Astro Note Ep. 9 is quite the plot-filled episode, with multiple storylines intersecting throughout it. With a mix of family drama and romance mixed in, it’s quite the combination of genres in this episode. Quite fitting for the potpourri of characters in this anime.

Astro Note Ep. 9: Details

Astro Note NA key visual.
Featuring all the characters in this visual, no less.

Astro Note Ep. 9 is the ninth episode (you can read reviews of Ep. 1, Ep. 2, Ep. 3, Ep. 4, Ep. 5, Ep. 6, Ep. 7, and Ep. 8 here) of this first and probably only(?) season of this anime series. Said anime is not the anime adaptation of any manga, funnily enough. This anime is its own original work created by Shochiku (Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll) and studio Telecom Animation Film (Gargoyles (Hunter’s Moon Part 2, credited as TAF), Tower of God, Shenmue the Animation). Crunchyroll is the company licensing this anime series in NA region.

Alas, whoever is behind Astro Note Ep. 9 is just as mysterious as all the previous episodes, save for the director of that very first one. Fortunately, we do still know that Shinji Takamatsu is the chief director of the anime as a whole, with Haruki Kasugamori as a co-director. Kimiko Ueno is the writer of the anime. Kōhei Munemoto composed the music for the same.

Speaking of which, the opening theme music for Astro Note as a whole is “Hohoemi Note” (ホホエミノオト, “Smile Note”) by Ai Furihata. Meanwhile, “Kokoro no Kagi” (ココロのカギ, “Key to the Heart”) by Maaya Uchida and Soma Saito (the Japanese voice actress and actor of Mira and Takumi, respectively) is the ending theme music.

Voice Cast

Astro Note Ep. 9 features the voices of Soma Saito as Takumi Miyasaki and Maaya Uchida as Mira Gotokuji. Other notable voice roles in this episode include Rie Kugimiya as Ren Wakabayashi, Tomokazu Sugita as Tomihiro Wakabayashi, Shin-ichiro Miki as Shokichi Yamashita, Ai Furihata as Teruko Matsubara, Junichi Suwabe as Naosuke, Jun Fukuyama as Shoin Ginger, and Yui Ogura as Aoi Uemachi.

When and Where to Watch

Astro Note Ep. 9 made its airing and streaming (aka. simulcast) debut on May 31, 2024. You can watch this episode only on Crunchyroll. Actually, you can watch this anime period only on Crunchyroll, due to the anime being an exclusive there.

Astro Note Ep. 9: Synopsis

We even find out the truth of what Ren really thinks Naosuke is in this episode…maybe?

Alas, Astro Note is an ongoing anime series. In fact, Astro Note Ep. 9 only just premiered four days ago as of this writing. Thus, you will all get the official synopsis of this episode from Crunchyroll. instead of a spoiler-filled plot summary. You can read that synopsis below:

Takumi has no idea how to interact with Aoi after her outburst, and the Wakabayashi family have a falling-out.

Astro Note Ep. 9: The Good

Astro Note Ep. 9 screenshot showing Tomihiro talking seriously with Mira, with Naosuke off to the side.
Despite how bad the situation looks, this is actually when this anime is at its best.

The story of Astro Note Ep. 9 is the best part of it, as has been the case with all of the previous episodes. This anime’s biggest draw is in fact its story. All because it’s not just a romantic comedy story. Yes, the romcom aspects of this anime are quite amusing and intriguing, and there is plenty of that in this episode. However, this anime is much more than just its romcom. There’s quite a bit of family drama involving Ren and his father too. Not only that, but all of the side cast make an appearance as well, and giving themselves some distinct roles in the process. It’s this large side cast of the Astro Lodge residents combined with how their stories intertwine with one another that’s what makes this anime’s story great. You know, aside from the sci-fi trappings.

And as I had previously noted in previous episodes, this episode actually has pretty good animation quality overall. Telecom Animation Film do a good job giving this anime a stylized animation that feels almost like a modernized version of ’90s to early 2000’s animation. It quite fits this anime’s themes and tone for it to have that kind of animation style. Even better: the food animation quality also feels like it’s turned up a notch. Admittedly, it’s still not great. However, this time, I can not only tell what food it is without being told, but it even looks delectable. For an anime that is so focused on food, it’s a big plus.

Astro Note Ep. 9: The Bad

Astro Note Ep. 9 screenshot showing Shoin Ginger exiting the room where Naosuke likes to stay.
Hey, don’t just leave on a cliffhanger like this!

I know I just praised the greater animation quality of the food in Astro Note Ep. 9, but I just wish that quality was better still. I think I have been spoiled by anime with very high quality food animation like Food Wars and Black Butler -Public School Arc-. When you see anime food so gorgeous that you think you’re looking at live-action for a moment, then any anime food of lesser quality pales in comparison.

Also, if you’re an action junkie, then this episode and this anime are definitely not for you. Action is not the main focus of this episode. Heck, it’s not even a secondary focus. If you want high-intensity action, then you might want to check out Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Solo Leveling, or Kaiju No. 8.

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