User:Elvrum/Test

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Area 88
Image:233x512 Area88.jpeg
エリア88 (Area 88)
Genre	Action, Drama, Military, Romance, Shōnen
Manga: Area 88
Authored by	Kaoru Shintani
Publisher	Shogakukan Eclipse Comics/VIZ Media
Serialized in	Weekly Shonen Sunday
Original run	1979 – 1986
No. of volumes	23
OVA: Area 88
Directed by	Hisayuki Toriumi
Studio	Studio Pierrot
No. of episodes	3
Released	1985 2001 (Central Park Media) 2003 (Yamato Video) 2006 (ADV Films)
TV anime : Area 88
Directed by	Isamu Imagake
Studio	Media Factory
Network	Asahi Broadcasting The Anime Network Dybex (Distributor) Animax
Original run	8 January 2005 – 5 March 2005
No. of episodes	12

This article is about the manga series. For the videogame, see U.N. Squadron.

Area 88 is a popular manga series by Kaoru Shintani that has twice been adapted into an anime series, and used as the theme for a video game. It is well-known for its realistic depiction of aircraft and air combat.

Contents 1 Story 1.1 Variations 1.2 Themes 2 Characters 2.1 Freelancers 2.2 Base personnel 2.3 Officers 2.4 Others 3 Aircraft 4 Original Video Animation 5 TV series 6 Video game 7 Theme songs 7.1 OVA 7.2 TV series 8 Soundtracks 9 References 10 External links

[edit] Story

Area 88 takes place in the late 1970s/early 1980s and is largely set in a war-embroiled Middle Eastern country called the Kingdom of Asran.^[1] The war uses mercenary fighter pilots, with its headquarters at a secret desert air force base called Area 88. Up-and-coming ace airline pilot Shin Kazama gets tricked into signing up by "friend" Satoru Kanzaki as part of his jealousy-fueled plot to steal Shin's girlfriend Ryoko Tsugumo. Facing execution for deserting from Area 88, Shin reluctantly turns into a fighter pilot and attempts to serve his three year contract out.^[2]

Area 88 attracts all kinds of people with all kinds of assorted and often sordid pasts. Among the other mercenaries are Mick Simon, an American who couldn't adjust to normal life after his tour of duty in the Vietnam War. Mick becomes Shin's best friend at Area 88. Another familiar sight at Area 88 is McCoy, a greedy weapons dealer who sells everything the mercenaries need from toilet paper to the planes that the mercenaries fly in battle. The commander of Area 88 is Saki Vashtal, who is actually a prince of the nation of Asran, though his royal heritage means nothing there. Also prominent on the base are the war photographer Rocky (presented as Makoto Shinjou in the 2004 anime), the Dane Greg Gates (later featured in the video game adaptation) and the numerous pilots with whom Shin flies (most of whom die over the course of the series, often in the issue in which they were introduced). Though the series focuses mostly on Shin, other characters (notably Rocky and Mick) did have their own individual storylines.

There are only three ways to leave Area 88: Survive three years (highly unlikely), buy out your contract for one and a half million dollars (difficult as a mercenary must pay for all his expenses) or desertion (a capital offense if caught). With each enemy plane brought down, Shin faces his shifting acceptance of the violence and killing that fills every day, as well as suppressing his feelings of wrong-doing. Eventually earning his release after numerous setbacks, he returns to normal life only to discover he has changed and can no longer fit into the life he once knew.

[edit] Variations

Each version of the Area 88 told slightly different variations on the same basic premise, and often shared individual story arcs. However, there are several key differences between each version, especially in the endings. The original manga ending had Shin returning to Japan, but losing all memory of his time in Area 88; the OAV trilogy had Shin return to Area 88 and his (surmised) death when the Area was overrun, and the 2004 anime truncated the story to just after Shin lost his F-5E.

The 2004 anime also introduced the permanent characters of Kim, from the manga, and Saki's cousin Kitori, who had never appeared in any prior versions.

[edit] Themes

The themes in Area 88 mostly revolve on the Vietnam War and those who have participated in it. The psychological state of the base's mercenaries are also noted, showing that most soldiers who have fought in conflicts from the early 20th century have reported difficulties in getting their lives back to normal.

Area 88 also depicts the use of freelancers in fighting wars as mercenaries have fought for various countries during the 20th century, with the attention of their field work in Africa for most of the time back then.

[edit] Characters

[edit] Freelancers

Shin Kazama A Japanese pilot who was supposed to be employed at Yamato Air Lines (YAL), Shin was tricked into fighting for the Asranian air force in the country's civil war by his friend, Satoru Kanzaki, by letting him place his signature in an Asranian military sign up sheet after getting him drunk at a local bar. Shin became the top ace at Area 88, though he gradually felt his humanity slipping as his time at the Area passed.

Because of this, he was cold to most of the people inside Area 88; he would make friends with Mickey Simon, Kim Aoba, Kitori Palvanaff, Roundell and his commanding officer, Saki Vashtal. All his aircraft sported a flaming unicorn head painted on the tail.

His fate differs depending on the version of the story. See Variations for what happened to Shin at the end of the manga, OVA and TV anime series.

Mickey Simon An American pilot who signed up to fight for the Asranian government in its civil war after leaving the Vietnam War in disgrace and in psychological trouble, as he is convinced that it would take a while for him to get back to a normal life. The self-proclaimed "number-two" pilot in Area 88, he was Shin's primary friend at the Area, and is found in all three versions of Area 88.

Kim Aoba A young boy of Asian descent ^[3], he was mocked by most of the base's freelance pilots and other personnel as they doubted his success to be in Area 88 as a hired mercenary since he was quite young to be fighting in Asran's civil war. Saki, Roundell, Mickey, Kitori and Shin regard the boy as someone that they can rely on in a matter of crisis. Kim only appears in the manga and 2004 anime.

• In some fansubbings, Kim's surname was Aba.

Greg Gates A bearded Danish mercenary, he is noted by the base's mercenary force for being the only person who couldn't die. Greg serves as comedic relief and humor, as his actions lead him to trouble with his comrades and his officers, not to mention unintentionally making the civil war even worse. Greg appears in all versions of Area 88.

Kitori Palvanaff Only daughter of the King of Asran and cousin of Saki Vashtal, she was sent to Area 88 as the base's only female freelance pilot. She lived in Area 88 as one of the boys, fighting alongside them under the base's terms. She takes a liking for Kim for being the youngest freelancer to serve in the Asranian air force and loves to tease him. Later on, she also take a liking for Makoto as she finds him friendly. She was mystified with Shin's personality, finding him cold and alone, though the two are on good terms. Kitori only appears in the 2004 anime.

• In some fansubbings, her name was written as Kitri Parveneh.

Nguyen Van Com A former pilot for the South Vietnamese Air Force. He encountered Mickey several times during the Vietnam War, and he was known as the "Shark of Tonkin Bay". He frequently argues with Shin, mainly because Shin shot down a friendly fighter whose pilot was blinded. Nguyen enjoys the killing of enemy pilots, and even shoots an enemy pilot as he ejected from an aircraft. Despite his disagreements with Shin, he comes to respect him. He dies a fate similar to the pilot he shot down, being shot as he ejected from an aircraft. Nguyen only appears in the OVA.

Invincible Charlie A pilot who once flew at Area 88. He returns because he was hired by Kanzaki to kill Shin. He uses the confusion caused by battle with the Wolf Pack to kill Shin. However, he is killed when a seagull slams into his cockpit and causes him to lose control. Shin is able to bail out from his plane and survive. Charlie only appears in the OVA.

[edit] Base personnel

Gustav Head of the base's technician group. Supports the freelancers by doing field repairs to their jets before and after a sortie against the rebels. Gustav appears only in the 2004 anime.

McCoy The base's scrounger and head of the Area 88's PX shop, deals with American dollars as a means of currency transaction. He provided the mercenaries with most of the items that they need such as fighter jets and their respective armaments, with civilian items as well. McCoy appears in all version of Area 88.

[edit] Officers

Roundell An old man of British descent, he has his right eye placed on an eyepatch. He serves as the base's executive officer and the confidant of Saki Vashtal. He is also an excellent fighter pilot. Roundell appears in all three versions of Area 88.

Saki Vashtal A member of the royal family and a commissioned officer in the Asranian air force, he is distinguished by his black shades and his X-shaped scar on his forehead. Saki is Area 88's commanding officer, and appears in all three versions. He is the cousin of Kitori Palvanaff.

[edit] Others

Makoto Shinjo / Goh Mutsugi (aka Rocky) A SO news reporter sent to Area 88 to cover the rumor of foreign freelance pilots fighting in the Asranian civil war, he was intrigued by Shin's presence as the only lone Japanese pilot to fight for the Asranian military. Later on, he confessed that his sponsor was Satoru Kanzaki because he wanted to get a photo of Shin's dead corpse as proof to Ryoko that he died in action, forcing her to get married to him. Rocky appears (with different names) in all three versions of Area 88.

• In the fansubbing of the 2004 anime, Shinjo's surname was also noted as Shinjou.

Ryoko Tsugumo The daughter of CEO Tsugumo of Yamato Air Lines, she met Shin and Satoru when she was first introduced to flying airplanes for the first time. Ryoko became infatuated with Shin before he left for Paris to conduct his pilot training. She became furious at Satoru when she found out that Shin was forced to serve in the Asranian air force against his will, refusing Satoru's wishes for them to get together. In the 2004 anime, Makoto visited her on the day of her supposed wedding and gave her a photo of Shin's F-5 jet with the crest of the unicorn. Realizing that Satoru lied to her, she ran away on their wedding day, forcing her father to postpone the wedding.

Satoru Kanzaki Shin's friend from the orphanage. He grew jealous of Shin due to his relationship with Ryoko and tricked him to serve with the Asranian military. CEO Tsugumo picked him to be his successor in Yamaoto Air Lines and arranged for him to get married to Ryoko. At the end, his wedding day was ruined after Ryoko ran away in order to wait for Shin to come back.

