高机动幻想 ～新结行军歌～

The story is set in a world parallel to our own. In 1945, at the end of the Pacific War, mysterious creatures of unknown origin launched an attack on humanity. They were numerous, ferocious, and the larger ones even emitted miasma. Over time, these creatures came to be known as "Phantom Beasts." All human resistance proved futile against them, and as a last resort, nuclear weapons were deployed. However, this only resulted in widespread radioactive contamination of their own lands, with no other effect. By 1999, much of the world lay in ruins, but humanity had begun to adapt to the Phantom Beasts' assaults, and the conflict evolved into a protracted war. With the deployment of weapons such as the combat robot HWT and the ultimate bomb PBE (which functions similarly to a small black hole), humanity finally gained the means to resist the Phantom Beasts. Japan, too, had passed the "Student Conscription Act" two decades earlier, selecting suitable middle school students to join the Youth Army. Unlike the regular military, the Youth Army members attended school during peacetime but were dispatched for combat whenever Phantom Beast alerts sounded. They operated in squads as their basic combat units, with instructors overseeing their daily studies and lives, while squad leaders took charge of battle command. When not engaged in combat, they appeared no different from ordinary students. The squad to which HWT pilot Atsushi Hayami of the 5121st Unit belongs is a standard Youth Army formation. In addition to their studies, they must defend their homeland through combat. One day, a new transfer student, Mai Shibakawa, joins the 5121st Unit from another division. Despite her exceptional HWT piloting skills, she is hot-tempered, assertive, and difficult to get along with. In contrast, Atsushi Hayami is a gentle and easygoing person, earning him the nickname "Softie" among the girls. The cunning instructor, Mr. Sakamoto, pairs these two in a dual-seat HWT. During their first simulated training, Atsushi is quickly stripped of control by Mai. However, as battles progress, their coordination gradually improves, and feelings begin to develop between them... The story is adapted from the famous PS game "GUNPARADE MARCH." Although set against the backdrop of war, it primarily focuses on the authentic lives of the students in the 5121st Unit, rich with everyday atmosphere. The intense battles do not overshadow the daily lives of these youths risking their lives, and there is no sense of complaint—perhaps because they have grown accustomed to it. The tension of combat is not overtly felt, and they rarely show emotion in the face of their comrades' deaths. Through this story, one can also understand how the conscription system of the time robbed many young people of their lives and youth, placing immense psychological pressure on them. The daily loss of peers is far from a pleasant topic. The overall tone of the story is well-balanced, blending sorrow and gravity over fallen comrades with the lighthearted humor of student life. Unlike many similar series filled with high-level conspiracies, this is a relatively positive and uplifting work, highly recommended.