Planetes Volume 3

Equal parts ideological science fiction and heartfelt drama, this tight third volume of Planetes continues to forge ahead with its touching ambition of human struggle in the not so familiar setting of space.

By and large, these latest four episodes switch the spotlight from the blossoming romance between Hachi and Tanabe to the rag-tag cast of afflicted supporting characters. We visit tragedy in Yuri’s past, dig deep into the consciousness of an ex-patriot remembering her old country and understand the depths to which Fee will sink to light up a fag. For many, Planetes is mostly notable for its insane sense of detail when it comes to depicting realistic space travel but above and beyond this for me are the characters. While it may come across as overly melodramatic or even goofy for some, there is something so effortlessly compelling about seeing characters just like you or me living their lives set against the extraordinary landscape of stars and spaceships.

If there is one thing that Planetes lacks, and that was especially evident during this volume, it is a dose of good old fashioned cynicism. Here we are treated to a rather over bearing anti-war episode in which one particularly saccharine personality tearfully exclaims while floating over his war torn country “up here (in space), there are no borders”. It feels likes an admirable but naive thing to say, favouring a preachy message of peace but ignoring the many other complex problems of human life. This is Planetes trying to provide us with answers to the questions it itself poses, but rather, I would prefer if we were given the chance to make our own minds up.

This volume also has kissing, well- it’s nearly a kiss but a stray rocket interrupts Hachi and Tanabe’s quiet moment together. It’s too early in the series for all that kind of stuff but honestly, fans of mature drama and even light hearted romance could do far worse than to sit down with a few episodes of Planetes- I just can’t emphasize enough how this series so isn’t the hardcore science fiction you think it is, the setting is of course marvellous but more mystery lies within the uncharted depths of the human spirit, and hence watching these characters reach for the stars amidst the strength and humour of their comrades is nothing less than entertaining, pleasant viewing.

In Summary

The explosive drama of Planetes #3 is ever so slightly dampened by an overly sentimental touch but still, I can hardly find fault with such a likable cast of realistic human astronauts. An intense level of attention has been put to the grimy space station setting but just as much effort is placed on developing the likes of Hachi, Fee, Yuri and Tanabe and it all comes to life on screen; this is a heart felt drama charting a journey of self discovery, set against the vivid majesty of space.