Bokurano

Fifteen kids at a seaside summer camp stumble on a hidden grotto filled with functioning computers and strange gear, and they meet a man who calls himself Kokopelli. He convinces most of them to test a new "game" that centers on piloting a giant robot to fend off alien attacks, and they sign a contract before waking up on the shore thinking it was all a dream. As the group returns to normal life, the game proves to be real, pulling each child into situations that test their loyalties, values, and endurance. The story tracks how ordinary youngsters cope with impossible responsibility, the moral decisions they face, and the personal cost of fighting for something bigger than themselves.

Aired in 2007, the series is an adaptation of Mohiro Kitou's manga, presented as an animated TV show. Key voice cast includes Junko Minagawa, Akira Ishida, Naomi Shindo, Yuko Sanpei, and Kana Asumi.

The series didn't win major industry awards, and it wasn't a typical festival darling. Instead, recognition came mostly from niche anime circles and critics who wrote about its stark tone and ethical questions rather than from trophy cases.

Over time Bokurano built a dedicated, if small, following. Fans and commentators cite it in conversations about darker, more morally complex takes on mecha, and it often shows up in lists or threads debating how the genre can handle themes of responsibility, innocence lost, and the burden placed on young people.

Critical reception has been mixed, reflected in a modest average rating around 6.6 out of 10 from viewers. Reviewers often praised the series for focusing on character psychology and morally thorny scenarios, while some viewers criticized its pacing and bleak outlook. The show will likely appeal to viewers who want a thought-provoking, character-focused sci-fi drama rather than a conventional heroic mecha saga.