Uchuu no Stellvia

After reading the synopsis for Stellvia of the Universe (Uchuu no Stellvia in Japanese) I immediately had to find and watch it. I love storylines about mankind being brought to near extinction by something that could realistically happen, which in the case of Stellvia is a gamma ray burst from a nearby star going supernova. Surprisingly however, the plot premise was the last thing that drew me into Stellvia while I watched it. At first glance Stellvia doesn't look anything like the post apocalyptic anime it advertises itself as, in fact the Earth and the people on it all look pretty damn good considering 99% ... of the population was wiped out less than two hundred years ago. So, I instinctively thought that I became a victim of false advertisement once again--or rather a victim of my own assumptions--but as Stellvia progressed and characters became more developed I realized that there was a lot more to enjoy about this anime than its primary story arc.

Stellvia of the Universe reminds me of several different animes. The school life portion of the series gave me some serious Azumanga Daioh vibes. There is actually a lot of charm and humor that comes with watching Shima Katase and Arisa Glennorth bounce comments back and forth, and when you throw in a bunch of other interesting students and instructors it only adds to the fun. The serious portion of the series, which involves space training and combat, reminds me quite a lot of series' like Vandread. While the outer space scenes don't pack nearly as much action as fans of the genre would expect, they aren't boring to watch either. Stellvia is more of a psychological anime than it is an all-out sci-fi action one. Even though there are a few tense and exciting moments of high speed space action, the majority of the series takes place inside of the cockpit where we get to see the emotions of the individual pilots. This was an interesting route to take, and it works greatly to Stellvia's advantage. As the series goes on emotions begin to flare, so unlike Azumanga Daioh, Stellvia of the Universe does get serious, and tears are shed on more than one occasion.

Speaking of tears, Shima Katase wins my vote for 'Biggest Drama Queen in the History of Anime.' Shipon (the nickname Shima respectively earns early on in the series) manages to cry more times in the course of Stellvia than I care to count. To be completely honest, I can't remember a single episode where she didn't have tears running down her face at least once, including the very first episode. At first I was able to sympathize with her, but after seeing her pouty face a dozen or more times I felt the urge to leap into my television and repeatedly punch her in the face. While the entire human race is facing the biggest threat they've ever encountered this girl bitches and moans over the littlest of things, which includes not being as good of a pilot as her boyfriend (boo-friggin-hoo). While this sort of angst-ridden lead character is what helped ruin Neon Genesis Evangelion for me, Stellvia of the Universe provides the audience with plenty of characters to fall in love with and enough plot developments to keep the focus off the annoying drama queen. Although it is worth mentioning that the Shipon character does redeem herself towards the very end of the series, thankfully.

Stellvia of the Universe is a very character driven series, with well over a dozen different characters all with distinct personalities and agendas. If you don't like one character, there is a good chance you'll like somebody else. This is what made Stellvia so enjoyable to me, that I was able to attach myself onto several different characters in very different ways. Stellvia also doesn't have any true villains, a void that is filled mostly by fierce rivalries between some of the students. I guess it can be said that the real villain of the story is the cosmic disaster mankind is pitted up against; a faceless, mindless, merciless monster that will eradicate the entire solar system without a second's thought unless the genius preparatory students (Shima Katase and her boyfriend Kouta Otoyama) do something about it.

Stellvia of the Universe does get a little carried away later on in the series, and goes in a direction I least expected--aliens. Yes, during the latter half of the series aliens are introduced into the storyline. Luckily (or unluckily, depending on your outlook) these aliens remain mostly hidden in the background of things, although there is one major character revealed to have connections with the aliens later on. As some of you may know, I'm a big fan of aliens and alien/human conflict, but the introduction of aliens in the story of Stellvia felt rather unnecessary to me. I guess if we're ever going to see aliens in real life it would be during a time of galactic crisis like the one presented in Stellvia, but going so far as having an alien masquerade as a high ranking human official is stretching things a bit too much for my comfort. In an anime that is otherwise pretty grounded, the aliens of Stellvia might manage to make a few eyes roll.

