GRIDMAN UNIVERSE (film)

## GRIDMAN UNIVERSE

***GRIDMAN UNIVERSE*** (グリッドマン ユニバース, *Guriddoman Yunibāsu*) is a Japanese anime film in the Gridman Universe set to be released in 2023.

## Synopsis

Tsutsujidai Metropolitan High School, a boy sits on his desk scribbling down on his notebook what-to-be vague memories he had forgotten. That boy’s name is Yuta Hibiki, the youth who became one with a hero from another world, and together saved his world and a lonely girl's heart which was victimized into a catalyst for evil.

Together with Sho Utsumi in their 2nd year but in a separate class from Rikka Takarada, Yuta decides now is the time to confess his feelings and take his peaceful life to the next stage……until a new crisis appears!

Gridman appears before Yuta and his friends again with an ominous warning, “The balance of this world is starting to crumble.” The reunion continues when the Neon Genesis Students, a crimson dragon and its former pilots from another world start appearing from the sky!

A new adventure for Yuta begins, and will he win the girl in the end?

## Summary

The movie begins at the classroom where Utsumi informs Yuta about his class still arguing about their would-be part in the upcoming festival and sees him struggling to properly draw Gridman's appearance to no avail; apparently, he had recollections of moments he spent with his friends and Gridman during the conflict against Alexis • Kerib prior yet they were too foggy to make out at best. Utsumi is faintly surprised by this while Yuta decides to change topics. Once again, he wanted to confess to Rikka, though the aforementioned affair robbed him of the previous opportunity. Still, for the same reason he and Rikka got closer than they used to be. To his chagrin, the paper the young man drew Gridman on got crumpled from his previous efforts as his friend pointed out. Just then, Utsumi suggests to follow the advice from the horoscope: Try to confess to Rikka after the school festival. Utsumi also reveals that he and Rikka worked on the script for an upcoming play now that the theme has been decided. Meanwhile, Rikka still struggles with her part in it.

Later that day, Yuta buys two tickets for the upcoming play titled "Lonely Sneaker: A Stage Play" for himself and Rikka, hoping it would be appropriate moment for his love confession. Yet he finds himself uncertain with the odds when hearing girls discussing rumors of Rikka visiting an apartment belonged to someone who may or may not his boyfriend. Said rumor leaves him distracted during the volley class that it takes getting hit by a stray volley ball to snap him out of it. Despite Utsumi's worry and Yuta brushes his nosebleed from the incident aside, the young man had to go to infirmary to have his wound treated. Exiting the infirmary, Yuta meets up with Rikka who worried as much as the others. Reassuring his crush, Yuta tells Rikka about her part in the script for a stage play he heard from Utsumi earlier. To his pleasant surprise, the stage play is about Gridman, giving Yuta an idea to help her out and shares her the ticket for Lonely Sneaker, both to help her working on it and importantly, discover more about the Hyper Agent. Unfortunately, his hope got dash because of her got occupied by other stuff on the day of said okay. Rikka then makes her leave to help her friends, Namiko and Hass, in taking pictures.

Nevertheless, at Takarada residence, Rikka gives Yuta the script about Gridman. Reading its premise, Yuta learns it based on his time as Gridman's chosen partner and host prior. Utsumi shows up when it appeared Yuta started to getting somewhere, though the latter brushes it aside by concluding how absurd the stage play sounds, something the former agreed on. Still, Yuta can't help but intrigued by the part about Akane — a popular girl who both love kaijus and responsible for the creation of the world they lived in originally as part of simulated reality until Gridman revamped said world into its own alternate universe — despite how much others finding it lacking in terms of realism. Their conversation brings up about their long departed friend and creator and the fact that only both Rikka and Utsumi who remembered her. Everyone else have no recollection about the feud between Gridman and Alexis. As such, they wanted to share the story through the stageplay regardless. Throughout their argument, Orie remark the two friends haven't changed a bit despite already 11th grader.

For the rest of the night, Yuta and Utsumi watch the latter's favorite tokusatsu DVD and then Lonely Sneaker. Contrary to Rikka's assumption, Utsumi's favorite part in tokusatsu franchise in general being how a hero managed to unlock their full potential instead of fighting scenes, much to Yuta's surprise. Utsumi on the other hand, reacts the same way upon seeing Yuta moved to tears at the stage play, particularly the part of one of its main characters, Shigeru, whom peers not treated as a person simply because he doesn't open up to the others.

On their way back home, the two friends notice Rikka visiting someone at a one-room apartment, which leaves Yuta devastated as the rumors of his crush with someone else seems much more likely. Utsumi tries his best to comfort Yuta to no avail. That being said, aforementioned implication ends up become the least of his friend's worry because he sees an approaching apparition which scares the daylight out of him.

