View source for Area 88

{{Short description|1985 Japanese manga series and its franchise}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| name = Area 88
| image = Area88Vol1.jpg
| caption = Cover for the first manga volume, featuring Shin Kazama
| ja_kanji = エリア88
| ja_romaji = Eria Hachijū-Hachi
| genre = [[Action fiction|Action]], [[Military fiction|military]], [[slice of life]]
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type         = manga
| author       = [[Kaoru Shintani]]
| publisher    = [[Shogakukan]]
| publisher_en = {{English manga publisher
| NA = [[Eclipse Comics]]/[[Viz Media]]
}}
| magazine     = [[Shōnen Big Comic]]
| first        = 1979
| last         = 1986
| volumes      = 23
| volume_list  = #Manga
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = ova
| director        = [[Hisayuki Toriumi]]
| producer        = [[Yuji Nunokawa]]
| writer          = Akiyoshi Sakai
| music           = Ichiro Nitta
| studio          = [[Studio Pierrot]]
| licensee        = {{English anime licensee
| NA = [[Discotek Media]]
| UK = [[ADV Films]]
| AUS = [[Madman Entertainment]]
}}
| first           = February 5, 1985
| last            = August 15, 1986
| runtime         = {{collapsible list|title=200 minutes <small>(total)</small>|titlestyle=font-weight:normal;font-size:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left|
55 minutes <small>(ep. 1)</small><br>
48 minutes <small>(ep. 2)</small><br>
97 minutes <small>(ep. 3)</small>
}}
| episodes        = 3 <small>(Japanese {{abbr|ver.|version}})</small><br>2 <small>(International {{abbr|ver.|version}})</small>{{efn|name=film1|Episodes 1 and 2 are compiled into a single 100-minute film in the International version.}}
| episode_list    =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = tv series
| director        = [[Isamu Imakake]]
| producer        = [[Ryōsuke Takahashi]]
| writer          = [[Hiroshi Ōnogi]]
| music           = Kazunori Miyake
| studio          = [[Group TAC]]
| licensee        = {{English anime licensee
| NA = ADV Films
| UK = ADV Films
| AUS = Madman Entertainment
}}
| network         = [[TV Asahi]], [[Animax]]
| network_en      = {{English anime network 
| SEA             = [[Animax|Animax Asia]]}}
| first           = January 8, 2004
| last            = March 25, 2004
| episodes        = 12
| episode_list    = List of Area 88 episodes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer|portal=yes}}

{{Nihongo|'''''Area 88'''''|エリア88|Eria Hachijū-Hachi}} is a Japanese [[manga]] series by [[Kaoru Shintani]] [[Serial (literature)|serial]]ized between 1979 and 1986. The story is about a young pilot named Shin Kazama and his experiences at Area 88, a [[mercenary]] [[air force base]] secluded in the desert in the fictional nation of Aslan. Shin goes from head of his class at a world-renowned [[aviation school]], dating the beautiful daughter of an [[airline]] president, to a mercenary [[fighter pilot]] bound to Area 88 by a three-year contract that he was duped into signing by a jealous and competitive childhood friend. He is determined to earn $1.5 million to buy his way out of the obligation and return home, and killing becomes second nature to him as he quickly rises to the top rank at Area 88. Overwrought with [[shame]] and [[self-loathing]] for what he has become, Shin begins to question whether he is still fighting for survival, or, like his fellow [[Mercenary|mercenaries]], for the sheer excitement and camaraderie of battle.

