Someday, Into Zero-Gravity Space

Asuka Mochizuki (Mai Kiryu), 30, works at an advertising agency in Osaka. She is a hard worker who tackles every task that lands in front of her. However, she once dreamed of reaching space with the members of her high school astronomy club. Weighed down by the "gravity" of adult responsibilities, Asuka had lost the courage to think about what she really wanted, until one day... ©NHK

Asuka reunites with her high school friend Hikari Hibino (Misato Morita) for the first time in 13 years. The two had once bonded over a shared love of space but had since lost touch. Asuka is happy to see that Hikari hasn't changed, but there's a question she's had all these years. At Hikari's suggestion, the two go to a planetarium where... ©NHK

Of the four members of Asuka's high school astronomy club, only Hikari had continued pursuing their dream of reaching space. Hikari had even been preparing for astronaut trials, but a turn of events forced her to give up. With a trembling voice, she confesses, "I really wanted to see Earth from space." Moved by Hikari's words, Asuka begins to wonder if there's anything she can do to help. ©NHK

As Asuka ponders how she can help her old friend Hikari, memories of their time in the high school astronomy club come flooding back. It's then that she finds an old blog post: "Even We Can Launch a Satellite!" Unrealistic as it sounds, the words linger in her mind, and when she is asked what she wants to accomplish next at a recruitment seminar, an idea flashes into her mind. ©NHK

After reuniting with Hikari, Asuka starts to recall their high school days in the astronomy club and the promise to go to space together. To inspire Hikari, who has given up on her astronaut dream, Asuka suggests building a microsatellite to see Earth from space. Determined to make this happen, Asuka contacts former club member Amane Mizuhara (Yuki Katayama). ©NHK

Driven by her high school dream of seeing Earth from space, Asuka sets out to reunite the former astronomy club members. Her plan quickly faces a setback when Amane declines, citing her age and responsibilities. Still, Asuka tries to keep her promise to Hikari to unite the team. Hope returns when Amane later gives Asuka contact information for another member, Haruko (Marika Ito). ©NHK