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Dual! Parallel Trouble Adventure (デュアル!ぱられルンルン物語, Dyuaru!
Parare Runrun Monogatari
?) is a fourteen episode series created
in 1999 by Masaki Kajishima and produced by AIC, both well-known for
the Tenchi
Muyo! franchise. It is licensed in the US by Pioneer LDC,
later known as Geneon. In addition to the original run, an
OVA special was added to conclude the series as a de facto "14th
episode".
Title
explanation
The title refers to the fact that the story takes place in two
parallel universes, a
concept loosely based on multiverse
theory.
Plot
DUAL! Parallel Trouble Adventure takes place in two
different possible universes. 22 years ago, a huge alien artifact
is found under a construction site by a worker named Yotsuga. The
foreman orders that the artifact be ignored and broken apart so as
to avoid the hassle of work delays. As Yotsuga walks towards the
rubble dumpsters to dispose of the small piece of the artifact he
showed to the foreman, the world splits into two; in one world,
Yotsuga tosses away the piece and the artifact is subsequently
destroyed; in the other, Yotsuga keeps the artifact, leading to the
discovery of an extraterrestrial technology that completely changes
the course of history.
In the present, Kazuki Yotsuga is a high school student who is
shunned by other students as an otaku, in part because of his web
site, where he describes battles between giant robots that only he
can see, but mostly because he is occasionally seen by the other
students reacting to their "presence". One day, the most popular
girl in school, Mitsuki Sanada, approaches him to tell him that she
shares his interest in the stories he writes about. But this turns
out to only be a ruse, however, as she proceeds to lure him to her
house where her father wishes to study Kazuki for his research on
parallel worlds.
After being thrown into the other possible world by Dr. Ken
Sanada's devices, Kazuki finds himself to still be in Dr. Sanada's
basement, but everything is disused and covered with cobwebs since
nobody has apparently been there in years. Kazuki attempts to go
back home, but finds that the house he lived in is still occupied
by his parents but, they no longer recognize him. After wandering
around for a few hours, he is found by Mitsuki (who followed him
through to the other world shortly after), and along with a
military escort, takes him to the HQ of the Earth Defense Force, a
privately financed paramilitary operation led by the other Dr. Ken
Sanada. The Dr. Sanada of this world wishes to study Kazuki because
his presence confirms his research on parallel worlds, and soon
employs him as a pilot for his giant robots after discovering that
the boy was able to use them.
Over the course of series, Kazuki manages to attract several
very different women without even trying, and becomes a hero in
countless battles. He is later taken prisoner by Dr. Sanada's
arch-rival (a competing scientist), Dr. Rara, who is the father of
the Mitsuki from this world. Mitsuki Rara eventually defects, and
having nowhere else to go is boarded with Kazuki and her
counterpart. Unfortunately, a new type of robot made from the
artifact is deployed later on that can cause objects and people to
be shifted between the alternate worlds, and during the battle
against it Kazuki and Mitsuki (Sanada) are sent back to their
original world where they discover that Dr. Sanada covered up their
disappearance by claiming that the two had eloped. As it turns out,
the frequent travel between worlds is taking a toll on the universe
itself as the barriers separating them begin to break down, which
will eventually lead to both worlds vanishing into nothingness. A
decision must be made: since Kazuki and the alien technology are
exclusive to each world, one must be eliminated to halt the
destruction. Obviously, the robots have to go, and when the last
one is destroyed, the worlds combine into one, an expression of
Kazuki's wish for all his friends to stay together.
The creator of both DUAL! and Tenchi Muyo!,
Masaki Kajishima, confirmed that DUAL! is in fact an
alternate version of the Tenchi Muyo! universe.
Characters
- Kazuki Yotsuga (四加一樹, Yotsuga
Kazuki
?)
