Apocalypse Zero (覚悟のススメ)

At the beginning of the 21st century...

...seismic activity continued to shake the world for three years.

Millions of people died, and peace and order were virtually erased.

The radioactive mutant bear's blood contains a strong acid.

If you use powerful attacks, your flesh will be melted by its blood.

Kakugo, you must fight creatively.

Impact!

My appearance is of little consequence!

My duty is to win at any cost!

My flesh is a means to victory!

You truly are unconcerned.

That is the way, Kakugo.

Stand back, Kakugo.

You're not fighting elegantly.

My way is faster and guarantees victory.

Zero Form!

Heart Rupture!

Fury!

There's no sense in fighting without style!

Spiral!

In battle, you can be either elegant or brutal.

Harara, is this your Zero Form?

Yes, Father.

I fought creatively.

Fury had already defeated the bear.

Spiral was unnecessary.

Yes, Sir.

Harara, Kakugo.

For what purpose do we train...

...in Zero Form Martial Arts in the most isolated part of the world?

We train to fulfill our duty.

And what is that duty?

To kill demons in human form.

To protect those without fangs.

Correct.

In these times, people have lost all hope for the future.

It is at these times that demons appear.

For generations, we have protected innocent people from the shadows.

Finally, the time has come.

Open it!

Yes, Sir!

W-What is this?

This armor is called the Fortified Armor Shell.

Zero Form Defense Arts and this Fortified Armor Shell are our legacy.

One set is called Kasumi, and the other is called Zero!

Such fearful fury...

This armor is alive!

Father, Zero is shedding tears of blood!

So is Kasumi!

In order to create this armor, many honorable fighters were sacrificed...

...and countless others have died.

This is the time for the blood tears to be honored.

I give Kasumi to Harara and Zero to Kakugo.

Harara, become Kasumi.

Kakugo, become Zero and fulfill your duty to the world.

Yes, Sir!

Salute the Fortified Armor Shell!

Look, a flower!

It's a flower!

It really is.

I never thought I'd ever see a flower.

Life is amazing.

Let's leave it alone and not pick it.

What's that?

I am Hamuko.

People call me Beauty.

S-Stop it!

Why waste your time with this girl?

Just look at her face!

Don't you think she's ugly?

Just look at what's on the inside.

Stop right there!

Students from other schools cannot enter!

We've admitted a newcomer.

We live in dangerous times.

You never know when a gang or a psycho could attack.

We can't trust the police.

We must protect our school by ourselves.

Attention, everyone!

Introduce yourself, new guy.

I'm Kakugo Hagakure.

Take a seat next to Horie, the one with the ribbon.

He smells like incense.

I-I'm Horie.

Nice to meet you.

Um, hello...

Same here.

Hey new guy, want me to brush your teeth?

Cut it out, Haoka!

Stop it, Haoka!

Care to repeat that, Teach?

No, uh, nevermind...

I feel sorry for him.

Whoever takes that seat always gets picked on by Haoka.

Principal, I confiscated some booze from a student.

Care to have some?

You're indecent, Zenigata.

I was just reporting to the police that...

...Kazu Shimada and Hiroko Uchiyama are still missing.

They're probably dead already.

They're your students.

Watch your mouth.

Principal, we live in a terrible world.

The earthquakes and radioactivity...

It's pretty unlikely that anyone can live in safety.

There's looting, and thousands of corpses haunt the streets.

That's why we have to teach students, so that they can change this world.

You're too optimistic.

You still want to fight after the battle's been lost.

Mr. Zenigata, what's wrong?

The cockroaches are getting bigger all the time.

Even if the earth is dead...

If you remember a song that encourages you...

Let's strain our eyes to look for the light.

Bite down and look up at the sky.

You sing well, Horie.

You sound like Madonna.

No, I don't!

Not at all!

I'm me.

The only me in this world.

W-Well...

Being compared to somebody else doesn't make me happy at all.

Hey, what's so funny, Hagakure!

Nothing.

Hey, you listening?

You think you're something special, don't you new guy?

I'll bet he does!

He thinks he's better than us!

One more thing...

Horie is mine.

Stay away from her.

Nobody has the right to call someone theirs.

Die!

It's a dangerous world out there.

I can't let a wimp like you have Horie!

Stop it!

Stop it.

I don't belong to you!

Hagakure, are you okay?

Leave him alone.

Let's go, Horie.

What are you doing? Leave me alone!

I thought he'd be cooler.

What a wimp.

That was disappointing.

H-Help!

Pretty Cheri!

Hiroko...

Hiroko!

Stop that!

You still remember her?

I'll shut your mouth.

That's the mark of eternal love.

A kiss mark that can never be erased!

Classes are over for today.

Form your arranged groups, and leave the school premises immediately.

Leave the school premises immediately.

Don't worry, Horie!

You're completely safe as long as l'm with you!

Y-You should stay away from that Hagakure!

That's none of your business.

H-He's got a dangerous look in his eyes!

Like a murderer's eyes.

He's hiding something.

Haoka's right.

I see.

I'm so glad.

Hey, don't be upset.

All I want to do is protect you, Horie.

Who does that ribbon girl think she is?

Why does she get to walk with three boys?

A monster!

How dare you call me a monster!

I am a queen!

Haoka!

That... That's Kazu!

That's right, and I'm going to love you three boys just like I did Kazu!

But you... You'll pay!

How could an ugly girl like you seduce three boys?

Y-You've got it wrong!

They're only walking with me!

Shut up!

Seems you use your sweet little voice to attract the boys.

Accept the queen's heel!

Oh God!

Who are you?

What's this girl to you?

Everybody, get out of here quickly!

It's dangerous!

Who's dangerous?

You think you're so smart.

I'll bury you.

Get out of here now!

Run!

His voice...

W-What are you doing, Horie?

You're in danger there!

B-But...

What are you doing?