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Celestial Method
Celestial Method
Celestial Method
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Celestial Method
Promotional poster for the series featuring the main protagonists
天体のメソッド
(Sora no Mesoddo)
GenreFantasy
Created byKaleido Shift
Naoki Hisaya
Manga
Written byNaoki Hisaya
Illustrated byYuka Namisaki
Published byASCII Media Works
MagazineDengeki Daioh
Original runOctober 2014 – March 2015
Volumes1
Anime television series
Directed byMasayuki Sakoi
Written byNaoki Hisaya
Music byTatsuya Kato
StudioStudio 3Hz
Licensed by
Original networkBS11, KBS, Sun TV, Tokyo MX, TVh
English network
Original run October 5, 2014 – December 28, 2014
Episodes13 (List of episodes)
Original video animation
Directed byMasayuki Sakoi
StudioStudio 3Hz
ReleasedJuly 24, 2015
Runtime11 minutes
Original net animation
Directed byMasayuki Sakoi
Produced byTakayuki Nagatani
StudioStudio 3Hz
ReleasedOctober 11, 2019
Runtime29 minutes

Celestial Method (天体のメソッド, Sora no Mesoddo) is a 13-episode Japanese anime television series created and written by Naoki Hisaya and produced by Studio 3Hz. The series aired in Japan between October 5 and December 28, 2014. A short original video animation episode was released on July 24, 2015. A manga adaptation illustrated by Yuka Namisaki was serialized in ASCII Media Works' Dengeki Daioh magazine.

Plot

[edit]

Nonoka Komiya is a girl who once lived in Lake Kiriya City, based on Lake Tōya in Hokkaido, where she met a blue-haired girl named Noel. Seven years later, Nonoka returns to the city, which now has a mysterious saucer floating above it, and reunites with Noel, who promises to grant her wish.

Characters

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Nonoka Komiya (古宮 乃々香, Komiya Nonoka)
Voiced by: Shiina Natsukawa[1]
The protagonist who returns to Lake Kiriya after having moved away seven years before. She has lived with her father since her mother died due to an undisclosed illness.
Noel (ノエル, Noeru)
Voiced by: Inori Minase[1]
A mysterious blue-haired girl whom Nonoka first met seven years ago. She is eventually revealed to be the saucer itself, which Nonoka and her friends had called down.
Yuzuki Mizusaka (水坂 柚季, Mizusaka Yuzuki)
Voiced by: Aki Toyosaki[1]
An energetic girl who has a strong dislike for the saucer. She also seems to be on bad terms with her twin brother, Sōta.
Koharu Shiihara (椎原 こはる, Shiihara Koharu)
Voiced by: Haruka Yoshimura[1]
An airheaded girl who works as a poster girl for a local shop devoted to the saucer.
Shione Togawa (戸川 汐音, Togawa Shione)
Voiced by: Mikako Komatsu[1]
A stern girl who enjoys photography. She was once Nonoka's best friend but grew to hate her after she moved away without letting anyone know.
Sōta Mizusaka (水坂 湊太, Mizusaka Sōta)
Voiced by: Kaito Ishikawa,[1] Megumi Han (young)
Yuzuki's twin brother who has feelings for Koharu.

Media

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Manga

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A manga adaptation, written by Naoki Hisaya and illustrated by Yuka Namisaki, was serialized in ASCII Media Works' Dengeki Daioh magazine between the October 2014[2][3] and March 2015 issues with the series left unfinished. It was later reported in the December 2015 issue that the serialization had ended due to circumstances with the author.[4] One tankōbon volume was released on October 27, 2014.[5]

Anime

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The 13-episode anime television series, produced by Studio 3Hz,[6] aired in Japan on Tokyo MX between October 5 and December 28, 2014 and was simulcast by Crunchyroll.[7] The series is directed by Masayuki Sakoi and written by Naoki Hisaya, with music by Tatsuya Kato and character designs by QP:flapper, consisting of duo artists Koharu Sakura and Tometa Ohara.[8][9] An original video animation (OVA) episode was included on the seventh Blu-ray/DVD volume released on July 24, 2015.[10] A special episode premiered on October 11, 2019 on the Infinite YouTube channel.[11][12][13] The opening theme is "Stargazer" by Larval Stage Planning, and the ending theme is "Hoshikuzu no Interlude" (星屑のインターリュード) by Fhána. Sentai Filmworks has licensed the series for release in North America.[14]

