Planetes
It has been roughly one century since the Apollo moon landing.
Humanity's first exploration ship to Jupiter, the Von Braun, is preparing to set sail,
...carrying with it humanity's hopes and dreams.
It was an international broadcast, right?
You bet! It was on a network with 612 stations from the Earth to the moon!
That wasn't fair, watching it by yourself like that, Lavie.
Relax, I made sure to record it!
I want to show it to my wife, too. Yuri, would you mind dubbing it for me later?
Is Ogg format all right?
I don't know anything about that stuff, so I'll leave it up to you.
And now, a follow-up report on the mine recently discovered in Molniya orbit.
INTO is refusing to comment at this time because of the ongoing investigation,
...but we do have footage that was taken by the crew which retrieved the mine.
Here I come, here I come!
Calm down, you've already seen it.
How did you know that this piece of debris was, in fact, a mine?
A debris hauler's intuition.
When you work in this job long enough, it just comes to you.
You started off with a big fib, huh?
I see. But you weren't afraid of the mine?
You started off with a big fib, huh?
I see. But you weren't afraid of the mine?
Call it "putting a spin on our business."
I see. But you weren't afraid of the mine?
Not at all. It's our job to remove all hazards that are floating around in space.
Laying it on kinda thick, aren't you?
Are you watching, kids? Your daddy kept space safe!
Khorana, Haal, Musharraf, your daddy did it!
These are also the heroes who saved ISPV-7...
...from the Earth Defense Front's terrorist attack not long ago.
In response to these heroic acts, words of gratitude are coming in from...
Hear that? We're heroes.
In response to these heroic acts, words of gratitude are coming in from...
Huh? They only showed Lavie.
It's because you used such strong language. "Death merchants," and stuff like that.
Yep. I was careful and made sure I didn't violate any broadcast regulations when I talked.
That's playing dirty...
Let's just say that it had a good end result.
After all, thanks to this report, they can't disband Debris Section.
That's right. Corporate image is important.
Yeah, I guess.
Still, it's hard to be happy about this, not when we owe it to the likes of those people.
We shouldn't complain. Now we can all work together again.
Hachi really did quit, didn't he?
Soshite hito wa toki wo koeta yume wo miru, And people dream dreams that transcend time,
...seijyaku no umi ni idakarete. ...held in the arms of a still sea.
Tori ya kumo wo miagete wa... As they looked up at the birds and clouds,
...hakanai inochi moyashita... ...it set their ephemeral souls on fire...
...ikusen no asa ni. ...on a thousand mornings.
Hikari ga mukau basho e... I bet they're taking flight...
...habataku darou. ...to where the light is headed.
Negai wo hanatsu toki wa ima. Now is the time to launch your dreams.
Hatenaki yume wo noseta... Off into the frontier that is carrying...
...frontier e, ...boundless dreams,
...tooku tooku dive in the sky. ...farther and farther, dive in the sky.
Planetes
Phase 19: Endings Are Always...
Ladies and gentlemen, I am here at Lae, Papua New Guinea's second largest city!
Phase 19: Endings Are Always...
Behind me, you can see the #6 crew selection testing site for the Jovian explorer Von Braun.
There have been some 20,000 applicants!
Excluding the crew members and mission specialists who have already been chosen,
...a mere 18 will be ultimately be selected from this pool!
That makes the odds a dizzying 1000-to-1 longshot!
And here to challenge this test is Serie Chevalier,
...formerly ranked #3 in the world in women's tennis!
Hi, I'll give it my best! It's good to be here!
Yay!
Check it out, it's Serie!
What's your state of mind right now? You must be nervous.
Check it out, it's Serie!
What's your state of mind right now? You must be nervous.
Up close, she looks kinda huge.
Let me think... Hm... I'd say that I'm feeling like I did the night before I won the Grand Slam!
Well, she was #3 in the world, after all. Still, she's really cute.
Let me think... Hm... I'd say that I'm feeling like I did the night before I won the Grand Slam!
Maybe I'll become a fan, too.
Let me think... Hm... I'd say that I'm feeling like I did the night before I won the Grand Slam!
What's with these guys? They sure aren't taking this seriously.
So I see! That's certainly an impression that only you could come up with, Serie!
What's with these guys? They sure aren't taking this seriously.
So I see! That's certainly an impression that only you could come up with, Serie!
