Ep. 8: Nakazono, Samari, and Kunato squads battle Gauna while Nagate retrieves a sample resembling Shizuka.

The Nakazono, Samari, and Kunato squads engage three Gauna, with units 005, 007, 026, 174, 701, 704, 705, and 706 participating. Kunato squad exposes a human-like ena using a Heigus particle cannon. After destroying Gauna 491, Nagate retrieves a sample. Samari squad destroys Gauna 489. Nakazono squad fights Gauna 490, which mimics Shizuka’s voice to kill members, causing Kunato panic and Ho Honoka’s death. Gauna 490, later named Benisuzume, retreats when Nagate appears. Pilots mourn five KIA companions. Captain Kobayashi faces Lala’s criticism regarding Nagate’s frequent sorties. Kobayashi reveals Nagate’s immortality and his status as a liability to the Immortal Ship Crew, citing his late friend Saito’s skills. Lala recalls the Fourth Defensive War 100 years ago, where only 392 citizens and 25 council members survived, including herself, Kobayashi, Saito, and Ochiai. Ochiai was spared execution after copying archive files to his brain before deletion. These files were moved to a clone’s brain. Saito disappeared, reappearing 80 years later as an aged man after renouncing immortality. Kobayashi cloned Saito to preserve his memory, creating Nagate. Saito refused mind transfer, kidnapping infant Nagate with Lala’s help to teach piloting. The Gauna sample resembles Shizuka and speaks Nagate’s name.

▶ Watch on Crunchyroll