Waga Seishun no Arcadia: Mugen Kidou SSX

Unfortunately Endless Orbit SSX is a series that is inferior to both the original Captain Harlock series as well as the movie that it is a continuation of. Unlike the Arcadia of my Youth film, Endless Orbit SSX has a much lighter and more whimsical tone compared to the very dark and gritty movie. That is not to say a whimsical show is an inferior one but when compared to what it is a continuation of then it is hard to take seriously the occupation of Earth by the Illumidas and Harlock's struggles.

The science fiction is also a lot more toned down and less believable ... compared to the original show. One example being the rogue computer satellite that lures ships to their doom through a siren's song. It's very fantastical and even though the original series was as well at times it felt a lot more grounded than how SSX would present such story elements.

There are times though when SSX really shines. One example being episode 20 when Kei goes to an enemy occupied space station to retrieve medicine for Tochirou. It was easy as a viewer to take seriously as the stakes were very high and the action and suspense were on point. However, overall throughout the show there is too much silliness which ruins moments such as these.

I believe this may be because Endless Orbit SSX was targeted for a younger demographic. Though I am only assuming that based on the inclusion of the child characters aboard the ship, Tadashi and Revi. In the original show there were no children aboard the Arcadia and I feel like they are included here for who may be the intended audience. Though the original Captain Harlock did have a Tadashi character, he was in his late teens and was no stranger to combat by the end of the show. Compared to SSX's Tadashi who cooks and cleans and adds a much more light hearted tone.

If I could compare this show to another, the tone shift to me in SSX compared to the original Harlock is very much like Sailor Moon Super S compared to the original series and S that preceded it. Another show which was regeared for a younger audience but unfortunately lost a lot of its charm in the process.

For a hardcore Leiji/Harlock fan, SSX is probably worth checking out. For someone new to Leiji Matsumoto's works however I'd direct them to the original Captain Harlock instead. I write this review with no bias as my introduction to the Leijiverse was from the Arcadia of my Youth film and I went straight to the SSX series after before watching the original Captain Harlock.

SSX simply can't compare to what came before. Both due to its much lighter tone and less grounded science-fiction. The villains in SSX are also a stepback as the main antagonist, Mr. Zone, simply does not have the same ominous presence of Queen Rafflesia from the first show.

As SSX was cancelled at 22 episodes from the original 44 episodes it was meant to be, due to low viewership as it was originally aired, I believe this shows that it is indeed a lower point in the Leijiverse/Harlock franchise. However, there is still a decent enough show here and I would not say it is outright bad, just not Harlock at his best.