Title: Space Brothers Collection 5 

Director: Ayumu Watanabe

Music By: Toshiyuki Watanabe

Studio: A-1 Pictures

U. S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks, Section 23

U. S. Release Date: October 20th, 2015

Format: Blu-ray / 13 episodes / 325 minutes

Genre: Sci Fi, Slice of Life, Action, Drama

Age Rating: TV 14

Overall Personal Grade: A

Synopsis:

The brutal survival ordeal isn’t over yet, and the strain of non-stop training is taking its toll on Mutta’s health. Struck down by a fever, he has to summon all of his reserves just to keep walking. And that’s before the revelation of an unexpected new challenge: the competing teams must create a rover vehicle of their own design in just two weeks! With an assigned consultant who’s less than helpful, and who may have a conflict of interest centered around the systems being used for Hibito’s return to Earth, Mutta’s own experience with engineering may be the deciding factor.

And even if they make it past that obstacle, the even more dangerous flight training is about to begin back in Houston! Can Mutta power through the survival and rover competitions in order to take a seat in a T38 jet?

Commentary:

Space Brothers keeps on going with plenty of tension and fun. It is very easy to understand how this series has managed to last so long. In the U. S. this would have been a live action prime time series that millions of families would gather together to watch and many young viewers just might become inspired to become an astronaut. Now I’m not saying that it is awe inspiring, but it does bring a solid human level to the pursuit of dreams. There is also a touch of the wonder lust that comes with being young and having grand ideals.

Space Brother collection 5 fringe us even more drama without making it over the top. I think this delivery style is what makes this series so strong.

Overall Grade: A

October is a great month for releases and there is a full slate of great anime being released to DVD / Blu-ray. It does concern me a little when a solid quality series like Space Brothers ends up in a second tier position. It is sad that most of the anime community in North America is looking for the next adrenaline fix rather than looking for a series that provides a wonderful story and a much more realistic environment than the crazy magical and physically beautiful world that manages to get the front billing.

Space Brothers is a great series for what it is. It is simply a story of brotherly connections and youthful dreams that these brothers are not afraid to strive to make come true. L love watching this life drama unfold in front of me and really to believe that if it was given more attention it would become a genuine hit here in the U. S.

If you are looking for a true slice of life story that has to do with dreams and reality and the possibilities that come when you keep on going, then Space Brothers is for you. I know it is for me.