Description:

The story is staged in the distant future within our own Milky Way Galaxy, approximately in the 35th century. Unlike other science fiction stories, there are no alien civilizations. A portion of the galaxy is filled with terraformed worlds inhabited by interstellar traveling human beings. For 150 years two mighty space powers have intermittently warred with each other: the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance. Within the Galactic Empire, based on 19th century Prussia, an ambitious military genius, Reinhard von Müsel, is rising to power. He is driven by the desire to free his sister Annerose, who was taken by the Kaiser as a concubine. Later, he wants not only to end the corrupt Goldenbaum dynasty but also to defeat the Free Planets Alliance and to unify the whole galaxy under his rule. In the Free Planets Alliance is another genius, Yang Wen-li. He originally aspired to become a historian, and joined the military only because he needed money for tuition. He was rapidly promoted to an admiral because of his demonstrated excellence in military strategy. He becomes the archrival of Reinhard, though they highly respect one another. As a historian, Yang often narrates the rich history of his world and comments on it. One of his famous quotes is: "There are few wars between good and evil; most are between one good and another good." Besides the two main heroes, the story is full of vivid characters and intricate politics. All types of characters, from high nobility, admirals and politicians, to common soldiers and farmers, are interwoven into the story. There is a third neutral power nominally attached to the Galactic Empire called the Phezzan Dominion, a planet-state (city-state on a galactic scale) which trades with both warring powers. There is also a Terraism cult, which claims that humans should go back to Earth, gaining popularity throughout the galaxy. The story frequently switches away from the main heroes to the Unknown Soldier fighting for his life on the battlefield. Contains 10 main volumes and 4 prequel volumes, as well as 5 uncollected short stories. Volumes 1-10 are entitled: Dawn (黎明篇); Ambition (野望篇); Biding His Time (雌伏篇); Strategem (策謀篇); A Hero's Chance (風雲篇); Soaring High (飛翔篇); Great Upheaval (怒濤篇); Chaos (乱離篇); Resurgence of Power (回天篇); Sunset (落日篇) (unofficial English translations, edited by MAL) Prequel Volumes 1-4 entitled: The Star Crusher (星を砕く者); Julian's Iserlohn Diary (ユリアンのイゼルローン日記); Hundred Billion Stars, Hundred Billion Lights (千億の星、千億の光); Spiral Labyrinth (螺旋迷宮) Short Stories: The Record of the Battle of Dagon (ダゴン星域会戦記) The Silver Valley (白銀の谷) Disgrace (汚名) Morning's Dream, Evening's Song (朝の夢、夜の歌) Golden Wings Won Seiun Award (Japanese science fiction award voted by fans) for Best Novel of the Year 1988. (Wikipedia)

Description:

Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack: Beltorchika's Children is an alternative take on the events that also form the core story of Tomino's 1988 anime film, Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack. (This novel actually debuted in print a month before the film.) In both, Amuro Ray and Char Aznable (the protagonist and antagonist from the first Mobile Suit Gundam anime) clash in their final confrontation. However, the novel and the film have significant differences, such as Amuro and Char piloting Hi-Nu Gundam and Nightingale mobile suits instead of the movie's Nu Gundam and Sazabi. (Source: ANN)

Description:

Rygart Arrow is one in a million - he is an 'unsorcerer', one of the few people completely lacking the ability to use the quartz stones used as an energy source for everything in this world. This status has made him an outcast and an object of scorn, leaving him unable to work machinery, fire a gun, or even light a lamp without aid. His father had desperate hopes that sending him to a military academy might awaken some power in him after all, but no such miracle occured. Rygart has since since become a farmer on the isolated outskirts of the Country of Krisna - but the friends he made while he was there, and the loyalty he has towards them, is about to change everything. Two of them now sit on the country's throne, and when they summon him to the capital he discovers just how sheltered his life has been - Krisna is in danger, war is about to break out, and the conditions for surrender put forward by their enemies are impossible to meet. An elite unit of enemy troops is already launching attacks on the capital - an elite unit led by their old friend Zess. What is Rygart supposed to do when his inability to use quartz leaves him utterly useless in the face of the battle that looms ahead? When he stumbles into a powerful and ancient mecha that the quartz-wielding people of Krisna have been unable to use, he may just have found a way to stand amongst them... but when his friends are on opposite sides, where does that truly leave him? (Source: Ephidel/MAL).