PJ: Koku Kyunan-dan

"We don't just save lives, we save hearts, too!"

Pararescue Jumper was an entertaining look at Japan’s Air Rescue Wing. Featuring the energetic Uchino Seiyou as the pararescue instructor, the drama demonstrated some of the rigorous training the candidates went through in order to graduate. In a high attrition school, the trainees had to learn to not only trust themselves but to also trust their team members with their lives.

Seven trainees are introduced to their unconventional training instructor, Usami Seiji, when he repels out of a helicopter at their welcoming ceremony. The trainees include an airman who was saved by Usami as a child unbeknownst to him, the first woman to make the cut, a General’s son, an orphan, and also a black Japanese man who is always mistaken for a foreigner. With a washout rate of up to 50%, Usami is determined to see everyone graduate this time. Several of the airmen have issues impeding their progress and need his special brand of creative therapy. Usami’s estranged daughter, Yuna, is given permission to tag along in order to research her thesis paper showing her for the first time what her father does for a living.

The animated Uchino Seiyou was perfect for the role of the training instructor who pushed the trainees to their limit but also helped them however he could. With the exception of the black trainee whom the writers had no idea how to write for, the others were given quality one-on-one time with the instructor when they didn’t think they could go any farther. Yuna worried the strenuous mental and physical training was abuse when in actuality it was a gift for people who would be tested by Mother Nature if they succeeded in the program. “Nature is far more unreasonable than I am.”

For a military drama, the tears and hugs flowed freely. Dark secrets and fears revealed themselves as the trainees pushed themselves to their limits and breaking points. Usami was always there to lend a hand or throw it, whichever was needed. The young actors all did a good job of portraying the determined and at times conflicted candidates. At first, they did not comprehend Usami’s madness or his greeting of the “glorious sun.” As they endured and progressed, they came to understand that he was preparing them for a job where death was always close by and answers weren’t always easy.

Aside from the rescuers’ dogged determination and strong desire to help others, the drama emphasized the need for family. Whether it was Usami interacting with his ex-wife and cranky daughter or the trainees opening their hearts to each other and Usami, biological and made families abounded. They might all be carving paths for themselves but no one walked alone. I thought PJ was a compelling and heartwarming drama with interesting characters that provided the audience an insight into the grueling training few complete. These often unsung heroes make calculated life and death decisions as they put their lives on the line to save strangers. Pararescue Jumper did an admirable job of showing the sacrifices these brave people make for the greater good.

10 August 2025
Small note from watching this with someone who had similar training: Running in formation leaning forward will give you shin splints. Straighten up people! And when belaying rappelers, pay attention so that they don’t free fall. If they mess up, don’t tell them to take off their gear, send them back up!

Continuity glitch:
Fujiki injured her left arm but her right arm ended up in a sling. oops!



spoilery comment:





Re: Fujiki They were heavy handed in their acceptance of her, but for the most part it worked. There are no female PGs in the world. The position comes with one of the most rigorous physical tests in the military. For one reason because in war time it would also be combative and the life spans of PGs is very short during a real war.

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