FLAG - 20XX

- F L A G -

20XX

I have yet to check out the first episode, but this does capture my attention. I’ve been yearning for a “realistic” anime with the warzone setting. The last anime I’ve seen to have some what of a good, mature, military theme was Yukikaze (despite the alien JAM enemy fighters, detracting from the “realism aspect”, but that anime in general was pretty boring). I’d think this would make a pretty interesting series to watch as someone who is armed with a videocamera instead of a gun, to follow troops around and see war from various view points.

Summary

FLAG is a 13-episode Japanese animated series directed by veteran director Ryosuke Takahashi of the anime mecha genre. It is broadcasted as pay per view streaming web video on Bandai Channel starting on 6th June 2006. Episode 1 and 2 will also be scheduled to be broadcasted on the Anime PPV channel SKY Perfect Perfect Choice ch160 Anime from 18th August 2006. Stylistically, the series makes use of still, cameraman POV, web cam images to create a documentary like narrative, despite being an animated drama.

Synopsis (c/o Bigblah’s post in this thread, as well as Wiki’s entry)

Quote:

"In 20xx, a civil war broke out in a small country in Asia is getting hard in spite of dispatch of UN forces. But a picture taken by accident in the battle field accelerates the peace process. It is a picture of a flag. Although they are enemies, they cooperate together to fly it in a sanctuary, and the flag becomes the symbol of the peace. However, just before the peace agreement is achieved, the flag is robbed by an armed extremist group in order to obstruct the truce. UN decides to send SDC (Special Development Command) and a cameraman to record their activities. The cameraman is Shirasu Saeko. She is the cameraman who took the picture of the flag. At first they think the mission is easy because they wear latest armed suits, HAVWC (High Agility Versatile Weapon Carrier), but they get in trouble by unexpected attacks."

Originally Posted by Wiki on Flag – the anime

Saeko Shirasu is a 25 year wartime front-line photo-journalist 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 decide to send in secretly 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 SDAC unit as frontline journalist. The SDC unit is equipped with a HAVWC (pronounced as Harvick - High Agility Versatile Weapon Carrier) Mecha robot tank.

Cast of Characters:

• Saeko Shirasu (Rena Tanaka) - 25 year old frontline wartime photo-journalist
• Keiichi Akagi (Unshou Ishizuka) - Saeko's senior and friend. Veteran cameraman working for the Photo Agency "Horizont"
• SDAC Unit
o Chris Eversolt (Narumi Hidaka) - Female Commanding Officer of the SDAC unit, HAVWC mecha pilot
o Nadi Olowokandi (Takashi Nagasako) - Transport and Scout Helicopter Pilot
o Hakan Aqbal (Yuko Sato) - Transport Helicopter Pilot
o Rowell Suming (Yu Asakawa) - Intelligence Officer
o Jan Nikkanen (Kenji Nomura) - Back-up Pilot and Intelligence Support Officer
o Christian Beloqui (Hiroshi Iwasaki) - Engineer, Technical Support
o Shin Ichiyanagi (Shinji Kawada) - HAVWC mecha pilot


Screenshots:

Official Site:
http://www.flag20xx.net/sakuhin/machine.html

Credits:
Production Staff
Produced by Answer Studio & Aniplex

Created by Ryosuke Takahashi
Directed by Ryosuke Takahashi, Kazuo Terada
Written by Toru Nozaki
Character Design by Kazuyoshi Takeuchi
Mechanical Design by Kazutaka Miyatake

Music
Music composed by Yoshihiro Ike
Sound Director by Keiichi Momose
Ending Theme LIGHTS
Artist - Eri Nobuchika
Lyrics - Eri Nobuchika
Music - Shinichi Osawa

Torrents:

_FLAG_-_01_[A4ACEF86].avi.torrent]Shinsen Subs – Flag – Episode 1

Jam it back in, in the dark.

This series looks hot. I hope that it gets a R1 release soon. I'm definitely going to buy it (if I end up liking the first few episodes that I download...)..

