Orb: On the Movements of the Earth
//Summary - Level-B2//
Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is a historical fiction manga by Uoto, serialised from 2020 to 2022. Set in 15th-century Europe, it follows individuals risking their lives to study the forbidden heliocentric theory. The manga explores misunderstandings about medieval Europe's attitude toward heliocentrism. The story follows different characters, including Rafał, a prodigy drawn to the theory, and Alberto, who struggles with pursuing knowledge. The title symbolises Earth's motion and challenges to knowledge. The anime adaptation aired in 2024-2025, and over 5 million copies of the manga have been sold since 2025.
A)
1)
"Orb: On the Movements of the Earth" is a Japanese manga by Uoto for young men. It was serialised from 2020 to 2022.
Set in 15th century Europe, it is a fictional work that depicts the lives and beliefs of people who risk their lives to study the forbidden heliocentric theory.
As of February 2025, the total number of copies of all eight volumes has exceeded 5 million.
A TV anime was broadcast on NHK General TV from October 2024 to March 2025.
B)
2)
Production background:
In medieval Europe, the intelligence of the natural sciences and violent physicality were inseparable. I thought it would be interesting to see this imbalance from a modern perspective.
3)
The moment when the sense of knowledge drastically changes, when we move from the geocentric to the heliocentric theory, is good. It was so shocking that it became associated with philosophy and gave rise to the words "Copernican revolution" and "paradigm shift." I found this moment interesting and decided to make a manga about it.
4)
In modern Japan, perhaps because of the strong impression of the Galileo trial, it is often believed that "in medieval Europe, those who advocated the heliocentric theory were violently persecuted and oppressed by Christianity." However, Uoto said, "In actual history, it seems that the heliocentric theory was not persecuted to that extent." Not all those who supported the heliocentric theory were necessarily executed.
5)
In actual history, Copernicus, the proponent of the heliocentric theory, had a good relationship with the Church, serving as a feudal priest. 1533, he conveyed his heliocentric theory to Pope Clement VII, who favoured it. However, he did not dare to publish it, and finally published "On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres" just before his death, at the urging of those around him.
6)
Immediately after the publication, there was a movement within the Catholic Church to condemn the heliocentric theory. Still, it did not come to the surface because Bartolomeo Spina, the theological adviser at the papal court, and Giovanni Tolosani, a colleague of the Dominican Order who tried to do so, died one after the other.
7)
On the other hand, Giordano Bruno, accused of making many anticlerical statements after Copernicus, stubbornly refused to recant his views based on the heliocentric view of the universe advocated by Copernicus and was burned at the stake in 1600. René Descartes' books were banned, and he spent much of his time in the relatively safe Netherlands, fearing persecution from the Church.
8)
Also, the heliocentric view was not accepted until a certain period and is not accepted today. In other words, it was before Pope John Paul II accepted it in October 1992.
9)
As a result, the author deliberately created a fictional story that differs from historical fact, and the names of the countries that appear in the story are things like "Kingdom of P." Uoto said, "I found this misunderstanding interesting and wanted to make it the theme of my work".
C)
10)
Title:
"Chi. The title "Chi" consists of three parts: "Daichi" (Earth), "Chi" (blood) and "Chishiki" (knowledge).
The intention behind adding the "." (full stop) is also the preference of the original author, Uoto, but the main point is that "full stops signify the end of a sentence, a stop". Uoto explains this as follows:
11)
The "." indicates the state in which the Earth is stationary. When the line of earth movement (chi) suddenly enters, what was stationary begins to move. The "." expresses whether the Earth will move or not.
12)
In addition, using only the single character "Chi" and a dot in the title is also intended to make it difficult to find on the Internet. Uoto wanted to prevent the author from searching for the work's title on the Internet (ego-searching) and being influenced by the opinions of others, and also to allow readers to form their views without being exposed to the impressions of others.
D)
13)
Synopsis:
Chapter 1
In the early 15th century, the European "Kingdom of P" was dominated by a religion called "Creation of C". The heliocentric theory was a belief that went against their doctrine, and even studying it could lead to torture or burning at the stake.
