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EPISODE ONE
Area 88 is a Japanese anime about Area 88, which is a secret mercenary encampment. There is only one Japanese pilot there. He is the best
A Japanese photographer arrives and takes photos which makes lots of people angry. The pilot and the photographer hate each other until they form begrudging respect because of EXTREME photo taking.
EPISODE TWO
Boris is introduced as the best pilot in Area 88.
Boris “I am strong, but secretly remorseful despite the openness I display this remorse with”
Boris is called a God of Death, allowing the anime to say Shinigami at least one ever two sentences (seriously).
Boris dies.
EPISODE THREE
Japanese pilot shoots down a transport plane. Everyone looks for it thinking it’s full of gold.
It’s not.
EPISODE FOUR
Japanese pilot is shot down. His plane explodes and he is very sad.
Has a flashback. Best friend betrayed him. Girlfriend has pink hair.
EPISODE FIVE
Kitori arrives. She is a GIRL and this surprises EVERYONE.
Even more surprisingly, she isn’t instantly killed.
EPISODE SIX
Japanese pilot’s friend/betrayer flies his passenger plane into military airspace because he loves deus ex machina. The two see each other, and prelude to a lot of angsting.
Girlfriend pines. Still has pink hair.
EPISODE SEVEN
AREA 88 “Indian kid sucks!”
Indian kid uses harrier plane to blow up bombers
AREA 88 “Indian kid is our hero!”
EPISODE EIGHT
There is a sniper. He kills unnamed people.
The sniper is later killed by the people with names.
EPISODE NINE
New characters are introduced. They’re not given names and might as well be wearing red shirts. They all die. Named characters all mope then eat scrambled eggs in their memory.
EPISODE TEN
Obligatory American pilot (equipped with pompadour hairdo) fights a friend who is a mercenary in the opposing army.
Friend is killed. American waxes philosophy. Scores lucky goal in World Cup.
EPISODE ELEVEN
Japanese pilot has served his contract and is ready to go home. He’s shot, damaged, and crashes. CLIFFHANGER ENDING! Will he die?
EPISODE TWELVE.
No.
BONUS AREA 88 FACT: In 1989, the original Manga for Area 88 received its only video game adaptation. It was later ported for English-speaking shores and renamed UN Squadron. For no reason whatsoever! The Manga’s cast survived the localisation.
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zigfried - June 26, 2010 (06:27 AM) Sweet summary. Also of note: Back in the really early 90s, there was another anime adaptation -- and actually quite a better one, if strikingly "old". It was oppressively morbid and could still easily be mocked, but in less cliche ways (as it was itself a less cliche anime). Some of the music from that anime made it into the video game. //Zig |
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Masters - September 09, 2010 (09:48 AM) The old version was much, much better. Zig's right--it was depressing and morbid, but it had great, dramatic episode titles: BLUE SKIES OF BETRAYAL, and THE REQUIREMENTS OF WOLVES, and so on. |