''Flag'' (stylized as ''FLAG'') is a 13-episode Japanese
mecha
In science fiction, or mechs are giant robots or machines controlled by people, typically depicted as humanoid walking vehicles. The term was first used in Japanese after shortening the English loanword or , but the meaning in Japanese is ...
-genre
anime
is hand-drawn and computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japanese, (a term derived from a shortening of ...
television series created and directed by veteran director
Ryōsuke Takahashi
is a Japanese anime director, screenwriter, and producer. He has worked for Sunrise on many anime shows in the real robot genre, including '' Armored Trooper VOTOMS'', '' Fang of the Sun Dougram'', ''Panzer World Galient'', and ''Blue Comet SPT ...
. It was broadcast as pay per view streaming web video on Bandai Channel starting on June 6, 2006. Episodes 1 and 2 were scheduled to be broadcast on the anime PPV channel
SKY Perfect
is a direct broadcast satellite
Satellite television is a service that delivers television programming to viewers by relaying it from a communications satellite orbiting the Earth directly to the viewer's location. The signals are received via ...
Perfect Choice ch. 160 Anime from August 18, 2006. Stylistically, the series makes use of a still and video cameraman POV, as well as "
web cam" images, to create a documentary-like narrative, despite being an animated drama. Character design is by Kazuyoshi Takeuchi and mecha design is by
Kazutaka Miyatake is a visual artist and anime designer known for the mechanical design of the ''Macross'' TV series and a number of its continuations from Studio Nue, of which he is a founding member. He has also contributed to the mecha design of other series such ...
.
Setting
Saeko Shirasu is a 25-year-old war front-line
photo-journalist
Photojournalism is journalism that uses images to tell a news story. It usually only refers to still images, but can also refer to video used in broadcast journalism. Photojournalism is distinguished from other close branches of photography (such ...
who became a celebrity after taking a picture of civilians raising a makeshift
UN flag in war-torn Uddiyana. The image then became an instant
symbol for peace. However, just before the peace agreement is achieved, the flag was stolen by an armed extremist group in order to obstruct the truce. The
UN peacekeepers
Peacekeeping by the United Nations is a role held by the Department of Peace Operations as an "instrument developed by the organization as a way to help countries torn by conflict to create the conditions for lasting peace". It is distinguished ...
decide to covertly send in a SDC (pronounced as "Seedac"—Special Development Command) unit to retrieve the flag. Because of her connection with the "Flag" photo, Saeko Shirasu was offered the job of following the SDC unit as a front line journalist. Among the SDC unit's equipment is the HAVWC (High Agility Versatile Weapon Carrier—pronounced "havoc") mecha armored vehicle.
Characters
; Shirasu's Front
* Saeko Shirasu ()—25-year-old frontline war photo-journalist
* SDC Unit
** Capt. Chris Eversalt ()—female commanding officer of the SDC unit, HAVWC mecha pilot
** 2nd Lt. Nadi Olowokandi ()—transport and scout helicopter pilot
** 2nd Lt. Hakan Aqbal ()—transport helicopter pilot
** 1st Lt. Rowell Su-Ming ()—intelligence officer
** 1st Lt. Jan Nikkanen ()—back-up pilot and intelligence support officer
** 1st Lt. Christian Beroqui ()—engineer and mechanic, technical support
** 1st Lt. Shin Ichiyanagi ()—HAVWC mecha pilot
; Akagi's Front
* Keiichi Akagi ()—Saeko's
senpai (senior) and friend. Veteran cameraman working for the photo agency "Horizont".
* Lisa ()—Fellow journalist
* Naraya ()—Akagi's local informant
Episodes
References
Further reading
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External links
Official site
Bandai Channel Official site
* {{ann, anime, 6617, Flag
Anime with original screenplays
Aniplex
Bandai Entertainment anime titles
HJ Bunko
Mecha anime and manga
Military anime and manga