You know what? I think that Space Brothers just got better.
I mean really: this episode was just brilliant and I was incredibly moved at the end of it. Seriously, this is how you write your characters. Every single character was enjoyable to watch, and Mutta’s acting was even better than usual. We now know him for 23 episodes already, and he’s still changing. Most notably his confidence in this episode was completely different compared when he went to Hibito for his first trip. Putting him in weird yet realistic situations only made this better, like when he dressed up for Santa Clause for a part-time job, or when he forgot to charge his train fare. Or take the rest of the cast: I loved how Serika randomly danced around at the end of the episode, or the little tantrum that Kenji’s daughter gave when Mutta visited (hiding behind the curtain was just way too adorable!). Despite the slow pacing, this episode had so many memorable scenes here.
But the real star of this episode was Yuri. I already suspected that now that he would be part of the main team, he’d get some more attention and all, but this episode completely went against my expectations. It without a doubt was one of the best executions of the “This character is put on a bus… oh wait, he is not!”-twist I have seen. With just ten minutes, this guy got a ton of depth, and I never imagined that the past episodes were all building up to that moment. I really got his fascination with aliens, and what he feels he should be doing with his life, but especially the talk he had with his father was beautifully and wonderfully down to earth.
Rating: 7/8 (Fantastic)
It’s amazing the author’s capacity to give real, hearth-felt depth to any character he chooses whenever he wants to.
You just wrote what I was going to comment, I completely agree. At first glance anyone of them seem shallow, but suddenly comes an episode that add depths and reason behind their actions and personality.
Oh, it’s that the first time I’ve seen a 7/8?
I little every part of this episode, and I really find the tantrum of Kenji’s daughter, it felt so real, that’s how the real children are.
It was such a wonderful episode! I really loved the depth they gave to Yuri! They didn’t have some random guy pulling out for random reasons, but had this planned from the start, from Yuri reluctance to sign the form to how he opened up and changed during the episodes, and I love how that slotted in with everything else that was going on during the training. The build up of the music at the end of the scene was also v.moving.
It managed to give us the twist that we wanted!
I love the scene with the cake slices, and also the scene with Mutta having to recharge the card made me laugh, because that is such an embarrassing thing to have happen.
I noticed the reuse of the couple from last episodes scene in Mutta’s imagined scenario of selling cake.
And Serika made me jealous with the Taiyaki, and the random dance was a nice touch.
Very deserving of the 7/8
I agree, though I do wish we’ll see more of Yuri because he was one of the best characters so far and I kind of wished that Muuta and Kenji would’ve have a longer talk, but it was very touching. The scene with Serika’s diary was really pretty.
Actually I love Serika in general. She is a walking proof that women can be written right in anime. Most girls are usually stereotypical, without many flaws. She has her quirks, but she still comes off as lovable.
Best of 2012
Yep! Fantastic for real!
Every single episode is a small masterpiece.
I hope it will be a long series and that won’t end soon.
Best anime of 2012 and maybe one of the most intense and well written ever.
I am still disappointed how the space training did not start yet. And to make things worse, there is another stage of selection??? Will it take 5 episodes to interview all the people??? Will I see any actual space training, not to speak of going actually on a trip to mars? I really don’t see that happening in the remaining 20 episodes when the pacing is so slow. Don’t get me wrong, the show is really good but I expected some actual space action and I don’t think I will see it. Maybe we will see the start of his brother…
I’m loving every episode of this show so far. As for the pacing, I would much rather have a show that is slower paced than one that moves too fast like several series this year.
It was a really good episode, i was happy that both kenji and mutta were able to go to housten. Furthurmore, i really love how the anime always ends the episode with a sentimental kind of setting and transitions to the lovely ending song.