Planetes (2003)
Synopsis
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.
Network
NHK BS2
Episodes
Outside the Atmosphere
It's the first day on the job for Ai Tanabe as she's introduced to her eccentric co-workers in the Debris Section of space station ISPV-7.
Like a Dream
Hachimaki's dream of getting his own spaceship is revealed. Tanabe continues her zero-G training with Hachimaki. Tanabe and Hachimaki are sent on a debris retrieval mission to recover a derelict satellite. However, the satellite's orbit sends it on a collision course with Cheng-Shin's orbital shuttle.
Return Trajectory
Insurance salespeople swarm the ISPV 7 space station while members of the Debris Section write their annual wills. During a routine debris collection, Yuri, Tanabe, and Hachimaki recover a space coffin containing a famous astronaut. However, an ideological conflict erupts over the fate of the coffin and the body contained in it.
Part of the Job
The spoiled son of INTO chairman, Colin Clifford visits the ISPV 7 space station, and goes on a debris hauling mission with the Debris Section. Among the debris retrieved is Colin's camera carelessly left attached to a derelict satellite.
Fly Me to the Moon
Fee, Hachimaki and Tanabe decide to go to the Moon for their holiday. But on the Lunar Ferry, a pickpocket steals Tanabe's wallet while Hachimaki makes his debut as an actor.
The Lunar Flying Squirrels
On Hachimaki and Tanabe's visit to the Moon, they meet Tanabe's neighbours... a group of wannabe ninjas who perform ninja techniques through the Moon's lower gravity.
Extraterrestrial Girl
While recovering from an injury, Hachimaki must stay on the Moon to recover. He then meets a girl who is a Lunarian, a person born on the Moon. Hachimaki also meets Harry Roland, a veteran astronaut who is in an adjacent hospital bed.
A Place to Cling To
Tanabe suspects that Fee is having an affair with the division manager Technora Corp, Dolph Azalia. However, Fee is not, and actually is being promoted to assistant chief of Control Section. Meanwhile, the rest of the Debris Section take this opportunity to go on a very difficult debris mission on their own.
Regrets
Hachimaki's extra-vehicular activity instructor, Gigalt visits the Debris Section as part of a safety inspection. However, on a debris hauling run supervised by Gigalt, the crew of the Toy Box encounter illegal debris dumping activities.
A Sky of Stardust
Tanabe is preoccupied with her discovery of Gigalt's illness. Yuri's involvement in a famous high-altitude shuttle accident is revealed. On a routine debris retrieval mission, Yuri finds the only keepsake of his deceased wife.
Boundary Line
An engineer from an impoverished country, El Tanika, comes to the ISPV 7 space station to have his new spacesuit tested. No one will have anything to do with his unusual suit because of the lowly status of his home country unil the Debris Section volunteers to help him with the testing.
A Modest Request
Fee's quest for a smoke leads her to become entangled in a terrorist plot to stop human development in space by initiating the Kessler Syndrome, destroying the Toy Box in the process of saving the ISPV 7 space station from destruction.
Scenery With a Rocket
Since the Toy Box was destroyed, the Debris Section go on a holiday on Earth. Hachimaki, Yuri, and Tanabe visit the Hoshino household. Meanwhile, Yuri makes friends with Kyutaro, Hachimaki's brother.
Turning Point
Debris Section get their new debris hauling ship, the Toy Box 2. On a debris retrieval run, the Debris Section become embroiled in company intrigue as they choose to help an orbital research facility about to be destroyed by a meteoroid against the will of a Technora division manager.
In Her Case
Edel's past finally catches up to her when an old flame comes to the ISPV 7 space station. Meanwhile, Hachimaki struggles with his date with Tanabe.
Ignition
Hachimaki is left adrift in space in the middle of a solar flare and miraculously survies. But he is diagnosed with Acute Spatial Disorder and unless he can overcome it, he will be grounded from space for the rest of his life.
His Reasons
The chief engineer of the Jupiter Exploration Mission hopes to recruit Hachimaki's father, a veteran of several missions to Mars, but all he wants is to settle down back on Earth.
Debris Section, the Last Day
Dolph is replaced as director of the Technora Second Division and the new director wants to shut down the Debris Section while the crew of the Toy Box find a secret INTO orbital mine.
Endings Are Always...
Debris Section has won a reprieve after their discovery of a classified INTO military satellite. On Earth, Hachimaki has entered the first round of tests for those wishing to join the Von Braun.
Tentative Steps
Claire has been demoted from working in Control Section to replacing Hachimaki in Debris Section. Hachimaki and Hakim encounter unexpected difficulties completing a 10-day group endurance test, the second round of testing for those wishing to join the Von Braun.
Tandem Mirror
Debris Section has been assigned to the Moon for a month to help collect debris from the Tandem Mirror Drive disaster. In training as a finalist aboard the Von Braun, Hachimaki learns that one of his fellow candidates is planning to sabotage the mission.
Exposure
Hachimaki is called to the moon for questioning about the explosion aboard the Von Braun. He also learns of the death of his sensei and of Tanabe's prior knowledge of Gigalt's fight with cancer
Debris Cluster
As the final preparations are being made for the Von Braun's maiden voyage to Jupiter, the Space Defense Front makes a bold attempt at interrupting the INTO summit by taking control of the ship.
Love
The Space Defense Front's sinister plan to crash the Von Braun into Luna City is thwarted at the last minute when INTO caves in to the terrorists' demands. Tanabe and Claire are stranded on the surface of the moon in a life or death situation.
The Lost
Following the Von Braun crisis, Hachimaki sinks into deep depression and wanders on the lunar surface. He returns to Earth for a holiday, only to encounter Tanabe, who was paralyzed during the Von Braun crisis.
And the Days We Chance Upon...
With Tanabe fully recovered, she and Hachimaki visit the ISPV 7 Space Station.
Cast
Details
Original Title
プラネテス
Status
Ended
Seasons
1
Episodes
26
Production
SUNRISE
