Astra Lost in Space Volume 5 manga review

Astra Lost in Space Graphic Novel Volume 5 cover image

It is the year 2063 and interstellar travel has become the norm.  Eight teenagers and one pre-teen girl (a.k.a. “Planet Camp Group B-5”) are participating in “Planet Camp.”  They begin a sojourn to Planet McPa for a week-long excursion.  Soon after they arrive on McPa, however, a mysterious orb appears and transports the entire group into the depths of space.  Now, 5,000 light-years away, the only thing that can get them home is Astra, an empty spaceship, floating alone in space and low on supplies.  On the journey home, these young people will learn shocking and unbelievable secrets about themselves and about their world.

As Astra Lost in Space, Vol. 5 (entitled Friend-Ship; Chapters 38 to 49) opens, the crew of the Astra is heading towards the planet, Galem.  That is their last pit-stop before they begin the final leg of their journey home.  It is on Galem that de facto captain, Kanata Hoshijima, realizes who among his fellow crew members is the assassin and saboteur.  Now, he must disclose the identity of that person, but when revealed, the assassin has something to reveal about the very nature of their society.

THE LOWDOWN:  My reviews of the Astra Lost in Space manga have been generous... deservedly so.  This teen-oriented, sci-fi graphic novel series from VIZ Media is a fantastic read with winning appeal.  It is a science fiction adventure filled with a sense of mystery and of the unknown.

Astra Lost in Space Graphic Novel Volume 5 is the final volume of the series, which makes me sad.  I think this series could easily run on for the equivalent of five more graphic novels.  Creator Kenta Shinohara made us love his characters and drew us into the story with a constantly evolving concept and riveting plot, so I can't let go.

Vol. 5 is the series' best volume, and its extra-large size is a double extra-large serving of shocking reveals that are sure to satisfy.  I hope that Astra Lost in Space becomes an “evergreen “ title, a graphic novel series that is always being discovered by new readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of science fiction comic books, manga, and graphic novels will want the “Shonen Jump” title, Astra Lost in Space.

A+
10 out of 10