Anime Cosplay in Orbit!
Astronaut Soichi Noguchi (seen on the left) grew up watching Space Battleship Yamato which is well known to American fans as Star Blazers. And here he is on International Space Station making us Earth bound retro anime fans very proud. Here’s the official caption for the photo from NASA which sadly omits the fanboy reference:
“Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronauts Soichi Noguchi, Expedition 23 flight engineer; and Naoko Yamazaki (right), STS-131 mission specialist; along NASA astronaut Stephanie Wilson, STS-131 mission specialist, pose for a photo in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station while space shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station.”
By the way it should be noted that while this is the first successful anime in outer space that a previous attempt was made by Daisuke Enomoto who was a failed space tourist. Enomoto wanted to wear a Mobile Suit Gundam themed outfit, although sadly was disqualified for the flight due to medical reasons.
Special thanks to Tim Eldred for finding this photo and to Vicente Serrano Lespier for his insights on Daisuke Enomoto.