In "The Lion Books," a manga series turned animated show, an astronaut is sent to a prison planet and encounters a wise, elderly woman who teaches him about love and the value of life. Jess, the main character, dreams of overthrowing Earth's oppressive regime and its affiliated planets, but is apprehended and banished to the penal colony. The story draws influence from the traditional Japanese Noh drama "Kurozuka," as it follows Jess on his exploratory journey.