Planetarian - Reviews

Winner 2016 JV Anime Award: Best Animation

I can’t understand how I missed this anime in my preview for the Summer 2016 season since this is another adaptation from a Key VN and I love anime’s that come from that company. So let’s see what I thought of it.

*So what did I think about this series? Well the first thing that’s immediately noticeable in this anime was the animation. The animation was beautiful, it was absolutely stunning. Only based on the animation I would have sworn that Planetarian was animated by one of the big companies like A-1 Pictures of KyoAni. Those are known for making beautiful animation. So I was absolutely surprised when I saw that the studio for Planetarian was David Productions who are only known for making Jojo. And the animation in Jojo is questionable, let’s leave it at that. Or another anime that I did see was InuxBoku SS and also there the animation wasn’t amazing. But here in Planetarian it was astonishing both 2D and 3D wise.

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*Now point number 2. Anything that comes from Key, comes with great expectations. I expect nothing less than perfection especially when it comes to the drama. No surprise since they are responsible for some very sad anime’s like Clannad and Little Busters! and God did Planetarian not disappoint. Now it wasn’t as tearjerking as let’s say Clannad but Planetarian delivered what I call hidden sadness. It doesn’t shove the sadness right in your face but they subtly hint it in the atmosphere that the anime emits. And here it was Yumemi’s ignorance that delivered the sadness. Because she’s a robot she doesn’t really understand what happens around here but then at times it seems she does and that’s what created the whole dramatic atmosphere of Planetarian. 

*And without going into spoilers, the feels were strong in the final episode. Wauw, you feel it coming throughout the episodes but then when we arrive in the final episode it’s still so sad. But apart from the final episode there was one sentence in this anime that in my opinion was the most beautiful one of the series. And it was when the guy asks Yumemi “Are you retarted?” and she responds with “No, I’m just a little broken.”. That sentence just pierced my hearth since it carries so much meaning about the story and about Yumemi’s character. So Planetarian reached the high expectations that I have for everything that comes from Key.

*All that’s left for me to say is that I’m full of anticipation for the Planetarian movie that will be released on September 3rd which will continue the story of this ONA series which acted as a precursor. I’ll probably have to wait long until it reaches the Western world but I know that it’ll be worth it.

Conclusion

So as a conclusion, Planetarian was one hell of a short anime. If this would have been a full sized anime than this would have been gold. This could have been, in my opinion, my Anime Of The Year. Planetarian is by far the best short anime I’ve seen, it’s the saddest one and the one with the most story-development. And that’s why I’m going to rate Planetarian at 4 stars which is by far the highest score I’ve given to a short anime till today. I really anticipate the movie to enjoy more of that Key goodness.

A dystopian future, where mankind has destoryed itself through chemical, nuclear and killer robot warfare. A single man run into an android while hiding from a squad of hunter robots. 

Sounds like a thriller movie, but ends up being a tale about human emotions amid decay and destruction. 

I read the VN beforehand and it was marvelous and I never thought they could create the same sense of innocence and sweet heart wrenching sorrow in only five episodes, but the creators nailed it. 

I advise anyone who want to experience a feels trip to watch it. 

I'll risk being unpopular with this one, but I don't think this is good. The animation is really well done, the visuals and character designs are nice as well as the sound - so excellent production values and a good presentation. The setting, in fact, is rendered quite well: a world on the brink of extinction under a relentless downpour that robs everything of colour. But that's just about all the positive I'm willing to say about it. The story is just way too cheesy for my taste. It's purposely aimed at emotionally influencing and manipulating the viewers. Nothing wrong with that - and to be honest I usually like emotionally involving stories. But if you stop to think about it content-wise, this makes very little sense.

A ghost city, in the aftermath of a war that destroyed everything and nearly wiped out humanity. A junk collector, one of the few remaining human beings who survived, as the name says, by collecting rubbish happens to come upon a planetarium, apparently abandoned and in ruins just like everything else in the city. But inside there's a cute female android, still functioning thanks to the emergency energy supply. The robot is very anxious to welcome the customer in the planetarium and start projecting the show. One might add that it's an overly chatty robot... Anyway, the projector does not function and the man decides to try and repair it. Eventually, he does manage to get it working properly and we assist to a projection. During the time necessary to fix the projector, human and robot interact. The focus is always on the robot and her thirty year wait for customers to appear. Like a faithful dog attending its master's return - it would have actually made more sense if the protagonist had been a dog... The tragic element springs from the robot's absolute ignorance and lack of awareness of the collapsing state of the world. The conclusion is obviously tear-jerking: just when the man decides to take the sad puppy home with him...guess what happens?

It's the premise that gets me so mad: either it's a robot or it's not. If it's a robot - by definition - it doesn't have human feelings, it simply does what it's programmed to do within the parameters of its software. If it does seem to feel affection and emotions...then what is it? Or am I supposed to buy - without batting an eyelid - the story of a robot that is for the most part a machine but capable of having some human feelings??? Come on!!! Of course you can tell the story of robots that develop seeds of consciousness and individuality with the linked moral, ethical and philosophical dilemmas; but that's just not what this is about. So overall, really disappointing because of its forced and artificial drama.

I rarely give high scores to animes as most are simply not worth it, but Planetarian is a surprisingly competent anime adaption of the Visual novel.  It actually exceeds the VN in many respects, many the story more coherent and overall solid.

Without spoilers (as the ending is much more effective without knowing) it takes place in the future where a dismal existence is the norm. One man finds a hidden oasis of an android girl that wants to teach about the stars. What occurs in the short anime is a surprisingly effective story that really moves the watcher. I don’t want to say much, but you really feel the story.

Coming from someone that isn’t easily impressed by anime, this blew me away. Check it out.

Planetarian - A Short But Poignant Journey

Story (7/10): "Planetarian" is a brief but emotionally charged tale set in a post-apocalyptic world. The story follows a nameless protagonist who stumbles upon a dilapidated planetarium and meets a lifelike robot named Yumemi Hoshino. The narrative primarily explores themes of hope, human connection, and the enduring power of dreams in the face of despair. While the plot is relatively simple due to the series' short length, it manages to evoke strong emotions and leaves a lasting impact. It's a poignant story of two unlikely companions in a bleak world.

Animation (6/10): The animation in "Planetarian" is serviceable but not groundbreaking. Given its status as an ONA (Original Net Animation), the visual quality is acceptable, and it effectively conveys the post-apocalyptic atmosphere. However, there are limitations due to the short duration of the series. The character designs are distinctive, and the use of light and shadow adds to the overall mood.

Sound (8/10): Where "Planetarian" truly shines is in its sound department. The series features a beautiful and melancholic soundtrack that complements the storytelling. The music enhances the emotional resonance of the narrative and creates a sense of nostalgia. Yumemi's voice acting is noteworthy, capturing her innocence and warmth perfectly. The voice performances contribute significantly to the series' emotional depth.

Characters (7/10): While "Planetarian" primarily focuses on the interaction between the nameless protagonist and Yumemi, these two characters are well-developed and endearing. Yumemi's unwavering optimism and the protagonist's initial cynicism create an interesting dynamic. Their evolving relationship is the heart of the story, and it's portrayed with sensitivity and nuance.

Overall (6/10): "Planetarian" is a short but emotionally resonant anime that leaves a strong impression. Its simple yet heartfelt story, combined with a touching soundtrack and well-crafted characters, makes it a worthwhile experience. However, its brevity prevents it from exploring its themes in greater depth. While I haven't compared it to the manga or novel, as a standalone ONA, "Planetarian" succeeds in delivering a meaningful and touching narrative. My overall score of 6/10 reflects my appreciation for its emotional impact despite its short length.