Terra Formars

Terra Formars

Year: 2016

Runtime: 109 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Takashi Miike

ActionHorrorScience Fiction

In the 26th century, humanity's attempt to terraform Mars using cockroaches and mold has gone horribly wrong. Two centuries prior, scientists initiated a plan to warm the planet's surface, sending these organisms to create a sustainable ecosystem. However, the insects have mutated into giant, humanoid creatures of immense strength. When the first manned mission arrives in 2577, the crew is swiftly eliminated, prompting Earth to dispatch an elite team of warriors to confront the monstrous cockroaches and reclaim the red planet.

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Timeline – Terra Formars (2016)

Trace every key event in Terra Formars (2016) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Mars terraforming begins with algae-driven atmosphere purification

In a bold bid to colonize Mars, scientists seed the red planet with algae that absorb sunlight and purify the atmosphere. Cockroaches die and their corpses help spread the algae as they feed, making the process unexpectedly vital. This early terraforming lays the groundwork for future human presence long before any crew actually lands.

Long before the first crewed mission Mars
2

Five hundred years later: first crewed Mars landing and Terraformars emerge

Five hundred years after the terraforming project begins, a crewed ship lands on Mars. They confront giant, mutated cockroaches with extraordinary strength—the Terraformars. The six-member crew fights for survival as the initial contact spirals into a brutal catastrophe.

500 years after initial terraforming Mars surface
3

The six-strong crew is wiped out after sending a warning to Earth

Despite their valiant efforts, the crew is decimated by the Terraformars. Before dying, they manage to send a final warning back to Earth. Their demise signals a new, more dangerous era of interplanetary threat.

Immediately after first contact Mars
4

New phase begins: multinational ensemble cast is introduced

The narrative expands to a broader mission with an ensemble cast spanning multiple nations. These figures become central to a sprawling expedition that extends beyond a single voyage. Across Earth and space, hope of a cure and deeper scientific understanding begins to form.

Following the initial disaster Earth and Mars vicinity
5

BUGS II launched to reclaim Mars and study the invaders

Two years after the disaster, BUGS II is dispatched to collect ten roach samples from both sexes and exterminate the mutated invaders. The mission is driven by rising risk and insatiable scientific curiosity as crews push the bounds of human capability. The outcome could determine who controls Mars and Earth's future.

Two years after the initial disaster Space around Mars
6

Genetic modification on the BUGS II crew

Some crew members undergo genetic modification to inherit traits from other organisms. The procedure requires implanting a special organ and carries only a 36% chance of survival, highlighting the brutal stakes. The risk reflects the high costs of pushing biology to its limits.

During the mission BUGS II ship
7

Onboard power struggles threaten cooperation

Power struggles emerge as multiple factions vie for advantage during the voyage. Alliances shift and cooperation becomes a fragile balance as fear and ambition take hold. The internal conflict threatens the mission as much as the Terraformars outside.

During transit to Mars BUGS II ship
8

Survivors gather samples to fuel a cure for the A.E. Virus

Despite internal turmoil, survivors manage to gather enough samples to fuel research toward a cure for the Alien Engine Virus (A.E. Virus). The findings offer hope that humanity's fate could be altered if a cure is found. The mission thus shifts from conquest to medical lifeline for Earth.

During and after the mission Space/ship
9

Terraformars were already on Earth long before the current expedition

The Terraformars did not merely arrive with the latest expedition; they appeared on Earth long before. They multiplied and adapted more effectively than humans anticipated, laying the groundwork for a later, more entrenched threat. This revelation reframes humanity's struggle as a long-running encounter with an evolved species.

Long before the present expedition Earth
10

Terraformars begin scaling their plan to subdue Earth

As their numbers rise, the Terraformars’ strategy to subdue the planet becomes clearer. Earth must confront an evolving threat that thrives on its own soil and resources. The scale of the danger prompts a renewed, urgent cooperation among nations.

Ongoing Earth
11

Humanity must unite to counter the growing threat

The looming danger forces nations to reconsider cooperation and resilience. Plans for a coordinated response emerge as the Terraformars' threat escalates. The stakes are global, demanding unified action beyond individual agendas.

Present/Future Earth
12

An ongoing struggle against an adapted Terraformars

The saga culminates in an ongoing struggle to outrun an adversary that has learned to thrive on Earth. The future of the planet remains uncertain as the Terraformars' menace persists. Humanity faces a long road ahead in this evolving conflict.

Future tense Earth

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 06:45

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