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There is something incredibly peaceful about the realm of Space. There is something that draws us to the untold wonders far away, hidden by a veil of twinkling stars. It is the final, unconquered frontier; it is a mother of mysteries and vast beyond comprehension.
But when your name is Gene Starwind and you're running the fastest, most advanced ship in the known universe, a peaceful trek through space in your incredible ship is not on your agenda. Did I mention this ship was stolen and EVERYBODY wants a piece of Gene and his ship?
At first glance, Outlaw Star may seem similar to the tired old story of the space lone ranger hurtling through misadventure in a predictable trend, but while the formula may seem familiar, Outlaw Star never fails to deliver a fresh and fun experience. Many have compared it to the much lauded Cowboy Bebop, and while there are many similarities, Outlaw Star contains a broader line of humour and can provide a much needed break from moodier and more serious anime.
The story of Outlaw Star follows the adventures of Gene Starwind and his capable crew in search of the Galactic Leyline. His companions are Jim Hawking, his witty and resourceful business partner and best friend(who's only 12 or thereabouts) ~ the lovely Melfina, a biological android seeking her identify and holding secrets unknown ~ Aisha ClanClan, powerful warrioress of the CtarlCtarl ~ and the deadly assassin Suzuka, who finds Gene's friends "interesting people." From the very beginning the goal of the series is obvious - to find the treasures of the Galactic Leyline and solve the mystery of the Outlaw Star, a grappler ship created by the combined technologies of the space pirates and the military. Gene and friends hop from world to world, port to port, piling up a debt in ammo and ship maintenance that is enough to consume a small worlds total income. Yowza. And if that wasn't bad enough, Gene just can't seem to get a break wherever he goes; those pesky space pirates with their Tao magic, the occasional misunderstanding with military forces, and the constant damage expenses incurred by the MacDougal brothers are more than any self respecting Outlaw should have to put up with. Only one thing could make up for such indignity - the Galactic Leyline itself!
The animation of Outlaw Star isn't quite on par with modern classics like Bebop, but it is still certainly good in and of itself. The character designs are appealing and the music sets an adventurous tone. Surpisingly, the somewhat silly design of the grappler ships does not detract from the anime and is 100% unique. They also give rise to some incredible grappler ship fights, inspiring imagery of giant robot fighting anime. Overall, Outlaw Star is a rousing good series - if you liked Bebop, you'll probably enjoy Outlaw Star. And if Bebop was too serious for you, chances are you'll actually prefer Outlaw Star. 9 Stars.
Number of Episodes: 27
Approximate Running time: 675 Minutes (11.25 Hours)
Aaron Post
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