Uchu Kyodai (anime)
Space, the final frontier, is the goal for two brothers who are working to realise their childhood dreams of becoming astronauts and exploring our solar system in the new anime Uchu Kyodai (Space Brothers).
The show is based on the manga created by Chuya Koyama and won the award for best general manga at the 56th Shogakukan Manga Awards (2010) and at the Kodansha Manga Award (2011). The production of the animation is being handled by A-1 Pictures, whose previous projects include the Blue Exorcist and Working anime.
In 2006, the young Nanba brothers, Mutta and Hibito, were witness to a UFO sighting which changed the course of their lives. Younger brother Hibito swore he would become an astronaut and go to the moon, where the UFO had flown to; while Mutta swore, as the older brother, he'd go further and one day make it to Mars.
In 2525, Hibito has nearly accomplished his dream. He is an astronaut with Nasa and is on a mission to the moon. Unfortunately Mutta has been sidetracked from his Mars dream and is an award-winning car designer; but after losing his job for headbutting his boss, he finds himself drifting from one menial job to another.
Mutta is set back on course when his mother sends in an application to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency on his behalf and he is shortlisted as one of 315 applicants. Will Mutta join his brother as an astronaut? Keep an eye out for the Namba brothers on Hong Kong screens some time soon.
