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A new animated film based on the widely popular manga series Space Brothers is set to hit theaters across Japan on Saturday, Aug. 9. Based on an original script by Chuya Koyama, Space Brother #0 is said to follow the main protagonists Mutta and Hibito and uncover the “origin of their dreams” of becoming astronauts.
The latest film’s story takes place four years before the first manga. Hibito is a young and inexperienced astronaut who envies the legendary status of the J. brothers, Brian J and Eddie J. However, he is soon chosen by Brian as a backup crew member, who coaches Hibito on the ins and outs of being an astronaut. Hibito is later devastated when he hears the news that Brian has died in a failed return mission from the moon. On the other hand, HIbito’s brother Mutta, who’s given up on his dream of becoming an astronaut, can’t find the words to comfort his younger brother. At this moment, Mutta is bolstered by a nearly forgotten childhood memory, and Hibito is emboldened to continue pursuing his dream by a message left behind by Brian.
The origins of Space Brothers’ main characters Mutta and Hibito are to be revealed in this latest animated film.
■ The untold, true beginnings.
"It’s a promise. We’ll become astronauts together!"
Beginning with a shared childhood dream to become astronauts, Mutto and Hibito Nanba overcome many challenges, each bringing them one step closer to their boundless dream: to stand on the moon as brothers. Space Brothers has been serialized in the weekly magazine Morning since 2008. Since then we’ve been thrilled, and moved to tears, by its skilfully crafted story.
The individual volumes have sold over 14 million copies, and in 2012, after being adapted into a TV anime and a live-action film, the series became widely popular among all age groups. And now, in the summer of 2014, creator Chuya Koyama’s original script will become the series’ first animated feature film and tell the origin of these brothers’ shared dream. This is a story you can’t read in the manga or see in the anime. This is Space Brothers Episode 0.
■ Space Brothers Episode 0 is a story of goodbyes and strength. What is the real reason behind their desire to go to space?
Before the Nanba brothers, there was another pair of "space brothers” that together shared a dream of one day standing on the moon: the J. Brothers, Brian J. and Eddie J.
However, Brian unexpectedly left this world leaving only a message for his backup crew member, Hibito. His death ultimately gives undeniable meaning to Hibito and Mutta’s mutual dream. It’s a obstacle that everyone must face in their life––the loss of a loved one. How do you recover from your loss, and how should you comfort someone else who has lost?
*Space Brothers* Episode 0 is a story of goodbyes and strength.
―STORY―
"So, why did Brian choose me anyway?"
Hibito Nanba, chosen by astronaut Brian J. to be his backup crewmember for lunar rocket CES-43, worries about his new unprecedented responsibility as a rookie, and his own inexperience.
“The chance you’ve been given is both challenging and exciting, and you must use it to the fullest."
After leaving these words behind, Brian embarked on a journey to the moon and finished his duty, only to lose his life in a tragic accident on his way home to earth. Brain and Hibito were unable to meet again. What’s more, as a result of the CES-43 accident, NASA begins to completely reexamine the future of its manned space missions.
On the other hand, HIbito’s older brother Mutta is a salaryman at a car company, working to develop their latest car models. Although he made a promise to his brother that they would become astronauts, in comparison to his brother’s success, Mutta, who has tired of company life and been assigned to work in a rural village, has all but given up on his dreams and can only talk of unrealistic aspirations within his company. In this state, Mutta struggles to find the words to console his broken brother.
“I’m such a good-for-nothing...”
Overcome by a sense of powerlessness, in the back of Mutta’s mind, a childhood memory of playing with Hibito and a certain phrase come back to him…
Original Series: Chuya Koyama (Kodansha Morning)
Director: Ayumu Watanabe
Script: Chuya Koyama
Music: Toshiyuki Watanabe
Theme Song: Unicorn - Hayakuchu Curry, Feel So Moon (Ki/oon Music)
Animation: A-1 Pictures
Voice Performances: Hiroaki Hirata (Mutta Nanba), KENN (Hibito Nanba), Kinryu Arimoto (Eddie J), Akio Ohtsuka (Brian J), and others
Distribution: Warner Brothers Pictures
© Space Brothers CES 2014
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This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article.
