What a fun start. I hadn’t been this interested in a show in quite a while, to be honest. I’m glad I get to come back to the blog right on time to cover a show that’s right up my alley! I really enjoy sci-fi space anime and Kanata no Astra’s premiere made me pretty hopeful about enjoying this show in the long term. It’s still quite early to say of course and I don’t think it’s perfect by any means, but I’m definitely excited.
The basic setting of Kanata no Astra is slightly reminiscent of the early 2000s Uninhabited Planet Survive, which I really loved, so as I see a group of young students with a mission get stranded in space away from adult supervision and with their own determination to survive, I’m hopping onto the train right away! I don’t really expect this to be anything like Planet Survive beyond my initial impression though, I’m looking forward to the story developing on its own.
First things first, I must say the episode itself was quite a ride and a well-paced one in my opinion. From the opening sequence where we see one of the characters drifting in space and minimal and stylish credits overlap to the nicely timed corny jokes. Following that tense sequence where stars are even blurred in disorienting ways the episode jumps back in time to introduce one of our main characters Aries Spring. I thought she was going to be the focus of the show until later on when Kanata is introduced.
I liked Aries a lot. She has a cute design and she’s clumsy but that adds a touch of comedy to the mix. The interactions between her an Kanata border on ridiculous, but they toy the line between funny and touching during the whole episode. I’m quite curious about the rest of the cast too as they seem to be a varied crew and for a first episode they developed a strong presence for each cast member, even if they had to take shortcuts in some cases, like the apologizing girl or the grumpy emo kid.
Now, like I said before, it isn’t perfect by any means. There are a few details in the show there are a bit too convenient not to feel contrived. The fact that every kid seems extremely different from one another even though they were selected at random is a bit suspicious (not in show, mind you, I’m not trying to say the teachers planned it), what are the odds? Although I guess in future space, it might be possible. I’m curious to know if other groups of children and their missions will be mentioned at some point or if this was just a ‘we need a reason for a 10 year old to be in the crew so let’s make up whatever’. The fact that they have to comment on what a miracle it is that their on the spot plan of connecting planets on their trip to get the resources they need is possible, but there’s just one possible route makes it a bit hard for me to suspend my disbelief. Honestly I would have prefer something like 3 or 4 routes being possible and then them choosing one for either practical reasons (less planets to visit) or choosing becoming a bit of a confict.
I suppose the reason for this deliberate plan of just five planets and starting their voyage right away is mostly due to the original work’s length and I suppose in manga you have to get started in the meat of the story as soon as possible, but well, it didn’t tarnish my enjoyment completely or anything like that, I just thought I would have liked for it to feel less miraculous and contrived.
Either way, I’m fairly sure I’ll be covering this show and I’m looking forward to find out what’s in store from now on.
Possibility of watching: Guaranteed
Possibility of blogging: Very high
This was everything I wanted for this series. I’m not much of a manga reader – I usually only pick up a manga after I watch its anime adaptation to see what was done different in the source material. I stumbled across someone recommending this series pretty early in its run, and I was immediately hooked. It’s not a terribly long series, but I had so much fun waiting for each new chapter. I’m so glad it got an adaptation, and it’s always more interesting to follow along with bloggers and experience a series through someone else’s eyes. I’ll just have to keep biting my digital lip so that I don’t spoil anything.
Aries and Kanata deservedly steal the show this episode. (I’m sure we just got a double episode for the premiere, but I would not turn down this show getting an hour long slot every week.) I look forward to the rest of the group getting their time to shine as the story unfolds.
“Honestly I would have prefer something like 3 or 4 routes being possible and then them choosing one for either practical reasons (less planets to visit) or choosing becoming a bit of a conflict.” They cut this detail, I guess due to runtime, but in the manga the route wasn’t actually as neat and clean, they had to adjust some variables (like planning to ration food and water for themselves extra carefully) to make the route work. Doesn’t affect the story by cutting out this detail but sounds like it’s one you would’ve appreciated.
That makes so much sense, thanks for letting me know. I’ll probably check out the manga after I finish the show. I can understand it not affecting the story but it did seem a little bit too easy and I’m kind of critical about narratives like this. It’s just a tiny thing though and it didn’t turn me off the show at least 🙂
Astra will be 12 eps long; 2 Bluray/DVD releases with 6 eps each.
https://twitter.com/livechart_me/status/1146233601794531328?s=21
The good news is that Astra’s source manga ended in 2017, compiled into 5 manga volumes. The question now is if all 5 volumes of content can be covered in 12 eps.
According to this Tweet from the end of December 2018, Astra’s creator (who also made Sket Dance) is currently on extended rest, working on a new compilation edition of Sket’s manga and “planning a new work”. He doesn’t want to work so hard, owing to “new parenting life” and ongoing “shoulder joint inflammation”.
https://twitter.com/kentashinohara_/status/1079251773125144576