Toward the Terra
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| Toward the Terra | |
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 Cover of laserdisc release of Toward the Terra depicting Soldier Blue |
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| 地球へ… (Terra e...) |
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| Genre | Science Fiction, Supernatural, Drama, Psychological |
| Manga | |
| Author | Keiko Takemiya |
| Publisher |  Asahi Sonorama Square Enix Vertical Inc. |
| Demographic | Shōnen |
| Magazine | Gekkan Manga Shōnen |
| Original run | January 1977 – May 1980 |
| Volumes | 3 |
| Manga: Terra e... ~Keith of the Blue Light~ | |
| Author | Fumino Hayashi |
| Publisher | Square Enix |
| Demographic | Shōnen |
| Magazine | GFantasy |
| Original run | May 2007 – ongoing |
| Volumes | Ongoing |
| Radio Drama | |
| Animated film | |
| Director | Hideo Onchi |
| Studio | Toei Animation |
| Released | April 26, 1980 May 4, 1994 |
| Runtime | 113 minutes |
| TV anime | |
| Director | Osamu Yamazaki |
| Studio | Minamimachi Bugyōsho, Tokyo Kids, Aniplex |
| Licensor | Bandai Entertainment |
| Network | MBS-TBS, Animax, Kids Station, RCC Chugoku Broadcasting, SBS |
| Original run | April 7, 2007 – September 22, 2007 |
| Episodes | 24 |
Toward the Terra (地球へ… Terra e...?) is a Japanese science fiction manga series by Keiko Takemiya, serialized in Asahi Sonorama's Gekkan Manga Shōnen between January 1977 and May 1980. In 1978, the manga series won the prestigious Seiun Award, and in 1979 it also won the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōnen/shōjo manga.[1] In 2007, American publisher Vertical Inc. released all three volumes of the manga in English under the title To Terra..., while Japanese publisher Square Enix released a reprint edition of the original manga.
In 1980 it was adapted into an animated movie, produced by Toei Animation and directed by Hideo Onchi. TRSI released the movie in North America as Toward the Terra, on VHS in 1994 and on laserdisc in 1995.
In 2007, the manga was adapted into an animated TV series, animated by Minamimachi Bugyōsho and Tokyo Kids, produced by Aniplex, SKY Perfect Well Think and Mainichi Broadcasting System, and directed by Osamu Yamazaki, which premiered in Japan on MBS-TBS's Saturday 6:00pm time slot (previously occupied by other notable anime series such as Mobile Suit Gundam Seed and Fullmetal Alchemist) on April 7, 2007.
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[edit] Plot
In a distant future where mankind has colonized the stars, life is being controlled by supercomputers. A race of psionics called Mu has emerged, and humanity fears and wants to destroy it. Staying hidden and attempting to rescue as many Mu children as possible before they are eliminated, the Mu have only one longing - to return home.
The plot of Toward the Terra spans a large number of years, jumping ahead multiple times, from Jomy's life on Ataraxia, to the various events on Station E-1077, to Jomy's founding of a Mu colony on a habitable planet, to the humans' invasion of said planet in order to eradicate the perceived threat, and finally to the Mu's return to Terra.
[edit] Characters
[edit] Main Characters
- Jomy Marcus Shin (ジョミー・マーキス・シン Jomī Mākisu Shin?)
Jomy, a student born in the Education City Ataraxia, unknowingly carries the Mu Factor within his genes. On his 14th birthday, he fails his adulthood exam, but is rescued by the Mu from an assassination attempt. Later on, Jomy's dormant powers awaken, and he is confronted with the realization that he is one of the strongest Mu, and the only hope his race has for continued survival.
Unlike most Mu, who suffer disabilities, Jomy has a healthy body. He originally rejects the idea of him being a Mu but comes to accept it later on and succeeds Soldier Blue as leader of the Mu.
- Keith Anyan (キース・アニアン Kīsu Anian?)
Raised in a test tube for the first 14 years of his life, Keith does not remember anything before his non-existent adulthood exam. Labelled as an "android" by Seki Ray Shiroe, he is known for his exceptional mind and elite skills on-board educational station E-1077, on which he befriended Sam. His continued outstanding performance earns him a rapid rise in ranks, and he eventually comes to lead all of Humanity at the young age of 30.
Interestingly, despite being pitted against Jomy several times throughout the series, Keith's portrayal is similar to that of a second protagonist, rather than a "villain". His connections and experiences with the Mu ultimately lead him to betray Grand Mother, and the SD system itself.
- Soldier Blue (ソルジャー・ブルー Sorujā Burū?)