Well, this is only the first round of testing, so I shouldn't be surprised.
Hachimaki?
Hachimaki!
Cheng-Shin?
You got picked as an in-house applicant, huh? Way to go!
Thanks. I have to say, I was surprised. You quit awfully suddenly.
Yeah.
When I got back from the moon, they told me you'd already gone down to Earth.
Did something happen?
Not really. I just...
I just felt like it.
When I heard that you'd quit, I was worried. But I guess it was for the best.
You've been sort of gloomy lately, Hachi.
When I made up my mind to get on board the Von Braun, I suddenly felt better.
Up until then, it was like I had a huge weight on my shoulders.
Do you think I shouldn't have quit?
No. It was your choice to make. I won't criticize you.
Thanks. Anyway, it's too late to do anything about it.
You talked to Tanabe about it, though, didn't you?
Hey, don't tell me that you didn't tell her anything.
Sure I did. She was the first one I told.
I see. You're keeping in touch with her, right?
You aren't? You know that's not right.
Well, I don't know what to talk to her about now...
Don't you think it was stupid to quit like that?
There was that in-house candidate pool, so he could've requested a leave of absence.
So, why did he say he was quitting?
You asked diaper man why, didn't you?
Yeah.
I'm gonna take the Von Braun test. So I can't stay here anymore.
You can't quit now, we're finally pulling together as a team!
I'm sorry. But right now, I can't have anything else on my mind...
Why don't you just quit?
The company?
No, not the company! I mean give up on that stupid guy.
What it boils down to is that he chose that spaceship over you, right?
That's not true!
In a situation like this, you're better off focusing on the company instead of some guy.
But...
I mean, if he passes the test, he'll be away for seven whole years.
Even long-distance relationships have their limits.
But Cheng-Shin went down to try out, too, didn't he?
Yeah... I've already given up on him.
I can't waste my time on an idiot like him.
I want somebody who's more stable.
You should give that some serious thought, too, Tanabe.
How much was it?
It's on me. Call it a farewell present.
Gimme the check. I owe you some dinners.
Don't worry about it. The company's covering my hotel bill.
T-They are? Well, thanks.
So, which hotel are you at?
The Gold Crown.
Wow, pretty ritzy. That's a world-class company for you.
How about you, Hachi? Give me your contact information.
Um... Uh... Sorry, I can't remember the name of the hotel.
How do you do? I'm Werner Locksmith.
I'm Dolf Azaria. Actually, this is the fourth time we've met.
I used to be division director of Second Division.
Ah, yes. Your system ran like clockwork,
...and you could even provide me with extra parts in just a day.
I sent you some surplus material from our recycling facility.
There were no quality control issues with them, I take it?
This is wonderful.
I'm amazed that they sent a talented man like yourself to run a mere cover company.
Unless... You were too talented?
What're you doing out here?
What's it look like? I'm camping out.
You a tourist?
I'm here to take the test for the Von Braun.
This is Metro PD unit 311...
Why aren't you staying in a hotel?!
The preliminary test is gonna take nearly two weeks.
I can't afford to live out of a hotel for that long.
There are plenty of cheap apartments if you're willing to walk a ways.
They say they won't rent to a guy who doesn't have a job.
You're unemployed, huh? All right, get up.
What's wrong with being unemployed?
Nothing. But it's not good, either.
If you're going to camp out, go to the Lagash district.
That's a homeless hangout.
Homeless?!
What was that jerk Hachimaki thinking?
After all the trouble we went through to put together a farewell party for him...
I guess he's just an idiot. He didn't have to quit the company to take that test.
Only 18 people are gonna be selected. It's damn near hopeless.
He's got a way better chance of winning betting on a dark horse at the races!
And with his academic background, he isn't cut out for any other work.
What do you wanna do? Wanna call him?
As if!
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. I'm Dolf Azaria of Galileo Development.
We have been entrusted by INTO with the management and operation of the Von Braun.
As such, we will also be overseeing the crew selection testing process.
The division director was transferred here, huh?
For the next two weeks, we will put all of you gathered here at the #6 testing site...
The division director was transferred here, huh?
For the next two weeks, we will put all of you gathered here at the #6 testing site...
...through our first round of testing, which will include...
...physical fitness assessments, as well as written tests.
The details of the tests are on a separate sheet in your test guide, so please look it over...
