Twelve-year-old prodigy Rafal believes in living rationally, so as to earn praise and respect from society while not being led astray by his emotions. To this end, he publicly states his intention to study theology—the academic field held in highest regard in early 15th century Poland. However, an encounter with a mysterious man upends Rafal's life, sparking an illogical desire to instead pursue his passion for astronomy.
Rafal is determined to prove the beauty and rationality of heliocentrism—the theory that the Earth revolves around the Sun. This belief is considered heretical by the powerful Church, which promotes geocentrism—the Sun revolving around the Earth—as the sole truth of the universe. Those whose beliefs do not align with the will of the Church suffer unfathomably gruesome consequences.
In pursuit of evidence for a heliocentric model of the universe, Rafal grapples with obtaining precise calculations and building empirical theories. His greatest challenge, however, lies in conducting this research discreetly—lest he wish to meet the same fate as other heretics.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Nenhum episódio encontrado.
Comentários
KANLen09
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.
ADyingVine
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.
jRad522
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.
duskwoven
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.
Marinate1016
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.
LunaLov
"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!
Mcsuper
Innovation is a beautiful thing. Revolutionary ideas that come so gradually in the world’s history are what has shaped the world as we know it. The amount of freedom that people have gained throughout history is not to be underestimated, and in Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, we got a look at a world that sorely lacked autonomy for the people. The clergy, stopping all thoughts that did not align with their beliefs, so they could remain in absolute power over the people, teaching them that there is only one way the world works. However, humans, at their core, are hungry for knowledge, hungryto make something of their lives. Who wouldn’t want to be the one to discover the next big theory, or to be the one to uncover the truth behind something that people believed in for their entire lives? For years upon years, people believed in Ptolemy’s model where Earth was at the centre of the universe. Then came Copernicus, who proposed the first mathematical model that the Earth revolved around the Sun. These were seen as the revolutionary models of astronomy.
There certainly is a belief that in the 16th and 17th centuries, people were persecuted and killed for pursuing heliocentrism. However, as the author of Orb mentioned in an interview, “there was oppression, but in actual history, it seems that the Copernican theory was not persecuted to that extent.” The author found this misunderstanding interesting, and thus, he decided to make this the core theme of the manga. By presenting a misperception as a core concept, while this series includes some scientific themes around astronomy, it never pretends to be reflecting the real world at all. In the end, this is historical fiction. It is more a depiction of human nature than anything else, especially the yearning of people who want to “move the Earth”. It shows the process of a radical idea that gets passed through generations, and the repercussions there were for studying what was considered as heretical back in early 15th Century Poland. This setting represented a time where most people believed in the same things, and people who showed any type of rebellious behaviour would be subject to severe punishment. Yet, a select few people pushed through.
The feeling when someone learns something potentially world-defining is unparalleled. It can be in the best of ways, such as the joy and bewilderment of learning something new, but this anime shows a bit of both the good and the painful regarding the learning of new information. When someone dedicates their whole life to scholarship, to research, and then having their life’s work shattered in an instant, that can be hard to accept. *Orb* does a great job in showing these critical moments of life, as well as showing how people responded to the fluidity of science. Furthermore, the opposing forces of the researcher and the clergy really made me consider whether or not there was a concrete protagonist or antagonist in this story. The anime frames it in a way that is easier to digest, with the viewer following the researcher’s perspective most of the time, but a deeper look revealed the complexities of the powers that exist in the established setting.
What made this anime stand out to me was just how consistent it was in its themes. It was a no-nonsense look into a world where people were persecuted for researching heretical subjects. People are slain without mercy, tortured to a breaking point, and emotionally manipulated, through savage imagery.
At no point does this anime go back on its established theme of being in an unforgiving world where one mistake could cost someone their lives. No plot armour, no easy way out, no loopholes. For that reason, it was all the more inspiring and respectable to see multiple characters push through with their research and stay firm on their beliefs, even when it means an impending death.
Another reason for the success of this anime was the effort from the staff members. I wanted to talk about the voice acting in particular, and props to everyone who voiced a character in this anime. In particular, I wanted to highlight Kenjirou Tsuda’s performance as Nowak, which was by far one of the best performances I have heard. He is very quickly becoming one of my favourite voice actors, and his performances as antagonists are some of his best work. It is truly amazing how a voice actor can command one’s attention, and draw the viewer into being unnerved every time the character opens his mouth. To make it even better, Tsuda was also a big fan of the manga, and introduced it in a voice acting interview almost three years ago, stating that he would love to voice Nowak. When you have that level of commitment and love for something, the work that gets put in will only get better. Excellent choice of casting here.
