Earlier this month the Japan Society hosted a special screening celebrating Ryuichi Sakamoto’s legendary musical legacy, bringing renewed attention to Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise. Those lucky enough to attend were able to experience how deeply immersive and visually striking Gainax’s 1987 debut feature truly is. Set in an alternate world on the brink of space exploration, the film is a monumental achievement in hand-drawn animation and boasts breathtaking artwork that feels alive in every frame. Scenes move quickly from the grimy and industrialized machinery to the retro-futuristic cityscapes.
At the heart of the story is the main character Shirotsug Lhadatt, a cynical and unmotivated recruit in the backwater Royal Space Force who stumbles into becoming humanity’s first astronaut. His perspective is profoundly challenged by his chance encounter with Richunti, a stoutly religious young woman he meets distributing tracts on the street. Their contrast forms the moral core of the movie. While Shirotsug starts out drifting through a stagnant society with little ambition, Richunti possesses an unshakeable spiritual conviction and a fierce belief in a higher purpose. Her steadfast faith acts as a mirror to Shirotsug’s internal emptiness, grounding the sci-fi spectacle in a deeply human exploration of belief, regret, and redemption.
Sonically, the film is elevated by Ryuichi Sakamoto’s magnificent score, which remains an unforgettable tour de force. While the orchestral work as a whole is sweeping and grand, the light and fluttery score accompanying the delicate airplane flight sequence near the beginning is sheer perfection. It felt like a weightless and soaring piece of music that captures the childlike wonder of early aviation. Sakamoto’s music weaves seamlessly with the stunning art direction, making the world of Honneamise feel both historically familiar and entirely alien.
Beyond the personal and aesthetic triumphs, the film also serves as a cynical allegory for real-world geopolitics, heavily mirroring Cold War tensions. The nations in the film are trapped in an escalating arms race and a tense standoff, yet what stands out most is the chilling casualness of the political leaders. High-ranking officials discuss invading each other’s countries and provoking global catastrophe with the casual indifference of people ordering lunch, laying bare the absurd detachment of those in power. It’s this blend of intimate character growth, gorgeous artistry, and biting political commentary that ensures The Wings of Honneamise remains a timeless classic.
If you count yourself a fan of Neon Genesis Evangelion or the brilliant musical genius of Ryuichi Sakamoto, you truly do not want to miss this movie. It stands as a vital piece of anime history that showcases the early creative brilliance of the minds that would later shape the medium, backed by an auditory masterpiece that lingers long after the credits roll. Highly recommended.
