Gate: Jieitai Kano Chi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri(Japanese: ゲート 自衛隊 彼の地にて、斯く戦えり, lit. Gate: Thus the Japanese Self-Defense Force Fought There!) is a Japanese fantasy novel series written by Takumi Yanai and illustrated by Daisuke Izuka and Kurojishi from 2006 and later published by AlphaPolis. A manga adaptation illustrated by Satoru Sao began in July 2011, and three spin-off manga began in 2015. The first half of an anime television series adaptation aired from July to September 2015 and the second half aired from January to March 2016. The series has been licensed by Sentai Filmworks in North America.
When a portal from another world appears in Ginza, Tokyo, a legion of soldiers and monsters emerge to attack the city. Thanks to their far more advanced weaponry and tactics, the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) easily repels the enemy, passes through the gate and establish a forward base of operations to force the Roman-styled empire of the other world to open peace negotiations. Yōji Itami is a JSDF officer sent to investigate the other world, where magic, dragons and elves are real, using his knowledge of fantasy stories to make his way in this new environment.
Main characters
Yōji Itami(伊丹 耀司,Itami Yōji)
Voiced by: Junichi SuwabeThe protagonist of the series, Itami is a 33-year-old otaku and JSDF soldier. After successfully escorting hundreds of citizens to safety during the attack on Ginza, Itami is promoted to the rank of first lieutenant and later on to captain, he is tasked to investigate the other side of the Gate. He is a certified ranger and special forces personnel within the JSDF and while he is notable for being a slacker, he can be quite capable when under stress. He is also immune from bodily harm thanks to the contract he formed with Rory Mercury.
Tuka Luna Marceau(テュカ・ルナ・マルソー,Tyuka Runa Marusō)
Voiced by: Hisako KanemotoA 165-year-old elf, though she is considered an adolescent by her race's standards. She loses her father who sacrifices himself to save her when her village is attacked by a flame dragon, and since then travels with Itami and co. However, she has a hard time coping with her father's death, and eventually starts viewing Itami as her surrogate father. After overcoming her loss with Itami's help, she keeps calling him "father" just by habit, much to his chagrin.
Lelei La Lelena(レレイ・ラ・レレーナ,Rerei Ra Rerēna)
Voiced by: Nao TōyamaA 15-year-old human from the other world, and a student to an elderly sorcerer. Lelei quickly learns the Japanese language and becomes the interpreter/translator for Itami's party. Leilei serves as the narrator for the anime. Throughout the series, Lelei has become an invaluable asset to Itami's team, where she assists Itami and his company in various negotiations across the Special Region.
Rory Mercury(ロゥリィ・マーキュリー,Rōri Mākyurī)
Voiced by: Risa TanedaA 961-year-old demi-goddess, she stopped aging while still very young when she became an apostle of Emroy (God of death, war, crime and madness). Her body will remain that way until her 1000th birthday when she will ascend and become a full goddess. That also means she cannot die and can recover from any wound. She's superhumanly strong which allows her to swing her extremely heavy halberd with ease. She is also very fast and agile with centuries of combat experience. She's usually dressed in her formal apostle wear which strongly resembles gothic lolita fashion. After meeting Itami and his squad, she takes an interest in them and Itami in particular who she occasionally attempts to seduce.
Yao Haa Dushi(ヤオ・ハー・デュッシ,Yao Hā Dyusshi)
Voiced by: Yōko HikasaA dark elf who is over 300 years old. She seeks the JSDF's aid when the same dragon that attacked Tuka's village moves to the forest where her tribe lives, becoming a threat to them. After the dragon is vanquished, she joins Itami's party as well. She also changes her name to Yao Ro Dushi after the dragon's defeat and offering her servitude to Itami, but unlike the other three, she isn't relentless in pursuing the latter's affections and prefers to be on the sides.
Third Recon Unit
Souichirou Kuwahara(桑原 惣一郎,Kuwahara Souichirou)
Voiced by: Kanehira YamamotoA fifty-year-old Sergeant Major who serves as Itami's second in command. As the oldest member in the unit, he has experience and wisdom of training and leading recruits on the field.
Shino Kuribayashi(栗林 志乃,Kuribayashi Shino)
Voiced by: Maaya UchidaA soldier of the Third Recon Unit under Itami, she does not hold him in high regard due to his otaku nature and freaks out in disbelief upon learning the first lieutenant is a ranger and special forces member. She excels in hand to hand combat and prefers charging head first into a battle, so she can take on multiple enemies at once with just her bayonet mounted rifle.
Takeo Kurata(倉田 武雄,Kurata Takeo)
Voiced by: Kaito IshikawaA friend of Itami, he is also a fellow soldier and otaku like him, with a special fetish for cat-girls. His geeky fantasy becomes reality when he meets Persia, a housemaid of the Formal Clan who happens to be half-cat. The two become close very quickly and are nearly inseparable when Kurata is visiting Italica.
