Area 88 TV Complete Collection - School Library Journal
"deserves to be in all collections where anime or action stories are popular"
Area 88. 2 DVDs. 3:15 hrs. ADV Films. 2007. ISBN 1-4139-1431-4. $29.98.
Gr 6 Up-Shin Kazama has just graduated at the top of his class in flight school. He is slated to join the prestigious Yamato Airlines and he's in love with Ryoko, the director of the company's daughter. But he's tricked by his best friend into signing an iron-clad contract with the Asran Mercenary Air Force to fight in Area 88. Unable to contact anyone back in Japan, Shin must fly for three years or earn 1.5 million dollars to fulfill his contract. He's sick of the carnage and the killing, but he starts to appreciate the interesting cast of characters at the base with him. The real stars of Area 88 are the planes: amazing dogfights are fought over landscapes reminiscent of recent desert military campaigns. Area 88, roughly 20 years old, is based on Kaoru Shintani's manga series and is one of the great classics of early animé. Some footage may seem dated, but the terrific action scenes make up for it. This updated version has been restored with great care and deserves to be in all collections where anime or actions stories are popular. - Jane Halsall, McHenry Public Library, IL
Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 (Archive on Friday, October 05, 2007)