game's villain, Mull. No one knows his reasons behind this, except he wishes to go to Avenberry for some reason. Arlin has been seen conversing with a strange Mana, although he confides nothing of his plans with the party for some time.
- Arlin is a powerful swordfighter, capable of inflicting heavy damage on individual foes. (C.V: Sōichirō HoshiSoichiro Hoshiis a Japanese seiyū. He is affiliated with Arts Vision.He uses the name when appearing in adult games.With the exception of Jungle Emperor Leo , he has been cast as a major or supporting character in every Goro Taniguchi directed anime.-Anime:...
(保志総一朗), English voice: Steven BlumSteven BlumSteven Jay Blum is an American voice actor known primarily for his work in anime dubs and video games, using his distinctive deep voice. Among his credits include the voice of Spike Spiegel of the anime series Cowboy Bebop and Mugen of the anime series Samurai Champloo...
)
- Marietta is a former Knight of Alkavana who left the organization when it began to become corrupt and power-hungry. She joins with Klein's group when they help her fight off pursuing knights and ends up staying around to help them save the world.
- Marietta is a swordfighter, with strong single attacks, as well as useful techniques including one that can recover HP (C.V: Yuka Shioyama (塩山由佳), English voice: Mary Elizabeth McGlynnMary Elizabeth McGlynnMary Elizabeth McGlynn is an American voice actress, ADR director, writer, and singer best known for her extensive English-language dubbing of various anime, and her singing in multiple games from the Silent Hill series, as well as the movie adaptation and Dance Dance Revolution EXTREME. She has...
)
Non-playable characters
- Pamela is a cute, giggly ghost who befriends some of Kavoc's children, and she becomes good friends with Klein's party. She has amnesia, so she cannot remember how she died, and she is looking for her original body to try to remember her past, but this does not affect her good humor. She enjoys being a ghost, and always says she's looking for a cute guy to be with.
- Pamela is a recurring character throughout the Atelier series, having first appeared in Atelier Judie. She has gone on to make appearances in every single Atelier game since then. (C.V: Yuko Kagata (利田優子))
- Zeldalia is an old witch and alchemist. She was best friends with Daphne, Klein's grandmother, and she becomes a valued ally of the party. She is also Norn's teacher and surrogate mother. When far away, she actually uses Norn as a "telephone", making her go to sleep and talking through her. Zeldalia is wise and serious, and she recognizes Klein's importance in taking down Mull. Although her alchemical skills have maintained her superficially young, the weight of time has actually taken its toll on her, and she constantly suffers from a bad hip. (C.V: Mariko SuzukiMariko Suzukiis a seiyū who works for Aoni Production.-Anime:*Yu Takigawa in Air Master*Harumi Ikuhara in DearS*Tenko Himemiya in Detective Conan*Chigusa Iino in Green Green*Sarasa Wichita in Gunparade March*Urd in Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok...
(鈴木麻里子), English voice: Barbara GoodsonBarbara GoodsonBarbara Goodson is an American actress known mostly for her versatility in voicing original and dubbed cartoons. She is voted one of the ten best women to do the voices for young males in cartoons...
)
- The titular heroine of the game, human incarnation of Lilith and reputed last survivor of Eden. Iris lived during the age of Avenberry and developed the art of alchemy greatly. Her theories, called Iris' Theories, are still widely used by alchemists today, including Klein. Iris is a recurring character in the later Atelier Iris games. (C.V: Miki TakahashiMiki Takahashiis a seiyū and singer born on September 19, 1961 in Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan. Together with her friend Chika Sakamoto, she participated in the third incarnation of the radio show Animetopia...
(高橋美紀))
- Although he supposedly starts off as the main villain of the game, Beggur quickly turns into a comic relief not-so-bad guy, as the more menacing Mull takes center stage as villain. He is the leader of the Alkavana Knights, who are fanatically loyal to him. He is also Marietta's older brother. (C.V: Tesshō GendaTessho Gendais a Japanese voice actor. He is employed by the talent management firm 81 Produce. When he debuted, he used his real name, . as artist name. Because he had experience with ballet, he was known by the nickname "Pirouette Genda."...