The bizarre sighting disturbed Yuta worse than rumors pertaining his crush that he barely had a decent night sleep afterwards, something which noticed by Rikka as they and Utsumi continue working on the script. Neither Rikka nor Utsumi believe his claim, though the latter isn't necessarily ruling it out because of the likelihood of paranormal events during the summer. Their conversation takes an awkward turn when Rikka brings up the stage play, as Yuta initially mistakes it to be her curious appointment with someone she knows last night.

Just then, the least thing the three friends expected — kaiju attack — occurs. This particular kaiju, Dimorgan, curiously bears some elements of Gridman's fighter form in appearance. As it wreaks havoc by lashing out pink tentacles from its dorsal pylons, Yuta senses the presence of the Hyper Agent himself before unexpectedly running off, leading Utsumi and Rikka to conclude that Junk has reappeared somewhere and the Hyper Agent called him back to service once more. Their deduction proves correct as two of Neon Genesis Junior High Students, Vit and Samurai Calibur, show up in nick of time to save the three friends from incoming debris. Borr and Max appear also, which means Gridman isn't far off.

With renewed resolve and Dimorgan continuing its rampage, Yuta continues his advance towards Takarada residence. As he expected, Junk has returned to where it was. The ensuing reunion between Yuta and Gridman comes with a bad news; the universe Yuta and co. live in is falling apart for some reasons. Insisting to the Hyper Agent that they should save the details for later, Yuta affirms his resolve to join forces with Gridman once more despite unable to remember their first fights together. Impressed by this, Gridman provides Yuta his old Primal Acceptor and guides him in how to use it. Performing Access Flash for the first time since the conflict against Alexis • Kerib, Gridman switches to his Primal Fighter form as it suits Yuta best unlike his predecessor Naoto — the same form they utilized when the Hyper Agent's consciousness got splintered back then.

Gridman and Dimorgan battle as Neon Genesis Junior High Students, Rikka, and Utsumi watch, with Utsumi comments the Hyper Agent chose him once again. Unfortunately, Yuta lacks his possessed self's experience and finds himself at grave disadvantage, something which noticed by Borr and Vit. Neon Genesis Junior High Students consider to join the fray when an interloper descends from the sky: Dynazenon in its Dyna Rex form! Neither of Neon Genesis Junior High Students members are surprised by this because the Dynazenon happens to be their new ally, more so as Gridman and Dynazenon have met prior. The Hyper Agent and the interloper swiftly dispatch Dimorgan and restore the city with the former's Fixer Beam.

Regrouping at Takarada residence, Utsumi and Gridman comfort Yuta despite his shortcomings. The young man is soon awkwardly acquaintances with Dynazenon's human form, none other than Gauma himself under the codename of Rex as Neon Genesis Junior High Students' newest member. Now that things calmed down a bit and the collateral damage have been undone, Rikka and Utsumi wonder about the origin of the new kaiju considering Akane already gone and turned a new leaf at this point. Max suggests to look out for the next attack as the mastermind will reveal themselves sooner or later.

Returning home, Utsumi tells Yuta about Rikka's worries considering the last time Yuta and Gridman worked together. Despite everything, Yuta somberly concludes that he should answer his calling. Reassuring Yuta that he will be on his side no matter what, Utsumi unwittingly soured his friend's mood by bringing up the chances of Rikka rejecting his love confession. Meanwhile, Rikka is surprised to see Neon Genesis Junior High Students establishing her home as temporary base of operations in return of helping out her mother in managing the store.

Yuta indeed had to put ghost sightings into the list of things he should worry about, as the apparition on the other day shows up once again. This time, it peers through the glass door of his bathroom while he's taking a bath and mulling about Gridman before disappearing. While just as puzzled upon hearing Yuta's claim on the next day at the school, Utsumi points out about ghosts' tendency to appear near water which certainly doesn't help his agitated friend. Utsumi and Rikka are dismayed by Namiko and Hass' dismissal to their reworked stageplay's upcoming script because of still lacking realism-wise. To even the three friends' surprise, everyone's memories pertaining the latest kaiju attack had been reset as the side effect of exposure to Fixer Beam not unlike Akane's Venora series.

While discussing their current situation at the school's rooftop, Yuta, Utsumi, and Rikka are visited by Gauma who just finished scouting Tsutsujidai and beyond. He comes to the conclusion where the universe the three friends live in being similar to one he came form. Only Utsumi who able to make sense of it as the topic they discuss happens to be about multiverse that explored several times in various series' plot line. Just then, the rest of Neon Genesis Junior High Students appear to support Gauma's conclusion. Continuing their conversation by the school's swimming pool, Max and Vit speculate Dimorgan to be from a dimension where other members of its kind live in. With said dimension and Yuta's home universe started to overlap with one another, it won't be a surprise the others would come to wreak havoc. The real problem is however, the collision of both universes will lead to the destruction of both and that something must be done before it's too late. Max goes so far describing to be the reverse of the Big Bang, Big Crunch.

