Assault Lily: League of Gardens

Assault Lily: League of Gardens (アサルトリリィ League of Gardens) is a stage play created by AZONE International and acus in collaboration with SHAFT and Bushiroad. It ran from January 9 to January 15, 2020 at the Shinjuku FACE. The play portrays the formation of Team Hitotsuyanagi, as well as the events of the Shimokitazawa Expedition.

League of Gardens was later adapted into a manga series, titled Assault Lily: League of Gardens -full bloom-, which revises and further expands on the events of the play. The anime series Assault Lily: Bouquet serves as a major retelling of the first section of the play, mainly pertaining to Team Hitotsuyanagi's formation, while its sequel, the smartphone game Assault Lily: Last Bullet, loosely adapts the play's second section in its first two chapters, reintroducing the other Gardens featured in the play.

A sequel, titled Assault Lily: The Fateful Gift, premiered in September 3, 2020.

Plot

Prelude

Two years ago, the city of Koshu, Yamanashi, suffers an attack from the Huge. The young Hitotsuyanagi Riri, a local resident, attempts to make her escape when she is saved by Shirai Yuyu, a Lily hailing from the prestigious Garden of Yurigaoka Girls’ Academy. Yuyu urges Riri to run to safety, but she is unable to, as she is too scared to stand on her feet. Yuyu gifts Riri the green ribbon adorning her hair as a token of encouragement. After successfully evacuating, Riri is left greatly moved by Yuyu’s bravery and kindness, and so, decides to become a Lily herself.

Prologue

In the present day, Riri, now a first year high school student, successfully enrolls into Yurigaoka, where she meets fellow freshman Futagawa Fumi, a highly energetic girl knowledgeable in all matters pertaining to Lilies. Riri also meets the greatly renowned Lily Kuo Shenlin, and her roommate, the meek Wang Yujia, and also briefly comes into contact with the quiet and recluse Ando Tazusa. Riri and Fumi are soon approached by Kaede Johan Nouvel, the heir of the CHARM manufacturing company Grand Guignol, and a Lily of high renown herself. Kaede is immediately lovestruck by Riri, soon taking to her side, while Fumi is overjoyed to have so many famous Lilies as fellow first years.

Kaede takes notice of Tazusa, which leaves her with a conflicted expression, though she assures Riri and Fumi not to concern themselves with it. Fumi and Kaede explain to Riri the basics regarding Rare Skills, Huge categories and the Neunwelt Tactic, with Fumi explaining that Kaede possesses the Rare Skill Regista, while she awakened herself to the Rare Skill Hawk's Eye. Riri feels discouraged, being the only one not to possess any Rare Skill, but Fumi and Kaede assure her that once they begin training, she’ll awaken her own in due time. Kaede points out that they also share their training class, which is set to be overseen by Yuyu.

The school bell rings, and the Lilies make their way to the training grounds. Kaede is approached by the eccentric first year Arsenal Miliam Hildegard von Guropius, who insists that Kaede is her longtime rival, despite the latter having no recollection of it. All first years minus Tazusa assemble at the training range, where they’re met by Yuyu and her fellow second year Lily Yoshimura Thi Mai. Riri is overjoyed to reunite with the Lily that saved her two years prior, but to her surprise, Yuyu coldly dismisses her. Kaede inquires why Miliam has followed them, as she is not part of their class, but Mai assures her there is no issue, noting how, despite becoming an Arsenal, Miliam was allowed to continue training in order to continue being deployed into combat as a Lily.

As their first lesson, Mai has the first years display their current level of proficiency with their CHARMs. While the class mostly performs well, Riri is the exception, as she fails to even activate her Gungnir. After Yuyu demonstrates how to properly utilize her CHARM, Riri points out how the model she currently uses, a Brionac, is different from the one she had two years ago, a Dainsleif. This angers Yuyu, who asks that she focuses on training and do not question her any further on the matter.

Miliam proposes that they skip straight into a simulated Huge battle, pointing out how most of them already have prior combat experience. She also suggests that they split in two teams and compete for the highest score, to which Mai agrees. Kaede takes the lead on her team, being joined by Riri and Yujia, while Miliam forms her own team with Shenlin and Fumi. Shenlin is particularly excited at the idea of sparring against Yujia, but the latter insists that she couldn’t ever win against her. Upset at this, Shenlin tells Yujia that she should believe in herself more.

