Plot
Eleven years before the start of the series, a disaster only referred to as the "Great Catastrophe" destroyed significant parts of the world and killed off many of its inhabitants. Along with the disaster came the appearance of the Shadow Angels, winged-beings who have been in slumber for twelve thousand years in their city of Atlandia. The Shadow Angels harvest humans on Earth, dubbed the "wingless ones", like cattle, extracting their prana (life force) from them, serving as energy and nutrition to the Shadow Angels, but also to feed the legendary Tree of Life. The Shadow Angels facilitate their harvesting via giant, floating harvesting machines guarded by giant golem-like creatures called Cherubim Soldiers. How these are normally piloted is unknown, yet there are times when they are piloted by Shadow Angels.

Ordinary weapons prove ineffective against the Cherubim, but a human expedition under the leadership of Gen Fudou eventually excavates three very technologically advanced fighter planes. Gen Fudou disappears, but an organization called Deava takes over the research of these machines, called Vectors, trying to find out how to use them. The three Vectors are the Vector Luna, the Vector Mars and the Vector Sol. Deava discovers only people who are Element users can control the Vectors and, ultimately, unite the three to form the giant fighting machine Aquarion.

During the first sortie to fight a Cherubim, Deava encounters 15 year-old Apollo, who seems to be the reincarnation of the hero Apollonius, also known as the "Solar Wing", who betrayed his Shadow Angel brethren for his love of the human warrior Celiane.

Characters

Element Users
Youngsters with special powers are gathered from around the world and trained by Deava, in order to pilot the Vector Machines.

Apollo
Voiced by: Takuma Terashima (Japanese), Christopher Bevins (English)
The main protagonist of Genesis of Aquarion, Apollo is an orphan who grows up amongst a group of homeless children. His name is given to him by best friend Baron, as a reference to the legendary hero Apollonius, who fought against the Shadow Angels 12,000 years ago. Apollo possesses a kind heart and noble spirit behind his rude, aggressive and bestial behavior, with extremely sharp reflexes and senses akin to a wild animal. His characteristics cause few Deava members to believe the rumor he is the reincarnation of the "Solar Wing" Apollonius.

Apollo gradually learns and acquires new talents, as well as showing his amazing ability to pilot Aquarion. Eventually, it is revealed he carries only a part of Apollonius' reincarnated soul. Following the collapse of the Tree of Life, Apollo bravely chooses to sacrifice himself, along with Sirius and Toma to restore the world. However, he promises Silvia that he will return in 12,000 years (although it is never explained precisely why this particular time is chosen, it could possibly be some reference to the next reincarnation cycle).

Silvia de Alisia
Voiced by: Yumi Kakazu (Japanese), Brina Palencia (English)
The female protagonist, she is a noble from the Alisia family and the reincarnation of Apollonius' human lover Celiane. Silvia possesses great physical strength and admiration for her older brother Sirius, who she believes he is the real reincarnation of the "Solar Wing". She constantly argues with Apollo, not only because she thinks he is an impostor, but because of his rude habits and untamed nature.

For much of the series, Siliva hangs off her brother and attempts to sabotage his relationships. As the story progresses, it is revealed she carries the "light" half of Celiane's reincarnated soul. It is this part of Celiane that Silvia feels affectionate for Apollo. She bids farewell to him as he decides to save the world through self-sacrifice, promising to look after his homeless friends and await his return 12,000 years later.

Sirius de Alisia
Voiced by: Tomokazu Sugita (Japanese), Eric Vale (English)
Silvia's older brother, he is passionate on the concepts of aesthetics and perfection. A skilled swordsman, many Deava members, including Sirius, believe he is the true reincarnation of the "Solar Wing", thus Sirius despises Apollo when he enters the organization. Despite his love for his sister, Sirius is often annoyed due to her unrelenting adoration of him, as she jealously tries to sabotage his potential relationships with other females in Deava.

