OVA
Description
Arado Balanga, designated Bronzo 28 at The School, survived a clandestine and lethal Earth Federation Army program that trained children as Personal Trooper pilots. This facility used brutal methods, advanced steroids, and growth hormones to enhance students physically, resulting in high mortality. Arado emerged alive alongside his assigned partner Bronzo 27 (later Seolla Schweitzer) and others including Aurum 1 and Latune Subota (Latune-11). Instructor Cuervo Cero treated the children kindly and ultimately gave Arado and Seolla their full names after the program ended. Cuervo and Águila Setme then continued their training within the Divine Crusaders.
Personality-wise, Arado is notably cheerful and rebellious, lacking military etiquette and disregarding authority—traits contrasting with Seolla's seriousness. He frequently argues with her, making inappropriate jokes about her physique that provoke physical retaliation. Despite this, their bond is profound, forged by a mutual promise to protect each other and survive The School. Arado possesses an extraordinary appetite, consuming three full-course meals in one sitting, and is the only person known to enjoy Kusuha Mizuha's health drinks. He also demonstrates remarkable physical resilience, recovering swiftly from injuries and enduring conditions that would incapacitate others.
As a pilot, Arado's skills are considered subpar for a School graduate. His training emphasized paired combat, rendering him ineffective alone and heavily reliant on Seolla. He often acts carelessly in battle, leading to frequent defeats. Yet he exhibits bursts of exceptional prowess in critical moments, sometimes activating his "Lion's Boost Drive" to intercept attacks meant for Seolla. This reckless loyalty repeatedly puts him in life-threatening situations, like taking a rocket punch or critical vulcan fire for her.
After The School's shutdown, Arado and Seolla joined the Neo Divine Crusaders under Águila and Cuervo. During a mission to steal the Wild Falken prototype, Arado was shot down and captured by Earth Federation forces. Waking aboard the Hagane, he reunited with Latune, rescued earlier by Garnet Sunday and Giado Venerdi. Though initially attempting escape, Arado defected to the Earth Federation Army after defending Mao Industries' lunar base against the Inspectors, piloting a Huckebein MK II M with a makeshift hammer. His defection solidified after psychiatric evaluation by Radha Bairaban, a former associate of Cuervo.
Arado's primary motivation became rescuing Seolla, who remained with the Neo Divine Crusaders and underwent memory alteration by Águila and Cuervo. These modifications erased her bond with Arado and painted him as an enemy who brainwashed Latune. Despite multiple confrontations, including one where Seolla nearly killed him in his R-Blade, Arado persisted. He eventually received the Wild Wurger, a counterpart to Seolla's Wild Falken. Enhanced with the "Stag Beetle Crusher" grappling weapon and programmed with combat data from elite pilots Kyosuke Nanbu and Katina Tarask, this machine finally allowed him to match Seolla. Ultimately, Seolla's suppressed memories resurfaced, breaking The School's control and reuniting them.
Throughout his journey, Arado formed significant bonds beyond Seolla. His protective instincts extended to Latune, whom he treated like a sister, and Shine Hausen, crown princess of Riksent. He aided Shine in liberating her dukedom from Neo DC occupation, promising ongoing support for her humanitarian efforts. His theme music, including "Ace Attacker Ver. W" and "Wild Flug," underscored his combat engagements across games and anime adaptations.
Personality-wise, Arado is notably cheerful and rebellious, lacking military etiquette and disregarding authority—traits contrasting with Seolla's seriousness. He frequently argues with her, making inappropriate jokes about her physique that provoke physical retaliation. Despite this, their bond is profound, forged by a mutual promise to protect each other and survive The School. Arado possesses an extraordinary appetite, consuming three full-course meals in one sitting, and is the only person known to enjoy Kusuha Mizuha's health drinks. He also demonstrates remarkable physical resilience, recovering swiftly from injuries and enduring conditions that would incapacitate others.
As a pilot, Arado's skills are considered subpar for a School graduate. His training emphasized paired combat, rendering him ineffective alone and heavily reliant on Seolla. He often acts carelessly in battle, leading to frequent defeats. Yet he exhibits bursts of exceptional prowess in critical moments, sometimes activating his "Lion's Boost Drive" to intercept attacks meant for Seolla. This reckless loyalty repeatedly puts him in life-threatening situations, like taking a rocket punch or critical vulcan fire for her.
After The School's shutdown, Arado and Seolla joined the Neo Divine Crusaders under Águila and Cuervo. During a mission to steal the Wild Falken prototype, Arado was shot down and captured by Earth Federation forces. Waking aboard the Hagane, he reunited with Latune, rescued earlier by Garnet Sunday and Giado Venerdi. Though initially attempting escape, Arado defected to the Earth Federation Army after defending Mao Industries' lunar base against the Inspectors, piloting a Huckebein MK II M with a makeshift hammer. His defection solidified after psychiatric evaluation by Radha Bairaban, a former associate of Cuervo.
Arado's primary motivation became rescuing Seolla, who remained with the Neo Divine Crusaders and underwent memory alteration by Águila and Cuervo. These modifications erased her bond with Arado and painted him as an enemy who brainwashed Latune. Despite multiple confrontations, including one where Seolla nearly killed him in his R-Blade, Arado persisted. He eventually received the Wild Wurger, a counterpart to Seolla's Wild Falken. Enhanced with the "Stag Beetle Crusher" grappling weapon and programmed with combat data from elite pilots Kyosuke Nanbu and Katina Tarask, this machine finally allowed him to match Seolla. Ultimately, Seolla's suppressed memories resurfaced, breaking The School's control and reuniting them.
Throughout his journey, Arado formed significant bonds beyond Seolla. His protective instincts extended to Latune, whom he treated like a sister, and Shine Hausen, crown princess of Riksent. He aided Shine in liberating her dukedom from Neo DC occupation, promising ongoing support for her humanitarian efforts. His theme music, including "Ace Attacker Ver. W" and "Wild Flug," underscored his combat engagements across games and anime adaptations.