''Area 88'' was among the first three manga to be [[translation|translated]] into [[English language|English]] and published in [[North America]].<ref name="Ward article">{{cite web|last = Ward|first = Cynthia|date = 2004-06-02|url = http://www.locusmag.com/2004/Reviews/06Ward_Manga.html|title = Manga: Another SF/F Trend Missed by SF/F?|access-date = 2006-05-29|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060624094106/http://www.locusmag.com/2004/Reviews/06Ward_Manga.html|archive-date = 24 June 2006|url-status = live}}</ref> It had been adapted into an [[OVA]] in 1985,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allcinema.net/prog/show_c.php?num_c=149492|script-title=ja:映画 アニメ エリア88|trans-title=Theatrical Anime: Area 88|publisher=AllCinema Movie & DVD Database|language=ja|access-date=June 10, 2013}}</ref><ref name="jmdb">{{cite web|url=http://www.jmdb.ne.jp/1985/di002050.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314171747/http://www.jmdb.ne.jp/1985/di002050.htm|archive-date=March 14, 2013|script-title=ja:エリア88|trans-title=Area 88|publisher=[[Japanese Movie Database]]|language=ja|access-date=June 10, 2013}}</ref> a [[video game]] in 1989 (released in North America as ''[[U.N. Squadron]]''), and a 12-episode anime television series in 2004. It is also a [[brand]] of [[model aircraft]] in Japan. While it appeals to [[aviation]] fans for its realistic depictions of [[aircraft]] and [[aerial combat]], it has also been critically acclaimed for its strong [[character advancement|character development]] and Shintani's poignant [[storytelling]], combining [[action genre|action]], [[tragedy]], [[romance film|romance]], and [[comedy]]. In 1984, the manga received the [[Shogakukan Manga Award]] for shōnen.<ref name="ShogakukanAward">{{cite web|url=http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/mangasho/rist.html |script-title=ja:小学館漫画賞：歴代受賞者 |publisher=Shogakukan |language=ja |access-date=2007-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929094941/http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/mangasho/rist.html |archive-date=29 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Story==
''Area 88'' takes place in the fictional [[Middle East]]ern kingdom of Aslan<ref name="annsynop">{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/area-88/dvd-1|title=Area 88 DVD 1 - Review|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=2022-08-02|date=2005-08-19}}</ref> ([[Perception of English /r/ and /l/ by Japanese speakers|alternatively transcribed]] as "Asran").<ref name="freetype"/> The government uses [[mercenary]] fighter pilots, stationed at the desert airbase Area 88, to fight its war and pays them for each enemy aircraft shot down. Each pilot's contract lasts three years; early cancellation costs $1.5 million.<ref name="annsynop"/> Deserting Area 88 is considered a capital offense punished by death.

The story follows ace pilot Shin Kazama as he attempts to serve out his contract to return to his fiancée in Japan. As the war progresses, Shin must face his shifting acceptance of the violence that fills his days. Among his compatriots at Area 88 are: Mickey Simon, a [[United States Navy]] veteran of the [[Vietnam War]]; McCoy, a greedy weapons dealer who sells the pilots everything they need; photojournalist Goh "Rocky" Mutsugi (Makoto Shinjou in the TV series); [[Denmark|Danish]] pilot Greg Gates; and Lt. Colonel Saki Vashtar, a member of Aslan's royal family and the commander of Area 88.

Shin's past is told through flashbacks during the story. He and his best friend, Satoru Kanzaki, were up-and-coming airline pilots for Yamato Airlines, and Shin had started a relationship with the CEO's daughter, Ryoko Tsugumo. Envious of Shin's success, Satoru tricked him into signing the contract that landed him in Area 88. While Shin fights in the bloody war, Satoru courts Ryoko and rises through the ranks of Yamato Airlines. Ryoko discovers Shin is still alive through one of Goh's/Makoto's photos and resolves to find him.

===Endings===
While each version of ''Area 88'' shared the same basic premise and some story arcs, they each had key differences, most notably in the endings.

The original manga ending showed Shin returning to Japan, but having lost all memory of Area 88. The English-language version published by [[Eclipse Comics]] was left unfinished.
In the three-episode OVA adaptation from 1985, Shin was discharged from service to escort the king of Aslan to Paris in [[exile]]. Despite being free and making contact with Ryoko, Shin flies back to Aslan, having changed in his time at Area 88. His ultimate fate is left uncertain.
The 2004 TV series truncated the story to just after Shin lost his F-5E. In this version, Makoto, the photojournalist, was originally sent to Area 88 by Satoru to capture a photo of Shin dying to prove his death to Ryoko. Shin survives the events of the series and Makoto, swayed to help Shin, returns to Japan and derails Satoru's plot to marry Ryoko.

===Aircraft===
Many real-life aircraft are featured in the series, including combat, civilian, and experimental aircraft.

