Planetes
Summary: In 2075, space travel is no longer just a dream, but an everyday reality for mankind. Advancements in science and technology have led to the colonization of the moon, the commercialization of outer space, and the formation of large space corporations. Ai Tanabe, an upbeat woman whose interests lie in the cosmos, joins Technora Corporation as a member of their Debris Section, a department dedicated to the removal of dangerous space junk between the orbits of the Earth and Moon.
However, Ai soon discovers how unappreciated her job is. As the laughingstock of Technora, the Debris Section is severely understaffed, poorly funded, and is forced to use a dilapidated spaceship nicknamed the "Toy Box" for debris retrieval. Undeterred, Ai perseveres and gradually becomes acquainted with the strange personalities that make up the Debris Section's staff, such as the bumbling but good-natured chief clerk Philippe Myers; the mysterious and tight-lipped temp worker Edelgard Rivera; and the hotheaded and passionate Hachirouta Hoshino, who longs for a spaceship to call his own.
Planetes is an unconventional sci-fi series that portrays the vastness of space as a backdrop for the personal lives of ordinary people—people who may have been born on Earth, but whose hopes and dreams lie amongst the stars.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Description
In 2075, space travel is no longer just a dream, but an everyday reality for mankind. Advancements in science and technology have led to the colonization of the moon, the commercialization of outer space, and the formation of large space corporations. Ai Tanabe, an upbeat woman whose interests lie in the cosmos, joins Technora Corporation as a member of their Debris Section, a department dedicated to the removal of dangerous space junk between the orbits of the Earth and Moon.
However, Ai soon discovers how unappreciated her job is. As the laughingstock of Technora, the Debris Section is severely understaffed, poorly funded, and is forced to use a dilapidated spaceship nicknamed the "Toy Box" for debris retrieval. Undeterred, Ai perseveres and gradually becomes acquainted with the strange personalities that make up the Debris Section's staff, such as the bumbling but good-natured chief clerk Philippe Myers; the mysterious and tight-lipped temp worker Edelgard Rivera; and the hotheaded and passionate Hachirouta Hoshino, who longs for a spaceship to call his own.
Planetes is an unconventional sci-fi series that portrays the vastness of space as a backdrop for the personal lives of ordinary people—people who may have been born on Earth, but whose hopes and dreams lie amongst the stars.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Available At
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Planetes Trailers
Planetes Pictures
Planetes Review
Planetes — In 2075, space travel is no longer just a dream, but an everyday reality for mankind. This overview is intentionally spoiler-free and focuses on tone and intent rather than plot specifics.
Thematically, It sits firmly within Award Winning, Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi conventions as a TV work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 8.24). This work explores character dynamics, tonal shifts, and the interplay between narrative ambition and execution. The story's pacing and tonal choices are crafted to complement the central ideas, often emphasizing atmosphere and emotional truth over explicit exposition. The show's ability to evoke a consistent mood — whether melancholic, exuberant, or contemplative — is a recurring strength, and the scenes are constructed so viewers can infer stakes without needing explicit spoilers.
Characterization is a core pillar here. Protagonists and supporting figures are written with distinct motivations and narrative roles; even when archetypal, the series invests in small behavioral details that make choices feel earned. Character arcs are handled with an eye for gradualism: development often arrives through incremental beats rather than abrupt, expository shifts. The interactions between characters create texture, and relationships are used to illuminate both personal flaws and larger thematic concerns.
On the visual front, production values play a significant role. The animation quality varies by sequence but frequently showcases thoughtful direction and composition. Background art, framing, and color palettes are used deliberately to support tone — quieter scenes favor muted palettes while action or heightened emotional beats employ brighter, more kinetic visuals. Direction choices, such as camera movement and shot selection, often elevate scenes beyond their raw script, creating moments that linger in the viewer's mind.
The soundscape — score, incidental music, and sound design — complements the visual language. Music cues are placed to maximize emotional resonance without manipulating the audience with melodrama; this restraint often leads to more authentic emotional payoff. Sound design punctuates key moments, and when the series leans on silence, those quieter moments are given weight by measured audio choices.
Pacing and structure are handled with craft. Episodes are arranged to build tension and release methodically, and the narrative rarely rushes through important emotional beats. That said, the deliberate pacing may feel slow to viewers who prefer faster plot turnover; the reward is greater nuance and an accumulation of meaning across the series. Accessibility is generally good — one can appreciate surface-level pleasures, while repeat or attentive viewing reveals additional layers.
No title is without flaws. Occasional unevenness in subplots or variable animation across episodes can be distracting. Some tonal shifts might feel abrupt if you expect uniformity; others will argue that those shifts are purposeful. These are worth noting, but they seldom undercut the larger achievements of the work.
In sum, Planetes offers a rich experience for viewers who value character-driven storytelling, considered visual design, and a soundtrack that supports rather than overwhelms. For fans of Award Winning, Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi, this is an especially rewarding watch. It's recommended for those who appreciate layered narratives and artistry in animation, and best approached with patience and attention to nuance.
Characters & Voice Actors
Hoshino, Hachirouta
Main
Thornton, Kirk
English
Hoshino, Hachirouta
Main
Tanaka, Kazunari
Japanese
Hoshino, Hachirouta
Main
Scattorin, Lorenzo
Italian
Hoshino, Hachirouta
Main
von Jascheroff, Constantin
German
Hoshino, Hachirouta
Main
Kazazian, Thierry
French
Hoshino, Hachirouta
Main
Lladó, Carlos
Spanish
Tanabe, Ai
Main
Yukino, Satsuki
Japanese
Tanabe, Ai
Main
Taylor, Julie Ann
English
Tanabe, Ai
Main
Magnaghi, Debora
Italian
Tanabe, Ai
Main
Marlot, Frédérique
French
Tanabe, Ai
Main
Helm, Anne
German
Tanabe, Ai
Main
Schulz, Jill
German
Tanabe, Ai
Main
Calvell, Carmen
Spanish
Agent
Supporting
Davies, Erik
English
Ascham, Lucie
Supporting
Kurata, Masayo
Japanese
Ascham, Lucie
Supporting
De Cesarei, Jenny
Italian
Ascham, Lucie
Supporting
Giménez, Ariadna
Spanish
Ascham, Lucie
Supporting
Ruff, Michelle
English
Ascham, Lucie
Supporting
Dams, Catrin
German
Ascham, Lucie
Supporting
Chemin, Pascale
French
Staff
Yukawa, Jun
Producer
Taniguchi, Gorou
Director, Episode Director, Storyboard
Urakami, Yasuo
Sound Director
Igarashi, Shishou
Episode Director, Storyboard
Kitamura, Masaki
Episode Director, Storyboard
Miyoshi, Masato
Episode Director
Murata, Kazuya
Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation
Yamamoto, Megumi
Episode Director, Storyboard
Yoshimura, Akira
Episode Director
Ookouchi, Ichirou
Script, Series Composition
Sasaki, Shinsaku
Storyboard
Sugishima, Kunihisa
Storyboard
Sunaga, Tsukasa
Storyboard
Yonetani, Yoshitomo
Storyboard
Kuroishi, Hitomi
Theme Song Composition
Sakai, Mikio
Theme Song Lyrics, Theme Song Composition, Theme Song Arrangement, Theme Song Performance, Inserted Song Performance
Abe, Misao
Key Animation
Abiru, Tadashi
Key Animation
Andou, Masahiro
2nd Key Animation
Arisawa, Hiroshi
Key Animation