-
- Voiced by: Takayuki
Yamaguchi
- The main character of DUAL!, Kazuki is regarded as a
pariah by his classmates
because he periodically has visions of giant robots battling in the
city. After being accidentally sent to the parallel world by Ken
and Mitsuki Sanada, Kazuki discovers that he is the only male that
can control the mechas. Because of his unbelievable piloting skill,
he is commissioned to the Earth Defense Force or
EDF and becomes the new pilot of the white Core Robot. His cover
story at school is that he's Mitsuki's little brother, which gives
Kazuki quite a bit of trouble.
- Curiously, there is no alternate version of Kazuki Yotsuga in
this world. Later in the series, Kazuki subconsciously awakens one
of the original alien mechas, a robot named Zinv. It's revealed
that Zinv is Kazuki's counterpart in the parallel world.
- Kazuki is the stereotypical harem anime
protagonist: a shy, quiet and awkward everyman possessing
incredible fighting power and illogical charisma. As usual, he
attracts a bevy of beautiful women.
- When Zinv is destroyed, Kazuki's desire for the group to stay
together results in the creation of a third possible world, where
elements from the parallel universes are combined.
- Mitsuki Sanada (真田三月, Sanada
Mitsuki
?)
-
- Mitsuki is the most admired girl in Kazuki's school; young men
constantly send her gifts and cards, and Kazuki is nearly lynched
for speaking to her. She lures Kazuki to her house for her father's
experiments, but is sent to the parallel world along with him.
- Mitsuki is also an exceptional robot pilot, and joins the EDF
to end the war, hoping research to send her home can begin
afterwards. Unfortunately, Mitsuki is hotheaded and easily
manipulated, and is captured by the Rara Army towards the
end of the series and coerced into piloting the complete version of
Himiko.
- She clearly has an attraction to Kazuki, but covers it up by
treating him abrasively. When Kazuki is lost behind enemy lines,
Mitsuki is affected most of all.
- D (ディー,
Dī
?)
-
- D is a bioroid,
an artificially constructed biological/mechanical being first
introduced in the Tenchi Muyo! universe. The war between
the Earth Defense Force and the Rara Army began when D and at least
two mechas were discovered in an artifact of unknown origin. Her
original body was damaged, so a bioroid was built to contain her
essence (represented by a glowing orb in place of an eye) while her
body healed.
- D appears to be as inhuman as the robot she pilots, speaking
mechanically and asking many questions about human emotions and
behavior. The only one to break through her stony exterior is
Kazuki, to the shock of Commander Sanada. D frequently has visions
of a horrible creature attacking, and is deathly afraid of
Himiko.
- She develops a strong attachment to Kazuki, culminating in her
decision to return to her real body at the climax of the series in
order to save him. It's revealed that D stole Zinv and fled her
world to escape Himiko and Kumu, who claimed the
lives of her friends.
- As a robot pilot, D is subpar, often requiring rescue by Kazuki
and Mitsuki. However, she redeems herself by removing the limiter
placed upon Zinv, allowing its true power to manifest itself.
- When Zinv is destroyed and the worlds merge, D becomes Dee
Sanada, taking on the animated personality of a young girl.
- There is also an apparent resemblance between D and Tenchi Muyo!
GXP character Neju na Melmas, leading some to believe that
she and D may belong to the same race. The character of D also
resembles the character Doll from the new Tenchi Muyo spin-off
whose title is (currently) translated as "St. Knight's tale", which
takes place in a parallel reality to the main canon Tenchi Muyo
universe.
- Yayoi Schwael (弥生·シュバエル, Yayoi Shubaeru
?)
-
- Yayoi is the original pilot of the white Core Robot, which
Kazuki named "Hartzenen". After suffering a serious head injury in
battle, Yayoi experienced a feedback loop, effectively cutting off
her connection to robots and ending her career as a pilot. Kazuki
climbed into Hartzenen and took control, saving Yayoi's life. She
refers to Kazuki as "her prince," and falls in love with him.
- Yayoi goes to great lengths to spend time with Kazuki, signing
up to be his combat instructor and school teacher, and even moving
in next door to the Sanada home and building a door into Kazuki's
room.
- When Zinv is destroyed and the worlds merge, Yayoi is Kazuki's
homeroom teacher.
- Mitsuki Rara (羅螺みつき, Rara
Mitsuki
?)
