M3: The Dark Metal (2014)
M3: The Dark Metal
2014 / TV-MAIn a dark void known as the Lightless Realm, a group of children meet and bond, but are then separated and returned to their own dimension. Years later, these children reunite to fight "Admonitions," monsters that originate from the same void, using robots known as "Vess." However, their efforts only slow the ever-encroaching and expanding Lightless Realm from infecting their world. Their lives take a drastic turn when a new foe appears in the form of a "Corpse," whose song is rumored to kill any who hear it within nine days. The "Corpse Song" is heard by the group, and with this, they each begin to pull away and become caught up in their own personal problems—ultimately threatening the fate of humanity.
Seasons & Episode
"Those who hear the Corpse's song will die a mysterious death within nine days." As if that rumor became truth, an incident happened before Akashi and his class. Emiru and Mahmu head over to the ruins of a hospital in order to confirm the other rumor that "the Reaper" -- something that supposedly can defeat the Corpse -- was dormant there. And there, they meet Heito Isaku, another one who was chosen to be part of the pilot training course.
"The Reaper" was something created in order to defeat the Corpse. Akashi starts training as the pilot for "the Reaper," but with excessive stress, he cannot hide his mounting frustration. Meanwhile, Sasame Izuriha, the last of the pilot candidates, finally transfers into class. Akashi finds that Sasame is somehow on his mind and tries to talk to her...
Sasame was praying for the safety of Akashi, who headed into the Lightless Realm. The original objective was the recovery of the second machine and Heito, but being so intent on protecting Sasame, Akashi continued to attack the Corpse, which had appeared. However, the Corpse's fierce attacks pushed the Reaper back and severely damaged it. Sasame, feeling the situation at hand, and with encouragement from Minashi's words...
The pilot of Gueules, the third MA-Vess that saved Akashi from his crisis, was Minashi Maki. Akashi becomes stricken with grief over reality of what the true identity of this MA-Vess is. As if he was taking out all his anger that now has nowhere to disperse to, he starts retaliating against the Corpse. Akashi and the Reaper mercilessly corners the Corpse, but then, one girl shows herself...
While the Lightless Realm continues to expand, the whereabouts of Akashi Saginuma remain unknown. Iwato and the other students left behind find out that they are known as the “children spirited away”. As the reasons why they were gathered together become more apparent, Mahmu decides to pilot Sable, the second machine, in order to grant Emiru's wishes.
Akashi remembers the sin he had committed once upon a time in the Lightless Realm. Tsugumi's intent was to seek revenge against the eight children, including Akashi. The Corpse has now revived and starts to overpower Mahmu and Minashi with Tsugumi's anger and insanity. Akashi rushes over to the Argent in order to stand up against the Corpse. The roar of the Reaper echoes alongside his strong desire to seek salvation for Sasame.
To research the secret of the Arbornine that prevents the Necrometal infection from spreading, Suzaki, Akashi and the others secretly headed over to Yomijima, the island where Minashi and the two girls were born. The memories of the massacre that happened in the now ruined IX laboratory flooded into Minashi. Just then, Natsuiri, who had chased the group to the island, shows up together with the "very first MA-Vess.”
Controlling the MA-Vess loaded with Mimei, Natsuiri fends off the Admonitions created by the regrets of the islanders. However, Necrometal starts to slowly eat away at his body. Meanwhile, Akashi's group, seeking escape from Yomijima, becomes reunited with the stray Minashi at the back end of a small, old shrine on the island...
The right to command Akashi and company after their return from Yomijima was handed off to Suzaki. Kasane, who wants to solve the mystery behind the Lightless Stone, heads to the abandoned hospital in search of materials left behind by Natsuiri. However, during her search, an Admonition attacks. Akashi heads to rescue her aboard the Argent, but Kasane could feel nothing but uneasiness at its unnatural resonance rates.
Controlling the MA-Vess loaded with Mimei, Natsuiri fends off the Admonitions created by the regrets of the islanders. However, Necrometal starts to slowly eat away at his body. Meanwhile, Akashi's group, seeking escape from Yomijima, becomes reunited with the stray Minashi at the back end of a small, old shrine on the island...
Minashi alone defies orders and goes on ahead. He arrives at the Corpse in order to give Tsugumi some consolation, but Tsugumi interrupts him and lashes out in anger. The rapidly expanding Lightless Realm envelops even the IX tower that Kasane and Suzaki are in. While Mahmu keeps the Corpse's attention on herself at the front line, Akashi was hearing Heito's voice calling out to him.
In a dark void known as the Lightless Realm, a group of children meet and bond, but are then separated and returned to their own dimension. Years later, these children reunite to fight "Admonitions," monsters that originate from the same void, using robots known as "Vess." However, their efforts only slow the ever-encroaching and expanding Lightless Realm from infecting their world. Their lives take a drastic turn when a new foe appears in the form of a "Corpse," whose song is rumored to kill any who hear it within nine days. The "Corpse Song" is heard by the group, and with this, they each begin to pull away and become caught up in their own personal problems—ultimately threatening the fate of humanity.