Early Impressions: Aldnoah.Zero

It's time to talk about an anime I mentioned in a previous post, my runner-up for best new show of the 2014 Summer anime season, Aldnoah.Zero! This show is being helmed by another dream team consisting of Gen Urobuchi (writer of Fate/Zero, Madoka Magica, Psycho Pass), Ei Aoki (director of Fate/Zero, Wandering Son, Garden of Sinners), and Hiroyuki Sawano (Kill la Kill, Attack on Titan, Blue Exorcist) composing the music! Aldnoah.Zero takes place in an alternate present where mechs are commonplace in the military and humanity has colonized Mars. During the colonization a powerful technology known as "The light of Aldnoah" was discovered thus allowing Martian technology to far surpass that of the lowly "Terrans." After an act of terrorism the Martians have the excuse they need to flex their proverbial muscles and invade the planet Earth.

I can't help but notice the strong similarities between this show and Code Geass in regards to the plot. I loved Code Geass so I have no problem with this. It helps that the main character doesn't seem to have any type of superpower like Lelouch, it makes the story more human. My only complaint is that the main character, Inaho, is comically devoid of emotion. In one scene, as he notices a missile fly past his group of friends, he calmly suggests that maybe they should think of moving. It's REALLY weird. Maybe his lack of emotions will become a plot point in future episodes but for now it is just strange. Regardless, I am hooked on this show! It is off to a great start and I highly recommend giving it a shot!

It is available via Crunchyroll.