Bokurano

Bokurano is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mohiro Kitoh. It was serialized in Shogakukan's Ikki magazine from 2003 to 2009, and later compiled into 11 tankōbon volumes.

The story centers on a group of fifteen children who, during a summer camp, stumble upon a mysterious cave near the beach. Inside, they find a man named Kokopelli, who claims to be a programmer developing a new reality simulation game. He persuades the children to sign a contract to play the game, promising them an exciting experience. However, they soon discover the "game" is far more sinister and deadly.

Each child is assigned to pilot a giant mecha called Zearth. They must pilot Zearth to fight against other mecha controlled by other groups of pilots, with the fate of the Earth hanging in the balance. What the children don't initially realize is that piloting Zearth comes at a tremendous cost: the life force of the pilot is drained during each battle, leading to their inevitable death after their turn. Furthermore, the survival of the Earth depends on each battle being won; if Zearth loses, the Earth is destroyed.

The series explores themes of sacrifice, responsibility, despair, and the heavy burdens placed upon children. It's known for its dark and tragic narrative, complex characters, and the moral dilemmas the children face as they are forced to confront the consequences of their choices in a seemingly impossible situation.

Bokurano was adapted into an anime television series directed by Hiroyuki Morita, which aired in Japan from April to September 2007. While the anime follows the general premise of the manga, there are significant differences in plot, character development, and ending.