Space Brothers: Collection 8 (2015/Sentai Blu-ray)

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

They're back!!! Mutto and his brother has been dreaming of going to the moon together since they were kids. Hibito the younger brother has gone to the moon and return, while Mutto the older brother now trains and hopes he will be able to go on the next moon mission in Space Brothers: Collection 8 (2015).

Mutto had always lived in the shadow of his little brother, Hibito. After nearly dying on the moon, Hibito is trying to get over his panic disorder. Mutto continues to past each challenge and test set in front of him. While Mutto is considered an odd ball, he able to think outside the box and come up with new ideas and solutions to NASA.

This is an anime series continues to be a semi-realistic idea of what becoming an astronaut is like in the near future. While it is considered a long running series the series, it has turned away a bit from space travel to the drama in the two main character's lives with the people around them.

The 1080p 1.78 X 1 digital High Definition image on all the episodes are as good as any set we've seen to date and that's just about all of them. The lossless DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) Japanese 2.0 Stereo has some healthy Pro Logic-like surrounds and is very well recorded and mixed, so it is compatible enough with the animation. Extras include clean opening and closing animation animation.

Episodes this time out (of this world?) are...

Pretty Dog - Hibito tells Mutto about his panic disorder. Mutto comes up with an idea to help him get over his fears.

Last Words - Mutto finds out he is placed on the back-up crew for the next moon mission.

A Small Note and a Big Lucky Charm - Hibito must prove he is over his panic disorder or he'll never be sent into space again.

How to Help Hibito - As Hibito continues to take his test, his friend and companions continue to support him. Director Gates continues to make things difficult for him.

Lonely People - Mutto gets teamed up with what NASA considers 'eccentric' (aka NASA's term for 'losers') astronauts, that no one can believe they made it this far.

In the Corner of My Heart - NASA Director Butler tries to convince Brian's older brother, Eddie to be captain of Mutto's back up team.

Exciting Teamwork - Captain Eddie finds a way to teach all his team to work together.

Our Future - Betty reveals her past and how her husband died with Brian when their parachutes failed on their Earth re-entry. She is going to space in his place to show their son that he can do it too.

Astronaut and Father - After Kenji finds out he didn't make the moon mission, he continues train and soon becomes a father.

Won't Go Away - Even though Hibito has gotten over his panic disorder and passed the tests, Director Gates believe Astronauts should be perfect and flawless and discriminates to try kicking Hibito off the space program.

The Ultimate Astronaut - Hibito goes missing. Director Gates believes Hibito's problems are a weakness and liability. But both Mutto and Director Butler believe Hibito has shown courage and determination to overcome his condition.

Life Changes, Promises Don't - Both Hibito and Mutto are discouraged by NASA, but it doesn't stop either of them of remembering they made a promise to meet on the moon one day.

- Ricky Chiang