Source is from episode 2.
This series is an interesting one to me. I think it is probably one of the most grounded depictions of what a future might look like in which access to human spaceflight is relatively attainable. Probably one of the best sci-fi slice of life series out there, though there are some romance elements later on in the series (more on that later).
One of the strengths of this series is that it mostly keeps itself rooted in realistic physics (I am a physicist, I am sensitive to these things), like navigating by providing thrust through your center of mass. There are whole sequences depicting training of using gas propellant to maneuver on space walks and it looks reminiscent of how astronauts used the “zip gun” to maneuver on early Gemini missions.
As for a weakness of the series, the thing I liked the least about it was the romance plot which grew in importance in the back half of the show. I don’t want to get into spoilers, but I felt like it wasn’t satisfying and it didn’t really fit some of the characters. I think that it feels so out of place because it is a futuristic slice of life series in which humanity has transcended the bounds of Earth, but then the female romantic lead is being dragged down by the weight of Japan’s cultural expectations of married women. Despite all the advancements and achievements of humankind in this show, it seems as though Japan’s social conservatism and rigid gender roles remained firmly in place.
Yeah, I know I wrote a bit of a criticism along with praise in my post, but it is still a show I recommend to people. It is a lot of fun and a great imagining of what a possible future might be, both good and bad.
Anime have come a long way since the switch to digital production. Shows looked so flat before they figured out post-processing and better compositing. They’re still not quite back to how good shows looked during the bubble economy, but there’s some nice looking stuff for sure.