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A review by rnbhargava
Planetes Omnibus, Volume 1 by Makoto Yukimura
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is incredible. I thought to pick up Planetes because I’ve been reading through Vinland Saga and figured to give a try to Makoto Yukimura’s earlier work. Planetes is so good. It’s hard sci-fi while still having complex, multifaceted characters with their own reasons to be drawn to working and living in space. There’s so much heart too in this too. I appreciate that this book also references fundamentalist Terrorism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Islamophobia, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
There’s a terrorist organization that’s a recurring element. The fact that they’re said to have Middle Eastern leadership might be too on the nose for some people. There’s a character that seemingly becomes a potential love interest to an adult character that’s a bit problematic. Many of the characters are arguably abusive in how much they leave their families at home for space based jobs despite the fact that they could still be involved in an earthbound capacity. The storytelling is fascinating and quite different than Vinland Saga. However, it’s just as thrilling and addictive to read in its own right.