Alternative title(s): Chi: Chikyuu no Undou ni Tsuite
Manga Adaptation by Madhouse
Streaming on Netflix

Premise

In 15^th-century Poland, religion is king, and those who suggest otherwise or fall prey to wicked beliefs are burned at the stake for heresy. Rafal, a highly intelligent but arrogant boy interested in astronomy, is sure he will live a life of privilege, lauded for his brilliance — until an encounter with a man who suggests a radical theory of heliocentrism challenges his beliefs and sends him down a far more dangerous path.

Artemis’ verdict: Vinland Saga for Academics

This may well be the sleeper hit of the season. Not just because it has an especially rare setting for pretty much any show (name any other anime set in 15^th-century Poland – go ahead, I’ll wait), but because it’s also genuinely good. I don’t believe anyone on this series was involved in Vinland Saga, but it does give off that kind of vibe to me in a “showing the darkest side of humanity” kind of way, and the first scene makes that abundantly clear. However, I also don’t expect Orb to be completely devoid of hope – in fact, I’m already expecting it to end on a note that’s optimistic for humanity, even if not for our main character (who’s an insufferable jerk at first but is evidently about to go through a pretty steep period of self-growth). Orb may have completely fallen off everyone’s radar because it’s a seinen show airing on Netflix, and in a season that’s premiering Dragon Ball Daima, Bleach, Dandadan and whatever isekai series is hottest right now, but if you’re after something with a little more depth or enjoy some realism to your anime, this is the one to look out for.

Jel’s verdict: Out of my Orbit

I appreciate the unique setting and premise, but in practice I just wasn’t feeling this. There’s a very ham fisted church bad/science good message, which I agree with, but I don’t think they do a good job establishing this in a way that makes you care. My feelings were validated in the final scene when they try really hard to make heliocentrism sound cool and dangerous just by… explaining what it is? Maybe if they engage more with why the church is threatened by this kind of research and not just tell us Kenjiro Tsuda will burn you at the stake if you… oh wait, maybe I didn’t like this because the first voice you hear is Kenjiro Tsuda playing an evil clergyman that is emotionally dead inside, and we all know how I feel about him. Nevermind.