Reinhard von Lohengramm, the protagonist on the Galactic Empire's side, remains undefeated on the battlefield and has been promoted at an unprecedented speed. Reinhard possesses genius abilities, but one thought drives him. We will explore what kind of person Reinhard is and his appeal, focusing on his anecdotes.
A young general of the Galactic Empire who raced to rescue his beloved sister
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
Reinhard von Lohengramm is the protagonist of the Galactic Empire in "Legend of the Galactic Heroes." Having become an admiral of the space fleet at a young age and achieving numerous victories, Reinhard achieved complete victory in almost every battle, earning him the nickname "The Genius of Victory." He is a worthy rival to Yang Wen-li of the Free Planets Alliance, and the two engage in high-level battles in which they try to anticipate each other's plans. Let's explore what kind of person Reinhard is by following his career.
Reinhard's Early Life
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
Reinhard was born on Odin, the capital planet of the Galactic Empire, as the eldest son of a lower-class noble family. However, after losing his mother in an accident at a young age and his father squandering his fortune, he and his older sister, Annerose, moved to the slums. Let's take a look at how Reinhard spent his childhood and his life leading up to joining the military.
Raised by his older sister
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
Although Reinhard was not from a high-ranking aristocratic family, he was raised by his older sister Annerose in a pure and honest manner, and grew into an honest and sincere boy. The days he spent with Annerose were happiness itself for Reinhard, and it could be said that they meant everything to him. Annerose was later summoned to the emperor's harem, but until then, the story depicts him living his days as an ordinary boy.
Meeting His One and Only Best Friend, Kircheis
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
Reinhard was happy every day living with Annerose, but when he moved to the downtown area, he met his ally, Siegfried Kircheis. They hit it off immediately and spent their childhood together, with Annerose feeling as if she had gained another younger brother and showering him with undying affection. Reinhard adores his sister, but Kircheis also begins to harbor something like love for her, and the days they spend together as a family of three are filled with happiness.
Enrolling in the Academy to Reclaim His Sister
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
Annerose was summoned to the emperor's harem, and Reinhard could not accept the fact that he would be separated from his sister. Reinhard's intense hatred for losing his sister to the Empire led him to resolve to overthrow the Goldenbaum Dynasty. When he confesses his decision to Kircheis, he joins him in his quest to reclaim his days with Annerose. The two then decide that joining the military is the best way to put their plan into action as quickly as possible, and so they enroll in military academy.
Reinhard's Unprecedented Rise to the Top
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
Reinhard joined the military with his ally Kircheis, all in the pursuit of his sister Annerose. To achieve his goal, he achieved numerous victories, and before he knew it, he had risen to become a young general who attracted everyone's attention. He also remains undefeated on the battlefield, the only time he struggles is against Yang Wen-li. Let's follow Reinhard's gradual rise to power.
He was appointed a senior general at just 20 years old.
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
Reinhard's first battle was not a spectacular one, starting with a ground battle. He was then assigned to fleet duty, winning numerous battles and being appointed captain of a destroyer during the Fifth Battle of Iserlohn. Reinhard possesses exceptional tactical and strategic acumen, and his fighting style as captain is nothing short of demonic. As a result, by the time he turned 20, he had been promoted to senior rank and even achieved great success by inheriting the family name of Count Lohengramm.
While rising in the ranks, he was disliked by the nobility and the military.
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
As Reinhard achieved numerous military feats on the battlefield, his status rose steadily and with extraordinary speed. He attracted the envious gazes and special regard of his fellow soldiers, but it's only natural that some were unhappy with this. These were the noble families and the upper echelons of the military, and they envied Reinhard, believing that his promotion was due to the Emperor's favor for his sister. However, Reinhard refused to listen to what others had to say and continued on his path of domination.
Reinhard Faces Multiple Assassination Threats
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
As the number of people who disliked Reinhard's existence increased, some also began to take action to end his life. The most notable examples were Duchess Benemünde and Baron Flegel, who put Reinhard in dire straits on several occasions. However, not only do they get out of the pinch, but thanks to Kircheis's efforts, they escape the clutches of evil and gradually get closer to their goal of defeating the Galactic Empire.
He takes control not only of the military but also of national politics.
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
After the Battle of Astarte, Reinhard was awarded the title of Imperial Marshal in recognition of his achievements and was appointed Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Space Fleet. After a while, he came to hold real power in the military, and then he successively appropriated the influence of the aristocratic families, advancing through the ranks and seizing control of national politics. Having controlled national politics under the young Emperor, Reinhard was now in a position to control the Galactic Empire from behind the scenes.
Reinhard Achieves Galactic Unification
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
Reinhard rose from a low-ranking nobleman to become an Imperial Marshal, seizing control of the military and soon seizing real power in national politics. This effectively overthrew the Goldenbaum Dynasty, but let's take a look at Reinhard's actions as the new emperor of the Empire. As Emperor, Reinhard accomplished the great feat of unifying the galaxy, and we'll explore the details of that achievement.
Overcoming Kircheis's Death
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
Eventually, Reinhard seized control of the Galactic Empire's military and assumed the position of Supreme Commander during the Lippstadt Campaign. At the same time, he defeats one aristocratic power after another, but in the process, his own mistake causes him to lose his ally, Kircheis. Reinhard falls into a state of despair, but vows to achieve the ambitions of his fallen friend, and forges ahead on the path to galactic unification.
