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Aug 4, 2016 11:25 PM
#1
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Mar 2014
2
As someone who has not watched the anime yet, or played the VN yet, should I only watch the anime, play the VN, or play the VN and watch the anime?

What are some of the differences between the VN and anime, and which provides a better experience?
Aug 4, 2016 11:32 PM
#2

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Oct 2014
1557
Not much difference in plot.

But if you want maximum satisfaction, play the VN first.
The VN provides much better experience, and imo, it's better to know the full story first, in case you get prejudice over the story thanks to the anime.
Aug 4, 2016 11:39 PM
#3

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Dec 2013
182
Cleferest said:
As someone who has not watched the anime yet, or played the VN yet, should I only watch the anime, play the VN, or play the VN and watch the anime?

What are some of the differences between the VN and anime, and which provides a better experience?


The VN is superior, but it's normal. If the VN is 10/10, this is 9/10, that is always excellent !

I played the VN before and then I saw the anime, and I was fine and satisfied. The VN is only 4 hours long, so you may complete it and then see the anime !
What do you think about the planetarium? That beautiful twinkling of eternity that will never fade, no matter when....
Aug 5, 2016 12:05 AM
#4
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Mar 2014
2
Thanks! I'll play the VN first.
Aug 5, 2016 12:44 AM
#5

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Mar 2014
22
The primary difference, in fact the key difference, between the anime and the VN is the level of character investment there is. While the anime did a bang-up job of adapting the world and plot, most of the VN's content is actually presented via the Junker's internal monologue. There's a lot of character development, world building, and a few moments of comedy that only happen inside his head with his snarking that's lost, for sake of time and adaptation distillation.

As the others have suggested, I'd recommend playing the VN first, in order to immerse yourself in the story, the characters, and the world; the anime can then give you an enjoyable recap and animation of that story (one of the strongest points of the anime, I think, was actually giving a solid character design to the Junker, whereas in the VN it used to be just a faceless player avatar).
Aug 5, 2016 8:43 AM
#6

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Dec 2013
1589
Yep, definitely the VN.

While the adaptation does a lot right, there's a little over an hour's worth of material missing and the the endings were different.
I'd argue the VN ending is much superior.
Step Into My Mind - ##&&##&&##&&
Aug 5, 2016 10:33 AM
#7
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Apr 2016
16
Just wondering, how long is the VN in terms of hours? Is there just 1 playthrough/route
Aug 5, 2016 12:55 PM
#8

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Dec 2013
182
rs_yatagarasu said:
Just wondering, how long is the VN in terms of hours? Is there just 1 playthrough/route


3-4 hours long, yes with only 1 route !
What do you think about the planetarium? That beautiful twinkling of eternity that will never fade, no matter when....
Aug 5, 2016 2:49 PM
#9

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Jun 2014
253
VN is better BY FAR.


Aug 6, 2016 3:15 AM

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Mar 2014
22
As Ramiel said, 3-4 hours (5-6 if you're a slow reader). Planetarian is, technically speaking, a kinetic novel; it has no choices as opposed to just having a single route. In this regard, it's a faster and more focused story than your standard-fare VN.
Aug 6, 2016 9:40 AM

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Sep 2014
1912
The visual novel is pretty short for a novel. The less interesting moments drag on for a little bit, but the more emotional ones hit much harder in my opinion.

That being said, the anime looks great and you should watch it as well. I don't think watching the anime first would necessarily ruin the experience, since what makes the visual novel more powerful is probably the execution and perhaps some of the extra details. But if you're going to do both, I think you might as well read the novel (obviously)
Aug 8, 2016 3:51 AM

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Oct 2013
31
The ending between the VN and the anime is a tiny bit different as well, those who have played it will know too.
Aug 16, 2016 3:41 AM

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Mar 2009
17557
Cakedog said:
Yep, definitely the VN.

While the adaptation does a lot right, there's a little over an hour's worth of material missing and the the endings were different.
I'd argue the VN ending is much superior.
Definitely this, the VN's ending was a lot better, as well as its accompanying music during the last lines.
Apr 10, 2017 10:50 PM

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Jun 2008
62
VN > Anime

I personally find the silent protagonist to be much more compelling and mellow, with only Yumemi's voice and the BGM. Having a talking protagonist made the pacing a bit off. That and preferentially, the ending in VN is waay better ;p

Nevertheless, as an avid fan, the BlueRay is going to my collection.
May 26, 2023 11:56 AM
Offline
Nov 2020
8
Thanks according to this ill play the VN first i was ready to dive right into the anime 

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It’s time to ditch the text file.
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