14)
The protagonist, Rafał, who lives in this period, is a child prodigy who, at the age of 12, plans to enter university and study theology. However, one day, he meets Hubert, who researches the heliocentric theory. He becomes fascinated by its beauty and risks his life to study it.
15)
Chapter 2
Okzie, a gladiator, accidentally discovers a stone box of books in the forest and becomes involved in the heliocentric theory.
16)
Chapter 3
The nomadic tribe of the Duraka and Schmidt, the leader of the Heretic Liberation Front, secretly try to print the heliocentric theory in movable type.
17)
Final chapter
1468, urban area of the Kingdom of Poland. Alberto, a young man working in a bakery, is encouraged by his boss to go to university, but he refuses, saying it is pointless. While delivering bread to a church, Alberto happens to enter a confessional and talks about his childhood memories. Alberto's father has a strong desire for knowledge and hires a young man called Rafal to be Alberto's tutor.
18)
However, after a misunderstanding with his father over a trivial matter, Rafal murders his father and is arrested. Alberto fears that this is the fate of those who seek knowledge, and the priest in the confessional advises him to seek answers at university. After enrolling at the university, Alberto hears in town that 10% of the profits from a book entitled On the Movement of the Earth will be paid to Potocki. Afterwards, Alberto became a university professor and wrote a commentary on "A New Theory of the Planets".
Orb: On the Movements of the Earth
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orb:_On_the_Movements_of_the_Earth
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%81%E3%80%82-%E5%9C%B0%E7%90%83%E3%81%AE%E9%81%8B%E5%8B%95%E3%81%AB%E3%81%A4%E3%81%84%E3%81%A6-
Orb: On the Movements of the Earth Stage adaptation decided
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/f981c5f51170487ceddafe3d0678bf502e5eaf80
The show will be performed at the New National Theatre, Tokyo, Middle Theatre, in October 2025, with a tour scheduled for November.
It has been decided that the stage play "Orb: On the Movements of the Earth", based on the manga by Uoto, will be performed.
This shocking work depicts humans fascinated by discovering the truth about the Earth and risking their lives to do so. A team of creators active worldwide and a luxurious cast of unique actors have come together to adapt it for the stage. Combining physical expression, acting, singing, and musical performance will bring a new "Orb: On the Movements of the Earth" to life in the theater.
Orb: On the Movements of the Earth
Immerse yourself in a story that explores the heliocentric theory through the world of anime! March 14th (Fri) - June 1st (Sun), 2025
https://www.miraikan.jst.go.jp/exhibitions/spexhibition/chi.html
The play "Orb: On the Movements of the Earth" depicts people risking their lives to prove the heliocentric theory
https://www.fashion-press.net/news/131909
Orb: On the Movements of the Earth - Move history, hearts, destinies and the stars.
https://www.nhk.jp/p/ts/J9Q7GNJNX3/
5-minute animation: "Orb: On the Movements of the Earth"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBVJEJOK6tA
FULL EPISODE 15! - Orb: On The Movements of The Earth [Sub ENG] HD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MugvlifYmHc
How the heliocentric theory triumphed over the geocentric theory: even a second grader can understand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUKQMB-D1j8
Chi.: Chikyuu no Undou ni Tsuite opening 「Kaijuu」 by Sakanaction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrSjQHzNyrs
Chi.:Chikyuu no Undou ni Tsuite Ending
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeiknsc7MVs
[History x Manga] A deep dive into the story of those who risked their lives for the Copernican theory, "Chi."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtsLL83sb-U
What is the "pitfall" lurking in the final chapter of "Chi.", the relay of the baton of knowledge? [Final commentary]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k8DVCMQuSc
"Conspiracy Theories and Narratives" by Uoto (manga artist) and Amemiya Jun (writer)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=200Yse7zKtw
[Exclusive interview with Uoto] The story behind the creation of the characters in "Chi. - About the Earth's Movement"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMxGk0GiVAQ
The Real History Behind "Orb: On the Movements of the Earth"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekESTxTPJTY&t=30s
Orb: On the Movements of the Earth TV Series (2024–2025) IMDB 8.3/10
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33044444/
After learning heretical teachings about the Earth and the Sun, a child prodigy searches for his master's hidden research while evading the Inquisition.
Sakanaction / Kaiju -Music Video-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8dgNdJVluc
