"Rocket! Take Us to the Moon" A thorough analysis of the appeal of a new lunar journey

"Rocket! Take Us to the Moon": A modern-day adventure that brings Jules Verne's dream to life

■Overview of the work

"Rocket! Take Us to the Moon: A New Trip from Around the Moon" (hereafter "Rocket!") is a 5-episode TV anime series that aired on the Science Channel in 2008. This work is an action-adventure animation set in the near future, inspired by Jules Verne's masterpiece "A Trip from the Moon." Produced and written by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), it depicts the future of space development and lunar development from a scientific perspective, while also depicting the growth of the main characters.

■ Story

The story begins in London in 1882. Adventurer Lord Fogg, his wife Auda, and clerk Passepartout are on a trip around the world when they travel back in time and end up in Japan in 2080. There, they meet a girl named Eli, and together they embark on an adventure to the moon. The story depicts the growth of Passepartout and Eli against the backdrop of near-future space development and lunar development, based on the latest scientific information.

■ Characters

・Passepartout (voiced by Chika Sakai)
The protagonist is a student. He travels around the world with Lord Fogg, but ends up in Japan in the year 2080 due to a time slip. He is full of curiosity and grows as a person through his adventure to the moon.

- Eri Matogawa (voiced by Noriko Namiki)
A girl who meets Passepartout and his friends in Japan in 2080. She aspires to be a scientist and joins in the adventure to the moon. She is knowledgeable and plays an important role in the progression of the story.

・Phileas Fogg (voice: Kosuke Takeuchi)
A gentleman adventurer. He was traveling around the world with his wife Auda, but due to a time slip they ended up in Japan in 2080. He has a calm and rational personality.

Auda (voiced by Noriko Namiki)
Lord Fogg's wife. She is kind and caring, and influences the progression of the story.

・Matogawa (voice: Hiroshi Shimozaki)
Eli's father. A scientist, he supports the adventure to the moon.

- Paz's father (voiced by Kazushige Watanabe)
Passepartout's father. He appears early in the story and provides background for Passepartout.

・Flight attendant (voiced by Miho Ito)
A crew member who appears during the journey to the moon and provides support to the passengers.

- Child (voice: Miho Ito)
Children appearing at a moon base. A depiction of life in the future.

・In-flight announcements (voice: Yosuke Takekawa)
The in-flight announcements heard during the journey to the moon add to the atmosphere of the story.

■ Staff

・Director : Kenichi Matsuzawa ・Supervision : Tsutomu Iwata (Manned Space Systems)
・Story concept : Keita Makuta ・Character design and chief animation director : Takashi Narukawa ・3DCG director and mecha design : Shigeyuki Koresawa, Digital Noise ・Art director : Toshikazu Ishiwata ・Color design : Yumi Motoyanagi ・Editing : Digital Studio Japan ・Sound : Yoshikazu Awa (3S Studio)
・Music : Chikako Kobayashi (Swara Production)
・Sound effects : Kiyotaka Kawada (Swara Production)
・Supported by : JAXA, Shimizu Corporation, Japan Jules Verne Society ・Animation Producer : Kazuto Kanno ・Producers : Koichiro Ishihara (Japan Science and Technology Agency), Nobuhiko Abe (Japan Science and Technology Agency), Osamu Sakuma ・Animation Production : Trans Arts, Eiji Imanari ・Production : Chiyoda Raft ・Production, copyright : Japan Science and Technology Agency

■Broadcast information

"Rocket!" aired on the Science Channel from April 5 to May 31, 2008. It is a 15-minute short animation consisting of five episodes. The broadcast schedule is as follows:

Episode 1: "Aiming for the Moon!" (April 5, 2008)
・Episode 2 "The Earth Was Blue" (April 19, 2008)
・Episode 3 "Life in Space" (May 3, 2008)
・Episode 4 "Moon Base" (May 17, 2008)
Episode 5: "Oath on the Moon" (May 31, 2008)

■ Theme songs and music

The opening theme "RADICAL INNOVATION" was written, composed, and arranged by STUD-G, and sung by Noriko Namiki. Hatsune Miku also sang the chorus. The song features a powerful melody and lyrics that symbolize the fusion of adventure and science.

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

Although "Rocket!" is based on Jules Verne's "A Trip to the Moon," its depiction of near-future science and technology creates a new appeal. In particular, under the supervision of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), the realistic depiction of space development and lunar development has the effect of stimulating viewers' interest in science. It can also be enjoyed as a coming-of-age story for the main characters, making it a work that will appeal to a wide range of people, from children to adults.

The character settings are also fascinating, with the friendship and growth of Passepartout and Eli at the center of the story. In particular, Eli's dream of becoming a scientist and Passepartout's adventurous spirit resonate with viewers. Characters such as Lord Fogg and Auda also add depth to the story by depicting friendships and bonds that transcend time.

The animation quality is also high, and the mecha designs and depictions of the lunar surface that make full use of 3DCG are impressive. It can be said that the technical skills of art director Toshikazu Ishiwata and character designer Takashi Narukawa shine in this work. The music, also by Chikako Kobayashi, is an important element in livening up the atmosphere of the adventure.

Overall, "Rocket!" is a unique work that depicts the fusion of science and adventure, and is an animation that offers viewers a new perspective. It is a work that can be recommended to a wide range of people because it stimulates interest in science while also allowing you to enjoy a moving story.

■ Recommendation points

- A fusion of science and adventure : Based on Jules Verne's masterpiece, the film creates a new appeal by depicting science and technology in the near future. It is also an excellent work that stimulates interest in science.

Character development : The friendship and growth of the main characters is depicted, evoking sympathy from the audience. In particular, the relationship between Passepartout and Ellie is at the heart of the story.

- High-quality animation : The depiction of the lunar surface and mecha designs that make full use of 3DCG are impressive. This is a work that highlights the technical skills of the art director and character designers.

・A moving story : The film will move viewers by depicting friendships and bonds that transcend time. It is a work that can be enjoyed by both children and adults.

・Attractive music : Chikako Kobayashi's music enhances the atmosphere of the adventure and adds depth to the story. The opening theme "RADICAL INNOVATION" also features powerful melody and lyrics.

■ Related works

Related works to "Rocket!" include Jules Verne's original novel "From the World to the Moon" and other science fiction works. Also, animation works depicting space development in the near future are good references. Here are some related works.

・From the World to the Moon (Jules Verne)
This masterpiece, which inspired "Rocket!", is known as a 19th century science fiction work.

・2001: A Space Odyssey (directed by Stanley Kubrick)
A monumental sci-fi film depicting space development in the near future. It delves deeply into the relationship between science, technology, and humanity.

・"Planetes" (Animation)
An animated film depicting space development in the near future, dealing with the problem of space debris and the way humans live.

・Space Brothers (animation)
This film depicts two brothers' dreams of becoming astronauts. Its fusion of science and human drama is fascinating.

■ Summary

"Rocket! Take Us to the Moon: A New Journey Around the Moon" is a near-future action-adventure animation based on Jules Verne's masterpiece. Supervised by the Japan Science and Technology Agency, the film depicts realistic space development and lunar development, stimulating viewers' interest in science. It can also be enjoyed as a coming-of-age story for the main characters, making it a work that will appeal to a wide range of people, from children to adults. Don't miss the high-quality animation, moving story, and appealing music. This is a unique work that depicts the fusion of science and adventure, so be sure to give it a watch.