Detailed review and evaluation of Sora no Manimani DVD original animation

The appeal and evaluation of the original animation DVD "Sora no Manimani"

Overview

"Sora no Manimani" is an OVA based on the manga of the same name by Asami Kashiwabara. It was released as an original DVD animation consisting of three episodes on September 2, 2009. This work is a special episode that animates the behind-the-scenes bonus manga from the second volume of the original comic, and is a valuable piece of content that can only be seen on DVD.

story

In the spring of his first year of high school, Oyagi Saku returns to the town where he spent two years from the first grade of elementary school. There he is reunited with his nemesis, Akeno Mihoshi, who left a traumatic memory in his childhood. Saku wants a peaceful school life, but he is dragged into Mihoshi's pushy pace and ends up joining the astronomy club, which is on the verge of being disbanded. The astronomy club has insufficient facilities and budget, and is also under the eye of the student council president Fumin. However, together with the unique members of the club, such as Mihoshi's best friend Sayo, Hime, who has a crush on Saku, Club President Roman, who is frail but has a passion for the stars more than anyone else, and Edogawa, who is a member of the photography club but is devoted to the astronomy club, Saku gradually begins to love the starry sky.

Character Introduction

Saku Ohyagi

Voice actor: Tomoaki Maeno A first-year student at Soei High School. In the spring of his high school entrance exams, he returns to the town where he spent two years from the first grade of elementary school and enrolls in Soei High School. There, he reunites with his childhood friend, Mihoshi. His hobby is reading. Mihoshi forces him to join the astronomy club.

Mihoshi Akeno

Voice actor: Kanae Ito A second-year student at Soei High School. She is a member of the astronomy club. She just loves the stars. She is innocent and full of energy. She can be a bit reckless and a troublemaker. When she was in elementary school, she used to drag Saku around with her, which caused Saku to become traumatized by her.

Princess Makita

Voice actor: Tomatsu Haruka A first-year student at Soei High School. Saku's classmate. She has had feelings for Saku since meeting him during the high school entrance exam. She joined the astronomy club to get closer to Saku. She feels a strong sense of rivalry towards Mihoshi, who is friendly with Saku. She has a complex about her naturally curly hair.

Fumie Kotozuka

Voice actor: Koshimizu Ami A second-year student at Soei High School. A gifted girl, she is the student council president of her school. She is a member of the Literature Club. Mihoshi calls her "Fumin." She regards Mihoshi as a troublemaker as an enemy. She feels that she has something in common with the book-loving Saku.

Yarai Sayo

Voice actor: Saori Hayami A second-year student at Soei High School. Mihoshi's classmate and best friend since the fourth grade of elementary school. She also keeps an eye on Mihoshi. She is in the same astronomy club as Mihoshi.

Masashi Edogawa

Voice actor: Reiko Takagi A first-year student at Soei High School. Saku's classmate. They become good friends because they sit close to each other. She joined the photography club, but for some reason is also obsessed with the astronomy club. She is cheerful and a bit of a joker.

Roman Health (Roman Health)

Voice actor: Junji Majima A third-year student at Soei High School. Captain of the astronomy club. Despite his frail constitution, he has a strong passion for astronomy. He is knowledgeable about myths related to astronomy.

Production Staff

Director: Shinji Takamatsu Animation Production: Studio Comet Original Story: Asami Kashiwabara Character Design and Chief Animation Director: Hajime Watanabe Art Director: Kuniaki Nemoto Art Design: Yuho Taniuchi Color Coordination: Shigenobu Kaiho Director of Photography: Jin Saito
CG Director: Shin Misawa Editing: Hideaki Murai, Yoshitaka Miyake Sound Director: Miwa Iwanami Music: CooRie, Kaoru Okubo Music Production: Lantis

episode

#1 Summer Memories (September 2, 2009)
・#2 Ryusei Distance (October 21, 2009)
・#3 Twinkle Star (December 16, 2009)

Appeal of the work

"Sora no Manimani" is a coming-of-age story set in the astronomy club, depicting love for the starry sky, friendship, and growth. In particular, Mihoshi's lively character and Saku's growth are highlights. Each episode is themed around a different astronomical phenomenon, which also has the effect of stimulating viewers' interest in astronomy.

evaluation

This work is a welcome addition for fans of the original work, and is a valuable piece of content that can only be seen in the form of an OVA. The voice actors for the characters are also impressive, with the performances of Maeno Tomoaki and Ito Kanae particularly outstanding. Furthermore, the brilliance of youth depicted through the activities of the astronomy club and the longing for the starry sky will move viewers. Although it is a short series of three episodes, it can be said that it fully brings out the charm of the original work.

Related Titles

"Sora no Manimani" is also popular as an original manga, serialized in Monthly Afternoon (published by Kodansha). In addition to the OVA, you can enjoy the world of the work more deeply by reading the original comics.

Recommendation

"Sora no Manimani" is recommended for those who want to enjoy a youth story and an interest in astronomy at the same time. It is a work that can be enjoyed visually, especially for those who are interested in starry skies and astronomical phenomena. In addition, it contains episodes that can only be seen in the form of an OVA, so it is not to be missed even for fans of the original work. Be sure to get the DVD and experience the youth of Mihoshi, Saku, and the others.