Reviews for Orb: On the Movements of the Earth

Orb: On the Movements of the Earth - Damn, does NHK know what shows to show on its network that not only bring in heaps of Japanese citizens, but also people globally as well, going n-for-nth or historical drama shows that just keep you coming back for more and don't waste your precious time? If you don't know what I mean, do you remember shows like last Spring - Summer's Karasu wa Aruji wo Erabanai a.k.a Yatagarasu: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master, and especially famed mangakas' series from Yasuhisa Hara's Kingdom to Yoshitoki Oima's Fumetsu no Anata e a.k.a To Your Eternity? Yes, allof these series aired on Japan's premier broadcasting station NHK, and anime showcased at the TV network, for the past few years or so (not counting its sister station NHK Educational that's branded for children), has been pumping out banger after banger shows with reputations that precede their fame. And in the most recent of times, there comes yet another contender to follow this highly regarded trend: mangaka Uoto's Chi. Chikyuu no Undou ni Tsuite a.k.a Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, which since its inception has gone on to be nominated many times and even won prestigious awards in the form of the Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize in 2022, and the Seiun Award in the Best Comic category the year after.

No doubt then, the anime must have a talented staff well equipped enough to handle a well-regarded and highly prized work such as this. TL;DR, I have 2 words for you: Philosophy and Madhouse (as in both literally and the studio itself).

Let's cover the Philosophy section first, and to get a head start on the overall context of Chi a.k.a Orb, I'd like you to always keep this question in mind behind one of the Earth's most rebutted debates since the dawn of mankind:

Can religion and science co-exist?

"From religion comes a man’s purpose; from science, his power to achieve it. Sometimes people ask if religion and science are not opposed to one another. They are in the sense that the thumb and fingers of my hands are opposed to one another. It is an opposition by means of which anything can be grasped."

- William H. Bragg, British physicist

The precedence for just about any experiment, more or less proving that the concept exists, is something that, while pretty much prevalent in today's society, while opinions are open to enable endless discussions between people and the like, is not so the case when you look at how humanity has come forth within the past few centuries. Most especially, within the last rites of the 15th Century's Late Middle Age, just right at the turn of that century into the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery, where the author's series is based upon: a fictional "P Kingdom (of Poland)" where the "C(atholic) religion" reigns supreme, ousting almost every other radical "terrorist" thinking that is outside of the spectrum of what is suitable to the masses of its time, being a mostly authoritarian system where even the bright minds can be gathered but can't make fascist remarks depicting anything outside of Catholicism itself. This, of course, poses a cardinal sin that labels anyone a heretic and subjects them to fearmongering from the Church through its Inquisitors, capable of persecuting just about anyone who defies all sense of the man-made religion and its orthodoxy (that the Earth has seen through many generations of popes come and gone, and people still respect the religion, which opposes the very core of Jesus Christ and the works of Christianity).

While you may not know that Uoto's series is a literate reference to the now-famous Greek Renaissance polymath Nicolaus Copernicus's De revolutionibus orbium coelestium a.k.a On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres, which attempts to circumvent the well-known knowledge of fellow astronomer Claudius Ptolemy's geocentric system (which is where the heliocentric model is derived from as an alternative), the author's retelling of that story through fictional characters is what sets the precedence for the art of heliocentrism to exist in a world where the geocentric system has been widely accepted by astronomers at the time. Yes, you could argue that the story is simplicity at its best, seeing generations of people experimenting with the likes of "black magic" (a reference to the night sky and the revolving of the Earth), only to be labelled as martyrs for their work being chased down by the same authoritarian system that they would quote as "blind beliefs" to the cause, but its profound overall statement (which can be referenced to the Bible) that "faith is the opposite of fear," the aforementioned question of religion and science's co-existence...blurs the line even more.

"Science and religion are not at odds. Science is simply too young to understand. Whether or not you believe in God, you must believe this: when we as a species abandon our trust in a power greater than us, we abandon our sense of accountability. Faiths, all faiths, are admonitions that there is something we cannot understand, something to which we are accountable. With faith we are accountable to each other, to ourselves, and to a higher truth. Religion is flawed, but only because man is flawed. Science tells me God must exist. My mind tells me I will never understand God. And my heart tells me I am not meant to."

- Dan Brown, author of Angels & Demons

To pay the price for challenging beliefs and visions and dreams that exist and are/have yet to be discovered, this is one of Uoto's strengths when it comes to the depiction of how far humanity will go to prove why and what they believe in has a right to exist within the laws of the Earth, much more than the God that is prevalent in the world. Just like Christianity with the Apostles' Creed, science itself has no backers, which opens up the possibilities of people assessing the Earth and its unnoticed profound wonders, which is represented in the series through generations of ordinary people (like you and I) seeing how the world runs and finding an intrigue in why theories existed way before but were not further capitalized as such (since people didn't know better back then).

And within the 3 parts of the series itself, we see the spearheaders "heretics" of Hubert and (which is passed down onto) Rafal, Oczy, and Badeni, as well as Jolenta and Draka, thereby culminating to link up with actual documented history with famous mathematician Albert Brudzewski (which improved upon Nicolaus Copernicus's theories about astronomy in the late 15th Century to his publishings that would redefine how we see the cosmos today). As unremarkable as they are, Lao Tzu's quote of "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step", as well as Confucius's quote of "It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop," perfectly sums up the generations of the forerunners who were all in for martyrdom believing in the faith that not just moves them, but the universe as well. Again, it's simplicity that wins out in the end, and for a story that transcends centuries of liberal knowledge, that to face persecution in the form of torture and ideological fascism, these characters play a huge part according to their available research and resources at the time, proving that their science, as much as religion whitewashes the cynicism about heliocentrism, is proven wrong as the Dawn of the Age progresses to the modern day.

And none of this is possible without the most defining character of all: Nowak. Like Vinland Saga's main antagonist Askeladd, Nowak's outward appearance is strong and carries his life conviction of his loyalty to the Church and its orthodoxy. However, internally, he who lacks a specific ideology is blind to the ways of the world when it comes to progress, always wanting to stay in his comfort zone that Catholicism will not perish even when he passes on. Sadly, from the very start, he's blindsided when the 12-year-old blonde-haired intelligent kid comes to him and proclaims about the greatness of heliocentrism and the depth that it could create newborn scientific research that spawns the Movement on the Earth, enough to trigger him into a lifetime's worth of being a serial killer for those who oppose the Church. With experience telling him that anybody in relation to this dissident, unorthodox/heterodox thinking is a liability, it sets off a flurry of events that would see him chase every single man and woman down to give them the deathly torture of their lives, only for karma to come back to realize that the religious hollow of his life's belief is but a shadow of its former self (which history has shown of the progress through the age of the Reformation in 16th Century Europe, challenging the beliefs of Catholicism and marking the beginning of Protestantism a.k.a salvation in Christianity based on faith in Jesus Christ as opposed to good works). What a Madhouse of chronological events.

Truly, religion and science REALLY cannot co-exist...but is this by any means the end of the story? I tell you, absolutely NOT.

"Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality. When we recognize our place in an immensity of light-years and in the passage of ages, when we grasp the intricacy, beauty, and subtlety of life, then that soaring feeling, that sense of elation and humility combined, is surely spiritual. So are our emotions in the presence of great art or music or literature, or acts of exemplary selfless courage such as those of Mohandas Gandhi or Martin Luther King, Jr. The notion that science and spirituality are somehow mutually exclusive does a disservice to both."

- Carl Sagan, American astrophysicist

To experience the cosmos, the stars, and the planets with all your heart is a surreal journey that many have taken its path, and few succeeded with theories that span centuries, showcasing that the cosmos truly is a far-flung space of exploration that even more is the glory of its own beauty. And from the director that brought you Fall 2014's Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu a.k.a Parasyte: The Maxim, Kenichi Shimizu, may have spent time at Madhouse doing all the major staff roles (storyboarding, key animation, animation/episode director) except being series director (if you count out Fall 2016's All Out!!). Since then, Chi a.k.a Orb is a return of the veteran maestro after 10 years of being dormant to give us a show that indeed, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

What magnificence that the studio has undergone such a massive and radical change, that the once revered Madhouse has finally found its own Renaissance era delivering quality shows that hearken to the hearts of old anime fans who've lived to see its glory days in the 2010s. From Sousou no Frieren a.k.a Frieren: Beyond Journey's End last Fall to yet another Fall show of this series, the word "boundary" is no limit to how far Madhouse respects the works they not only adapt but also get down to the heart of the matter to deliver experiences that you rarely would find, at least for a passion project of this magnitude. From the essences of the gorgeous night sky to the violence and gore that depicts death incarnate, this show has it all and is fiercely unapologetic in depicting the uncensored rawness of life (which you can't say for 99% of shows nowadays that choose to go the safe route and disrespect their source materials in the name of censorship).

