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.
Cast: Hiroaki Hirata, KENN, Masayuki Katou
TV-14HDCC
51 episodes
1. Little Brother Hibito and Big Brother MuttaThe year 2006. Two brothers, Nanba Mutta (age 12) and Hibito (age 9), happen to spot a UFO headed for the moon. The experience inspires them to make a certain promise.TV-14CC24minMar 31, 2012
2. My Shining StarWith his mother's assistance and Hibito's encouragement, Mutta has been accepted for the New Astronaut Selection Exam. However, unsure of his next step, he visits Sharon, who works at a nearby observatory. After receiving advice from Sharon, Mutta is finally able to make up his mind.TV-14CC24minApr 7, 2012
3. The Man with the Advantage and the Running Female DoctorAfter advancing to the second exam, Mutta realizes that the other applicants are much better prepared than he is. Desperate to prove himself, he stakes everything on the lung capacity test, as he has confidence in his trumpet-trained lungs. However, as the other applicants drop out, he finds himself in a heated battle with Itou Serika. Who will come out on top?TV-14CC24minApr 14, 2012
4. Next to HibitoAfter a long week, only the final interview remains in the second JAXA exam. Mutta is drawing attention as Nanba Hibito's older brother, but he insists he won't spend his entire life as Nanba Hibito's big brother.TV-14CC24minApr 21, 2012
5. Days of MissingAfter completing the second JAXA exam, Hibito invites Mutta for a free trip to Houston, Texas, through NASA's family support program. Upon arrival, he finds himself chased by a pug named Apo, and is then reunited with Hibito. However, Hibito expresses disappointment.TV-14CC24minApr 28, 2012
6. Et Cetera in My HeadMutta has arrived in America, but he's off to a rocky start with Hibito. Meanwhile, his future as an astronaut is in jeopardy because the headbutt incident has been brought to JAXA's attention.TV-14CC24minMay 5, 2012
7. Dear HibitoAfter learning that his former boss has told JAXA about the headbutt incident, Mutta has given up hope on passing the exam. To cope, Mutta falls back on his childhood habit of multitasking like crazy when something bad happens.TV-14CC24minMay 12, 2012
8. Smoky HeavenWhen the robber known as the fire extinguisher man strikes the restaurant where Mutta is, he's in trouble. But once the dust settles, Mutta has become a national hero for capturing the criminal. However, it appears there's more to the story.TV-14CC24minMay 19, 2012
9. Individual ResolveAfter passing the second JAXA exam, Mutta returns to Japan for the third. He's happy about the exam result, but on the flight back, a nightmare leaves him rattled. This is due to the letters from Hibito that he discovered before leaving.TV-14CC24minMay 26, 2012
10. Running BusMutta has learned that Kenji and Serika have strong reasons to become astronauts, while Mutta is simply trying to achieve a childhood dream. This causes Mutta to begin to question himself.TV-14CC24minJun 2, 2012
11. Trapped RivalsThe third exam will take two weeks. Mutta and the other candidates are transported via sealed bus to a large, barren facility. Then they are led to an area that is known as the last room.TV-14CC24minJun 9, 2012
12. My Name Is Itou SerikaThe fifteen remaining candidates have been divided into three teams of five. Each team will spend two weeks inside a sealed box, while completing various tasks. The first task is to determine the time.TV-14CC24minJun 16, 2012
13. 3-D AntThe sealed box teams are assigned more tasks. These include Running Math, five minutes of mental math while running, and a typing test. Next, they're asked to write a letter of protest to a journalist who is criticizing government funding for space exploration.TV-14CC24minJun 23, 2012
14. Broken Glasses and the Sole of the FootAfter five days in their sealed boxes, each team is exhibiting a pronounced personality. Mutta's Team A is rowdy, while Team C is quiet. However, Kenji's Team B appears to be a little gloomy.TV-14CC24minJun 30, 2012
15. Let's Talk About SpaceThe exam in the sealed box is halfway over. Mutta's Team A suffered an accident when Fukuda's glasses were broken. But Furuya, the one who broke them, requested a new pair. Meanwhile, Team B must deal with an alarm going off in the middle of the night.TV-14CC24minJul 7, 2012