First Battle

As the trial begins, Mai points out that the wind is particularly strong, which could make it difficult for the first years to intercept oncoming attacks. Riri continues to perform poorly, leaving Yuyu annoyed. As both teams continue to advance, Riri notices a stray attack and manages to shield Kaede from it. Yuyu and Mai take the lead as a real Large-class Huge makes its appearance, with Yuyu advising all other Lilies to return to the Garden. However, they’re shortly met with more Huge, and Kaede urges the other first years to engage, wishing to provide Yuyu and Mai with backup.

Yuyu and Mai continue to fight off the Huge they encounter, but they struggle with predicting their attacks because of the strong winds. Yuyu fails to notice one of the Large-class’ attacks, but Riri manages to deflect it before she is hit. The Lilies are faced with another pair of Large-class Huge, prompting Miliam to unleash her Rare Skill, Phase Transcendence, which succeeds in reducing the surrounding Huge’s numbers. Noticing that Yuyu and Mai are running out of Magie, Shenlin urges Yujia to provide them cover fire, as she’s the only one able to land precise shots amidst the strong winds. While Yujia initially protests, Shenlin insists that she do it, and Yujia ultimately agrees, using her Rare Skill, Heaven’s Measure, to damage the Large-class Yuyu is fighting, and ultimately enabling her to successfully bring it down. Yuyu and Mai clear the area of the remaining Huge, and the Lilies begin to make their way back to the Garden, where Kaede acknowledges that, while still very inexperienced, Miliam’s immense power is worthy of recognition, and encourages her to continue honing her abilities so that she may become a top-class Lily like herself.

First interlude

Yuyu commends Riri for successfully activating her CHARM after only a single demonstration, but Riri remarks that she didn’t do it consciously, and is unsure if she can do it again. Before Yuyu takes her leave, Riri asks her that they take the Schutzengel’s Oath, telling Yuyu how she was the one who inspired her to become a Lily just like her, and that she wishes to stay by her side. Yuyu refuses, however, coldly stating that no good will come from wishing to become a Lily like herself, and that being near her will only bring Riri regret.

Riri refuses to acknowledge Yuyu's words, reminiscing of the ribbon she gave her two years ago, which she now uses to tie her clover hair ornament. Riri remarks how it was a charm that represented her safety, as holding onto it made her feel that the strong and kind Yuyu she met two years prior had stayed by her side for all this time, and that it gave her the resolve to strive to become a Lily, something she does not wish to walk back on. Riri expresses that she wants Yuyu to return to her gentle self that she met two years ago, declaring that this time, she’ll be the one to stay by Yuyu’s side. Meanwhile, Yuyu, remembering Riri’s words, attempts to recall her previous CHARM, but realizes she does not remember anything of what happened two years ago. Yuyu breaks down as she attempts to trace her hazy memories of her previous Schutzengel, the late Kawazoe Misuzu.

Some time later, Fumi begins the publication of her very own newspaper, the Lily News Weekly. The paper carries Riri’s bold declaration on the first page, causing Riri herself to be incredibly flustered. Riri tells her classmates of how she was ultimately rejected by Yuyu, but Kaede encourages her, citing how usually, it is the older Lily who proposes to the younger one, and that she should strive to instead make Yuyu propose to her going forward. Motivated, Riri agrees, and immediately sets off to train by herself, while Kaede and Fumi move to concoct a plan to further aid Riri with catching Yuyu’s fancy.

After briefly attempting to train, Riri is joined by Yujia, and they both share a drink of ramune. Riri is still unable to activate her CHARM at will, and Yujia demonstrates her how to properly do it, leading Riri to praise her performance during their previous battle. Yujia reveals that both her younger and older sisters are both Lilies held in very high regard, while she alone was ordered to leave their hometown, causing her to view herself as unneeded by her family. Still, Yujia tells Riri how, because of Shenlin’s encouragement, she was able to fight properly before, and asks that Riri have more confidence in herself, just as Shenlin had always told her to.

Riri is approached by Mai, who asks if she is serious about taking the Schutzengel’s Oath with Yuyu. Riri responds that she is, and Mai suggests that she form a Legion, remarking that Yuyu needs partners to fight together with, and that it's an idea she might be more open to. Riri goes to Fumi and Kaede for advice, who explain to her how both Yuyu and Mai previously used to integrate the legendary Legion Álfheimr. Kaede and Fumi both agree to join Riri’s Legion, while Riri attempts to reach out to Tazusa, who swiftly refuses. Riri remarks how Tazusa always seems to be by herself, and that she “had a very sad look on her eyes”.

