In an exciting development for anime enthusiasts, Planetes, a renowned sci-fi anime produced by Sunrise, is now available for streaming in the United States. This cult classic, which first aired in 2003, has long been considered a pinnacle of sci-fi animation, captivating audiences with its compelling narrative and rich worldbuilding.
Crunchyroll made the announcement on Tuesday, revealing that Planetes has been added to its streaming library. In addition, the platform confirmed a Blu-ray release scheduled for November 5, marking the first Blu-ray edition of the series in North America. This release will be the first home video distribution of Planetes in the U.S. since Bandai Entertainment’s complete DVD collection launched in 2006. Fans can now preorder the Blu-ray through Crunchyroll’s online store.
Set in the year 2075, Planetes depicts a future where humanity is beginning to colonize space. However, a significant challenge arises from space debris—remnants of satellites and space stations—that threatens both spacecraft and human life. To mitigate this danger, corporations like Technora employ space salvagers to manage and intercept debris in Earth’s orbit. The narrative follows Hachirota “Hachimaki” Hoshino, a crew member with aspirations of owning his own spaceship and exploring the cosmos.
The series has garnered critical acclaim for its realistic and relatable approach to futuristic storytelling. Much like the celebrated Cowboy Bebop, Planetes showcases a diverse ensemble of working-class individuals navigating the complexities of their profession within an extraordinary sci-fi setting. Fans of the genre will likely find much to appreciate in this thought-provoking series.
Planetes is currently streaming on Crunchyroll, with its Blu-ray release set for November 5.
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