16. Alarm, but No ClockThe third exam is halfway over. Mutta works on a completely white puzzle as he ponders why Fukuda-san would break the only clock in the sealed box.TV-14CC24minJul 14, 2012
17. The Culprit Is in the RoomThe third exam inside the sealed boxes has been underway for ten days. Each team has been experiencing unexpected problems, such as broken clocks and mysterious alarms that ring in the middle of the night. However, Mutta soon realizes who is actually responsible.TV-14CC24minJul 21, 2012
18. Roo-ra! Kenji!The candidates have only a few days left in the sealed boxes. JAXA has been using green cards to create trouble, gauging each member's ability to respond to stress and trouble.TV-14CC24minJul 28, 2012
19. The Day Before GoodbyeThe teams have two days left in the sealed boxes. Mission Control has deliberately not given certain members of Kenji's Team B any green cards, leading to paranoia. Meanwhile, in Team A, Mutta announces that he has good news, bad news, and dicey news.TV-14CC24minAug 4, 2012
20. The Worst Possible PunishmentIt's their final day in the sealed box. Mutta has enjoyed his two weeks with the team, and he wishes to avert ruining their bond, as they make their final decision.TV-14CC24minAug 11, 2012
21. A Long-Awaited Glimpse of the SkyWith the third exam finally over, Furuya takes the opportunity to visit the man who made his dream possible.TV-14CC24minAug 18, 2012
22. Working on the DreamThe third astronaut selection exam has finally ended. Team A used rock-paper-scissors to select two members. Whose dreams are still alive?TV-14CC24minSep 1, 2012
23. Father, Son, and Mutta ClausMutta has been picked to go to Houston for the final astronaut selection exam. But because his selection means that Kenji wasn't chosen, he has mixed feelings.TV-14CC24minSep 8, 2012
24. The Worst Possible InterviewerThe final exam is set to take place in two months. Mutta heads to Houston, ahead of the other candidates to look after Apo and tour the Johnson Space Center. Meanwhile, Hibito is training hard for his lunar mission.TV-14CC24minSep 15, 2012
25. Sonic Little Brother Training Big BrotherWith the final astronaut selection exam coming up, Mutta heads to Houston. However, Jennifer has some ominous news.TV-14CC24minSep 22, 2012
26. Painful InterviewSeven days remain before Hibito takes off on a journey to become the first Japanese person to walk on the moon. Meanwhile, Mutta prepares for the final astronaut selection exam at Johnson Space Center.TV-14CC24minSep 29, 2012
27. One QuestionThe final NASA interview was a decoy to trick the candidates into relaxing, so the astronauts could evaluate them. However, the candidates have yet to realize this.TV-14CC24minOct 6, 2012
28. Miracle of DohaWith four days before the launch, Mutta and his family arrive at Kennedy Space Center for one last meal with Hibito before he heads into space. Mutta uses this opportunity to hand Hibito a very special DVD-R.TV-14CC24minOct 13, 2012
29. Night Before LaunchTwo days are left before launch. First, the lunar lander Artemis goes into space on Mars V. Afterwards, Hibito and the rest of the crew will head into space on Mars I.TV-14CC24minOct 20, 2012
30. Dog, Old Man, and AlexanderIt's finally the day of the launch, but the weather doesn't look good. On top of that, Apo's run off, so Mutta has to go find him. While searching for Apo, Mutta comes across a suspicious old man.TV-14CC24minOct 27, 2012
31. Rocket RoadMutta, Apo, and the strange old man watch as Hibito launches off into space. Afterwards, Mutta reminisces about the road taken by Hibito to reach this point.TV-14CC24minNov 3, 2012
32. A Private PlaceHibito has made it safely into space, and he's on his way to the moon. Meanwhile, Mutta runs into Azuma and his family, and he decides to approach them.TV-14CC24minNov 10, 2012
33. Moon RabbitHibito and the CES-51 crew finally land on the moon. However, Mutta is worried that Hibito will embarrass their country when he takes his first step.TV-14CC24minNov 17, 2012
34. Pug and Hug on a Moonlit NightHibito and the CES-51 crew have landed on the moon. Meanwhile, Mutta has returned to Japan to await his final exam results. He's especially concerned about using up his luck before the results are announced.TV-14CC24minNov 24, 2012
