PlanetES.... yes it was quite good. What I didn't get is, did Hakeem die at the end? and what happened to the Space Defense Front?
Nice review, most points I agree on.
Planetes tv Review
Story & Characters
This is where some people will argue that PlanetES falls apart, since the first few episodes are all one shots that
don`t make a cohesive story. Personally I think that these one-shots are necessary so that the characters actually gain
meaning. Just look at Yuri`s story. If that wasn`t masterpiece, I don`t know what is. During the later half of the
series, some serious drama and tension builds up, which adds icing to the cake on this already awesome series. What do
you expect from the makers of Cowboy Bebop?
The later part of the series really hooked me. The ideological clashes between Hachirota and Hakeem were scripted very
well. The test for the Van Buren was also a delight to watch, as multiple facets of the human psyche was explored,
including depression, angst, survival, and back-stabbing. The ending, although not unexpected, nicely rounds up the
whole series.
The characters were realistic, diverse, and likeable. I especially love the banterings between Hachimaki and Tanabe, and
how their ideologies clash. Every character is introduced so well that they each form a distinctive personality. I`m
impressed at how everyone is so easily remembered; not one character was out of fanservice or unneeded.
Rating:
Art
The animation really shines. Characters blink, everything moves, facial expressions are detailed and elaborate. Some
people are irked by the art, but personally I think the realistic style fits the realistic mood best. There wasn`t any
fillers, so there wasn`t any discrepancies in the art. Machinery is also animated superbly, creating a world that could
really take place in 2075.
I cannot emphasize enough how realism shines in PlanetES. In space, there is no sound. At all. None of this Star Wars
space dogfights. The machinery parts are animated so detailed that it seems as if the anime can jump out at you. The
eyes are not overtly huge like traditional anime but drawn in a mature BONES-like style. Sunrise really went over the
top for not putting any mechas in this.
Rating:
Sound
The Opening and Ending song completely rules. Mikio Sekai wrote and sang both songs, and oh man is he good. The
soundtrack consists of melodramatic piano solos to typical violin fare. What warrants a 10 in this category is the
effective use of the vocal piece Hitomi in the last episode. Overall, the sound complements the animation very very
well.
The soundtrack is an excellent collection of vast violin virtuosos. Music fit every mood, from happy and cheery to sad
and deathlike. A few superb piano pieces as well.
Rating:
Presentation
Originality is a key point of this anime. I have never seen the words "Space garbage men" ever in my whole
life until I saw this anime. PlanetES is like watching the struggles of blue-collared workers, but in space. I think I
learned more about the history about space travel in this anime then all those documentaries I watched at school. This
is the most original and realistic space-themed anime ever. No mechs, no fanservice, no random explosions, no defying of
physics, no hikery pokery. It's all about the Debris section, their social caste of the company, and how several
down-to-earth people make their living. The jokes that are cast sparingly are funny and genuine, the plot moves at a
catchable pace.
This anime made me think, unlike Evagelion. There are no evangelical reactionary Christian motifs and allusions at work
here, just simple profound questions asked. This is one of the most underrated anime out there, so get your butts over
to Anbudom or Anime-Empire and get this series now. Then watch it. Then watch it again. I was glad I did. Very very very
highly recommended.
Rating:
Final Verdict
9.5000 (excellent)
Reviewed by Ladholyman, Apr 28, 2005
Comments
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Maceart Apr 28, 2005
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Mnemeth Feb 13, 2006
I totally agree with "I have never seen the words "Space garbage men" ever in my whole life until I saw this anime." The individual that came up with this idea needs to come up more that no one has seen (or thought of) and try to get them animated like PlanetES.
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shadowfoxza Sep 27, 2007
I can only agree with this entire review.
The first couple of episodes made me wonder .. but I kept watching ... and by the end I was really disappointed that it was finished ... and what can I say ... the ending was brilliant as well.
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Lucius-Voltaic Jul 07, 2010
What happened at the end was that Hakim realized that his hatred had blinded him to the fact that space travel (as personified by Nono) was actually eroding the class divisions he thought he was fighting against by attacking space travel. This gave him an existential crisis and he walked away to an unknown fate. As for the Space Defense Front, the operatives on board the Von Braun and kidnapping Dolf were killed or captured; many of the rest got away.
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