Combat Fairy Yukikaze FAF Aviation History - A thorough evaluation of the depth of the battle scenes and story

Combat Fairy Yukikaze FAF Aviation History - The ultimate sky action and profound themes

"Combat Fairy Yukikaze FAF Aviation War History" is an OVA based on the novel by Chohei Kanbayashi, and was released by Bandai Visual on November 25, 2005. Directed by Masahiko Okura and animated by GONZO, the highly realistic visuals and sound were achieved with the full cooperation of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The work depicts the battle between the tactical combat electronic reconnaissance aircraft "Yukikaze" and its pilot Rei Fukai, against the backdrop of the invasion of the alien planet Jam, which suddenly appeared in Antarctica. Below, we will delve deeper into the details of the work, its characters, mechanics, and its appeal.

■ Story

A huge pillar of mist suddenly appeared in a corner of Antarctica. It was a hyperspace passage for the alien JAM to invade Earth. On the other side of the "passage", on the planet Fairy, the Earth Defense Agency established the Fairy Air Force and set up an outpost to stop JAM's invasion. The battle between mankind and JAM has lasted for more than 30 years, and there is still no end in sight...

Fukai Rei, a young man who trusts the tactical combat electronic reconnaissance aircraft "Yukikaze" more than humans, comes into contact with Jam while collecting combat information in his beloved aircraft. While Jam is interested in Rei and Yukikaze, he uses all means possible to challenge humans to a fight. What is the point of this fight? Soon Jam launches an all-out attack on the Fairy Air Force...

■Explanation

"Combat Fairy Yukikaze," written by Chohei Kanbayashi, is a monumental work of Japanese science fiction that has captivated many readers since its publication in 1984. The creator group GONZO took on the challenge of fully adapting it to the screen. With the full cooperation of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, the visuals and sound were carefully crafted to the utmost, allowing viewers to experience an astonishing full-digital sky action movie that stimulates all five senses.

This work is not just a series of battle scenes, but depicts the inner world of Rei Fukai, the relationship between humans and machines, and profound themes that question the meaning of war. You can enjoy not only the visual impact but also the depth of the story, such as Rei's past trauma, his trust in machines, and the true nature of humanity that is revealed in the battle with Jam.

■Cast

・Fukai Rei/Sakai Masato/James Booker/Nakata Joji/Lynn Jackson/Ikeda Masako/Lydia Cooley/Asami Yoko/Edith Foss/Yamada Miho/Ansel Lombard/Hashi Takaya/Ito/Sugiyama Noriaki/Tom John/Yao Kazuki

The cast includes a number of talented voice actors, including Masato Sakai, who realistically portrays the inner thoughts of the characters. In particular, Masato Sakai's performance as the taciturn and introverted character Rei Fukai will leave a deep impression on viewers.

■ Main staff

・Original story: Chohei Kanbayashi (published by Hayakawa Publishing)
・Planning and setting producer: Umanosuke Iida・Director: Masahiko Okura・Composition: Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Seiji Togawa・Screenplay: Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Yumi Tada, Masahiko Okura, Seiji Togawa, Ikuto Yamashita, Seiji Kio・Character design: Yumi Tada・Animation and character design: Masahiro Aizawa, Koichi Hashimoto, Yaei Otsuka, Masahiro Sekino, Yu Kato・Mechanical design: Ikuto Yamashita, Seiji Kio, Atsushi Takeuchi, Kanetake Ebikawa・3D special effects director: Atsushi Takeuchi・Animation director: Koichi Hashimoto, Yaei Otsuka, Yu Kato・Mechanical animation director: Koji Abiru・Art director: Yusuke Takeda・Color design: Eriko Murata・Director of photography: Hiroo Yoshioka・Sound director: Yota Tsuruoka・Music: Satoshi Misiba, Dogen Shiono (The Crab)
Music Production: Victor Entertainment Special Cooperation: Japan Air Self-Defense Force Animation Production: GONZO
Produced by Bandai Visual, Victor Entertainment, GONZO

The staff is made up of a wealth of experienced creators, including director Masahiko Okura. In particular, the technical skills of Atsushi Takeuchi, who was in charge of mechanical design and 3D special effects direction, support the realistic battle scenes in the work. In addition, the sound by Satoshi Misawa and Dogen Shiono, who were in charge of the music, is also an important element that stimulates the viewer's five senses.

■ Main Characters

・Fukai Rei
FAF Second Lieutenant (later Lieutenant). Born in Japan. Pilot of the Fairy Air Force Special Warfare 5th Squadron. Extremely quiet and introverted. Due to past emotional scars, he does not show interest in or try to interact with others. He has absolute trust in his beloved plane, the 3rd plane of the Special Warfare 5th Squadron (personal name "Yukikaze").

