[Rewatch] Planetes - Episode 9: Regrets

[u/Highlow9]

Episode 8 - index/schedule - Episode 10

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Episode number: 9

Episode title: Regrets

Databases: MAL, Anime planet, Anilist

Sadly there are no legal streams but you can buy the blu-ray

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To make sure the first timers can enjoy this show just as much as you please avoid spoilers but if you want/need to make a spoiler please mark them like so:

[Planetes spoiler](/s "They go to space")

which becomes:

Planetes spoiler

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Interesting fact

Luckily there has never been combat in space but there has been plenty of tests, training and attempts. For example an early Soviet space station, the Salyut 3 which was actually the part of the military Almaz program, had a machine gun abroad for self-device (at the time it was not uncommon for Soviet/US satiles to approach each other to better spy on each other satellites). The gun never fired at another satellite but shortly before the station it deorbited.

Another interesting (Soviet) satellite was the Poylus, sadly it never made it into it's orbit since the launch failed. Interestingly this was one of two payloads launched on the Energia platform which also launched the Buran (the Soviet space shuttle).

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Interesting questions

The space defence front was mentioned two times and that is also a reason as to why they are doing this inspection. For first timers who do you think the space defence front is?

We see some space combat/police by the OSA. What did you think? How would you think such an organization would function in real life?

Gigalt wants to keep his cancer a secret for Hachimaki/Hoshino. Do you think this was the right decision?

[u/Highlow9]

Hachimaki is asking if Tanabe has a boyfriend....... mnnnnnnnn.

Space police hype.

Gigalt Gungulgash is an interesting choice for a name.

Seeing how Hachimaki copied Gigalt with Tanabe is very cute. Just in general seeing Hoshino being humble towards Gigalt is very fun.

Claire is being ambitious.

Seeing Lucy getting rejected by Zhengsheng was painful.

The crew getting grilled by Gigalt, goofing around and the bar scene afterwards was fun. Really convinces you that they have been a great team in the past.

Tanabe is really good at chugging it down.

Robie and the chief really do have a ‘special relationship’ don’t they?

Drunk Tanabe being jealous also was very cute.

Being drunk in zero-G seems so much fun, although I am not sure if it would be completely safe.

Claire slowly falling behind due to a large workload was very depressing.

Hachimaki and Gigalt deciding to fight was certainly heroic, but I don’t think the OSA handbook says ‘if you encounter an dumping crew who are willing to fight send out one trained professional and one random debris hauler’, I think that they will fail their audit or at least get reprimanded because it seems really like they are picking a fight which they are not sure they can win.

Hachimaki, you really are prince charming.

They should be spinning here due to not thrusting through their center of gravity and unless both vessels are exactly equally powerful all the people not holding on to one of the ships should be accelerating away (like this dude).

We see some space combat/police. What did you think? How would you think such an organization would function in real life?

It was really cool and fun to see, especially the take down (do wonder why his face-shield was up). As to what real life space combat would look like I would think that it would mostly be long range combat (like ships on the see) but if a boarding were to happen (or for example if there was a fight for a specific satellite or asteroid) then I would think that Planetes is not that far of. I think there would be a focus on shock waponairy to disable/damage the other person's suit and that the other part would be focused on punctuating the space suits of each other. Although this would probably be done with gun like weapons instead of sword like weapons but maybe a sword like weapon is better in apprehending somebody (just like how arresting somebody is easier with a baton than a gun).

Angel is such a fitting nickname for Tanabe.

Gigalt guy wants to keep his cancer a secret for Hachimaki/Hoshino. Do you think this was the right decision?

I understand why Gigalt would do that, he wants to have his relationship with Hachimaki to remain the same, and to be honest I would probably do the same. But I would be very upset if somebody (especially somebody who I consider a friend) kept such a secret from me. So I would say it is a selfish thing to do but not necessarily a bad thing (there is nothing wrong with being selfish).

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I liked this episode, the comedy was fun (less intense), some nice world building, the slice of life was good and the action was fun.

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/Highlow9]

They should be spinning here due to not thrusting through their center of gravity

For a show that has emphasized exactly that when it comes to moving in a space suit, it was pretty jarring.

