OVA
Description
Dalian is one of the two main protagonists of The Mystic Archives of Dantalian. She is a cryptic girl encountered by Hugh Anthony Disward in the basement of his inherited mansion, where she introduces herself not as a human but as a Dantalian, the gateway to the Dantalian's Bookshelf. Her true identity is that of a Kuro Yomihime, or Black Biblioprincess, a being tasked with guarding the Bibliotheca Mystica de Dantalian, a mystical library that houses 900,666 prohibited tomes known as Phantom Books. These books are dangerous supernatural artifacts that can cause catastrophic phenomena when read by the unworthy. Dalian’s past is closely tied to Hugh's grandfather, Wesley Disward, whom she considered a good man and with whom she spent time in his library. Following Wesley's death, she remained in the mansion’s secret basement, reading from his collection while waiting for the next key-keeper to inherit the duty, which eventually becomes Hugh.
In terms of personality, Dalian is characterized by a haughty and arrogant demeanor, often acting presumptuously and believing herself to be far more knowledgeable than ordinary humans due to her immense age and the vast library she contains within her. She frequently clashes with Hugh’s more practical and grounded nature, resulting in a relationship that is initially quite contentious. A defining and recurring aspect of her behavior is her tsundere personality, where she often responds to situations with irritation or by physically kicking Hugh's shin, but occasionally shows a softer, more embarrassed side. Despite her outward judgmental and composed attitude, Dalian has a notable and unexpected weakness for sweets; whenever presented with sugary food, a small lock of her hair will flick out from the rest of her head, betraying her excitement. She also has a verbal tic of responding to confirmatory questions with the English word Yes. Her pride is deeply tied to her role as the Biblioprincess, and she is easily offended when treated as a child or pet, which was Hugh’s initial impression of her.
Dalian’s central role in the story is to manage and protect the Phantom Books alongside her key-keeper, Hugh, who is a former Royal Air Force pilot. Her primary motivation is to fulfill her duty as the guardian of the Dantalian's Bookshelf, which involves seeking out Phantom Books that have been unleashed upon the world and sealing them away to prevent the chaos they cause. She does not have a grand personal quest but rather acts as a custodian of forbidden knowledge, intervening whenever these books threaten the stability of the world. While she often appears judgmental and arbitrary, her actions are consistently driven by a sense of responsibility for the library she embodies.
The most significant relationship in her existence is with Hugh Anthony Disward, who becomes her key-keeper. Their dynamic is central to the plot, as Hugh is the only one who can open the Dantalian's Bookshelf by inserting a golden key into a lock on Dalian’s chest and speaking an oath. Initially, Dalian is reluctant and suspicious of Hugh, doubting his suitability for the role. However, as they work together to solve mysteries and defeat the threats posed by Phantom Books, she gradually comes to rely on him. She is shown to worry about his safety, even slapping his face in panic to wake him, and she learns to trust his judgment in dangerous situations. Despite her constant criticism and physical reprimands, she begins to acknowledge his courage and intelligence, and her initial coldness warms into a genuine partnership. While the series primarily focuses on the pair, Dalian also has encounters with other characters, such as the rival Biblioprincess Flamberge and her key-keeper Hal, with whom she shares a competitive relationship.
Over the course of the narrative, Dalian exhibits subtle but clear development. Her character arc involves a gradual softening of her imperial and arrogant exterior. She begins as a being who has spent a long time alone, waiting, and initially holds a detached view of humanity. Through her forced companionship with Hugh, she re-engages with the world. She learns to express concern for another person, not just as a functional key-keeper but as a partner she has come to trust. Her transition is not a dramatic overhaul of her personality; she remains prideful and demanding, but her actions show a growing respect and affection for Hugh, moving from cold compliance to a more nuanced and caring, if still tsundere, relationship.
