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Outlaw Star Episode 13 – GO GO CACTUS MAN!

I told you I’d be back. Also, I have noticed Jim has yet to make an appearance on the feature shot of an episode. So here I am remedying more matters. Then again, covering this series is in and of itself a remedy of mistakes long made in the past. Mistakes I, once again say, hope to fix.

Anyway, FILLER! Not just any filler, ENJOYABLE FILLER! After some Space Race adventures, we’re now privy to the inner workings of the Heifong branch of Starwind and Hawking Enterprises. However, like Sentinel and elsewhere, they’re not doing so hot. Gene is still dismissive about any job coming his way; Jim still harps on him to find anything (although he’ll draw the line on certain recommendations he finds questionable); Melfina’s just happy to be there; Aisha’s a go getter; and Suzuka must be so well-off from her job she can loiter around their HQ for lord knows whatever reason.  They’re all at their peak when it comes to how they act when they aren’t pegged for death. read more

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Outlaw Star Episode 12 – Ship Hand-to-Ship Hand Combat

Yup, the screenshot seen above is the moment I pretty much dropped the series from active watching. Again, to my eternal regret.

I say this because wow, this is a really good episode. I had initially thought this to be a continuation of the Space Race, where Gene and the gang get waylaid in the middle of it while Harry had a comfortable lead. Turns out, as seen in the last episode, it is not the case. The first part starts out interesting by way of throwing us in media res of the encounter’s beginning. Interspersed with their search for McDougal, we see Gene’s reaction to Harry’s video, the reveal of how the Galactic Leyline is interpreted by various people, Aisha’s ‘official’ joining up with the team, and their first encounter with Professor Khan. These are pretty good; everything is falling into place with all the important players finally coming around. The only exception is Suzuka, who doesn’t even appear in the episode. However, again we already know we will see her again, so all is well. read more

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Outlaw Star Episode 11 – Wacky Races

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.

What’s there is actually an intense little episode where Gene not only pushes the limits of the Outlaw Star, furthering its uniqueness as a ship, but also furthering the connection between him and the McDougals. The moment where he and Harry meet is a rather tense affair, with Gene not at all up for BS and wanting answers while Harry deflects and denies anything Gene throws his way. Predictable to be sure, but as an establishing moment to personalize their intertwined fates it is a good watch. read more

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Outlaw Star Episode 10 – A Galaxy Goof-Up in the making?

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.

This is where it’s all begins to fade. I thought I’d appreciate this episode more after years since the last time watching it, but alas. This is pretty much a prep work episode for the next one where the Space Race goes full throttle (pun intended), so we mostly have Gene and Jim setting things up as they go. We see Fred again, and he says yes to their request to sponsor them. We see Aisha again, in a humourous scene where she flips out and tries to make a move against Gene (charmingly after Gene tried to make a move on her). And… that’s it really. Suzuka bows out from joining the Space Race, and Melfina tries to do some research on her past but to no avail. I like the last part, since it means she’s still trying to be active in wanting to find out who she is. Gilliam’s also a bro about it, and it’s nice to see what I’ve missed in the AI. It’s also good to see how all our players (Starwind, McDougal, and Clan-Clan) find their way into the race, since I do not really remember that part of the episode. read more

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Outlaw Star Episode 09 – Sliced of Life

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.

Although you have seen in previous episodes Gene and Jim butting heads, here it becomes even more pronounced and more detailed. Even in exile, the growth of Starwind and Hawking Enterprises is an ongoing project for its two titular owners. However, their disposition when it comes to unexpected conflict extends even to business expansion. Thus, we actually see Jim being legit infuriated at Gene’s lackadaisical approach to maintaining a business for a longer period of time instead of his usual, “Aw c’mon, Gene!” moments in the middle of a shitstorm. Gene is a regular proto-Space Dandy here sans the inclination to Boobies and lacking a pompadour, wanting to ride things out like they are a current. One might think he’s being TOO lazy, but the main action sequence in this episode (in a way that inspired the article title above) is all his work, and shows he does care… but he just wants to do it his way. read more

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Outlaw Star Episode 08 – Adventure Time

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. read more

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Outlaw Star Episode 07 – SETTING COURSE! …To Set Course for Adventure

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.

So after two episodes of character study on the final two crew members, we now have Gene prepping the Outlaw Star for further adventures. While he’s pretty darn good piloting the thing, doing the whole captain thing BEFORE the ship even gets moving is much harder. This includes not only launching the darn thing (in a humourous scene with Gilliam), but also having the money necessary to keep it docked, never mind live off of. I forgot most of these scenes, so seeing them again is a nice thing. Despite having his own state-of-the-art ship, that don’t mean it comes with wealth to maintain it. read more

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Outlaw Star Episode 06 – Wood

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.

Anyway, we’re introduced to the final member of the team showcased in the opening: Twilight Suzuka. Like Hilda, she’s a hard-ass professional who’s good at what she does. Unlike Hilda, she holds herself in a bit more dignified manner, and has a really particular code and conduct on how she does what she does best: kill. She’s also a pretty good combat foil to Gene, who’d rather be clever and evasive regarding fights with women wielding wooden swords. His duel with Suzuka, which takes the second half of the episode is overall engaging, and ends in the most Gene way possible: embarrassment and him running circles around Suzuka’s worldview when it comes to getting her to stop killing an associate of his. read more

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Outlaw Star Episode 05 – Gritty Kitty

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.

Unlike her shrill, screamy, debut on Episode 03, the Ctarl-Ctarl’s character is handled better. Despite being a product of a proud, privileged, family with a military history, Aisha’s well… a bit dim and goofy. It helps how Gene and the gang are unfazed and unimpressed by her, and thus opens the gate for some amusing moments. We get some good fight scenes between her and Gene, and a tease of a greater Beast form in the future, so when she finally joins the crew (you don’t want the opening to LIE to you, this isn’t Gundam SEED after all) those character qualities are good to have. read more

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Outlaw Star Episode 04 – Get It By Your Ship Hands [SPOILERS?]

SPOILERS?

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

When it comes to tragic, role model, deaths early on in an animu, erryboddy loves to think about a couple of characters from Martian Successor Nadesico and Gurren Lagann. Those two are larger than life characters (or at least acted the part well enough) who got things rolling so our main protagonists can start the series proper. On my rewatch of this episode (my third I believe), I realize Hilda does not get as much love as she should. Granted she only meets our heroes in the first episode, but her kick in their ass to get things moving has the same ripple effect the other two had on their show. So raise a toast to the now ex-Hilda before we talk about the episode proper. read more