Hubbry Logo
Edens ZeroEdens ZeroMain
Open search
Edens Zero
Community hub
Edens Zero
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Edens Zero
Edens Zero
Edens Zero
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Edens Zero
First tankōbon volume cover, featuring Shiki Granbell (right), Rebecca Bluegarden (lower left), and Happy (upper left)
Genre
Manga
Written byHiro Mashima
Published byKodansha
English publisher
ImprintShōnen Magazine Comics
MagazineWeekly Shōnen Magazine
Original runJune 27, 2018 – June 26, 2024
Volumes33 (List of volumes)
Anime television series
Directed by
Written byMitsutaka Hirota
Music byYoshihisa Hirano
StudioJ.C.Staff
Licensed by
Original networkNNS (Nippon TV)
Original run April 11, 2021 – October 1, 2023
Episodes50 (List of episodes)
Video games
  • Edens Zero Pocket Galaxy (2022)
  • Rebecca and the Mechanical Mansion (2022)
  • Edens Zero (2025)
icon Anime and manga portal

Edens Zero (stylized in all caps) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hiro Mashima. It was serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine from June 2018 to June 2024, with its chapters collected into thirty-three tankōbon volumes. Set in a fictional spacefaring universe, the story follows Shiki Granbell, a boy with gravity powers who embarks on a voyage aboard the titular starship in search of a cosmic entity named Mother.

The manga was published digitally in six other languages as they were released in Japan, with Kodansha USA licensing the series for English publication in North America on Crunchyroll Manga, Comixology, Amazon Kindle, and K Manga. An anime television series adaptation produced by J.C.Staff aired from April to October 2021. A second season aired from April to October 2023. A video game adaptation by Konami was also released in July 2025.

Plot

[edit]
Main article: List of Edens Zero characters

Shiki Granbell, a human boy, lives among robots on the deserted theme park planet Granbell in the Sakura Cosmos. His adoptive grandfather, the benevolent "Demon King" robot Ziggy, teaches him to control gravity with a superhuman power called Ether Gear. Ten years after Ziggy's death, the park is visited by spacefaring content creators Rebecca Bluegarden and Happy, whom Shiki befriends when the dying robots force the three off Granbell before expending their vital Ether energy.

Seeking new friends and adventure, the three set out in search of Mother, the fabled goddess of the cosmos. Early in Shiki's voyage, the space pirate Elsie Crimson gifts him with Ziggy's interstellar warship, Edens Zero. Shiki assembles a crew from Ziggy's android companions, the Four Shining Stars, as well as others he befriends: Weisz Steiner, a criminal from an alternate history created by a time-eating Chronophage; E.M. Pino, Ziggy's memory-impaired EMP android; and Homura Kôgetsu, a young swordswoman and pupil of the deceased Shining Star Valkyrie Yuna. Meanwhile, Rebecca discovers her own Ether Gear ability to reverse time and travel between parallel universes, which she uses to save Shiki after he is killed by the crime lord Drakken Joe.

Before leaving the Sakura Cosmos, the Edens Zero crew encounters a revived, malevolent Ziggy, who wishes for machines to rule the universe by ensuring Mother's death in the near future, which would trigger an extinction event for all human life. Captaining Edens One, an upgraded version of Edens Zero, Ziggy draws Shiki's crew into a war with the neighboring Aoi Cosmos's empire, where he detonates the empire's arsenal of 20,000 antimatter bombs to kill them. Shiki leads his crew to escape, although the Shining Star Witch Regret sacrifices herself to shield Edens Zero from the explosion.

Following a three-year conflict in the Kaede Cosmos, Shiki discovers Ziggy's identity as his own alternate self who tried stopping the bombs, an act resulting in his and Rebecca's Ether Gear creating a spacetime distortion that sent them 20,000 years into the future. Ziggy reveals that Edens Zero was built for him to prevent Mother's multiversal deaths by using Etherion—the ship's secret time travel function made from the future Rebecca's Ether—to reach Universe Zero, the convergence point of all universes. Pino realizes Ziggy is being controlled when he discreetly repairs her memory, allowing her to access an empowered Overdrive state and free him with her EMP. At Ziggy's urging, Shiki destroys him to thwart his controller, the artificially intelligent Edens One.

With Mother's death imminent, the crew activates Etherion, which imparts their memories and abilities onto their past selves in Universe Zero. Upon recalling their future, they find Universe Zero to be an idyllic world where Witch, Valkyrie, Ziggy, and many other deceased figures are alive, and various misfortunes such as the Granbell robots' Ether shortage have never occurred. Edens Zero traces Mother from the Yukino Cosmos into uncharted space, where Ziggy aids the crew in battle against Edens One and its new android host, Over Nu Etherion Void.

