The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Tales of Innocence

Plot synopsis:
The world of Innocence is divided between the "divine" world of Devaloka (divided between the regions of Sensus and Ratio) and the lower human world of Naraka. As Devaloka needed human souls to survive, the Sensus general Asura decided to use the Manifest, an artifact created by the ancient Primordial Giant, to merge Devaloka and Naraka. This plan was opposed by many, leading to war between Sensus and Ratio. Asura was aided by the Devalokans Inanna, Orifiel and Sakuya; his sentient sword Durandal; and his dragon companion Vrtra. Asura eventually won, defeating the Ratio general Hypnos in battle. Before he could use the Manifest, Inanna betrayed and stabbed him with Durandal. He kills her before he dies, leaving the unification of Devaloka and Naraka unfinished. Most of Devaloka's population is killed in the process, with the others eventually dying years later. In the present, Naraka is governed by the imperial capital of Regnum and the western country of Garam, who are in a state of war. Added to this is the emergence of "avatars", Devalokans reincarnated in human form who hold supernatural powers. They are hunted and inducted into Regnum's military and used for experimentation or as front line troops in the war.
The story begins when Luca Milda, the reincarnation of Asura, encounters another avatar Illia Animi, an avatar of Inanna. She is being chased by agents of Regnum. Luca decides to protect her, awakening his supernatural powers. The two are eventually captured and forced to become fighters on the front lines along with swordsman Spada Belforma, the reincarnation of Durandal.
During their time as prisoners, Luca develops a relationship with Chitose Cxarma, who is a reincarnation of Sakuya and retains her former self's deep love for Asura. Luca, Illia and Spada eventually escape, briefly encountering the mercenary Ricardo Soldato, who is a reincarnation of Hypnos. The three are eventually joined by Ricardo, along with Ange Serena and Hermana Larmo, the respective reincarnations of Orifiel and Vrtra.
As they travel across the war-torn land, they are confronted by avatars in the service of multiple nations, and Arca - a cult made up of avatars led by a woman known as Mathias. Chitose joins Arca to further their cause of a utopia for avatars, and tries to persuade Luca to join, causing a rift between them. The conflicts between the groups is further inflamed as more people regain their memories as warriors of Sensus or Ratio, sparking old conflicts.
In their adventures, the group works to end the fighting and learn about their past lives. When the full truth is revealed, they decide to fulfill Asura's wishes and unite the two worlds. This brings them into conflict with Mathias, who is revealed to be the incarnation of Asura's wrath at being betrayed, and now wishes to destroy both Devaloka and Naraka.
Chitose, consumed by Sakuya's love for Asura, helps Mathias in her task. The party confront Mathias and Chitose in Devaloka's ruined capital, where the Manifest is hidden. They defeat Mathias, and Chitose kills herself in a fit of despair. Luca then proceeds to use the Manifest to merge Devaloka and Naraka, nullifying the avatars' powers and lessening the chance of future conflicts. The group then returns to their normal lives.
Innocence R mostly preserves the story of Innocence, while adding two further characters: a spearwoman named QQ Selezneva, and a spellcaster named Kongwai Tao. These two belong to different worlds, and enter the world of Innocence through the so-called "Triverse Gate". Kongwai came to "save" two souls (Chitose and the antagonist Hasta Ekstermi, a reincarnation of the demonic spear Gaebolg), while QQ is an archeologist who comes to investigate the world of Innocence.
Each enters and leaves the world while leaving the main events mostly unaltered. While they appear to be on friendly terms, a second playthrough reveals that they are bitter enemies who have been playing a "friendship game" while in the world of Innocence. As they return to their world, they part ways, with QQ swearing to kill Kongwai the next time they meet.
=== Characters ===
Luca Milda (ルカ・ミルダ, Ruka Miruda) is a merchant's son living in the capital city of Regnum. A student with high school grades, he is naturally shy and often teased by his classmates. He is the reincarnation of the Devalokan Asura (アスラ), general of the Sensus army. Luca is voiced by Akiko Kimura, and Asura is voiced by Rikiya Koyama.
Iria Animi (イリア・アニーミ, Iria Anīmi) is an honest and independent village girl who was forced to flee from the Regnum authorities after her powers awaken. She is accompanied by Coda, one of a race called "Myusu" who follows her in order to eat nice food. Illia is the reincarnation of Inanna (イナンナ), a former ally of Asura. Illia is voiced by Yuko Sasamoto, and Inanna is voiced by Atsuko Tanaka.
Spada Belforma (スパーダ・ベルフォルマ, Supāda Beruforuma) is a swordsman from Regnam, a former noble who was rejected by his family. Spada is the reincarnation of Asura's sentient sword and companion Durandal (デュランダル). Both characters are voiced by Yuji Ueda.
Ricardo Soldato (リカルド・ソルダト, Rikarudo Sorudato) is a marksman and mercenary who is initially forced to fight Luca, Illia and Spada. Raised in the middle of war, he is a professional type who takes his job seriously. He is the reincarnation of the Ratio general Hypnos (ヒュプノス). Both characters are voiced by Hiroaki Hirata.
Ange Serena (アンジュ・セレナ, Anju Serena) is a priestess who takes in and cares for avatars, using her powers to heal the sick and wounded, earning the nickname of "saint". She acts as an older sister figure to Luca. She is the reincarnation of Orifiel (オリフィエル), a strategist who defected from Ratio to Sensus. Agne is voiced by Kaori Nazuka, and Orifiel is voiced by Tomokazu Sugita.
Hermana Larmo (エルマーナ・ラルモ, Erumāna Rarumo) is a street urchin who looks after war orphans in Regnum's sewers. Despite her deprived upbringing, she holds a positive outlook on life. She is the reincarnation of Vrtra (ヴリトラ), an ancient dragon who raised Asura. Both characters are voiced by Yuki Matsuoka.
QQ Selezneva (キュキュ・セレツネワ, Kyukyu Seretsunewa) and Kongwai Tao (コンウェイ・タウ, Konwei Tao) are two characters introduced in Innocence R. Both traveled from other worlds. While Kongwai is a reserved spellcaster on a secretive mission, QQ is an outgoing, self-proclaimed archeologist fascinated by the technology of Innocence's world. Kongwai is voiced by Kenji Nojima, and QQ is voiced by Saki Fujita.

