Unstung
Active member
Since a handful of members here appear to appreciate Japanese things a wee bit, I have a recommendation. Planetes (Greek word for planets, πλάνητες – wanderers) is a hard science fiction anime and manga. The cartoon was produced by Sunrise, and they make good 
as those interested should know. I've watched the anime and it quickly became my potentially favorite Japanese cartoon (that or Cowboy Bebop, another show produced by Sunrise). Planetes isn't well-known yet related to the interests of people on this forum which is why I am advertising promoting letting the members know about it so they can watch it if interested.
After space debris collided with the window of a commercial flight and killed many of its passengers, Debris Sections were created, tasked with collecting and disposing the harmful, numerous space junk. The cartoon revolves around a crew of debris collectors. The crew tends to get caught up in major events, from planning of the first manned mission to Jupiter to a harmful result of "premature" space development. Unfortunately, the conclusion of the issue is never shown. It becomes irrelevant although it's pretty important. (I'm trying to put that event in the most vague terms possible.)
Realism:
Honestly, the only inaccurate part of the show I remember is how lunar days appear to be 24 hours long with people living on the moon being awake during the lunar day and asleep at night. There are some other minor problems, but I cannot even recall them. The lunar day was the only significant one to me. Of course, collecting debris one by one using a manned vessel requires an impractical amount of propellant, but it's not impossible. The fact that the crew has to go on EVA often adds to the drama. Radiation sickness becomes a significant issue in the show due to the fact that people live in space for very extended periods of time, on the moon or in a space station. The space station designs are quite impressive, with a cylinder running down the center of the object and rotating toruses around the center providing artificial gravity. Lunar gravity is accurate and the delay of communications between Earth is shown. Last but not least, no sound is used in space ever. Only music, radio chatter, or some narration.
I feel the trailer doesn't do the show justice. At least it has this familiar piece. However, the intro is interesting which shows spaceflight achievements throughout the 20th century.
I've written a review for the anime that may help explain it. The review doesn't really contain spoilers:
Although the drama may unfold slowly in the first episodes with consistent lighthearted moments, I was drawn in to this show because of its setting, lack of unnecessary action, and superb realism. Even its fictional 2070s society is plausible, with some manned exploration of Mars and a base on the moon. It has the best character development in any anime that I am familiar with. Everybody has believable motives and their decisions are relevant at some point, if not throughout the show. The next sentence may explain the thing I was trying to be vague about earlier, so it's a spoiler. Many philosophically contemplate the necessity of developing space which is only beneficial to modernized countries. End of spoiler. The female protagonist is initially extremely naive and makes the most pure decisions, but everyone lies in a gray area. After certain events unfold, the characters' relations with others change and their inward feelings. Minor characters illustrate a portion of society. The show offers at least some of everything - from making the viewer have empathy to combat towards the end. It may often be a feel-good cartoon, but the lightheartedness isn't intrusive along with the love theme that develops throughout the 26 episodes.
as those interested should know. I've watched the anime and it quickly became my potentially favorite Japanese cartoon (that or Cowboy Bebop, another show produced by Sunrise). Planetes isn't well-known yet related to the interests of people on this forum which is why I am After space debris collided with the window of a commercial flight and killed many of its passengers, Debris Sections were created, tasked with collecting and disposing the harmful, numerous space junk. The cartoon revolves around a crew of debris collectors. The crew tends to get caught up in major events, from planning of the first manned mission to Jupiter to a harmful result of "premature" space development. Unfortunately, the conclusion of the issue is never shown. It becomes irrelevant although it's pretty important. (I'm trying to put that event in the most vague terms possible.)
Realism:
Honestly, the only inaccurate part of the show I remember is how lunar days appear to be 24 hours long with people living on the moon being awake during the lunar day and asleep at night. There are some other minor problems, but I cannot even recall them. The lunar day was the only significant one to me. Of course, collecting debris one by one using a manned vessel requires an impractical amount of propellant, but it's not impossible. The fact that the crew has to go on EVA often adds to the drama. Radiation sickness becomes a significant issue in the show due to the fact that people live in space for very extended periods of time, on the moon or in a space station. The space station designs are quite impressive, with a cylinder running down the center of the object and rotating toruses around the center providing artificial gravity. Lunar gravity is accurate and the delay of communications between Earth is shown. Last but not least, no sound is used in space ever. Only music, radio chatter, or some narration.
I feel the trailer doesn't do the show justice. At least it has this familiar piece. However, the intro is interesting which shows spaceflight achievements throughout the 20th century.
I've written a review for the anime that may help explain it. The review doesn't really contain spoilers:
Although the drama may unfold slowly in the first episodes with consistent lighthearted moments, I was drawn in to this show because of its setting, lack of unnecessary action, and superb realism. Even its fictional 2070s society is plausible, with some manned exploration of Mars and a base on the moon. It has the best character development in any anime that I am familiar with. Everybody has believable motives and their decisions are relevant at some point, if not throughout the show. The next sentence may explain the thing I was trying to be vague about earlier, so it's a spoiler. Many philosophically contemplate the necessity of developing space which is only beneficial to modernized countries. End of spoiler. The female protagonist is initially extremely naive and makes the most pure decisions, but everyone lies in a gray area. After certain events unfold, the characters' relations with others change and their inward feelings. Minor characters illustrate a portion of society. The show offers at least some of everything - from making the viewer have empathy to combat towards the end. It may often be a feel-good cartoon, but the lightheartedness isn't intrusive along with the love theme that develops throughout the 26 episodes.
Last edited:
