Watch Area 88

Name: Area 88
Genre: Anime
Released: 2004-01-08
Cast: Shinichiro MikiTomokazu SekiHikaru MidorikawaSanae KobayashiHiroki Takahashi

TV-PG
2004
1 Season
6.8 (143)

Area 88 is a stunningly animated anime series that originally aired in Japan in 2004. The series is set in a fictional Middle Eastern country called Asran, where a civil war rages between the government forces and rebel fighters. The story follows the adventures of a group of professional pilots working at Area 88, a secret military base used as a training ground for mercenaries. These pilots have all been lured to Area 88 by promises of high pay and a chance to fly some of the most advanced fighter planes in the world.

The main character of the series is Shin Kazama, a talented pilot who was duped into signing a contract with a shady businessman named Satoru Kanzaki. Shin is desperate to pay off his debt and return to Japan to reunite with his love, Ryoko Tsugumo. However, he quickly discovers that he cannot simply leave Area 88. In order to do so, he must complete three years of service and earn 1.5 million dollars.

As Shin sets out to survive his three-year stint at Area 88, he must not only contend with the dangers of war but also the politics and treachery of his own fellow pilots. The other pilots come from all walks of life and have their own reasons for being at Area 88, some of which are much darker than they first appear.

While the show is heavy on the action and drama, it also features some heartwarming moments as Shin forges strong bonds with his fellow pilots, in particular an American pilot named Mickey Simon and a Japanese pilot named Satoru Kanzaki. In addition to the thrilling aerial battles, the show also offers insight into the human cost of war and the psychological toll that being a mercenary can take on a person.

The show also boasts an all-star cast of voice actors who expertly bring the characters to life. Shinichiro Miki provides the voice of the brooding Shin Kazama, while Tomokazu Seki plays the brash and cocky Mickey Simon. Hikaru Midorikawa voices the melancholic Satoru Kanzaki, and Sanae Kobayashi plays the determined and headstrong Ryoko Tsugumo.

Overall, Area 88 is an exciting and thought-provoking series that explores some of the darker aspects of war and the human psyche. The animation is top-notch, the voice acting is superb, and the story will keep you hooked from start to finish. Highly recommended for fans of action, drama, and aviation.

Filter by Source

No sources available

Do you have Prime Video?

What are you waiting for?

Nice! Browse Prime Video with Yidio.

Ad Info

Seasons

12. Lock On - Wings of the Wind

March 25, 2004

Because of expenses related to his crash, Shin can't buy his freedom. Shinjou is expelled from the Area. Shin finds out Kanzaki and Ryoko are getting married, so he buys a new plane and attempts to desert.

11. Truth - Truth of the Sand

March 18, 2004

Shin shoots the final plane he needs to buy his freedom, but then crashes on landing. Kanzaki fires Shinjou, because Kanzaki and Ryoko have become engaged and Kanzaki is now in a position of power at Yamato Airlines. The pilots find out Shinjou's mission and the give him a serious beating. Kanzaki tells Ryoko that Shin is dead.

10. Fire Ball - Contrails of Destiny

March 11, 2004

Area forces are sustaining heavy losses due to a rebel pilot with a lizard mark on the nose of his plane. This pilot turns out to be Patrick Reed, who flew under Mickey's command in Vietnam, and who was at first unwilling to shoot anyone. Shin reveals that he knows Shinjou's true mission.

9. Canyon - Tightrope at the Speed of Sound

March 4, 2004

The Area pilots are ordered to attack a well-guarded base that defends a rebel oil refinery the government wants to capture. Roundell leads the dangerous approach through a narrow canyon, and Shinjou comes along on board Mickey's plane because he wants to see what they see in combat.

8. Sand Glass - Sand's Bullet

February 26, 2004

A lone sniper brings operations at Area 88 to a halt with a few well-placed shots. A plan is conceived to get Shin up in the air using a decoy (Saki) to buy him time. When he goes up, everyone tries to spot the sniper but fails.

7. Hungry Boy - Sweet Soldier

February 19, 2004

Kitri expresses doubts about Kim's abilities as a pilot, and Kim's Harrier is in bad need of parts and repairs, but when an enemy bomber squadron draws near, the shortage requires her, Shin, and Kim to fly out alone to defend the base.

6. Cross Over - Intersection of Solitude

February 12, 2004

Shin's new fighter jet arrives and he sets out on a training flight to break it in. Shin's fighter jet and Kanzaki's airliner nearly collide in dense clouds, but Shin pulls away in time, and Kanzaki recognizes the unicorn mark on his jet.

5. Lip Stick - Unyielding Rouge

February 5, 2004

All the men are excited about having a woman on base and try to woo her with gifts; but the only one she is interested in is Shin. She is ordered to stay behind on the next mission, but she goes up against orders and gets into a dangerous situation.

4. Desert - Skies of Betrayal

January 29, 2004

Shin engages a large number of enemies all alone and his Crusader is destroyed. He manages to eject just in time to run into a sandstorm. He has many flashbacks about his friends in the meantime.

3. Shin & Makoto - Finder of a Blue Sky

January 22, 2004

Shin and Kim shoot down an enemy transport plane. McCoy tells all the men on base there was gold on board, so all the pilots go out to find the downed plane. Shin and Mickey don't go along, so Shinjou asks Shin to take him up for a flight. Shin agrees and proceeds to give him a rough and dangerous ride.

2. Boris - Tombstone of the Setting Sun

January 15, 2004

No body wants to fly with Pilot Boris because he always loses his companions on missions and returns to base alone. When he accepts his new mission, Shin and Kim go with him.

1. Sky Blue - Desert Wings

January 8, 2004

Photographer Makoto Shinjou arrives at Area 88, an airbase for mercenary flyers in the Kingdom of Aslan which is fighting a war against anti-government forces. When the other pilots go on an attack Shin Kazama, the single Japanese pilot, stays behind, so he and his comrade Mickey are ordered to engage enemy aircraft attacking Area 88. Shinjou stands in the line of fire to snap pictures, gaining some respect from Shin and Mickey, who win the battle.

Description