{{Div col|colwidth=15em}}
; Attackers
* [[A-1 Skyraider]]
* [[A-4 Skyhawk|A-4E/F Skyhawk]]
* [[A-5 Vigilante|RA-5C Vigilante]]
* [[A-6 Intruder|A-6E Intruder]] 
* [[A-7 Corsair II|A-7E Corsair II]]
* [[A-10 Thunderbolt II|A-10A Thunderbolt II]] 
* [[OV-10 Bronco|OV-10A Bronco]]
* [[BAE Sea Harrier|Sea Harrier FRS Mk.1]]
* [[Hawker Siddeley Harrier#AV-8A Harrier|AV-8A Harrier II]] 
* [[SEPECAT Jaguar]]
* [[Blackburn Buccaneer]]
* [[Yak-38|Yak-38 Forger]]
; Cargo aircraft
* [[C-1 Trader]]
* [[C-47 Skytrain]]
* [[C-130 Hercules|C-130E Hercules]]
; Fighters and interceptors
* [[Dassault Mirage F1]]
* [[Dassault Mirage 2000]]
* [[English Electric Lightning]]
* [[F-4 Phantom II|F-4J/E Phantom II]]
* [[F-5 Freedom Fighter|F-5A/E Freedom Fighter/Tiger II]]
* [[F-8 Crusader|F-8E Crusader]]
* [[F-14 Tomcat|F-14A Tomcat]]
* [[F-15 Eagle|F-15A Eagle]]
* [[F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16A Fighting Falcon]]
* [[F-20 Tigershark|F-20A Tigershark]]
* [[F-104 Starfighter|F-104G Starfighter]]
* [[F-105 Thunderchief|F-105D Thunderchief]]
* [[F-100 Super Sabre|F-100D Super Sabre]]
* [[F-101 Voodoo|RF-101C Voodoo]]
* [[F-111 Aardvark]]
* [[F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18A Hornet]]
* [[Fiat G.91]]
* [[IAI Kfir]]
* [[J 35 Draken|J35F Draken]]
* [[Sukhoi Su-33|Su-33 Flanker]]
* [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17|MiG-17 Fresco]]
* [[MiG-19| MiG-19 Farmer]]
* [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21 Fishbed]]
* [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23|MiG-23 Flogger]]
* [[Mikoyan MiG-27|MiG-27D Flogger]]
* [[Grumman X-29]]
; Patrol aircraft
* [[E-2 Hawkeye]]
* [[S-2 Tracker]]
* [[S-3 Viking]]
; Trainers
* [[T-6 Texan]]
* [[T-38 Talon]]
; Bombers
* [[B-1 Lancer]]
* [[B-52 Stratofortress]]
* [[Tupolev Tu-95|Tu-95 'Bear']]
; Civilian
* [[McDonnell Douglas MD-11]]
* [[Boeing 747]]
* [[Learjet]]
* [[Cessna 150]]
* [[Cessna 172]]
; Helicopters
* [[AH-1 Cobra]]
* [[AH-64 Apache]]
* [[CH-53 Sea Stallion]]
* [[CH-54 Tarhe]]
* [[Bell Huey|UH-1 Iroquois]]
* [[Aérospatiale Gazelle|SA-341 Gazelle]]
* [[SH-3 Sea King]]
* [[OH-6 Cayuse]]
* [[Bell 206|Bell 206 Jetranger]]
{{Div col end}}

==Media==

===Manga===
The original Japanese manga of ''Area 88'' was serialized in 23 volumes between 1979 and 1986 by [[Shogakukan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.area88.jp/c-list/list2.html|script-title=ja:コミックスリスト2|author=Kaoru Shintani|author-link=Kaoru Shintani|access-date=2009-02-10|language=ja|archive-date=April 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415154556/http://www.area88.jp/c-list/list2.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Each volume was black and white with a painted color cover and contained several short stories called "missions". In all, there were 172 such missions across the 23 volumes. ''Shōnen Sunday'' later repackaged the 23 volumes into ten thick books under its Wide Volume product line.

''Area 88'', along with ''[[Mai, the Psychic Girl]]'' and ''[[Kamui (1964 manga)|The Legend of Kamui]]'', was one of the first three manga to be translated to English and published in North America by [[Eclipse Comics]] and [[VIZ Media]] in May 1987.<ref name="Ward article" /> It was published bi-weekly with each issue containing a single mission, of which the editors had planned to release all 172. The first 28 issues featured covers from the original manga plus some original artwork by Shintani, but as these resources were limited, the covers of issues #29–36 featured stills from the OVA film. With issue #37 in December 1988, VIZ Media took over the series, and in addition to featuring photographs of actual fighter jets on the cover, the publication went from bi-weekly to monthly and the price from $1.50 to $1.75. The series did not adjust well to the dramatic change, and with issue #42 in May 1989, without resolving the storyline, it was canceled. It was later run as a feature in Viz's ''[[Animerica]]'' magazine (Vol. 1, No. 8 – Vol. 3, No. 2), but only lasted until January 1995 without the series being completed.