Meanwhile, Yuyu talks with Mai about Riri’s Legion, the latter admitting it to be her idea. Yuyu insists that she is fine on her own, but Mai disagrees, as she purposefully avoids using her Rare Skill, Lunatic Trancer, keeping her short of achieving her full potential in combat. Mai insists that they fight together in a Legion once again, but Yuyu is convinced that no one would want to join a Legion she is a part of. Hearing this, Mai proposes that, should they succeed in finding enough members to total the standard nine, she must join Riri's Legion. Yuyu agrees, incredulous that it'll actually happen.

Riri approaches Shenlin and Yujia, who both agree to join her Legion. Miliam also volunteers herself, and their Legion now totals eight members. With one final position open, Riri tells the others of how Tazusa has been on her mind, and that she hopes that by being with them, she won’t have to be alone anymore. The other Lilies seem conflicted at Riri’s suggestion, and Shenlin posits that Kaede, given her connections, must know the reason why Tazusa is always by herself. With no other choice, Kaede reveals to the others that Tazusa is a Boosted Lily, a Lily who was subjected to live human experimentation by the research institute GEHENA in order to augment her abilities by implanting her with Huge cells.

Second battle

Suddenly, the Cave alert goes off, announcing the sudden appearance of multiple Huge in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo, where Fukuyama Jeanne Sachie and Matsunaga Brigitta Kayo, Lilies of Ludvico Private Girls’ Academy, are shown to be already in combat. The pair remarks that, with the sheer number of Huge they’re encountering, a Gigant-class Huge should be nearby. At the same, Tazusa receives a command to deploy to Shimokitazawa, and Kaede explains that while she is no longer in their custody, GEHENA, and even the government continue to request her to be deployed in battles deemed too dangerous.

Riri declares that she wants to rescue Tazusa from her current situation, and Mai tells them that she was able to acquire them permission for deployment, remarking how because Yuyu is a member of their Legion, she was able to convince the school’s administration to grant them Expedition rights despite not yet receiving the Holy White Lily decoration. Meanwhile, Sachie confirms that besides Yurigaoka, multiple of Tokyo’s Gardens are also sending out their own Legions, as Shimokitazawa continues to be infested by legions of small-class Huge.

Sachie and Kayo are soon met by the twin sisters Funada Kiito and Funada Ui, heads of the Odaiba Girls’ School's Legion Hronesnæsse, as they immediately set off to find the Gigant-class. The battle continues throughout all of Shimokitazawa, with Tsukioka Momiji and Kawamura Yuzuriha, heads of Odaiba’s student council, as well as their flagship Legion, the Heorot Saints, also actively fighting to repel the Huge. At the same time, Kon Kanaho, leader of Kamba Girls’ School For the Arts’ Top Legion, Gran Eple, and Aizawa Kazuha, leader of Herensuge Girls’ Academy’s own Top Legion, Hervör, are also shown to have been deployed.

Suddenly, Kanaho is approached by Toda Eulalia Kotohi, a first year Lily of Ludvico, who asks that the two have a sparring session. Before Kanaho can respond, Kotohi immediately goes on the attack, leaving her confused. The pair are interjected by Kazuha, but Kotohi promptly invites her to a duel as well. After exchanging a few blows, Kotohi is stopped by Sachie, who reprimands her for the bad habit of dueling other Lilies unprovoked, and urges her to focus on the battle at hand. Sachie and Kayo introduce themselves to Kanaho and Kazuha, and Sachie asks that Kotohi stay with their group for safety. Kanaho suggests that she and Kazuha also join them, as they stand a better chance in large numbers. Sachie agrees, and the group departs.

Tazusa continues to fight by herself in spite of being overwhelmed by the Huge’s numbers, thanks to the Boosted skill Regenerator allowing her to quickly heal her wounds. Faced with a particularly fearsome Huge, Tazusa drops her CHARM, hopefully wondering if she’ll finally be able to die. Before the Huge manages to attack, however, Riri and her team arrives to Tazusa’s rescue. Telling Tazusa that she doesn’t have to fight alone anymore, Riri invites her to join their team. Tazusa is initially reluctant, but Riri insists, arguing that she shouldn't give up on her own life, and that she can share her burdens with them instead. Eventually, Tazusa agrees, and now with nine members, Yuyu concedes in joining the Legion, appointing Riri as their captain.

