Valvrave the Liberator - Character Discussion - Sashinami Shouko

[erika4dsl]

I've always shipped Shoko and L-Elf since the first episode. L-Elf is cold and calculating, and lacking charisma, where Shoko is pretty much the opposite: she's charming, unpredictable, and genuinely cares about everyone. It's that whole scenario of "opposite personalities attract"

I have always considered that scene in the first episode where L-Elf talks about splitting eggs to foreshadow the eventual romance between him and Shoko.

[MK-95-]

Originally Posted by Divino

Well there seems to be foreshadowing of L-Elf and Shoko's future relationship(?) in the novels too apparently:

Spoiler for foreshadowing:

From Chapter 1 of the novel:


L-elf orders Haruto to hand Shoko over during their confrontation. He refuses and L-elf asks if he would like to cut her in half instead. L-elf stretches his hand in her direction, Haruto tries to stop him and ends up being knocked to the ground, and then kicked in the shoulder when he tries to get up. When L-elf says that one can't split the most important things in half, he's apparently no longer talking to them but saying it to someone else. Haruto remembers Inuzuka's message (Shoko being taken by someone) while he listens to L-elf talking about conceding the things he values the most.

-Haruto remembers Inuzuka's message (Shoko being taken by someone)
-Shoko being taken by someone

This message:

I don't really ship them right now. But I don't dislike the idea of them being together either.

I like where this is going. I especially like that extra bit about splitting Shoko. That's some deep foreshadowing going on there.

One question though: Exactly how canon is the novel compared to the anime? Is it a more detailed version of the anime, a spinoff with elements from the anime adapted or an alternate story?

[Winterson]

^kinda felt the same, but at first I was torn between Haruto and L Elf. Man! I don't want to think anymore, the feels~

[Divino]

Originally Posted by mangakid95

I like where this is going. I especially like that extra bit about splitting Shoko. That's some deep foreshadowing going on there.

One question though: Exactly how canon is the novel compared to the anime? Is it a more detailed version of the anime, a spinoff with elements from the anime adapted or an alternate story.

Spoiler for novel:

Not sure really. I think it is meant to be taken as a cannon work, and so far is being pretty loyal to the anime minus a few extra scenes.

For example Haruto and Shoko having a biting (kamitsuki) contest to decide who gets the school grounds; whoever bites the other first wins. He hesitates and she bites him on the wrist, winning.

And that itself is another foreshadowing to what Haruto becomes.

Also some minor explanations to other things like:
-Haruto and Shoko had to clean the shrine as punishment for their quarrel during the self-study session.
- JIOR only has one Sphere; its location is Earth-Moon L2.
- The Module's dome displays an image of the sky that changes from dawn to dusk according to a programmed schedule.

And so on.

[MK-95-]

Originally Posted by Divino

Spoiler for novel:

Not sure really. I think it is meant to be taken as a cannon work, and so far is being pretty loyal to the anime minus a few extra scenes.

For example Haruto and Shoko having a biting (kamitsuki) contest to decide who gets the school grounds; whoever bites the other first wins. He hesitates and she bites him on the wrist, winning.

And that itself is another foreshadowing to what Haruto becomes.

Also some minor explanations to other things like:
-Haruto and Shoko had to clean the shrine as punishment for their quarrel during the self-study session.
- JIOR only has one Sphere; its location is Earth-Moon L2.
- The Module's dome displays an image of the sky that changes from dawn to dusk according to a programmed schedule.

And so on.

Well that's good to know. So I can take it as a more detailed version of the anime. Once it's faithful to the canon & the altered content doesn't influence or contradict the already established story. It's all good. The minor changes can be overlooked, due to them not drastically changing the pre-established plot.

[vanca]

Just (more or less) finished read VVV's 1st fanbook (arrived 3 days ago). Overall, it's quite enjoyable and worth the price (1400 yen). Probably bec. I'm one of Shoko's fan.

Yes, the book is especially good for Shoko's fan, she featured quite prominently. She has the most illustrations among female characters, has her own section (girls talk with Akira), Miyano Mamoru (H Neun) and Jun Fukuyama (A Drei) liking her and mentioned her few times, as well as Okouchi Ichiro (writer). Kimura Ryohei (L Elf) said that no matter what the result of Shoko-Haruto-Saki triangle, he wish for Shoko's happiness. Oh, also imo she has one of the most unique data file.

