Planetes

I can't tell you that these shows are similar, because they aren't. But after watching Planetes, then NHK, I can say that I got the same feeling I got while watching Planetes. In the end they were both highly enjoyable, and overall both were top notch.  

Both Planetes and NHK delve deep into peoples emotions and struggles, but what they truly share in common, besides their atmosphere or "vibe", is the feeling of loneliness. While NHK is more focused on the social isolation and mental health problems of its characters, Planetes uses the loneliness of the characters as a way to showcase their struggles and goals in life, without ever actually exploring the subject of mental health. There's indeed an arc in the story where they do this, but only as a way to make the character further develop during the show, instead of being the whole focus of it. 

tl;dr Planetes is the only other anime that gives me the Welcome to the NHK "feels". Welcome to the NHK is very unique, so unique that there's really nothing like it in terms of story. Planetes has a very different story, setting, atmosphere, and characters, but both are deep anime that evoke feelings of isolation, loneliness, helplessness, and loss, while also making you laugh, giving you hope, and telling an awesome story.  

Both stories reveal the theme of human feelings, especially loneliness. In addition, Ai Tanabe sometimes looks and behaves like a Misaki Nakahara. 

Both delve into the topic of loneliness, isolation, and the mental horrors that naturally follow such states of living. 

A sense of quirkiness, attention to characters, some romantic development and investigation to psychological issues. Both Planetes and NHK deal with psychological issues present within there independent settings, whilst also containing a similar quirky sense of humour. Planetes differs as a Sci-fi with a much larger cast of characters, whilst also divulging into political and societal issues. While NHK divulges much deeper into a variety of psychological issues present within the constraints of ones home, whilst also presenting a particularly dark sense of humour. If you like one for its focus on characters, investigation into relevant issues and quirky atmosphere, you'll be sure to like the other. read more 

Welcome to the NHK is a dramatic and psychological love story that centers around a group of NEETS with various social disorders and traumas. Throughout the story, the characters learn to accept themselves and the ones around them and try to fit in society. The story has its share of comedy, depressing, inspiring and heart-warming moments. Planetes gives you the same feel, as its story manages to mix romance, drama, comedy and a bit of psychology just like Welcome to the NHK. Planetes plot main focus is on the expansion of humankind into space and all the issues surrounding it, however just like NHK, throughout the adventure, you get to know the main and side characters to an intimate and psychological level and all their backgrounds and motivations to go into space, where in NHK you get the dark backgrounds and reasons why the characters can't function correctly in society. Space is a vast place and it can be very lonely if you don't have someone alongside you. In essence, both anime deal with isolation and social integration and are incredibly inspiring in their own way. The setting might be different, but it doesn't matter where a human being goes, he'll still need social interaction or he'll eventually break. Beautiful looking and a great OST to boot, these anime are a roller-coaster of emotions that might make you cry, laugh, have a good time, feel depressed, or even inspired. read more 

Almost everything is said about the similarities between Planetes and NHK, Satou and Hachimaki have loud and brash personalities, and have little manners when speaking to their counter-peers, those being Tanabe and Misaki, both of which are optimistic but also naive in some respects. Their disagreements and old flames' involvement (in Satou's and Hachimaki's case) blossom their way into a caring but unstable relationship. Much like NHK, Planetes talks about the human psyche, touching upon the value of human life as well as its meaning through its characters, their breaking points, and development. Accompanied by a good sense of humor and a memorable cast of side characters the series begin to differ in scope, NHK is confined by design, showing Satou's state as a hikikomori while Planetes finds its isolation in the vastness of space and has a huge part dedicated to the technical aspects of spacecraft and space policies. However, another characteristic they share is that they diverge to some extent from their source material. NHK is like a hybrid of the manga and the novel, and Planetes from its manga. Some storylines are rearranged as well as having characters participate earlier in the narrative (in Planetes). Opinions are divided as people will always prefer the original author's vision over all else but in that case, consider the vision of all the people involved with an anime's productions. This isn't an endorsement of either side of the argument but much more as an afterthought, in my personal opinion (which is something you shouldn't really give in a recommendation) a lot of characters' interactions and personalities are altered between versions and I greatly believe it's a matter of which did you experience first as well as which one you liked the best, so give them a try if you're interested. read more 

• Both are coming of age story with lots of comidic and emotional moments. • Both share similar character dynamics between our main leads. • Both teaches us important life lession that we shouldn't give up and work heard to reach our goals.  