James Booker
FAF Major. Born in the UK. In charge of managing the Fairy Air Force's special warfare sorties. His main duties include desk work such as planning operations, instructing aircraft maintenance, and adjusting sortie schedules, and he continues to wait for the return of the special warfare squadron's aircraft, with the supreme command being "absolute survival." He shows more friendship than just professional to his subordinate, Lieutenant Fukai. His hobby is making boomerangs.

Lynn Jackson is a journalist from the United States. She is the author of the non-fiction book "The Invaders," which describes the Jam invasion of the planet Fairy and Earth's military activities against it. She continues to sound the alarm about Jam, which is perceived by Earth's human race as an "unrealistic story."

Lydia Cooley
Brigadier General of the FAF. Born in the United States. Vice Commander of the Fairy Air Force Special Forces. He volunteered to join the FAF, which is a place where criminals and the like are sent. He singlehandedly built up the Special Forces, a "group dedicated to collecting tactical combat information for data collection." He always carries out his duties with a cool-headed attitude.

Edith Foss
FAF Captain. Born in the United States. After obtaining a Master's in Aviation Psychiatry at graduate school, he volunteered for the FAF to explore his research topic, "The mental structure of those with exclusionary tendencies in actual combat." He is in charge of the mental care of Lieutenant Fukai, who has recovered from a long period of unconsciousness.

Ansel Lombard
FAF Colonel. Born in the UK. Commander of the Analysis Center of the Fairy Air Force Intelligence Corps (Fairy Base). After working at a bank, he volunteered for the FAF. Making use of his exceptionally intelligent mind, he has practical control over the FAF's intelligence agency. Behind his seemingly gentle smile, he hides some kind of ambition.

・Tom "Tomahawk" John
FAF Captain. Living in a poor family environment, he suffered from an incurable heart disease and has an artificial heart in his chest. He participated in the development of the FAF's flight management system and was later invited to Fairy. Although he is nicknamed "Tomahawk," he has a gentle and introverted personality.

Each character has their own background and thoughts, and plays an important role in deepening the story. In particular, the portrayal of Rei Fukai's inner thoughts will evoke deep empathy from the viewer. In addition, the diversity of the characters, such as James Booker's friendship and Lydia Cooley's cold-heartedness, adds depth to the story.

■ Main robot items

・Super Sylph "Yukikaze"
An improved version of the multi-purpose reconnaissance aircraft FFR-31MR "Super Sylph". The original "Super Sylph" is described as a large tactical fighter "Sylphid" modified for tactical reconnaissance, but in fact it is a separate aircraft in terms of design and performance. It is equipped with a powerful engine and an advanced electronic brain for intelligence gathering. In addition, the aerodynamic design has been improved to reduce resistance at high speeds and improve maneuverability. The sensor and data link equipment capabilities are basically the same as the conventional FFR-31MR, but the shape of the TARPS pod sensor blade has become more compact.

Total length: 22.0m
Width: 13.2m
Height: 6.25m (on ground) / 9.75m (with TARPS system "Element" sensor blades deployed)
Weight 12,188kg
Typical takeoff weight for reconnaissance missions: 25,500kg
Maximum takeoff weight 37,890kg
Engine: FNX-5011-D Phoenix MkXID turbofan x 2 units Thrust: 10,220 kg (military power. Both in Earth's atmosphere) 14,780 kg (with afterburner)
Maximum speed: Mach 3.2 (in Earth's atmosphere, altitude 16,000 m)
Cruising speed: Mach 1.7 (in Earth's atmosphere, altitude 16,000m)
Practical altitude limit: 24,000m (within the Earth's atmosphere)
Weapon: 20mm Gatling cannon x 1, 2 hard points under the wing, 2 hard points next to the engine pod *Equipped with long-range AAM-VII, medium-range AAM-V, short-range AAM-III, or high-speed HAM series Crew: 2 Reconnaissance system: TARPS = forward and side oblique camera, vertical camera, infrared imaging camera, infrared line scan, conformal phased array multiband ESM sensor blade, imaging radar, etc., depending on the mission. Real-time digital data link Aircraft load limit: 9G+

Maeve
This is a manned version of the FRX-99 Reif unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, developed as a tactical reconnaissance aircraft to replace the FFR-31MR. The operation and mission systems are also highly automated, just like the FER-99, and it is essentially capable of autonomous flight and operation. The engine is the FNX-5011-D-20 with a new vectored nozzle, which provides thrust even in extreme flight attitudes, such as an aircraft elevation of 90 degrees or more, and can respond to control operations. The reconnaissance system is built into the aircraft or conformally installed, just like the FRX-99, but the functions and performance are basically the same as those of the FFR-31MR Super Sylph.