-
- Voiced by: Megumi
Toyoguchi
- The Earth Defense Force knows her as "Miss Ra," the Rara Army's
spokeswoman/mascot, but when Kazuki is injured and trapped behind
enemy lines, it's revealed that she is Mitsuki Sanada's counterpart
in the parallel world, the daughter of Hiroshi and Ayuko Rara.
- Mitsuki Rara could very well be Mitsuki Sanada's direct
opposite. She's quiet, easily embarrassed and gentle; she
personally nurses Kazuki back to health. However, she places
herself in a trance to play
Miss Ra, becoming a ruthless warrior. When she finds out that
Kazuki is an enemy pilot, she launches him away in an escape pod,
remembering the time he could have killed Miss Ra, but saved her
instead.
- Mitsuki is later brainwashed into piloting Himiko, one of
the most powerful robots created. After Kazuki saves her, she
resists returning home, eventually becoming a Core Robot pilot for
the EDF. She comes the closest to capturing Kazuki's heart; the two
almost go out on a date, which is unfortunately cancelled by U.N.
officers intent on sending her home.
- When Zinv is destroyed and the worlds merge, Mitsuki lives in
the Sanada home, even though her parents live right next door.
- Ken Sanada (真田賢, Sanada
Ken
?)
-
- Voiced by: Ryōsuke
Oobayashi
- Ken has A and B versions: the eccentric scientist from our
world, and the parallel world's commander of the Earth Defense
Force. Ken is Mitsuki's father in this world, but is childless in
the other world; naturally, he's quite confused when our world's
Mitsuki calls him "Dad."
- Both Kens share a love for instant ramen, a slightly off-color sense of humor, and
an understanding that Kazuki is special. Despite appearing to goof
off on the job (antagonizing Rara never gets old), Commander Sanada
takes it quite seriously. When the U.N. turns against the EDF, his
subordinates remain loyal to him, proving his worth as a
leader.
- When Zinv is destroyed and the worlds merge, Ken Sanada returns
to being a scientist as well as being married to Akane Yamano. In
the new world, Mitsuki Sanada is his daughter and Dee Sanada is his
adopted daughter. His relation to Kazuki is cause for question.
Kazuki calls him "Uncle" but it is debated among fans whether they
are actually related in the new world.
- Akane Yamano (山野茜, Yamano
Akane
?)
-
- Voiced by: Yōko
Kobayashi
- The Earth Defense Force's United Nations advisor. Despite
Akane's tendency to work "by the book," Ken and the young pilots
often convince her to defy her orders, such as Rara's demand for
the EDF to repatriate his daughter. When the EDF is outlawed, she
resigns her post and flees with Ken Sanada and the others.
- When Zinv is destroyed and the worlds merge, Akane becomes
Ken's wife, as well as (unfortunately) Ayuko Rara's little
sister.
- Hiroshi Rara (羅螺博士, Rara
Hiroshi
?)
-
- In our world, Rara is a Nobel Prize winning scientist. In the
parallel world, he's become something of a megalomaniac. It was
he who began the war in the first place, transforming himself into
a messiah-like figure ("You fools have no fear of God!", "the
divine power of the Rara Army").
- In the bizarre scene where Kazuki actually has dinner with the
Rara family, the General reveals a softer side of himself; he
believes that the war is about keeping the alien technology out of
the wrong hands. However, it quickly becomes clear that Rara is
simply a figurehead, with his wife wielding the real power. He
"Redeems" himself, however, when Kazuki attacks their base, and
gets everyone out before it gets destroyed.
- When Zinv is destroyed and the worlds merge, Rara and his wife
move in next door to the Sanadas, hoping to corral Kazuki into
revealing the secret of his connection to Zinv.
- Ayuko Rara (羅螺鮎子, Rara
Ayuko
?)
-
- Ayuko was both Rara and Sanada's wife in the two worlds, and is
the mother of both Mitsukis. In the parallel world, she manipulates
events while behind the scenes, posing as Rara's submissive wife.
