Nostalgia...
As older brother must always stay a few steps ahead of the younger one.
The younger now leads the older...
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STORY 9/10
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Uchuu Kyoudai (Space Brothers), originally a manga by Koyama Chuuya which won two manga awards as well as nominated for several more, revolves around the two Namba brothers Mutta (the older brother by 3 years born on a day of agony) and Hibito (the younger brother born on a day of glory) who both vow to become astronauts after encountering an UFO in their childhood. However, as time passed, the younger brother seemed to be the only one to achieve the goal as he becomes the
...
first Japanese man to step foot on the moon, where as Mutta, the older brother, gets fired from his job and is black listed from his industry. After much reflection and some encouragement from Hibito, Mutta once again pursues his promise to Hibito and tries to pursue going to space. With some unexpected help from his parents and brother Mutta is accepted to a Japanese Astronaut training program by JAXX. The rest is up to Mutta, his luck, and his own will. Now it will be the younger brother leading the older.
What I particularly like about the story thus far is the realism it takes, that the trials that Mutta encounters, can't be soley blamed on "bad luck" or being "born on a bad date" although the story makes that information available, it by no means takes the route of destiny, hence opening the anime to a much deeper discussion of personal attitude and ability.
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Art 7/10
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Brilliantly adapted into an anime produced by A-1 Pictures (Ano Hi Mita... , Ao no Exorcist, Kannagi, Gash Bell!, etc) and YTV (Cardcaptor Sakura, Detective Conan, etc) directed by veterans Watanabe Ayumu (Pretty much all the Doraemon's) and art director Kato Hiroshi (Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei!), the art takes a older look to it reminiscent of BECK. The character designs are rather untextured and less "clean" many of the modern series.
The older style of art, however, really brings out more nostalgic feelings. The only drawbacks, however, would be the art quality cannot match many newer series using similar art styles.
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SOUND 8/10
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The sound of the series again screams out nostalgic. Opening them "Feel So Moon" by Unicorn (a Japanese rock band formed in 1993) has a classical rock vibe that resounds with the older brother because Mutta was born in 1993. Again nostalgia. The ED theme "This Wonderful World" (素晴らしき世界 Subarashiki Sekai) by Gira Mundo resonates more with the younger brother, being a more modern rock sounding track with a nice electronic beat. The two themes fit perfectly to sandwich the story of two brothers.
The voice acting featured veteran Hirata Hiroaki (Sanji from One Piece) as Mutta and newer voice Kenn (Jil from Druaga no Tou). The two voice actors compliment each other and their roles, as an older voice actor and a younger rising one. The voicing are done well and I can't say I have complaints as I don't have much to base my judgement on right now.
The background music, again nostalgic, features overtones by trumpets and retains a "old school" feel, if that makes any sense. However, I didn't quite particularly enjoy these sounds and so found them mediocre at best. Sorry to the music director.
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CHARACTER 8/10
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The characters introduced so far are few, featuring the brothers Mutta and Hibito, their parents, and several randoms (such as bosses can co-workers). However, only Mutta and his brother Hibito are really explored farther than just a few lines.
Mutta is in appearance far my ragged than his younger brother, with curly unruly hair and a unshaven face, he looks rather like a NEET than anything else. His character is portrayed as one who us more or less hopeless, rash and lacks boldness to "step forward" as he says himself. As the series hasn't progressed far enough, I'd have to say he didn't have enough depth yet and that potential in his development are huge.
Hibito is the younger brother who looks cleaner with a shorter hair cut, shaved face and cleaner brighter skin, looks like a professional or a ideal male protagonist in some Jousei drama. That being said, he contrasts his brother sharply and is has opportunities which his brother does not. He is portrayed as a hopeful, bold and caring young man almost everything the older brother "should" be.
by now the 3rd episode, character developments are taking root primarily as we learn about Mutta. However I do hope to see the development of the younger brother aswell
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ENJOYMENT 9/10
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Did I enjoy this? Hell yes. Mainly because of how the story resounds with me, an underachieving older brother who is wasting away in university spending his nights writing anime reviews. Just kidding.
But jokes aside, I think the story is really well done and takes a very wholesome and realistic approach at the lives and circumstances of the two brothers. It hints at the ideas of destiny and fated good/bad luck. However, it merely mentions it so that viewer who see it that way can relate while it slowly shows reality of how the circumstances are products of individual choices and feelings, not of just "luck". Mutta was fired for head butting his boss, pretty real, not unlucky. Hibito became an astronaunt beause of his boldness and passion (as seen by his quick response as a child), real, not just luck.
The realism really proved to be refreshing after all of the unrealistic, having circumstances thrust upon and fixed animes I've been watching recently.
Another thing I liked is how I could feel the older brother's anguish as his pride was stepped on by having his younger brother surpass him and his parents shame him. He's not a wimp, rather, realistically like an adult man, he sheds a few tears in secret and doesn't say word about his pain. *resonating feelings
My only criticism would be that I feel like they didn't cover enough ground so far, that there are many other feelings that should be portrayed that are missed. And that they could have made Mutta's suffering even more relatable by delaying his tears.
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OVERALL 8/10
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Ok so I know I've been pretty generous this whole review, but mainly because I think its a show worth watching and I want to encourage everyone to check it out.
The Story is sentimental and is adapted into a tangible form of nostalgia that makes you think. Utilizing the sounds and characters, Uchuu Kyodai really causes sympathies to run rampant and makes one reflect about their own usage of life so far.
Overall I'd give it the 8/10 for its ability to convey a consistent atmosphere fitting of the series thus far and the brilliant choices of music, voice actors and animation styles to compliment the story and characters.
