review

It's been quite a year here on Otaku Evolution. Shuffling videos from platform to platform because of Copyright Dragons, re-recording reviews for quality, reaching my 100th episode, and just generally being exhausted and largely unsuccessful. I may have extended my viewer base, though, which means I think now... *checks notes* 12 people regularly watch these. Maybe by this time next year, I'll have 16! Grabbing for that brass ring.

But anyway, as usual, this is a review of the English dubs for the anime I covered since my Mid Season English Dub Review plus some of that wonderful bookend material I love to afflict upon myself and others. Flying fortresses! Penguins! Plot threads from my old comic strips nobody will remember!

At least none of the dubs were too bad. Or is that a shame? I can't tell.

I’m shocked.

Not so much that I’ve regained interest after having it flag for a few episodes (although this is welcome), but also how very short the Space Race was period. In fact I was expecting to see the moment where I lost interest right here… but it’s not there.

First off, take this in. It’s the best shot in the episode and worth lingering on before heading into the space meat and potatoes that are my thoughts…

…Unfortunately those food products are a bit lean I’m sad to say.

Ah, what a surprise. After almost getting murdered by pirates and escaping Sentinel 3, the series takes a small breather with this episode, bringing back a lingering thread muted by past events. I am of course talking about money issues. Sure, wherever our team is going (Heifong), might be rife with chances of making it big, the usual matter of making it by to get there, never mind making it by KEEP being there, still remains.

C’mon grab your girls; we’re going to very distant worlds. With Gene the Star and Jim the Genius, the fun never ends Adventure Time!

You know the episode will be a good one when Jet Black gives a motivational speech for the prologue instead of his usual world building. In fact, it is probably what Gene was listening to alongside Melfina when the healing process began on his wounds. Who knew the gelatinous substance suspending Melfina naked in the bridge also had healing properties as well. Seems a bit farfetched, but this is the Tao Magic, handship, caster gun universe, so I guess anything goes.

I’m slowly but surely getting into the unknown, unwatched, territory of Outlaw Star. Soon, I’ll be at the point where I dropped the series, to my shame. It’s a somewhat big shame, given how good this episode is in getting people pumped for adventure.

The article title may not sound much, but Gene DOES get a lot of wood this episode. Unfortunately this isn’t because he wants it; the people dishing it out are giving it to him without consent. Never give your wood without asking first.

Hey, remember when Arslan was a thing?

I mean, okay it's still kind of a thing, the TV series hasn't completely concluded, right? Well, yeah, for now it has, but it's sure to come back, right? One thing's for sure, this OVA that adapted Yoshiki Tanaka's historical fantasy novels before Hiromu Arakawa's manga or the show based on it certainly stopped, and pretty much ended with no real conclusion. But here I review the final two episodes, regardless, making sure to stop now and then to drop referential jokes and still really like Gieve, because Gieve is the best Arslan character and we all know it.

Gieve, man. He's fucking fantastic. I guess the rest are kind of neat, too, though.
 
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Obviously after such a whirlwind series of events, Gene and the gang (this includes you, the viewer) have to take a break. So, we’re back at Blue Heaven, and as the Outlaw Star begins its dynamic change into the iconic ship in the opening, our remaining three heroes take some deserved R&R. Except, as per the episode title “Beast Girl! Ready to Pounce!” this isn’t going to come true.

SPOILERS?

In a testament to my lack of involvement in the animu community, I’m probably not even the first to think this. However…