If you're a real die hard science geek you may also find it hard to swallow the plot that Stellvia of the Universe revolves around. The idea that mankind can survive a gamma ray burst from a nearby star is certainly a romantic one, but not very likely. With the ozone layer destroyed it would take many years before people could just walk around the planet as if it were a normal day, and the radiation levels would be so high that even people hiding in shelters would be swiftly killed. Also, a gamma ray isn't going to act like a nuclear bomb and blow buildings down as if they were made of straw. And don't even get me started on the 'cosmic fracture' introduced later in the series. But, they don't call it science FICTION for nothing.

I simply loved the audio in Stellvia of the Universe. The OP song, Asu e no Brilliant Road (Brilliant Road to Tomorrow), is one of the best OP songs I've heard in quite some time, and I had trouble bringing myself to skip the opening scene during the start of each episode because of it. The various ED songs, Kirei na Yozora (Beautiful Night Sky), The End of the World, and Dear my best friend are all pretty good as well, with my favorite being Kirei na Yozora; it has that really catchy J-Pop factor, which resulted in me struggling to stop myself from humming it while in the shower. All of the theme music is done by Angela, so I'll be sure to check out her work from now on. The voiceovers in Stellvia are quite good as well, but I can't comment too much on the Japanese audio since I didn't listen to much of it. The English audio is nice though, with all of the voice actors playing their roles respectively. If I decide to ever watch this series again I'll consider watching it in the Japanese audio, since I hear the Japanese voice actors did a truly superb job.

The animation in Stellvia is a nice blend of traditional drawings and computer graphics, and it's pleasant to see that an anime like Stellvia can pull off CG without looking too dated or generally awkward. Character and scenery designs are all great, with each character animated to perfection with their corresponding personality traits, and with each location looking distinct from each other. I actually felt like I was aboard the Stellvia myself while watching, as the anime takes you everywhere from the dorms to the air ducts. The only way to see more of the fantasy space station would be to obtain the blueprints. There is a few recycled sequences here and there, but not really enough to take your attention away from the good stuff.

Stellvia of the Universe is what I would consider a hidden gem. It's not the kind of anime I would expect my friends to bring up during a conversation, and when asking people online for their opinions on it I constantly got the same reply: 'I've never heard of Stellvia.' This is a real shame, because Stellvia is exactly the kind of anime there isn't enough of. Where are all the sci-fi animes that take themselves seriously without being dull, or having a dull cast of characters? Or for that matter, how many animes have you seen where literally dozens of characters are properly developed, and who are each likable or unlikable for their own reasons? In my experience an anime with such qualities is rare. Stellvia of the Universe isn't perfect by any means, but if I said it wasn't one of the best anime experiences I've had in a while I'd be lying. Overall, Stellvia of the Universe is a well crafted piece of entertainment, one that you shouldn't avoid.

My Score: 9.5

Version Watched: English Dub

I LOVED this anime. It had a very unique storyline that kept me interested until the end. There was very few fillers, and the characters are realistic (being that they don't have out of proportion body parts, random personalities).

It has romance, action, unexpected twists, I think it is definitely worth watching but the first episode explains everything so it might be a little boring for some people.

And for those who love space, pretty images of the universe, you'll get a huge dose of it :)

Length: 26 episodes
Original Airdates: 4/03 - 9/03
Demographic: Seinen
Genres: Adventure, Drama, Mecha, Romance, Sci-Fi, Post-Apocalyptic

Plot Synopsis
The year is 2356 A.D. - 189 years after a distant supernova caused a global catastrophe that wiped out 99% of the world population. To keep track on all space activities, mankind has built colossal space stations called "foundations" all over the Solar System. After passing the Space Academy entrance exams, Shima Katase embarks to the Earth-based foundation Stellvia to fulfill her dream of seeing the galaxy and to prevent another interstellar catastrophe from destroying Earth.