No. Title Original air date
1"Saucer City"
Transliteration: "Enban no Machi" (Japanese: 円盤の街)		October 5, 2014 (2014-10-05)
Nonoka Komiya moves with her family to her old hometown of Lake Kiriya City, which now has a large flying saucer floating above it. While her father is out the next day, Nonoka encounters a strange girl named Noel, who claims they met each other a long time ago. As Nonoka tries to remember who Noel is, she gets mad at her when she assumes she had cracked a photo of her late mother while unpacking her things, telling her not to appear before her again. Upon later learning that the crack was actually an accident on her father's part, Nonoka searches for Noel in order to apologise, during which she remembers knowing Noel from her childhood, realising she had been waiting at the observatory for her return. As the two reunite at the observatory, Noel states her desire to fulfill her promise to grant Nonoka's wishes.
2"Their Promise"
Transliteration: "Futari no Yakusoku" (Japanese: ふたりの約束)		October 12, 2014 (2014-10-12)
On her first day at school, Nonoka befriends with a girl named Koharu Shiihara, but becomes alienated by another girl in headphones, Shione Togawa, both of whom she had previously encountered while searching for Noel the other day. Another girl, Yuzuki Mizusaka, vents her irritation that no one else in town seems to be concerned about the saucer that appeared seven years ago, roping Nonoka into helping her protest against it. After getting into an argument with her brother, Souta, Yuzuki prepares to go fight against the saucer herself, but is stopped by Nonoka, who decides to help her with her cause provided she not do anything dangerous. Later that night, Nonoka asks Noel for help in getting the saucer to leave the city as well.
3"Where Memories Live"
Transliteration: "Kioku no Arika" (Japanese: 記憶のありか)		October 19, 2014 (2014-10-19)
While on an orienteering trip with the others, Nonoka feels confused as to why Shione is so hostile towards her. The girls soon encounter Noel along the way and have her join their group. Later, when it seems that Shione has strayed from the group, Nonoka goes off in search for her, unaware that Shione had actually gotten ahead of them, winding up lost herself. After ending up at an abandoned kindergarten and eventually being found by Noel, Nonoka remembers that not only was she friends with everyone seven years ago, but she was the one who suggested they call forth the saucer, with Noel revealing she is the saucer itself.
4"A Fragment of Emotions"
Transliteration: "Omoi no Kakera" (Japanese: 思いのかけら)		October 26, 2014 (2014-10-26)
Nonoka's apology for forgetting everything only earns her a slap from Yuzuki and further disdain from Shione. The next day, Nonoka tries to learn what had happened during her absence, but Yuzuki refuses to tell her and runs off to continue her protests, which Noel decides to help with. Nonoka later meets up with Souta, who hears from her about how Yuzuki had wanted to see fireworks long ago. After Koharu stops Yuzuki from protesting outside her store, she attempts to protest in the middle of the road instead, becoming depressed when Koharu effectively states her efforts to stop the saucer are meaningless. That night, as Koharu lets out all of her tears, Nonoka comes to her, asking for her help.
5"Flower of Light"
Transliteration: "Hikari no Hana" (Japanese: 光の花)		November 2, 2014 (2014-11-02)
Koharu helps Nonoka out as she tries to get permission for a fireworks show in a week's time. Meanwhile, Souta attempts to apologise to Yuzuki, who had been feeling guilty for a long time after Souta got injured while searching for her one day. On the day before the fireworks show, Koharu speaks with Yuzuki while Shione comes across Noel and tries to determine her relationship with Nonoka. The next day, Noel shows Yuzuki Nonoka's photo album, which shows Nonoka chose that date because it was the anniversary of their last fireworks festival. When Yuzuki arrives at the lake, she finds Nonoka, Koharu, and Souta waiting for her and apologises to them while Noel uses the saucer to project a fireworks display of her own.
6"True Friends"
Transliteration: "Hontō no Tomodachi" (Japanese: 本当の友達)		November 9, 2014 (2014-11-09)
Shione wins some hot spring inn tickets and invites Noel, while Yuzuki receives some tickets herself and invites Nonoka and Koharu, with both groups unaware that they are staying at the same place. While at the hotel, Yuzuki works up the courage to talk properly with Nonoka and apologises for her previous actions. The next day, Shione is taken aback a little when Noel considers her a friend, while Nonoka asks her father for a favor.
7"What I Lost"
Transliteration: "Watashi no Nakushita Mono" (Japanese: 私のなくしたもの)		November 16, 2014 (2014-11-16)
After inadvertently breaking the monster sign outside of Koharu's shop, Noel stays behind to try and fix it while Nonoka goes with Koharu and Yuzuki to the countryside to visit her mother's grave for her birthday. Arriving at the cemetery, Nonoka laments how the pain of losing her mother shortly after leaving Lake Kiriya led to her trying to forget what happened, including her time with her friends, but Koharu and Yuzuki assure Nonoka that her mother would still be proud of her. Meanwhile, Souta helps Noel with fixing the monster sign, explaining how he, Yuzuki, and Koharu made it together. While giving Nonoka some time alone, Koharu and Yuzuki come across Shione, who was visiting her own family's grave, before giving Nonoka the encouragement to try to make up with Shione. After arriving back home, Nonoka barely misses Shione, but hears from Noel that she wanted to watch the meteor shower with her.