The first leader of the Mu, and the very first Type Blue psion, hence the origin of his name. Having an abnormally weak body, Soldier Blue is reaching his limit, and seeks out Jomy to lead his people, and to ensure the continued survival of the Mu.
- Physis (フィシス Fishisu?)
A blind woman who uses Tarot cards to predict the future, Physis is perceived by Blue to be the 'goddess' of the Mu. She is different from other Mu in that she does not carry the Mu gene, and is an otherwise normal human whom Blue bestowed upon psionic abilities.
- Jonah Matsuka (ジョナ・マツカ}Jona Matsuka?)
A young man with an unwavering and almost twisted loyalty to Keith. Initially believing that his ability to read minds was merely him being 'weird' and unique', Matsuka is in actuality a Mu who managed to trick the system and pass his adulthood exams without detection. His name is incorrectly translated as Makka in Vertical's English translation of the manga.
- Tony (トォニィ Toonii?)
The very first natural birth since the implementation of the SD system, Tony was born to Mu parents on Naska. He marks the first of several similarly-born Mu children who experience rapid growth and powers far superior to many of the other Mu. Despite being hot-headed and rebellious, he holds a deep respect for Jomy, calling him "Grandpa" (despite having no relation to him; however, in the movie version, Tony is depicted as Jomy's son).
- Seki Ray Shiroe (セキ・レイ・シロエ Seki Rei Shiroe?)
A young boy unaware of his Mu powers, he is a freshman onboard educational station E-1077 during Keith's senior years. With a fiery, rebellious nature and vehement dislike for the system, he opposes the perfectly elite and poker-faced Keith Anyan, constantly provoking him and striving to surpass him.
[edit] Mu
- Harley (ハーレイ Hārei?)
The commander of the Mu mother ship. Despite looking older than Soldier Blue, they are from the same generation.
- Leo (リオ Rio?)
A gentle-natured young man born with speech disability, Leo communicates primarily through telepathy. He is one of the first Mu to encounter Jomy, aiding his escape from Ataraxia.
- Carina (カリナ Karina?)
Tony's mother. She is the first female to give birth naturally after the introduction of the SD system's controlled birth program. After Keith stabs the 3-year-old Tony while being held captive on the Mu mothership, Carina is immediately led to believe that he is dead, and she ultimately destroys herself out of her own grief-induced rage.
[edit] Humans
- Sam Houston (サム・ヒューストン Samu Hyūsuton?)
A childhood friend of Jomy, Sam passes his adulthood exam and is placed in the same class as Keith, where the two become close friends. He eventually loses his mind and is reduced to the mentality of am 8-year-old, his mind ironically filled only with the memories of his childhood that repeated memory erasure had forced him to forget. Keith carries Sam's blood in his earrings.
- Swena Dalton (スウェナ・ダールトン Suvena Dāruton?)
Another of Jomy's childhood friends, Swena is placed in the same class as Keith and Sam on E-1077.
[edit] Computers
- Grandmother (グランドマザー Gurandomazaa?)
The all powerful computer that governs mankind. It disapproves of the Mu.
- Computer Terra (コンピュータ・テラ Konpyuuta Tera?)
A computer deep within Earth that appears after the destruction of Grandmother. Originally installed ten years before the S.D. calendar, its calculations showed a high probability of the Mu deciding Earth's destiny. The politicians of that time disapproved of the calculations and went on to build Grandmother.
- Terraz Number 5 (テラズ・ナンバー5 Terazu Nanbaa5?)
One of the nine "Terraz Number" and directly connected to Grandmother. Terraz Number 5 is the computer in charge of the awakening ceremony on Ataraxia.
- Mother Eliza (マザー・イライザ Mazaa Iraiza?)
The mother computer of Educational Station E-1077. She appears as a holographic projection, taking the form of a person familiar to the student. While she acts as counsellor, she is really in charge of the station, frequently praising and favouring Keith, her "child".
[edit] Other
- Weeping Mouse (ナキネズミ Nakinezumi?)
A creature looks like a purple fox. It communicates with its kind using ultrasound and is capable of limited telepathy. It was created by the Mu, but humans were led to believe that it came from a foreign planet. One specimen communicates with Jomy telepathically at Fanatic Dreamworld and is freed from its captivity and follows Jomy to the Mu mother ship later on. In contrast, it is also used throughout the series as a symbol of Keith and Sam's friendship.
[edit] Media
[edit] Manga
The manga series, written by Keiko Takemiya, was originally serialized in Asahi Sonorama's Gekkan Manga Shōnen between January 1977 and May 1980.
