OVA
Description
Jura Basil Elden is a prominent character from the planet Mejere, serving as the secondary leader of the Dread fighting force aboard the ship Nirvana. She holds the rank of pilot and is one of the three initial Dread pilots whose fighters were exposed to the mysterious Paexis light, granting her machine the unique ability to combine with Hibiki Tokai's Vanguard. Physically, Jura is a tall woman with long, flowing blonde hair and green eyes, standing at 174 cm (5 feet 8 inches) in height.
In terms of personality, Jura is initially characterized as being extremely vain and superficial, taking immense pride in her appearance, particularly her hair, which she maintains with great care. She has a spoiled nature and a strong dependence on her close comrade, Barnette Orangello. While she holds the position of secondary leader, Jura is relatively inexperienced in command and is generally considered less skilled in this role than the primary leader, Meia Gisborn. This is partly due to her own immaturity and partly because Meia is reluctant to cede control. Jura can be selfish and becomes jealous when she is not the center of attention, but she is also an optimist with a bright, if somewhat naive, view on life.
Jura's primary motivation in the early part of the story is driven by vanity and a desire for glamour. After witnessing the successful combination of Dita Liebely and Meia Gisborn's Dreads with Hibiki's Vanguard to form powerful Vandread mecha, she becomes determined to achieve the same feat. Her goal is to create a magnificent and striking machine, largely out of a wish to be in the spotlight. Later in the series, particularly during the events of the second stage, her motivations shift toward a more personal and comedic obsession with reproduction, as she spends a considerable amount of time attempting to convince Hibiki to have a child with her.
Jura's role in the story is that of a supporting cast member within the Nirvana's core group of pilots. She serves as a foil to the more serious and capable Meia, and her vanity often provides a source of interpersonal conflict and comedy. Despite her shortcomings, she is a valuable member of the combat team, piloting her distinctive red Dread into battle.
Her key relationships significantly define her character. Her dynamic with Meia Gisborn is one of rivalry and acknowledgement of Meia's superior leadership and combat skills. Her relationship with Barnette Orangello is notably close; the two are often seen together, and Jura shows a strong dependency on Barnette, with implications of a romantic or deeply intimate bond between them. Her relationship with the male protagonist Hibiki Tokai is complex; initially, she is solely interested in using his Vanguard to form her Vandread, but this later evolves into the aforementioned persistent efforts to have him father her child.
Throughout the series, Jura experiences notable development. She begins as a self-centered and somewhat incompetent pilot, but gradually matures. Following a significant loss, she becomes more dependable and demonstrates that she is a valuable comrade and a true friend to the crew. Her development is also reflected in her combat abilities, as she learns to utilize her unique Vandread to its full potential for defensive purposes.
Jura possesses several notable abilities. As a Dread pilot, she is skilled in aerial combat. She carries a rapier sword on her person, though she seldom gets the chance to use it in battle. Her most significant ability is showcased when her Dread combines with Hibiki's Vanguard to form the unique Vandread known as the Red Claw. This Vandread is shaped like a large red crab with green discs that orbit its frame. Unlike the more offensively oriented Vandread units, Jura's machine is primarily a defensive weapon. Its main armaments are the flying green discs, which possess the incredible power to create powerful energy shields. These shields can be projected from the mecha itself or expanded to a massive scale, large enough to cover and protect an entire planet. The Red Claw can also use its long, flexible claws to attack nearby enemies and manipulate objects like pulling lifeboats into its protective barrier or expelling large volumes of planetary water as a projectile.
In terms of personality, Jura is initially characterized as being extremely vain and superficial, taking immense pride in her appearance, particularly her hair, which she maintains with great care. She has a spoiled nature and a strong dependence on her close comrade, Barnette Orangello. While she holds the position of secondary leader, Jura is relatively inexperienced in command and is generally considered less skilled in this role than the primary leader, Meia Gisborn. This is partly due to her own immaturity and partly because Meia is reluctant to cede control. Jura can be selfish and becomes jealous when she is not the center of attention, but she is also an optimist with a bright, if somewhat naive, view on life.
Jura's primary motivation in the early part of the story is driven by vanity and a desire for glamour. After witnessing the successful combination of Dita Liebely and Meia Gisborn's Dreads with Hibiki's Vanguard to form powerful Vandread mecha, she becomes determined to achieve the same feat. Her goal is to create a magnificent and striking machine, largely out of a wish to be in the spotlight. Later in the series, particularly during the events of the second stage, her motivations shift toward a more personal and comedic obsession with reproduction, as she spends a considerable amount of time attempting to convince Hibiki to have a child with her.
Jura's role in the story is that of a supporting cast member within the Nirvana's core group of pilots. She serves as a foil to the more serious and capable Meia, and her vanity often provides a source of interpersonal conflict and comedy. Despite her shortcomings, she is a valuable member of the combat team, piloting her distinctive red Dread into battle.
Her key relationships significantly define her character. Her dynamic with Meia Gisborn is one of rivalry and acknowledgement of Meia's superior leadership and combat skills. Her relationship with Barnette Orangello is notably close; the two are often seen together, and Jura shows a strong dependency on Barnette, with implications of a romantic or deeply intimate bond between them. Her relationship with the male protagonist Hibiki Tokai is complex; initially, she is solely interested in using his Vanguard to form her Vandread, but this later evolves into the aforementioned persistent efforts to have him father her child.
Throughout the series, Jura experiences notable development. She begins as a self-centered and somewhat incompetent pilot, but gradually matures. Following a significant loss, she becomes more dependable and demonstrates that she is a valuable comrade and a true friend to the crew. Her development is also reflected in her combat abilities, as she learns to utilize her unique Vandread to its full potential for defensive purposes.
Jura possesses several notable abilities. As a Dread pilot, she is skilled in aerial combat. She carries a rapier sword on her person, though she seldom gets the chance to use it in battle. Her most significant ability is showcased when her Dread combines with Hibiki's Vanguard to form the unique Vandread known as the Red Claw. This Vandread is shaped like a large red crab with green discs that orbit its frame. Unlike the more offensively oriented Vandread units, Jura's machine is primarily a defensive weapon. Its main armaments are the flying green discs, which possess the incredible power to create powerful energy shields. These shields can be projected from the mecha itself or expanded to a massive scale, large enough to cover and protect an entire planet. The Red Claw can also use its long, flexible claws to attack nearby enemies and manipulate objects like pulling lifeboats into its protective barrier or expelling large volumes of planetary water as a projectile.