Gene Starwind has always dreamed of piloting his own ship out into the vast sea of stars. Unfortunately, not all dreams come true, as he spends his days working odd jobs alongside his partner, James Hawking, on the small planet Sentinel III instead. However, this all takes a turn when the duo takes on a job from Rachel Sweet who, unbeknownst to them, is actually a treasure-hunting outlaw. Tasked with protecting a mysterious girl known as Melfina, the meeting irrevocably changes the pair's lives as they are sent out into the great unknown aboard the highly advanced ship, Outlaw Star.
Seihou Bukyou Outlaw Star follows Gene and his ragtag crew as they brave the final frontier, navigating the stars in search of answers to the mysteries surrounding Melfina. Encountering dangerous bounty hunters, space pirates, Taoist mages, and even catgirls, there is sure to be an exhilarating adventure around every corner.
Welcome back nerds and newbies alike to arguably my most favorite corner of the web, yes you got it, “The Anime Critic”. Your one stop shop for deep-diving into the colourful and vibrant world of anime and manga that we love oh-so-much. The time is ripe, the stage is set, and I am all fired up to review this golden oldie series, drumrolls please… “Seihou Bukyou Outlaw Star”!!
Synopsis
Starting off our journey, let’s see what this 1998 gem is all about. “Seihou Bukyou Outlaw Star” or more famously known as “Outlaw Star” in the western world, takes us on a wild ride across unexplored galaxies, treasure hunts, and much more. Our main man, Gene Starwind along with his young partner Jim Hawking, runs an unlikely business of odd-job-men, tackling everything from maintenance, to bodyguards, and even detectives. Their mundane lives take a 180° turn, when they are hired by a mysterious woman calling herself “Haunted”, only to get embroiled into a chaotic universe of Space Pirates, outlaw planets, and the legend of the Galactic Leyline.
As they cross paths with peculiar bounty hunters, assassins, and even Cat-girls, each with their unique stories and motives, they uncover a perplexing inter-galactic treasure hunt leading to the “Galactic Leyline”. A mythical place rumored to hold the ultimate treasure or even god-like powers. Lured by riches, driven by revenge, and bound by the promise made to his late father; Gene commandeers the advanced spaceship “Outlaw Star”, and pledges to uncover the cosmic secrets, by any means necessary!
Review
The world-building of the series is well-done with intricate details that make every single arc and planet feel unique and alive. Furthermore, the plot tactfully intertwines character backstories within the main narrative, making every character relevant and essential to the storyline.
Take our leading lad – Gene Starwind, for instance, who isn’t your stereotypical optimistic selfless hero, he is relatable, layered, and flawed. His interactions and evolution throughout the series make us root for him more and more. Similarly, the supporting characters, from Jim to Melfina, Suzuka, and Aisha, show great depth and development, contributing significantly to the show’s charm.
The animation quality may not be up to par some of today’s high-budget productions, but it does have a nostalgic charm that compliments the overall space-western theme of the series. The sci-fi aspects are well incorporated to suffice the geek in you and not overbearing to leave you scratching your head. This balanced action, comedy, and drama makes it a well-rounded package of entertainment.
As for the audio experience, Kow Otani’s score is a major highlight, creating different moods and ambience that resonates with the scenes in a near-perfect way. Oh, and how can we forget the opening track “Through the Night”, catchy and sets the tone just right!
In conclusion, Seihou Bukyou Outlaw Star is a space adventure that said goodbye to cliches and ushered a wave of unconventional characters, maps, and twists in the anime realm. It’s not just-another-space-opera, it is a grandeur experience of wit, bravery, comedy, betrayal, romance, and self-realization that is definitely worth the rent, buy or stream!
Rating
Considering the series as a whole, I am giving “Seihou Bukyou Outlaw Star” a solid 8.5/10. It’s a must-watch for anyone who appreciates space westerns and a refreshing character lineup.
Until next time, stay nerdy my friends!
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