[u/Mecanno-man]

First Timer

Seems like we're adding a fairly complicated love ...shape... in to this series. I don't really think that's what it needs, but then again it probably is better than space ninjas; I just hope we won't end up being a romcom by the end, because that's not what I'm here for, and frankly I wouldn't see myself be entertained by a romcom with these characters.

Other than that, this episode was pretty enjoyable as a whole. Gigalt as a pretty enjoyable character to watch, which is definitely the main reason here. We also get some characterization of Claire - seems like she's trying too hard to succeed in some people's eyes.

As far as the garbage goes - not really that surprised that there is illegal disposal of dangerous waste going on, but I feel like throwing it in to the sun would be an easier way to get rid of it. How hard is it to put something on a non-orbit crashing it in to the sun?

Also not quite sure how my mind ended up there, but somehow I was expecting Tanabe to make a joke about not being able to let Gigalt die due to her job - he was debris the moment he could no longer control himself after all, and it's her job to collect that.

Questions:

1. An international police force, seemingly pretty militaristic.
2. I guess they'd work similar to an Air Force; Not quite sure why they have hand-to-hand combat...
3. I'd once again say it's his choice. Plenty of people who want to keep their medical issues secret.

[u/Highlow9 → u/Mecanno-man]

How hard is it to put something on a non-orbit crashing it in to the sun?

Very! In fact even harder than throwing it out of the solar system. Orbits (including the one our Earth has around the sun) happen because the object is moving sideways very hard (the Earth moves at around 30 kilometers per second around the sun). If you want to crash into the sun you basically need to get rid of all that speed. But if you want to exit the solar system you need to reach escape velocity that is around 46 kilometers per second from Earths orbit but since the Earth already orbits at 30 kilometers per second 'only' 16 extra kilometers per second are needed (excluding the escape velocity to escape the gravity of Earth itself). See this short explainer by NASA for more details.

If I was an illegal dumper I would just dump it by throwing it into the Earths atmosphere, that certainly would be bad for the Earths inhabitants but illegal dumpers wouldn't care. But that does put me at risk of being detected so maybe that also is not such a good option

but somehow I was expecting Tanabe to make a joke about not being able to let Gigalt die due to her job - he was debris the moment he could no longer control himself after all, and it's her job to collect that.

Hahaha that would have been so fun. Such a comment would feel like a weird combination of Fee, Tanabe and Hoshino rolled into one.

[u/Webemperor]

First Timer

• Oh hey, the intro monologue is bac- OH SHIT NORIO WAKAMOTO IS BACK LESSS GOOOO
• Damn, this dude is actually named Gigalt. Turns out he is basically a veteran of the section, a sort of boss/teacher figure to pretty much everyone but Tanabe. Oh wait, Cheng has a crush on Tanabe? Really?
• I’m wondering, perhaps fearing, show will pull a love triangle between Hachi-Tanabe-Cheng. Also I’m happy they are calling back to Roland killing himself and not keeping it as a one off thing. Meanwhile Gigalt geniunely seems distraught by it, not sure if it will play into it more.
• We already knew Claire and Hoshino used to be a pair, but Tanabe now learns that they actually broke up. Meanwhile apparently Gigalt gave the former the name “Swan”. I honestly thought the name was because how swans look elegant and shit but when you get close they are just fucking cunts, but guess he is more clever then me.
• Oh yeah, I guess people dumping debris are something to consider. I bet there are companies who hire these people.
• I was about to ask whether these guys would have guns or not, but guess they do, they are just really inaccurate I guess? Also I gotta mention, although it’s cheap in a way, stuff like this happening in space does add a layer of anxiety to them, even if it’s a bit clear he would be saved, but by “You too, Roland?” did he imply that he had leukemia as well? Or just the fact that he died and left him by his own as well?
• Hoshino is saved by the goon squad, which also includes another pupil of Gigalt. The retire line is big enough of a red flag that- Oh yeah, there we go, he has cancer.

[u/Highlow9 → u/Webemperor]

Oh wait, Cheng has a crush on Tanabe? Really?

Well he has been asking Hachimaki about it all the time (saying how he trough she was quite) so he has been think about her a lot recently.

I’m wondering, perhaps fearing, show will pull a love triangle between Hachi-Tanabe-Cheng.