Meanwhile, as Sachie’s group faces off against a group of Huge, Kotohi is unable to fight properly, continuously relies on her teammates’ protection. This surprises Kanaho, as she seemed to be a very skilled fighter during their earlier duel. Kotohi explains that apart from dueling Lilies she is interested in, she does not have much real combat experience, and that she actually is afraid of the Huge. Sachie advises Kotohi to return to Ludvico in that case, but Kotohi insists on staying, citing that as her pride as a Lily does not let her turn away from the battlefield. While discussing, Sachie’s group are joined by the Odaiba Lilies, with Ui telling the others that Yuyu had also been deployed to Shimokitazawa. Upon hearing Yuyu’s name, Kotohi is left visibly unsettled.

As her team continues to fight, Riri remains unable to activate her CHARM, prompting Yuyu to continuously knock her down mid-combat. Despite Kaede’s protests, Riri insists they continue, understanding that Yuyu means to force her to properly wield her CHARM. Meanwhile, Kiito expresses her worry about being joined by Yuyu in battle, given the former’s infamously unhinged fighting style. Yuzuriha explains how two years ago, Misuzu’s death triggered Yuyu to unleash her Lunatic Trancer, and later on, claims that Misuzu’s body bore wounds that matched Yuyu’s CHARM arose, leading to the spread of rumors that her animalistic fighting style was actually the cause of her Schutzengel’s death. Because of this, Yuyu has drowned herself in her guilt ever since, choosing to fight alone while never making use of her Rare Skill.

Suddenly, the Gigant-class Huge makes its appearance, spawning a legion of smaller Huge in its wake. Gauging the danger that it poses, Mai proposes they perform the Neunwelt Tactic. Riri and Fumi expresses their worries with performing the Neunwelt with a newly formed team, especially as it is their first ever real mission, and Riri is still to awaken her Rare Skill. Riri’s team converges with Sachie’s, and after some deliberation, Momiji proposes that their own team clears the way while Riri’s Legion performs the Neunwelt, arguing that a Neunwelt performed by a single Legion stands to be more effective.

Before they can begin, however, Kotohi suddenly begins attacking Yuyu. While the others assume it to be her usual dueling hobby, Kotohi snaps in anger, revealing that Yuyu had left her and her friend for dead in Koshu two years ago, eventually costing her friend’s life. Kotohi attempts to attack Yuyu once again, but is stopped by Riri. Sachie attempts to convince Kotohi that Yuyu had no malice in her actions two years ago, but Yuyu herself disagrees, claiming that it must be true, as she does not remember it. This only angers Kotohi further, and she attempts to strike Yuyu yet again. Finally, she is held back by Kiito and Momiji, who urge her to channel her anger into bettering herself as a Lily, as it might lead her to find a different answer to the events that transpired two years prior.

With Kotohi subdued, Riri and her team move to perform the Neunwelt Tactic, while Sachie and the others provide them with cover. During her turn with the Magiesphere, Yuyu recalls Kotohi’s words, causing her to lose control over her Magie and unleash her Rare Skill, Lunatic Trancer, and leading her to go on an aimless rampage. Mai urges Riri to stand by and wait for Yuyu to eventually run out of Magie, but Riri insists on following after her, determined to return her to consciousness. Mai cedes, and Riri sets off after Yuyu, with the others taking to providing her backup.

Riri finds Yuyu, still out of control as she is taken by memories of Misuzu. As the two fight, Riri insists on staying by Yuyu’s side, begging her to rely on her more. Yuyu briefly regains her consciousness, and as Riri holds her in her arms, she begins to emit a stream of purified Magie. Yuyu breaks down, assuming Riri to be disappointed after witnessing her true self, but Riri assures her that she’ll still remain by her side no matter what. Yuyu fully regains control just in time to defend Riri and herself from a Huge’s attack, and they proceed with the Neunwelt Tactic.

Meanwhile, the multi-Garden team are suddenly faced with a peculiar Middle-class Huge, that appears to be unscathed despite their continuous attacks. Kayo surmises it to be an Irregular, which had been recently reported to be in the region, and that it is impervious to all other attacks but the Neunwelt Tactic. Kiito proposes they perform their own Neunwelt against it, and with no other choice, the multi-Garden team begins to make their passes. During her turn with the Magisphere, Kiito fights in an exceedingly unrestrained manner while under the influence of her Lunatic Trancer, much to the displeasure of the other Lilies, including her sister. She sends the Magisphere to Kotohi, who ends up injuring her leg immediately after due to her inexperience. Finally, the Magisphere makes its way to Sachie, who fires the finishing shot and successfully destroys the Irregular.

