Assault Lily: The Battle to Overcome

Assault Lily: Odaiba Girls' School Edition -The Battle to Overcome- (アサルトリリィ・御台場女学校編 -The Battle to Overcome-) is a stage play created by AZONE International and acus. The sequel to The Empathy Phenomenon, The Battle to Overcome is the tenth stage play in the Assault Lily franchise, and the third stage play centered on the Garden of Odaiba Girls' School. Furthermore, the play is a direct continuation of Colorful Days End, the Gran Eple section of Assault Lily: Last Bullet's Chapter Three.

The Battle to Overcome ran from February 3 to 12, 2023 at Space Zero's Kokumin Kyousai coop Hall in Shibuya, Tokyo. A sequel titled The Snowdrop premiered on August 1, 2024.

Plot

Prelude

Legion Hronesnæsse's Shiba Tomoshibi recovers her repressed memories of the night she was able to escape from the GEHENA-controlled Garden of Kuramayama Girls' High, recalling how she lost control of herself and killed all of the researches in the facility, including one Inaba Mayumi, after witnessing the rogue researcher that arranged her escape being killed. Tomoshibi then remembers her first meeting with Funada Kiito during her time living in the mountains of Kyoto, where after engaging in a fierce duel with the Odaiba Lily, Tomoshibi became completely enamored with her. Finally, Tomoshibi declares she’ll not allow anyone to bring harm to her beloved Kiito and herself. Meanwhile, Mayumi excitedly notes that as Tomoshibi is a Princess of the Huge, she possesses the power to truly ‘save the world’. Because of it, the Instructor is determined to prove that their research in Kuramayama was correct.

Prologue

Odaiba’s Legions Hronesnæsse and Heorot Saints deploy together in order to neutralize a Cave, but as their battle progresses, they encounter an ever-increasing number of Irregular Soldier Ants amidst the Huge’s swarm, which appear to be unusually attracted to the Saints’ Lunatic Trancer user and Boosted Lily Saigo Kurena. Kiito soon recognizes the Huge to be the very same type as the one encountered by their junior high Reserve, the Funada Reserve Corps, in their very last battle two years prior.

Kiito recalls how in that fight, the Reserve fought against a large swarm of the Irregular Soldier Ants at Odaiba’s Wakasu Park. The team's battle formation and strategical approach had been entrusted to their lead tactical commander, Kon Kanaho, but though her orders successfully allowed the Reserve to defeat a Large-class variant of the Ants with the Neunwelt Tactic, the Ants' ever increasing numbers caused the team to be completely surrounded, with any possible escape routes sealed shut. Kanaho was distraught, as she blamed the Reserve's encircling on her failure to provide them with an effective battle strategy, and in her desperation, she attempted to forcefully create an opening in the Huge’s army by herself. However, the Huge showed intense resistance to her attempts, and as Kanaho’s close friend Miyagawa Takane attempted to bring her back to the rest of the team, she was caught and severely maimed by one of the Huge.

Act Two

After returning from their mission, Nagasawa Yuki continues to tell the story of the Funada Reserve Corps' last battle to the Hronesnæsse and Heorot Saints’s first years, explaining that, with a member down, the Reserve Corps fought to the death against Soldier Ants while awaiting for the arrival of the Heorot Saints, at the time Odaiba’s only active Legion. As she listens to the story, Hayami Katsura presumes that Kanaho had fully intended to give up her life in order to atone for her mistake, and Yuki goes on to explain that though Takane was able to survive the Huge’s attack, she was left permanently crippled, as she now was much more vulnerable to the effects of Negative Magie. As such, she was no longer able to remain in the ranks of the notoriously high-performance Reserve Corps, which further drove Kanaho to blame herself.