In reality, she controls the Rara Army along with the mysterious
alien named Kumu. She exploits Mitsuki Sanada's love of Kazuki to
convince Mitsuki to turn against the EDF. Ultimately, both Ayuko
and Himiko are defeated by Kazuki and Zinv.
- When Zinv is destroyed and the worlds merge, Ayuko attempts to
"arrange" her daughter and Kazuki's marriage, with humorous
results.
- Alice Shalom (アリス·シャローム, Arisu Sharōmu
?)
-
- Mena Fitzgerald (ミーナ·フィッツジェラルド, Mīna Fīttsujerarudo
?)
- Ryla Phoenix (ライラ·フェニックス, Raira Fenikkusu
?)
-
- Mitsuki Rara's best friends. While initially teasing Mitsuki
for her attraction to Kazuki, they help him escape the Rara base
when his identity is revealed. Later, they give Kazuki her diary
after a battle, letting him know Mitsuki's still thinking about
him. The three later join Mitsuki Rara as pilots for the EDF.
- When Zinv is destroyed and the worlds merge, Alice, Mena and
Ryla return to working for the Raras.
- Kaoru Hayase (早瀬薫, Hayase
Kaoru
?)
-
- A scientist in the employ of the Rara Army. She opposes the
plan to force Mitsuki Rara to pilot Himiko, and warns her of her
mother's machinations. Hayase later joins the Earth Defense Force
and works alongside Ken Sanada.
List of
Episodes
Series
| Episode no. |
Episode Title |
Original Air Date |
|
| Act. 01 |
"Life
Sympathy"
"Raifu Shinpashī" (ライフシンパシィ) |
April 8, 1999 |
| Kazuki can
see what no one else can: a parallel world where giant robots battle and
destroy the city. Mitsuki introduces Kazuki to her father Ken
Sanada. He is a college professor that tinkers in high tech quantum
physics in his basement during his spare time. Ken believes he's
found the bridge between these parallel worlds and tests Kazuki to
learn why he's the only one who can see it. The quantum portal
machine is accidentally activated and Kazuki is sent to the
alternate world. Kazuki doesn't realize he's in the alternate world
at first until robots almost step on him. When the Hartzenen robot
falls in front of him during a battle, the injured pilot stumbles
out and into Kazuki's arms. Kazuki is forced to activate the robot
and enter the fight himself. |
| Act. 02 |
"My Home"
"Mai Hōmu" (マイ·ホーム) |
April 15, 1999 |
| Kazuki goes
to an empty store to buy medicine for the injured pilot, but the UN
forces pick up the pilot and Hartzenen before he returns. Finding
the pilot, whose name is Yayoi, missing Kazuki searches through
empty streets for someone. Soon people begin to return to the city
and Kazuki goes to his house to find his parents, but they aren't
there and neither are any of his things. Ken Sanada of this world
greets him then explains that he doesn't exist in this world and
Mitsuki is from his own world but she arrived a month earlier. Ken
Sanada the UN leader of the Global Defense Force and the world is
at war with the Rara army led by a fellow scientist named Hiroshi
Rara. Mitsuki is a pilot of one of the core robots and figures if
she fights to help end the war faster Ken Sanada will have time to
make the portal back to their original world. |
| Act. 03 |
"Illegal Guy"
"Irīgaru Gai" (イリーガル·ガイ) |
April 22, 1999 |
| Kazuki is
persuaded by Akane and Ken to be Hartzenen's pilot. Only females
can pilot the robots so they are amazed that a male can activate
one. Kazuki meets the alien D. Kazuki practices using the robot and
he pilots Hartzenon in battle with Mitsuki and Dee. He is afraid at
first, but when D and Mitsuki are in trouble he forgets his fear
and springs back to life to save them. |
| Act. 04 |
"No Disguise"
"Nō Dīsugaizu" (ノーディスガイズ) |
April 29, 1999 |
| Ken Sanada,
who his not Mitsuki's father in this parallel world, tells her
Kazuki doesn't exist in this world, so he has no where else to
stay. Akane wants to keep Kazuki a secret from the enemy so Ken
designs a uniform that makes him look like a female. Kazuki goes
along with it at first but when Ken introduces him to the others on
the base they laugh their heads off. Embarrassed, Kazuki runs away
and Akane traps him in one of the corridors, pleading with him to
be reasonable and wear the suit. During the next battle Kazuki
agrees to wear the female suit and Ken promises to have a male
uniform made for him by the next battle. |
| Act. 05 |
"Campus Life"
"Kyanpusu Raifu" (キャンパス·ライフ) |
May 6, 1999 |
| Kazuki
attends school posing as Mitsuki Sanada's little brother. They give
him love letters for her and try to buy the lunch she made for him.