Riri receives her pass of their Neunwelt, and Fumi notices how she seems to emit purified Magie as she charges the Magisphere. Finally, Yujia receives the final pass, and promptly takes the shot. However, despite striking it directly, the Gigant-class is not defeated, and successfully makes an escape. Reuniting with the other group, Kiito berates Riri's team for failing to take down the Gigant-class, but they insist that their shot did not miss, and that something else must have happened. Yuzuriha and Sachie fire back at Kiito, pointing out how her own self-centered behavior caused Kotohi to be injured.

Second interlude

Amidst high tensions, the Legions are joined by Ishikawa Aoi of Sagami Girls’ Academy, an old friend of Kaede’s during her time in St. Mercurius International School. Aoi and Yuyu point out how it’s unheard of for a Gigant-class Huge to retreat from the battlefield, and Mai presumes that it must have sensed danger to its life from the damage caused by the Magisphere, a level of self-awareness uncommon for Huge to possess. Presuming the Gigant-class’ eventual return, and with all Lilies present exhausted of their Magie reserves, they make a retreat, hoping to figure out a surefire way of defeating the Gigant-class while they recover. In the wake of her injury, Sachie once again urges Kotohi to return to Ludvico, but she refuses, claiming that she cannot turn her back to this battle as Yuyu once did to her. While Sachie agrees, Kanaho’s suspicions of Kotohi continue to rise.

Recalling the moment their Neunwelt struck the Gigant-class, Yuyu remarks how she briefly heard an uncharacteristic, high-pitched sound. Fumi hypothesizes that the Gigant-class could have made use of a Magie Reflector. Aoi points out that a Magie Reflector usually requires a cooldown time between uses, and that by performing two Neunwelts at once, they should be able to force it to activate the Refletor with the first projectile and use the second one to hit it directly. With all in agreement with the proposal, they split themselves in two teams once again, agreeing to set out as soon as they replenish their Magie.

In the meantime, Kotohi contacts an unknown figure, reporting to them that “their experiment” has succeeded, as well as telling them of the countermeasure that the Legions devised for the Gigant-class’ Magie Reflector. Kotohi is ordered by the other party to continue her observations. After briefly talking with Kotohi, Sachie is approached by Kanaho, who tells her of the suspicions she harbors over the junior, believing her to be feigning her inexperience.

At the same time, Mai and Riri talk about Yuyu’s Lunatic Trancer, with the former remarking how she once had much better control over it when Misuzu was still alive. Mai explains that, due to the effect it has on one’s mental state, it is essential that a user of Lunatic Trancer have a trustworthy partner, so they may serve as an anchor to their sanity. Mai expresses that she believes Riri can be that for Yuyu, and believes that she can return her to how she used to be.

Fumi speaks with Kaede, remarking how grateful she is to have become teammates with such remarkable Lilies. Kaede reminds her of how she was the one who proposed the strategy they’re about to undertake, causing Fumi to panic at the realization. Kaede assures Fumi that they'll succeed, advising her to trust the others just as they have trusted her. Meanwhile, Yujia thanks Shenlin for pushing her to believe in herself, owing it to her that she was able to join Riri’s Legion. Shenlin reveals that she envies Yujia, and she couldn’t understand her inferiority complex, being born so talented and into a family of renown. Yujia apologizes for being inconsiderate, always speaking of her family when Shenlin had lost her own, but Shenlin pays it no mind, remarking how every Lily has their own burdens to carry.

Looking back on the previous battle, Yuyu speaks with Misuzu’s spirit, remarking how, after all this time, Riri was the first one able to get through to her, even after having unleashed the same power that claimed her Schutzengel’s life in the past. She meets Riri, who thanks her for inspiring her to come this far, and tells Yuyu she still doesn’t regret choosing to stay by her side. Riri gives Yuyu her hairpiece, tied with the ribbon given to her two years prior, in hopes that it’ll provide Yuyu with safety as it has done so for her for all this time.