[edit] Aircraft

Important combat aircraft seen in the productions include:

• A-4F Skyhawk - Unnamed pilots, Greg Gates, Leon, Randy, Campbell (OVA, 2004 Anime)
• A-10A Thunderbolt II - Greg Gates (OVA)
• Blackburn Buccaneer - Roundell (2004 Anime)
• Dassault Mirage F-1 - Kitori Palvanaff, Unnamed pilots (2004 anime)
• English Electric Lightning - Escape Killers (OVA)
• F-4J/E Phantom II - Unnamed pilots, Mickey Simon, Patrick Reed, Shin Kazama, Claus (2004 anime), Bugsy (OVA), Palof (2004 Anime), anonymous ememy pilots
• F-5E Tiger II - Shin Kazama, and Unnamed pilot(OVA)
• F-8E Crusader - Shin Kazama, Boris
• F-14A Tomcat - Mickey Simon (modified for single-pilot operation)
• F-16A Fighting Falcon - Invulnerable Charlie (OVA)
• F-20 Tigershark - Shin Kazama (OVA)
• F-105D Thunderchief - Nguyen Van Com (OVA)
• F-100 Super Sabre - Mickey Simon (OVA)
• F/A-18A Hornet - unnamed pilots (OVA)
• IAI Kfir - Saki, Jess, unnamed pilots (OVA)
• J-35F Draken - Unnamed pilots (2004 anime)
• MiG-17 Fresco - anonymous ememy pilots
• MiG-21 Fishbed - anonymous ememy pilots
• MiG-23 Flogger - Patrick Reed and Unnamed pilot (2004 anime), anonymous ememy pilots
• MiG-27D Flogger - Wolfpack (OVA)
• Sea Harrier FRS Mk.1 - Kim Aoba (2004 anime) and unnamed pilot (OVA), anonymous ememy pilots

Other aircraft that appear throughout the productions include:

• Boeing 747 (piloted by Kanzaki)
• C-130 Hercules
• Cessna 150 (piloted by Shin in his earlier days)
• Tu-95 'Bear'
• UH-1 Iroquois helicopter

[edit] Original Video Animation

An OVA trilogy produced by Group TAC was released in 1985 on video tape and laser disc (from the originally-aired-in-Japan 52 episode series). The tapes/discs were called Area 88, Act I: Blue Skies of Betrayal, Area 88, Act II: The Requirements of Wolves, and Area 88, Act III: Burning Mirage. These were later released with English subtitles in North America on VHS by U.S. Manga Corps. Only the first volume was subsequently released to DVD. Apparently, the English subtitles on the DVD suffered from poor translation. Central Park Media would later let the original OVA license lapse, which allowed ADV Films to release it on an undisclosed date in 2006.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] TV series

An updated 13-episode TV series with CG graphics was created in 2004 and was first aired on Japanese and Asian TV stations by Animax and its branches. ADV Films took responsibility for distributing it in English and it was released, both regular and boxsets, starting on July 19, 2005.

[edit] Video game

Main article: U.N. Squadron

A shooter video game by Capcom was created in the late 80's, but it was released in the U.S. as UN Squadron, with only the characters connecting the two versions. Versions released included the Super Nintendo, Commodore 64, and Amiga, as well as a stand-up arcade game.

In the game, the player could select from Shin, Mick, or Greg as the pilot to play. Each came with a different plane and various advantages; for example, Mick could handle air-to-air dogfights well while Greg excelled at air-to-ground attacks. Each pilot also had special abilities; Shin mastered normal weaponry at the highest speed, Mick inflicted extra damage with his armaments, and Greg recovered from attacks almost before they occurred.

Practically none of the emotion or character development that occurred in the manga or OAVs were transferred over to the game. McCoy and Saki receive zero character development and all the pilots keep the same generic quotes after completing a mission.

[edit] Theme songs

[edit] OVA

• Opening

1. "How Far to Paradise" by Derek Jackson

• Ending

1. "「悲しみのＤｅｓｔｉｎｙ」 (Kanashimi no Destiny)" by MIO

[edit] TV series

• Opening

1. "Mission (Fuga)" by angels

• Ending

1. "Dance in the Battlefield" by Keiko Terada (eps 1-8)
2. "Dance in the Battlefield (English Version)" by Keiko Terada (eps 9-12)

[edit] Soundtracks

Area 88 Opening Theme: Mission - Fuga

Released on February 25, 2004

1. "Mission (FUGA)"
2. "Dance in the Battlefield"
3. "Mission (FUGA)" - Instrumental Version
4. "Dance in the Battlefield" - Instrumental Version

• Area 88: Sound File 1
• Area 88: Sound File 2
• Area 88: Mission Cyber Trance

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• (Japanese) Area 88 Website from Animax Japan
• (Japanese) Area 88 Website from TV Asahi
• (English) Area 88 Website from ADV Films
• AniRec Database (with screenshots)
• Elvrum/Test at the Internet Movie Database
• Area 88 - The Arcade Game at Arcade-History.
• Coin-OP Museum: "UN Squadron" Game

• Area 88 TV Version Info
• Area 88 OAV Info