*'''Shogakukan''' (''Shonen Big Comics'', 1979–1986)
{| class="wikitable"
! Vol. !! Japanese release date !! Japanese ISBN
|-
| 01 || {{start date|1979|11|05}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091501318}}
|-
| 02 || {{start date|1980|02|05}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091501325}}
|-
| 03 || {{start date|1980|06|05}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091501332}}
|-
| 04 || {{start date|1980|09|05}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091501349}}
|-
| 05 || {{start date|1980|12|05}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091501356}}
|-
| 06 || {{start date|1981|06|05}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091501363}}
|-
| 07 || {{start date|1981|09|05}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091501370}}
|-
| 08 || {{start date|1982|01|05}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091501387}}
|-
| 09 || {{start date|1982|04|05}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091501394}}
|-
| 10 || {{start date|1982|08|05}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091501400}}
|-
| 11 || {{start date|1982|11|05}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091503312}}
|-
| 12 || {{start date|1983|04|05}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091503329}}
|-
| 13 || {{start date|1983|08|05}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091503336}}
|-
| 14 || {{start date|1983|12|05}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091503343}}
|-
| 15 || {{start date|1984|05|05}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091503350}}
|-
| 16 || {{start date|1984|09|05}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091503367}}
|-
| 17 || {{start date|1984|12|05}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091503374}}
|-
| 18 || {{start date|1985|04|05}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091503381}}
|-
| 19 || {{start date|1985|07|05}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091503398}}
|-
| 20 || {{start date|1985|10|05}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091503404}}
|-
| 21 || {{start date|1986|01|05}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091506115}}
|-
| 22 || {{start date|1986|08|05}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091506122}}
|-
| 23 || {{start date|1986|09|05}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091506139}}
|}

*'''Shogakukan''' (''Shonen Big Comics Wide-ban'', 1979–1986)
{| class="wikitable"
! Vol. !! Japanese release date !! Japanese ISBN
|-
| 01 || {{start date|1992|04|16}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091237118}}
|-
| 02 || {{start date|1992|06|16}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091237125}}
|-
| 03 || {{start date|1992|08|08}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091237132}}
|-
| 04 || {{start date|1992|10}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091237149}}
|-
| 05 || {{start date|1992|12|12}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091237156}}
|-
| 06 || {{start date|1993|02|16}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091237163}}
|-
| 07 || {{start date|1993|04}} || {{ISBNT|9784091237170}}
|-
| 08 || {{start date|1993|06|16}} || {{ISBNT|978-4091237187}}
|-
| 09 || {{start date|1993|08|09}} || {{ISBNT|9784091237194}}
|-
| 10 || {{start date|1993|10|16}} || {{ISBNT|9784091237200}}
|}

*'''Scola''' (''Scola Manga Bunko'', 1994)
{| class="wikitable"
! Vol. !! Japanese release date !! Japanese ISBN
|-
| 01 || {{start date|1994|09}} || {{ISBNT|978-4796201940}}
|-
| 02 || {{start date|1994|09}} || {{ISBNT|978-4796201957}}
|-
| 03 || {{start date|1994|09}} || {{ISBNT|978-4796201964}}
|-
| 04 || {{start date|1994|09}} || {{ISBNT|978-4796201971}}
|-
| 05 || {{start date|1994|09}} || {{ISBNT|978-4796201988}}
|-
| 06 || {{start date|1994|09}} || {{ISBNT|978-4796201995}}
|-
| 07 || {{start date|1994|09}} || {{ISBNT|978-4796202008}}
|-
| 08 || {{start date|1994|11}} || {{ISBNT|978-4796202312}}
|-
| 09 || {{start date|1994|11}}  || {{ISBNT|978-4796202329}}
|-
| 10 || {{start date|1994|11}} || {{ISBNT|9784796202336}}
|-
| 11 || {{start date|1994|11}} || {{ISBNT|978-4796202343}}
|-
| 12 || {{start date|1994|11}} || {{ISBNT|978-4796202350}}
|-
| 13 || {{start date|1994|11}} || {{ISBNT|978-4796202367}}
|}

