title_name=Kiddy Grade
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Eclair (right) and Lumiere with LaMuse and Planet Aineias in the background
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Kiddy Grade
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Science Fiction
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Animanga/Anime| Information
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is a science fiction, 24-episode
Anime series produced in 2002 and created by
Gímik and
Gonzo Digimation and directed by
Keiji Gotoh . The series is licensed and distributed in North America by
Funimation .
The story takes place in a future where the human race expands and inhabits a multitude of planets in the universe with fantastic technology. Unsurprisingly, crime has grown alongside technology, and thus the GOTT, Galactic Organization of Trade and
Tariffs , is formed as a sort of universal police force. Within this organization, there is a special (and secret) branch known as the ES Force, consisting of twelve young people that possess amazing superpowers. Each ES member operates with another as a team, and the series' focus is a team of two low-level members, Eclair and Lumiere. The series follows their missions as Eclair begins to be struck by violent flashbacks of events that no one wishes for her to remember.
- (French masculine name, meaning lightning) - GOTT ES Member (G class), apparent age 16, partner to Lumiere. Special ability: "Power".
Eclair is the older out of her and her partner Lumiere. Utilizing superhuman strength and speed and her "Rouge Whip" to defeat her enemies, Eclair is one of the most powerful members of GOTT. She likes to have a lot of fun in her work, often dressing up in different costumes on her missions. (Much to Lumiere's dismay) Eclair also likes to surprise her enemies, usually calling out "Ta-da!" when she arrives. Although Eclair is the more hot-headed member, willing to get her hands dirty and head into a fight without hesitation, she is also a very kind and caring person, willing to help friend and stranger alike. However, this gets her into trouble later in the story. Her abilities can be hard to control, which causes problems in day-to-day life so she uses a
Self-hypnotic Suggestion to restrict her powers. This restriction is released by the act of putting on lipstick, although she has been known to substitute her own blood in extreme circumstances.
- (French for light) - GOTT ES Member (C/G class), apparent age 10, partner to Eclair. C-Class ability: "Puppet", G-Class ability: "Particle".
Although Lumiere is much younger than her partner, she is the more mature and level-headed person of the duo. Unlike Eclair, she relies more on logic and planning to get ahead and often scolds Eclair in a motherly manner to be "more elegant" in her work. Lumiere also enjoys a lot of the finer things in life such as wine, opera, and the arts. She uses the "puppet" ability to hack into and control many different kinds of computers and machinery. Although Lumiere operates more on logic than emotion, she cares deeply for her partner Eclair.
- - Executive Chief of the GOTT Head Office, Aineias.
Eclipse is the head chief of GOTT, mostly sending the different ES Members on their missions. She is very intelligent, level-headed and calm in her duties, and is admired by Eclair. However, she nevers really speaks her mind or shows emotion. Quite often, she is forced to carry out the most harshest orders in her work. Although she is in charge of GOTT, the higher powers often keep her under their thumb.
- (French for Wednesday) - apparent age 13, Private Secretary to Eclipse.
Mercredi can be considered Eclipse's "right-hand girl." She is her trusted and reliable secretary, and excels in much of her work. She is extremely talented and data gathering and her abilities almost rival a computer. The job also gives her time to hang out with a lot of the ES Members and is a friend of Eclair and Lumiere. Mecredi also excels at making tea, and usually fixes a batch for Eclair and Lumiere before each of their missions.
- (German for crossbow) - apparent age 20, GU Inspector.
Armbrust is an Inspector and Auditor for the Global Union who is sent to observe Eclair and Lumiere in each of their missions. Armbrust is calm and collected, although a bit on the shady side too. A veritable ladies man, he often flirts with the ladies (and sometimes with Eclair). However, he is never seen without his mysterious briefcase, which seems to have its own powers. Despite his efforts and good intentions, Armbrust is often the target of Eclair's distrust. Mis-translated as for the English dub, an error that was caught too late to be corrected although it is spelt correctly in the English subtitled version.