Space themed with in-depth, believable characters. Interesting stories, and also very informative about space exploration. 

If you love the space you gonna like to go up, and if you don't love it you gonna love it. Nearly futurist, realist and more human than a lot of animes. (sorry if I made a misstake, I'm not god with english but I hope you enjoy :) 

Both anime is quite similar that the main character trying to achieve his dreams that going to other planet 

Both animes are about space. They have a realistic portrayal about the difficulties and dangers about journeying through the cosmos. All characters have their goals and they develop themselves along the way so they can achieve their dreams. Both give knowledge about what it is like to work in space and show you the risks. 

I'd say they both start off with more or less the same way, however planetes shoot off with an Arc halfway throught the series while Cowboy Bebop has no particular arc until the last few episodes. But both animes explored the character really well throughout the series which then results a brilliant ending, they are both comedic, they are both set in space, and they have more or less the lowest of jobs(Taking out the Trash and a Bounty Hunter) Whenever I watched both anime I can't seem to stop myself from thinking of the other. If you liked Planetes, you'll like Cowboy Bebop. and the same if you liked Cowboy Bebop you'll like Planetes. Both are amazing animes if you haven't watched it, WATCH IT NOW! read more 

Both shows are character-driven shows set in space with a rag-tag group of unlikely companions. Both series have light-hearted and often comical overtones with serious and thought-provoking moments that often deal with very relevant issues in current society. Both series also get a little darker/more serious towards end. 

Both Planetes and Cowboy Bebop emits a similar sense of style, as they are both space anime containing some action with episodic storytelling. Planetes differs with additional quirkiness, a larger focus of its characters, further developments of its concepts and the input of romance. While Cowboy Bebop differs with a larger focus on the action, its sense of adventure and its music. If you like one for its sense of creative style you'll be sure to like the other. 

• Both are space adventure story set in near future where space is no more a dream but everyday life for the people of earth. • Both have lots of comidic and emotional moments. Characters are very likable and the story is engaging.  

Well, they both take place in space....They also deal with a futuristic world where humanity is dealing with problems that were brought on by past generations. They share the same sense of exploration in the story and have a head strong lead character. Also, did I mention that they both take place...IN SPAAAACE!!! 

Both series propose their own approach of the relationship between mankind and space (conquest). Freedom is more shounenish. All in all, both are awesome space shows. 

Both series feature an endearing, enthusiastic airhead of a protagonist making her debut in her dream job with the support of a very colorful (and equally endearing) cast of strong characters. While in one case the goal is to protect books (and therefore culture and knowledge) and in the other it is the environment that is at stake, Kasahara (Toshokan Sensou) and Tanabe (PlanetES) share a same ideal and a similar approach in how to defend it. They also encounter the same hardships and embark on similar journeys, which makes for great character development and emotional involvement in both series. Oh, and last but not least – the dynamics between Doujou and Kasahara are highly reminiscent of the sparks-ridden chemistry shared by Hachimaki and Tanabe in PlanetES! :) read more 

The main characters of Planetes, Ai Tanabe and Hachirota Hoshino, resemble those of Toshokan Sensou, Iku Kasahara and Atsushi Doujou. Ai Tanabe is working hard to strive her goal, same with Iku Kasahara, and they both are stubborn when it comes to what they believe in. They will fight for their views. They also share the same pride for their work. Ai Tanabe, as well as Iku Kasahara, both share the same feelings they have for their respective main male characters. 

An optimistic, dream-driven girl begins working a thankless job only to discover that the field is not what it seems. She then sets out to discover what makes the work so alluring to her, making new friends and having a few laughs along the way. A healthy balance of drama and comedy alongside some of the most unique careers out there.  

Despite the difference in their setting, both Shirobako and Planetes explore similar topics: starting out in a new workplace, full of new rules to learn, mistakes to make and co-workers to meet. In both anime, the focus is on everyday worklife, not large plots to save the earth from destruction. The enemies are deadlines and broken equipment, not the big bad of the week. You will follow the inexperienced lead through her experiences at the workplace, see her question her purpose in life and, finally, find fulfillment at work. 

