Linebarrels of Iron

Anywhere else, Hayase Kouichi is just a normal junior high school student. However, he’s become a part of the Linebarrel, made and lost friends, and discovered the thing that he wants to protect the most. And just as Kouichi reflects upon his life up to now, Linebarrel decides to finally show its true and ultimate form!

Standing in Koichi’s way is none other than his nemesis: Moritsugu Reiji. Blasting forward, Moritsugu is prepared to show Koichi and company their inexperience and lack of power, compared to his. Unable to gain enough power and strength against Moritsugu, Koichi is left almost helpless. As Vardant’s violent battle ensues, will Linebarrel be able to show off its power?

Since the last battle, Miu's slump hasn't gone away and with PAINKILLER unable to advance, has further prolonged her state. Miu' reckless drive to train, has left her body and spirit broken. Miu finally cheers up when Kouichi comes to visit... Meanwhile, KATO-KIKAN has set up Spheres throughout the world on a large-scale trajectory to open up a multidimensional invasion. It's up to Shizuna and Izuna to convince the UN to take action...but will they listen?

Following Yajima's instructions, Kouichi reaches an abandoned Russian base in search for Kizaki, but it was only Katou who was waiting for him there. Meanwhile, Yajima questions Kizaki about her feelings for Kouichi and the rest of the JUDA team struggles to protect Misaki Town from an invasion from the enemy.

With a renewed sense of justice, the JUDA task force members begin their battle against the enemy. The first step is to regain JUDA which has been taken over by Kiriyama and his horde. While Kouichi diverts Kiriyama with Linebarrel, the others sneak into the facility via an emergency route. As they make their way in, they find that the facility is protected by JUDA’s state-of-the-art security system, filled with unusual stages to prove their identities as the JUDA task force members.

Unexpected incidents occur one after another. Ishigami is mourned for his death, and the secrets of Linebarrel are revealed, leaving Kouichi in shock and others including Yui Ogawa in distress. Meanwhile, Eiji Kiriyama, who had aligned himself with the Katou Organization, continues to tighten his control over Japan until the country virtually falls into the hands of Kiriyama and the Katou Organization. JUDA is acknowledged as the anti-national armed group and is attacked by the Jinrai brigade of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Kouichi tries to breach their defenses with Linebarrel, which is the only working Machina left.

The members of the JUDA task force have come to a tropical island as a company outing. Thanks to the good-natured whim of Kunio Ishigami, Risako and Domyouji have also been invited to join them. Kouichi finds himself in an uncomfortable position as Domyouji asks him which is his true love interest, whether it is Risako or Kizaki. Their brief vacation is interrupted as the members go missing one by one by a mysterious, reptilian creature.

Christmas season has arrived. Kouichi is invited to a party Risako is organizing. Kouichi finds out that the JUDA task force is also preparing a Christmas party. Unlike Kouichi, who feels unenthusiastic about this “workplace” party, it is more of a family party for most of the members who consider JUDA their home. The party mood is suddenly interrupted by the news of an American satellite weapon being taken over by the Katou Organization. This would allow the Katou Organization to attack any part of the world. Assigned to shoot down the satellite weapon, Kouichi and Yamashita head into outer space.

Kouichi, Moritsugu, and Miu are given a mission to assist the retreat of a U.S. Force transportation aircraft and to exterminate the enemy there. It is the first official assignment for Kouichi. Kouichi and Moritsugu team up and take on Masaki Sugawara and Yurianne Faithful of the Katou Organization, who are leading a vast troop of Armas. Meanwhile, Miu, who is backing up the retreat of general troops on Painkiller, is attacked by a new enemy Machina.

Koichi moves to a new apartment at JUDA's quarters, and is formally introduced to the other pilots. Much to his surprise, Emi also transfers to his school.

Having lost Linebarrel, Kouichi gives in to despair and violently takes his anger out on innocent civilians. Since he is a factor, no one can match his physical power unarmed. On behalf of Risako Niiyama who is worried about Kouichi, Yajima decides to confront Kouichi. In the pouring rain, Yajima and Kouichi engage in a fistfight, when a Hagure Machina appears before them.

At an unknown location, the Katou Organization, which belongs to an organization bent on capturing the Machina Linebarrel, and JUDA, which is publicly known for being the world's largest medical equipment maker, are engaged in a heated battle. With JUDA's forces being overpowered, they ask for reinforcements, which comes in the form of another Machina called Vardant and its pilot, Reiji Moritsugu. As he handles the enemy, the other members of JUDA are discussing the recent actions of their enemy, the Katou Organization. Meanwhile, Kouichi's family welcomes Emi into their household, and Kouichi shows his newfound abilities and confidence at school by beating those who bullied him. Later, Kouichi expresses his gratitude to Emi for having killed him, giving him a new life, after which the Katou Organization begins a new attack to lure out the Linebarrel. Kouichi is thrown into battle once again, and two of JUDA's Machinas are also in the fray in an effort to stop the enemy as well. Kouichi, however, declares that he is the only real "justice", and goes on to fight both sides, not realizing the collateral damage he is causing. After the Machinas retreat and Kouichi declares his job done, Emi and Yajima are stunned to see his actions and the damage he has caused.