The flickering neon sign of the recruiting office casts a cold glow over Akira Ihotsu’s face as he hesitates before signing his name—this moment, simple yet charged with tension, encapsulates the central struggle at the heart of Yakitori: Soldiers of Misfortune. Hideki Anbo’s 2023 Netflix anime series plunges viewers into a dystopian future where Earth is colonized by an alien-led Trade Federation, and humanity’s only path to escape their oppressed lives is enlistment as expendable soldiers—nicknamed “Yakitori” for their skewered, disposable nature. What follows is a visually striking but narratively uneven exploration of war, exploitation, and the fragile bonds formed under fire.

Adapted from Carlo Zen’s light novel series, Yakitori leans heavily into its military sci-fi roots, drawing clear inspiration from franchises like Starship Troopers and The Forever War. The series’ strength lies in its world-building: the alien worlds are rendered with jagged, industrial designs that exude oppression, while Earth is depicted as a grimy, overcrowded slum. Anbo’s direction excels in these atmospheric moments, using tight framing and high-contrast lighting to create a sense of claustrophobia. The action sequences are particularly well-executed, with fluid animation and rapid cuts that immerse viewers in the chaos of battle.

The series begins with Akira Ihotsu (Taito Ban), a young man from Japan, enlisting in an orbital drop infantry unit at the urging of his friend Vasha Pupkin (Kenjiro Tsuda), a military cook. These infantry soldiers are notoriously expendable, suffering casualty rates as high as seventy percent. 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.

The ensemble cast of the K321 Unit—comprising recruits from various Earth nations—offers the series’ most compelling moments. Taito Ban delivers a strong performance as Akira Ihotsu, capturing his protagonist’s mix of determination and vulnerability. Asami Seto shines as Zĭ hán Yáng, bringing quiet intensity to her role as the unit’s strategist, while Shunsuke Takeuchi’s portrayal of Tyrone Baxter provides much-needed levity with his affable, physically imposing presence. The dynamic between these characters feels genuine, particularly in quieter moments where they grapple with the moral weight of their missions.

However, where Yakitori stumbles is in its storytelling. The series struggles to balance its tonal shifts between gritty war drama and moments of levity, resulting in a disjointed narrative that never fully finds its footing. The first few episodes are bogged down by exposition, as the show races to establish its setting and characters. While this setup is necessary, it leaves little room for deeper exploration of the themes at play.

The political elements—exploring the power dynamics between Earth and its alien overlords—are underdeveloped, leaving viewers with an oversimplified critique of militarism and colonialism. The show’s most intriguing character, Vasha Pupkin (Kenjiro Tsuda), a recruiter with unclear motives, is underutilized, his potential left unexplored amidst the series’ rushed pacing.

The series also struggles to find its identity within the sci-fi genre. While it borrows elements from established military sci-fi franchises, it lacks the depth and thematic resonance that elevate those works. Comparisons to Love, Death & Robots, for instance, highlight the show’s shortcomings in terms of narrative cohesion and originality.

The series’ target audience is likely fans of military sci-fi and anime enthusiasts looking for a visually striking, if shallow, exploration of war and exploitation. However, viewers seeking deeper thematic engagement or compelling character development may find Yakitori disappointing. The show’s potential is evident in its strong performances and atmospheric world-building, but its execution falls short of delivering a satisfying narrative experience.

In the end, Yakitori: Soldiers of Misfortune is a series that excels in moments but falters in its overall structure. Its visuals are striking, and its cast delivers strong performances, but these elements can’t elevate it above its weak dialogue and underdeveloped plot. The series’ potential for deeper thematic exploration is evident, but Anbo’s direction and the script by Mitsuyasu Sakai fail to fully realize this ambition.

The action sequences, while well-animated, often feel disconnected from the broader narrative, serving more as spectacle than as integral parts of the story. This disconnect is particularly evident in the series’ final episodes, which rush to conclude multiple plot threads without sufficient development or resolution.

Despite these flaws, Yakitori: Soldiers of Misfortune offers enough compelling moments and strong performances to hold viewers’ attention. The series’ exploration of the cost of war and the struggle for autonomy within an oppressive system is timely and relevant. However, its execution falls short of delivering a cohesive and satisfying narrative experience.

For fans of military sci-fi and anime, Yakitori: Soldiers of Misfortune may still offer enough to enjoy, particularly in its action sequences and character dynamics. However, those seeking a deeper thematic exploration or compelling narrative may find the series disappointing.