Space Brothers (manga)

Space Brothers (宇宙兄弟) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Chūya Koyama. It has been serialized in Kodansha's manga magazine Morning since December 2007. A 99-episode anime television series adaptation by A-1 Pictures aired from April 2012 to March 2014. The manga was also adapted into a live-action film that premiered in May 2012. An anime film, Space Brothers #0, premiered in August 2014.

By November 2025, the manga had over 34 million copies in circulation. In 2011, Space Brothers won the general category at both the 56th Shogakukan Manga Award and the 35th Kodansha Manga Award.

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

Space Brothers, written and illustrated by Chūya Koyama, has been serialized in Kodansha's manga magazine Morning since December 6, 2007.[4] In March 2026, it was announced that the manga would end in three chapters.[5] Kodansha has collected its chapters into individual volumes. The first volume was released on March 21, 2008.[6] As of July 23, 2025, 45 volumes have been released.[7] The series is set to end with its 46th volume.[8]

The manga is available in digital form in North America and Europe from ComiXology and Amazon in both volume and SimulPub chapter format. It was previously also available in English as part of a read-only subscription from Crunchyroll[9][10] and Kodansha USA.[11]

Anime

A 99-episode anime television series adaptation by A-1 Pictures aired on Yomiuri TV from April 1, 2012, to March 22, 2014.[12] It 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" (プラネタリウム 宇宙兄弟~一点のひかり~) was screened in planetariums during Summer 2012 and was released on DVD with the 20th manga volume on February 22, 2013.[13] In January 2024, Chūya Koyama stated that the anime is planned to continue after the manga ends.[14]

Music

  • Opening themes
  • 1) "Feel So Moon" by Unicorn (episodes 1–13)
  • 2) "Eureka" (ユリーカ) by Sukima Switch (episodes 14–26)
  • 3) "Yumemiru Sekai" (夢見る世界) by Does (episodes 27–38)
  • 4) "Small World" by Fujifabric (episodes 39–51)
  • 5) "Kienai E" (消えない絵) by Magokoro Brothers (episodes 52–64)
  • 6) "Crater" (クレーター) by Merengue (episodes 65–75)
  • 7) "HALO" by tacica (episodes 76–87)
  • 8) "B.B." by THE Yatou (episodes 88–99)
  • Ending themes
  • 1) "Subarashiki Sekai" (素晴らしき世界) by Rake (episodes 1–13)
  • 2) "Kokuhaku" (告白) by Angela Aki (episodes 14–26)
  • 3) "Tete" (テテ) by Akihisa Kondō (episodes 27–38)
  • 4) "Goodbye Issac" (グッバイ・アイザック) by Motohiro Hata (episodes 39–51)
  • 5) "Beyond" by Miho Fukuhara (episodes 52–64)
  • 6) "Yozora no Taiyō" (夜空の太陽) by Flower Companyz (episodes 65–75)
  • 7) "New World" by Kasarinchu (episodes 76–87)
  • 8) "Anata ga Ireba OK!" by Serena (episodes 88–99)

Music

  • Opening themes
  • 1) "Feel So Moon" by Unicorn (episodes 1–13)
  • 2) "Eureka" (ユリーカ) by Sukima Switch (episodes 14–26)
  • 3) "Yumemiru Sekai" (夢見る世界) by Does (episodes 27–38)
  • 4) "Small World" by Fujifabric (episodes 39–51)
  • 5) "Kienai E" (消えない絵) by Magokoro Brothers (episodes 52–64)
  • 6) "Crater" (クレーター) by Merengue (episodes 65–75)
  • 7) "HALO" by tacica (episodes 76–87)
  • 8) "B.B." by THE Yatou (episodes 88–99)
  • Ending themes
  • 1) "Subarashiki Sekai" (素晴らしき世界) by Rake (episodes 1–13)
  • 2) "Kokuhaku" (告白) by Angela Aki (episodes 14–26)
  • 3) "Tete" (テテ) by Akihisa Kondō (episodes 27–38)
  • 4) "Goodbye Issac" (グッバイ・アイザック) by Motohiro Hata (episodes 39–51)
  • 5) "Beyond" by Miho Fukuhara (episodes 52–64)
  • 6) "Yozora no Taiyō" (夜空の太陽) by Flower Companyz (episodes 65–75)
  • 7) "New World" by Kasarinchu (episodes 76–87)
  • 8) "Anata ga Ireba OK!" by Serena (episodes 88–99)

Films

Live action film

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.[15] 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 film 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 16th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival.[16]

Anime film

A prequel anime film titled Space Brothers #0 (Uchū Kyōdai #0 in Japanese) was released in Japanese theaters on August 9, 2014. Manga creator Chūya Koyama wrote the script for the film.[17]

Live action film

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.[15] 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 film 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 16th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival.[16]

