About Planet With, the thought-provoking mecha anime franchise

Planet With stands as a uniquely philosophical mecha anime, revolutionising the genre through its exploration of justice, love, and the transformative power of empathy over violence.

Created by beloved manga artist Satoshi Mizukami in 2018, this groundbreaking franchise challenged conventional mecha storytelling by placing moral questions at the centre of robot battles. The series proved that even compact narratives could deliver profound philosophical insights whilst maintaining spectacular action sequences.

The Planet With franchise features psychic-powered mecha that operate through emotional and spiritual connections rather than traditional mechanical interfaces. Unlike conventional mecha series, these machines serve as extensions of their pilots’ psychic abilities and moral convictions, with battles determined as much by strength of character as by technological superiority. The series’ distinctive approach emphasises the power of understanding and forgiveness over brute force.

Planet With serves as both the foundational work and complete narrative of the franchise. The series expanded through an accompanying manga adaptation by Mizukami himself, which provided additional context and character development whilst remaining faithful to the anime’s core themes and story structure.

Planet With emerged as Satoshi Mizukami’s ambitious entry into original anime production, marking his transition from established manga artist to multimedia creator. Having spent four years developing the project, Mizukami produced 1,074 pages of detailed storyboards and crafted both anime scripts and manga chapters simultaneously, ensuring narrative coherence across all media.

This meticulous approach transformed Planet With from conventional robot entertainment into a sophisticated meditation on morality, justice, and human nature. The franchise established new standards for philosophical depth in mecha anime whilst demonstrating that meaningful themes could coexist with spectacular action and accessibility.

The Planet With universe

Original timeline

The Planet With timeline encompasses the complete story as envisioned by creator Satoshi Mizukami. Set in contemporary Japan, the narrative explores the terrestrial consequences of an ancient interstellar conflict, where competing alien philosophies manipulate human heroes and survivors in pursuit of their opposing ideologies about civilisational development.

The central conflict unfolds through three primary factions: the Pacifist Faction led by Sensei, which advocates for allowing species to develop naturally without interference; the Sealing Faction commanded by the Generalissimo, which seeks to suppress potentially dangerous civilisations before they can cause universal harm; and the human Grand Paladin, who serve as unwitting pawns in this cosmic philosophical dispute.

The timeline follows Sōya Kuroi, an amnesiac high school student living with the mysterious maid Ginko and the cat-like creature Sensei. When enigmatic floating entities called Nebula Weapons appear above Japan, seven heroes known as the Grand Paladin transform to combat them. However, Sōya finds himself compelled to fight against these protectors rather than alongside them, gradually uncovering his identity as the sole survivor of the destroyed planet Sirius.

As Sōya’s memories return, the series reveals the complex web of manipulation surrounding Earth’s defenders. The Grand Paladin’s noble intentions mask their unconscious role as instruments of the Sealing Faction, whose leader Takashi Ryūzōji harbours a deeper connection to the cosmic conflict than initially apparent. Meanwhile, Sensei and Ginko represent the Pacifist Faction’s commitment to protecting Earth’s right to self-determination.

Complete timeline:

Planet With (2018) — 12-episode original anime series
Planet With manga (2018–2022) — eight-volume adaptation with expanded character development

Philosophical framework of Planet With

The nature of justice

Planet With’s central philosophical inquiry examines the concept of justice and its potential for both protection and oppression. The series challenges viewers to consider whether preventing potential harm justifies controlling or eliminating entire civilisations, even with benevolent intentions. The Grand Paladin embody this moral complexity, serving as genuine heroes whose noble actions inadvertently advance a totalitarian agenda.

The Sealing Faction’s philosophy represents utilitarian ethics taken to extremes—the greatest good for the greatest number achieved through preemptive suppression of dangerous elements. Conversely, the Pacifist Faction advocates for deontological principles, arguing that the right to self-determination outweighs potential consequences. Through Sōya’s journey from revenge-seeking survivor to advocate for understanding, the series explores how personal trauma can either perpetuate cycles of violence or inspire transformative compassion.

