Planetes is a seinen sciencefiction manga series that is written and illustrated by Makoto Yukimura Vinland Saga. It follows a small group of astronauts who are tasked with keeping nearEarths orbit clean of debris. In the four volumes of the series or two omnibus editions we get familiarised with the individuals who are doing the disgusting jobs no one else wants to do. We see them as professionals in their trade and as regular human beings with everyday normal problems in their personal lives as well. The chapters within Planetes tend to be very episodic in nature with a few of these episodes spanning multiple chapters depending on the arc that is currently being examined. This works superbly because it allows the reader to get to know each of the characters individually. We do see all five to six of these folks working together but the ultimate focus of each arc falls on a specific person at a time. Even though its categorised in such a means the writing is extraordinary. As someone who understands complex and difficult sciences rather well I understand that being an astronaut and doing this mundane occupation of trash gathering is actually extremely dangerous and intricate. You have to be absolutely brilliant with many many subjects in order to be able to complete the tasks assigned to them safely and successfully. While we learn about each person its done in a highly intimate manner. The reasons that everyone has for wanting to have a career out in the void of space is uniquely personal to them. Some of those reasons as terribly emotional while others are as simple as mere curiosity. This creates a dynamic for diverse personalities and unpredictable storytelling. Each crew members plight in various forms no matter how subtle or forthright helps to create a much bigger picture: the family they have all become. Every aspect is tied together by one piece of thread or another. So yeah the chapters are episodic but the narrative is quite cohesive in the grand scheme of things. In addition to being highly characterrich the examination of spacelife is fantastically realistic. Some motifs include political strife emotional physiological and psychological stresses and the families of the astronauts who are being affected by their prolonged absences from Earthly lives. This in turn evokes an array of emotions. There were at least three times while reading this manga serial where I had to take a break because I began to cry. The focus on family is so heartwrenchingly relatable. Everyone has a dysfunctional homelife. But its still a home a place theyve left behind that is filled with warmth and love. It was beautiful. As well as crying there were many moments where I was completely awed by the physics astronomy and engineering that went into creating the bulk of the what the astronauts are charged with doing. The manga is sensationally smart and profoundly intelligent not to mention meticulously technical in regards to living in space. This includes dealing with gravity within a space station the affects of cigarette smoke within space communes settling on a planet for mining etc. My brain felt so wonderfully invigorated and completely immersed it was a very interactive type of reading experience for me. All of it is further amplified by the masterful illustrations. To say that Planetes is one of the most breathtaking manga series that I have ever read would be quite frankly one hell of an understatement. Ive read a lot of gorgeous manga and comics but nothing on a scale that can truly compare to this seinen story. One of the most terrifying parts of being in space whether you reside there or are exploring its depths is how overwhelmingly vast and empty it is. Its a black void filled with trillions of stars and other gaseous creations. Theres no oxygen no light no sound etc. It is fucking frightening how lonely space truly and utterly is. The mangaka does an exceptional job of bringing this horrifying concept to life with his drawings. When I look at a page that is nothing but a single man standing on a planet looking out at the blackness before him I get chills. I can feel the anxiety and panic of it all seeping into my bones. Its an allencompassing sort of mastery that creates a strong foundation for the series. Without the art Planetes would have been lost to its potential. But it wasnt and Im so damn grateful for it. Speaking of being grateful while there are a myriad number of motifs that are exhibited in Planetes my favourites are the ones that have to do with life being what you make of it and the people that you share it with. No matter who you are or what your trade consists of a life without these two distinct qualities isnt really a life worth living. Its a notion that I know I have taken for granted and have forgotten on my journey thus far and it feels marvellous and comforting to be reminded of it every now and again. In conclusion if you like hard sciencefiction and you are a fan of technically complex narratives that concentrate on being in space then I recommend this manga series to you. Its positively brilliant. 9 pocket watches outta 10