YKK Forum

Watch PlanteES

I'm watching a new series called planetes. I find it really enjoyable and it's in the similar genre as YKK. I think some of you may find it interesting. Anime Academy gave it a 91% rating as opposed to Haibane Renmei 91.5%. The following review is taken from Anime Academy, you can also note its similarities (planetes) to YKK in the 2nd paragraph. I hope you'd be interested in watching this. If you already have, pls post ur opinion :).

"Pay no attention to the near-perfect animation or the massive rewrites of its manga counterpart; Yukimura Makoto's Planetes is a helluva new age space anime, even if you may think it's just garbage men in space. Although it isn't raw science fiction in the tradition of Isaac Asimov or Arthur C. Clarke, this anime is nevertheless a mesmerizing experience that'll capture your attention without flaw.

And the best way Planetes reels you in is with its near-constant character development. There are infrequent times that a character's past is ever clearly laid out; instead, we're given little bits and pieces to each character's puzzle that eventually reveals their quirks and personality traits while building the story. With a quiet charm I haven't seen since Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou, action scenes are hard to come by, yet the characters make this anime exciting with their presence. Eventually, you'll come to emotionally connect and empathize with many of the people and messages; now that's the hallmark of a good anime. However, I believe that the charm comes from just how natural the anime is. Some may blame the excellent seiyuu cast, but I think the natural feel comes from the little things, such as a script that never feels forced, realistic movements of objects in space or even a mechanically accurate motorcycle.

Sci-fi junkie or not, you'll come to enjoy Planetes one way or another. With an introspective finale that'd give Neon Genesis Evangelion a run for its money, this is an anime that'll inspire you to reach for the star."

Taken from AnimeAcademy

- Malchiel
Wednesday, September 22, 2004

Arrrgghh it should be PLANETES I misstyped the topic title.

- Malchiel
Wednesday, September 22, 2004

I wouldn't say that Planetes has much in common with YKK, but I did enjoy watching it.

- Brad
Wednesday, September 22, 2004

The few episodes of the anime I watched were pretty good, but at least thus far I much prefer the manga. I think it'd probably more closely match a YKK fan's tastes too. The anime had a bit more of a Patlabor feel to me (not that there's anything wrong with that, just didn't seem like Planetes though).

- cybernezumi
Thursday, September 23, 2004

The anime really picks up nearer to the end. It gets much more serious in the last half or so of it.

I can see how it could be compaired to YKK, but it definately has a more pessamistic side to it.

- Zelmel
Thursday, September 23, 2004

Ekh is the later half of the series that pessimistic? I'm really enjoying the pace at the first half of the series, it's a slice of life story sprinkled with humor now and then.

However I don't really like pessimistic shows, I think that just spoils my mood. And I don't mind tragedy, but tragedy without hope is just torture for no purpose.

Can some1 tell me w/o spoiling too much if the ending is supposed to be tragic/pessimistic?

- Malchiel
Thursday, September 23, 2004

Yes, PLANETES does walk a dark path near the end, expecially when you compare it to the first half.

Events like Hachimaki's mentor with terminal cancer, and the Veteran Astronaut who commits suicide. These are reveal fairly early, and are quite dark compared to the normal episodes at the time.

Things get darker later on. To name a few... *Spoilers*

Terrorists try to destroy Seven (ISPV-7 the space station where they work from)

Hachimaki looses his EVA license after an incident that leaves him with SAS (i think it was - Space Abandonment Syndrome... fear of floating away and dying in space). He conquers his fears, but ends up quitting and returns to earth.

A Jovian (Jupiter) Expedition is lead by some near mad egoist who values the project over human lives. He sacrifices an entire test site and it's (hundred plus?) crew in order to test the max limit of the new engine.

Then the terrorist group comes back, a bit more story on them now, like how they represent the smaller non-Union countries and such. They plot to crash the Jovian Explorer (huge ship named Von Braun -sp?) that is orbiting the moon, into Tranquility City (largest of two Union settlements on the moon).

Dark enough for ya?

I recomend you follow through and watch the whole thing. Great series.

- Ced
Sunday, October 3, 2004

Finnished watching it. I couldn't stop myself from watching the last 6 episodes or so. What a great climax, matched with an awesome ending. This show has the longest, nicest ending I have ever seen, seriously. What can I say? the show is just splendid!!!

If you're a fan of YKK, Haibane Renmei, you owe it to yourself to give this show a try. It is a very good show from start to finnish, although it gets much better later on.

Tired sappy romance? bored with incredulous sci-fi gimmicks ala star trek/ star wars? Watch this show, because it has none of that.

- Malchiel
Wednesday, October 13, 2004

Finnished watching it. I couldn't stop myself from watching the last 6 episodes or so. What a great climax, matched with an awesome ending. This show has the longest, nicest ending I have ever seen, seriously. What can I say? the show is just splendid!!!

If you're a fan of YKK, Haibane Renmei, you owe it to yourself to give this show a try. It is a very good show from start to finnish, although it gets much better later on.

Tired sappy romance? bored with incredulous sci-fi gimmicks ala star trek/ star wars? Watch this show, because it has none of that.

- Malchiel
Wednesday, October 13, 2004

Reply to this topic
Topic list


Contact the translator