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...Planetes [Why do people like it?]

There are definitely shows that are targeted towards those who are out of school. I'll keep the themes vague, so as to not spoil any plot points. Things I like about Planetes is the nostalgia of meeting old friends and coworkers who have drifted in different directions over the years. The idea of people you idolize when you were a kid turning out to be retired, fragile and all too human. The idea of living with the consequences of bad relationship choices in your youth. The humor and tragedy of temp workers. The concept of companies downsizing. The conflict between a company promotion and doing the right thing. Having lived through much of what the characters face I probably could go on for a long time about why I can relate and appreciate Planetes or a number of other shows that many of the insightful folks on this thread have posted. I'm really glad to see this thread, since I too am tired of seeing shows based around first kisses and kids saving the universe.

First I'll turn around and ask you, the OP, some questions:

A) How old are you?

B) What type of anime do you generally watch?

Both of these factors have a heavy influence on one's enjoyment of Planetes. If you're older and have spent more time in the world of work dealing with co-workers, bosses, bureaucratic red tape, and thankless tasks, you'll get more out of Planetes. It's also not a typical action/fighting/explosions/hot chicks anime, so if you're looking for excitement and thrills, you're barking up the wrong tree. It may not be 100% technically accurate, but it tries harder than most anime to present a realistic view of space in humanity's future, as seen through the eyes of ordinary "anti-heroes." That's what I enjoyed about Planetes, and I consider the $27 I spent on the series (legitimate version, mind you) to be among the best $27 I've spent. Yeah, the show's probably worth more, but it's not my fault Bandai released the ultra-cheap Anime Legends version which became even cheaper at a TRSI sale.

First I'll turn around and ask you, the OP, some questions:

A) How old are you?

B) What type of anime do you generally watch?

Both of these factors have a heavy influence on one's enjoyment of Planetes. If you're older and have spent more time in the world of work dealing with co-workers, bosses, bureaucratic red tape, and thankless tasks, you'll get more out of Planetes. It's also not a typical action/fighting/explosions/hot chicks anime, so if you're looking for excitement and thrills, you're barking up the wrong tree. It may not be 100% technically accurate, but it tries harder than most anime to present a realistic view of space in humanity's future, as seen through the eyes of ordinary "anti-heroes." That's what I enjoyed about Planetes, and I consider the $27 I spent on the series (legitimate version, mind you) to be among the best $27 I've spent. Yeah, the show's probably worth more, but it's not my fault Bandai released the ultra-cheap Anime Legends version which became even cheaper at a TRSI sale.

Yall can buy whatever

"The year is 2075 AD. The dream of working and living in the vast openness of space is now a reality. However, a new threat has arisen and if left unchecked can prove fatal: Space Debris! An undetectable screw struck and disabled a passenger space flight causing disaster and death to the ones on board.

A space debris collection agency is formed but, it’s a money losing venture for the corporations. Follow the men and women of the “Half-Section” and witness the harrowing experience that is involved with such dangers."

Now if you read this on the back of the first DVD and said "That's something I'd like to buy!", then I have nothing more to say.

Veggie-Trunks wrote:

"The year is 2075 AD. The dream of working and living in the vast openness of space is now a reality. However, a new threat has arisen and if left unchecked can prove fatal: Space Debris! An undetectable screw struck and disabled a passenger space flight causing disaster and death to the ones on board. A space debris collection agency is formed but, it’s a money losing venture for the corporations. Follow the men and women of the “Half-Section” and witness the harrowing experience that is involved with such dangers." Now if you read this on the back of the first DVD and said "That's something I'd like to buy!", then I have nothing more to say.

Of course, you're completely disregarding the fact that DVD case teases are often written by mentally challenged monkeys. If I bought things based on the DVD case summary, my anime collection would be much smaller (and that's saying something).

Have you or the OP considered that some people actually rent things before deciding to spend money on them, and have different tastes in anime than you do? I think that Naruto is an enormous waste of time (after sitting through a good few hours of it and actively trying to like it), but I'm not going to say that no one should ever buy it and it should be smitten from the earth. Sheesh.