Space Brothers (manga)

Space Brothers (Japanese: 宇宙兄弟, Hepburn: Uchū Kyōdai) is a Japanese manga series by Chūya Koyama which has been serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Morning since December 2007. It has been nominated twice for the Manga Taishō, in 2009 and 2010.^[1][2] An anime adaptation by A-1 Pictures aired in Japan from April 1, 2012 to March 22, 2014. It was adapted into a live action film that premiered on May 5, 2012.^[3][4] An anime film premiered on August 9, 2014, titled Space Brothers #0 (Uchū Kyōdai #0 in Japanese).^[5]

Story

In the summer of 2006, Mutta Nanba and his younger brother, Hibito, witness what they believe to be a UFO, which flies off towards the moon. Hibito decides he will go onto the moon whilst Mutta decides he will aim for Mars. Nineteen years later, in the year 2025, and Hibito has become a fully fledged JAXA astronaut assigned to go on a mission towards the moon. Mutta, on the other hand, has not been so successful in achieving his dreams. As Mutta eventually recalls his past ambitions, he receives a letter stating he has been accepted to join a JAXA training program for new astronauts. The series follows Mutta as he seeks to become an astronaut and achieve his longtime dream just like his brother did.

Media

Manga

The original manga by Chūya Koyama began serialization in Kodansha's Weekly Morning magazine in December 2007 and has released 23 tankōbon volumes as of March 2014. While the manga has yet to be available in print form in North America, it is currently available in English as part of a read-only/download-only subscription from Crunchyroll and Kodansha.^[6]

Anime

An anime adaptation by A-1 Pictures began airing in Japan on April 1, 2012 and is being simulcast by Crunchyroll.^[7] The series has been licensed by Sentai Filmworks in North America.^[8] The 31st episode, which aired on November 4, 2012, features the first piece of voice acting to be recorded in space, performed by astronaut Akihiko Hoshide aboard the International Space Station.^[9] A special episode titled "Planetarium: Space Brothers ~One Point of Light~" (プラネタリウム　宇宙兄弟～一点のひかり～, Puranetariumu Uchū Kyōdai ~Itten no Hikari~) was screened in planetariums during Summer 2012 and was released on DVD with the 20th manga volume on February 22, 2013.^[10]

Music

Opening themes

1. "Feel So Moon" by Unicorn (ep 1-13)
2. "Eureka" (ユリーカ, Yurīka) by Sukima Switch (ep 14-26)
3. "Yumemiru Sekai" (夢見る世界, lit. "Dream-like World") by DOES (ep 27-38)
4. "Small World" by Fujifabric (ep 39-51)
5. "Kienai E" (消えない絵, lit. "Non-Disappearing Drawing") by Magokoro Brothers (ep 52-64)
6. "Crater" (クレーター, Kurētā) by Merengue (ep 65-75)
7. "HALO" by tacica (ep 76-87)
8. "B.B." by THE Yatou (ep 88-99)

Ending themes

1. "Subarashiki Sekai" (素晴らしき世界, lit. "This Wonderful World") by Rake (ep 1-13)
2. "Kokuhaku" (告白, lit. "Confession") by Angela Aki (ep 14-26)
3. "Tete" (テテ, lit. "Hands") by Akihisa Kondō (ep 27-38)
4. "Goodbye Issac" (グッバイ・アイザック, Gubbai Aizakku) by Motohiro Hata (ep 39-51)
5. "Beyond" by Miho Fukuhara (ep 52-64)
6. "Yozora no Taiyō" (夜空の太陽, lit. "Sun in the Night Sky") by Flower Companyz (ep 65-75)
7. "New World" by Kasarinchu (ep 76-87)
8. "Anata ga Ireba OK!" by Serena (ep 88-99)

Films

Live Action Film

A live-action film adaptation of Space Brothers was produced by Toho and released in Japanese theatres on May 5, 2012, later being screened at the Japanese Film Festival in Australia later that year.^[11] The adaptation was written by Chuya Koyama and directed by Yoshitaka Mori, with Shun Oguri and Masaki Okada playing the roles of Mutta and Hibito respectively. Real life astronaut Buzz Aldrin plays a cameo in the film as himself. The theme song for the movie is British alternative rock band Coldplay's "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" from their album Mylo Xyloto. The film won the "Best of Puchon" and "NH Nonghyup Citizen's Choice" awards at the 16th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival.^[12]

Anime Film

An anime film titled Space Brothers #0 (Uchū Kyōdai #0 in Japanese) was released in Japanese theaters on August 9, 2014. Manga creator Chūya Koyama wrote the script for the movie.^[5]

Reception

It has been nominated twice for the Manga Taishō, in 2009 and 2010.^[1][2] In 2011, it won the award for best general manga at the 56th Shogakukan Manga Awards^[13] and at the Kodansha Manga Award (shared with Chica Umino's March Comes in Like a Lion).^[14] In 2014, it won the Reader Prize of the 18th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize.^[15]

An asteroid, 13163 Koyamachuya, was named after the creator.

References

External links

• Space Brothers (manga) (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Genki Kawamura Brotherly Love Conquers Space, and interview on JAXA page