Despite his attempts to distract himself from such dreadful conclusion, Utsumi cannot shake it from his head while honing his baseball skills at the school's field that night while being accompanied by Hass. As she comments the improvement of the script and brings up the upcoming finals, the depressed Utsumi remarks that the world will end before then. Not understanding what her friend actually meant, Hass decides to excuse herself in order to continue her part-time job as influencer. It is when Utsumi meets Chise who disgruntled because she worries about Koyomi's whereabouts despite being lost herself. Unknown to them, the person she seeks finds himself in Hibiki residence and worse, both he and Yuta are having a bad night due to circumstances beyond their control: The naked Koyomi, thinking that he's still at his home, unwittingly barges into the bathroom right when Yuta still inside, much to their embarrassment. Chise and Koyomi's friends, Yomogi and Yume, fare much better on the other hand. The two are currently in the same restaurant where Rikka accompanies her curious male acquaintance and attempting to reassess their situation, unaware that they somehow spirited away from their home universe while in the middle of their date.

As soon as he is notified by his teammates about what just happened, Gauma makes haste to return to Takarada residence. There, he is having a heartfelt reunion with friends he made back during his second life, the emotional Yomogi in particular; apparently Yomogi and co. had to make due in his funeral as his body disappeared in the aftermath of the fight against Kaiju Eugenicists. Orie, baffled by how so many people gathered in her home, suggests that they should have barbeque party for tonight. Though Rikka promptly dismisses her mother because of the less than appropriate moment, Yomogi and Gauma think otherwise as they can do so while sorting things out.

During the ensuing barbeque party, it's clear to everyone that Yuta's home universe begins to overlap with Yomogi and co.'s own also, explaining how the latter got marooned into the former in the first place. Chise is relieved to hear that Golburn is still around and currently with Gridknight Alliance in a mission at the moment. Because of looming Big Crunch, Yomogi and his friends cannot return home yet. Yomogi acknowledges how similar Yuta's home universe and his before asking Koyomi whether he has found a job. Turns out he's still looking for one at the moment thus have more free time to help. Rikka is surprised to see more people staying.

Yuta consults with Gridman about stage play script he, Utsumi, and Rikka currently work on which based on their past battles. When the Hyper Agent asks his host and partner about the latter's part in it, Yuta confides with Gridman about his lack of recollection which bothers him as of late. This revelation leaves Gridman disheartened.

Yume asks Rikka whether she has a spare phone charger to borrow. Telling her friend that all phone chargers in her person still used by the others, Rikka inquires Yume how she and her friends don't distressed by their current predicament, at which Yume explained that she and Yomogi had gone through a lot — she doesn't bring it up but, they, Chise, and Koyomi got dragged into the feud between Gauma and his former comrades. If anything, they should be able to get through it as before. Yume also confirms that she and Yomogi are in relationship, much to Rikka's pleasant surprise. Fortunately for Yume, Max does her a favor by lending him his power bank.

Unable to asleep due to recent events, Yomogi sits alone at the darkened family room of Rikka's residence. Noticing this, Gauma follows him and the two have a prep talk. It has been some time since the latter's second death, which worsened by them had no chance to have a proper farewell. Gauma cites that he and the princess he fell in love with long ago had no chance to do the same either. Yomogi states that he has so many things to say to his friend but, he unfortunately forgets them. For Gauma though, what matters now is Yomogi is all fine, a sentiment the latter shares.

At the school on the next day, Yuta, Utsumi, and Rikka notices some classes begin to work on their would be respective part in the upcoming festival. Because of his grades currently leave much to be desired, Yuta had to focus on his study instead.

Back at Takarada residence, Chise, Yume, and Koyomi get to know Gridman. Koyomi comments the resemblance of the Hyper Agent's Primal Fighter form to Gridknight, at which Borr retorted the truth being the other way around. To Yume's chagrin, Yomogi got overslept that he awakes when it's finally 11.00 PM. Returning with some items with Gauma in tow, Orie wonders why Yomogi and his friends aren't at school, prompting Yume to explain that their school being located at their home universe. This unexpectedly gives Chise an idea to join Yuta and the others in helping them prepare for the upcoming stage play about Gridman's war against Alexis • Kerib.

And so, Yomogi and co. meet up with the three friends at their school. Whereas Rikka is surprised by their unexpected assistance and Yomogi worries about the risk of getting into trouble with authorities, Utsumi points out that they need all they help they can get to complete their preparations for their part in the upcoming festival. As Yomogi and Yume worked on Gridman's design sketch with different results, Rikka is impressed by the new zentangle tattoo of Goldburn on Chise's hand, inspiring her to draw her own take on Gridman which turns out the most accurate. With preparations now go smoothly, Yuta now has more free time to study.

Finally, much of preparations for the stage play based of Gridman's tale have been completed, including its finalized script which impressed Namiko. Yuta learns that they have reworked the entire script where the latest version includes Yomogi and co.. He is about to check the finalized script when different sketches of Gridman caught his attention and decides to pick them up. Simultaneously, Yomogi helps Yume and Hass in completing Dyna Rex costume. With everyone famished from all the hardwork, they agree to buy some snacks.

