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「ロケットロード」 (Roketto Rōdo)
“Rocket Road”
In a sense, this was an episode about the small things. Perhaps one of the more powerful scenes in this episode was Mutta’s short gesture – where he clenched and raised his fist. It’s a small gesture, but the meaning behind it is larger – it’s a physical representation of the resolve he built last episode and a continuation of his acknowledgement of Hibito. I never fail to be surprised just how much can be put into something so very simple, and it’s one of those things Uchuu Kyoudai has always excelled at.
It’s a small world too – to think that the old man was the one who taught Hibito to fly a jet. I wonder just how long ago he realised who Mutta was, and just how much of his apparent confusion was no more than an act. I imagine we’ll be seeing much more of him if Mutta is chosen to become an astronaut. Now that the launch is over, perhaps we’ll finally return focus to the selection. It would be nice to find out the results of the last exam fairly soon – it feels like it’s been put off long enough by this point.
Continuing in the same trend, it’s amazing how short the trip into space is compared to the road you have to take in order to get there. To think that outer space is less than two minutes away but takes years of training – and an even longer period of dreaming – before you’re allowed to make that short hop. It only takes a small obstacle to divert you from that path too – in Mutta’s case, it was his lack of enthusiasm. Where Hibito never once gave up his determination to become an astronaut, Mutta seems to have quickly become jaded resulting in him losing his way. It’s obvious how much he regrets that and we can see Deneil Young’s words get to him. There are many things that come along in life over which you have no control – things like the weather. But your hopes and dreams are entirely in your own hands. Mutta can only blame himself for losing sight of the path and falling behind on the road to outer space.
‘It’s blinding!’ I feel like there are multiple layers to this statement (particularly the Japanese). There’s the obvious literal sense, but there’s also the splendour that comes from the fulfilment of a lifelong dream and the culmination of where a little hope and hard work can lead you.
tl;dr: @MoombaDS – With the launch over, hopefully we’ll finally return to Mutta’s road to space. #SpaceBros
Random thoughts:
- I still love how Uchuu Kyoudai manages to rope real astronauts into appearing on the show. In this case, it’s Hoshide Akihiko.
- I’m also still quite fond of how easily it manages to inject humour in between the more serious scenes.
- Why is a hot dog called a hot dog? As it happens I already know one part of this – the dog part to be specific. It comes from a time when the consumption of dog meat was not uncommon and sausage manufacturers were frequently suspected of using it in their sausages instead of pork. You can probably find the full story online without too much trouble.
- I find the idea that he gets wild in a jet compared to a car terrifying given his driving skills from last episode.
Full-length images: 11, 15, 25, 35.
Preview
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Omake
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I really dreamt that Hibito died last week.
I was thinking something similar last week. My god if they did that to this series, would be quite some shock. I haven’t watched School Days but I get the impression it would be something as WTF as that haha.
That could be possible and quite dramatic, but it would be too much of a twist to the story (if not making it “out-of-character”) on brothers and their love of space. I guess Hibito has been the one not letting Mutta give up his dream and promise that they made as a kid, so his existence has a purpose to the story and Mutta. Besides, we still want the younger brother to exist for continuing the story on brothers…
I didn’t know Capcom worked with NASA. The Shoryuken suddenly makes sense.
Perhaps he is the “Captain Commander”
Captain Commando? =D
In case somebody doesn’t know about it, the scene in which they asked questions to the astronaut wasn’t in the manga. They actually had a real astronaut in space say lines and voice his own character. Look at the astronaut in the scene and the picture at the end of the episode.
Simply amazing that they had a guy voice his own character from space for an anime.
I loved this episode.
I teared up a little from this episode. Such a beautiful dream. After 20 long years, he’s finally there…
people really do not comment a lot on this series..
that liftoff moment really great, Mutta must be feel really envious that momment
Well, just look to SAO… The Comments there explode over 100+ 🙂 But for me this (SAO) is more for Kids show. Uchuu here, is more for Adults that have Dreams to Reach Space and beyond. Even if they know they cant reach them. Like the Old Men sad, the Life belongs to you. Same as Dreams
I’m sure I’m not the first one to notice this, but image 17 made me realize that JAXA’s logo is very similar to Lockheed Martin’s! They’re both even very close in color.
For anyone that didn’t know, Hoshide Akihiko’s piece was recorded ….. in space.
As in he voiced himself while he was onboard the ISS in September.
If that isn’t F U C K I N G M E T A L, then you simply cannot be pleased.
Whoops, didn’t read Sacchi’s comment.
Well it was so awesome, it needed repeating.