Episodes
Her classmates at school called her Key... as in the 'key' to a strange mystery. A waiflike robot-girl with no emotions, Key was left behind when her kindly old scientist 'grandfather' passed away, without even a way to learn how to smile. But a message left for Key suggests a fantastic possiblity... could it somehow be possible for Key to become a real, live human, if she can only win the love of 30,000 friends?
Ver. 1: Startup
For many years, Key had been attending a regular school, just like the other teenagers in the community. But Key is different -- she's an android, learning to become human. Key only ages when her creator, renowned cybernetics expert Mima Murao gives her new parts. But Key discovers that she must grow up on her own after the doctor passes away unexpectedly. But Dr. Mima leaves Key with a cyptic message: Key can become truly human, but only with the aid of a tremendous power -- the power of 30,000 friends! In her quest, Key sets off for Tokyo, when she is accosted by a pair of low-lifes looking for some cheap entertainment. Fortunately for Key, things are interrupted by a strange robot who dispatches her would-be attackers. But Key finds herself in even deeper trouble, when she's accosted by a small-time idol scout, who just won't take 'no' for an answer. Key is rescued by a former school friend, Kuriyagawa Sakura, but only for a while -- now the talent scout wants to scout Sakura.
Ver. 2: Cursor I
No sooner than having arrived in Tokyo, Key finds herself in a lot of trouble -- most notably with a small-time idol scout by the name of Tamari Senichi. But this time, it's not Key that the target. Tamari has his eyes Key's beautiful young friend, Kuriyagawa Sakura. The pair are able to lose their tail, only to leave a loose end behind. Not wanting Key to be bored, Sakura takes Key with her to her next job: a clerk at a video rental shop. There, Key is introduced to Tataki Suichi, who also happens to be the president of Japan's biggest idol sensation, Miho Utsuse. Key finds herself mesmerized by a live conert video given to Sakura. Meanwhile, Tamari has found Sakura, thank to the pizza delivery scooter that Sakura left behind at Tamari's studio. And once again, Tamari isn't willing to take 'no' for an answer.
Ver. 3: Cursor II
Following a suggestion from Sakura, Key decides to take a shower -- only to find herself falling asleep in the cold water. A shaken Sakura discovers her, wondering what other perils may lie in store for her mechanincal friend. Meanwhile, Key becomes increasingly obsessed with the Miho Utsuse video -- so much so that she somehow manages to destroy the cash-strapped Sakura's television set. While wandering aimlessly about, she purchases a bouquet of roses -- and unwittingly finds herself at the Budokan, where Utuse is holding a concert. Somehow, a rose finds itself embedded in Utsuse, cutting short the concert. Backstage, Tamari witnesses the incident, and discovers not only Miho Utsuse's secret, but also that he's in a lot of trouble.
Ver. 4: Access
Tamari is in a lot of trouble -- trapped on the roof of a tall building, with a menacing, Sergei-controlled PPOR bearing down on him. But Tamari isn't Sergei's objective at all -- he's after Mima Tokiko, or "Key" as she's known by her friends. Sergei suspects that Dr. Mima's "grand-daughter" may have more to do with the recent failures of the PPOR's than the what Ajo attributes as a design flaw. But even a low-life like Tamari isn't willing to put Key's very life in danger. And just when Tamari's luck looks like it's about to run out, the power of the heart of a would-be young woman seems willing to to try and save him. Meanwhile, it seems that Utsuse Miho has disappeared completely from the public light. Not even Tataki, and his ever-resourceful otaku friend Tsukiyama can find any news about her. Things get stranger still when they discover a mysterious voice, apparently singing from the built-in speaker of their personal computers... even when the computer is off.
Ver. 5: Scroll
Sakura is finding it difficult to cope with the emotional burden of playing host to the very naive, child-like Key. Every day existence becomes not so much a challenge, but more a struggle for Key's very existence. But when Key wanders off with "Priest Snake Eyes," a religous fanatic after Sakura warns Key specifically not to get mixed up with strange religions, things finally come to a head. Meanwhile, Miho is convalescing in an exclusive hospital. Ajo is anxious to see her back up and performing, even if it costs Miho her life.