After losing rock, paper, and scissor game to determine who will do them a favor, Yuta and Rikka set out to buy some ice cream, though the latter decides to buy some donuts as bonus. The two bring up about many things that happened while Yuta got possessed by Gridman's splinter fragment; the conflict against Alexis • Kerib revealed to be lasted for 2 months. On the flip side though, they are supposedly much closer than they used to be. Remembering the looming Big Crunch, Yuta comments that they have yet to see its apparent signs. Rikka wishes the world not to end nor more kaijus to appear as she wanted to have a chance to properly grow up and do many things, though she still dreaded the upcoming exam. If things don't go in the way she wanted, Rikka feels it would be worthwhile to see the festival through. Yuta reassures his crush that he'll look forward to it.

Remembering the shady rumor about Rikka, Yuta muster up the courage to clarify things. To his immense relief, the university student the others mistaken as her boyfriend IS her older brother who now lives on his own. Rikka goes so far ridicules such rumor by rightfully pointing out that she's never into older men to begin with. Their moment together is soon ruined by the appearance of the apparition which haunted Yuta in last two days. Whereas Yuta is horror-struck, Rikka, who apparently able to see it, much more puzzled but nevertheless reminds the former about snacks they bought for the others.

Yuta has finished reviewing the finalized script and disheartened that Rikka had to scrap the part she like (Akane Shinjo's role) in favor of Yomogi and co.'s own, finding it losing its focus compared to earlier version. At the rooftop, Yomogi talks to Yuta about such drastic change which they couldn't help since Utsumi approved it. Yuta then asks Yomogi whether newer parts of the script being based on their past adventures, in which the latter acknowledges it to be the case. To his surprise, Yomogi correctly deduces that Yuta harbors some feelings for someone and therefore have to confess to her ASAP.

While accompanying Koyomi and Orie at Hokkaido Food Fair, Gauma is intrigued by wares of a crab seller who, to his shock, resembles someone he knows from his previous life, Chinese princess names Hime. The biggest surprise however, is she recognizes him on the spot before he had a chance to introduce himself, apparently foreseeing his reincarnation and subsequent arrival. Gauma is understandably mixed by this instead of happy, as he should've properly moved on from the obsession which tear him, Kaiju Eugenicists, and Hime's family apart 5000 years back. Yet here, the love of his first life returned when he least expected it. It takes Hime comforting him that Gauma finally feels better, and he decides to buy one of her Hokkaido king crabs along with a recommended recipe to cook it. During their transaction, Hime admits how much their current business remind them to the time they enjoy crab-based dishes together in their previous life before reminding him about her advice; promises, love, and best-by-dates. Unknown to the two, their interaction is seen by Koyomi and Orie with the former deduces the crab seller to be Gauma's significant other he wanted to meet all along.

At Takarada residence, Yuta finds the older version of the script for the upcoming play about Gridman's adventures in the trash bin. Rikka and Utsumi are relaxing now that they have also overcome the exam, surprising Yuta because he should've realized it sooner. Sensing something off, Yuta brings up about the looming Big Crunch, at which Vit, Borr, and Max affirm that nothing is out of ordinary. Yomogi states that he and his friends still unable to find their way back home on the other hand. Their assurances do little as Alexis • Kerib, the defeated nemesis of Gridman and possessed Yuta shows up and claimed to be Rikka's father! Rikka's reassurance of his towering appearance being a costume does a little comfort to him as everything around him turn into a sick nightmare.

Regaining his consciousness, Yuta finds himself recovering from falling downstairs at the school with the script for Gridman's tale strewn behind him. Oddly enough, he feels no pain from such ordeal when Yomogi finds him. A realization struck Yuta like a thunderbolt as his inability to feel pain since prior to/during the moment he got struck at the face by an incoming volleyball ball apparently the very sign of things to come he overlooked. To his and Yomogi's horror, the apparition which haunted Yuta chooses that very moment to reveal itself and split up into two identical entities as the space between them shatters like a glass...

Another kaiju, Domgiran, appears and wreaks havoc. Utsumi, Rikka, Gauma, and Chise returns to Takarada residence in time to see Yuta have prepared to join Gridman in combating the threat. Chise and Koyomi (who just showed up) are shocked to see the young man performing Access Flash, while Yume notices Yomogi's absence. The Hyper Agent attempts to pulverize his opponent with Grid Beam but, the technique fails to make a dent on its defenses. Seeing Gridman in trouble, Chise wished to fight in Yomogi's place as Dynasoldier's spare pilot. Gauma tells her that Dynazenon can no longer be piloted like it used to be. Just then, Borr notices the arrival of Gridknight Alliance via. a portal and a flying warship called Sounderous. The transformed Gridknight leaps into the battlefield, raising Goldburn in its shield configuration to deflect their enemy's energy bolts. He then delivers fast-paced beating on Domgiran so Gridman can recover. Now that everyone is here, Gauma and Neon Genesis Junior High Students performs Access Code to assume their respective Assist Weapon form. The group then wastes no deliver suppressive strikes at the recovering Domgiran before combining with Gridman and Gridknight, allowing them to transform into Full Powered Gridman and Kaiser Gridknight respectively.

