Posted on December 21, 2021

Space Brothers publishing

We are Space Brothers Vol. 01

We are 宇宙兄弟 VOL.01

Apart from the manga, the first Space Brothers publishing project was a series of “lifestyle” magazines that expanded on the story concepts with interviews, articles on space development, cartoons, fiction, and more manga. The first volume, for example, reprinted the original Chapter 1.

Color and B&W, 138 pages
Kodansha, December 2010

We are Space Brothers Vol. 02

We are 宇宙兄弟 VOL.02

With the live-action movie in production, this issue was well-timed to announce that it was coming. It also contained several interviews with JAXA personnel and similarly-themed manga by other authors besides Koyama.

Color and B&W, 160 pages
Kodansha, March 2011

We are Space Brothers Vol. 03

We are 宇宙兄弟 VOL.03

Movie news was the highlight of this issue with picture-perfect casting of the beloved character Serika and the first interview with the film’s producers.

Color and B&W, 152 pages
Kodansha, June 2011

We are Space Brothers Vol. 04

We are 宇宙兄弟 VOL.04

More casting announcements, more manga, and interviews with three JAXA rookies were the highlights of this issue.

Color and B&W, 160 pages
Kodansha, September 2011

We are Space Brothers Vol. 05

We are 宇宙兄弟 VOL.05

In addition to the regular and continuing features, this issue scored an interview with veteran JAXA astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, who cites SF anime as part of the inspiration for her career.

Color and B&W, 160 pages
Kodansha, December 2011

We are Space Brothers Vol. 06

We are 宇宙兄弟 VOL.06

This was the last regular issue before the premiere of the movie, so it was dominated by film coverage including an interview with lead actor Shun Oguri (cast as Mutta).

Color and B&W, 160 pages
Kodansha, March 2012

Space Novel

宇宙小説

One of three paperback collections reprinting content from the We Are Space Brothers magazine. From the official description: The longing for space is common to all mankind! Space, siblings, rockets, and dreams – these are the keywords scattered throughout the manga, and the elite writers have created a new world of novels and essays based on them!

B&W, 250 pages
Kodansha, March 2012

T Magazine No. 17

This issue of the quarterly movie magazine from Toho put space films in the spotlight, including interviews with the principal actors of the live-action Space Brothers.

Color, 136 pages
Shochiku Toho, March 2012

Space Brothers Official Guide Book

Extensive stills, interviews, articles, and backgrounders on the film.

Color, 82 pages
Tokyo News Service, April 2012

Space Brothers movie program book

Stills, articles, and interviews for the film, sold in movie theaters.

Color, 40 pages
Shochiku Toho, May 2012

We are Space Brothers Anime Special

We are 宇宙兄弟アニメ SPECIAL

The anime series arrived on TV a good month before the live-action movie hit theaters, but the magazine had nothing to say about it until this special issue concluded the run. It contained a handful of articles about the production and final installments of the previous features (heavy on the spinoff manga).

Color and B&W, 184 pages
Kodansha, June 2012

Space Brothers Comic Guide

宇宙兄弟コミックガイド

A little over four years after the manga debuted, the live-action film and TV anime series arrived together and boosted it into its highest visibility ever. This encyclopedic book was published (shortly after manga volume 17) to examine the story from head to toe with guides to characters, events, and much more. Also included articles with Koyama, other participants, and JAXA personnel.

Color and B&W, 256 pages
Kodansha, June 2012

Space Brothers
Anime Reading Space Adventure Book

宇宙兄弟アニメでよむ宇宙たんけんブック

This book for younger readers used the TV series (in the form of anime comics) and various articles as an entry point to learn about space and the real-world space programs of JAXA and NASA.

Color, 48 pages
Kodansha, August 2012

TV Anime Space Brothers
Official Fan Book

TVアニメ宇宙兄弟オフィシャルファンブック

So far, this is the only book completely devoted to the anime series, and it’s a hefty one. Densely packed with coverage of episodes 1-71 (of 99), production art, numerous staff interviews, and more. Highly recommended.

Color and B&W, 162 pages
Gakken, October 2013

Order it from Amazon.co.jp here

Space Brothers Exhibition Art Book

A large-format book (with a VERY reflective cover…) that accompanied semi-annual exhibitions. Mainly photographic reproductions of manga art from significant scenes and color works for book covers and promotions. All of the original pieces were displayed in the exhibitions.

Click on these links for more on the first exhibition: Presentation video (English) | Photo gallery

Color, 156 pages
Kodansha, July 2014

Space Brothers #0 movie program book

Sold in movie theaters with the release of the film; contains production art and staff/cast interviews.

Color, 24 pages
Shochiku Toho, August 2014

Space Brothers Setting Information Collection, TV & theater version

宇宙兄弟設定資料集　TV&劇場版

A collection of animators’ design sheets from both the TV series and Space Brothers #0. Sold only in movie theaters.

B&W, 88 pages
Shochiku Toho, August 2014

Space Brothers & Chuya Koyama
Great Analysis

宇宙兄弟 & 小山宙哉大解剖

This is as deluxe as it gets in terms of an overview. It is mainly an overview of the manga with extensive artwork, character guides, commentary, and lots of interviews that examine and analyze the entire phenomenon. Also rounds up video releases and other products. Highly recommended.

Color and B&W, 128 pages
Sanei Shobo, November 2015

Space Brothers Official Comic Guide
Space and Moon Missions

宇宙兄弟公式コミックガイド ~宇宙・月ミッション編~

Assembled and edited with the help of Chuya Koyama’s official fan club, this guide picks up where the 2012 volume left off, examining and cataloguing the next 18 volumes of the manga and codifying all the events into an official timeline.

Color and B&W, 168 pages
Kodansha, February 2021

Order it from Amazon.co.jp here