Final battle

The Legions assemble, and they begin their joint Neunwelt Tactics as Kotohi stays behind, reporting her observations to her contact. Upon receiving the Magisphere, Yuyu begins to lose control once again, and Riri quickly rushes to her side, urging her not to fear her own powers. Yuyu insists that doing so would only result in death and destruction, as it did to Kotohi’s friend and likely many more, but Riri instead tells Yuyu that it was thanks to her that not only herself, but many others are still alive today. As Riri assures her that there is nothing to fear as long as she has friends by her side, Yuyu watches on as all other Lilies continue to relentlessly fight to grant her the opportunity to end this battle.

Finally, Yuyu unleashes her Rare Skill, which Riri seems to immediately stabilize, once again causing purified Magie to pour out as the other Lilies notice that their own Magie is being revitalized. Aoi shoots the first Magisphere, which the Huge predictably deflects. Yuyu then takes aim, and fires their own Magisphere, causing the Gigant-class Huge to successfully destroyed. Kotohi reports the Gigant-class’ neutralization to her contact, who assures her that in spite of it, their plans continue as usual. Finally, she reports that she was able to gather plenty of data from the battle, including data on Yuyu.

Epilogue

Yuyu speaks to Misuzu’s spirit once again, noting how her eagerness to remember her Schutzengel’s final moments eventually led her astray from how she once was. But finally, she was able to reconnect with her happy memories with Misuzu, leading her to realize that she ought to retrieve the person she used to be. Yuyu runs into Riri, and returns her hairpiece, remarking that “she doesn’t need it anymore”, as Riri had promised to stay by her side from thereafter. Finally, Yuyu proposes to Riri that they take the Schutzengel’s Oath, and they share an embrace as Yuyu promises to guide Riri as Misuzu once guided her.

Reuniting with her now Legion members, Yuyu announces that their Legion has been officially approved by the Garden, declaring it to be named after their captain. The Cave alarm goes off, and, by Riri’s orders, “Team Hitotsuyanagi” leaves for battle.

Cast

Team Hitotsuyanagi

• Akao Hikaru / 赤尾ひかる as Hitotsuyanagi Riri
• Natsuyoshi Yuuko / 夏吉ゆうこ as Shirai Yuyu
• Izawa Mikako / 井澤美香子 as Kaede Johan Nouvel
• Nishimoto Rimi / 西本りみ as Futagawa Fumi
• Tsumugi Risa / 紡木吏佐 as Ando Tazusa
• Iwata Haruki / 岩田陽葵 as Yoshimura Thi Mai
• Hoshimori Sana / 星守紗凪 as Kuo Shenlin
• Toono Hikaru / 遠野ひかる as Wang Yujia
• Takahashi Karin / 高橋花林 as Miliam Hildegard von Guropius

Odaiba Girls' School

• Ishii Haruna / 石井陽菜 as Funada Kiito
• Saiba Mizuki / 西葉瑞希 as Funada Ui
• Natsume Aimi / 夏目愛海 as Tsukioka Momiji
• Awatsu Mai / あわつまい as Kawamura Yuzuriha

Ludvico Private Girls' Academy

• Nakamura Yukari / 中村裕香里 as Fukuyama Jeanne Sachie
• Ogata Arisa / 緒方有里沙 as Matsunaga Brigitta Kayo
• Tanoue Marina / 田上真里奈 as Toda Eulalia Kotohi

Sagami Girls' Academy

• Hirosawa Mai / 広沢麻衣 as Ishikawa Aoi

Herensuge Girls' Academy

• Fujii Ayaka / 藤井彩加 as Aizawa Kazuha

Kamba Girls' High School for the Fine Arts

• Maeda Kaori / 前田佳織里 as Kon Kanaho

Production

Assault Lily: League of Gardens was the first media project to be released under the "Assault Lily Project (アサルトリリィプロジェクト)" label, which was launched in 2019 following the announcement of the Assault Lily series' partnership with the multimedia enterprise Bushiroad. The project sought to expand the production of the Assault Lily stage plays, as well as the launch of other media venues, such as music, merchandise, games and animation, under the Assault Lily brand. As such, the play was announced in conjunction with the television series, Assault Lily: Bouquet, as well as the smartphone game Assault Lily: Last Bullet.

The play was produced by AZONE International in partnership with Bushiroad and SHAFT, aided by director Takai Daiki (高井大樹) of Bushiroad, producers Nakagawa Shuuhei (中川秀平) of AZONE and Ooshima Miku (大嶋実句) of SHAFT. Executive producers were Nakayama Atsuo (中山淳雄) of Bushiroad, Kobayashi Masahide (小林正英) and Kawashima Masayuki (川島将之) of Pokelabo, Kubota Mitsutoshi (久保田光俊) of SHAFT, Gensho Tetsuo (源生哲雄) of TBS, and Hayazono Sho (早園正) of AZONE.