The battle continues with Domgiran projects lightning blast at Gridman and Gridknight to no avail as they easily shrug off its attack. The kaiju proved be more than match to their armored forms, prompting 2nd to fire her warship's cannons at it. Though Domgiran easily avoids the incoming fire by performing acrobatics maneuvers, she nonetheless buys Gridman and Gridknight enough time to recover and continue their assault. Although their time begins to run out with Junk starts to overheat, Gridman and Gridknight refuse to give up yet. Both sides begin to all-out with Gridman and Gridknight slowly but steadily gaining an upper hand. Eventually, exchanging their handheld weapons, the heroic duo finally overpower their opponent and subsequently defeat it in a spectacular displayed of teamwork and might.

Exhausted yet victorious, Gridman and Gridknight descend to the ground. Before they have a chance to return however, a giant identical to Gridknight abruptly backstabs Gridknight with enough force to make him disappear. As everyone is baffled by what just happened, Chise suddenly disappears, followed by Koyomi, Yume, and even the ship 2nd on. Even Gridknight disappears also, leaving only his doppelganger as the last one standing. Fortunately though, Yuta managed to escape. As Utsumi and Rikka baffled by the unexpected turn of events, Yomogi finally shows up with Knight and 2nd's younger selves.

It's revealed the apparition which haunts Yuta all this time is an illusion which masked Knight and 2nd's younger selves. Finally able to properly reveal themselves to both boys, young!Knight informs Yuta that Gridman is in danger and that the whole thing is a set-up as part of the plan to save him. According young!Knight, Gridman, as Gridman Universe, somehow became the driving force behind the looming Big Crunch and the reason Yomogi's friends as well as Gauma and Neon Genesis Junior High Students disappeared is because they're not native inhabitant of Yuta's universe. Young!2nd explains how humanity became instrumental in giving the Hyper Agent his current form as well as providing him strength to create. At one point, Yuta's home universe got swallowed by Gridman. Young!Knight adds that Gridman Yuta merges with in their last two battles together isn't necessarily him — just the embodiment of his consciousness. At this point, the Hyper Agent lost his form because every bits of himself merged with Yuta's universe. Other alternate universes he unwittingly created in this chaos, Yomogi's home universe included, have converged in Tsutsudjidai. The Hyper Agent's merging power has expanded and made the multiverse overlap with one another. As the first step to stop this mess, young!Knight is forced to shut down his consciousness. The reason Yomogi not disappeared is thanks to the duo who utilizes Acceptor young!Knight kept from combating Alexis • Kerib as well as the young man's very own Power of the Kaiju.

With this revelation, Yomogi is saddened by the risk he must take to stop this chaos (the uncertainty of his girlfriend and others' fate as they and their home universe being Gridman's creation all along). Yuta is able to relate with Yomogi's worries as his home universe started off as simulated reality made by Akane Shinjo — a truth Rikka herself still struggle to grasp. Still, young!2nd points out that despite their beginnings, they started to grow like actual living beings and develop their own beliefs, fabrications included. Yomogi affirms that while he doesn't know the origin of universe, let alone which ones that real and isn't, he makes it clear that he wanted to choose his own destiny. Admiring his resolve, Rikka states that he's same the rest of the group. Utsumi is puzzled by how Gridman could cause this mess, at which Yuta proposes a grim implication; someone or something was forcing him to. Young!2nd agrees with Yuta's suspicion, believing that whoever causing this is using him to gain power. As of the mastermind's identity, Young!Knight states that they need to figure it out.

Continuing her explanation, Young!2nd reveals Dimorgan and Domgiran, two kaijus they defeated, were the mastermind's thralls created out of Gridman's memories to spread chaos under their behalf. The produced entropy will be increased by closing off the universe. Rikka compares this with the script the made. As of why Yuta being the first to notice through his curious inability to feel pain, it is thanks to traces of his Hyper Agent partner in him. Young!Knight and his companion tried to reach Yuta since day 1, though their failed attempts resulted the duo appearing as apparition which scared him instead. Naturally, Yuta is less than thrilled as Young!Knight and Young!2nd being the one who botched his love confession attempt to his crush all along.

The mastermind summons an army of Noirdogmas to eliminate the group, forcing Yuta and co. to make their move for Gridman fast. Lacking Assist Weapons in his disposal, Young!Knight, who transformed into Gridknight while carrying the group, is forced to access his original kaiju form he hasn't used for quite a while in order to use its thruster legs to fly evading the enemies. Noirdogma army don't make things easier for the group as they take flight to continue the chase and worse, fighting back isn't an appropriate option so long the mastermind is outside Gridman Universe. Young!Knight states that there's a way to reach the Hyper Agent before being interrupted by Noirdogma army who shoot them down from the sky. Recovering from the crash, the group find themselves surrounded, at which Young!Knight finally instructs Yuta to perform Access Flash in order to put his Hyper Agent partner back together. The catch is there's a chance of him disappearing while doing so for merging with Gridman in his current state would certainly prove too much for Yuta. Despite Utsumi and Rikka's protests, Yuta have made his choice.