Akira Tomita(富田 章,Tomita Akira)
Voiced by: Hiroki YasumotoThe gentle giant of the unit, he is a solemn but kind man who often acts as the voice of reason within the group. He has mutually shared feelings for Bozes.
Mari Kurokawa(黒川 茉莉,Kurokawa Mari)
Voiced by: Satomi AkesakaThe medic of the Third Recon Team. She can talk maliciously at times especially to Itami if she suspects he has ulterior motives related to his Otaku hobbies. Nevertheless, she cares for the well-being of those under her care, especially with civilians.
Furuta Hitoshi(古田 均,Hitoshi Furuta)
Voiced by: Daiki HamanoA private in the Third Recon Team who used to work in a first-class restaurant. During the Team's mission in the Imperial Capital, he goes undercover as a chef whose cooking gets the interest of Prince Zorzal.
JSDF
Kouichirou Hazama(狭間 浩一郎,Hazama Kouichirou)
Voiced by: Hiroshi YanakaA JSDF Lieutenant General in charge of the JSDF task force within the Special Region. Despite his demeanor, he holds Itami in high regard despite his reckless attitude.
Akira Yanagida(柳田 明,Yanagida Akira)
Voiced by: Koji YusaA First lieutenant who serves as General Hazama's aide. He dislikes Itami due to the latter gaining his rank due to the Ginza Incident, whereas he had to earn it by hard work himself. Unlike Itami who cares about the people of the Special Region and wants to help them, Akira doesn't, and has no problem of manipulating and exploiting the Special Region's people and resources for Japan's gain. He eventually develops a begrudging respect for Itami despite the fact the two seem to antagonize each other over minor details especially in regards to Itami's nonchalant attitude and his ability to gain allies. He was injured by Delilah after she tried to assassinate Noriko and he was hospitalized along with her when he shot her several times. At Pina's coronation, he is in a wheelchair recovering from his injury and eventually formed a relationship with Delilah when she decided to take care of him so she can help him heal.
Japanese government and citizens
Tarou Kanou(嘉納 太郎,Kanou Tarou)
Voiced by: Tetsuo KanaoThe Japanese Minister of Defense and Itami's old friend. Like Itami, he is also an Otaku.
Kouji Sugawara(菅原 浩治,Sugawara Kouji)
Voiced by: Kazuyuki OkitsuA Ministry of Foreign Affairs official who is sent to the Special Region as an ambassador to the Empire as part of a delegation to convince the Empire to seek peace with Japan. When Zorzal takes over the throne and arrest members of the nobility who seek peace with Japan, he saves a young noble girl named Sherry from Zorzal's Secret Police by claiming Sherry is his fiance.
Reiko Shirayuri(白百合 玲子,Shirayuri Reiko)
Voiced by: Risa HayamizuThe Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of the Special Region.
Risa Aoi(葵 梨紗,Aoi Risa)
Voiced by: Yoshino NanjoItami's ex-wife and a yaoi doujin artist. Having been former classmates in college, she and Itami married for convenience: Itami provided money for Risa's hobby and Risa looked after the household for Itami. Risa divorced Itami after she tried to convince Itami not to go to the Special Region and realized that he never really loved her. Nevertheless, they still care about each other, with Itami still providing financial support to Risa. Risa still loves Itami, even though she knows he'll never realize it on his own.
Nanami Kuribayashi(栗林 菜々美,Kuribayashi Nanami)
Voiced by: Yurika KuboShino's younger sister and a rookie reporter.
Noriko Mochizuki(望月 紀子,Mochizuki Noriko)
Voiced by: Hibiku YamamuraOne of several Japanese civilians who were captured by Imperial Scouts prior to the Ginza Incident. She was taken to the Empire where she was sold as Prince Zorzal's sex slave. When the Japanese learns of Noriko's existence, the JSDF rescues her and warns the Empire there will be consequences if all other Japanese slaves are not repatriated. Surprisingly, she returns from Japan to Alnus to act as a liaison between the locals and the Japanese media.
Order of the Rose Knights
The Order of the Rose Knights consists of an all female group of noble women from the Empire. Originally, they served as color guard and "decorative" pieces for the Empire's Army and was never used in battle. Their first form of full combat came at the Siege of Italica, where rogue Allied Soldiers became marauders and attacked the merchant city.
