Watch Planetes

TV-14
2003
1 Season
8.1 (3,898)

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.

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Seasons

26. And the Days We Chance Upon...

April 17, 2004

With Tanabe fully recovered, she and Hachimaki visit the ISPV 7 Space Station.

25. The Lost

April 10, 2004

Following the Von Braun crisis, Hachimaki sinks into deep depression and wanders on the lunar surface. He returns to Earth for a holiday, only to encounter Tanabe, who was paralyzed during the Von Braun crisis.

24. Love

April 3, 2004

The Space Defense Front's sinister plan to crash the Von Braun into Luna City is thwarted at the last minute when INTO caves in to the terrorists' demands. Tanabe and Claire are stranded on the surface of the moon in a life or death situation.

23. Debris Cluster

March 20, 2004

As the final preparations are being made for the Von Braun's maiden voyage to Jupiter, the Space Defense Front makes a bold attempt at interrupting the INTO summit by taking control of the ship.

22. Exposure

March 13, 2004

Hachimaki is called to the moon for questioning about the explosion aboard the Von Braun. He also learns of the death of his sensei and of Tanabe's prior knowledge of Gigalt's fight with cancer

21. Tandem Mirror

March 6, 2004

Debris Section has been assigned to the Moon for a month to help collect debris from the Tandem Mirror Drive disaster. In training as a finalist aboard the Von Braun, Hachimaki learns that one of his fellow candidates is planning to sabotage the mission.

20. Tentative Steps

February 28, 2004

Claire has been demoted from working in Control Section to replacing Hachimaki in Debris Section. Hachimaki and Hakim encounter unexpected difficulties completing a 10-day group endurance test, the second round of testing for those wishing to join the Von Braun.

19. Endings Are Always...

February 21, 2004

Debris Section has won a reprieve after their discovery of a classified INTO military satellite. On Earth, Hachimaki has entered the first round of tests for those wishing to join the Von Braun.

18. Debris Section, The Last Day

February 14, 2004

Dolph is replaced as director of the Technora Second Division and the new director wants to shut down the Debris Section while the crew of the Toy Box find a secret INTO orbital mine.

17. His Reasons

February 7, 2004

The chief engineer of the Jupiter Exploration Mission hopes to recruit Hachimaki's father, a veteran of several missions to Mars, but all he wants is to settle down back on Earth.

16. Ignition

January 31, 2004

Hachimaki is left adrift in space in the middle of a solar flare and miraculously survies. But he is diagnosed with Acute Spatial Disorder and unless he can overcome it, he will be grounded from space for the rest of his life.

15. In Her Case

January 24, 2004

Edel's past finally catches up to her when an old flame comes to the ISPV 7 space station. Meanwhile, Hachimaki struggles with his date with Tanabe.

14. Turning Point

January 17, 2004

Debris Section get their new debris hauling ship, the Toy Box 2. On a debris retrieval run, the Debris Section become embroiled in company intrigue as they choose to help an orbital research facility about to be destroyed by a meteoroid against the will of a Technora division manager.

13. Scenery with a Rocket

January 10, 2004

Since the Toy Box was destroyed, the Debris Section go on a holiday on Earth. Hachimaki, Yuri, and Tanabe visit the Hoshino household. Meanwhile, Yuri makes friends with Kyutaro, Hachimaki's brother.

12. A Modest Request

December 20, 2003

Fee's increasingly difficult quest for a smoke leads her to become entangled in a terrorist plot to stop human development in space.

11. Boundary Line

December 13, 2003

An engineer from an impoverished country, El Tanika, comes to the ISPV 7 space station to have his new spacesuit tested. No one will have anything to do with his unusual suit because of the lowly status of his home country until the Debris Section volunteers to help him with the testing.

10. A Sky of Stardust

December 6, 2003

Tanabe is preoccupied with her discovery of Gigalt's illness. Yuri's involvement in a famous high-altitude shuttle accident is revealed. On a routine debris retrieval mission, Yuri finds the only keepsake of his deceased wife.

9. Regrets

November 29, 2003

Hachimaki's extra-vehicular activity instructor, Gigalt visits the Debris Section as part of a safety inspection. However, on a debris hauling run supervised by Gigalt, the crew of the Toy Box encounter illegal debris dumping activities.

8. A Place to Cling to

November 22, 2003

Tanabe suspects that Fee is having an affair with the division manager Technora Corp, Dolph Azalia. However, Fee is not, and actually is being promoted to assistant chief of Control Section. Meanwhile, the rest of the Debris Section take this opportunity to go on a very difficult debris mission on their own.

7. Extraterrestrial Girl

November 15, 2003

While recovering from an injury, Hachimaki must stay on the Moon to recover. He then meets a girl who is a Lunarian, a person born on the Moon. Hachimaki also meets Harry Roland, a veteran astronaut who is in an adjacent hospital bed.

6. The Lunar Flying Squirrels

November 8, 2003

On Hachimaki and Tanabe's visit to the Moon, they meet Tanabe's neighbours... a group of wannabe ninjas who perform ninja techniques through the Moon's lower gravity.

5. Fly me to the Moon

November 1, 2003

Fee, Hachimaki and Tanabe decide to go to the Moon for their holiday. But on the Lunar Ferry, a pickpocket steals Tanabe's wallet while Hachimaki makes his debut as an actor.

4. Part of the Job

October 25, 2003

The spoiled son of INTO chairman, Colin Clifford visits the ISPV 7 space station, and goes on a debris hauling mission with the Debris Section. Among the debris retrieved is Colin's camera carelessly left attached to a derelict satellite.

3. Return Trajectory

October 18, 2003

Insurance salespeople swarm the ISPV 7 space station while members of the Debris Section write their annual wills. During a routine debris collection, Yuri, Tanabe, and Hachimaki recover a space coffin containing a famous astronaut. However, an ideological conflict erupts over the fate of the coffin and the body contained in it.

2. Like a Dream

October 11, 2003

Hachimaki's dream of getting his own spaceship is revealed. Tanabe continues her zero-G training with Hachimaki. Tanabe and Hachimaki are sent on a debris retrieval mission to recover a derelict satellite. However, the satellite's orbit sends it on a collision course with Cheng-Shin's orbital shuttle.