Title - "Area 88"
Alternative title(s) - "Area Hachijhachi"/"Area Hachijuuhachi"
Genre(s) - Military action and drama

I should bring up some notes. Yes, I had to go through checks to see if the review has been shown properly. Yes, there are various ways to spell the names of the various subjects. No, I don't think I am correct on all of them, though I know ones like "McCoy" and "Shin" are correct. Maybe someone from Japan will actually help me here.

"Area 88" was first published in Shgakukan at 1979 by Shintani Kaoru-sensei. There are 18 volumes total from what I have learned. Since then, it has brought out an anime and two different versions of a video game.

Meet Kazama Shin. He's a bright kid who wants to be a pilot for Yamato Air Lines, be married to Tsugumo Ryko, the daughter of the airline's president, and a statement that is said by many people: "Shin will be head of the company some fine day". He would later find himself as a mercenary pilot for the Aslam Foreign Legion. Stationed in Area 88 which is out in northern Africa, he only has three options: stay for three years, cough up $1,500,000 or escape, only to find out that you'll be killed later on. During his stint, he becomes friends with Mickey Simon, an American pilot and Shin would have some kind of matter to tell people like McCoy, the old guy who would sell Shin and the other pilots ammunition, and Saki Vashutal, the commander (who most likely is part-Japanese, part-Indian and part-Aryan since Vashutal means along the lines of "one who establishes control" in Sanskrit, which is some sort of pun). So, how will Shin deal with this scenario, even though spending time here is like spending time in Hell?

Yamato Air Lines really is supposed to be Japan Air Lines, the most recognized airline company in Japan. As for the manga itself, good luck finding it. Even though Viz and Eclipse brought the manga to North America, the reason why the manga is rare now these days is because it somehow did not get enough attention when it got here a good amount of years back. At least, that's what I am guessing.

Fun - 10

I am not a guy who really enjoys military series, but this series will take your breath away. Yeah, we have your funny moments once in a while with McCoy, but the pain Shin feels every single day is the heart of this story. "Wow!" is the one word that should instantly come out of your mouth.

Life - 10

Like I said, good luck finding a volume. They're pretty rare indeed. You don't think that I would be kidding around now, would you?

Story - 10

As time goes on, you see the characters, especially Shin grow and grow. It's so tragic, that it is powerful. There are moments when you want to have the same feelings as the characters themselves.

Art - 10

What do I need to say to show my appreciation of the art? It feels rugged, but at the same time, it's powerful. The constant picture taking of planes from Shintani-san payed off.

Overall - 10

Take it to the skies and get this series if you're able to! The drama, the action, this is a real touching series indeed. You can thank me later on.

+

The characters, the spirit within, the manga is that good.

-

There are none.

Date of creation - 9/18/03

Last update - 8/10/04

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