Planetes (2003)
A landmark hard sci-fi anime set in 2075, where space debris collectors wrestle with the human cost of humanity's reach beyond Earth.
Planetes - Series Information
- Original Title: プラネテス
- First Air Year: 2003
- Last Air Year: 2004
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 25 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 26
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: October 4, 2003 (United States - TV-14), October 4, 2003 (Germany - 12), October 4, 2003 (France - NR), October 4, 2003 (Australia - M), October 4, 2003 (Brazil - 14)
- Networks: NHK BS2
- Production Companies: SUNRISE
- Production Countries: Japan
- Alternative Titles: Мандрівники (UA), ΠΛΑΝΗΤΕΣ (GR), Puranetesu (JP), 星空之旅 (HK), Planetes (DE), PLANET-ES (PL), Планетес (RU)
Planetes - Plot
In the year 2075, mankind has reached a point where journeying between Earth, the moon and the space stations is part of daily life. However, the progression of technology in space has also resulted in the problem of the space debris, which can cause excessive and even catastrophic damage to spacecrafts and equipment.
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Planetes - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Kazunari Tanaka
- Satsuki Yukino
- Takehito Koyasu
- Ai Orikasa
- Tetsuo Goto
- Yoshihiro Okada
- Shigeru Shibuya
- Kumiko Watanabe
- Isshin Chiba
- Yu Kobayashi
Writers
- Ichiro Okouchi
Planetes - FAQs
Where can you stream Planetes online?
Planetes is available to stream on Crunchyroll, including through the Crunchyroll Amazon Channel for subscribers. If you prefer to own the series, it can also be purchased digitally via the Apple TV Store. Crunchyroll remains the most accessible option for anime fans looking to watch it with a subscription.
Is Planetes based on a manga?
Planetes is adapted from the manga of the same name by Makoto Yukimura, serialized in Weekly Morning magazine from 1999 to 2004. The anime, produced by Sunrise and broadcast on NHK BS2, expands on the manga's themes of space debris collection, human ambition, and the personal costs of working in space.
What is Planetes about?
Set in 2075, Planetes follows a crew of space debris collectors working to clear orbital junk that threatens spacecraft and stations. Beyond the physical dangers of their job, the series digs into deeply human questions — ambition, belonging, love, and what it truly means to reach for the stars.
How scientifically accurate is Planetes?
Planetes is widely praised for its commitment to scientific realism. It depicts zero-gravity physics, orbital mechanics, and the genuine hazard of space debris with remarkable accuracy. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has cited the series as one of the most technically credible portrayals of near-future space operations in anime.
How many episodes does Planetes have?
Planetes consists of 26 episodes across a single season. The series aired on NHK BS2 in Japan from October 2003 to April 2004, with each episode running approximately 25 minutes. The complete story is self-contained within this single season, offering a satisfying beginning-to-end narrative arc.
Is Planetes worth watching for non-anime fans?
Absolutely. Planetes stands apart from typical anime fare with its grounded, character-driven storytelling and hard sci-fi sensibility. Critics and audiences consistently praise it as one of the most mature and thoughtful animated series ever made. Viewers who enjoy intelligent science fiction will find it deeply rewarding, regardless of their familiarity with anime.
Who are the main voice actors in Planetes?
The principal Japanese voice cast includes Kazunari Tanaka as the passionate Hachirouta Hoshino, Satsuki Yukino as the idealistic Ai Tanabe, Takehito Koyasu as the quietly grieving Yuri Mihailokov, and Ai Orikasa as the fiercely determined Fee Carmichael. Together they bring the debris-collecting crew of the DS-12 to vivid life.
Did Planetes win any notable awards?
Planetes earned significant recognition in the anime community, winning the Seiun Award for Best Dramatic Presentation in 2005 — a prestigious Japanese science fiction prize. The series is frequently cited on best-of lists for hard sci-fi anime and remains a benchmark for intelligent, realistic storytelling within the medium.
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