The one shortcoming I think this anime had was the visuals, but more importantly, some of the lighting. In some scenes, what was going on was virtually impossible to see due to the dark lighting. Yes, a lot of the anime takes place at nighttime, but I should not have to max out my screen brightness and squint to see what was going on. As for the animation, it was very serviceable. Here is where the “Poland Saga” comparison comes into play, because *Orb* and *Vinland Saga* have similar gritty character designs and never looked very flashy in terms of the animation. It is from Studio Madhouse, but this is definitely not nearly on the same level as say, Frieren. That said, the background art and especially the music by Kensuke Ushio, one of my favourite anime composers, more than made up for what was lacking in the visual department. Brilliant atmosphere all around.
Another thing I found unique was that we got to see multiple viewpoints of people learning the heliocentric theory, from a kid’s perspective, as well as young men and women. They all came from different backgrounds, yet they all converged to get to know how the world moves. They each have their own motivations, beliefs, and mindsets toward research and just life in general. The relationships between the characters build at a nice pace, and a lot of them had me thoroughly invested into how they would interact with the vast world of astronomy.
Back when I was scrolling through the seasonal chart before this anime started airing, picking which anime I would watch, I saw this anime, *Orb*, and from word of mouth, as well as looking at the synopsis and trailers, I thought it would be like a history lesson, or a historical fiction that was based on a real setting. I thought it would simply be educational, but it was so much more than that. The Japanese title of this anime, *Chi*, has multiple meanings, and the author also said in the interview I referenced earlier that “besides the "earth" in the title, there is also the clash of intelligence and violence, leading to the spill of "blood." I wanted to give the Japanese character "chi" various meanings.” The word “chi” is also a play on the word “knowledge”, so therefore, this anime’s themes revolved around “The Chi of the Earth, the Chi of Blood, and the Chi of Knowledge”. There is action, there is bloodshed, and there is certainly knowledge to be shared, and all in all, it was virtually a perfect package of an anime.
Overall, this was an anime unlike anything I have ever seen, with how it tackles human nature, and how it dealt with the historical backdrop of geocentrism versus heliocentrism. Will it have the staying power to get more popular outside the niche audience it had for most of its run, or will it become the next modern classic? Only time will tell if the anime could truly move the Earth, but it certainly moved me.
Sidarif
This anime is an absolute masterpiece — I honestly don’t have enough words to describe how powerful it is. The story is filled with intense emotion, historical depth, and the sheer struggle of individuals trying to reveal the truth against all odds. The themes are heavy, the execution is brilliant, and every moment pulls you deeper into its world. All the main characters in every chapter were so well-written and impactful. When they died, I found myself crying and, strangely, laughing through the pain — that's how deeply their emotions hit me. It’s rare to find an anime that can make you feel such a wide rangeof emotions at once.
Orb truly feels like a hidden gem, much like 91 Days, and it quickly became one of my all-time favorite anime. The art, atmosphere, and storytelling are top-tier.
If you're looking for something meaningful, mature, and unforgettable — Orb is a must-watch.
Hikky_is_batman
Maybe a too weak ending. But for 23 episodes, it was comfortably the anime of the year. Like vinland the real protagonist of the story, it is not the characters, but the era in which they are living. While in vinland the protagonist is violence, in orb the protagonist is society itself that blocked any progress with its inertia. Many think that this anime represents the clash between religion and science, but in reality it is the representation of how many ideas that do not conform to the status quo of things have difficulty breaking the barrier of what is considered normal and obvious. It is the masterpieceof madhouse, which after frieren, is experiencing a second youth.
It is an anime that will also benefit the anime industry in general, which in recent seasons, was proposing beautiful seasons certainly for a younger audience, but which were disappointing for old and quite bald users like me.
Worm_Death
I want to try and condense my thoughts as much as possible, because as a passionate nerd of science, there's a lot to nitpick. I can appreciate Orb existing, and I think with the current climate, it's more relevant than ever. However, to those of us who get behind the messaging of this anime, there is nothing to be gained. I agree and enjoy what the show is trying to say a lot. I love science and the joy of collaboration through centuries, the pursuit of knowledge, and the ability to question the status quo. Despite how much I agree with those statements, this animefeels like the equivalent of someone talking your ear off about something you know too much about and absolutely don't need to be told. That's my main issue with this anime; it's not entertaining. There are no characters; they are talking pieces for different philosophical ideas. The vast majority of scenes are literally just characters A and B talking and talking and talking, not in any sort of interesting way. I would have a better time reading a textbook than watching this because the textbook doesn't try to hide behind a facade of being entertaining.