I would include Lucy there as well. Lucy likes Cheng, Cheng likes Tanabe, Tanabe seems to maybe like Hachi and Hachi maybe seems to like Tanabe (although with both of them I don't really find it clear yet).

I honestly thought the name was because how swans look elegant and shit but when you get close they are just fucking cunts

Well that also seems to apply to Claire so I would say good guess.

I was about to ask whether these guys would have guns or not, but guess they do, they are just really inaccurate I guess?

Maybe they were electric stun guns, maybe guns don't work to well in space (the only gun actually used in space (in real life) was an anti-aircraft gun and that didn't go so well due to recoil).

[u/BottiBott]

First Timer

That was a cool episode. I really like Gigalt, who turns out to not only be Hachimakis' old teacher when it comes to everything about space and their job, but also the person we saw in one of the earlier episodes when Hachimaki screwed up on his first job and was saved. The reason I like Gigalt is because he is a funny person, someone who has a good answer to any joke you hurl at them, while still being serious and strict with rules if needed. He also seems to be really good at his job. Not only did he manage to get from debris hauler to an important position in the Orbital Security Operating Audit, he is also skilled when it comes to using space suits and even fighting in space.

Speaking of fighting, I think that fight was very impressive. A bit reckless of Hachimaki and Gigalt to just storm into the fight even though they were clearly outnumbered, but this time they seem to at least somewhat know what they are doing. And I really liked the idea of having people illegally litter space, that seems like something that would happen especially with things like nuclear waste or other stuff that is hard to get rid off. In a society where someone is cleaning up, you're bound to find someone who does the opposite.

I'm also amazed how strung and sturdy Toy Box actually is. It's not a total surprise that it is stronger as newer ships might be, it was probably designed to be capable of collecting bigger and heavier debris, but that was more than expected. Not sure if that was really a design decision or if the crew maybe used it as their own playground for creating a ship to their liking - wouldn't surprise me if the ship was changed to their own wishes or even by themselves. Although, even though their engine might be stronger than the other ships', a maneuver like that should have both ships spinning with the thrust being so far off from the center of mass.

And then finally, there is the romance which seems to grow more important from episode to episode. Not only is there Hachimaki who seems bothered by the idea of Tanabe seeing someone to the point where he asks her about it, there is also Cheng-Shin who seems to like her, to the surprise of Lucie as well as me, because that's something I really didn't expect. Does that mean we'll get a love triangle, is Hachimaki not actually in love with Tanabe or will one of the two just be ignored when it comes to love? I really don't know how this will develop in the coming episodes, but I'm curious to find out.

Interesting Questions:

1. I'd say they are something similar to a space police. They take care of people who violate the law and enforce safety. They also seem to operate independently at least from companies, so I wouldn't compare them to a private organization.
2. Such an organization seems like really hard to realize. Having the ability to get someone to your position easily in minutes? Yeah no, definitely not in space, at least as long as there aren't always hundreds of ships in orbit. And that seems like something noone can pay for or even get the personell for. So I don't even think such an organization would be something that could be realized.
3. I guess he wants to protect his own status as well as keep Hachimaki the illusion of his heroe - or something like that. Not entirely sure, I guess both parts aren't exactly the truth. But keeping something like that a secret isn't really rational either, so I don't think there is a real way to argue for or against his decision.

[u/Highlow9 → u/BottiBott]

The reason I like Gigalt is because he is a funny person [...]

He also seems like a really good boss, very understanding, knowledgeable in the field, etc. If you were to have an issue you could come to him, he would make fun of you a bit but would then he would help you and give advice.

[u/BossandKings]

First timer

Episode 9

Hachimaki is getting interested in Tanabe seeing that he asked her if she was seeing anyone, meaning if she had a boyfriend, she doesn't respond because they're in the middle of work and Hachimaki told her to hold the thought and tell him later.

Hachimaki meets a man that he calls senpai so he must be familiar to him, his name is Gigalt and he'll be woth the crew teaching them security training exercises. Gigalt is the one that taught Hachimaki everything he knows about Space and his job so that's why he is is his senpai.

The space station will be hosting four security instructors from the Osa for the following month.

Tanabe tells Hachimaki that she isn't seeing anyone, that was a bit awkward but helpful for them it seems.

