Review by Win Wiacek

There are no strictly defined page counts for the chapters Kou Yaginuma refers to as ‘Missions’, so because they’re slightly shorter instalments this time, Twin Spica 10 packs nine of them in.

Twin Spica 9 ended with Asumi Kamogawa and her fellow students learning after all their study that the authorities are now considering using programmed automatons as astronauts instead of humans. They cost less to train and there’s no public outcry if they are lost. The only hope for the stars-struck kids is that the machines cannot yet compete with the pluck and ingenuity of living astronauts ‘Mission: 56’ begins as the students head out to the mountains for another gruelling series of mental and physical tortures claiming to be training exercises. It gives the fated five another chance to bond as arduous underwater repair protocols are undertaken competing against robots. There’s also the problem of a journalist close to learning the truth about Ukita, and a haunting flashback.

‘Mission: 57’ opens with Asumi and her companions still valiantly giving their all in a battle against encroaching automation, but the stakes subtly change when she talks to the robot designers and understands the tragic passion which drives them to remove the necessity for humans in space. They too learn something from her counterarguments before ‘Mission: 58’ sees the end of the one-sided exercise.

The dejected students return to school for the dog-days of summer in ‘Mission: 59’. As Kei tries to lift everyone’s spirits Marika slips away to pick up another 90 days worth of the experimental drugs keeping her unique condition under control, and time slips back again to the long-ago days when she read the diary of the other Marika: the weak one who preceded her. Later the gang meet up and – due to just a little chicanery – opt to spend another summer vacation in the unlikely seaside resort of Yuigahama. Later Marika confides in Asumi, suggesting that whatever happens in years to come, those who are left should always meet there in summer.

The restful recuperation begins in ‘Mission: 60’ with a visit to the shrines and gentle little bonding moments – except for grouchy Fuchuya who is once again pressed into service at the family fireworks factory.

As the Annual Fireworks Festival approaches in ‘Mission: 61’, a casual gift from Shu to one of the girls takes on special significance whilst they all pass time on the beach discussing his imminent departure for America and their space programme. The mood affects Marika who finally shares the truth about her genetic disease/medical condition and why it means she will probably never make it to space.

Asumi stays behind in Yuigahama with her father and spends time mulling over the complexities of life with Mr. Lion in ‘Mission: 62’. Also remaining is Fuchuya, whose discussions with his big brother about the disposition of the fireworks business leads to his meeting annoying Asumi and pondering how and why they got to where they are.

‘Mission: 63’ finds them back in Tokyo a little later, amidst an increasing press scrum as Suzuki’s departure nears, before everything changes in ‘Mission: 64’ as news comes that the inseparable five are now only four. It’s a shocking moment.

To be continued in Twin Spica 11.

Rounding off this volume is a wistfully autobiographical ‘Another Spica’ episode. Author Yaginuma recalls lonely journeys to distant places on the local railway line gathering images which would one day become the book you’re reading.

These are magically moving marvels and a joyous coming-of-age drama with supernatural overtones, raucous humour and masses of sheer sentiment.