When Shiki reaches Mother, she reveals herself as the Overdrive form of planet Earth, Shiki's homeworld, which was transformed to prevent the planet's ruin 20,000 years ago. Learning that simply restoring Mother's power would undo the survival of those who died in previous universes, including himself, Shiki instead lures the Chronophage to revert Mother to her planetary state, inspired by an identical event that allowed Ziggy to discover the infant Shiki on Earth. While Edens Zero and Ziggy destroy Edens One and Void, Shiki successfully restores Earth and vanquishes the Chronophage by appeasing the monster's true form, the amnesiac future Rebecca. The crew disbands after helping revitalize Earth with their technology, later gathering on Granbell for the birth of Shiki and Rebecca's daughter.

Production

[edit]

Following the conclusion of his series Fairy Tail on July 26, 2017, Hiro Mashima posted a Tweet on December 31, 2017, promising to start a new series sometime in 2018.[3] After his visit to the Angoulême International Comics Festival in France, Mashima revealed that the new series would be "a new form of fantasy", and that the character Plue from his earlier series Rave Master would appear in the manga.[4] On May 14, 2018, Mashima commented on Twitter that he was becoming "a little confused" due to working simultaneously on this series, a Fairy Tail continuation, and another "secret" project. He also stated that he was coming up with new ideas for the series "one after another".[5] On May 30, 2018, Weekly Shōnen Magazine revealed that the series was tentatively titled Eden's Zero.[6] Although the title is the name of the main characters' spaceship, Mashima revealed that he thought of a deeper meaning for it, but that its usage would depend on future developments of the story.[7]

When developing the idea for his next series, Mashima originally anticipated using another sword and sorcery setting similar to his previous manga, but decided on creating a "space fantasy" adventure due to a lack of such contemporary shōnen manga; he coined the term "space fantasy" from his own misinterpretation of "SF", the abbreviation of science fiction in Japan, as a child.[8] He also cited the genre's unpopularity in shōnen manga as an influence, viewing it as a challenge he wanted to overcome.[9] Mashima has described his approach to writing Edens Zero as being in between those of Rave Master and Fairy Tail, combining predetermined story elements with ideas that he draws "just from momentum" while writing on a weekly basis to give the manga a "real time" feeling.[7] He also expressed an intention to end Edens Zero when its number of collected volumes is in between those of the two previous series.[9] In 2021, Mashima stated that Edens Zero would continue the themes of friendship, family, and battles from Fairy Tail, but that it may change slightly by the end when the mystery of the character Mother is revealed.[10]

Media

[edit]

Manga

[edit]
Main article: List of Edens Zero chapters

Edens Zero is written and illustrated by Hiro Mashima. The series began in Kodansha's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Magazine on June 27, 2018,[11][12] and ended on June 26, 2024.[13] Kodansha has collected its chapters into thirty-three individual tankōbon volumes released from September 14, 2018, through August 16, 2024.[14][15]

The series was published simultaneously in seven languages: English, French, Chinese, Korean, Thai, German and Brazilian Portuguese.[6][16] North American publisher Kodansha USA has released chapters of the series on digital platforms such as Crunchyroll Manga and Amazon Kindle.[6] This was replaced with the K Manga app service that was released on May 10, 2023.[17]

Anime

[edit]
See also: List of Edens Zero episodes

On June 12, 2020, Mashima announced on Twitter that the manga would be adapted into an anime television series.[18] At the Tokyo Game Show livestream on September 26, 2020, it was revealed that the anime would be produced by J.C.Staff and directed by Yūji Suzuki, with Shinji Ishihira serving as chief director, Mitsutaka Hirota overseeing scripts, Yurika Sako designing the characters, and Yoshihisa Hirano composing the music.[19] The series aired on Nippon Television and other channels from April 11 to October 3, 2021.[20][21][a] Netflix acquired streaming rights to the series, which was released globally on August 26, 2021.[22] The opening theme is "Eden Through the Rough" by Takanori Nishikawa, and the ending theme is "Bōken no Vlog"[Jp. 1] by CHiCO with HoneyWorks.[23] The second opening theme is "Forever" by L'Arc-en-Ciel, and the second ending theme is "Sekai no Himitsu"[Jp. 2] by Sayuri.[24]

Director Yūji Suzuki died on September 9, 2021, before the series' broadcast was completed.[25] Although he had worked in the industry as a key animator and episode director since the mid-2000s, Edens Zero was the first and only full series Suzuki directed.[26]

