"SYNDUALITY Noir" is a new IP developed by Bandai Namco Entertainment, and it has been decided that it will be made into a media mix that will include not only an anime but also a game. It looks like it will be a full-fledged mecha action game rather than a social game, so I'm looking forward to that, but it was also an interesting sci-fi robot anime that shares the same worldview! In this article, I would like to explain the worldview and setting of "SYNDUALITY Noir"!
The year is 2242—humanity is recovering from an unprecedented catastrophe.
In 2099, a catastrophe known as the "New Moon's Tears" rendered the surface uninhabitable, wiping out 92% of the population. The few remaining survivors managed to survive by building large underground cities. The "New Moon's Tears" were highly toxic rainfalls that fell on new moon days. This rain made the surface uninhabitable, forcing humanity to flee underground. Many years have passed since then, and although many problems remain, people are slowly returning to life on the surface.
After the Tears of the New Moon, rain begins to contain a toxic substance called "Blue Cyst"!
After the Tears of the New Moon, rain begins to contain a highly toxic substance called "Blue Cyst." Touching this blue rain will cause mosaic disease. Mosaic disease is a disease that commonly causes plants to develop a mottled, mottled pattern, but it is unknown whether this is a specific name unique to this work. However, as of 2242, a vaccine made from the antibodies of Alba Kuze, the only person with the Raintite factor capable of resisting the Blue Cyst, is available. Since everyone has been vaccinated, it appears they can function even after short periods of exposure to rain.
Humanity discovers and utilizes a new energy resource called AO crystals.
After the New Moon's Tears, an energy resource called AO crystals was born on Earth and began to be used for various purposes. However, strange monsters called Enders have appeared on the surface. Because Enders are attracted by the energy waves emitted by AO crystals, mining them is dangerous, and storage requires devices to block the AO waves.
Humanity is threatened by the strange monsters, the Enders!
After the Tears of the New Moon, strange monsters began to emerge from lakes and the Blue Cysts in the air. These monsters are called Enders. They can be defeated by destroying the core inside, but because they appear in groups and are difficult to deal with using conventional methods, people use mobile weapons called Cradle Coffins to deal with them.
The Deformed Monsters: Enders!
Enders are deformed monsters that emerge from Blue Cysts. They are attracted to the energy emitted by AO crystals and usually appear during the day or during rain. They come in sizes ranging from small to extra-large, and some are parasitic Enders that take over Cradle Coffins. Due to their nature, they often appear in groups.
The Bipedal Mobile Weapon Cradle Coffin!
People use the bipedal mobile Cradle Coffin for AO crystal mining and to deal with the Enders. It is generally operated by a pair consisting of a pilot and an assistant Magus. It is also known as the All-Weather Cruise Bipod. Designed for crystal mining, combat with the Enders, and harsh environments, the AO comes equipped with a wide variety of weapons.
Magus, Humanity's Good Neighbor
At first glance, these AI-equipped humanoids are indistinguishable from humans. Each Magus has a different personality and character, and their primary role is to assist in piloting the Cradle Coffin. The back of the Cradle Coffin houses the Magus. When the Cradle Coffin is activated, the Magus appears in the cockpit via holographic display, communicating with the pilot and providing support during exploration and combat.
The Magus' Three Principles!
The Magus has three principles that govern its behavior, and in principle, it adheres to the following three principles.①〈Contract Law〉The Magus enters into a contract with one person. The Magus cannot terminate the contract. ② The Law of Neighborhood: Magus stands by his contractor as a good neighbor to humanity. ③ The Law of Growth: Magus must grow both with his contractor and himself, as long as it does not violate ① and ②. However, the definition of growth is constantly updated within the context of the contractor's relationship.
Zero-Type Magus and General-Purpose Magus!
There are two types of Magus: Zero-type Magus, created in the underground city of Amasia, which collapsed 20 years ago, and General-purpose Magus, created after the collapse of Amasia. Zero-type Magus, with its special abilities, is traded at a high price. However, even General-purpose Magus can operate the Coffin without any problems.
Magus Skills of Zero-type Magus!
The Zero-type Magus' greatest feature is their special attacks called Magus Skills. These can generally be used when appearing in the Cradle Coffin, and each Magus specializes in special abilities such as electricity, burning, and freezing. When using a Magus Skill, the Magus's image appears holographically.
The people live in settlements called Nests!
The people who returned to the surface have built settlements called NESTs and are living there. NESTs are shelter-like domes equipped with defensive features to protect against toxic rain and attacks by the Enders, making them impenetrable. Each NEST has its own unique features, and in the event of an emergency, Drifters wielding Cradle Coffins are called in to fight back.
Drifters piloting Cradle Coffins!
AO crystals are in high demand and the dangers of mining them mean a high demand for the life-threatening job of mining them. People who make a living mining various resources, including AO crystals, in Cradle Coffins are called Drifters. Originally meaning "wanderer," the term has come to be used as a sign of respect for those who wander the harsh land. In the past, Drifters operated Cradle Coffins on their own, but with the spread of Magus, Drifters are now commonly associated with Magus.
The Food Situation in Nest! Are Fresh Vegetables and Fruits Valuable?
The food people eat in Nest is generally synthetic food made with machines like 3D printers. Fresh vegetables and fruits also exist, but they are considered valuable. This is thought to be due to the serious soil and water pollution caused by the Blue Cyst. While large-scale farms like Farm Nest exist, mass production is likely a high hurdle.
Is Modern Technology Lost?
Modern technologies such as digital cameras, rockets, and video games are lost. However, they are occasionally excavated from old buildings, and our protagonist Kanata enjoys collecting the relics of past civilizations. While modern-day machines are commonplace and understandable, they are lost technology unfamiliar to those living in this era.
What happened to the underground city-state of Amasia?
To escape the Blue Cyst, the surviving humans built the underground city-state of Amasia. However, Amasia collapsed 20 years before the anime. The mystery behind this collapse was not revealed in the anime, and it is unlikely to be explored in depth. One of the characters, Alba Kuze, is apparently heavily involved in this story, and details will be revealed in the game version, "SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada." The release date has yet to be determined. The game is a PvPvE third-person shooter.
Summary of the World and Setting of SYNDUALITY Noir Season 2
This time, we've summarized the world and setting of "SYNDUALITY Noir"! Many of the settings are unique to robot anime and science fiction, and the anime was quite easy to accept! Season 2 is scheduled to air in January 2024, and many of the mysteries left unresolved in Season 1 will be revealed! We recommend watching Season 1 now!
