Flag (anime)

Flag (フラッグ) is a 13-episode Japanese mecha-genre anime series directed by veteran director Ryosuke Takahashi. It was broadcast as pay per view streaming web video on Bandai Channel starting on June 6, 2006. Episodes 1 and 2 were scheduled to be broadcast on the anime PPV channel SKY Perfect Perfect Choice ch160 Anime from August 18, 2006. Stylistically, the series makes use of a still and video cameraman POV, as well as "web cam" images to create a documentary-like narrative, despite being an animated drama.

Setting
Saeko Shirasu is a 25-year-old war frontline photo-journalist who became a celebrity after taking a picture of civilians raising a makeshift UN flag in war-torn Uddiyana. The image then became an instant symbol for peace. However, just before the peace agreement is achieved, the flag was stolen by an armed extremist group in order to obstruct the truce. The UN peacekeepers decide to covertly send in a SDC (pronounced as Seedac—Special Development Command) unit to retrieve the flag. Because of her connection with the "Flag" photo, Saeko Shirasu was offered the job of following the SDC unit as a frontline journalist. The SDC unit is equipped with an HAVWC (High Agility Versatile Weapon Carrier—pronounced "havok") mecha armored vehicle.

Main characters & casts
Shirasu's Front Akagi's Front
 * Saeko Shirasu —25-year-old frontline war photo-journalist
 * SDC Unit
 * Capt. Chris Eversalt —female commanding officer of the SDC unit, HAVWC mecha pilot
 * 2nd Lt. Nadi Olowokandi —transport and scout helicopter pilot
 * 2nd Lt. Hakan Aqbal —transport helicopter pilot
 * 1st Lt. Rowell Su-Ming —intelligence officer
 * 1st Lt. Jan Nikkanen —back-up pilot and intelligence support officer
 * 1st Lt. Christian Beroqui —engineer and mechanic, technical support
 * 1st Lt. Shin Ichiyanagi —HAVWC mecha pilot
 * Keiichi Akagi —Saeko's senpai (senior) and friend. Veteran cameraman working for the Photo Agency "Horizont".
 * Lisa —Fellow journalist
 * Naraya —Akagi's local informant

Production staff
Produced by The AnswerStudio and Aniplex
 * Created by Ryosuke Takahashi
 * Directed by Ryosuke Takahashi, Kazuo Terada
 * Written by Toru Nozaki
 * Character design by Kazuyoshi Takeuchi
 * Mechanical design by Kazutaka Miyatake

Music

 * Music composed by Yoshihiro Ike
 * Sound Director by Keiichi Momose
 * Ending Theme LIGHTS by Eri Nobuchika
 * Artist: Eri Nobuchika
 * Lyrics: Eri Nobuchika
 * Music: Shinichi Osawa