*'''Media Factory''' (''MF Bunko'', 1999–2000)
{| class="wikitable"
! Vol. !! Japanese release date !! Japanese ISBN
|-
| 01 || {{start date|1999|11}} || {{ISBNT|978-4889919585}}
|-
| 02 || {{start date|1999|11}} || {{ISBNT|978-4889919592}}
|-
| 03 || {{start date|1999|11}} || {{ISBNT|978-4889919608}}
|-
| 04 || {{start date|1999|11}} || {{ISBNT|978-4889919615}}
|-
| 05 || {{start date|1999|12}} || {{ISBNT|978-4889919875}}
|-
| 06 || {{start date|1999|12}} || {{ISBNT|978-4889919882}}
|-
| 07 || {{start date|1999|12}} || {{ISBNT|978-4889919899}}
|-
| 08 || {{start date|2000|01}} || {{ISBNT|978-4840100113}}
|-
| 09 || {{start date|2000|01}} || {{ISBNT|978-4840100120}}
|-
| 10 || {{start date|2000|01}} || {{ISBNT|978-4840100137}}
|-
| 11 || {{start date|2000|02}} || {{ISBNT|978-4840100328}}
|-
| 12 || {{start date|2000|02}} || {{ISBNT|978-4840100335}}
|-
| 13 || {{start date|2000|02}} || {{ISBNT|978-4840100342}}
|}

*'''Kadokawa/Media Factory''' (''MF Comics'', 2003–2004)
{| class="wikitable"
! Vol. !! Japanese release date !! Japanese ISBN
|-
| 01 || {{start date|2003|09|30}} || {{ISBNT|978-4889919585}}
|-
| 02 || {{start date|2003|09|30}} || {{ISBNT|978-4040682495}}
|-
| 03 || {{start date|2003|10|23}} || {{ISBNT|978-4040685014}}
|-
| 04 || {{start date|2003|10|23}} || {{ISBNT|978-4040685021}}
|-
| 05 || {{start date|2003|11|22}} || {{ISBNT|978-4040685038}}
|-
| 06 || {{start date|2003|11|22}} || {{ISBNT|978-4040685045}}
|-
| 07 || {{start date|2003|12|22}} || {{ISBNT|978-4040685212}}
|-
| 08 || {{start date|2003|12|22}} || {{ISBNT|978-4040685229}}
|-
| 09 || {{start date|2004|01|23}} || {{ISBNT|978-4040685236}}
|-
| 10 || {{start date|2004|01|23}} || {{ISBNT|978-4040685243}}
|-
| 11 || {{start date|2004|02|23}} || {{ISBNT|978-4040685571}}
|-
| 12 || {{start date|2004|02|23}} || {{ISBNT|978-4040685588}}
|-
| 13 || {{start date|2004|03|23}} || {{ISBNT|978-4040685595}}
|}

===OVA films===
[[File:Area 88 Original OVA Series.jpg|thumb|''Area 88: Original OVA Series'']]

Between February 5, 1985, and August 15, 1986,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/365/365_269.shtml | title=第269回 OVAの時代始まる | publisher=Anime Style | access-date=June 10, 2013 | language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.style.fm/as/05_column/365/365_325.shtml | title=第325回 1986年のOVA | publisher=Anime Style | access-date=June 10, 2013 | language=ja}}</ref> [[Studio Pierrot]] produced a [[OVA|direct-to-video animated]] [[film trilogy]] for [[VHS]] and [[laserdisc]]. In 1992, [[Central Park Media]]'s [[U.S. Manga Corps]] released the OVA series, subtitled in English, in North America for VHS and laserdisc, and re-released the first volume for DVD on 14 July 2000.

After Central Park Media's films license lapsed, [[ADV Films]] published a two episode theatrical edit of the OVA trilogy for DVD on 25 July 2006. Although having one less episode, the episodes themselves are longer. They have been reedited so that act II is divided and added onto the first and the last episode respectively. As such, nothing is actually missing from the ADV collection, despite having a smaller episode count. The 2006 ADV collection is a two-DVD set, and features the original Japanese soundtrack as well as the dubbed English track, performed by the same cast who voiced the English dub of the TV series. The DVD content also includes an interview with Kaoru Shintani, and an introduction to the fighter jets portrayed in the series.<ref>{{cite web |date=2006-05-23 |url=http://www.advfilms.com/Films_PRDetails.asp?ID=1781 |title=ADV Announces July 25 Releases |access-date=2006-05-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061020084050/http://www.advfilms.com/Films_PRDetails.asp?ID=1781 |archive-date=2006-10-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[Discotek Media]] re-released the OVA series on October 30, 2018.

