Stratos 4

Top: TELAR/ZELL/RATO
Bottom: Pressure Suits

Top row: TSR-2MS, Two Yak-28MSTs
Middle row: Raytheon Hawker 800, Four TSR-2MSs
Bottom row: Orbital Station #7, Two SAC-1Bs

File:Stratos4 Trident Missiles.jpg

Top row: Trident Missile (Space)
Middle & bottom rows: Trident Missile (Air)

Stratos 4 (ストラトス・フォー Sutoratosu Fō^?) is an anime series by Studio Fantasia and Bandai Visual, and directed by Takeshi Mori. Originally spanning a 13-episode anime TV series, which premiered across Japan between January 5, 2003 to March 30, 2003, the series was continued onto three OVA-series sequels, the first of which was released on 28 May 2004 and spanned 2-episodes, followed by Stratos 4: Advance, which spanned 6 episodes and was released on 25 March 2005, and Stratos 4: Advance Final, which was released on 22 September 2006 and spanned 2-episodes, respectively.

The series has been broadcast by the anime satellite television network, Animax, across its respective networks worldwide, including East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Latin America, and other regions. The original 13-episode television series and its first subsequent two-episode OVA series were licensed for North American distribution by Bandai's distributive unit across the region, Bandai Entertainment.

Story

Background

Locations

Shimoji Island
- Shimoji airbase
  - Control tower
  - Hangars
  - Runway
  - Classrooms
  - Simulator rooms
  - Gym
- Kouchin Restaurant
  - Boarding house
Okinawa Island
- Agency building
Guam Island
- Andersen AFB
Tanegashima Island
Outer space
- Orbital Station #7
- Orbital Station #8

Technology

Some of the technological devices and systems used in Stratos 4:

Zero-Length Launch (ZELL) system, a TELAR truck-based method for runway-less takeoff of interceptor aircraft, similar to surface-to-air missile launcher trucks
Rocket-Assisted Takeoff (RATO), booster rockets fixed under the wings of the interceptors
Reaction Control System (RCS), a system of puffers used to turn air- and spacecraft in very thin air and outer space
Lightweight Pressure Suits, special suits worn by crews for high-atmosphere and space flights

Vehicles and weapons

The aircraft used in the anime span from the 1950s to the present day. All spacecraft are fictional.

Most aircraft are from the Cold War era, retrofitted with modern powerplants, avionics and flight control systems. The anime demonstrates well a hypothetical joint-use of American, European, Soviet and Japanese technologies for the common goal of shooting down meteor debris and protecting the Earth.

Stratos 4

Aircraft

Name	Image	Type	Number	Description
BAC TSR-2MS		Very-high altitude interceptor	8	Shimoji Island's main interceptor aircraft.
Yakovlev Yak-28MST		Trainer aircraft	4⁺	Fictional aircraft, based on the Yakovlev Yak-28. It is Shimoji Island's main trainer aircraft. The Yak-28MST is not used for weapons training, but only for basic flight lessons, navigation training and air show displays.
Raytheon Hawker 800		Business jet	1	Shimoji Island's main shuttle aircraft between the island and mainland Japan.
CH-47 Chinook		Large transport helicopter	1	Shuttles the airbase staff between Shimoji Island and "some hot springs".
C-17 Globemaster III		Four-engined jet transport	1	Makes an unannounced landing at Shimoji airbase, carrying armed government troops as well as CEMA agents.
SAC-0 "Stratos 0/4"		Prototype interceptor spaceplane	1	A proposed spaceplane, based a highly-modified Convair B-58 Hustler strategic bomber.
Sud Aviation Caravelle		Jet airliner	1	The airliner flown by Mikaze's father. Carries the friends and families of the airbase's staff to the festival in episode 08.
??? aircraft (Magenta-colored)		Personal jet	1	The jet flown by Mikaze's older sister. Has a canard configuration.

