Synduality
A 23rd-century tale of survival, androids, and the Tears of the New Moon.
Synduality (stylized in all caps) is a Japanese mixed-media project from the Bandai Namco Group. The anime television series *Synduality: Noir*, produced by Eight Bit, ran from July 2023 to March 2024.
In 2099, a heavy blue rain called the "Tears of the New Moon" flooded the Mediterranean and killed over 92% of the global population within days. The rain continued to fall intermittently, instantly killing any human it touched and mutating animals and plants into giant, aggressive creatures known as "Enders." Survivors moved underground, eventually developing bipedal weapons called "Cradles" and discovering a new energy source, the "AO Crystal." By 2135, they built the huge underground city of Amasia under a canopy that blocked the rain, founding a strictly controlled energy society. Some people, however, chose to live freely on the surface despite the danger. Android technology advanced rapidly, and in 2210, the first "Cradle Coffins" were completed—these paired a new type of android with human-like emotions (a "Magus") with a cockpit called a "Coffin." In 2222, Amasia's roof and infrastructure collapsed overnight, wiping out its upper levels. Survivors then lived in small underground "Nests" or on the surface. The collapse leaked technology and materials, making Cradles and Cradle Coffins widely available. This ushered in an era where anyone could become a "Drifter," fighting Enders and collecting AO Crystals to get rich.
The series follows Kanata, a Drifter without a Magus who is taken under the wing of Tokio. Kanata dreams of reaching Histoire, a mythical place others dismiss as a story. His human father and adoptive Magus mother explain why he treats his own Magus, Noir, as family. Noir is a Type Zero Magus Kanata found in stasis; she claims to have lost her memory, but in reality, she shares her body with Mystere, a personality that emerged after hacking the Histoire network with her previous master. Ciel is a freelance singer and spy searching for the "key to Histoire," but her view changes when Kanata treats her kindly. Tokio is a skilled Drifter born in Amasia from the same gene line as Macht and Weisheit.
Quick Facts
- Creator
- Magus
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
In 2099, the 'blue rain' fell heavily over the Mediterranean Sea, causing global flooding that killed over 92% of the world's population within days. This catastrophe, called the 'Tears of the New Moon,' left the rain continuing intermittently, instantly killing any human who touched it and making animals and plants gigantic and aggressive—these creatures became known as 'Enders.' Survivors took refuge underground and developed bipedal weapons called 'Cradles' to fight Enders, discovering a new energy resource called the 'AO Crystal.' By 2135, they built the huge underground city 'Amasia' with a canopy blocking the rain, declaring it a country. Some humans chose to live on the surface despite the danger. Android technology advanced rapidly, and in 2210, the first 'Cradle Coffins' were completed, equipped with androids called 'Magus' that had human-like emotions. In 2222, Amasia's roof and infrastructure collapsed overnight, wiping out its upper levels. Survivors lived in smaller underground cities called 'Nests' or on the surface. The collapse leaked materials and technology, allowing ordinary people to obtain Cradles and become 'Drifters' who fought Enders and collected AO Crystals for fortune.
Reader's Guide
Synduality: Noir is the central anime of the Synduality mixed-media project, airing from July 2023 to March 2024. The series follows Kanata, a Magusless Drifter who dreams of reaching the mythical place 'Histoire,' and his discovery of a Type Zero Magus named Noir. The story explores themes of survival, human-android relationships, and the pursuit of a legendary location. The series was directed by Yusuke Yamamoto, with scripts by Takashi Aoshima based on a story draft by Hajime Kamoshida. It streamed worldwide on Disney+, in Latin America on Star+, and in the United States on Hulu. The project also includes a spin-off novel Synduality: Kaleido, a manga and light novel titled Synduality: Ellie, and a second light novel Hajimari no Ao Synduality: Roots. The series is significant for its detailed world-building of a 23rd-century post-apocalyptic society, the role of Magus androids, and the collapse of Amasia, which reshaped human civilization. Its legacy lies in expanding the Synduality franchise across multiple media formats.
Did You Know?
- The 'Tears of the New Moon' catastrophe in 2099 killed over 92% of the world's population within days.
- Amasia was founded as a country in 2135 with a huge canopy to block the deadly blue rain.
- The first Cradle Coffins, equipped with Magus androids, were completed in 2210.
- The anime Synduality: Noir aired in two cours, from July to September 2023 and January to March 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Synduality?
Synduality is a Japanese mixed-media franchise originally developed by the Bandai Namco Group. Its anime adaptation, Synduality: Noir, was animated by Eight Bit and broadcast from July 2023 through March 2024. The story follows survivors navigating a post-apocalyptic 23rd-century world.
What are the Tears of the New Moon?
The Tears of the New Moon is a phenomenon of heavy blue rain that first struck in 2099, flooding the Mediterranean basin and wiping out more than 92 percent of humanity within days. The rain continued in intermittent bursts afterward, and any human it touched was killed on contact.
What are Enders?
Enders are the giant, aggressive creatures produced when the Tears of the New Moon mutate animals and plants. They serve as the primary environmental threat to the underground human survivors throughout the series.
What are Cradles?
Cradles are bipedal combat weapons that the underground survivors eventually developed as a means of defense against the Enders. They represent the technological evolution of the post-flood human communities.
What is Amasia and when was it founded?
Amasia is the settlement established by the surviving human population after they relocated underground following the 2099 catastrophe. It was formally founded in 2135 and serves as the central backdrop for the 23rd-century events of the series.
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