8"What She Believes"
Transliteration: "Kanojo no Shinjiru koto" (Japanese: 彼女の信じること)		November 23, 2014 (2014-11-23)
Wanting to grant Shione's wish without waiting for the next meteor shower, Nonoka and the others decide to make a planetarium for the school's Hokubi Festival, inviting Shione to participate. The next day, Shione decides to visit Noel, who she had also met seven years ago, having previously received a message from her that Nonoka would return to watch the meteor shower with her, though the time she waited led her to become distrustful of her. Shione expresses to Noel how she is afraid of putting her trust in Nonoka again, but Noel gives her some encouragement. Later that night, Shione arrives at the finished planetarium, where Nonoka firmly states her desire of watching a meteor shower with her, with the two making up with each other. However, the next day, after Shione recalls Noel calling herself the saucer, she tells Nonoka that they can't be together.
9"The Meaning of Goodbye"
Transliteration: "Sayonara no Imi" (Japanese: さよならの意味)		November 30, 2014 (2014-11-30)
As Nonoka decides to put her trust in Shione and wait for her, Shione learns that Noel will disappear when she has granted everyone's wishes. While everyone else helps to finish the planetarium, Shione makes plans to move out of town, recalling how she and the others each made wishes while summoning the saucer. On the day of the festival, Nonoka escorts Noel around the school, becoming anxious over whether Shione will show up or not. Learning Shione is absent, Nonoka goes off to confront her over why she's trying to stay away from her, but is unable to get through to her. Noel then goes off in search of Nonoka, only to collapse in front of her.
10"Where Wishes Go"
Transliteration: "Negai no Yukue" (Japanese: 願いの行方)		December 7, 2014 (2014-12-07)
Realising Noel's condition is from straying too far from the saucer, Nonoka calls her father to take them back home to where she can see the saucer. After getting Noel back safely, Nonoka tells the others the truth that Noel is the saucer they summoned seven years ago, which is why she can't leave town. Nonoka later then learns from Noel that she will disappear when she fulfils her assigned wish, in this case, Shione's wish to smile together with Nonoka. The next day, Nonoka learns that Shione is transferring and goes to talk to her once more, learning that she intended to move so that Noel wouldn't have to disappear. As Nonoka becomes conflicted over choosing between Noel and Shione, Shione explains the situation concerning Noel to the others, who argue over who should leave so that Noel can stay. Truly wishing for everyone to smile together, Noel tells Nonoka they will have to part ways.
11"Night of the Meteor Shower"
Transliteration: "Ryūseigun no Yoru" (Japanese: 流星群の夜)		December 14, 2014 (2014-12-14)
With everyone still avoiding each other, Nonoka makes a decision to invite everyone to the observatory to watch the meteor shower, despite the cloudy weather. As Nonoka speaks with Shione, stating her desire to make everyone happy and asking her to speak to Noel, Souta, Yuzuki, and Koharu do their own reflecting, believing Noel granted their wishes to become friends with everyone. Later that night, Shione speaks with Noel, who says she is happiest when everyone else is happy. Afterwards, everyone, Shione included, gathers at the observatory, where they take some pictures together before Noel receives a signal telling her to go home. After a tearful farewell, everyone watches the meteor shower together, where Noel finds herself unable to hold back her tears as well before both she and the saucer vanish.
12"Saucerless City"
Transliteration: "Enban no nai Machi" (Japanese: 円盤のない街)		December 21, 2014 (2014-12-21)
Nonoka suddenly finds herself returning to the day she arrived in Lake Kiriya, this time with the saucer nowhere to be seen above the city, like it was never there to begin with. Furthermore, she discovers none of her friends have any memories of Noel or the saucer, and Shione is nowhere to be found, later learning she moved away during elementary school. As Nonoka starts to doubt herself over whether Noel even existed in the first place, Shione appears before her, revealing that she has also retained her memories of Noel.
13"From the Starting Sky"
Transliteration: "Hajimari no Sora kara" (Japanese: はじまりのそらから)		December 28, 2014 (2014-12-28)
After Shione encourages Nonoka to not give up on Noel, the two of them concoct a plan to bring everyone to the observatory. The others, despite still not remembering Noel, feel there is something important they are forgetting and agree to try and summon the saucer once more. Together, they wish to see Noel again, after which a large field of sunflowers suddenly appears near the observatory, but no Noel. The next day, Nonoka learns from her father that someone was in her house, while the others start to regain their memories of Noel, and together they head towards the sunflower field, where Noel is waiting for them.
OVA"A Certain Girl's Day Off"
Transliteration: "Aru Shōjo no Kyūjitsu" (Japanese: ある少女の休日)		July 24, 2015 (2015-07-24)
Curious about Shione constantly renting out a certain monster movie, Yuzuki has the others join her in following Shione during her free time. After finding that Shione had just been going to feed some ducks, they discover from Nonoka's copy of the movie that Shione has a bit part in it.
ONA"One More Wish"
Transliteration: "Mō Hitotsu no Onegai" (Japanese: もうひとつの願い)		October 11, 2019 (2019-10-11)

