Firstly, I find it odd that MAL lists the series as having 24 episodes, as it actually has 26. Considering how important the final two episodes to the overall story, I urge everyone to consider that before starting the series.
The setting is a blend of old western towns, southeast asian slums, and fantastical, pulpy science fiction planetscapes. This future is not shiny and clean, and the various building tops and desert mesas we find the characters in really adds a lot of, well, character to the story. I love the way this world looks lived-in and well-worn. I will try to refrain from making too many comparisons to Trigun and Bebop, but I will say that if you liked those settings, you will like this one.
On paper, the main cast of characters is reminiscent of an RPG or Harem game. Thankfully, the main cast is more fleshed out than I anticipated. The main character Gene Starwind is a remarkably three-dimensional character. Although he puts forth the image of a simple Han Solo export, the moments of quiet contemplation and doubt we are privy to are some of the best moments in the show. He has some real flaws as well, often arrogant, short-tempered, and completely unreasonable to his friends. Far from being a typical harem protagonist, this character was clearly written by a mature hand. The opening narrations at the beginning of each episode add to the underlying melancholy that pervades this series in between the silly episodic plots.
Jim Hawking is a suitable foil to Gene, wise beyond his years and seemingly self-assured with his lot in life. Unlike Gene, who is always searching, Jim is much more practical and rarely seems to experience any flights of fancy. This makes episode 20 all the more poignant, and it is easily the best episode of the series in my opinion, apart from perhaps episode 25.
The other three main characters are not as focused on as Gene and Jim - we don't see their inner worlds as often. Melfina's moments of contemplation, rare though they are, add much needed dimension to the character. Otherwise, she is sadly relegated to the role of McGuffin as the villains persistently chase after her. Aisha is rather annoying at first, but over time I gradually warmed to her and even looked forward to more comedic moments involving her. It's something the viewer has to go with, though. Suzuka was probably the most disappointing of the main characters in my opinion - as I recall, she never really gets a focus episode or significant backstory comparable to the other four. She is given little to do except slash through robotic minions and drink tea, which was highly unsatisfying. She could have made a good foil to Gene with a little extra effort, but as is she felt inconsequential.
I was similarly not so hot on the villains. I did like Ron McDougall. He was threatening, badass, stoic, and had similar powers to Gene, drawing a thematic parallel between them. Harry McDougall was more of a nuisance than a truly worthy foe, although he did do something in the final two episodes that significantly raised him in my esteem. Lord Hazanko and the Anten Seven had ill-defined motivations and characterizations. Hazanko supposedly wants the Galactic Leyline (which is the One Piece of this series - a common goal all of the characters aim for) to take down some emperor somewhere that we never get to meet. Perhaps this is more defined in the manga, which I have not read. It could be interesting if he is only a Raditz-style starter villain and more threatening forces lurk in the shadows. As is I have no feeling on him.
The plot in general is very murky, with the quality of successive episodes being generally uneven. One episode will be an extremely serious confrontation with one of the main antagonists, while the next will be a filler episode about extreme racing. The beginning episodes are very strong, as are the ending episodes, but the middle can be a slog. I like some episodic stories, but it is frustrating to switch between following an ongoing storyline before launching ungracefully into a self-contained episodic story. I wish it was either one or the other. This series does have the distinction of having one of the best hot springs episodes in all of anime, though! It is heavy on both "plot" and actual plot, and it is one of the last episodes in the series as well.
As somewhat of an aside, I really enjoyed the opening song and the second ending song for this show. The opening is an energized 80s rock-inspired track that is very catchy, while both endings are melancholy, slow, peaceful. I like the contrast and I like them musically as well.
All in all, there is a lot of good here for science fiction fans seeking wish fulfillment, and I certainly enjoyed myself. Honestly, there is a little something for everyone here. I would hesitate to call Outlaw Star an all-time classic, but I do wish the series had been picked up for a more streamlined season two. Sadly, this proved highly unpopular in Japan, and I doubt there is not the nostalgia present for a remake. I am interested in reading the manga and will likely do so soon. Check this series out - if you're a 90s archivist like myself you will enjoy the ride.
