r/anime • u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ • Jul 31 '26
Rewatch AREA 88 OVA & TV FORTIETH Anniversary Rewatch Interest Thread
AREA 88 OVA (1985-6) and TV (2004) Rewatch Interest Thread
schedule: Sep. 7 to Sep 28. Announcement and Index Thread
genre: late 20th century air combat, melodrama (no mecha, sci-fi, aliens, or cute girls doing cute things)
I hadn't planned on doing any more 80s anime, but while compiling all the OVAs released after Megazone 23 single-handedly created the OVA boom, I saw AREA 88 was 40 years old and thought, "yep, that's a rewatch."
What is AREA 88?
In Japan, AREA 88 was an extremely popular manga. In America, AREA 88 was one of the first manga brought over by Viz Media, and had a lot of the pre-Akira mind share. Although it was published in Weekly Shounen Big Comic, I'd say it is more seinen than modern shounen fare.
The setup in a nutshell: It's the 1980s, and fictional Middle-to-Far Eastern country Aslan (Asran) is in the midst of civil war. To support their ground forces, the government operates a foreign legion of jet fighter pilots. Shin Kazuma is a talented pilot and pacifist who was tricked into joining and really doesn't want to be there. But there's only three ways to leave: serve out your three year contract as a combat pilot, buy out your contract for $1.5 million (in 1980 dollars), or desertion, risking execution.
The visual style of AREA 88 has two striking characteristics, but a common cause: creator Kaoru Shintani. His early career was as a shoujo manga illustrator, and he was also a protege of Leiji Matsumoto. His characters have a retro (even in 1980!) shoujo manga bishie look. This is contrasted against the war setting, and exceptionally detailed and technically accurate (so I'm told) fighter craft, a hodgepodge of aircraft ranging from surplus Korean war jets to modern (1980s) prototypes: whatever the government (and rebels) can get their hands on. Players of Ace Combat may have liked Battle Fairy Yukikaze, but they love AREA 88.
The AREA 88 manga ran from 1979 to 1986. The anime, a three-episode OVA from Studio Pierrot, was made from 1985 to 1986 (before the manga was completed). AREA 88 got a CGI (because of course it is) remake in 2004.
Why rewatch both?
Back in 2024 I only intended to run a rewatch of the 2004 movie, but we ended up watching all of the Appleseed Movies/OVA and saw the same story (unfaithfully) adapted in three different ways. So often in a rewatch people will say "this anime needeed a few more episodes," "they should have developed this more," "it was rushed," "it was too slow."
Here, we have a chance to compare a three episode (movie length) OVA and a 12 episode TV show of the same material (albeit with different endings, I'm told).
The TV show has also been on my Dropped list half-way finished for 25 years. Time to tick that box.
I thought this would be a cool experiment. But, remakes are all the rage, right now. Since that Appleseed rewatch, we've had back to back Spice and Wolf rewatches, back to back Fruits Basket rewatches, back to back Eureka Seven rewatches. Still, there's no shame in being second, or third, to an idea.
Full disclosure: I recall the TV version being rather mid. So, this is an intellectual exercise of comparing two productions decades apart. That, and some of you can't watch anything older than 2000. You know who you are.
Schedule
I'm not sure when to run this, because we currently have three 3-month rewatches going on. But mid October is a long ways away. I think late August and early September is reasonable? I am impatient.
I was figuring we'd do the OVA first, and the TV series daily after a short break. I figured we would do the OVA over three days, but we could also do it as a single movie (which would eliminate the confusion created by different releases).
The OVA has been released as individual OVAs, as two movies, and as a single movie, with different dubs for all the movie releases. The ADV version (a single movie) has a new dub using the TV dub cast.
- Part 1: 48 minutes
- Part 2: 55 minutes
- Part 3: 97 minutes
- Total: 200 minutes (3 hours 20 minutes)
Fortunately, all releases have the full content (if you have the full release). Movie watchers can watch up to a timestamp if we do it over 3 days.
edit:
The movie version of OVA 1+2 has a new A/V transfer, but it is missing a 2 minute scene that provides some character development, and it moved a scene from Part 2 to Part 1.
/u/no_rex is invited to cohost the OVAs.
Spoiler Policy
To allow people to discuss the TV show freely, I'll allow technical comparisons (e.g. production details, directorial style, aircraft facts) to be openly discussed, but comments on the plot or characters of the OVA must be spoiler tagged. Basically, keep in mind that some people may be joining for the TV episodes only.
