Heavy Object
| Company type | Media franchise |
|---|---|
| Industry | Light novels, manga, anime |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founder | Kazuma Kamachi |
| Headquarters | Japan |
Area served | Japan |
Key people | Kazuma Kamachi (author), Ryō Nagi (illustrator) |
| Products | Light novels, manga adaptations, anime television series |
| Owner | ASCII Media Works |
| Website | heavyobject |
Heavy Object (ヘヴィーオブジェクト, Hevī Obujekuto) is a Japanese light novel series authored by Kazuma Kamachi, renowned for A Certain Magical Index. The illustrations are provided by Ryō Nagi, and the series was published by ASCII Media Works under the Dengeki Bunko imprint, comprising twenty volumes released between 2009 and 2021. The franchise also features three seinen-targeted manga adaptations. A 24-episode anime adaptation produced by J.C.Staff, incorporating 3DCG from Sanzigen, was broadcast from October 2015 through March 2016.
Plot
Set in a future where colossal war machines known as Objects—characterized by their spherical main bodies—have transformed military combat, rendering traditional weaponry and tactical nuclear arms obsolete. This evolution led to the division of the globe into four distinct factions engaged in continuous conflict: the "Legitimacy Kingdom," emphasizing tradition; the "Capitalist Corporation," driven by profit; the "Information Alliance," focused on intelligence; and the "Faith Organization," rooted in religion. As Objects were thought to be destructible only by other Objects, warfare became confined to Object duels, resulting in brief and precise battles. Nevertheless, soldiers Qwenthur Barbotage and Havia Winchell from the Legitimacy Kingdom break this paradigm by cleverly destroying the Faith Organization’s Object "Water Strider" without employing another Object. This achievement propels them into hazardous operations, with Qwenthur forging a significant partnership with Milinda Brantini, pilot of the Legitimacy Kingdom’s Object "Baby Magnum."
Main characters
- Qwenthur is a cadet specializing in Heavy Object engineering, motivated by his deep interest in Objects. Recognized for his sharp intellect and compassionate nature, he serves as the strategist within his duo alongside Havia and shares a close bond with Milinda after rescuing her.
- Havia hails from the prominent Winchell lineage and enlists in the military seeking fame to secure his inheritance as family head. He takes charge of combat roles during missions and strives to resolve his family’s rivalry with the Vanderbilts to marry his fiancée.
- Milinda operates the Legitimacy Kingdom’s first-generation Object "Baby Magnum." After being saved by Qwenthur and Havia, she actively supports their endeavors and develops romantic feelings toward Qwenthur, frequently communicating with him despite his unawareness.
- Frolaytia commands Qwenthur and Havia with firmness, regularly assigning them perilous tasks while maintaining strict discipline. Despite her stern demeanor, she is invested in their survival. She joined the military to evade an arranged marriage intended to produce a male heir—a pressure alleviated by Qwenthur’s intervention against her suitor Halreed Copacabana.
Legitimacy Kingdom
- Ayami Cherryblossom (アヤミ=チェリーブロッサム)
- Chief mechanic responsible for Milinda and Baby Magnum. Qwenthur trained under her prior to his heroic acts, and she facilitates his introduction to Milinda.
- Flide (フライド)
- Senior council member advocating for continued warfare, prepared to sacrifice soldiers to preserve the existing global structure.
- Seawax (シーワックス)
- A journalist critical of how Objects diminish soldiers’ recognition. His solo sniper attack on the Oceanic Kingdom intensified hostilities, leading to subsequent remorse.
- Vanderbilt (バンダービルト)
- Havia’s fiancée from a rival family. Despite opposition from their families, Havia intends to end their feud once he assumes leadership of the Winchell family.
- Halreed Copacabana (ハルリード=コパカバーナ)
- Pilot of the Legitimacy Kingdom’s second-generation Heavy Object "Bright Hopper." Sustained injuries following its destruction by a railgun from the Mass Driver Conglomerate. A high-ranking nobleman and former arranged marriage candidate for commanding officer Frolaytia, which was canceled due to misinformation.
- Bilany Saronno (バイラニー=サローノ)
- Staccato Raylong (スタッカート=レイロング)
- A jet fighter pilot codenamed "Burning Alpha," who assisted Qwenthur in rescuing Baby Magnum during an operation in the deserted Amazon City.
- Charlotte Zoom (シャルロット=ズーム)
- An oversight officer intrigued by Qwenthur. She joined his unit during a Kamchatka mission involving infiltration of a radar facility where they faced life-threatening risks.
