Orb: On the Movements of the Earth Episode 3 Review

Orb: On the Movements of the Earth episode 3 was one of wisdom, heartbreak, and irony. It’ll eventually become a small spec of sand lost in the waters of 2024 anime. But for us fans, this episode will hold steadfast in our hearts for a while. There’s no sugarcoating the ingenious writing and philosophy that comes with this series. Simply put, it made me feel grateful that we received another episode.

Rafal’s Tale

Many scientists in the realm of fiction tend to walk the fence between protagonist and antagonist. We may receive some of both in anime and manga such as Senku Ishigami in Dr. Stone or Moris Libardirt in Black Clover, but rare is it that someone like Rafal stumbles into view out of sheer curiosity.

It’s funny in a way. The whole reason I began watching Orb: On the Movements of the Earth was because of my curiosity surrounding the story and its characters. Now, here we are with Rafal, sacrificing his own life out of curiosity for the answers of the cosmos that will follow generations after he’s gone.

Rafal wasn’t a hero like Senku or a mad scientist like Moris. He was someone who represented the history of true scientists despite being placed in a work of historical fiction. He recognized that he may not discover the complexity of heliocentrism, but someone else would someday. That his research can continue to live on and fuel the ongoing decades of research for those who follow him.

I often get into arguments with others about stuff like this, specifically regarding space. The common theme people always seem to gripe about is that it doesn’t matter if we discover new planets beaming with life if we can never make it there in the first place. But such a claim goes against the very nature of science itself and what Rafal was trying to explain to Novak.

We might not see the generation that develops interplanetary travel, but the work that everyone is putting in every day, in the past and right here and now, to achieve it will eventually lead humanity there. If not for those like the Wright Brothers, Alberto Santos Dumont, or even Leonardo Da Vinci, where would air travel be nowadays?

Rafal came to realize that he was just a small piece in the grand research of heliocentrism. To give his own life to protect that research for someone else who wants to pick up the mantle is a noble way to go, especially when we consider the fact he’s a teenager. Or, in his words, it’s love.

The moment where he pondered his final choice exhibited how someone who favors rationale over emotion would act. Rafal even stated at the beginning of the series that coming to conclusions based on feelings rather than reason was insubstantial. But it was the fact he mullied over how his life would return had he taken the easy way out.

He knew he could continue to be looked upon as the genius among those who knew him, kept his head down, and let his revisions to Hubert’s research be burned. But it’s that moment of eureka where he realizes that he can’t let such knowledge go. “I will let inspiration survive, even if it means costing my life.” And just like that, Rafal became a favorite main character of mine in just three episodes. Just typing that out gave me chills.

The last person’s death to hit me as hard as this after just being introduced was Rengoku in Demon Slayer. It had that effect, especially for those of us who appreciate science and history. I’m not an astronomer or historian but does that matter? I don’t think so.

Clinging on the words of famous philosophers 2,000 years in the past while processing the present moment and how it can affect the future? Rafal was a hero to the very end in his own right. But I know he would laugh at the thought of being called a hero. He simply knew that if that material was lost, then research would be set back for who knows how many years. It was a way of letting us know he isn’t the only main character in this story, but everyone that follows him and Hubert.

Rafal reminds us that Orb: On the Movements of the Earth isn’t about one person’s story, but it’s a thrilling narrative of playing a long game of pass-the-torch. Irony is comedy’s cruel mistress. While Rafal passed the torch 10 years after his death, his life also ended at the hands of one.

“The window is smaller this time” was a brutal gut punch of a line when watching this episode the second time around. I didn’t witness it the first time but it really became a metaphor for the time he had left to choose what he wanted to do. The stars called to Rafal and he answered with his head held high looking back at them.

There is no love given in the act of cutting one’s cheeks and setting them on fire. But there is indeed love in giving one’s life for a cause much greater than oneself. Rafal never preached love, but he sure as hell practiced it more than those who spewed it.

Orb: On the Movements of the Earth Episode 3 Production

The manga by Uoto is coveted as one of the most hailed manga of the past 10 years and with good reason. While the artwork may seem rough to a first-time viewer, the story itself supersedes any faulty perspective. That’s where the anime production comes in with one of the best production teams of the season.

I’ve mentioned before who is part of the staff in previous articles, but this one blew me away looking at the anime and manga side by side. The life this anime production brings to Orb: On the Movements of the Earth should not be taken lightly.

Just look at the sequence below from episode 3. The sequence of Rafal accepting his decision and slowly succumbing to death’s call over a slow piano was heartbreaking. It felt as if it was a slow drift of Rafal’s life floating to the stars. (turn your device’s brightness up):

This is an unreal adaptation for one of the highest-regarded manga of the past 5 years with even higher-regarded staff. The level of detail poured into the production in just this episode alone brought the story to life in more ways than one.

Whether it was the shock on Novak’s face when thinking he was poisoned or the dimming moonlight in the cell after Rafal completed his final words, there’s so much to be captivated by that makes Orb: On the Movements of the Earth a series that will undoubtedly be one to re-watch sooner rather than later.

Let the Theories Fly

When episode 3 of Orb ended, I wasn’t emotional at first. I thought to myself that there was no way possible way that the main character with this much build-up for the rest of the story was killed off that easily. What I’m about to say contradicts what I said before but let’s have fun with it.

The opening is the only key to what may go against Rafal being killed. We also have to remember that Rafal has developed a skill for lying at this point and putting on an act. While I don’t think he didn’t poison himself, his hands were shaking and his body was growing weary, it’s possible he had a plan to survive.

The opening has scenes with an old man in bed near the end and a blonde-haired girl holding a grown man’s hand without showing any other part of his body. It makes me hold out hope that Rafal somehow, some way escaped, especially the old man scene given the fact he has the same tool that Rafal used when he was younger.

Now, the flip side of this is that it would go against everything he preached to Novak. And I get that. But seeing how motivated Rafal was to find the answers to heliocentrism makes me wonder. That being said, they also could be completely different characters with the mystery being held around them because something will happen with them later on we just don’t know about.

At this point, it just sounds like one gigantic rant of coping but the opening does provide some food for thought, no?

Orb: On the Movements of the Earth Episode 3 Wrap-Up

This series is already three episodes in and I’m ready to call it a masterpiece. It will continue into the Winter 2025 season as an underrated gem but that’s fine. I know the people who do love this series (me) will continue rambling about the wonders in both writing and production that it provides for us.

Episode 3 rating: 10/10
Episode 2 rating: 9.5/10
Episode 1 rating: 10/10

If you enjoyed episode 3 of Orb: On the Movements of the Earth then be sure to vote for it in our weekly poll! Episode 4 of Orb: On the Movements of the Earth will be released on Saturday, October 19. Netflix is streaming Orb: On the Movements of the Earth worldwide with English subtitles.

Screenshots via Netflix
©️ Uoto / Shogakukan / “Orb: On the Movements of the Earth” Production Committee