The mecha in the anime series Eureka Seven are called LFOs, which stands for Light Finding Operation. LFOs are bio-mechanical hybrids: armor and control systems are built upon an organic humanoid "skeletons" excavated from the Scub Coral. The LFOs in the series are primarily used by the military as an all-purpose assault unit, capable of engaging targets in both ground and aerial combat. Military LFOs are dubbed KLFs, which stands for Kraft Light Fighter.
LFOs use trapar-based propulsion, using ref boards to ride trapar waves in the same manner as the sport of lifting. On the ground, most LFOs are able to switch between their humanoid forms and wheeled vehicle forms to make trips easier; this also has the added benefit of allowing quick travel where the trapar waves are too weak to ride. This wheeled form also allows them to take off in a manner somewhat similar to an airplane. Those with vehicle forms are usually launched in that form and convert to their humanoid forms once airborne. In cases where no vehicle form is available, a special catapult is usually required.
Nirvash typeZERO
The LFO Nirvash typeZERO in action.
The Archetype of Nirvash typeZERO when it was discovered.
- Overall Height: 14.7m (LFO mode), 2.8m (vehicle mode)
- Weight: 21.4t
- Maximum Output: 4000/ 120~ 150 9PS/bpm
- Maximum Velocity: 300km (vehicle mode)
- Seating Capacity: 2 persons
The Nirvash typeZERO, along with its pilots Eureka and Renton, is something of a visual symbol for Eureka Seven, and the LFO itself is complicit in many of the series' mysteries. The Nirvash typeZERO was the first archetype discovered, and the LFO created from this archetype was the base model that many other LFOs were designed around. Both versions of the Nirvash's outer shell were created by the scientists at Tresor, and both ref boards were created by Axel Thurston.
Though LFOs are commonly equipped with a secondary seat, the Nirvash is the only archetype whose natural shape suggests that it should accommodate two people. it is also one of the few LFOs capable of operating without a Compac Drive, thanks to the unique nature of its pilot. However, the Seven Swell phenomenon it is capable of will only work when a Compac Drive and the Amita Drive are attached. According to Axel Thurston, the Amita Drive was developed to bring forth the true potential of the typeZERO and amplifies the effect of the Compac Drive. The installation of the Amita Drive unlocks the Satori Program which allows the unleashing of the Seven Swell phenomenon. At times, the Nirvash has responded to its pilots' commands without the use of its mechanical interface and even moves on its own to protect them; this is apparently not exclusive to Renton and Eureka, since Sumner Sturgeon was able to get the Nirvash to activate through verbal commands when he was forced to pilot it against his former teammates. It also has the ability to seemingly upgrade itself to suit its pilots, first in a minor fashion and in a much greater way later on.
The Nirvash's main weapons are a pair of boomerang knives (basic equipment for it and the Terminus series of LFOs). In addition to these, the Nirvash also features small chaff and flare launchers on its back to confuse missiles and dissuade followers. Apart from this, however, the Nirvash is relatively underpowered when compared to other LFOs, relying more on its high maneuverability and the skill of its pilots.
Though not technically a weapon, the Nirvash has the ability to trigger the Seven Swell, an event which generates a massive pillar of multi-colored trapar. Though its properties vary, it has the immediate effect of increasing the trapar count in the surrounding area, usually to the point that even a trapar-deprived area will become instantly flight-worthy. The trapar can also be used to disable other LFOs by causing the organic frame to reject the mechanical components, though this doesn't occur until later in the series.
typeR505
The typeR505 is used by Sumner Sturgeon in TR1: New Wave. Additionally, it was used by Holland when he was still in the Special Operations Forces, and used by the pilots of the second SOF squadron (including Logica) in the manga, when it was reformed by Dewey. Sumner's unit is black and white in color, since it was originally intended to be a spare-parts machine for his squadron; the standard type is olive drab, and the SOF's standard 505 is navy blue. All stock 505s have a single visor-shaped main sensor on their "face," and a smaller secondary sensor above it; the SOF types, including Sumner's, also have a pair of fin-shaped antennae on their head. The 505 is notable in that it was one of the first LFO's ever to be equipped with a fully functional ref-board.
The 505 is equipped with a pair of boomerang knives and has a variety of optional back weapons, including various laser guns, machine guns, railguns, rocket launchers, and a quad missile launcher pod intended for aerial combat. Sumner's is upgraded over the years, including the addition of a ref-board, and later custom modifications which appear to add two five-tube missile launchers to the sides, increased speed and agility, and a modified head module with four eye-like sensors.
