Aozora Shoujo-tai

This is possibly one of the most underrated animes out there. Probably because it was never completed. But it really had potential.

Even though the story never took off because it didnt have enough time. You get to know the characters and enjoy watching them get to know each other and learn new things.

And unlike most plane anime this one doesnt focus on killing, instead they are an airshow plane group. That makes it a lot more interesting for me.

With only 7 episodes you don't go very far storywise, but you do get to have some fun along the way. Don't expect an ending because there ... isnt one.

This is one I didn't enjoy at all and had to force myself to finish.
The problem here isn't the artwork or the animation. Both are above average for it's time. And the music is good as well. It's also not that it's a slice of life anime, I enjoy that sort of anime more than most here seem to. My main problem is that it tries to dip into the love triangle thing that was popular at the time, a sub-genre that I'm not particularly a fan of, but even so it does it very poorly. There is really no build up, the female ... characters don't get to know the male AT ALL before they are suddenly fawning over him and fighting over his affection. The whole thing seems tacked on and prevents me from enjoying the anime at all. It really seems like the writers didn't know how to handle romance plots and any romance at all seems to be almost instant in this universe. Like in the final episode where the characters only know each other for a few days and they are suddenly madly in love with each other to the point of proposing marriage. There were also other elements of the show that I just couldn't put a finger on that were frustrating or unsettling to me. All and all I think this anime could have had potential but was marred by bad execution and a love triangle plot that really didn't need to be there.

I've never been a very objective person. There are plenty of things out there that are 'Objectively Bad' or 'Objectively Mediocre', well according to most 801 T.T.S. Airbats would objectively be somewhere under the 7-10 mark, the MAL rating is currently 6.51/10. Well, screw whatever objective scores anyone gives this show, I enjoyed the hell out of Aozora Shoujo-tai! I'm not one to indulge in romcoms very often so I can forgive a lot of the tropes and what-not. Airbats was a very enjoyable watch, I loved all of the characters and was happy to see all of them get their own time to shine. ... Despite being a romcom, Aozora Shoujo-tai is a comedy first and a romance second, the love triangle that forms never unnecessarily gets in the way, nor does it ever get incredibly serious. The only bad thing about this anime for me was that it was very clearly unfinished, the 7 episodes that exist are great and all of the characters really get their moments, but the love triangle never gets resolved, and right at the end of the 7th episode, a new relationship begins to form between two of the supporting characters, yet there are no episodes to explore said relationship afterward. The anime is clearly unfinished, but what's there was very enjoyable.

"In Cooperation With JAPAN AIR SELF DEFENCE FORCE"

This anime is easy 7 of 10 (if you really like planes, military theme and this 80-90s vibes of pilot movies you can easily add 2 points to the final score as I did)
The story is nothing serious, just a small simple slice of life. There are planes and girls and a boy. Enough for an entertaining evening or two.
I really enjoy the show, maybe the characters are not so remarkable, but some moments really are.
The title is short (only 7 episodes long), but almost every character got its moments to shine. ...

A bit naive, but really relaxing show. I like it a lot.

This one..is a weird yet likeable. Even me, I don’t understand. All I know is that I really really like and enjoyed watching this odd ball short OVA series.

The main story focuses to the 801st Squadron, and the never-ending love triangle rivalry between the main heroines to the main protagonist. Each episode focuses on a specific plot, but its still telling the overarching narrative of the main story. You can pretty much tell this series is from the 90’s with the weird but passable comedy, its quite amusing and interesting watching it. It never made me laugh, but I did slap my forehead a couple ... of times cuz of its absurdity.

The art & animation is so 90’s. Watching the OVA’s made me go on a nostalgia mode. The art even reminds me of Saber marionette series. Infairness, the animation went well alongside the art. Both fitted well together.

I tried to like each character, but, I can never like them. Hahahaha. Each one of them had a role in the series, even Yuko, the pink haired annoying character. I do acknowledge Sakura as the best girl. She’s very manipulative, loves to sing (I guess she’s bad at it, but loves it anyway) and loves to do some bets. She’s the only character that almost became my fav character in this series. And bruh, she also had an episode dedicated to her. Damn.

Overall, this series is quite fun to watch. It’s quite short and easy to watch. Definitely a recommendation to people who wanted to watch very very short old classic animes.

Anyway, that is all.

Thanks for reading.

Title: 801 T.T.S. Airbats - A Lighthearted Dive into Aviation Comedy

Rating: 7/10

801 T.T.S. Airbats, directed by Akiyuki Shinbo and based on the manga by Shimizu Toshimitsu, takes a unique approach to the military genre by infusing it with a comedic and slice-of-life twist. Released in 1994, this OVA (Original Video Animation) series provides an entertaining yet somewhat niche experience for viewers interested in a blend of aviation, humor, and light-hearted storytelling.