As it becomes more obvious Apollo is Apollonius reincarnated, Sirius' jealousy and hate consumes his mind, eventually provoking him to take drastic measures. He attempts to stop Silvia from helping Apollo, and subsequently finds out he is also the reincarnation of Celiane -- but the "dark" side of her soul. To that end, he allies with the Shadow Angels, but when the Tree of Life withers and dies, Sirius redeems himself, along with Toma and Apollo, by providing his life to restore the world.

Hong Lihua (Reika in the english dubbed anime)
Voiced by: Sanae Kobayashi (Japanese), Colleen Clinkenbeard (English)
A sensitive girl who believes she carries a strange ability of causing misfortune to those around her, Lihua forces herself to avoid people approaching her, with the exception of Sirius, who nurtures strong feelings for her and spends many occasions attempting to connect with her. Lihua eventually manages to overcome her rotten luck and turn it into a weapon when piloting the Aquarion.

Pierre Vieira
Voiced by: Masaya Onosaka (Japanese), Travis Willingham (English)
A star soccer player, Pierre is a hyperactive Element User, with more than the double of serotonin levels than any other User. Always trying to flirt with Deava's female residents, Pierre hides the pain of a lost love from the past, whom he abandons in order to join the fight against the Shadow Angels. His "Fire Kick" attack is a perfect combination of his passion for soccer and his burning spirit. Despite his teasing and flirtatiousness, Pierre is among the most clear-sighted Element Users, able to see attractions and fears in more conflicted individuals, such as Silvia and Apollo.

Tsugumi Rosenmeier
Voiced by: Tsugumi Higasayama (Japanese), Laura Bailey (English)
A shy girl with a sad past, Tsugumi has the ability to explode things from a distance when her heart rate reaches its maximum. Always estranged from friends and family because of her power, Tsugumi still does not have full control, sometimes creating accidental explosions. This scenario changes when Tsugumi joins with Deava and finds an admiration in Lihua, who encourages her throughout her time in the organization. In fact, Tsugumi expresses affection more for Lihua than any other individual Element User[1].

Jun Lee
Voiced by: Daisuke Sakaguchi (Japanese), Todd Haberkorn (English)
The resident otaku, Jun can see through solid objects with his "Mind Eye Photography" technique, allowing him to quickly target the weak points of enemies. He excels in handling computers and machines and although he rarely enters into battle, Jun spends most of the time operating the computers in Deava's control room.

Glen Anderson
Voiced by: Yuto Kazama (Japanese), Mike McFarland (English)
A close friend of Sirius and Reika, the three were the first Element Users to perform a successful Unification, but this partnership ends abruptly when an accident puts Glen in a coma. Sirius and Reika visit him regularly, until he mysteriously disappears. Later, they discover he is being used to pilot the New United Nations' Military Vectors as a way to fight the Shadow Angels if the Aquarion is out-of-action.

It is reveled that his disappearance is caused by a voluntary operation to graft shadow angel feathers to his person to combat the the Shadow Angels themselves. This is seen in bad taste by both Humans and Shadow Angels.

Rena Rune
Voiced by: Hiromi Satou (Japanese), Carrie Savage (English)
A pale, young girl who is wheelchair-bound, Rena is blind and has the hair color and sensitivity to light of an albino. She can can see people's auras and read the "Book of Holy Genesis", scriptures containing the history of the conflict that occurred between the Shadow Angels and humans 12,000 years ago. The other Element Users at Deava are intimidated by her stoic, mysterious prescence, with the exception of Apollo. While she does not speficially state this, Rena is perhaps a vampire, who admits she needs blood for nourishment when the moon is full and her will weak, alongside the trademark fangs of a vampire. Her element power allows her to levitate, teleport and drain prana from people.