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Celestial Method

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from Grokipedia
Celestial Method (Japanese: 天体のメソッド, Hepburn: Sora no Mesoddo) is a 13-episode original Japanese television series written by Naoki Hisaya and directed by Masayuki Sakoi. Produced by the Studio 3Hz, the series aired on and other networks from October 5 to December 28, 2014. It marks Naoki Hisaya's return to after a seven-year hiatus since Kanon (2006) and Studio 3Hz's first major television project. The story follows Nonoka Komiya, a girl who returns to her hometown of Lake Kiriya City with her father after seven years away, only to find a massive unidentified hovering motionless above the lake. There, she reunites with childhood friends—Koharu Shiihara, Shione Togawa, and twins Yuzuki and Souta Mizusaka—while encountering a mysterious girl named Noel, who is connected to the saucer and claims prior acquaintance with Nonoka. As Nonoka grapples with grief over her mother's death, fragmented memories resurface, revealing a shared childhood wish to summon the saucer and the emotional bonds that were strained by her departure. The narrative blends elements with themes of , loss, and in a slice-of-life setting. In 2019, a special holiday episode titled Sora no Method: Mō Hitotsu no Negai was released, serving as an epilogue to the original series and focusing on the characters during . The was licensed in by , who released it on Blu-ray in 2016. Character designs were handled by Yukie Akiya, with music composed by Tatsuya Katou and performed by Lantis.

Premise

Plot

Nonoka Komiya returns to her hometown of Lake Kiriya City after spending seven years in with her father following her mother's death. Upon arriving, she discovers a mysterious saucer hovering silently over the town, an object that appeared in the sky on the very day she departed as a child. Shortly after, Nonoka encounters Noel, an enigmatic young girl dressed in unusual clothing who is inexplicably linked to the saucer and offers to grant Nonoka's deepest wishes. As Nonoka readjusts to life in the rural town, she reunites with her childhood friends—the twins Yuzuki Mizusaka and Souta Mizusaka, Koharu Shiihara, and Shione Togawa—who have all been subtly affected by the saucer's presence over the years. The group gradually recalls a collective wish they made together seven years prior, which appears to have summoned the saucer and altered their lives in unforeseen ways. With Noel's guidance, they activate SEEDs, small ethereal beings that embody their wishes and facilitate interactions with the saucer, prompting the friends to investigate its origins and potential to fulfill new desires. Tensions emerge among the group as they confront the lingering impacts of their past wish, which inadvertently contributed to their emotional separation and desire to escape the stagnant town. The 13-episode series unfolds as a blend of mystery and interpersonal drama, progressing from the initial intrigue of the saucer's appearance to deeper explorations of regret and reconnection. Major developments include the saucer's gradual descent toward the town and key revelations tying the friends' unresolved wish to ongoing conflicts. The narrative reaches its climax through acts of sacrifice that address the wish's consequences, leading to a heartfelt reunion and a bittersweet resolution that emphasizes growth amid loss.

