Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Ars Nova

By 2039, global warming had caused sea levels to rise and large amount of territory to be lost. As though in response, a mysterious group of warships clad in mist, “the Fleet of Mist,” appeared in every corner of the ocean, and began attacking human ships. In spite of humanity mustering all their strength, they were utterly defeated by the Mist's overwhelming force. All of humanity's trade routes were blockaded by the Fleet of Mist, their political economy was destroyed, and the human race was steadily beaten down. Seven years later, the Fleet of Mist's submarine I-401 appears before cadet Gunzo Chihaya. The humanoid life form that pilots the sub, who should be their enemy, is instead offering her services to mankind.

Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Ars Nova (2013) is a Japanese anime series produced by Sanzigen and broadcast on MBS, a single-season limited run of twelve 24-minute episodes. Cadet Gunzou Chihaya (voiced by Kazuyuki Okitsu) encounters Iona (voiced by Mai Fuchigami), a humanoid life form who pilots the submarine I-401 for the mysterious Fleet of Mist, and the two are drawn into a fight that mankind has been losing for years. The engine of the show is simple and urgent: humanity is starved by blockades after rising seas have swallowed territory, and a small crew must decide whether an enemy that once wiped out their navies can be trusted. Episodes are built around naval engagements, submarine maneuvers and the tactical sparring of officers such as Iori Watanuki (voiced by Minami Tsuda) and Shizuka Hazumi (voiced by Nao Toyama). The atmosphere is grave and melancholic, with fog-bound seas, desperate ship-to-ship combat and a steady undercurrent of dread about a civilization on the edge of collapse. Set in a near future Earth, it suits viewers who enjoy military anime, naval strategy and the tensions of a hopeless war. Fans of Kantai Collection, Battlestar Galactica and Terra Formars will find resonance in its blend of sea combat, sentient warships and survival stakes.

Audiences praise the series' naval action, submarine battles and the bond between the cadet and the Mist submarine, while its compressed story and light character development draw mixed reactions.

• Kantai Collectionshared submarine naval warfare, mecha-like anime action with cadet protagonist and sea-based conflict
• Arpeggio of Blue Steelshared tone of ocean war, sentient warships and human-machine bonds in a post-disaster world
• Battlestar Galactica (2004)shared grim near-future war, humanity losing to an overwhelming enemy, naval strategy and military drama
• Terra Formarsshared near-future setting with global collapse and military conflict in a world under siege

Release Date

2013-10-08

Episode runtime

24 min

Rating

7.0 / 10 (52)

What is Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Ars Nova about?

In a 2039 world crippled by rising seas, a cadet teams up with a mysterious warship girl from the Fleet of Mist to turn the tide against an enemy that has beaten humanity.

What is Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Ars Nova like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Ars Nova as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Ars Nova violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Ars Nova as moderate.

What did critics think of Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Ars Nova?

Audiences praise the series' naval action, submarine battles and the bond between the cadet and the Mist submarine, while its compressed story and light character development draw mixed reactions.

Which shows are like Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Ars Nova?

Shows with a similar feel include Kantai Collection, Arpeggio of Blue Steel, Battlestar Galactica (2004), and Terra Formars.

How long is Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Ars Nova?

Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Ars Nova: 1 season, 12 episodes.

Is Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Ars Nova still running?

No, Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Ars Nova has ended.

Where can I watch Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Ars Nova?

In United States, Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Ars Nova streams on Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll Amazon Channel.