Sun Tzu and Anime: Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid Character Analysis
Summer's here, so let's heat things up with more of Sun Tzu's exceptional wisdom rating anime's greatest legends.
As a quick refresher, here's how the rating system works. Sun Tzu cited Five Essential Factors to be Mastered for Victory: Morality, Weather, Terrain, Good Leadership, and Preparation. All under consideration can receive 0-10 points in each category. However, he also cited Five Fatal Failings of Leadership: Recklessness, Cowardice, A Hasty Temper (Anger for simplicity), Delicacy of Honor (DOH), and Caring Too Much About the Troops (Over-caring). All under consideration can lose 0-10 points in each category. At the end, the scores are tallied, and the results reveal how effective a character is in Sun Tzu's eyes, with the best aiming for 40 or better.
This time, we're analyzing an infamous lot: the primary cast from Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid. As always, to keep things fair, we'll analyze them in the order they were formally introduced.
Character Analysis: Mamori Tokonome
Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid: Mamori Tokonome
Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid: Mamori Tokonome
Victory Factors
| Factor | Score | Reasoning |
|---|
| Morality | 10 | She's a wonderful person: sweet, generous, and extremely compassionate; she also famously said one of the most selfless lines in anime history: "We have to help everyone, even our enemies." |
| Weather | 4 | She's okay, but very flimsy in temperature extremes, especially the heat. |
| Terrain | 5 | She's capable, yet not always observant, like when she didn't notice the snakes on the ground when Mirei was carrying her through the jungle. |
| Good Leadership | 4 | She can calm Mirei—a feat by itself—but mostly varies between lone wolf and follower. |
| Preparation | 3 | She was good at training Mirei for the pageant, yet ultimately wings everything else. |
| Total | 26 | |
Fatal Failings
| Failing | Score | Reasoning |
|---|
| Recklessness | -10 | Epic red flag. She perpetually underestimates others, tends to impulsively overreact when people mock the kanji for her last name, and is very careless, such as when she fell off a balcony while saving Hibiki. |
| Cowardice | -5 | She's very timid at first, but experience soon tempers some of that, hence the lower rating. |
| Anger | -2 | She's got a slight temper, yet not enough to worry. |
| Delicacy of Honor | -2 | She's a tad vain, but not enough to worry here either. |
| Over-caring | -10 | Epic red flag. She adores Mirei, and her need to save everyone on Mermaid Island ultimately got her captured and tortured twice. |
| Total | -29 | |
Final Assessment
Score: -3 (Nightmare scenario)
Character Analysis: Kasumi Shigure
Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid: Kasumi Shigure
Victory Factors
| Factor | Score | Reasoning |
|---|
| Morality | 8 | She's a tad gruff, yet has a great heart and is a passionate champion of Mermaid Island's residents. |
| Weather | 10 | Due to her strength, speed, and skill, this isn't an issue. |
| Terrain | 6 | She's very agile, but often gets caught off-guard, like when Rain and Jaye knocked her out of the air during the Torino assault. |
| Good Leadership | 5 | She's a good diplomat and great with compromise, yet ultimately is more follower than leader. |
| Preparation | 5 | She's well-trained and great organizer, but wasn't the least bit ready for Momo's incursion. |
| Total | 34 | |
Fatal Failings
| Failing | Score | Reasoning |
|---|
| Recklessness | -9 | Major red flag. She constantly underestimates foes, namely Mirei and Charlotte, and was extremely careless about protecting her partner Hibiki, a mistake that cost her during Momo's takeover. |
| Cowardice | -4 | She's a tad indecisive, plus badly froze during her rematch with Mirei. |
| Anger | -7 | Slight red flag. She's a hothead, as well as easily triggered by anyone insulting/hurting her friends or Hibiki, something Rain and Jaye used against her during the Torino attack. |
| Delicacy of Honor | -5 | She's pretty cocky initially, yet was slightly humbled by experience, hence the lower rating. |
