Set during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s in a fictional country called the Kingdom of Asran located in the Middle East. The country is currently embroiled in a war and employs mercenary pilots to fight this war on its behalf. The story is themed on the psychological effects on participants of 20th century war especially the Vietnam War and also the hard readjustment to normal life after fighting. Area 88 has three anime adaptations and this version is based on the latest release in 2004.
Area 88 is remote air force based within the Kingdom of Asran that is home to numerous pilots. Area 88 has attracted many pilots for different reasons, some who just want to fight or collect the high rewards for successful missions. In order to leave Area 88 there are three ways to do this either by completing the three year service as written in the contract or pay $1.5 million to be released from your contract and alternatively the last option is desert your position which is capital punishment. The first and second options are more difficult than they sound as surviving three years to complete the agreement in your contract is rarely fulfilled as many pilots die before the three years are up. The $1.5 million buy out is hard to achieve as pilots must buy their own equipment, essentials, aircraft, weapons and fuel and there are also fines for passing on missions.
A Japanese pilot named Shin Kazama is the story’s main protagonist who was tricked into joining Area 88 and the Kingdom of Asran armed service by his friend and the main antagonist Satoru Kanzaki. Shin slowly rises to the top as an ace fighter pilot and befriends numerous other pilots.
Area 88 attracts the attention of a Japanese photographer Makoto Shinjo who becomes fascinated with his fellow countryman Shin. Makoto hides the real reason why he has come to Area 88 and uses the story of covering the pilots at Area 88 as the reason why he is there. Makoto was actually sent by Satoru the person who tricked Shin into joining Area 88. Satoru actually wants a picture of Shin’s dead body as that was the original idea was to get Shin killed after signing him up for Area 88, taking over Yamato Air Lines and marrying Ryoko Shin’s girlfriend.
The series also revolves round other characters on the base but follows the main character Shin. During the course of the series many pilots lose their lives in episodes that focus on them. Overtime Shin begins to realise he is slowly starting to become like the other pilots. In the case of Mickey an American pilot who fought in the Vietnam War and struggled to integrate back into society after the war and believes he belongs at Area 88 and can’t lead a normal life. Shin shows he is slowly losing his humanity and is not sure whether he can go back to a normal life but is still flying missions so he can pay the $1.5 million buyout clause.
Makoto starts to see the inner persona of Shin and discovers how Shin’s childhood friend Satoru who he has known from the orphanage was jealous of Shin and of his relationship with Ryoko signed him up to Area 88 to die.
After Shin discovers Ryoko is going to marry Satoru he decides to desert Area 88 to stop the marriage but returns before been punished by death after discovering Makoto has left the Kingdom of Asran to stop the wedding and let Ryoko know he is still alive.
Makoto meets Ryoko on her wedding day and shows her Shin’s plane to let her know he is still alive and tells her of Sutoru's involment which she calls off the wedding to wait for him.
