patrickdrazen Based on one of the best works of Moto Hagio, whose sci-fi manga often played games with gender. In this case, in a future academy training people for space travel, the entrance exam comes down to a 53-day training flight with a crew of ten. When the mission starts, however, there are eleven on board. They need to figure out who the odd man is and why he's there; not to mention inconvenient power outages, bouts of temperament between applicants from different planets, and Frol. This student has long blonde hair and a far too pretty face, but is flat- chested and declares himself to be a male. Sorting out that question is perhaps the most important part of the anime: what makes up gender in the future, and--by extension--in the present. This has made Hagio a major manga artist, and this anime captures her story.The anime was dubbed back in the 1980s, and the dub has limitations. Among these is Frol's being given a Texas accent--which was for a time a convention meant to set apart characters who spoke in a western Japan dialect (Kansai). Still, for me this is part of a trilogy of shoujo sci-fi--including Saki Hiwatari's classic "Please Save My Earth" and the seldom-seen "E.Y.E.S. of Mars".

SnakesOnAnAfricanPlain Excellent idea and some fantastic moments. They Were 11 is the story of 10 cadets going on a final training mission. However, once they arrive at the ship they discover that there are now 11 trainees. Who does not belong? Is this part of their final test? etc. The film soon descends into paranoia, as everybody suspects each other. Some become leaders, and some followers. For such a short running time, it was incredible to see most of the 11 get equal screen time. Despite its science fiction setting and anime style, the film is a bit dialog heavy. Most of it revolves around discussions as to who is the 11th person. It's more like a play at times, which can cause it to be stale. When there is action, it's well handled. We are also treated to some amazing characters. The main love interest isn't a female, but a hermaphrodite, that will be able to choose their sex at some point. They want to become a man, for a better position in the army, but they soon fall in love with one of their male coworkers. This is such a complex relationship, and unlike anything you'd ever see in western animation. It asks whether gender is important to love, and whether gender is important to careers. This relationship is enough to warrant its high rating.

Alex Keefe This is classic anime at it's finest. I first saw this when it was released in 1992 on VHS and have loved the film ever since. I've only ever seen it a hand full of times but, even now the animation is still slick and the music is still great and compliments the action and suspense really well. A very well written sci-fi piece based on Moto Hagio's manga of the same name. In the far future, after a harsh era of war, a peace is settled among the planets of the galaxy and as a commemoration of the peace, an institution is set up to train and educate the galaxy's future leaders. The story focuses on a group of young applicants looking to enter the Cosmo Academy that are set to take the final entry exam...life on board a ship for 53 days with just the 10 of them. But, there's a catch...somehow there's been an extra member that's Zanuck on board the ship. Also, the test lasts for the entire 53 days without outside interference but, in case of a real emergency they can push a panic button and a rescue ship is sent immediately though the applicants fail the test. Paranoia and panic grip the members but, a common goal brings all the applicants together even though there is an air of distrust among them. One by one, accidents happen only to seemingly pinpoint one member, Tada, who has a sort of sixth sense that guides him. He is the only one that can tell the members are telling the truth about their real names and application numbers but, can't prove to the others who he says he is. But, Tada just wants to pass the exam like everyone else, right? Tempers flare, tensions run high and in the end it may end up a free for all. But, there are other mysteries to contend with as well as the eleventh member...for example: what is Tada's connection with the ship being used for the test? What about the conductor vines growing like mad in the ship's engine room? And who else on the ship has telepathy as strong (or stronger) than Tada? Everyone has a story and it's only a matter of time before it will come out. Will the applicants put away their own distrust and work together as a team to pass the exam or will their pride get in the way? Watch this movie and find out.

Harapan Anime based on Hagio Moto's Comic. As a final examination of Space University, 10 exzminate were sent to an old spaceship. But when they got to the spaceship, they found they were eleven. Who's the uninvited guest? And what's his intention? Soon unexpected explosions occurred and causes the change in the course of the ship to the burning sun... It's a beautiful story of friendship and love, well conserved the mood of the original comic.