Space Brothers (Japanese: 宇宙兄弟, Hepburn: Uchū Kyōdai) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Chūya Koyama. It has been serialized in Kodansha's seinen manga magazine Morning since December 2007. A 99-episode anime television series adaptation by A-1 Pictures aired from April 2012 to March 2014. The manga was also adapted into a live-action film that premiered in May 2012. An anime film, Space Brothers #0, premiered in August 2014.
Space Brothers
First tankōbon volume cover, featuring Mutta (left) and Hibito Nanba
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, 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.
Mediaedit
Mangaedit
Space Brothers, written and illustrated by Chūya Koyama, has been serialized in Kodansha's Morning since December 6, 2007.[3] Kodansha has collected its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on March 21, 2008.[4] As of September 22, 2023, 43 volumes have been released.[5]
The manga is available in digital form in North America and Europe from ComiXology and Amazon in both volume and SimulPub chapter format. It was previously also available in English as part of a read-only subscription from Crunchyroll[6][7] and Kodansha USA.[8]
Animeedit
A 99-episode anime television series adaptation by A-1 Pictures aired on Yomiuri TV from April 1, 2012, to March 22, 2014.[9] It was simulcast by Crunchyroll.[10][11] The series is licensed by Sentai Filmworks in North America.[12] 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.[13] 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.[14] In January 2024, Chūya Koyama stated that the anime is planned to continue after the manga ends.[15]
"Yozora no Taiyō" (夜空の太陽, lit. "Sun in the Night Sky") by Flower Companyz (episodes 65–75)
"New World" by Kasarinchu (episodes 76–87)
"Anata ga Ireba OK!" by Serena (episodes 88–99)
Filmsedit
Live action filmedit
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.[16] 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 film is British alternative rock band Coldplay's "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" from their album Mylo Xyloto.[17] The film won the "Best of Puchon" and "NH Nonghyup Citizen's Choice" awards at the 16th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival.[18]
Anime filmedit
A prequel 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 film.[19]
^ ab"Space Brothers". Sentai Filmworks. Archived from the original on May 18, 2017. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
^Loo, Egan (December 14, 2013). "Space Brothers Gets Brand-New Anime Film Next Summer". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 12, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
^モーニング NO.1 07年12月06日. e-1day (in Japanese). Kodansha. Archived from the original on January 15, 2008. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
^宇宙兄弟(1) (in Japanese). Kodansha. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
^宇宙兄弟(43) (in Japanese). Kodansha. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
^Loveridge, Lynzee (October 26, 2013). "Crunchyroll to Simultaneously Offer Kodansha Manga in 170 Countries". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on November 13, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
^Pineda, Rafael Antonio (January 13, 2023). "Kodansha Removes 16 Manga Titles From Crunchyroll on January 31". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
^"NYCC Recap: Attack on Titan Anthology, Seven Deadly Sins on Netflix, new print + digital, & more". Kodansha USA. October 19, 2015. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
^宇宙兄弟. Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
^"TV Anime Uchū Kyōdai". Yomiuri TV. Archived from the original on May 16, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
^"Crunchyroll to Stream Space Brothers TV Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 22, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
^"Sentai Filmworks Licenses Space Brothers TV Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
^"Astronaut Successfully Dubs Space Brothers Anime From Space". Anime News Network. October 8, 2012. Archived from the original on September 29, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
^"Space Brothers Manga to Bundle Planetarium Anime DVD". Anime News Network. August 23, 2013. Archived from the original on December 15, 2013. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
^Pineda, Rafael (January 26, 2024). "Space Brothers Author: Anime Planned to Continue After Manga Ends". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
^"Live-Action Space Brothers Plays in Australia". Anime News Network. August 23, 2013. Archived from the original on June 27, 2018. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
^"Rock Band Coldplay Does Space Bros./Uchū Kyōdai Film Theme". Anime News Network. November 8, 2011. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
^"Live-Action Space Brothers Wins Awards at Puchon Film Fest". Anime News Network. August 23, 2013. Archived from the original on July 29, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
^"Space Brothers #0 Anime Film's Teaser Previews Origin Story". Anime News Network. February 8, 2014. Archived from the original on November 14, 2016. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
^"10 Titles Nominated for 2nd Manga Taisho Awards". Anime News Network. January 18, 2009. Archived from the original on May 24, 2009. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
^"10 Titles Nominated for 3rd Manga Taisho Awards". Anime News Network. January 18, 2010. Archived from the original on February 9, 2010. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
^"News: 56th Shogakukan Manga Award Winners Announced (Updated)". Anime News Network. January 21, 2011. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
^"March comes in like a lion, Space Bros. Win Kodansha Manga Awards". Anime News Network. May 12, 2011. Archived from the original on June 9, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
^"March comes in like a lion Wins 18th Tezuka Osamu Prizes' Top Award". Anime News Network. March 24, 2014. Archived from the original on August 9, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
^"宇宙兄弟とは" (in Japanese). Koyamachuya. March 24, 2022. Archived from the original on March 26, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
Further readingedit
"Genki Kawamura Brotherly Love Conquers Space". JAXA. Archived from the original on April 10, 2015.
External linksedit
Official website(in Japanese)
Official manga website at Morning(in Japanese)
Official anime website at A-1 Pictures(in Japanese)