Piña Co Lada(ピニャ・コ・ラーダ,Pinya Ko Rāda)
Voiced by: Haruka TomatsuA princess from the empire that rules the other world, she wishes to establish peace with Japan, as she knows that there is no way for the empire to stand against the JSDF's military power, and a war with them will eventually lead to its ultimate destruction. During her visit to Japan to meet with several officials, Piña develops an obsession with yaoidōjinshi and later has her Rose Knights translate more of them for her to read. After being rescued from Zorzal's clutches, Piña is appointed Crown Princess by Emperor Molt. Oddly, her name is taken from a rum based cocktail Piña colada.
Grey Co Aldo(グレイ・コ・アルド,Gurei Ko Arudo)
Voiced by: Itaru YamamotoAn veteran imperial knight assigned under Princess Piña who also serves as her second in command in the Order of the Rose Knights. Grey was also the group's mentor and combat instructor.
Hamilton Uno Law(ハミルトン・ウノ・ロー,Hamiruton Uno Roru)
Voiced by: Ikumi HayamaPrincess Piña's page who is two years younger than her. She was part of Princess Pina's group during the Siege of Italica and assisted Pina in making a treaty with the JDSF. After her own contact with the JDSF, she feels reliable, dependable, and trustful towards the actions and words of Itami and his 3rd Recon Team. Afterwards, Itami and his team make a daring rescue operation, which they successfully save Hamiliton, along with Princess Piña and Emperor Molt from the Imperial Capital, and escort them altogether to Italica in order to help settle down there.
Bozes Co Palesti(ボーゼス・コ・パレスティー,Bōzesu Ko Paresutī)
Voiced by: Yumi UchiyamaSecond daughter of Marquis Palesti and member of Princess Piña's order of Knights; given the title of the Gold Rose. She has mutually shared feelings for Tomita, she later on formalizes a forbidden relationship with him and has become pregnant with his child, Mai.
Voiced by: Rumi OokuboA young imperial noble that is part of the Order of the Rose Knights. Shandy reports the Flame Dragon's defeat to the Empire; as well as assist Itami and his group guarding Leilei from assassins during her Master Exam.
Beefeater E Caty
Voiced by: Mutsumi TamuraA member of the Rose-Knights and one of the oldest acquaintances of Princess Piña. She later enters into a relationship with Col Kengun of the 401st Company, who led the Jade Palace rescue. It wasn't clear if author Takumi Yanai based her character name "Beefeater" from Yeoman Warders who are also called "Beefeaters" or from a popular Gin brand that also goes by the same name.
Clan Formal
Clan Formal is a neutral clan that resides in Italica. The former patriarch was Colt Formal, a nobleman, who took in many poor residents and humanoids as servants. Normally, interaction between humans and humanoids are forbidden; but Colt took in many as it was a "hobby" for him. It's implied that his maids are also combat efficient, should the household be threatened.
Delilah (デリラ,Derira)
Voiced by: Aina KusudaA warrior bunny, as well as a maid and spy for Clan Formal.
Coda Village
Kato El Altestan(カト・エル・アルテスタン,Kato Eru Arutesutan)
Voiced by: ChōA magician who took in Lelei and her sister as disciples in magic. In spite of his lecherous sense of humour, he plays a fatherly role over the refugees evacuated to Alnus by Itami. Many in Rondel, regard him as one of the strongest mages.
Other residents
Myuute Luna Sires (ミューティ・ルナ・サイレス,Myūti Runa Sairesu)
Voiced by: LynnA bird-like Siren, she was once a member of the bandit army that attacked Italica before being captured by the JSDF. Later, she became a member of the local Military Police at the Alnus Refugee camp.
Giselle (ジゼル,Jizeru)
Voiced by: Ayane SakuraShe is one of the Twelve Apostles serving the god Hardy. She is a deity of the dragon folk, and she is also the youngest of the 12 apostles. She considers herself a rival to Rory Mercury and is responsible for waking the Flame Dragon.
Arpeggio El Lalena
Voiced by: Ayahi TakagakiLelei's older stepsister. She mainly focuses on alchemy and more specifically the study of minerals. This field is quite expensive in her world and receives little funding, causing her to live a life of poverty. To compensate for this, she works to create copies of books by hand (as the printing press wasn't invented in the special region).
Empire
Molt Sol Augustus(モルト・ソル・アウグスタス,Moruto Soru Augusutasu)
Voiced by: Atsushi OnoThe Special Region's Emperor and Piña's father. Despite knowing that the Japanese forces far outclass the Empire's, he is still reluctant to seek peace with them, fearing that they might be truly unstoppable should he give them time to establish a foothold in the Special Region. After being rescued from Zorzal's clutches, along with Piña, he appoints Piña Crown Princess.
Zorzal El Caesar(ゾルザル・エル・カエサル,Zoruzaru Eru Kaesaru)
Voiced by: Katsuyuki KonishiFirst Prince of the Empire and Piña's eldest half-brother. Brash, arrogant and impulsive, Zorzal is also a sadist who enjoys committing rape, murder, genocide and owns a number of sex slaves.