| Over-caring | -9 | Major red flag. She adores Hibiki, plus her devotion to Akira left her crippled and anxious after Charlotte took over. |
| Total | -34 | |
Final Assessment
Score: 0 (Nightmare scenario)
Character Analysis: Mirei Shikishima
Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid: Mirei Shikishima
Victory Factors
| Factor | Score | Reasoning |
|---|
| Morality | 8 | She's a tad gruff, but soon proves an amazing person, caring friend, and devoted partner to Mamori. |
| Weather | 10 | Thanks to her strength, skill, and Soldier training, this isn't an issue. |
| Terrain | 7 | She's quick and agile, yet sometimes gets caught off-guard, like when Miranda's illusions almost overwhelmed her in the forest. |
| Good Leadership | 4 | She's got potential, especially when organizing the counterattack against Momo and Charlotte, but mainly varies between lone wolf and follower. |
| Preparation | 5 | She's well-trained and has some good tactical skills, yet mostly wings everything else. |
| Total | 34 | |
Fatal Failings
| Failing | Score | Reasoning |
|---|
| Recklessness | -8 | Serious red flag. She constantly underestimates others, particularly Mamori, and is extremely careless, such as when she tried to surrender to Charlotte and Kasumi to protect Torino. |
| Cowardice | -3 | She's a tad nervous at times, but not enough to worry. |
| Anger | -7 | Slight red flag. She's a hothead, plus easily triggered by anyone threatening/hurting Mamori, something that nearly killed her when facing Momo. |
| Delicacy of Honor | -3 | She's a tad cocky, yet not enough to worry here either. |
| Over-caring | -8 | Serious red flag. Her love for Mamori and need to protect others often makes her go overboard, a flaw that cost her twice when she used her Soldier powers without support medication. |
| Total | -29 | |
Final Assessment
Score: 5 (Nightmare scenario)
Character Analysis: Charlotte Scherzen
Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid: Charlotte Scherzen
Victory Factors
| Factor | Score | Reasoning |
|---|
| Morality | 0 | She's a monster: icy, controlling, and so obsessed with escaping Mermaid Island she famously vowed to crush anything in her way. |
| Weather | 10 | Thanks to her strength, speed, and Arm powers, this isn't an issue. |
| Terrain | 5 | She's potent, but extremely clumsy, a flaw that got her badly mauled in her duel with Akira. |
| Good Leadership | 0 | She believes in absolute rule, maliciously mistreats others without any guilt, and insists on forcibly partnering different girls, even if it splits up true couples. |
| Preparation | 2 | She was okay at planning the festival, yet ultimately wings everything else. |
| Total | 17 | |
Fatal Failings
| Failing | Score | Reasoning |
|---|
| Recklessness | -10 | Epic red flag. She perpetually underestimates others, is extremely impulsive when she's angry or frustrated, and insanely careless about getting her way, flaws that ironically make her lose every fight she participates in. |
| Cowardice | -10 | Epic red flag. She's a malicious bully, something she amply demonstrated by tormenting Mamori at the castle, then torturing Miyasato and Kouzuki for not preventing Mirei's escape. |
| Anger | -10 | Epic red flag. She's got an explosive temper, one that takes almost nothing to trigger, like when she blew up on Mirei for slashing off her Arm's claws. |
| Delicacy of Honor | -10 | Epic red flag. She's exceedingly cocky and violently narcissistic, flaws that famously drove her to rig the festival pageant merely because she wanted to win. |
| Over-caring | 0 | She's extremely selfish and will sacrifice anyone, even allies, to get her way—no worries here. |
| Total | -40 | |
Final Assessment
Score: -23 (Nightmare scenario)
Character Analysis: Akira Hiragi
Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid: Akira Hiragi
Victory Factors
| Factor | Score | Reasoning |
|---|
| Morality | 10 | She's an amazing person: generous, forgiving, and a loyal guardian to Mermaid Island's residents. |
| Weather | 10 | Due to her strength, Artificial Arm Sri, and keen mind, this isn't an issue. |
