In a world of apparent peace, conflicts have shifted from international to corporate battlegrounds. Yuuichi Kannami, a newcomer in Area 262, serves as a contracted pilot without much fanfare. Yet, as he settles into his role, enigmatic secrets begin to surface. The Sky Crawlers follows Kannami's journey as he delves into the enigma of the 'Kildren'—humans engineered to remain perpetually young with heightened reflexes—and his enigmatic predecessor, the renowned 'Teacher.' However, it is the connection between all this and the base commander, Suito Kusanagi, that troubles Kannami the most. As he seeks answers within Area 262, the revelations he uncovers may demand a steep price he's unprepared to pay.