Common Sense Media Review
War story with language, violence is weak on social themes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Yakitori: Soldiers of Misfortune
What's the Story?
YAKITORI: SOLDIERS OF MISFORTUNE tells the story of unit K321, a special unit of Yakitori soldiers who are part of an experimental training program. In a sci-fi future, Earth has been destroyed by invading extraterrestrials. Japanese citizen Akira Ihotsu (voiced by Stephen Fu in the English dub) joins the Trade Federation's intergalactic military to escape a life of poverty and disappointment on Earth.
Is It Any Good?
This military sci-fi anime fails to impress with morally questionable protagonists facing limited consequences, oversimplified character development, and a contradictory central message. Despite being a critique of the oppression humans face in a post-invasion galaxy, Yakitori: Soldiers of Misfortune isn't actually anti-war or anti-prejudice. The very things the humans push back against are the things they enact on other oppressed communities.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence and war. What perspectives do different characters have about the violence they both experience and perpetuate? Why do they have these perspectives? How do you feel about their ideas?
Families can talk about character motivations. What do the human Yakitori soldiers want? The Trade Federation? The people the Yakitori fight against? How do their actions and choices reflect their motivations?
Families can talk about the ending of the story. What problem was the end of the story trying to solve? How do you feel about this solution? What lesson does this ending teach?
TV Details
- Premiere date : May 18, 2023
- Cast : Cherami Leigh , Stephen Fu , Frankie Kevich
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Anime
- TV rating :
- Last updated : August 3, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate