Martian (Aldnoah.Zero)

Martians are a race of technological advanced humans who live on Mars. They are descendants of the Earth's human colonizations who landed on Mars many years ago and discovered an ancient alien technology named Aldnoah. After discovering it, they were able to harness it and they founded the Vers Empire, a monarchy with an emperor at its helm, further distinguishing their societal structure from that of Earth.

Over time, they developed advanced technology, including the Aldnoah Drive, a power source that gives them a significant advantage over the people of Earth. This organ modified their genes and granted them enhanced physical abilities and allowed them to pilot advanced mecha known as "Kataphrakts." These Kataphrakts provide Martians with superior strength, agility, and combat capabilities compared to Terrans. The Aldnoah allows them to create powerful mechs known as Kataphrakts and enables advanced weaponry and defensive capabilities. This technology gives them a considerable military advantage over the Earth forces.

One of the key factors that contributed to the divergence between Earth humans and Martians was genetic modification. The Martians underwent extensive genetic engineering, thanks to the Aldnoah Technology, to adapt to the harsh conditions of Mars, such as its lower gravity and thin atmosphere. These modifications resulted in physical differences between Martians and Earth humans, including enhanced physical abilities and longer lifespans.

Background
Around the 1970s, Apollo 17 discovers the Hypergate on the Moon and began to colonize the Moon in the process. Eventually, the nearby planet of Mars was colonized in the process, and then the discovery of Aldnoah in the process. The Vers Empire was then established, and soon authority over the Aldnoah technology was proclaimed by the newly declared Emperor. The people of VERS quickly became nationalistic and declared themselves a separate species from humanity and quickly coined the term Martians. The Martians quickly resented old humanity back on Earth and referred to them as Terrans. Although the Vers Empire has advanced technology, they lack plentiful resources and culture and quickly went to war with Earth.

Society and culture
Martian society is divided into a strict hierarchy, with the Orbital Knights at the top. These knights possess advanced Aldnoah technology, granting them incredible power and authority. Below them are the Vers aristocracy, who control the Martian resources and territories. Then there is a monarchy named Vers Empire, which is a Monarchy ran by the Royal Family. The Emperor is the official Head of State and has absolute authority over the country and the Princess appears as a possible diplomat. While the emperor has final authority on matters of state, the nobility seem to hold considerable influence within the empire.

Martians place a strong emphasis on military prowess and combat skills. The Kataphrakts and other war machines are central to their culture, and combat is often used to resolve conflicts.

The Martians have territorial ambitions, seeking to conquer Earth's resources. This drive for expansion leads to conflict with Earth's United Forces of Earth (UFE) and sets the stage for the series' plot.

Physiology
Despite being identical to Earth humans, Martians have some differences in their physical appearance.

One of the most noticeable differences is their hair color. Many Martians are depicted with unique and striking hair colors that are not commonly found among Earth humans. These colors can range from various shades of purple, dark red, scarlet, gold, green, etc, making their hair visibly distinct. Martian characters often have vibrant and unusual eye colors, such as deep red, violet, or green. These eye colors further emphasize their otherworldly appearance. Martian military uniforms and civilian attire in the series also reflect their distinct style. These outfits often feature sleek and futuristic designs, reinforcing the idea that they come from an advanced society. Additionally, Martians often have pale or extremely fair skin tones, which is the result of the advanced and altered genetics from the Aldnoah Technology.

Technological Advancements
In terms of technology, Martians are significantly more advanced than Terrans in Aldnoah Zero. They possess advanced mecha called "Kataphrakts," which are equipped with powerful weaponry and defensive capabilities that are manifested as superpowers such as invisibility, electricity manipulation, etc. These Kataphrakts are controlled using the Aldnoah Factor, allowing Martians to achieve superior combat capabilities. In contrast, Terrans primarily rely on conventional military equipment such as tanks, aircraft, and infantry weapons.