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Expect Updates After Each Episode, the plot section won't change very much but other sections might.
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Apr 2, 2012
Uchuu Kyoudai
(Anime)
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Nostalgia...
As older brother must always stay a few steps ahead of the younger one. The younger now leads the older... ---------------- STORY 9/10 ---------------- Uchuu Kyoudai (Space Brothers), originally a manga by Koyama Chuuya which won two manga awards as well as nominated for several more, revolves around the two Namba brothers Mutta (the older brother by 3 years born on a day of agony) and Hibito (the younger brother born on a day of glory) who both vow to become astronauts after encountering an UFO in their childhood. However, as time passed, the younger brother seemed to be the only one to achieve the goal as he becomes the ... 
Feb 26, 2012
Arakawa Under the Bridge
(Anime)
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Life is the crazily raging river running from past to future. There is a bridge called society and expectations that lets us cross over the river, should we, like most people take it.
---- The story of 'Arakawa under the bridge' revolves around male protagonist Ichinomiya Ko, born with a silver spoon in his mouth, an elite of society in every regard (good at everything), and has strong family tradition to never rely on anyone. The opening episode is him on this bridge crossing over the river. Much like how he is progressing forward, but crossing over what true "life" is. In an unexpected turn ... 
Feb 15, 2012
Byousoku 5 Centimeter
(Anime)
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Time changes everything. Give this series sometime and it will change your view of the brilliance that is Makoto Shinkai.
This being a work that touches upon the human concept of relational distance resonated with me, whom being away from my home(s) for schooling is seeing aspects of relationship deteriorate, as paralleled in the film. The enjoyment of the film was the tugging of heartstrings tied in with the blissful nostalgia of past relationships. On a technical aspect, the illustrations were amazingly well done and rendered (watched in 1080). The backgrounds were sometimes in so much detail that the characters, drawn more or less in a ... 
Feb 15, 2012
.hack//Quantum
(Anime)
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I never watched much .hack,
but now I'm quite interested in the series. This series took me into the journey of the regular "what if games were real?", but it had the touches of characters that were able to draw soft spots, (brilliant character designs). The emotions portrayed by the plot, were oddly relatable as the voice acting (japanese) was very well done. I would say, however, I enjoyed the action scenes the most, as they were well choreographed and the stayed very close to the "video game" motif. 
Feb 15, 2012
Amnesia.
The same feeling the protagonist has at the beginning of this movie, and the same feeling I got while watching it. The beginning made me feel a bit lost as to what happened in between Higashi no Eden and the King of Eden - which was supposed to happen. But this lack of cohesiveness disappointed me in the form that it couldn't "build" up as much as it "should". Overall, I enjoyed the rebuilding from "ground zero" and the quick pick up of pace that is selecao game. This middle piece lives little room for disappointment. 
Feb 15, 2012
Incomplete.
This would be the sole word I would use to describe Paradise lost. It left me with a feeling of being unsatisfied, and that there /should/ be more. But regardless of what people say, I would need to comment on it being well enough paced. I found it had "Spurts" of action, however, this last part engaged the technical aspects of plot much thoroughly than it's prequels. I enjoyed the last part, but truly, truly, truly hope. No dream. of a third part to "complete" this brilliant series by Production I.G. 
Feb 15, 2012
Nodame Cantabile: Paris-hen
(Anime)
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Ok, so in my thoughts, yes this middle part of the series is similar in terms of musical foreshadowing, and uses of characters. This series was particularly enjoyable as it introduces a new cast of characters, while retaining and re-introducing prequel characters (e.g. oboe guy). Sadly, however, the connections character-wise to the prequel were limited, bit was wisely chosen.
I enjoyed again the musical choices and integration of a music into the plot. And of course the romance aspect sent shivers down my spine. All I can say is that, as a guy, this series made me soft. As a musician, this series re-inspired me. ... 
Feb 15, 2012
Nodame Cantabile
(Anime)
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Overnight being a surpising new addition to my "favourite anime" list, Nodame Cantabile has indeed been enjoyable. Being the first part of the threequels, it really set up the foundation. What I enjoyed most about the series, however, was the intricate use of music as the centerfold for all aspects of character and plot development, expressing the personalities and plot artifacts without ever needing to explicitly "say" anything. Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.2 Mvt.1 was played during the a period of plot with tension, contemplation, frustration, despair, and hope - much like the song itself.
The use of the music as both a plot enhancer and foresight ... 
Feb 15, 2012
Nodame Cantabile Finale
(Anime)
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The first series to take the spot of "personal favourite" in my heart has been none other than the Nodame Cantabile series. This last part of the series proved to be an enjoyable watch like its prequels, however was lacking in the conclusiveness and depth of character development. I feel several plot articles were rushed and the end to not fully satisfy (hence needing me read the Opera-hen).
Regardless the finale of the anime, was very much, adagio cantabile. Song-like, floating and passing through all the twists and turns. The music used throughout the finale proved to be great selection, and the WAY the music ... 
Feb 12, 2012
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
(Anime)
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Overview (5/5)
Animated by Studio GAINAX, written by Kazuki Nakashima and directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi, Gurren Lagann is a stunning display of brilliance with its art style (1, 2, 3), character and plot development that was filled with dramatic highs and lows, plot twists and ability to pull on the heart strands of viewers by touching on philosophical aspects of fate and existence while incorporating well choreographed fight scenes and dialogue. Story (5/5) The story is a supposedly simple progressive campaign from the "depths of underground" to the "heavens". The initial start of the series quite standard as it provides no reason beyond "I want to" for ... |