(玄田哲章), English voice: Jamieson PriceJamieson PriceJamieson Kent Price is an American voice actor.Price was born in West Palm Beach, Florida. He is most well known for his deep and booming voice and can be heard in numerous anime shows and video games. He is also known as Taylor Henry and James Lyon...
)
- Veola is the owner of the magic shop in Kavoc. She is a very taciturn and reserved girl, bordering on anti-social, but as the game progresses she starts to open up more and becomes good friends with Klein and his crew, though she wishes she could be more than friends with Klein. Because of this, she also develops a not-so-friendly rivalry with Lita over winning Klein over, but they eventually become good friends.
- Blair is an apprentice baker in Arcose. She was the daughter of a very rich family, but tragic circumstances led to her becoming a peasant, and she started over by becoming an apprentice to Arcose's head baker. She is very nostalgic about her past, and has a very explosive temper, but she can also be very sweet. She is also an incredibly gifted baker, and she constantly tries to develop new, more amazing styles of bread. She also secretly makes candy, and wishes to add candy to the store's menu. She also develops a slight crush on Klein.
- The game's antagonist. A former friend of Zeldalia and Daphne, as well as a gifted alchemist, Mull differed from the philosophies he was taught (Iris's theories on alchemy), and decided to follow his own path to alchemical mastery. Unfortunately, this path consists of abusing Mana to his own twisted ends. Mull romanticizes former times of strife, in which humans abused and manipulated Mana to their own ends, and seeks to revive Amalgam, an abomination created from forcibly fusing many Mana together into one powerful, mad being, which occurred years ago and caused the ruin of Avenberry. Mull and Arlin know and hate each other deeply, and he still sometimes visits Zeldalia, mostly to gloat over his successes and make fun of Zeldalia's "weakness" of using alchemy to help others instead of for personal gain.
Mana
The main driving force behind the alchemy of the game are the Mana Spirits. Some Mana have the power to transform into new, even more powerful Mana forms. Below is a list of each Mana, and their element:Dour (木のマナ・ポポ): The Mana Spirit of Wood. He is with Klein, who named him Popo, at the start of the game. He also provides the player with tutorials on certain aspects of the game. (C.V: Rie Kanda
Rie Kanda
is a Japanese seiyū. She is affiliated with 81 Produce.Also known under the name:Asamiya Saki, Saitou Aiko, Saeki Ami, Suzuki Mari, Tokiwa Misaki, Mimura Sakiko, Mimura Sachiko-Anime:*Ah! My Goddess...
(神田理江))
Uru (火のマナ・ウル): The Mana Spirit of Fire. His special ability, Destruction Blast, allows the player to destroy certain objects on the screen. (C.V: Yukari Kokubun
Yukari Kokubun
is a Japanese voice actress.-Cast:* Humanoid Monster Bem as Child ; Girl * Katekyo Hitman Reborn! as Tsunayoshi Sawada* Mamotte! Lollipop as Gou* Mushi-Shi as Biki...
