Blue Archive the Animation

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Blue Archive the Animation ブルーアーカイブ The Animation Burūākaibu The Animation Anime visual Country Japan Language Japanese Genre Action, Fantasy Broadcast Spring 2024 No. of Seasons 1 No. of Episodes 12 Main Cast Character Actor Sensei Shogo Sakata Arona Konomi Kohara Shiroko Sunaookami Yui Ogura Hoshino Takanashi Yumiri Hanamori Serika Kuromi Ayaka Ohashi Ayane Okusora Sayaka Harada Nonomi Izayoi Chiyuki Miura Aru Rikuhachima Reina Kondou

Blue Archive the Animation (Japanese title: ブルーアーカイブ The Animation, Burūākaibu The Animation) is a 2024 science fiction-action anime series based on the 2021 South Korean tactical role-playing game of the same name. Season 1 is an adaptation of the "Countermeasures Committee" arc (also known as "Volume 1: The Foreclosure Task Force").

Kivotos is an academic city-state comprised of thousands of districts, each independently ruled by a different school. Bridging all of them is the General Student Council, an organization which acts to manage all the academies and maintain order. Conflicts between students with firearms is a common sight, although due to their halos, they never take much more than superficial damage.

Inside Kivotos, the Abydos High School is on the verge of closure due to the encroaching desert and an insurmountable debt. The Foreclosure Task Force, a group made up of the five remaining students of the school, struggles to absolve their situation. Sent by the Student Council, Sensei, an adult, helps start changes to lead them on the right path.

Because this place is our home

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

The following weapons were used in the anime series Blue Archive the Animation:

Pistols

Glock 17

When Sensei and Ayane react to Hoshino casually talking about kidnapping other students to increase their school's attendance, a generic drawing of a Glock 17 can be seen in the background. The closest equivalent is a Glock 17 with GMS-type wide rear sights (or mounting plate), rounded trigger guard and Glock 43 magwell.

2nd Generation Glock 17C - 9x19mm. This model has compensator cuts on the slide and barrel to reduce muzzle climb while firing.

Glock 43 - 9x19mm

The Glock seen in the middle of the image.

Heckler & Koch P30S

Onikata Kayoko uses a two tone Heckler & Koch P30S pistol, which is named "Demon's Roar". It is fitted with a suppressor, fictional silver and black grips and red trigger. It has four serrations in the front instead of five and lacks rear serrations (the front serrations also have red highlights). The external safety is indented (unlike in the game where it is the normal safety) and the rear hammer is enlarged and flattened.

Heckler & Koch P30S - 9x19mm Parabellum

Kayoko with her P30S in the beginning of Episode 3: Leave it to Handyman 68!

Chambering her pistol. Note the ejection port appears to be covered by the barrel even after it is pulled all the way rearward.

Kayoko holds her P30S in front of a group of Mercenaries hired by Problem Solver 68.

Kayoko with her pistol as Aru introduces her.

Screenshots from different parts of the same scene where she fights Nonomi. Due to animation inconsistency, the pistol is depicted as both single action and double action here (also her first shot doesn't cause the slide to reciprocate).

Firing; the slide doesn't fully move back.

Kayoko with Mutsuki, the bottom of the magazine is visible here.

Mauser M712 Schnellfeuer

Hinomiya Chinatsu uses a Mauser M712 Schnellfeuer pistol, which is named "Support Pointer". It has reddish-brown grip panels, rear sight, magazine and bolt.

Mauser M712 Schnellfeuer - 7.63x25mm Mauser

Chinatsu holds her M712 in a shot of the Prefect Team.

Holding her pistol next to Iori.

Ditto.

Chinatsu with her pistol in the OP. Note all the characters seen here are the ones you play in the prologue of the game.

SIG-Sauer P226R

Anubis/Shiroko - Terror is seen using a SIG-Sauer P226R in the prologue of Episode 1: Abydos High School Countermeasures Committee. A P226 without a rail is seen on the desk of the Problem Solver 68 office in the beginning of Episode 3: Leave it to Handyman 68!

SIG-Sauer P226R - 9x19mm

Shiroko walks with her pistol drawn at the start of the episode.

Then brings it to bear...

...and chambers it. Note the hammer is incorrectly depicted as uncocked after the slide returns.

Aiming her pistol.

Ditto, but closeup of the rifling and front of the pistol.

Firing.

