Studio: Infinity Resources Inc Release Date: 11/28/2006 The sci-fi adventure Planetes (2004) opens in 2075, as eager but maladroit Ai Tanabe arrives at Space Station ISPV-7–and discovers she’s been assigned to the Debris Section, the department charged with cleaning up the orbiting junk that threatens interplanetary navigation. Ai immediately begins squabbling with her instructor, veteran astronaut Hachirota “Hachimaki” Hoshino. The set-up of a feisty newcomer joining a team of eccentric grunts recalls Patlabor: the oddballs in the Debris Section are also under-appreciated and underpaid, but hardworking and dedicated. In the first few episodes, the relationship between Tanabe and Hachimaki feels like anime boilerplate, but the filmmakers deftly unfold their back stories, transforming standard characters into intriguing individuals. Hachimaki has to wrestle with his fears and dreams as well as his relationship with Tanabe. Whenever Planetes risks falling into formula, the filmmakers veer off in a new direction. In a less imaginative series, when Hachimaki quits the Debris Section to try out for the experimental ship making the first voyage to Jupiter, he’d realize he’d made a mistake and go back to working and squabbling in the Debris Section. Instead, director Goro Taniguchi and his artists involve the characters in a deadly plot launched by the terrorist Space Defense Front. The extras include photographs of real space debris that’s fallen to Earth and a discussion with NASA officials, who warn there may be 15,000 objects 10cm or larger orbiting the planet at speeds approaching 8 km./sec. (Rated 13 and older: violence, minor risqué humor, alcohol and tobacco use) –Charles Solomon
(1. Outside the Atmosphere, 2. Like a Dream, 3. Return Trajectory, 4. Part of the Job, 5. Fly Me to the Moon, 6. The Lunar Flying Squirrels, 7. Extraterrestrial Girl, 8. A Place to Cling to, 9. Regrets, 10. A Sky of Stardust, 11. Boundary Line, 12. A Modest Request, 13. Scenery with a Rocket, 14. Turning Point, 15. In Her Case, 16. Ignition, 17. His Reasons, 18. Debris Section’s Last Day, 19. Endings Are Always… 20. Tentative Steps, 21. Tandem Mirror, 22. Exposure, 23. Debris Clutter, 24. Love, 25. The Lost, 26. And the Days We Chance Upon)
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March 16, 2010
#1
I love Anime but I must admit this one is very boring. Planetes is a nice story about space garbage collectors nothing else.
The reason I purchase this set was that I thought a change from the usual serious space combat do or die Anime would be nice. Yet this series is nothing but lackluster poor comedy relief in a sci-fi setting. I was hoping for a good comedy and a good plot (in a sci-fi setting of course).
I was halfway through the series before I decided to just turn it off, package it for the holidays and send it to some relative or friend for Yule. I hope they do not hate me.
March 16, 2010
#2
The concept of the story was good. After watching some of the episodes I was disappointed. It is really geared to adolescents than adults. The characters spend a lot of time arguing with each other. Just like kids would. I would hate to think people working in space acted so childish. Anyway it may appeal to some but not me. Artwork is ok. Not excellent though.
Steve
March 16, 2010
#3
If you like Hollywood Horse-feathers, I guess this is well done. Frankly, I think it should have been darker and grittier. The ‘all you need is love to salve the hearts of the disenfranchised and dead’ message is worthless. The dialog and plot are worthless for the same reasons. I have the same problem with this series that I have with most horror: if you have the antagonist down… kill him, cut his throat, put a bullet in his head and scatter his limbs to the four winds. If someone just slaughtered your friends: philosophical questions about what you should do now are answered. Period. Kill anyone responsible. The garbage hand-wringing regarding the cost of exploring space is specious at best. We’re all dead no matter what may come, and all of humanity is dead if we don’t get off this planet.
Planates is a well animated series; however, the annoying characters and their contrived moral confusion are not worth watching. I fail to believe that our descendants will not be smarter than this series. All or any one of us would not react in the fractious manners displayed in this series given the scenarios presented the characters.
Oh, gee, people are dying! They already are, and we still explore space. Oh, people are abused: that’s not going to stop. And the abused and disenfranchised are not going to cease belonging to that group. I suppose that my dislike of this series is related to my love of its potential.
Planates could have been a great, gritty scifi series on par wiith Ghost in the Shell. But Planates springs for sappiness when GITS works toward: grit, plot, and characterization.
I consider this worth watching with serious reservations.
March 16, 2010
#4
This is one of those gushing reviews that can be so annoying. This is the best anime I have ever seen. No questions about it. Go and watch it.
March 16, 2010
#5
This was a great buy. It was shipped fast and was in great condition. I love the DVD and the box set came just as advertised. Thanks.