Dalian possesses a number of notable abilities tied directly to her nature. Her primary power is serving as the living repository for the Dantalian's Bookshelf. This allows her to produce specific Phantom Books from a void on her chest to counteract the effects of other rogue books. However, she cannot access this power on her own and requires a key-keeper like Hugh to open the archive. Beyond this, she is incredibly knowledgeable, having read thousands of books, and possesses her own copy of a rare Phantom Book called the Kairos' Dynastic History, which grants her limited control over time. Despite her magical nature, she is physically not very powerful and is often depicted as fearful of small animals, such as puppies, and reliant on Hugh for physical protection and combat.
In terms of personality, Dalian is characterized by a haughty and arrogant demeanor, often acting presumptuously and believing herself to be far more knowledgeable than ordinary humans due to her immense age and the vast library she contains within her. She frequently clashes with Hugh’s more practical and grounded nature, resulting in a relationship that is initially quite contentious. A defining and recurring aspect of her behavior is her tsundere personality, where she often responds to situations with irritation or by physically kicking Hugh's shin, but occasionally shows a softer, more embarrassed side. Despite her outward judgmental and composed attitude, Dalian has a notable and unexpected weakness for sweets; whenever presented with sugary food, a small lock of her hair will flick out from the rest of her head, betraying her excitement. She also has a verbal tic of responding to confirmatory questions with the English word Yes. Her pride is deeply tied to her role as the Biblioprincess, and she is easily offended when treated as a child or pet, which was Hugh’s initial impression of her.
Dalian’s central role in the story is to manage and protect the Phantom Books alongside her key-keeper, Hugh, who is a former Royal Air Force pilot. Her primary motivation is to fulfill her duty as the guardian of the Dantalian's Bookshelf, which involves seeking out Phantom Books that have been unleashed upon the world and sealing them away to prevent the chaos they cause. She does not have a grand personal quest but rather acts as a custodian of forbidden knowledge, intervening whenever these books threaten the stability of the world. While she often appears judgmental and arbitrary, her actions are consistently driven by a sense of responsibility for the library she embodies.
The most significant relationship in her existence is with Hugh Anthony Disward, who becomes her key-keeper. Their dynamic is central to the plot, as Hugh is the only one who can open the Dantalian's Bookshelf by inserting a golden key into a lock on Dalian’s chest and speaking an oath. Initially, Dalian is reluctant and suspicious of Hugh, doubting his suitability for the role. However, as they work together to solve mysteries and defeat the threats posed by Phantom Books, she gradually comes to rely on him. She is shown to worry about his safety, even slapping his face in panic to wake him, and she learns to trust his judgment in dangerous situations. Despite her constant criticism and physical reprimands, she begins to acknowledge his courage and intelligence, and her initial coldness warms into a genuine partnership. While the series primarily focuses on the pair, Dalian also has encounters with other characters, such as the rival Biblioprincess Flamberge and her key-keeper Hal, with whom she shares a competitive relationship.
Over the course of the narrative, Dalian exhibits subtle but clear development. Her character arc involves a gradual softening of her imperial and arrogant exterior. She begins as a being who has spent a long time alone, waiting, and initially holds a detached view of humanity. Through her forced companionship with Hugh, she re-engages with the world. She learns to express concern for another person, not just as a functional key-keeper but as a partner she has come to trust. Her transition is not a dramatic overhaul of her personality; she remains prideful and demanding, but her actions show a growing respect and affection for Hugh, moving from cold compliance to a more nuanced and caring, if still tsundere, relationship.
Dalian possesses a number of notable abilities tied directly to her nature. Her primary power is serving as the living repository for the Dantalian's Bookshelf. This allows her to produce specific Phantom Books from a void on her chest to counteract the effects of other rogue books. However, she cannot access this power on her own and requires a key-keeper like Hugh to open the archive. Beyond this, she is incredibly knowledgeable, having read thousands of books, and possesses her own copy of a rare Phantom Book called the Kairos' Dynastic History, which grants her limited control over time. Despite her magical nature, she is physically not very powerful and is often depicted as fearful of small animals, such as puppies, and reliant on Hugh for physical protection and combat.