Princess of VERS

Princess of VERS (火星のプリンセス) is the first episode of ALDNOAH.ZERO, it first aired in Japan on July 5, 2014.

Synopsis
Princess Asseylum Vers Allusia wants to see Earth for the first time and plans a goodwill visit. However, Count Cruhteo doesn't seem to be sharing the same feelings about Earth. Does this mean that there will not be peace between Earth and Mars.

Plot
Act One

The act of terrorism is played up by the Count Saazbaum's propaganda to the Orbital Knights. Claiming Princess Asseylum's heartfelt wish for peace has been mercilessly crushed by a violent act of the "treacherous Terrans".

He believes that as subjects of the Vers Empire, they must resolutely bring down the hammer of righteousness in response to the atrocity committed by "Old Humanity".

The grand task that has spanned generations, the Earthfall Operation, will now be carried out. Count Cruhteo arrives on the bridge of his Landing Castle, which targets Japan.

Slaine watches the screen on the floor as the Landing Castle approaches the Earth.

Of the 37 Landing Castles remaining in orbit, the United Forces of Earth have confirmation of 19 coming down. The ASIMOV system projects that the landing points are New Orleans, Beijing, Mozambique, and Tokyo. It is believed one Landing Castle will come down somewhere within 20km of Ichigaya or Chiyoda Ward.

One UFE soldier criticizes the Vers Imperial Forces' tactics for not having command structure while listening to Yuki's current situation. Lt. Marito enters the room, he states that the Vers Imperial Forces don't need a command structure.

Each of the 37 different knights leads 37 distinct military forces. Yuki asks if they are unilaterally breaking the ceasefire. Still, Lt. Marito knows that they've been fighting up in the wreckage of the moon. A war to live to fight another day. Meanwhile, various Orbital Knights activate their Kataphrakts.

In New Orleans at 20:05 CDT, the Landing Castle targeting that city descends and causes mass destruction, a child looks up at the sky and points to the "shooting stars" to his sister, he makes a wish for world peace on the stars that are in fact debris from the drops.

Quotes
"Inko Amifumi revising for History on the bus."

- And so, the discovery of an artifact belonging to an ancient Martian civilization, the Hyper Gate, on the Moon by Apollo 17, paved the way for the human colonization and development of Mars. However, this resulted in the appearance of the Vers Empire, which claimed ownership of the Martian relics and Aldnoah, their ancient technology and proved to be the source of a long-standing conflict.

"Inaho Kaizuka tells the others that Yuki Kaizuka will be late"

- Inaho: My sister overslept. Well if she shows some spirit she should make it in time for drills.

Calm: How could yoy shirk your duty to escort our Goddess of Tuesdays?

Inaho: Maybe she's Penivia

Calm: Who's that?

Inaho: The goddess of laziness.

"Narrator"

- In 1999, the Vers Empire finally declared war against the UE. As a result of the fierce back and forth fighting on the Moon's surface, the Hyper Gate went out of control and destroyed the Moon itself. The astronomical body that had been Earth's satellite for 4.5 billion years was pulverized into countless boulders and now continues on in its orbit as the Satellite Belt. As a result of this event, Earth suffered catastrophic damage. Meteor impacts, gravity wave-induced crustal deformation, earthquakes, tsunami, abnormal weather... Scars left by the catastrophe that followed on in the wake of the Moon's breakup, left by the catastrophe that followed on in the wake of the Moon's breakup, Heavens Fall, are still fresh all around the world. Soldiers of the Vers Imperial Army whose path home to Mars was cut off by the destruction of the Hyper Gate took up residence in the Satellite Belt, and even with travel between Earth and Mars now possible without the Hyper Gate...

"Warrant Officer Kaizuka scolds Lt. Koichiro Marito"

- When a teacher smells of alcohol, students lose respect for him.

"Lt. Marito to Soma Yagarai"

- The KG-6 Sleipnir. The Kataphrakt developed by the UE to prepare for the coming Martian threat. A manned humanoid weapon. Military training is now part of their required curriculum. They fire off that 75mm cannon like it's some game, and you guys tell 'em they can defend the ol'homeland. Pumping those kids' heads full of this stupid crap, you call this a job? Get real.

"Lt. Marito"

- 15 years ago, the top brass hushed up what happened in Tanegashima. Nobody believes me when I tell them now.

But even if no one else remembers, I do.

"Princess Asseylum Vers Allusia to Slaine Troyard"

- I shall deliver your and your father's prayer of peace to that blue world. Thank you, Slaine.

"Count Cruhteo to Slaine"

- Know your place, scum. While I appreciate all you have done to dissuade Her Highness from her folly, When a dog soils the carpet, its master is responsible. That is your only warning, Terran.

Songs

 * aLIEz (ED)