Mitsuki is upset he accepted all the love letters and makes him
write a response to each one. The next day Mitsuki is upset to
learn D is moving in with them. Ken Sanada put her in Kazuki's room
and he said it will improve morale between the pilots and Dee
responds to him. Mitsuki builds a wall to separate D and Kazuki.
The gang takes care of some household chores and Mitsuki gets upset
when D follows Kazuki's instructions instead of hers. Mitsuki is
angry when D accidentally throws her diary away, but tells D it
doesn't matter. D goes off in the rain to search for it and Mitsuki
and Kazuki look for her. When Kazuki comes home he finds another
door to his room. Mitsuki comes in and they both learn from Ken
that Yayoi will be living with them too. |
| Act. 06 |
"Intrigue"
"Intorīgu" (イントリーグ) |
May 13, 1999 |
| Mitsuki is
upset with Yayoi because she is taking over at home, at school and
on the base. She sets up a plan to have Reika marry Yayoi off.
Reika finds a wealthy businessman who is interested in marrying
Yayoi but the young woman protests getting married. Reika convinces
her to at least meet with him - his family and theirs have been
long time friends. The meeting site is near a Rara army battle zone
and Ken and Akane want Reika to cancel the meeting but she refuses.
Mitsuki assures Reika that the Rara army will not cross the four
mile (6 km) limit to disturb them. On the day of the battle Kazuki
fights the enemy close to the four mile (6 km) limit and even
though Mitsuki tries her best to keep the enemy away, Kazuki lets
the enemy get closer. His rampage causes Miss Ra to fall off the
building and Kazuki catches the enemy, saving her life. |
| Act. 07 |
"Hard Case"
"Hādo Kēsu" (ハードケース) |
May 20, 1999 |
| The UN
officers are impressed at how well Kazuki, Mitsuki and Dee work as
a team. In battle, the Rara army uses the powerful Original robot
against the UN Forces. The Rara robot concentrates on attacking
Hartzenen, under orders from Rara to capture the pilot. Kazuki is
in danger of being killed so Ken sends the surrender signal to
Rara. The Rara robot lands, but inside Rara territory, taking
Kazuki with it. Behind enemy lines, the robot continues to attack
Hartzenen and a terrified Kazuki loses control, inflicting heavy
damage on the superior Rara robot. Ken calls General Rara and begs
him to release the pilot but he refuses. Mitsuki wants to go save
Kazuki but Ken orders her not to. Severely injured, Kazuki limps
away from the wreckage, his pilot suit destroyed. An explosion
rocks the landscape, and Kazuki's friends fear the
worst. |
| Act. 08 |
"Mitsuki"
(MITSUKI) |
May 27, 1999 |
| When
searching for Kazuki's possible remains, all that is found by
Mitsuki and the others of the UN forces is his damaged core robot.
Kazuki wakes up deep behind enemy lines, thought to be an innocent
bystander. Miss Ra herself takes responsibility for his recovery.
He witnesses Miss Ra change from the harsh trash talker she has
been into a nice young girl who happens to look just like Mitsuki.