Takane, however, still remained by Kanaho’s side, providing her comfort in her grief despite her own situation. And ultimately, Kanaho proposed that she and Takane leave Odaiba and enroll in the Garden of Kamba Girls’ School for the Arts, arguing that as it is a Garden that allowed for its Legions to freely choose which battles they deploy to, she and Takane would be able to continue fighting in a way that suited them best. Kanaho and Takane eventually left Odaiba for Kamba, and the first years express their disappointment that the now legendery Funada Reserve Corps had to meet its end. Though Yuki refuses to expand on why it happened, Kozue West remarks that its members simply “didn’t get along”.

Meanwhile, the Hronesnæsse and Saints’ second years assemble for Igusa Subaru’s mission review. They recall how the Soldier Ants appeared to unusually flock towards Kurena during the battle, and the Lilies note how the species as a whole appears to have evolved compared to their prior encounters with them during the Reserve Corps’ final battle, as well as the Odaiba Counteroffensive. As such, they presume the Soldier Ants were able to fully colonize the Odaiba region by forming a Nest. Hishida Haru noticed the Ants’ unusually high strength, as well as their invisibility to Huge searchers in their previous battle, and pointing out how all the Lilies present had traumatic memories with the species, she surmises that they were likely purposefully deployed by GEHENA in order to exploit their trauma. Not intimidated, Kiito declares that this time, they will exterminate all of the Soldier Ants for good.

Act Three

Mayumi is ecstatic that Tomoshibi had finally remembered the night of her escape, and repeatedly taunts the Lily for her regret at the lives she had taken. Distraught, Tomoshibi insists that she did not meant to kill anyone, but Mayumi responds that there is no harm in disposing of "worthless" people, and that unlike them, she returned to life because she is someone the world needs. Tomoshibi asks Mayumi how she was able to return after being killed, and the Instructor explains that so long as her mind is intact, she can remain alive even if her body is destroyed, comparing herself to a yorishiro charm. Because of this, Mayumi mockingly assures Tomoshibi that no matter how many times she dies, she’ll forever return to the Lily's side.

Asagao announces the reappearance of the Soldier Ants to the entirety of Odaiba Girls’ School, informing the Garden of the possibility of a further increase in their numbers, as well as their evolution into Gigant-class forms. As such, she instructs all of Odaiba to fortify their efforts to combat their advance. The news make their way to Kamba, and Kanaho, now the captain of the Garden’s Top Legion, Gran Eple, is particularly disheartened at the resurgence of her old foe.

Takane speaks with Kanaho, arguing that it is because of her ties to her past as a member of the Reserve Corps that she is unable to reach a conclusion on the ultimatum posed to Gran Eple regarding the effectiveness of their battle formation. Though Takane admits she is also unwilling to let go of the position she has held since those times, she tells Kanaho that they will only able to move forward once they finally overcome their past in the Reserve Corps, as well as their trauma with the Soldier Ants. As such, Takane proposes that the two of them join Odaiba in their fight against the Ants' assault. Kanaho, however, is reluctant to return, as she feels that it was her departure that led to the Reserve Corps' disbandment. She points out how her abscence led the at the time meek and reserved Tsukioka Momiji to suffer severely under Kiito's lead, and also notes how Yokoyama Azusa greatly struggled to fill Takane’s position after she left.

At the same time, the Saints' second years ponder the possibility of the Reserve Corps continuing on after Kanaho and Takane left, and Momiji reveals to the others how she believes she would have only been a bother to Kanaho had she remained in Odaiba. Haru tells the other Saints that she personally believes the Reserve Corps’ dissolution was for the best, as it was their current Legion that allowed that Momiji and Azusa to finally achieve their optimal fighting styles.

Ui speaks with Kiito, who had been constantly bothered by the Soldier Ants’ reappearance since their previous battle. Kiito tells her sister of how all the Reserve Corps’ members have lived with the regret of that last battle, and with her faith in her position as captain wavering, she reveals to Ui that she fears her leadership might lead Hronesnæsse to come apart as the Reserve Corps did. Meanwhile, Hronesnæsse’s second years and Kurena also debate whether the Reserve Corps could have remained together, and Kawabata Hotaru notes that even thought all of their members were incredibly powerful, that alone does not make for a powerful Legion. Subaru adds that the strength of a Legion comes from the mutual trust between its members, and all Lilies agree that both Hronesnæsse and the Saints are far superior in that regard.

