Review of "Mirror of the Array: Way to the Virgin Space": A moving film that explores the path to the unknown universe

Mirror of the Array: Way to the Virgin Space - In Search of the Legendary Star

■ Public Media

event

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Release date

March 16, 1985 - January 1, 0000

■ How it first appeared

Tsukuba Expo

■Frequencies

22 min

■Original Story

・Reiji Matsumoto

■ Director

・General Director: Reiji Matsumoto ・Director: Kozo Morishita

■ Production

Planning and production: International Science Exposition Association, NHK Service Center

■Works

©NHK Service Center/Reijisha/Toei Animation Co., Ltd./JCGL Co., Ltd.

■ Story

A young explorer named Megu and a young pilot named Mayu set sail in search of the legendary star Array, said to be at the edge of the universe. During their voyage, their spaceship is hijacked by a robot named Zero, who is also on board. However, they discover that Zero is also searching for Array, and the three of them set off on a journey together. During the voyage, the spaceship is captured by a mysterious ray of light, causing it to go out of control, and they continue on as it is guided. However, up ahead they discover the legendary star Array...

■Explanation

This children's animation was shown at the Theme Pavilion of the International Science and Technology Exposition (Tsukuba Expo), held in Tsukuba Science City, Ibaraki Prefecture in 1985. The story is based on the theme of the Expo, "Humans, Habitats, the Environment, and Science and Technology." Matsumoto Reiji, the original author, also served as general director. It was the first anime based on Matsumoto Reiji's work to use CG, and its technical innovation drew attention. Furthermore, the story itself was praised as a work that gave dreams and hope to children at the time, by depicting the progress of science and technology and the human spirit of inquiry.

Like other works by Matsumoto Reiji, this work is set in a vast universe, but places emphasis on depicting human drama. In particular, the story woven by the three different characters, Meguru, Mayu, and Zero, deeply moves the viewer. Furthermore, the introduction of CG succeeds in visually conveying the vastness and beauty of the universe, which could not be fully expressed in conventional animation. This combines visual impact with the depth of the story to enhance the appeal of the entire work.

In addition, because the content is in line with the theme of the Tsukuba Expo, it also provides an opportunity to think about the progress and potential of science and technology. In particular, the appearance of the robot Zero hints at the future of AI and robotics, providing a fresh perspective for viewers at the time.

■Cast

・Mayu / Yoko Asagami ・Meguru Daichi / Keiko Toda ・Zero / Hideyuki Tanaka ・Rinne / Hiromi Tsuru ・Consensus / Reiko Muto

■ Main staff

・Original story, setting, general director: Reiji Matsumoto・Director: Kozo Morishita・Assistant director: Toshihiko Arisako・Hand animation production: Toei Animation Co., Ltd.・General producer: Toshio Naito・Screenplay: Mitsuru Umajima, Reiji Matsumoto・Chief animation director: Kazuo Komatsubara・Art director: Sukeyuki Tanaka・Art setting: Tadanao Tsuji・Director of photography: Yoichi Takanashi・Computer animation production: JCGL
・Music: Yuri Nishimura ・Editing: Yutaka Senkura, Mari Kishi ・Planning and production: International Science Exposition Association, NHK Service Center

■ Main Characters

A beautiful girl with long pink hair and curled eyebrows. Despite her gentle appearance, she is also a faster-than-light pilot. She is searching for the legendary star, Arei. Her character is appealing because of the gap between her appearance and her inner self, and leaves a strong impression on viewers. In particular, her skills as a pilot and her relationship with Meguru and Zero have a major impact on the progression of the story.

・A young space explorer who travels across the earth. He is searching for the legendary star, Array, and travels with Mayu on her spaceship. His spirit of inquiry and adventure is at the heart of the story, and his pure heart resonates with viewers. Megu's character is one that inspires children's dreams, and the story becomes deeper as he grows.

Zero is a robot that boarded Mayu's spaceship to steal it. It seems to be a counterfeit robot, and has no serial number. Since he has the same goal as Mayu and Megu, they decide to travel together. Zero's character is portrayed as a robot with human-like feelings, and his struggles and growth are important elements of the story. His existence also provides an opportunity to think about the future of AI and robotics technology.

The collective consciousness of the invisible inhabitants of the planetary array. It has the shape of a woman with long hair. The character of the consensus is depicted as a mysterious being and plays an important role in the climax of the story. Her existence can be said to symbolize the vastness of the universe and its unknown possibilities.

■ Theme songs and music

・ED1
・We will be one someday
Lyrics: Fuyuto Kayoko; Composition: Nishimura Yuri; Arrangement: Yonemitsu Ryo; Singer: Shimonari Satoko

・IN1
・Blue Lake ・Lyrics by Fuyuto Kayoko ・Music by Nishimura Yuri ・Arrangement by Yonemitsu Ryo ・Singer by Shimonari Satoko

■ Evaluation and recommendation

"Mirror of the Alley: Way to the Virgin Space" is a visually and narratively fascinating work, thanks to Leiji Matsumoto's unique worldview and the introduction of CG technology. In particular, despite being produced as a children's animation, its deep themes and character development leave a strong impression on viewers. By depicting the progress of science and technology and the human spirit of inquiry, it has been praised as a work that gives viewers dreams and hope.

This work is a must-see for fans of space and science fiction, and for fans of Leiji Matsumoto. It is also noteworthy for those interested in the history of CG technology, as it is the first Leiji Matsumoto anime to use CG. It is also recommended for parents who want a story that gives their children hope and dreams. This work combines visual beauty with a deep story that will move and inspire viewers.

■ Additional information

"Mirror of the Array: Way to the Virgin Space" was shown at the Tsukuba Expo in 1985, and has not been shown again or released on DVD since then. However, it is loved by many fans and researchers as a valuable document that shows the advances in video technology at the time. Also, like other works by Reiji Matsumoto, the story set in a spectacular universe provides viewers with deep emotions and a catalyst for thought. In particular, the robot character Zero has attracted attention as a presence that makes viewers think about the future of AI and robotics technology.

Furthermore, even though this work was created as an animation for children, its theme and character growth leave a strong impression on viewers. In particular, the story woven by the three different characters Meguru, Mayu, and Zero deeply moves viewers. In addition, the introduction of CG succeeds in visually conveying the vastness and beauty of the universe, something that could not be fully expressed in traditional animation. This combines the visual impact with the depth of the story to enhance the appeal of the entire work.

This work is a must-see for fans of space and science fiction, and for fans of Leiji Matsumoto. It is also noteworthy for those interested in the history of CG technology, as it is the first Leiji Matsumoto anime to use CG. It is also recommended for parents who want a story that gives their children hope and dreams. This work combines visual beauty with a deep story that will move and inspire viewers.