SIG-Sauer P226 - 9x19mm

The SIG next to some Mk 2 grenades in EP3.

SIG-Sauer P229

Okusora Ayane uses a satin-nickel SIG-Sauer P229 pistol, which is named "Common Sense". It is modified with a red trigger, black takedown lever, black grip screws, Armory Craft Billet Aluminum Magazine Base Pad and a custom lanyard loop with a butterfly tassel.

SIG-Sauer P229 with satin-nickel finish - 9x19mm

Ayane loading her pistol in the OP.

Ditto. Due to the angle the pistol appears longer than it is in reality.

Submachine Guns

SIG-Sauer MPX

Hayase Yuuka uses twin 20-round magazine equipped SIG-Sauer MPX 2012 prototype submachine guns, which are named "Logic & Reason" respectively. They have blue highlights in the magazine window, part of the tube of the stock, the end of the selector and in the divits of the handguard rails. In-game she uses twin SIG-Sauer MPX-K 2012 prototype SMGs instead (this appears to have been fixed in EP2 but not in the OP).

SIG-Sauer MPX, 2012 prototype with 6.5" barrel - 9x19mm

Yuuka with her SMGs in the OP.

SIG-Sauer MPX-K

SMG Sukeban use SIG-Sauer MPX-K 2012 prototypes.

SIG-Sauer MPX-K, 2012 prototype - 9x19mm

A Submachine Gun Sukeban squatting with other Sukeban while holding her MPX-K in the OP.

Aiming her SMG with the other Sukeban in EP1.

The Sukeban firing at the Bosozoku Automatons they were arguing with.

Yuuka holding twin MPX-Ks in the prologue of Episode 2: I Don't Approve! (which is also the prologue of the game).

Shotguns

Beretta 1301 Tactical

Takanashi Hoshino uses a customized mostly white Beretta 1301 Tactical shotgun, which is named "Eye of Horus". It has a 21" barrel from the Comp model, Nordic MXT +3 Extension Kit, Mesa Tactical Urbino Pistol Grip Stock + Riser (the buttpad doesn't seem to be based on any particular butt they make for their 1301 stock), Mesa Tactical SureShell Aluminum Carrier And Rail, and seemingly fictional choke and a fictional smooth version of the Rowe Tactical OEM Charging Handle.

Beretta 1301 Tactical with pistol grip - 12 gauge

Beretta 1301 Comp with 21" barrel - 12 gauge - for comparison

Ojisan violin loading her 1301 in first person.

Taking cover as Abydos High School comes under attack.

Returning fire.

Firing at Helmet Gang members in Episode 1 one handed.

With her 1301 after whacking a member with her bag.

Hoshino with her Beretta 1301 slung as she plays with some cats.

Fabarm SDASS

Igusa Haruka uses a custom Fabarm SDASS shotgun, which is named "Blow Away". It is modified with a fictional spikes atop the barrel, violet foreend and stock, TiN coated bolt, and optic which somewhat resembles a spiked Leupold Freedom Red Dot Sight without the elevation adjustment knob.

FABARM SDASS Tactical - 12 gauge

Haruka with her SDASS next to an exasperated Kayoko in the OP.

Haruka with her SDASS slung in EP3.

Standing with the rest of Problem Solver 68.

Haruka awaiting her introduction by Aru (which never happens due to Aru being interrupted by Shiroko, much to Haruka's dismay).

Firing at Hoshino in EP3.

Hawk Semi-Auto Shotgun

What appears to be a Hawk Semi-Auto is seen in the hands of a Security Automaton in the Abydos First Central Bank (called Octopus Bank in-game). The shotgun lacks its rear sight and flash hider. It appears to be fitted with a Bonesteel Arms AK Galil Style Folding Stock.

Hawk Semi-Auto Tactical - 12 Gauge

The Automaton armed with the Hawk seen through a security camera Shiroko hijacked.

Rifles & Carbines

Arisaka Type 99

Kosaka Wakamo uses a modified Arisaka Type 99, named "Crimson Calamity". She is first seen with the rifle in Episode 2: I Don't Approve. It is customized with an all black stock with kitsune mask decal, red handguard with a cherry blossom pattern, golden trigger, trigger guard, rear and front sights and barrel. The Type 30 Bayonet has a custom hilt plus a tassel, however as with the game, the bayonet is mounted in a completely fictitious manner.

Arisaka Type 99 rifle with Type 30 bayonet - 7.7x58mm.