On February 9, 2022, it was announced that the series would receive a second season,[27] which aired from April 2 to October 1, 2023,[b] with Toshinori Watanabe replacing Suzuki as the director.[29][30] The opening theme is "Never say Never" by Takanori Nishikawa, and the ending theme is "Rinne"[Jp. 3] by Asca.[28][31] The second opening theme of season 2 is "Kaibutsu"[Jp. 4] performed by Tani Yuuki, and the second ending theme is "My Star" by Lozareena.[32][33] The second season was licensed internationally by Mediatoon Distribution and streamed by Crunchyroll in various regions.[34][35] A 72-minute recap original net animation of the first season aired in Japan on the same day as the second-season premiere, and was streamed by Crunchyroll on April 29, 2023.[36]

Video games

[edit]

On September 16, 2020, Konami announced that they were developing an Edens Zero video game.[37] It was later revealed at the Tokyo Game Show 2020 livestream that two separate action role-playing games were being developed, one being a 3D game for consoles, and the other being a top-down game for mobile devices.[38] In February 2022, the latter was revealed as Edens Zero Pocket Galaxy and was released on February 24 for iOS and Android.[39][40] The game ended its service on February 29, 2024.[41] In October 2024, the 3D game for consoles was revealed and titled Edens Zero. The game was released for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on July 15, 2025.[42][43]

On December 17, 2021, Mashima announced that he was developing an Edens Zero video game by himself using RPG Maker. Describing it as a "hobby project" that he worked on in his free time. He released the game, Rebecca and the Mechanical Mansion,[44][Jp. 5] for free on PC on March 16, 2022.[45][46][47]

Reception

[edit]

Sales

[edit]

In Japan, the first volume of Edens Zero reached 13th place on the weekly Oricon chart with 30,178 copies sold.[48] The second volume ranked 16th with 41,506 copies sold,[49] and the third volume at 18th place with 31,316 copies.[50]

Critical response

[edit]

The first volume received a mixed response from critics on Anime News Network, where it was rated on a 1 to 5 scale. Amy McNulty gave the volume a 3.5 rating, calling it a "solid start" and praising the story's pacing, characters, and art, while adding that it "may not blow anyone away". McNulty also commented on Mashima's similar visual and design choices to Fairy Tail – which she noted could be taken negatively – but opined that the manga could benefit from readers' familiarity with Fairy Tail, and found it accessible to new readers of Mashima's work. Rebecca Silverman, who also rated it 3.5, considered the manga to be Mashima's darkest work, and praised him for using themes that "helped make his previous series Fairy Tail work so well", citing Shiki and Rebecca's complementary backgrounds as orphans as an example. However, she expressed slight concerns over the story potentially becoming confusing for readers with the volume's implications of time travel and flash-forward cliffhanger. Faye Hopper, who gave the volume a 3 rating, found that the shift from "high fantasy pastiche to Star Wars reminiscent sci-fi" helped enrich the story, but criticized Mashima's humor and adherence to shōnen manga conventions. Teresa Navarro gave it a 2 rating, finding the characters and art style to be nearly identical to those in Fairy Tail, but considering its potential to gain a cult following from fans of the shōnen genre.[2]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Edens Zero

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Edens Zero (stylized as EDENS ZERO) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hiro Mashima. It was serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine from June 27, 2018, to June 26, 2024, comprising 293 chapters collected into 33 tankōbon volumes. The story is set in the year X492 within the expansive Sakura Cosmos, a spacefaring universe inhabited by humans, aliens, and sentient robots; it follows Shiki Granbell, a boy raised among androids on the abandoned amusement park planet Granbell, who possesses gravity-manipulating powers and embarks on an interstellar adventure with aspiring video creator Rebecca and her robotic cat Happy aboard the spaceship Edens Zero to locate the enigmatic robot creator known as Mother. Mashima, renowned for his earlier fantasy series such as (2001–2006) and (2006–2017), crafted Edens Zero as a narrative blending action, adventure, and themes of friendship and exploration across multiple cosmic realms, including the Sakura Cosmos and the foreboding Kaede Cosmos. The 's serialization garnered attention for its vibrant artwork, dynamic battles involving Ether Gear abilities, and crossover elements with Mashima's prior works. The series has been adapted into two anime television seasons produced by . The first season, directed by Yūshi Suzuki, consists of 25 episodes and aired in from April 10 to October 3, 2021, and was released worldwide on in two parts starting August 26, 2021. The second season, directed by Toshinori Watanabe, also comprises 25 episodes and aired from April 1 to September 30, 2023. In July 2025, launched a 3D action titled EDENS ZERO for , Series X/S, and Windows via , featuring an original storyline that expands on the manga's universe with playable characters like Shiki and Rebecca engaging in real-time combat and cosmic exploration.