Cheng-Shin! You're heading over to get your basic fitness assessment, right?
I need to get checked out, too.
Um... Actually, we're exempt from the basic tests.
We're seeded players.
In other words, we get a bye for the preliminaries, and only take the final test.
Let's go. Technora's PR people are here.
Yes, sir.
You'll do fine. A guy like you will ace the basic tests, Hachi.
Sure.
Cheng-Shin!
Coming!
Make sure you call Tanabe, you hear?
Is that the guy you mentioned? The one from Half Section?
Looks pretty hopeless to me.
No, he seems to have made the decision after thinking it over carefully in his own way.
Here.
Do you have a minute?
Why do you want to get onto the Von Braun?
Applicants 540 through 580 who are in the Class CW program,
Why do you want to get onto the Von Braun?
Applicants 540 through 580 who are in the Class CW program,
I'm sorry. The name's Howard. Bruder Communications.
Applicants 540 through 580 who are in the Class CW program,
Were you aware that if the Jupiter project's budget had been spent on them,
...make sure you complete your examination check after entering the test site.
Were you aware that if the Jupiter project's budget had been spent on them,
...make sure you complete your examination check after entering the test site.
...40% of the people who starved to death last year could have been saved?
Does humanity really need to try to get to Jupiter...
The third round of endurance testing will now begin.
Does humanity really need to try to get to Jupiter...
The third round of endurance testing will now begin.
...when they can't even take care of themselves here on Earth?
Applicants who beat their time in the previous test by two minutes, please gather at Section E.
What's your opinion on that?
Applicants who beat their time in the previous test by two minutes, please gather at Section E.
Do you know how many people were killed in the explosion of the #2 engine?
Applicants who beat their time in the previous test by two minutes, please gather at Section E.
Don't you consider the cost in human lives?
Do you think it's right for a few people to drag along the whole human race...
...when all they're really thinking about is themselves?
Hey! I'm talking to you!
Hell, I used to have nearly 20 people workin' for me in the old days...
Oops...
You okay, old man?
Hey, buddy... You Chinese?
I'm Japanese.
You know Tanaka over at Sunset Lights?
The Tanaka who used to work for me.
Sorry, no.
The instant I quit the firm, that bastard Tanaka's attitude did a 180...
You snuck off with all my clients!
Hey, cut it out!
I taught you all you know about the job and about the ladies, didn't I?
-Give 'em back! -Damn it, I'm not Tanaka!
You said that now that I wasn't your boss, I was just another old man!
You little punk!
Give it a rest!
What did ya do that for, ya damn Japanese?
A Japanese?
Samurai! Samurai!
Samurai!
I bet he's got money on him!
The Japanese guy went that way!
Planetes
Wait a minute! I'm not a mugger!
Hoshino?
Hakim?
I thought that was you, Hoshino. You're here for the Von Braun testing, too?
-You, too? -Yeah.
What're you going out here at this hour?
If I ran during the day, I'd only be wasting my strength.
Couldn't you join a gym or something?
They said that the don't let unemployed people become members.
You, too? The same thing happened to me.
Don't even get me started.
You lose your insurance, and banks won't lend you any money.
Just 'cause I'm unemployed doesn't mean...
Hey, what happened with the OSA?
I quit.
How come?
The Jovian explorer isn't a goal you can reach if you know you have a safety net.
I'm sorry. I shouldn't have called you when you're in the middle of such an important test.
Don't worry about it. It's no big deal.
So, is this what I think it's about?
Yes, Hachimaki didn't tell me where I could reach him, either.
That jerk... I told him to call you.
I'll tell Hachi the next time I see him. He stole you from me, after all.
I'll tell him that he'd better hold on tight to you.
Man, what am I gonna do?
Good morning.
Hey. You're not exempt from today's tests?
Ai Tanabe
No. This is the final test of the first round.
We're you about to call Tanabe?
Um... Yeah, but it can wait until afterwards.
Why wait? I talked to her last night, and she was really worried about you.
No, I'll call her after the final test is over.
You better!
Relax, I will.
Anyway, I can't split my attention right now.
Now, then, we're finally down to the final test of the preliminary round.
The situation is extremely simple.
The Von Braun's life support system has gone offline while in Jupiter orbit near Europa.
You must go EVA and restore those systems within ten minutes. This is...
Oh. Gentlemen? We won't be needing you.
But a diver has to accompany...