- (Nordic for Elf) - GOTT ES Member (S Class), apparent age 20, partner to Dvergr. Special abilities: "Absorb" and "Reflex".
While she is older than the other ES Members, Alv's abilities is said to be second in her ranking among the ES Force. She has the ability to absorb any type of energy along with her partner Dvergr. Often emotionally unstable and at odds with her fellow ES Members, Alv usually finds the harshest methods of completing her missions. Her loyalty with GOTT seems rather questionable also. Out of all the ES Members, Alv isn't a person to turn your back on.
- (Nordic for Dwarf) - GOTT ES Member (S Class), apparent age 19, partner to and mother of Alv. Special abilities: "Absorb" and "Reflex".
Dvergr is Alv's partner. She also has the "absorb" ability, but when put together with Alv, they create feedback similar to a microphone and cause everything in their area to stop. Most of the time, she is silent and usually obeys Alv's orders with no objection at all. She seems to have no will of her own, and her partnership with Alv seems to represent something other than friendship and trust.
- (From Lewis Carrol's Through The Looking-Glass, And What Alice Found There ) - GOTT ES Member (S Class), apparent age 16, partner and twin of Tweedledum. Special ability: "Strom" (German, river, or in this case "Electricity"), joint ability: "Windstoß" (German, gust of wind).
The sister of her partner Tweedledum, Tweedledee has a fierce and commanding presence, (especially with her brother) and values loyalty above all else. She is an "S Class" ES member rivaling Alv and Dvergr. Tweedledee has the ability to control electricity and can create an effect similar to Lumiere's power. She often scolds her brother for calling her "sister" during their work. Tweedledee also has a strong sense of pride. While she doesn't agree with Eclipse's secretive nature towards the ES Members, she still trusts her. She also seems to have a deep bond with Lumiere, probably because of their similar abilities.
- (From Lewis Carrol's Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There) - GOTT ES Member (S Class), apparent age 16, partner and twin of Tweedledee. Special ability: "Magnetfeld" (German, magnetic field), joint ability: "Windstoß" (German, gust of wind).
The brother and partner of Tweedledee, Tweedledum is fiercly loyal to his sister. However, he isn't really socialble with anyone else other than her either. Although he doesn't mean to offend, Tweedledum doesn't really show interest in anyone else other than her. Tweedledum has the ability to control the magnetic fields around him, combining with Tweedledee to create a powerful gravitational force. Because of their extremely strong bond, Tweedledum seems jealous when his sister shows interest in Lumiere.
- (From Shakespeare's Twelfth Night ) - GOTT ES Member (C Class), apparent age 9, partner to Cesario. Special ability: "Calamity".
The youngest member of the ES Force, Viola is one of the more precocious members. She also seems to be the main voice of her partnership with Cesario. She often gives the other ES Members nicknames. Viola is also a "C Class" member, although a bit above Eclair and Lumiere's rank. Her power "Calamity", which allows her to alter matter at the molecular level, requires a great deal of energy which is supplied by Cesario's ability so can only be used when she is in physical contact with him. Viola is also often seen with a cute stuffed animal named Dragon Papi.
- (From Shakespeare's Twelfth Night) - GOTT ES Member (C Class), apparent age 18, partner to Viola. Special ability: "Driver".
Cesario is the older partner of Viola. He is seen to be a mostly silent person, almost never speaking out loud. Instead, he is usually seen communicating to Viola by whispering in her ear. Cesario seems to prefer communicating with body language instead of voice. He is often an indecisive person, usually on the losing side of his arguments with Viola. His power, "Driver", has no use on its own but when in contact with Viola serves as a source of energy her ability.
- (Japanese/Sanskrit, 吽王, one of the two Buddhist Deva Kings ) - GOTT ES Member (S Class), apparent age 14, partner to A-ou. Special ability: "Amazing".
