A separate graphic novel adaptation, written by Nick Mamatas and illustrated by Lee Ferguson, was released in North America in May 2014.

A film adaptation from director Doug Liman starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt, titled Edge of Tomorrow, was released in May 2014.

The novel was Sakurazaka's breakthrough science fiction novel, earning wide praise from fellow novelists including Yasutaka Tsutsui and Chōhei Kanbayashi and was entered in contention for the Best Japanese Long Work in the 36th Seiun Awards in 2005.

Despite equipping its soldiers with powered exoskeletons, the UDF is losing its fight against the mysterious "Mimics" (ギタイ, gitai), extraterrestrials who have laid siege to Earth.

After several dozen loops, he realizes his fate is similar to that of Rita Vrataski, a prominent ace who preferred to use a battle axe rather than a firearm.

Realizing that he is a fellow looper, Rita confides in Keiji, telling him of the system the Mimics use: on death, they have the ability to send a signal into the past, allowing them to see the future and change their behavior to avoid that fate.

Before Rita dies, Keiji confesses his developing feelings for her before she tells him to win the war quickly and prevent anyone else from suffering their fate.

Weeks later, he is hailed as a new hero of the United Defense Forces while he silently reflects on what transpired and the sacrifice needed for them to win the battle.

The original novel, written by Hiroshi Sakurazaka and illustrated by Yoshitoshi Abe, was first published by Shueisha under its Super Dash Bunko imprint on December 18, 2004.

An American graphic novel adaptation of the novel, written by Nick Mamatas and illustrated by Lee Ferguson, was released on Viz Media's Haikasoru imprint on May 5, 2014.