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Area 88

2004Show1 season12 episodesTV-G

Action & AdventureAnimation
58
DecentGoodWatch score
IMDb6.9

A pulse-pounding, brutally violent animated series about war and the mind, with standout world-building and sound design.

Good for friends night · party vibe · teens

Skip it if you need an uplifting mood · graphic violence bothers you · you want something quiet and calm

Where to watch

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Not streaming in any country yet.

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Not for warmth, laughs or comfort.

Shows with

Story

The adventures of a young pilot in a war torn country. Shin Kazama was duped into singing a three-year contract at Area 88, a secluded mercenary air force base. Determined to earn $1.5 million to buy his way out of the obligation and return home, killing becomes second nature to Shin as he quickly rises to the top rank at Area 88. He begins to question whether he is still fighting for survival, or like his fellow mercenaries, for the sheer excitement and camaraderie of battle.

Feels like

  • Military Action
  • Psychological Drama
  • Mercenary Life
  • War Thriller
  • Gritty & Intense
  • Survival Story
  • Moral Ambiguity
  • High-Stakes Combat
  • Aviation Focused

Cast

11 of 11 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
Takao Abo

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

January 9, 2004 · March 26, 2004 · Ended

First aired
January 9, 2004
Last aired
March 26, 2004
Status
Ended
Length
1 season · 12 episodes
Age rating
TV-G
Content
Violence, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Animation, Action & Adventure, Drama
Original language
Japanese
Made in
Japan, United States

Tropes

Red Shirt, Surprisingly Elite Cannon Fodder, Bittersweet Ending +9

  • Red Shirt
  • Surprisingly Elite Cannon Fodder
  • Bittersweet Ending
  • Shell-Shocked Veteran
  • Nuke 'Em
  • A Lighter Shade of Black
  • Conflict Ball
  • War for Fun and Profit
  • Civil War
  • Evil Counterpart
  • "X" Marks the Hero
  • Anyone Can Die

12 of 143 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Is Area 88 worth watching?"

Questions about Area 88

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Is Area 88 worth watching?

58
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 58 (IMDb 6.9).

How long does it take to watch Area 88?

5 h

About 5 hours: 12 episodes in 1 season of about 25 minutes each, aired from 2004 to 2004.

Will I feel good after watching Area 88?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 8 of 10 for bleakness and 6 for melancholy, against 3 for hopefulness.

Is Area 88 in English?

Japanese

No, it was made in Japanese.

What tropes does Area 88 use?

Red ShirtSurprisingly Elite Cannon FodderBittersweet EndingShell-Shocked VeteranNuke 'EmA Lighter Shade of BlackConflict BallWar for Fun and ProfitCivil WarEvil Counterpart"X" Marks the HeroAnyone Can Dieand 131 more

TV Tropes lists 143 tropes for it, including Red Shirt, Surprisingly Elite Cannon Fodder, and Bittersweet Ending.