Simply put, 'Bokurano' is about a group of children who are deceived into signing contracts which will see them pilot a giant robot, Zearth, in a deadly fight for survival against alien invaders. The catch, however, is that the robot is powered by the pilot's life energy. Regardless of the outcome, win or lose, the pilot is guaranteed to die and nothing can be done to change that. The inevitability of the characters' fates makes for a difficult and oft heart-wrenching read but one which will reward those few brave enough to see it through.

'Bokurano' can essentially be broken down into a series of story arcs which each focus on the child next chosen to pilot Zearth. They all follow a formula: the reader is shown a little of the characters' backstories, their motivations, how they prepare themselves during their final days and finally the fight itself. Considering there are 15 children, it would be easy for the series to fall into the trap of becoming dull and repetitive, but this is never the case with 'Bokurano'. The series does an exceptional job of developing its core cast and making each child unique from one an other. Some may be more likeable than others but all are sympathetic. Successful characterisation is achieved through a balanced mix of introspection and dialogue, effectively helping to further the impact of each character's death. The pilots aside, the most significant character is Dung Beetle, a mysterious being that first summoned the children to Zearth. Dung Beetle can almost be thought of as a guide or narrator for the series, throwing in little titbits of information throughout the series to help explain some of the sci-fi elements. Fortunately, there is enough intrigue and mystery surrounding his character that he never feels like a mouthpiece for the author. The supporting cast was largely comprised of national defence personnel and relatives of the children, and they all perfectly compliment the core cast of characters. Moreover, the role of parents in 'Bokurano' was beyond tragic. For a parent to have to stand idly by and see their children die, completely helpless to influence the outcome, is one of the most heartbreaking things you could ever see. All-in-all, 'Bokurano' should be commended for creating such a diverse and memorable cast of characters.

Just as 'Narutaru' - another good manga from Kitou - was a deconstruction of the pet monster genre, 'Bokurano' is a deconstruction of the mecha genre. That is, it looks at the practical problems that would arise from having to pilot a super robot in real life. The high chances of mass civilian casualties, the terrifying implications of failure and the massive pressure and stresses placed on the pilots are all shown as harsh truths with zero sugar-coating or beating around the bush. Most significantly, there is absolutely no plot armour. Typical mecha series leads are protected by the fact that their character is integral to the plot of the series, but this is not the case in 'Bokurano'. Anyone can die at any moment, so you are always on the edge of your seat. Now, the words “deconstruction” and “mecha” may lead some to assume that 'Bokurano' is yet another series that aimed to cash in on the success of 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' during the late 90s and early 2000s, but it must be stressed that the similarities here are superficial at best. Thematically speaking the two are worlds apart, which leads us to our next point: its themes.

One of the most famous quotes of all time, oft attributed to Joseph Stalin, is, “one death is a tragedy, a million is a statistic”. Whether it was actually Stalin who said it and whether it was in those exact words is a topic for another day, what matters is the sentiment behind those words and how the idea is explored in-depth in 'Bokurano'. Death is a regular occurrence in 'Bokurano', often on a large scale, and every pilot has their own take on it. Some of the children will aim to minimise casualties by delaying the fight until everyone is safely evacuated, others pay no mind to the surrounding population and consequently cause major collateral damage. It is an interesting play on the trope, to say the least. 'Bokurano' could also be seen as a series about accepting and coming to terms with one's own death. Each child knows that they are unable to alter their fate and how they all react to this knowledge is very different. Some try to live out their last days as happily and peacefully as they can, others mentally break down and cut themselves off from society. The themes in 'Bokurano' may be heavy but they are explored naturally over the course of the series. The pacing is excellent and allows the reader enough time to take everything in before moving on. The story never feels rushed or inorganic and it culminates in the most fitting conclusion the series could possibly ask for.

The super robot fights are secondary to the ideas of the manga itself. Just as Kitou used monsters (or “Dragons”) in 'Narutaru' to tell a coming-of-age story, super robot fights are simply the vehicle through which the themes of 'Bokurano' are explored. That said, the action sequences are still very good and fans of the mecha genre will not be left disappointed. The fights take place in a variety of locations, from city environments to military bases. The enemies themselves come in a variety of forms, from humanoid and insectoid designs to even weapons such as cannons. There are a wide array of attacks, all coming from different angles and ranges. Best of all, the strategies involved are all vastly different. Some fights are over almost instantaneously while some can go on for close to two full days, playing out almost like a game of high-stakes chess. While the super robot fights were never the focus of 'Bokurano', that they remain fresh and thrilling over the entire course of the manga is impressive all the same.

The art is generally solid. The super robots are one of the highlights of the series, varied in design and drawn on a massive scale. The designs are more abstract than your typical mecha series, resembling something closer to 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' than 'Gundam', but suit the atmosphere of 'Bokurano' perfectly. Also of note are the aircraft designs. Kitoh has something of a reputation for his detailed vehicle designs and his passion for aviation shows through with some very meticulous work. Shading, in particular, was used to great effect to create depth. Backgrounds are also well done and scene composition in general is sound. Where the art falls a little short, however, is in its human character designs. There are few distinguishing characteristics that set the core cast apart, so the characters can appear a little “samey”, for lack of a better word. Most are drawn with thin bodies and the same subdued expressions, so it takes a bit of time before one can discern between the cast. Ultimately, the artwork in 'Bokurano' may not be as awe-inspiring or detailed as what you would find in a Kentarou Miura or Hiroya Oku manga, but it perfectly compliments the mood that Kitoh was trying to achieve with 'Bokurano'.

Overall, 'Bokurano' is not a manga that I could readily recommend to anyone. It depicts a cruel, nihilistic world where children are at the forefront. It is a tragic story with some shocking content yet, unlike 'Narutaru', it never felt gratuitous. In the wrong hands 'Bokurano' easily could have been passed off as edgy trash but Kitoh handles it with a level of maturity which hadn't yet been displayed in any of his previous works. 'Bokurano' is and will likely remain Kitoh's magnum opus, his crowning achievement in an impressive catalogue of work. If you are looking for a darker take on the mecha genre then you could certainly do a lot worse than 'Bokurano'.