If you have someone like Kensuke Ushio orchestrating the music for your series, be glad and thankful that everything this man touches turns into absolute solid gold. This man is a prime example of how anime OSTs should be done, and more than in his works for prior series like Dandadan and Chainsaw Man, he understands the importance of musicality in the right places and moments and has consistently pumped out great OSTs over the years, where his quality outshines the quantities of series that he's responsible for.

Chi. a.k.a Orb may only have one OP song throughout its 2-cour, 6-month run, but believe me when I say that Sakanaction's OP song is one of, if not the best OP songs I've heard for 2024 alone. To their credit, "Kaiju" may be the Hokkaido rock band's first Anisong, and for a band that has consistently reached Oricon's Top 10 charts in Japan since 2006, for the songs that they have performed in the past that have never failed to generate their huge fanbases, it truly is a record that's noteworthy of their popularity.

Funnily enough, with the resurgence of the band in the 2020s, their 2019-released song "Wasurerarenai no" was being used as a surprise/jump cut reveal at the end of various posts or general references to anime music style, where the most prominent post suggested that "regardless of how an anime show ends or a character dies, there is usually an upbeat final theme song in the style of this band." And you can tell that "Kaiju" was made with this sense in mind, right down to the visuals of the anime-cut song, which sees all characters being involved with heliocentrism and the extent of the outcome that goes with them. It's this attention to intricate detail that makes a song both visually and musically metaphoric, and it's just outstanding on every degree.

Pair this with the 2 ED songs from Yorushika (which need I say that they're great to begin with), and you'll have a masterpiece OST on your hands.

"There is a fundamental difference between religion, which is based on authority, and science, which is based on observation and reason. Science will win because it works. I believe the universe is governed by the laws of science. The laws may have been decreed by God, but God does not intervene to break the laws. When you look at the vast size of the universe and how insignificant and accidental human life is in it, the existence of a God seems most implausible."

- Physicist Stephen Hawking

I cannot, simply CANNOT, understate how, on the face of the Earth, Netflix has licensed other shows (like Sakamoto Days) alongside Orb, but the former is getting all the attention while the latter is just there in the anime catalogue of shows, just being yet another stickler show in the race of many to be added into the streaming platform's library. Even here on MAL, Chi. Chikyuu no Undou ni Tsuite a.k.a Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is already on the brink of underrated shows due to its complex but simple story of historical philosophy, mixed in with the realism of life that you just will not find anywhere else.

Be it a loose interpretation of European history that Orb is written as such, it's still primarily fiction at the end of the day that still focuses on the actual conception of heliocentrism and its themes. I ten billion percent will guarantee that the show is ABSOLUTELY worth your time, even if history is not your thing at all.

As God exists in this world, so shall your ability to dream dreams and change the world, because the world revolves around us. And the Copernican heliocentrism that has now spanned centuries towards modernization is pretty much alive today. So go and experiment, because the world is your oyster, as science and religion, while incompatible with each other, are the reasons behind the existence of life and the vast universe.

Tired of isekais of the season (Re:ZERO) that, even great, no longer provide the same satisfaction, either due to being predictable and repetitive or after watching countless of them every season? Or perhaps you're tired of the endless floodgates of rom-coms that halt all progress beyond will-they-won't-they shenanigans? Maybe you're tired of an anime being so anime-y with high speed movements and action scenes that are full of flashy effects (Dandadan) for the sake of the rule of cool? Boy, do I have the perfect show for you! Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the animes I mentioned above. I myself watch them.But sometimes, you know how you're just looking for something with a bit more "Oomph!" that offer something new and unique in this era of repetitive isekai and action/battle shounen animes? Well, move aside Re:ZERO/Dandadan, because a new competitor joins the race for best anime this Fall 2024!

An unexpected and possible Anime of the Season material (perhaps even AotY if it can stick the landing, otherwise it's still too early), Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is an anime that goes against the tides of common anime genres of the season. The story takes a page in ancient history (15th century Europe) depicting a battle of truth: to prove the truth of the cosmos while facing the possible prosecution from the church and its inquisitors, and leaving behind footnotes for future generations to build upon and continue the legacy of the collective human knowledge.

First, the story isn't something you'd expect to come from an anime. Like Vinland Saga, the author knows the story it wants to tell. Every scene thus far doesn't waste the audience's time with pointless monologues and flashbacks. It doesn't treat the audience as idiots, laying out all the details in front of you and handing it on a silver platter. No, this anime wants you to figure it out for yourself using the characters' motivation and their actions and goals. The structure of the storytelling relies on the atmosphere and tension you feel for the characters, and the pacing makes you easily forget that each episode runs for 24 minutes, with those 24 minutes only feeling like 3 minutes because of how engaging it does its dialogues and conversation between each characters. It's very well-executed and balanced, a stark contrast from most animes these days.

Secondly, speaking of characters, the author knows how to create them, and knows when to write them out of the story. You know how animes kill off a character, but before that happens, they show you a flashback of that character's past with their happy memories? *cough* JJK Season 2 *cough* It's as if to say "Go on! Feel bad for this character and cry as I kill him/her off." Or even worse, when they kill off that character for the sake of developing another character? *cough* JJK Season 2 again *cough* Well, screw that! This anime will punch you in the face when you least expect it. Writing a character, and a compelling one at that, is half the battle in writing a good story. You have to know when to write them off the story too (a lesson I wish Tensura would learn with how much useless characters it has). The author certainly knows when it wants to up the ante, whether by killing off its characters, or by introducing new ones. Plot armor? Nope, we don't have that around here! What we do have are unexpected twists you won't see coming a mile away.

Lastly, it's done by Madhouse! What more could you want? Of course, don't expect Frieren-levels of animation. This isn't that kind of anime. If you're looking for an action anime, then this might not fit you (HOWEVER.. I request that you at least watch the first 3 episodes. This anime deserves it, I swear). It's art style resembles that of Attack on Titan or even Vinland Saga, so no cutesy anime girls here or moe character archetypes (certainly no -dere character archetypes either).

Overall, this is a fantastic anime (on its way to be a masterpiece if it sticks the middle and landing). If you're looking for a unique story that is as far from the usual anime tropes as possible, Orb is an anime I simply must recommend. I will glaze it as much as possible and ensure that it rises from being a dark horse anime of the season to being an anime that is well-known for its quality storytelling and compelling characters. And if you liked it, remember to suggest it to your friends or acquaintances who watch animes as well. As I've said, it doesn't have the usual anime tropes of moe/loli/dere characters, so this is a pretty safe recommendation that won't get you side-eyed by your friends.

PS: Do note that while this anime might seem historical, and it does borrow elements from Late Medieval Europe, you shouldn't treat this anime as a way to get educated about 15th century Europe, nor should you treat this as historical fiction, as it plays fast-and-loose with the actual history concerning the conceiving of the heliocentrism theory and inquisition. They don't even name drop Europe itself, and they avoid mentioning where exactly this anime takes place on Earth. So just treat this as you would any fiction, and enjoy the quality anime.

Extremely boring for anyone who isn’t an armchair intellectual. Look at the other reviews, bunch of turbo nerds. It’s just like those super low budget historical reenactments that you get in high school history in anime form. For real tho, it’s a historical drama with very little “action”. If you find the subject of christianity vs science to be unbelievably boring (like me because I learned more than enough about the subject in school) and you can’t care about characters that only exist for 10-20 mins, then this show will probably be very boring to you too. The story, characters, and art are top tier, butI couldn’t possibly care less about the story, characters or the “think about this” dialogue lol.

If you really like the origin of astronomy subject then this show will probably be 10/10 to you. If you want a similar show with a far more interesting story (imo) watch Monster or Pluto.

I’ve fallen asleep while watching TV 3 times in my life and 2/3 times were while watching this show. I have to put it under the “impressively boring” category. Maybe I just have the wrong mindset, but I really tried.