Total length 18.00m
Width: 14.52m
Total height: 6.28m (Like the original FRX-99, the FRX-00 has a wide range of motion for the wings and tail, and the dimensions change greatly depending on which position they are in. In the above measurements, the total length is when the horizontal stabilizer is parallel to the ground, the total width is when the wings are parallel to the ground, and the total height is when the wings are perpendicular to the ground.)
Weight 12,160kg
Maximum takeoff weight 37,495kg
Engine: FNX-5011-D-20 Phoenix Mk.XI turbofan x 2 units Thrust: 10,220 kg (in Earth's atmosphere, military thrust) 14,930 kg (with afterburner)
Maximum speed: Mach 3.3 (in Earth's atmosphere, altitude 17,700 m)
Cruising speed: Mach 1.75 (in Earth's atmosphere, altitude 17,700m)
Practical altitude limit: 24,800m (within the Earth's atmosphere)
Weaponry: 1 x 20mm Gatling machine gun, 3 hardpoints under the fuselage, 2 hardpoints above and below the wing. *Equipped with long-range AAM-VII or medium-range AAM-V, short-range AAM-III. Typical armament examples include 2 medium-range AAMs via twin launchers on the hardpoints on the centerline of the fuselage, 1 long-range AAM each on launchers on the left and right hardpoints on the fuselage, and 4 AAMs via associated launchers on the top, bottom, left and right hardpoints on the wing.
Crew: 2 people Reconnaissance Systems: Various visible light and infrared cameras, infrared line scan, conformal multi-band ESM sensors, etc. selected depending on the mission.
Aircraft load limit: 9G+

- Silphid: A large twin-engine tactical fighter named after the "Wind Fairy". To distinguish it from the Super Silph, it is commonly called the Normal Silph within the FAF. It is the FAF's main air superiority fighter.

A single-seater combat-type fighter that serves as the main force of the Fern Fairy Air Force. Equipped with a ground combat attack system, it automatically detects and attacks Jam supply bases on the ground.

・Farn II
A new tactical fighter of the Fairy Air Force. The previous mainstay FA-1 Fern I lost its advantage due to the improved performance of the Jam fighter, so it was deployed to the Fairy Air Force as its successor. Originally designed as an ungrounded experimental aircraft concept, it has a very innovative design, with a kind of W-shaped wing that combines swept-back and forward-swept wings.

・Leif
An unmanned tactical reconnaissance aircraft that is the successor to the FFR-31MR. A central computer called the "brain part" is installed in the front of the fuselage (where the cockpit would be if it were a manned aircraft). It also integrates highly automated control and navigation systems and mission systems, enabling autonomous flight and operation.

・Jam TYPE I
A type commonly encountered among JAM aircraft. It is thought to be the equivalent of the FAF's tactical and air superiority fighters. It is a tailless aircraft with a large vertical wing under the center. Many aspects, such as the engine type, are unknown.

・Jam TYPE II
Jam's high-speed fighter. When Earth invaded Planet Fairy, the FA-1 Fern I fighters and others demonstrated equal or superior performance, but their advantage was soon lost with the emergence of this machine.

The detailed mechanics are an important element in enhancing the realism of the story, as well as the visual impact. The performance and design of the "Yukikaze" in particular are deeply connected to Rei Fukai's character, and will leave a strong impression on viewers. The design of Jam's fighter plane also visually expresses the threat of alien bodies.

■ Related works

・Combat Fairy Yukikaze OPERATION 1
・Combat Fairy Yukikaze OPERATION 2
・Combat Fairy Yukikaze OPERATION 3
・Combat Fairy Yukikaze OPERATION 4
・Combat Fairy Yukikaze OPERATION 5
・Battle Fairy Girl Help! Maeve-chan

"Combat Fairy Yukikaze FAF Aviation War History" is linked to the original novel and other OVA works, so you can enjoy the story in more depth. In particular, the "Combat Fairy Yukikaze OPERATION" series depicts Fukai Rei's battles and his confrontation with Jam in more detail, making it a must-see for fans. In addition, "Combat Fairy Girl Help! Maeve-chan" is a spin-off work that allows you to enjoy the story from a lighter perspective.

■ Evaluation and recommendation

"Combat Fairy Yukikaze FAF Aviation War History" is a work that combines realistic battle scenes with profound themes, and you can enjoy not only the visual impact but also the depth of the story. In particular, the portrayal of Rei Fukai's inner thoughts, the relationship between humans and machines, and the theme that questions the meaning of war will deeply move viewers. In addition, with the full cooperation of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, extremely realistic visuals and sounds have been realized, making this a work that can be recommended to fans of sky action.

This work is recommended not only for fans of science fiction and military anime, but also for viewers who want to enjoy deep themes. It is especially a must-see for viewers who empathize with Rei Fukai's characters or are interested in the detailed settings of the mechanics. You can also gain a deeper understanding and be moved by watching it in conjunction with the original novel and related works.

Above, I have introduced the detailed content and appeal of "Combat Fairy Yukikaze FAF Aviation War History". I hope that viewers will enjoy the profound themes and realistic battle scenes of this work. I also hope that the battles of Fukai Rei and his confrontation with Jam will give them an opportunity to reconsider the true nature of humanity and the meaning of war.