The people of Vale needed someone to protect them; someone who would act. When they look to the sky and see my fleet, they feel safe, and our enemies will feel our strength.
„
~ James Ironwood
“
I will sacrifice whatever it takes to stop her.
„
~ James Ironwood's promise to stop Salem.
General James Ironwood is a supporting character turned major antagonist of the American animated webseries RWBY. He is the headmaster of Atlas Academy, a general in the Atlesian military, and a holder of two seats on the Atlesian Council. His weapon of choice is a pair of revolvers. For unknown reasons, his right arm, leg and part of his torso were replaced with robotic prosthetics.
Though his intentions were initially noble, he eventually resorted to extreme actions in order to protect Atlas and the world from Salem, falling into conflict with his former allies and allowing himself to sacrifice his morals and honor for what he believed to be the salvation of the world.
You're a good person, James. You've always done what you think is best for the people, even against strong protest. It's admirable. But it's high time you stopped talking about trust and started showing it.
„
~ Glynda, to Ironwood in "Mountain Glenn".
Ironwood is courteous to his allies, as shown by his first onscreen interaction with Ozpin and Glynda Goodwitch. He is also far-thinking and tactical, wondering about the future, as seen when he speaks to Ozpin about Qrow Branwen's message. He also has a jovial, friendly, humorous and proud public persona, which he uses as a spokesman for the weapon manufacturers of Atlas.
However, as courteous Ironwood may appear, he can also be incredibly blunt, often preferring the direct approach. When he feels necessary, Ironwood is not afraid to bring the full might of his military command to bear, which sparked disagreements with both Glynda and Ozpin. Nevertheless, Ironwood is extremely loyal to his comrades, and however questionable his methods may be, he seems to have genuinely good intentions behind them.
Ironwood consistently believes his ideas are justified and the best course of action whether Ozpin or Jacques Schnee opposes him. According to Jacques, Ironwood does not trust anybody but himself, something he does not deny; instead, he believes that his methods are justified. This leads Ironwood to a more proactive yet headstrong approach to problems, attempting more preemptive measures, as opposed to Ozpin's more subtle, reactive and analytical methods. Ironwood also doesn't care about Ozpin's rules which is shown when he creates the Ace Operatives, a five person team that lacks a color theme because he would prefer an efficient team.
Ironwood is known to respect courage, loyalty, selflessness, and duty above all in people and displays a generous personality. This is evident in his compensating Yang Xiao Long with an Atlas-tech prosthesis before her father, Taiyang Xiao Long, came to ask him for one. Consistent with this is his disdain for people who are apathetic to the problems and safety of the world's populace. He holds contempt for a socialite at a Schnee fundraising event when he comments Weiss is the only person making sense there.
Ironwood's military status results in his oversight of all scientific and research-based endeavors under his jurisdiction, such as the unethical Aura experiments by the Atlas Military in Aura transference and life supports used to prevent the Fall Maiden's powers from being assimilated by Cinder Fall. James is aware of the ethical gray areas he treads, bitterly swallowing any of his possible discomfort and criticism from others for the sake of global safety and his loyalty to Ozpin's Group.
Though a courageous if a somewhat bullheaded man, Ironwood is rather sympathetic toward those who abstain from combat in dire circumstances, as is shown when he gives the students at Amity Colosseum the choice to fight or flee to safety during the Fall of Beacon. This shows that while he values the dutiful and strong of will, he remains mindful that not everyone is suited to a life on the front lines of war.
However, for all his good intentions, Ironwood has shown to often set a double-standard that others have noticed; In "Mountain Glenn", Glynda mentions that Ironwood is always asking people to trust him, but has shown to very hesitant to trust others in return. In "Worst Case Scenario", he attempts to rebuke Nora Valkyrie's criticisms on the negative effect his regime is having on Mantle by claiming that everyone is making sacrifices, but Nora retorts that so far Mantle is bearing all of the burden. In "Breach", Ironwood goes behind Ozpin's back by reporting his actions to the Vale Council and having his authority over the Vytal Festival's security transferred to Ironwood, which he felt was necessary to ensure the protection of Vale. But in "Gravity", his reaction to finding out that Yang and Blake Belladonna went behind his back to tell Robyn Hill about the Amity project and helping her escape capture is that of outrage, screaming that "Loyalty ALWAYS matters!".
Due to the events of the Fall of Beacon where he was completely and utterly out maneuvered by Salem and Cinder despite his best efforts to stop them, Ironwood now appears to suffer from a degree of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), an increased sense of paranoia, and an increased desperation to stop Salem by any means. This, now coupled with his typical bullheadedness and bluntness has made him make several decisions that have lead to many of his own people from Atlas to see him in a bad light due to the countermeasures he had implemented. Of those, Jacques, Robyn, Pietro Polendina and Councilmen Sleet and Camilla have begun doubting his state of mind and the honesty of his intentions.
Ironwood is well aware of his bad reputation, but is willing to sacrifice what it takes if it means both protecting his Kingdom and stopping Salem. He also chooses to trust Ruby's Group with his secrets, claiming that in order to defeat Salem they need to trust one another. In "As Above, So Below", he begins to start expressing doubt about his actions and believes that he had only helped Salem's plans move forward. Upon learning the truth about Salem and Ozpin, he is shocked at being lied to. However, he is willing to focus on saving Mantle and at first seems to have taken the truth well after advice from Oscar Pine. He is also willing to finally tell the truth about Salem and work with Robyn despite ordering her arrest.
During his fight with Arthur Watts in "Gravity", he showed no hesitation when he sacrificed his only remaining Human hand to get out of his trap. This action represents him losing another part of his Humanity.