Tags: violence

Review:
Engrossing, entertaining, surprisingly accurate. The first episode, in northern Italy, is light, romantic fare (Young Indy, what else?)delightful comedy.  Indy does something heroic, but the main plot takes place in town, competing for Giuletta's attention. The second part, in Morocco, is back to James Bondian adventure, and is very well done.  Indy, as an intelligence officer, discovers dirty doings in the Foreign Legion.  Coincidentally, he romances Edith Wharton a la "40 Carats" (See it.  You'll love it!)  Some women, perhaps twentysomethings, may not like (or understand) the "May/December" romance of a twentysomething Indy for a fortysomething Edith, but it's truly moving.  This is Episode 16. What can 17 hold in store?. Mixed bag of an episode. This next adventure in the exploits of a young Indiana Jones (played by the always watchable Sean Patrick Flanery) is something of a mixed bag.In the first segment, Indy is posted to the mountains of North Italy where, between smuggling German deserters across the battlefield, he finds time to compete with none other than Ernest Hemingway (Jay Underwood), for the affections of a young woman. The supposed comedy in this segment is excruciating, and Jay Underwood's playing of Hemingway comes off as nothing but smug.Much better is the second segment, where Indy is sent to Morocco where his French superiors are faced with an uprising from their enemies among the natives, who are being supplying with arms from a mysterious source. Indy meets the writers Edith Wharton (Clare Higgins) and Lowell Thomas (Evan Richards), who are well-played and have a good scene where they debate the virtues of writing fiction (Wharton) as opposed to journalism (Thomas). It's nice to see Roshan Seth (who played one of the villains in "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom") pop up here as the more benign Sheikh Kamal, and British actor David Haig is good fun as a treacherous Colonel.If you can skip the mishap of the first segment, the intrigue and adventure of the second part more than make up for it.