First off, in summary, Meine Liebe is a political anime. The setting is Rozenstolz Academy - a prestigious academy in a separate European country called Kuchen. The kingdom split from mainland Europe in order to escape the wars that raged on the continent. The series centres around five honours students attending the academy. These students are called the "Strahl Candidates" - which means that they are in line for possible admittance to the government of Kuchen.
There are two sides to the candidates - one side is led by Orpherus, a very idealistic young man who wants to create a kingdom where there is no war, where everyone is happy. The other is led by Ludwig, who believes that the kingdom should not be run by the will of the people, but with an iron fist: otherwise, the kingdom will fall into ruin. While these two butt heads (Orpherus thinks Ludwig's ideals are destructive, Ludwig thinks that Orpherus has his head in the clouds), the other three Strahl Candidates are Eduard, who follows Orpherus unwaveringly; Camus, Ludwig's cousin, who wants to see Orpherus, who he admires, and Ludwig, who he absolutely adores, be friends as they both have good ideals; and Naoji, the Japanese foreign exchange student who seems to be a steadfast follower of Ludwig, but who also values some of Orpherus's ideals.
Oh, and Isaac. We can't forget him. Isaac is a British writer who fills us in on what's going on in the academy, outside the academy, and outside of Kuchen. He is not a student, but he plays a pivotal role in the rest of the anime.
This blog I'm focusing on what everyone that knows me well should be expecting: the importance of the names.
Hurrary for AP Literature class solidifying this obsession in me.
Orpherus
Meaning: "To cry out"
Allusion to: King Orpheus from Greek mythology, who had many amazing talents, the son of a king and a nymph. When his wife died, he played such sad songs and sang so mournfully that he made all the nymphs and gods cry. From the counsel of the gods, he went to the Underworld and played for Hades and Persephone. Causing their hearts to soften, they told him that he could take his wife back to earth with him, on the condition that he not look at her until they were out of the underworld. Overjoyed, he led his wife up, but at the last moment, forgetting that they both needed to be out, turned and looked at her. She disappeared, this time forever.
Parallel to Meine Liebe: Orpherus is a perfect model student, an all-rounder in almost all things, with a beautiful outer appearance. He lost his beloved elder sister to a mysterious accident, and laments for her continually. His dream of an ideal world is to prevent other innocents from dying like his sister.
Laughing point: While in a near-death state, when meeting his sister between the world of the living and the world of the dead, Orpherus begs her to return with him.
Personal Opinion: Orpherus really is quite an interesting character. His views and opinions are wholly agreeable. He is very friendly, and obviously quite a lady killer. In fact, I might really like Orpherus if he didn't have the one trait that causes me to honestly dislike characters: the accursed trait of never seeing any bad in anyone. Though we find out in Wieder it's more that he sees the pointlessness in things like "hatred" and "dislike" than the fact that he doesn't feel them, I find it incredibly irritating that he's obsessed with helping others with no end to sacrifice, or that every time he hears something less than desirable about another, he brushes it off with "It can't really be that way" or "There must be a very good reason." (Prime example of the incident with Isaac in Wieder. I felt like killing something).
The other thing that really gets me is how ridiculously idealistic his visions are. Yes, they are agreeable, and yes, his world would be a desirable one, but he doesn't seem to realize that most of his ideas would be far too lenient, thus sending the country into moralistic and physical chaos. He also seems to be unable to find a good argument that his ideas as to how the country should be run are the best idea. I recall at least two instances where his political opponent, Ludwig, asks for a convincing argument and Orpherus never replies. That makes me uneasy. I know people like Orpherus who seem to believe that their way is the best way and that it will be accepted immediately as such, who can't find solid evidence that it would be that way. I have two words: Ivory Tower.
Character Rating: Orpherus would get 3.5/5. Which, in honesty, isn't bad, but the character could use work. I think he's a little on the Gary Stu side.
Eduard
Meaning: "Guardian of prosperity"
Allusion to: Edward the Martyr, who was believed to be the son of King Edgar and his mistress, who was "a young man of great devotion and excellent conduct. He lived a completely orthodox, good and holy life. Moreover, he loved above all things God and the Church. He was generous to the poor, a haven to the good, a champion of the Faith of Christ, a vessel full of every virtuous grace." He was supposedly killed by his stepmother.
Parallel to Meine Liebe: Eduard is the illegitimate son of Viscount Braunschweig and a peasant woman - thus, he is despised by his stepmother and everyone else in Rosenstolz. His stepmother attempts to kill him at least once in the series (never mind how many other times outside what we see). He is a kind, strong person and completely dedicated to Orpherus (the Christ figure of the series).