Revealed to be Mitzuki Rara, the young girl seems interested in
Kazuki. Even though he finds this Mitsuki interesting, Kazuki
decides that he must get back to EDF territory and hopefully escape
without having to deal with Mitzuki's mother Ayuko, who is more
evil then her husband. Ayuko slowly puts the pieces together and
finds out Kazuki's true allegiance, along with footage of him
exiting Hartzenen. |
| Act. 09 |
"Escape"
"Esukēpu" (エスケープ) |
June 3, 1999 |
| After
escaping back to Earth Defense Force territory, Kazuki tries to get
things back to normal but keeps thinking of Mitsuki Rara. Ayuko
discovers that Rara's secret weapon, a powerful robot named Himiko,
is rejecting Miss Ra because of her feelings for Kazuki, and has
her brainwashed to attack without feeling. The Rara Army directly
attacks the Earth Defense Force's headquarters with copies of the
Original robot and Himiko, easily penetrating their defenses and
sending them to the brink of defeat. Kazuki pleads with Miss Ra to
remember him, but to no avail. Himiko obliterates Hartzenen, and in
a catatonic state Kazuki summons the robot Zinv from its resting
place deep inside the EDF headquarters. Kazuki and Zinv destroy the
invaders and rescue Miss Ra from Himiko, which escapes on its
own. |
| Act. 10 |
"Repatriate"
"Ripatoriēto" (リパトリエート) |
June 10, 1999 |
| Mitsuki
Rara moves into the house with Kazuki, Yayoi, D and Mitsuki Sanada.
The Rara forces are losing one battle after another especially when
they are going up against Zinv, Kazuki's new robot. Rara demands
the return of his daughter, and UN officers seize her to fulfill
his wishes, derailing a date that Kazuki set up with her. The Earth
Defense Force defies them and allows her to stay. Meanwhile Ayuko
wages an all out attack with a new weapon. With a blinding flash,
Zinv and Mitsuki Sanada's robot vanish. |
| Act. 11 |
"Real"
"Riaru" (リアル) |
June 17, 1999 |
| Kazuki
awakens back in his own world. He's worried about his friends but
tries to get used to being back home. Rara and Ken have joined
forces to study the parallel world. The barriers between the worlds
have begun to break down, and robots begin to appear in the city,
causing massive destruction. Kazuki and Mitsuki choose to go back
to end the war and seal the rift. Mitsuki arrives back in the
parallel world before Kazuki, and is captured by Rara. |
| Act. 12 |
"Ardent
Desire"
"Ādento Dezaia" (アーデント·デザイア) |
June 24, 1999 |
| Kazuki
arrives back in the parallel world, finding the war has not gone
well for his friends. The Earth Defense Force has been disavowed by
the United Nations and left on the run in an artifact vessel. In
her jealousy at seeing Zinv rescuing Mitsuki Rara, the new pilot of
Hartzenen, Mitsuki Sanada is tricked into piloting the complete
version of Himiko. Ken discovers the parallel worlds are rapidly
destabilizing, and destruction of both worlds is
imminent. |
| Act. 13 |
"The World"
"Za Wārudo" (ザ·ワールド) |
July 1, 1999 |
| Though
Mitsuki Sanada tries to stop it, Complete Himiko easily defeats
Zinv, leaving Kazuki trapped inside. D sacrifices herself for her
love of Kazuki, crashing the empty artifact ship into Rara
headquarters and destroying her bioroid body. Her soul returns to
her real body, and she unlocks the limiter on Zinv, allowing Zinv's
Light Hawk Wings to manifest. Zinv removes Mitsuki Sanada from
Himiko and creates a black hole that crushes Himiko and the Rara
base. Kazuki must destroy Zinv to save the two worlds and seal the
rift. But when the dust clears, the world has changed. A third
parallel world has formed where everyone gets to stay together,
Kazuki and Mitsuki Sanada's wish come true. |
OVA
| Episode no. |
Episode Title |
Original Air Date |
|
| Act. 14 |
"Final
Frontier"
"Fainaru Furontia" (ファイナル·フロンティア) |
December 22, 1999 |
| Everyone
has survived the combination, but with some new back stories to
guide them. Ayuko has plans to revive the Rara army and intends on
Kazuki and Mitsuki (Rara's daughter) to hook up. Meanwhile,
artifacts have been discovered on the new earth. In the end, plans
are made to explore space as a resurrected Zinv returns to
Kazuki. |
Music
Opening Theme:
- "DUAL!": Act. 02 - 13
- Song by: HARU&SAYAKA from UNIVERS★LD
- Lyrics by: Hiroko Yah
- Composition and arrangement by: Seikou Nagaoka
Ending Theme:
- "Real": Act. 01 - 12
- Song by: Shifo from UNIVERS★LD
- Lyrics and composition by: Shifo
- Arrangement by: Seikou Nagaoka
- Original lyrics by: Yūsuke Kuroda
- "DUAL! (Mitsuki duet version)": Act. 14
- Song by: Mitsuki Sanada (CV: Rie Tanaka) & Mitsuki Rara (CV: Megumi
Toyoguchi)
- Lyrics and composition by: Shifo
- Arrangement by: Seikou Nagaoka
Glossary
- Core Robots
- Three multicolored bipedal machines reverse engineered from
Zinv. Because they are man-made, the Core Robots are inferior to
the originals in every way.
