In this exciting start to a new manga series, a group of teens are stranded in space. Aries Spring is thrilled to be traveling with seven other teens and one little girl to Space Camp. The teens will be dropped off on Planet McPa for a week; they’ll have to survive on their own, live in the wilderness, and get to know each other. Aries is a little worried about her clumsiness, but is eager to meet new friends. But all of that changes when a strange orb transports the group to an unknown location in space. Luckily, there’s an abandoned ship nearby and they settle in and try to figure out their best plan for getting home.
But there are more challenges than just getting to know each other and avoiding the dangerous creatures on the planet they discover. What is the mysterious orb? Why did it transport them? Was it coincidence or is something more dangerous going on?
The manga art is fairly typical of the genre, with lots of spiky hair, action, and jokes about the attractive characters “sparkling.” In this first title, the easiest way to tell the multiple characters apart is by their distinct designs, since their characters only gradually emerge through the story. Aries is the “cute” one, with clasps in her hair, a constant smile, and a sweet disposition. This first book also focuses on Kanata, the ultimate athlete and extrovert, who is determined to lead the team as captain, but isn’t sure how to lead except by yelling at everyone! His depiction shows self-confidence and exuberance, although his spiky hair and wild reactions hint at a temper. He’s balanced out by the oldest and most mature of the group, Zack, who is shown with glasses and an even temperament, and the quirky Charce, xenobiologist and “sparkly” handsome boy. Kanata’s exuberance is matched by the younger enthusiasm of Luca, another boy who sees the whole thing as a grand adventure, and by the antagonism of the lovely but selfish Quitterie. Quitterie has darker skin and her disdainful face shows arrogance, but her background and character are slowly revealed throughout the story, especially in relationship to the one child accompanying the group, ten year old Funicia, her adopted sister. Funicia is an odd character, often seeming much younger than her ten years with her babyish behavior, big eyes, and constant optimism, but she acts as a foil to the squabbles and tribulations of the older teens who feel responsible for her. Other characters—reclusive Ulgar who hides behind his hair and watch cap and tall, shy Yun-Hua—are left mysteries throughout the story. The art swings out from a focus on the characters to explore the strange planet they visit with giant, reptilian predators and Alice in Wonderland-like plants with strange abilities.
This first volume includes hints of romance, lots of character development and background stories, and the growth of various relationships, as well as plenty of adventure and excitement. The blend of both action and adventure as well as realistic, relationship-focused fiction are sure to attract a wide audience of manga fans. Although the story is, as yet, only beginning to develop, it looks as though it will have wide appeal and be a potential staple in manga collections.
Astra Lost in Space, vol. 1
by Kenta Shinohara
ISBN: 9781421596945
Viz Media, 2017
Publisher Age Rating: Teen