**Storyline (6/10):**
Set in an alternate reality where the Tokyo Metropolitan Police maintains an all-female air squadron, 801 T.T.S. Airbats follows the misadventures of the charmingly eccentric pilot Isurugi Takuya and his squadmates. The series adopts ... a largely episodic format, focusing on the day-to-day challenges faced by the Airbats and their interactions both on and off duty.

While the premise is unique and the comedic elements add a refreshing touch to the military setting, the overall narrative lacks a strong central plot. The episodic nature can lead to a somewhat disjointed viewing experience, with individual episodes feeling like standalone comedic sketches rather than contributing to a cohesive overarching story.

**Characters (6/10):**
801 T.T.S. Airbats introduces a quirky and diverse set of characters, each with distinct personalities and quirks. Isurugi Takuya's carefree and flirtatious nature provides much of the comedic energy, while the other members of the Airbats contribute their own dynamics to the group. The character interactions are enjoyable, and their camaraderie is a highlight of the series.

However, the characters often remain within the bounds of their established archetypes, with limited exploration of deeper character development. While this fits the lighthearted tone of the series, it may leave viewers wanting more substantial growth from the cast.

**Animation and Art (7/10):**
801 T.T.S. Airbats showcases animation typical of its 1990s era, with a somewhat dated aesthetic. The character designs and backgrounds capture the charm of the manga but may not meet the visual standards of more contemporary anime. The animation quality is serviceable for the genre, especially considering the series' comedic focus.

The aircraft sequences, while not groundbreaking, effectively convey a sense of flight and motion. The art style complements the comedic tone, and the series successfully balances its military elements with a lighter, more humorous aesthetic.

**Soundtrack (7/10):**
The soundtrack of 801 T.T.S. Airbats complements its comedic atmosphere. The opening theme, "Niji o Mitsukero," and the ending theme, "SORA," provide catchy and upbeat tunes that suit the overall tone of the series. While the music may not be particularly memorable, it enhances the viewing experience and contributes to the series' light-hearted vibe.

**Impact and Legacy (7/10):**
801 T.T.S. Airbats holds a place in anime history as a unique blend of military and comedy genres. While it may not have achieved the same level of widespread recognition as other series, it has garnered a niche following among fans of aviation-themed anime and those seeking a more humorous take on military life.

**Conclusion:**
801 T.T.S. Airbats offers an entertaining and niche viewing experience, particularly for fans interested in the unusual combination of military aviation and comedy. While the series may not reach the heights of other classics, its charm, unique premise, and humor earn it a solid 7/10 rating. Viewers seeking a lighthearted diversion with a touch of aviation flair may find enjoyment in this nostalgic gem from the 1990s anime landscape.

Visually very nice. Characters are great. Storytelling is very well done and got me hooked.. for the first 3 episodes, which are awesome. The rest... is a filler without an ending. The main theme of rivalry and the love triangle just suddenly got sent to the back seat. None of the characters dare to make any move romantically, almost as if they decided off screen to behave "professionally" when the cameras roll. This really feels weird, a sudden change to clearly filler episodes, which might be understandable for a long-running TV series, but this is a OVA. Those who bought the VHS tapes must have ... felt teased with the first 3 eps. I though we will get back to the plot after a special/filler vacation episode. But no, another filler ep for a visiting character, special/filler eating contest episode (focused more on a childish side character), and the last episode being a backstory for the 2 side characters that until now used to be almost pure comedic relief characters and introduces new flashback characters. After the ep3 the main three characters feel like the side characters "paused" for later. But they never come back.
However, still watchable (and I'm easy to be bored). The episodes 4-7 come close to be cliché eyeroll boring stupid anime, but don't cross that line. Beautiful visuals and characters save it.
The first 3 episodes are worth watching!
The opening theme song is nice.
It's partially about the airplanes and pilots. There are show-off fly tests that end up dangerously, and air fights with the enemy jets. But it does not bore you with technicalities if you're not into airplanes. The show is more centered on the characters.

A show about a squad of female fighter pilots training to become good enough to not get banned by the JASDF (Japanese Air Self Defense Force - yes, this is also a military ad in some ways) - count me in! The detailed drawings of all things mechanical, the concept of the show itself and even the visual character design is great, but sadly the writing is abysmal. Because it was the "style of the time", they had to include a love triangle with the super-lame male protagonist, which forces all the female characters go head over heel about that dude for absolutely no reason ... at all. That was a good way to ruin an otherwise solid show. I wonder if the manga is better?