Production was overseen by Bushiroad's Kitani Takaaki (木谷高明), with Matsuzaki Fumiya (松崎史也) of SHAFT as production director. The original draft was by the author of the Assault Lily Series, Obanazawa Ken'ei (尾花沢軒栄). Sakuragi Sayaka (桜木さやか) of the Ludvico Private Girls' Academy troupe was in charge of the screenplay, while Hayashi Shuji (林修司) was in charge of stage direction.

Manga adaptation

Main article: Assault Lily: League of Gardens -full bloom-

A manga adaptation of the stage play, titled "Assault Lily: League of Gardens -full bloom- (アサルトリリィLeague of Gardens -full bloom-)" began serialization on August, 2020. Illustrated by Tsukinami Kosuke (月並甲介) and adapted by Aramoto Kei (阿羅本景) from the original script, it expands the events of the play in further detail, while also making several additions and revisions to the story. It ran for 28 chapters spanning across five volumes, concluding its serialization in April, 2023.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack for League of Gardens, titled Assault Lily: League of Gardens/Assault Lily: The Fateful Gift - Special CD (アサルトリリィ League of Gardens/アサルトリリィ The Fateful Gift 特典CD) was composed by Tani Naoki (谷ナオキ) and was released as a bonus for the Blu-ray release of play and its sequel, The Fateful Gift. It includes the play's opening theme, "Bonds", as well as tracks "Count Our Blessings" and "Kimi no Te wo Hanasanai", performed by Team Hitotsuyanagi's stage actresses, for a total of 37 tracks. The Blu-Ray containing the soundtrack was released on May 26, 2021, while the vocal tracks would later be released in streaming services as part of the "Edel Lilie" single, which served as the play's ending theme, released under the label Bushiroad Music.

Disc 1: League of Gardens

#	Original Title	English Title	Length
1	学校生活	School Life	02:31
2	すみません！興奮して鼻血が…！	"I'm sorry, I get nosebleeds when I get too excited...!"	02:07
3	楓のミラクルロマンス	Kaede's Miraculous Romance	03:08
4	チャーム起動！	CHARM Activation!	02:06
5	初めての模擬ヒュージ戦	First Simulated Huge Battle	02:20
6	レアスキル発動	Rare Skill Activation	03:13
7	あなたは自信を持っていい	"You ought to believe in yourself more"	03:18
8	夢結の記憶	Yuyu's Memories	01:50
9	ラムネ	Ramune	01:34
10	安藤鶴紗	Ando Tazusa	03:37
11	ケイブ発生	Cave Formation	02:46
12	選抜隊	Selected Members	03:48
13	一柳隊、出撃！	"Team Hitotsuyanagi, onwards!"	04:14
14	チャームはもっと強靭になる！	"Keep your CHARM more steady!"	02:10
15	ギガント級	Gigant-class	02:47
16	共闘	United Front	01:57
17	夢結の追蹤	Chasing After Yuyu	01:03
18	ノインヴェルト戦術	Neunwelt Tactic	02:35
19	ラムネ、大切な人へ	Ramune, to my Beloved	02:48
20	作戦会議	Strategic Meeting	02:22
21	繋がりがあるから	Because we Share These Bonds	03:22
22	それぞれのチャーム	Our Different "Charms"	02:36
23	二隊同時ノインヴェルト戦術	Double Neunwelt Tactic	04:11

Disc 2: The Fateful Gift

#	Original Title	English Title	Length
1	御前	Gozen	03:03
2	御台場女学校	Odaiba Girls' School	01:55
3	LGヘルヴォル	Legion Hervör	02:03
4	3体のギガント級	Gigant-class Trio	02:29
5	一柳隊 vs 御前	Team Hitotsuyanagi vs Gozen	02:37
6	混合レギオンノインヴェルト	Multi-Legion Neunwelt	05:59
7	16人のノインヴェルト	A Neunwelt of Sixteen	07:35
8	ルド女はこれ以上壊させません！	"We won't let you destroy Ludvico any further!"	01:26
9	繋がり	Bonds	05:03
10	大切を数えよう	Count Our Blessings	04:50
11	君の手を離さない	Kimi no Te wo Hanasanai	05:19
12	繋がり -instrumental-	Bonds -instrumental-	05:03
13	大切を数えよう	Count Our Blessings -instrumental-	04:50
14	君の手を離さない -instrumental-	Kimi no Te wo Hanasanai -instrumental-	05:19

