Simoun (mecha)
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- This article is about fictional aircraft, for other meanings, see Simoun.
Simoun (シムーン Shimūn?) are fictional aircraft featured in the eponymous anime series by Studio Deen and its manga adaptations. Although Simoun are generally seen as a mecha type, their design is far from traditional giant robot styling (see below). The Simoun are considered sacred objects in the Tempus Spatium faith because of their ability to conjure powerful magical spells known as Ri Mājons by flying in predefined patterns in the air.
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[edit] Structure
Simoun are two-seat aircraft with separate cockpits for the primary pilot (auriga) and the navigator (sagitta), who is also in charge of weaponry and other accessories in combat. The auriga's cockpit is located in the forward part of the machine, and the sagitta's is situated behind and above, so that both have a clear view above and in front of them. A large green gemstone, instrumental for conjuring the Ri Mājons, and sometimes referred simply as the Simoun Gem [1], is located between the two cockpits, easily accessible by both pilots when the canopies are open.
Simoun are propelled by two helical motors (ヘリカル・モートリス herikaru mōtorisu?), a technology monopolized by the state of Simulacrum [2], although even Simulacrum's technicians barely understand its principles. For example, one of their theories states that one rotor controls the Simoun's position in space, and the other affects the flow of time [3]. If needed, a Simoun can be equipped with large-caliber miniguns and/or special container pods for transporting and deploying a number of ground troops [4].
When grounded, both Simoun's helical motors (which appear as large rotating wheels) align to a horizontal position relative to the ground, so that they can be easier accessed by pilots and maintenance technicians. During the take-off, however, the rotors align themselves vertically and remain so until landing (helical motor tilt system).
Both Simoun and Simile have also got an deceleration and shock absorption system (inertia canceller) powered by the helical motors, since normally the Simoun are not equipped with seat belts or helmets for the pilots. The design of Simoun also denies the possibility of quick evacuation for pilots, since it does not forsee ejector seats or parachutes, however, if not critically hit and the altitude is low, a Simoun can pull off a soft emergency landing with the remaining helical motor lift (similar to autorotation principle in helicopters).
[edit] Functionality
A Simoun requires two pilots to lift-off and steer in the air and, moreover, both of them must have not yet chosen their permanent sex (see the background for explanation), since having done so permanently disqualifies a person from further piloting [2]. Because of its sacred status in Simulacrum, only young priestesses of the Tempus Spatium faith are recruited as Simoun pilots and granted the title Simoun Sibyllae (シムーン・シヴュラ Shimūn Shivyura?).
Although the Simoun are considered the most effective and maneuverable aircraft in the world, their main purpose lies within the Ri Mājons, since the only way to call forth their powers is by "drawing" certain patterns with the Simoun Gem in the air. This process is referred as "Praying to the Sky" [2] [5] by the Sybillae and was initially thought to be their only purpose and goal as priestesses.
Before a Simoun can move, its Simoun Gem must be activated by a simultaneous kiss by both pilots, shortly after they have kissed one another [6]. The routine take-off procedure includes activating the Simoun Gem beforehand, however, the Gem can as well be "charged up" in midair by this ritual. Apparently, all Gems of a particular Simoun unit or chor (コール kōru?) are linked, since after the chor leader, regina (レギーナ regīna?), announces a Ri Mājon involving more than one Simoun, its pattern is immediately displayed within each Simoun Gem of the chor as necessary.
Notably, aside from the instant Ri Mājon pattern transmission via Simoun Gems, the Simoun do not have any other means of wireless communication, unlike Argentine heavy fighters, for example. The Simoun must therefore use an extendable communication wire with a magnet (or a suction cup, which is not clear) at the other end that, after having been ejected from a Simoun's stub "wings", can attach itself to another Simoun and transmit sounds from their cockpits in both directions. After the communication session is over, the wire is pulled back inside the Simoun.
[edit] Ri Mājons
Simoun Sibyllae believe that the Ri Mājons are, in reality, the language spoken by the deity known as Tempus Spatium (テンプスパティウム Tenpusupatiumu?) whom they worship and that replicating these patterns in the air calls forth the power of their God. To an observer, Ri Mājons appear as enormous luminous glyphs in the sky, which, once completed, conjure magical effects of tremendous power. The most complex patterns require six Simoun vehicles to summon and each has its own name and purpose, be it a combat, a ceremonial or a diplomatic one. Originally, the institution of the Sibyllae was created to test out and restore the meanings of various Ri Mājon patterns lost in history.
The following Ri Mājons have been described or performed in the anime series:
- Ri Mājon of the Calm Morning Sea (朝凪 Asanagi?) is an ancient Ri Mājon that is used by a choir to send off comrades. Like other diplomatic Ri Mājons, this has no known effect other than the flight pattern.
- Dandelion Ri Mājon (タンポポ Tanpopo?) is a diplomatic Ri Mājon that reportedly ensures success in diplomatic ceremonies.