Themes

Celestial Method explores the central theme of isolation and reconnection through the experiences of its protagonists, who grapple with the emotional distance created by time, , and unresolved grievances. The hovering above Lake Kiriya City symbolizes unfulfilled childhood dreams, serving as a constant reminder of the pain of separation from friends and hometowns, as Nonoka's return after years in forces confrontations with her fractured social circle marked by resentment and forgotten bonds. This motif underscores how physical and stems from life's disruptions, such as family relocations and personal tragedies, leading to a arc centered on rebuilding trust and intimacy among the group. A recurring motif in the series is that of wishes and their , where the group's collective childhood desire to escape the stagnation of small-town life manifests dramatically through the 's appearance, ultimately fracturing their relationships. , ethereal manifestations tied to the saucer, represent lingering regrets and the lingering effects of that wish, highlighting how aspirations for change can lead to isolation rather than fulfillment, as the characters reflect on the costs of their past decisions. This examination delves into the philosophical tension between longing for escape and the value of rootedness, portraying wishes not as magical solutions but as catalysts for emotional reckoning. The narrative further delves into themes of growth and , exemplified by Nonoka's from an amnesiac outsider to a pivotal figure in her friends' healing process, emphasizing as a pathway to maturity amid the inexorable passage of time. Her journey illustrates the sacrifices inherent in , such as confronting guilt over past absences to foster group , and finding deeper purpose in the rhythms of small-town existence rather than fleeing them. Through these elements, the series conveys that true growth arises from embracing imperfections and the bittersweet nature of change. Subtle sci-fi elements function as throughout, with the saucer and the enigmatic Noel serving as metaphors for lost and the disruptive intervention of external forces in personal lives, eschewing hard sci-fi resolutions in favor of emotional symbolism. Noel, in particular, embodies untainted childhood wonder waiting to reconnect with the present, while the saucer's persistent presence allegorizes how unresolved pasts hover over one's future, inviting introspection without providing concrete explanations. This approach reinforces the story's focus on internal journeys, using speculative elements to mirror the characters' psychological states.

Production

Development

Naoki Hisaya, renowned for his screenplay contributions to the visual novel Kanon and as the original creator of the 2007 anime Sola, returned to the anime industry after a seven-year absence with Celestial Method, serving as the project's original creator and series composition writer. This marked Hisaya's involvement in an original television anime series, building on his established style of crafting emotionally resonant stories centered on youth and interpersonal connections. The project was first publicly announced on March 23, 2014, through the release of a teaser website, promotional video, and initial story premise, positioning it as an original production by the newly established Studio 3Hz. Conceptualized by Hisaya, the narrative blends slice-of-life drama with subtle elements, revolving around an enigmatic summoned by childhood friends as a wish-granting catalyst that disrupts and reunites their lives years later. This motif echoes themes from Hisaya's earlier works, such as the supernatural-tinged emotional explorations in Sola, while emphasizing themes of nostalgia, friendship, and personal growth amid everyday settings. Pre-production progressed rapidly following the greenlight in early 2014, with original character designs by the illustrator circle unveiled alongside the initial announcement. Additional details emerged throughout the year, including a second promotional video and expanded voice cast reveals in June 2014, further teaser visuals in subsequent months, and broadcast scheduling confirmed in August 2014, culminating in an advance screening of the first two episodes on September 23, 2014.

Staff and animation

Studio 3Hz served as the lead animation studio for Celestial Method, marking their debut production with a 13-episode series that showcased their capabilities in original storytelling and visual execution. Founded in March 2013 by former staff including Yuichiro Matsuka, the studio allocated resources to emphasize detailed and , drawing from the team's prior experience at . This collaborative effort highlighted 3Hz's focus on fluid, emotive sequences within a constrained production schedule. Masayuki Sakoi directed the series, employing a style centered on atmospheric visuals and deliberate emotional pacing to enhance the narrative's introspective tone. His approach prioritized subtle character expressions and transitional shots to build tension, particularly in scenes involving interpersonal revelations and quiet introspection. Sakoi's contributions, including the opening sequence and several key episodes, integrated seamless cuts between everyday settings and fantastical elements, fostering without overt spectacle. Yukie Akiya handled character design and served as chief , adapting original concepts by QP:flapper into expressive, relatable figures suited for emotional depth. Akiya's designs featured soft contours and dynamic poses that supported fluid motion during confrontational moments, such as heated dialogues among the protagonists. Her oversight ensured consistency across episodes, with key animators like Mai Toda and Masayuki Nonaka contributing to standout sequences that captured nuanced gestures and reactions. Tatsuya Kato composed the series' music, crafting a that blended ambient motifs with uplifting strings to underscore themes of longing and reunion. The opening theme, "Stargazer" performed by Larval Stage Planning, and the ending theme, "Hoshikuzu no Interlude" by fhána, complemented Kato's score by introducing ethereal vocal layers that echoed the story's celestial motifs. These musical elements were synchronized with visual cues to heighten dramatic impact in pivotal episodes. Hiromu Itou led art direction, creating a cohesive lakeside town aesthetic with muted color palettes and expansive water reflections that evoked serenity and isolation. Itou's team at KUSANAGI incorporated detailed backgrounds to ground the aspects, using layered compositions for depth in outdoor scenes. Animation techniques emphasized soft and ethereal effects, particularly in depictions of the hovering , achieved through digital and subtle glow overlays to convey otherworldliness. Challenges arose in rendering fluid motion for emotional confrontations, such as the mid-season involving loss, where animators like Hiderita employed smears and multi-frame cycles to maintain expressiveness amid dynamic camera work.

