More than two decades after its original broadcast, Planetes, the acclaimed 2003 sci-fi anime, has finally secured a long-awaited spot on a major streaming platform. Crunchyroll has confirmed that the series will be available for streaming in North America starting this fall, with a brand-new Blu-ray release scheduled for November 5, 2025. This marks the first time in years that fans can access the series legally in high quality, following a long period of limited availability since its original DVD run.

Directed by Gorō Taniguchi (Code Geass) and adapted from Makoto Yukimura’s (Vinland Saga) manga, Planetes has developed a devoted cult following over the years for its grounded approach to science fiction. Set in the year 2075, the story follows a team of orbital debris collectors, essentially space janitors, tasked with keeping Earth’s orbit safe from hazardous space junk. But beyond its technical realism and attention to detail, Planetes shines for its deep character development, political nuance, and thoughtful exploration of humanity’s place in the cosmos.

Despite its critical acclaim, Planetes remained elusive for many fans outside Japan, with no major streaming availability and only a now-out-of-print DVD release. The upcoming Blu-ray edition will feature the full 26-episode series remastered in HD, with both Japanese audio and English subtitles. While an English dub has never been produced for the series, the high-quality remaster and accessibility through Crunchyroll make this the most comprehensive release to date.

This long-overdue revival is not only a victory for longtime fans, but also an ideal opportunity for new viewers to experience one of the most underrated and intellectually rich anime series of the early 2000s. Whether you're a sci-fi enthusiast, a space exploration buff, or just someone seeking thoughtful storytelling in anime, Planetes is a must-watch.

Streaming will begin in this October, with pre-orders for the Blu-ray going live in the coming weeks through official distributors.