By anime standards, Orb: On the Movements of This Series into the Garbage Can has a unique story and setting. There are, unsurprisingly, not a whole lot of medieval European period piece mangas out there—set in 15th century Poland in this case—and even fewer of those get adapted, except for the more popular action-packed or fantasy-based ones rather than old school (a)historical fiction, with realistic situations, no magic or monsters, and plenty of moral quandaries and philosophical musings. Certain characters or events seem loosely based on figures such as the Italians Giordano Bruno or Galileo Galilei, who are associated with astronomy and dabbled in anumber of other things, with the former finding himself knee-deep in a grab-bag of "heresies" that put him at odds with the tyrannical church inquisitors and led to him being burnt at the stake. Here, too, there will be many heretics sizzling like bacon, a smell as sweet as charming quotes from the bible, such as "happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks." The characters navigate through a society not at all dissimilar from a tattletale spook state like Soviet Russia, doing a convincing job of making Christianity look like a forerunner of communism.

The focus on proving heliocentrism in a world of geocentric orthodoxy, enforced by ruthless inquisitors of the church, makes for a fearsome clash of worldviews, and there are thriller, even quasi-spy, elements on display that could be plumbed for added tension, though the formula chosen by the author inevitably curbs what could be exciting and compelling. The ideas explored place this story within history, though many liberties are taken albeit maybe too few. However, emphasis must be placed on Orb as a science/philosophy-based drama series influenced by history rather than being historical fiction. There are already solemn tears being shed over "historical inaccuracies," yet the author seems to have set the series in Poland with no references to location or significant dates, doesn't feature any of the famous astronomers, and is using all original characters and events. The author realized there was a perception that the church heavily persecuted heliocentrism and saw an intriguing story to tell. While the church was prone to censorship or authoritarian measures in a number of ways, they were not burning people at the stake for heliocentrism. Yes, there were executions related to heresy, but they were usually theologically rooted. This is fiction, the basic dynamic and how it's influenced by history makes for a potentially good story, and critiquing it based on historical inaccuracies is simply poor criticism. Besides, the more important point should be how hard this series fails as entertaining fiction or as an artistic achievement.

Orb is, at heart, a Monster-like mature™ series in the seinentard realism school of anime: "Wow, no waifus, lolis, no cheeky tsunderes to treat me like a doormat, nor any other deres in sight (let alone women, so far... quite the sausage fest), no tropes, no rainbow hair, and no shonen shining justice fingering. The characters are contemplative and ask probing questions about existence. omg, omg, this is so deep." With the bland character art, blonde main in the first arc, the extra dopey character Oczy, and medieval European setting, I also thought of Crappa's near-slideshow Vinland Saga S2, yet Madhouse, apparently having tucked all their cash under Frieren's bra strap, is more stingy here with their seasonal budget, out crapping even Crappa!

To compare Orb to other series and give a better impression of what it's like, there's the red flag tone and philosophical nature of both Monster and Vinland Saga S2, but further aspects can be illuminated with the inclusion of the medieval manga Wolfsmund and the adapted Fumetsu no Anata e and Bokura NO More Cryporn, Mommy, Please! Orb is, of course, not cryporn by any stretch, as there is a way of engaging with death and the world that questions where meaning is derived from and whether or not there is an afterlife. There is often a detachment from the material world and the hope of salvation in the hereafter, with many characters questioning or doubting the potentiality of the latter and becoming nihilistic. From this state of despair, some of these characters, having bumped around like blind beggars, lost within the dark corridors of their copypasta medieval town, find the glorious light of our lord and savior Heliocentrism or some other truth, hidden away by the big mean bad men of the church.

The reason to address the last few series above is because they feature a large cast of barely developed characters who are killed off every arc, much like Orb. There's an inspirational quality to Orb, with the main character not so much being a human but instead an idea, a representation of the indomitable "spirit of man," yearning for truth. This "spirit" inhabits each rotating individual or cast of characters as if they were mere vessels, selflessly passing on knowledge and ambition to the next empty vessel(s) and filling them with the Divine Spark of Heliocentrism. There's a similarity to this setup that harkens back to Fumetsu no Anata e, which possesses a lot of the same problems.

Similarly, Wolfsmund is an apt comparison not only due to the medieval setting and backdrops, but there are a number of ways to interpret the often vague, skeletal stories, featuring numerous groups of characters attempting to make their way by various means of trickery into the lands beyond a fortified mountain pass. Why they want to do so or what is the significance of one plot of land versus the other is not clear, but the lack of information and the presentation of the author attach a sort of mystical fervor to risking life and limb for an unknown land, and Orb tackles the same thing in a more clear-cut, prosaic manner.

In fiction, it's not uncommon for there to be a tension based on your anticipation of whether a character will die or not, yet this tension is absent or greatly diminished in these titles because misfortune is telegraphed by design, and what we're shown in a preceding arc is foreordained in the subsequent arcs, unless the author later decides to subvert expectations. These works lack the poeticism of a tragedian, as one would expect to find in a "deep work" with so much persecution and death, and only echo hollowness. In some sense, Orb is worse than these other titles because it takes the characters to the formula's logical conclusion and depersonalizes them even further by making the main character, in essence, an idea. In theory, a conventional setup of a core cast that we follow throughout the series or one that has a "disposable" cast can both be emotionally resonant and serve as compelling fiction, yet the latter formula requires a much defter hand than is on display to be convincing and is the obvious reason why it's seldom used. The former is tried and true, but the latter can quickly become sterile, contrived in its determinism, and has a tendency to use the characters as barely concealed mouth pieces for the author's ideas, which might even work if those ideas are grand and the artistic vision lofty enough. Orb is a failure on both counts, acting as another knock against this formula, along with the other deficient works I have cited.

Many assume that the budgetary constraints are not an issue, for this is a title concerned with characters, story, and, perhaps most importantly, ideas and themes. It's somewhat true, for there doesn't appear to be a need for heavy amounts of animation to convey these ideas, yet the problem is deeper than needing better animation or sakuga showboating. Most artistic slideshows have a more creative use of imagery compared to Orb, so it's not a matter of animation alone. The aesthetic is the problem, and it's a severe one. Artwork and composition can easily make up for a limited but wisely used animation budget. Instead, we have lots of static frames and pans over bland artwork, like any other seasonal. They let you savor those super-stinky ultra-cheesy pans over Rafal, him being the talk of the town, shining against a star-studded backdrop, set to self-aggrandizing music, and sporting a flat closed-eye expression that renders the character art even shoddier looking than it already is. This type of vile stylization reigns supreme. Lastly, the cinematography and compositions are subpar. Animation is a visual medium, so you don't get a free pass for neglecting the visual component to the extent that it might as well be a radio drama. Nonetheless, there will always be a market and endless trumpeting for anything with the appearance of being "mature and sophisticated," especially if it quotes a couple famous people (hey, you guys heard of Socrates?) and asks a few questions about existence now and then.

I can hardly believe Madhouse, a company behind many excellent titles and co-founded by legends such as Osamu Dezaki and Yoshiaki Kawajiri, both of whom had a powerful visual style, could put out something so lifeless. Madhouse placed most of their animation assets into physical conflict, such as the sword fights with the duelists. The only images that come close to being effective are the night time sequences; there's minimal light pollution from the cities, so the sky teems with bright stars, indicating the author should have framed this work as a nocturnal mood piece or at least had a stronger contrast for day and night, lending the daytime scenes a harsh, oppressive, and well-calculated brightness. The closest this series came to possessing an effective atmosphere so far was when the duelists fought with the noble in episode 4 and wandered around the city. Once they set foot into the brightly lit bar, the flat lighting and lifelessness returned, the characters hamming it up. The day time scenes are just as bad or worse. Clearly, there was a missed opportunity for visual storytelling here, as the two times of day to some extent represent the status quo and the rebellious heretics.

The author may have been able to make this series function if he used a more conventional storytelling method, but there's an immediate "oopsie" by the end of episode 3. Orb is plagued by being too big for its britches with its tepid grimdark attempts at profundity. Yet it's not that deep. These are basic questions we've grappled with for millennia in art with more rigor and artistry. Just because this presents more philosophical musings than your average seasonal slop doesn't mean it's profound. Is there a god? If not, where do we find meaning? Is truth worth pursuing despite all odds? And there's a whole lot of ignorance and gas lighting that makes that pursuit of truth all the more difficult. This is a linear and simplistic infotainment story line with no replay value, let alone viewing value. While I wish I could say I enjoyed my weekly twenty minutes of hate against D-g and the church, dying for the sake of our lord and savior Heliocentrism every few episodes is not at all compelling. Honestly, reading about the history of astronomy from beginning to end is both more entertaining and enlightening.