Setting and premise

Universe

The Edens Zero universe is a sprawling cosmos set in Space Year X492, populated by humans, aliens, and advanced robots coexisting across countless planets and interstellar regions. The primary setting is the Sakura Cosmos, a vast sector dotted with diverse worlds, including the amusement park planet Granbell, serving as the initial hub for exploration and adventure. This cosmos forms part of a larger galactic structure divided into seasonal-themed regions, such as the neighboring Aoi Cosmos and Kaede Cosmos, each offering unique environmental and cultural landscapes that influence travel and interactions. A defining feature of this universe is the Chronophage, a super-gigantic monster exceeding the size of , which consumes time itself by rewinding the history of targeted worlds to an earlier state, overwriting the current timeline and erasing elements of the present, resulting in widespread cosmic destruction and temporal disruptions, making it one of the most feared entities in the cosmos. Interplanetary navigation relies on warp gates, sophisticated portals that enable near-instantaneous travel between and sectors, facilitating the expansive journeys central to the setting. At the heart of technological advancement is Ether Gear, a power system inherited from the ancient Dark Ages that allows individuals to channel —an omnipresent energy—through their bodies to unlock superhuman abilities. Activation manifests as evolving, user-specific patterns on the skin, with acquisition varying from innate talents to technological implants; for instance, protagonist Shiki Granbell employs his Ether Gear in Overdrive mode to manipulate for flight and enhanced strength. This technology underpins much of the universe's conflicts and explorations, blending organic potential with mechanical augmentation. The Edens Zero spaceship functions as the story's central mobile headquarters, an advanced vessel designed for long-range cosmic voyages, equipped with AI-driven systems for , defense, and resource management. Its onboard AI handles automated functionalities like route plotting and system diagnostics, while members such as the android Homura oversee mechanical repairs and security protocols, and Rebecca manages digital interfaces for communication and . This ship enables seamless integration with warp gates for traversing the cosmos. Overarching the universe are enigmatic cosmic entities, including , a revered as the benevolent creator and protector of all life, depicted as a colossal surpassing planetary scale and known primarily through a single ancient eyewitness account. In contrast, embodies a darker as the Demon King, a formidable android once central to robotic society, renowned for his immense power and influence across the Sakura Cosmos. These figures represent the mythological and technological extremes shaping the universe's lore.

Plot overview

Shiki Granbell is a young boy raised from infancy by robots on the abandoned planet of Granbell Kingdom, where he lives in isolation among machines until the arrival of the B-Cuber Rebecca and her robotic cat companion Happy. After the death of his adoptive grandfather , the former Demon King, Shiki inherits the gravity-manipulating Ether Gear and sets out from Granbell to explore the vast Sakura Cosmos in search of the enigmatic goddess , who is said to reside at the universe's center. Joining forces with Rebecca and Happy, Shiki commandeers the legendary spaceship Edens Zero, revealed to be Ziggy's former warship, and begins assembling a crew that includes the inventor Weisz, whose Ether Gear (Machina Maker) allows him to manipulate machinery, the swordswoman Homura, and the healer , among others. Their journey takes them across diverse planets, where they face interstellar threats, forge bonds of friendship, and pursue the Four Shining Stars—Ziggy's former disciples—to aid in locating , all while contending with cosmic perils like the time-devouring Chronophage. The narrative progresses through key arcs, including the opulent yet corrupt Sun Jewel, where the crew seeks the warrior ; the lawless pirate haven Guilst, testing their resolve against criminal syndicates; and the virtual realm of , confronting digital overlords in pursuit of the hacker . These adventures highlight themes of camaraderie and perseverance amid escalating cosmic dangers from antagonistic forces. The manga concluded in June 2024 with its 293rd chapter, culminating in a final confrontation entangled with time loops that resolves the crew's long quest to reach Mother and secure a hopeful future for the universe.