(國分優香里))
Plua (闇のマナ・プルーア ): The Mana Spirit of Darkness. Her special ability gathers nearby monsters for the player to battle, though it does not always work. (C.V: Kazuyo Ouchi (大内和代))
Diemia (岩のマナ・ディエメア): The Mana Spirit of Stone. His special ability allows him to act as a stepladder so the player can reach places otherwise inaccessible. (C.V: Takayuki Sasaki (佐々木隆行))
Nymph (水のマナ・ニンフ): The Mana Spirit of Water. Her special ability, Barrier, creates a barrier that allows the player to travel over hazards that would otherwise prove a hindrance, such as lightning and lava. (C.V: Emiri Katou (加藤英美里))
Silwest (空のマナ・シルウェスト): The Mana Spirit of Air. She also has the Barrier action, but some rumors point to her granting flight later in the game. (C.V: Yumi Morooka (諸岡優美))
Aion (命のマナ・アイオン): The Mana Spirit of Life. She is one of the oldest of the Mana Spirits, second only to the Mana Spirit of Creation, Lilith. She has the ability to heal the entire party at will, when the player calls on her. (C.V: Noriko Ōhashi (大橋のりこ))
Eital (光のマナ・エイテル): The Mana Spirit of Light. Her special ability drives away monsters for a limited time.(C.V: Shouko Ishii (石井翔子))
Luplus (時のマナ・ラプラス): The Mana Spirit of Time. He is often seen with Arlin. (C.V: Kazuhiko Hiroyama (廣山和比古))
Grupt (力のマナ・グラプト): The Mana Spirit of Power, and final form of Uru. (C.V: Daiki Itō (伊藤大樹))
Fanatos (魔のマナ・ファナトス): The Mana Spirit of Evil, and final form of Plua. (C.V: Machiko Kawana (川名真知子))
Flay (幽のマナ・フレイ): The Mana Spirit of Spirit, and final form of Nymph. (C.V: Yuka Kuroda (黒田友佳))
Zeilia (雷のマナ・ゼイリア): The Mana Spirit of Lightning, and final form of Silwest. (C.V: Yukari Kokubun
Yukari Kokubun
is a Japanese voice actress.-Cast:* Humanoid Monster Bem as Child ; Girl * Katekyo Hitman Reborn! as Tsunayoshi Sawada* Mamotte! Lollipop as Gou* Mushi-Shi as Biki...
(國分優香里))
Paltia (聖のマナ・パルティア): The Holy Mana Spirit, and final form of Eital. (C.V: Taeko Sugimori (杉森多恵子))
Battle System
The battle system in Atelier Iris is turn-based. Combat is tactical in that the party members can have their positions arranged in their half of the playing field before battle, and can be knocked back by some attacks. Each participant in the battle chooses an action from the ring of commands available. All characters can use actions such as Attack, Skill and Items but Klein, as the only alchemist of the party, can use Mana Items and Mana Synthesis (which duplicates the effects of Mana Items, at the expense of MP.) Once enemies are defeated the party gains experience, gold and possibly items. Every time a character 'levels up, he gains 3 points to be added to the skills of the player's choice. Characters equipped with Mana spirits gain bonus skill points.Synthesis
As an alchemyAlchemy
Alchemy is an influential philosophical tradition whose early practitioners’ claims to profound powers were known from antiquity. The defining objectives of alchemy are varied; these include the creation of the fabled philosopher's stone possessing powers including the capability of turning base...
-based game, Atelier Iris features several forms of item synthesis:
- Mana Items are created by Klein using elements extracted from objects and creatures. The extraction process destroys the target, and can thus be used in combat or to destroy obstacles. To create lasting Items, Klein requires the help of the Manas, whose health is spent in the process.
- Normal Items are synthesized by shop owners if the characters bring them the right items. These includes both healing items (often in the form of food items) and pieces of equipment.
- Weapon Synthesis involves creating "mana crystals" by combining Mana stones found through the game. Each crystal can have up to three abilities, and can be inserted (or removed later) on certain pieces of equipment.
Exploration
Atelier Iris is notable for having several in-game actions that help in exploring the game's world, including unusual ones such as flying, changing into a rabbit, using a Mana as a footstool, or healing the whole party. These actions are gained each time a new Mana joins the party.Music
The soundtrack was composed by Akira Tsuchiya, Ken Nakagawa & Daisuke Achiwa and was released May 19, 2004 in Japan by TEAM EntertainmentTEAM Entertainment
TEAM entertainment is a musical hobby group that publishes music that is licensed to them. Motoi Sakuraba's game compositions are best known in this group. The issue with Sakuraba's music is that the games are copyrighted by the companies that own it, many of which have the practice of not...
.
Opening Song
- 白夜幻想譚 (Byakuya Gensoutan / White Night Illusion) by Haruka ShimotsukiHaruka Shimotsukiis a Japanese singer and dōjin music composer known for her vocal themes in the Atelier Iris and Ar tonelico series. She also wrote the lyrics and sang the ending themes to the two seasons of Rozen Maiden as well as the OVA under the name Kukui, with Myu. Shimotsuki's original music mainly consists...
Ending Songs
- 歩む道 (Ayumu Michi / Walking Path) by Mami Horie (Normal Ending)
- silent rhyme by Mami Horie (True Ending)