Tales of the Abyss

テイルズオブジアビス
ToA

Manga7.6872 votes8 volumes · 53 chaptersFinished

ActionAdventureFantasySeinen

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About this title

Synopsis

Fonons. Essential components of all matter on planet Auldrant. Ages ago, a new type of fonon was discovered—the Seventh Fonon. Its discovery threw humanity into chaos, for if one could use the Seventh Fonon, one could learn the future. Wars over the Seventh Fonon raged across the lands, ending only when the miasma—a poison from within the planet—covered the entire world. This is when Yulia appeared. A fonist skilled in prophecy, Yulia saw thousands of years into the future and foresaw a way to seal away the miasma. With the guidance of her prophecies, humanity sealed the miasma deep within the planet. Over two thousand years passed. The world is ruled by Yulia's prophecy, known as the Score. People believe in the coming "unprecedented prosperity" promised in the Score, never straying from the path set forth in the Score which will lead them to that prosperity. They look to the Score as revealed by the Order of Lorelei, the religion Yulia founded, and hold that the greatest virtue is to follow the Score faithfully. Yulia's Score tells of a young man who is necessary in order to bring "unprecedented prosperity." His name is Luke fon Fabre. An heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear, he was kidnapped as a child by the kingdom's enemy, the Malkuth Empire. Since his return he has been confined to his family's manor for his own safety. He has no idea of the evil that now draws close. (Source: MU)

Published

Oct 27, 2005 to Nov 27, 2010

Authors

External links

MyAnimeList page Wikipedia

MAL rank: #2733
Members (MAL): 2,978
Favorites (MAL): 30

Related titles

Adaptation

Tales of the Abyss (anime)