So bottom line, I recommend the fanbook for Shoko's fans.

[Winterson]

I want one, Shoko, Shoko, Shoko. . . *innerself: control your greed young lady.

As a student, I still need to control my cash flows. =,_,= It's because of those SnK's merchs which left me penniless, but. . . it's Shoko! W-why? why?!!! So many things that I wanna buy.


Okay, hmmm. . . if ever L Elf-Shoko imminent canon pairing happens, who among Shoko and L Elf will fall in love first? I doubt it's going to be a Bulma and Vegetta surprised relationship.

[erika4dsl]

Originally Posted by Winterson

Okay, hmmm. . . if ever L Elf-Shoko imminent canon pairing happens, who among Shoko and L Elf will fall in love first? I doubt it's going to be a Bulma and Vegetta surprised relationship.

Their roles requires them to spend a lot of time together so I have a feeling that we'll see L-Elf be the first one to take a romantic interest in her since Shoko has that personality that would eventually attract anyone. Followed by Shoko starting to have feelings for him hopefully not long after he starts to take an interest in her and one of her friends is probably going to comment on L-Elf's behavior towards her and she blushes and grows wings and starts raping everybody blah blah blah (you really never know where this anime would go)

Since L-Elf is a cold motherfucker, I hope the romance between them, if they really go that route, is something that starts to develop early in the season and moves along at a gradual steady pace since that would be more believable especially for such contrasting personalities.

[MisaoFan]

Originally Posted by vanca

Just (more or less) finished read VVV's 1st fanbook (arrived 3 days ago). Overall, it's quite enjoyable and worth the price (1400 yen). Probably bec. I'm one of Shoko's fan.

Yes, the book is especially good for Shoko's fan, she featured quite prominently. She has the most illustrations among female characters, has her own section (girls talk with Akira), Miyano Mamoru (H Neun) and Jun Fukuyama (A Drei) liking her and mentioned her few times, as well as Okouchi Ichiro (writer). Kimura Ryohei (L Elf) said that no matter what the result of Shoko-Haruto-Saki triangle, he wish for Shoko's happiness. Oh, also imo she has one of the most unique data file.

So bottom line, I recommend the fanbook for Shoko's fans.

Would buy it according to my plans!

[Winterson]

Originally Posted by erika4dsl

Their roles requires them to spend a lot of time together so I have a feeling that we'll see L-Elf be the first one to take a romantic interest in her since Shoko has that personality that would eventually attract anyone. Followed by Shoko starting to have feelings for him hopefully not long after he starts to take an interest in her and one of her friends is probably going to comment on L-Elf's behavior towards her and she blushes and grows wings and starts raping everybody blah blah blah (you really never know where this anime would go)

Since L-Elf is a cold motherfucker, I hope the romance between them, if they really go that route, is something that starts to develop early in the season and moves along at a gradual steady pace since that would be more believable especially for such contrasting personalities.

XD lol and that is if only L Elf's romantic scheme will be overtly shown in S2 and shoko's starry-eyed affection for *---------...

[Fjoergyn]

It is absurd to believe that the L-11 will fall in love, when their plans are more important than anything else. Shoko, still has feelings for Haruto and I will not forget so soon, plus you can not if you will meet again. Expect the season and we'll see what happens.

[vanca]

Originally Posted by Winterson

Okay, hmmm. . . if ever L Elf-Shoko imminent canon pairing happens, who among Shoko and L Elf will fall in love first? I doubt it's going to be a Bulma and Vegetta surprised relationship.

For me Bulma x Vegetta wasn't that shocking. There were subtle interactions and developments with palpable chemistry built steadily, too. Quite similar vibe with Mam x Hyunckel from Dragon Quest, for example. L elf x Shoko kinda gives those kind of vibe too, now that you mention it.

Originally Posted by erika4dsl

Since L-Elf is a cold motherfucker, I hope the romance between them, if they really go that route, is something that starts to develop early in the season and moves along at a gradual steady pace since that would be more believable especially for such contrasting personalities.

They did good job on cour 1 with their interactions, subtle and slowly built, unpredicted and seemingly random here and there, but regularly inserted.

