Zipang

[Eyebiter]

Anyone seen the Zipang anime series or played the PS2 video game?

A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Yukinami-class Aegis escort vessel, the Mirai (みらい, meaning "future"), while enroute on foreign dispatch is timewarped to the Pacific Ocean just prior to the Battle of Midway of World War II. After rescuing an Imperial Japanese Navy commissioned officer, Takumi Kusaka, the Mirai and its crew go on to affect the course of history itself.

Sounds like an interesting premise, takes 'The Final Countdown' time travel scenario to the next level.

[p2501]

intresting, i'll try and find a download.

[Eyebiter]

If your interested in either alternate history science fiction (The Final Countdown, Turtledove novels, Axis of Time ) or WW2 from a Japanese perspective then Zipang is definately worth watching.

Very surprised how the JMSDF (Japan Maritime Self Defence Force) sailors handled the situation. There is a moral theme running through the series, focusing on:

(1) The JMSDF has a policy of self defense, to never shoot first no matter what the circumstances.
(2) No JMSDF officer has ever been killed in combat
(3) Human life is sacred, and it must be preserved at all costs.

Early in the series after encountering an unknown atmospheric disturbance, the Aegis cruiser Mirai goes back in time encounters the Battleship Yamato. The ship is part of the Imperial Japanese Navy First Fleet Main Force sailing toward Midway on June 4, 1942.

Using advanced radar, the Mirai identify the First Carrier Striking Force commanded by Vice Admiral Nagumo, and the US Navy ships waiting in ambush including the carriers Enterprise, Hornet, and Yorktown.

Armed with advanced SM-2 Sea Sparrows, Tomahawk missiles, and the latest radar jamming gear, the crew could easily intervene and change the course of history. One modern cruiser could sink an entire fleet of 60 year old warships with ease.

The question comes for the crew - what path should they take? Without a way home, the ship has only a limited supply of food, ammunition, and fuel. Caught in the middle of World War II, the American Navy is actively trying to sink them while the IJN wants to use them to defeat the Allies.