Tower of God: The Lore of the 13 Month Series, Explained

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I can confidently say that the Tower of God series has truly captivated me with its intricate lore and compelling characters. The 13 Month Series weapons, particularly Black March and Green April, have left an indelible mark on me due to their sheer power and symbolic importance within the story.

In the debut of the anime Tower of God, viewers meet Princess Ha Yuri Zahard and the unique set of weapons known as the 13 Month Series, specifically Black March and Green April. These tools are noteworthy, with only a small number of characters in the narrative possessing them. They stand out not just for their strength but also for their significance to the storyline, as they unlock the enigmatic 135th level of the Tower.

These symbols hold significant value as well, since they are granted by King Zahard of the Tower only to those Princesses who have proven worthy to utilize their power.

The Thirteen Month Series Were Originally Made For Thirteen Great Individuals

Zahard And His Companions

In ancient times, Zahard and the Twelve Mighty Warriors emerged in the Tower, planning to climb it with a handful of distinguished allies. Throughout their journey, they encountered a skilled artisan named Ashul Edwaru who was instructed to fashion thirteen weapons for Zahard and his fellow warriors, using resources personally gathered by Zahard. Unfortunately, when Zahard halted their ascent at the 134th level and declared himself ruler of the Tower, he suffered the loss of two of his comrades, V and Arlen Grace, who was also his beloved.

They refused to let Zahard ascend as the Tower’s ruler, leading to severe penalties, and their names were erased from history. Now, only ten individuals are recognized as having been by Zahard’s side. Po Bidau Gustang created the Zahard Princess system, where selected women would fight each other for Zahard’s approval using the 13 Months series weapon as the reward.

If someone manages to gather all thirteen months, they will become Zahard’s wife and give birth to his child, however, this is just a facade as Zahard has no genuine desire to marry any of the Princesses. Instead, he employs them to suppress speculation about his infertility. The suggestion from Po Bidau Gustang that the 13 Month Series should remain within the Empire was the only reason Zahard agreed to it.

The Thirteen Month Series Are Not Average Tools

They Play A Big Role In The Story

The series features twelve potent “ignition devices” and one inventory item, each appearing in different shapes. Of these, just one – Golden November – holds the S-Rank status, yet all are formidable in combat. Their power significantly increases when activated during battle by a skilled warrior. Initially, it was believed that only royal Princesses could ignite these devices; however, Anak Zahard and Baam have challenged this belief.

As a devoted fan, I’ve come to realize that Baam, unlike Ha Yuri Zahard, a High Ranker, was able to ignite the Black March. This isn’t due to any superior power level, but rather because the spirit of the weapon harmonizes with its wielder. When it comes to the 13 Month Series weapons, their proximity creates a palpable synchronization among their users. This is significant because these weapons were forged from the key that unlocks the door to the 135th Floor – specifically, half of it. So, when all the 13 Month Series are united, they make up half of this key, which Zahard gave to Ashul Edwaru. This could be why Zahard is so protective over these weapons, as he seems to have reasons for keeping people from reaching the 135th Floor that only he understands.

In the Zahard Empire, those chosen to possess one of the 13 Month Series artifacts are treated as valuable treasures, subject to unique regulations. They cannot transfer their artifact to another, or it could lead to execution by the empire’s rule. However, receiving an artifact is optional and depends on the Princess’s decision after being offered. A single Princess can hold multiple items from the 13 Month Series, which includes weapons such as Silver January, White February, Black March, Green April, Yellow May, Luminous June, Indigo July, Blue August, Dark September, Red October, Golden November, Colourless December, and the inventory type item, Rainbow Undecimber.

The Curse Of The 13 Month Series

The Ghost Who Torments The Princesses

In the Thirteen-Month Series, a curse is at play, activated when a Princess triggers two or more weapons concurrently. This curse, however, is not a random occurrence but rather a calculated trap set by Zahard and the spirit of a woman who was unable to become a Zahard Princess due to failing the initial test. Bitter about her failure, she sought revenge on the chosen Princesses, with Zahard’s consent, she infiltrated the souls of the Thirteen-Month Series, biding her time until the opportune moment to haunt and torment the Princesses.

For a duration of one week, the spirit could take control over its host, causing chaos and destruction wherever the Princess travels, leading Zahard to conclude that she’s lost her sanity and order her execution. Sadly, five princesses have suffered from this curse, including Eurasia Enne Zahard. Zahard employs this curse strategically to prevent any princess from gathering all of the 13 Months, as he has no intention of marrying any of them. This malevolent spirit was instrumental in the collapse of the initial group of princesses, pushing them towards hatred and violence against each other while under its influence.

Tower of God is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

2024-09-11 22:03