Unfortunately, Young!Knight has reach his limit and the group crash-land once again. Yuta notices his Primal Acceptor flashing, which means Gridman is calling him. Before one of Noirdogmas has a chance to finish them off however, Yomogi performs Instance Domination to turn it against its comrades, buying Yuta more time to reach Junk. Trusting everyone's well-being to his friend, Yuta makes haste to Takarada residence, leaving the dismayed Rikka and Utsumi behind. Exhausted, the young man trips and falls before he could reach Takarada residence. Fortunately, someone lends him a ride for the rest of his journey with his bike.

Back to the others, Yomogi has exhaused much of his strength, and Young!Knight points out that all they can do now is retreating.

Finally arrived at Takarada residence, Yuta thanks the biker for lending him a ride. The biker reassures him that he'll make it in nick of time before departing. Despaired to see Takarada residence seemingly locked at first, a glimmer of hope shines upon Yuta when Rikka's brother appears to him in flesh. Thanks to him, Yuta finally reaches Junk inside and performs Access Flash at last while being watched by the confused Rikka's brother and his mother, seemingly sending him into a void.

Confused with what happened, Yuta is soon guided by someone towards a multiverse which now assume Gridman-like shape and very fragile. According to the unseen figure who guide him, such form serves as sort of distress signal so he can locate him. The figure reassures that his strong will should be helpful in reconstituting Gridman before it's too late and in turn, allowing them to subdue Alexis • Kerib into their will. It doesn't take long for Yuta to deduce her benefactor as Akane Shinjo herself. Yuta asks Akane whether she helps them owing to her almighty status, at which she argues that he and others at Tsutsudjidai are her friends.

Yuta and Gridman reunite at last in the space where their merger traditionally takes place. The relieved Hyper Agent expresses his deepest apology to his chosen partner and host for resorting to have him housing one of his splintered fragments which then unknowingly impersonated him back during his early conflict against Alexis • Kerib. To add insult to injury, his trauma from the fiasco was what drawn the mastermind behind the current crisis to ambush him and using his powers for their own gain. Yuta reassures his Hyper Agent partner that he had no hard feelings towards the latter since the fiasco also allowed them to save Akane and the rest of Tsutsujidai in the first place. As such, it's now his and his friends' turn to save their savior. Yuta even believed that Gridman found the time he spent while forced to impersonate his chosen partner and host truly worthwhile. Upon their heartwarming reconciliation, Gridman sketches in Yuta's pocket he originally planned to take a look come to life and giving the Hyper Agent strength.

At the real world, Akane oversees this miraculous development through a discarded computer monitor among a pile of junk by the riverside — a cue for her to make her move. Using her Power of the Kaiju, Akane assumes her Repli-Compoid avatar for the first time in a while and subdues Alexis • Kerib into her will, reversing their role back then. Out of boredom, the interdimensional entity willingly rolls with it. With her former acquaintance on her side, Akane upgrades her avatar, giving it a set of uniform not unlike that of Kaiju Eugenicists. The process also evolves Alexis • Kerib, giving him dark blue and white color scheme. The former acquaintances proceed to confront the mastermind head-on, which Alexis • Kerib immediately recognizes as the amalgamation of humanity's negative emotions, Mad Origin. Alexis • Kerib further elaborates that the chaotic entity is Gridman's opposite for all its intents and purposes, seeking to accelerate and spread chaos just as the Hyper Agent seeking to ensure order. Enraged by the apocalyptic chaos bringer's desire, Akane has Alexis delivering a titanic strike, freeing Gridman at last who then assumes Gridman Universe form, much to Mad Origin's disbelief.

Enraged, Mad Origin battles Gridman in space head on only to be blasted by his empowered Grid Beam back to earth. Simultaneously, Alexis • Kerib saves Utsumi, Rikka, Yomogi, Young!Knight, and Young!2nd from Noirdogma army, buying Gridman enough time to join him in making a short work on Mad Origin's army. As the group rejoice by Gridman and Yuta's return, Mad Origin brings forth everything it has to reclaim the Hyper Agent. With aid of Alexis • Kerib's Instance Abreaction, Gridman both restores their allies who disappear earlier (Yume, Koyomi, Chise, Gauma in his Dynazenon form, Goldburn, and Neon Genesis Junior High Students) and rejoins both older and younger selves of Knight and 2nd. As Knight turns into Gridknight to join the fray, 2nd unveils her combat suit while enlarging herself and wearing Sounderous in its exosuit-like battle mode before bringing Utsumi and Rikka in as her co-pilots. Neon Genesis Junior High Students follow in suit as Powered Zenon in the climatic battle against the apocalyptic chaos bringer's forces.