Characters

Main characters

Nonoka Komiya is the protagonist of Celestial Method, a cheerful student who returns to her hometown of Lake Kiriya City after seven years in due to her family's relocation following her mother's death. Voiced by , she is depicted as energetic and optimistic, driven by a strong motivation to reunite with her childhood friends and address the lingering regrets from her abrupt departure as a child. Her centers on rediscovering lost bonds and confronting personal past traumas, particularly through interactions with the mysterious saucer hovering over the town and its enigmatic inhabitant. Noel serves as a central figure and wish-granter in the series, an enigmatic blue-haired girl who mysteriously reappears to Nonoka upon her return. Voiced by , she exhibits a personality that blends childlike innocence and otherworldly detachment, often coming across as clueless yet deeply kind-hearted in her efforts to facilitate the group's desires. Her backstory reveals her as a manifestation of the saucer—referred to as a —born from the childhood wish made by Nonoka and her friends seven years prior, positioning her as a pivotal otherworldly entity tied to themes of longing and fulfillment. Noel's arc explores her evolving connections with the human characters, highlighting the bittersweet nature of granting wishes while grappling with her own ephemeral existence. Yuzuki Mizusaka is one of Nonoka's key childhood friends and an optimistic twin sister to Souta, known for her energetic and supportive demeanor despite underlying emotional vulnerabilities. Voiced by , she remains in Lake Kiriya City during Nonoka's absence, harboring a strong aversion to the saucer that appeared alongside the group's past wish. Her arc delves into dealing with separation anxiety exacerbated by the wish's lingering effects on her relationships and family dynamics, as she works to mend fractures in her friendships and confront personal insecurities amid the unfolding mysteries. The casting of Toyosaki, experienced in portraying youthful and emotionally nuanced roles, aligns well with Yuzuki's age of around 14 and her need for a voice conveying both vibrancy and subtle distress.

Supporting characters

Koharu Shiihara is a childhood friend of the Mizusaka siblings and a member of the original group that attempted to summon seven years prior. Voiced by Haruka Yoshimura, she is depicted as an air-headed third-year student who works as a poster girl for a local shop dedicated to the saucer. Her kind nature drives her to mediate conflicts among her friends and avoid arguments within the group. Shione Togawa serves as a classmate to Koharu and the Mizusaka siblings, contributing to the group's dynamics through her involvement in school activities. Voiced by , she is a stern third-year student with a passion for , often providing energetic and teasing interactions that highlight the lighter aspects of the friendships. Her subplot involves underlying bitterness toward the past wish made by the group, leading to gradual reconciliation with Nonoka. Sōta Mizusaka is the twin brother of Yuzuki Mizusaka and the only male in the core friendship circle. Voiced by , he is a reserved third-year student whose demeanor offers a contrast to his sister's personality and provides subtle emotional support during key moments of tension. Family members such as Shūichi Komiya, Nonoka's father voiced by Hiroshi Tsuchida, appear in brief roles to establish the domestic setting in Lake Kiriya City following the family's return from . These figures ground the narrative without developing major personal arcs.

