| “ | 自衛隊が戦い、防御します！[note 2] | „ |
| ~ The voice when the RSSDF is selected in the Campaign mode. |
The Rising Sun Self-Defense Force, otherwise referred to simply as the Self-Defense Force, is one of the factions in Artistic Forces.
Description[]
Based on the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, the Rising Sun Self-Defense Force is a defensively oriented and technologically advantaged faction that engages military operations with a factionally unique combination of Japanese modernization, tradition and technology, and emphasizes an arsenal of futuristic and modern Japanese military assets, including GEKKO XII laser weapons, fortifications, superb firepower, and even highly technological, versatile transforming units, such as the iconic Viper Zeroes and J-Eagle jet fighters. Also, their armored infantry division can be technologically equipped with one that is based on Japanese tradition. Their manpower is naturally not as much as the one of its rival factions, but to compensate for this, they developed advanced technologies, mechs, drones and robots to combat for them along with their soldiers, vehicles, aircraft and vessels.
As a result of forming their nation into a democracy under the title of the State of Japan after the Allied occupation and the formation of the Self-Defense Forces many years ago, the Rising Sun Self-Defense Force achievably provides defense and seeks to keep peace and prosperity within the Japanese borders, making it an influence of the modern Japanese society due to their peacekeeping operations. However, when the Isekai Machine took effect after experimenting it with Dr. Yoshihiro and his military comrades in the headquarters of Keizai Industries, the entities from the different world known as Animatopia have invaded Japan as well as many parts of the world, specifically a secret and mysterious faction known as the Kaijin Gundan, and that the RSSDF declared defense against their enemies, viewing them nothing more than "foreign invaders".
History[]
Since the end of World War II in 1945, like what the denazification of the Nazi Germany looked like in the European theater early on, the Empire of Japan would be no more, its conquest for imperial world domination was abolished, and its military forces were humiliatingly demilitarized for their notorious atrocities and war crimes when defeated by the occupational forces of the Allied powers with their unconditional surrender, including zaibatsu, which was disbanded in favor of keiretsu by the Allies. This was led to the formation of the more modern State of Japan when the Allied occupational forces were changing the Japanese government from empire to a more democratic, constitutional state monarchy, and the Japanese were strictly forbidden to form their regular military force due to Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution during the years of the Allied occupation from 1945 to 1952.
However, when the Korean War erupts in 1950, large portions of the Allied occupational military units were leaving Japan and transferred to South Korea, fighting off the communist threat of China and North Koreans with the help of the United Nations, only when the country is lightly defended. Later that August, Japan was looking for a de facto regular military force, but the paramilitary police force known as the National Police Reserve (abbreviated as the NPR), consisting of the lightly armed men, was born with National Security Force (NSF), which is the ground branch of the NPR, Coastal Safety Force (CSF), its maritime branch, and military equipment, borrowed from the U.S. military, under Allied supervision. Given the legal status of the armed police force, modeled after the U.S. Army, their main task is to maintain public security and peacekeeping under special conditions according to the National Police Reserve Order (Cabinet Order No. 260, 1950). When the NPR was expanded to 110,000 men in service in 1952, marking the end of the Allied occupation of Japan, it was renamed as the National Safety Force (NSF). After the allowance of the 1954 Self-Defense Forces Act [Act No. 165 of 1954] on July 1, 1954, the National Security Board was reorganized as the Defense Agency, while the NSF was reorganized into a regularly nascent postwar military force called the Japan Self-Defense Forces, with its two branches, the National Security Force and Coastal Safety Force, were reorganized as the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) respectively, while the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) was formed as the air force branch of the JSDF. Like its predecessor, the JSDF had started out with its equipment as hand-me-downs from the U.S. Armed Forces, and tasked with peacekeeping operations throughout the world, even during Cold War period, where they have good military relationships with America and their allies, such as Great Britain, West Germany (now Germany), Italy, and France.