Spacecraft

Name	Image	Type	Number	Description
Orbital Station #7		Space station	1	Home of the Comet Blasters. Governed by Commander Miharu Ohzara.
SAC-1B		Anti-comet space interceptor	3⁺	Carries a Trident Missile in the nose, which is launched along with the main body at an incoming comet. The ship's crew separates from the weapon module in an escape pod (the cockpit, basically), which is used to fly back to the space station.

Land vehicles

Name	Image	Type	Number	Description
TELAR		Mobile launch platform for interceptor aircraft	8⁺	8×8 mobile launch platform truck, for Zero-Length Launch (ZLL) takeoffs. They carry the interceptors from the hangars to the launch area.
Small motorbike		Motorcycle	4	Kouchin Restaurant's delivery bikes, used by the 4 protagonists to deliver takeout orders. Also used to travel from the boarding house to the Shimoji Airbase when they wake up late.

Stratos 4: Advance

Aircraft

Name	Image	Type	Number	Description
Mikoyan MiG-31MS		Very-high altitude interceptor	2	Shimoji Island's new interceptor aircraft. Has increased payload and max speed over the TSR-2MS. Launched from the same TELARs.
C-130 Hercules		Four-engined turboprop transport	1	Carries support equipment and spare parts for the two MiG-31MSes, as well as the simulators for those planes. Is also Lud's transport.
Vickers-Supermarine Type-559MS		Experimental interceptor aircraft	1	An experimental interceptor aircraft air-dropped from the YB-60 at medium altitude. Equipped with an ultra-long-range radar, a very advanced flight computer and a simulation missile ("dummy missile") without warhead. Has two rocket engines. Has poor maneuverability.
Convair YB-60		Carrier aircraft	1	Converted jet bomber. Carries the Type-559MS experimental aircraft on the starboard wing between the fuselage and inboard starboard engine pod.

Spacecraft

Name	Image	Type	Number	Description
Orbital Station #8		Space station	1	The new home of the Comet Blasters. Built after the destruction of Orbital Station #7. Governed by Commander Earheart.
Ilyushin Il-SX1		Unmanned interceptor spacecraft	2⁺	Remote-controlled interceptor drone ship. Was supposedly used to avoid risking human lives in comet interception missions.

Weapons

Firearms

Howa Type 64: This rifle was used by Mikaze and others at the shooting range in episode 4.
QBZ-95: This rifle was used by the security forces deployed from a C-17 landed at Shimoji airbase in episode 12.
HK MP5 submachine-gun: The research institute guards shot at the black sedan with this SMG during the car chase scene in episode 11.
Glock 17: Mikaze was shot by Miharu with this pistol in episode 6 of Advance.

Missiles

5 different missiles have been known to be used in the 4 anime and OVA series.

Name	Image	Type	Number	Description
Trident Missile (Air, Regular)		Air-to-air anti-meteor missile	Abundant	The main missile used throughout the Stratos 4 franchise by the ground-based interceptors, TSR-2MS and MiG-31MS.
Trident Missile (Air, Powerful)		Air-to-air anti-meteor missile	Scarce	Two of these missiles were used to shoot down Orbital Station #7 in Stratos 4: Return to Base.
Trident Missile (Air, Dummy)		Air-to-air anti-meteor missile (inert warhead)	Abundant	These missiles are used during practice missions against "virtual" meteors. Also carried by the Type-559MS, which shot one against an actual meteor.
Trident Missile (Space, Regular)		Space-to-space anti-comet missile	Abundant	The main missile used by the space-based interceptors. Its 3 warheads produce 3 rings of plasma, which intersect and projects a powerful, hot beam at the target comet and pulverizes it into smaller pieces, some of which are then picked up by the Meteor Sweepers if the pieces fall into the Earth's atmosphere.
Trident Missile (Special, Stratos 4)		Space-to-space anti-comet missile	Scarce	The missile used by the SAC-0 "Stratos 4" in OVA ??. It is buried in a protective sheath, which is jettisoned at launch.

Flight profile

File:Stratos4 TSR-2MS flight profile.png

Flight profile of the TSR-2MS

In the event a comet approaches the Earth with a high collision probability, all Meteor Sweeper (MS) bases are put on Standby. In the case where the Comet Blasters fail to shatter completely the comet, allowing one or more fragments to fall into the Earth's atmosphere, the Meteor Sweepers in the expected impact zones are dispatched to intercept those fragments.

