For the Xenogears equivalent, see Anima Relics (Xenogears).
Anima Relics, or Vessels of Anima, are 12 mysterious artifacts, shaped like enormous human spines.
History[]
“ | The Zohar and the Vessels of Anima were once one whole. No, it would be better to say that they were intended to be one whole.
|
” |
It is revealed in Episode III that chaos (Yeshua) is actually the Anima. The Anima power was divided into twelve relics (the Vessels of Anima) by Mary Magdalene on Lost Jerusalem in ancient times to protect the universe from dissipation. This is because the Vessels of Anima are required to activate the Zohar. The Vessels of Anima are referred to as the "body of God" by Wilhelm and the "power of God" by the database. This saved the world from destruction, but also caused half of Mary's body (the Animus) to be dispersed across the area of the Collective Unconscious--in other words the U.M.N.
The Vessels of Anima were then hidden at Rennes-le-Château by Mary's followers, likely by chaos/Yeshua and the Apostles. Wilhelm was able to retrieve the Vessels of Anima from Rennes-le-Château before Lost Jerusalem disappeared.
After Lost Jerusalem disappeared, they were presumably taken by the Immigrant Fleet to planet Abraxas (later known as Michtam) and guarded by Ormus.
After Michtam disappeared, the U-TIC Organization kept the Vessels of Anima in Labyrinthos on Miltia during the time of the Miltian Conflict. U-TIC was experimenting with link experiments between the Vessels of Anima for use by humans in E.S. craft and to connect the Vessels of Anima to the Zohar - all so the Zohar could be activated for Ormus. In order to control the Zohar, U-TIC intended to use Lemegeton to convey human will from the Vessels of Anima via the U.M.N.
For unexplained reasons, the Vessels of Anima were not locked into the Abyss. Over the next 14-15 years, they were gradually connected with P.S. (in which they became E.S.), presumably by Vector Industries, Hyams Heavy Industries and the like. These would include:
Xenosaga[]
They are introduced in Xenosaga Episode II as being primary components of the E.S. series of battle robots, where they heighten the response rate between the E.S. and the pilots. At the start menu of Episode II, E.S. Asher can be seen being assembled and in mid-game Zebulun, technicians assemble various components around the spine shaped Vessel of Anima in an anti-gravity chamber. Technically, a mech becomes an E.S. only when a Vessel of Anima is equipped. Despite their origin and true purpose not being explained, the Anima Relics feature as a prominent symbol throughout Episode II, appearing in the game's logo and in the title 'attract' screen, where one is seen being fused with the E.S. Asher. They are first mentioned in a conversation between U-TIC and Ormus officials Pellegri and Margulis.
The actual function of the Vessel of Anima, at least as used within the game, is as a modified power source for mobile weapons of the A.M.W.S. type. While both A.M.W.S. and A.G.W.S. are generally powered by a Transmit Generator which draws power from a local power source, the E.S. units and their associated Anima Relics draw power from the Zohar. Because of this fact, the E.S. are capable of much greater power and speed than an average A.M.W.S. and have the enormous advantage of being able to operate basically anywhere in the known universe, rather than simply within the area of influence of a generator. In Episode III the player has the option to activate the Vessels to enter a stage of decreased energy usage and to employ special attacks. The Anima Relics also have other functions, similar to the Zohar, beyond as a simple power source, although the player does not have the ability to access any such functions.
At the end of Episode III, Zarathustra is defeated. Mary Magdalene absorbs the Anima from the Vessels of Anima, transforming Anima into Yeshua. Yeshua is then reunited with chaos.
Episode III database[]
The Vessel of Anima is, so to speak, half of chaos's body; chaos himself is something like a failsafe device for the universe. In other words, when the consciousness of space begins to go out of control, chaos has the ability to expunge it, along with space itself. The Anima is the expression of that power.
Long ago, half of chaos's body (the Anima) was decoupled from chaos by Mary and made into the Vessels of Anima. This saved the world from destruction, but also caused half of Mary's body (the Animus) to be dispersed across the area of the collective unconscious--in other words the U.M.N.
Trivia[]
- In Xenosaga, there is a misconception that the Vessel of Anima were hidden at Lake Turkana in Kenya (where the Zohar was). However, the Official Guide claims that were hidden at Rennes-le-Château. This is also evidenced by the E.S. names in Rennes-le-Château.[1]
- A Vessel of Anima serves as the logo for Episode II.
- In Xenoblade Chronicles 2, where T-elos makes a guest appearance, she is wielding a weapon that resembles a Vessel of Anima.