Side Story

Main characters

Luke Fon Fabre359 fan favorites
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Age:17–20 (end) Weight: 68 kg Height: 171 cm Weapon: Swords Luke is the "hero" of the story, but hardly starts out as one. He's spoiled and has been locked up inside his father Duke Fabre's mansion ever since he was kidnapped seven years ago. At first, Luke is constantly complaining and has a short temper. However, throughout the story, he goes through some major changes, mostly thanks to the people he traveled with and a terrible disaster along the way. Luke's evolution as human is great; he becomes a completely different person.
Jade Curtiss294 fan favorites
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Hometown: Keterburg Age: 35 Weight: 74 kg / 163 lbs Height: 186 cm / 6'1" Weapon: Lances Dr. Jade Balfour, more commonly known as Jade Curtiss or as Jade the Necromancer is a colonel serving in the Malkuth military and an exceptional wielder of Fonic Arts well known throughout Auldrant. He always seems to be smiling, or at least cheerful, regardless of the events taking place about him, giving little indication of his true thoughts on anything. Jade is known as the father of Fomicry, the science of extracting data from an existing entity to produce a perfect copy known as a 'replica'. His first attempt was when his sister, Nephry, broke her favorite doll, at which point Jade created a replica to soothe her tears. He was nine at the time. In his youth, he was, as described by his sister, a "devil" highly adept in casting Fonic Artes; his sister saw him as one who did not understand the significance of life or perhaps that anything but himself could be sentient -- and he, therefore, enjoyed killing monsters through Fonic artes even adults found difficult. Sometime after Luke's conversation with Nephry regarding her brother, Jade confesses to Luke that he still fails to understand what it means for someone to die. He was, however, significantly changed by his teacher, Dr. Nebilim, a healer who commanded the Seventh Fonon, which Jade could not command himself. Though he had great respect for his teacher, Jade attempted to cast a spell using the seventh fonon, but instead unleashed a power beyond his control that resulted in the death of Nebilim. As Nebelim lay dying, Jade extracted her data and created a replica of her, though rather than resurrecting his beloved teacher, he only succeeded in creating a monster which he found himself forced to destroy. At some time after these painful events, Jade's talents in fonic artes and fomicry were recognized, and he was adopted into House Curtiss, a family of high position within the Malkuth military. Jade was eventually convinced to cease his endeavours with Fomicry by his close friend, Emperor Peony the Ninth, who spent his childhood years in Jade's hometown of Keterburg. It is also revealed that Jade forbade the practice of Fomicry on living organisms due to both ethical and technical issues arising from the subject. Dist (also one of Nebilim's students), however, still didn't accept Nebilim's death. His dream was to see Jade return to normal, and help him resurrect her again. However, Jade had always refused, and often opted to make fun of Dist instead. He introduces himself as "Colonel Jade Curtiss, Third Division, Malkuth Imperial Forces." He doesn't ever refer to himself as Jade the Necromancer (his given nickname that arose due to his habit of scavenging corpses after a battle), but acknowledges others when they call him the Necromancer. Personality Jade is at first mostly an enigma, his teasing smile always hiding his true thoughts. Often, when the actions of those around him are less than thought through, Jade uses sarcasm to show that he disapproves. Other than amusement, Jade rarely shows signs of any emotions at all, though occasionally they get out of his control. Deep inside, Jade feels guilty for all the people he has killed, especially Professor Neblim. Abilities Jade could be considered the strongest character in Tales of the Abyss, given all of his powerful Fonic artes. When Luke first encounters him, Jade is Level 45, with artes like Blessed Drops and Ground Dasher. Largo the Black Lion (a God-General), however, uses a fon slot seal to seal Jade's Fonic artes. Jade's Level is immediately dropped to 5 and he loses all his artes except Energy Blast and Sonic Spear. His increases in level, therefore, actually represent how much of the fon slot seal he has undone. Through leveling up, Jade gains one high-tier Fonic arte for each element but light and darkness: the aforementioned Blessed Drops and Ground Dasher and Thunder Blade and Infernal Prison. Through sidequests, however, Jade can also learn Absolute, Prism Sword, and Meteor Storm. Also, each of Jade's high-tier Fonic artes invokes a fully charged Field of Fonons of its element after it is used. Each of Jade's four Strike artes--Sonic Spear, Thunder Lance, Impaling Heaven, and Soveregn Gale--is changed by a different element of FoF, meaning that Jade can use any fully charged FoF to change a Strike arte.
Tear Grants283 fan favorites
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Hometown: Yulia City Age: 16 Weight: 50 kg Height: 162 cm Occupation: Order of Lorelei, Military Wing Weapon: Staves The Fende family was originally from the Island of Hod which was destroyed in the Hod War that left a large portion of the continent devastated by its effects. The island fell into the Qliphoth, taking both Tear's mother who was pregnant with her at the time and Van, her older brother, into the miasma-filled world under Auldrant's crust. Raised by Van, the Commandant of the God-Generals, and her adopted grandfather, Mayor Teodoro of Yulia City. She quickly joined the Order of Lorelei when she was of age. She is a Locrian Sergeant in the Oracle Knights Intelligence Division, a section of the Oracle of Lorelei that presides over the Score. Tear's detached demeanor came from her mentor, Legretta the Quick, Van's assistant and one of the Six God-Generals. To this day Tear considers Legretta the reason why she became so cold, concise and calculating—that and wanting Van's approval. It has been said that Tear and her family are the descendents of Yulia, the original fonist who discovered the Seventh Fonon and as a result, Tear is able to use it. However, unlike those that are able to use the Seventh Fonon, she is currently the only one to date save for Yulia that is able to use the Grand Fonic Hymn, a compilation of seven Fonic hymns, that provide its recipient with increased statistics which makes them more or less invincible for a time. At the start of the anime, Tear discovers that Van is determined to destroy the main world, and takes an assignment from Grand Maestro Mohs to locate the Seventh Fonstone in order to get to the Outer Lands. Along the way, she crosses through a portal and breaks into the Fabre manor where she finds Van, feigning as young Luke Fon Fabre's sword-master and mentor, and proceeds to attack him but Luke steps in the way, blocking her assault. Without either Tear or Luke knowing that he possesses the power of the Seventh Fonon, a hyperresonance occurs between them and sends the two into the Malkuth Empire. Once realizing that they're no longer in Baticul, Tear promises to get Luke back home and they set out not knowing that they are in enemy territory. Just as they make it out of Tataroo Valley