ALDNOAH.ZERO Season 1 Episode 1 Princess of VERS

In the first episode of ALDNOAH.ZERO, titled Princess of VERS, we are thrown into a futuristic world where the Earth is a desolate wasteland and humans have colonized Mars. The episode begins with an introduction explaining that a hypergate was discovered on Mars, which allowed humanity to travel to and from Earth and establish colonies on the red planet. However, tension and conflict arise between the two planets, leading to a war that results in the destruction of the hypergate and the complete isolation of the two planets.

We are then introduced to the main character, a high school student named Inaho Kaizuka who lives on Earth with his sister. He is shown to be a calm and stoic individual who is always analyzing his surroundings and coming up with solutions to problems. Inaho and his friend, a mecha otaku named Okisuke Mikuni, come across a Martian Kataphrakt (a powerful mechanized suit) that had crashed on Earth. They explore it, but Inaho's curiosity nearly gets him killed when an AI system activates and attacks him. He manages to escape, but not before noticing that the AI system malfunctioned at the last moment.

Meanwhile, the episode also introduces us to Princess Asseylum Vers Allusia, a kindhearted and idealistic Martian princess who is visiting Earth on a diplomatic mission to try and establish peace between the two planets. Asseylum is shown to be adored by her people and regarded very highly by the Earthlings she interacts with. However, despite her best efforts, tensions continue to rise between the two planets, and during a parade held in her honor, an assassin's bullet accidentally hits her, leading everyone to believe that Earth was responsible for the attack.

With tensions on the rise, the Martian military launches an attack on Earth, destroying an entire city and killing countless innocent civilians. In response, the United Forces of Earth mobilize their own mecha suits and attempt to defend themselves against the Martian onslaught. Inaho, finding himself in the midst of the battle, quickly assesses the situation and comes up with a plan to disable the Martian Kataphrakts by targeting their weak points. With his understanding of the machines' mechanics, he is able to defeat them with ease.

During the battle, Inaho and his sister encounter Princess Asseylum, who had survived the assassination attempt and is now being pursued by the Martian military for reasons unknown. Inaho and his sister help the princess escape and take her to a safe location, where they come to the realization that not all Martians are bad and that there may be more to the story than they initially thought.

The episode ends with the revelation that the Martian Kataphrakts are powered by a mysterious energy source called Aldnoah, and that the princess had possession of a powerful Aldnoah activation key. With this key in her possession, Asseylum becomes a target for both Earth and Mars, as whoever possesses it will hold the key to unimaginable power.

Overall, the first episode of ALDNOAH.ZERO sets up the premise for an epic space opera that explores themes of war, politics, and morality. The animation is stunning, particularly during the action sequences, and the characters are introduced in a way that makes us care about their fate. With the introduction of the Aldnoah activation key and the mystery surrounding its power, the show sets up an intriguing plot that will undoubtedly keep viewers hooked throughout the rest of the season.