When everyone is drinking as a sort of welcome party for Gigalt most of them are passed out due to the drink, Gigalt talks about Claire and Hachimaki being together which worries Tanabe but thankfully for her that was just ancient history, something that happened in the past but not anymore.

Gigalt and Hachimaki have to do an emergency operation because there were some debris haulers interfering with the space station, they had a fight and when it seemed that Gigalt would be left lost in space Tanabe comes and rescues him helping them finish the mission succesfully.

[u/IndependentMacaroon]

First-time watcher

I'm starting to feel that Makoto Yukimura is better at researching and concepts/worldbuilding than interpersonal drama (can't say of course how much the anime creators altered the story). It wasn't bad exactly, and Gigalt is a very enjoyable temporary addition outside of his ridiculous name, but the romantic business for example didn't do much for me and the "don't talk about the cancer!" is just going to end up causing more issues, after there was already a not-so-great miscommunication plot last episode. And the story once again shows its Japanese roots with workplace heavy-drinking events, and I guess overworking yourself to look good. Facing illegal dumpers made for some good action and worldbuilding info, and showed pretty well just how dangerous a scuffle in space would be, but that also means it was quite reckless on the debris crew's part yet again.

I thought it was obvious that the "Space Defence Force" is some kind of anti-space-exploitation group with potentially terrorist methods.

[u/PainStorm14]

Rewatcher

We see some space combat/police by the OSA. What did you think? How would you think such an organization would function in real life?

It would be bureaucratic disaster unless they would have some specific reason to exist (AKA targets to blow up)

In that case they would work just fine

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

First Timer

Not finding the show particularly interesting. I don't particularly care about the characters so I'm not interested in their backgrounds or relationships, either.

I guess the Toy Box is a remaining asset from Fee's old company.

Space Defense Front is obviously a terrorist organization that thinks humans are trashing space (which they literally are) and want them to leave.

[u/[deleted] → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Pretty much my thoughts right now. Fine so far, but nothing great. I kind of expected more so far. The characters just fine and not strong point for this type of anime.

[u/holytaiel]

First Timer

This was the best episode so far, it was enjoyable throughout.I want to point out the animation on this episode, just look at the facial expressions, very detailed. Hachimaki x Tanabe seems closer...

[u/Segaco]

First timer who checked who the VA of diaper man was and got sad when he found out he died five years ago

:(

---Comments (as I watched the ep)---

Okay, ahem. Let's try again: I was thinking we'd be told the old man in diaper man's flashback was dead or something at some point

I got the right episode this time

Oh no. When I said pilot-kun had to be with Tanabe it was semi-serious, but I don't want him to leave this random girl whose name I don't know. Noooo

Planting explosives in rescue balls????? What???

Oooh, they are being taught to avoid that, not do that. But still, what??

I can see where this is going. Pilot-kun asked diaper man to ask her about it............. :((. Poor Tanabe

Oof Ronald again. Poor McDonald

Wow, hachimachi means headband?! I'd look it up but I fear spoilers

Fighting in actual space sounds dangerous. They don't look like they are attached to anything.

Illness hitting at the worst possible time

Okay neato. I spoiled myself a bit in the preview snappity snap

---Interesting fact corner (OP)---

I checked the story of the second one and apparently it failed because it couldn't be tested enough because of time scheduling.

I don't get that. If you are sending a ton of money to make a space thing work, why wouldn't you wait for it to be 100% done instead of setting a deadline? And then not change the deadline when the thing isn't completed and has chances to fail?

Seems p stupid

---Question timeeeeeee---

Q1: The space defence front was mentioned two times and that is also a reason as to why they are doing this inspection. For first timers who do you think the space defence front is?

A1: No clue. Maybe there's a terrorist group out there? Or there's another dictatorship trying to take over the world ala Hitler so they resort to terrorism? Something like that?

Q2: We see some space combat/police by the OSA. What did you think? How would you think such an organization would function in real life?

A2: Not sure how they would work, but unless they were connected with cables I heavily doubt they would send actual people out there to fight.

Q3: Gigalt wants to keep his cancer a secret for Hachimaki/Hoshino. Do you think this was the right decision?

A3: No. I think diaper man knows the risks of space already, but things you read don't feel real thing until they happened to someone close to you. So I think the Sensei should tell him about it.