Yet another summer start up, Sky Girls is a series based off a one episode OVA that aired back in 2006. I’m rather surprised they decided to make a full length series out of this one, seeing as the OVA was received with such mixed reviews. Maybe everyone liked it in Japan?

Sky girls is set in late the 21st century. Not too long ago, Earth was attacked by clusters of cyborgs known as WORMS. These WORMS wreaked havoc and destruction everywhere, to the point where the world united under one international army to fight against them. But small arms combat was useless, and the decision to use large scale weaponry (NUCLEAR LAUNCH DETECTED) was approved.

The tactic proved successful in destroying the WORMS, but came at a grave price. The Earth’s landmasses were forever changed, many continents were broken into smaller islands, many places sank into the sea, and the entire of Antarctica was blown off the map (and nothing of value was lost).

But perhaps the most devastating effect of the war was the loss of population, approximately 90% of all men aged 20-30 were killed. Quite a unique way to justify the use of lolis as military combatants, I must admit.

The first episode was dedicated to introducing the three female protagonists of Sky Girls: Ichijo Eika, Sonomiya Karen and Sakurano Otoha, who are recruited as military pilots to test the prototype model ‘Sonic Divers’

Ichijo Eika

Ichijo is already a military pilot, stationed at the Kasuga Military Base as a fighter jet pilot. Being the only one of the three who has any previous military experience, Ichijo will probably play the role of teacher and senpai to the other two. She also reluctantly acknowledges the potential strength of the Sonic Diver, having lost to it in a mock battle.

It’s also worth mentioning that she’s tsundere.

Sonomiya Karen

Karen is a child genious who managed to complete a bachelor’s degree at the age of 16. Despite being confident in her studies, she has problems interacting with men, the only exception being her brother.

Karen is unsure of what direction she wants to take in life, only certain that she wants to do something to help people everywhere, a childishly naive dream. But that dream is most likely the reason she agrees to joining as a military pilot in the end, having been told it’s a job that would help people everywhere.

Sakurano Otoha

Otoha is a simple girl who lives on a rural island as the apprentice of a kendo dojo. Her grandfather, having lost the grandson who was supposed to succeed the dojo, now leaves that dream with Otoha, constantly training her skills.

When the military approaches him to discuss the proposal to have her join the military, he is strongly opposed, having lost his son to the military in the past. However, it has always been Otoha’s dream to fly freely in the sky, a dream she once shared with her brother.

When Otoha’s grandfather hears that she is planning to accept the invitation to become a pilot, he shows the same strong opposition. He sets the condition that Otoha must get a clean hit on him in a kendo match, only then will he concede to her decision, the only problem is that Otoha has never been able to do so before. But when Otoha’s grandfather sees Otoha’s strongest determination to win in her eyes, he realizes that there’s no stopping her, and forfeits the match.

We’re also given a sneak peak at the capabilities of the Sonic Diver via the mock battle with Ichijo. It’s odd design leaves the pilot completely exposed to direct attack, but its agility and maneuverability is top notch. The issue of leaving the pilot completely exposed is also compensated, something that will most likely be explained in the next episode, judging from the preview.

First Impressions

I was among the group that really liked Sky Girls, and was pretty happy when it was announced that it was getting its own series. The result has been satisfactory, it’s foundation plot isn’t anything revolutionary and I have my doubts that this will be able to keep my attention for 26 episodes, but it’s far from disastrous thus far.

Technical aspects were surprisingly good coming from JC STAFF, the “history” opener was had great background scenery and the mock battle was cleanly and consistently animated. I don’t think we’ll see anything on par with the animation in the OVA, but I’m not expecting Gurren Lagann 15 grade animation anyways.

Music was actually pretty good, the OP was by MELL and annoyingly catchy, like a lot of her other songs. On the other hand, I hated the ED and will never listen to more than the first seconds of it ever again. Ambient music neither added nor detracted from overall effect, but since it’s impossible to do battle in silence, it’s a necessity.

I’ll definitely keep watching Sky Girls, even though it is against my usual dislike for mecha anime. Probably due to the fact that it has lolis. Yeah, yeah, I know, they’re 16.

Other than that, my only other question is this: How is it that a 16 year old girl was able to effortlessly cut into and pry open a cargo trailer that is was probably made of some sort of steel alloy. Rust only goes so far, and even then, it was the malleability, not the brittleness that was exploited. But then again, LOL ANIME PHYSICS.

~ Shirukii ~