Moonlight Mile (manga)

Moonlight Mile (ムーンライトマイル) is a manga by Yasuo Ōtagaki, which was also adapted into an anime television series. The manga is published by Shogakukan, while the anime is directed by Iku Suzuki and animated by Studio Hibari. The first episode of the anime aired on Japan's WOWOW satellite network in a special advance broadcast on February 4, 2007. The regular broadcast schedule began on March 3, 2007.

The story follows a pair of mountain climbers who decide to become astronauts. Ōtagaki says, in the preview special of the anime, that his goal in writing the story was to create a realistic space drama that features the political elements involved in modern space missions. Ken Noguchi, a professional mountain climber, provided inspiration to the creators of Moonlight Mile for their depictions of ascending Mount Everest.

Plot summary
Gorou Saruwatari and Lostman are mountain climbers who have ascended some of the highest mountains around the world. At the peak of Mount Everest, they see the ISA Space Station in the sky above and become determined to go into space. At the same time, NASA begins a program to research and obtain a new energy source which has been discovered on the moon. Gorou and Lostman attempt to join the program through different approaches: Lostman becomes a pilot and Gorou takes a job as a construction worker.

Characters

 * Lostman
 * Gorou Saruwatari
 * Kousuke Sawamura
 * Steve O'Brien
 * Miguel
 * Riyoko Ikeuchi
 * Maggie Hiraoka
 * Akemi Saruwatari

Anime
The anime is split into two seasons. The first season, "LIFT Off", is composed of 12 episodes airing from March 3, 2007 to May 26, 2007. The second, "Touch Down", is composed of 14 episodes airing from September 13, 2007 to December 13, 2007.

Music

 * Original soundtrack: Kan Sawada
 * 1st Ending theme: "Scarecrow" by the pillows
 * 2nd Ending theme: "BOAT HOUSE" by the pillows

Licensing in the United States
ADV Films acquired the license for U.S. distribution of Moonlight Mile on July 21, 2007. This was announced at Otakon 2007. The series began its US DVD release on March 3, 2008 and the third and final volume came out on 05/20/2008. A box to hold all three volumes was released with the second volume. As it is currently known, only the first season LIFT Off has been licensed for a North American release. In July 2008, the anime became one of over 30 ADV titles transferred to Funimation.