Unless something radically shifts in the world we live in, confidently stating that Earth is a planet orbiting the sun won’t get you jailed. This basic truth—once considered heresy—has become common knowledge, thanks to centuries of relentless observation and thought by astronomers. While the science behind it may seem dry in textbooks, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, a new Netflix anime animated by Madhouse, reimagines this historical shift through a gripping and emotional narrative. The result? A contender for Anime of the Year.
Set in Europe during a time when society and the Church were firmly entrenched in geocentrism—the belief that the Earth is the center of the universe—Orb tells a powerful story of scientific discovery, rebellion, and human resilience. In this worldview, Earth and humanity are seen as the ultimate focus of God’s design, and anyone who questions that idea is treated as a dangerous heretic. The Inquisition punishes dissenters with brutal interrogations and public executions.
At the heart of the story is Rafal, a brilliant yet cautious young man. He knows how to say the right things to survive—repeating what his teachers want to hear about geocentrism while quietly harboring a keen intellect and curiosity. However, his life changes after he meets a scholar branded a heretic, who introduces him to heliocentrism—the radical idea that the Earth orbits the sun. This single encounter launches Rafal into a deadly, decades-long intellectual struggle between the Church and astronomers who dare to seek the truth about the cosmos.
A Blend of Mystery, Politics, and Humanity
Orb combines the historical depth of The Da Vinci Code, the political tension of Attack on Titan, and the character richness of Vinland Saga—but still carves out a space entirely its own. The story doesn’t just follow Rafal; it spans generations, tracking a series of protagonists who each carry the torch of heliocentric theory. From a rebellious monk and a gritty street fighter to a forgotten female pioneer in STEM, a persuasive revolutionary, and a young Romani prodigy, the anime explores how people of vastly different backgrounds unite in pursuit of knowledge. Their motivations vary—some seek truth, others seek profit—but all pay a heavy price under the shadow of religious persecution.
What makes Orb stand out is its refusal to present a simplistic battle of good versus evil. The Church is not merely an antagonist. Instead, the anime delves deep into why each side clings so fiercely to their beliefs. For the Church, heliocentrism isn’t just bad science—it’s theological blasphemy. If Earth isn’t at the center of the universe, does that mean humanity isn’t the center of God’s creation? This existential threat drives the Church to violently uphold geocentrism. Meanwhile, the astronomers—many of whom remain devout believers in God—seek to understand His creation more fully through heliocentric science. Their faith fuels their pursuit, not contradicts it.
Characters That Transcend Time
Although the show’s format can be dense—with dialogue-heavy episodes, intellectual debates, and time skips—it never loses its human focus. Orb is ultimately a story about people. Its layered characters are more compelling than any action sequence, and when violence does erupt, it lands like thunder after tense silence.
The anime’s most unforgettable character is undoubtedly Nowak, the main villain. In the same chilling vein as Hans Landa from Inglourious Basterds, Nowak, voiced masterfully by Kenjiro Tsuda, is the embodiment of cold-blooded authority. He doesn’t act out of belief or ideology. He is simply a tool of the Inquisition, delivering cruelty with terrifying efficiency. His ability to switch from charming to monstrous in a heartbeat makes him a standout antagonist, and his presence injects fear into every scene he enters.
A Celebration of Knowledge and Legacy
At its core, Orb is a tribute to the power of collective knowledge—how ideas can survive, adapt, and flourish across generations, even in the face of brutal oppression. The anime presents the heliocentric model not just as a scientific concept but as a symbol of humanity’s unyielding thirst for truth and understanding. The show recognizes the cost of such enlightenment: the lives lost, the families torn apart, and the personal sacrifices made to keep the flame of knowledge alive.
Only one character in Orb openly identifies as an atheist. Yet, the show does not pit atheism against religion. Instead, it celebrates the convergence of belief and science, portraying heliocentrism not as a rejection of God, but as an acknowledgment of His greater design. The real conflict is not faith vs. reason, but control vs. curiosity.
Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is not your typical anime. It’s heavy, philosophical, and emotionally intense. But for those who dive into its orbit, it offers a rare storytelling experience—one that is as intellectually satisfying as it is emotionally moving. The show’s ability to weave historical fiction, scientific revolution, and human drama into a single narrative makes it not only a must-watch, but a masterpiece.
All 25 episodes of Orb: On the Movements of the Earth are now streaming on Netflix. If you’re ready for an anime that challenges the mind and stirs the soul, this is your next destination.