To the people who are deeply impacted by this anime, who needed to hear these important perspectives spelled out to them and certainly weren't going to go out of their way to find those opinions, this is great. Anime is a far less intimidating way to teach someone about philosophical perspectives, but again, for those of us who already agreed and knew these perspectives, there is nothing to be gained.
From a cinematic perspective, there is nothing here. The animation budget is clearly very cheap as, again, characters just stand around and talk, barely moving. Yet, the show tries to give the illusion that it's keeping up with the modern anime greats in quality, and the backgrounds look great. Kensuke Ushio brings a great dark and brooding soundtrack (if not a bit repetitive), and the first episode wasted the majority of the budget. Characters are far more expressive with excessive hand gestures and secondary actions, more well-planned and interesting camera work, etc. The characters themselves look extremely boring and bland.
I'll briefly say the actual science in this anime is oddly overlooked. Much time isn't spent on really discovering how astronomy works, to look at both heliocentrism and geocentrism and how these two models were really conceived. Heliostrism didn't just appear; it took more work and collaboration than this anime offers. They treat heliocentrism like some sort of underground movement when it wasn't. Much of our modern science was heavily scrutinized, but for every doubter, there were droves of supporters who brought their own ideas to the mix. Maybe this idea could have been conveyed better if it wasn't such a well-documented scientific discovery. The anime really boils down to "what if it was like this actually," and then they do the flashy white screen eureka moment. Granted, I don't think everyone is going to find true, true scientific discovery to be as interesting, but certainly, for those of us who are deeply entrenched in science, it's a bit frustrating. Actual science is barely discussed and more time is spent with the characters "researching and writing" about what exactly? I don't know they barely talk about it. They hide the main focus of their studies from us because they're more worried about talking about philosophy than astronomy. Which is a shame since that's the whole topic the anime centers on.
The anime chose to be neither an entertaining story with philosophical influence nor a retelling of history. It's been left in this weird, boring limbo. Again, to those who aren't as involved in these sorts of circles, maybe you'll enjoy it, but it certainly wasn't for me from either a scientific or artistic/cinematic perspective.
prissierra
It has been 20 days since I finished Orb, and as it has haunted my mind every day since, I decided to write this review. I really wish this series would get more appreciation outside Japan because I never thought an anime could make me feel so hollow yet so alive. Objectively, I would give it 9/10. No, this is not a Potocki joke. I absolutely love the characters, soundtrack, voice acting, and many more. Still, there are indeed moments where I feel the execution is less engaging and starts to fall off-- but it soon bounces back with a very impactful scene. It's a bit ofa slowburn. I feel like the latter part of the story is the weakest, too, like many reviews may have mentioned, but it's like... An 8 with the other parts at 10. The animation sometimes looks stiff, even when the character is just talking. Minor, but noticeable. And one small nitpick is having to turn my brightness to max because the anime is dark (literally).
It also may not be for everyone. I was skeptical at first because of its rather straightforward, simple synopsis, but I decided to give it a try. I would like to formally thank myself for doing that.
People who love flashy action scenes, people who don't like serious stories, people who think the Earth is flat, and people who just hate to think may not like this anime. But if I can make one suggestion... Regardless of preferences, this is one of those anime you'd have to watch at least once in your life. It genuinely makes me appreciate the world, and in turn, my life, a lot more.
At the very least, please try to watch it until episode 3 or 4. If you're still not feeling it, perhaps this just isn't for you and that's okay.
But personally? It's a 10/10.
The feelings and impact it left me are so, so strong, I'm confident I will remember this anime for the rest of my life. I wish I could wipe my memory of it and watch it the first time all over again, and I'm sure I'd still fall in love as hard as I do now. I still tear up when listening to the OP song, Kaiju by Sakanaction, and have played it on repeat (the original MV is also amazing and describes Orb well). The dialogue, characters, and story... they all will inspire you. And generations after.
Overall, the show left a very deep, Orb-shaped hole in me, and honestly, I feel empty. I know something will certainly fill it up in the future, a new work of art that I will love. Fantasy-shaped... Comedy-shaped... Mystery-shaped... Game-shaped... Another masterpiece in the future will certainly fill the emptiness.
