24 minSeason 2 • Episode 48
LatestHibito's disappearance is distracting Mutta during training and he makes a critical mistake. What will Hibito do next, and will Mutta be able to get his act together before the actual launch?
When they were young, the brothers Mutta and Hibito promised each other they would become astronauts. Now, in 2025, Hibito has followed his dream to become the first Japanese on the moon, but Mutta has just been fired from his job. His brother reminds him of their childhood promise, and Mutta decides once again to aim for space.
Writing
Mutta's internal monologues are devastatingly relatable comedy.
Acting
Hiroaki Hirata captures 30-something desperation perfectly.
Production
NASA-level research makes space training feel authentic.
Hiroaki Hirata
Mutta Nanba (voice)
KENN
Hibito Nanba (voice)
Masayuki Katou
Kenji Makabe (voice)
Miyuki Sawashiro
Serika Itou / Mutta Nanba as a Boy (voice)
Masako Ikeda
Sharon Kaneko (voice)
Yuko Sanpei
Hibito Nanba as a Boy (voice)
Shô Ryûzanji
Tadashi Hoshika (voice)
Ryou Naitou
Yasushi Furuya (voice)
Shintaro Asanuma
Yamato Mizoguchi (voice)
Takanori Hoshino
Reiji Nitta (voice)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The series directly inspired real Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, who brought a Space Brothers DVD to the actual International Space Station in 2012.
Author Chūya Koyama shadowed actual JAXA training for years; Mutta's age-based discrimination arc mirrors real Japanese corporate culture where 30+ career changes are stigmatized.
JP