Conquering the Phezzan Dominion and the Free Planets Alliance
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
After losing his allies, Reinhard took action to unify the galaxy at all costs. First, he conquered the Phezzan Dominion, then annexed the Free Planets Alliance, achieving galactic unification. By realizing his promise to Kircheis and achieving galactic unification, the world of "Legend of the Galactic Heroes" is now truly ruled by Reinhard.
Founding the Reinhard Dynasty at the Age of 23
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
Reinhard unified the galaxy in the year 799 of the Space Era and 490 of the Imperial Era, and was granted the new imperial throne by the Emperor. As a result, the Goldenbaum Dynasty was dissolved, and the Lohengramm Dynasty was established when Reinhard was 23 years old, with him reigning as the first Emperor, Reinhard I. The following year, after ascending to the throne as Emperor, Reinhard welcomed Hilda as his Empress and had a son, Alec.
Reinhard passed away just a few years later.
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
Even after becoming emperor of the New Galactic Empire, Reinhard's conflict with the aristocratic families continued unabated. There were also unrests breaking out all over the country, and he took the lead in efforts to quell them, but he contracted a rare disease called "mutative fulminant collagen disease" and passed away at the young age of 25. This disease was new and there was no specific treatment, and because Reinhard was the only one who had suffered from it, it came to be known as the "emperor's disease." Although he only reigned for a little over two years, Reinhard quickly rose to the position of emperor, achieving the ambitions he had set for himself as a child.
What kind of person was Reinhard?
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
Reinhard, the protagonist of the Galactic Empire, doesn't seem to reveal his true self much in his private life. As a soldier, he takes action, striving to rescue his sister and overthrow the Goldenbaum Dynasty. He ends his life with his ambitions fulfilled. Let's take a closer look at what kind of person Reinhard is based on the scenes he's depicted in.
A man of assertive nature
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
Reinhard's decisive and assertive nature has overwhelmed those he's faced to date. Because of this, during his time at the academy, he often got into fights with older students and classmates, to the point that he was mocked as a "walking trouble." However, he was well-liked by younger students, and his charisma attracted envious gazes. It could be said that the fact that he was so well-liked at such a young age is a charm unique to Reinhard.
He also appears to be warlike and quick-tempered.
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
Reinhard rose to the rank of emperor at a young age, but his warlike side is evident. His extraordinary success has enabled him to rise to the top, but he also tends to prioritize military matters in all matters. He is also passionate, and when it comes to his sister, Annerose, he can lose sight of everything else. This may be Reinhard's only weakness.
An ambitious man who always strives for success
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
After Annerose became the emperor's harem, Reinhard's only goal was to overthrow the Goldenbaum Dynasty. In order to regain the days when he can live with his sister as soon as possible, he fights with the sole focus on achieving success on the battlefield, and with his genius tactics, no one can stand in his way of domination. He has also firmly captured the hearts of his subordinates, and together with his trustworthy comrades in arms, he will race towards unifying the galaxy.
Despite his high position, he stands on the front lines of the battlefield
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
Generally, fleet commanders are stationed at the rear of the formation to issue orders to the entire fleet, but Reinhard stands on the front lines himself. It was a bold act that defy death, and yet he personally attacked and neutralized the enemy commander, an act that no other Galactic Empire soldier could ever hope to imitate. This led to him accumulating many visible military achievements and achieving unprecedented speed of success.
What is Emperor Reinhard like?
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
After establishing the Galactic Empire, Reinhard became emperor, directing the military and national affairs and running the Lohengramm dynasty. However, just over two years after ascending to the throne, Reinhard passed away, bringing his short life to an end. What was Reinhard like as emperor? While he demonstrated his genius on the battlefield, let's take a look at his political prowess.
Successfully managing a nation by placing the right people in the right positions
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
Reinhard, who demonstrated exceptional talent as a commander on the battlefield, is also depicted as possessing exceptional talent and ability in politics. He received support from the people to completely reform the evil systems that existed in the Goldenbaum Dynasty, and he also took other actions such as establishing a farmers' treasury and guaranteeing freedom of speech. This led even Yang Wen-li to say that Reinhard's governance was the ideal autocratic monarch.
He also invited Yang Wen-li to join the Empire
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
Reinhard unified the galaxy, but just before that, he met with Yang Wen-li of the Free Planets Alliance. During that meeting, Reinhard tried to persuade Yang to join the Galactic Empire, but Yang flatly refused. Yang wanted to be a bystander to history, so he never interacted with Reinhard, who was a force influencing history. They mutually respect each other's abilities, but even if they had been by each other's side as comrades, their relationship would still have been incompatible.
He disliked flashy and ostentatious behavior
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
Being from a lower-class noble family, Reinhard maintained a modest private life even after becoming emperor. This was reflected in his clothing, with only two types of attire worn as emperor: military and political, and even ceremonial ceremonies simplified. He also disliked traveling in large groups, as evidenced by the fact that he always had Kircheis by his side.
Take a look at the short life of the genius who united the galaxy!
Source: Legend of the Galactic Heroes © Yoshiki Tanaka / Production IG / Tokuma Shoten
The battle between the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance ended with the Galactic Empire's victory thanks to a single genius: Reinhard. Furthermore, as Emperor, he ruled with an autocratic dictatorship, but not for his own selfish gain, but rather in favor of the people, such as eliminating the evil customs of the Goldenbaum dynasty. However, Reinhard's life was short, and the 25 years he spent pursuing his ambitions cannot be described as simply "intense." Be sure to check out the anime or the original work to find out the whole story.
