M3: Sono Kuroki Hagane

Ten years after the Lightless Realm's creation, Kukujicho grows desolate as fear spreads among its residents.

A decade has elapsed since the Lightless Realm came into existence, leading to increasing desolation in Kukujicho as the populace's anxiety intensifies. Akashi Saginuma, a distinguished student at Kukunochi Academy, is summoned by his instructor alongside his friendly companion, Iwato Namito. The two are then introduced to a specialized pilot training course, an exclusive program designed for the most exceptional students who have been carefully selected for participation.

Emiru and Mahmu investigate hospital ruins to find the Reaper and meet Heito Isaku.

A rumor claims that hearing the Corpse's song causes mysterious death within nine days. This belief appears validated when an incident occurs involving Akashi and his classmates. To verify a second legend, Emiru and Mahmu travel to the ruins of a hospital. They seek the Reaper, an entity rumored to be dormant there and capable of defeating the Corpse. During their investigation, they encounter Heito Isaku. Heito is identified as another individual selected for the pilot training course. The group's journey into the ruins leads to this unexpected meeting with a fellow trainee amidst the unfolding mystery.

Akashi trains as Reaper pilot while new student Sasame Izuriha joins his class

The Reaper was developed to defeat the Corpse. Akashi begins training as its pilot, but excessive stress causes him to struggle with mounting frustration. Meanwhile, Sasame Izuriha, the final pilot candidate, transfers into his class. Akashi finds Sasame occupying his thoughts and attempts to speak with her.

Akashi and candidates face island training dangers while Raika and Iwato fear Heito.

Akashi and the pilot candidates were dropped onto a deserted island for mock investigation training in uncharted territory. One condition for clearing the mission was for all members to gather in one location. Iwato and Raika fear the danger that Heito, who landed earlier, possesses. The candidates are enveloped in anxiety and terror beyond words. Sasame's singing voice guided Akashi and the others through this terrifying situation.

Heito and Emiru face terrifying synchronization challenges near the Lightless Realm

Pilots must synchronize their thoughts to control MA-Vess units. Heito and Emiru demonstrate high synchronicity and are involuntarily paired for field training near the Lightless Realm. The environment reacts to terror Emiru hides deep within her heart, creating an abnormal atmosphere. As time passes, Heito's insanity corners Emiru. This situation forces a point of no return. The pair must navigate these psychological and environmental hazards while maintaining the necessary mental connection. The training exercise turns dangerous as internal fears manifest externally, threatening the stability of their bond and their safety in the field.

Akashi Pilots the Reaper Amidst Academy Assault and Mandatory Standby

Deep sorrow envelops everyone, including Akashi, regarding the tragic events affecting Emiru. Despite these feelings, pilot candidates are ordered to remain on 24-hour standby for security purposes. Minashi disobeys this directive, while Heito remains fixated on Emiru as they both head toward the laboratory. During this time, an unexpected enemy launches an assault on the academy. Driven by Emiru's wishes, Akashi boards the Reaper to confront the threat. The narrative highlights the tension between the mandatory security protocols and the urgent need to respond to the sudden attack on the academy grounds.

Corpse Appearance Causes Academy Terror as Natsuiri Plans Pilot Selection

The emergence of the Corpse beyond the Lightless Realm instills widespread fear within the academy. As staff accelerate development of the next Reaper prototype for combat, they initiate a pilot selection process during which Natsuiri devises a specific strategy. Meanwhile, Akashi travels to the ruins of a town at Kasane's behest, only to encounter Heito. Heito's animosity toward Akashi becomes evident due to the situation surrounding Emiru, resulting in relentless provocation and taunting directed at Akashi by his adversary.

Akashi and Heito retrieve a recorder from the Lightless Realm after ten years

A signal is received from a data recorder left behind by an investigative unit in the Lightless Realm ten years ago. This unit is the one Aoshi once piloted. Harboring complicated emotions, Akashi heads to recover the recorder together with Heito. As soon as they enter the Lightless Realm, the two lose sight of each other. Immersed in abnormal levels of tension, Akashi and Heito eventually come to cross paths with their pasts.

