Starry Sky Fragment "Birth" - A thorough review of the moving story and profound worldview

Fragment of the Starry Sky "Birth" - A Story of Space History and Love

■ Public Media

TV Special

■ Original Media

novel

■ Broadcast period

April 7, 2000 - January 1, 2000

■Broadcasting station

WOWOW

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Original author: Hiroyuki Morioka

■ Director

・Director: Osamu Nabeshima

■ Production

・Production: Sunrise

■Works

©Hiroyuki Morioka/Hayakawa Publishing ©Sunrise

■ Story

In the distant future, humanity has formed thousands of interstellar nations in space, and many different races live there. A race called the "Arves" have genetically engineered bodies best suited to the outer space environment, and they have built a powerful empire that dominates half of the universe: the "Arves Empire of Humanity."
The trading ship Romacel. On board was Debus, the son of the current emperor of the "Empire of Mankind by the Arves" and king of Cruve, and his lover Brachia. On a small detour during a trade, the two discovered an unidentified shipwreck in a remote area. When they transferred from the trading ship and entered the ship, they found a space that somehow reminded them of a nostalgic feeling, even though it was their first time seeing it. "What is the true identity of this ship?" Just as the two tried to go further inside the ship, the shipwreck suddenly started to move, as if it had woken up from a long sleep. The impact caused the trading ship Romacel, on which the two were aboard, to separate from the shipwreck. They could not return without Romacel. The two desperately tried to operate the steering, but the ship mercilessly separated. "Where on earth is this ship heading?" In an attempt to somehow correct the ship's trajectory, the two entered the engine room and found many mummies. The mummies, wearing the unique head rings of the Arves, told the tragic history of the creation of the Arves.

■Explanation

"Crest of the Stars" Extra Edition

■Cast

Dubuis/Hiroshi Suzuoki・Plaqia/Masara Takashima・Jinto Lin/Yuka Imai・Lafiel/Ayako Kawasumi

■ Main staff

Original author: Hiroyuki Morioka
Storyboard, direction, and direction: Osamu Nabeshima
・Supervision: Yasushi Nagaoka ・Script: Hiroaki Murakami ・Character concept: Takami Akai, Keiichi Eda (Nine Lives)
・Character design: Keisuke Watanabe
・Mecha design: Masanori Shino ・Music: Katsuhisa Hattori ・Production: Sunrise

■ Main Characters

Plakia is Dubus's lover. She often teases Dubus (although Dubus seems to enjoy it). What did the two see when they visited the solar system, the birthplace of mankind? Later, as the captain of the battleship Gosros, she is involved in the meeting between Lafiel and Jinto.
・Dubus: The son of Emperor Arv and King of Clube. He has a gentle personality for an Arv. He was enjoying a honeymoon trip with his beloved Plakia on the trading ship Romacel, but... Lafiel is the "daughter of love" of Dubus and Plakia.

■ Related works

[TVA] 99.01.02-99.03.27 Crest of the Stars (13 episodes)
[TVA] 00.04.07 Crest of the Stars Special Edition (1 episode in total)
[TVA] 00.04.14-01.07.14 Starry Sky Battle Flag (13 episodes)

■ Review

"Fragments of the Starry Sky: Birth" is a TV special produced as a spinoff of the "Starry Sky Series" based on Hiroyuki Morioka's novel. This work focuses on the story of Dubuis and Plakia, two of the main characters in the series, and through their adventures and love stories, it gives a sense of the history of the Arves and the vastness of the universe.

First, let's talk about the story. This work starts with a simple plot in which Dubuis and Plakia, aboard the trading ship Romaser, explore a shipwreck they found in a remote area. However, as it becomes clear that the shipwreck is related to the creation of the Arves, the story becomes more profound. The mummies found on the shipwreck symbolize the tragedies of the Arves' history, and deeply affect the viewer. In particular, the unique Arves head rings worn by the mummies have a strong visual impact and play a role in emphasizing the theme of the story.

The characters are also not to be missed. Dubuis is the son of Emperor Arb, but has a charming, gentle personality. His lover, Plakia, has a tendency to tease Dubuis, but she also shows strength in overcoming the difficulties they face. The scene where the two learn the history of the mummies they found in the shipwreck and are forced to think about their own meaning and future will surely touch viewers' hearts. In addition, the setting that Raphiel is the "daughter of love" of Dubuis and Plakia gives a sense of connection to the entire series, and is a pleasant surprise for fans.

Visually, the film also deserves high praise. Director Nabeshima Osamu skillfully portrays the vastness of space and the mysterious atmosphere of the shipwreck. The scenes inside the shipwreck are particularly impressive, with the mummies emerging from the darkness, evoking both a sense of visual horror and the weight of history. The work of Shino Masanori, who was in charge of mecha design, is also superb, with the designs of the trading ship Roma Cell and the shipwreck expressing the harshness and beauty of space. Furthermore, the background music by Hattori Katsuhisa has an emotional effect that matches the development of the story, heightening the viewer's sense of immersion.

"The Birth of the Stars" is a must-see for fans of the series, and a great way for new viewers to experience the history of the Arv and the vastness of the universe. It starts with a simple plot of exploring a shipwreck, but it has deep themes and a moving story, so it's definitely worth a watch. Enjoying it alongside the other works in the series will make it even more moving.

■Recommendation

In order to enjoy "Fragment of the Stars: Birth", we recommend that you first watch other works in the "Crest of the Stars" series. In particular, "Crest of the Stars" and "Battle Flag of the Stars" are important works for understanding the main story of the series. By watching these works, you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of the background of Dubyce and Plakia, and the relationship between Lafiel and Jinto.

In addition, to gain a deeper understanding of this work, we also recommend reading the original novel. Hiroyuki Morioka's novel pursues more detailed descriptions and deeper themes than the filmed work, so reading after watching will bring new discoveries. In particular, the original novel of "Fragments of the Starry Sky: Birth" goes into more detail about the exploration of the shipwreck and the history of the mummy, so reading after watching will help you to deepen your understanding of the story.

Additionally, we recommend checking out Sunrise's official website and fan sites for related information to help you enjoy this work. Sunrise's official website publishes behind-the-scenes stories and staff interviews, allowing you to learn more about the background of the work. Also, on fan sites, viewers' impressions and thoughts are shared, allowing you to gain new perspectives through interaction with other viewers.

Finally, "Fragments of the Starry Sky: Birth" is a wonderful work that gives a sense of the vastness of the universe and the history of humanity. It is a work that should be watched not only by fans of the series, but also by new viewers. Although it starts with a simple plot of exploring a shipwreck, this work depicts a deep theme and a moving story, and will make viewers think about many things and be moved. Please enjoy it together with the other works in the series.