Seikai Series Series by Hiroyuki Morioka

In the far-distant future, mankind has traversed the stars and settled distant worlds. But no matter how advanced the technology of the future becomes, it seems the spacefaring nations cannot entirely shed their human nature. Jinto Lin finds this out the hard way when, as a child, his home world is conquered by the powerful Abh Empire: the self-proclaimed Kin of the Stars, and rulers of vast swaths of the known universe... moreIn the far-distant future, mankind has traversed the stars and settled distant worlds. But no matter how advanced the technology of the future becomes, it seems the spacefaring nations cannot entirely shed their human nature. Jinto Lin finds this out the hard way when, as a child, his home world is conquered by the powerful Abh Empire: the self-proclaimed Kin of the Stars, and rulers of vast swaths of the known universe. As a newly-appointed member of the Abh’s imperial aristocracy, Jinto must learn to forge his own destiny in the wider universe while bearing burdens he never asked for, caught between his surface-dweller “Lander” heritage and the byzantine culture of the Abh, of which he is now nominally a member. A chance meeting with the brave-but-lonely Apprentice Starpilot Lafier aboard the Patrol Ship Goslauth will lead them both headfirst down a path of galaxy-spanning intrigue and warfare that will forever change the fate of all of humankind. less

Jinto and Lafiel escape from Baron Febdash's orbital palace only to fall into the Human Unification Army's clutches. Thrust into the middle of an ugly battle for intergalactic supremacy, the lander noble and the Imperial princess must learn to work together if they want to survive.Experience the unfolding space opera adventure in Seikai: Crest of the Stars 2: A Modest War.

Barely escaping the United Mankind, Lafiel and Jinto crash-land on Planet Clasbul, which is already under enemy occupation. With no means to rejoin the Imperial fleet, they must find a way to survive until rescued. However, the Abh princess–who seems so indomitable in space–is nothing more than a clueless girl when confronted with life on a land world. Now the tables have turned, and Jinto must use his experience to protect her... moreBarely escaping the United Mankind, Lafiel and Jinto crash-land on Planet Clasbul, which is already under enemy occupation. With no means to rejoin the Imperial fleet, they must find a way to survive until rescued. However, the Abh princess–who seems so indomitable in space–is nothing more than a clueless girl when confronted with life on a land world. Now the tables have turned, and Jinto must use his experience to protect her.Return to a Strange World marks the final volume of Morioka's epic Crest of the Stars series! less

Volumes 1-3, now in a collectors hardcover edition, and with a brand new translation!In the far-distant future, mankind has traversed the stars and settled distant worlds. But no matter how advanced the technology of the future becomes, it seems the spacefaring nations cannot entirely shed their human nature... moreVolumes 1-3, now in a collectors hardcover edition, and with a brand new translation!In the far-distant future, mankind has traversed the stars and settled distant worlds. But no matter how advanced the technology of the future becomes, it seems the spacefaring nations cannot entirely shed their human nature.Jint Lin finds this out the hard way when, as a child, his home world is conquered by the powerful Abh Empire: the self-proclaimed Kin of the Stars, and rulers of vast swaths of the known universe. As a newly-appointed member of the Abh's imperial aristocracy, Jint must learn to forge his own destiny in the wider universe while bearing burdens he never asked for, caught between his surface-dweller "Lander" heritage and the byzantine culture of the Abh, of which he is now nominally a member. A chance meeting with the brave-but-lonely Apprentice Starpilot Lafier aboard the Patrol Ship Goslauth will lead them both headfirst down a path of galaxy-spanning intrigue and warfare that will forever change the fate of all of humankind. less

You journeyed with Jint and Lafier through three volumes of interplanetary-scale action and intrigue in CREST OF THE STARS. Through pain and companionship, they forged their way through an impossible ordeal unscathed. But that adventure, though grand, was just the introduction to a larger, decades-spanning chronicle of galactic war. Join our two heroes, now bona fide starpilots appointed to a warship in an Abh Empire fleet, as they participate in their very first official military operation... moreYou journeyed with Jint and Lafier through three volumes of interplanetary-scale action and intrigue in CREST OF THE STARS. Through pain and companionship, they forged their way through an impossible ordeal unscathed. But that adventure, though grand, was just the introduction to a larger, decades-spanning chronicle of galactic war. Join our two heroes, now bona fide starpilots appointed to a warship in an Abh Empire fleet, as they participate in their very first official military operation. They are tasked with helping defend a strategically crucial star system from the Three Nations Alliance. Complications arise, however, when they learn that their commanding officer is none other than the sister of the Abh baron they killed three years prior! less

Lafier has been appointed the interim liege of yet another newly conquered star system, with Jint her ill-defined adjunct... moreLafier has been appointed the interim liege of yet another newly conquered star system, with Jint her ill-defined adjunct. Only the planet of Rohbnahss is by far the most vexing of the Empire’s latest acquisitions—because it’s a giant prison on the verge of a world-scale uprising! Can the iconic duo form a working government there? What will become of them and their bond once the enemy’s offensive and her Abliar obligations force Lafier to abandon Jint on a powderkeg ready to blow? Find out in this, the second exciting installment of Banner of the Stars! less

The Countdom of Hyde, Jint’s star system of birth, has been freed from enemy occupation. The Empire must now reestablish its dominion there, with Jint as its liege by birthright. Yet the self-sufficient planet Martin is as fiercely and hostilely anti-imperial as ever. Moreover, he has to negotiate with the planet’s heads of state.. moreThe Countdom of Hyde, Jint’s star system of birth, has been freed from enemy occupation. The Empire must now reestablish its dominion there, with Jint as its liege by birthright. Yet the self-sufficient planet Martin is as fiercely and hostilely anti-imperial as ever. Moreover, he has to negotiate with the planet’s heads of state... his own foster parents! While he may have Lafier and more former comrades of his to help him in his struggles, only he can ultimately decide where his true loyalties lie - with Martin, or with the Empire. less

Lafier is now the captain of a state-of-the-art raid ship, and her brother, Duhier (who is still wrestling with his inferiority complex) has finally enlisted in the Star Forces. Meanwhile, the galactic war is reaching a turning point, as the Hania Federation asks to join the Abh Empire. Will the Empress accept their offer? And might Hania have ulterior motives?

The unthinkable has happened: the imperial capital is under siege by the Three Nations Alliance thanks to a surprise attack, which will divide the Empire in two. The Empress and the Empire’s paltry forces at the scene must rally in a bid to evacuate what people and structures they can, and buy time for the capital’s relocation. Lafier and Jint are charged with saving the Empire’s culturally significant artifacts, even while Lafier’s brother Duhier is stranded behind enemy lines.