Review: Aeronautica Imperialis “Ignorance Leads Death”

Overview:

Warhammer Plus has recently debuted the first episode of Aeronautica Imperialis, “Ignorance Leads Death,” detailing the Imperial Navy’s fight against the alien Aeldari in a frozen world.

Our Take:

Things already start up in the air, with the pilots getting used to the sky. However, the action soon comes in with a literal bang. One pilot, Kae, is singled out as the focal character, at least for now.

Kae has just joined the aviators, allowing viewers to learn about the conflict alongside her. She learns that she will soon face off against a new type of enemy, the Aeldari, who are described as being like “phantoms.” Of course, this already leads to one chilling question: how exactly does one fight ghosts?

The action once again picks up in the sky. Things especially grow tense as the pilots lose ammo. Kae survives, but is sternly reminded that this is because the Aeldari are gone for now.

Things take a turn when we see the Aeldari forces firsthand. From their perspective, the pilots are like “children to the slaughter,” coming back to risk their lives even more after they fight back, all for mere “rocks.” It’s not for nothing that one pilot we see has a humanoid face once he takes off his mask.

Of course, this is where the title comes into play. Ultimately, on a somber note, it is feared that the war might last forever.

The animation saves its best moments for the action. That said, the characters really look their best even with their helmets on, and this isn’t an insult. Especially for the Aeldari, it just looks impressive.

That said, the end scene is what really makes the story. Even if you sense something foreboding in the air, and that things aren’t what they appear to be, it’s all worth it for the chilling discussion of what’s been going on.