The Sky Crawlers


The Sky Crawlers is a Japanese novel series by Hiroshi Mori. First published by Chuōkōron-shinsha in June 2001 and spanning six books, it follows the journeys and tribulations of a group of young fighter pilots involved in dogfight warfare, and is set during an alternate historical period. The series is unlike other works by Mori, noted for his series of mystery novels. The series is illustrated by manga artist Kenji Tsuruta. The series was adapted into an animated film, a video game and a manga series.

Publishing history

The first book written and published, but meant to be the last in the series, was The Sky Crawlers, first released in June 2001. A shinshobon edition of the book followed in October 2002, while the bunkobon edition followed in October 2004.
The second, but chronologically first, book in the series, None But Air, was released in June 2004, while the shinshobon edition for this volume followed in October 2004 and the bunkobon edition followed in November 2005. The third book in the series, Down to Heaven, followed in June 2005, while its shinshobon edition followed in December 2005 and its bunkobon edition followed in November 2006.
The fourth book in the series, Flutter into Life, followed in June 2006. The fifth book in the series, Cradle the Sky, was released in June 2007, while the sixth book, Sky Eclipse, a short story collection, was released in June 2008.
The misplaced publishing order was intended to show there is no need to read the story in the chronological order.

Volumes

Tankōbon

Published by Chuokoron-Shinsha.
  • The Sky Crawlers
  • None But Air
  • Down to Heaven
  • Flutter into Life
  • Cradle the Sky
  • ''Sky Eclipse''

    Novels

Published by C Novels, a Chuokoron-Shinsha imprint.
  • The Sky Crawlers
  • None But Air
  • Down to Heaven
  • Flutter into Life
  • Cradle the Sky
  • ''Sky Eclipse''

    Bunko

Published by Chūkō Bunko, a Chuokoron-Shinsha imprint.
  • The Sky Crawlers
  • None But Air
  • Down to Heaven
  • Flutter into Life
  • Cradle the Sky
  • ''Sky Eclipse''

    English translation

The series was released digitally in English from 2016 to 2022 by The BBB: Breakthrough Bandwagon Books, translated by Ryūsui Seiryōin.
  • The Sky Crawlers
  • * The Sky Crawlers: Prologue, Episode 1
  • * The Sky Crawlers: Episode 2, Episode 3
  • * The Sky Crawlers: Episode 4, Episode 5, Epilogue
  • None But Air
  • * None But Air: Prologue, Episode 1
  • * None But Air: Episode 2, Episode 3
  • * None But Air: Episode 4, Epilogue
  • Down to Heaven
  • * Down to Heaven: Prologue, Episode 1
  • * Down to Heaven: Episode 2, Episode 3
  • * Down to Heaven: Episode 4, Epilogue
  • Flutter Into Life
  • * Flutter Into Life: Prologue, Episode 1
  • * Flutter Into Life: Episode 2, Episode 3
  • * Flutter Into Life: Episode 4, Epilogue
  • Cradle the Sky
  • * Cradle the Sky: Prologue, Episode 1
  • * Cradle the Sky: Episode 2, Episode 3
  • * Cradle the Sky: Episode 4, Epilogue
  • Sky Eclipse
  • * Sky Eclipse: Episodes 1-3
  • * Sky Eclipse: Episodes 4-6
  • * Sky Eclipse: Episodes 7-8

    Media

Film

The first novel was adapted into an anime film of the same name, directed by Mamoru Oshii, which was released across Japanese theatres by Warner Bros. Japan on August 2, 2008. Animated by Production I.G, the film was written by Chihiro Itō, features character designs by Tetsuya Nishio and music by Kenji Kawai. The series' creator Mori had stated that he felt The Sky Crawlers was the "most difficult" of his works to adapt, and had given his consent to the making of the film after learning of Oshii's involvement as director.

Video game

A video game, The Sky Crawlers: Innocent Aces, with a plot serving as a prequel to the 2008 film was developed for the Wii by Project Aces, the Namco Bandai team behind the Ace Combat series. It was released in Japan on October 16, 2008. Xseed Games has released the game in North America on January 12, 2010. It was also released by Namco Bandai Games in Europe on February 26, 2010.

Manga

A manga series, based on the game, titled Sky Crawlers: Innocent Aces and illustrated by Yūho Ueji, was serialized in the monthly magazine Monthly Comic Blade from November 2008 issue and collected into two volumes.