- The Core Robots are used by the Earth Defense Force; Yayoi Schwael
(replaced by Kazuki Yotsuga, and
later by Mitsuki Rara) pilots
the white Unit 1 (nicknamed "Hartzenen/Halcynen" by Kazuki), Mitsuki Sanada
controls the red Unit 2, and D (briefly replaced by Alice, Mena, and Ryla)
pilots the blue Unit 3.
- Earth Defense Force
- A United
Nations-sponsored military organization under the command of Ken Sanada dedicated
to foiling the Rara Army's plans for world domination. The EDF
employs many soldiers, but relies solely upon the three Core Robots
in battle.
- Combat between the two armies is quite different from normal
warfare; Rara informs the public where and when an attack will take
place, and the combat zone is evacuated. At any time, either side
can submit a "callsign," indicating their surrender. Because of
these measures, there have been no casualties in the war.
- Himiko
- Zinv's opposite, Himiko carved a swath of ruin across D's world
before she escaped. It seems as though only people with negative
emotions in their hearts can control Himiko, as evidenced by its
initial rejection of Mitsuki Rara, and its violent reaction to
Mitsuki Sanada's jealousy. Himiko has some connection to the alien
lifeform Kumu.
- Himiko is completely and totally destroyed at the hands of
Zinv, compressed down to nothing to prevent it from
regenerating.
- Kumu
- The alien that advises Ayuko Rara. It has some relationship to
D, and hates men with
a passion. Kumu resembles a floating, glowing bell and
garland.
- When Zinv is destroyed and the worlds merge, Kumu is the name
of a puppy that is given to the Sanada family by Ayuko Rara in the
hopes of finding out information about Zinv. The name fits: while
it loves the girls in the house, Kazuki gets a severe bite whenever
he comes near.
- Life Sympathy
- A term for the power of a pilot's will to exert control over
robots. High Life Sympathy levels can enable a robot to move faster
and inflict more damage with melee attacks. For reasons revealed at
the end of the series, the robots on Earth only respond to female
Life Sympathy, though Kazuki is somehow exempt.
- Because of his overwhelming negative Life Sympathy, Kazuki's
robot is capable of feats beyond most other models.
- Rara Army
- Formed by Hiroshi Rara, it
intends to unite the world under its banner. Like the EDF, it uses
robots in battle rather than conventional weapons, but its machines
are exotic and beastly, differing from its rival's humanoid robots.
Rara's robots are also remotely operated, unlike the Earth Defense
Force's cockpit-equipped models.
- Rara prefers to operate outlandishly, broadcasting attack
trailers and boasting of his army's God-given power (often through
his mascot, Miss Ra). However, despite General Rara's highly
visible status within the organization, another person wields the
real authority.
- The Original
- A mech under the control of the Rara army, it has the power to
control the atmosphere as well as some electromagnetic
capabilities. It captures Kazuki along with Hartzenen and brings
them to Rara's base where it falls off a large cliff, supposedly
destroying it beyond repair.
- The Original and Zinv are the only mechs confirmed to be found
in The Artifact.