Maybe the writing seems serviceable at first, but the execution of numerous scenes is horrendous and what could be compelling themes are rendered as ham-fisted by the ineptitude of the drama, with these "mature" series so often seeming to engage in hokier shenanigans than even many trashy isekais, made all the more obvious by the oh-so-serious, one might even say "edgy," nature. One character quote mines Socrates and numerous historical figures so as to justify a questionable sacrifice, as if the author were Urobutcher at his clumsiest. It's not at all a fantasy, but the way the author strings together his cornball contrivances, playing out like divinely inspired Heliocentric prophecy as the author connects the dots in a deterministic fashion, one might be forgiven for thinking otherwise.

The Heliocentrism cult, their symbol being the wood medallion, come across as creepy to the extreme and behave like mystical, know-it-all shamans, going against the presumed rational schtick they have going on in the series amongst many of the dissidents otherwise. One of them even abruptly rises from the dead as if he were a zombie, sacrificing himself for another character, leering at him like a deranged coomer as he does so, passing on the torch ("One of us! One of us!")! The author reinforces his dichotomy of truth and belief by juxtaposing the "peaceful" deaths of the followers of Heliocentrism against the tortured faces of D-g's followers upon death; this is dishonestly conveyed by a scene where one of the dueling dunces muses about the latter situation after having shish kebabed a noble in a duel and assigns meaning to it, yet who wouldn't die in agony during an adrenaline-soaked battle to the death? It doesn't prove any point at all, leaving one to think the character is a madman, yet, if so, the script corroborates his madness! Meanwhile, the Heliocentrism cult acts as if they've transcended death altogether, the author making them look so relaxed upon passing that one might mistake them for having wet their pants while asleep.

There's no subtlety or respect for the audience. There's even wince-inducing dialogue about the obvious passing of the torch or baton (subtext this blatant should be left as such) to the next person. In episode 5, There's a scene so heavy-handed as to be embarrassing in the way they use symbols and themes: That pivotal scene, another such passing of the Holy Light of Heliocentrism, resembles an absurd Rube Goldberg machine of crumbling architecture and various items used as symbols and reinforcing the themes, which the characters are directly grappling with; is this a comedy? Because the scene sort of reminds me of and is actually way worse than the old cliche of the guy putting a bible, pocket watch, or lighter in his chest pocket and surviving what should have been a lethal pistol shot to the heart. There are many such scenes, and Heliocentricism is a ravenous, Jealous God who needs to be renewed with the blood of its proponents, with Orb oddly resembling the deterministic horror of schlock like the Final Destination franchise over anything serious.

The most hilarious thing about this series is Christianity is known for having concocted a new form of writing, which one can call martyr literature, yet the oppositional IFLS crowd in this show all come across as having the same zeal. I respect the efforts of those who were persecuted by the church and tried to maintain or further knowledge, but this story has an awkward and preachy way of depicting the characters and events. Much knowledge was lost to the hands of Christian scribes, who often declined to copy many inconvenient texts that critiqued their ideology (made pretty obvious by how we often only have counter-criticism of writers like Marcion and Celsus, rather than their original texts, the horrible treatment and contempt for the ancient world, defacement of statues and pagan shrines, etc.), but I wouldn't be complaining if they tossed this turkey into the funeral pyre.

On the surface this is a show about how science won out over backwards theology. Science is fucking epic and it beat the church's stupid }&oRBass with facts and logic. Thanks to our modern perspective on the model of the universe, that is an easy way to interpret this show. However this is really an anime about how the state and the prevailing belief system we live under exists through violence and and terror. It wasn't just people being backwards that kept people believing in geocentrism--it was torture, murder, and fear. The only hope for escaping such a regime is to be ready to suffer anddie pointlessly; until you and your fellow heretics can overwhelm its enforcers, who will basically always win, nothing changes. All that the heretics can do is to "simply accept the nightmare that confronts [them]." Only those who are truly determined to lose everything else for their beliefs make any real contribution to the furthering of those beliefs.

And beyond simple torture, the state is always ready to exploit anything someone cares about: friends, family, possessions, works, in order to ensure its interests are put above all else. The show is accurately nightmarish in its depiction of state power and willingness to violence. The main villain of Orb is one of the most genuinely terrifying people depicted in animation since Ed Wuncler from The Boondocks.

It's also an anime about the hope of discovery and the personal fulfillment of having complete conviction in your own beliefs. People who seemed to be in complete despair despite believing in the eternal paradise afterlife of church orthodoxy found much greater hope in the belief that the church was wrong. The idea that prevailing ideology is wrong and there is a better way is a powerful motivator, even allowing many to believe that destroying the prevailing ideology is worth sacrificing themselves and handing the torch to the next generation.

This is a show that visually depicts the highest beauty, with incredibly gorgeous images of the unfiltered night sky as we would see it without modern light pollution. It also depicts the horrors that people are capable of, with marathon torture sessions in dark basements--however, it is not torture porn, and does so in a tasteful way. The character designs are unique but fitting for medieval Poland; no one feels out of place. The background art likewise is fantastic. There is also great attention paid to the lighting; since this was pre-electricity, scenes are often much darker than they would typically be, and used in a way that add a lot of tension.

The characters are well-developed, even when they last an episode or two. Each has their own unique motivations, fears, relationships, quirks, and arcs. The longest-lived character seems to be a constant, but by the end has clearly started to change. It would be easy to say that you're rooting for the protagonists to prove their beliefs, but that isn't actually true. They add the very real complexity of people who believe things that are true and want to prove it, but are awful people who you don't really want to win.

This show is a gem, a rare anime depiction of European history that really works. Also c'mon the show is named "Orb". Watch the Orb show. Orb.

This is my first review ever and I've been watching anime for a decade. I can't believe I thought "nah I won't be watching this anime, it's probably just pretentious". But oh boy was I wrong. I find it incredible how you look at things of the past while thinking well isn't it obvious? In the past it wasn't! That's why it's so great to see how people fought for what they believed in and that is exactly why humanity is where we are right now. People fighting for what they believed in, even if it meant sacrificing themselves. This anime is a work of art.It's been a long time since I've watched an anime that made me forget time. I find myself thinking "wait what, 20 minutes are already over? I thought it's just been about 5 minutes." That's exactly how good this anime is. It is unpredictable and very intellectual. For those saying it's boring, they should try to give it a chance and maybe challange themselves.

You will be missing out on the beauty lf this anime.

Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is one of the most thought-provoking and visually gripping shows I’ve seen in a long time. Set in a reimagined medieval Europe, it weaves together the tension between religion and science, between blind faith and dangerous curiosity. It’s a story where the simple act of thinking differently could cost you your life and honestly, that alone made it stand out from everything else airing at the time. The series doesn’t follow one protagonist but several, across multiple timelines, all connected by one idea: the pursuit of truth. Specifically, the heliocentric theory that the sun, not the Earth, is thecenter of the universe. Every episode hums with quiet dread. You watch people wrestle with fear, conviction, and the weight of systems designed to crush dissent. It’s slow, yes, but some episodes hit like a silent scream. You feel it in your chest.

And I truly admire its ambition. I love what it tries to be. But I won’t pretend the ending worked for me. It felt… unfinished. As if the story was building toward a revelation, a final burst of something grand or gut-wrenching only to stop mid-thought. The credits rolled, and I just sat there, blinking, waiting for more. I’ve seen people call it poetic and brave. And I get that. But I guess I wanted a moment that landed. I wanted the story to complete its sentence. It didn’t. So I’m left feeling torn: grateful for the journey, but unsatisfied by the silence at the end of the road.

Visually, though? It’s breathtaking. The art is dark, painterly, and rich like a Renaissance oil painting come to life. Even if the narrative didn’t fully work for me, the visuals alone are worth the experience. That said, I’ll be honest: it’s not my favorite art style. It’s more impressive than emotionally resonant, at least for me. But I can absolutely appreciate how perfectly it suits the tone. The direction, animation, and atmosphere are undeniably top-tier.

That said, there’s one very specific art choice that kinda bugged me: the way they depict bald heads. The transition between forehead and hair often looks unnatural, like there’s a sharp line cutting off where the hair begins instead of a gradual fade or subtle root texture. It almost makes the characters look like they’re wearing skin-colored caps or glued-on wigs. Given how detailed and painterly the rest of the art is, this stands out. Just a little shading or hair-root texture could’ve fixed it.

