Aoki Hagane no Arpeggio: Ars Nova Movie 1 - DC
Synopsis
Humanity finds itself in a struggle when the sea level begins to rise to an unprecedented level in the year 2039. To make matters worse, powerful enemies resembling old wartime vessels called the Fleet of Fog roam the waters, severing communication and transit to various regions. Any attempt at retaliation ends in failure with humanity's current weaponry. Only Gunzou Chihaya stands a chance against the Fleet of Fog as captain of the friendly Fog I-401 submarine Iona. As a result, Gunzou and his crew, known as Blue Steel, are tasked with a critical delivery mission by the Japanese government: they must deliver humanity's last hope against the Fleet of Fog, the Vibration Torpedo Warhead, through hostile waters to the United States for mass production. Though involved in the unsavory conflict, Blue Steel strives for nothing more than a peaceful resolution to it. As Iona undertakes the current mission and tasks beyond it, the crew upholds their values even in the face of harsh situations. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
The movie is primarily intended as a recap for fans of the 'Aoki Hagane no Arpeggio: Ars Nova' series, serving as a refresher before watching the sequel movie. While it provides additional content and ties up loose ends, it is not recommended for newcomers due to its underdeveloped story and reliance on prior knowledge from the series. The audience generally appreciates the new content and animation quality but acknowledges its inaccessibility to new viewers.
Strengths
- Awesome art and animation
- Ties up loose ends from the series, giving a more complete feeling
- Includes an extra 45 minutes of new content
- Introduces new ship designs
- Good recap for those who watched the series
Weaknesses
- Story is underdeveloped as a stand-alone movie
- Viewer comprehension and world-building are lacking for new viewers
- Many interactions and their significance are reduced compared to the series
- Not suitable for anyone who hasn't seen the series