A mostly cynical and impulsive person, Un-ou enjoys the danger that comes with his job. He and A-ou were formerly mercenaries who were constantly at odds with Eclair and Lumiere. Hardened by his past as a mercenary, Un-ou doesn't seem to agree with the values held by the GOTT, but merely as an outlet from their past rivalries with Eclair and Lumiere. His relationship with Eclair is especially competitive. Un-ou's "Amazing" ability allows him to listen to the various life energies which allow them to track down their enemies.
- (Japanese/Sanskrit, 阿王, one of the two Buddhist Deva Kings) - GOTT ES Member (S Class), apparent age 19, partner to Un-ou. Special ability: "Amplifier".
The older and more stoic member of the Duo, A-ou (unlike his partner) has a stronger sense of honor and justice. He is also more of a pascifist and he often speaks in a profound and meaningful manner, giving him a rather preachy presence among other people. He and Un-ou have has a long and eventful past together during their days as mercenaries. However, despite their differences, the two have forged a strong bond as a team. "Amplifier" give him the ability to improve his visual perception ten-fold. He also uses the energy seen by Un-ou to increase the power of his physical attacks.
- (Latin for left) - GOTT ES Member (S Class), apparent age 18, partner to Dextra. Special ability: "Whenever".
Among this handsome duo of ES Members, Sinistra appears to be the silent type, but he's really a sociable person. He is also very chivalrous. Whenever he's in battle, he is calm collected and fearless.
- (Latin for right) - GOTT ES Member (S Class), partner to Sinistra. Special ability: "Anywhere".
Dextera has a reputation for being the victor over numerous battle in the pasts. He also has strong leadership characteristics. He is also Eclipse's right hand, having a long period of respect among the GOTT. The abilities of both him and Sinistra seem to be a mystery. However, both have plenty of strength and speed.
- - (French for liquid) Receptionist, GOTT Head Office, Aineias. Called 'Ricki' in the English dub.
Liquiy (Ricki in the English version) is a GOTT receptionist who works (and is friends with) Eclair and Lumiere at the front gate of GOTT Headquarters. She often hangs out with Eclair outside of work and is there for her whenever she needs help.
- - Receptionist, GOTT Head Office, Aineias.
Another GOTT receptionist who works with Liquiy, Eclair and Lumiere.
- (Italian name) - Waitress at Fleur's Café, Aineias.
A friend of Eclair who works as a Waitress and Fleur's Cafe. Not seen very often during the series, but its implied that they've also had a long friendship.
- (pseudo-Russian name, probably derived from ''podushka'', "pillow") - GOTT SO-Member, Aineias.
Another friend of Eclair and an SO member of GOTT. Mrs. Padushka retires from the GOTT in order to devote her time to family life with her husband, Gluck. She also gave birth to a baby girl, which she names after Éclair. However, she never learned about Eclair being an ES member until she left GOTT.
- (French name, lit. Knight of Austria) - 56, Secretary General of the GOTT and head of the GU Economic Dept
Depite the fact that he's a Nouvlesse, Chevalier is a key figure to Eclair's past and her forgotten former lives. In his lifetime, he has never forgotten Eclair and is always willing to help her. He worked his way up to his current position all for Eclair's sake. (It is revealed late in the show that Chevalier is Eclair's adopted son.)
- - Éclair and Lumière's Spacecraft . High speed crusier ID SSC2045343. Capable of independant warp and fitted with an "inertial drive" system that boosts acceleration to theoretically infinite levels and also functions as a shield by bending space around the ship. Named after The Muses of Greek legend.
- - The Artificially Intelligent quantum computer (AI) that controls ''La Muse'' and supports Lumière, also recording all her memories, experiences and genetic information. It originally was the AI in a humanoid robot that saved Lumière's life by nearly giving its own while obeying the Three Laws Of Robotics . Name means whirlwind in German .
