Special Exhibition ‘Orb: On the Movements of the Earth’

Originally serialised in Weekly Big Comic Spirits from 2020 to 2022, mononymous author Uoto’s manga Orb: On the Movements of the Earth takes readers to a fictional 15th-century European kingdom where heliocentric theory challenges the long-held geocentric worldview upheld by the Church. In an era where knowledge was tightly controlled and heresy could cost one’s life, the work tells a gripping story of intellectual challenge. The series captivated readers with its nuanced exploration of science, faith and the relentless pursuit of truth. Following its literary success, Orb was adapted into an anime by Madhouse and aired on Netflix.

The Miraikan (National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation) is hosting an immersive experience themed on the work from March 14 to June 1. Titled ‘Orb: On the Movements of the Earth –An act of planet–’, the exhibition will bridge the gap between fiction and reality by tracing the real-world transition from the geocentric to the heliocentric model, one of the most far-reaching paradigm shifts in human history. Visitors will be able to experience key scenes from the anime, see original films and take on interactive exhibits. By making astronomy more accessible and engaging, the exhibition aims to bring to life the very questions that fuelled the intellectual revolution at the heart of Orb.