Akashi Leaves IX While Natsuiri Pursues the Second Machine's Recovery

Akashi escapes the Lightless Realm, leaving Heito and the second machine, Sable, behind with their safety unknown. He attempts to depart IX, declaring he will never pilot the Reaper again. However, upon visiting the hangar, Natsuiri calls him back. Driven by the need to recover the second machine, Natsuiri discusses a specific system located aboard the MA-Vesses. This conversation interrupts Akashi's departure, shifting the focus toward the technical aspects of the machinery left in the Lightless Realm and the ongoing efforts to retrieve it.

Akashi Re-enters the Lightless Realm Amidst Admonition Attack

Akashi resolves to return to the Lightless Realm after uncovering secrets regarding the Reaper he pilots and the second machine controlled by Heito. He struggles to maintain his search while battling psychological intrusion and confusion from Aoshi's memories merging with his own. The Admonition launches another assault on him during this vulnerable period. Despite these severe mental and physical challenges, Akashi perseveres through difficult efforts to locate the second machine. His journey is marked by internal conflict and external threats as he seeks answers about the machines and his own identity within the dangerous realm.

Akashi resolves to defeat the Corpse after Natsuiri reveals the second machine's secrets to the students.

Following Akashi's return, Iwato and other students learn the grave secrets of the second machine after interrogating Natsuiri. Despite the students' anger at the cruel truth, Natsuiri acts in a surprising manner. Meanwhile, Akashi becomes determined to defeat the Corpse to resolve a specific situation. Overcome by regret and anger, he trembles while encountering Sasame on a moonlit wooden terrace. The narrative focuses on the tension between the students' reaction to the revelation and Akashi's singular focus on his mission, culminating in this fateful meeting under the moonlight.

Sasame Prays for Akashi's Safety Amidst Corpse Attacks in the Lightless Realm

Sasame prays for Akashi, who entered the Lightless Realm. The original mission was to recover the second machine and Heito. However, Akashi focused intensely on protecting Sasame and attacked the Corpse that appeared. The Corpse launched fierce attacks, pushing back the Reaper and causing severe damage. Sasame perceives the critical situation. Minashi offers words of encouragement. This support helps Sasame process the events. The narrative highlights the danger posed by the Corpse and the shift in priorities from the initial objective to personal protection. The Reaper suffers significant harm during the confrontation. The scene emphasizes the emotional stakes and the physical toll of the battle within the Lightless Realm.

Akashi mourns Gueules pilot Minashi Maki before confronting the Corpse

Akashi learns that Minashi Maki piloted Gueules, the third MA-Vess that saved him, and is devastated by the truth of its identity. Overcome with grief and displaced anger, he directs his rage toward the Corpse. Together with the Reaper, Akashi relentlessly pursues and corners their target. Just as they seem to have the upper hand, a girl appears whom Akashi mistakes for Sasame. This unexpected intervention leads to the destruction of the Corpse, altering the outcome of the confrontation and deepening Akashi's emotional turmoil regarding the sacrifices made to protect him.

Akashi Saginuma's Disappearance and Mahmu's Decision to Pilot Sable

As the Lightless Realm expands, Akashi Saginuma remains missing. Iwato and other students discover they are called the "children spirited away." Reading Mahmu's old notebooks clarifies why they were gathered. Mahmu chooses to pilot Sable, the second machine, to fulfill Emiru's wish to live for happiness rather than revenge.

The Morning Gray Vacant Heart

Past connections reveal Lightless Realm origins as IX faces Admonition attacks

Tsugumi shares childhood memories with Akashi and Gargouille members, revealing the true origin of the Lightless Realm. Simultaneously, the activation of this realm triggers an assault on IX headquarters by the Admonitions. Natsuiri also comes under attack during this crisis. In response, Raika and Iwato deploy their Vesses to defend the location where Akashi and the others can safely return. They engage in intense combat to protect their home, striving valiantly against the invading forces despite the overwhelming odds they face in this critical battle.

