World's First! Drawing Manga in Space 400km Above Earth: Space Brothers × 'Mission: SPACE COMIC' Collaboration

Space Entry Inc. (Headquarters: Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture; CEO: Ryoichi Kumagai) announces its participation in 'Mission: SPACE COMIC' (Mission: Space Comic), a world-first endeavor announced by Kodansha Ltd. on June 11, 2026, to draw the manga 'Space Brothers' in space.

This mission utilizes the Kibo Utilization Program (*1), a paid service provided by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), which grants access to the 'Kibo' Japanese Experiment Module on the International Space Station.

For the first time, a robot arm installed inside the Kibo module will be operated from Earth to demonstrate remote drawing in the microgravity environment of space. This unprecedented initiative brings together expertise from private companies, engineers, and creators. (*1) Kibo Utilization Program (Non-Standard Services): https://humans-in-space.jaxa.jp/kibouser/provide/more/

Provided by: Kodansha Ltd.

<Space Entry's Mission>

The robot arm used for drawing is a new device launched by JAXA in 2025, designed to collect demonstration data for the automation and remote operation of space experiments. This marks its first commercial mission, challenging the delicate task of 'drawing manga.' While the goal—reproducing lines in microgravity—may seem simple, it involves verifying operational reproducibility under numerous constraints unlike those on Earth, including time limits, launch weight, structural strength, fire resistance, heat dissipation, and ink volatility in a non-convective environment.

The insights and challenges gained from this mission will be applied to Space Entry's future efforts in automation and remote operations, contributing to the advancement of Japan's future space industry.

Related Pages

・Kodansha Ltd. Press Release, June 11, 2026 ・'Mission: SPACE COMIC' Official Website