Personal Opinion
So when I saw the first few episodes of Stellvia, I was thinking... "This is ... WAY to cheerful to be a post-apocalyptic anime". Well considering the other post-apoc anime I had seen was Evangelion... I wasn't wrong to think so. So the first 8 episodes do a really good job of establishing the universe that Stellvia was situated in. By episode 13, here is what i noticed
- It had some really interesting characters
- A romance that nearly everyone would appreciate
- Plenty of character development
- A beautiful storyline and animation
- Limited by heartpounding action

Had it ended on ep 13... it would probably tied with Gurren Lagann as my favorite anime... Unfortunately... Stellvia took a downturn heading into the 2nd half... the characters that we were interested in suddenly started to get annoying. The romance goes nowhere. And the character development gets muddled in frequent crying outbursts.
The only thing that didn't go downhill was the animation and the action. The epilogue was also kind of anti-climactic.

Overall.. this anime would've worked really well if it were split into 2, 13 episode seasons.
As for my reccomendation... watch it for the first half, expect to be dissapointed by the 2nd half

1st half: 10/10
2nd half 6/10
Overall: 8/10

Similar to...
- Eureka Seven
For the same reasons listed above

- Neon Genesis Evangelion
Post-apocalytic... and Shima develops a "Shinji-complex" towards the end.

When I first saw the picture and plot line of Uchuu no Stelllvia I though that they didn't match at anything at all and the story was going to be boring and childish. Oh boy,how I was wrong.
Story : 9/10
The plot is simple: mankind is about to be extincted by a huge electromagnetic wave and humanity should stop it by all means possible. Katase Shima,the main character, is a new student at the Stellvia station that must face the challenges of becoming a pilot and at same time,help humanity in this important mission.
What it was only a cliche story about a hero saving mankind became ... something much more as it explores the challenges of growing up and undestanding how difficult the world can really be. The mood set in first episodes gradually transforms into something deeper and,sometimes,sad as we see the characters in situations that everybody experiences in life. It isn't enemies,amazing actions scenes or boom moments that moves the story,what we see it's jealousy,frustrations,broken dreams,achievements,friendship and love.
And even though Uchuu no Stellvia shines in human aspects,the physics and actions moments of every Mecha anime appears as well at its best shape. You actually undestands all the physics behind the "evil" electromagnetic wave and honestly,a star exploding and destroying Earth?Not something hard to believe. All the other physical elements make sense too,though some of them - like the alien people - are not very explored and could have been better developed.
Even though they use a lot of elements,including thoughts of Nietzche later on, the ending lacked on two things that this anime was good about: passing and exploration of some of the facts exposed. What Kouta likes in Katase? What exactly is the commander? And what about Arisa's family situation?The story is amazing,but there's no conclusive ending that it actually needed in some points.
Art : 8/10
The art was something I got used after some time. It was childish and not exactly pretty,but it was clear,consistent and neat.There was a background in very single scene,some prettier some more shabby,but still,a background.There was no such a thing as an eye bigger than the other,misconfigured bodies or anything like that. Even the figurants were well executed. They were unique and colourful,the desing team really worked hard to make them look like a human group(different from some anime that they are just faceless or simple sticks).
The main cast was good,each had a different design based on their personallity.The only thing that bothered me was that they only had TWO oufits. Like really? Yes,they are in a space station and in a dangerous moment,but when nothing was bad and they were hanging out,they still dressed their school uniforms. This is a seinen,yes,it's not usual to have a lot of clothes.But if the show wanted realism at least make them wear something normal for once!
Now the CGI. They were bad,but it didn't burn my eyes to see it at every space scene.The Ultima spaceship was good and so was the planets design and the rift but only that.
However, I have to give points to the programming system. It was creative and artistic to look at. I'm talking about an 2003 anime,for that time,it was revolutionary.