Akashi confronts the revived Corpse while remembering his past sins in the Lightless Realm.

Akashi recalls a past transgression within the Lightless Realm as Tsugumi seeks vengeance against eight children, including him. The resurrected Corpse gains strength through Tsugumi’s rage and madness, overpowering Mahmu and Minashi. Determined to save Sasame, Akashi rushes to aid the Argent in battle against the Corpse. The Reaper’s roar accompanies Akashi’s fierce resolve to find redemption. This confrontation highlights the escalating conflict driven by Tsugumi’s insanity and the threat posed by the revived entity to the group.

The group investigates Yomijima to uncover Arbornine secrets while Minashi recalls past trauma.

Suzaki, Akashi, and others travel secretly to Yomijima to research the Arbornine secret that stops Necrometal infection. This island is where Minashi and two girls were born. As they explore, Minashi is overwhelmed by memories of a massacre at the ruined IX laboratory. Natsuiri arrives on the island after chasing the group. Natsuiri brings the very first MA-Vess. The group faces this new threat while dealing with Minashi's traumatic recollections. The investigation into the Arbornine continues amidst the danger posed by Natsuiri and the MA-Vess. The events on Yomijima connect the past massacre to the current Necrometal crisis.

Natsuiri battles regrets while Necrometal consumes him as Akashi reunites with Minashi.

Natsuiri controls the MA-Vess carrying Mimei and fights off the Admonitions generated by the islanders' regrets. As he struggles against these manifestations, the Necrometal begins to slowly corrode his body. In a separate location on Yomijima, Akashi's group attempts to escape the island. During their journey, they encounter the stray Minashi at the rear of a small, old shrine. This reunion occurs amidst their efforts to leave Yomijima, while Natsuiri continues his battle against both external threats and the internal decay caused by the Necrometal.

Kasane investigates the abandoned hospital while Suzaki assumes command of Akashi's group.

Following their return from Yomijima, Suzaki takes over command of Akashi and his team. Meanwhile, Kasane travels to an abandoned hospital to find materials left by Natsuiri, hoping to solve the mystery surrounding the Lightless Stone. During her search, she is attacked by an Admonition. Akashi arrives to rescue her using the Argent, but Kasane feels only uneasiness due to the ship's unnatural resonance rates. The situation highlights the tension between the new leadership structure and the ongoing danger posed by the mysterious entities in the area.

You Will, to the Birth Cry of the End

Minashi defies orders to reach Tsugumi while the Lightless Realm expands around the IX tower.

Minashi disobeys direct orders to proceed alone toward the Corpse, intending to offer Tsugumi some comfort. Upon arrival, Tsugumi interrupts his approach and attacks him in a fit of anger. Meanwhile, the rapidly expanding Lightless Realm engulfs the IX tower where Kasane and Suzaki are located. At the front line, Mahmu distracts the Corpse by keeping its attention focused on herself. In the midst of this chaos, Akashi hears Heito’s voice calling out to him, adding to the tension as the group faces the encroaching darkness and internal conflict.

Evidence demonstrating the identity of the most powerful individual

Akashi and Sasame confront Minashi within the corpse to end the Lightless Realm crisis.

Inside the corpse, Akashi witnesses Tsugumi’s past loneliness before Minashi attempts to infect him with Necrometal. Sasame intervenes, disguising herself as GUELES to resonate with Akashi against Minashi’s rebellion. Their connection proves warmer than before, yet they nearly fall until Tsugumi halts the corpse and Minashi. Akashi offers Minashi a chance to restart, emphasizing unity through mutual understanding. With the Lightless Realm stopped, Kasane discovers a method to revive those turned into Vesses. The aftermath shows Kasane, Iwato, and Heito recovering in peaceful moments. Tsugumi reflects on her actions and apologizes for Sasame. Finally, Akashi visits Sasame in the hospital, shedding tears of joy as she opens her eyes, signaling a hopeful new beginning for the group.