Watch Planetes
- TV-14
- 2003
- 1 Season
-
8.1 (4,021)
Planetes is an anime series produced by NHK that aired from October 2003 until April 2004. Set in 2075, the show depicts a future in which humanity has expanded its reach out into the solar system and established a society of space-faring colonies. The story centres around a group of debris collectors, or "Half Section," aboard the space station ISPV 7. These collectors, led by the passionate and dedicated Hachirota "Hachimaki" Hoshino, are responsible for removing the dangerous debris that orbits the Earth's outer atmosphere. Life is tough for the Half Section crew - they work long hours in cramped living conditions, and the job is often fraught with danger. However, their work is vital to keep the space lanes clear and to prevent catastrophic collisions with debris that could send the planet into chaos.
The first episode introduces us to Hachimaki - a headstrong young man with a deep love for space, an intense work ethic and unfulfilled dreams of one day sailing out to the stars. Also aboard the ISPV 7 are his colleagues, Fee, Yuri, Tanabe, and Claire, each with their own idiosyncrasies, flaws and aspirations. Together, they face the daily grind of collecting debris while navigating the complex interpersonal relationships that arise from living in such close proximity.
Throughout the show, the characters are confronted with a range of challenges, both personal and professional. For Hachimaki, this often involves trying to reconcile his fiercely independent nature with his duties to his crewmates and his love for the young astronaut, Tanabe. Throughout the series, we see Hachimaki struggle with his inner demons as he comes to terms with the responsibilities of being a leader and a team player.
Other themes explored in the show include the ethics of space colonisation, the dangers of corporate greed, and the impact of environmental pollution on Earth's fragile ecosystem. Planetes uses the setting of space as a backdrop to examine complex social and ethical issues that are increasingly relevant to today's world.
One of the most striking aspects of the show is its attention to detail. The creators clearly put a great deal of effort into creating a believable and immersive future world, with realistic depictions of space travel, zero-gravity environments, and futuristic technology. From the design of the space suits to the layout of the space station, everything in Planetes feels plausible and well thought out.
The voice acting in the show is also excellent, with standout performances from Kazunari Tanaka as Hachimaki and Satsuki Yukino as Tanabe. The supporting cast is equally strong, with each actor bringing their own unique personality to their character.
Overall, Planetes is an engaging and thought-provoking anime that tackles complex issues with intelligence and nuance. While the show has some action and adventure elements, it's primarily a character-driven drama that explores the lives of ordinary people working in an extraordinary setting. If you're a fan of science fiction, space exploration or anime in general, Planetes is well worth checking out.
Planetes is a series that ran for 1 seasons (26 episodes) between October 4, 2003 and on NHK