Sound: 8/10

Asu e no brilliant road,Kirei na Yozora,The end of the world,Dear my best friend all perfomed by Angela it's not was I would call a masterpiece. Ordinary is the first world that comes to my mind. They tried to fit the end of mankind theme but to this anime I don't think it worked. If they went with lighter songs it would cause much more impact than this one.
I gave a high score to this a anime song mostly because of the OST. I loved the piano arrangements.It was so simple and covered perfectly what was going on. They repeated very little and thus I could listen to a variety of songs to each ambient.
The seyuu were suitable and they matched the character. The timid Shima or the mature Yayoi were always being well represented.Though I think characters like Kouta deserved a lower tone,since he actually sounded like a child when he was already 15 to 16.

Character: 9/10

I love the characters in Uchuu no Stellvia. Katase Shima had a development that is difficult to find. She experienced situations and deal with them in her own way. Shy, modest and conscious were words that described her during the whole series and that's okay. She matured,understood things,but still didn't change her personality in the end.
Various sides are shown of her,from the confident to the jealous one. She was a child but an adult at the same time,dealing with situations that anyone would be confused about.
Not only her,the majority of the cast had a background story,a development and I could identify their best qualities and flaws.It's difficult for an anime that focus so much in the coming of age of a single character to actually be able to show development of other characters,but I think Uchuu Stellvia did it well. Masaru suprised me a lot, from a character wrote to comic relief,he actually progressed subtely and makes me proud to say that he is,indeed,one of my favorite characters in the show.
Still,some of them lacked background or even worst,had plot holes in their progress.What about the Big Four? How did they met? Who are they truly? Even Kent,the guy appeared much more than Najima & Shojin and nothing at all was explained about him or his relationship with Ayaka.
Also relationships,an important aspect in the Romance genre,were well established.
Be friendship or romance itself,there was something going on with the characters on the anime. Arisa's frienship with the whole team is more more complex than the viewer watches superficially.It's a consequence to the lack of human relations that she has at home.The same goes to Rina,a little girl that stays home alone because of her parents' workload.
Kouta and Shima's relationship is good at the beginning and you can understand why Shima fell in love him.He's mysterious,cute and nice with her.As the series goes,their feelings change and situations that were once natural become awkward.This is how things work in real life,mostly when it's about your very first love - and Uchuu no Stellva knows that and makes sure to include that at each single step in their relationship.
Like a said in the story review,there's just one big issue that really bothered me in their relationship: there are too many questions that aren't answer in the end.How exactly they deal with what was happening with their love? And Shima's inferioty towards Koura? And the biggest issue, why does Kouta like her???? The anime made this question and didn't answer it at ANY point.

Enjoyment: 10/10
I watched Uchuu no Stellva non-stoping.I love it no doubt about it and I couldn't wait to watch the next episode.
The ending dissapointed me? Yes. Does that make it less enjoyble? Hell no.
Some times things are not perfect,and this happens a lot in the anime industry.It did need more episodes,but its time is limited and I don't think that it could have done better with the number of episodes that it had. The pacing was great and I really wish that more animes did it at the same velocity that Uchuu no Stellva did.
It's a anime about growing up more than it's about mecha.It's about to understand yourself and humanity.
We fight together only when we have an enemy in common,we feel jealously towards the people we love and we just hate to be worst than others.Does that makes us bad? And where exactly is the limit to us,humans? I think that's what this anime is about. I recommend it to anyone that likes a good slice of life or a more scientific mecha. And of course can take a lot of crying of the characters.
Uchuu no Stellva is not a romance tear-jerk anime,it's a reflective one about humans relations and progress.

I ASK IF POSSIBLE TO UNITE?
answer is given. what we all knew we can
this art shows how to unite and why to unite BUT IT IS BEYOND
beyond life we can achieve great, once we stop country (next step in society)
as you can see in the anime, under the same we are stronger
great message great art made by great ppl who know the truth
why run from truth? we have to move foward if we want to progress that is the only way
it is impossible to survive if all we do is think that we know the truth when we run from it?
country, technology and the DIVISION ... holds us back, stop and move foward that is the only way
WE ARE STRONGER