Laughing point: He loves horseback riding. Edward the Martyr died while riding a horse after being stabbed by someone in his stepmother's party.
Personal Opinion: Eduard is one of these characters that actually seems somewhat human, that proves that the canon universe is not perfect. As an illegitimate son, he is ridiculed and mocked. He definitely feels the oppression, and definitely gets down about it. He doesn't hide his feelings, and he is exceptionally realistic. He also has a talent that isn't usually associated with "manliness" - he plays the piano, and quite well.
The fact that he still loves his father, and his half-sisters, and even his stepmother makes him tragic. It's believable - at least to me - that he would want his stepmother's approval, even if she does obviously hate him. The fact that he lost his mother at a young age, and that his stepmother separated him and his younger sister makes him that much more of an endearing character - he carries on, no matter what, still wanting to do what he feels he needs to do, without acting as if everything is okay.
The only downfall I think Eduard might have is his loyalty to Orpherus. It's understandable, of course - Orpherus was obviously the first person to actually give Eduard, the human being, a chance (because Orpherus is overly believing that everyone is undeniable good, as I mentioned before). However, I don't think Orpherus's friendship is deserving of complete, unwavering trust and loyalty, seemingly to the point of sacrificing one's life to him. Eduard's desire to protect Orpherus serves to keep the pureblood noble in his ivory tower, which only adds to my irritation. Eduard never really speaks against Orpherus, even when he disapproves of something.
It's just a little annoying. If you can understand what I mean.
Character Rating: 4/5. Good job, Eduard.
Camus
Meaning: “A creek”
Allusion to: Possibly Jean-Pierre Camus, a French bishop and writer who often expounded on moralistic intention, saving grace of divine love, and spiritual reflection.
Otherwise, perhaps the area in Ireland called Camus.
Parallel to Meine Liebe: If it's Ireland, Camus loves flowers. If it's the bishop, Camus is the naive person who wants to appeal to all forms of morals and relies on love/friendship between him and others to protect and save each other. He also reflects a lot on himself and the sheltered life he has lived due to his unnatural ability to speak to flowers.
Laughing point: Compared to everyone else in the series, Camus is the very embodiment of love and spirituality.
Personal Opinion: Small, weak, feminine, and frail, I think the only reason Camus was included in the game was for men with shota complexes. But I'll set that aside.
Camus might be almost as irritating as Orpherus in the fact that he sees good in people, except that he readily sees good in only one person: Ludwig. This doesn't irritate me, as Ludwig is, in all actuality, a very good person (shown in his own way). The thing that upsets me about Camus is how emotionally unbalanced he seems to be, and how unwilling to try his best he is. Though I guess in this sense he's probably the most realistic of all characters, it's a little baffling to think about why someone that seems to have no real interest in politics and who doesn't seem to have much promise in the way of being a good government official is in the class designed to help promote people with those exact interests. Camus is also fast to run away from a situation unless it involves Ludwig or his friends - at which point he'll blindly run towards the situation at risk of making things worse. That is also a little bit offthrowing.
Character rating: 3.5/5. Sorry, Camus. If he was a little mature, it wouldn't be quite that bad.
Naoji
Meaning: …. Um…
Allusion to: ... well, I can't really find anything. Since the series takes place in Europe, and Naoji is the only foreigner, his name just stands out. (Though it does appear that he is a quarter Kuchen…)
I do find Naoji Mogi, a champion figure skater, and a lot of military commanders.
Parallel to Meine Liebe: ... Naoji is graceful, yet is a good fighter.
Laughing point: Naoji is a Strahl Candidate in a country where he cannot possibly become a true member of the Strahl.
Personal Opinion: ... Gathered from the copious information I have above, I will thus be able to write a very long, descriptive bit about Naoji.
I actually really like Naoji. He is calm and collected, and seems very into perfecting himself. There is a strange calm around him that makes seeing him a pleasure to the eyes, as one can easily know that if Naoji is involved, things can be settled without need for violence (which, in this world, is always nice), and in a peaceful manner to top it all. Though Naoji is obviously homesick for his motherland, he never stops doing his best at the present, where he is right now.
Ludwig points out the one thing that is a bit of a prick about Naoji - he doesn't seem to think about what he wants to do. He only follows others, and can never truly be seen making his own executive decisions. This is also pointed out by a later Strahl, and sadly it is something that would make Naoji a bit useless in government. One should always be able to decide one way or another, and not politely take their leave. Otherwise, though a bit of a flat character, Naoji is an immense improvement over the reality-denying Orpherus or the emotionally-unstable Camus.
