Space Brothers: Collection 5 (2014/Sentai Blu-ray Set)

Picture: A+ Sound: B+ Extras: B Episodes: B+

Mutto and his brother Hibito dream of going to the moon one day. Unfortunately for Mutto, his younger brother has beaten him there first, but Mutto is also in astronaut in training and he hopes he will soon catch up to him. As he learns on how to be an Astronaut, he learns that an Astronaut doesn't do it alone, but with his teammates and all those who help build and support the space program in Space Brothers: Collection 5 (2014).

Mutto has always lived in the shadow of his little brother, Hibito, the first Japanese to set foot on the moon and has became the hero of the nation. As Mutto follows in his little brother's foot steps he realizes his path will be a very different one from his own. Now that Muto is in the Astronaut program, he's in training in astronaut boot camp. Among all the astronauts Mutto is probably the least qualified in terms of skills/intelligence department, but there is one thing he will not lose to, he will not lose to anyone in spirit.

This series is a semi-realistic narrative about the astronaut program as it explores not only it's excitement but some of the challenges and dangers astronauts face. It is set somewhat in the near future with the idea that one day mankind will begin setting up a moonbase. My only complaint about his season is all the recapping the could of skipped from last season.

The 1080p 1.78 X 1 digital High Definition image and DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 2.0 Stereo lossless tracks on each show with Pro Logic-like surrounds are the best since Collection 2. Extras include clean opening and closing animation and trailers.

Episodes this time include...

A Big Brother Should Always... - Mutto recaps on what inspired him and his brother of joining NASA.

Stand on the Moon Together Alive - Hibito recaps his near death accident on the moon.

Do I have Good Luck? - Mutto recaps Hibito's rocket launch.

Distant Goal - Mutto gets a fever while on the survival training, but he still continues to the finish line.

A Promise to Drink - Mutto's team learns to build a robot drone, but their instructor seems not to care if they win or lose.

An Engineer's Switch - Even thought their team is in last place, Mutto shows they can learn from all their failures, there is no such thing as failure if you can learn from it.

Earnest Failure - Space instructors Pico and Vince recall their childhood days of their dreams of reaching space.

Promise Sign - Space instructors Pico and Vince remember how their best friend had to die in order for their dreams to live.

Sea Diver and Space Diver - Muto and his team hurry to complete their drone.

Those Who Wait for Hibito - Hibito returns to Earth, instructor Pico prays his parachutes will open correctly.

Those Who Dream Far - Hibito and Mutto's mentor proposes to build a telescope on the moon.

Young Excitement - Dr. Sharon remembers her excitement of looking into space from her youth, but is shadowed by the news she has a serious illness.

Piece of Cake - Mutto reminds Dr. Sharon that regardless of the odds they must never give up on their dreams.

- Ricky Chiang