Japanese animation (anime) - スカイ・クロラ
English: Sky Crawlers
Vintage: 2008
Style: Ação, Drama
スカイ・クロラ - Preview
Preview
In a mid 20th century-like world, Rostock (which seems to be Europe) fights an aerial war against Lautern (which seems to be England, thus placing the setting on a very similar ground to the second world war). Kannami Yuichi is a recently reassigned pilot to replace the ace on the remote Urisu Base, where the quite different superior, Kusanagi Suito, commands the squad of just 4 pilots.
However, this is not a simple action war title: Kannami, Kusanagi and most other pilots are Kildren, children that do not age and do not get sick - they can only die if killed. As such, they are used as the pilots at what seams a not so conventional war.
Pacing
The real focus of Sky Crawlers is not the aerial battles let alone the war itself, but the social and humane conflicts as well worries that the Kildren have - even though most about them is left unknown until near the end of the title. While Kannami participate in operations, the real drama is actually unfolding in the little moments he spends at base or with his fellow pilots.
The first question that arises is what happened to the pilot Kannami is replacing, why people don't want to talk about it, and how the pilot was "replaced" if his fighter is perfectly intact. The fact that Kusanagi is hard to read while having strong opinions only add to the mysterious aura that surrounds the title.
As the title progresses, along with some amazing dogfight sequences complements of the best production I.G. can offer, Kannami and Kusanagi develop and untold relation that eventually stresses the real plot and theme of this interesting title.
Conclusion
There are many approaches to Sky Crawlers, and whichever you take; you will most likely be pleased. Spoiling such approaches might bias the viewer and as such we will refrain from commenting, but suffice to say there is enough content for the critics, enough reading between the lines for those looking for something more, and enough fights and battles for the action fan.
However, the true shine of Sky Crawlers is the underlying debate it would eventually raise if you were able to get one of the most interesting points of views of the title, which is how people ignore routine pretending everything is changing. This can lead even for some interesting comparisons to the anime fan itself, or to society as a whole and how things are taken naturally even though they aren't, or how nothing has actually changed in history even though we are lead to believe it has (human nature don't change)
Living "forever" as a child can lead you to realize the futility of growing up, or the futility of remaining a child - either way, routine is inescapable - or is it? Be sure to check our essay on this title after watching this amazing title.
Important note: Watch past credits, as the answer for some important subjects can be found on the 2 min extra footage.