Spearhead
The Spearhead is a special combat LFO that doesn't lift using a board, instead using ref board-like plates attached to its back near the waist. The only model that appears in the series is the SH-101, the two of which seen are piloted by Charles and Ray. The SH-101 is equipped with several lasers on independently mobile mounting points and a pair of large retractable knives in its forearms. It also has a battering ram on its head to smash holes through windows or other weak points on an enemy craft.
VC10
The VC10 is a special anti-Coralian KLF unit deployed by Dewey Novak's Ageha Squad during his campaign against the Coralians. They do not use ref boards, instead relying on their oversized feet, which perform the same function. The VC10 units operate in a squad and can also link up and transmit their units' energy to power up the Nirvash typeTheEND, which uses the energy to emit a field, the Vahalla Swell, which is the Nirvash typeTheEND's equivalent to the Nirvash typeZero's Seven Swell. It instantly petrifies Coralians. The use of the VC10 is specialized for Coralian combat, it is not featured prominently within the series. They are only six VC10 models, and fight alongside Nirvash typeTheEND.
Flestnia
First appearing in TR2: New Vision, the Flestnia is an LFO made by Azure, one of the top lifting brands. Its creators claim that it's an original design, but it's actually an illegally-made copy of the Terminus typeR505. Sumner Sturgeon acquires a Flestnia as first prize for winning the Bester Cup lifting tournament, which is taken by Ruri after he gets his 505 back.
The Flestnia looks nearly identical to the Terminus models that it's based on, with the most glaring difference being its oddly-shaped head and vaguely insectoid "face". Ruri's model is bright red and armed with a single long-range laser cannon, a pair of boomerang knives, and homing missiles. Some versions, including those used by Azure, are equipped with a Compac Feedback System.
Wyvern
The rarely-seen Wyvern is an elite military KLF, first seen in TR2: New Vision, that was designed as a testbed for advanced CFS technology. It looks extremely similar to an ordinary Mon-Soono unit, with several key differences, namely its blue-gray paint job and disk-shaped head module. Wyverns are armed with four multi-purpose laser cannons mounted on a spoiler-like turret behind their heads, which can fire either normal beams or homing lasers (similar to those used by TheEND). They also carry assault rifles, like their Mon-Soono counterparts. Former Sawyer Team pilots Shaun and Pez piloted Wyverns in their last battle against Sumner Sturgeon.
Scud Bike
The Scud Bike is a small, agile LFO that was developed for use by the State Military, but was eventually made available to civilians. It can transform into a fast, two-wheeled vehicle, as its name suggests, and its speed was highly praised by riders before lifting became popular. It's shaped rather oddly, with an elongated body that is attached directly to the head and no neck in between. Its face sports a single eye, similar to that of the Mon-Soono.
Military models are painted navy blue, and are armed with an autocannon and homing missiles, while custom models can vary wildly. One variation is red, with a large, high-powered laser cannon replacing the autocannon, while the ones seen in episode 5 are green and have huge speakers on their back instead of weapons; since the ones sporting weapons are flown by pirates, it stands to reason that such weapons couldn't be legally obtained by civilians.
Compac Drives
While there is little information as to the exact nature of the Compac Drive, it appears that it acts as an interface with whatever it is hooked up to, from simple machines, such as motorcycles, to more advanced heavy machinery, such as LFOs. Norb described these devices as "amplifiers" of the planet's thoughts (the trapar waves), and that their name is derived from kon (meaning soul), which is attracted to the planet, and paku (meaning body), which is attracted to people. Certain individuals, like Eureka and Anemone, are able to interface with LFOs without the need for a Compac drive. This is because of their connection with the Scub Coral; they are able to communicate directly with the Nirvash's archetypes as a result.
Amita Drive
The Amita Drive is a special component created by Adroc Thurston to "complete" the Nirvash. It unlocks the Nirvash's hidden Satori program, which allows for the unleashing of the Seven Swell Effect. The Amita Drive normally cannot be removed from the Compac Drive, and has only been removed once when Adroc forcibly removed the Compac Drive during the Summer of Love. This resulted in Adroc's disappearance, and somehow the Amita Drive found its way to Adroc's father, Axel, who passed it on to Renton in the first episode. |
