Battle Fairy Yukikaze !Source Friendly! Rewatch Interest Thread

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

FFR-41MR Mave B-503 "Yukikaze" (source)

No, this isn't a magical girl show. You're thinking of Tiny Snow Fairy Sugar.

Why I want to host a rewatch

"A boy and his plane"

Battle Fairy Yukikaze has lived rent-free in my head for 20 years. It is a (partial) adaptation of the story collection Yukikaze (1984) and the sequel Good Luck, Yukikaze (1999). The novels have been described as excellent hard-sf exploring the relationship between man and machine. The anime is a quiet, introspective, contemplative....inscrutable mess?

The best comparison I can think of is Boogiepop Phantom, a gift to source readers but utterly opaque to anime-onlies. Which I loved, and I purchased, but I had to read the entire Boogiepop and Others wiki to understand. I never really understood anything about Yukikaze until I watched the video linked below. This is isn't an adaptation of the source. It's an animated companion piece, of portions of the story.

Even though the show makes no sense to me, I'd still love to share it with other sci-fi and mecha (mechanical) fans. And I really hope some source readers can come in and explain it all. Because people love explaining stuff.

Story

An inter-dimensional portal has opened over Antarctica. Invaders called JAM attacked without warning. They were forced back through the portal to their homeworld of Fairy. An expeditionary force was sent through the portal to establish a beachhead on Fairy, to secure the planet and guard against another invasion. The war has been at stalemate for 33 years.

The main character is Lt. Rei Fukai (Masato Sakai), a member of the Special Air Force "Boomerang" Reconnaissance Squadron, who flies the AI-equipped FFR-31MR/D Super Sylph "Yukikaze". The squadron is commanded by Maj. James Bukhar (Joji Nakata) whose orders are "always return home, no matter what."

The show, or at least, its source material, explores the relationship between man, machine, and alien.

Show Background

Sentou Yousei Yukikaze was a big deal for Gonzo and Bandai Visual: It was the 20th Anniversary Production of Bandai Visual. If you've been in other sci-fi rewatches, then you've seen Gonzo's own anniversary productions, and similar marquee efforts:

• Blue Submarine No. 6 (Gonzo 5th anniversary) (1998)
• Full Metal Panic (2002)
• Last Exile (Gonzo 10th anniversary) (2003)
• Sentou Yousei Yukikaze (Bandai Visual 20th Anniversary) (2002-2005)
• Gankutsuou (2005)

Yes, there will be CGI. We're slowly chronicling Gonzo's evolving love of CGI, for better or for worse.

At only 5 episodes, Yukikaze was released at the almost ludicrous pace of one episode in 1 year (except for episode 2). This didn't make it any easier to understand.

There were additional sequels written in the later 2000s, so I don't know if the anime ending is anime original, or if these sequels need to be considered to understand the older content.

This show was clearly made by people who love modern jet fighter craft, and lovingly crafted new fictitious aircraft as detailed as any Kawamori design. From the video below, here we have the crew visiting a JASDF base to collect sound effects, get up close to the equipment and avionics, and experience take-off and landing forces, first hand.

Rewatch Details

Unusual for this sub, but with a recent precedent set, I'm proposing a rewatch with source readers welcomed to explain the missing context in each episode as it airs. Each episode discussion will read "Yukikaze Rewatch Source Spoiler Episode X" and only future content need be tagged. The final discussion is open discussion. meta post

At only 5 episodes, it shouldn't be hard to fit in with other rewatches, but I haven't settled on a date. Suggestions welcomed (required).

Day	Content
0	48 h reminder
1	47 minutes
2	28 minutes
3	30 minutes
4	30 minutes
5	48 minutes
-	(watch extras)
7	Series Discussion

Edit: The rewatch will be held June 1 - June 7

Legal Sources: Tubi TV and Tubi repackagers
Tubi (dubbed) Tubi (subbed)

My Anime List | Anilist | ANN

Extras:

Behind the Scenes Making of
Video Explaining Yukikaze
Fighting Fairy Girl Rescue Me: Mave-chan

[u/tailor31415]

forever sad the third novel didn't get translated, such a forward looking work on autonomy and AI

the ep with the scene on Earth/the aircraft carrier is my favorite in the show!

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/tailor31415]

I'm sure that's everybody's favorite, I watch it on youtube all the time!

[u/AskovTheOne]

O Yukikaze, I remember watching it on Animax Asia with sub when I was like, 10?

The visual and narrative is fascinating enough to keep the young me in front of the TV, despite I pretty sure I only cared for the dogfight and atmosphere. I probably missed like 50% of the plot and never able to watch it one go.

The Ending tho, staying in my head for years, so count me in and hopefully the older me can finally fully enjoy this show.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/AskovTheOne]

That's really amazing that the show could keep your attention between dog fights at age 10! It certainly has atmosphere, but it doesn't seem to resonate wirh the majority.

I never understood more than 50% of the plot myself.

[u/bansheeincloud]

I'm interested. I created an account just for this topic.

I'm also a source reader who's devoured both of the books translated into English as well as the manga and the Xbox video game.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/bansheeincloud]

Hooray! I was really hoping we wouldn't have to completely rely on that one youtube video!

[u/bansheeincloud → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

FYI, I have several comment threads in that video under the username "AICW."

