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. 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 premièred on May 5, 2012. An anime film premièred on August 9, 2014, titled Space Brothers #0.
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, 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 37 volumes as of February 2020. The manga is available in digital form in North America and Europe from ComiXology and Amazon as both volume and SimulPub chapter format. It is also currently available in English as part of a read-only subscription from Crunchyroll and Kodansha.
Anime
An anime adaptation by A-1 Pictures aired in Japan beginning April 1, 2012 and was simulcast by Crunchyroll. The series is licensed by Sentai Filmworks in North America. 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. A special episode titled "Planetarium: Space Brothers ~One Point of Light~" was screened in planetariums during Summer 2012 and was released on DVD with the 20th manga volume on February 22, 2013.
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. 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 16thPuchon International Fantastic Film Festival.
Anime film
A prequel anime film titled Space Brothers #0 was released in Japanese theaters on August 9, 2014. Manga creator Chūya Koyama wrote the script for the movie.
Reception
It has been nominated twice for the Manga Taishō, in 2009 and 2010. In 2011, it won the award for best general manga at the 56th Shogakukan Manga Awards and at the Kodansha Manga Award. In 2014, it won the Reader Prize of the 18th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize. An asteroid, 13163 Koyamachuya, was named after the creator.