Before the events of Artistic Forces in the spectacular year 2040, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces were reorganized for the second time as the Rising Sun Self-Defense Force thanks to the military contractors of keiretsu and advanced Japanese technologies in recent years, especially the robotic mechs, GEKKO XII lasers, and stealth technology.
Strategy[]
Like most highly defensive factions, the Rising Sun Self-Defense Force is a defensively oriented and technologically advanced faction with a unique blend of Japanese modernization, tradition, and even cutting-edge technology, bearing some of the most sophisticated equipment. While toe-to-toe with the USSDA/ADA, ESU, and TDF, the RSSDF has met much difficulty in the recent years of countering the Cold War-era Soviet Union and now the People's Republic of China (since 2010), with the inclusion of North Korea and Russia, increasing military cooperation with Australia, India, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States, and acquiring new or updated military equipment and hardware, and have become experts at defense, most notably tower defense, in order to deal with these security threats, especially Russia's involvement against Ukraine during the 2022 Invasion of Ukraine.
Tactics[]
- Fortified Defense & Counterattacks
- The RSSDF excels at tower defense tactics, constructing high-tech fortifications, laser turrets, and automated drone systems to create an impenetrable defensive network.
- Enemies attempting a direct assault face overwhelming firepower, suppression systems, and counter-artillery strikes.
- Transforming & Adaptive Warfare
- Many RSSDF units, such as Viper Zeroes and J-Eagle jet fighters, feature transformation technology, allowing for dynamic role-shifting on the battlefield.
- This flexibility enables quick response tactics, adapting to enemy strategies in real time.
- Maneuver Warfare & Tactical Deployment
- The RSSDF employs high-speed mechanized units and deployable drone swarms to outmaneuver opponents.
- Jump jets, VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) units, and walkers allow RSSDF forces to traverse difficult terrain, setting up ambushes and hit-and-run strikes.
- Specialized Infantry Operations
- Unlike brute-force factions, RSSDF infantry utilizes holographic decoys, active camouflage, and powered exoskeletons to engage in stealth and ambush tactics.
- Scout Snipers can generate holographic duplicates to distract enemies, while armored infantry use advanced melee and ranged hybrid combat styles inspired by samurai warfare.
- Tokusatsu-Inspired Mechs & Kaiju Warfare
- Certain elite units leverage Tokusatsu-based mechs equipped with energy blades, projectile shields, and high-intensity plasma weaponry.
- Special operations against large-scale enemies may involve deployable anti-Kaiju weapons or colossal mech warriors with devastating finishing moves.
- Advanced Electronic Warfare & Cyber Tactics
- The RSSDF employs holographic warfare, jamming technology, and EMP strikes to disable enemy systems.
- AI-controlled drones and robotic mechs can act as autonomous defenders or disrupt enemy infrastructure, hacking into communications and targeting systems.
Advanced RSSDF Battlefield Tactics[]
1. Layered Fortification & Adaptive Defense (Shirogane Doctrine)[]
- RSSDF bases utilize multi-layered defenses with turrets, energy shields, and automated drones.
- Deployable barriers and nanite-repairing structures allow fortifications to self-repair, extending defensive endurance.
- Mobile bunkers and redeployable strongholds allow frontline shifts while maintaining fortified zones.
✅ Countering: Large-scale invasions, artillery strikes, and aggressive rush tactics.
⚠️ Weakness: Prolonged siege warfare if supply lines are cut.
2. Transforming Units & Tactical Adaptability (Shinkansen Strike Method)[]
- Many RSSDF units, such as Viper Zeroes and J-Eagle jet fighters, have transformation modes, allowing them to change their combat roles on demand.
- Example: Viper Zero (fighter mode) → Striker Form (mech mode) for ground combat.
- Tactical transformation allows sudden shifts in battle, such as aerial reinforcements instantly converting into ground assault mechs.
✅ Countering: Static enemy formations, slow-moving juggernaut units, and predictable strategies.