Anime film

A prequel anime film titled Space Brothers #0 (Uchū Kyōdai #0 in Japanese) was released in Japanese theaters on August 9, 2014. Manga creator Chūya Koyama wrote the script for the film.[17]

Reception

Space Brothers 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 (shared with Chica Umino's March Comes In Like a Lion). In 2014, it won the Reader Prize of the 18th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize.[18]

By November 2025, the manga had over 34 million copies in circulation.[19] In 2024, alongside Case Closed, Space Brothers won the grand prize of Rakuten Kobo's second E-book Award in the "Long Seller Comic" category.[20]

Further reading

References

  1. Allen Moody. Space Brothers THEM Anime Reviews, December 22, 2014, retrieved October 19, 2024^
  2. Egan Loo. Space Brothers Gets Brand-New Anime Film Next Summer Anime News Network, December 14, 2013, retrieved August 12, 2018^
  3. Space Brothers Sentai Filmworks, retrieved August 12, 2018^
  4. http://www.e-1day.jp/morning/magazine/2007/12/06_1540.html e-1day, Kodansha, retrieved July 15, 2021^
  5. Rafael Antonio Pineda. Space Brothers Manga's Finale Slated After 3 More Chapters Anime News Network, March 19, 2026, retrieved March 19, 2026^
  6. https://kc.kodansha.co.jp/product?item=0000013802 Kodansha, retrieved October 2, 2023^
  7. https://www.kodansha.co.jp/comic/products/0000415233 Kodansha, retrieved July 23, 2025^
  8. Rafael Antonio Pineda. Space Brothers Manga Listed to End in 46th Volume Anime News Network, July 15, 2025, retrieved July 16, 2025^
  9. Lynzee Loveridge. Crunchyroll to Simultaneously Offer Kodansha Manga in 170 Countries Anime News Network, October 26, 2013, retrieved November 21, 2022^
  10. Rafael Antonio Pineda. Kodansha Removes 16 Manga Titles From Crunchyroll on January 31 Anime News Network, January 13, 2023, retrieved June 19, 2023^
  11. NYCC Recap: Attack on Titan Anthology, Seven Deadly Sins on Netflix, new print + digital, & more Kodansha USA, October 19, 2015, retrieved November 22, 2022^
  12. https://mediaarts-db.bunka.go.jp/id/C14701 Media Arts Database, Agency for Cultural Affairs, retrieved November 22, 2022^
  13. Space Brothers Manga to Bundle Planetarium Anime DVD Anime News Network, 2013-08-23, retrieved 2013-08-27^
  14. Rafael Pineda. Space Brothers Author: Anime Planned to Continue After Manga Ends Anime News Network, January 26, 2024, retrieved January 26, 2024^
  15. Live-Action Space Brothers Plays in Australia Anime News Network, 2013-08-23, retrieved 2013-08-27^
  16. Live-Action Space Brothers Wins Awards at Puchon Film Fest Anime News Network, 2013-08-23, retrieved 2013-08-27^
  17. Space Brothers #0 Anime Film's Teaser Previews Origin Story Anime News Network, 2014-02-08, retrieved 2014-08-21^
  18. March comes in like a lion Wins 18th Tezuka Osamu Prizes' Top Award Anime News Network, 2014-03-24, retrieved 2014-07-30^
  19. https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000404.000077656.html Tokyo Dome Corporation, November 28, 2025, retrieved November 29, 2025^
  20. Rafael Pineda. Berserk of Gluttony, Dungeon People, Oblivion Battery Manga Win 2nd Rakuten Kobo e-Book Awards 2024 Anime News Network, June 3, 2024, retrieved June 3, 2024^
  21. 10 Titles Nominated for 2nd Manga Taisho Awards Anime News Network, January 18, 2009, retrieved 2010-09-30^
  22. 10 Titles Nominated for 3rd Manga Taisho Awards Anime News Network, January 18, 2010, retrieved 2010-09-30^
  23. Rock Band Coldplay Does Space Bros./Uchū Kyōdai Film Theme Anime News Network, 2011-11-08, retrieved 2011-11-11^
  24. Astronaut Successfully Dubs Space Brothers Anime From Space Anime News Network, 2012-10-08, retrieved 2012-10-09^
  25. Crunchyroll to Stream Space Brothers TV Anime Anime News Network, retrieved 2012-09-09^
  26. March comes in like a lion, Space Bros. Win Kodansha Manga Awards Anime News Network, 2011-05-12, retrieved 2011-05-15^
  27. News: 56th Shogakukan Manga Award Winners Announced (Updated) Anime News Network, 2011-01-21, retrieved 2011-01-22^
  28. Sentai Filmworks Licenses Space Brothers TV Anime Anime News Network, retrieved 1 July 2012^
  29. TV Anime Uchū Kyōdai Yomiuri TV, retrieved February 4, 2012^