Aldnoah.Zero

Asseylum travels to Earth for peace, but a terrorist attack triggers a devastating Martian counteroffensive.

After the Apollo 17 mission discovered Hypergate technology on the moon, humans settled Mars and established the Vers Empire using Aldnoah tech. Tensions with Earth escalated into open war in 1999, culminating in Heaven's Fall, where a Hypergate malfunction destroyed the moon. Fifteen years later, Princess Asseylum Vers Allusia arrives on Earth for a peace mission, despite Slaine's warnings. In Shinawara, Inaho Kaizuki trains to become a Kataphrakt pilot alongside his sister Yuki, who already serves in the Earth military. During the welcoming parade, terrorists attack the delegation. Although the initial assault fails, a second volley destroys the limousine, leading to the presumed death of the princess. This event provokes the Martian Vers Orbital Knights to launch a massive assault on Earth, destroying New Orleans and other major cities, while two children witness the destruction and wish for world peace.

Vers invasion hits Earth cities while Inaho uncovers the truth behind Asseylum's death

The Vers Empire launches a surprise assault on New Orleans, Maputo, Beijing, and Tokyo using Landing Castles and Martian Kataphrakts. In Shinawara, Inaho informs Edelrittuo and an unknown girl about the need to evacuate, revealing that Princess Asseylum was assassinated by Vers loyalists posing as terrorists. The girl clarifies that Asseylum survived the planet fall but fell ill due to gravity changes, and the deceased was a body double. Baron Trillram eliminates the assassins to hide the false flag operation, killing most agents except Rayet. After 2nd Lt. Marito’s squad fails to stop Trillram, Inaho rescues Rayet and Yuki. Trillram pursues them, killing Okisuke, before Inaho diverts the enemy Kataphrakt to facilitate the evacuation.

Inaho devises a counterattack against Trillram while evacuating civilians and Princess Asseylum

Inaho and his friends remain trapped in the school, tasked with distracting the enemy Kataphrakt while Marito organizes the evacuation of students and civilians. Dissatisfied with merely serving as bait, Inaho formulates a strategy to combat Trillram and his nearly invulnerable machine. The unknown girl and Rayet volunteer to pilot the decoy truck, initiating the operation. Simultaneously, Marito and Captain Magbaredge lead the rescue of non-combatants from Inaho’s group, while Inaho, Calm, and Inko engage Trillram directly. Upon capturing the decoy, the girl reveals herself as Princess Asseylum, creating an opening for Inaho to deliver the final blow. As the group regroups, Slaine and Trillram attempt to flee. Trillram confesses that the Princess’s assassination was a Martian conspiracy and that he must eliminate her. Enraged by this revelation, Slaine shoots Trillram multiple times, killing him.

Martian bombardment of Shinawara prompts evacuation and Asseylum's secret plea to Inaho

Martians attack Shinawara with meteors as Slaine departs. Inaho joins a United Forces of Earth squad under Captain Magbaredge for a sea evacuation. Asseylum reveals her true form to Inaho, requesting assistance in contacting her father to halt the conflict between Earth and the Vers Empire. A Martian Knight named Vlad assaults the military in a Kataphract equipped with a massive beam sword capable of piercing defenses and blocking projectiles. Forces repel the attack using AP rounds while Inaho, Calm, and Inko strike the enemy machine with a shipping container. Vlad retreats upon the arrival of Magbaredge’s ship, the Watdatsumi, which brings reinforcements. Magbaredge then proceeds to evacuate all personnel aboard the vessel.

Martian Emperor pauses conflict while Inaho defeats Vlad and Slaine fails to warn Vers.

The Emperor of Mars orders a ceasefire to investigate Earth events. Inaho and allies rest on the Watdatsumi as Asseylum debates revealing her identity, though Rayet warns this endangers them. Vlad returns in his repaired Kataphract with twin beam katanas to rematch the orange training unit piloted by Inaho. Inaho lures Vlad into an attack, rigging his machine to drag the enemy into the ocean. The resulting steam explosion kills Vlad. Meanwhile, Slaine attempts to inform the Vers Emperor that Asseylum is alive and that some Knights conspired for war. Before he can finish, Saazbaum interrupts, accusing Slaine of providing false information. The Emperor immediately declares war based on this claim.

Slaine is exiled as war breaks out and a Martian Kataphract attacks the carrier.

Lord Cruhteo declares Slaine persona non grata while the Vers Emperor initiates war against Earth. All able citizens of Watdatsumi are conscripted into the UFE military, much to Calm’s dismay as he is assigned as a mechanic. En route to Tanegashima, Lieutenant Marito discusses the suppressed Tanegashima Report regarding a Martian Kataphrakt battle and a lunar impact preceding Heaven's Fall. Magbaredge reveals her surname is Humeray and accuses Marito of causing her brother’s death. Femieanne attacks the carrier in the Martian Kataphract Hellas, using arms that tear the ship apart. Inaho attempts to defend the vessel but struggles against the overwhelming force, while Marito experiences PTSD. Inaho uses high-powered rifle rounds to deflect the arms, but Slaine arrives in his Martian Sky Carrier to destroy the final threat.

Inaho and Slaine cooperate against flying arms while discovering a hidden facility.