As of "Gravity", once he learns Cinder is in Atlas, as well as the lies from Ruby's Group and that Salem was coming, Ironwood resorts to drastic measures. Now more distrustful than ever before, he believes the entirety of Ruby's Group betrayed him, leading him to commit many unethical acts in order to prevent Salem from winning, due to him feeling like her arrival was a personal matter. He was willing to abandon Mantle despite the people not being fully evacuated and use the Relic of Creation to raise Atlas into the sky instead of Amity Tower, deciding he'd abandon his original plan to solely save the city instead. He also planned on putting the entire Kingdom of Atlas in a state of martial law without the council's approval. He even went so far as to shoot Oscar without any hesitation afterwards so he could proceed with his plan. He performed many of these actions because he believes that he is backed into a corner and is doing the only sensible thing. Miles Luna believes that if Ironwood would allow himself to be more vulnerable more often, then things would have gone differently between him and Ruby's Group.
As of "Divide", Ironwood has taken even more extreme actions than before, as shown when he kills Councilman Sleet after declaring martial law and forcing Watts to work with him at gunpoint, in order to hack Penny to bring her back.
Ironwood has an immense interest and love for astronomy, later choosing to reflect that in his office at Atlas Academy.
Powers and Abilities[]
As a general, Ironwood normally doesn't associate himself with the front lines of combat and usually orders his forces using his tactical know-how and military knowledge. However, when pressed, he is very adept in combat.
As revealed in "Battle of Beacon", Ironwood uses a revolver to fight off Grimm. Ironwood is an impressive marksman, as he effortlessly dispatched multiple Atlesian Knight-200s within the space of several seconds, the heads of the first two cleanly removed by his shots. He shoots using his organic arm; in close combat, he also uses his revolver to pistol-whip opponents, usually switching to his cybernetic arm for added power. He possesses formidable physical strength in close combat, as his cybernetic arm was able to completely stop a fully-armored Beowolf's attack and throw the beast around with little effort. In "Taking Control", he slams his robotic fist on Jacques' desk with enough force to severely damage the surface.
Like all beings with a soul, Ironwood possesses a power called a Semblance. Ironwood's Semblance is called "Mettle"; it reinforces his willpower, which enhances his focus and resolve and allows for quicker and more efficient decision-making, though it also makes Ironwood extremely stubborn and set-minded.
Ironwood also possesses an Aura, a natural energy field produced by his soul that can defend against attacks and heal minor wounds. When it is overtaxed, it flashes blue and requires time to recover.
Quotes[]
“
Oz, you and I both know why I brought those men.
„
~ Ironwood, reassuring Ozpin about his military's presence.
“
But ask yourself this: do you honestly believe your children can win a war?
„
~ Ironwood, before leaving Ozpin's office.
“
I have served you faithfully for years...but if you mean to tell me that your plan is to hold the defenses, and wait—
„
~ Ironwood, questioning Ozpin.
“
I refuse to believe that a man that I've trusted for so long would act so... passively.
„
~ Ironwood, to Glynda Goodwitch in regards to Ozpin.
“
This is the right move, Ozpin. I promise, I will keep our people safe; you have to trust me.
„
~ Ironwood, to Ozpin.
“
I'm going to give you one chance. Who's really behind all this?
„
~ Ironwood, to Roman Torchwick.
“
The council's given me custody over you for as long as I see fit. So you can make yourself comfortable. I can be sure that you'll have plenty of time to talk.
„
~ Ironwood, to Torchwick.
“
If you were one of my men, I would have you shot!
„
~ Ironwood, to Qrow Branwen.
“
Discreet wasn't working. I'm here because this is what was necessary.
„
~ Ironwood, about the military presence in Vale.
“
For the past few years, Atlas has been studying Aura from a more scientific standpoint- how it works, what it's made of, how it can be used. We've made... significant strides. And we believe we've found a way to capture it.
„
~ Ironwood.
“
Someone's done the impossible and gained control of my machines. And that enormous Grimm seems to be fixated on the school. Glynda, form up the local Huntsmen and establish a safe zone here in Vale. We need to evacuate Beacon. Qrow, I'm leaving that to you and my men. I still need to get to my ship.
„
~ Ironwood.
“
That is a load of garbage and you know it.
„
~ Ironwood calling Jacques Schnee out on his false altruism.
“
She's the only one making sense around here.
„
~ Ironwood to the Trophy Wife, about Weiss Schnee.
“
That's exactly what I'm doing. Our people need protection. By this time next week, the Kingdom of Atlas will be officially closing its borders. No one in; no one out. Without the council's permission.
„
~ Ironwood threatens Jacques.
“
You always were a pain in the ass.
„
~ Ironwood to Arthur Watts.
“
I will sacrifice whatever it takes to stop her!
„
~ Ironwood to Watts.
“
James is what my friends call me. To you, it's General.
„
~ Ironwood to Oscar during their confrontation.
Trivia[]
"Ironwood" is a common name applied to a number of types of wood known for their hardness. Alternatively, Ironwood (Járnviðr) is also the name of a location in Norse mythology.
By the time of Volume 8, Ironwood looks similar to William Riker; even how Jason Rose voices him is eerily similar to Jonathan Frakes (Riker's actor).
As his Semblance (Mettle) is always on, it is unknown if his villainous actions are a result of Mettle or his paranoia.
Ironwood alludes to the Tin Man from the Oz series.
Ironwood doesn't use a bladed weapon. He uses two pistols called Dual Process, which he can combine with a third part to create a hand cannon, capable of vaporizing people in one shot if they don't have an aura.
In the Japanese dub, he is voiced by Masaki Terasoma, who also dubbed Agent 47 from Hitman series, and voiced Kintaros in Kamen Rider Den-O and Kishiryu Tyramigo in Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger.
