Live action TV
Description
Mutta Nanba is the elder of the Nanba brothers and the central protagonist of Space Brothers. He was born on October 28, 1993, and stands about 181 centimeters tall with short black hair and black eyes. At the start of the story, he is twenty-nine years old and working as an automotive designer. His childhood dream of becoming an astronaut was sparked on a summer night in 2006 when he and his younger brother Hibito witnessed what they believed to be a UFO flying toward the Moon. Mutta declared at that time that, as the older brother, he would aim for Mars while Hibito aimed for the Moon. However, as an adult, Mutta had settled into a conventional career and watched his brother achieve success as a JAXA astronaut. His life takes a sharp turn when he impulsively headbutts a manager who insults Hibito, leading to his dismissal from the automotive company. Encouraged by his brother and his mother, Mutta applies to the JAXA astronaut selection program and is accepted, setting him on the path to reclaim the promise he made as a child.

Personality-wise, Mutta is characterized by a strong sense of responsibility combined with a somewhat scattered and forgetful nature. He can be clumsy and occasionally absent-minded, but these traits are offset by remarkable determination, enthusiasm, and a light-hearted sense of humor. He often uses quirky expressions and approaches problems with a blend of analytical thinking and creative intuition. His primary motivation stems from a desire to prove his worth to his family and to overcome the self-doubt that has held him back. The driving force behind his decision to pursue space exploration is the challenge issued by his younger brother, who pushes him to chase his childhood dream.

Mutta serves as the audience's point-of-view character, and his journey from an unemployed car designer to a fully-fledged astronaut candidate forms the emotional and narrative spine of the story. Through rigorous training sessions, personal setbacks, and moments of camaraderie with fellow candidates, he demonstrates significant growth. He learns to manage his emotions and insecurity, gains confidence in his abilities, and re-affirms his resolve to make space exploration his life.

His most important relationship is with his younger brother Hibito, which functions as both a source of unwavering support and a healthy competitive rivalry. Hibito, already established as a successful astronaut, constantly motivates Mutta to strive harder. Mutta also forms deep bonds with other astronaut candidates, particularly Kenji Makabe, who becomes a close friend and mentor figure. Additionally, he maintains a lifelong connection with the astronomer Sharon Kaneko, who nurtured the brothers' childhood interest in space.

In terms of notable abilities, Mutta does not possess supernatural powers. His strengths lie in his keen intelligence, adaptability, and strong problem-solving skills. His background in car design gives him proficiency in various engineering concepts, which he applies creatively to challenges encountered during astronaut training. He also possesses a natural talent for thinking outside the box and remaining calm under pressure, though his journey reveals limitations in emotional regulation and self-doubt that he gradually overcomes.
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