Yukikaze (2002– ) User Reviews

Delicious eye candy with a word of warning...

[kaether · 6/10 · 7 January 2009]

The plot is pretty good and the story will keep you entertained but it wouldn't be because it's engaging. Every one of the five episodes starts and ends in a way that leaves you wondering what had happened; but not before it gives you some more plot twists and backstabbing. Sometimes, things occur from out of nowhere and it takes either reading a guide, or watching it again to figure it out. You also get pretty distracted by the relationships developing throughout the entire series (main, plane, rein/major). The series doesn't really do a good job of character development and some may seem a little 2 dimensional. Many times, you are left with no explanation on why a character acts a particular way.

The fight sequences were mind blowing. If you weren't off your seat wondering about the plot/story, you will be for the battles. Designs for the planes were delicious but it's their movement that amaze you. Imagine a magic carpet ride during a firework festival and you would get a glimpse of how great it is. Similar to Blue Sub No.6 with CGI and twirling.

TL;DR version: Awesome if you want mind blowing fights, bad if you want heart pounding story.

Battle Fairy Yukikaze

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 28 November 2014]

In the near future an inter-dimensional passageway opens over the Antarctic and an alien force known as the JAM. They are forced back to their home planet which has been dubbed 'Fairy'. Thirty three years later most of the people on Earth have almost forgotten about the JAM but on Fairy the battle rages on with the new Fairy Air Force (FAF) battling against the JAM. Our protagonist, Lt Rei Fukai, is one of the FAF pilots; he flies an advanced Super Sylph B-503 fighter called Yukikaze. It is not an easy war; the JAM are capable of copying both men and machines and have infiltrated the FAF.

This five part series features some great aerial combat sequences with the 3D animation seamlessly integrated with the 2D. The story itself can be a little confusing at times but that can be taken to reflect the fog of war. There aren't too many characters which is probably a good thing given the short length of the series; it means we get to know the key personnel. Yukikaze itself must be considered a character as it becomes clear that it is more than just a plane. Rei Fukai is a bit of an unusual protagonist; he has little to do with other people; preferring his own company or that of Yukikaze… he does at least have one friend Major James "Jack" Bukhar who provides the series' emotional core. Overall I found this to be an enjoyable series; if you like films or series featuring aerial combat it is well worth watching.

the Top Gun of Anime

[moonbus69 · 9/10 · 3 January 2006]

I am still a bit new to the world of Anime films, but as they say, "I knows what I likes" and Yukikaze is all that I enjoy in an Anime story.

It is like an Anime Top Gun, in a way - as it is about a group of jet fighter jocks. But instead of Migs here they are battling an alien enemy called the Jam on an alien planet. The main character's jet has an on board A.I. (artificial intelligence) system that aids the pilot and weapons officer (AKA - the 'backseater') execute their missions, and is a character unto itself.

The animation is excellent, the characters are interesting, and the story has unexpected twists and turns... Since first posting this review, I have seen all the complete series episodes. In a few places, the story was almost like a dream, where one questions what is real - and delving into moments of horror, like the old film 'Planet of the Vampires' did (which some say inspired the 1979 film 'Alien').

If you love fast planes, high-tech Sci-Fi action Anime, then give Yukikaze a try!

Battle Fairy Yukikaze

[zhangguannan · 4/10 · 5 May 2005]

Battlefairy Yukikaze is about a young Fairy Air Force Special Airforce pilot named 1LT Rei Fukai who must battle the JAM, the alien race, as well as his own subconscious in a quest to not only rid the planet Fairy (as well as the Earth) of the despicable race JAM, but also to determine and solidify his own sanity. Leutenant Fukai is first projected into the anime as an insubordinate multi-role fighter jockey who engages and smokes a JAM copy of the FFR-31MR/D Super Sylph that he flies along with the rest of the SAF. Fukai then is ordered to a military CM hearing and must defend his own actions. He justifies them in a most unusual way: watch the video and you will think it is almost lame. Then the show goes into a most delirious turn of human + machine, human vs machine, and human vs inner self. This movie is a must-see for those of you who like me, love aircraft, ACM, DACT, and Aircombat Dogfighting, and hope to one day become a fighter jock. This movie should be avoided by those who cannot bear lame movies that have neuropathic attributes.