- - Éclair and Lumière's guard robot. Support machinery with escort mode, avian-humanoid form, and vehicle mode. Also functions as Éclair's "solid shell", keeping a record of all her experiences, activities and genetic information. Name means thunderclap in German.
- (aka ''C-Square'') - Tweedledee and Tweedledum's spacecraft. High speed crusier. Named after the character in Lewis Carroll 's novel Alice's Adventures In Wonderland , it is capable of stealth operations using "phase elevate" by phasing out of normal space leaving only a small periscope visible, like the eponymous cat's grin.
- - Tweedledee and Tweedledum's guard robot. Support machinery with a vehicle mode, an optional assault body, and possibly other mission-specific optional add-on bodies.
- '' - A-ou and Un-ou's spacecraft. High speed crusier, equipped with an intertial drive and a powerful sensor array.
- - A-ou and Un-ou's guard robot.
- '' - Alv and Dvergr's spacecraft. High speed crusier. Equipped with advanced stealth capabilities.
- - Alv and Dvergr's guard robot. Support machinery with two possible forms: "aggressive" form and "high-speed" form. It cannot transform like other guard robots, is equipped with only a rudimentary AI and, since it was manufactured after the limitations on such technology was imposed, does not function as a solid shell.
# Depth/Space
# Tight/Bind
# Prisoner/Escort
# High/Speed
# Day/Off
# Twin/Star
# Trial/Child
# Forbidden/Instrument
# Mirage/Snare
# Rebirth/Slave
# Set/Free
# Frozen/Life
# Conflict/Destiny
# Steel/Heart
# Break/Down
# Look/Back
# Phantasm/Reborn
# Unmasked/Face
# Take/Revenge
# Lost/Days
# Nouvlesse/Ark
# Demolition/Titan
# Annihilation/Zero
# As Time Goes By
Eclair and Lumiere are two young agents of the GOTT (Galactic Organization of Trade and Tariffs) who accomplish various missions using their Special powers. (Eclair has Super Strength and Lumiere has the ability to hack into any computer or machine merely by touch.) They are accompanied on their adventures by an auditor named Armbrust. The first few episodes chronicle their various missions. (From transporting an Earth (Nouvlesse) criminal, to finding a reactor by entering a wrestling tournament and helping a young heir make it to an inheritance) One mission involves terrorists using Geo Sort Technology, which is capable of destroying entire planets. Teaming up with fellow members Tweedledee and Tweedledum (and grudgingly with Alv and Dvergr) to stop the threat, they track the terrorists down during their next run. However, GOTT seems to have mysterious connections with the Geo Sort distribution, causing Eclair to question what GOTT is really up to. The results of the last missions seem to reveal much darker ambitions of the GOTT. Another mission places Eclair in the middle of a mysterious brain-washing scheme on the Planet Dardanos and unravels a government conspiracy. However, the brain-washing song paralyzes Eclair and awakens strange, violent and unfamiliar memories from possible former lives.
