History Literature / YakitoriSoldiersOfMisfortune

* FireForgedFriends: At first Unit K-321 didn't get along and didn't want to even know each other, but after sruviving enough ordeals they now fully trust each other. Likewise between them and the marines.

A series of 2017-2018 sci-fi novels written by Carlos Zen, author of ''Literature/TheSagaOfTanyaTheEvil'' set in a future where the solar system is dominated by different trade federations (whose inhabitants are IntelligentGerbil) who are in constant conflict. Akira Ihotsu is a young Japanese man who enlists in a trade federation orbital drop infantry unit at the recomendation of his military cook friend Pupkin. Such infantry are notorious for their 70% casualty rate, and are nicknamed "Yakitori" for their expendability.

* AirVentInfilatration: Barkan rebels tear their way out of the sewerage pipes to attack Unit K-321, who are suitably grossed out.

* FireForgedFriends: At first Unit K-321 didn't get along and didn't want to even know each other, but after sruviving enough ordeals they now fully trust each other.

* BoundAndGagged: It happens to Unit K-321 [[spoiler:during their Military Trial for unknowingly committing genocide on the Barkans.]]

* FurryReminder: Occasionally the Federation aliens will remind us they're still animals, like one of the cat diplomats licking his paw or Gimel shaking his head like a dog. Likewise the [[RatMen Barkans]] storm the base the 321 is occupying through the sewers.

* SwarmOfRats: Unsurprisinly the Barkans attack in swarms, and they either use guns or send in their suicide bombers.

* RatMen: The inhabitants of Barka are humanoid rodents, who happen to be shorter than humans.

* FreeWheel: The Yakitori's armoured personnel carrier is ambushed by a swarm of RatMen clambering up the sides. One of the ratmen tries to PopTheTires, and somehow this causes the entire wheel to become detached and go rolling off with another ratman desperately clinging to it.
* FurryReminder: Occasionally the Federation aliens will remind us they're still animals, like one of the cat diplomats licking his paw or Gimel shaking his head like a dog. Even the Barkans storm the base the 321 is occupying through the sewers.

* MookChivalry: It's even Lampshaded when Unit K-321 attack their DrillSergeantNasty he thrashes the lot of them despite being outnumbered. He then says their individual skills weren't bad, but [[TeethClenchedTeamwork they are refusing to work together]] and that's what is holding them back, because they should have all attacked him at once. When they learn this lesson and attack him as a group, he informs them that they've completed their training.

* AndTheAdventureContinues: This is how the anime ends, with Unit K-321 sent to Barka for another mission, this time escorting an ambassador and her family.

* BaritoneOfAuthority: Gimel speaks with a pretty deep and authoritative voice fitting for his role as the commander of some dog SpaceMarines, both in [[Creator/WataruTakagi Japanese]] and in [[Creator/PatrickSeitz English]].

* AndTheAdventureContinues: This is how the anime ends, [[spoiler:with Unit 321 sent to Barka for another mission, this time escorting an ambassador and her family]].

* BoundAndGagged: It happens to Unit 321 [[spoiler:during their Military Trial for unknowingly committing genocide on the Barkans.]]

* ExactWords: This is how the defense attorney of Unit 321 [[spoiler:saves them from being found guilty of genocide, since they only acted according to what they knew and what they were ''taught'' with little to no knowledge of the rules of combat, and since Yakitori are not considered citizens but weapons by the Federation, they're not truly liable for the war crime.]]

* HeroicDog: Commander Gimel is a humanoid pug dog and he's far more reasonable than other Federation higher ups. [[spoiler:He even works with Pupkin to exonerate Unit 321 from the Federation's attempt at scapegoating them.]]

* PinkMeansFeminine: Rimel's adjutant is a dog woman and her armor happens to be pink, while his own armor is blue.

* SurprisinglyEliteCannonFodder: Despite the ridiculously high casualty rate for most Yakitori, Unit 321's TrainingFromHell allows them to survive where most others are killed.

* TooMuchAlike: The reason why Akira and Amalia are always arguing is due to both being quite HotBlooded.

A six-episode anime adaptation produced by Creator/{{Netflix}} aired in May 18 2023.

* FireForgedFriends: At first the 321 didn't get along and didn't want to even know each other, but after sruviving enough ordeals they now trust each other.
* FirstNameBasis: At first the 321 referred to each other by their nationalities, but eventually they start using their respective first names.

* MultiNationalTeam: Unit 321 is composed of Akira (Japan), Zihan (China), Tyrone (USA), Amalia (UK) and Erland (Sweden).

A series of 2017-2018 novels written by Carlos Zen, author of ''Literature/TheSagaOfTanyaTheEvil'' set in a future where the solar system is dominated by different trade federations (whose inhabitants are IntelligentGerbil) who are in constant conflict. Akira Ihotsu is a young Japanese man who enlists in a trade federation orbital drop infantry unit at the recomendation of his military cook friend Pupkin. Such infantry are notorious for their 70% casualty rate, and are nicknamed "Yakitori" for their expendability.

* CannonFodder: The reason behind the Instant troops being called Yakitori is due to always having reserves and having ridiculously high casualty rates for those who go to the front lines.

* MookChivalry: It's even Lampshaded when Unit K-321 attack their DrillSergeantNasty he thrashes the lot of them despite being outnumbered. He then says their individual skills weren't bad, but [[TeethClenchedTeamwork they are refusing to work together]] and that's what is holding them back, because they should have all attacked him at once. When they learn this lesson and attack him as a group, he informs them that they've completed their training.

* GodzillaThreshhold

* FurryReminder: Occasionally the Federation aliens will remind us they're still animals, like one of the cat diplomats licking his paw or Gimel shaking his head like a dog.

* SurroundedByIdiots: Gimel feels this way towards the barely trained Instant troops he received to do a diplomatic mission.

* WeHaveReserves: Instant troops, both human and alien are so easily replaced most are just implanted with basic memories of what they're supposed to do instead of receiving actual training.

* PokemonSpeak: Unlike the other Federation aliens, the Barkans are shown to speak only in 'chuu', a reference to the onomatopoeia rats and mice do.

A series of 2017-2018 novels written by Carlos Zen, author of ''Literature/TheSagaOfTanyaTheEvil'' set in a future where the solar system is dominated by different trade federations (whose inhabitants are alien FunnyAnimals) who are in constant conflict. Akira Ihotsu is a young Japanese man who enlists in a trade federation orbital drop infantry unit at the recomendation of his military cook friend Pupkin. Such infantry are notorious for their 70% casualty rate, and are nicknamed "Yakitori" for their expendability.

* SpaceMarines: Gimel commands a batallion composed of dog-people who are Marines.