The problem is, unlike D.Balls/D.Quest, VVV only have 12 more eps . With all that many characters and still unsolved plot threads, not to mention based on all promo visuals for cour 2 Shoko seems will be on separate way from L Elf And pilots, I'm sorry but I'm not sure L Elf x Shoko will happen. Plus both have such long time bond with Haruto and Liselotte, in just such short time, won't be that easy to break.
Except if they want to go like Aquarion Evol or DN Angel anime, only give some measly hints at the end for "other pairings", leaving them to viewers' interpretations. Yuck, I hope not. Shoko (and L elf) deserves better than that.

[erika4dsl]

Originally Posted by vanca

Except if they want to go like Aquarion Evol or DN Angel anime, only give some measly hints at the end for "other pairings", leaving them to viewers' interpretations. Yuck, I hope not. Shoko (and L elf) deserves better than that.

Ew I hate using audience imagination for an ending, most times it seems like lazy writing for me. This show has always pulled unexpected twists, so we'll see when the season starts, but hopefully they follow through with L-Elf and Shoko since I love the chemistry between them and I generally don't like childhood romance stories.

Do we know much about Liselotte and L-Elf's relationship yet? The most that we know is that she saved him before, right? and a lot of things he does is to help her? I'm sorry my memory is fuzzy between those two.

[~BC~]

Not trying to be a wet blanket people but there is a romance thread for this type of discussion. I mean since someone went to the trouble of asking the mods to create it might as well use it.

http://forums.animesuki.com/showthread.php?t=120268

[Destined_Fate]

I see L-Elf garnering feelings for her first which troubles him as he wont understand why she's throwing him off more than usual. Than have Shoko start to worry about L-Elf as he becomes more secluded and the such as the confrontation with the Princess comes close and her being the one to comfort him after he breaks down over it in private.

If they still do the Moon event thing I can see L-Elf ending up having to escort Shoko around and Haruto, for whatever reason, not meeting up with Shoko who'll end up enjoying the event with L-Elf.

Whatever the case, L-Elf being the ice to her fire would be interesting.

What's more interesting will be how Shoko will react to Saki spending even more time with Haruto, Haruto going to rescue Saki, and when she learns the truth about the Valvrave curse and how Haruto kept it from her even though she trusted him.

[MisaoFan]

Originally Posted by Destined_Fate

What's more interesting will be how Shoko will react to Saki spending even more time with Haruto, Haruto going to rescue Saki, and when she learns the truth about the Valvrave curse and how Haruto kept it from her even though she trusted him.

It would be nice if Shoko won't get jealous over their own relationship and act as if she's accepting the Haruto/Saki love bond for what it is and let her beloved childhood friend to save Saki in distress, it would likely end up as a nice break from all the main heroines getting jealous of the guy/another girl romance for no reason.

[erika4dsl]

Originally Posted by MisaoFan

It would be nice if Shoko won't get jealous over their own relationship and act as if she's accepting the Haruto/Saki love bond for what it is and let her beloved childhood friend to save Saki in distress, it would likely end up as a nice break from all the main heroines getting jealous of the guy/another girl romance for no reason.

I feel that Shoko would be sad at first, but judging from her character she would eventually accept the situation between the two especially when she learns about the valvrave curse.
Man, she has so many responsibilities, that shit is stressful, but good thing she has L-Elf next to her, that guy is a freaking genius.

[DevilHighDxD]

Originally Posted by MisaoFan

It would be nice if Shoko won't get jealous over their own relationship and act as if she's accepting the Haruto/Saki love bond for what it is and let her beloved childhood friend to save Saki in distress, it would likely end up as a nice break from all the main heroines getting jealous of the guy/another girl romance for no reason.

No way it will be that simple knowing that it Okouchi is the writer. He almost make the impossible possible such as Euphemia killing the Japanese and turn Shu into a asshole in the later half of GC. I'll say prepared for a drama of unparalleled proportion that ever unleashed!

[KleenexGhost]

Okouchi's unpredictability can prove to be a blessing and a curse.

[Destined_Fate]

Originally Posted by MisaoFan

It would be nice if Shoko won't get jealous over their own relationship and act as if she's accepting the Haruto/Saki love bond for what it is and let her beloved childhood friend to save Saki in distress, it would likely end up as a nice break from all the main heroines getting jealous of the guy/another girl romance for no reason.

Shoko most likely will feel sad about it when she learns about it but will eventually accept it as she spends less and less time with Haruto and more time with L-Elf. I can even see Shoko asking Saki to protect Haruto since she's the only one that can save Haruto from his own guilt and rising suicidal tendencies.