These flashback episodes may contain the most depressing moments of the show, but they're still my favorite. They just have a certain emotional impact that's missing from many of the "present day" episodes. It's the stuff that got me hooked on the show in the first place.
And, of course, with each flashback episode, we learn a little more about all those who shaped Asumi's life along the way: Lion-san, her teacher, her father, her friends...
Their stories are just as important as Asumi's story, after all.
Sano-sensei is one evil dude. But is he telling the truth?
This was the first episode in awhile in which Lion-san played a significant role. Thankfully, it seems we'll be seeing more of him in the future.
I'm going to get analytical for a moment, so bear with me...
Given that the school's mission is to train future astronauts, one would expect its admission requirements to include a set of physical standards that must be met. In other words, one would assume a 4'7" girl like Asumi wouldn't be admitted - yet, she was. But, beyond that, the idea that acquiring a proper spacesuit for someone Asumi's size would give rise to such a budgetary crisis seems awfully silly. Shouldn't there be room in the budget for such circumstances?
Yes, I know this is all inconsequential as far as the story is concerned, but it affects how seriously I take the show. The appearance of Sano-sensei as some sort of villain still leaves me groaning - even more so now that it seems some sort of background conspiracy against Asumi is afoot. I can't decide if it's an important story element, or merely a device to make one pity Asumi even more.
These flashback episodes are such tearjerkers.
And even though the connection between Marika and Lion-san is revealed during the OP animation, it's nice to finally learn a little more about it. The way the story continues to tie characters together with properly placed flashbacks is really something to behold. It's great writing.
The animation quality seemed a little low this time around, and when you consider how dreadful it usually is in the first place, you can bet it showed. Oh well. With this show, it's the story that counts.
Now that everyone is in one place and things are moving along, the show feels like it's hitting its stride. Admittedly, I'm a little put off by the addition of a "villain", so to speak, in Asumi's physics instructor, but there's obviously some backstory there that hasn't been fully revealed yet. For now, though, his character looks very out of place.
It's been two long months of waiting for a new episode, but it was worth it. A few minutes in, and I'm reminded of how wonderful Twin Spica is.
Anyway, Asumi has been accepted to the academy, picking up and moving to Tokyo. Of course, the characters introduced in the exam episodes are there as well, so she won't be completely alone. You can already see the group dynamic coming together. I'm guessing that will become the real highlight of the show.
Flashback to the time period of the first episode once again for some character background. And much like that episode, this one turned out to be a bit of a tear-jerker.
Admittedly, I wish the show's production values were of the same quality as the story. It really deserves better.
Seems my suspicions regarding the origin of the title were correct. I guess it wasn't all that difficult to figure out, though.
It looks like the next episode will be a flashback - at least in part. I hope we're not left hanging until the sixth episode to see how the current situation is resolved...
It looks as if all the main cast members have been introduced now, and almost immediately they're thrown into a situation that should allow us to get to know them well. It's a pretty clever setup, really.
I can't help but have flashbacks to SpaceCamp, though. Man, I loved that movie as a kid.
It's the feel-good show of the year! Seriously, though, this is classic anime storytelling, and it works perfectly. It may be new, but I'm getting that nostalgic vibe - the same feeling I get every time I watch Maison Ikkoku, for example. Maybe it's all the harmonica music.
This sort of show is why I love anime. For all the shows I watch and enjoy, it's this sort of show I'm always waiting for. Such gems only comes around every so often...
Wow. This is something special. I don't want to give anything away, but if the quality of storytelling in this first episode (which seems to be more of a prologue) is any indication of what's to come, this is going to turn out to be a wonderful show. And I'm not afraid to admit that one particular scene near the end had me fighting back tears. Very, very good stuff.
The animation doesn't exactly seem like anything to write home about at first, but I actually like the simpler, classic character designs and painted backgrounds. And I've already fallen in love with the OP theme.
