Area 88 (TV)

About Area 88 (TV)

If you are hunting for a new action series, Area 88 (TV) (エリア８８) deserves a look (2004). The setup goes like this. The premise: Deep in the sandy plains of the Middle Eastern kingdom of Asran, Japanese photojournalist Makoto Shinjou travels to the remote airbase Area 88 to document the activities of the mercenaries who destroy the country's foes for a. Among their ranks is Shin Kazama, a Japanese ace pilot who was tricked by his former best ally into signing a contract with the Asran's fighter squad.

Along the way, because of this, he lost his career as an airline pilot and the chance to marry his fiancee Ryoko Tsugumo. Now, Shin has three choices in order to leave Area 88 and return to Japan: serve the mercenary group for three years, earn US$1.5 million, or desert the base, risking imminent death.

With action at the core, fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. Voice work is led by Tomokazu Seki as Micky Simon and Takehito Koyasu as Shin Kazama. This one is best suited to viewers who like fast, high-impact fights. The run is 12 episodes in total, so you know what you are signing up for.

Production & Appeal

Production sits with Group TAC, which means the visual identity of Area 88 (TV) follows that studio's craft. Because it leans on action, fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. Its 6.5/10 score suggests opinions are split, so it suits viewers who already like the genre. On the casting side, Tomokazu Seki voicing Micky Simon gives the lead role a recognizable voice. Released in 2004, it competed with that season's other new series for attention.