- Diamond Ri Mājon (金剛石 Kongōseki?) is a complex pattern that conjures a huge spherical shield with crystal-like facets, capable of covering an entire airborne aircraft carrier the size of the Arcus Prima. The Simouns can then tow the object contained within the shield in any direction, as long as they keep flying in the correct summon pattern.
- Emerald Ri Mājon (翠玉 Suigyoku?) is among the most complex and ancient known Ri Mājons, also known as "the ultimate miracle". The Sibyllae who do complete it are said to be taken directly to serve at the side of Tempus Spatium. Emerald Ri Mājon was attempted by Chor Tempest in episode 01, but they failed and as a result, the Ri Mājon backfired, killing a navigator.
- Ri Mājon of the Fields (田園 Den'en?) is a funeral ritual that doesn't have any visible effects other than the flight pattern itself. This is flown in the Simulacrum equivalent of the missing-man formation, and requires only five Simouns rather than six.
- Fish Silhouette Ri Mājon (魚影 Gyo-ei?). Attempted in episode 16.
- Iron Ri Mājon (鉄 Tetsu?) is a powerful but relatively simple combat Ri Mājon. It conjures a pillar of destructive energy resembling a small atomic explosion and effectively constitutes the Daikūriku's analogue of tactical nuclear weapons. Because it requires the entire chor to perform, enemy fighters can prevent it by erasing the "contrails".
- Peregrine Falcon Ri Mājon (隼 Hayabusa?) is a standard combat pattern used by many Simoun chors. It may be performed by a single Simoun, or in concert to maximize the damage.
- Ri Mājon of the Raging Sea (波濤 Hatō?) is, along with the Tsunami Ri Mājon, one of Mamiina's specialties. It is a potent attack that requires only one Simoun.
- Ray Ri Mājon (鱏 Ei?). Attempted by Aaeru and Morinas in episode 04.
- Shark Ri Mājon (鮫 Same?) is another standard combat pattern.
- Silver Ri Mājon (銀 Gin?) is Limone's signature Ri Mājon and is similar in appearance to the Diamond Ri Mājon with more degrees of symmetry. Its destructive potential is similar to the Iron Ri Mājon with fewer Simouns, but it is harder to execute even for seasoned Sibyllae.
- Tin Ri Mājon (錫 Suzu?) [7]. Attempted by Limone and Chor Tempest but failed in Episode 05. It is apparently a combat Ri Mājon that requires four Simouns, but its effects are unknown.
- Tsunami Ri Mājon (海嘯 Kaishō?). Mentioned in episode 07.
[edit] Ancient Simoun
The Ancient Simoun are, as the name suggests, Simoun of a much older design than the current Simulacrum models. In contrast to the modern movable and inline configuration of the helical motors, the ancient models have their motors positioned above and just behind the cockpits at an angle, forming a V-shape to the fuselage. Their capabilities are, thus far, equivalent to the Simulacran models—they can draw Ri Mājons (including the complex ones requiring multiple aircraft[8]), and have comparable maneuverability and speed to the Simulacran Simoun.
During an investigation of the sacred Ruins, Chor Tempest discovered that several of these aircraft had been stolen by Plumbum Highland priestesses. The stolen Ancient Simoun were later equipped with Argentine wireless communication devices, giving them a decisive tactical advantage over the Simulacran models[citation needed]. Combined with the powerful heavy fighters of their Argentum allies, these Simoun handed Simulacrum their major losses of the war.
These Simoun were apparently commonplace in Simulacrum's infancy, although most people at the time did not know how to operate them. It seems logical that these were reconfigured into the models used by Simulacrum during the war.
[edit] Simile
The Simile Simoun is a scaled-down simple model version of the Simoun which is mainly used for training, and has single and dual cockpit configurations. They have a similar design with a single, somewhat simpler helical motor. The structure of a full-fledged Simoun forsees a pair of the original helical motor, while Simile uses "half of a pair", a single helical motor replicated by modern Simulacrum factories, whose parameters are inferior to that of the original ones[citation needed]. A Simile cannot conjure Ri Mājons.
While Simile are used for training sybillae in correct formation in normal flight and in Ri Mājons, they are also used by non-sybillae for combat and cargo transport.
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Simoun, episode 12
- ^ a b c Simoun, episode 01
- ^ Simoun, episode 03
- ^ Simoun, episode 11
- ^ Simoun, episode 02
- ^ This detail has initially spawned the popularity of the series among the shoujo-ai-fandom.
- ^ Some have translated Suzu as Bell Ri Mājon (鈴 Suzu?), but since it has been compared to the Silver Ri Mājon, "Tin" was likely the original intention.
- ^ Simoun episode 26
[edit] Trivia
- The principle of conjuring magical effects by drawing predifined symbols in the air (Ri Mājons) is very similar to the way magic is cast in the Black & White computer game series that started in 2001.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- (English) Yui's Simoun fan page (mecha section)
