The setting of this movie takes place in an alternative-modern universe. We follow fighter pilots that are stationed in a European theater using English in the cockpit and Japanese when out. The pilots aren’t your run of the mill candidates out of flight school. They are genetically engineered kids called Kildren – a play on words which stands for children that kill. Characterized as sociopathic teenagers that only live to fight a war of leisure, their exploits advertised on the local news like a sports game. In this universe, it’s basically an airborne soccer game where the loser suffers a bloody death.

While the ostensible antagonist is the mysterious ace known as “Teacher,” if you had to pinpoint the true enemy in this film, it would have to be war itself. As seen here, it and the powers behind it keep both the citizens and fighters in the dark of its plan to maintain world order. In this world where advances in human genetics and cloning exist side-by-side with propeller biplanes, Kildren have provided an alternative: a gladiator fight to help maintain the peace and foster patriotism. It is a side of world peace that’s rarely explored by most anime writers. How does one maintain peace without the foil of war? You create a war with rules and disposable players.

Another well-crafted theme of the movie is the relationship between adults and children. The concept of children being naïve and reliant on the strength, wisdom and leadership of adults is paramount in this production. This is encapsulated by the “Teacher,” an invincible wrecking ball of a pilot feared and respected by friend and foe alike. Anyone that crosses paths with this terror is never seen or heard from again.

What’s also interesting about this character is that he is not a Kildren, at least far as anyone knows. It operates under the philosophy that every sport needs an awe-inspiring hero. Basketball had Michael Jordan and baseball had Babe Ruth. In a war of children, there still needs to be an adult to take charge and put them in their place if they get out of line. Despite Teacher’s presence looming large, it remains a shadow and leaves itself for a great post-discussion.

But deep in the heart of this film is a good old fashion suspense thriller. Half the movie is spent wondering about the origins of our main characters. Clues are scattered across every frame, leading you to the eventual reveal in the tail end of the movie.

Director Mamoru Oshii is lauded and criticized for creating films that are considered too ostentatious or self-important for the average anime fan. The themes explored in this film are rather deep and breakdown the idea of war and its importance to maintaining a civilized society. Man’s answer to war is fusing it with a competitive sport. Instead of losing countless lives for a pointless struggle, they’ve created these beings called Kildren who can be reprogrammed to fight forever. While most of the mechanics of these beings aren’t detailed, the concept is shockingly brilliant and tragic.

It is not recommended to watch this movie without being familiar with Mamoru Oshii’s directing style. His manipulation of the film’s pacing is a deliberate method of controlling your appreciation for the spoils of war. You begin to feel what the Kildren feel, living their lives only to simply die at any given moment. Their emotionless expressions and suicidal tendencies mirror your overwhelming urge to end the movie. The pulling of the trigger signifies your pressing of a button. In the end, you grin and bear it, just like the characters in the story.

Try to enjoy the subtle nuances: the sounds of folding newspaper, the crunching of a soda can or the snapping of a cigarette container. The Sky Crawlers is a great story of the human condition and tests the resolve and mental capacity of its viewers. If you take the film at face value, it’s boring and unimpressive. Dig deeper and empathize with the characters and you will find yourself experiencing something far greater.

Overall Grade: A