Gunslinger Stratos: The Animation

“What then is time? If no one asks me, I know what it is. If I wish to explain it to him who asks, I do not know. - St. Augustine

Today's special report is about the random disappearances everyone is talking about.

People who were just there a moment ago, disappearing into thin air!

Is it terrorism? Human trafficking by criminal organizations?

Or perhaps even Desert Syndrome, a strange disease where the human body crumbles away

as if it was made of sand?

There are all kinds of theories as to the cause.

Does this modern version of "spirited away" truly exist?

Or is it merely an urban legend?

You all know the Breakers responsible for looking into this, Adios and James.

Spirited away? Desert Syndrome? That's sheer nonsense.

First, take a look at these statistics.

These are statistics of the missing people...

Morning!

You look sleepy.

Well, yeah...

I don't mind my school uniform.

Wearing the same clothes as everyone else puts me at ease.

I think it's probably an ancient instinct to help me hide from predators.

In the distant past, back when we were still sheep,

I bet the ones who stood out were all eaten by tigers and wolves.

Tohru!

Morning!

Morning, Katagiri.

Aww, I told you you can call me Kyoka!

I suppose she would be one of the tigers.

She has no need to hide.

That smells good! What was your breakfast?

A typical boil-in-the-bag meal.

Hey, you got some on you here.

Let's see...

What's that?

- Hey, what is it? An accident? - No, I think that's a crime scene.

Maybe it's one of those spiriting away things.

No way. That's just a rumor, right?

What's wrong?

No... it's nothing. I just had a bad dream last night.

There, there.

That bastard!

Why is he holding her—

Lord Kyohma, I'll hold your bag for you.

Tohru!

You bastard! Get away from there!

Tohru, Kyoka, good morning!

Oh, geez...

Sorry. I'm gonna go on ahead.

My sister, are you okay?

Shut up! You stupid big brother! Why are you getting in my way?

I'm fine with being a sheep.

I hope I'm one of the fluffy ones.

By the way, how is Tanaka doing?

He's been absent for three days now, right?

Maybe he got spirited away.

Serious?

There was that road closure on the way here, right?

I caught a glimpse of it.

Morning!

Is that you, Tanaka?

Hey, you're still alive!

2nd Far East Imperial City Management District

6th Far East Imperial City Management District

As shown here, the dissolution of the nation known as Japan during the 21st century

34th Far East Imperial City Experimental Development District

5th Gyges Direct Control District

17th Far East Imperial City Management District

40th Far East Imperial City Experimental Development District

Cottus Special Resource District

This meant the end of the existing national government.

The completion of the KK Matrix further accelerated this dissolution.

Kazasumi, explain what the KK Matrix and its sixth index are.

Yes, ma'am.

The KK Matrix is the basis for the ranking system, and the sixth index is your genetic potential

for things like muscular strength and physical stamina.

The ranking system.

It analyzes a human's abilities and potential at the genetic level

17th Far East Imperial City Management District

and assigns each person to the most fitting occupation to keep society stable.

Old Japan Division Of Power Map

Of course, that's a big fat lie.

The fact that you have a high rank just means that your parents are rich.

Since I don't have any parents, I've got no chance of going above rank D.

If I tried to fight against it, I'd just stand out in a bad way.

"The nail that sticks up gets hammered down."

From what history I've learned, even in the distant past when the country called Japan still existed,

this was that sort of place.

Do your best!

Do your best!

Tohru!

Good luck!

Sure. Though I don't like this class all that much.

My sister!

How are you doing?

It's my stupid big brother again...

Tohru, beat the crap out of this moron.

The crap?

Well...

Kyoka, you're in the girls' finals, right? Good luck to you, too.

Yeah! I won't lose.

I hope to have a good match with you.

The pleasure's all mine.

Four... three... two...

I guess it's about time?

Shizune, where did you go?

We have two players left in both the boys' and the girls' groups!

Oh no, I'm still—

Let's have some fun!

Prepare yourself!

What are you doing? I would've died if I took that hit just now!

Oh, I'd thought that you'd be able to easily dodge that, Lady Kyoka.

Just what is your problem with me?

I don't have a problem with you.

Do you understand just how much Lord Kyohma worries about you?

Um... shouldn't we stop this?

It's so nice to be young.

You're quite different, aren't you Tohru Kazasumi?

This is stupid.

If you're not participating, then shut up.

I'll give you my stupid big brother then!