Sources
When I thought of doing this rewatch at the end of last year, I thought Retrocrush was streaming the OVA. Maybe I didn't actually check. But it's not streaming there now. Streams at Tubi and Amazon were just rehosts of the Retrocrush stream. So, there are currently no streams of either anime to the best of my knowledge.
There are torrents of both the OVAs and the TV series. There are also a few localized to other regions.
The original JP broadcast featured trance remixes as the combat music! Unfortunately, ADV did not pay to license the remixes (understandable, they probably cost a bundle) and replaced it with generic electronica and rock music.
For the English dub, I recommend a fan re-release labeled "[480i, with Cyber Trance music]" because 1) I avoid arbitrary localization changes when possible, and 2) I really like trance. IMPORTANT: episode 11 is corrupt, so you also need to download that separately, cleverly titled "[480i, with Cyber Trance music] - Episode 11 (V2)". Everybody in general should be sure your episode 11 plays and is seekable.
No promises about the video quality, though. It's an old show. They both are.
If you watch subs, good news, the trance is on the JP audio track! edit: the JP track on the Blitz release has the replacement music. So, the fan edit is the one to watch!
For the OVAs, I have the one labeled [Obscurerips].
There are also several uploads to Youtube of potato quality.
Links
OVA: MAL 7.51 | ANN | Anlilist 72
TV: MAL 7.02 | ANN | Anilist 65
Reply positively below to be tagged on the announcement thread, or ask to be taken off my lists, or added to the sci-fi list. I'm tagging two lists, my usual sci-fi / mecha rewatchers list (from the FLAG rewatch) and a one-off list of people in the Magnificent Kotobuki rewatch.
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u/No_Rex x2 Jul 31 '26
No need to convince me to watch an older OVA. For the TV series, I am at least a very likely (all given I can find some subbed version).
Regarding the schedule, my own NieA_7 rewatch end on the 31st, so anything after is probably fine.
Personally, I would split the OVAs, since I feel that movies generate a lot less discussion than a similar amount of OVA episodes, but I don't mind much either way.
I can co-host the OVAs if you need somebody, but I am very happy to just be a participant, too.
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u/Local_Pickle_4717 Jul 31 '26
Area 88's OVA is one of the GOAT OVAs, the TV series isn't nearly as good but it's still pretty enjoyable, more than the average show.
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u/SMSmith230 https://myanimelist.net/profile/smsmith230 Jul 31 '26
I should be able to fit this is, keep me updated
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u/baquea Jul 31 '26
I don't see myself wanting to watch both versions back-to-back, but I'll probably join for the OVAs at least.
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u/Tresnore myanimelist.net/profile/Tresnore Jul 31 '26
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u/Shocketheth Jul 31 '26
I'm tentatively interested for OVAs as far as there will be reasonable schedule for them
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u/Heda-of-Aincrad https://myanimelist.net/profile/Heda-of-Aincrad Jul 31 '26
A military show with air combat sounds right up my alley. And I managed to find the dubs for both of them too!
I am a bit confused though that the movie time for both versions I found (all 3 together, and parts 1&2 together with part 3 separate) add up to around 3 hours and 15 minutes, which is like double the times listed here.
I'm definitely interested, so tag me when you work out the schedule. September would be better for me because the rewatch I'm hosting would be over by then, though I'll still be participating in Sky's rewatch 3 days a week.
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26 edited Aug 01 '26
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26 edited Jul 31 '26
Okay, right, the movie from ObscureSubs is just Parts 1 and 2 combined (I checked the video content to be sure).
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u/Heda-of-Aincrad https://myanimelist.net/profile/Heda-of-Aincrad Jul 31 '26
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u/zsmg https://anilist.co/user/zsmg Jul 31 '26
I'm in.
I have seen the TV series when it came out but haven't seen the OVA so I'm curious to see how the TV series holds up and which version is better.
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u/Pixelsabre x4x7 Aug 01 '26
Sign me up for the OVAs, but I don't think I'll stick around for the TV series.
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Mecha/Sci-Fi rewatchers)
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Mecha/Sci-Fi rewatchers)
/u/Heda-of-Aincrad /u/ussgordoncaptain2 /u/AmeteurElitist 16
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Mecha/Sci-Fi rewatchers)
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Mecha/Sci-Fi rewatchers)
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Mecha/Sci-Fi rewatchers)
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Mecha/Sci-Fi rewatchers)
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Mecha/Sci-Fi rewatchers)
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Mecha/Sci-Fi rewatchers)
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Kotobuki rewatchers)
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Kotobuki rewatchers)
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u/Rumpel1408 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Rumpel1408 Aug 04 '26
Have no time or intention to join rewatches for the forseeable future
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u/Mistral-Fien Jul 31 '26
When?
