A world of untamed magic and emergent technology.
A tale of uncertain paths, woven with fragile threads.
Inspired by works such as Hunter × Hunter, Attack on Titan, Fullmetal Alchemist and Jujutsu Kaisen, Vanguard blends supernatural phenomena and technological innovation in the 1920s-era fantasy world of Tellus — a mystical reflection of humanity's turbulent past.
The year is in the 19th Century, and Tellus is on the brink of a second Great War. The population of Vitalists - people with the ability to manipulate their own life energy - grows by the day. A rare ore called aurite fuels magical and technological advancements as nations race to unlock its mysteries, weaving it into weapons, clothes, and more. In an effort to control these Vitalist individuals, the great powers of the world unite to form the Vanguard Association, turning children into soldiers of immeasurable might and power -
Tensions rise as Axtrillias and the Staal Dominion continue their Great Game, sacrificing dozens of ships over aurite-rich islands in the Aurean Sea. Relations grow strained as the Unión Erséa exerts its might on the world stage, sponsoring revolutionary organizations and 'freedom fighters' around the globe.
Researchers from the Ordo Ecclesia mount expeditions to the recently discovered Abyssal Rift, clashing blades and beliefs with mysterious beings who call themselves 'Reapers'. The Imperiya Vrada opens its borders to the world only to be plagued by the Horizon Cities' top three exports: guns, drugs, and freeform jazz.
In the midst of it all, rumors of long-lost civilizations and powerful artifacts in the Elder Continent pique the interest of governments and private entities alike. Sheltered from the world's true dangers, the cadets of the Vanguard Academy find themselves with one objective: