There were several major issues with Planetes which dulled its overall efficacy. First, like much anime, the show attempts too many different genres. At first, it displays the everyday trappings of life as a space janitor much like a slice-of-life, and then it delves into drama with action/survival elements, and finally plays with political and philosophical themes. All this while trying to work a romantic subplot. By tossing so many things in the air, they inevitably fall flat.
Story [7/10]: Described in general terms, the plot of Planetes covers quite a bit of ground. The story follows a new space janitor Tanabe and her mentor Hachimaki during an time when space exploration and settlement is monopolized by a few world superpowers. During all this, a romance blossoms between the two lead characters, one which is infuriatingly riddled with anime clichés - love triangles, lack of communication, etc.
Pacing [4/10]: Considering the vast scope of the story, precious little is meted out in each episode - especially early on, where the episodes are spent exploring the characters with only minor hints toward grander themes. I personally had a hard time with how dialogue-heavy the show is, especially with its abrupt scene changes.
Art [9/10]: The artwork was movie quality. It takes a realistic approach to the animation - none of the pointed faces, overlarge eyes, or exaggerated body shapes - and doesn't skimp on the environment either. The details in movement allow the show to communicate subtly.
Sound [7/10]: The music in Planetes was rare and forgettable (I don't remember a single scene with accompanying music), but otherwise the sound work was very well done.
Character [5/10]: A large portion of the show is spent on the characters, from both the Debris Department (that is, the space janitors) and assorted friend groups. However, with this large cast, only a few are given more than a defining trait. More detrimental to the show, however, was that I could not stand the male lead Hachimaki. It was infuriating to spend so much time watching his stubbornness lead to one problem after another, when he has no redeeming qualities. This is exacerbated by the weak attempt at romance. How can we to understand the main character Tanabe's attraction to this loathsome creature?
By the end of the series, I no longer really cared if the characters died.
Enjoyment [5/10]: I found Planetes ambitious and impressive, but ultimately unfulfilling. This in large part has to do with the characters (read: Hachimaki) and their lack of redeeming qualities. That being said, I would still say that the series deserves a try; annoyances aside, the show has a lot to offer.
Overall: [6/10]