Wakamo's first appearance in the prologue of EP2.

Wakamo running off after the Crusader Mark II is defeated.

Beretta AR-70/223

Kuromi Serika uses a Beretta AR-70/223, which is named "Sincerity". It is equipped with a Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 Riflescope (on semi-fictionalized Vortex Rings), which is mounted to a fictional piece of picatinny rail (possibly mounted on the scope mount rails). Its receiver, gas tube and barrel are colored white. The handguard is mostly the same, albeit it wraps around the top of the barrel as well unlike in reality. The magazine is incorrectly depicted as a STANAG magazine instead of the proprietary AR-70/223 magazine, while also having a fictional floor plate. In addition, the artist appears to have confused the top half of the magazine for part of the rifle's receiver (this seems to have been a carry over from the game, as in the game during her EX Skill the same mistakes regarding the magazine appear).

Beretta AR-70/.223. - 5.56x45mm NATO

Serika with AR70 in Episode 1: Abydos High School Countermeasures Committee.

Using her Beretta as a pseudo-DMR to take out some Helmet Gang members.

Serika releasing the magazine in the OP (its difficult to tell if she uses her thumb on the magazine release during this brief sequence).

Then tossing it towards the camera.

Serika chambering her rifle in the OP.

The bolt riding forward.

FN SCAR-L

During EP2, a sign above the vending machines has a silhouette of an FN SCAR-L.

Third Generation FN SCAR-L - 5.56x45mm NATO

Serika and Shiroko talk in front of some vending machines. Note the silhouette of the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch, which is also used by Shimoe Koharu. Also note Shiroko's very expensive 2019 Bianchi Aria Centaur 11sp bicycle.

Karabiner 98k

Shiromi Iori uses a Karabiner 98k, which is named "Crack Shot". It has a spiked cheek rest, which defeats the entire purpose of a cheek rest.

Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Iori holding her Kar 98k while posing with the Prefect Team.

Standing with the Prefect Team in the OP.

Closeup.

The other side of the rifle seen while she walks with Chinatsu.

M4A1 Carbine

Mercenary "Part Timers" hired by Problem Solver 68 in EP3 are all armed with M4A1 Carbines.

Colt M4A1 Carbine - 5.56x45mm

Some Mercenaries on break in the OP. Note the closest Merc is drinking a Morinaga in JELLY energy drink.

Mercs spotted by Ayane's camera assembled outside the school.

Mercenaries behind Kayoko with their M4A1s.

Engaging in combat with the Foreclosure Task Force.

Due to not being paid for overtime, the Mercs promptly clock out after the bell chimes.

M16A4

Kayoko is seen handling a scoped M16A4 rifle at the Problem Solver 68 headquarters. It differs from the rifles seen in the game's background art, as they have MWS-styled configurations.

M16A4 with carry handle attached and standard A2 handguards - 5.56x45mm

Kayoko holding an M16A4

M231 Firing Port Weapon

Kaiser PMC Military Automatons are equipped with M231 Firing Port Weapons with some sort of suppressor. Unlike in the game, the ones used by regular Automatons lack camouflage.

M231 Firing Port Weapon with Colt Wire Stock - 5.56x45mm NATO

Kaiser PMC Automatons advance into Abydos. Note in this particular screenshot, the rifle is almost the same size as an M16.

Pattern 14 Enfield

Hanekawa Hasumi uses a black Pattern 1914 Enfield rifle, which is named "Impalement". It has ornate gold engravings, a gold trigger and guard, front sight, bolt, and bolt handle. It also has a brown rear sight, brown bands and brown upper handguard. SR Sukeban use all black Pattern 14 Enfields with rubber recoil pads. All rifles appear to lack finger grooves in their stocks.

Pattern M1914 (P 14) Enfield - .303 UK

Hasumi with her rifle in the OP.

A Sniper Rifle Sukeban with her Enfield.

Aiming her Enfield.

SIG-Sauer SIG556 Classic

Sunaookami Shiroko uses a custom all white SIG-Sauer SIG556 Classic rifle, which is named "WHITE FANG 465". It is modified to fire full auto, and is equipped with a fictional handguard (which appears to be a hybrid of the Classic handguard and the Magpul MOE handguard), SUSAT L9A1 Telescopic Sight, Knight’s Armament Forward Pistol Grip and SIG-Sauer SRD 556 QD suppressor. Black versions of her rifle appear in the hands of Helmet Gang members with the same modifications as Shiroko's SIG556. For some reason they still have the mounts for the SUSAT sights but actual optics (in-game, the Helmet Gang Captains usually have the optic versions). All rifles appear to lack charging handles, with there instead being a strange flush nub on the bolt, despite both the real life rifles and the in-game rifles having them.

