Wish Upon the Pleiades

Wish Upon the Pleiades is an intriguing and enchanting blend of fantasy and slice-of-life drama that premiered in 2015 and was produced by Gainax, a renowned studio in the anime industry. It presents an atmospheric, celestial, and profoundly emotional journey that explores themes of friendship, dreams, identity, and responsibility. The series is an extended version of the original net anime (ONA) that was released in collaboration between car manufacturer Subaru and anime studio Gainax. The sleek production values, lush animation, and engrossing narrative distinguish it as a unique offering, infused with a rich depth of emotion.

The narrative unfolds through the eyes of the series's central character Subaru - a fairly average though imaginative high school girl. Her fascination with the stars serves as an allegory for the unfolding story, which takes viewers on an outlandish journey akin to traversing the vast cosmic fabric of the universe. Subaru's tranquil routine is shattered when she discovers a cosmic club in her school led by her old friend, Aoi. Strangest of all, they undertake fantastical missions to collect engine fragments scattered across the universe to help an alien from Pleiades star cluster return home.

Subaru's magical transformation and induction into this group form the crux of the series. She and her companions take on the task of traversing the cosmos in floating cars to recover these fragments. Throughout the series, they encounter various challenges and obstacles, encountering unexpected adversaries and making profound discoveries about themselves and the universe they travel. In this context, the plot unfolds with a combination of episodic adventures and overarching story development.

In Wish Upon the Pleiades, the universe serves as more than a scenic backdrop. It brings a dreamy quality that blends well with the magic girl genre embedded in the narrative. The show draws extensively on astronomy and cosmic phenomena, resulting in a magical ambiance that's visually arresting. The animation style beautifully captures the grandeur and depth of space, and the series does an excellent job of juxtaposing the mundane earthly school life scenario against the vast and unknown cosmic landscape.

Even though the series ventures into the realm of the fantastic and the astronomical, the core of its narrative remains rooted in relatable human emotions, which will resonate with most viewers. Friendship, the trials of growing up, self-discovery, and the struggle to achieve one's goals against all odds are recurring themes. The series displays these emotions beautifully through its well-sketched characters, their interactions, and their growth throughout the story.

The character development in the series is commendable. Each of the characters in the Pleiades constellation club is unique and brings their own personality traits to the group dynamic. Through the series, every girl is given the chance to shine and develop, exhibiting traits such as bravery, determination, selflessness, and showing strong emotional resilience.

The music and sound design in Wish Upon the Pleiades deserve special mention. The scores are lively and soothing, offering a perfect accompaniment to the intriguing narrative. With a blend of tinkling melodies and serene instrumental pieces, the music enhances the atmosphere of the whimsical journey through space beautifully. The sound effects during the space adventures immerse viewers into the ethereal world of the girls, complementing well with the expressive animation.

The series also delves into some thought-provoking narrative elements such as understanding the concept of time, existential questions, and the striking comparison between the macrocosm of the universe and the microcosm of the human heart. Throughout its run, the series never shies away from exploring complex human experiences all the while maintaining a balance with its light-hearted, enchanting fantasy tale.

In all, Wish Upon the Pleiades is an enchanting, much heartfelt fairy tale, set in the abstract magnificence of the cosmos. It makes for a visually stunning, emotionally resonant anime series that successfully strikes a balance between slice-of-life realism and dreamlike escapism. As viewers are led through this cosmic adventure, the series captivates with its rich range of emotions, evocative themes, likable characters, and its beautifully realized conceptual universe. The show winds up being a charming tale of friendship and discovery, with an added dash of magic and fantasy, and does an excellent job of proving that in the vastness of the universe, every story, every dream matters.