The series has won two prestigious awards; the Seiun Award in 1978 and the Shogakukan Manga Award in 1979.[1]
In 2007, American publisher Vertical Inc. released the first two volumes of the manga, titled To Terra... in English. Furthermore, one day before the TV series began airing, Japanese publisher Square Enix published a complete reprint edition of the original manga.
[edit] Releases
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Terra e... vol. 1, (April 6, 2007) Square Enix. ISBN 4-7575-2009-3 Terra e... vol. 2, (April 6, 2007) Square Enix. ISBN 4-7575-2010-7 Terra e... vol. 3, (April 6, 2007) Square Enix. ISBN 4-7575-2011-5 |
To Terra... vol. 1, (February 20, 2007) Vertical. ISBN 1-9322-3467-5 To Terra... vol. 2, (April 24, 2007) Vertical. ISBN 1-9322-3470-5 To Terra... vol. 3, (June 26, 2007) Vertical. ISBN 1-9322-3471-3 |
[edit] Movie
In 1980, Toward the Terra was adapted into an animated movie, produced by Toei Animation and directed by Hideo Onchi. TRSI released a hardsubbed version of the movie in North America. It was titled Toward the Terra, and appeared on VHS in 1994 and on laserdisc in 1995.
[edit] Staff & cast
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Director: Hideo Onchi Producer: Chiaki Imada Art Director: Isamu Tsuchida Writers: Hideo Onchi
Composer: Masaru Satō |
Jomy Marcus Shin: Junichi Inoue Keith Anyan: Masaya Oki Soldier Blue: Taro Shigaki Tony: Toru Furuya Tony (young): Chiyoko Kawashima Seki Leigh Shiroei: Akira Kamiya Sam Heathton: Yoku Shioya Karina: Mami Koyama Zel: Hidekatsu Shibata Jona Macka: Hiroko Yakushimaru Sam Houston: Hiroya Ishimaru Harley: Keiichi Noda Admiral Kuf: Kōji Totani |
Era: Sumie Noguchi Mother Ilaiza: Masako Ikeda Computer Terra: Yasuo Hisamatsu Grand Mother: Kyôko Kishida Teraz No 5:Eiko Masuyama Papa: Banjō Ginga Mama: Toshiko Fujita Doctor: Jōji Yanami Nurse: Yumi Nakatani Police Officer: Masaharu Satō Man in White: Kazuhiko Kishino Boy C of Mu: Tomiko Suzuki |
[edit] TV series
Toward the Terra was adapted into an animated TV series in 2007, animated by Minamimachi Bugyōsho and Tokyo Kids, produced by Aniplex, SKY Perfect Well Think and Mainichi Broadcasting System, and directed by Osamu Yamazaki. The series premiered in Japan on MBS-TBS's Saturday 6:00pm time slot on April 7, 2007. That time slot was previously occupied by other notable animated series, such as Mobile Suit Gundam Seed and Fullmetal Alchemist. It was replaced in this timeslot by Mobile Suit Gundam 00, which premiered in October, 2007.
[edit] Staff & cast
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Narration: Norio Wakamoto Jomy Marquis Shin: Mitsuki Saiga Keith Anyan: Takehito Koyasu Soldier Blue: Tomokazu Sugita Seki Leigh Shiroei: Marina Inoue Toki: Fumie Mizusawa Physis: Sanae Kobayashi Karina: Sayuri Kubo Swena Dalton: Yuki Masuda Sam Houston: Wataru Hatano Mother Computer: Ai Orikasa Helman: Atsushi Imaruoka |
Leo: Daisuke Namikawa Ella:Fumi Orita Harley: Jūrōta Kosugi Nakinezumi: Manami Komori Burau: Minako Ichiki Nina: Sayaka Narita Alfred: Takuma Terashima Zel: Yousuha Akimoto Jomy's Father: Yasunori Matsumoto Jomy's Mother: Yukana Commanding Officer: Hiroki Yasumoto |
[edit] Episodes
[edit] Music
| Opening themes | Ending themes |
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[edit] Animated film
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Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. |
Toward the Terra was adapted into an animated movie in 1980, and released on VHS in North America in 1994 and LaserDisc in 1995.
[edit] References
- ^ a b 小学館漫画賞：歴代受賞者 (Japanese). Shogakukan. Retrieved on 2007-08-19.
[edit] External links
- Official website of TV anime series (Japanese)
- Movie review at SciFi.com
- Toward the Terra (TV) (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
- Toward the Terra (movie) (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
- To Terra... (manga) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
- Toward the Terra (1980) at the Internet Movie Database