Chloe and Kurt Klick
Chloe Voiced by: Romi Park (Japanese), Caitlin Glass (English)
Kurt Voiced by: Romi Park (Japanese), Justin Cook (English)
Fraternal twins who can communicate telepathically, they very rarely partake in combat, instead controlling and monitoring the computers in Deava's control room. Chloe is apparently very earnest about things and does not talk to people much, while Kurt is fairly enough the same.


Deava Operatives

Gen Fudou
Voiced by: Unshou Ishizuka (Japanese), Brandon Potter (English)
Gen Fudou conducted an expedition that retrieved the Vector Machines, but disappeared mysteriously so afterwards. When the Elements' battle against the Shadow Angels began, he returns to assume his position as Deava's supreme commander. Very knowledgeable of the nature of humans, he uses this wisdom to guide the Element Users in order to help them surpass their own limitations and increase their teamwork.

It is hinted through his discovery of the Aquarion and the knowledge of the conflict between the Shadow Angels and humans 12,000 years ago that Gen is likely the reincarnation of the pilot of Vector Mars who fought alongside Apollonius and Celiane in the Vector Sol and Vector Luna, respectively.

Jean-Jerome Jorge
Voiced by: Nobuo Tobita (Japanese), Jason Liebrecht (English)
Deava's second-in-command, Jean-Jerome is arrogant, pessimistic, quick to judge and somewhat pretentious - the opposite of Commander Fudou. Jerome tends to not agree with or understand his actions and more than willing to see the Shadow Angels destroyed and humanity prospering in their defeat.

Sophia Belin
Voiced by: Sakiko Tamagawa (Japanese), Stephanie Young (English)
Deava's top scientist and researcher, she is very kind and less up-tight on the happenings around the organization. Sophia acts as the teacher in the Element User's mental training classes.


Minor Human Characters

Baron
Voiced by: Susumu Chiba (Japanese), Zach Bolton (English)
Apollo's best friend, Baron charges Apollo with the task of taking care of the other orphans. He originally meets Apollo when he offers the boy some food during a cold, winter day. From then on, the two become inseperable, resorting to thievery in order to acquire food for themselves and the other children with them. Baron gives Apollo his name after noticing him walking out of a frozen lake he was swimming in, the sun basking behind his back and his footprints steaming behind him, as a reflection of the ancient hero Apollonius. After being captured by the Shadow Angels, saving him and the other orphans is Apollo's sole reason to fight with the Aquarion.


Shadow Angels

Toma
Voiced by: Toshiyuki Morikawa (Japanese), J. Michael Tatum (English)
The main antagonist and Apollonius' onetime partner, after Apollonious fell in love with Celiane and defeated the Shadow Angels. Knowing Apollonius will be reincarnated in 12,000 years, Toma places himself in suspended animation and is awoken 12,000 years later. Even after so long, Toma could never forgive him for betraying their kind, but lingering feelings for his beloved Apollonius still resides in his heart. Toma plans to use the Aquarion's power to repair the Tree of Life, but in order to make it possible, he needs to make the Aquarion manifest its true power of the "Solar Wings", thus prepares the various ordeals and trials for Deava's Element Users, specifically Apollo, in order to make them stronger. Toma's wings are located at his temple.

Toma eventually redeems his hatred for Apollonius by reviving the Tree of Life, alongside Apollo and Sirius with the Aquarion, sacrificing himself in the process -- an irony, being now permanently reunited with the reincarnation of the man he once loved.

Otoha
Voiced by: Mako Hyoudou (Japanese), Monica Rial (English)
Toma's faithful servant, she loves him deeply and dispises Apollonius and Celiane, not only because they destroyed Atlandia 12,000 years ago, but also because their love broke Toma's heart.

Johannes
Voiced by: Shin Aomori (Japanese), Vic Mignogna (English)
The eldest and leader of the Shadow Angels, Johannes' face is never revealed. His body is draped in robes and chains and wears a metal mask. While he appears to be missing the bottom half of his body, Johannes constantly suspends himself from the ceiling in the main altar of Atlandia.

