Anime of the Month (February '06) - Planetes

[JShaggy]

In a close race this month, Bandai Entertainment's Planetes has been named the February Anime of the Month.

Here's a brief synopsis of Volume 1, which is available right now:

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/ency...es.php?id=4350

(Courtesy of Anime News Network)
The year is 2075 AD. The dream of working and living in the vast openness of space is now a reality. However, a new threat has arisen and if left unchecked can prove fatal: Space Debris! An undetectable screw struck and disabled a passenger space flight causing disaster and death to the ones on board.

A space debris collection agency is formed but, it’s a money losing venture for the corporations. Follow the men and women of the “Half-Section” and witness the harrowing experience that is involved with such dangers.

The final volume of the series will be released on March 14. As with all Anime of the Month titles, all discussion beyond Volume 1 should be omitted or placed in spoiler tags.

You may now discuss the series.

[Conekiller]

How many total episodes are in this series?

[Karl Olson]

How many total episodes are in this series?

26.

Meanwhile, I love this show. Really hard, realistic sci-fi, with great characters to back it up. The episodes directly adapted from the manga are particularly stunning, but even some of the completely original scenarios are brilliant, ranging from great comedy to real, human drama.

[Duke]

Props to Bandai for getting real NASA people to interview for the extras. A brilliant move.

[GWOtaku]

posted by Karl Olson:

Meanwhile, I love this show. Really hard, realistic sci-fi, with great characters to back it up. The episodes directly adapted from the manga are particularly stunning, but even some of the completely original scenarios are brilliant, ranging from great comedy to real, human drama.

Whoa. That's some high praise coming from Karl; I'm gonna have to screen and possibly buy this sooner rather then later as opposed to Starship Operators.

[PowerZord]

Nice first episode.. i expected it to be better but nice

[Karl Olson]

Nice first episode.. i expected it to be better but nice

It's a little bit of slow burn initially, but I think that makes sense for hard sci-fi. I mean, as it stands, they are taking a few liberties with physics. To make it a more energetic show would make it less interesting in other ways I think.