Despite being the last one standing, Mad Origin is able to match the combined might of Gridman and co. on his own since he already learned what they capable of. Chise suggests that they should try something new, at which Akane appears beside her without warning to use the former's design of new tattoo as the basis to upgrade Goldburn. With no time to lose, Gridman combines with both Dynazenon and upgraded Goldburn into Rogue Kaiser Gridman, all while parrying Mad Origin's assaults. Empowered by everyone, and assisted by Gridknight who combines with Powered Zenon into Full Powered Gridknight, Alexis • Kerib, and 2nd, they push Mad Origin's forces back and restore collateral damages around them at the same time.

Still, the apocalyptic chaos bringer doesn't give up against his enemies' might. It ambushes Alexis • Kerib and assimilated him in front of everyone, but fails to do the same to Akane because he ejected her at the last moments. More powerful than ever, Mad Origin now more than enough to bring forth the multiversal apocalypse all by himself. Focusing its rage at Gridman, he batters up the Hyper Agent first who comes up with a plan: Everyone must split up and throw everything they got while Gridman himself blasts the apocalyptic chaos bringer with Fixer Beam of equal firepower. So, Dynarex and Goldburn eject themselves from Gridman in order to split up and create an opening first. Now that Mad Origin unwisely made itself vulnerable, Gridknight, Dynarex, and 2nd waste no time to go all-out as Gridman, hoisted by Goldburn in its jetpack configuration, fires his Fixer Beam. Confused at first, Mad Origin is horrified to find his body corroding from rapid restoration and degeneration via. his enemies' opposing power, which Utsumi compares to how Yuta's repeated attempts to draw Gridman to no avail gradually crumpling the paper he used some time ago. Fighting his enemy from the inside, Alexis • Kerib forces Mad Origin back into his allies' opposing power surge. To add insult to injury, Mad Origin unwittingly impaled one of its own eyes with a piece of Gridknight's helmet while pushing him back, allowing Gridman to finish the job. In its last moments, Mad Origin cursed Gridman for being weak despite possessing power to destroy and create, at which the Hyper Agent acknowledges it as the reason he fight alongside everyone, Yuta in particular. Dynarex, Gridknight, and Powered Zenon who ejected themselves to descend his and Gridknight's fall, watch from below as Gridman finish Mad Origin off with a Grid Beam which vaporized it in an explosion of rainbow light. Now that the apocalyptic chaos bringer is gone (for now at least), Gridman restores Yuta's home universe and the others back to normal via. Fixer Beam. Gridknight, who watches him alongside the others, dismayed to see his rival more powerful than ever.

Neon Genesis Junior High Students notice Alexis • Kerib survival, though the interdimensional being is clearly in awful shape. Finally understands what Gridman stated to him long ago, Alexis • Kerib lamented his failure in realizing it sooner before crumbling away into nothingness. Though his death is much more certain, Neon Genesis Junior High Students is more than ready to seal Alexis • Kerib once more once they managed to find his surviving remains.

Meanwhile, Rikka and Utsumi express their confidence that they'll always ready to deal the threat should Mad Origin returns.

Before departing back to real world, Akane properly make amends with grateful Knight. Despite everything, Knight still looks up at his creator for providing him life he has now, and Akane in turn, gently brushes her creation's hair to affirm her apologies for her past treatments on him. Utsumi, who watches their reconciliation alongside Rikka and Yuta, asks Rikka whether she has anything to say to Akane. As much as she wants to, Rikka finds it no longer necessary as Akane's brief teasing on her from behind is more than enough for the two to convey what they feel to one another.

Finally, it's time for Yuta's allies from another universe to part ways. Yomogi, Yume, Koyomi, and Chise bid Yuta, Utsumi, and Rikka farewell as they are on board of 2nd's Sounderous. 2nd informs Gauma who stands on Golburn that she'll escort Yomogi and his friends back to their home universe. Gauma reassures that he'll take care of Goldburn on Chise's behalf before being annoyed by Koyomi's idea to take him in should he failed to find a job. Just then, he remembers a parting gift for Yomogi; Hokkaido king crab he bought from Hime. Yomogi is happy now that they able to properly bid farewell this time around. Before leaving, Gauma reminds Yomogi three important things Hime taught to him long ago, in which they finally able to come up with the third thing (best-by-dates). Finding the bill from the crab he gave to Yomogi earlier, Gauma finds the message from Hime, causing him to tearfully affirming his desire to move on with his life as Rex of Neon Genesis Junior High Students as Knight watches. Meanwhile, Yomogi decides to share the crab not just to his family, but also to Yume whom he asks to join the upcoming feast with them, much to her embarrassment and delight. When it's Gridman and Neon Genesis Junior High Students' turn, Yuta, Rikka, and Utsumi reassures the former group that they don't mind to fight together once again someday despite dangers they would certainly face and have to balance between said fights and everyday lives at the same time. Yuta also decides to keep Primal Acceptor in his person in order for them to keep in touch with one another.

