It's really been great to have Area 88 back once again. This may not be the version from back in the 90's, and although it's a remake, it doesn't matter. The new retelling of the story however has been outstanding. Every tale though must come to an end and "Wings of the Wind," the fourth and final volume, is that ending. The burning question now is while Area 88 fly into the sunset a triumphant win, or will it simply crash and burn at the end?

That all depends on what you're looking for in an ending I suppose. If you want complete and total closure, the final moments of Area 88 certainly aren't going to provide that. However, if you want something that has hope and inspiration associated with it, that's exactly what you will find here. If I recall correctly though, even the original version of the series really left everything up in the air, no pun intended, and didn't offer a true ending.

As most probably already are aware, there are two ways to get out of Area 88; either serve fro three years or earn $1.5 million. Okay, so there are three ways if you count death, but we're talking about a living, breathing escape. When you have McCoy raising the price of his goods however, this makes saving the money close to impossible. Shin however is one of the best pilots at Area 88, and he's right on the verge of finally being able to leave. Everything quickly starts spiraling out of control.

Back in Japan, Kanazaki is continuing to manipulate everything that he is associated with, and that includes Ryoko. He's managed to put himself in a position to marry her, but she's still determined to find out what happened to Shin. Shinjou was sent to Area 88 to be a picture of Shin's dead face, but it hasn't gone quite as planned. So, Kanazaki has improvised and has even provided a death certificate to get her to give up all hope.

Shinjou's real reason for being at the base is revealed as well. He tries to come clean with Shin before a sortie, but there's no time. McCoy however always has the means to get information and Greg ends up being one of the first to get the news. The pilots aren't pleased and take their aggressions out on him, and then some. Shinjou is forced to go back to Japan. That's not too big of a deal for him though since Kanazaki has fired him. Shinjou really has reached a point where, after being around Shin and everyone else, he's had second thoughts on why he's come to Area 88.

Aside from the drama, you'll find there is plenty of highflying action. The first episode on this disc is actually very well done and brings about an interesting situation. An enemy pilot with amazing skill has shot many of the Area's pilots down, and it turns out to be someone that Mickey fought in Vietnam with. The question is if you were faced with a friend who is now an enemy, how easy would it be to pull the trigger? Since there wasn't a falling out or act of betrayal between Mickey and this pilot, it's very difficult, but one that is thought provoking nonetheless.

The extra features are again amazing. There is a two-part interview with director Isamu Imakake as well as voice actors Takehito Koyasu (Shin), Tomokazu Seki (Mickey) and Ryo Hirohashi (Kim.) The two interviews combined are rather lengthy, especially when normally they are only a couple of minutes, and there is a great deal of background on this series, the feels on working on it, and even some fond memories of Area 88 from before this new version was done. The DVD also has aircraft specs, production sketches, and the usual clean opening and closing animations included. The insert also has sketches from the series as well as a brief text commentary from Satsuki Yukino, the voice of Ryoko. Each of the volumes has been extraordinarily well done when it comes to extras and even though this is a remake, I'm quite happy to see Area 88 getting some good treatment.

The original Area 88 still has a special place in my heart, and though I really do hate most remakes, this version of the classic series is incredible. I hate to say it, but it's better than the original and really is a must-see series for both those that know the original and those who have never experienced it before. Hit your afterburners and grab this series.

Episode 10 - Fateful Contrails

A deadly squadron of fighters has appeared recently, shooting down some of the best pilots that Area 88 has to offer. Based on the description, it seems that it's someone from Mickey's past and when the group appears once again, he takes to the skies to see if his suspicion proves to be correct.

Episode 11 - Truth of the Sands

Shin only needs one more kill in order to be free of Area 88 and back in the arms of Ryoko. Back in Japan however, Kanazaki is playing out yet another hand while the boys back at the Area have found out exactly why Shinjou has come to the base, and they decide to get revenge.

Episode 12 - Wings of the Wind

Shin's crash has put him below his financial goal, but he's found another way that he may be able to leave Area 88. This puts almost every pilot hot on his trail. Shinjou has been forced to leave the base, but he's determined to give Ryoko the truth about Shin no matter what.

-mike-
 

Genre: Action   Series Director: Isamu Imakaki   Written by: Episode 10 - Yuichi Nomura Episode 11 & 12 - Hiroshi Ohnogi Based on the Manga by: Kaoru Shintani   Voice Cast: Takehito Koyasu (Shin Kazama) Shinichirou Miki (Makoto Shinjou) Tomokazu Seki (Mickey Simon) Hiroki Takahashi (Seki Vashtar) Ryo Hirohashi (Kim Aba) Chikao Ohtsuka (McCoy) Masaya Takatsuka (Greg Gates) Sanae Kobayashi (Kitri Parveneh) Satsuki Yukino (Ryoko Tsugumo) Hikaru Midorikawa (Satoru Kanzaki)

DVD Features: Full Frame - 1.33:1 Audio: Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 & English Dolby Digital 5.1 English subtitles Clean Openings/Closings Production Sketches Interview w/Isamu Imakake, Takehito Koyasu, Tomokazu Seki & Ryo Hirohasi (Parts 1 & 2) Aircraft Specs Contains Episodes 10 - 12