Inaho deduces Slaine’s arrival is temporary assistance, and the pair coordinate to shield the Watdatsumi from Hellas flying arms. A stray strike exposes a cliffside dock, prompting Magbaredge to order the ship inside and seal the entrance. The crew investigates the site, uncovering remnants of a Martian Kataphrakt from fifteen years ago alongside other items. Inaho, Yuki, and Inko stay behind to engage Femieanne. Inaho boards Slaine’s craft, identifying engine and palm vulnerabilities to destroy the enemy units. When Femieanne attempts to ram them with the Hellas, a giant alien battleship emerges from Tanegashima, activated by Asseylum and piloted by the Watdatsumi crew. Inaho and Slaine shoot down Femieanne, allowing Rayet to finish her off. Following a brief discussion of intentions, Inaho shoots down Slaine to facilitate future plans involving the princess.

Flashbacks reveal the Deucalion's discovery and Asseylum's identity, while Slaine endures Cruhteo's torture at Landing Castle.

The Watdatsumi crew discovers the Martian battleship Deucalion hidden under Tanegashima. Asseylum reveals her true identity to the crew and uses her royal blood to activate the Aldnoah Drive. Magbaredge agrees to protect her and escort her to UFE HQ. On deck, Asseylum sees birds for the first time with Inaho. Meanwhile, Slaine is captured by Cruhteo and taken to Landing Castle. Cruhteo tortures Slaine to learn why he betrayed him, while Saazbaum watches. Slaine remains silent about Cruhteo's loyalty and recalls childhood memories with Asseylum on Mars. He eventually reveals that Asseylum is alive and that Martians carried out the assassination plot. Cruhteo orders a ceasefire to find the conspirators. However, Saazbaum attacks the castle, killing Cruhteo and capturing Slaine.

Rayet and Marito confront trauma in simulators while Slaine learns Saazbaum's conspiracy

Rayet experiences PTSD during combat simulator training upon seeing a virtual Nilokeras. Doctor Yagarai uses the program to help Marito process his Tanegashima trauma from 15 years prior, triggering a flashback to 1999 where he killed John Humeray. Meanwhile, Slaine visits Saazbaum, who admits to conspiring to kill the princess and restart the war with Earth to reform the Vers Empire, sparing Slaine due to a debt to his father. Back on the Deucalion, Rayet struggles to empathize with Asseylum after the simulator reminded her of taking down Nilokeras. Rayet finds Asseylum alone in the shower, sneaks up behind her, and strangles her with her own necklace. When Rayet regains focus, the Aldnoah drive on the Deucalion shuts down, causing the entire ship to crash.

Inaho Revives Asseylum While Rayet Takes Hostages and Saazbaum Reveals Martian Truths

Inaho uses CPR and a defibrillator to revive Asseylum in the shower room, but Rayet holds everyone hostage with Magbaredge's pistol. Blaming Asseylum for UFE integration, Rayet aims at herself until Inaho disarms her and offers a chance to fight Martians. Magbaredge imprisons Rayet and privately views Marito's confession in Yagarai's lab. Saazbaum reveals to Slaine that the Vers Empire attacked Earth to distract from Mars' resource shortages. Saazbaum and his wife, Viscountess Orleans, joined the Tanegashima attack, but Orleans died during escape. The Deucalion reaches UFE headquarters in Russia as Asseylum attempts a ceasefire broadcast. Saazbaum informs Slaine that his allies control the Moon satellite base, blocking the message. He offers Slaine Cruhteo's Tharsis Kataphract and a choice: stay and fight or flee to Earth as an enemy.

Saazbaum attacks UFE base with missiles while Asseylum attempts to disable the Aldnoah Drive

Saazbaum lands his Landing Castle near UFE headquarters and launches bunker buster missiles to breach the base and eliminate Asseylum. Martian Kataphracts easily defeat the UE defenders. Asseylum asks the Deucalion to transport her to the castle to shut off the Aldnoah Drive, cutting off Saazbaum’s power. With assistance from Rayet and Edelrittuo, she reaches the ship, which escapes the base. Inaho plans a HALO jump from the stratosphere, using unmanned dummy robots to evade anti-air defenses. However, Saazbaum’s Kat Dioskuria appears and shoots down Asseylum’s Kataphract along with the Deucalion. With the original plan failed, Magbaredge decides to ram the damaged Deucalion directly into the Landing Castle to deliver Asseylum.

Yuki and Inko escort Asseylum while Inaho fights Saazbaum and Slaine discovers his Aldnoah core activation ability.

Following the Deucalion crash, Yuki and Inko escort Asseylum to the Landing Castle's Aldnoah core. Inaho confronts Saazbaum, whose Dioskuria Kataphract now holds all previous abilities. Slaine boards the Tharsis to fight but discovers he can also activate Aldnoah cores. Inaho exploits Dioskuria's weaknesses, severely damaging it, but Slaine tackles Inaho's Kataphract before the battle ends. Asseylum shuts down the core just as the Kataphracts crash through the wall. She attempts to help Inaho but is shot and seemingly killed by Saazbaum, who thanks Slaine for saving him. Enraged, Slaine mortally wounds Saazbaum. Inaho crawls to Asseylum, realizing his love for her, but Slaine holds him at gunpoint. Inaho attempts to draw his weapon and is shot. The UFE claims victory after the landing castle shutdown, though Asseylum remains missing.

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