Characters

Main characters

Shiki Granbell is the optimistic and determined leader of the Edens Zero crew, an orphaned human boy raised from infancy by robots in the abandoned Granbell Kingdom, a once-thriving amusement park planet inhabited solely by machines. Having never encountered another human until adulthood, Shiki's upbringing instilled in him a profound value for friendship and connection, driving his quest across the cosmos to find the enigmatic goddess Mother, believed to grant any wish. His Ether Gear, known as Overdrive (a manifestation of Satan Gravity), enables precise manipulation of gravity, allowing him to generate powerful attractive or repulsive forces, levitate objects or individuals, and enhance his physical combat capabilities to superhuman levels. As the self-proclaimed Demon King, succeeding his adoptive grandfather Ziggy—a robotic figure who profoundly influenced his early life—Shiki embodies unwavering loyalty to his companions, often charging into danger with a bold, straightforward demeanor. Rebecca Bluegarden serves as a key member of the Edens Zero crew, a cheerful yet resilient adventurer and aspiring B-Cuber (video streamer) hailing from the planet Blue Garden, where she belongs to the Shooting Starlight adventurers' guild. Her motivations stem from deep personal bonds, particularly her inseparable friendship with Happy, forged through shared hardships including a tragic accident in her youth that tested her resolve and left lasting emotional scars. Despite struggling with low viewership on her streaming channel, Rebecca excels as a with exceptional dynamic vision and agility, wielding pistols with deadly accuracy in battle. Her Ether Gear, Leaper (fully realized as Cat Leaper), channels into her legs for extraordinary leaps, enabling short-range dimensional hops that manipulate time and space to evade attacks or reposition strategically. This ability underscores her resourceful and adaptive role within the crew, often providing support in high-stakes confrontations while pursuing greater fame and stability. Happy, the loyal and humorous cat-like companion to Rebecca, originates from the planet Exceed and functions as a full-body android after being from a fatal childhood accident through advanced mechanical intervention. His playful personality, marked by enthusiastic exclamations like "Aye, sir!", brings levity to the crew's dynamics, though his origins as a being highlight themes of loss and renewal central to his bond with Rebecca. In combat, Happy employs his Ether Gear, Tenohira, to transform parts of his body—particularly his paws—into versatile weapons, such as blades or projectiles, allowing him to seamlessly shift between and offensive support. As Rebecca's steadfast partner, he frequently assumes the form of her personal firearm, amplifying her marksmanship while embodying unwavering companionship amid the crew's interstellar adventures. Weisz Schwarz, also known as Weisz Steiner, acts as the crew's skilled and , a young human from the planet Norma with a guarded demeanor shaped by a tumultuous family history tied to the authoritarian Nero Empire. His secretive past involves profound losses, including familial betrayals and conflicts within the empire's rigid hierarchy, fueling his independent streak and reluctance to form deep attachments initially. Proficient in machinery and weaponry, Weisz wields the Ether Gear (an evolution of Machina Maker), which permits extensive body modifications and machine remodeling, enabling him to enhance his cybernetic arm for rapid firearm deployment or alter mechanical constructs on the fly. Joining the Edens Zero after a pivotal encounter, he provides technical expertise and ranged firepower, gradually opening up to the crew's camaraderie despite his cynical outlook. Homura Kôgetsu, a disciplined and swordswoman, contributes combat prowess and moral steadfastness to the Edens Zero crew, originating from the feudal-inspired planet Oedo as the devoted disciple of the legendary , one of the Demon King's Four Shining Stars. Trained rigorously in the way of the blade, Homura upholds a code of honor emphasizing justice and direct confrontation, often speaking her mind bluntly in pursuit of righteousness. Her Ether Gear, Soul Blade, manifests ethereal swords and blades from concentrated Ether, allowing her to forge weapons of varying forms for precise, devastating strikes in melee combat. Motivated by loyalty to her vanished master, Homura's role involves frontline defense and strategic duels, her unyielding focus on martial excellence strengthening the crew's resolve during perilous voyages.

Supporting characters

Ziggy, also known as the Demon King, serves as Shiki Granbell's adoptive grandfather and a formidable robot ruler dubbed the King of Robots. Possessing the Ether Gear that enables manipulation of gravitational forces, Ziggy originally created the Edens Zero spaceship and its crew before retiring to Granbell Kingdom to raise Shiki. His upon Shiki's departure from Granbell propels the protagonist's initial quest across the cosmos, though subsequent revelations portray him as a multifaceted intent on machine supremacy through the rival vessel Edens One. Drakken Joe emerges as an early antagonist, embodying intergalactic corruption as the CEO of a vast criminal syndicate and the notorious of the Sakura . A tall, muscular figure with spiky hair, a curled beard, and dark red eyes, he wields the Mixing Ether Gear, allowing alchemical fusion of elements into destructive substances like . In the Sun Jewel arc, Drakken's tyrannical control over the planet's laborers through debt and his elite Element 4 forces highlights themes of exploitation, clashing directly with the Edens Zero crew's sense of justice. The Four Shining Stars, elite androids crafted by , function as pivotal mentors to the Edens Zero , each endowed with specialized optimizations that influence key narrative developments. Yuna, a warrior with the Soul Blade ability ( optimization) enabling creation of ethereal swords, inspires rebellion on Sun Jewel by liberating oppressed workers and forming Valkyrie's Army, ultimately sacrificing herself to guide Homura Kōgetsu in and resolve. Companions like Witch Regret ( for defensive barriers), Hermit Mio ( for hacking via the Mind of Edens), and Sister Ivry (Heal Atomizer for healing) provide technological and emotional support, their disbandment after Ziggy's retirement underscoring themes of legacy and loss, as they aid the —some posthumously through inherited abilities and others directly in later . Poseidon Nero rules as the supreme emperor of the Nero Empire, commanding the Aoi Cosmos with ambitions to consolidate interstellar dominance through militaristic expansion. Depicted as an elderly aquatic alien with tentacle-like hair, fins, and a weapon, Nero employs water-manipulation Ether Gear to unleash cataclysmic floods and barriers. His personal connection to Weisz Steiner as the protagonist's father fuels mid-series tensions, intertwining familial betrayal with empire-wide conflicts that test the crew's alliances and moral boundaries. Mother stands as an enigmatic, planet-sized cosmic entity revered as a figure central to the universe's foundational myths. With flowing cyan hair and a jeweled crown, she embodies the origins of time and creation, drawing the Edens Zero crew into a pursuit that explores existential stakes across cosmic realms. Her elusive presence motivates alliances and confrontations, symbolizing unattainable ideals without resolving her ultimate significance.