The sound design is equally stunning. Kensuke Ushio’s score haunts the background like a ghost subtle but overwhelming in the best ways. It lingers in the silence, swells in the stillness, and sometimes says more than the characters ever could. The voice acting, too, is phenomenal. There are moments, especially during intense monologues, where I could feel my skin crawl. Not from fear, but from sheer emotional pressure like the words were too heavy to say out loud.

As for the characters, the core figures are solid. One antagonist, in particular, goes through a transformation that’s fascinating to watch. But many of the side characters feel like flickers: they appear, burn bright for a moment, then vanish. There’s not always enough time to fully care. You understand their place in the story, but you don’t always feel their loss.

There are also moments where the show’s logic feels… inconsistent. A character preaches nonviolence and then leaves a trail of bodies. The Church is painted as brutally anti-science, yet there’s an elite college teaching astronomy? I’m not saying these contradictions ruin anything, but they do make you pause. They pull you out of the story, even if just for a second.

And yes, the pacing is glacial. If you’re not into dense philosophical dialogue or theological debates, this show might feel like a high school history lecture wearing an artsy mask. Some people jokingly called it “turbo nerd content,” and you know what? That’s valid. It demands your attention. It doesn’t guide you. It expects you to catch up.

There’s also been criticism from historical purists (especially a Polish reviewer I read) about how loosely the show treats figures like Copernicus. For me, it wasn’t a problem. It’s not pretending to be a documentary. It’s art. A dramatized reimagining. But it’s still something to be aware of. If you’re looking for historical accuracy, this isn’t it.

What struck me most, though, is how the show talks around science more than it talks about it. For a series centered on astronomy, there’s very little actual process or discovery. It’s more about the consequences of knowledge, not the joy of learning itself. And that felt like a missed opportunity. Still, despite all this, Orb left something in me. A strange ache. A quiet admiration. A sadness that stories like this still need to be told. It’s not an easy watch nor enjoyable. But it means something.

Watch it if you love slow-burn historical drama, philosophical tension, and stories that don’t hold your hand. Skip it if you need action, closure, or emotional attachment to a single character. This isn’t an anime that tells. It asks. And whether or not you have the answers, it leaves you with a silence that feels almost sacred.

TL;DR:

Orb: The Movement of the Earth is slow, heavy, haunting, and unlike anything else that aired at the time. It dares to ask big questions, to stare directly into the cost of knowing, and to sit uncomfortably in the space where faith and reason clash. The visuals are stunning, the music chills, and the themes cut deep. But the ending feels abrupt, and the storytelling doesn’t always deliver emotional closure. It’s a series that either moves you deeply or puts you to sleep.

Thank you for reading.

Here’s a question: What moves the world? We take for granted the constant and gradual effect of change in our world where free and innovative ideas happen every day. However, imagine an earlier time where intellectual advancement has stopped, and human innovation is stagnant. A singular institution gatekeeping scientific progress. Can you imagine the impact of one simple idea can radically change the world as you know it? From the studio that made Frieren, I present to you the most underrated show of 2024 and an absolute Masterpiece: Orb: On the Movements of the Earth. I understand that for many this is a nicheshow, but as a History buff who saw and assumed this as a fictional version of 15th century Poland and the life of Copernicus, I was instantly hooked by the synopsis. However, I didn't expect it to be a show that was more scientific, philosophically, and spiritually well thought out.

It doesn’t need any strange hook to get you engaged nor any “anime bullshit”, it’s just a unique story that can instantly captivate you like no other.

I thought it would be a highly dramatic show (which it is), but its concepts of human nature and the changing plot is what surprised me. You'd be surprised how the idea of challenging the church with the idea of heliocentrism would create such an immersive and special story. And when you think it's done, it will never fail to turn the entire story on its head and surprise you. Every single character in this show is beautifully written.

Orb uniquely follows the profound concepts of “Truth” and “Freedom.” How these ideas and humanity’s desire to attain these things transcend entrenched norms and established ideas. Their repercussions make these characters reflect why they do this even when facing the worst. It delves into reason and the human mind in a special way I don’t think I've seen much anime do.

It is shows like these that made me fall in love with watching anime in the first place.

I'd highly recommend this. You must watch at least 3 episodes. Once you watch 3, you will be hooked guaranteed!

I really hate that I don't hear enough about this show, at least in the western Anime community. This show is the definition of a true hidden gem and is PEAK anime.

Also, the entire music (especially the OP) and soundtrack are AMAZING!

P.S: 10% of the profits of this post should go to Potocki

A slightly displeased open letter to the makers of Orb: On the Movements of the Earth from an unamused viewer who expected at least a spark of intelligence. Let us suppose, for a moment, that the medium of anime is capable of greatness, let us even be so generous as to believe that it can engage with difficult questions such as science, religion, history, man’s ceaseless pursuit of truth and his tragic frailty in the face of institutions. Now imagine that someone, in a fit of unfortunate confidence, attempted all of this, but with neither historical literacy, philosophical depth, narrative skill, nor common sense. You now haveOrb.

I have endured precisely three episodes, not out of duty, nor curiosity, but for the same reason one stares at a dumpster fire: disbelief that it continues to burn. Watching more could risk IQ loss and severe dementia - medical disclaimer.

The show postures as a weighty meditation on science versus dogma, individual brilliance versus institutional blindness. Instead, it delivers the intellectual equivalent of a middle-school essay written by a particularly self-impressed child who has recently discovered the word “heliocentrism” and is determined to use it on every page.

The historical setting, allegedly “XV century Poland,” though one suspects even the creators are unsure, is treated with the sort of reverence one gives to a cardboard set in a school play. The cities are fantastical in the worst sense. Right from the start, we’re shown a city from a bird’s-eye view and it’s just a collection of random elements the artist can think of: “Cities must have walls! Right, let’s draw some walls! And there should be houses inside! Let’s draw some houses.” There’s no moat around the walls, no port and no windmills, despite the nearby river; roads leading from nowhere to nothing, with no visible farmland or infrastructure; and the city is dramatically perched on the edge of a deep chasm! Why?? Paper is as common as dirt (a remarkable achievement, considering it was still a precious commodity then), fashion is anachronistic(notably Potocki wearing a clergyman collar from XIX century) and pigments such as blue and purple, once the domain of emperors, are found on peasants.

While the average viewer might overlook these flaws, they give Orb the feel of a bootleg version of a major upcoming title yet to be announced by a greater studio. Ironically enough, it was produced by Madhouse.

But the gravest sin is not factual error and material misunderstanding (these aren't per se that bad or irredeemable for a show to convey whatever it's aiming for), it is incoherence of thought and contradictions found in this alternative history. We are asked to believe that the medieval Church, the very institution which invented the university, preserved ancient texts through centuries of turmoil, and cultivated the intellectual domain, has suddenly decided to persecute stargazers as if they were alchemists consorting with the devil himself, with no reason nor context being given. No theology is quoted, we are simply told, with theatrical thunder, that “The Church hates science”. Where is the status quaestionis? Where is the debate, the dialectic? Medieval universities were built on disputations, often debating multiple scientific and theological views (sometimes even heretical ones). So why, by the nine hells, would astronomy be singled out as heresy worthy of violent suppression?

This is not merely wrong; it is lazy. And worse, it is boring.

The distorted portrayal of Catholicism, science, and the middle ages leans heavily on the infamous leyenda negra, a protestant propaganda narrative created to vilify Spanish Catholics and later expanded by "enlightenment" thinkers. While this legend has inspired some visually compelling art (Berserk, Game of Thrones, Les Rois Maudits, Kanashimi no Belladonna, Monty Python, etc - although they're not quite my cup of tea it would be unfair to deny their status as art), Orb lacks the depth, self-awareness, or artistry to stand alongside them. Instead of presenting these ideas with care, the anime bombards the viewer with hollow monologues and emotionally bloated scenes that accomplish nothing. “Show, don’t tell” is completely ignored here. If I had to summarize this anime with an image, it would be that meme of a monkey trying to fit a square peg into a triangular hole. The author is constantly forcing his ideology into the story without any finesse.

Now, some may protest: “But good sir, this is not a documentary!” To which I reply: I never said it was. But neither is it a fairy tale, a myth, a poem, nor a coherent fantasy. It is not anything, it is merely the shadow of modern ideological angst dressed in borrowed medieval robes, shouting half-formed ideas at the moon and congratulating itself for the effort.

All that said, maybe the worst of the worst is on the character side: they all behave in extremely infantile and foolish ways, completely inconsistent with their supposed age or status. A 40 year old man with a wealth of life experience acts like a panicky, hysterical teenager, while a child lectures everyone about life. This happens because they're designed to solely embody the author’s ideology - they don’t engage with their world naturally, nor reflect any historical mindset.

