s o l  b i a n c a
d a n z a  d e l  m a t a d o r s

sol bianca is the name of a spaceship built in the time when earth was greatest and exploring vast regions of space. the ship is last of its kind, found by April, and her band of space pirates.

the second series is by far the superior (and longer) with an incredible storyline, cg animation and soundtrack.

links

AIC Sol Bianca page

Alphonsé Mucha

Sol Bianca, a spaceship of grace and power, the remains of a bygone era when mankind had no limits and explored the Sea of Stars at will. It is also an anime that few others can compare with in terms of character development and relationship. The series is not about the exploits and adventures of five female space pirates and their amazing ship, but their friendships, past, and relationships with each other and other characters. The two main protagonists, April and longtime friend Feb, and the bonds of their friendship greatly influenced me in the writing of Kiss Of The Bee. The second half of the Legacy (second) series, was really about them and combined with some extemporary ambient music created a level of maturity that is barely found in other anime, or movies in general for that matter. I can't recommend it enough. Other reasons are the Alphonsé Mucha imagery in the ship's control systems and use of the Spanish guitar in the soundtrack - there's a general Spanish theme in the iconography.

The first series was more of a normal anime, only of two parts that had the potential to be good if had been continued - why I am writing a fanfic; to continue the storyline left unexplored at the end of the second episode, yet also combining it with the Legacy series environment (as it is much more developed).

My fanfiction, more of a homage to the series, is titled Danza del Matadors, keeping with the Spanish theme, or Dance Of The Matadors in English. A Matador is a bloody sportsman, who kills a weakened bull as 'gracefully' as possible in an impeccable suit, literally dancing with the animal. I want to capture at least the 'grace' with this title and story.

The end of Legacy saw the Sol Bianca heading for sol, Earth's sun in search of new dreams. And this is what the crew, April the blonde leader of the pirate band, Feb her dark-skinned and some-what alcoholic close friend, Jan the hotheaded tomboy, Jun the straight black-haired semi-goth and semi-human pilot of the ship and its computer system 'G', and lastly young May, an orphan taken up in the others, have been doing.

But the Sol Bianca is still envied and a Prince of a strong realm wants it for himself. He knows the secrets and power of the Sol Bianca and its pilot, Jun, and turns the might of his navy to finding and capturing the Sol Bianca, regardless of what happens to its crew.

Yet there is some hope for the crew of the wanted spaceship; their former enemy Gunter and the Blue Comet squadron of Earth Force have learnt of the Prince's plans and will do everything in their power to see that April and her friends are rescued. Gunter wants nothing to happen to his daughter, and her friend, the women he is in love with.

I wrote a few chapters of Danza Del Matadors before it went the way of other less important stories: I didn't have the time for it and KOTB even though it was going to be a short and simple story (although at the time it felt like it was going to turn into something much larger than I wanted) pulled the plug just as the storyline was getting into gear. Now that I have some more experience in writing short stories (Gloria) I might revisit the characters that I like so much and finish it. I don't think Sol Bianca has any other fanfictions, and only a few websites, which is more than a shame; it is one of the best anime that has ever been made.
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