Hizune and Masotan" Episode 1: I'm anxious to see what the future holds, and it's a perfect first episode anyway!

The film is directed by Shinji Higuchi, the series is composed by Mari Okada, and produced by BONES. In addition, the staff of this work is lined up with a great lineup.

However, looking at the first key visual released to the public, there is a somewhat heartwarming atmosphere. This is largely due to the characters designed by Toshinao Aoki, but the dragon designed by Shigeto Koyama is also quite cute. What?　This and the Self-Defense Forces?　And how does Shoji Kawamori's fighter design fit in?　I think there were probably many people who had a lot of doubts in their minds.

However, the first episode made me skip over those doubts. The story begins with Hizune Amakasu, who entered "Air Self-Defense Force" on the application form, thinking of "something only I can do," and starts working for the Self-Defense Forces.

As it turns out, Hizune, a clerical worker in the Self-Defense Forces, goes to hangar 8, also known as "8-rated," to deliver a document. On the way, she meets a mysterious Yakult aunt, but when she arrives at the 8th rank, she encounters a dragon, an OTF (a metamorphic flying creature) that the SDF has been keeping secret, and is swallowed whole.

The Self-Defense Forces had been looking for flight personnel who could ride the dragon for some time. There is no reason to leave Himine alone, who has "qualities" to be liked by the dragon (i.e. chosen by the dragon) so much that she is swallowed whole by the dragon, and they try to make her a D-Pai (=dragon pilot) halfway forcibly. Hishine, being Hishine, at first rejects the idea, but then communicates with the dragon and finally gets swallowed by the dragon and flies away. Incidentally, the dragon mimics (transforms into) a fighter plane on the way.

The first episode tends to be crammed with explanations of the worldview and characters. The first thing that is wonderful about this episode is the script, which has to show the story up to the point of riding the dragon, and then unfolds so naturally and without strain. For example, the storyline at the beginning of the episode, where the girl searching for "something only I can do" becomes the chosen one, is not at all explanatory, and even leaves room for the viewer to feel various things. It is interesting that it makes you want to think about things like what that Yakult aunt is trying to say ....... The film is a great example of how Mari Okada's screenplay is able to make even the minor characters stand out with just a few lines.

It was also impressive to see Toshinao Aoki's characters in action. The charm of "moving characters" cannot be conveyed only by the key visuals. Their expressions are somewhat comical and cartoonish. The expression of the yankee Kaizaki Nao wearing a gun, or Hishine's eyes rippling when she cries...it's very endearing and makes you want to keep on watching. The taste of such drawings was also outstanding.

Finally, I would like to talk about the voice actors' performances. The supporting cast was of course excellent, but Misaki Hisano did a wonderful job of portraying the babbling of the main character, Hizune Amakasu, who has a difficult personality and says out everything that comes into her head. Tomoyo Kurosawa's yankee performance as Nao was also excellent, and I was looking forward to seeing what other D-pai would do in the future.

I felt that the first episode was perfect in every aspect. However, I don't think we were told much about what was going to happen or what they were going to do on the dragon, so there is a lot of excitement for the future. Also, the OP and ED will be attached after the second episode, so I can't wait to see the second episode, including that.

(Junichi Tsukagoshi)