Though acknowledging the difficulties faced by the Reserve Corps’ members after their departure, Takane points out that all of them were eventually able to let go of their past together and find a new place to be in their respective Legions, arguing that it is only Kanaho and herself that are still holding onto their former selves. Takane's words fully convince Kanaho, and the pair decides to return to Odaiba once again so they can finally find their own closure.

Second Battle

Odaiba is soon alerted to the reappearance of the Irregular Soldier Ants at Wakasu Park, and as Hronesnæsse and the Saints arrive at the Cave’s location, they are joined by Kanaho and Takane, who ask that they allow them to fight by their side once again. Meanwhile, an excited Mayumi watches over the Lilies as a Gigant-class Soldier Ant appears leading the Huge’s army, and at the same time, the Light Wall system is placed in Full Admission mode, completely sealing the Huge within its enclosure. With all of its former members currently present, Kiito asks that they reform into the Funada Reserve Corps for the final time, hoping to finally settle their unresolved past. The former members of both Legions Lilies agree, and under Kiito's leadership, the Funada Reserve Corps comes together once again.

The remaining Lilies of each Legion are tasked with keeping the surrounding swarms Huge at bay while the Reserve Corps take on the role of defeating the Gigant-class before the end of the one hour time limit of the Light Walls’ Full Admission Mode. As they begin to move out into battle, Kanaho and Momiji reunite, and though Kanaho profusely apologizes for the suffering she caused Momiji in her absence, the latter insists she was not at fault. Momiji tells Kanaho that she had been the one who constantly compared herself to her, as well as her own sister. But despite her efforts, she was never able to follow in their steps, and presumes that Kiito's harsh treatment of her sought to correct her ambitions.

Simultaneously, Azusa tells Takane of how even with Kiito's discontentment, she still desperately attempted to fill the void she left them with. Because of that, she blamed her own incompetence for the incredibly severe training policies Kiito instituted in that era. Ultimately, Momiji and Azusa tell Kanaho that it was not her departure that caused the Reserve Corps to come apart, but instead, it happened due to the disapproval of Odaiba’s student body to the power-based regimen that Kiito attempted to introduce. And so, Momiji urges Kanaho to stop blaming herself for the Reserve Corps’ dissolution, with Azusa adding that every member was equally responsible for it. As they begin their Neunwelt Tactic, Momiji and Azusa tell Kanaho and Takane of how they were only able to find their ideal selves after fully letting go of their past.

The Reserve Corps' Neunwelt continues, and during Kurena’s turn with the Magisphere, Subaru notices how she appears unusually stable despite her concentration of Negative Magie being much higher than usual. As such, the Saints' members agree to remain on alert for any possible adverse effects she may encounter.

Meanwhile, as the Saints’ first years watch over the Reserve Corps’ Neunwelt, Kawanabe Nazuna appears unusually pensive. She explains to her fellow first years that learning of her seniors’ past made her recall her own, reminiscing of how she lost her parents and her house to the Huge, and due to her dissatisfaction with her fragility, she did not see herself worthy to be Takehisa Nakaba’s friend. But in spite of that, Nakaba still stayed by her side regardless, always assuring her that her talents would one day be recognized, driving Nazuna to overcome her insecurities and keep on moving forward.

Similarly, Katsura recalls how she was previously a Lily of Yurigaoka, but after her inabiltiy to protect her classmates from a swarm of Small-class Huge led to their deaths, she decided to retire. However, during the Odaiba Counteroffensive, she was driven to stand against the Huge once again in order to protect her now civilian classmates, desperate to avoid a repeat of the tragedy she experienced. Ultimately, the bravery she displayed in her relentless and unyielding one man stand against the Huge inspired Momiji to invite her to Odaiba Girls’ School, and with the senior's promise to never let her fight by herself ever again, Katsura found the resolve to make peace with her past and once again become a Lily.

