FZFW:James McCloud (Anime)
- This article is about the Anime Universe James McCloud. For the Main Universe character with the same name, see James McCloud.
James McCloud is the pilot of the Little Wyvern, and is the leader of the mercenary team Galaxy Dog,[1] with his partners Peppy Hare and Pigma Dengar.[1] Hailing from Corneria in the Lylat system, McCloud has a wife and daughter.[1] He was also the temporary drill instructor for both the Mobile Task Force and Dark Million.[1]
Personality
While his Main Universe counterpart is a little more lighthearted, the Anime Universe James McCloud is a stoic and cold drill sergeant whose exterior personality withholds a tragic backstory. Losing his former army partner sometime before the events of Lap 33 had made him lose trust in the world, despite the fact he has managed to have a family and become the leader of a mercenary group.
By the end of Lap 33, he has shown a change of heart, thanks to Ryu Suzaku. While it is not known if he has learned to trust in the world again, he managed to smile and tried Ryu's favorite blend of coffee, complimenting the flavor.
History
F-Zero Farukon Densetsu (Anime)
Pre-2202
James McCloud hails from Corneria, in the Lylat System.[1]
Upon joining the army sometime before the events of Lap 33, McCloud once had a friend named O’Donnell.[1] At some point, McCloud and O'Donnell were called for a rescue mission to retrieve the rest of their men from the battlefield. However, the ship containing Rescue 01 was shot down and ended up crashing.[1] McCloud, injured from the crash, was helped by O'Donnell to safety, but barely, as they were still under heavy enemy fire in a trench.[1]
After O'Donnell's attempts at calling for another rescue ship had failed, due to Rescue 02 saying the battle was over and that they couldn't break the apparent treaty, O'Donnell rushed into the gunfire to buy time for McCloud to escape and was shot dead by the enemy soldiers.[1] Although McCloud escaped without being seen, the event resulted in him losing trust in nearly everyone.[1]
Yet, contrary to his developed distrust in people, McCloud managed to have a wife and daughter,[1] and had even formed the mercenary group known as Galaxy Dog.[1]
Within Galaxy Dog, he had two partners, Peppy Hare and Pigma Dengar.[1] He had also become an F-Zero pilot, entering the competition with his machine, the Little Wyvern.
2202
Sometime in the year 2202, James McCloud was hired by Galaxy Police Director John Tanaka for instructing the Mobile Task Force. As such, McCloud taught them how to hone their racing skills in the heat of battle,[1] but had also been teaching Dark Million the same tactics, unbeknownst to the Galaxy Police and the Task Force.[1] After becoming aware of this betrayal, Miss Killer confronted McCloud after his victory in a race, but Ryu Suzaku came to his rescue.[1]
As the two got enough distance away from Dark Million, McCloud asked Ryu why he had saved him, to which Ryu responded with "We drink the same kind of coffee, so we have similar tastes."[1] McCloud retorted by saying that he preferred black coffee, but ultimately reveals his own past and circumstances surrounding his former partner, O'Donnell.[1] Ryu responded by comparing the past to the present, and by saying that even if McCloud trusted no one, the training Ryu endured under his command had helped him greatly as a pilot.[1] But even after watching Ryu perform in his Dragon Bird, McCloud walked away and said that he wouldn't thank Ryu for his words.[1]
However, by the end of the episode, McCloud seemed to have a change of heart, as Bart Lemming told Ryu (at the Falcon House) that McCloud changed his usual blend of coffee before he left Mute City.[1] The change in coffee, according to Bart, meant that McCloud himself had possibly changed.[1] McCloud was then seen somewhere else, trying Ryu's favorite blend of coffee and enjoying it.[1]
F-Zero GP Legend (GBA game)
James McCloud is a playable character in F-Zero GP Legend, with his machine, the Little Wyvern. He is not featured in the story mode.
F-Zero Climax
| F-Zero Climax | |
|---|---|
| File:FZCJamesMcCloud.png | James McCloud (JP): 元は銀河警察での優しゅうな戦闘機のパイロットであったが、独立して、やとわれ遊げき隊「ギャラクシードッグ」を設立。
その宣伝の意味もかねてグランプリに参戦している。 ジョンタナカの部下だった時代もあるらしい。 |
| James McCloud (English Translation): Formerly a fighter pilot for the Galaxy Police, he is now the leader of the independent flight squad: Galaxy Dog. He uses entering the F-Zero Grand Prix as a way to advertise. It seems, at one point, he was John Tanaka's subordinate. | |
Note: This backstory contradicts the anime, as James was stated to not have prior involvement with the Galaxy Police.
Gallery
- James MccloudLap33 (2).png
Lap 33.
- James MccloudLap33 (6).png
Lap 33.
- James MccloudLap33 (11).png
James drinking black coffee.
- James MccloudLap33 (16).png
Lap 33.
- James MccloudLap33 (23).png
Lap 33.
- AnimeLap33JamesMcCloudsArmyBuddies.png
McCloud in the army.
- Lap33McCloudODonnellFlashback.png
McCloud and his partner, O'Donnell.
- Lap33McCloudODonnellShip.png
McCloud, beside O'Donnell calling for assistance.
- AnimeJamesNoShades.png
James after removing his shades.
- AnimeLap33End.png
McCloud enjoying Ryu's preferred blend.
- JamesMcCloudEyecatch.png
James McCloud's Eyecatch.
- AnimeJamesMcCloudReferences.png
References.
- FZGPLJamesMcCloud.png
F-Zero GP Legend (GBA) Sprite.
- FZCJamesMcCloud.png
F-Zero Climax Sprite.
- Vlcsnap-00214.png
A reference sheet of James McCloud from the Falcon Densetsu DVD.
- Vlcsnap-00215.png
Trivia
- Like his Main Universe counterpart, James McCloud is a reference to the character of the same name, from the Star Fox series.
- Galaxy Dog is also a reference to Star Fox, the mercenary flight team currently headed by the son of Star Fox's James McCloud, Fox McCloud.
- Peppy and Pigma in the Anime F-Zero Universe are references to Peppy Hare and Pigma Dengar from the Star Fox series.
- O'Donnell is a reference to Wolf O'Donnell from the Star Fox series.
- Corneria and the Lylat System are also references to the locations of the same name, within the Star Fox series.
- Despite having a lack of trust in everyone after O'Donnell's death, McCloud has been able to run a mercenary team, and even managed to get married and have a child.
- As the F-Zero's Main Universe and Anime Universe are two entirely different universes, Anime Universe James McCloud has a daughter, but Main Universe James McCloud has a son.
