The Galactic Leyline.
What is it exactly? Ultimate power? A vast treasure? A gateway to
another universe? The mystery of this
formless pursuit has brought Gene Starwind a heap of danger from merciless
pirates to powerful assassins to lovely femme fatales. It’s also landed him with a group of people
he has come to call both crew and family.
Now the time has come for Gene and the crew of Outlaw Star to throw
everything they’ve got into one final adventure. A three way battle between themselves,
Hazanko and the remaining Anten Seven and the McDougall Brothers await
them. The finish line is in sight and
there’s no turning back now…and you can bet some wont be coming back from this
trip alive or worse.
So with the Galactic Leyline in sight, it’s time to get
down to business and finish off this series right? Not quite.
And honestly that was a good move to make. Because in this set of final four episodes
for Outlaw Star, it’s the calm before the storm that ends up being the best of
them.
Hot Springs Planet Tenrei is not just a super fun episode
but it is also infamous as the episode that has never been aired on TV (or at
least to my knowledge it was never included in either the Toonami or Adult Swim
runs of the series) and rightfully so.
The amount of flat out nudity in this episode Dwarfs any edits Cartoon
Network had to make on Tenchi Muyo and it’s so integral to certain scenes it
could never be just glossed over…which is a shame cause this may very well be
my favorite episode of the series. If
you ever wanted a planet of skimpy bikini clad women or full blown nude or have
really wanted to see the rest of the females of the Outlaw Star besides Melfina
disrobed for once then this episode was for you. Or if you just thought the show needed a very
humorous episode then you’re in luck as well.
From start to finish, Planet Tenrei was nothing but a relaxing breath of
fresh air. Even the Wizards, when they
weren’t giving morbid cryptic warnings about the powerful Caster Shells they
bestowed on Gene for the final battle to come, they were a pretty lively bunch
all trying to one up each other for centuries old grudges. If I had to nitpick I would say that the
Wizards references to Gene’s hair and gun as if talking about a familiar friend
were pretty confusing. And also we got a
rather unthreatening look at another Anten Seven member who could not catch a
break trying to kill Gene.
Actually he’s a decent segue into the epicly set up
battle royale that ended up not being as grand as it could have been. We had the Outlaw Star, the McDougalls, the
Catrl Catrl and Hazanko with what’s left of his guard in a four way fight to
the Leyline. And truth be told the first
battle in space to get there was the best part of the whole thing. Seeing everyone going at it was intense. It might not have been a space battle from
Star Wars but it wasn’t a slouch at all.
Once we got inside the Leyline however, things took a
disappointing turn. This is definitely
the point where things got crowded and forcibly rushed. The other members of the Anten Seven were not
given nearly enough time to flesh themselves out as say Lei Long or Hanmyo and
could’ve made for more interesting foes rather than just the standard ones who
posture until they’re defeated. Even
Aisha’s fight against Hiraga a couple weeks back was much better than the fight
she got in the end. Sadly this bleeds
into Suzuka’s not so much fleshed out backstory. I really think this series did her a
disservice outside of her role as the action bad ass and in the end everyone of
the main crew except Suzuka got an episode to call their own, flesh out a
little back story and establish them as better characters. Suzuka got hints every once in a while but
the most we got were a tragic family slaying and the possibility that she’s in
love with Gene.
And really, I would have accepted that coupling well
before Gene and Melfina. Call me crazy
but I never saw those two as lovers material.
Sure he cared about her and felt responsible for her but I always felt
like Gene would end up more with Suzuka than anyone else. It’s the one final revelation I have still
haven’t accepted but then again I don’t accept a lot of things about this
series in the end. Up there on that list
is Melfina ever forgiving or accepting Harry’s affections without returning
them. Harry McDougall has done nothing
but whine, posture and threaten Melfina with the possibility of a very abusive
relationship in their possible future.
The fact she even smiles and cries for him makes no sense to me. Even when he bites it I don’t feel
anything. I think I feel worse for Ron
McDougall who was probably the most consistent villain in this show: a merciless
bad ass who genuinely loves his brother til the end.
As for what the Leyline is…I don’t really know in the end
and I really don’t care. It has been
hyped up as many things but never given a clear definition. But still everyone got what they wanted (Gwen
Kahn became data I guess, Gene got Melfina rather than treasure). However, Hazanko definitely got short handed
when his ultimate power was so easily defeated by a Leyline infused Outlaw
Star…yeah not even the slightest fear everyone was going to die at all I
guess. It was a pretty meh ending to the
shows main story to say the least. It
would’ve been helped greatly by a second season with a stronger quest and more
character building. But sad to say, much
like a true Martian Successor Nadesico sequel, that’s never going to happen.
Final Verdict
Outlaw Star was a fun trip down nostalgic lane for
me. Getting into Anime heavily because
of Cartoon Network’s Toonami block this show holds a special place in my
memory…I just wish overall it held up better.
It starts off strongly, teeters in the middle from time to time and ends
on a less than stellar note. The
Villains are one note for the most part, a lot of potential is not met and some
adventures are more rushed than necessary.
However, the main cast is still a blast to watch with Gene still being
one of the defining standards of Anime heroes in my book. With a cool lead, a slick ship and a crew of
misfits including beautiful women, I can forgive some of Outlaw Star’s
shortcomings for just being fun…which is what all Anime at the end of the day
should aspire to be.
7/10
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