SPACE BROTHERS

Uchuu Kyoudai drawn by Chuya Koyama is one of Japan’s most popular ongoing manga serials. In the story, two brothers vow to become fellow astronauts someday in the future. As promised, the younger brother Hibito becomes an astronaut, but in the meantime, the elder brother Mutta is fired by a company and left unemployed. The manga is about Mutta, who struggles to become the astronaut he once dreamed of being. Uchuu Kyoudai stirred public sympathy and became popular for the resounding truths often expressed by its unique manga characters. In a real-world incident, the fictional tale inspired a reader to actually pass the entrance exams for JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. In Japan, this manga not only became an anime series but also a live-action movie. Uchuu Kyoudai is a serialized manga still in progress, continuing to inspire dreams.

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This drawing was used as a cover illustration for an issue of Weekly Morning magazine, in which the first installment of Uchuu Kyoudai appeared. The younger brother Hibito wears a full spacesuit while the elder brother Mutta wears a half-suit, symbolizing one brother who realizes his dream while the other cannot yet fulfill his destiny.

“I believe that I have to love the character whenever I create one, even if the character is sort of a villain. Unless you like the personality or appearance of a character, you can’t enjoy drawing that character.”

“When I drew Mutta and Hibito, I felt stronger love than ever before. That feeling seemed to be shared by many readers.”

First installment of Uchuu Kyoudai (English)

Other than in Japan, Uchuu Kyoudai is available in Taiwan, South Korea, Italy, and Thailand.
Electronic book copies of English and French translations are scheduled for publication in July and October 2013 respectively.
Here we can show the first installment of the English translation, courtesy of the author.

OSAMU TEZUKA
creator of Japan’s manga and anime cultures
ANIME PILGRIMAGE
a quest to visit locations relating to stories and characters
GAME BAR
a gathering spot for grownups where old games are available
TOTTORI YOKAI ROAD
where yokais and humans live together
Sumo wrestler
大相撲力士
Itsukushima Shrine
厳島神社
Electrical goods store
家電量販店
Kaminari-mon
雷門
Yakatabune
屋形船
Traditional Japanese guest house
古民家ゲストハウス
Harajuku girl
原宿ガール
Novels of Haruki Murakami
村上春樹の小説
International Avenue
国際通り
Umi-budoh
海ぶどう
Mango
マンゴー
Shuri Castle
首里城
Russia
Magic Knight Rayearth
Denmark
Super Mario Bros.
Netherland
Odin Sphere
Japan
Hakuohki
Toybox kawaii shop shows people power.
Cute community character promotes local charms.
“Twintail” — simple dream-come-true magic for change.
Harajuku fashion is a way to express myself.
Small Torii
小さな鳥居
Antique fair
東寺弘法市
Secrets of autumn colors
紅葉
Cool terrace in Kyoto summer
納涼床
SIRI SIRI
SIRISIRI
Hasamiyaki ceramics
波佐見焼
Department store basement
デパ地下
Japanese knives
包丁
RAMEN
ラーメン
SUSHI
寿司
WASABI
山葵
ODEN
おでん
KOHEI NAWA
Nerhol
TABAIMO
MANABU IKEDA
SANJA MATSURI
AWA ODORI
NIIHAMA TAIKO MATSURI
MENBURYU
JUDO
柔道
NOH
KYUDO
弓道
KENDO
剣道
KATANA-KAJI
刀鍛冶
SUKIYA-DAIKU
数寄屋大工
SAMURAI AVATAR
侍アバター
SENSHOKU-KA
染織家
GAME CENTER
GAME CENTER
e-Sports
e-Sports
SHOGI
SHOGI
FAMILY COMPUTER / NES
Family Computer / NES