Introduction

Yakitori: Soldiers of Misfortune (Japanese: ヤキトリ, Hepburn: Yakitori) is a Japanese novel series written by Carlo Zen and illustrated by so-bin.

It began publication by Hayakawa Publishing in August 2017. Licensed by Netflix, an original net anime series adaptation by Arect premiered in May 2023.

With Earth colonised by a superior alien civilisation, Akira’s only chance at a better future is to enlist as an expendable Yakitori foot soldier.

Background

Light Novel

Written by Carlo Zen and illustrated by so-bin, the series began publication by Hayakawa Publishing on 08 August 2017 (volume 01) and 18 April 2018 (volume 02).

Anime

An original net animation was announced at AnimeJapan on 25 March 2023. It was produced by Arect and directed by Hideki Anbo, with Mitsuyasu Sakai writing the scripts, Atsushi Yamagata designing the characters, and Ken Ishii composing the music. It premiered on 18 May 2023, on Netflix.

Outline

Set in a future where the solar system is dominated by trade federations who are in constant conflict. In order to escape his restrictive homeland of Japan, and under the recommendation of his military cook friend Pupkin, Akira enlists in a trade federation orbital drop infantry unit. Such infantry are notorious for their 70% casualty rate, and are nicknamed “Yakitori” for their expendability.

Cast

• Akira Ihotsu (伊保津明, Ihotsu Akira) boiced by: Taito Ban
• Zi Han Yan (楊紫涵, Yan Zi Han) voiced by: Asami Seto
• Tyron Baxter (タイロンバクスター, Tairon Bakusutā) voiced by: Shunsuke Takeuchi
• Erland Martonen (エルランドマルトネン, Erurando Marutonen) voiced by: Kengo Kawanishi
• Amalia Schulz (アマリヤシュルツ, Amariya Shurutsu) voiced by: Akari Kitō
• Vasha Pupkin (ヴァーシャパプキン, Bāsha Papukin) voiced by: Kenjiro Tsuda
• Rimel (リメル, Rimeru) voiced by: Wataru Takagi
• John Do (ジョン・ドゥ, Jon Dō) voiced by: Tetsu Inada

Yakitori: Soldiers of Misfortune Series

• Episode 01: A Diplomatic Mission.
• Episode 02: Counterattack.
• Episode 03: Harassment.
• Episode 04: Atrocity.
• Episode 05: The Rear Guard.
• Episode 06: Yakitori.

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s):
  • Hideki Anbo
• Producer(s):
• Writer(s):
  • Mitsuyasu Sakai
  • Carlo Zen
• Music:
  • Ken Ishii
• Production:
  • Arect
• Distributor(s):
  • Netflix (Japan, 2023)(video)
  • Netflix (World-wide, 2023)(VOD, video)
• Release Date: 18 May 2023.
• Running time: 28-45 minutes (per episode).
• Rating: 15.
• Country: Japan.
• Language: Japanese (with subtitles).

Video Link(s)