I guess for some reason you might be interested in Planetes and actually want to watch it, or even purchase merchandise (such as it may exist).
*
DVD's
Bandai Entertainment released a complete collection set [SKU av26306/UPC 669198263064] (basically the first disc from the 6 volumes in a brick case). MSRP is $50, but I've seen it online for $30, and it can probably be found for less. It's pretty much the way you want to go; individual volumes 1-3 had second discs that the complete collection doesn't have, but they have very little bonus content, and it's probably not worth the effort to get them (unless you see them at Big Lots).
Bandai did release six individual volumes. To my knowledge, it appears they are now going out of print, but we have seen some of these volumes show up at Big Lots for $3:
Volume 1 (SKU 26300/UPC 669198263002/ISBN 1-59409-468-3) [2 discs]
Volume 2 (SKU av26301/UPC 669198263019) [2 discs]
Volume 3 (SKU av26302/UPC 669198263026) [2 discs]
Volume 4 (SKU 26303/UPC 669198263033)
Volume 5 (SKU 26304/UPC 669198263040)
Volume 6 (SKU av26305/UPC 669198263057)
When Bandai was producing volumes 1 and 2, there was an issue with the first disc falling off clamp, and rolling around inside the case, causing circular scratches on the disc. So if you buy these volumes separately, be aware of this issue! (We aren't aware of a replacement program, but you could always try contacting Bandai if your discs are partially unplayable).
*
Manga
Tokyopop licensed the original manga version (the anime is an adaptation of it). There were four Japanese volumes; Tokyopop split the last volume into a Volume 4 Part 1 and a Volume 4 Part 2 (
manga image detail).
Even as
Brother Soopy keeps reminding me, I haven't finished reading the manga, but they are well worth your time. The manga is quite different in places than the anime; the anime adapts volumes 1 through 3 of the manga. We don't know how long it will be until they run out of print for Tokyopop, but once they are gone, they probably will be gone for good.
*
Original Soundtracks (OST's)There were two OST's of Planetes:
OST 1 and
OST 2. Between the two are almost all of the awesome music that is heard on the show (OST 1 has the opening and ending music if you're just interested in that). Neither have been licensed in the United States, so you'll need to import them from Japan (be careful about cheap versions; they cost about US$30 in Japan each, so if you see something much cheaper, it's probably been bootlegged). But both are surely worth your while.
A
single was also released in Japan. It has the opening and closing, as well as the karaoke versions. It's cheaper, but it too has not been licensed in the United States, so you would need to import it.
There were some
audio dramas made of the show. Unlike the CD's though, these are on the extras for the DVD's (although for the early volumes, they are on the second disc, so you'll need to buy the standalone volumes).
*Guidebook
In February 2004, a guidebook was published in Japan, but it hasn't been licensed in the United States. We don't know much about it.
*Planetes Special
On December 31, 2004,
NHK aired a Planetes special, that appears to be pieces of episodes and interviews. It was never brought over to the United States (as far as we know, it was never subtitled over here either).
*Other merchandise
As much as any of the brothers have hoped for awesome merchandise, figurines, gachapon, and
anything else Planetes, none of us have seen anything else Planetes related.
Bandai Entertainment released a complete collection set [SKU av26306/UPC 669198263064] (basically the first disc from the 6 volumes in a brick case). MSRP is $50, but I've seen it online for $30, and it can probably be found for less. It's pretty much the way you want to go; individual volumes 1-3 had second discs that the complete collection doesn't have, but they have very little bonus content, and it's probably not worth the effort to get them (unless you see them at Big Lots).