| Terrain | 8 | She's highly capable and observant, but sometimes gets caught off-guard, like when she was briefly captured while stopping rebel castle residents. |
| Good Leadership | 8 | She's fair-minded, a great diplomat, and very skilled at discreetly looking for Mermaid Island's "Black Box", although she sometimes goes rogue to pursue secret goals. |
| Preparation | 7 | She's disciplined, smart, and well-versed in the island's nature, yet wasn't the least bit ready for Momo's Soldier powers. |
| Total | 43 | |
Fatal Failings
| Failing | Score | Reasoning |
|---|
| Recklessness | -8 | Serious red flag. She badly underestimated Charlotte, and her carelessness when dueling Momo cost everyone dearly. |
| Cowardice | -2 | She's a tad insecure, but not enough to worry. |
| Anger | -1 | She has a slight temper, yet not enough to worry here either. |
| Delicacy of Honor | -2 | She's a tad vain, but not enough to worry yet again. |
| Over-caring | -4 | She cares about all Mermaid Island residents, so much so she agreed to disguise herself as a boy regardless of personal inconvenience. |
| Total | -17 | |
Final Assessment
Score: 26 (Capable, yet moderately flawed)
Character Analysis: Maifon Sakura
Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid: Maifon Sakura
Victory Factors
| Factor | Score | Reasoning |
|---|
| Morality | 7 | She's a good person and loyal friend, yet has a deep selfish streak, particularly when it comes to money. |
| Weather | 10 | Due to her strength, resilience, and X-Star abilities, this isn't an issue. |
| Terrain | 7 | She's quick and crafty, but also a tad clumsy, like when she triggered the raid on Torino by taking too many clothes from the castle for the former's residents. |
| Good Leadership | 5 | She's clever and a skilled manipulator, yet is ultimately more lone wolf than leader. |
| Preparation | 7 | She's a thorough planner and has great improv skills, but still wings some things. |
| Total | 36 | |
Fatal Failings
| Failing | Score | Reasoning |
|---|
| Recklessness | -9 | Major red flag. She constantly underestimates others, and is extremely impulsive when it comes to money, especially her constant need to take bets. |
| Cowardice | -4 | She sometimes freezes under pressure, although not enough to worry. |
| Anger | -7 | Slight red flag. She's a hothead, plus easily triggered, mostly by Charlotte's cruelty, although Momo is a close second. |
| Delicacy of Honor | -7 | Slight red flag. She's very cocky, something that backfired during the beauty pageant, then almost killed her in the final battle with Momo. |
| Over-caring | -9 | Major red flag. She's one of anime's most money-obsessed characters, even using it as a Liberator to activate her powers. |
| Total | -36 | |
Final Assessment
Score: 0 (Nightmare scenario)
Character Analysis: Rain Hasumi
Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid: Rain Hasumi
Victory Factors
| Factor | Score | Reasoning |
|---|
| Morality | 9 | Despite her snide entrance, she's a wonderful person and one of her generation's best allies, namely with Mamori and Mirei. |
| Weather | 10 | Due to her strength, skill, and dual Liberator/X-Star abilities, this isn't an issue. |
| Terrain | 9 | She's fast, agile, and extremely observant, although she got caught off-guard by Akira's sneaking into her and her partner Jaye's quarters. |
| Good Leadership | 8 | She's driven, has amazing foresight, and is a great strategist, yet sometimes goes rogue with Jaye when searching for Mermaid's "Black Box." |
| Preparation | 8 | She's well-trained, disciplined, and an amazing planner, most famously when leading the charge that defeated Charlotte and Momo, but still wings a few things. |
| Total | 44 | |
Fatal Failings
| Failing | Score | Reasoning |
|---|
| Recklessness | -7 | Slight red flag. She often underestimates others, and can be extremely careless, something that cost her and Jaye while facing the Artificial Arm in the underground facility. |
| Cowardice | 0 | She's very bold, so no worries here. |
| Anger | -5 | She's got a slow-burn temper, yet only snapped once, and it took a lot to set her off. |
