Review of Astra Lost in Space

Overcome hardships to see what's beyond. I love that. The story of Astra is another one that's not something novel or outside the box really but does so good as being inside that box per se. We're not breaking any barriers really or going into something wholly new it just excels at being what it set out to be. An adventure of self discovery by these characters. Not just trying to get home but trying to figure out where they fit into the world they know. On top of all the crazy secrets and revelations going on. The last about four episodes has enough thingsbeing revealed to fill a full season of me of shows but Astra handled them all very well. The story follows the basic lost in space gimmick of them being sucked lightyears away from home and having to find their way back. Over the course of the story however we learn things aren't as simple as finding a way back. They hell of a way to bind the crew together with a point of commonality. But handled very well. It sounds crazy on its own but within the confines Astra builds it works. The generational lesson is strong too. One of seeing The world with your own eyes like Kanata said to them all. Don't just accept what you're told from those before you, explore and look for yourself.

The adaptation itself is very good. Lerche did far better than I thought they would crunching this down into basically fourteen episodes. At nearly fifty manga chapters I figured it would've been botched this way so I'm glad to be wrong. Even with the trimmings they kept the heart and message of the story safe. Put on full display in the extended finale. All of them uniting together and helping each other on their journey. Vowing to uncover the truth of their world for all to see. Peace built on a lie is hollow, people deserve the truth. Even if it's hard and scary you have to face the pain and push through.

Astra to me is what a short form shonen can be. A complete journey telling it's story without having to go big and crazy. Had genuine twists and interesting story beats to shack up the usual lost in space story. Some great lessons about living your own life and not being someone your forced to be. Looking at the world for yourself and coming together as a people, reaching out that hand. I just eat it up. Plays to go the heart.

9/10