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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Shin Kazama is back in a new storyline slightly different from the manga and original OAV series, August 13, 2008
It has been over a decade since I have watched the original three OAV's (originally released by US Manga Corps in the early 90's; based on clips compiled from the original television series) of the anime "AREA 88".
The story of "AREA 88" revolves around Shin Kazama. A pilot with a great future with Yamato Air Lines. He's engaged to marry with his boss's daughter, Ryoko.
Everything looks good for Shin until his friend Satoru Kanzaki gets him drunk and signs his life away to enlist with the Aslam Foreign Legion (AFL).
Now Shin Kazama is a pilot that is on daily missions to kill other pilots and destroy enemy headquarters to live.
Shin is now living a life where the only way to get out of the AFL is to get enough kills to buy your way out (US $1.5 million), survive until your term is up or escape (which usually leads to death).
Over 15 years later, a new television series featuring the adventures of Shin Kazama is now available on DVD courtesy of ADV Films.
The first volume features three episodes with a new storyline slightly different from the manga and original anime series.
With more characters introduced in the new anime series, one is Makoto Shinjou. A photographer who is on a mission to take a photo of the face of a dead Shin Kazama. A mission that was given to him none other than by Shin's nemesis Kanzaki.
Of course, Shinjou doesn't know the history between Shin and Kanazaki but nevertheless, the storyline now incorporates this character to show how the toll of war and destruction are affecting the pilots and those who live at the Aslam Foreign Legion headquarters.
The first episode introduces several characters from the new television series as well as reacquaints us with Shin and friends.
The second episode features a storyline of AFL pilot Boris, the Angel of Death.
The third episode features Shin and the young pilot Kim as they go on a mission where Shin nearly dies and how it almost affects him.
The DVD features the video in anamorphic widescreen and the English dub is in 5.1 and Japanese dialogue in 2.0.
DVD special features include production sketches, character and aircraft specs, clean opening/closing animation and a feature not listed on the DVD but is included is an interview with the director Isamu Imakake and screenwriter Hiroshi Ohnogi.
"Area 88" is an action anime. Following the aerial action scenes of popular films such as "Top Gun", "Area 88" incorporates that action by showing battles between Shin and friends versus the enemy.
But the storyline that wins me over is the perspective as seen by photographer Makoto Shinjou.
Shinjou comes off as a pompous photographer but you get to see him change from episode-to-episode as he starts to learn about the pilots and most notably, as he starts to slowly learn about the man he is to photograph dead.
"Area 88" has always been a series that I have always loved. From reading the original Japanese manga to playing the video game available on the old SNES console, the anime has a storyline that will hook you in.
Most of all, you watch because the TV series show you with each episode of how Shin Kazama goes through Hell and back as a pilot of the Aslam Foreign Legion and living for his Ryoko and to get revenge on Kanzaki. I can't wait to see that happen!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
AREA 88 Rocks!, December 17, 2005
A Kid's Review
Shin Kazama was a commercial airline pilot until his so-called 'best friend' tricked him into joining a fighter squad called Area 88. Makoto Shinjou is a photographer exploring Area 88 and finding out more about this fighter squad. This DVD contains the first three episodes: Sky Blue, Boris, and Shin and Makoto. You can see the series on The Anime Network if you've got it, like I do, but if you don't and you like the Area 88 OAV but don't have the TV series, you can buy it for $20-30 dollars. This anime is a thrill seeking drama and the story starts developing.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
Should be okay for 12 years and up for general warfare violence, disturbing images in the second episode, alcohol use, language, a politically correct tone, and some very brief nudity in the first opening sequence.
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2.0 out of 5 stars
DOGFIGHTS TRIUMPH OVER HUMANITY, March 29, 2008
Makoto Shinjo is a war photographer that shows no fear when it comes to capturing the essence of his subject, even if his life is on the line. He's come to the desert of Aslan to document the lives and battles of the mercenary pilots fighting against anti-government forces. It's pretty easy to sign up as a mercenary but very hard to get out after you agree to a 3 year tour of duty. You can break the contract early IF you pay the sum of 1.5 million dollars. Even though the pilots are paid very well for every enemy they shoot down and various missions they fly, they are also required to pay for room and board, food, weapons, and maintenence of their aircraft. So it's very hard for them to save up any amount of money. And that's just how the government forces like it. To have the mercenaries underfoot and in debt. Even if they allow them to break the contract they still get a million dollars to hire another one. Makoto is focused on one pilot in particular, Shin Kazama, the only Japanese pilot on the base, and one of the most enigmatic. He doesn't have much to say but he is possibly the best flyer of the whole group. The only things we know about him is that he is utterly miserable working for Aslan and is desperate to get back to a woman in Japan.
As is the problem for most first volume anime dvds that only contain 3 episodes, there is a shortage of material to truly judge the merit of the series. If you enjoyed movies like Top Gun or Stealth or the anime Yukikaze, you'll most likely enjoy Area 88. If dogfighting jets are not your cup of tea, then you would do best to avoid Area 88. The jets are all CG and look quite nice, if a little cold and flimsy, but they make you feel at times as if you are watching a promo video for the latest Ace Combat videogame. The main characters are not given enough space in these episodes to breath and show much individuality. That was Volume 1's main weakness. We don't learn enough about the characters to care about their dreams or hopes for the future or the extreme dangers they find themselves in. I will wait till I watch the other volumes before making an overall judgement about the series.
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