As the other first years continue to hold off the Soldier Ants' army, Tomoshibi leaves to find Mayumi. She inquires the Instructor on GEHENA’s objectives, pointing out how the Gigant-class appeared just as Kanaho and Takane joined their former teammates. Mayumi in turn tells Tomoshibi that she equally resents GEHENA for halting her research after the Kuramayama staff was murdered, and Tomoshibi figures that Mayumi is attempting to continue her research in Odaiba. As such, she tells the Instructor to stay away from Kiito and the rest of the Garden and take her revenge on her alone. Mayumi, however, tells Tomoshibi that, as she is a Princess of the Huge, she wishes to keep her safe, and insists that her research is something that will ultimately benefit not only her, but all of humanity. Once again remembering the researcher who set her free, Tomoshibi tells Mayumi she'll not allow her to take away her loved ones again, and begins fighting the Instructor.

As the Reserve Corps’ Neunwelt approaches its conclusion, their Hronesnæsse half acknowledges the suffering they’ve endured in their final battle two year prior, but reveal their belief that it was that very suffering that allowed them to grow into better fighters. Hearing their words, Kanaho and Takane are finally able to come to terms with with their past mistakes. While on her turn with the Magisphere, Kanaho activates her Rare Skill, Regista, but as she overlooks the battlefield, she immediately orders the other Lilies to halt.

Final Battle

Tomoshibi struggles to gain the upper hand against Mayumi, continuously relying on her Regenerator Skill in order to counter the Instructor’s vicious attacks. Mayumi is thrilled at how much stronger her test subject has become, and Tomoshibi responds by declaring that she isn't her test subject, but her own person. Suddenly, however, Mayumi collapses on the floor, and a disconcerted Tomoshibi ascertains that the Instructor had died. At the same time, as the Reserve Corps observe the Gigant-class Huge, they notice a person standing before it, whom them promptly identify as Mayumi. To the Lilies’ shock, Mayumi allows herself to be devoured by the Huge.

Tomoshibi is found by Nakaba and Nazuna, who are shocked to find Mayumi’s lifeless body, but are simultaneously confused, as they had just watched her be devoured by the Gigant-class. Recalling the Instructor’s previous remark of how she was capable of constantly reviving herself, Tomoshibi is further horrified, and leaves the scene by herself.

The Lilies are in complete disbelief at what they've witnessed, and Momiji points out how Huge are known to boost their Magie by consuming other Huge. Presuming that to have been Mayumi's intention, the Lilies conclude that she had been the one to orchestrate the Soldier Ants’ outbreak. As they are joined by Tomoshibi, Nakaba and Nazuna, Mayumi's consciousness speaks with the Lilies telepathically. Tomoshibi explains to the other Lilies her past connection to Mayumi, as well as her ability to conserve her mind even without a body. Inquired on her reasons, Mayumi once again remarks that she wishes to “save the world”, explaining that in order to do so, it is paramount that the power of both Lilies and Huge be joined together. As she speaks, however, her voice begins to break down, and when the telepathic link suddenly breaks, the Lilies presume that the Gigant-class rejected Mayumi’s consciousness. This leaves Tomoshibi particularly enthusiastic, and while she is eager to defeat the Gigant-class herself, Kiito orders her to step back, though flustered, Tomoshibi and the other first years return to acting as the Reserve Corps’ support.

With only fifteen minutes left for the end of the Full Admission Mode’s time limit, the Reserve Corps resume their Neunwelt, with Kiito leaving Kanaho and Takane to take the finishing shot. Meanwhile, Tomoshibi briefly encounters another copy of Mayumi as she watches the other Lilies continue their battle. With only five minutes remaining, Kanaho and Takane fire the finishing shot together, successfully destroying the Gigant-class Soldier Ant. However, as the Ants’ Nest still remains, Kiito and Ui volunteer to neutralize it by themselves, ordering the remaining Lilies to stop the advance of the remaining Ant swarm once the Light Wall comes down. Kiito once again entrusts Kanaho with arranging their battle formation, and after giving the Lilies her orders, Kanaho worries if they’ll be able to succeed given their level of exhaustion, but Takane assures her that they are sure to see victory under Kiito and Ui’s leadership.