Production

Development

Hiro Mashima announced plans for a new series on December 31, 2017, via a post on his account, stating that he would work hard to launch a new serialization the following year after concluding . The series, titled Edens Zero, made its debut in Kodansha's on June 27, 2018. Mashima conceived Edens Zero as a departure from his previous fantasy works, driven by a desire to explore a blended with adventure elements, inspired by his childhood fascination with . He specifically chose to center the story around protagonist Shiki Granbell, a boy raised in a kingdom of robots who possesses gravity-manipulating abilities, to emphasize themes of human-robot interaction within a vast cosmic setting. This approach shares stylistic similarities with Mashima's earlier series like , particularly in character dynamics and action sequences, but shifts the backdrop to interstellar exploration. During the serialization, Mashima encountered creative challenges, particularly in depicting the angular, mechanical designs of spaceships and robots, which contrasted with the softer, organic forms he was accustomed to in fantasy settings. To sustain the narrative over its planned length, he made ongoing adjustments to the plot structure, ultimately concluding the series after 293 chapters on June 26, 2024. These adaptations allowed the story to wrap up its core arcs while accommodating the weekly publication demands.

Themes and influences

Edens Zero centers on themes of and found , with the crew of the titular spaceship forming deep bonds amid the isolation of space travel, echoing the communal dynamics seen in Mashima's prior works but adapted to a cosmic scale. These relationships underscore the value of connection across diverse and origins, as Shiki Granbell's enables him to befriend anyone, regardless of background. The series also examines loss through brutal depictions of mortality and the subjective nature of life, emphasizing its emotional weight and the search for renewal. A key motif is the pursuit of the enigmatic figure known as , portrayed as a source of hope and wish-granting power that propels the narrative forward and evolves the story's philosophical undertones. This quest intersects with explorations of rebirth, facilitated by elements like time manipulation, which allow characters to confront traumas and seek second chances. Robot-human conflicts serve as vehicles for anti-war messages, highlighting prejudice, coexistence, and the equality of mechanical and organic life forms, as machines grapple with abandonment and rebellion against their creators. The series draws influences from Hiro Mashima's earlier manga, incorporating Fairy Tail's emphasis on guild-like camaraderie and Rave Master's adventurous spirit, while repurposing character archetypes and designs for a sci-fi context. Its space fantasy genre shifts from the medieval settings of those works, inspired by Mashima's desire to explore uncharted cosmic visuals unfeasible in traditional animation. External inspirations include classic sci-fi like Star Wars, evident in the heroic interstellar quests, epic space battles, and themes of destiny across galaxies. Japanese folklore elements appear in characters like Homura Kōgetsu, whose heritage and swordsmanship evoke Edo-period traditions on her of Oedo. Modern anxieties about are woven into the robot-centric plot, with figures like the android cat Happy and the antagonistic raising questions about machine , , and the blurred lines between ally and threat.

Media adaptations

Manga

Edens Zero is a Japanese series written and illustrated by . It was serialized in Kodansha's from June 27, 2018, to June 26, 2024. The series spans 293 chapters, which were collected and published by into 33 volumes between September 14, 2018, and August 16, 2024. In , began releasing the in English digitally on October 16, 2018, with the first volume's ebook, followed by the print edition of volume 1 on November 6, 2018; subsequent volumes have continued in both formats. Internationally, the series has been licensed for publication in various regions, including by Pika Edition and by Edizioni . The serialization experienced several pauses, including breaks in 2020 influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and Mashima's health concerns, contributing to a total downtime of approximately six months over the run.