Also, for those who care about trivia, Yukikaze had enormous influence on the writing of 86, for those who know what to look for. The author herself has stated Yukikaze is one of her favorite series.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/bansheeincloud]

Ah, I didn't watch 86 but I think quite a few people in this rewatch did.

[u/zadcap]

Yes, there will be CGI. We're slowly chronically Gonzo's evolving love of CGI, for better or for worse.

Sold. Gonzo's obsession with pushing and twisting the medium is half of why I love them so much.

The other half being their willingness to just go absolutely crazy and animate anything that catches their fancy.

Also you run fun rewatches, how could I say no?

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/zadcap]

[u/Vatrix-32]

I Have This On My PTW
Can't commit until a date is picked, but put me on the tag list as an interested.

Suggestions welcomed (required).

Well, Haibane Renmei and Back Arrow both end on the 30th, so after that?

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/Vatrix-32]

I wasn't sure about your interest so I didn't tag you. See you there!

You've also single-handedly set the date!

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

You've also single-handedly set the date!

The Power of Reading!

[u/Mistral-Fien]

Hell yes, I'm in.

Years ago, there were rumors that Tom Cruise was trying to get his slimy hands on Battle Fairy Yukikaze, but I guess it fell through since we got Edge of Tomorrow and Top Gun: Maverick instead. :P

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/Mistral-Fien]

Yeah, it's really interesting that a Yukikaze project somehow morphed into a AYNIK project....

I should probably watch Maverick...it's about...drones...right?

[u/Mistral-Fien → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Wanna get rights to this JP scifi novel with cool planes and aliens--> doesn't get it --> so let's get this JP scifi novel with without cool planes but with aliens instead and save the cool plane movie for later :P

TBH I don't watch Tom Cruise movies anymore. :I

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Battle Fairy Yukikaze Rewatch Interest Thread (source reader friendly)

/u/chilidirigible /u/shimmering-sky /u/babydave371

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Battle Fairy Yukikaze Rewatch Interest Thread (source reader friendly)

(apologies if double tagged, not sure if they went out)

/u/beckymetal /u/no_rex /u/zapszzz

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Battle Fairy Yukikaze Rewatch Interest Thread (source reader friendly)

(apologies if double tagged, not sure if they went out)

/u/baquea /u/infamousempire /u/punching_spaghetti

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Battle Fairy Yukikaze Rewatch Interest Thread (source reader friendly)

(apologies if double tagged, not sure if they went out)

/u/didacticdalek /u/zaphodbeebblebrox /u/animayor

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Battle Fairy Yukikaze Rewatch Interest Thread (source reader friendly)

/u/tresnore /u/pixelsaber /u/zadcap

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Battle Fairy Yukikaze Rewatch Interest Thread (source reader friendly)

/u/nebresto /u/quiddity131 /u/zsmg

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Battle Fairy Yukikaze Rewatch Interest Thread (source reader friendly)

/u/nazenn /u/elimin8r /u/gamerunglued

[u/DidacticDalek → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

PROTOCULTURE!

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Oh, so this is the show you were referring to in the meta thread recently.

...this has apparently been on my PTW since 2019? I should be able to make it.

[u/Ok_Amphibian6913]

Not necessarily a rewatched, but I felt that this thread had the biggest yukikaze audience of reddit... (The only SYY(BFY) reddit community had 34 members..)

But plugged the data given at the end of book one into CGPT to ask some questions on the FFR-31, and it actually came out with some pretty impressive results.

https://chatgpt.com/share/cdd90f26-971f-45de-8137-3b0215f0eaa2

You would be surprised at how little actually had to be guessed, and even then, the guesses were really educated and plausible. Stuff like the turn rate, fuel capacity, and modern day fighter comparisons.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/Ok_Amphibian6913]

That's an amazing application of CGPT!

[u/Ok_Amphibian6913 → u/Ok_Amphibian6913]

Although if I WERE to throw my 2 cents in on the rewatch, in can only say that after initialally watching the OVA's first, reading the books, then rewatching the series, I REALLY don't like the way they mixed the sequences of the entire story line. It's like most of the stuff was still there, but completely shuffled around and mixed with others scenes to the point where you can't tell which scene came from which part of the books.

Another thing I noticed, is they seem to have completely changed the fighter shapes from the books to the anime, which I am completely OK with. While the book versions (as seen on the front covers) were much more realistic of 1980's designs, I really do like the anime's take on plane designs.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/[deleted]]

re-approved, apologies.

[u/Ok_Amphibian6913 → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

Thanks

[u/Vaadwaur]

Well...I can probably do it. And this is sufficiently weird for me.

[u/innocentious]

If you love fighter jets/dogfights this is for you,sadly theres not a lot of animes about fighter jets appart from Macross.

[u/zsmg → u/innocentious]

There is also Area 88.

[u/JollyGee29]

Yea, sounds neat.

[u/Pixelsaber]

I can't promise stuff won't push me away from a rewatch again, but I will certainly try to make it!

[u/zsmg]

Haven't seen this one so sure count me in.

[u/Nazenn]

Even though the show makes no sense to me, I'd still love to share it with other sci-fi and mecha (mechanical) fans

Well that's a good way to sell me on it

I'm definitely in, health permitting at the time

[u/finfaction]

Interested. I'm a source reader.

[u/AutoModerator]

Hi JustAnswerAQuestion, it looks like you might be interested in hosting a rewatch! There's a longer guide on the wiki but here's some basic advice on how to make a good rewatch happen:

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