Trivia

• The CHARMs wielded by Team Hitotsuyanagi in the play's key visual greatly differ from those actually used in the stage play. Apart from Futagawa Fumi, who uses a standard Gungnir, all members wield their respective unique CHARMs throughout the play. Fumi would later be given her blue Gungnir in The Fateful Gift.
• Yujia's Asterion has different props for its blade and shooting modes.
  • Similarly, the prop for Tazusa's Tyrfing is shown to actually be capable of transforming, being the first of the stage CHARM props able to do so.
• The events of League of Gardens precede the revival of Schwester's Prayer, as Amatsu Marei remarks in that stage play that the Shimokitazawa Expedition had been the last time Sachie used her custom CHARM Fierbois.
  • Interestingly, Kayo appears wearing the Temple Legion's jacket throughout the play, despite only being selected to integrate the Temple Legion for the first time at the end of Schwester's Prayer.

• Yuyu and Mai are shown to wear a short mantle with their uniforms, which is specified in later media to be a part of Legion Álfheimr's Legion uniform.
• Yujia and Shenlin wear different uniforms than those displayed by their character designs, being more in line with Yurigaoka's standard white-on-black uniform.
  • Interestingly, Team Hitotsuyanagi are shown to change their usual school-appropriate shoes for long boots when deploying into combat.
• The play marks the first appearance of Kon Kanaho and Aizawa Kazuha, preceding their appearances as main characters in Assault Lily: Last Bullet. Though in the play, they're given much smaller roles.
  • Notably, Kanaho refers to Kiito as “Kiito-san”, implying a level of unfamiliarity despite the pair being former Legion mates in the Funada Reserve Corps. This is likely a result of her backstory still not being completed at the time of the play's release. In later instalments of the series, Kanaho refers to her as “Kiito” without honorifics, denoting their much closer relationship.
• While the first two chapters of Assault Lily: Last Bullet are loose adaptations of the events of the play, the Shimokitazawa Expedition is still said to have occured in that continuity.

Gallery

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References

Stage Plays Ensemble Hitotsuyanagi League of Gardens  ·  The Fateful Gift  ·  Lost Memories Sanngriðr At the Seeds' Frontier / When the Bugle Blooms  ·  Twilight of the Flowers / The Ringing Depths  ·  Assault Lily: Sturm Others The True Story of the Odaiba Counteroffensive Hitotsuyanagi League of Gardens  ·  The Fateful Gift  ·  Lost Memories Sanngriðr At the Seeds' Frontier / When the Bugle Blooms  ·  Twilight of the Flowers / The Ringing Depths  ·  Assault Lily: Sturm Others The True Story of the Odaiba Counteroffensive Ludvico Schwester's Prayer  ·  Schwester's Secret  ·  Schwester's Oath  ·  White Resistance ~The Promise's Path~  ·  White Resistance ~The Blade of Truth~ Odaiba The Singular Ability  ·  The Empathy Phenomenon  ·  The Battle to Overcome  ·  The Snowdrop Irma The Gleam of Dawn  ·  The Bond with the White Rose

Stage Plays Ensemble Hitotsuyanagi League of Gardens  ·  The Fateful Gift  ·  Lost Memories Sanngriðr At the Seeds' Frontier / When the Bugle Blooms  ·  Twilight of the Flowers / The Ringing Depths  ·  Assault Lily: Sturm Others The True Story of the Odaiba Counteroffensive Hitotsuyanagi League of Gardens  ·  The Fateful Gift  ·  Lost Memories Sanngriðr At the Seeds' Frontier / When the Bugle Blooms  ·  Twilight of the Flowers / The Ringing Depths  ·  Assault Lily: Sturm Others The True Story of the Odaiba Counteroffensive Ludvico Schwester's Prayer  ·  Schwester's Secret  ·  Schwester's Oath  ·  White Resistance ~The Promise's Path~  ·  White Resistance ~The Blade of Truth~ Odaiba The Singular Ability  ·  The Empathy Phenomenon  ·  The Battle to Overcome  ·  The Snowdrop Irma The Gleam of Dawn  ·  The Bond with the White Rose