Stratos 4 focuses on one such MS team, located on the island of Shimoji in Japan. The Shimoji MS squadron operates a fleet of TSR-2MS interceptors, each armed with one Trident anti-meteor hi-explosive missile, and equipped with an internal booster (named "Third Engine") and two booster packs (RATOs).

The aircraft take off in a rocket-like manner where it is launched at an angle from a truck-mounted railed launchpad rather than taking off conventionally by runway (except in episode 10 and OVA 5 of Advance). For redundancy reasons, always two aircraft are launched together per dispatch. The pilots fly the aircraft in a prone position. This is never explained; it is assumed to be used to counteract G-force. At mid altitude (30,000-40,000 ft), the boosters burn out and are dropped.

The TSR-2MSs rise swiftly into the stratosphere, where they fly in an inverted position like the space shuttle before delivering their payload. The "Third Engine" is ignited while inverted. At high altitude (80,000-100,000 ft), jet throttle is reduced, then, at very high altitude (120,000-150,000 ft), "Third Engine" throttle is also reduced. Both aircraft return to an upright attitude, lock onto the target and fire the Trident missile one after another (within approximately 5 seconds apart).

The TSR-2MS is depicted in episode CODE 103: Decision Height as being able to fly high enough to reach low Earth orbit before it runs out of fuel and stalls. The TSR-2MS has no braking chute, but has an arresting hook for emergency landings. The aircraft that "gets the kill" is later painted with a red comet icon on the fuselage side.

With the meteor destroyed, the base returns to Standby.

Episode listing

Stratos 4 (2003-2004)

CODE	Title	Original air date
101	Initial Point "" ()	January 5, 2003	{{{FirstEngAirDate}}}

102	Fox One "" ()	January 12, 2003	{{{FirstEngAirDate}}}

103	Decision Height "" ()	January 19, 2003	{{{FirstEngAirDate}}}

104	Tally Ho! "" ()	January 26, 2003	{{{FirstEngAirDate}}}

105	Go Around "" ()	February 2, 2003	{{{FirstEngAirDate}}}

106	Checking Six "" ()	February 9, 2003	{{{FirstEngAirDate}}}

107	High Speed "" ()	February 16, 2003	{{{FirstEngAirDate}}}

108	Go Gate "" ()	February 23, 2003	{{{FirstEngAirDate}}}

109	Vapor Trail "" ()	March 2, 2003	{{{FirstEngAirDate}}}

110	Mission Abort "" ()	March 9, 2003	{{{FirstEngAirDate}}}

111	Target Merge "" ()	March 16, 2003	{{{FirstEngAirDate}}}

112	Engage! "" ()	March 23, 2003	{{{FirstEngAirDate}}}

113	Final Approach "" ()	March 30, 2003	{{{FirstEngAirDate}}}

X-1	Return To Base "" ()	May 28, 2004	{{{FirstEngAirDate}}}

X-2	Dispersion "" ()	August 27, 2004	{{{FirstEngAirDate}}}

Stratos 4 Advance (2005-2006)

CODE	Title	Original air date
201	Wave Off "" ()	March 25, 2005	{{{FirstEngAirDate}}}

202	Roll Out "" ()	May 27, 2005	{{{FirstEngAirDate}}}

203	Angle of Attack "" ()	July 22, 2005	{{{FirstEngAirDate}}}

204	Clear Air Turbulence "" ()	September 23, 2005	{{{FirstEngAirDate}}}

205	Dash One "" ()	November 25, 2005	{{{FirstEngAirDate}}}

206	Lost Position "" ()	January 27, 2006	{{{FirstEngAirDate}}}

Stratos 4 Advance Final (2006)

CODE	Title	Original air date
207	Cross-Wind Take Off "" ()	September 09, 2006	{{{FirstEngAirDate}}}

208	Piper on the Target "" ()	October 27, 2006	{{{FirstEngAirDate}}}
As the three giant meteors descent, causing mass panic, the CEMA takes a stand aginst them. Commander Reynolds then secured permission to use Stratos 4 craft confiscated earlier, and summons Mikaze, Shizuha, Ayamo, and Karin to pilot them alongside other Comet Blasters and Meteor Sweeper pilots taking care of the last two meteors while Mikaze and the rest destroy the first due to a slight change in misison plan. The mission is completed and the extraterrestrial threat is eliminated. End credits shows the reunion between Sako and Miharu in an abandoned research facility and integration of Rei into the society, as well as fates for other main characters.