Love as transformative power

The franchise consistently demonstrates love’s capacity to transcend conflict and transform understanding. Rather than portraying love as mere sentimentality, Planet With presents it as an active force capable of changing perspectives and breaking cycles of violence. Sōya’s evolution from someone consumed by vengeance to someone who chooses forgiveness exemplifies this transformative power.

The series extends this concept beyond romantic love to encompass empathy, compassion, and the willingness to understand one’s enemies. Even the most seemingly irredeemable antagonists receive moments of humanisation, suggesting that understanding and connection remain possible regardless of past actions. This philosophy culminates in Sensei’s memorable declaration: “Change your perspective with love, and behold, the universe is filled with blessings.”

Perspective and understanding

Planet With emphasises how shifting one’s viewpoint can transform conflict into cooperation and enemies into allies. The series demonstrates this principle through its narrative structure, gradually revealing new information that recontextualises earlier events and character motivations. What initially appears as clear-cut heroism versus villainy evolves into a complex examination of competing philosophies and tragic misunderstandings.

The Nebula Weapons themselves embody this theme, initially appearing as monstrous threats before being revealed as tests designed to grant humans their deepest desires. This revelation reframes the entire conflict, transforming the question from “how do we defeat the invaders?” to “should we accept the power to reshape reality according to our wishes?”

Mecha and psychic technology

Psychic-powered combat systems

Planet With revolutionises mecha combat by grounding it in psychic abilities and emotional strength rather than purely technological advancement. The Grand Paladin’s Psychokinetic Photon Armor transforms their innate psychic potential into tangible combat capabilities, with each pilot’s psychological state directly affecting their performance in battle.

Sensei’s mecha form represents the series’ most distinctive design philosophy, appearing as an enormous robotic cat capable of power enhancement through consumption of “adult energy drinks”—a humorous touch that exemplifies the franchise’s ability to blend serious themes with absurd comedy. The Generalissimo’s massive dog-like vessel further emphasises the series’ commitment to unconventional mecha aesthetics.

The series’ mechanical designs, created by Yoshitsune Izuna (Diebuster) and Yasuyoshi Uetsu (Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne), deliberately evoke ancient Japanese Dogū figurines for the Grand Paladin units whilst embracing organic, animal-inspired forms for the alien mecha. This design philosophy reinforces the series’ themes by making the supposedly heroic human machines appear ancient and rigid whilst the alien mecha seem more alive and adaptable.

Nebula Weapons and desire manifestation

The Nebula Weapons represent Planet With’s most conceptually sophisticated technology, serving as both weapons and philosophical instruments. These entities possess the ability to grant their targets their deepest desires, effectively neutralising opposition through wish fulfilment rather than destruction. This approach reflects the Sealing Faction’s sophisticated understanding of control—rather than simply suppressing civilisations, they seek to pacify them through satisfaction.

The weapons’ true nature as tests rather than attacks reframes the entire conflict, suggesting that the real battle concerns humanity’s readiness to handle ultimate power responsibly. Those who succumb to the weapons’ temptations, like Nezuya, demonstrate the dangers of escapism and fantasy over engagement with reality.

Cultural impact and reception

Critical acclaim and philosophical recognition

Planet With received widespread critical praise for its successful compression of complex philosophical themes into an accessible 12-episode format. Reviewers consistently highlighted the series’ achievement in balancing spectacular mecha action with meaningful character development and moral exploration. The franchise was particularly celebrated for proving that original anime projects could deliver both entertainment value and intellectual depth without requiring extensive source material adaptation.

The manga adaptation’s nomination for the 54th Seiun Award in the Best Comic category in 2023 provided official recognition of the franchise’s contribution to science fiction literature. This nomination acknowledged Planet With’s success in translating sophisticated philosophical concepts into engaging visual narrative whilst maintaining scientific plausibility within its fictional framework.

Influence on mecha genre evolution

Planet With has been recognised as a significant evolution within the mecha genre, demonstrating new possibilities for philosophical depth without sacrificing accessibility. Critics have noted the series’ success in creating a “spiritual successor” to Neon Genesis Evangelion that maintains optimism and hope whilst exploring equally complex themes about human nature and moral responsibility.

