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「それぞれの覚悟」 (Sorezore no Kakugo)
“Individual Resolve”
There can be no more fitting title for this week’s fanservice-laden episode. While I had originally expected it to focus entirely on the dangers of spaceflight (which it did in part), it instead delved more into each of the main cast’s resolve.
For some it showed us the reasons behind their resolve, for others merely its magnitude. In Kenji’s case, it’s the latter – despite knowing he would miss two years of watching his daughter grow up, he still wants to make the journey to Mars. His desire to see the grandeur of its landmarks wins out. Towards the end of the episode, we learn the reasons behind Serika’s desire to go into space – to board the ISS, apparently the only place where a medicine for the incurable disease which killed her father can be created. A noble goal if ever there was one! Hibito’s resolve wasn’t explored quite to the same extent as the others – we know he’s written wills which would show his dedication, but this is standard procedure for all astronauts anyway. I get the feeling that Brian Jay forms at least part of the reason behind his strength of will these days. Mutta, while he definitely doesn’t lack resolve, is the only character who lacks strong reasoning behind his wish, something which definitely bothers him. His desire is entirely encompassed in becoming an astronaut. I personally find no fault with this, though perhaps others might.
So what did I mean by fanservice? Okay so it may have partially been a feeble attempt to draw more people in, but there was actually some truth to it as well! The amount of space-related fanservice this episode was brilliant. From the many shots of the ISS, to the reentry we see in Mutta’s nightmares and even to the inside of the Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center, there were more than enough glimpses of Mutta’s potential future to satisfy any space fans.
On the topic of reentry, it would seem my guess last week was correct – as we learn from Mutta’s nightmare and subsequent reasoning behind it, Brian Jay was killed, along with the two other members of his crew, during a failed reentry in 2023. The probability of parachute failure is not overwhelmingly high, but neither is it extremely low. Reentry capsules are fitted with three parachutes, though only two are actually necessary with the third merely acting as a backup (which was fortunate in the case of a the Apollo 15 reentry). As to how likely it is for parachutes to tangle, I can only say that the Soyuz 1 suffered exactly that, leading to the very first in-flight fatality in spaceflight.
Next episode we’ll be moving on to the third round of tests! I’m both surprised and glad about this – I was a little worried they might drag out the downtime between tests some more, but it’s good that we’re pressing forwards again! I for one am extremely curious as to what it will involve. I suspect that it might feature intense simulations, similar to those Hibito faces for training, but we can only wait and find out!
Random thoughts:
- I wish they had this sort of technology on the flights I’ve endured! Nice to catch some glimpses of the technological advancements in the next thirteen years.
- Every time. Every. Single. Time.
- It’s also nice to reunite once more with Kenji and Serika after their extended absence!
- It would seem that despite being one of the five who passed, that guy remains unreasonably bitter about Mutta’s connections to Hibito. I wonder if something will come of this…
- I’m guessing we probably won’t be going to Mars in this series unless there’s an enormous time skip. In fact, whether we’ll see Mutta in space at all is still very much up in the air.
Full-length images: 01, 06, 07, 12, 18, 20, 21, 22, 28, 35, 36.
Preview
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Omake
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aww does ISS really exist?
Yup. But not yet.
Yes, the International Space Station does exist, as does the Japanese Kibō module that Serika needs. And Cross…the ISS has been occupied and running for over 11 years now.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Space_Station
thanks for your answer, this anime gave so much knowledge about space XD
Though it’s nice to have a great resolve, it does not need to be noble. You can be selfish sometimes. Moreover, you can find it as you go on your own journey like what was said in the preview.
Though this episode has a serious undertone, it made me lol several times. 😀
I think wanting to be an astronaut for the sake of becoming one is the purest resolve. You truly enjoy all work and challenges that is part of what being an astronaut is.
Of course, that is not to say other reasons are any less admirable or commendable.
That sore loser that kept taunting Mutta was seriously irritating.
Even so, good episode. I was really in awed when that guy waved from the ISS and it panned out. It really makes me realise how small the world is.
I saw through that comment about fanservice and knew that you were referring to the stuff about space and all the equipment. I am so smart! *Pats own head*
Unfortunately, it also meant I couldn’t resist taking a peek at the rest of the screenshots, reading through the whole post and finally making this comment. Damn, spoiled the whole episode for myself. =(
Random comment: They did a great job on the little details with the toothed rear engine rims on that ANA Boeing 787.
yup, noticed it too ^^. That’s quite a unique design
Obviously someone mis-engineered those chute cannons or the drogue chutes. BAD. They should have enough stability that they wouldn’t twist around each other.
shit happen
Are we supposed to let NASA off the hook when they say that at the press conference?
Full signal on a plane? Guess they’ll have found the way to keep mobiles from interfering with communications by 2026.
Man- they even including the photos (laptop) of the Space Shuttle Challenger and Columbia disasters. I remember those vividly. Space travel is definitely dangerous. (the other one was the Soyuz 1).
I really like how they incorporate reality into the series.
Kenji’s daughter did it for me tbh kawaii moment ka – pe
and that weird hand thing, her character was portrayed really well albeit brief