Area 88 (エリア88) is a 3 episode military drama OAV based on the manga of the same name by Shintani Kaoru. The OAV series was originally released in Japan between 1985 and 1986.
Kazama Shin, a promising pilot in training for Yamato Air Lines, is tricked into joining a foreign legion fighter squad by the man he thought was his closest friend. Kazama unknowingly signed his life over to the combat pilots of Area 88 who are currently involved in a civil war in the fictional Middle Eastern nation Aslan. There are only 3 ways to leave Area 88; survive 3 years of combat, earn $1.5 million in kills or desert. Kazama's only interest is getting back to Japan as soon as possible in order to see his girl friend again and confront the man who betrayed him into the desert hell. He must face surmounting odds and destroy his humanity in order to realize his goal.
Area 88 is a forgotten classic of the first wave of OAV's. Detailed and well directed aerial combat combined with horrible 70's Toei styled character animation. It's both a gungho critique of the senselessness of war and fighter jet otaku fan service. It's the anime version of Top Gun without the weirdness that is Tom Cruise. Kazama is a likable character that elicits compassion from the viewer. He struggles with the situation that is mostly out of his control. Faced with having to murder people to secure his safety and freedom. The believable character in Kazama is unfortunately countered in the villain of Kanzaki, the man who tricked him into his current situation. Kanzaki is a sociopath who has way too many connections and money for a guy who grew up in an orphanage to really be believable.
Area 88 is one of the better OAV series' from the 80's, a time when new frontiers in storytelling were being explored and exploited in the industry. It shares commonalities with many of its peers. The main character is stoic and at times mono dimensional, there is a host of side characters who are over the top caricatures in their own right. The story if mature and serious, with some well done combat sequences that are in line with the amazing space battle montages from the 70's. The soundtrack and background music is cringe worthy 80's studio fare with a pop hit of the week opening.
This OAV series has seen a disastrous return to circulation following its original North American license expiring. Central Park Media owned the original distribution rights, when they expired ADV picked it up. Both companies no longer exist. The ADV DVD release only included part 1 and part 3. You can find them by looking for older copies of the VHS tapes or the LD's if you are really concerned with owning this series. There was a 12 episode 2004 TV anime reboot as well that was released by ADV and can be found on the used market.
Kazama Shin, a promising pilot in training for Yamato Air Lines, is tricked into joining a foreign legion fighter squad by the man he thought was his closest friend. Kazama unknowingly signed his life over to the combat pilots of Area 88 who are currently involved in a civil war in the fictional Middle Eastern nation Aslan. There are only 3 ways to leave Area 88; survive 3 years of combat, earn $1.5 million in kills or desert. Kazama's only interest is getting back to Japan as soon as possible in order to see his girl friend again and confront the man who betrayed him into the desert hell. He must face surmounting odds and destroy his humanity in order to realize his goal.
Area 88 is a forgotten classic of the first wave of OAV's. Detailed and well directed aerial combat combined with horrible 70's Toei styled character animation. It's both a gungho critique of the senselessness of war and fighter jet otaku fan service. It's the anime version of Top Gun without the weirdness that is Tom Cruise. Kazama is a likable character that elicits compassion from the viewer. He struggles with the situation that is mostly out of his control. Faced with having to murder people to secure his safety and freedom. The believable character in Kazama is unfortunately countered in the villain of Kanzaki, the man who tricked him into his current situation. Kanzaki is a sociopath who has way too many connections and money for a guy who grew up in an orphanage to really be believable.
Area 88 is one of the better OAV series' from the 80's, a time when new frontiers in storytelling were being explored and exploited in the industry. It shares commonalities with many of its peers. The main character is stoic and at times mono dimensional, there is a host of side characters who are over the top caricatures in their own right. The story if mature and serious, with some well done combat sequences that are in line with the amazing space battle montages from the 70's. The soundtrack and background music is cringe worthy 80's studio fare with a pop hit of the week opening.
This OAV series has seen a disastrous return to circulation following its original North American license expiring. Central Park Media owned the original distribution rights, when they expired ADV picked it up. Both companies no longer exist. The ADV DVD release only included part 1 and part 3. You can find them by looking for older copies of the VHS tapes or the LD's if you are really concerned with owning this series. There was a 12 episode 2004 TV anime reboot as well that was released by ADV and can be found on the used market.
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