First Impressions / Uchuu Kyoudai

「足りない日々」 (Tarinai Hibi)
“Days of Missing”

Houston, Texas, home of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, quite possibly the location of many childhood dream vacations. This makes it even more surprising that Mutta was unable to put aside his doubts and feelings of inferiority to visit the center during this episode. Perhaps it was the thought of following Hibito there when the older brother should always be ahead (even if it was only because Hibito woke up and left earlier than he did) or maybe he just needed some time to get his head straight. Either way, this episode took some time to knock some sense into him once again. It seems that at every turn, Mutta’s resolve wavers a little and someone needs to put him back on the correct path.

This episode, that job was shared between Hibito and an elderly couple who live nearby. It’s pretty clear that how Hibito views him has always weighed heavily on Mutta’s heart. During their childhood, they viewed each other as rivals, always competing to be the best. I can’t imagine how it must have felt for Mutta to have been so far ahead only to watch Hibito begin to pull into the lead during their middle school years. To hear that Hibito now considers him ‘boring’ for not even trying to put up a fight (I actually agree with Hibito here, not that he’s boring, but that he shouldn’t let things get him down quite so easily) must have been pretty tough.

While Mutta apologises to the Smiths for any trouble Hibito may have caused them, suggesting that Hibito has a screw loose in the process (this is pretty much a natural reaction to hearing that someone has been telling stories about you and being unaware of their contents, I can attest to that), the couple point out something that has probably been the major factor in setting him back on track: if Hibito is missing anything, it’s Mutta himself. Hibito has always expected Mutta to join him as an astronaut – he probably never even considered the possibility that they would take different paths when they were younger. It’s evident in the little pushes and the current disappointment he shows in Mutta that he believes in his brother. He knows that Mutta has what it takes to join him. At the same time, this belief is something of a burden for Mutta – things aren’t anywhere near as easy as Hibito makes them seem, at least not from his view.

In a way, the two brothers make the perfect team. Hibito is lax when it comes to fixing minor details, things like unhooked curtains and burnt out light bulbs. Mutta on the other hand obsesses over them, making sure that everything is exactly as it should be. Together they would likely cancel out each others flaws – Mutta’s attention to detail stopping problems arising from minor errors while Hibito’s greater fitness would allow him to take on the more physically challenging roles. However, looking at it from a slightly different angle, Mutta’s correction of all the minor problems his brother overlooks could be seen as no more than picking up Hibito’s slack. Instead of standing ahead or even walking alongside him, Mutta would be trailing along behind, cleaning up any mistakes his younger brother makes. This is definitely not what Mutta wants and I hope Uchuu Kyoudai doesn’t portray it like that too often in the future.

Just as Mutta finally realises that one of the main reasons he’s no longer ahead of Hibito is because he stopped trying so hard, we cut overseas for some distressing implications. It’s quite the nasty cliff-hanger for us viewers – leaving Mutta’s future as an astronaut so heavily in question – but it’s important to note that the decision to cut him from the program was specifically a ‘what if’ statement, so all hope is not lost. However… the speaker did also state that he would make the cut with no hesitation whatsoever. This, in combination with knowing that Mutta’s former boss (the headbutt victim) had told them Mutta was a poor candidate, leaves everything very much up in the air.

Random thoughts:

Full-length images: 05, 08, 14, 15, 19, 27, 30, 32, 35

 

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Omake

22 Comments

  4. They mentioned a movie where a guy covered the moon with his thumb. Somehow that sounds very familiar, and I also remember a scene where the same guy made it to the moon and was covering the earth with his thumb? Wonder what movie that is…

    Also, Apo is adorable.

    SuzushinaYuriko
    Reply

  6. Once again, another great episode. I was anticipating this one in particular all week to see how they would depict Houston (my city). I have to say, they really did their homework. About 85% of what was shown was relatively accurate. Though I would like to point out some nitpicking mistake:
    1) The “Sun Park” is most likely mistaken with an actual park here called “Discovery Green” located in the center of downtown.
    2) The paper that Muta read was named “Houston Journal” while in actuality its the “Houston Chronicles
    3) LOL, I really do wish the Metro (public transportation system) was that fancy.
    Really nice work on the animation side. Looking forward to the next one.

    DeltaMkII
    Reply

    1. 1) Actually if you look closely, it’s Hermann Park that he’s supposed to be in. You can see McGovern Lake & Miller Outdoor Theater in the background in the map if you look closely
      2) Yeah, the Houston Chronicle (no ‘S’ at the end though). Hard to believe it will still be here in 2025 and that people will still get their news from printed papers
      3) Actually the bus Mutta is riding is the IAH shuttle direct that Metro runs from IAH to Downtown. I rode it once and yes it really is that nice. Much like the Park -n-Ride buses Metro operates.

      The Dragon King
      Reply

  7. I was disappointed with Hibito’s english. I thought, he’s living in America!

    Then I read Mutta’s english. Lol! The big brother should stay ahead of his little brother indeed!

    underMebius
    Reply

    1. Lol, I noticed that too. Hibito’s note was seriously crappy Engrish.

      I couldn’t beleieve the producers only focussed on the missing H in Johnson. Ah well, Japanese and English, a combination that is just not meant to be.

      Arntor
      Reply

  8. it’s bloody inevitable that the anime will catch translated manga by next week’s 6th episode. The publication of the translated manga is so slow, it’s a joke! Only 2 chapters into the 2nd volume is out when there are like 17 volumes of this thing already out for a while now.

    Now I can no longer read your comments all smug as I won’t know any spoilers. Darn it~~~!!! Curse it all~~. I feel so normal now. Well…. there is also the Uchū Kyōdai japanese live-action movie trailer (which is apparently coming out soon). It’s on youtube if you dare…. Mega spoilers are in it (even though I have zero interest in the live action stuff, I watched it to satisfy my spoiler urges…) Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

    passing
    Reply

  9. Tbh. I find Hibito more and more to be just another self absorbed prick. I know his reactions are primarily meant to get Mutta back on track for the storyline to progress but damn, a little bit of consideration for his brother would be welcome. He seems to me to see Mutta solely as a antagonist to compete against and if he doesn’t fit into that persona, as an useless extra
    Well, it’s a feelgood series but still.. i find it somewhat annoying

    Arntor
    Reply

  10. Another awesome episode and it again portrays really well how different these two brothers are and where it has led them in this game of life. One of the greatest aspects of this show is how it never fails to prompt me to reflect upon myself and it’s unfortunate I’m more like Mutta than Hibito, a paranoid who worries too much about everything. Living in the NOW is always easier said than done and it’s definitely something I intend to work towards =)

    Seishun Otoko
    Reply

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