In the localized version of Genesis of Aquarion, Randy Tallman was originally cast as Johannes but due to his untimely death, Vic Mignogna was brought in to play the character.

Moroha
Voiced by: Kazuki Yao (Japanese), Barry Yandell (English)
A Shadow Angel warrior "who knows no equal", Moroha is the only Shadow Angel who enjoys fighting. He prides himself as being the strongest warrior alive and enjoys toying with his opponents, gauging their strength. He doubts Toma's ability to kill the Solar Wing, occasionally criticizing him for it. Unlike the other Shadow Angels, Moroha resembles an insect; he has six eyes (some covered by a bandage-like scarf), horns and insect-like wings on his back that don't seem to have feathers.

Lensi
Voiced by: Unshō Ishizuka (Japanese), R. Bruce Elliott (English)
The architect of the Shadow Angels, he designs and creates the countless number of Cherubim Soldiers Deava does battle with. It is said Lensi possesses the fingers of God.

Shilha
Voiced by: Katsuyuki Konishi (Japanese), Antimere Robinson (Ep. 12, 14), Paul Slavens (Ep. 17, 19) (English)
In the American Dub this character's name has been changed to Shiruha. Resembles a blue lion with a large, human-like head and wings on its back. He acts as Futaba's caretaker.

Futaba
Voiced by: Tomoko Kawakami (Japanese), Luci Christian (English)
The only child angel who survived Atlantis' destruction 12,000 years before. His wings are located at his ankles. Like a boy playing joyfully with ants, he often plays with the "Wingless ones'" lives. Often, he had no hesitation in finding ways to have fun even at the cost of them. However, his childish manners eventually cost him dearly. He is captured by the humans and taken for scientific testing, and in the process he is killed. His death is the last straw for Toma, who promptly seeks out revenge against humanity. After Futaba's death, his wings are taken and fused with Glen Anderson; his remaining wings are used to power the autonomous systems used in the Military Vectors.


Mecha
In the process of Unification, the Vectors combine to form the humanoid Aquarion, with the head being the leading section. This process also merges the souls of the Elements to some degree, as each supplies one of the supposed three aspects of their soul into one when Aquarion is formed. During Unification, the Elements experience an influx of power and energy, which in classic Japanese fan-service style is shown to be a feeling of wondrous power for the men, while for the women it is blatantly orgasmic in nature.


Aquarion
Solar Aquarion
Corresponds to Vector Sol as the head, this is the most balanced of the three basic Aquarion forms, with its specialty in melee combat. It is the only form that can manifest the "Solar Wings" on its back. Later in the series, the Elements develop the Solar Aquarion's signature "Mugen (Infinity) Punch", an attack extending the arm indefinitely in order to reach even the most agile enemy; to elaborate, the Mugen Punch can reach distances that extends to the surface of the moon. The Solar Aquarion is almost always used by Apollo.

Aquarion Luna
Corresponds to Vector Luna as the head, it specializes in ranged combat, with the use of a specific bow and arrows, or another form to partake in melee situations, given the Aquarion Luna's agile movement and reflexes. Mostly used by Silvia de Alisia and Hong Lihua.

Aquarion Mars
Corresponds to Vector Mars as the head, this is the fastest of the Aquarion forms. It is Sirius de Alisia's favorite because it can wield a sword and due to its long legs and speed, it is perfect for Pierre Vieira's "Fire Kick" technique.

Secondary forms
The following are other forms the Aquarion can take, but only appears in specific situations:

Aquarion Soluna
After the Solar Aquarion's arms are destroyed and is separated, Lihua, Tsugumi Rosenmeier and Pierre unite to form this Aquarion. Essentially the Solar Aquarion, the back of the machine uses the Vector Luna, but flipped forward, becoming the torso on top of the Vector Sol, making a leg/stomach/head formation. It is assumed this is the tallest of Aquarion's forms due to its configuration.
Aquarion Angel
When the Vector Mars is absent, Apollo, Tsugumi and Lihua formed by the union of the Vector Sol, Vector Luna and a Military Vector Omega, respectively, with the Vector Omega taking the position of head. It is assumed this form retains all of the Aquarion Mars' abilities, even with the lack of the Vector Mars' presence in the combination.

