Yukikaze

Synopsis

Thirty-three years have passed since the alien entity JAM invaded Earth through a hyperspace tunnel above Antarctica. Humanity successfully repelled the assault and pushed the conflict back to JAM's home world, Fairy. While most of Earth's population has forgotten the ongoing war, the United Nations maintains five bases and a technologically advanced military presence on Fairy, including the Fairy Air Force (FAF). Lieutenant Rei Fukai serves as a pilot in the FAF Special Air Force's Boomerang reconnaissance unit. He flies a Super Sylph fighter jet named "Yukikaze," which is tasked with observing aerial combat from high altitudes to collect vital intelligence on JAM tactics. Despite his exceptional flying ability, Lt. Fukai depends heavily on the aircraft's advanced weaponry and its nearly sentient AI system. His fellow FAF members often keep their distance due to his detached and unsociable demeanor, yet Lt. Fukai continues to carry out his duties alongside Yukikaze. During one intense engagement, however, he is taken by surprise when another Super Sylph jet appears, behaving erratically and with hostile intent.

Background

Sentou Yousei Yukikaze won the Tokyo Anime Award in the OVA category in 2003 and 2006. It also won the Packaged Work Award at the 2003 Animation Kobe Awards. The show's combat scenes were produced with help from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The series was released on DVD as Yukikaze by Bandai Entertainment from February 17, 2004 to July 11, 2006.