If you are someone who believes in spoilers be aware that this review will explore some of the main themes of the manga and some key elements of the plot may be exposed. Hisae Iwaokas Saturn Apartments is a reflective and profoundly human manga that meditates on work society and the quiet struggles of existence. It explores themes such as agency loneliness and systemic hierarchies while maintaining a tender and deeply empathetic tone. The story invites readers to reflect on the human condition balancing existential questions with moments of warmth and resilience. Trapped Lives and the Search for Meaning The orbital ring where humanity resides after abandoning Earth is more than a futuristic setting its a metaphor for entrapment. Suspended far above their origins the characters are distanced not only from Earth but also from the freedom and connection they yearn for. Mitsu the young protagonist cleans the windows of the rings structure offering glimpses into the lives of its isolated inhabitants. Mitsus dangerous work becomes a microcosm of the human experience: navigating precarious heights confronting mortality and searching for meaning in a fragmented world. Whether its through relationships recognition or redemption each character strives to leave a mark. This quiet determination to endure and connect underscores the mangas exploration of what it means to be human. https://i.ur.com/rM4kzbf.png The rings rigid hierarchy reinforces the sense of separation. The wealthy bask in sunlight in the upper levels while the working class toils in the shadows below. Yet even those at the top face isolation guilt and unfulfilled desires. Iwaokas nuanced portrayal resists simplistic divisions showing how inequality harms everyone differently creating a society where connection is scarce but deeply cherished. Work Culture Work lies at the heart of Saturn Apartments portrayed with both critique and compassion. For Mitsu cleaning windows is more than a job its a way to connect with his dead father find pride in his abilities and connect with others. The act of creating something meaningful even in a world that may not notice reflects the quiet dignity of his labor. Yet the manga doesnt shy away from systemic critiques. It highlights the inequalities shaping the orbital society where lowerclass workers endure perilous conditions while the privileged enjoy relative comfort. Its clear that the orbital society is driven by hierarchies of capital and power and no amount of individual effort can truly transcend those structures. The manga doesnt shy away from this reality reflecting the frustrations of living in a world where hard work doesnt necessarily pay off. https://i.ur.com/0gxV0Av.jpeg As someone who considers herself to be antiworkI work but only as a means to stay alive I dont think my work is important meaningful or anything grandiose. I work get money and pay my billsI find the theme fascinating because it resists a simplistic work dignifies message. Instead the manga acknowledges the complex relationship people have with their labor. Many lowerclass workers toil in conditions that underscore their alienationboth from their labor and from the broader society. This alienation echoes Marxist critiques of industrial labor where workers are disconnected from the products of their work and reduced to cogs in a machine. In contrast Mitsus jobthough physically perilousallows him to engage directly with his environment and the people he serves preserving a sense of agency and purpose. Despite this Saturn Apartments asserts that dignity isnt conferred by status or labor. Its inherent to every individual. This message in a world where work often feels dehumanizing is deeply resonant. Mitsus journey raises poignant questions: Is work inherently meaningful or does its value depend on the meaning we assign to it? For Mitsu work becomes a bridge a way to see and be seen across the rings hierarchical divides. Even in an alienating system his labor connects him to others preserving a sense of agency and humanity. https://i.ur.com/OOMl6mK.jpeg Loneliness Grief and Fragile Connections Isolation permeates the orbital ring affecting every character regardless of class. Mitsus job places him on the periphery of peoples lives where he witnesses their solitude. From wealthy tenants to struggling workers each person grapples with grief societal expectations or the sterile detachment of their environment. https://i.ur.com/bfqD8Qv.jpeg However Saturn Apartments doesnt leave its characters adrift. Small acts of connectionMitsus quiet conversations gestures of kindness or moments of vulnerabilityoffer brief but profound reprieves. These fragile bonds dont solve the characters problems but remind them and the reader of the enduring importance of empathy. Grief plays a central role in Mitsus journey particularly in how it shapes his identity. The death of his father casts a long shadow over his life. Yet Mitsu transforms this grief into a source of strength using it to understand his fathers legacy and connect with others. This evolution mirrors how grief though painful can catalyze growth and deepen connections. Hope in a Fragmented World If Saturn Apartments asks one central question its this: How can we find hope in a world that feels isolating and unjust? The mangas answer is quiet but profound: hope lies not in grand gestures but in the small moments: the pride in a job well done a kind word or the joy of playing with Fuyu. https://i.ur.com/6kRYVos.jpeg These acts of persistence and connection become forms of defiance against a dehumanizing system. They remind us that even in the most constricting circumstances our individual actions carry meaning. By focusing on these intimate details Saturn Apartments delivers a message that is both personal and universal: hope is found in the quiet determination to live connect and endure. Conclusion Saturn Apartments offers a human meditation on work society and connection. It doesnt provide easy answers but invites readers to sit with its questions: How do we find meaning in our lives? How can we navigate an indifferent world? And where can we find hope amidst isolation and loss? Through its delicate storytelling and richly drawn characters Saturn Apartments reminds us that even in the most confining circumstances there is dignity in simply existing caring for others and finding beauty in the small things. I would recommend it to anyone seeking a story that speaks to lifes quiet complexities.