Anime

The anime adaptation of Edens Zero is produced by J.C.Staff. The first season consists of 25 episodes and aired on Nippon Television from April 11 to October 3, 2021. It adapts the manga's initial story arcs. The second season also comprises 25 episodes and aired from April 2 to October 1, 2023. It continues the adaptation. Ishihira served as chief director for both seasons, with Yūshi Suzuki directing the first season and Toshinori Watabe directing the second; Mitsutaka Hirota handled series composition and scripts. Key voice actors include as Shiki Granbell and as Rebecca Bluegarden. The original score was composed by . In Japan, home video releases began with Blu-ray volumes from starting August 4, 2021, for the first season, followed by additional volumes and a complete edition for the second season in late 2023. Internationally, the series streams on and .

Video games

Konami developed and published EDENS ZERO, a 3D (RPG) adaptation of the and series, which was released on July 15, 2025, for , Series X/S, and PC via and the . The game was created under the supervision of series creator , incorporating an original storyline alongside faithful recreations of key events from the source material. Gameplay centers on open-world exploration across planets in the Sakura Cosmos, with players controlling protagonists like Shiki Granbell in real-time that utilizes Ether Gears—special abilities powered by the ether nano-machines central to the series' lore. involves hack-and-slash , gear customization with over 700 pieces, and more than 200 side quests that expand on the manga's through additional and character interactions. The game's character models draw from designs to ensure visual consistency with the adaptation's aesthetic. The title features two primary modes: Story Mode, a linear progression that retells major manga arcs with integrated side content, and Exploration Mode, which allows free roaming of the universe, ship customization via the Edens Zero vessel, and post-story challenges. Downloadable content (DLC) includes a collaboration with Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest, released in July 2025, introducing crossover elements and new quests supervised by Mashima. A mobile spin-off, EDENS ZERO Pocket Galaxy, was released by Konami on February 24, 2022, for Android and iOS as a free-to-play action RPG with gacha elements, featuring hack-and-slash combat and story adaptations; its service ended on February 29, 2024.

Reception

Commercial performance

The manga series of Edens Zero has achieved significant commercial success in Japan, with over 5 million copies in circulation worldwide as of December 2023. It frequently topped the Oricon weekly manga sales charts, particularly in its early volumes; for instance, volume 1 sold 30,178 copies in its first week of release, reaching 13th place on the chart. This strong initial performance contributed to its sustained popularity during serialization in Weekly Shōnen Magazine. The adaptation's first season, which aired in , reached 2.5% household ratings in in at least one week, occasionally breaking into the top 10 of weekly TV rankings. The second season in 2023 saw a boost from international streaming platforms. In , Konami's action RPG adaptation was released on , Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game received praise for its accessible combat system and faithful of the source material. Related merchandise, including figures, apparel, and collectibles, has been produced through licensed partnerships. Internationally, Edens Zero has demonstrated strong appeal in and , bolstered by localized releases and fan events. English-language volumes from have consistently ranked on Graphic Books and Manga bestseller lists, reflecting robust North American sales.

Critical reception

Upon its release, Edens Zero received generally positive reception for Hiro Mashima's signature dynamic artwork and fast-paced action sequences, often praised for blending familiar shōnen elements with a more expansive sci-fi world-building approach compared to his earlier work, . Critics noted improvements in narrative scope, such as the imaginative setting featuring and cosmic lore, which provided a fresh backdrop while retaining Mashima's energetic style. The manga holds an average score of 7.10 out of 10 on , based on over 15,000 user ratings, reflecting appreciation for its adventurous tone and character chemistry among fans of the genre. The anime adaptation's first season, produced by , was lauded for its vibrant animation and faithful recreation of Mashima's art, particularly in action scenes involving ether-powered battles, but faced criticism for uneven pacing that rushed through early arcs, leading to underdeveloped emotional beats. It earned a 7.25 out of 10 on from more than 105,000 users and a 7.1 out of 10 on . The second season addressed some of these issues by enhancing character depth, especially in exploring backstories and interpersonal dynamics, resulting in a higher average of 7.42 on and establishing the series as more distinct from Fairy Tail's legacy. The 2025 action RPG by , faithful to the manga's core story and character arcs, received mixed reviews, scoring 63 out of 100 on from critics who highlighted its expansive exploration of planetary environments and innovative blend of mechanics with light RPG progression. However, repetitive combat and dated level design were common critiques, though user scores averaged 7.1, praising its accessibility for newcomers and loyal of the source material. Broader commentary has appreciated Edens Zero's diverse representation, including strong female leads like Rebecca who drive the plot through agency and resilience, alongside emotional depth in themes of loss and human connection amid cosmic isolation. Reviewers noted its darker undertones—such as graphic depictions of and —add maturity to the shōnen , though some faulted reliance on predictable tropes like destined heroes and power escalations.

