Plot
The Sky Crawlers is set in an alternate history timeline where, although the world is at peace, two rival private corporations—Rostock and Lautern—conduct real aerial combat operations to ease the tension of a population accustomed to war. Their pilots are the Kildren (キルドレ), genetically engineered humanoids who remain physically adolescent and do not age.
Fighter pilot Yūichi Kannami is reassigned to Area 262, where he is given a new aircraft and learns that he has replaced a previous pilot, Kurita Jinroh. The base is commanded by Suito Kusanagi, and Kannami gradually becomes acquainted with the other pilots and the routines of their isolated lives. At a local diner, he meets Fuuko, who reveals that she had a relationship with Jinroh, suggesting that his reassignment follows Jinroh's death. The pilots also speak of a legendary enemy ace known as the Teacher, rumored to be an adult rather than a Kildren.
Kannami later meets Mizuki, who is introduced as Kusanagi's younger sister but is in fact her daughter, highlighting the abnormal passage of time experienced by the Kildren. During ongoing operations, the unit suffers losses, including the death of pilot Yudagawa at the hands of the Teacher. Kusanagi becomes increasingly withdrawn, and her actions suggest a deeper personal connection to both Jinroh and the Teacher.
The pilots are temporarily reassigned to March-Hare base for a large-scale operation that results in heavy casualties. There, pilot Midori Mitsuya begins to question her identity after realizing she has no childhood memories and suggests that Kannami may be Jinroh's successor, retaining elements of his experience. Back at Area 262, a replacement pilot appears who closely resembles the fallen Yudagawa, reinforcing the cyclical nature of the system.
Kusanagi later admits that she killed Jinroh at his request and asks Kannami to kill her as well so that "something might change", but he refuses. As Kannami reflects on the possibility of finding meaning within repetition, he regains memories associated with Jinroh.
During a subsequent patrol, Kannami encounters the Teacher and engages him alone, describing the confrontation as facing a father figure. He is killed in the ensuing dogfight, and the base personnel quietly accept his loss.
In a post-credits scene, a new pilot, Isamu Hiragi, arrives at Area 262. Although his face is not shown, his mannerisms and voice resemble Kannami's. Kusanagi greets him warmly, stating that she has been waiting for his arrival, implying that the cycle of replacement and conflict continues.
