ふたつのスピカ [Futatsu no Supika / Twin Spica]

In the near-future Japan of Twin Spica, a young girl named Asumi Kamogawa pursues her dream of becoming an astronaut despite a childhood tragedy linked to a failed space launch. Written and illustrated by Kou Yaginuma, this tender, 16-issue series from Media Factory (2002–2009) blends slice-of-life warmth with hard sci-fi, following Asumi and her classmates through the rigorous training at a national space school. Its quiet focus on grief, friendship, and the human cost of space exploration makes it a standout in manga’s cosmic coming-of-age stories.