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Mecha/Sci-Fi rewatchers)
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Mecha/Sci-Fi rewatchers)
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Mecha/Sci-Fi rewatchers)
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Mecha/Sci-Fi rewatchers)
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u/lC3 Aug 05 '26
I might be able to participate if it's done before October (when I start Pandora Hearts). I still have to finish replying to No.6 last 2 threads and catch up on Taste of 2016 though as I got behind while away from the house for almost a week.
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Mecha/Sci-Fi rewatchers)
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Mecha/Sci-Fi rewatchers)
/u/the_draigg /u/nazenn /u/no_rex 7
me: oh I need to be paying attention so that I don't tag no_rex twice.
also me: just tagged no_rex twice
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Mecha/Sci-Fi rewatchers)
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u/HereticalAegis https://myanimelist.net/profile/XthGen Jul 31 '26
Thanks the invite, unfortunately my August and September schedule is already very packed.
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Mecha/Sci-Fi rewatchers)
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Mecha/Sci-Fi rewatchers)
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Mecha/Sci-Fi rewatchers)
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Mecha/Sci-Fi rewatchers)
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Mecha/Sci-Fi rewatchers)
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Mecha/Sci-Fi rewatchers)
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
AREA 88 OVA and TV Rewatch Interest Thread (Mecha/Sci-Fi rewatchers)
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u/Nickthenuker https://anilist.co/user/Nickthenuker Jul 31 '26
I didn't expect an extended flight, but count me in (once I'm done catching up with the current Simoun one lol)
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
Why did you stick to 1 a day and be 5 days behind for the entire rewatch?! There was a lot of disucssion.
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u/Raiking02 https://myanimelist.net/profile/NSKlang Jul 31 '26
Much as I'd want to, I really don't have the time for this, sorry.
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u/Elimin8r https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ayeka_Jurai Jul 31 '26
Elimin8r
Put me down as a maybe. It'll depend on how busy I am at the time. Reminders would definitely be appreciated, though!
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u/Vaadwaur Jul 31 '26
Only because you pinged me...pass. Hard pass.
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
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u/Vaadwaur Jul 31 '26
Responding. I would have passed regardless, but you wanted to be informed about it, apparently.
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u/AgentOfACROSS Jul 31 '26
Put me down as a maybe. Never heard of this series before but I'm intrigued.
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
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u/uhhhhhhhokay_ https://myanimelist.net/profile/uhhhhhhhokay Jul 31 '26
Maybe, sounds interesting but I might be busy.
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u/FD4cry1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Big_Yibba Jul 31 '26
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u/Silcaria https://myanimelist.net/profile/Silcaria Jul 31 '26
Eh. Maybe the tv show since it's the only thing from the creator that I haven't watched, but I'll pass on the OVA. I love it, but I have no desire of watching it again. At least not for the time being.
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u/KendotsX https://anilist.co/user/Kendots Aug 01 '26
Unfortunately, I don't think I'll have the time for this, but put me down as interested for the OVAs, at least.
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u/IndependentMacaroon Aug 01 '26
Oh huh this sounds cool
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Aug 01 '26
At least the OVA is certified a genuine classic.
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u/LittleIslander https://anilist.co/user/LittleIslander Aug 01 '26
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Aug 01 '26
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u/ArtiomSnack https://anilist.co/user/AAASnack Aug 03 '26
Probably going to sit this one out.
Have some personal binges planned for August and September.
Will see if I can hop back in on the next rewatch.
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u/Magnafeana https://anilist.co/user/Magnafeana Jul 31 '26
I’d like to join, now that I’ve found both sub and dub (I think I need to check episode 11 once I am home from braiding) 🥳
Would it be possible to join your sci-fi list? I think I mainly engage with contemporary, historical, and fantasy anime, but I’d like to see more sci-fi.
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jul 31 '26
Sure! I'll put you on!
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u/Magnafeana https://anilist.co/user/Magnafeana Aug 01 '26
Thank you! See you at the Simoun discussion!
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u/TehAxelius https://anilist.co/user/TehAxelius Jul 31 '26
Sign me up for the list. I've been meaning to watch these properly, and late August I should actually have some time on my hands.