====Media====
* ''Area 88: Act I: Blue Skies of Betrayal'' (1985, VHS/LD; 1992, VHS; July 14, 2000, DVD)
* ''Area 88: Act II: The Requirements of Wolves'' (1985, VHS/LD; 1992, VHS)
* ''Area 88: Act III: Burning Mirage'' (1986, VHS/LD; 1992, VHS)
* ''Area 88: Original OVA Series'' (July 25, 2006, DVD)

===Anime television===
{{Main|List of Area 88 episodes}}

An updated 12-episode anime television series with [[Computer-generated imagery|CG graphics]], produced by [[TV Asahi]], [[Animax]], [[Group TAC]] and [[Media Factory]], began production in 2003 and premiered across Japan on [[TV Asahi]] and the anime [[satellite television]] network, [[Animax]] from 8 January 2004 to 5 March 2004, which later aired the series across its other respective networks worldwide, including [[Hong Kong]], [[Southeast Asia]], [[South Asia]], [[South Korea]], [[Taiwan]], and other regions. The series featured the work of several prominent contemporary [[trance music]] artists during combat scenes, such as [[Rank 1]], [[DJ Tiësto]], and [[Svenson & Gielen]]; official materials called these scenes the "highlight of the work".<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040615125302if_/http://www.cybertrance.jp/disco/index2.htm|url=http://www.cybertrance.jp/disco/index2.htm|title=Discography|publisher=Avex Trance|access-date=2022-06-13|archive-date=2004-06-15}}</ref> [[ADV Films]] licensed the series for [[North America]]n distribution, releasing the series across the region, with the first DVD volume release being published on June 22, 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2005-06-22/adv-deploys-area-88-july-19|title=ADV Deploys Area 88 July 19|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=2009-02-10|date=2005-06-22}}</ref> and the last volume being released on January 17, 2006.<ref>{{Cite press release |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2005-12-14/gantz-10-leads-off-adv%27s-jan-17-releases |title=Gantz 10 Leads Off ADV's Jan 17 Releases |access-date=2009-02-10 |date=2005-12-17 |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225122027/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2005-12-14/gantz-10-leads-off-adv%27s-jan-17-releases |archive-date=25 February 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> The DVD release notably removed the licensed trance music, replacing it with a handful of original compositions by Miyake Kazunori reused across the series.{{Citation needed|date=August 2020}} For the release of the English dub to English-speaking countries, the ADR team at ADV Films sought the assistance of Capt. Kevin "Dumpster" Divers, a USAF officer, to ensure that dialogue had proper Air Force jargon.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051221222238/http://www.advfilms.com/titles/area88/extras.php|url=http://www.advfilms.com/titles/area88/extras.php|title=A Few Words from the ADR Director|publisher=ADV Films|access-date=2012-10-28|archive-date=2005-12-21}}</ref>

===Video games===
{{main|U.N. Squadron}}

A [[shoot 'em up]] video game by [[Capcom]] was released in the [[arcade game|arcades]] in 1989. It was released in the West as ''UN Squadron''. Ports were released for the [[Amiga]], [[Amstrad CPC]], [[Atari ST]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]] and [[ZX Spectrum]].

In the game, the player could choose either Shin, Mickey, or Greg as the pilot to play. Each came with a different plane and various advantages; for example, Mickey could handle air-to-air dogfights well while Greg excelled at air-to-ground attacks. Each pilot also had special abilities; Shin mastered normal weaponry at the highest speed, Mickey inflicted extra damage with his armaments, and Greg recovered from attacks almost before they occurred. The Super NES release offered six fighter planes, with the F-8 Crusader as the default aircraft. The game also included various elements from the series, such as the land carrier.

In 1995, [[Family Soft]] produced two ''Area 88'' games for the [[PC-9801]].

An October 2014 crossover event took place in ''[[Ace Combat Infinity]]'' where aircraft and emblems used by the main characters of ''Area 88'' were added to the game. These included Shin's F-5 and F-20, Mickey's F-14, Greg's A-10, and Kim's AV-8.