Duran(デュラン,Dyuran)
Voiced by: Masuo AmadaThe king of Elbe, Duran was part of the second wave of forces sent by the Empire to recapture Alnus hill from the JSDF "invaders". His forces were annihilated, and when Princess Piña found him, he was a crippled shell of a man waiting for his death, either from the Empire or his own people. Later on, he secretly poses as a disabled refugee at Alnus and is rehabilitated by the JSDF with prosthetic limbs and medical treatment. He later serves as a pivotal person in allowing the JSDF to enter the Elbe kingdom and help Itami defeat the Fire Dragon.
Diabo
Voiced by: Yuichiro UmeharaDiabo is the younger brother of Zorzal. He seeks the throne despite not being next in the line of succession.
Tyuule(テューレ,Tyūre)
Voiced by: Ami KoshimizuZorzal's sex slave and the former Queen of the Warrior Bunny Tribe. Her tribe was at war with the Empire in the past, but realizing they could not win, she gave herself up to Prince Zorzal as his slave in exchange for him sparing her tribe. However, Zorzal did not keep his word and brutally slaughtered and enslaved her people while lying to the survivors that Tyuule sold them out to save herself which gain her tribe's hatred. Upon learning the truth, Tyuule swore revenge to bring down the Empire by appearing submissive to Zorzal while secretly manipulating him into waging a suicidal war with Japan that would bring the Empire to complete ruin.
Sherry Tyueri
Voiced by: Rina HidakaSherry is the 12-year-old daughter of the Tyueri family, a noble family related to Marquess Casel, an influential senator. Wanting to improve his connections to Casel, Sugawara offered to have a pearl necklace delivered to Sherry following a party. Following this gift, Sherry fell in love with Sugawara, and attempted to pursue him whenever he was near. She quickly demonstrates a wisdom beyond her years, not only learning Japanese on her own, but also showing a keen understanding of the awkward interactions between Japan and the people of the Empire, as well as the problems this would pose to Japan and her "future husband"; for this reason, she eagerly offers to aid Sugawara and help bridge the gap between their nations. After her parents' death, Marquess Casel adopts her as his ward.
Novels
Takumi Yanai, a former member of the JSDF, initially published the work on the user-generated content site Arcadia from April 2006 until June 2009 under the pseudonym Todoku Takusan (とどく＝たくさん). In 2010, AlphaPolis made an arrangement with him to publish his work in print. The first two web-novel volumes were slightly altered to make them less nationalistic whereas the third, and final, web-novel volume was rewritten and expanded into three volumes. These five volumes were published from April 12, 2010 to December 22, 2011 with cover illustrations by Daisuke Izuka. Since then, the series has continued with five volumes of side stories as of July 2015. In December 2012, AlphaPolis began a reprint of the series as a light novel, where each novel volume was split into two small-sized light novel volumes in bunkobon format, as well as new cover and inside illustrations by Kurojishi.
Manga
There are five manga series based on Gate, all published by AlphaPolis. The first manga, drawn by Satoru Sao, began publishing in July 2011 and as of December 2016, has nine volumes. The second manga, which is a four-panel comic strip comedy drawn by Kuinji 51-gou, began in December 2014. The third manga, drawn by Yukie Shiren and titled 14 year old Pina Co Lada and The Rose Knights of the Gate Empire, which is a prequel story with Pina as the main protagonist, began in March 2015. A fourth manga, drawn by Abeno Chako and titled Gate: Featuring the Starry Heavens', which depicts the three main female characters becoming music idols, began in March 2015. A spin-off manga, drawn by Chi and titled Mei Company, is based on the in-universe manga in the Gate series, and was published in March 2015.
Anime
An anime television series adaptation is produced by A-1 Pictures and directed by Takahiko Kyōgoku. The series’ character designs are based on the light novel illustrations. The first 12 episodes aired in Japan between July 4 and September 18, 2015. It was streamed online by Crunchyroll and is licensed by Sentai Filmworks in North America. The second half aired on Tokyo MX from January 9 to March 26, 2016. From episode 1 to 12, the opening theme song is "Gate (Sore wa Akatsuki no Yō ni)" (GATE～それは暁のように～) by Kisida Kyoudan & The Akebosi Rockets and the ending theme song is "Prism Communicate" (ぷりずむコミュニケート,Purizumu Komyunikēto) by Hisako Kanemoto, Nao Tōyama and Risa Taneda.
Reception
Rebecca Silverman of Anime News Network reviewed the first twelve episodes of Gate where she praised the anime's unique premise of a modern military fighting against fantasy races in another world, having its main protagonist being an older man rather than a teenager and its unique cast of characters, but also criticized the anime for being too political and glorifying the Japanese military.