and hitch a ride on a passing wagon, they see a Colonel Jade Curtiss' dreadnaught (whom they do not know at the time) chasing another coach across toward the Rotelo Bridge. The coach tosses out some explosive barrels which destroys their quickest way out, forcing Tear and Luke to take shelter in a nearby town known as Engeve, the main farming town of the Malkuth Empire. Once they pass the threshold of the city they find themselves drawn deeper into the plot that threatens to leave Auldrant in its wake. Despite a usually cold demeanor, Tear actually loves anything cute and/or fluffy including Mieu, the bearer of the Sorcerer's Ring. Even in Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology, she thought Eugene Gallardo and Mormo were cute (much to their respective dismays). She is modest about her own body and avoids revealing too much whenever possible. For instance when the Malkuth emperor, Peony IX, gives her a bikini that is too risqué for her, she opts out for a rented one piece with a garter belt for her throwing daggers thus giving her the title Rental Beauty. She also gets angry when her body becomes a subject of jokes, for instance, in a skit where Anise Tatlin says she dreams of having grown-up body as well developed as Tear's, Luke blurts out that there's no way Anise could develop "melons" (breasts) as big as hers, and Tear gets embarrassed and immediately scolds the two, forgetting their current situation. Tear is also afraid of ghosts. For example, when the party was traveling in the mountains Jade remember the story of a ghost of the mountains and Tear walks away while trying to rushing the others but Luke asked if she was scared she immediately denies while blushing; causing them to laugh at her much to her chagrin. Tear is mostly serious and dedicated to her duties, but she also has a charming soft spot for anything cute. (Source: Aselia - The Tales Wikia)
Asch133 fan favorites
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Age: 17 Weight: 69kg Height: 171cm Asch the Bloody is a God General of the Order of Lorelei. He can be arrogant and rebellious, and almost always seems angry. He has a tremendous amount of pride and cares deeply for his country and the people around him. He is also an extremely talented cook. Despite his smart and calculating exterior, Asch has moments of incredible goofiness. At one point he masquerades as Luke and is asked (by someone who had met Luke a few days previously) how his hair had changed from short to long in such a short time. Asch's improvised excuse was, "My hair grows fast." Most of what Asch does is the "behind the scenes" work - though works towards the same goal as Luke and friends. However, most of the time, he outright refuses to work with them. At the end of the game, he even fought Luke over who would fight Van. (Source: Aselia - The Tales Wiki)
Guy Cecil101 fan favorites
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Birthday: June 6 Zodiac sign: Gemini Age: 21 Weight: 79 kg Height: 184 cm Occupation: Servant Weapon: Swords A servant in Duke Fabre's mansion, also Luke's best friend. Guy's biggest quirk is his fear of women. Relationship with Luke Guy is Luke's best friend. Aside from Tear, Guy is usually the one Luke turns to for advice. In the beginning of the game, while Luke treats nearly everyone else with impatience or disdain, he does show a certain degree of respect for Guy. After the events of Akzeriuth, Guy is the only person in the party to willingly go back for Luke after leaving him in Yulia City following his loss of consciousness. Even after everyone else has shunned Luke for his ill treatment and refusal to take responsibility for his actions, Guy chose to believe in him and to help him change. The two are shown to have a strong bond, and, while they tease each other at times, one will not hesitate to help the other if he is in trouble. Their close friendship also shows in that Luke cannot seem to hide anything from Guy, despite his best efforts to hide that his seventh fonons are deteriorating and that he expects to disappear as a result. Personality Guy is a kind and hard-working young man. He is also somewhat a charmer, and he seems to know exactly what to say, often resulting in women swooning over him, much to his dismay. He always seems to want to help those in trouble, regardless of gender, and even saves Anise from falling to her death during an earthquake, despite his gynophobia. He also seems unable to refuse a request from anyone, and is often told by Emperor Peony to walk his pet rappigs (which he doesn't actually mind doing). When Princess Natalia orderes him to carry something in the Tower of Rem, at which point he was no longer a servant to house Fabre or even a citizen of Kimlasca, he does as she asks simply out of habit. Jade also tells Guy to explain many things to people, and, despite protesting this role, he never actually refuses to do so. (Source: Wikipedia)
Anise Tatlin23 fan favorites
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Anise is a Fon Master Guardian from Daath. Her duty is to protect the Fon Master, Ion at all times. Anise is good at deceiving others, especially Natalia, and she is also rather greedy with an intense love of money. The stuffed doll, Tokunaga, that she keeps strapped to her back can grow to gargantuan size, and she fights while riding on its back. She hopes to marry rich, and ever since meeting Luke she has been plotting to become his future duchess.
Natalia Luzu Kimlasca Lanvaldear22 fan favorites
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Hometown: Baticul Age: 18 Weight: 53 kg Height: 168 cm Occupation: Princess of Kimlasca Weapon: Bow Natalia is the princess of Kimlasca. She is engaged to Luke and has been ever since the two were children, although with Luke's memory loss he doesn't remember making a promise with Natalia, thus isn't very keen on the idea of marrying her. However, Natalia is very attached to him, and she continues to hope that Luke will remember their promise someday. Natalia is a trained archer and healer, both of which she excels at. Her main quirks are her terrible cooking and gullibility. Although at first Natalia seems demanding and somewhat harsh, she cares deeply for her kingdom and her people, and is strongly devoted to them. Her promise with Asch to change her country so that "no one has to be poor" and that "war never happens" is just one example of her love for Kimlasca. She was sometimes among her people as well, rather than just hearing about them in her castle. It is obvious that the people of Kimlasca love her very much in return. When Natalia and Luke are declared impostors and sentenced to death, the civilians aid their escape by standing in the way of their pursuers, putting their lives on the line. To the people of Baticul, all that mattered was that their dear princess, of royal blood or not, was safe. Natalia is a strong leader and a passionate humanitarian. After the events of the Absorption Gate, she travels Auldrant to make sure the peace is kept between Malkuth and Kimlasca, and to help cities in need. For six months, she is hard at work trying to make Auldrant a better place. During the party's trip to Mt. Roneal, it is shown that Natalia is rather fond of ghost stories, and was ecstatic at the chance to hear one from Jade Curtiss. Tear Grants did not share her excitement, and quickly cut Jade off. (Source: Aselia - The Tales Wikia)