SIG-Sauer SIG556 Classic with polymer magazine and SIG-Sauer STS-081 red dot scope - 5.56x45mm

SIG-Sauer SIG556 Classic SWAT (with Swiss-style folding stock and SIG diopter rear sights, for comparison) - 5.56x45mm

Shiroko's SIG556 Classic is shown stowed on a rack in her room in Episode 1: Abydos High School Countermeasures Committee.

Shiroko unfolding the rifle's stock in the OP.

Jumping into a group of Helmet Gang members.

Shiroko taking fire while running with her SIG in the OP (note the selector correctly set to where the auto position would be).

Loading a new magazine airdropped, courtesy of Ayane. Despite running out of bullets, she isn't depicted using either the bolt catch or the charging handle. The second time she is depicted reloading, the magazine appears to lack feed lips and bullets (again she doesn't chamber the rifle).

Shiroko giving a swift cross kick to the Helmet Gang Captain. Both of them have SIG556 Classic rifles.

Helmet Gang members all armed with the SIG556 Classic rifles.

Helmet Gang members firing at the Abydos Countermeasures Committee. Despite having suppressors, the rifles used by both them and Shiroko sound unsuppressed.

A Gang member firing her rifle. The bolt doesn't appear to be fully reciprocating.

Anubis/Shiroko - Terror is seen with the rifle slung over her shoulder in the prologue of EP1.

SIG-Sauer MCX VIRTUS Patrol

Morizuki Suzumi uses a SIG-Sauer MCX VIRTUS Patrol, which is named "Safety". It features fictional white furniture covering most of the rifle. It is first seen in Episode 2.

SIG-Sauer MCX VIRTUS Patrol - 5.56x45mm NATO

Holding the VIRTUS in EP2's prologue.

Ditto but facing the viewer.

Steyr AUG A1

Steyr AUG A1 rifles appear a few times in the anime.

Steyr AUG with black stock - 5.56x45mm.

Kaiser PMC SOF and regular Automatons behind the Kaiser PMC Director in the OP are all armed with AUG A1 rifles.

During EP3, Hoshino has an imagine spot where the Foreclosure Task Force extorts other students into joining their school. Said students in the imagine spot are armed with turquoise AUG A1s.

Closeup.

Sniper Rifles

Heckler & Koch PSG-1

A customized Heckler & Koch PSG-1 sniper rifle is seen used by Rikuhachima Aru, which is named "Wine Red • Admire". It has a maroon color scheme with gold highlights, ornate flowers on either side of the receiver and belts on the handguard. Much like the game it appears to lack its ejection port.

Heckler & Koch PSG-1 - 7.62x51mm NATO

Aru with her PSG-1 in EP3.

Ayane observes Aru attempting to give herself scope bite through her drone.

Aiming.

Ditto. Note the ornate flower on the receiver.

Aru panicking after her hired guns leave.

Machine Guns

M134 Minigun (Handheld)

A handheld version of the GE M134 Minigun is carried by Izayoi Nonomi, named "Little Machine Gun V". Note: The weapon appears to feed from a box magazine based on the one used by the M249, and has an mostly white paint scheme. The same Minigun design is also used by MG Sukeban. with a dark blue and black paint scheme instead.

Airsoft handheld M134 Minigun - (fake) 7.62x51mm NATO

Nonomi with her Minigun in Episode 1. While operating the Minigun in this manner is highly unfeasible in real life, it must be noted that every student in Kivotos (the world Blue Archive is set in), like Nonomi, seem to have superhuman strength and endurance and are quite proficient with firearms, with some able to one-hand Desert Eagles with no loss in efficiency and others operating the MG 42, a general-purpose machine gun, as they would any other rifle.

Returning fire at the Helmet Gang.

Shooting up sand to disorient the gang.

Nonomi firing her Minigun in the OP.

Blocking Kayoko's kick with her Minigun in EP3.

Closeups of the receiver taken from Episode 1 and the Opening, respectively.

A Machine Gun Sukeban squatting with other Sukeban with her M134.

A pissed off MG Sukeban bringing her Minigun to bear.

