5 Fictional Planets Similar to Coruscant
A topic you’ve likely heard about is Ecumenopolis. Ecumenopolis, from the Greek οἰκουμένη, ecumene 'world,' and πόλις, polis 'city,' plural ecumenopolises or ecumenopoleis, is the hypothetical concept of a planet-wide city. When most Star Wars fans think of the concept, they think of Coruscant, the bustling metropolis, capital of the Galactic Republic and the Empire, and center of the galaxy. As you can guess from the title, the entire planet was one big city, and we got to see all of it in the Expanded Universe and the prequel trilogy. It was demoted to just another planet by the time the New Republic came around, though it likely remained at least somewhat important. But is Coruscant the only one of its kind? As you could probably guess from the title, of course not, there are plenty of other ecumenopolises in science fiction. In fact, we’re gonna show some of them to you! Here is a list of five fictional planets that inspired, were inspired by, or are just similar to the capital planet of the galaxy far, far away.
1. Trantor
We’ll start things off with the planet that likely inspired the planet of Coruscant. Isaac Asimov’s Trantor, from the Foundation series of novels, was, like Coruscant, the metaphorical and near literal center of a Galactic Republic turned Empire. This Galactic Empire was inspired by the Roman empire, making Trantor akin to Rome in space. Unlike Rome, Trantor's buildings are either underground or covered in domes, and it is in a much worse shape, leading to its sacking by rebels in 12,328. Fortunately, it later becomes the headquarters of the Second Foundation, a budding colony of psychologists and telepaths who would guide the galaxy in the coming years.
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2. Apokolips
This planet brings a new meaning to the phrase “urban hellscape.” This planet-city is ruled by Darkseid of DC Comic’s New Gods. A dark, dismal place, the underclass Hunger Dogs work endlessly to feed the energy pits and thus bring light and energy to the world. Here, Darkseid plots with his allies to acquire the anti-life equation and conquer the cosmos. Its light counterpart is New Genesis, ruled by the benevolent High Father.
3. Kerwan
Planet Kerwan is a recurring level in Insomniac Games and Sonys’ Ratchet and Clank series. Home to Metropolis, or Aleero City in the 2016 re-imagined releases, Kerwan is an urban center in the Solana Galaxy. Kerwan and Metropolis have been the site of many threats, including the Blarg crisis and Dr. Nefarious’s various schemes. Fortunately, the lombax and robot duo are always there to save their rear ends, even if they have to travel across galaxies to do so. The theme to Planet Kerwan has become an icon of the series.
4 Holy Terra
In the grim darkness of Warhammer 40,000, Earth is now known as Terra. Where there were once many nations and cities, there is now a single gothic urban sprawl to serve as the Throneworld of the Imperium of Man. The Imperium is nominally ruled by the God-Emperor of Man. However, he had been dealt a near-fatal blow. Thus, his throne had become a life support system, keeping him alive, but unresponsive.
5 Ravnica
Ravnica is a plane in the trading card game Magic: the Gathering. It is a city ruled by ten guilds, each with an ability aligned with it. This planet was the focus of three expansion packs, Ravnica: City of Guilds, Guildpact, and Dissension. It has been revisited a few times.
Are there any other ecumenopolises you can think of?
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