Assault Type Aquarion
The Assault Type Aquarion is a copy of the original Aquarion, constructed in a joint operation between DEAVA and the New United Nations. It follows the same basic architecture of the original with a couple of physical differences and uses conventional weaponry of cannons and rockets, as opposed to the original's more traditional weapons of bows and swords. Colored mostly in gray, this Aquarion needs only one pilot, with the other two corresponding Vectors AI-controlled. It can configure into six different forms and is composed of Vectors named Alpha, Delta and Omega, which corresponds to the Vector Sol, Vector Luna and the Vector Mars, respectively.

Aquarion Alpha
Corresponds to Vector Alpha as the head, it is the equivalent of the Solar Aquarion. It uses an enormous PSG Cannon as its primary weapon and like the Solar Aquarion, it can deploy the "Solar Wings" on its back, but does not have the mystical effect of the original. Oddly enough, its head is shaped like the Aquarion Luna's and has a visor over its eyes. This configuration can transform into the Walker Formation without the need to separate the Vectors and reuniting.

Aquarion Delta
Corresponds with Vector Delta as the head, it is the equivalent of the Aquarion Luna. Taking a similarity to the Aquarion Luna's bow, the Aquarion Delta specializes in long-range combat through a complement of rockets that fire from its own customized bow and can also utilize the Aquarion Omega's machine guns, mounted on the same part as the rockets.

Aquarion Omega
Corresponds with Vector Omega as the head, it is the equivalent of the Aquarion Mars. Using a pair of machine guns, this form is only featured once and can be assumed it can transform into the Armageddon Formation without the need to separate the Vectors and reuniting.

Armageddon Formation
A formation where the three Vectors combine into a 6-legged walker with the Aquarion Alpha's PSG cannon mounted on top, similar to a tank. This formation exists due to the PSG Cannon able to fire at its maximum capabilities with a stable footing. This form can transform immediately into Aquarion Omega without separating and reuniting.
Walker Formation
A vehicle formation used for speed, it appears as a jet-like machine with two legs. This form can transform into Aquarion Alpha without separating and reuniting. Its appearance closely resembles the GERWALK mode of the VF-1 Valkyrie from Super Dimensional Fortress Macross, another anime written and directed by Shoji Kawamori.

Shadow Angel Mecha
Cherubim Mars
After allying with the Shadow Angels and taking the Vector Mars with him, Sirius uses a Cherubim Soldier in place of the other two Vectors. The Cherubim Mars acts the same as the Aquarion Mars, but if its body is destroyed, another Cherubim Soldier can take its place.

Episode listing
1. "Memories of Heavenly Wings"
2. "Beast of Darkness"
3. "Element School"
4. "Barefoot Warrior"
5. "King of the Underground Labyrinth"
6. "To the Other Side of Emotions"
7. "Knight of the Crimson Rose"
8. "The First Merge"
9. "The Path to Dreams"
10. "Stars in the Sky, Flowers on the Ground"
11. "Happiness is at the Bottom of the Lake"
12. "The Time of Amber"
13. "A 12,000-Year-Old Love Letter"
14. "Shining Shadows"
15. "Aquarion’s First Love"
16. "Black Mirror"
16.5. "Theatrical Feature -Hymn to Triumph-"
17. "Merge to Eat"
18. "Cosplay of the Soul"
19. "Mischief without Malice"
20. "Sound of an Angel's Feather"
21. "Crimson Path"
22. "Wings Unseen"
23. "Fleeting Wings"
24. "Heaven's Gate"
25. "Final Battle! Atlandia"
26. "The Day the World Begins"