Drawing Manga in Space: Lost Chapter of 'Space Brothers' to Be Written with Robot Arm on Space Station
'Space Brothers' (Uchū Kyōdai) fans have incredible news: The manga is literally going into space. The project called 'Mission: SPACE COMIC', launched in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and mangaka Chuya Koyama, aims to draw a previously untold chapter of the series on the International Space Station (ISS) with the help of a robotic arm.
Within the project, the so-called 'lost' chapter 425.5, which falls between chapters 425 and 426, will be written. Koyama will remotely control a robotic arm from his studio on Earth, transferring ink and brush strokes onto a special drawing surface on the ISS. Officials state that this experiment will mark the first use of such technology in manga production and will be a milestone for both art and engineering.
So why is this so important? 'Space Brothers' is a masterpiece published since 2007, telling the story of two brothers' dream of becoming astronauts. The manga has reached millions of readers worldwide with its realistic space science and human story. The anime adaptation in 2012 was also highly acclaimed. Thanks to author Chuya Koyama's close work with space agencies, the manga had previously inspired JAXA's simulations. This new project perfectly reflects the spirit of the story: Art and science intertwine.
According to the mission's technical details, the robotic arm's drawings will be transmitted to Earth in real time. Koyama expressed the following in the project announcement: “Being able to touch the places where Mutta and Hibito set foot while telling their story is a dream come true for me. Drawing manga in space will not only be an art but also a symbol of humanity's presence in space.” Although no exact date has been given, the experiment is planned to take place in 2025.
This initiative is not the first step in strengthening the bond between the manga industry and space exploration; series like 'Mobile Suit Gundam' and 'Astra Lost in Space' have previously undertaken similar themed collaborations. However, 'Mission: SPACE COMIC' is a first in terms of the artist personally creating his work in space. Fans are eagerly awaiting when the new chapter will be published in print or digital form. Koyama and his team will share updates on social media as work progresses. Witnessing the first manga chapter drawn in space will be an unforgettable moment for all of us.