- Zinv
- An incredibly powerful robot found with D. It sat dormant in
the EDF's headquarters for years until Kazuki awakened it during
Rara's assault.
- Zinv has many unique abilities revolving around the
manipulation of gravimetric forces, including gravitational
projectiles, super speed, and crushing enemy mecha. Zinv also comes
equipped with a nano-repair system that can fix any damage
inflicted. Zinv only responds to Kazuki's Life Sympathy, and
sometimes activates itself when Kazuki is not aboard.
- Zinv defeats the lesser version of Himiko quite easily, but
Himiko's final form takes the upper hand. When D removes the
limiter preventing males from piloting it (Kazuki skirts this by
BEING Zinv), Zinv instantly repairs itself and generates Light Hawk
Wings. With this newfound power, Kazuki decimates Himiko and
creates a black hole, reducing the Rara fortress to nothing.
- With the two worlds dangerously close to oblivion, Zinv and
Kazuki agree to destroy Zinv, ensuring that both worlds will live
on. However, Zinv survives the explosion that consumes it,
regenerating at the bottom of the ocean and returning to Kazuki in
the third universe.
- Followers of Tenchi Muyo! will recognize the Light
Hawk Wings, as well as the Zinv look-alike in Tenchi Muyo
GXP.
Future of
Dual!
Since 2001, there has been a fan speculating about a Dual!
sequel in the works but according to AIC Anime English website,
there are currently no plans to release such a sequel.
Connections to Tenchi Muyo
Universe
It has been confirmed by the creator of Tenchi Muyo and Dual!
that the two series are related, although the extent of the
connection is unknown at this time. A mecha similar to Zinv is
found during an episode of Tenchi GXP which is a sequel to the
Tenchi OVA series. Both Mitsuki Sanada and Ken Sanada appear in the
Tenchi GXP novels as alternate versions of themselves. Sasami and
several other Tenchi Muyo characters are featured in inserts found
in the Dual! Parallel Trouble Adventure laser disks.
Other
Similarities
Several elements in Dual! Parallel Trouble Adventure (1999) are
very similar to Neon Genesis Evangelion
(1995)
- The main character changes the world in the last episode to
merge two conflicting worlds and to make them both more to his own
liking.
- The end result of merging of both worlds in Dual! is extremely
similar to a 'hypothetical' outcome displayed to the main character
of Neon Genesis Evangelion.
- The rifle guns that the Sanada-style robots use look and act
like the rifles of Evangelion.
- The Sanada-style robots can be compared to Evangelion robots,
with similar shoulders, hand-to-hand combat styles, and one male
pilot with two female pilots on the team.
- The color scheme of the robot of the confident and somewhat
hot-headed female pilot in Dual! is very similar to the color of
the robot of the overconfident and extremely hot-headed female
pilot Asuka Langly Soryu in Evangelion
- The color scheme of the robot of the reserved female pilot in
Dual! is very similar to the color of the robot of the reserved
female pilot, Rei Ayanami, in Evangelion.
- The Rara-style robots start out as nonhumanoid in the first
battles and change their type each battle in size and power,
similar to the Angels.
- The main character has a mysterious female friend that is
usually quite reserved, until she meets the protagonist, which
amazes everyone else. And they both have non-human origins.
- The main character has a female teacher that dotes on him.
Because of these elements, Dual is considered a parody of Evangelion.
Trivia
- During the 14th & final episode, Kiyone Makibi (a character from several
Tenchi series) can be seen carrying a bag of groceries just after
Zinv appears in the city. Ramia
as well as Misao Amano (both characters from magical
project S) can also be seen in the same scene. Tanya Natdhipytadd,
from Battle Athletes, also makes a cameo
appearance. AIC, the company behind Dual!, often has characters
from other series make such cameos as easter eggs to fans.
- The monster from D's dreams while Kazuki trapped in Rara
territory strongly resembles Himiko from later in the series.
- Zinv can be seen several times before his official appearance,
the most predominant of which is while Kazuki is being sent to the
alternate world during episode 1.
External
links
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