Dragon Pilot: Hisone and Masotan | |
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ひそねとまそたん (Hisone to Masotan) | |
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Genre | Aerial warfare[1] |
Created by | Bones Shinji Higuchi Mari Okada |
Manga | |
Written by | Bones Shinji Higuchi Mari Okada Akiko Waba (story cooperation) |
Illustrated by | Toshinao Aoki |
Published by | Kadokawa (Fujimi Shobo) |
Magazine | Monthly Dragon Age |
Demographic | Shōnen |
Original run | March 9, 2018 – July 9, 2018 |
Anime television series | |
Directed by |
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Produced by | Masahiko Minami |
Written by | Mari Okada |
Music by | Taisei Iwasaki |
Studio | Bones |
Licensed by | Netflix |
Original network | Tokyo MX |
Original run | April 13, 2018 – June 29, 2018 |
Episodes | 12[2] |
Dragon Pilot: Hisone and Masotan (Japanese: ひそねとまそたん, Hepburn: Hisone to Masotan) is a Japanese anime television series created by director Shinji Higuchi, screenwriter Mari Okada, and animation studio Bones.[3] Toshinao Aoki is responsible for the original character designs, Yoshiyuki Itō is serving as the animation character designer and Taisei Iwasaki is composing the music.[4][5] The anime project was revealed by the staff at the 2017 Tokyo Comic Con in December 2017.[6] It began airing on April 13, 2018. It was licensed by Netflix for domestic and international streaming, and released internationally on September 21, 2018.[7]
Hisone Amakasu is a rookie in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, where she is situated at the Gifu air base. She decided to join the force to distance herself from people as, her whole life, she had found it difficult to interact with others due to her candid style of speaking and oftentimes hurtful words, despite that not being her intention. Hisone's decision leads to her life being changed when the concealed "OTF" – Organic Transformed Flyer, or dragon – inside the base chooses her to be his pilot, leading her to discover her destined role as a dragon pilot during their ascension in the skies together. According to legend, dragons are thought to possess a key to unlocking the future of the world.
The dragons used as OTFs by the JASDF are habitually dressed in transforming armor shaped like military planes to avoid drawing public attention. In order to be flown, the dragons swallow their pilots, who then steer them from within their stomachs via a naturally activated holographic display control system. To protect themselves from the dragons' digestive juices, each pilot is required to wear a special acid-resistant suit. In addition, a D-Pilot must reserve her feelings exclusively for her personal OTF; if she establishes a love relationship with someone else, the bond between them is broken (this event is commonly referred to as "anastomosis").
The opening theme song titled "Shōjo wa Ano Sora wo Wataru" (少女はあの空を渡る, lit. "The Girl Crosses That Sky") is composed by Taisei Iwasaki and performed by Riko Fukumoto, featuring lyrics written by Mari Okada. The ending theme song titled "Le temps de la rentrée: Koi no Ieji (Shingakki)" (Le temps de la rentrée~恋の家路(新学期)~, lit. "The Time of the Return: Love's Road Home (New School Term)") is a cover of France Gall's "Le temps de la rentrée," arranged by Iwasaki and performed by D-Pai (D-Pilots, short for "dragon pilots"), a vocal unit comprising voice actresses Misaki Kuno, Tomoyo Kurosawa, Maki Kawase, Satomi Arai and Kaori Nazuka.[11]
No. | English title[a] Original Japanese title[12] |
Directed by | Written by | Original air date[13] | |
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1 | "It is Insane" Transliteration: "Shōki no satade wa nain desu" (Japanese: 正気の沙汰ではないんです) | Shōhei Miyake | Mari Okada | April 13, 2018 | |
