Gen Urobuchi’s latest politically charged work drips with the potential of an interplanetary war, and Aldnoah.Zero looks poised to deliver on its promise.

In an alternate present-day reality where humans on Earth and those dwelling in orbital colonies are in a state of tentative peace after fighting over a destructive ancient technology discovered on Mars from a culture called the Aldnoah, shit hits the fan.

Asseylum, the princess of the Martian humans, is set to make her first visit to Earth as a show of good faith, but if you thought there’d be no security risk from such an opportunity, you thought wrong. Aldnoah.Zero’s first episode introduces us to a host of interesting characters from both planets, including some carefree Earth students who are required to study military weapons as part of their high school curriculum. When those students  head to a welcoming parade for Asseylum, they bear witness to her apparent assassination. 

The incident sparks a swift retaliation from the Martian forces in orbit and the episode closes with heavy imagery of bombs demolishing major Earth cities. Paired with the murmurs of a promising vocals-laden soundtrack, Aldnoah.Zero could turn out to be an emotional trip.

Rating: 4/5

Aldnoah.Zero is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

Check out this header post for more Summer 2014 anime previews and for more on why I’m taking a stab at them in the first place.