⚠️ Weakness: High energy consumption; vulnerable during transformation moments.
3. High-Speed Mobile Warfare & Hit-and-Fade Tactics (Kaze no Ikari - "Wrath of the Wind")[]
- Jump jets, VTOL units, and high-speed mechanized walkers enable lightning-fast assaults, striking and withdrawing before retaliation.
- Aerial superiority and vertical maneuvering give RSSDF forces the edge over ground-based opponents.
- Glide mechs & hoverbikes allow infantry to bypass difficult terrain and engage from unexpected angles.
✅ Countering: Slow, heavy-armored factions like Oarcks and TE.
⚠️ Weakness: Vulnerable to long-range anti-air and EMP weapons.
4. Cyberwarfare & Holographic Decoy Systems (Shinobi Warfare Protocol)[]
- RSSDF units can deploy holographic clones, AI-controlled phantom units, or stealth fields to mislead enemies.
- Hackers & AI operatives can disable enemy targeting systems, disrupt command structures, and even turn enemy drones against their masters.
- Scout Snipers utilize holographic duplicates to create fake troop movements or draw enemy fire away from real units.
✅ Countering: Artillery-heavy factions, automated armies, and large, coordinated enemy groups.
⚠️ Weakness: Ineffective against purely biological factions (e.g., Horroroids) that rely on instinct over technology.
5. Tokusatsu-Inspired Giant Mechs & Kaiju Warfare (Mecha Bushido Doctrine)[]
- The RSSDF deploys colossal mechs for superweapon-scale battles against enemy behemoths or invading Kaijin Gundan forces.
- These mechs are heavily inspired by Tokusatsu, featuring energy weapons, shockwave generators, and even deployable blade combat systems.
- Support drones and AI-linked pilot assistance allow seamless coordination between multiple mechs.
✅ Countering: Gigantic enemies, massive armies, and powerful single-unit bosses.
⚠️ Weakness: Extremely high resource costs; requires logistical support to sustain deployment.
6. Elemental Warfare & Specialized Weaponry (Bushido Elemental Command)[]
- Advanced elemental munitions allow RSSDF units to exploit enemy weaknesses:
- GEKKO XIII Lasers → Pierce armor and disable vehicles.
- Railguns → Penetrate enemies.
- GEKKO XIII Laser-powered melee weapons → Counter energy-based shields and melt through barriers.
- High-frequency pulse rounds → Disable enemy cloaking and AI-controlled units.
✅ Countering: Shielded units, enemy superweapons, and cybernetic forces.
⚠️ Weakness: Expensive and energy-intensive; requires power grid control to operate effectively.
7. Industrial AI & Drone Warfare (Hikari Protocol - "Light of the Rising Sun")[]
- Automated drone forces allow RSSDF to counter numerically superior enemies.
- AI-controlled mechs & robotic squads take strategic control points autonomously.
- Energy-linked battle networks enhance unit coordination and targeting accuracy.
✅ Countering: High-manpower factions (e.g., TE, Mutant Horde).
⚠️ Weakness: Vulnerable to EMP & hacking attacks.
Technological level[]
With a long history of technological advancements in Japan, the RSSDF had impressive tally of technological achievements thus far. These include only but not limited to:
- GEKKO XIII laser weaponry and technology
- Robotics (both manned and unmanned)
- Mechanized walkers
- Maneuvering technology
- Tokusatsu (Tokushu satsuei gijutsu/special effects technology)
- Holographic technology: the RSSDF is known for making technological holograms. Scout Sniper's ability to activate holographic disguise perch for example.
