Ranked #423

Futatsu no Spica (Manga)

Twin Spica is a gem among science fiction manga. While the story is told in a futuristic setting, it does not always portray space development optimistically. Earth in the first quarter of the 21st century seems no different than it did in the late 20th century. It is in this premise that the protagonist, whose dream of reaching the stars was born out of tragedy, seeks to bring joy to the people around her through sharing her love for space. Twin Spica is as much a tragic story of human drama as it is an uplifting coming-of-age tale.

Kou Yaginuma's art is drawn in a way that makes readers want to absorb every corner of the manga panels to fully immerse themselves in the environment of the story. Changes in the atmosphere of the story are reflected in subtle changes within the art style itself. This provides a refreshing approach so that readers do not become accustomed to one style. Flow of the story is as fluid as the artwork. One could not ask for better art to reflect the dramatic moments of the story, except if every page of the series were drawn in color.

Character development is a primary drive to the story of Twin Spica, and the interactions among every characters, both leading and supporting, are never without purpose. Readers follow the journey of five eager teenagers who seek to become astronauts in a prestigious national space academy. Each of the primary characters were introduced with sufficient characteristics to make them unique within the story, but readers soon find out that each has his or her own secrets that others do not know. One by one, they are forced to face these challenges together and individually. Tragedy also features prominently as a defining moment in their developmental years. Character backgrounds are explored through carefully timed flashbacks and further explain particular actions within the story.

It is difficult not to enjoy this series for its nostalgic feel. Twin Spica reflects the mixed optimism and melancholy experienced by young adults, especially in Japan. Readers can more or less empathize with the characters (through the primary storyline) and the the author (through well written semi-autobiographical sketches at the end of each manga volume). The significant number of references to historical events, objects, and persons related to space exploration makes Twin Spica a very realistic story with a small twist of fantasy. It does not aim to instruct, but rather to make readers approach their own experiences as optimistically as they can, knowing full well that there will be challenges.

Twin Spica was a nominee in the 49th Japanese National Science Fiction Convention award for best comic series, a domestic equivalent of the Hugo Awards, in 2010. It was listed by the U.S. Young Adult Library Services Association as one of the 2011 Great Graphic Novels for Teens. read more