Last July 25 in an event for Sora to Umi no Aida (The Space Between the Sky and Sea) multimedia project, Ouji Hiroi (the creator of the popular Sakura Wars franchise) admitted to the public that he is remarried to a 37-year-old dentist. Hiroi is currently 63 years old and many were shocked with this revelation due to the 26-year age gap. In May 2016, both entered the family register and Hiroi confirms that his current wife is not pregnant. Seems like when it comes to love, age is only a number.
In relation to his new project, this is a concept in which he planned for about three to four years ago. He firmly admitted that he created this concept in light of the world’s decreasing fish population and also climate change-related incidents like the melting of icebergs in Antarctica. Due to the huge decline of fish population, Japan’s fish and seafood industry are in danger.
In the year 20xx in Onomichi, Hiroshima, fishes from the various seas around the world mysterious disappeared leaving only the whales that are left in the ocean. Giant experimental Universal Fish Tanks were set up by the Ministry of Fishery and the Onomichi Universe Fishery is established in order to train space fishermen. In the many who applied, only six new female space fishermen were selected and the series is centered on their adventures and misadventures of the development.
Aside from the project dealing with the declining fish popular, it also focuses on employment issues. Hiroi noticed that in the fish industry, women are less likely to be employed and felt like they hire more men in its related jobs. A law in Japan called the Japanese Equal Employment Opportunity Law was passed in 1986—but it seems like men still dominates the fish industry workforce. One reality in the country that is still present in its society is that the fact women quit their jobs when they are pregnant or get married.
Sora to Umi no Aida will have an anime adaptation in 2018 with a smartphone, manga, novel, and stage performances also in the works. The smartphone game will be released in both Android and iOS devices in October. ForwardWorks partners with So-net Taiwan in order to bring the game to other countries like Macau, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
Seems like a pretty interesting concept for a franchise. More announcements to be revealed the soonest time.
Source: Nikkan Sports