Media releases

Anime

The television series adaptation of Celestial Method, known in Japanese as Sora no Method, consists of 13 episodes produced by Studio 3Hz and aired from October 5 to December 28, 2014, on and other networks including BS11 and AT-X. The series follows Nonoka Komiya as she returns to her hometown of Lake Kiriya, where a mysterious saucer hovers in the sky, prompting her to reconnect with old friends and uncover forgotten memories. Each episode runs approximately 24 minutes and explores themes of friendship and wishes within the context of the town's transformed landscape.
EpisodeTitle (English/Japanese)Air DateSynopsis Hook
1Saucer City / Enban no Machi (円盤の街)October 5, 2014Nonoka arrives back in Lake Kiriya and notices the enormous saucer dominating the skyline, stirring vague recollections of her past.
2Their Promise / Futari no Yakusoku (ふたりの約束)October 12, 2014Nonoka encounters a mysterious girl named Noel, who offers to help fulfill a long-forgotten wish from her childhood.
3Where Memories Live / Kioku no Arika (記憶のありか)October 19, 2014As Nonoka reunites with her former friends, fragments of suppressed memories begin to surface amid the town's saucer-themed daily life.
4A Fragment of Emotions / Omoi no Kakera (思いのかけら)October 26, 2014Tensions arise among the group as differing emotions about the saucer and past events come into focus.
5Flower of Light / Hikari no Hana (光の花)November 2, 2014A moment of shared wonder under the saucer's glow highlights the bonds forming between the girls.
6True Friends / Hontō no Tomodachi (本当の友達)November 9, 2014Doubts about trust challenge the group's dynamics as they navigate their evolving relationships.
7What I Lost / Watashi no Nakushita Mono (私のなくしたもの)November 16, 2014Nonoka reflects on personal losses tied to her departure from the town years ago.
8What She Believes / Kanojo no Shinjiru koto (彼女の信じること)November 23, 2014One girl's convictions about the saucer influence the others' perspectives on reality and hope.
9The Meaning of Goodbye / Sayonara no Imi (さよならの意味)November 30, 2014The weight of past farewells prompts introspection among the friends.
10Where Wishes Go / Negai no Yukue (願いの行方)December 7, 2014The group ponders the fate of their childhood wishes in light of the saucer's enduring presence.
11Night of the Meteor Shower / Ryūseigun no Yoru (流星群の夜)December 14, 2014A celestial event brings the friends together for a night of revelation and connection.
12Saucerless City / Enban no nai Machi (円盤のない街)December 21, 2014Imagining life without the saucer forces the group to confront changes in their world.
13From the Starting Sky / Hajimari no Sora kara (はじまりのそらから)December 28, 2014As the story concludes, the origins of the saucer and the girls' journeys intertwine under the vast sky.
An original video animation (OVA) titled Aru Shoujo no Kyuujitsu (A Certain Girl's Day Off) was released on July 24, 2015, bundled with the seventh Blu-ray/DVD volume of the series. This 24-minute side story provides a lighter, slice-of-life glimpse into the characters' everyday antics and interactions, expanding on their personalities away from the main plot's emotional core. A short original net animation (ONA) episode, Sora no Method: Mou Hitotsu no Negai (Celestial Method: One More Wish), premiered for free on the official YouTube channel on October 11, 2019, to commemorate the series' fifth anniversary. Running about 30 minutes, it introduces a new character named Carol and continues the narrative post-series, exploring further implications of the saucer and the girls' lives. In , licensed the series for release, providing English subtitles but no dubbed version. The anime became available for streaming with English subtitles on starting in October 2014, shortly after its Japanese broadcast debut.

Manga

A manga adaptation of Celestial Method, written by series creator Naoki Hisaya and illustrated by Yuka Namisaki, began serialization in the October 2014 issue of ' Dengeki Daioh magazine. The adaptation was released as a single volume on October 27, 2014, by . The closely follows the anime's narrative, centering on Nonoka Komiya's return to Lake Kiriya City after seven years away, where she encounters the mysterious girl Noel and a hovering that prompts her to rediscover lost memories and reconnect with old friends. Spanning approximately six chapters, it adapts the early to mid-series events, including Nonoka's initial grief over her mother's death and the group's investigation into the saucer's origins, but does not reach the anime's later resolutions. Serialization faced interruptions due to illustrator Yuka Namisaki's declining health; chapter six, originally slated for the April 2015 issue, was postponed to May. Publication was fully suspended in October 2015, as Namisaki continued to struggle with her condition, resulting in an abrupt end that left the story incomplete in print form without further volumes or chapters.

Other media

A drama CD titled Yakusoku no Method was released on February 11, , by Lantis, featuring vocal tracks and audio segments with the series' voice actors portraying expanded scenes from the characters' daily lives. Official merchandise for Sora no Method includes a figure of the character Noel, produced by and released in , capturing her in various poses including her signature saucer accessory. Good Smile Company also released life-size tapestries featuring illustrations of the main characters, including Noel and Nonoka Komiya, illustrated by Ohara Tometa of QP:flapper, which highlight the series' thematic saucer designs. An official fan book, published in 2015 by , compiles artwork, staff interviews, and production notes from the , serving as a comprehensive art book for fans. Additional items such as T-shirts, messenger bags, and carabiners featuring character motifs were produced by Cospa, expanding the franchise's apparel and accessory line.