But it will never be the shape of an Orb.
SuperUnoCard
In an anime landscape dominated by flashy action, predictable tropes, and endless romantic tension, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth arrives like a whispered secret—subtle, profound, and unrelenting. This show isn’t about supernatural powers or epic battles; it’s about the quiet but monumental struggle of ideas against oppression. It explores a time when challenging the church’s teachings wasn’t just heresy—it was a death sentence. 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 and die 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.
Orb.
Orb.
Orb.
Orb.
Orb.
Orb.
Orb.
Orb.
Orb.
Orb.
Orb.
Orb.
Orb.
JettGroove
I've been living for almost 30 years and it is difficult to surprise me with anything in the mass media, but “Orb: On the Movements of the Earth” managed to do this in every possible way. The only anime that combines and explores themes of science, history, philosophy and religion in the unique setting of medieval Europe. Orb is incredibly inspiring in the search for the truth about our universe, it gives hope that our civilization will get through future challenges and preserve humanity despite any level of possible severity and cruelty. Story revolves around the opposition between heliocentrism and geocentrism in 15th century, perfect forpeople who are mesmerized by the elegant beauty of outer space. It’s hard to explain originality of the narrative without going into the spoilers, but what can be said is that author takes an interesting approach, showing how hard it was to retain knowledge and pass it on back in the days. Speaking of historicity, Orb is not 100% precise and embellishes the events so anime can be more entertaining, for example, one of the characters has a “pear of anguish” in his arsenal, which most likely has been invented only in the early modern period (circa 1600), long after the events of the Orb. Viewer must understand that historical tag doesn't lock work of art into the confines of documentary and at the same moment does not prevent it from showing genuine facts that can be verified.
What I like even more is the characters and the diversity of their convictions, views on faith in God and the meaning of life. Agnosticism, theism, atheism, deism – you can find representation of almost all popular beliefs here. It’s easy to connect with anyone from the main cast, even antagonistic Nowak can evoke empathy, there is no absolute good or evil. Uoto has a talent for reconciling contradictions, he can write a balanced personality with emotions and rationality rolled into one. Moreover, through these characters he accurately shows what consequences blind faith or reckless pursuit for knowledge can lead to.
Art and animation are magnificent, while quite static dialogue scenes dominate, when it comes to action Madhouse delivers detailed and fluid visuals. Swordplay looks gorgeous, stargazing shots are breathtaking and creative work with visual symbolism is mind-blowing, especially in the openings. Though, I can't help but notice that in the last two episodes the quality of detalization in some frames has dropped. As for the music, it perfectly complements what is happening on the screen, if cosmos could sing, it would sound exactly like Kensuke Ushio’s OST. While opening theme by Sakanaction is already become iconic, I am a little bit sad that Amazarashi’s “Cassiopeia keiryuujo” wasn’t used at all, in spite of the fact that it could have been a first-rate ending theme a cut above “Aporia” and “Hebi”.
The way Orb ends is extremely satisfying, makes you doubt and plants the seed of “Thaumazein” in your heart, forcing to analyze everything you saw in the anime and awakening the desire to research. It may seem confusing to some, but in reality you just need to be attentive and not overcomplicate things.
Lastly, it will be realized that the sun occupies the middle of the universe [modern astronomy does not distinguish any center of the universe, which again proves that we should not stop doubting]. All these facts are disclosed to us by the principle governing the order in which the planets follow one another, and by the harmony of the entire universe, if only we look at the matter, as the saying goes, with both eyes. (C) Nicolaus Copernicus. On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres, Book 1, Chapter 9.
Chuy_diazz
Orb on the Movement of the Earth was beautiful. What this anime did was similar to Nadia Comaneci's performance at the '76 Olympics. A routine that impressed everyone, and all you can do is give it a 10. Every movement was designed to connect with the past, present, and future of the story. The anime begins with Rafal, a fictional character, and continues with Albert Brudzewski, who would become Nicolaus Copernicus's teacher. Connecting the story of the anime with real history, you could say the second season of the anime is in our history books. Orb's story has it all: drama, emotion, action, regret, tears, but aboveall, it does a great job of making you remember all those who sacrificed themselves for the truth and making you follow the nature of the human race by being curious and looking to the future.
Many people say Orb is a story about the church, religion, and the Inquisition. But Orb doesn't fall into telling a story from a place of victimhood; it doesn't try to say "we are the good guys and the church is the bad guys." It tries to go beyond religion and seeks to exalt faith. It's not a faith in a particular God, it's a faith in whatever allows us to keep moving forward. It could be a God, money, or even knowledge; what matters is not what you believe in, but how your beliefs motivate your actions.
