Space Brothers (Japanese:宇宙兄弟,Hepburn:Uchū Kyōdai) is a Japanesemanga series written and illustrated byChūya Koyama. It has been serialized inKodansha'sseinen manga magazineMorning since December 2007. A 99-episodeanime television series adaptation byA-1 Pictures aired from April 2012 to March 2014. The manga was also adapted into alive-action film that premiered in May 2012. An anime film,Space Brothers #0, premiered in August 2014.
In the summer of 2006, Mutta Nanba and his younger brother, Hibito, witness what they believe to be a UFO, which flies off towards the Moon. Hibito decides he will go onto the Moon whilst Mutta decides he will aim for Mars. Nineteen years later, in the year 2025, Hibito has become a fully fledgedJAXA astronaut assigned to go on a mission towards the moon. Mutta, on the other hand, has not been so successful in achieving his dreams. As Mutta eventually recalls his past ambitions, he receives a letter stating he has been accepted to join a JAXA training program for new astronauts. The series follows Mutta as he seeks to become an astronaut and achieve his longtime dream just like his brother did.
Space Brothers, written and illustrated by Chūya Koyama, has been serialized inKodansha'sMorning since December 6, 2007.[4] Kodansha has collected its chapters into individualtankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on March 21, 2008.[5] As of July 23, 2025, 45 volumes have been released.[6] The series is set to end with its 46th volume.[7]
The manga is available in digital form in North America and Europe from ComiXology and Amazon in both volume and SimulPub chapter format. It was previously also available in English as part of a read-only subscription fromCrunchyroll[8][9] andKodansha USA.[10]
A 99-episodeanime television series adaptation byA-1 Pictures aired onYomiuri TV from April 1, 2012, to March 22, 2014.[11] It was simulcast byCrunchyroll.[12][13] The series is licensed bySentai Filmworks in North America.[14] The 31st episode, which aired on November 4, 2012, features the first piece of voice acting to be recorded in space, performed by astronautAkihiko Hoshide aboard theInternational Space Station.[15] A special episode titled "Planetarium: Space Brothers: One Point of Light" (プラネタリウム 宇宙兄弟～一点のひかり～,Puranetariumu Uchū Kyōdai Itten no Hikari) was screened in planetariums during Summer 2012 and was released on DVD with the 20th manga volume on February 22, 2013.[16] In January 2024, Chūya Koyama stated that the anime is planned to continue after the manga ends.[17]
A live-action film adaptation ofSpace Brothers was produced byToho and released in Japanese theatres on May 5, 2012, later being screened at the Japanese Film Festival in Australia later that year.[18] The adaptation was written by Chuya Koyama and directed by Yoshitaka Mori, withShun Oguri andMasaki Okada playing the roles of Mutta and Hibito respectively. Real life astronautBuzz Aldrin plays a cameo in the film as himself. The theme song for the film is British alternative rock bandColdplay's "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" from their albumMylo Xyloto.[19] The film won the "Best of Puchon" and "NH Nonghyup Citizen's Choice" awards at the 16thPuchon International Fantastic Film Festival.[20]
A prequel anime film titledSpace Brothers #0 (Uchū Kyōdai #0 in Japanese) was released in Japanese theaters on August 9, 2014. Manga creator Chūya Koyama wrote the script for the film.[21]
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