Reception

Critical response

Celestial Method received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its emotional potential while critiquing its pacing and underdeveloped elements. Anime News Network's early review highlighted the series' tear-jerking potential, noting the heartfelt exploration of Nonoka's over her mother's and the strained dynamics of her childhood friendships, which set the stage for poignant reunions. Similarly, Digitally Downloaded commended the storytelling for its clever use of mystery surrounding the and Nonoka's gradual reconnection with old friends, drawing comparisons to emotionally resonant works like Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day for its sad-yet-heartwarming tone. These strengths were attributed in part to writer Naoki Hisaya's script, which effectively built nostalgia through themes of lost memories and renewed bonds. Critics frequently pointed to pacing issues, particularly in the mid-season, where the slow reveal of character backstories risked alienating viewers. Anime News Network warned that the deliberate tempo, while allowing for atmospheric buildup, bordered on dragging and required acceleration to maintain engagement. TheOASG echoed this, describing the series as forgettable due to rushed emotional connections and underdeveloped motivations, such as Shione's resentment, which undermined the drama's impact. The sci-fi resolution, revealing Noel's connection to the saucer, was another common point of criticism for its late introduction and casual treatment by the townsfolk, leaving the fantastical elements feeling unresolved and tacked-on. Overall, the series holds an average rating of 6.3 out of 10 on IMDb, based on 97 user votes as of November 2025, reflecting this divided reception. Thematically, reviewers appreciated the effective invocation of nostalgia but found the ending ambiguous, with some emotional resolutions feeling contrived despite the setup. noted the potential for deeper thematic payoff in the characters' wistful reflections on the past, though the execution sometimes faltered in delivering closure. Celestial Method received no major awards, though its character designs garnered minor recognition in fan-voted polls like the 2014 Anime Trending Awards. The English dub by was released in 2016, maintaining fidelity to the original script's emotional nuances without notable critical acclaim.

Popularity and legacy

Celestial Method garnered moderate popularity among anime audiences upon its release, achieving an average rating of 6.76 out of 10 on based on 36,254 user reviews as of November 2025, reflecting a dedicated but niche fanbase. On , it holds an arithmetic mean of 6.420 from user ratings, with 306 users reporting having seen it in part or whole, ranking it #3037 among tracked series as of November 2025. Streaming availability on platforms like contributed to its accessibility, where it earned a 4.4 out of 5 rating from 67 users as of November 2025, though specific viewership metrics remain undisclosed. The series fostered an active online fan community, with ongoing discussions on forums such as Reddit's r/anime, where episode threads and reviews highlighted its emotional themes and animation style, sustaining engagement years after airing. Fans particularly appreciated character designs like Noel's, sparking artwork shares and lighthearted commentary on sites like , though no widespread memes emerged. Physical media sales were modest, with Blu-ray volumes released by in 2016, but chart data does not indicate significant rankings, suggesting limited commercial breakthrough in . In terms of legacy, Celestial Method served as a foundational project for Studio 3Hz, marking their debut and showcasing innovative visuals that influenced the studio's subsequent works, including contributions to series like through shared personnel from related studio . A 2019 episode, "Mou Hitotsu no Negai" (One More Wish), released on to celebrate the fifth anniversary, revived interest by introducing a new character, Carol, and serving as an epilogue without leading to full sequels. In June 2024, Studio 3Hz transferred its operations to , positioning Celestial Method as a key early milestone in the studio's brief but impactful history. Merchandise, such as Good Smile Company's figure of Noel, remains available on secondary markets like , maintaining collector value among enthusiasts.

References

  1. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=16038
  2. https://www.sentaifilmworks.com/products/celestial-method-complete-collection-blu-ray
  3. https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2019/10/6/new-episode-of-celestial-method-tv-anime-touches-down-in-october
  4. https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/GRE517936/celestial-method
  5. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-10-13/celestial-method-anime-new-episode-streams-on-youtube/.152185
  6. https://myanimelist.net/anime/23209/Sora_no_Method
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  8. https://themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=1735
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  15. https://otakumode.com/news/53feccf2e5ff52ee7c3f7f42/Original-Anime-by-Naoki-Hisaya-and-QP-flapper-Sora-no-Method-Broadcast-Details-Announced
  16. https://myanimelist.net/character/105175/Nonoka_Komiya
  17. https://sora-no-method.fandom.com/wiki/Nonoka_Komiya
  18. https://myanimelist.net/character/105177/Noel
  19. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Characters/CelestialMethod
  20. https://myanimelist.net/character/105181/Yuzuki_Mizusaka
  21. https://myanimelist.net/character/105183/Koharu_Shiihara
  22. https://myanimelist.net/character/105185/Shione_Togawa
  23. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-10-06/new-celestial-method-anime-episode-debuts-on-october-11/.151921
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  25. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/manga.php?id=17759
  26. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-02-25/celestial-method-manga-goes-on-hiatus-due-to-author-health/.85361
  27. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-10-26/celestial-method-manga-suspended-due-to-author-health/.94667
  28. https://vgmdb.net/album/49182
  29. https://www.goodsmile.com/en/product/2480
  30. https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10313656
  31. https://myfigurecollection.net/entry/70261
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  34. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3895144/
  35. https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0057159/2014/1/
  36. https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/2qmdtk/spoilers_sora_no_method_episode_13_final/
  37. https://www.pinterest.com/ideas/celestial-method-noel/939851837570/
  38. https://infinitemirai.wordpress.com/tag/celestial-method/
  39. https://www.ebay.com/itm/406321680401
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