Granblue Fantasy is finally back after two years. Japanese rock band, Seven Billion Dots performs the show’s opening song, Stay With Me. It’s catchy, uplifting, and suits the series as a whole. Seven Billion Dots are newcomers, with only a few music videos on their YouTube channel. Their debut E.P. featuring Stay With Me will be released on December 11th.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bMVDPIBTAs
Now, did you watch season one of Granblue Fantasy? Do you remember what happened? Did you play the free mobile game?
Did you answer “no” to all these questions? Well, then season two will be a rough ride, as the first episode of the season offers little reintroduction to the characters and practically no recap of events. To help everyone get caught up it’s time to rehash season one’s characters, events, and general lore and prepare for season two!
Gran
The main hero of Granblue Fantasy and the leader of the Grandcypher crew. Gran’s adventure started with a letter his father sent him after departing on his own quests when Gran was still a child, thus inspiring Gran’s desire to sail across the skies for the Island of the Astrals. On a fateful day, many years later, he encountered Lyria and Katalina who were fleeing from the Erste Empire. While getting caught in the crossfire of it all, Gran actually died. However, Lyria was able to bring him back with her magic, at a heavy price. Now that his soul is linked to Lyria, should they be separated or one of them killed, the other will die as well. As a result, Gran was forced to follow Lyria out into the world as her new bodyguard while fleeing the Erste authorities.
Despite the grim circumstances, Gran is happy and views the situation as an excuse to venture across the skies in an airship like he had always dreamed. He’s optimistic and kind to everyone he encounters, always ready to provide a helping hand.
Lyria
Cute and sweet as she may be, Lyria is a powerful magician and a wanted fugitive of the Erste Empire. She has a unique ability to absorb, control, and communicate with primal beasts. The origin of her powers are still unclear, but because they are coveted by the power-hungry, Lyria was held prisoner for several years. She never knew much beyond the outside of a prison cell, let alone an entire world.
She’s bright, bubbly, full of dreams, and a little naive. Still, Lyria remains kind, brave, and sincere every step of the way, even in the face of danger.
Katalina
How did Lyria escape from the Erste Empire? That’s where Katalina comes into the story! Originally, she was a high ranking Erste Empire soldier tasked with being Lyria’s keeper. Having seen Lyria in such depressing states, Katalina brought her books, maps, and photos of the world during her imprisonment. This helped Lyria develop her emotions, sense of curiosity, and longing for freedom. Having bonded and wanting to see Lyria happy, Katalina helped her escape. They’ve been on the run together ever since.
She isn’t exactly a skilled sky sailor (or cook), but Katalina makes up for it with her sword skills, and is ever protective.
Rackam
After their departure from Gran’s home island, the group immediately crash on neighboring Eingana Island and their ship all but destroyed. Rackam happened to see their crash and guided them to Port Breeze, where he works as a mechanic and is a known former-helmsman for the Grandcypher. It was once a great ship that had since crashed due to a storm. Rackam had been trying to repair it ever since.
After teaming up with the party to save the island from a terrible storm caused by the primal, Tiamat (provoked by the Empire), the Grandcypher takes flight. Rackam then joined the crew as their official helmsman, making the Grandcypher their new ship.
Io
Io was orphaned at age 8, when her parents died of illness, and was then cared for by Archduke Tzaka, a powerful magician. At age 11, Io had already become a skilled cleric-in-training. When the Grandcypher lands on her island, the locals request the crew to find the Archduke who has been missing for some time. Io follows them with the help of illusionary magic until they are ambushed.
Their search leads to a hidden Empire research facility, where they’ve been creating iron giants and conducting experiments with primal crystals, (briefly mentioned when the crew battled Tiamet). They find Tzaka in a hypnotic trance and break him out of it. Before departing, Io forces her way into their company as their official healer.
Eugen
Eugen is an old friend of Rackam. The crew runs into him when they visit the Aguste Isles, one of the few known floating islands with its own ocean. Since his time working as part of an airship crew, Eugen has become a mercenary, fighting against the empire to protect his home and his people. Despite his rough appearance, Eugen is quite hospitable to Aguste visitors, and a devoted follower of the island diety, Leviathan.
When the Empire’s pollution of the island waters causes Leviathan to go berserk, Eugen joins forces with the Grandcypher crew to drive them out and sooth the primal beast. Out of gratitude and a certain curiosity in Gran’s leadership abilities, Eugen requests to become part of his crew as hired muscle, stating he has “unfinished business.”
His story arc reveals Lyria’s uncontrollable power, which is capable of great destruction.
It is here that Granblue Fantasy season one comes to an end.
Rosetta
Currently, she is a resident of the Aguste Isles. She takes on a motherly approach when others are in need. However, she has her own motives behind everything she becomes involved in. Rosetta isn’t an official member of the Grandcypher but regularly seems to be closeby wherever Gran and his crew go. She never fails to pull Gran and the party out of a jam, being a powerful mage. Rosetta is well-read, having wisdom that exceeds common folk, and is even close friends to the primal beast, Yggdrasil.
Her backstory is still a mystery, but Rosetta has some past connection to Gran’s father, and may even know his whereabouts, which are unknown to Gran or any of the other crew members.
Erste Empire
It’s worth noting that the Erste Empire isn’t in charge of all the islands that the heroes travel to. Most are self-governing nations being invaded by military officials. In a march of conquest, the Empire has been conducting research on primal beasts and primal crystals to learn how to control them. Lyria was the key to their research as she naturally has this ability.
While they provide several road bumps for the Grandcypher crew, they almost always end up fleeing on their own account, using expecting beserk primals to do their work for them.
Primal Beasts
Hierarchically, primals are beings between humanity and the divine. Primal beasts are powerful deities that were created by the Astrals to keep order over mankind. Most are in a dormant state, known as primal crystals, that have become a center of worship for particular islands. Many are based on powerful legends such as Tiamat, Bahamut, or an ifrit, while others are original concepts made just for the Granblue world.
That just about covers the gist of Granblue Fantasy, season one. Now that you’re all caught up, let’s enjoy season two.
