Last Exile is an anime series produced in 2003 and created by Gonzo Digimation, the same studio responsible for works such as Blue Submarine No. 6 , Full Metal Panic! and Hellsing.

The story revolves around Claus Valca, a young Vanship (plane-like machines) courier pilot and his navigator, Lavie Head and their adventure as courier pilots in the floating world of Prestale. In this romantic sky world, there are two countries, Anatoray and Disith, which are engaged in a war, under the constant supervision of the mysterious Guild. Claus and Lavie find themselves involved in a plot that evolves around a mysterious little girl named Alvis Hamilton, which they must deliver as "cargo" to the battleship Silvana.

The animation features a combination of 2-D and stunning 3-D CGI sequences and several key staff members (like the character designer Range Murata and Gonzo veteran Mahiro Maeda ) also worked on the production of Blue Submarine No. 6. This series aired in the United States starting in March 2004 (episodes 1-13) and the remainder of the series was shown in December 2004 on the recently merged G4techTV (episodes 14-26).

Characters

Claus Valca: a 15 year-old vanship pilot working for the Norkia Vanship Organization. His navi (navigator) is Lavie Head with whom he also shares a deep freindship lasting since childhood. Claus is no stranger to the vanship courier lifestyle, having been born into it and raised for the lifestyle by his late father Hamilcal (much like navi George Head and Lavie). Their fathers died while attempting to cross the Grand Stream on a mission that would've brought peace to Prestale. After this and his mother's death, Claus follows in his father's steps throughout his childhood and early adolescence and becomes a top-notch pilot. He is very focused on his job and makes sure the mission is finished each time. Claus is protective of both Lavie and their "cargo" Alvis Hamilton. With their vanship damaged, he is in a sense forced to stay on the Silvana

Lavie Head: also 15 years old and is Claus' navi and vanship mechanic. The moody redhead is proud of her lineage as seen in her protectiveness of her vanship which is thought to have belonged to their fathers. Unlike Claus, she is relatively reluctant to stay on the Silvana and favors the freedom of the vanship lifestyle. Along with her friendly nature, she can hold grudges with others.

Alvis Hamilton: a peculiar 11-year old child and "the cargo." She is targeted by the Guild and becomes apparent that she is the "key to Exile." Her nurse, Gita, and the pilot who was commissioned to transport her, Ralph Wednesday, were killed as a result of the Guild's pursuit. Claus and Lavie take up the mission and successfully complete it. Al does not know of her importance, but learns of it while under the care of the Silvana.

Alex Row: About 28 years old and is the enigmatic captain of the infamous battelship Silvana. He is given the responsibility of protecting Alvis from the Guild. He has an outwardly cold facade that seems unemotional, but some of his past is revealed by the middle of the series. In general, his past is marked by tragedy and is also one that intersects with both Claus and Lavie. He is a graduate of the Anatoray Officer's Academy like several characters in the series, but he is now independent of both Anatoray and Disith because of events not directly approached in the series. Due to this and the Silvana not being in the service of either nation, his ship's actions are directly his orders. He is also a master strategist in many contexts outside of warfare.

Sophia Forrester: About 19 years old, she is the Silvana's first officer. Another graduate of the Anatoray Officer's Academy, she is one of the few people Alex trusts and is often seen in him leaving command of the ship to her when he is out of the ship to pursue his agenda. It becomes apparent that she has special feelings for Alex and sometimes reveals too much, much to Row's chagrin in his sometimes snarky comments to her. Sophia is of royal heritage and the daughter of the Anatoray emperor. At times in the series, she feels that she is unloved, both by Row's visible actions to her and her father's response to her when she returns to the capital city.

Dio Elaclaire: A child of Elaclaire house and sister of Maestro Delphine, the most powerful Guild member. Very playful and treats many things like they were games. His first appearance in the series is marked by a chess-match with servant Lucciola and with the Guild's power and surveillance, watches the skies of a skirmish between Guild ships searching for Alvis and the Silvana. His weird nature can be seen in his awe of Claus' skillsand gives him the nickname "Immelman." His kooky nature is mostly due to the Guild lifestyle and fear of sister Delphine.

External links

• AnimeNfo http://www.animenfo.com/animetitle,1191,ejldke,last_exile.html
• Official Site for Last Exile DVD http://www.lastexiledvd.com/
• Review on THEMAnime http://themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=550