There won't be any safety divers when they go to Jupiter.
Yes, but...
What if there's an accident?
I don't need anyone on my team who would die on Earth.
You see, I want the kind of people who won't die at Jupiter, either.
Are you kidding?! Are you trying to kill even more people?!
I won't force you to stay if you don't want to be here. Feel free to leave whenever you like.
To hell with this! No way am I gonna risk my life over some stupid test!
If anyone else is afraid, feel free to quit if you like.
We're going up against Jupiter, after all.
Also, to keep the test impartial, we will close the shutter.
Please use the monitor in the waiting room to check the times of the other applicants.
He lives up to his reputation as a ruthless man, all right.
You think so?
Maybe the test really needs to be a little dangerous.
I'll have the diver stand by next to the pool.
I understand, Mr. President. I was just trying to scare them a little.
Ta-dah! How's this for a sexy shot?
Just kidding!
Actually, I'm waiting my turn to take the underwater activity test.
I guess they're using this pool to mimic conditions out in space.
Whether you're a navigator or a mission specialist, they make you take...
Tanabe tells me that it's business as usual for Debris Section...
...thanks to that mine recovery piece on the news.
Oh...
And she says that Lavie's kids are celebrities at school.
It's over already?
-Who's that? -That was fast!
Who's #246?
It's only been five minutes!
Aw, man...
I know we're not judged by who's fastest, but with a time like that, geez...
Hakim...
Hey, isn't that the guy from the OSA?
Next group.
Hey, isn't that the guy from the OSA?
#24, #776, #1043, and #1303, please gather on the test floor.
Hey, isn't that the guy from the OSA?
#24, #776, #1043, and #1303, please gather on the test floor.
I'm up, huh?
#24, #776, #1043, and #1303, please gather on the test floor.
Looks like we're in the same group.
#24, #776, #1043, and #1303, please gather on the test floor.
Yeah.
All right! It's finally my turn to go!
Group 12, team B. Vitals check complete.
Now beginning test.
Begin test.
Geez, what's wrong with this thing?
Think Serie's gonna do okay?
We won't have much of a show if she can't even pass the preliminary round.
My air! My air's leaking! Help me!
Help!
Serie! Hey! Examiners! Go help her!
Send in the diver.
Determining whether she can recover on her own is part of the test.
How's her remaining air?
Her right tank is still functioning, so she's good for another 20 minutes.
Then let's wait a while and see how things develop, shall we?
Could you show me the data on #1303?
He must have noticed the accident, but he's ignoring her.
Oh, no!
Examiners, I'm going in to rescue her. Have a rescue team standing by!
This is all I've got... I don't have anything else!
What do you mean, our time's up?! We should get to take it again!
There was an accident! This obviously doesn't count!
-Accidents happen in space, too. -Yeah, but...
It was the very first thing I said.
I said that this is Jupiter space, and the life support system has gone offline.
If you hadn't gotten the system running again,
...the Von Braun's entire crew would be dead.
You understand that the lives of the entire crew are more important...
...than a single crewman's life, don't you?
This is just a test!
And she could have done it if this were the real thing?
I find that unlikely.
I don't need humanists on my ship.
What I need are realists who will keep any losses to the team to a minimum.
Realists? That guy's nothing but an egomaniac!
You hear me?!
Egomaniacs are fine by me! I'm an egomaniac, too.
I just barely made the time limit on the underwater test yesterday.
Think Serie's gonna come today?
What's up, you're not gonna watch the selection announcement?
I withdrew from the underwater test yesterday halfway through.
Besides, all my PR-related work is done, so I'm calling it quits.
You are? I'm sorry to hear that.
Don't worry about it. I expected to fail from the very beginning.
The applicants who passed the New Guinea preliminary testing will now be announced.
But that means...
The applicants who passed the New Guinea preliminary testing will now be announced.
It's starting.
We ask that all applicants take a seat and wait.
Technora gets two slots for their personnel.
Slots? What do you mean?
It'll be great publicity for Technora if some of their employees...
...are on board the first manned mission to the Jovian system, right?
They're also supplying funds and technology for the Von Braun's construction,
...so they can force their way on board.
And now, the applicants who passed.
25 people were selected for the in-house candidate pool. But seniority counts.
#23, Jiri Mah Zeagan.
25 people were selected for the in-house candidate pool. But seniority counts.
