On the Ancient Stage of Stone

In a near-future world where giant robots called Tactical Armors (TAs) are being developed as military machines like tanks or planes, tensions rise when the United States detects that the Middle East country of Belgistan has tested a weapon of mass destruction. Behind the scenes, two organizations attempt to harness forces beyond mortal comprehension. One, the Gowa corporation, heading up an experimentation group under the auspices of the Japan Special Self-Defense Forces, uses Yushiro Gowa, a young Noh dancer (and civilian TA test pilot) with the ability to totally immerse himself into a trance state, to perform the Gasara dance, which will open a gateway in time and space to summon a mysterious and powerful entity. Another organization manipulates Miharu, who goes against her masters' wishes and psychically interferes with Yushiro's summoning, warning him not to release what she calls "the terror." Yushiro wonders at what the terror might be, but once the trance-induced dance begins, it cannot be stopped. (American release in 2000.), In the opener, the SSDF studies the implementation of Tactical Armors, bipedal tanks made with experimental technology. Yet the ones responsible for the technology, the Gowas, are more interested on experimenting on their family's youngest son, Yushiro.