So, this is the episode: they actually got an astronaut to voice a version of himself, as he was in space. You really could hear that he wasn’t a professional voice actor, and instead someone who was more used to giving press conferences.
I kept wondering in what kind of context the creators would put it, but they actually did it in a flashback to when Mutta and Hibito were still kids and got to talk to him along with a number of other kids. That’s quite neat. I also like how they could have shown this segment at any episode the creators would have liked, yet they chose Hibito’s big moment: the moment where he finally achieved his dreams and arrived into space.
The launch itself also was just perfect: there was just as much detail here as last episode, and it’s amazing to actually see so much time spent on just a single launch of a rocket.
This really was an episode that said “You’re next, Mutta”. With all the build-up I kept thinking that they were leading up to this huge death scene, but instead the creators just really wanted to show in full detail what the launch of a rocket would be like, and what it all entails. It’s completely different from the second exam arc in that the number of characters was much smaller, and this wasn’t aimed to get to know them better at all. Still, it worked really well, just because it was so unique. Slow paced series like this are really rare, especially when done right (dragging on is a really big pitfall for them), so I’m really glad with this series.
Rating: 5.5/8 (Excellent)
It’s not a big deal he is not an actor, I think it makes him more natural, albeit it doesn’t fit with the scene considering how all the other character are acting. I just think it’s a huge achievement that gives this anime another medal on its long sash.
I still think getting an astronaut to ‘appear’ as himself in the anime AND record his lines from the International Space Station is a tremendous coup for this show, although I do wonder what his fellow astronauts up there on the ISS thought about it.
The launch sequence was practically cinematic, wonderfully done. I get the feeling that both the original author and the anime makers both have a real love for the subject of space travel.
I don’t know why but I’ve lost a bit of the love that I have for this show. The 2nd Exam arc in the simulated station I thought was awesome, but this one less so. Maybe it’s just gone one a bit too long for me. I still enjoy it though, I just don’t eagerly await the episode like I did before.
That launch. The anticipation leading up to this point really helps with it. This show has been steadily going on for a while and I can’t say my feelings have waned as it progressed. In fact, it might have gotten even stronger due to the fact that Mutta will be going on his journey sometime in the future.
Do you think from a character standpoint that Mutta has any sort of jealousy for his brother?