Square Enix’s sci-fi arcade game Starwing Paradox is making a comeback as a prequel anime movie. A new anime feature film titled AS ONE has been announced as a prequel story set 20 years before the events of the game, expanding the game’s universe with a new story. The movie is set to premiere in Summer 2025.
The movie brings together an impressive duo, including Kobun Shizuno, known for directing multiple Detective Conan films, and Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, the legendary artist behind Neon Genesis Evangelion and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, who is returning to redesign the characters for the movie.
What is Starwing Paradox?
Starwing Paradox was an arcade mecha action game developed by Square Enix and featuring animation by Sunrise. Released in 2018, the game revolved around a war between two alien nations on the planet Meguriboshi, both fighting over a powerful energy resource called Hoshinochi. Humans from Earth remotely piloted giant humanoid mechas to participate in the battle.
The game had an all-star creative team, with Sadamoto designing the characters, Ippei Gyobu and Junya Ishigaki designing the mechas, and a script written by Yoichi Kato. It also featured a strong voice cast, including Mikako Komatsu, Ryoko Shiraishi, and Ayaka Suwa, along with music composed by Akio Isutzu.
In 2020, Square Enix stopped updates and shut down the companion mobile app. By October 2021, the servers were officially shut down, leaving only an offline demo mode playable. This shutdown came as Square Enix gradually moved away from online arcade games.
Notably, the game was also surrounded by controversy in 2019 when scheduled tournaments were abruptly canceled following death threats directed at Sadamoto after he publicly criticized a World War II-related sculpture.
A New Story
Instead of a direct adaptation, AS ONE will explore an original prequel story set two decades before the game’s events.
The story follows Yo, a high school student passionate about music, despite facing disapproval from his parents and challenges within his band. One day, he suddenly hears a desperate voice pleading, “Help me!”, before being pulled into a blinding white light.
Meanwhile, far away in space, the colony of Meguriboshi is on the verge of a ceasefire after years of war over energy resources. However, disaster strikes when massive orbital debris threatens the peace ceremony. Rako, a young mecha mechanic, is caught in the chaos and falls into a coma—only to meet Yo in his consciousness, linking two strangers across time and space.
The film’s title, AS ONE, represents unity and the idea of people connecting beyond worlds. Music is set to play a key role in the story, as Yo’s song becomes the bridge that reveals hidden truths about the Starwing Paradox universe, including the origins of Aerial, the secret of Realide, and the deeper connection between Meguriboshi and Earth.
Visuals and Hints at What to Expect
Alongside the Starwing Paradox prequel movie’s announcement, Square Enix revealed concept art and image boards for AS ONE, giving fans a first look at the visuals. One image shows Yo and Rako meeting in a dreamlike space, while another shows a powerful mecha engaged in battle.
Director Shizuno commented on the movie:
This work serves as a prequel leading into the grand narrative of the original game. It offers an immersive story that will captivate both longtime fans of the game and those completely unfamiliar with it.
The heart of the story lies in the melody played by the protagonist, Yo. When his song resonates across time and reaches Meguriboshi, secrets previously untold in the original game will finally be unveiled—secrets about Realide, the origins of Aerial, and the deep connection between Meguriboshi and Earth.
For fans who once experienced the game in arcades, this film will evoke nostalgia alongside new discoveries. And for newcomers, it will serve as the grand beginning of an epic saga.
Let yourself be carried by the music of our protagonists and immerse yourself in this time-traveling, breathtaking adventure on the big screen.
Sadamoto also shared his thoughts:
It’s been a while since I last worked on a feature film. Collaborating with a director for the first time and tackling new creative challenges has made this an incredibly stimulating project. I hope everyone will look forward to it.
With time travel, music, and mecha battles, AS ONE is looking to be an ambitious new sci-fi anime movie that will bring back the world of Starwing Paradox after some time. Stay tuned for more updates as the Summer 2025 release date approaches!
Source: AS ONE Official Website, Comic Natalie
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