In high school, student Hisone Amakasu ponders her future, having no real ambition in life. Seeing two Mitsubishi F-15Js flying above her school, she half-heartedly lists her career choice as joining the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Years later, Amakasu - now a more extroverted woman who tends to always speak her mind - works a desk job at Gifu Air Field. One day, she is told by coworker Akishima to deliver some papers to Flight Leader Kakiyasu, who is in the remote Hangar 8. Unbeknownst to her, this is the result of an aptitude test she had taken previously. Amakasu rides to the hangar, getting directions from an elderly woman (who also gives a yogurt) along the way. Upon arriving at the hangar, she finds it deserted safe for a large pool. Without warning, however, a dragon suddenly emerges from the pool and devours Amakasu. She is eventually thrown up and meets Kakiyasu, who along with fellow officer Commander Sosoda, explains that the dragon is an Organic Transformed Flyer (OTF), a kind of dragon that has been shapeshifted by different militaries into various flying objects for disguise purposes to use in combat; the JASDF now uses OTFs while disguising them as fighter planes, with the OTF in question turning into an F-15J. In devouring Amakasu, the OTF has effectively “chosen” her to be his next pilot, or D-Pi, much to Amakasu’s dismay. After recovering, Amakasu is taken back to the hangar to meet with the OTF again, and meets his primary handler, Okonogi. Okonogi explains to Amakasu that the OTF in question has not properly chosen a pilot in three years. When the OTF is brought up to meet Amakasu, however, he proceeds to gently nudge her before swallowing her again, proving that he chose Amakasu. The overwhelmed Amakasu soon finds herself in new living quarters, where she meets the OTF’s understudy pilot, Nao Kaizaki, who resents Amakasu for usurping her position. After some brief training, Amakasu is again asked to be swallowed by the OTF to do basic training, but she panics and eventually snaps, declaring she can’t do it and angrily ranting about Kakiyasu’s and Nao’s behavior. After talking briefly with Okonogi, Amakasu packs up her stuff to leave, but passes by the hangar and hears Okonogi tending to the OTF while saying that he thinks Amakasu and the OTF are alike. Drawn by this, Amakasu approaches the OTF when Okonogi leaves, and briefly connects with him, only for the OTF to eat her again and then proceed to take flight. In addition to the dragon flying without his disguise on and any proper direction, his stomach fluids start to take a life-threatening toll on Amakasu’s body. Just as she is about to give up, she discovers she has a signal on her flip phone due to her helmet and calls to base. Kakiyasu manages to give her instructions to allow her to “safely” get back on the ground. There, Okonogi explains to her that the OTF’s diet consists of rare metals, and flip phones are his favorite treat, hence why he tends to eat Amakasu, but she believes it is not the only reason. Feeling a kinship with the OTF, Amakasu decides to remain a D-Pi, and encounters the old lady (who gives her another yogurt) again. | |||||
2 | "I Name the Dragon Masotan" Transliteration: "Doragon no namae wa Masotan ni shimasu" (Japanese: ドラゴンの名前はまそたんにします) | Geisei Morita | Mari Okada | April 20, 2018 | |
Hisone successfully flies the dragon and initially gives him the nickname "Otofu." Later, she makes a discovery and begins to call him "Masotan." Flight suit developer Hiroki Ikushima arrives on the base and asks her to review prototype pilot suits. Meanwhile, Hisone's coworker Nao Kaizaki grows tired of her antics. | |||||
3 | "Take Responsibility, Would You?" Transliteration: "Sekinin totte kudasai yo" (Japanese: 責任とってくださいよ) | Hideyuki Satake | Keigo Koyanagi | April 27, 2018 | |
The Gifu Air Base is preparing for an annual aviation festival, although many are concerned with Hisone's lack of flying experience. Now promoted to technical sergeant, Hisone learns the story of the dragon's former pilot. | |||||
4 | "Those Guys Have Come Over to Gifu" Transliteration: "Yatsura ga Gifu ni yattekita" (Japanese: ヤツらが岐阜にやって来た) | Takahiro Hasui | Akiko Waba Mari Okada | May 4, 2018 | |
Three other dragon pilots arrive at Gifu base for a joint training exercise. As Hisone gets to know them better, she realizes that all the pilots have very different personalities from each other. | |||||
5 | "Who Likes to be Disliked?" Transliteration: "Suki kononde kirawa retai hito nante imasu ka?" (Japanese: スキ好んで嫌われたい人なんていますか?) | Hiroki Hirano | Akiko Waba Keigo Koyanagi Mari Okada | May 11, 2018 | |