The franchise’s approach to depicting empathy and forgiveness as sources of strength rather than weakness has influenced subsequent discussions about positive messaging in mecha anime. By proving that uplifting themes could coexist with spectacular action and complex character development, Planet With helped expand the genre’s thematic possibilities.

International recognition and accessibility

Despite its complex philosophical content, Planet With achieved international success through its emotional accessibility and universal themes. The series’ exploration of justice, forgiveness, and personal growth resonated with audiences across cultural boundaries, whilst its compact episode count made it an ideal introduction to deeper anime storytelling for newcomers to the medium.

The franchise’s simultaneous manga publication allowed for expanded character development and world-building that complemented rather than competed with the anime, creating a cohesive multimedia experience that enhanced both versions of the story.

Production and creative development

Satoshi Mizukami’s vision

Satoshi Mizukami’s transition from established manga artist to anime creator represented a significant evolution in his artistic approach. Having built his reputation through character-driven series like Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer and Spirit Circle, Mizukami brought his expertise in philosophical storytelling and character development to the mecha genre.

The four-year development period allowed Mizukami to craft every aspect of the production with unprecedented detail. His creation of 1,074 storyboard pages ensured that the animated adaptation remained faithful to his original vision whilst taking advantage of animation’s unique storytelling capabilities. This meticulous preparation enabled the series to maintain narrative consistency despite its complex philosophical themes and rapid pacing.

Animation and technical production

J.C.Staff’s animation production, under director Youhei Suzuki, successfully balanced traditional character animation with computer-generated mecha sequences. Whilst the CGI elements received mixed reception from audiences, the studio’s commitment to Mizukami’s distinctive character designs and unconventional mecha aesthetics helped maintain the series’ unique visual identity.

The musical score by Kōhei Tanaka provided emotional depth that complemented the series’ philosophical themes, whilst the opening theme “One Unit” by Minami and ending theme by Mai Fuchigami reinforced the narrative’s emphasis on unity and connection. These musical elements helped establish the series’ optimistic tone despite its serious subject matter.

Multimedia coordination

The simultaneous development of anime and manga versions allowed Mizukami to explore different aspects of his story through each medium’s strengths. The manga provided additional character backstory and internal monologue that complemented the anime’s focus on action and visual storytelling, creating a comprehensive narrative experience that rewarded engagement with both versions.

This coordinated approach enabled Planet With to avoid the common pitfalls of anime-manga adaptations, instead creating two complementary works that enhanced each other’s impact whilst remaining independently accessible.

Legacy and continuing influence

Philosophical mecha evolution

Planet With’s success in combining spectacular mecha action with profound philosophical inquiry has influenced discussions about the genre’s potential for meaningful storytelling. The series demonstrated that philosophical depth and accessibility could coexist, inspiring subsequent creators to explore complex themes without sacrificing entertainment value.

The franchise’s emphasis on empathy and understanding as sources of strength rather than weakness has contributed to broader conversations about positive representation in action-oriented anime. By proving that optimistic messages could generate dramatic tension and emotional investment, Planet With helped expand the range of acceptable themes within the mecha genre.

Educational and analytical impact

The series’ sophisticated approach to moral philosophy has made it a subject of academic interest, with scholars praising its accessible presentation of complex ethical concepts. Planet With’s treatment of justice, free will, and the nature of heroism provides valuable material for discussions about moral responsibility and the ethics of intervention.

The franchise’s success in compressing meaningful character development and philosophical exploration into a compact format has also influenced discussions about efficient storytelling in anime production, demonstrating that depth need not require extensive episode counts.

Inspirational messaging

Planet With’s core message about the transformative power of love and understanding continues to resonate with audiences facing their own challenges with forgiveness and personal growth. The series’ demonstration that even the most damaged individuals can choose healing over revenge provides a hopeful model for conflict resolution that extends beyond its fictional context.

As both sophisticated entertainment and meaningful philosophical exploration, Planet With remains a testament to anime’s capacity for addressing universal human experiences whilst delivering spectacular action and compelling character development.