If you’ve watched Cowboy Bebop countless times and are ready for something new, or if you just want a fantastic sci-fi series to enjoy, Crunchyroll has a great recommendation. Cowboy Bebop is a truly influential and unforgettable show that paved the way for hits like Firefly. Beyond its exciting action and love of the sci-fi genre, Cowboy Bebop has a unique atmosphere that’s hard to describe. Many fans have searched for a show with a similar feel, and we think we’ve found it: Planetes.
If you’re a sci-fi fan and haven’t seen Planetes, you’re in for a treat! This show, which originally aired in 2003, is a hidden gem of the 21st century, based on the manga Vinland Saga by Makoto Yukimura. It’s set in the future, where space travel is common but divided by class. While the wealthy enjoy luxurious trips, working-class people are stuck with the difficult and unglamorous jobs, like cleaning up dangerous space debris. Planetes follows a team of these space cleaners – some are ambitious and climbing the corporate ladder, others are content with their roles, and a couple dream of escaping their current lives. Here’s what the show is about:
Ai Tanabe starts a new job with the Technora Corporation’s Debris Section, helping to clean up space junk orbiting Earth. While adjusting to life in space, she gets to know her coworkers aboard the aging ship, the ‘Toy Box’.
Like Cowboy Bebop, Planetes shares a similar feel, and it was actually created by the same animation studio, Sunrise. Fans of Bebop and Samurai Champloo will recognize Sunrise’s distinctive style and quality. Though it’s not as widely known as Cowboy Bebop, Planetes is a highly-regarded science fiction series, earning an 8.1 out of 10 on IMDb and a score of 2.24 from My Anime List users. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough ratings on Rotten Tomatoes to calculate a Tomatometer score.
‘Planetes’ Is a Vibe-Filled Space Adventure
Sunrise
If you love the feel of Cowboy Bebop, Planetes is the next best thing. It’s not a fast-paced, action-heavy show; instead, it slowly introduces you to the characters and their world. Over the 26 episodes, I really felt like I was with the crew of the Debris Section, getting to know them, understanding why they do what they do, and learning about their dreams. It’s a really immersive experience.
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The stories in the show vary wildly, from dodging pushy salespeople to teaming up with aspiring ninjas on the moon, and even babysitting a pampered CEO’s child. What really makes Planetes stand out is how believable it is. It’s not just a great sci-fi show; it’s arguably the most realistic one, as it portrays space colonies as likely being driven by business interests – just as they probably would be when we eventually establish them.
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2025-12-31 22:27