Astro Plan
China's first sci-fi mecha animated series.
Astro Plan (titled *Space Adventures* in China and informally called *Star Field War Record Astro Plan* in Japan) is a science fiction mecha anime produced by the Guangzhou toy company Xing Yuan. Marketed as China’s first sci-fi animation—though earlier Chinese sci-fi animations like *The Adventures of the Galaxy Express* (2002) and *The Blue Mouse* (1990s) predate it—it aired on Hunan TV’s Golden Eagle Channel from January 16, 2010, to mid-February of the same year, totaling 26 episodes.
Set in 2735, humanity has fled a ruined Earth—devastated by global warming and asteroid strikes—aboard a Space Migration Fleet. During their journey, they encounter the Iccus, an alien race that raids resources and seeks galactic domination. To fight back, six young pilots are recruited into the Sky Arrow Flight Team, flying transformable Type Yi fighter planes.
The team includes Tian Long, the brash leader; Hai Ying, a sniper; Jin Gang, the oldest member; Zi Jing, a female pilot; Fei Yi; and Zhou Zhi, the youngest. Their mecha are three YF-10 and three YF-11 fighters, each able to switch between robot mode and a hybrid “Falcon” mode (similar to the GERWALK mode from *Macross*). All carry gun pods and missiles, but each unit has unique weapons, colors, and an “Ultimate Skill” ability. Tian Long’s white YF-10 uses a beam sword; Hai Ying’s blue YF-10 has a sniper bazooka; Jin Gang’s gray YF-10 wields an energy axe and shield that can deploy spinning energy blades; Zi Jing’s purple YF-11 fires energy feathers; Fei Yi’s orange YF-11 uses forearm blades for a dashing attack; and Zhou Zhi’s green YF-11 releases funnels that fire laser beams. The fleet also has other Type Yi squadrons, though they rarely appear.
According to the series’ official blog, *Astro Plan* was created to teach children aged 6–14 about justice and peace while promoting Chinese animation culture. The YF-10 and YF-11 fighters are modeled after the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s Chengdu J-10 and Shenyang J-11 jets. When addressing plagiarism accusations, the blog argued that animation originated in Europe, was copied by the US, then Japan and South Korea, and that China is simply following its Asian neighbors.
The episodes double as commercials for Xing Yuan’s HyperWiz toy line, which includes all six fighters in four sizes (2-inch Micro to 12-inch King Size).
Quick Facts
- Producer
- Xing Yuan
- Country
- China
- Network
- Golden Eagle Channel
- Language
- Mandarin
- Num Seasons
- 1
- Num Episodes
- 26
- First Aired
- 2010-01-16
- Last Aired
- 2010 · 2
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Set in the year 2735, the series follows mankind's Space Migration Fleet as it searches for a new home after Earth's environment succumbs to global warming and asteroid bombardment. The fleet encounters an alien race from the planet Iccus, which raids natural resources and seeks galactic domination. To combat the threat, six young fighters are recruited into the Sky Arrow Flight Team and equipped with transformable Type Yi fighter planes.
The team includes Tian Long (brash young pilot and leader), Hai Ying (expert sniper), Jin Gang (oldest member), Zi Jing (female pilot resembling Tieria Erde from Mobile Suit Gundam 00), Fei Yi (resembling Lockon Stratos from Mobile Suit Gundam 00), and Zhou Zhi (youngest member). Their mecha—three YF-10 and three YF-11 Type Yi fighters—can transform into robot mode and a hybrid 'Falcon' mode similar to the GERWALK mode of the VF-1 Valkyrie from Macross. Each fighter has unique weapons and an 'Ultimate Skill' system similar to the Trans-Am System in Mobile Suit Gundam 00.
According to the series' official blog website, Astro Plan was created to educate children ages 6–14 about justice and peace, and to promote the cultural aspect of Chinese animation. The YF-10 and YF-11 fighters are closely patterned after the People's Liberation Army Air Force main fighter aircraft—the Chengdu J-10 and Shenyang J-11, respectively. In addressing plagiarism concerns, the blog stated that animation originated in Europe, was copied and popularized by the United States before Japan and South Korea followed suit, and that the Chinese animation industry is simply following the pattern of its Asian neighbors.
Reader's Guide
Astro Plan holds significance as a landmark in Chinese animation, being promoted as 'China's first sci-fi animation' and serving as a commercial vehicle for Xing Yuan's HyperWiz toy line. The series' episodes functioned as advertisements for transformable toys of all six Type Yi fighters, available in four sizes from 2-inch Micro to 12-inch King Size, with a distinguishing Macross UN Spacy kite insignia on their back panels. The show's heavy borrowing from established Japanese mecha franchises—including Mobile Suit Gundam 00 and Macross—sparked criticism and debate about originality and plagiarism in the Chinese animation industry. Reception was largely negative: according to PCgames China, 149 out of 169 people voted 'Not interested' in the series, and many comments criticized the 2D and 3D animations and voice acting. Despite this, the series and its toy line generated a market for knockoffs and bootlegs across Mainland China and parts of Asia, prompting HyperWiz to issue a notice on differentiating authentic toys from counterfeits. Astro Plan thus represents both an early attempt at domestic sci-fi animation in China and a case study in the tensions between homage, imitation, and commercial strategy.
Did You Know?
- Astro Plan is hailed as 'China's first sci-fi animation' and premiered on January 16, 2010, on Hunan TV's Golden Eagle Channel.
- The series' episodes served as commercials for a line of transformable toys manufactured by Xing Yuan under the HyperWiz label.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Astro Plan?
Astro Plan is a 26-episode Chinese science-fiction mecha anime that aired in early 2010 on Hunan TV's Golden Eagle Channel. It was produced by Xing Yuan, a toy company based in Guangzhou, and is sometimes referred to as *Space Adventures* in Chinese-language markets or *Star Field War Record Astro Plan* in Japanese fan circles.
What is the post-apocalyptic premise of Astro Plan?
The story takes place in the year 2735, long after Earth has been rendered uninhabitable by a combination of runaway global warming and catastrophic asteroid impacts. Humanity has been forced to evacuate the planet and survive aboard a space vessel, where the mecha-focused conflicts of the series unfold.
Who created and produced Astro Plan?
The series was developed and produced by Xing Yuan, a Guangzhou-based toy manufacturer that used the show to promote its own product line. It is often cited in marketing materials as the first sci-fi animation to come out of China, a claim that fans and critics frequently dispute.
When did Astro Plan air and how long was the run?
The series premiered on January 16, 2010, and wrapped up in mid-February of that same year, giving it a total runtime of just 26 episodes. The entire broadcast window lasted roughly one month on Hunan TV's Golden Eagle Channel.
Is Astro Plan actually China's first sci-fi animated series?
No—despite the label Xing Yuan attached to its promotional materials, earlier Chinese sci-fi animations such as *The Adventures of the Galaxy Express* (2002) and *The Blue Mouse* (1990s) predate it by several years. Fans generally treat the 'first sci-fi anime' tagline as a marketing exaggeration rather than a factual claim.
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