Veterancy ranks[]
The veterancy ranks are based off the military ranks of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
| Veterancy rank | GSDF rank | MSDF rank | ASDF rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | Tou Rikushi (等陸士) | Tou Kaishi (等海士) | Tou Kuushi (等空士) |
| Veteran | Rikushichou (陸士長) | Kaishichou (海士長) | Kuushichou (空士長) |
| Elite | Tou Rikusou (等陸曹) | Tou Kaisou (等海曹) | Tou Kuusou (等空曹) |
| Epic | Tou Rikui (等陸尉) | Tou Kaii (等海尉) | Tou Kuui (等空尉) |
| Heroic | Tou Rikusa (等陸佐) | Tou Kaisa (等海佐) | Tou Kuusa (等空佐) |
Sub-factions[]
The RSSDF has only one sub-faction, which is an elite branch of the Chou Sentai.
Chou Sentai[]
The Chou Sentai utilizes an elite task force of infantry and mecha.
Notable members[]
Commanders[]
- Emperor Retsuhito (列人): State Emperor of Japan
- Prime Minister Shintaro Nishimura (西村真太郎): Prime Minister of Japan and commander-in-chief of the RSSDF
- Shinjihiko Akari (灯慎司彦): Japanese Minister of Defense
- Field Marshal Tomoyasu Nishimura (寅泰西村): Field Commander of the RSSDF
- General Genkei Nakamura (中村元慶): RSSDF Technological Advancement Commander
- Lieutenant General Yukiya Igarashi (五十嵐雪矢): RSSDF Defensive Operations Commander
- Brigadier Kiyomaro Yamazaki (山崎清麿): RSSDF Mecha Commander
- Admiral Kaiji Oguma (尾熊海司): RSSDF Maritime Commander
- Air Chief Marshal Jirofumi Nakashima (中島二郎文): RSSDF Air and Space Commander
- General Yuta Takase (高瀬勇太): RSSDF Peacekeeping Expedition Commander
Agents[]
- Major Kenzo Imada/Kamen Red (今田剣三/仮面レッド): RSSDF Male Terrain Agent/Kamen Samurai (hero unit)
- Sergeant Izuko Iwatani/Mahou Pink (岩谷伊豆子/魔法ピンク): RSSDF Female Terrain Agent/Mahou Shoujo (hero unit)
- Captain Norio Kawamoto (川本典夫): RSSDF Mecha Agent and Pilot of RX-0 Hayate (hero unit)
- Corporal Shotaro Shikishima (敷島翔太郎): RSSDF Technological Agent (hero unit)
- Private Tetsu Kaneda (金田哲): RSSDF Expedition Agent (hero unit)
- Corporal Minami Aikawa (相川南): RSSDF Mechanized Division Agent (hero unit)
- Tsuguhime (つぐひめ): AI Adjutant (announcer)
List of Keiretsu and Military Contractors[]
Here is a list of companies directly responsible for manufacturing the RSSDF's arsenal:
Real-world[]
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
- Mitsubishi Electric
- Mitsubishi Fuso
- Toyota
- Kawasaki Heavy Industries
- IHI Corporation
- Japan Marine United
- Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding
- Nippon Electric Company
- Japan Radio Company
- Toshiba
- Fujitsu
- Oki Electric Industry
- Koito Manufacturing
- Howa
- Chugoku Kayaku
- Toray Industries
- Idemitsu Kosan
- Daicel
- Asahi-Seiki Manufacturing
- ShinMaywa
- Japan Steel Works
- Subaru Corporation
- MinebeaMitsumi
- Komatsu Limited
- Yamaha Motor Company
- Kayaba Industry
- Sakakibara Kikai
- Suidobashi Heavy Industry
In-universe[]
- Rikigaku Robotics
- Kisai Robotics
- Tsurugi Robotics
- Senin Ship Works
- Morikawa Industries
- Nishizawa Energy Corporation
- Kyodai Heavy Industries
- Tokuhara Bureau
- Horikoshi Aeronautics
- Tetsubasa Aerospace
- Keizai Industries
- NHM
Factional theme[]
The music used by the RSSDF would likely have a musical theme that blends traditional Japanese instrumentation with modern military and electronic elements to reflect its fusion of heritage and advanced technology.