===Board game===
Two special board games based on the franchise were released in the 1980s, but as so-called "Coterie" games, which are preordered editions and only go on limited sale at Japan's Game Market trade show. With mechanics based on the GDW board game ''[[Imperium (board game)|Imperium]]'', the ''Area 88 in Desert War'' and ''Peace in the Aslan Kingdom'' have the game counters, instructions and battle map (a fictional representation of the [[Sinai Peninsula]]) printed in standard bond paper, with players left to cut up the counters and attach them and the map in [[cardstock]].

===Toys/model kits===
A line of Area 88 model kits was also produced, which are basically aircraft that are painted as they appeared in the series. Takara released a 1/100 line of aircraft kits, each with a 1/24 pilot figure in the early 1980s to coincide with the original manga stories. Kits included Shin's Crusader, F-5G Tiger II and F-20 Tigershark, Mickey's F-100 and F-14, Saki's Kfir, Greg's A-10, and two planes from the Counter-Governmental Air Force—a Yak-36 Forger and a MiG-27 Flogger-D.

The first release of 1/144 kits by Hasegawa in the early 1990s consisted of Mickey's F-14, Shin's F-8 and F-5, Seilane Balnock's Harrier, and Saki Vashtar's Kfir. Each kit had a 1/12 scale figure of the pilot in resin while the 1/144 plane kits were styrene plastic tooled up by Dragon models in Hong Kong. The third wave, released by Hasegawa in 1996, featured 1/72 kits of the same jets, but this time Hasegawa's own kit moldings were used. They comprised Saki's Kfir, Gregg's A-10, Shin's F-8, F-20, X-29 and Draken, and Mickey's F-14. Hasegawa also produced a 1/48 two-pack set in line with the 2004 TV series, consisting of Shin's F-8 and Mickey's F-14, plus a DVD.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.1999.co.jp/item_cart_e.asp?It_c%3D10038101 |title=Area88 Set w/DVD (Plastic model) Fujimi 1/48 Area 88 |access-date=2009-05-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201043125/http://www.1999.co.jp/item_cart_e.asp?It_c=10038101 |archive-date=2008-12-01 }}</ref>

From January 2004 to December 2005, trading figure company The Other Corp released a line of 1/144 [[gashapon]] miniatures of various modern military aircraft that are painted as according to their actual appearance in the series, despite one of the offerings—the [[Su-47 Berkut]]—never having appeared at all.

==Soundtracks==
*''Area 88 Opening Theme: Mission - Fuga''
{{Track listing
| headline        = Area 88: Sound File 1 (Released March 17, 2004) - Track listing<ref>{{cite web|url=http://musicbrainz.org/album/95973365-a6dd-4574-b913-d4742113f0f7.html |title=Release "エリア88 SOUND FILE 1" by 三宅一徳 |publisher=MusicBrainz |access-date=2012-01-14}}</ref>
| extra_column    = 
| total_length    =

| all_writing     = 
| all_lyrics      = 
| all_music       =

| writing_credits = 
| lyrics_credits  = 
| music_credits   =

| title1          =  Mission (FUGA) (TV size)
| title2          =  Awakening
| title3          =  Dawn
| title4          =  Frontier Land
| title5          =  Dry
| title6          =  Fight
| title7          =  Tension
| title8          =  The Anthem 2003
| title9          =  Desert Night
| title10          =  Desert Star
| title11          =  Desert Sun
| title12          =  Desert Sunset
| title13          =  True Makoto
| title14          =  Loneliness
| title15          =  Ambition
| title16          =  Convocation
| title17          =  Strategy Meeting
| title18          =  Sortie
| title19          =  Out of the Blue (Mauro Picotto Remix)
| title20          =  Flowers of One Wheel
| title21          =  Heart Shaking
| title22          =  Tenshi
| title23          =  Speed of Sound
| title24          =  Bombed
| title25          =  Counterattack
| title26          =  Symsonic (Vocal Mix)
| title27          =  Ryoko
| title28          =  Smile
| title29          =  Warm
| title30          =  Wrapped
| title31          =  Far
| title32          =  Sun Also Rises
| title33          =  Wings
| title34          =  Angels Theme (G-Aria) (TV size)
| title35          =  Dance in the Battlefield (TV size)
}}
{{Track listing
| headline        = Area 88: Sound File 2 (Released March 17, 2004) - Track listing<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0001U1L8Y |title=Vol. 2-Area 88 Sound File: Japanimation: Amazon.co.uk: Music |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=2012-01-14}}</ref>
| extra_column    = 
| total_length    =