- Myonri (ミョンリ)
- A soldier on Havia’s team during the Kamchatka radar facility mission. Survived an unsuccessful sabotage attempt against the Faith Organization’s Heavy Object "Wing Balancer" and returned with the team.
- Westy (ウェスティ)
- A member of Havia’s squad during Kamchatka operations. Killed alongside Cookman during the failed sabotage on "Wing Balancer."
- Charles (チャールズ)
- A reserved military technician on Qwenthur’s team responsible for hacking Faith Organization UAVs. Was killed by traitor Nutley.
- Cookman (クックマン)
- A soldier on Havia’s team during Kamchatka operations. Died with Westy in the failed sabotage against "Wing Balancer."
Information Alliance
- Lendy holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel within the Information Alliance and has shown a keen interest in Qwenthur following his encounter with Oh ho ho.
- The alias used by the Legitimate Kingdom's pop idol, who pilots the Information Alliance's Heavy Object known as "Rush," a second-generation model. She participated in a joint mission in Oceania alongside the Kingdom's Object Baby Magnum. Acting under orders from Councillor Flide, Oh ho ho obstructed Milinda from aiding Qwenthur and Havia. Their paths crossed again in Alaska, where Qwenthur uncovered her youthful appearance resulting from genetic modification. Subsequently, she developed romantic feelings for Qwenthur and requested to become his personal object maintainer.
Battlefield Cleanup Service
- This unit’s leader is driven by financial gain; she and her team rendered assistance during the Victoria Island conflict after Qwenthur compensated them with diamonds obtained from his previous mission.
- A battle maid serving under Wydine’s command.
- Another battle maid operating within Wydine’s group.
Capitalist Corporations
24th Mobile Maintenance Battalion
- Pilot of the Legitimate Kingdom’s Heavy Object named "Indigo Plasma," classified as a second-generation Object.
Faith Organization
Other characters
- A rising star and battlefield correspondent for the CS Military Channel, Monica hails from a formerly affluent noble family that lost its fortune. She found refuge with Qwenthur’s father, and her position as a reporter was arranged through Qwenthur’s influence.
- The head of the Mass Driver Foundation, a terrorist faction dealing in Object weapon alternatives inspired by the exploits of Qwenthur and Havia. Although allied with the Intelligence Union, this leader was ultimately apprehended by Qwenthur and Havia.
Light novels
Authored by Kazuma Kamachi with illustrations by Nagi, the series was released by ASCII Media Works under the Dengeki Bunko label. The inaugural volume debuted on October 10, 2009, and the narrative concluded with its twentieth installment on October 8, 2021.
Manga
The manga adaptation, illustrated by Shinsuke Inue, appeared in ASCII Media Works's seinen manga periodicals Dengeki Black Maoh and Dengeki Maoh between December 17, 2009, and February 26, 2011. A single tankōbon volume was published on May 27, 2011. A second adaptation titled Heavy Object S, illustrated by Sakae Saitō, ran in Dengeki Maoh from December 27, 2011, to June 27, 2013, with three volumes released between August 27, 2012, and July 27, 2013. The third adaptation named Heavy Object A, also drawn by Saitō, serialized in Dengeki Maoh from February 27, 2015, until October 27, 2016; three volumes were issued between January 27 and December 10, 2016.
Anime
The anime television adaptation was revealed at the Dengeki Bunko Fall Festival on October 5, 2014. Produced by J.C.Staff with 3D computer graphics handled by Sanzigen, it was directed by Takashi Watanabe, scripted by Hiroyuki Yoshino, featured character designs by Atsuko Watanabe, and music composed by Maiko Iuchi alongside Keiji Inai. The series aired across Tokyo MX, MBS, TV Aichi, BS11, and AT-X from October 2, 2015 to March 25, 2016, totaling 24 episodes.
The opening themes included "One More Chance!!" for the first half and "Never Gave Up" for the latter half; ending themes were performed by Kano ("Dea Brave") and Yuka Iguchi ("Strength to Change").
Funimation secured licensing rights for streaming and distribution throughout North America. Collaborating with Funimation, Anime Limited released the series in the United Kingdom; however, by 2019 it was marked as "sold out" among UK retailers and was no longer available on Anime Limited’s website. In Australia, Madman Entertainment obtained licensing rights and streamed it via AnimeLab. Meanwhile, Muse Communication held Southeast Asian rights and streamed the series on their YouTube channel until September 30, 2020.
Video games
Figures from the franchise are included in the follow-up to Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax, a combat game developed by Sega that showcases various works published under the Dengeki Bunko label. Qwenthur is available as a playable character, accompanied by Milinda and Havia as assist partners, whereas Frolaytia appears in a support role.