They are both very down-to-earth humanistic hard sci-fi series about man over coming himself (both as an individual and as a society) and becoming something greater. They're both about elevating oneself to the stars. 

Hard sci-fi with the focus on space flight. Very rich and detailed respective settings. High quality retro animation. Explore themes of humanity in the face of technological progress.  

Both of these shows are filled with hope and melancholy, love of space and humanity's relations with space and each other 

Both have very good plots with compelling romance and drama, as well as a dose of strong action scenes. 

Both shows deals with the human factor in a society that is becoming highly technological, and somehow cold towards us. Both shows star an energetic and unexperienced herione, joining new unit, and slowly and steadily, getting into grips with her surroundings. Also the whole futuristic premise in both shows is tackled as realistically as possible.  

Both Planetes and Magnetic Rose (the 1st film of Memories) are about space garbage men in the late 21st century. 

Both series involves around the discovery and exploration of outer space. They also deal with the future of space with the use of exploration technology. There is great character development in both series that expands on the events of each episode. Also, both series has drama, comedy, and a little romance. 

Both are set in the future and explore an underlying science fiction theme. While Carole and Tuesday involves music and Planetes involves a trash collection job in space, the effects of technology on the characters' jobs and lives are significant. In addition, both have similar vibes in terms of the bonds between each of the characters. 

Overall both Neon Genesis Evangelion and Planetes are masterpieces focusing on realistic in-depth character-development contrasted with a sci-if backdrop. Whilst Planetes starts off as a relatively light hearted show, almost like a sci-fi slice of life, in the second half a complex political plot develops. The show begins to delve more deeply into character development and psychological themes such as loneliness and belonging are brought up using a realistic image of space exploration as an extremely well crafted metaphors to explore the human condition. The more political side to the show also mirrors that of Neon Genesis Evangelion through the existence of a deeply flawed but very powerful company versus an inescapable enemy. Planetes also includes many relevant political aspects such as the dominance of first world countries in space exploration and travel and how capitalism continues to perpetuate the dominance of the rich. Philosophical themes are also included, such as do all lives have equal value. Planetes is criminally underrated and combines the philosophical and psychological elements of Evangelion with a suspenseful political plot, all set in space. read more 

Dai-Guard and planetes share the general themes of important work that gets burried in beuracracy. Planetes takes itself more seriously and falls more onto the science side of things, while Dai-Guard is more about the squishy human problems. The teams we follow in both shows were fun underdog/company men.  

both have an space theme with hard science fiction, particularly in spaceships and space travel, Planetes has more realistic explanations for what is being presented in the anime. Both are also similar on issues such as the future of Earth, humanity, and environmental and geopolitical issues. 

Both animes are happening in space, and both deal with space working, habitats on planets... 

Human drama about space exploration, which faces tragedy as often as it faces success. 

Two shows about a more contemporary, realistic, unglamorous side of space travel. Their protagonists generally do mundane jobs in Earth's orbit and work for departments with few resources and even less respect, although they all wind up getting involved with larger adventures by the end of their stories. Both shows have similar aesthetics and senses of realism but also veer into wacky comedy from time to time. Rocket Girls clearly has more of a moe influence, but other than the character designs of its leads and their ages (and generally age-appropriate personalities and behavior), one could easily see the two series taking place in the same universe at different points in time. read more 

Emotionally heavy Sci-Fi Space Dramas with great characters, touching storyline and some philosophical and political themes. Infinite Ryvius is a little more Sci-Fi and Planetes has more Romance but both have plenty of that. Both are highly enjoyable and gripping series. 

Both shows are slice of life with an all adult cast who are working as professionals in a frontier environment. For Planetes that's low earth orbit debris collection, for Rescue Wings it's helicopter rescue. Both stories are un-agitated, slow paced, somewhat episodic and highly realistic. Problems are solved with professional diligence, not heroic acts. Both shows also have romantic subplots for the MC, in an equally realistic and pragmatic style. Planetes has better developed characters and production values.