Eclair is constantly haunted by mysterious memories of her "former lives" and she begins to fear and question who she really is and what she's capable of. After coming to terms with her memories, the tension between Eclair, Lumiere and the GOTT comes to a head when they are assigned to a mission on the Planet Aure. The government is run by Nouvelesse (Nouvlesse/Earth government) and have enslaved the planet's inhabitants. Distraught by the situation of the planet's citizens, Eclair and Lumiere begin to have doubts about whether or not the GOTT is really as benevolent as they once believed. A mass protest by Aure's laborers incites the government to kill many of the protestors. Enraged and unable to stand by and watch, Eclair unleashes her true hidden powers, causing Aure's citizens to successfully revolt and defeat the current government. However, as a result the GOTT brands Eclair and Lumiere as criminals. Afterwards, the GOTT hires the Section Thirteen soldiers to capture them. After a standoff in a colony, Section Thirteen nearly cripples them using a program called D-Command which neutralizes an ES member's powers. However, Armbrust reveals his ES Power to save Eclair and Lumiere and aid them in their escape. Eclair also acquires all of the memories of her past selves. Not too soon afterwards, GOTT sends their former ES comrades to hunt them down. A-ou and Un-ou (longtime rivals of Eclair and Lumiere) are hired to track them down and eventually chase them to an abandoned colony, injuring Lumiere in the process. One of Eclair's memories were with a doctor who helped various patients during a war in the past. After finding the doctor's parting gift to Eclair and Lumiere, A-ou and Un-ou decide to abandon the mission and become fugitives themselves. Afterwards, Tweedledee and Tweedledum are sent to capture Eclair and Lumiere. Tweedledee infects their robot Donnerschlag and their ship LaMuse with a virus, causing them to turn against their owners. After trying in vain to stop the virus (the duo had to destroy the 2 robots themselves), the two former ES members plan one final strike on GOTT Headquarters. However, Alv and Dvergr seem to have their own mysterious agenda involving the two former members. After battling the other ES members in their attack, Eclair confronts Eclipse and shoots her. (!) The GOTT Headquarters is eventually destroyed, leaving the fate of Eclipse and the future of GOTT unknown....
The GOTT finally rebuilds itself after the disaster, however Eclair and Lumiere have taken over the organization with an iron fist. They have created an entire army of Eclair/Lumiere clones to enforce their rule, and pledges to rebuild the GOTT as a much more powerful force. In another unexpected twist, two mysterious girls arrive to revolt against the GOTT's new rulers. It is eventually revealed that they are the ''real'' Eclair and Lumiere in new bodies, and Alv and Dvergr are revealed as the true villains. (They absorbed their powers and appearance during the GOTT attack.) Eclair and Lumiere reunite with Eclipse and the other ES Members and defeat Alv and Dvergr with the help of the clones. After the victory, Lumiere has a much harder time adjusting to her new body and has difficulty using her powers. Also, Chevalier D'Autrich, the head of GOTT and GU's economic government is left in charge of the gigantic Nouvlesse spaceship known as the "Deucalion." Chevalier inexplicably hijacks the ship. Even worse, Alv and Dvergr return on the side of the Nouvlesse. After Eclair and Lumiere track down Chevalier, Alv shoots him and begins to merge with Deucalion. She traps Eclair and Lumiere in the Reception System Chamber in an attempt to kill them by reducing them to energy. Meanwhile, Alv gains control of the Deucalion and sets her sights on her true target, Earth. Desiring revenge against the Nouvlesse, she uses part of the Deucalion's power to destroy much of the planet. Meanwhile, Eclair and Lumiere reform and Lumiere discovers her true ability, the power to control particles. Discovering Alv's weakness, the final battle begins. As all of the ES Members (and the remaining Eclair/Lumiere clones) join in the fight, they successfully destroy the ship's main weapon and trap Alv within the husk of the engine in the process. Leaving Dvergr to stay and look after her daughter (Despite appearances, Dvergr is Alv's mother), the duo then comforted a dying Chevalier. Just before he closed his eyes for the last time, he called Eclair "mother" (In a previous life, Eclair had adopted Chevalier as a baby and cared for him until he was a young boy). After the victory over Alv and the Deucalion, Eclair and Lumiere continue their lives as GOTT members.
- Ending
# "Future" by Little Viking
- Non-human character data for ''La Muse'', Wirbelwind, and Donnersclag came from the DVD ''Kiddy Grade: Lies Beneath: Case Three'' (volume 3).
- Non-human character data for ''Cheshire Cat'' and Dodo came from the DVD ''Kiddy Grade: The Present Future: Case Four'' (volume 4).
- Non-human character data for ''Salyut'' and Ganador came from the DVD ''Kiddy Grade: The Freedom of Truth: Case Five'' (volume 5).
- Non-human character data for ''Svalt'' and Thor came from the DVD ''Kiddy Grade: Emerging Anew: Case Eight'' (volume 8).