Music[]
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- An inspiration of the Rising Sun Self-Defense Force is clearly based on the modern Japanese Self-Defense Forces, popular culture and historical, post-war periods. Its units and buildings are largely influenced by anime, manga, novels, video games, feudal Japan and Tokusatsu.
- Most of the RSSDF units speak in a Japanese accent with the transliterated lines using the katakana alphabet.
- The RSSDF units and buildings have cultural references and inspirations to the following Tokusatsu and live-action titles:
- Super Sentai
- Ultraman
- Kamen Rider
- Godzilla
- Shin Godzilla
- G.I. Samurai
- Samurai Commando: Mission 1549
- Frankenstein Conquers the World
- Chouseishin Gransazer
- Additionally, each unit and building of the RSSDF has many references from the following anime, novel and manga titles:
- Gate: Thus the Japanese Self-Defense Force Fought There
- Gundam Series
- Macross
- Dragon Pilot: Hisone and Masotan
- The Library War
- Raid on Tokyo/Tokyo Wars
- The Irregular at Magic High School
- Patlabor 2: The Movie
- Innocent Venus
- Saikano
- Yomigaeru Sora – Rescue Wings
- Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
- Promare
- Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Ghost in the Shell
- Future War 198X
- Gasaraki
- Akira
- Arpeggio of Blue Steel
- 801 T.T.S. Airbats
- The futuristic technological level of the RSSDF alludes to Japanese post-war economic boom and the numerous high-tech products manufactured by the advanced Japanese industry.
- The RSSDF's defense contractors and armament manufacturers are inspired by the concept of Keiretsu, a Japanese term literally means system, series, grouping of enterprises, or order of succession. This also refers to a set of companies with interlocking business relationships and shareholdings by the Allied occupation of Japan following World War II and the abolishment of Zaibatsu, causing its holding companies, such as Nakajima Aircraft Company, to get eliminated from the rest of the Japanese economy.
- The connections between the Rising Sun Self-Defense Force and the Empire of the Rising Sun are that they are both Japanese factions in 2 real-time strategy titles: Artistic Forces and Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3, respectively. Obviously, both also refer to the parody versions of mainland Japan, based on the real-life counterparts of this country (State of Japan and Imperial Japan (or officially the Empire of Japan), respectively).
- The gameplay of the RSSDF is based on the Empire of the Rising Sun from Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 (including its Uprising expansion pack) and Terran from the StarCraft series.
Notes[]
| Factions, countries, and organizations of Artistic Forces | ||
| Factions | ||
| Western Kingdoms |  American Defense Alliance •  European Superior Union •  Commonwealth of Collective States
| |
| Asian Dynasties |  Pacific Dragon Force •  Rising Sun Self-Defense Force •  Taegeuk Defense Force
| |
| Dominant Militias |  Mutant Horde •  Irregular-Maverick Confederation •  Kaijin Gundan •  Militant Insurgents
| |
| Chibi-Shojo Forces |  Josei Guntai •  Kemonomimi •  Yami Musume
| |
| Futuristic and Galactic Civilizations |  Robotoids •  Global Integrity Association •  Interplanetary League
| |