The dragon pilots are sent to an uninhabited island to engage in a training in which they must work together to survive with limited supplies in a difficult environment and attempt to return to base. There, Hisone stumbles upon a mysterious structure, while pilot Elle Hoshino's insistence that she is a fighter pilot, not a dragon caretaker, upsets the others. | |||||
6 | "I Will Call Your Name" Transliteration: "Kimi no namae o sakebu kara" (Japanese: 君の名前を叫ぶから) | Shōhei Miyake | Akiko Waba Keigo Koyanagi Mari Okada | May 18, 2018 | |
Hisone, Lilico, and Mayumi attempt to survive a week on the island with their dragons, while Elle is determined to leave as soon as possible. Elle finally comes to terms with her situation, and the pilots successfully fly back to base. | |||||
7 | "Kingdom of Love" Transliteration: "Koisuru ōkoku" (Japanese: 恋する王国) | Hideyuki Satake | Mari Okada | May 25, 2018 | |
The pilots start to build relationships with one another. Vice Minister Iiboshi arrives at the base and informs them that their training was in preparation for an important project known as the "Ritual." Afraid that romantic relationships may distract them, Iiboshi aims to assess each pilot's relationship potential. Hisone and maintenance worker Haruto Okonogi go see a movie together. | |||||
8 | "Limited Time Offer! Spicy Granny Flavour" Transliteration: "Kikan gentei! Gekikara obāsan aji" (Japanese: 期間限定!激辛おばあさん味) | Geisei Morita | Keigo Koyanagi | June 1, 2018 | |
Iiboshi reveals the true nature behind the dragon pilot program and the Ritual. Meanwhile, an elderly former pilot reveals her true identity and speaks to the pilots and flight crew. Miko, or shrine maidens, arrive at the base. | |||||
9 | "Eeeeeeeeeek!" Transliteration: "Gyaaaa!!" (Japanese: ギャーーー!!) | Takahiro Hasui | Akiko Waba | June 8, 2018 | |
As the date approaches, the pilots perform a simulation Ritual to test their endurance. Haruto's family history is revealed, and Natsume, one of the miko, questions Hisone's relationship with Haruto. Iiboshi and the elderly ex-pilot Sada Hinomoto begin to worry about what they call "anastomosis". | |||||
10 | "Melty Love" Transliteration: "Suki ni nattara toro ke chau" (Japanese: 好きになったらトロけちゃう) | Hiroki Hirano | Mari Okada | June 15, 2018 | |
A ceremony is conducted to determine which maiden will lead the Ritual. Anastomosis is preventing Hisone and Elle from piloting their dragons, and Nao notices Hisone's struggles. Fighter pilot Zaito, who has romantic feelings for Elle, is asked to make a difficult decision for the sake of her career. | |||||
11 | "Montparnasse Sky and Scum Girl" Transliteration: "Monparunasu no sora to kuzu onna" (Japanese: モンパルナスの空とクズ女) | Noriyuki Nomata | Mari Okada | June 22, 2018 | |
Hisone reverses her decision to quit the JASDF and reunites with Masotan and her fellow pilots to complete the Ritual. However, as it nears its climax, Hinomoto reveals that the rite alone is not sufficient to becalm Mitatsu, entailing an even heavier price. | |||||
12 | "Invincible Us" Transliteration: "Muteki no watashi-tachi" (Japanese: 無敵の私たち) | Shōhei Miyake Hiroki Hirano Hideyuki Satake Takahiro Hasui | Mari Okada | June 29, 2018 | |
Unwilling to permit a human sacrifice, Hisone disrupts the Ritual; but will she be able to prevent the loss of one human life, save Japan from destruction, and conciliate her feelings for both Masotan and Haruto all at the same time? |
A manga adaptation by original character designer Toshinao Aoki began serialization on March 9, 2018 in the April 2018 issue of the Monthly Dragon Age magazine published by Fujimi Shobo and ran for five chapters.[14]
Dragon Pilot: Hisone and Masotan received the Excellence Award in the animation category at the 22nd Japan Media Arts Festival.[15]
Thanks to the series popularity, the Air Development and Test Wing of the JASDF, based at Gifu AFB has painted two of their F-15J's (#999, Serial 12-8928 ; #078, Serial not known) noses with open 'eye-doors', and a representation of Masotan's eyes looking out when the dragon is in Fighter Mode. This is seen on Gifu's website main page. [16]