Outlaw Star |
 | Summary:Jaunty sci-fi follows a derelict bounty hunter in uncovering an antediluvian enigma w/the help of an advanced starship. Great for fantasy lovers seeking vibrant action/atmosphere, 'epigram-wielding' characters; compulsory viewing for anime fans in store for humorously sound, vibrantly crafted space operas. |
| Title Aka: | N/A |
| Company/Distributors: | Morning Star;Sunrise/Shueisha;Sotsu Agency;Bandai Entertainment Inc. |
| Year: | 1998 |
| Length: | 26 Episode Series |
| Rating: |  |
| Genres: | Science Fiction, Action, Comedy |
| Format: | T.V. Series |
| Content Level: |
|
| Comments: |
|
|
Synopsis:
In the much abreast traditions of intergalactic cavort, there lies the susceptible iniquity and your occasional middlebrow heroics. However, in the most cramped and obscure greenfield in the whole of space, "Gene Starwind" is a tinker with a knack for ships, food and debauchery. If one were to conclude a summarized "weltanschauung" of space heros for anime in the last 30 years, they'd probably come to the conclusion that a protagonist such as Starwind lives a life that of mostly debauchery. Consequently, anybody who'd be saying things like that would most likely be catching themselves in the act of pondering anime's most distinguishable "datum" of science fiction. Moreover, I've no doubt any anime fan or anime artist would think so; that is, everyone except director "Mitsuru Hongo". While his recent space opera "Outlaw Star" does follow the often contemptible traditions of shallow heros and your basic abhorrent antagonists, the show's hero figure "Gene" attempts to elude most all those things in a discordant opposition of all anime clichés in the realm. The most amazing thing about all of this however, is that "Outlaw Star" ends up being something very original indeed; and the style by which it attempts this is often a marvel to behold. "Sentinel III" is the world that "Gene" inhabits, a remote planet who's only callers are those of the snide and unsanitary scum of the universe. Rather than stick around for the offenders and frolickers (Despite the fact of being a small one himself), Gene has other plans. He'll travel to space in order to fullfill his dreams in the only way he possibly can, his own way. With the help of his sidekick and wunderkind companion "Jim", they'll take to the stars in search of endless adventure; or so they think... Our little dyad owns a shop entitled "Starwind and Hawking Enterprises", and our friends will take in anything that needs fixing; from the illustrious "caster-shells" to spare robot parts. Our hero's near-strapped lifestyles change for better or worse when Jim receives a sudden call from an alleged customer. The proposal is a bodyguard assignment, and Gene is only thrilled to hear the news, though his younger cohort might feel otherwise. Nonetheless, Gene and Jim spark up a small relationship with the alleged dame; when at the hindmost things take a turn for the worst. Who would've guessed it? When the true appellations begin to arise, it is learned that Gene's recent affiliate "Hilda" (Aka: "Hot Ice Hilda) has a monumental (One may even be proned to call it "diabolical" at first) plan to discover a cladestine starship constructed with the aid of the "Space Force" and the infamous "Space Pirates", who's only goal is to beat and exterminate Hilda at her own game. Gene and Jim soon find themselves in a race against time amidst the forces of the pirates, and later at the constantly shrill "Ctarl Ctarl" empire and their temporary bellwether "Aisha Clan Clan". In a cryogenic-valice, Gene discovers Hilda's plan to transport the unclad "Melfina", the elusive and (As Gene soon discovers) comely abettor for this present mess of events which have been laid out on the table. Though expectedly as Jim so put it, Gene is simply up for the challenge; maybe he'll even make a few friends on the way given the outcome of protean circumstance. Review:
Outlaw Star is the best anime ever made about space travel. However, this might be crossing the lines of contradictory given series like "Cowboy Bebop" and "Gunbuster" exist within the same realm. But while those particular titles were prominently about the adulation of idioms dealt By far the most easily recognizable quality of "Outlaw Star" is it's animation, while a bit on the choppy side at times is nonetheless vibrant and often invigorating. Bright and lively colors are conveyed to render space as vitalizing and adventurous. Such styles would prone ardent fans of voidless, black space to read em' and weep. The environment of the show just plain looks great, and the score catchy and vibrant; not to mention perfectly matching. To top it off are a series of some of the most original and entertaining characters in years. Despite the obviously familiar countenance, they are all truly original in their personalities; rendered to such a high-flown style one can often forget what genre they are actually watching. However, it's easy to get quickly drawn into the world of OS. Character designer "Takuya Saito" gives us a set of eye-catching and easily esteemed characters. Who's simple yet identifiable disposition can be either highly funny or incredibly obscure. Arguably the highest technical achievement of the series is the Outlaw Star itself, which has an unusually unique twist to it's fighting mechanism: "grappler arms". This has got to be one of the most original renderings of pyrotechnics and/or mechanical designs I've ever seen in an anime series. This is all done by "Shoji Kawamori", who if you don't know of by now you probably shouldn't call yourself an anime fan. His recent works include some substantial design on "Macross Plus", "Blue Submarine No. 6" and "Cowboy Bebop"; as well as the classic "Robotech" series". Kawamori's greatest artistic aspects can be observed in flying colors; quite literally. Action scenes in the show are fast n' furious, and often relentless in their exposition of the plot; one will no doubt often find it difficult to catch one's breath. Outlaw Star's series of surprisingly touching human drama make light of that issue. This is the most surprising and cunning of the series. One will later discover that the heart of OS's storyline is dealt in finding a place called the "Galactic Leyline". Gene's main quest in the show is to uncover the secrets of