| Delicacy of Honor | -7 | Slight red flag. She's very cocky, as well as a tad vain, qualities that never truly diminish despite a few close calls. |
| Over-caring | -7 | Slight red flag. She deeply loves Jaye, plus dotes on Mermaid island's residents, namely Mamori and Mirei. |
| Total | -27 | |
Final Assessment
Score: 17 (Great potential, yet deeply flawed)
Character Analysis: Lady Jaye
Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid: Lady Jaye
Victory Factors
| Factor | Score | Reasoning |
|---|
| Morality | 9 | She had an awkward start, but soon proved a wonderful person and another of anime's greatest allies. |
| Weather | 10 | Due to her speed, keen eye, and dual X-Star/Liberator abilities, this isn't an issue. |
| Terrain | 8 | She's extremely capable, especially in her motorcycle form, although she sometimes gets caught off-guard, most infamously against Momo in the final battle. |
| Good Leadership | 8 | She's got good instincts, like when she let Mirei use Rain's X-Star form to stop Warter, and is a great strategist, but still sometimes goes rogue in battle. |
| Preparation | 8 | She's well-trained and has great improv skills, such as when she and Rain used their Phoenix form to stop Charlotte and Momo, yet occasionally wings things. |
| Total | 43 | |
Fatal Failings
| Failing | Score | Reasoning |
|---|
| Recklessness | -7 | Slight red flag. She badly underestimated Charlotte, and can sometimes be impulsive when sneaking private time with Rain. |
| Cowardice | 0 | She's very bold, so no worries here. |
| Anger | -1 | She's got a slight temper, but not enough to worry. |
| Delicacy of Honor | -6 | She's very cocky, as well as very vain, issues that remain pretty constant despite numerous close calls. |
| Over-caring | -7 | Slight red flag. She adores Rain, plus dotes on Mermaid Island's residents too. |
| Total | -21 | |
Final Assessment
Score: 22 (Capable, yet moderately flawed)
Reviewing the Results
This cast was very messy: abounding selflessness and great combat skills continually undone by anger, egos, and frequent carelessness. It's a sad testament to why their battles are mostly improvised and clumsy—but that harkens back to what's been said all along: follow Sun Tzu, and you'll win; ignore him, and you'll lose.
Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid Characters: Victory Factors Analysis
| Character | Morality | Weather | Terrain | Leadership | Preparation | Final Score |
|---|
| Mamori Tokonome | 10 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 26 |
| Kasumi Shigure | 8 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 34 |
| Mirei Shikishima | 8 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 34 |
| Charlotte Scherzen | 0 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 17 |
| Akira Hiragi | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 43 |
| Maifon Sakura | 7 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 36 |
| Rain Hasumi | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 44 |
| Lady Jaye | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 43 |
Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid Characters: Fatal Failings Analysis
| Character | Recklessness | Cowardice | Anger | DOH | Over-caring | Final Score |
|---|
| Mamori Tokonome | -10 | -5 | -2 | -2 | -10 | -29 |
| Kasumi Shigure | -9 | -4 | -7 | -5 | -9 | -34 |
| Mirei Shikishima | -8 | -3 | -7 | -3 | -8 | -29 |
| Charlotte Scherzen | -10 | -10 | -10 | -10 | 0 | -40 |
| Akira Hiragi | -8 | -2 | -1 | -2 | -4 | -17 |
| Maifon Sakura | -9 | -4 | -7 | -7 | -9 | -36 |
| Rain Hasumi | -7 | 0 | -5 | -7 | -7 | -27 |
| Lady Jaye | -7 | 0 | -1 | -6 | -7 | -21 |
Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid Characters: Final Scores
| Character | Final Score | Assessment |
|---|
| Mamori Tokonome | -3 | Nightmare scenario |
| Kasumi Shigure | 0 | Nightmare scenario |
| Mirei Shikishima | 5 | Nightmare scenario |
| Charlotte Scherzen | -23 | Nightmare scenario |
| Akira Hiragi | 26 | Capable, yet moderately flawed |
| Maifon Sakura | 0 | Nightmare scenario |
| Rain Hasumi | 17 | Great potential, yet deeply flawed |
| Lady Jaye | 22 | Capable, yet moderately flawed |