Rafal is but a shadow, a figure carved from the thin air of ambition without soul (one of the poorest attempts to create an homunculus), a man whose grandest desire is to dwell in selfish ease, wrapped in the dull cocoon of comfort and isolation. He is the very image of the average Japanese salaryman, puffed up with a hollow pride and a disdain for those around him, trapped in mediocrity (resembling very much that protagonist from Youjo Senki before reincarnating). This is a familiar pitfall when writers endeavor to portray brilliant minds: rather than breathing life into their intellects, they resort to tired clichés: an expert at chess, a prodigy who shames his peers, or worse, a child who pretends to possess the wisdom of adults. Rafal checks the last two boxes of this trifling charade, never quite awakening to genuine understanding, but merely echoing a familiarity that placates the audience.

There comes a moment (a forced homage to that Eureka moment of Newton's apple) that should have signalled revelation but instead limps as a parody, either way it's the turning point (or rather the point of no return) where Rafal dives into the story. Standing at the crossroads of martyrdom and defiant battle, Rafal turns away from both, choosing instead the quiet ruin of suicide. In this choice lies not courage, but cowardice, a foolish undoing that strips away the dignity his struggle might have held, reducing him to a mere shadow flickering on the wall. His death is no noble sacrifice, but a retreat cloaked in self-deception. What wounds the narrative most deeply is the careless shedding of all that should have bound Rafal’s soul, how the dilemmas that should anchor him are suddenly shrugged off without regard. A man supposedly wrestling with faith and reason reaches a counterfeit nirvana through some lowly gnosis, allowing himself to cast aside life with frivolous ease. This is not just a betrayal of his internal logic but a glaring artifact of cultural confusion (author seems to be unaware of the incompatibility of seppuku with medieval Poland or Catholicism). Rafal’s story is less a tragedy and more a contrived puzzle, a hollow vessel without true conviction or coherence, a character not forged in the fires of history, but assembled like a marionette, dancing to the tune of shallow drama. He is a silent testament to the dangers of storytelling divorced from truth.

Then we have Nowak, who's barely a character at all: he's just the hammer of the status quo, an emotionless tool to do "the things that must be done" to protect the current order. He lurks, Stasi-like, in the shadows, splattered with blood no matter what time of day or night, unchanging, unbathing, omnipresent. Another character, Potocki, might have potential. He bears a shred of internal conflict, being indirectly responsible for Rafal’s death. His path could lead to genuine redemption, but based on what I've seen, I doubt the writing is mature enough to explore that.

And finally, let us not ignore the great irony: the show wishes to champion the goddess Reason and yet assaults the viewer with the most irrational of scripts. Its science is magic, its logic is emotion, and its drama is lecture.

In short, Orb is not the movement of the Earth. It is the spinning of the viewer, disoriented, in a narrative void.

There's a lot that's great about this show, but I think it's fair to say that it's overrated. People treat it as some sort of historical or academic show when it's really just a cool fantasy setting with some fun astronomy themes. The show also has some pacing issues which stem partially from the simple fact that this is an adaptation from printed media. Personally, I really dislike the depiction of geocentric thought and astronomy as a whole in this show. They present the geocentric model as some sort of monolithic, meritless, and useless tool that is incapable of making accurate predictions, contrasted against heliocentrismdepicted as some sort of bastion of reason and aesthetics. The opposition to heliocentric thought is depicted as some purely irrational religious bogus. Way to shake your contemporary biases. To their credit, Badeni says something decent in one scene, that the concept of heliocentrism alone is insufficient to surpass the utility of preexisting models, but he then completely circumvents this issue by having a sidekick with super-human abilities to observe Venus' phases unaided and kills some prestiged caricature "geocentrist" with the power of facts and logic. He then skips hundreds of years of astronomy to single-handedly overstep the Copernican model to suggest planetary bodies travel in conic sections in order to resolve the orbits of the outer planets. While he was at it, Oczy aught to have discovered Io and personally confirmed stellar parallax while Badeni was proposing gravitation with his big galaxy brain. It's ridiculous.

This rant about "inaccuracy" is relevant because it significantly hinders the message and pacing of the show. The overarching theme is that life can be given significance and meaning by building upon the work of people before you and passing it onto the future across great gaps in time. This would have been served well by a sequence of baton-passes between various characters separated in time, introducing new ideas and technology, just as it was in history. Instead, the most they manage is a few forgettable side-characters acting as couriers of last resort (for drama). The show understates the intellectual and technological hurdles required to develop heliocentric models to tell an oversized morality story about evil intellectuals and inquisitors, only for "heliocentrism" to be "saved" by an illiterate man, some girl (whose character is less developed than compound optics in 15th century Poland), and protestants. If they really wanted a "bad guy" like Badeni, they should've thrown him in at the end to really kill the mood of progress instead of taking up the majority of the season with his antics. He could have been a nutso-Kepler who's obsessed with "useless" mathematics who burns the contents of the stone chest at the end before he's killed, only for the show to end with some kid coming to return a book he had "borrowed" so the story can complete in a circle. The kid could be a future student at Rafal's old school or something. A twist like that'll get you on the MAL top 100.

Now, with only 4 episodes left in the season, they've just introduced two more courier characters who probably have nothing to contribute except for a few moments of self-sacrifice to make copies of a journal with no critical details. Then, they treat movable type like it's some sort of new unknown technology (again, contemporary biases) that can't be replicated; are these people so incapable of casting some letters and slapping it on a cheese press? Next, they'll expect me to believe that a handful of inquisitors could easily track down a dozen motivated and organized men running for their lives in rural Central Europe with a ~6 hour head start. At this point, I'm not sure how they're going to end this season. After successfully escaping, I guess they'll meet some other last-minute character with a screw press, only to be caught by Nowak and everyone will die. However, through some miraculous turn of events, the books will get printed anyway in some small quantity. Nowak will be devastated, knowing his life was for nothing. Some guy living at Potocki's house gets 1/10. It will then be revealed that the book was apparently so epic and based that it inspires the mind of some future astronomer or something and leave it at a cliffhanger. If they were really tasteless, they'd name-drop anime Copernicus himself reading the book in an after-credits scene.

It's a decent watch, but nowhere as good as people seem to suggest.

One of if not the BEST Philosophical Historical (+drama) Anime ever!!! This anime literally have no flaws right now, and set out to looking to be like one of the classics and best of all time anime we will ever had. Just from the plot and main memo of the story, being the quest of finding the truth, and the curiosity of human rising against the established oppressive idea, and taking full advantage of it, give this anime a huge up and be a masterpiece. Recommend for: Thought provoking (philosophy), Historical + Science, Plot, Drama, Character, directing + production quality FULL REVIEW (+Conclusion/TLDR at the end): First of all,we got to talk about the one big thing that truly separate this anime apart from others, the philosophy. Philosophy isn't something all anime need to do to be successful or enjoyable, but it is the thing that an anime need to have if it want to be one of the classics, and masterpiece of all time. This anime got exactly that. I would not be lying if I say this anime changed my life.

The story set out to portray the curiosity of us humans back in the age where the established oppressive "religion" control peoples believe, and to fight against it using the truth, scientific method, and human determination. This is something that I'm sure everyone with a developed frontal lobe can resonate, and actually found this happening some times in your life. Furthermore if you enjoy science or is in a science field of work (I'm an engineering student), or even more in astronomy and history, you will enjoy this even more. With the pretty accurate scientific terms and events, this can be very informative to you as well. Though normal viewers fret not, this can be very enjoyable just from the philosophical stand point alone, and from these next points I will be pointing out.

Next let me talk about the character and drama. The character(s) is also one of the best trait of this show. The show MCs and supporting character stand for different view point and perspective on the matter of the philosophy and the plot. Everyone have a backstory that's portray through show not tell, and is very in dept, further support my first point even more. This also make the drama much more flavorful, interesting, and gripping to follow through.

Lastly I want to talk about the directing and production quality. Production quality in itself is pretty good. While its very high in standard for sure, is probably not the peak of animation. Though it does play into the directing and story well, and actually does give me many jaw dropping moments unlike even other better animation anime. Directing also play well into all points above, its more on the silence, thought provoking, to dramatic, and jaw dropping moments. Overall very beautiful and play well into the show strengths to keep you invest in the story and have many good memories about it to talk with others later.