Ver. 6: Scroll II
Having been kicked out of Sakura's apartment, Key turns to the religous cult leader known as 'Prince Snake Eye' for shelter. But on the night that Tokiko arrives, something else is afoot: a young couple has brought their gravely ill son to the cult leader, in hopes that his alleged mystical powers might be able to cure him. The cult leader desparately turns to Key, in hopes that her powers that he had witnessed might be able to save both the boy and the faith of his followers. But even as she agrees, Key has no idea how to proceed, or how she might even hope to be able to accomplish.
Ver. 7: Run
Sakura, having discovered that the PPOR in the garbage pile outside her apartment had been watching her, gets a premonition that Key's life is in danger. Not knowing where to look or where else to turn, she blindly finds her way to Tataki's place, and tries to enlist his help. Meanwhile, Wakagi's presence at the temple has only served to slow down D's attempt to capture; inevitably, D's superior strength and single-minded resolve manages to render Wakagi helpless. Now, it appears that the only obstacle between D and the unconcious Key is a small, frightened group of religous cultists.
Ver. 8: Goto
With Sakura's enthusiastic leadership, Production Key is now underway. Her first stop: Tataki Suichi, of course. Who else does she know that's connected with the entertainment industry? But much to her surprise, he very cautiously refuses to help -- and even goes as far as warning them not to go near Production Minos, Miho Utsuse's dedicated production company. Puzzled but undeterred, they set out for their first tryout: an open audition for a chorus line production. Meanwhile, D is recovering from his brutal encounter at the Snake Eye God's temple. Unbeknownst to him, Ajo is accellerating his plans with both the PPOR's and Miho Utsuse. The unlucky 'B' is now a spent shell, his body used for the production of the mysterious gel -- the life force from which Ajo's cyborgs are controlled.
Ver. 9: Return
'D' continues to have his nightmarish dreams while recovering from injuries. The image of Key's unemotional body dispatching him haunts him at every corner... Meanwhile, Ajo has begun his next phase of his project. A new controller has been built to control his robots, and now it's A's turn to try to make them do his bidding. But Ajo has raised the stakes -- it's now up to A to control not one, but five PPOR's simultaneously. After an unsuccessful trial in a downtown park, C inexplicably lies to Ajo, claiming that the test run was a success. Tataki, feeling somewhat guilty about his treatment of Kurigawa, has a change of heart, and gives her a list of people he had known during his school years -- people who were now very successful in the entertainment industry. Sakura and Key haven't escaped Prince Snake-Eye's watchful gaze yet, either. Convinced that Key is of great spiritual significance, the charismatic cult leader has ordered his followers to maintain a close vigil on Tokiko; and even go as far as planting a bug in Sakura's telephone. But imagine Sakura's surprise when she gets a call from a leading producer over that very same telephone.
Ver. 10: Bug
Key has unexpectedly drawn the attention of a most unusual and famous producer: Tsurugi Hikari. The talented but enigmatic figure is captivated by her complete lack of understanding and innocence... and perhaps sees something else. But of particular interest is his claim that he can deliver the 30,000 friends that Key seeks. Meanwhile, Tataki has embarked on a quest. In an attempt to find answers to some very reluctant questions, he treks to Tokiko's (and Sakura's) hometown. But rather that finding answers, he finds even more mysteries. Why has Mima family grave been disturbed? What is the strange photograph that Tataki finds hidden behind a picture of Key and Sakura? What are the strange visions that have begun infiltrating his mind? And most importantly, what is Ajo doing at the now abandoned Mima household?
Ver. 11: Save
Tataki Suichi's recent voyage to the Mamio valley has left him with more than just more questions about Key's mysterious past. He now finds himself plagued by disturbing visions and recurring nightmares about his experiences. Why were the villagers so protective of the local secrets? And what of Key's mother Toyoko, the local shrine's priestess, who passed away seventeen years ago? Key has not progressed very far in her lessons with Hikaru either. Yet the enigmatic producer seems determined to continue the lessons, despite the apparent lack of progress. In fact, he admits that he would have tossed Tokiko out had she given even the slightest hint of trying to mimic what he typically wants in human talent... But if this is the case, just what does he want? Meanwhile, Tataki finds that he's getting a bit of a lecture from Sakura. And rightly so, since he's been out of touch for almost a month. Things get even more tense when Sakura discovers that Suichi went to her old village without telling her... or even coming back with the expected omiyage. But while recounting some the past events, Tataki comes to the realisation that Mima Murao's death may not have been accidental -- and the man responsible may be none other than Jinsaki Ajo!
