Vividred Operation

First Operation

In the near-future, the world's energy problems have been solved thanks to a scientific power known as the Manifestation Engine which provides energy from the sky. On the island of Izu Oshima, Akane Isshiki is living a simple life with her sister, Momo, and her grandfather and creator of the engine, Kenjirou. As Akane eagerly awaits the arrival of her classmate, Aoi Futaba, who is travelling to the nearby Blue Island for treatment, she and Momo hear an explosion coming from their home and discover that Kenjirou has somehow switched bodies with an inanimate ferret doll as the result of an experiment. Undeterred by his new form, Kenjirou gives Akane his latest invention, a strange key, in order for her to fight against a strange alien mech, known as an Alone, that is attacking Blue Island, where the Manifestation Engine is stored.

When They Overlap

As Kenjirou instructs Akane and Aoi to undergo 'docking', Aoi receives her own Ignition Key, allowing her to also transform using the Vivid System. Receiving weapons to go along with their new abilities, Akane and Aoi begin fighting against the Alone whilst protecting the innocent. Meanwhile, Kenjirou contacts the head of the Manifestation Engine's management bereau, Yuuri Shijō, in order to gain military support in assisting the girls in fighting the Alone. After knocking out the Alone's core, stopping its movement, Akane and Aoi attempt the Docking Operation, but it fails due to one of them subconsciously rejecting the fusion. As Aoi worries that she might be the one causing it to fail, she thinks back to when she first became friends with Akane, who gave her a tomato on their first meeting. Meanwhile, a mysterious girl fires a glowing arrow into the Alone, bringing it back to life and changing it into a more powerful form.

True Strength

As Akane, Aoi and Momo begin their first day to New Oshima Academy, Akane, who was using the Vivid System as she was running late, ends up meeting kendo club member Wakaba Saegusa, who becomes shocked when she counters her attack. After Akane and Aoi officially transfer into Wakaba's class, Wakaba chases after Akane demanding a rematch until she ends up bumping into Momo, deciding to take her to the nurse's office. As Wakaba and Momo get acquainted, Akane overhears how Wakaba wanted a rematch to prove she's the strongest. After her dad tells her to think about what 'true strength' is, Wakaba formally challenges Akane to a serious kendo match, which reminds Wakaba of how fun kendo used to be for her. Just then, their match is interrupted by the appearance of a serpent-like Alone. As Wakaba comes to realise what true strength is from watching Akane and Aoi fight, she asks to fight alongside them, granting her her own ignition key.

Promise

Another Key

Akane tries to get to know her quiet classmate, Rei Kuroki, unaware that she is the one assisting the Alone. As Akane decides to follow Rei after school, she sees her save a child from a falling piece of construction. As Rei returns home, she is visited by a crow, who punishes her for saving the child via a mark on her neck, reminding her of her mission. That night, Rei goes on a mission to destroy the Manifestation Engine by herself, but is forced to abort when she is discovered by security robots. The next morning, Akane finds her washed up on the shore and takes her back to her place to help her recover. As Rei panics when she realises she has dropped a key precious to her, Akane is called into action as an Alone appears. Meanwhile Rei, who was promised by the crow that she would able restore the world she came from and bring back her parents if she assisted the Alone, prepares to fire another arrow, but falls unconscious before she can.

The Story of How Kenjirou Tries to Intensify the Friendship Power of Akane and Friends Which Results in Something Unbelievable

Whilst Akane's class goes on a summer school field trip to Shikine Island, they are requested by Mizuha to turn in their Operation Keys for the duration of the trip. Unbeknownst to the girls, this is part of an experiment by Kenjirou to increase their 'friendship power'. To this end, he 'kidnaps' Rei and puts on a phony Alone alert, leading the girls towards an obstacle course of his design, filled with all sorts of traps. Not considered in his plan, however, was Rei escaping from her hold and assisting the girls in a not-so-subtle disguise. Not wanting to be deterred, Kenjirou brings out a large mech to confront the girls, but it is defeated thanks to the combined efforts of Akane and Rei. Afterwards, Momo gets Kenjirou to apologise for his deceit whilst the others thank Rei for her help.

A Wish That Cannot Be Negotiated

As Akane struggles with her studies due to a lack of sleep, Mizuha tells her that she'll need to do well on her next test or otherwise give up her part-time job. Upon deciding to help her out with a study session, Aoi, Wakaba and Himawari try to get Rei to join them, but she keeps refusing. Later that night, after receiving another harsh reminder of her objective from the crow, Rei learns about Akane's link with the Manifestation Engine's inventor. Learning this, Rei decides to accompany the others on their study session with Akane. Whilst investigating her home to find something of use, Rei comes across the fridge where Kenjirou's body is being preserved, though the gang are quick to cover this up. As Rei learns to grow accustomed to the others, she takes her leave when she is reminded of a certain wish. Just then, an electro-magnetic Alone appears, shorting out every electrical device it passes by.

More Vivid Than Today

Akane is taken into intensive care whilst the Alone that attacked her wraps itself into a cocoon on the Tokyo Skytree. Despite their wishes to stay by Akane's side, Aoi and the others are sent home to rest up. Discovering Akane's Naked Rang which hadn't disappeared when she lost her transformation, Aoi believes that Akane is still fighting. Whilst discussing how to fight against the Alone, they find their options limited since the girls are unable to dock without Akane, forcing the military to consider more drastic means. Later, Aoi runs into Rei, who tells her how forgiving Akane is to others. Strengthening their resolve to help Akane as much as they can, Aoi and the others decide to fight against the Alone, taking Akane's Naked Rang with them. Their plan to stop it before hatches is thwarted after Rei once again powers it up. As the Alone prepares to fire at Wakaba and Himawari, Akane's Naked Rang suddenly activates, giving Aoi a boost and allowing her to defeat the Alone.