One fact to keep in mind is that, the source material for this show (manga) length is perfectly fit with this anime airing scheduled, thus meaning this anime will end within itself. So no milking, and a concise story. Which is already another big up. Making it look like the pacing will keep it nominal pace and enjoyable throughout.

**I think this show have no flaws and thus have only include the better reasons to watch this show in this review.

In conclusion, this show is literal perfection, and will make you question life and have hope in humanity after you've watched it. The philosophy and underlying memo is very gripping, support with some of the best well written character ever, inside a very good and dramatic plot, all encompassed with the top tier production and directing, make this anime a must watch, and likely one of the classics of all time.

My rating as a Drama anime: 10/10

My rating as an overall anime: 9.7/10

This anime has become my all time favorite! Its not about the origin of astronomy or the origin of science, hell its not even about scientists and intellectuals. Its about common people, its about the triumph of human curiosity over 10000 years of constant fear and torture of human race. This exact moment is why we can even watch anime, or have laptops and can access any information in the world. People don't appreciate how much different life is with science and without science. In our entire history as humans, this exact moment is the greatest, and even tough I have read Rene Gerard andunderstood very well the importance of understanding this exact historical moment, I never thought that most people will even think about it. Thank you so much to the producers of this anime for bringing this topic to the masses.

I have always been a keen reader of science and philosophy, and maybe its just me, but I have cried every episode of this masterpiece. The way this anime portrays the struggles of nameless scientists, makes me shiver. I didn't know such a screenplay and direction was even possible. I will definitely go to Japan soon , just to meet and thank the people behind this anime. And I will assure them that their work have and will change the lives of many to come. Even though some ignorant people write ignorant comments about this anime, it doesn't matter because, all great works in the history of science and philosophy started out with such people's comments.

Hope we see more anime and movies on this topic and one day it will all payoff and we will truly be a scientific society without wars, religion, diseases. And after that we all will be looking at the sky, building ships and exploring the vast universe.

I haven't finished watching an anime in over a year. I've been busy, and haven't found the motivation to finish a series, much less dedicate six hours watching a show. But then once in a blue moon, something comes along with an unmistakable gravity. A force that snaps your head towards it, something that glues your eyes to the screen so you just can't stop watching. For me, that was "orb: on the movements of the earth." After not watching anime for over a year, I binged 12 episodes of it on a work night. Anime as a genre is incredibly derivative. Isekai, Harem,Shounen, shojo, this blueprint can be seen throughout it. Not that there's anything wrong with this, but it's difficult to get right, and after 30+ years of the same ideas, things tend to stagnate and often get stale. But once in a while something breaks this formula to make something wholly unique. Orb achieves this and tells a story that remains gripping and unpredictable throughout it's runtime. Not only is it's structure different from the typical anime protagonist's journey, but it's premise is also wholly unique. It's not often that you see a manga that isn't centred around fighting or romance, especially in a genre as barren as historical fiction (besides Vinland saga). It doesn't hurt that it's presentation is brilliant as well, being animated by studio madhouse (of frieren/one punch man fame), with it's openings being one of my favorite ever.

My biggest gripe with the show isn't even about the show itself. Its how few people will ever find out about it. It's in an unpopular genre with no fights, advertising, or giant anime tits for gooners to obsess over, so it's fated to fade into obscurity. I really hope that's not the case. If my review even makes one person watch this masterpiece, I will be happy. More people need to see this, because shows like orb are what make this genre so, so special.

Anime is rarely "timely." It is difficult for a medium that is generally interested in over-the-top action, supernatural and sci-fi antics, or easily digested slice of life experiences to have anything specific and necessary to say about the times in which we are living. This isn't a problem; in fact a huge part of the reason why we come to the medium is to escape a reality that is often equal parts boring and traumatic, but it makes the occasional show that breaks that mold and directly addresses the reality of our modern world stand out from the crowd. The fact that this show isset in the dark past of the 13 and 1400s makes this achievement all the more incredible, while also ringing alarm bells about the darkness that is threatening to overtake us in the year 2025. The show is Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, and the fates that befall these characters in their search for truth and freedom could very well be our own fates if we don't listen to the warning that this show is so desperately trying to give to us.

In the most literal of senses, Orb is simply the story of a series of gifted scholars and intellectuals who seek to determine the makeup of the cosmos in a time of anti-intellectual persecution that defined anything that fell outside the accepted doctrine of the Church as inherently blasphemous and evil. Our protagonists, one by one, discover truths about the planets and their relationship to the Earth and the Sun, and one by one are faced with the consequences of pursuing Truth in a world that has decided that Truth is an enemy of Faith. Their individual stories are beautiful, inspiring, and heartbreaking, but it is not any one of their individual stories that makes this show such a gut-wrenching and important piece of media. It is the sum total of their contributions to the search for Truth, the way that no one of them alone can defeat the suppressive forces that seek to destroy them, and most importantly the way that those forces may destroy an individual but can never destroy that individual's work or ability to inspire the next generation of thinkers that makes this show a necessary watch.

We are currently, throughout the modern world, facing a wave of repressive, conservative, right-wing evil that is seeking to return us to the state of cowering ignorance that the world is languishing in at the beginning of Orb. Intellectuals and other people whose existences are offensive to the most venal, fearful, hate-mongering of rich, white "Christians" are being subjected to incarceration, violence, disenfranchisement, and state-sanctioned murder at the hands of people who are not capable of critical or independent thought. Just like the story of Orb, many of us who seek to live freely will be lost during these times, but just like the story of Orb, the people who are seeking to destroy us will ultimately fail. They may silence vast numbers of us, they may destroy many of our lives, but they can never and will never break us. No matter how many of us they intimidate, disappear, or kill, we will always persist, just like the characters in Orb. We are curious like Rafal, earnest like Oczy, subversive like Jolenta, pragmatic like Draka, and gifted like Albert, and, just like them, some of us may fall but what we stand for never will.

Orb is the story of the inevitable triumph of what is true and good in the face of seemingly insurmountably evil. Just like them, we will prevail.

Watch this show. It is grim, but in grim times we need to be realistic about what we face and how we win.

It had been nearly ten years since my passion for astronomy faded, but this anime reignited that spark in a way I never expected. Chi.: Chikyuu no Undou ni Tsuite is more than just a historical series—it’s a tribute to the pursuit of knowledge, the struggle against ignorance, and the courage of those who dare to challenge the status quo. From the very first episode, the story gripped me with its depth and rawness. This is a narrative that doesn’t sugarcoat reality or shy away from the consequences of questioning established beliefs. The dialogues are simply outstanding—thought-provoking, powerful, and filled with meaning. Every conversation not onlypushes the plot forward but also raises philosophical questions that linger long after the episode ends.

I’ll admit, the animation is nothing groundbreaking—it’s solid but not flashy. But does that even matter? When a story is this compelling, when the characters are so well-written, and when the direction is this masterful at building tension, the visuals become secondary. In fact, this anime proves that what truly makes a show great isn’t a massive budget or ultra-detailed animation, but its ability to convey emotions and ideas in a meaningful way.

For me, Chi. isn’t just one of the best anime of today—it’s a must-watch for anyone who loves knowledge, science, and history. It reminded me why I was once so fascinated by astronomy and how simply asking questions can change the world.

If you haven’t watched it yet, I highly recommend it. This is one of those rare series that doesn’t just entertain—it leaves a lasting impact.

I knew from episode 1 that Orb would be anime of the year. Literally within 10 minutes I’d seen enough to make that claim, and 6 months later I stand by it. Simply put it’s one of the greatest historical anime of all time. Fans of Vinland Saga will see many similarities in the sort of heartbreaking and brutal stories this series has with the historical backdrop of the heliocentric movement in 15th century Poland. The storytelling method of having multiple protagonists allowed us to see how people from drastically different walks of life can be united by their pursuit of knowledge and scientific advancement.This is what I like to call “employed eats” that is, shows that people with limited time due to work and school have to come home and wind down with after a long day at work or class. If you have limited time or don’t get to watch seasonal anime often, PLEASE watch this show. There is genuinely not a single bad episode and every single one will keep you on your toes.

As someone who grew up loving astronomy and watching discovery, science, Nat geo and history channels and much more, an anime about astronomy and how the heliocentric model came to be accepted as the scientific standard for the solar system was so intriguing to me. I went into this totally blind, sort of expected it to play out like Arte from a few years ago, but man I could not have been happier to underestimate a show. The first 3 episodes are some of the best storytelling I’ve ever seen and the series only builds on that, continuing to get better and better and not being afraid to kill off beloved characters. It’s not done in a gratuitous way like some series *cough cough JJK*, but meaningful sacrifices that are done to help advance the mission and show that you might kill people, but you can’t kill ideas. Trying to squash things often leads to them getting bigger and I really enjoyed seeing how the embers of an idea can lead to the flame of revolution.