Character rating: 4/5. Yay, Naoji!
Ludwig
Meaning: “Famous warrior”
Allusion to: Ludwig II of Bavaria. Struggling with the pressure that he would be the royal heir to the throne of Bavaria, Ludwig was brooding and difficult to get along with, though he was popular among his subjects in later days. He hated crowds, but was not above socializing with his subjects. He is associated with the arts, ascended to the throne at a young age, had a broken engagement, believed in progress, was highly religious, might have struggled with homosexuality, was later diagnosed with paranoia, and died a mysterious death.
Parallel to Meine Liebe: Oh, Ludwig, shall I count the ways...? Ludwig is somewhat antisocial, but will go to social events, has been pressured since a young age to ascend the political ladder, gets engaged but breaks it off, is in favour of progression, and can quote obscure scripture.
Oh, did I mention that his mother is the king’s younger sister…? So he is, in context, a prince.
Laughing point: I personally think Ludwig might be struggling with homosexuality... (him and everyone else in this show) And if he doesn't lighten up, he might just be diagnosed with paranoia.
Personal Opinion: I'll try not to laugh as I write this. I love Ludwig, really I do. I personally think he's the only Strahl Candidate that is fit to actually be one. He has the skills, the political knowledge, and the looks family background to be a high-ranking official. He is always calm, and he is almost always the source of a stable reality check. Ludwig sees things as they are, not as he would like them to be, which is a stark contrast to the rest of the Strahl Candidate, and which makes him a support against the brain-melting that entails the speeches of the other characters.
He is not wholly negative, but he is, of course, the downer of the bunch. His pride and his want to do things on his own, while admirable, are also a constant target of Orpherus's speeches and lectures. The fact that he can argue just as readily against Orpherus also provides the two-way vision that is probably best for a "political anime."
If there is anything I can find wrong with Ludwig, it's one of two things. First, I shall give the ridiculous - the length of his hair. It's pretty. I want to stroke it. But it's so inconvenient. There will be an episode where he will be fencing and all that midnight-dark hair will be cut off. Secondly, it's his emotionless way of doing things, and how he unhesitatingly accepts things so long as they will further himself (such as an arranged engagement without much more than a single look of "... Oh.") and how he obsesses over vaulting himself to heights. I understand that it's important to him, but I also think that he should learn to involve his feelings at least a little bit. We do get a hint that he does this, such as what he says after his engagement is broken off, or when Camus withdraws from the academy, or even when he invites the others to his house for a tea party with his sad mother, but for the most part he remains immovable.
Character Rating: 4/5. It would be 4.5, if not for the coldness and the long hair.
Isaac
Meaning: "Laughter"
Allusion to: ... Isaac of the Bible?
Parallel to Meine Liebe: If the Meine Liebe OP is
anything to go by... he was possibly harmed by his father while small. Kind of like Isaac of the Bible. Maybe.
Laughing point: He seems innocent to me, but he's voiced by the biggest devil-demon-evil character seiyuu in the world.
Personal Opinion: Hail, somebody that actually makes sense in this extremity-polared world. Isaac, as an adult with world experience, knows the way the world really works, and as an outsider in Kuchen, brings more experience to help aid the students within realize what their ideals for government really should be. He has the ability to look at Orpherus's ideas and appreciate them, but also understands Ludwig's train of thought and its strengths and weaknesses, and give practical application of both theories to the state of the world's affairs. He is also the only character that has admitted that he is nothing special - "I am nothing but a coward", he says to Eduard in Wieder. Also, he hires himself out to be able to care for his younger sister, which ends up as a source of dismay not only to her, but to him as well. This is also a source of character-viewer relation, as I'm fairly sure the majority of Meine Liebe watchers aren't nobility, such as counts, dukes, marquis, or anything of the sort.
He is almost like a distant parent-figure to the focus characters. In his words, "They're nothing but pampered kids asking for trouble." Though in the latter half of the series, he is usually unable to help them, he isn't afraid to stay true to himself and help the boys, at risk of his own life and the students', whenever possible.
Do I have a problem with Isaac? Give me a moment... yes, but it's not a huge one, though it is rather... ironic that he always shows up (at least in the first part of the series) right as one of the boys, namely Orpherus, needs him. Maybe Isaac is really a stalker...?
Character Rating: 4.5/5. He is a welcome, realistic relief to the soul.
Fun times.
Images courtesy of Meine Liebe ~Wieder~.