Protagonists, villains, and supporting characters—none of them are unnecessary; they all have their reason for being, contribute something to the plot, and then leave. They all had a role in the story, and when that role was fulfilled, they were immortalized through a memorable death. Honorable mention goes to Nowak, who was the one who accompanied us the most on this journey, and his entire story arc begins, develops, and concludes masterfully. Nowak was more than a villain; he was an inquisitor, a former mercenary. He was cruel, but he was also a believer, a hard-working man, but above all, he was a good father.
Orb, for me, transcends the "it's a good anime, I recommend it." It's a feeling. Orb communicates so many things that the message I understood is very different from what you might understand. That's precisely what makes it so rich, because the anime itself tells us that one cannot make a great change independently; that it's better to share the knowledge you have and learn new things to strengthen your knowledge and ideas. By doing this, it invites people to actively seek to share their feelings, ideas, and points of view with the community.
This way, you can transform your initial opinion of the anime into something richer and more complex.
There could be bad things, maybe there are, but even in that, you need that feedback exercise because maybe what seems good to me seems bad to you, and vice versa. Beyond seeking a discussion, it's about generating a debate to build a truth about the anime. Analyzing every angle through the eyes of many people. Orb is an anime that reminds us that, aside from being a personal hobby, there's a community we can talk to and uncover the truth behind what we consider "our truth."
Orb, I will never forget you and I will always carry a part of you with me.
MageDB
'Morality is something you find when you're lost.' Orb dances a delicately fine line between exploring science and faith as well as the impact both can have not only on society, but also on the human spirit. Being separated into multiple 'chapters', each staring character follows a newly acquired mission or aspect of philosophy within which to follow - culminating in an ending story of not only fulfillment, but also hope for a brighter future. I personally find it difficult to recommend Orb to anyone for the simple fact of, it's not designed for everyone. People take from media what they wish and similarly to how eventsin Orb are planned out, a mixture of curiosity and fate plays a big role in deciding factors about whether something is suitable to their tastes or not. If you find yourself questioning aspects of your life, or a search for something beyond your current state of being - give Orb a try. You won't be disappointed in the end result, after all:
Morality is something you find when you're lost.
xera_yoo
This anime, isn't just an anime. For me it's a masterpiece. Even tho it is a fiction, there are historical elements in it. The reason why I recommend this anime is bcs the philosophy behind is very deep (the interpretation will depend on each perception). I love the plot and the characters. Even, Orb: On The Movements of The Earth has 4 main characters in it. It shows that the burden of civilization that must be changed cannot be done by just one person. Orb: On The Movements of The Earth tells about the dark ages where people adhered to geocentrism, and in this storythe church under a bishop condemned heliocentrism.
But, in a world where those who are lost by doubt, there must be people who realize the truth with their intelligent brains. It starts with Rafal, a bright student at church, thinking whether he should study theology or astronomy when he'll enter university at a very young age. But he ended up in tragic death. However he's a smart teenager that open minded about world.
All of that continued with great determination to the next people.
From this anime too, we can see that knowledge is not at odds with religion. Religion always includes knowledge and is open to it.
Don't expect too much, this anime is not like action anime that'll always amaze you with the fictional power of the characters. There are no heroes who help many people in this anime. They are people who are opposed by the larger community, and feared by the common people. But this anime is a historical anime that will spur the audience to reflect more deeply about universe. By just looking at the sky, they will get the truth. Even for those of us who are sometimes arrogant about our abilities, when we look up at the sky, we will realize how great the universe is.So that we'll realize, we are nothing more than a small creature wandering and looking for a way to reach our goal.
From this anime, I understand that history is not just about recording the detailed time of an event. But history is actually a lesson for us to think more openly and wisely in life.
My review about the elements.
Chara development: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
Music: 8/10
Animation: 9/10
Characters: 9,5/10
Opening: 10/10
Thank you for reading to the end, I hope it helps.
