Area 88 has the distinction of being one of the first original OVA (Original Video Animations) in Japan. ADV Films brings the OVA to DVD in this two disc set.
Shin Kazama has the whole world ahead of him. He’s in love with the Ryoko, the daughter of the head of Yamamoto Airlines, is head of his class at flight school and all seems fine with the world. One night he goes out drinking with his friend Saturo Kanzaki, a fellow classmate from the flight school.
Kanzaki tells the drunken Shin that he has to sign a paper that allows them to stay out after curfew. Not knowing any better Shin signs the paper and passes out at the bar. He’s awoken by two thugs who tell him that he’s joined the Asran foreign legion. Shin is shocked until he realizes that Kanzaki tricked him into signing the paper.
Being a man of honor he has no choice but to accompany the two thugs and is drafted into the legion. He’s based in Area 88 along with other soldiers of fortune and men in his same position. Shin’s contract has two outs – he can serve three years in the Asran air force or pay the sum of 1.5 million dollars to buy his way out.
Flying in formation
Each pilot earns a sum for each plane that he shoots down. He therefore becomes a killer against his will to try and earn the amount to return to Japan and Ryoko. Shin has a series of adventures at Area 88 as well as meeting numerous pilots for the mercenary air force.
Area 88 was a popular manga (Japanese comic book) by Kaoru Shintani that ran from 1979 to 1986. The OVA was produced between 1985 and 1986 and was released in the United States in 1992. Area 88 was also one of the first manga translated into English. The series was very popular in Japan and is known for its realistic drawings of aircraft and even inspired a model airplane line.
This new release brings together the two features. I found the series quite interesting but do not have the aircraft expertise to appreciate that aspect of the show. However, I thought one shot was extremely interesting when a plane is hit and the fuselage is torn away to reveal the still running aircraft engine before the plane explodes.
I was surprised at the level of detail that was put into that scene when they could’ve just as easily just animated an explosion. I found the show compelling since it’s unknown as to whether Shin will make it out of Area 88 alive. However, the OVA ends on somewhat of an unknown ending. We think all is going to be well but by the final shot we’re not sure what really happened to Shin.
Area 88 is presented in fullscreen and offers an English dub as well as the original Japanese with English subtitles. Special features include rundowns on the 12 aircraft uses in the series on disc 1. Disc 2 contains a 19 minute interview with author Kaoru Shintani in Japanese with English subtitles.
Shin gets a taste of home - Top Ramen
Collectors of anime and those with an interest in aircraft will find Area 88 very interesting. I don’t have too much interest in the workings of aircraft but I still found the story compelling and would recommend it along those lines.
Area 88 Original OVA Series is now available at Amazon . It is available for pre-order at AmazonUK for a Sept. 18th release. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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