Takumi Yanai created the Japanese fantasy novel series, Gate. Kurojishi and Daisuke Izuka handled the illustrations. Arcadia serialized it from 2006 until 2009.
It all began when a gate appeared in the modern-day Tokyo Ginza district. It created a portal to another dimension. Monsters and medieval soldiers came out.
These creatures attacked the city of Tokyo and became the Ginza Incident. The government sent the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) to suppress the attack.
They went into the other dimension to fight against these vile creatures. An otaku soldier named Yoji led the team. He found out that a dragon had been attacking a village.
He helped the villagers and an elf against the dragon’s rampage. Soon, they joined forces as they made their quest inside this mysterious world.
Table of Contents
Plot
It all started in the 21st century. A gate suddenly appeared in the Ginza district of Tokyo. Monsters and knights from middle-age Europe appeared.
These fantastical monsters went on a rampage and killed Tokyo’s citizens. It became the Ginza incident. A group of soldiers from the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) came to rescue.
They invaded the mysterious world inside. An otaku soldier named Yoji led the quest. He found out that a dragon had been attacking a village.
An elf girl joined their group after surviving the dragon’s attack. Together, they marched through the dangerous world. The JSDF pushed through and established a base.
Their goal is to make peace with the Empire of the inside world. Other nations became jealous of Japan’s access to this Special Region. They wanted to invade this region and exploit it for their means.
The JSDF is under close supervision of the government. They chose not to intervene with the Special Region’s affair because of fear.
Meanwhile, Yoji Itami went to the other world. He’s a reservist of the JSDF tasked to investigate the fantastical beings and events in the Special Region. His knowledge about fantasy stories made him the ideal person to do the job.
He discovered a world of elves, dragons, and magic. In his quest inside the Special Region, he met the Imperial Princess Piña Co Lada. He helped the princess and her people against a dragon and robbers.
His contribution became access for negotiations. But it ended right after rescuing a Japanese prisoner from Prince Zorza. The prince became humiliated and triggered the blood bath against Japan.
The prince’s dictatorship forced the JSDF to fight back. This all-out war is declared to preserve the status quo. Negotiations between the government and the prince’s father started. Both parties came up with the same solution and ended the war in peace.
Defeated, Zorzal went into hiding. He made a band of guerilla fighters and used them to attack civilians. They used imitation camo uniforms to appear as if the JSDF headed the attacks.
He failed to discredit the JSDF, and peace was restored. On the other hand, the Gate poses another problem. The Special Region started to drift away from Earth, tearing its anchor point.
It triggered a series of catastrophic events. Now, time becomes their enemy, and ending the civil war before the portal closes is the priority.
Publication & release
In 2010, AlphaPolis acquired its publication rights. In July 20011, Satoru Sao made the illustration for the series’ manga adaptation. 2015 came, 3 episodes for a manga spin-off began.
In July 2015, the anime television series’ first half aired until September the same year. From January until March 2016, the series’ second half aired. Sentai Filmworks acquired a license in North America.
Gate’s second season started its publication in 2017. Will there be another season? Let’s find out.
Season 1
As a former member of the JSDF, Takumi Yanai created the fantasy novel series, Gate. Arcadia, a user-generated content site, published his work. It carried the pseudonym of Toduko Takusan from April 2006 until June 2009.
AlphaPolis agreed with Yanai to print his work in 2010. They changed the first two novel volumes to make them less nationalistic. The team expanded its contents for its third and fourth albums.
They ended up with three volumes. From April 12, 2010, until January 5, 2012, Daisuke Izuka covered the illustrations and published five volumes. Another five volumes of side stories came out as of October 10, 2012.
AlphaPolis transformed the series into a light novel on January 6, 2013. Kurojishi handled the illustrations of the new bunkoon format light novel volumes.
Season 2
Gate Season 2 focuses on a new set of characters. The story follows the adventures of the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) members Goro Etajima and Koji Tokushima. Their task is to travel around countries for research and exploration.
Upon the Gate’s reopening, Japan seized its control as the only country with access to this portal. The government has to abide by domestic policies. At the same time, their mission continues in conducting terrain investigations of the Special Region.
Season two is composed of 5 volumes with Daisuke Izuka as the illustrator. The first volume came out on August 8, 2017, with its finale on November 30, 2020.
Season 3
Will there be a third season for Gate? As of this time, the production company kept a silent voice. However, fans are eager to hear about this fantastical portal.
Will the Gate open to another dimension? What lies ahead beyond the Gate’s mysterious places? All we can do is speculate.
Yanai has yet to announce the release of another season. This light novel series made an impact on fans. The call for more adventures and quests is still in the contest.
For almost 2 years since the last episode, nothing is said. Yet, rumor has it that a third season is coming. Who knows, the Gate is a mysterious place.
Does the Gate have more secrets? The decision lies on the tip of the pen of the brilliant minds behind this novel series. All we can do is sit back and wait for its final call.