Followkata
10/10. The first masterpiece score i've ever given out in anime. This anime blew me away. I've always looked at anime as a medium that breaks barriers of entertainment that can only be broken in the medium of anime. Vivid colors, over the top action, ethically wrong jokes, morally wrong stereotypes, are a few things to me is what makes anime entertaining. Making ubelievable works of unrealisitc fiction very cool is anime in a nutshell in my opinion. This is what anime excels at. Chi is different. There aren't any stereotypes, there are no jokes, there is no comicrelief, there are no harems, there is no big boobed woman, there is no fan service, there is no over powered protaganist and in fact there is no main character. There are no odd looking children nor adults. The story takes an ultra serious tone in everything it does and this tone does not break for a single second which in my opinion over 25 episodes is quite insane in the medium of anime. However it pulls it off effortlessly. I believe this was a risk but it was worth it.
The first truly original anime of this season and probably the last 5 years. It takes an idea that almost everyone in the world knows and tells the story in breathtaking fashion. I've read other reviews that say that everyone knows that the earth revolves around the sun and to repeat this is just boring. However those people obviously missed the point. Chi could have been made with any idea that was considered blaphemy in the middle ages. That is not what this story is about. The story is about how ideas that were condemned by religion, genuine science based theories and how it took generations of persecution, tortue, brutality, wars, and deaths for a single idea to become common knowledge.
People were burned on a stick and tortured to death because of the simplest ideas in which we consider common knowledge these days. Chi tells the story about how these ideas became to be and the pursuit of truth and science in the times when these ideas were considered heretical. People hung onto hope and curiosity and prevailed. This is a story that usually would be made into a movie and never before Chi would I have ever thought it would be a good idea for an anime.
Chi is a work of fiction, it is an anime not to be compared with historical accuracy. There are a few historical figures but this is not what the story is about. Anyone who brings up historical accuracy has also missed the point as i said earlier this is a work of fiction and the story is about how it took generations to overcome persecution of knowledge that we take for granted. People died for these ideas. In this context Chi is historically accurate. Many people died and were tortured for ideas that went against religion.
Chi is not your typical anime. You will not be blown away from the action, the soundtrack, the characters, the colors, the animation nor anything typical of anime in this day and age. The message, the story, the realistic approach, the idea and the way it was told through many peoples eyes without any protaganist is simply genuis. There is no anime to compare this too and this is why i give it the 10 score.
StevenLin0626
Now the anime has officially finished airing, I can now confidently say that this show is absolute peak. 25 episodes and it does not drop the ball a single time. Orb: On The Movements of the Earth is one of the greatest written story I've ever witnessed in any media. Before watching this I was doubting that if this heliocentrism and astrology concept would be too pretentious and boring, but it ended up being one of the most inspiring, life-changing experience. Orb is a show with a very unique premise and an absolutely masterful execution. It perfectly captures the idea of truth, belief, aspiration, faith, andlife that ultimately culminated to shape what the world is right now. There are countless mind-blowing and unpredictable lines and moments in this show that just left me in complete awe, that challenged me to continue moving forward and spark my imagination. It's a show with no magic, no crazy powers, no plot armor, yet manages to be the most tension and beauty any anime has ever let me experienced. Every single character, from Rafal, Nowak, Oczy and Badeni, Jolenta, Rafal and Schmitt, and Albert are some of the best characters I have seen, and they go through such incredible character development in such a short time that 80% of shows can't even do in seasons.
The music in this show is incredible. Kensuke Ushio's OST was I think the biggest deal breaker for why I think the anime was able to match or even surpass the already incredible manga. And I think this is my new personal favorite OP and ED combinations in anime. "Kaiju" is such a beautifully crafted work of art, and the two Yorushika songs "Aporia" and "Hebi" are masterpieces as well (The thing that got me to watch this show was because Yorushika did the ED and Yorushika is my favourite musical artist).
I was a bit confused by the ending at first, but after watching it a few more times I gotta give huge props to the author for having the courage to write such a unique ending. I think the ending nailed the entire premise of the show perfectly, to never stop questioning and believing, never stop pursuing for truth, and it truly goes full circle back to the beginning, rounding off the story perfectly.
90% absolute cinema, 10% of the profit goes to Potocki.
Overall score: 9.5/10
Omnipotent_Jadu
Way too beautiful to comprehend. Story of Earth before HELIOCENTRISM is introduced. Changing the perception of the whole universe is not a small task. This show gives us the TRUTH of the universe before heliocentrism is introduced, as people refuse to accept it. This anime gives a wide perspective of people who accept and refuse to accept at the core, how much the CHURCH twists the TRUTH in the name of KAMI and declares barbarian to the SCOLLER. Just watch it – it's the story of our ancestors who gave their lives to ENLIGHTEN THE TRUTH OF THE UNIVERSE. Thanks MADHOUSE to give us another MASTERPIECE.