Music

The music for Stratos 4 was composed by Masamichi Amano.

Theme music

Opening theme: 1st Priority by Melocure (Ritsuko Okazaki & Megumi Hinata)
Ending themes: Himawari by Melocure (eps. 01-12); So Far, So Near by Melocure (ep. 13); Rainbow Kind of Feeling by Melocure (first OVA series); Chiisa na Uta by Megumi Hinata (second OVA series: Stratos 4: Advance)

Original soundtrack

01 - S.S. Keikaku
02 - 1st Priority (TV size)
03 - Mikaze no Theme
04 - Uturo
05 - Suisei Sekkin
06 - Hijyou Keikai Taisei
07 - Kunren
08 - Kunrensei no Nichijyou
09 - Ashita wo Yume Mite
10 - Nigiyaka na Nakama-Tachi
11 - Akogare
12 - So Far, So Near (TV size)
13 - Kinkyuu Hasshin
14 - Geigeki Kaishi!!
15 - Kyodai Suisei no Kyoui
16 - Semarikuru Kiki
17 - Hisho! Stratos4
18 - Yujyo
19 - Madoromi
20 - Heiwa Heno Inori
21 - Himawari

Character song album

01 - 1st Priority
02 - Tojei Jikake no Tsubasa
03 - Mabushii Kara
04 - Doko ni Ite mo
05 - Sabishii Mama de
06 - So Far, So Near (Acoustic version)
07 - Himawari (TV size)
08 - Unnamed BGM 1
09 - Unnamed BGM 2
10 - Unnamed BGM 3
11 - Unnamed BGM 4
12 - Unnamed BGM 5
13 - Unnamed BGM 6
14 - Unnamed BGM 7
15 - Himawari (Original karaoke)

Trivia

In episode CODE 108: Go Gate, Dita Liebely and Meia Gisborn appear as cameos.
In Stratos 4 Advance OVA episode CODE 206: Lost Position, the movie being shown is reminiscent of Vandread.

Most of the seiyū who provide the voices for the characters in the series also provide the voices for the characters in Vandread. This anime was also directed by Takeshi Mori.
In episode 11 of the TV series, there is a chase between a few cars. In one scene, the license plate is shown. The car has a European license plate with a "D", which stands for Germany. The complete code is "BYA-AD-2003". Note that "BYA" is not an official beginning of a German license plate.
In Mikaze and Shizuha's room, there is an official US Air Force F-15 Eagle Poster. The poster is first seen in episode one and again in other episodes.
The four main characters of Mikaze, Shizuha, Ayamo and Karin make a cameo appearance in Najica Blitz Tactics as the 4 C'zNs (Four Seasons idol group) under the names Haruka, Akina, Fuyuki and Natsuyo.
In the ending sequence of episode 9, an image reminiscent of the Zeon fortress A Baoa Qu can be seen.

External links

Official Stratos 4 website (Japanese)
Bandai Channel's official homepage for Stratos 4 (Japanese)
Stratos 4 (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia

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Stratos 4

Contents

Story

Background

Locations

Technology

Vehicles and weapons

Stratos 4

Aircraft

Spacecraft

Land vehicles

Stratos 4: Advance

Aircraft

Spacecraft

Weapons

Firearms

Missiles

Flight profile

Episode listing

Stratos 4 (2003-2004)

Stratos 4 Advance (2005-2006)

Stratos 4 Advance Final (2006)

Music

Theme music

Original soundtrack

Character song album

Trivia

External links

Fan Feed