References

  1. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/manga.php?id=21579
  2. https://www.konami.com/games/edens_zero/cs/us/en/
  3. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=12763
  4. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=23915
  5. https://edens-zero.net/en/
  6. https://edens-zero.net/en/keyword/
  7. https://edenszero.fandom.com/wiki/Chronophage
  8. https://kodansha.us/series/edens-zero/
  9. https://edens-zero.net/en/character/character13.html
  10. https://edenszero.fandom.com/wiki/Weisz_Steiner_(X492)
  11. https://comicbook.com/anime/news/edens-zero-manga-ending-explained/
  12. https://edens-zero.net/en/character/character01.html
  13. https://edens-zero.net/en/introduction/
  14. https://www.konami.com/games/edens_zero/cs/characters/jp/en/
  15. https://edens-zero.net/en/character/character02.html
  16. https://edens-zero.net/en/character/character03.html
  17. https://edens-zero.net/en/character/character04.html
  18. https://edens-zero.net/en/character/character05.html
  19. https://edenszero.fandom.com/wiki/Drakken_Joe
  20. https://edenszero.fandom.com/wiki/Poseidon_Nero
  21. https://edenszero.fandom.com/wiki/Mother
  22. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-12-31/fairy-tail-creator-hiro-mashima-ill-work-hard-to-launch-a-new-manga-next-year/.122487
  23. https://www.konami.com/games/edens_zero/mo/en/interview
  24. https://comicbook.com/anime/news/edens-zero-hiro-mashima-evolving-themes-tease-manga/
  25. https://www.cbr.com/edens-zero-became-better-than-fairy-tail/
  26. https://screenrant.com/edens-zero-fairy-tail-hiro-mashima-character-designs/
  27. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2018-11-29/the-fall-2018-manga-guide/edens-zero/.140142
  28. https://edenszero.fandom.com/wiki/Volumes_and_Chapters
  29. https://www.siliconera.com/edens-zero-manga-series-coming-to-an-end-soon/
  30. https://archive.kodansha.us/volume/edens-zero-1/index.html
  31. https://kodansha.us/product/edens-zero-1/
  32. https://www.amazon.com/Edens-Zero-French-Hiro-Mashima-ebook/dp/B0DGLSRC17
  33. https://www.amazon.com/Edens-Zero-22-Digital-Italian-ebook/dp/B0CW9TZCV3
  34. https://www.reddit.com/r/EdensZero/comments/12hfpn1/edens_zero_hiatus_chart_from_2018_to_the_present/
  35. https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2021/1/12/edens-zero-tv-anime-releases-out-of-this-world-teaser-trailer-reveals-broadcast-date
  36. https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2023/2/14/edens-zero-season-2-sets-april-1-launch-with-new-trailer-cast
  37. https://edenszero.fandom.com/wiki/Story_Arcs
  38. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-03-11/edens-zero-anime-video-reveals-more-cast-t.m.revolution-song-netflix-2021-streaming/.170519
  39. https://open.spotify.com/album/6zIO9MnCQRhnD78seCXOlL
  40. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Edens-Zero-1-Limited-Release-Blu-ray/336204/
  41. https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/G79H23XJJ/edens-zero
  42. https://www.netflix.com/title/81261630
  43. https://store.steampowered.com/app/3125750/EDENS_ZERO/
  44. https://embed.keymailer.co/g/games/86086761?e=search
  45. https://noisypixel.net/edens-zero-july-2025-release-deluxe-details/
  46. https://noisypixel.net/edens-zero-review-konami-action-rpg/
  47. https://gameir.ie/review/edens-zero-a-faithful-but-flawed-anime-adventure/
  48. https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2025/7/11/edens-zero-game-teams-up-with-fairy-tail-100-years-quest
  49. https://www.konami.com/games/eu/en/topics/16287/
  50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m3ATrL9o_4
  51. https://x.com/JustsomeSpaceG1/status/1803813279170433029
  52. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-05-29/japanese-animation-tv-ranking-may-17-23/.173303
  53. https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/graphic-books-and-manga/
  54. https://myanimelist.net/manga/114548/Edens_Zero
  55. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/edens-zero/episode-1-2/.176752
  56. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/203265/
  57. https://myanimelist.net/anime/50002/Edens_Zero_2nd_Season
  58. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13167196/
  59. https://www.metacritic.com/game/edens-zero/
  60. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/edens-zero
  61. https://gamerant.com/edens-zero-doubles-down-on-dark-undertones/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.