Last week, I mentioned that I always root for anime shows to center more on adults. Am I just prejudiced against kids? Maybe. I, however, try to look at it from a different angle. Becoming an astronaut is a lofty dream; you could even say that it’s a farfetched one. Even so, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more laudable goal to have. Mutta’s quest to follow his brother into space, therefore, represents something worthy of our aspirations. He’s someone worth emulating no matter what goal you ultimately set for yourself. The fact that he wants to be an astronaut is just an arbitrary fact of life. Mutta could be trying to become a world class chef for all I care–the message is still the same: work hard for what you love.
When I watch yet another anime starring high school students, and their requisite high school problems, I don’t feel the same enthusiasm that I get from watching someone like Mutta or even Daikichi of Usagi Drop fame (aspiring to be a great dad is just as worthy a life goal). Stories like Uchuu Kyoudai shows us an upward possibility. Shows about high school students feel too much as though we’re imprisoning ourselves in the past (or present), yearning for perfection in a time of life that is all too fleeting and transitory. Oh well, maybe this all sounds incredibly pretentious. And I’m not trying to imply that there isn’t a single high school character in anime without laudable goals. But generally, these are the distinctions I see. Anyway, onto the show.
* * * * *
The Good
• Mutta’s nervousness throughout the latter half of the episode is totally relatable. I’ve never tried out for NASA or anything, but I can understand what it feels like to leave an interview and obsess over every possible detail. Stuff like “Shit, did I ruin my chances?” happens all the damn time.
• But even at his most vulnerable, Mutta’s full of swag.
The Huh?
• Hibito sure looks more like his aunt than his mother. What gives?
The Bad
• The first half of the show felt a little redundant. After all that we’ve been through last week, Mutta still needs extra motivation to become an astronaut? Maybe the story needed extra padding, maybe they really wanted to introduce us to his aunt–I don’t really know. It just felt like the plot was spinning its wheels for a while until Mutta finally decided to attend the tryouts.
• Mutta couldn’t help but fiddle with his chair while he was being interviewed by a bunch of very important men. Here’s a transcript of how Fin and I reacted:
Fin: “[The] chair with [the] loose screw is [a] secret test. Calling it.”
Me: “Sounds like a dumb test. You’re really going to give someone props for being distracted by a chair? Especially during what is most likely the most important interview of their life?”
*minutes later*
Me: “Oh God, you were right. So lame. SO LAME.”
The Ugly
• Mutta’s new buddy Kenji sure looks like that Yaranaika guy. This will become more apparent when he (presumably) passes the trials and gets to don a jumpsuit.
• Throughout the entire auditioning process, we don’t see a single women. It’s not until Mutta sits down at the cafeteria that the anime finally introduces us to a female character at JAXA. Having said that, I’m not really harping about the lack of gender equality in the tryout scenes. I don’t really know how the real JAXA operates. Maybe there really isn’t any woman in the organization (though that’s hard to believe, but even if this was true, there’s no reason the anime needs to be as realistic as possible on this particular subject matter).
Rather, I rolled my eyes at Mutta’s reaction. First, he’s amazed that a woman that pretty would want to be an astronaut. What–are ugly girls only allowed into the sciences? Second, he marvels over the fact that she gives thanks for her food even though she’s dining alone. Instead of thinking, “Whoa, she must be smart” or “She’s brave to tryout for JAXA when the field is so dominated by men,” we concentrate on such inconsequential facts. I’m sure people will think I’m overreacting to this; maybe I should just count it a blessing that Mutta isn’t complimenting her on her looks, well-cooked food, or something similar.
* * * * *
Anyway, this week’s episode of Space Bros isn’t exactly rich in plot development, drama or subtext, but it’s still an enjoyable entry. This is exactly the sort of low-key show that balances out the rest of anime’s more… hyper and/or melodramatic inclinations.
Saw the screw test coming a mile away. I also liked me some ole “Danny Boy” on the trumpet. The good thing about this series is the digging up of past memories to push Mutta’s dream forward. I can’t believe you didn’t notice how good Mutta’s expertise with vehicles is. That’s a great asset towards his goal.
About the lady, I wish Mutta had noticed the grain of rice stuck on the right side of her mouth.
Kenji seems to be nice.
The only high school student I know that had a laudable goal was Koshi Inuzuka from Sumomomo Momomo because he wanted to become a prosecutor, He put a lot of heart and energy into that goal, at least until that martial art war broke out… anyway… yeah… gonna be watching Space Bros, Polar Cafe and Rock Lee this season. Rock Lee’s getting a pounding from angry Bleach fans, but I’m sticking with it. Humor and all that.
See, I laughed at those scenes because the piano is clearly the hardest thing to play. And brass is hella easy (I’ve played a variety of brass instruments for wind ensemble).
That was such a bad anime.
Judging from a quick look at JAXA’s website, it does seem to be a very male-dominated environment (I couldn’t spot a single female name). I would be a bit disappointed in Uchuu Kyoudai if the only significant female character is the token love interest, but since it’s a seinen series I wouldn’t be hugely surprised. Although the wealthy aunt (Is she actually related?) seems like she’ll be an important character too.
(Mind you, I’m also in science and probably would do a double-take if a really well-groomed handsome guy walked in – so that prejudice goes both ways :P)
Well, there’s a difference between “Whoa, that person is hot,” which seems innocent enough, and “Whoa, a hot person wants to be a scientist?!” If you still mean the latter, then I guess I just don’t personally understand it.
More the former combined with a bit of “Whoa, someone who does physics who actually cares about their appearance?!”. I was largely joking though.
I actually interpreted Mutta’s shock as more from the fact that someone so beautiful was doing the same thing as him rather than doing science specifically.
My only point is this: his words can send the wrong message whether or not he intended anything harmful. And even if we swear that we only have good intentions, it’s worth examining why those words can be misconstrued. It’s not like I’m painting a big fat “MISOGYNIST” on Mutta’s forehead; I just don’t think what he said should slip by unnoticed and unaddressed.
Fair enough.:)
There have been two female astronauts produced by JAXA: Chiaki Mukai, who flew on the Space Shuttle program, and the recently-retired Naoko Yamazaki, who spent time aboard the International Space Station.
Hm, both are pretty old. I wonder how much JAXA tries to recruit promising students into the field.
>I’m sure people will think I’m overreacting to this
I thought the whole giving thanks thing was weird too. Don’t people normally do that, even when others aren’t around? If not, is it really that surprising to see?
Maybe young people these days just have no etiquette.
You mean young people in the future.
>What–are ugly girls only allowed into the sciences?
And you too are overreacting. I’ll also overreact.
It is rare that you can meet a beauty IRL. Much more rare that she is smart and trying to become an astronaut. I hope nobody has to ask for your (or anyone’s) permission before secretly staring at and becoming attracted to such a person. Oh boy I sure hope I am not accused of being politically incorrect for being a boring person with a boring life, never meeting any such person.
Also, excuse me for finding the fact that she says thank you (at all, instead of just thinking it) to herself a spectacle as well. Different people do different things, who knew ?
That’s too bad; I meet beautiful people IRL all the time.
The world must be full of wonders for you, then.