Planetes (or "Wanderers" if you want) is Yukimura Makoto's first work. His art style here isn't as refined as it is now. His story-telling may be a little (but only a little) rushed sometimes. One can see that he didn't have everything planned to the slightest details. Still, every single mangaka has to start somehow. And what start this is!

Set in specified future, Planetes is about common people. They're working, they have dreams, fears and problems. Hoshino, Carmichael, Mihairokov and Tanabe are our protagonists. Yukimura presents his thoughts through their own stories. They're one by one confronted with their personal "difficulty", be it loss of a wife or troubles with raising a child.

Planetes "says" that every single human has his own problems, be it in the past, today or in the future. And we have to face them because if we won't, they will ultimately face us. Hoshino, Carmichael and others have to learn how to live ("how to accept their surroundings"). As the story progresses, Yukimura shows us that there are some people, who simply can't take life as it is.

This piece of art is magnificent example how simple "human drama" should be done in very personal way. Young people trying to grasp the meaning of life. They probably won't succeed but who knows… They may find peace within themselves.

This has got to be the best (if not second best--second to what I don't know) manga and adapted anime I have read/seen.
Set in the future in space, yet so down to earth. It is a humane, romantic, and original piece of work.

The only con is I really wish there was more than just 5 volumes.

No heroes. Simple plot. Character development-focused.
A moving, slice-of-life manga which explores science&philosophy, ambitions, self discovery, the state of people, the space, the probable future, love and relationships.

The author's love and fascination with space really shine through in this manga. Rather than being typical science-fiction fare, it explores the motivations and drives of astronauts, and casts them in a very believable and emotive manner. I really enjoyed some of the early stories in the manga, which primarily focused on the difficulties of trying to adapt human habits and customs to the sometimes unforgiving environment of ships and habitations in space. The story devoted to a smoker's troubles in space really served as an excellent demonstration that no matter how technology changes, people will always be people.

Pacing and plot are really good and the story constantly shifts perspectives among a very diverse cast, so it never becomes old. The basis for the plot is also very interesting too, because there are very few stories actually set in space.

Also, because the emphasis is more on plot progression and character development than on hard science, this means the story is highly enjoyable even if you might know or understand little about the more scientific sides of this story.

A very well crafted tale of humans and humanity, both on Earth and in the vastness of space. At once romantic, dramatic and introspective. A brilliant and highly recommended read. One of the best.

Planetes is one of the few series I would recommend to the general public. It’s a funny, intriguing space manga that captures both the mundane and the spectacular aspects of life so effectively most earthbound series suffer by comparison.

... Last updated on July 12th, 2009, 7:09pm

This manga is not spectacular in any specific way, there is no magnificent hero, there is no great battle yet it is just so down to earth good in all aspects that it is one of my favorites and I recommend it as a great starting point for a new reader. It truly makes you feel a connection with realistic characters facing problems most of us can identify with. I cant really express how this story stands out yet it really does. Very enjoyable and I think anyone can enjoy it as it avoids some of the weirder themes found in some manga.

Story: 7/10
Art: 8/10
Characters: 6/10
Quality Polish Edition: 9/10
Enjoyment: 7/10
Overall: 7.4/10

A good story which spans over several years. It makes you relize how small you are when you are in space. One of the better