Madhouse’s “Orb: On the Movements of the Earth” Is a Fall 2024 Must-Watch

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Key Takeaways

  • Orb: On the Movements of the Earth boasts a compelling conflict between science and faith.
  • The anime introduces a unique heliocentric theory challenging the church’s geocentric beliefs.
  • Complex character development and historical themes make Orb a must-watch this Fall.

As an avid fan of anime and someone who has spent countless hours immersed in various worlds, I must say that Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is a truly captivating series that stands out from the crowd. The unique blend of medieval setting, religious intrigue, and scientific curiosity creates a compelling narrative that not only entertains but also challenges viewers to question the established order.

The upcoming Fall season of 2024 anime is jam-packed with shows eagerly awaited by fans. Yet, there’s one title from a renowned studio that has garnered little buzz in comparison to others, premiering its first and second episodes on October 5.

Orb – A Captivating Anime Exploration: “Orb: On the Movements of the Earth” delivers an intriguing narrative revolving around the clash between science and faith, skillfully executed to make it a standout choice for Fall viewing. Here’s why you shouldn’t miss out on this fascinating anime!

Basic Plot

Literally, About the Movements of the Earth

Titled “On the Movements of the Earth,” this story is set in a fictionalized 15th-century Poland, known as the “P Kingdom.” Here, the Church’s teachings hold absolute authority, and those accused of heresy face severe persecution, torture, and even death. Amidst this oppressive environment, young prodigy Rafal, who harbors a deep passion for astronomy, is compelled to work with and protect the secrets of Hubert, a heretic disguised as a reformed individual after his confrontation with the Church. In reality, however, Hubert continues his illicit activities, conducting groundbreaking research that dares to question the very foundations of the universe.

In simpler terms, the geocentric model suggests that Earth is the center of the universe, with all other celestial bodies revolving around it. However, Hubert strongly disagrees with this widely accepted theory. Instead, he introduces a concept called “heliocentrism,” which proposes that Earth and other planets orbit the sun. When Novak discovers a drawing Rafal made illustrating this idea, Hubert acknowledges it as his work. According to Church rules, anyone found guilty of heresy twice is to be punished by death at the stake. Hubert gives Rafal his life’s work, hoping he can prove heliocentrism. But with Potocki, his adoptive father, urging him to study theology in university instead of astronomy and the growing suspicion surrounding him, Rafal faces a challenging and perilous journey ahead.

Background Information

The History and Production of Orb

The manga titled “Orb: On the Movements of the Earth,” penned by Uoto, was serialized in Shogakukan’s Weekly Big Comic Spirits from September 2020 to April 2022. It has been compiled into eight volumes. Notably, it won the 26th Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize Manga Grand Prize in 2022 and the 54th Seiun Award in the Comics category in 2023. The upcoming anime adaptation of this series is being produced by Madhouse, a studio known for hit anime like Satoshi Kon’s “Paprika,” the adaptations of Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata’s “Death Note,” “Death Parade,” the adaptation of Rei Hiroe’s “Black Lagoon,” the first season of “One Punch Man,” and last year’s popular “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.” Key personnel involved in the production of Orb include director Kenichi Shimizu (key animation, “Afro Samurai: Resurrection”); series composer Shingo Irie (scripts on several episodes of “Kuroko’s Basketball”); character designer Masanori Shino (character designs, “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean”), who also serves as chief animation director; art director Yasutoshi Kawai (backgrounds, “Devil May Cry [2007]”); photography director Akane Fushihara (photography director, “One Punch Man”); and sound director Kisuke Koizumi (sound director, “Dororo [2019]”), with music composed by Kensuke Ushio (“CHAINSAW MAN”).

This animated series titled “Orb: On the Movements of the Earth” introduces Maaya Sakamoto as Rafal, Kouichi Makishima as Potocki, Kenjirō Tsuda as Novak, Shō Hayami as Hubert, Katsuyuki Konishi as Oczy, Saya Hitomi as Yolenta, and Yūichi Nakamura as Badeni. The opening theme is “Kaijū” by sakanaction, while the closing theme is “Aporia” by Yorushika. With a total of 25 episodes spread over two consecutive seasons, the series began airing on October 5, with the first two episodes premiered simultaneously. This production will be available internationally on Netflix.

What Makes This Anime Special?

Unique Subject Matter and Interesting Characters

In many anime, a medieval setting or an antagonistic religious organization isn’t unusual, but what makes Orb stand out is its portrayal of the Church’s oppressive influence in the Kingdom of P and its depiction of cruelty for the sake of protecting its interests, disguised as divine intervention to maintain power over the populace. This mirrors historical accounts of how the Church dealt with heresy, which can be unsettling yet grounded in reality. However, what makes Orb captivating is that within just three episodes, the characters display intricate and ultimately motivational reasons for risking their lives to uncover the truth.

12-year-old Rafal undergoes a significant transformation across three episodes, shifting from being conceited and dishonest, leveraging people’s beliefs and feelings, to bravely challenging the established order, demonstrating maturity and intelligence beyond his years. Interestingly, Rafal’s adoptive father, Potocki, also experiences growth, particularly through his relationship with Hubert, and his own past as a “heretic” due to his fascination with heliocentrism. The show effectively portrays the Church’s fierce opposition to intellectual inquiry and challenging scriptural truths that are presented as unquestionable. This struggle between unwavering faith and scientific curiosity is portrayed exceptionally well, with Kenjiro Tsuda (known for his role in JUJUTSU KAISEN) brilliantly depicting Novak’s character as a chilling representative of the Church’s oppressive power. Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is a must-watch this season due to its engaging portrayal of its risky setting and its ability to develop characters, even those with limited screen time, showcasing yet another instance of well-executed anime historical fiction.

Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is available to stream on Netflix.

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2024-10-17 23:35