35. From the Little Corner of a Big FacilityJAXA has begun announcing the results of the final astronaut selection exam. Makabe Kenji receives the first phone call. As Kenji waits to learn his fate, he reflects on his motivation for wanting to be an astronaut.TV-14CC24minDec 1, 2012
36. Dancing AstronautWhile Mutta waits to hear if he will become an astronaut, Kenji has received good news. The next candidate to get a call is Serika.TV-14CC24minDec 8, 2012
37. Two Men in the ParkTwo hours have passed since JAXA was supposed to notify the candidates, and Mutta hasn't received a call. When the phone finally rings, he's told to go to a nearby park. What will his fate be?TV-14CC24minDec 15, 2012
38. Eleventh E-mailAfter a long wait, Mutta learns that he passed the final exam. With no time to enjoy the moment, he is immediately whisked to the press conference, where the other new astronauts wait.TV-14CC24minDec 22, 2012
39. Lunar IllusionsMutta has begun his life as an astronaut. First, he must undergo a month of JAXA training and orientation. Meanwhile, Hibito and Damian head out in a lunar rover to track down a missing probe.TV-14CC24minJan 5, 2013
40. Heaven and HellDamian and Hibito leave Moonbase in search of a missing unmanned probe. However, an accident occurs, stranding them inside a ravine.TV-14CC24minJan 12, 2013
41. Eighty Minutes to LiveAfter a buggy accident, Hibito and Damian are stuck at the bottom of a ravine. Damian's spacesuit is damaged, and he's losing body heat quickly. The odds are against them, but Hibito decides that the unmanned drone Gibson is their key out.TV-14CC24minJan 19, 2013
42. Hibito's ChoiceHibito manages to bring Damian back to the surface by using Gibson, but he's running out of time, as his oxygen supply dwindles. Will Freddy and Buddy find him in time?TV-14CC24minJan 26, 2013
43. BrianHibito is able to save Damian, but he's running out of oxygen. Freddy and Buddy are trying to catch him, but they won't arrive before his oxygen depletes. Is this the end?TV-14CC24minFeb 2, 2013
44. Three AstronautsOxygen generation system Brian arrives just in time to save Hibito. Once he and Damian are rescued and back at Moonbase, he reflects on the astronauts who saved him.TV-14CC24minFeb 9, 2013
45. Five Blue RangersMutta and the other astronaut candidates have finally finished their Japanese training. Before they head to Houston, they receive a gift from Director Nasuda.TV-14CC24minFeb 16, 2013
46. Number One Restless GuyThe JAXA astronaut candidates head to Houston, to begin training at NASA. However, Murakami-san appears to have a surprise in store for Mutta.TV-14CC24minFeb 23, 2013
47. The First PromiseMutta and the other astronaut candidates have arrived in Houston to begin training at NASA. First up is a social event to meet the other astronaut candidates from around the world.TV-14CC24minMar 2, 2013
48. Always Have a Pedometer in Your HeartThe first astronaut candidate task is undergoing a survival training course consisting of a six-day trek through the desert. Meanwhile, Mutta is still worried about Amanti's reaction after she read his fortune.TV-14CC24minMar 9, 2013
49. Nitta the LeaderThe astronaut candidates continue their survival training in the desert. Team E has fallen behind the others, but after Nitta takes the lead, they try to pick up the pace.TV-14CC24minMar 16, 2013
50. Nitta and MuttaAs the survival training draws to a close, Nitta suddenly tells the team he needs to backtrack due to losing his cell phone, but Mutta stops him. However, Mutta appears to have an idea in mind.TV-14CC24minMar 23, 2013
51. Living StoneMutta and Nitta backtrack through the desert, looking for Nitta's cell phone. But Nitta cannot find it in time to answer his little brother's call. Has he lost another chance to reach him?TV-14CC24minMar 30, 2013
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★ 8.2/1020122 seasons99 episodesEnded
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.
Creators and cast
- Studio
- TOHO, dentsu, Kodansha
Maturity rating
TV-14Check the rating before watching with younger viewers.
Audio languages
Japanese
Where to watch
Stream
