Soukyuu no Fafner: The Beyond [Season 1 Episode 1 to 12]

Soukyuu no Fafner: The Beyond – A Thrilling Continuation of a Mecha Legacy

When Soukyuu no Fafner: The Beyond dropped its first 12 episodes, fans of the long-running mecha series were thrown right back into the chaos of humanity’s desperate struggle against the alien Festum. Picking up after Exodus, this installment wastes no time plunging viewers into high-stakes battles, emotional turmoil, and the kind of mind-bending sci-fi twists that the franchise is known for.

A Quick Dive into the Plot

The story kicks off with a gut punch: Soushi, a key figure in the fight against the Festum, is taken by an empath boy named Maris, who betrays Alvis. What follows is a desperate mission to retrieve Soushi while navigating the ever-present threat of the Festum. The stakes are higher than ever, and the emotional weight of the characters’ struggles is palpable.

One thing fans immediately noticed is how The Beyond throws you into the deep end. There’s no hand-holding here—just like the original series, it expects you to keep up. As one Reddit user put it: “This is like the beginning of the original series, viewer is thrown directly into the deep end without a lot of background, so much confusion… Fortunately, it all clears up in the next few episodes.”

Themes and Character Arcs

The series continues to explore themes of identity, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between humanity and the Festum. Characters like Kazuki and Maya, now veterans of the conflict, carry the weight of their past battles while trying to protect the next generation. Miwa, Kazuki’s niece, steps into the spotlight as a pilot, adding a fresh dynamic to the story.

Fans on MyAnimeList were quick to dissect the emotional beats. One commenter noted: “Maya and Kazuki are the remaining 1st generation who still pilot until now… Looks like she is more focused on protecting her niece, Miwa.” Another added: “Kazuki getting so old his hair is straight as heck. Kazuki became more OP, so he had to upgrade his mecha while Miwa, to my surprise, is now piloting it.”

The introduction of “Sero,” a mysterious figure resembling a fusion of past characters Seri and Reo, also sparked theories. “Did Seri and Reo assimilate or something? Sero does kind of look like a hybrid of the two,” one fan speculated. While others debated whether this was even possible given the events of Exodus, it’s clear that The Beyond isn’t afraid to keep fans guessing.

Animation and Soundtrack

Visually, The Beyond maintains the high-quality animation that the series is known for, with intense mecha battles and stunning space backdrops. The soundtrack, featuring another banger opening by angela, adds to the adrenaline-pumping atmosphere. As one viewer raved: “The whole episode was pretty much one big battle, and I thought it was really good. OST was great, and angela sang us another fantastic opening.”

Fan Reactions and Theories

The fandom’s reaction has been a mix of excitement and emotional devastation (because, let’s be real, this is Fafner—no one gets out unscathed). Some fans admitted they had to rewatch Exodus just to prepare for The Beyond. “It’s been 5 1/2 years since I finished Exodus, and I waited so long so I could binge-watch this. You know I had to rewatch the last episode before starting The Beyond. What a start!”

Others were left reeling from the episode’s twists. “Quite the start! Having Miwa in Mark Sein to begin really threw me off at first. And I really thought we were going to lose Rina in classic Fafner style for a minute there.”

Final Thoughts

Soukyuu no Fafner: The Beyond is a worthy continuation of a series that has always balanced mecha action with deep, philosophical storytelling. It doesn’t shy away from its roots, delivering the same intensity and emotional punches that fans have come to expect. Whether you’re a longtime follower or a newcomer brave enough to dive into this complex universe, The Beyond offers a gripping ride—one that leaves you desperate for more.

As one fan perfectly summed it up: “Holy crap! What have they done…?”

And honestly? We can’t wait to find out.