TV-Series
Description
Kōichi Hayase starts as a bullied junior high student who escapes into daydreams of heroism. His life irrevocably shifts during a 2016 class trip when an object mistaken for an artificial satellite crashes nearby. This event leaves him comatose for six months. Upon awakening, he possesses superhuman strength and physical enhancements. The incident involved the sentient robot Linebarrel, whose impact caused Kōichi's injuries and subsequent resurrection via nanomachines called D-S.O.I.L., transforming him into a "Factor" – a pilot bonded to a Machina robot.
Initially, his newfound power fuels extreme arrogance and aggression. He uses it to dominate former bullies, adopting delinquent and egocentric behavior that strains relationships, especially with childhood friends Risako Nōmi and Hideaki Yajima. His early piloting of Linebarrel is reckless, causing significant collateral damage. A turning point occurs when Yajima dies during a Machina attack, forcing Kōichi to confront his irresponsibility and catalyzing his maturity. Yajima is later resurrected by another Machina, Apparition. The manga depicts Yajima with a cybernetic arm due to incomplete regeneration, while the anime fully restores his body.
As Linebarrel's primary Factor, Kōichi wields its signature weapons: twin katanas and the "Executor," a tail-mounted beam cannon projecting energy blasts kilometers long. Linebarrel can enter "Overdrive Mode" (or "Mode-B" in the anime), enhancing capabilities at great physical strain to Kōichi. Unique abilities include teleportation and redirecting attacks via compressed transmission fields. Despite Linebarrel's power, Kōichi initially struggles as a pilot, relying on brute strength. He trains under JUDA's ace pilot, Reiji Moritsugu, eventually improving his combat proficiency.
His relationships drive key arcs. He develops mutual but unspoken feelings for Emi Kizaki, Linebarrel's former Factor who suffers amnesia and blames Kōichi for her displacement. Their dynamic evolves from hostility to partnership, with Kōichi vowing to protect her. He also navigates a love triangle involving Risako, though his romantic focus stays on Emi. Post-timeskip (2023 in manga), Kōichi allies with the Katou Corporation. Now 18, he intercepts global nuclear threats using Linebarrel's enhanced abilities, showcasing strategic growth. The manga concludes with him merging his consciousness into Linebarrel to prevent inter-dimensional conflict, sacrificing his human form.
Anime-exclusive elements include his younger sister, Mina Hayase, unaware of his role as a Factor. The anime streamlines his path, omitting the timeskip and Katou storyline.
Initially, his newfound power fuels extreme arrogance and aggression. He uses it to dominate former bullies, adopting delinquent and egocentric behavior that strains relationships, especially with childhood friends Risako Nōmi and Hideaki Yajima. His early piloting of Linebarrel is reckless, causing significant collateral damage. A turning point occurs when Yajima dies during a Machina attack, forcing Kōichi to confront his irresponsibility and catalyzing his maturity. Yajima is later resurrected by another Machina, Apparition. The manga depicts Yajima with a cybernetic arm due to incomplete regeneration, while the anime fully restores his body.
As Linebarrel's primary Factor, Kōichi wields its signature weapons: twin katanas and the "Executor," a tail-mounted beam cannon projecting energy blasts kilometers long. Linebarrel can enter "Overdrive Mode" (or "Mode-B" in the anime), enhancing capabilities at great physical strain to Kōichi. Unique abilities include teleportation and redirecting attacks via compressed transmission fields. Despite Linebarrel's power, Kōichi initially struggles as a pilot, relying on brute strength. He trains under JUDA's ace pilot, Reiji Moritsugu, eventually improving his combat proficiency.
His relationships drive key arcs. He develops mutual but unspoken feelings for Emi Kizaki, Linebarrel's former Factor who suffers amnesia and blames Kōichi for her displacement. Their dynamic evolves from hostility to partnership, with Kōichi vowing to protect her. He also navigates a love triangle involving Risako, though his romantic focus stays on Emi. Post-timeskip (2023 in manga), Kōichi allies with the Katou Corporation. Now 18, he intercepts global nuclear threats using Linebarrel's enhanced abilities, showcasing strategic growth. The manga concludes with him merging his consciousness into Linebarrel to prevent inter-dimensional conflict, sacrificing his human form.
Anime-exclusive elements include his younger sister, Mina Hayase, unaware of his role as a Factor. The anime streamlines his path, omitting the timeskip and Katou storyline.