Will a new set of opportunities and challenges manage to tear our group apart, or will they continue to stand together strongly?
Creative Staff
Writer/Author: Kou Yaginuma
Translation/Adaptation: Hiroko Mizuno , Tomoe Tsutsumi
What They Say:
The gang is back at Space School and they return to what might be their most difficult assignment yet. They have gone through isolation and distortion training before to prepare for extended periods of solitude and the potential for a crash landing on Earth, but what about a difficult lunar landing? How would these young astronauts cope without others searching for them? What will they do if they only have their capsule and a few tools for weeks, if not months?
The Review!
While planetariums may not be in style, unable to make ends meet or even update their shows, the struggling one near the space school is able to find one constant customer in the form of Asumi. While Asumi may be able to find a simple pleasure in gazing at the stars under the planetarium’s roof, she certainly isn’t without her troubles, as she soon discovers that Kiriu has gone on a mysterious trip for the next two weeks. Meanwhile, after a short lecture on supernovas, Kei shows her friends some pictures that seem to contain a new, undiscovered star. Afterwards, Asumi stops by the planetarium only to find that is closing down. Remembering her frequent visits, the owner invites her in for one last show where we get a touching little lecture on how even if something disappears, it will be replaced by something new, and the memories will still shine on brilliantly. Our group then goes stargazing for Kei’s star only to find that it was simply noise from her camera. Though disappointed, they are still able to enjoy a night under the beautiful sky together. While this chapter may not have much importance to the plot, it’s still a nice little one shot that, like much of the series, manages to tug ever so gently at your heartstrings.
From there, the volume focuses heavily on Shu’s relationship with the rest of the group and what it means to him, as well as Asumi and Kiriu’s ever-changing relationship. While the rest of the group is off taking care of Kei, who has fallen ill, Shu learns that he is being recommended by the school for a chance to become the Japanese astronaut for an American shuttle. This leaves Shu with an incredibly difficult decision; should he run full force towards his dreams, or stay behind and pursue them with his friends? Things only get more complicated when Kiriu returns, only to inform Asumi that he’ll soon be leaving to join an overseas volunteer group, meaning he’ll be away for at least five years. When a revelation of Kei having a crush on Shu appears, it becomes clear that things are rapidly changing between our heroes, and in many ways their happy little world is starting to fall apart. When Asumi learns that she has a test when Kiriu is leaving and as such won’t be able to see him off, she falls into a heavy funk. However, with an emotionally delivered push from Fuchiya in the middle of the exam, Asumi is able to work up the courage to give Kiriu a truly meaningful sendoff.
After a quick bit more background on Fuchiya and Asumi’s relationship, as well as a small bittersweet reunion between Shu and his father, the volume reaches its final climax. The group finds out that Shu is leaving for the selection exam, and are able to send him off, a little jealous and a little sad. When things seem to be going poorly for Shu in the exam, he manages to find a small yet heartfelt message from the group. Will this give him the push that he needs to make his dreams come true?
In Summary:
Once more, Twin Spica proves its masterful ability to balance its cast and continue to give each and every one greater and greater depth. Shu in particular steals the show here, but Kiriu also gets a good bit of attention as well, and Fuchiya even manages to grow a surprising amount, even though he isn’t the focus. When those emotional character driven moments are added to some the small, gentle, yet poignant moments like those of the first chapter of this book, this series really manages to prove how brightly it can shine. In addition to so much of what has made the series so great thus far, this volume also takes a few interesting twists that are sure to change the dynamic between the cast and really shake things up. Wherever the series goes, though, there’s little doubt that it’ll manage to be every bit as wonderful as it’s always been.
Content Grade: A+
Art Grade: A-
Package Rating: A-
Text/Translation Rating: B+
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Vertical, Inc
Release Date: July 5th, 2011
MSRP: $10.95
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