As I mentioned before, the author’s willingness to kill off characters made the show so much more fun to watch because the sort of asspulls you have in other anime aren’t there. There’s no superpowers. No one is coming to save your favourite characters. This is life. Good people die and it can seem like injustice is prevailing for a long time. Equally impressive is the author’s ability to consistently write such loveable characters whose deaths bring you to tears. There’s not a single character in this story who’s poorly written. Everything is so diligently and carefully planned. Orb in general has a very mature writing style. It’s one of those anime you could easily forget is an anime because of how down to earth it is. None of the exaggerated facial expressions, fanservice, cringe dialogue. Just a genuinely enthralling story that’ll leave you craving the next episode.

Production wise Orb is very solid. The OP is easily one of the best of the year and I loved how they updated it to reflect the new protagonists every few episodes. The animation is very good and in the few big fights in the show, it looks amazing. Orb is not a show that relies on technical ability though, the story and characters are the draw so this is only a plus. Seeing people face impossible odds and refuse to compromise on their values in the face of oppression and persecution is a powerful lesson we can all stand to learn something from.

I could go on and on about this show, honestly just watch it. If you’re tired of all the seasonal fanservice isekai slop and want a couple of mature shows you can watch after work, Orb needs to be in that list. It’s thought provoking, emotional and brilliantly written. Easily my anime of the year barring some miracle in the next few seasons.

Orb gets 10 planets out of 10.

I am a casual anime watcher now a days, and this anime is something that has piqued my interest. The first thing that comes into mind after this anime starts is "Hmmm, This is Pretty Interesting". Story: 9/10 The story mainly revolves around heliocentrism and it's opposition. It takes place at the time of 15th century and it explores the ideas and views of people on heliocentrism and stars related stuff. As we all know that heliocentrism was fully accepted at the time of Newton; this anime explores struggles of people in proving heliocentrism before this time (though it's obviously fiction). But as we all know thatwe are here for entertainment and not history lessons, and this anime does it perfectly while maintaining it's historical theme.

Music/OST: 10/10

The OP and ED of this anime are one of the best ones soo far in this season while the background music is decent too.

Animation: 9/10

The animation style perfectly suits its historical setting, while also capturing the dramatic and cruel scenes effectively. It gives it a sense of realism and makes us dwell in the moment.

Characters: 9/10

Every character shown so far was portrayed in such a way that they synced with how the story is written and nothing felt out of place. And I feel like we can expect these types of good written characters in the future too.

Overall: 9/10

Even after just watching 4 episodes of this anime, I can safely say that this is one of the best "new" anime this season and has potential to grow even more. Every episode was filled with entertaining aspects and I didn't felt bore even for a single moment. The anime maintains our focus by always being interesting and explaining facts.

"This is a story which will go down in history".

bro, you have to watch this anime, I'll explain why here First, from the opening alone it's seriously cool, from the opening alone it gives us a good foreshadowing about what will happen next, and every new main character or a timeskip, the opening will change a little bit even though the song is still same but it give me a goosebumps, but in the new arc they have a really big change for the opening second, the plot: seriously the plot is really crazy, I can't explain it here but if you watch this anime you will get feelings that can't be explained in words, theplot twist is like a plot twist that rarely happens in anime, usually I find it plot twists like this in western films, and dialogue between characters which also builds the plot in this anime, and if you explore to the dialogue , it's like you're hearing two philosophies maintain it's own idea , like the dialogue between capitalist and communist ideologies, then there is also a dialogue between atheist and naturalist ideologies.

third, the animation: even though the animation looks mediocre because it's an anime that the character just talking each other, but the studio is still serious about making cool backgrounds, so the dialogue and the background is aligned each other, and the background and the dialogue also gave me a goosebumps in the key scene.

Fun Fact about ED - Yorushika music for ED 1 and 2 have different types of behavior.

On ED 1, Yorushika released a song titled Aporia (アポリア). The meaning of Aporia itself based on Merriam-Webster Dictionary is 1. an expression of real or pretended doubt or uncertainty especially for rhetorical effect and 2. a logical impasse or contradiction

Especially: a radical contradiction in the import of a text or theory that is seen in deconstruction as inevitable. Yorushika implements the meaning of the word Aporia with a song structure that is really paradoxical from beat to beat. Beat 1-4 has a 7/8 rhythm and beat 5-8 has a 4/4 rhythm and continues to all verses. This description shows how chaos and paradoxical feeling from general statements with existing facts. And in the chorus there is a 4/4 timing to show that the person finally got a concrete conclusion so that he can get out of that paradox.

Well in ED 2 it's even crazier. So, the title of this song is hebi (へび） which is translated into English which is Snake. It turns out that in Japan, snake with the name hebi means symbol for protection, transformation and rebirth in the world of tattooing. Well, most likely that's why the ED becomes happier and uses a normal beat which is 3/4 and uses a swing music game type to indicate that the fight will be over.

"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." -Sir Isaac Newton Definitely a good watch if you have any appreciation for the history of science, astronomy, philosophy, and academic thought processes. Orb on the Movements of Earth is a serious-toned and reflective anime, set in a scenario based on medieval Poland, in which a young boy named Rafal suddenly has his views on cosmology and religion turned upside down upon discovering the existence of the Heliocentric theory through a heretic scholar. From this point onward, we witness the challenges of researching, writing, publishing, and propagating Heliocentrism in times of religious persecution. Aboveall, the anime is an homage to human knowledge and curiosity, where a scientific theory and people's will to pass it forward serve as the true protagonists of the show rather than a specific character. It beautifully represents how, even when all seems lost and impossible, a small spark of thought can be enough to keep humanity's thirst for knowledge and progress alive despite every kind of adversity.

Though it may seem like your usual "religion bad, science good" story at a surface level, it goes much deeper than that, exploring the nuances of different perspectives on life, scientific studies, and religious beliefs through each character.

Not only that, but it is also an amazing and tense inquisition drama. It is, by the way, a good example of the famous three-episode rule, as it takes an unexpected turn considered by many to be one of the best episodes of the show. In fact, even if serious, dialogue-heavy episodes aren't your cup of tea, I guarantee that the tension caused by the Heliocentric theory being studied in such a setting, along with the plot twists throughout the anime, will surely get you hooked.

The opening and ending are beyond awesome, not only with genius musical performances from Sakanaction and Yorushika, but with each episode, the OP and ED visuals change and/or gain more and more meaning.

In terms of animation, it could be a little better. The characters' movements are a bit stiff at times, and some may find the night scenes overly dark. However, the anime's art style (which is miraculously good compared to the manga's art) truly shines in the night sky shots, which are mesmerizing for both the characters and the viewers.

Overall, it is a truly one-of-a-kind show with high-quality writing. I would definitely recommend it to both anime fans and those who have never watched one before!

While it's not immediately obvious, this is a love story. Though one-sided, when one develops a deep, aesthetic and spiritual appreciation for something, they can become enraptured as their jaded shell melts away. The object of affection in question is the natural order of our universe. A beauty that cannot be denied once witnessed. Set in a 15th century fictional European country, a powerful religious order is wary of heretical ideas about astronomy, cosmology and so on. Much like real life, the church serves as a barrier against disorder and ideas which do not align with our egotistical desires and preconceived notions.However, people have a way of penetrating that barrier in pursuit intellectual satisfaction.

The show asks many questions. How much fear must we embrace and how much must we overcome? Do we turn to beauty and truth if it means accepting darkness? What is our literal and figurative place in the universe? The delicate interplay between intellect and desire, and how one informs the other, is displayed vibrantly, as is the natural clash of political order and emotional honesty.

As someone who has been yearning for more mature contemporary anime options, it's easy to want to sing this one's praises. However, I will try to inject a bit of objectivity. This isn't Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, Dickens or Joyce. It's prone to being a little pretentious, one-note or melodramatic. But there is a gravity to its presentation that demands rumination, and some lines are delivered with such weight and conviction that you can't help but get caught in its orbit. The story is grounded and often poetic. There's even a dusting of humor (typically fueled by dramatic tension), that helps keep things from being too dour. The melodrama also works well with anime as a whole, and Madhouse is a great fit for this production.

hovering between a 9 and a 10.