the leyline and Melfina, on the way he and Jim acquire the "Outlaw Star" as well as a couple of adept crew members including a beautiful assassin known as "Twlight Suzuka" and along with a chatty and redundantly infomative "Gilliam"; the ship's central computer system. While there are many in n' out's OS's takes in it's exposition of the plot, those mainly dealt with the parading "pirates" and the plethora of antagonist wanting their hands on Gene's ship; the crew also maintains a steady aid along the way in the form of "Fred Lou", the crew's main source of unclear-revenue for spare parts or weapons. You can't help but ponder at the shows's clever ability to be able to do nearly everything. It becomes clearly recognizable later on the distinctive erstwhile anime influences in the form of popular romantic comedies and/or sci-fi/drama, in the end Outlaw Star triumphs in making them all look way too easy. A highly notable character in the series is Jim, who is more or less a brother figure given the circumstance of consortium. We soon learn that Jim's youthful and often astute personality soon proves to be even more elusive than Gene himself's. Suzuka is an illustriously perilous woman with a skill for wooden-swordsplay, and a constant exculpation for a series of early near-blackmail at the hands of Gene Starwind. Her character ends up being simply charming and belligerently loyal to the crew of Outlaw Star, and that's just the way we want it. Melfina is the central inciter of the leyline and the pursual of the show's conceits, though her character is presented early on as ignorant of her merited position. This sparks a touching and perhaps meddlesome relationship between Gene and Melfina, they cannot blame themselves for the unmistakably pending situation of their journey. In most anime series, love would be an indispensable subject to progress in, but Hongo succeeds in keeping the storyline open as an ongoing journey of the human spirit rather than the reason toward it all. However, in the end none other comes along being more funny and entertaining than "Aisha Clan Clan". Her undeniable spark, wonderfully obdurate personality remains the prominent edifice for the entire crew. And further more ends up being the most sterling member of the Outlaw Star. The cornerstone of this incredible journey however is the leyline itself, and the series of raging antagonists getting a piece of the pie in the end; some of which were and/or are presently adversaries or apostates of Gene. What follows in the climax are some of the most creative and astonishing pieces of rendered animation I've ever seen, so original and invigorating in their presentation of everything up to that point that they must be seen to be believed. Now I'm not about to spoil it for you now, but I will say that one of the most exciting "enantiomorph" battles takes place. As well as a series of reveals, some shocking and some pleasantly brusque. In the end one thing is for certain, Outlaw Star ends up being a surprisingly entertaining classic; molded from convention and ending with extreme mystery. Highly uncommon to this kind of storyline, which in fact is perfect for the characters. Outlaw Star was a series which up until recently, had been aired on the popular cable channel, "Cartoon Network" as a part of "Toonami's" popular line-up. The show was considerably censored of it's somewhat bedraggled and hilarious humor and with one episode absent to the mix, which is sadly enough; diminishing of it's funny and highly special qualities. I hope that many fans of it will come to see it through it's original, uncut dialouge and entirety; they'll discover great film making amidst the funny and enjoyable renderings. I will say two things... Outlaw Star is the best thing to happen to anime for American television distribution thus far, and I only hope that the idea of this continues to make the medium distend as a whole. Also, Outlaw Star creates for us a series of unique visions and emotion revolving around great humor and characters. When the humor ends (though it never really does), the profound vision remains... It's intellection unfolds. Given Hongo's newly crafted world however, it doesn't seem so far away that Gene should prevail. The best part of all this is that though we'd often hate to admit it, we really want him to.
Click Here To See Overview!-- WARNING: Contains Sci-Fi Action/Violence, Language, Brief Nudity & Some Crude Humor -- |
with emotion, Outlaw Star is simply about the youthfulness of adventure; moreover, how old-school premises can still be wholeheartedly entertaining. Writer "Katsuhiko Chiba" and Bebop's own "Hajime Yadate" show us that even the most seemingly endless platitudes and worn anime clichés can still be a whole lot of fun; given the extent of great artistry of course. That alone would be enough to fill the conceit, but director "Mitsuru Hongo" brilliantly shows us in the end that "Outlaw Star" gives us so much more than that. Gene Starwind is in every sense the ideal anime hero, containing all the proper nicks, skills, scars and recognizable megalomania accustomed to the hot-shot fighter; however, this well-built red-head is a bit different from his predecessors.
Outlaw Star is a series which is immediatly recognizable for the heavy amount of sardonic dialouge it leaves itself, instead of presumably erupting into a snide farce; Hongo's brilliant sense of timing and direction keeps the constantly unbelievable storyline afloat. While the show's pyrotechnics simply rock, OS's greatest strength is it's highly witty and appealing characters; which sustain the void of anime commonplace like a set of pro actors conveying a series of aging axioms. The difference between Outlaw Star and most other series attempting this, is that OS often ends up being brilliantly crass and funny. A distinguishable trait of Gene among the other crew members in the series is his ability to perfectly weld himself into the environment, courtesy of "Chiba's" brilliant script; aiding in the process are such catchy phrases such as when Gene is asked what color the ship the Outlaw Star should be painted. He bluntly answers: "his own hair pigmentation". (NOTE: This is clearly brilliant writing, since this rudimentary quality of the anime medium has been often overlooked as a form of scholium within the actual plot).