| all_writing     = 
| all_lyrics      = 
| all_music       =

| writing_credits = 
| lyrics_credits  = 
| music_credits   =

| title1          =  Plot
| title2          =  Ambition
| title3          =  Destiny
| title4          =  Trap
| title5          =  Good Job
| title6          =  Dancer
| title7          =  On the Move (DuMonde Remix)
| title8          =  Dogfight
| title9          =  Temptation
| title10          =  A Hell on Earth
| title11          =  Stand By
| title12          =  Lock On
| title13          =  Spread Your Wings
| title14          =  Step By Step
| title15          =  Sin
| title16          =  Solstice
| title17          =  Ryoko #1
| title18          =  Ryoko #2
| title19          =  Ryoko #3
| title20          =  Memories
| title21          =  Peace
| title22          =  Serenity
| title23          =  Light
| title24          =  We Know What You Did
| title25          =  True Sin
| title26          =  Dance in the Battlefield (English Version)
}}
{{Track listing
| headline        = Area 88: Mission Cyber Trance (Released March 25, 2004) - Track listing<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0001AELCC |title=Area 88 Mission Cyber Trance: Japanimation: Amazon.co.uk: Music |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=2012-01-14}}</ref>
| extra_column    = 
| total_length    =

| all_writing     = 
| all_lyrics      = 
| all_music       =

| writing_credits = 
| lyrics_credits  = 
| music_credits   =

| title1          =  Mission (FUGA) (Original Extended Mix)
| title2          =  Awakening
| title3          =  The Anthem 2003
| title4          =  Out of the Blue (Mauro Picotto Remix)
| title5          =  Symsonic (Vocal Mix)
| title6          =  Tenshi
| title7          =  Traffic
| title8          =  Temptation
| title9          =  Angels Theme (G-Aria) (Wippenberg Dub)
| title10          =  Solstice
| title11          =  We Know What You Did
| title12          =  Obsession
| title13          =  On the Move (DuMonde Remix)
| title14          =  Spread Your Wings
| title15          =  Mission (FUGA) (Rock in Heaven Mix)
| title16          =  Angels Theme (G-Aria) (Cyber Trance Mix)
}}

==Reception==
{{Expand section|date=October 2012}}

Martin A. Stever reviewed ''Area 88'' movies for ''[[The Space Gamer|Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer]]'' No. 83.<ref name="SG">{{cite journal|last=Stever |first=Martin A. |date=October–November 1988|title=The Ruler|journal=[[The Space Gamer|Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer]]|publisher=[[3W (company)|World Wide Wargames]]|issue=83|pages=28}}</ref> Stever commented that "The art is impressive, especially the ability to render moving jet aircraft. True to real war, characters are killed with regularity but not without remorse."<ref name="SG"/>

[[Anime News Network]] praised ''Area 88''{{'}}s English dub released by ADV, especially with most of it done with the assistance of a consultant from the US Air Force.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/area-88/dvd-1|title=Area 88 DVD 1 Review|access-date=2012-10-28|publisher=Anime News Network|date=2005-08-19|author=Theron Martin}}</ref> Freetype gave the series a 7.0 out of 10, citing "Intense, fast, adrenaline-pumping dogfight action", while criticizing it for being one-dimensional for lack of some character development, lack of emphasis on action with the morals and drama watered down.<ref name="freetype">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813141539/http://www.freetype.net/reviews/review.php?sid=00%2C0001035%2C20040930 |url=http://www.freetype.net/reviews/review.php?sid=00,0001035,20040930 |title=Area 88 (エリア88) |archive-date=2007-08-13 |access-date=2012-10-28 |publisher=Freetype |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041009151905/http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/a88/ Area 88 Website from TV Asahi] {{in lang|ja}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051025211121/http://www.advfilms.com/titles/area88/ Area 88 Website from ADV Films]
* {{Anime News Network|manga|2418}}

{{Area 88}}
{{Shogakukan Manga Award - Shōnen}}
{{Animax}}
{{Pierrot films}}
{{Group TAC}}

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[[Category:Winners of the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōnen manga]]