Copyright © 2000 Toys Press, Inc.
(Official F.S.S. English site)

For many fans of Nagano Mamoru's FIVE STAR STORIES, anything and everything that relates to the series is a must buy (if you can afford it that is). FSS has been running off and on in NEWTYPE Magazine since April of 1986 and currently has 10 volumes out from Kadokawa Shoten. The series is also (in)famous for the vast supplemental and concept materials that are available from TOYS PRESS (ex: CHRONICLES, TWIN TOWER, PLASTIC STYLE, etc.). Most recent of these books is KNIGHT FLAGS, which came out recently in Japan. It is volume 10 of the CHARACTERS series that started back in 1988 and boasts of 160 pages all in color with information on 130 characters, MHs, and Fatimas that are key players in the next few episodes in the FSS saga.
KNIGHT FLAGS is hard cover and the size of 2 phone book magazines. 160 pages may not seem a lot to some, but considering the two previous books (TWIN TOWER and PLASTIC STYLE) have only been around 60-80 pages, there are a lot of information provided in this "art book". As usual, major characters, MHs, and Fatimas are given their full-length pictures with some background information and specs. And though some of the "new" characters are repeat entries from the previous supplemental book, PLASTIC STYLE, it introduces hosts of new characters that are to play a vital role in episode 6, the Majestic Stand, as well as some references to episode 8, the Monarch Sacred. Most of the information provided for the previously released characters (some who we haven't seen in over 10 years) are more of a review material for volumes 1-10 of the manga with updates on what they have been doing the past few decades. KNIGHT FLAGS also provides backgrounds on countries that play some kind of a role in the Majestic Stand (S.C. 3010~3079), a major war since the Colus-Hagdad War back in volume 2-3 of the manga (English translations vol.4-8). So most of the information provided are the general MH forces of these countries with the notable flag MHs, and includes a more detailed look at the Engage Octaver series of the Colus Empire, the Mighty series of Dr. Diamond, and Machine Mess AUGE.
The book also goes into more details about the LED MIRAGE v3 INFERNO NAPALM that is featured on the cover of the book, as well as the RAID=GIG system. We also have a first look at the Inferno Napalm System Flame Launcher that is essential in the 3159 invasion. But because this particular MH will not appear in the Majestic Stand it is more of a teaser than a complete analysis of the MH like the one of Jagd Mirage Green Left "Demon" that was featured in TWIN TOWER. But this isn't surprising since just the coverage of the 3159 invasion by the LED MIRAGE v3 will fill up one book just by itself. Aside from these new information, the book also includes the family tree of the Colus Empire and the genetic abnormality of that family which was featured in one of the covers of the NEWTYPE magazine and did not make it into the manga, as well as the re-inclusion of the family trees of Nekarand Swans and the line of Hyper Chevalier.
Although Nagano insists that the CHARACTERS series is more of an art design book and not a concept book, there are only a few new "designs" that are introduced in KNIGHT FLAGS. Most of the cell pictures of characters and MHs have been introduced in the color pages of the past few volumes of manga as well as PLASTIC STYLE, TWIN TOWERS, TALES OF JOKER issues 16-21, and as covers for the NEWTYPE magazine installments. The new designs are mostly several MHs that have not yet showed up in the manga, few characters, several plastic style Fatima suit designs (including a first look at a male Fatima suit), and several Fatimas (including the Fatimas of the Wind of the Colus Empire). However, this book provides more details on those pictures and other details that were too small to see when they first appeared. And though the book has 160 pages, like all FSS supplemental and concept materials, not everything made it into the final cut. In particular there are some MHs that are only given a description and no art work provided (Siren F Red, one-eyed Schpelter, Klutz Mirage, etc.) and some major MHs that have yet to be revealed (Flame Mirage, Iron Groggen, etc.).
If you have only been introduced to FSS via its English translation, you really shouldn't buy KNIGHT FLAGS yet. KNIGHT FLAGS is basically the sleeve notes for volume 10 that came out at the end of September in Japan (ToJ issues 16-20, or NEWTYPE Jan '99 to Apr '00) so it will be a while before the English translation will catch up to it. But if you have been following the Japanese release of the manga in one form or another, and cannot wait until the next installment in NEWTYPE magazine (slated for Feb '01), you will not be disappointed with KNIGHT FLAGS. It sets up Majestic Stand to the point where you only need Nagano to start manga.
Like all supplemental and conceptual materials for FSS, you don't need KNIGHT FLAGS in order to enjoy FSS. But it doesn't hurt to get it, since this is one of the first books on the next generation of characters.
A side note: if you haven't gotten your copy of KNIGHT FLAGS yet and are planning to get one, and are fortunate enough to have Kinokuniya Bookstores by you, look for them there first. Since Kinokuniya Bookstores in the U.S. have an exclusive deal with Toys Press for the release of the English version of FSS, their prices are better than ordering it from another bookstore.

Published by Toys Press
160 pages, all color
ISBN 4-88775-000-5 / Catalog Number CHS-514
¥7500
Available now in Japan
Where to buy
(Toys Press online store - does not ship overseas)