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Soratobu Kouhoushitsu/Public Affairs Office in the Sky
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Type: relationship, slice of life
Genre: military, romance
Year: 2013-Apr-14 to 2013-Jun-23
Summary:
2009, Sorai Daisuke/Sora-pyon, an elite pilot from the 305 TFS, 7th Air Wing, Hyakuri AB, has been selected to fly with the Blue Impulse, Japan’s premier aerobatic unit like the Thunderbirds, Blue Angels, Red Arrows etc.. However, an accident made him ineligible to ever fly again. It’s 2010, he’s been transfered to the PR department of the Defense Ministry.
Three years ago, Inaba Rika/Ina-pyon/Usagi/Inaba no Shirousagi, as a young news reporter made a mistake and got her company Teito TV(=Imperial Capital TV) sued. She’s been transferred to the Information (variety) department doing odd coverages when she’s sent to do some coverage about people in uniform. It’s still a difficult time for her but it’s the first step toward her goal of returning as a news reporter.
However, their most important PR production turns into a disaster. Daisuke and Rika part in a bad manner.
February 2011, 6 months after the PR disaster. They still fear to face each other. March, the Great East Japan Earthquake. They do their work not while uncertain about each other’s situation.
April 2013: the Blue Impulse return home, Matsushima AB, Fukushima. Everyone’s gone with the wind. Will it be their last meeting?
Critique:
Obviously, this show was made to improve public relations of the JSDF. It’s not exactly propaganda but rather to improve public understanding. It’s mostly about the lives of the men and women in the military services as well as giving a view on TV media. Although, it is in part Japanese specific, most parts apply to elsewhere in the world. Until the past decade most Japanese were not interested or have a strong dislike toward JSDF due to the war. Many want to keep the peaceful life but it’s definitely over this year. This show is one of many medias made in light of renewed nationalism of the recent decade.
If you want to live a peaceful ignorant life skip this show.
A lot of effort has been put into creating this show. The show itself only shows a glimpse of that behind the scene at best. You will understand when watching. Imho a glimpse of the men and women behind it is given in the retirement farewell ceremony in episode 10. Note the civilian contractors in the back.
The (romance) stories’ background are intentionally simple but work out as complicated as ever.
Aragaki Yui plays the beautiful, ignorant, direct, zealous (annoying japanese) yet shy and not-honest-with-about-her-feelings reporter. Her outbreaks are shocking.
She starts out as the more ignorant japanese citizen, making lots of annoying comments. She has misconceptions like addressing the AirForce. Officially, Japan doesn’t have an AirForce, as in for war, but they do. It’s called Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF).
😆 Sorai Daisuke, plays the broken, apathic guy who lost everything and who gets dragged back to reality by her. As the show progresses both develope an understanding for each other’s side (public/media vs. military) and improve in their own job.
The show does go into some Japanese specific issues like the 1995 (Kobe) earthquake when the JSDF could not yet be deployed for the disaster by law.
Or that the JSDF could not clear homes in 2013 unless for rescue operations because of private property issues etc… There are some other general and specific explainations for other military related issues. And lots of typical (military) aviation related details for the laymen. Yet, nothing out of the ordinary, though. (except some random shots that perhaps should have been censored…)
All in all the show is well made with many good and known actors but there’s government interest and censorship.
There’s not a single word about the Fukushima reactors not even the name itself in the show. Or the rescue operation for JAL. Perfect censorship here.
Although, it’s mainly about the JASDF not everything is shown either e.g. AWACS, F-2. The show also doesn’t show any weapons or ordnances except ceremonial rifles. It’s definitely a show for those interested but don’t know a thing.
As mentioned before it does not make explicite propaganda like some other media. For example the word country is used only two times with some importance: “for country or love”
Watch with caution and keep these in mind.
Note:
Want to know more about the earthquake & Fukushima? Look for the documentations from Fukushima Central TV (FCT), the prefecture’s premier channel.
Verdict: 8.3
Cast: 9
Cast performance: 9
Script/Directing: 7
