There sure is a lot to unpack in Kanata no Astra this week. Kanata no Astra loves to give clues, and with every reveal it opens up more questions and make it think how all these puzzles fit in a big narrative frame. I must say that I am enjoying the ride so far, it’s these clues that make the guessing game much interesting as a first timer like myself, and can prove to be rewarding for those who know what comes next (but please, DON’T SPOIL). We will start with the basics first, the (cheap) clifthanging last week is resolved quickly this time, with Charce reveals that he’s also a transfer student just like Aries, and he comes from a royal town Vixia. I absolutely love the world building details regarding the country that still retains its monarchy system, while at the same time becomes a popular tourist spot. What we learn from his backstory is another case of struggles between him and the family – an outcast so to speak. The intriguing part here is the common girl he used to play with, Seira, who looks uncannily like Aries (if the names are any indication). What does that mean then? I’m guessing for now that Aries is the reason why he comes to this trip in the first place, and Aries’s memory is wiped off, as well as her photographic memory ability is gained when she was transferred out of the hospital.
Another shoutout I want to give for Kanata no Astra this week is the unique characteristics of the new planet Icriss, the planet where it rotates perfectly in sync with the sun, meaning there’s uninhabited cold and hot regions, and the inhabited middle range that contains lots of dangerous, carnivorous plants. What makes this ticks is the way the planet is much more life-threatening than any planets they have visited so far. Too dangerous that it wrecks the Astra and the team finds themselves stranded there. In term of thrilling adventure I couldn’t ask for more.
This episode also offer some solid group interactions that help strengthen their bonds because they all know they can only survive with everyone’s help (but seriously, Yun-hua, speak up!). Charice sad backstory gets them all emotional because they genuinely care about Charice. Ulgar helps smoothen the atmosphere by straightening up Kanata. And my favorite part, Zack’s info dump about the cryogenic device (did it mention anywhere before) that shows Quiterrie a harsh reality, or more as a tough choice to pick between staying with friends to survive and holding on a single thread of hope that someone will come and rescue. These moments are important for this series because without the progression of their mutual trust to each other, Kanata no Astra would easily fall apart even if it has interesting hooks.
The central mystery gets stacked up pretty quickly, as the team soon finds another wrecked, weathered Astra that could very well be their ship in another timeline? I wouldn’t be surprised if Kanata no Astra goes for this route. It just means that all their actions taken so far are already expected and calculated and the person they wake up (which could very well be one of the team members) will serve as the key to explain some missing gaps here. I do think this week is an important Kanat no Astra’s episode. It’s the week where the past (in the form of Seira) and the future (in the form of the mysterious sleeping beauty) blend in with the present. Where the stakes get higher than ever and where the show starts to touch the core of its mysteries.
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