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Finally! a sub! You are god, Spatula, did you know that? I was praying this would be subbed soon. I need to finish VOTOMS at some point too...

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Quote:

You are god, Spatula, did you know that?

God of the Kitchen. Even Q bows down to me, why lie.

I heard that the Shinsen Subs weren't very good quality this time around though. Most of the time, like Blood+ for example, I can live with that, but I'll have to still watch this to find out. Despite this being on premium channels, a few friendly Japs are nice to let us in on the goods.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Just finished ep 1 and I must say im in love. I love the editing,pacing and just overall presentation. Like showing us the main character from the laptop perspective...AWESOME!

I was speaking idiomatically.

I wonder why they made it look like a DreamWorks animation, some of the character designs look really Western. I'm slightly annoyed by the blurry shadows as well, IMO it gives everything a really cheap look.

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Originally Posted by Pyocola

I wonder why they made it look like a DreamWorks animation, some of the character designs look really Western. I'm slightly annoyed by the blurry shadows as well, IMO it gives everything a really cheap look.

I'll agree with Pyocola here. The CG is done well, however I find the animation of the faces, especially when they speak, are much too overdone. This is most evident when they speak. Most anime I've seen just show the frame with the majority of the head steady, and only the jaw movement to signify speech. This time around, they animate the eyes, eyebrows, and many facial features. I personally think it's overdone and detracts from the seriousness of the setting.

Like, what's with the cocked-eyebrow, ma'am?



And take a look at this clown.



FELIPE NO

Is it really worth my attention? I'm up for like 8 anime at once... so I really need to think about starting another one. I'll wait for another episode and your opinion about it.

For Innocent Venus & Night Head Genesis are keeping me alive.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

So there is this new Anime currently available via internet streaming service to subscribers in Japan only. It's called "Flag" and the first episode (of a total 13) is actually pretty good:

Quote:

In 20xx, a civil war broke out in a small country in Asia is getting hard in spite of dispatch of UN forces. But a picture taken by accident in the battle field accelerates the peace process. It is a picture of a flag. Although they are enemies, they cooperate together to fly it in a sanctuary, and the flag becomes the symbol of the peace. However, just before the peace agreement is achieved, the flag is robbed by an armed extremist group in order to obstruct the truce. UN decides to send SDC (Special Development Command) and a cameraman to record their activities. The cameraman is Shirasu Saeko. She is the cameraman who took the picture of the flag. At first they think the mission is easy because they wear latest armed suits, HAVWC (High Agility Versatile Weapon Carrier), but they get in trouble by unexpected attacks.

I really like the realistic setting and mecha designs. So far, it's promising to be a decent show with a different approach at storytelling. Anyone interested in world politics, drama and mecha should check this out.

Source: AnimeNfo.com

First episode screenshots:

The show is currently subbed by Shinsen-Subs. Grab the torrent here.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Hm...modern military setting + mecha reminds me Gasaraki, but this show looks different. I'm hoping they at least don't get into insane mystical weirdness towards the end.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I did start a thread here. I've only checked out the first episode so far.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Sorry for missing your thread, Spatula. Someone should close this one or merge it with yours.

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Merged. Would hate to see all those screens go to waste.

I was speaking idiomatically.

I watched the first episode yesterday. The animation was pretty impressive and the whole camera angle thing is definitely something different. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the mecha was killer. Although it seemed a bit boring at times, I have to remind myself that this IS just the beginning. Good show. I'm probably going to watch episode 2 later tonight.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by AnimeOnDVD.com

Bandai Acquires Flag TV (02:34 PM EST): More news continues to flow in from the New York Comic-Con and Bandai Entertainment has announced that they have acquired the TV series Flag today.

This is great news. I'm definitely going to pick the series up. Or should I try it before I buy it?

FELIPE NO

You should try it. I got bored of this after 2 episodes and then even forgot this thread existed.

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it was a good concept. kind of reminds me of Flags of Our Fathers about the flag bit. but it was tad too slow for me, gave up on it after the 3rd episode. plus the trackers weren't being too nice to me.

Jam it back in, in the dark.