"Valvrave the Liberator" is set in a future where humanity has expanded into space, establishing colonies and nations beyond Earth. The story unfolds in a neutral space colony called JIOR, which becomes the target of an invasion by the Dorssian Military Pact Federation, a powerful nation seeking to dominate space. Amid the chaos, Haruto Tokishima, a high school student, stumbles upon a mysterious mecha known as the Valvrave Unit 01. Upon piloting it, he discovers that the machine grants him superhuman abilities but at a cost: he becomes a being neither fully human nor machine, requiring the consumption of others' memories to sustain himself.

As Haruto and his classmates are drawn into the conflict, they form an independent nation called the New JIOR, using the Valvrave units to defend themselves. The Valvrave mechs are revealed to be advanced weapons with a dark history, tied to a secretive organization called the Magius, which seeks to manipulate humanity's evolution. The series explores themes of identity, morality, and the consequences of wielding immense power, as the characters grapple with the ethical dilemmas posed by their newfound abilities and the sacrifices required to protect their home.

Key characters include Haruto Tokishima, the reluctant pilot of Valvrave Unit 01; Shoko Sashinami, Haruto's childhood friend and a central figure in the resistance; L-Elf Karlstein, a skilled Dorssian operative who later allies with the New JIOR; and Saki Rukino, another Valvrave pilot whose motivations and struggles add complexity to the narrative. The series balances intense mecha battles with political intrigue, as the characters navigate alliances, betrayals, and the broader implications of their actions in a war-torn universe. The story builds toward a climactic confrontation that challenges the characters' ideals and reshapes the future of humanity.