Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise (1987)

Original title

王立宇宙軍 オネアミスの翼

Directed by

Hiroyuki Yamaga

Genre

science fiction film, science fiction anime and manga

Country

Japan

Runtime

2h 05m

Rated

PG-13

Rating

6.9 of 10 from 155 voters

Elsewhere

IMDb

How it feels

In an alternate world, a directionless young man named Shirotsugh is inspired by a devout woman named Riquinni to volunteer for a fledgling space program. He trains to become the first astronaut while facing public indifference and political obstacles.

slow-burnintrospectivemelancholicinspiringvisually lushthoughtfulquietly determinedweighted

What happens

Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise (Japanese: 王立宇宙軍~オネアミスの翼, Hepburn: Ōritsu Uchūgun: Oneamisu no Tsubasa) is a 1987 Japanese animated science fiction film written and directed by Hiroyuki Yamaga, co-produced by Hiroaki Inoue and Hiroyuki Sueyoshi, and planned by Toshio Okada and Shigeru Watanabe, with music by Ryuichi Sakamoto. The story takes place in an alternate world where a disengaged young man, Shirotsugh, inspired by an idealistic woman, Riquinni, volunteers to become the first astronaut. The film was the debut by the studio Gainax, and the first anime produced by Bandai. Royal Space Force was produced over four years and involved many creators, including some from outside the anime industry, to construct a detailed alternate world. Its collective approach to filmmaking, rejection of anime motifs, visual complexity, and inexperienced staff were all factors in its chaotic production. Its investors changed the name The Wings of Honnêamise and created lavish but deceptive marketing, with a premiere at Mann's Chinese Theatre. Royal Space Force was released in Japan on March 14, 1987, by the Toho subsidiary Toho-Towa. It received some support from domestic anime fans and industry figures including Hayao Miyazaki, and Mamoru Oshii. The science fiction writer Ted Chiang described Royal Space Force as the most impressive example of worldbuilding in fiction. It failed to make back its costs at the box office, but eventually became profitable through home video sales. The anime director Hideaki Anno said the response had a major impact on him personally and professionally. Royal Space Force did not receive an English-language release until 1994, when Bandai licensed it to Manga Entertainment. A dubbed 35 mm version toured theaters in North America and the United Kingdom, and received coverage in major newspapers but mixed reviews. It was released several times in English on home video. Various surveys of anime have regarded the film more positively; Yamaga said in retrospect that the elements which made Royal Space Force unsuccessful made possible the later successes of Studio Gainax. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

Trailer

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