Two minutes remain until the end of Full Admission Mode as Kiito and Ui begin fighting their way to the Soldier Ants’ Nest, and though incredibly exhausted, they still unleash their full might against the Huge’s troops. Recalling Kiito’s earlier worries, Ui tells her sister that she is a matured into a completely different person, and assures Kiito that not only her, but all of Hronesnæsse are fully willing to follow her current self’s leadership. Motivated, Kiito and Ui continue to fight with all their remaining strength, and with mere seconds until the time limit's end, the pair succeeds in destroying the Soldier Ants’ Nest. Basking in their victory, Kiito remarks that the Funada Reserve Corps have now reached their true conclusion, and as Ui notes how it was her trust in her teammates that granted them this victory, Kiito responds that she had always trusted them since their time together.

Epilogue

Tomoshibi finds Mayumi as she is about to leave Odaiba, and the Instructor tells Tomoshibi that though her experiment turned out a failure at the very end, she is intent on continuing her research, particularly excited at her near success in transferring her mind to a non-human host. Tomoshibi inquires her on what she intends to achieve with that ability, and Mayumi responds that much like her research with the Princesses, it is a manner of manipulating Magie in order to reach her goal of bringing salvation to humanity. Before leaving, Mayumi once again tells Tomoshibi that there are many worthy candidates to be made into Princesses in Odaiba, particularly declaring that "their fixation with Kiito shouldn’t stop them from finding a partner of their own". Mayumi promises Tomoshibi will see her again once that happens, though remarking she may not be using her current body anymore.

Hronesnæsse and the Saints reunite in order to see Kanaho and Takane off, with Kiito and Ui offering their thanks for their invaluable help. Kanaho points out that she feels as if she was finally able to overcome the grief of their previous battle, and Takane adds that they are now ready to let go of their former positions once they return to Kamba, promising do right by their past as members of Odaiba and the Reserve Corps. As Kanaho and Takane leave, Hronesnæsse and the Saints resume their usual rivalry, but this time, both Legions are committed to leaving their past as the Reserve Corps behind, fully embracing their new realities as separate, fully-fledged Legions of their own.

Cast

Legion Hronesnæsse

• Ishii Haruna / 石井陽菜 as Funada Kiito
• Saiba Mizuki / 西葉瑞希 as Funada Ui
• Nomoto Sora / 野元空 as Shiba Tomoshibi
• Hasegawa Rimo / 長谷川里桃 as Nagasawa Yuki
• Yoshimiya Ruri / 吉宮瑠織 (Formerly Umino Ruri / 海乃るり) as Igusa Subaru
• Harusaki Non / 春咲暖 as Fujita Asagao
• Tasaki Reina / 田崎礼奈 as Kawabata Hotaru
• Shibata Mari / 柴田茉莉 as Imamura Yukari
• Arisawa Mifū / 有沢澪風 as Kozue West

Legion Heorot Saints

• Yano Hinaki / 矢野妃菜喜 as Tsukioka Momiji
• Awatsu Mai / あわつまい as Kawamura Yuzuriha
• Hayashida Mahiro / 林田真尋 as Hishida Haru
• Ando Chikana / 安藤千伽奈 as Saigo Kurena
• Hanana Mio / 花奈澪 as Yokoyama Azusa
• Kawauchi Misato / 河内美里 as Kawanabe Nazuna
• Kanna / 栞菜 as Hayami Katsura
• Shiraishi Mayumi / 白石まゆみ as Suzuki Chinami
• Yamamoto Shiori / 山本栞 as Takehisa Nakaba

Legion Gran Eple

• Umehara Saeri / 梅原サエリ as Kon Kanaho
• Nakamura Yukari / 中村裕香里 as Miyagawa Takane

Faculty

• Ishihara Misaki / 石原美沙紀 as Inaba Mayumi

Additionally, Actress Kiyohara Chitose (雪原千歳) once again appears in an uncredited, voice-only performance as the GEHENA researcher who freed Tomoshibi.

