What's the best epic manga you've ever read that's set in outer space? (That's a very loose definition of "space opera," but you get what I'm talking about.)

Since we're talking about an epic, it must be at least 3 volumes long to really count as a space opera in my books. That's like a minimum length requirement, at least for me... Just being set in space isn't enough.

I vote for Planetes, but my top 5 space operas are:

1. Planetes - d'oh.

2. Legend of the Galactic Heroes - would probably be #1 if someone scanlated more of it. As it is, I satisfy myself with what I can find of the anime - which is HUGE, thank the space gods. I mean... now that's what I call a space opera. I haven't even plowed my way through a third of the episodes, yet. Not enough bandwidth. Lol.

3. Moonlight Mile - can't wait to read more of this.

4. 2001 Nights - Kubrick-inspired manga, yum.

5. To Terra... - A golden oldie that never gets old.

I've heard that Earthlight is pretty good, but I've been shying away from it because it's an OEL (Original English Language manga) and for some reason I'm naturally skeptical of those. Would anyone here recommend it or maybe tell me to stop being such an ass? I'd appreciate it.

Oh, yeah. And does anyone know if there is a manga version existing or planned for the Freedom anime? Haven't dipped my toes into the anime yet but it looks good...

For interested readers, this is a nice review of comics, manga and anime for the space enthusiast.

I'm also curious to see if there are any shoujo/josei/BL/GL space operas. I can only seem to find seinen/shounen ones...

This. No questions asked.

I only wish more were scanlated! As it is, it's my number 1 space opera of film OR television (not just anime!). I know it'd be my top manga one as well, if only more were available in English... I might have to teach myself Japanese just to be able to read the raws - and to help with the translations! Because I can't imagine why a Japanese reader wouldn't want to translate this, seriously. The dialogue's so spiffy.

I also vote for Planetes. Though I'm not sure if it really counts as an epic, it was a fantastic read.

Unfortunately I haven't read enough space based manga to put together a real list, but I did enjoy Hoshi no koe. It's only 1 volume long, but all the classic themes of an epic (war, love, protagonist growth and the passage of time) are well represented.

________________

Take the Magic: The Gathering 'What Color Are You?' Quiz.

My favourite I'm waiting eagerly for the 2nd anime adaptation, announced by the Avex production.

I'd also like to mention The Five Star Stories (it has no reader's demographic at all, since manga has been serialized in Newtype). It is known a little because no scanlation group has picked the series up yet, and the official English translation seems to be stalled That's bad. I've learnt about FSS manga after running into the movie adaptation, which covers a tiny part of the original story.

Seikai Trilogy

I wish someone would scanlate Galaxy Express 999..

Vandread! does it count? well, it's in space, it's the only manga/anime I've seen so far.=D

________________
shuuu~