The appeal and evaluation of "Five Star Stories": A must-read review for anime fans

Five Star Stories: Mamoru Nagano's epic space tale

Five Star Stories is a grand space epic by Mamoru Nagano, an animated film that was released in theaters on March 11, 1989. The film is based on the manga of the same name by Mamoru Nagano, produced by Kadokawa Shoten and distributed by Toho. Since its release, it has captivated many fans with its unique worldview and intricate setting, and continues to be loved to this day.

Overview

Five Star Stories is a 65-minute long, self-contained story. It is directed by Yamazaki Kazuo and is copyright ©1985・1986 MAMORU NAGANO ©1988 KADOKAWA-PICTURES. The film depicts a world created by Nagano Mamoru that combines fantasy and science fiction, with the story unfolding against the backdrop of complex human relationships and an epic space war.

story

The story centers on the legendary mechanics known as "Fatimas" and the "Knights" who control them. The protagonist, Soap, travels with the Fatima Laxis and gets caught up in various incidents. The film begins with Soap's meeting with Laxis, and progresses through his interactions with important characters such as Archduke Uber and Chorus III.

The film's climax features an epic battle scene where the bond between Soap and Laxias is put to the test. This battle scene is a stunning display of visual beauty, combining Mamoru Nagano's intricate mechanical design with Kazuo Yamazaki's direction.

character

Each character in "Five Star Stories" has their own unique and deep character. Below are the main characters.

• Soap (voiced by Ryo Horikawa) - The protagonist of the story, a knight who travels with Laxis, the Fatima. Although he is calm and intelligent, he has a deep affection for Laxis.
• Lacus (voiced by Maria Kawamura) - Soap's partner, Fatima. She has a beautiful appearance and strong fighting abilities, but she is very loyal to Soap.
• Dr. Balanche (voiced by Hideyuki Tanaka) - A scientist and a key character in the story. He supports Soap and the others with his calm judgment and knowledge.
• Bord Vulard (voiced by Norio Wakamoto) - Soap's rival and a powerful knight. A character who stands out in battle scenes.
• Archduke Uber (voice: Ichiro Nagai) - An important character who operates behind the scenes of the story. He has power and ambition, but his true motives are shrouded in mystery.
• Chorus III (voiced by Kazuhiko Inoue) - Soap's friend and a character who plays a major role in the story's progression. He has humor and wisdom, but sometimes shows a serious expression.
• Closeau (voiced by Sakuma Rei) - A Fatima who has a personality that contrasts with Laxis. She is known for her cold-hearted fighting style.
• Aisha (voiced by Run Sasaki) - Soap's childhood friend and a character who plays an important role in the story's subplot. A woman who combines kindness and strength.
• Supakorn (voiced by Kazuhiro Nakata) - Soap's companion and a character who plays an active role in battle scenes. He is brave and reliable.
• Lii-X (voice: Yoshino Takamori) - A mysterious woman who Soap meets during his journey. Her presence has a major impact on the development of the story.
• Nomin (voice: Shou Hayami) - Soap's friend and a character who contributes to the progress of the story. He has humor and wisdom, but sometimes shows a serious expression.
• Graphite (voiced by Masashi Hirose) - Soap's rival and a powerful knight. A character who stands out in battle scenes.
• Littler (voiced by Rumiko Ukai) - A mysterious woman who Soap meets during his journey. Her presence has a major impact on the development of the story.
• Megaera (voiced by Mari Yokoo) - One of the Fatimas, she has a personality that contrasts with Laxis. She is known for her cold-hearted fighting style.
• Byot (voiced by Arno Tahara) - Soap's companion and a character who plays an active role in the battle scenes. He is brave and reliable.
• Decors (voiced by Ryusei Nakao) - Soap's friend and a character who contributes to the story's progress. He has humor and wisdom, but sometimes shows a serious expression.
• Trolla (voiced by Kazunari Namikata) - Soap's rival and a powerful knight. A character who stands out in battle scenes.
• Narration (voiced by Taeko Nakanishi) - A narrator who helps the story progress. Her voice enhances the atmosphere of the story.

Worldview and setting

The world of "Five Star Stories" is built by Mamoru Nagano's detailed setting and unique aesthetic. The story takes place in the "Joker Star System," a vast area consisting of multiple planets and the surrounding space. Within this system, various forces are in conflict and a war is raging.

Of particular note is the relationship between Fatima and the Knights. Fatima is a fusion of human and machine, and participates in battles with warriors called Knights. Fatima is not only depicted as a partner to the Knights, but also as a lover or family member at times. This relationship is an important element that adds depth to the story.

In addition, the mechanics designed by Mamoru Nagano are both beautiful and functional, and have been highly praised by fans. In particular, the "Motorhead" piloted by Fatima is a sight to behold, both in its design and in its performance in battle scenes.

Animation and Music

The animation for "Five Star Stories" was produced under the direction of Kazuo Yamazaki. While faithfully recreating the detailed settings of Mamoru Nagano's original work, he adds excitement to the story with his own unique direction. In particular, the fluid camerawork in the battle scenes and the detailed depiction of the characters' facial expressions are impressive.

Music is an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of a movie. The film's music is a fusion of grand orchestral and electronic sounds, stirring emotions as the story unfolds. The theme song is also loved by fans for its beautiful melody that symbolizes the theme of the movie.

Evaluation and impact

Since its release, "Five Star Stories" has been highly praised for its unique worldview and detailed setting. In particular, Mamoru Nagano's mechanical designs have been highly praised by fans, and the work has had a great influence, with many figures and models being released. In addition, the depth of the story and the appeal of the characters have been praised, and many fans have been born.

This work can be said to have pioneered a new genre that combined science fiction and fantasy. The world created by Mamoru Nagano has a unique aesthetic and philosophy not found in other works, and has influenced many creators. In particular, the mechanic design and character settings have had a major impact on later works.

Recommendations and how to watch

"Five Star Stories" is recommended for fans of science fiction and fantasy, those interested in detailed mechanical design, and those who are drawn to deep stories and fascinating characters. It is especially a must-see for fans of Mamoru Nagano.

As for viewing methods, DVDs and Blu-rays are available for purchase. In addition, some are available for viewing through streaming services, so using those is also an option. In addition, many related books, figures, and models are also available, so you can enjoy the world of the work even more deeply.

Conclusion

"Five Star Stories" is a magnificent space epic by Mamoru Nagano, and has captivated many fans with its unique worldview and detailed setting. This work, which combines the depth of the story, the charm of the characters, beautiful mechanical design and music, can be said to be a work that shows new possibilities in science fiction and fantasy. Please watch it and experience its charm for yourself.