Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Ars Nova

By 2039 vast coastal flooding has reshaped the world and a mysterious armada known as the Fleet of Mist starts to appear, attacking and isolating human shipping lanes. Nations collapse under the fleet's superior firepower, cutting off commerce and leaving humanity struggling to respond. Seven years later, cadet Gunzou Chihaya encounters a peculiar submarine, the I-401, and her humanoid operator, Iona, who instead of fighting offers an unexpected alliance. The series follows the strained cooperation between humans and a sentient warship, showing tactical engagements at sea, tense political fallout, and the uneasy trust that builds between young sailors and an artificial being.

Ars Nova premiered as a TV anime in 2013, credited to creators Yuyoyuppe, Fumou, and Y0c1e. The show was presented as a serialized adaptation of the Arpeggio concept, bringing its naval science fiction setting and character designs to animation for a global audience.

The series did not receive major industry awards, though it maintained steady popularity within genre circles. It supported soundtracks, character singles, and home video releases that helped sustain interest, and its voice cast performances were often highlighted by fans as a strong element.

Among anime viewers the show stood out for its unusual mix of naval tactics and near-future technology, and for treating sentient ships as fully realized characters. Iona in particular became a recognizable figure in fan art and online discussion, and the Fleet of Mist concept sparked conversations about AI autonomy and warfare in fandom spaces.

Critics and fans generally gave Ars Nova positive marks, reflected in its favorable review averages. Praise tended to target the series' visual design, tense battle choreography, and the relationships between human crew and their sentient counterparts. Some reviewers mentioned uneven pacing and occasional exposition overload, but most agreed the show offered a thoughtful, character-focused take on military science fiction.