Story: 8
Unlike most anime, Space Dandy has almost no continuity aside from the last two episodes. Characters come and go without explanation, and it isn't uncommon for the main cast to die at the end of an episode and show up just fine in the next. I really like this, though: I'm easily distracted, and as much as I love the concept of space operas, their convoluted storylines can get in the way of my enjoyment.
I also think this means each episode's story is more developed: some episodes are silly, some are cute, some are heartwrenching, but almost all of them are interesting, entertaining, and immersive. Even the final two episodes, the only ones that can be considered plot-relevant, sufficiently wrapped up a story I didn't want to see end to begin with in a satisfying way.
Art: 8
I love the art in this show, but I can't objectively give it higher than an 8 because of the mediocre animation quality, which I think can get a lot of people. The movement direction, color and layout, and general aesthetic is amazing, but the series's budget really shows in most episodes' lack of fluid animation and occasional off-model distance shots.
The art particularly shines in the second season, which had a number of guest animation directors that showed their distinctive styles.
Sound: 9
The opening and ending themes are great: the opening gets me pumped and the ending makes me feel good, just like I think good music should. I wish they could have had different openings and endings between the seasons, but the series was already clearly pushing its budget.
The background music is also very good. It's usually very jazzy, doesn't steal the spotlight, but adds excitement or poignancy to a scene.
I watched most of the series dubbed, but I have seen a few episodes in Japanese. Both are good, but as I'm easily distract--I mean, like to multitask, I'm more of a dub person, and the dub is fantastic. It's a little hammy, which is perfect for an over-the-top space opera, but not so hammy that I ended up mockingly repeating half the lines out loud because of their awful delivery (which I end up doing with a lot of poorly voice-directed dubs).
Character: 8
Because of the series's episodic nature, most of the characters don't get a lot of deep development. But the designs are great, and most recurring characters get some focus episodes that provide a decent amount of development that doesn't make the plot too complicated.
Dandy himself warrants the most explanation if you're wondering if the characterization will appeal to you. He may seem like a shallow, poorly-developed character to many viewers, but in the grand scheme of things, that's kind of the point. I could describe him as a hedonist, or a bon-vivant, or adventurous, or whatever, but I'll be frank here: Space Dandy is a tool. He is kind of a badass, but he's also a conceited, dim-witted pervert. And with only a couple episodes of exception, he never stops being a tool.
That may seem lazy to some people, but it's fairly refreshing to me. Like in real life, just because people can change and develop into better people doesn't mean they will. And the plot of the show even explains how he's never stopped being such a tool, but I'm not elaborating on that (because spoilers).
Enjoyment: 10
I think a lot of people on MAL might be more interested in anime for anime's sake, but I personally like anime as just another form of media to consume. I gave it an 8 based on what I think most people will think about it, but to me, Space Dandy is a perfect 10. Space Dandy is exactly what I like in media, whether it's TV dramas or movies or video games or anime: it's entertaining. That's why you should watch Space Dandy. Not because it's deep or funny or revolutionary, but because it's entertaining. Space Dandy really reminded me of why I watch anime to begin with: to have fun.
You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll quietly smile in awe. Maybe you'll bingewatch 10 episodes every 2 months, but they'll be a fun 10 episodes. But if you ask me, that's perfectly fine. It's better than watching 10 episodes of some boring, melodramatic, pseudointellectual big-budget anime that you're not even really sure if you're enjoying, but think you're supposed to like since it's deep or whatever.
Overall: 8
An 8 for most people, a 10 for me. Maybe you're into more (consistently) serious shows, maybe you're not into sci-fi, whatever, I can think of plenty of decent reasons to dislike it. But there's still a lot it has to offer. If you want to watch Space Dandy, don't go into it thinking it'll change your life any more than a sweet, refreshing glass of lemonade. But it's space lemonade. In space.
