is a Japanese novel series written by Carlo Zen and illustrated by so-bin. It began publication by Hayakawa Publishing in August 2017.

Licensed by Netflix, an original net animation (ONA) series adaptation by Arect premiered in May 2023.

Plot Set in a future where Earth and the wider solar system are dominated by powerful alien-led trade federations, which are constantly locked in constant warfare. Humanity exists under the influence of a superior extraterrestrial civilization, and opportunities for advancement are limited. Seeking to escape the constraints of his life in Japan, Akira Ihotsu enlists in an orbital drop infantry unit at the urging of his friend Pupkin, a military cook. These infantry soldiers are notoriously expendable, suffering casualty rates as high as seventy percent, being given the nickname "Yakitori," likening them to skewered meat.

As a member of this unit, Akira is deployed into brutal interplanetary conflicts where survival is uncertain and loyalty is tested. The series follows Akira's experiences on the battlefield and within the ranks of the federation's forces, portraying the cost of ambition in a system that treats soldiers as disposable assets in a vast power struggle.

Characters

Japanese member of the K321 Unit known as Yakatori who values his independence but lacks cooperation.

Chinese member of the K321 Unit who is calm under pressure and is a good strategist.

American member of the K321 Unit who is good natured and physically very strong.

Swedish member of the K321 Unit who is withdrawn and tries to encourage the others to cooperate.

British member of the K321 Unit who is strong-willed and outspoken, and inclined to act rashly. ; Russian Vasya Pupkin

Recruiter for the Trade Federation who enlists Akira and known as the "cook".

Bulldog-like commander of a section of the Trade Federation forces.

Authoritarian and brutal training commander of Yakatori units who tries to get the K321 Unit to work as a team.

Artificial Intelligence assistant hologram allocated to the K321 Unit.

Media Novel Written by Carlo Zen and illustrated by so-bin, the series began publication by Hayakawa Publishing on August 8, 2017. As of April 2018, two volumes have been released.

Volumes

Anime An original net animation was announced at AnimeJapan on March 25, 2023. It was produced by Arect and directed by Hideki Anbo, with Mitsuyasu Sakai writing the scripts, Atsushi Yamagata designing the characters, and Ken Ishii composing the music. It premiered on Netflix on May 18, 2023.

Episodes

See also Blade & Bastard, a light novel series with the same illustrator Overlord, a light novel series with the same illustrator The Saga of Tanya the Evil, a war themed light novel series with the same author

References

External links