It's a company, after all.
#42, Theodore Morrison.
It's a company, after all.
#42, Theodore Morrison.
If you knew that, why'd you come here?
#42, Theodore Morrison.
18 people out of 20,000. It's hopeless.
#96, Jeff Smith.
18 people out of 20,000. It's hopeless.
#96, Jeff Smith.
To tell you the truth, I don't think I'm up to the challenge yet.
#102, Sahmura Bandian.
To tell you the truth, I don't think I'm up to the challenge yet.
#102, Sahmura Bandian.
I think I'll stand a good chance for the mission after the next one.
#102, Sahmura Bandian.
But I thought I should get a feel for it for when the time comes.
#197, Harriet Andersson.
#246, Hakim Ashmead.
Yes!
#276...
What, so you took the test just to say you took it, huh?
#308, Luo Yucheng.
I thought it was fishy, the way you were so concerned about Tanabe and all that stuff.
#311, Fatima Rhada.
I thought it was fishy, the way you were so concerned about Tanabe and all that stuff.
#311, Fatima Rhada.
You just came here for fun like you were sightseeing?!
#311, Fatima Rhada.
If you did, don't gimme any of your damn pep talks!
I'm not like you! Without the Von Braun, I've got nothing!
Hachi...
You can get by just fine without the Von Braun, am I right?
You can work as a shuttle pilot or do anything else!
No, I'm...
And you can have any woman you want!
That's why you handed Tanabe off to me without a fight.
What did you say?
You've always been like that! You've already got it all, so you're not attached to anything!
You can throw away money or women! There's always more where they came from!
But I'm not like you! It's the Von Braun or nothing!
I'm not using the company as a safety net!
I have to get onto the Von Braun!
You may say that, but what if you don't make it?
How will you make a living?
You'll have to explain it to Tanabe and your parents, right?
I can't worry about any of that!
That's how children chase after their dreams! But you and I are adults!
If you want a secure life, don't you dare talk about dreams!
I'm just saying that you need to think about the people around you!
You didn't even go to your farewell party!
When you had Spatial Loss Disorder, we did you a favor and sent you that care package!
"Did me a favor"? I don't need friendship shoved down my throat, jack!
I'm getting onto the Von Braun for myself, nobody else.
Don't use humanity, or the company, or friends, or any of that crap as excuses!
You stay here and futz around Earth orbit all you want.
Me, I'm going to Jupiter.
#1303, Hachirota Hoshino.
Gutto mizu wo nomihoshi, We gulp down some water...
...yuuyakegumo miageru no sa. ...and look up at the evening clouds.
Kyou mo ichinichi ga owatte, Let's wind our way home...
...gairoju no shita wo kaerou. ...under the roadside trees as another day ends.
Yaru koto darake de tenpatte, Even if life's so hectic that our tempers flare,
...muri wo shite, tsumazuite mo, ...we push ourselves too hard, and we stumble,
...nani ka kanarazu tsukanderu sa. ...I know there'll be something to grab hold of.
Kiraku ni ikou ze. Let's move on without a care in our hearts.
Subarashii jinsei dakara, It's a wonderful life,
...jibun wo aisuru yuuki wo motou. ...so let's have the courage to love ourselves.
Atarashii doa tataite... Let's take it one step at a time,
...hitotsu hitotsu aruite yukou. ...knocking on new doors on the way.
Subarashii jinsei na no sa. It's a wonderful life.
Kimi mo boku mo subete no hito mo... You and I and everyone else...
...yorokobi to kanashimi no imi... ...keep on searching for the meaning...
...sagashitsuzukete, so just on my way. ...of joy and sadness, so just on my way.
Next Time: Tentative Steps
Hi! Welcome! Welcome!
Next Time: Tentative Steps
The wonderful Debris Section, the happy Debris Section,
Next Time: Tentative Steps
...gives you a hearty, thankful welcome!
Next Time: Tentative Steps
Hi! Welcome! Welcome!
Next Time: Tentative Steps
The wonderful Debris Section, the happy Debris Section,
Next Time: Tentative Steps
...gives you a hearty, thankful welcome!
Next Time: Tentative Steps
The wonderful Debris Section, the happy Debris Section,
Next Time: Tentative Steps
...gives you a hearty, thankful welcome!
Next Time: Tentative Steps
Huh?
Planetes
Huh?
Planetes