| Animatopian Civilizations |  Stick Figuroids •  Oarcks •  Toon Federation •  Figuroid Armed Force •  Dominion of Animatopia •  Freaks •  Possessed •  Elfaenia •  Dwarvenomes •  Dark Elfaenia •  Shades •  Hobbritons •  Azuloids •  Dijinnri •  Avataryans
| |
| Anthropomorphic Forces |  Anthro •  Horroroids •  Tyrannosaurians •  Beast Warlords•  Dongwuren Dynasty •  Zuchi Directorate
| |
| Fanatical Cults |  Fanatic-Heretic Cult •  Cult of the Undead
| |
| Arab-Middle-Eastern Kingdoms |  Magen David Society •  Arab-Middle-Eastern Confederacy
| |
| Dominant Wannabes |  Totalitarian Empire •  Alien Empire •  Interdimensional Empire •  Dominators
| |
| Bonus Factions |  Royal Canadian Federal Force •  Trans-Tasman Coalition •  Indian Corps •  Pan-Asia-Pacific Pact •  Turkish Republican Force •  Iranian Syndicate •  Kyoudai Gundan •  Zaibatsu Teikoku •  Trolloids •  Sahariptians •  Dhampir Counts
| |
| Countries | ||
| Earth | ||
| North America | Canada • United States | |
| Europe | Albania • Austria • Belarus • Belgium • Bosnia and Herzegovina • Bulgaria • Croatia • Czech Republic • Denmark • Estonia • Finland • France • Georgia • Greece • Germany • Hungary • Ireland • Italy • Latvia • Lithuania • Moldova • Montenegro • Netherlands • North Macedonia • Norway • Poland • Portugal • Romania • Russia • Serbia • Slovakia • Slovenia • Spain • Sweden • Switzerland • Ukraine • United Kingdom | |
| Africa | Algeria • Libya • South Africa | |
| Middle East | Bahrain • Egypt • Iran • Iraq • Israel • Jordan • Kuwait • Lebanon • Oman • Palestine • Qatar • Saudi Arabia • Syria • Turkey • United Arab Emirates • Yemen | |
| Asia | Armenia • Azerbaijan • Brunei • Cambodia • China • India • Indonesia • Japan • Kazakhstan • Korea • Kyrgyzstan • Laos • Malaysia • Myanmar • Nepal • Philipinnes • Singapore • Taiwan • Tajikistan • Thailand • Turkmenistan • Uzbekistan • Vietnam | |
| Oceania | Australia • New Zealand | |
| Animatopia | ||
| Westerica | Anthrona • Cartoonia • Fridgeria • Redneckia • Stickos • Technoland • Veredia | |
| Centrica | Aztekia • Azulaya • Checkadi • Freakland • Ketzalkoatl • Rakota | |
| Meridia/Austrosia | Inkadia • Moaia • Nazka | |
| Occidensia | Acreasia • Arnoska • Asgarden • Baltazaria • Blitzenstein • Dhampyrvania • Doitsomania • Domainia • Elfaenia • Ellenia • Erland • Novavia • Orientaland • Hobbritain • Hohemia • Lokut • Lomania • Normania • Osterland • Rormandy • Sarcia • Tiberia • Tobarnia • Tomany • Tristan • Velorussia | |
| Medios | Alashidun • Badastan • Cabistan • Dijinnria • Dunistan • Genetistan • Gerkistan • Junkistan • Kasakistan • Koblinor • Libria • Oarckor • Parsia • Rashidistan • Sahaript • Sekistan • Zoroastan | |
| Suliem/Austrosia | Mumbia • Oasistan • Partistan • Trolland • Zuland | |
| Septentrion | Altastan • Basaltnya • Gigistan • Herdistan • Kerkmenistan • Khanistan • Kirkistan • Metrova • Russovietia • Snovakia • Transtan • Ursavania • Vulgaria | |
| Orientashia/Orientalia | Chosan • Dongwuguo • Kemonomimikoku • Kimea • Naysia • Orientalia • Palensia • Sakurakoku • Sanskritistan • Sulietnam • Viwetbei • Zaikoku | |
| Otelia/Austrosia | Moodley Island • Atlantia | |
| Organizations | ||
| Companies | Rikigaku Robotics • Kisai Robotics • Tsurugi Robotics • Senin Ship Works • Morikawa Industries • Nishizawa Energy Corporation • Kyodai Heavy Industries • Tokuhara Bureau • Horikoshi Aeronautics • Tetsubasa Aerospace • Keizai Industries • NHM • ABN • BNN | |
| Other | Entente • Syndicate • Triple Axis • United Nations | |