Following Gridman and Neon Genesis Junior High Students' departure, Rikka wants to rework the script for the upcoming stageplay about Gridman once again with their recent adventures as the basis, certain that it will be better than previous iteration.

Now that entire Tsutsudjidai and the rest of multiverse are saved from Mad Origin, Akane can continue her normal life. It's revealed that she's dutifully cleaning up the riverside from trash when the apocalyptic chaos bringer interrupted her, prompting her to do whatever she could to help its defenders and former enemies against the common threat. By the time the threat is over, Akane's real-life friends joins her in the task at hand.

At Tsutsudjidai, the school festival is on underway. Everyone except Namiko enjoys the stage play about Gridman against Mad Origin despite its flaws. Once the stage play concludes, Yuta sets out to confess to Rikka with Utsumi supporting him. Storing Acceptor in his pocket, he brings Rikka to the outside so they can speak more privately. Yuta admires how the stage play went well despite of her uncertainty about whether everyone fully understands its story. Rikka reveals that by writing the finalized script, she learned more about her recent changes and even understand Yuta slightly better than before. Lamenting his previously missed chances, Yuta finally confesses to Rikka that he developed a crush on her since they were 10th graders. To his delight, Rikka bashfully reciprocates Yuta's feelings, citing how his shortcomings allows her to develop romantic feelings for his new boyfriend in turn. Humorously, things become awkward for the two when they decide to go out together, unsure of where to start.

The film ends with Yomogi and Yume having a crab feast alongside the former's family at Asanaka residence.

## Production

The theatrical film set in the GRIDMAN UNIVERSE was announced in the TSUBURAYA CONVENTION 2021 SPECIAL PROGRAM held on December 13, 2021. Akira Amemiya, director of SSSS.GRIDMAN and SSSS.DYNAZENON will continue to lead this project as well. The production will bring back all of the heavy hitters from the SSSS.GRIDMAN and SSSS.DYNAZENON series, with screenplay by Keiichi Hasegawa, character design by Masaru Sakamoto, and music by Shiro Sagisu.

Tsuburaya Productions and Trigger revealed at the "*SSSS.GRIDMAN × SSSS.DYNAZENON Special Night*" event in Tokyo on August 26, 2022 that the new Gridman anime film will open in 2023. The film's official website unveiled returning cast members and a visual with Yuta Hibiki.

## Music

The musical score was composed by Shiro Sagisu.

### Gridman Alliance

* Yūya Hirose as Yuta Hibiki
* Yume Miyamoto as Rikka Takarada
* Sōma Saitō as Sho Utsumi

### Team Gauma

* Junya Enoki as Yomogi Asanaka
* Shion Wakayama as Yume Minami
* Yuichiro Umehara as Koyomi Yamanaka
* Chika Anzai as Chise Asukagawa
* Daiki Hamano as Rex

### Neon Genesis Junior High Students

* Ryosuke Takahashi as Samurai・Calibur
* Katsuyuki Konishi as Max
* Aoi Yuki as Borr
* Masaya Matsukaze as Vit

### Gridknight Alliance

* Kenichi Suzumura as Knight
* Karin Takahashi as The 2nd

### Others

* Mayumi Shintani as Orie Takarada
* Suzuko Mimori as Namiko
* Akari Kito as Hass

## Promotion Material

### Videos

「GRIDMAN×DYNAZENON」完全新作劇場版（仮称）制作決定告知映像グリッドマン ユニバース【GRIDMAN UNIVERSE】特報 2023年3月24日(金)全国公開！グリッドマン ユニバース【GRIDMAN UNIVERSE】本予告｜2023年3月24日(金)全国公開！

## Trivia

* The film clarified that the events of *SSSS.DYNAZENON* being set in its own universe rather than Naoto Sho and Akane Shinjo's home universe, specifically one the distortion Mad Origin, the film's main antagonist, unwittingly created. Both universes are so identical in many ways (particularly the Chinese mummy incident as covered in "The Legend of Dragon") that they are seemingly one in the same on the first glance.
	+ In addition of how Gauma and Kaiju Eugenicists ended up revived at Yomogi's home universe instead of their own, the same distortion also resulted Anti and Anosillus the 2nd's younger and older selves existed as separate entities. It was the latter who became Gridknight Alliance, with both counterparts eventually rejoin in a bid to defeat the mastermind .

## References

1. ↑ https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2022/11/20-1/gridman-universe-anime-film-to-fly-in-theaters-on-march-24-new-teaser-trailer-released
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://en.tsuburaya-prod.co.jp/news/3784
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-08-26/gridman-universe-anime-film-unveils-visual-returning-cast-2023-premiere/.189023
4. ↑ https://tsuburaya-prod.com/news/5910

## External links

* Official Website
* Official Twitter