Ver. 12: Virus I
The enigmatic star of Production Minos, Miho Utsuse is releasing new material at an upcoming concert... a concert choreographed and conceived by none other than Tokiko's new mentor, Tsurugi Hikaru. Key decides that she must attend, and begs Tsurugi to take her to the concert. But unexpectedly, the volatile artist refuses. Tataki Shuichi is still trying to comprehend the events depicted in a picture obtained at the old Mima household. While wandering the streets, he accidentally runs into a man carrying leaflets -- leaflets warning people not to get involved with Mima Tokiko. The man is none other than the Priest. Meanwhile, Sergei (D) continues to try to crack into the host mainframe, and finally succeeds. With free access to the system computers, he is able to escape from the cell that Ajo has placed him. Ajo has plans of his own as well. The upcoming Miho concert will feature two new things: a totally new song by the star, plus the debut of Miho's successor: Komori Beniko.
Ver. 13: Virus II
A Nap of an Automaton -- the new Miho Utsuse concert -- is about to begin, and a worried Kurigawa Sakura wonders where her date, Tataki Shuichi has ended up. Tataki, having chased down the Priest after discovering him in line for the Miho concert, rushes back to auditorium. Key continues to beg to be taken to the concert. Finally, after Key is able to express open emotion, the choreographer acquieces. Ajo, unable to locate 'A', instructs 'C' to start the show -- with him controlling the background musicians. The house lights dim, the musicians start and Tataki finally makes it to the theater, only to hear Miho Utsuse singing her new song. A song all too familiar to some ears... But Ajo is more concerned about Tokiko. He's convinced that she will attend the concert. But when Miho is unable to continue controlling her drone, a switch is made, and Beniko makes her debut. When Key finally does arrive, she discovers that Miho is not performing... and she decides to do something about it!
Ver. 14: System
Sakura is desperately uncertain as to the happenings of the past night -- the unusual concert, ending in a most disturbing, unexpected manner. Was the concert choreographed this way? What of Beniko's fate? Is she dead, as it appears? And at the centre of all the action is none other than this young, almost precocious girl named Tokiko. Is she responsible for all this? As a result of all the chaos, Sakura is now too frightened to even face her room-mate..Shuichi, however, has his own theories about what's been happening, and perhaps even an idea why... and finally decides to confront Key's elusive guardian, Wakagi. But even Takaki is a taken aback when the full story of Key's past, and incredible abilities are revealed... and the complex intertwinings of Ajo and Mima-hakasei's prior activities come to light. Meanwhile, Ajo and Sergei have not been idle... Realising that Mima's grand-daughter might be crucial to obtaining an icredible amount of 'gel', the elusive substance which powers his PPOR's, Ajo and Sergei decide to go after Key's one vulnerability: her friends.
Ver. 15: End
Sakura, captured by Ajo and his minions, is in grave danger. Ajo, determined to make sure that Key and her friends don't interfere with his plans, begins extracting gel from Sakura, and uses it as bait to lure Key into his center of operations, the Ajo Heavy Industries building. But little Tokiko is fast approaching a threshold... she's been intermittenly switching to her human persona, as the sheer strength of the surrounding omoi ("geist") has been slowly overcoming a limit trapped within... a limit which had been left from Tokiko's own mother... But Key has Wakagi and Suichi to help her, and perhaps even the remnants of a man who was once the great production genius, Tsurugi. Later, working from Tsurugi's hidden safehouse, Wakagi determines that Ajo has something sinister in mind for his finale... a plan to extract gel from all 50,000 expected attendees of Utsuse Miho's farwell concert at the Megalodome. But this time, Ajo plans to extract all the gel contained within the concert-goers... Can Key stop Ajo's plans, and still become human?