At the ready.

Firing.

Heckler & Koch MG5

Asagi Mutsuki uses a reddish-brown Heckler & Koch MG5, named "Trick or Trick". It has a stylized stock, black pistol grip, and what appears to be RAL8000 FDE colored carry handle, fire selector, charging handle, stock hinge and trigger guard pin. The MG5 appears slightly smaller than it is in reality (when comparing Mutsuki's 144cm height to the 120.2cm length of the MG5).

Heckler & Koch MG5 - 7.62x51mm NATO

Mutsuki with the MG5 in the OP.

Closeup in EP3.

Mutsuki with Problem Solver 68.

Taking cover and then firing at the Foreclosure Task Force.

Closeup of the right side of the receiver seen when she throws the Geballte Ladung.

Mutsuki and Kayoko get distracted by the showdown between Aru and Shiroko.

MG42

Sorasaki Hina uses a heavily stylized MG42, which is named "The End: Destroyer". It has a dark violet pistol grip, a custom thumb hole style stock, completely fictional press lever which pops open the top cover, and an exaggerated booster, which glows purple.

MG42 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Hina is seen with her MG42 in a shot of the Prefect Team.

Closeup in the OP.

Grenades & Explosives

Mk 2 Hand Grenade

The Mk 2 hand grenade appears in Episode 3: Leave it to Handyman 68!

Mk 2 "Pineapple" High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade

Slightly squashed Mk2 grenades (which resemble the ones seen in Half-Life) seen in the beginning of EP3.

Kayoko pretends to surrender to Serika while spinning the pin from the Mk 2...

...then a spoon-less Mk 2 is seen rolling toward Serika.

M26 Hand Grenade

The grenades on the Helmet Gang Captain's belt occasionally appear as M26 hand grenades with a strip of grid pattern near the spoon.

M26 Hand Grenade

The grenades on her belt.

M67 Hand Grenade

The grenades the Helmet Gang Captain throws appear to be M67 hand grenades with a grid pattern drawn on them. The grenades appear to lack the top section of the M213 Fuze which holds the spoon and pin.

M67 Hand Grenade

The Helmet Gang Captain pulling the pin...

...winds up...

...and throws a fast ball.

M84 Stun Grenade

The Helmet Gang Captain appears to have two M84 Stun Grenades on her belt. They lack the holes the actual M84 grenades have and have rounded ends.

M84 Stun Grenade.

The Captain in the OP with the grenades.

Closeup as she throws a grenade.

Model 24 Stielhandgranate Geballte Ladung

A low detail Model 24 Stielhandgranate Geballte Ladung appears in Episode 3: Leave it to Handyman 68!

Model 24 "Geballte Ladung"

Mutsuki with the Geballte Ladung.

Tossing it at the front gates of Abydos High School.

C4

Hanako uses a violet colored C4 brick trap against Shiroko in EP3.

Shiroko notices the explosive...

...but much too late.

Hanako clasps her violet colored M57 Firing Device.

M18A1 Claymore

Hanako also uses a violet colored M18A1 Claymore against Shiroko in EP3.

M18A1 Claymore anti-personnel mine

Shiroko lands in front of the mine after getting thrown by the blast of the C4. Luckily, Hoshino protects her from the blast with her shield.

Unknown Grenades

Ajitani Hifumi has a pair of unknown grenades attached to her bag.

Mounted Weapons

5 cm KwK 39

The Sd. Kfz. 234/2 Pumas seen in EP2 in use by the Helmet Gang are all equipped with 5 cm KwK 39 guns. They all lack the rear slots on their muzzle brakes.

Kampfwagenkanone 39 L/60 - 50x419mmR

Four Pumas escorting a cab over semi-tractor.

Returning fire at the Foreclosure Taskforce.

Ordnance QF 2-pounder

The Crusader Mark II seen in the start of EP2 is equipped with a Ordnance QF 2-pounder.

Ordnance QF 2-pounder - 1.57 in

The Crusader in Episode 2.

The gun recoiling while firing.

Bonus Images

The victorious Foreclosure Task Force in Episode 1: Abydos High School Countermeasures Committee..

The Abydos students lying down with their weapons in the OP.

Doing maintenance on their weapons.

Shiroko, Serika and Hoshino's weapons unloaded on a rack in EP1. Note these are more detailed 3D models, so the Abydos emblem is visible on the SIG556 Classic's magazine well.