Production

Production of The Battle to Overcome was led by both AZONE International and pius, with Obanazawa Ken'ei (尾花沢軒栄), the author of the Assault Lily series, in charge of the primary draft. The screenplay was developed by Sakuragi Sakaya (桜木さやか) of the Ludvico Private Girls' Academy theatre troupe, with Sano Mizuki (佐野瑞樹) of Bushiroad Music in charge of stage direction. Hayashi Shuji (林修司) of Ludvico and Hayazono Sho (早園正) of acus served as the play's executive producers.

Soundtrack

Main article: Assault Lily: Odaiba Girls' School - Stage Song Selection

Composer Tani Naoki (谷ナオキ) was responsible for the play's score and music direction, and though the play did not see a soundtrack release, the play's premiere was accompanied by the release of the vocal compilation album Assault Lily: Odaiba Girls' School - Stage Song Selection (舞台「アサルトリリィ・御台場女学校」御台場女学校 STAGE SONG SELECTION), which features the play's opening theme, "Oath of Blood". The album was released exclusively as a physical CD on February 3, 2023, however, the song is also featured on the vocal compilation album "Stage Selection - Sortie One", which was released as a physical CD on April 18, 2024, and later made available on streaming services on April 25, 2025.

Continuity

See also: Continuities

Though previous stage plays feature more indirect references to events portrayed in the anime/game continuity, The Battle to Overcome is the first stage play to not only reference, but act as a direct continuation of a storyline initiated in Assault Lily: Last Bullet. As its subsequent plays, namely the New Chapter duology, continue to show direct connections with the events of the game and vice versa, The Battle to Overcome and Last Bullet's Chapter Three may be considered a point of unification between the two continuities.

Trivia

• In the flashback sequence showing their time in the Funada Reserve Corps, Kanaho appears wielding a Gungnir, while Takane wields a Dainsleif.
• During the last sequence of the Reserve Corps’ Neunwelt in the final battle, Kanaho and Takane appear to share a kiss, with Takane using her Risanautr to cover their faces.
  • In the play's final performance on February 12th, Takane does not cover her and Kanaho's faces as they kiss, instead, the stage the lights dim on the pair, leaving only their silhouettes visible. Later that evening, Takane's actress, Nakamura Yukari, apologized in a Tweet, clarifying that the Risanautr got "caught on something, so she couldn't lift it and hide their faces."
• When the Gigant-class Soldier Ant is destroyed, Mayumi’s voice can still be heard together with its roar as it dies.
• Though Kurena is repeatedly portrayed as a focal piece in the Soldier Ants’ outbreak, her role in the play ends up being rather minor. It is possible this was purposefully intended as a red herring, in particular, Mayumi’s remark at the end of the play of someone “letting go of their fixation with Kiito and finding their own partner” initially appears to refer to Kurena, but it could also refer to Tomoshibi, serving as a setup to the events of The Snowdrop.

Gallery

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  Official Poster

Navigation

Stage Plays Ensemble Hitotsuyanagi League of Gardens  ·  The Fateful Gift  ·  Lost Memories Sanngriðr New Chapter  ·  New Chapter 2  ·  Sturm Others Lily Collection 2023  ·  The True Story of the Odaiba Counteroffensive Hitotsuyanagi League of Gardens  ·  The Fateful Gift  ·  Lost Memories Sanngriðr New Chapter  ·  New Chapter 2  ·  Sturm Others Lily Collection 2023  ·  The True Story of the Odaiba Counteroffensive Ludvico Schwester's Prayer  ·  Schwester's Secret  ·  Schwester's Oath  ·  White Resistance ~The Promise's Path~  ·  White Resistance ~The Blade of Truth~ Odaiba The Singular Ability  ·  The Empathy Phenomenon  ·  The Battle to Overcome  ·  The Snowdrop Irma The Gleam of Dawn  ·  The Bond with the White Rose