Space Dandy

Part 1 | Anime Review

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As we have yet to enter the space faring era yet, it is always interesting to see how production teams / writers conceptualize and present their own creative perceptions of what the future has in store for us. Over the years, anime and manga series have delivered some impressive visions based on what is currently a blank canvas. For the team responsible for Space Dandy, space is a vast expanse of planets with beings yet to be discovered, unique personalities and market dominance by a space restaurant chain known as Boobies. From the very first episode this world is inviting, and works well with the comedic storyline that is being told.

Forgoing any form of linear storytelling in favour of presenting a loose continuity, Space Dandy is a science fiction comedy with as much (if not more) uniqueness and creativity as Shinichirou Watanabe’s previous anime works (Eg. Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo). The TV anime follows ‘Space Dandy’, who is described by the series’ narrator as “a dandy guy… in space”. Along with his other two crew members aboard the Aloha Oe, the robot assistant QT and the cat-like Betelgeusian dubbed Meow, they travel the stars looking for undiscovered alien species. While this is happening, the trio find themselves tailed by members of the Gogol Empire and ultimately find themselves in a range of precarious and downright surprising situations.

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Each episode details a particular caper of Dandy and his grew, whether it is them going on the search for a highly sought after alien which could see them rolling around in cash should they succeed, them becoming stranded on a planet with some threat facing them or falling into an alternate dimension located in a mysterious ramen shop. At least from the first half of this season, most episodes them seem to be part of their own individual canon rather than following one set timeline. This is evidenced several times when some or all of the characters will find themselves either killed off or otherwise debilitated in some form – then subsequently being seen alive and well the next episode. Without this freedom, several episodes might not have been possible without some major deus ex machina event happening.

While I do hope that there will be something to draw all these events together in the latter half, having individual episodes does work in Space Dandy’s favour. Each 20 – 25 minute episode features a genuinely entertaining storyline, with some episodes being extremely comical and others quite beautiful and emotional. It also helps that the eccentric and stubborn personalities of all three main characters (Voiced by Ian Sinclair, Alison Viktorin and Joel McDonald) are such a hoot to listen to. It is clear to me why Funimation opted to produce a broadcast dub for this series rather than wait a year to commission one, as the English dub in my opinion enhanced the viewing experience.

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Although I will reserve my commentary on the full storyline once Part Two is published by Madman Entertainment in Australia later this year, the writing and direction make Space Dandy an engrossing and attention-grabbing series. Couple the storyline with some vivid, incredibly detailed and colourful visuals alongside a catchy soundtrack, and Space Dandy proves to be an incredibly dandy anime series.

I have very high expectations for the latter half of Space Dandy when it is made available later this year, and look forward to bringing you a full review then. But just to end on a word of caution…. this is a series you should watch early in the evening and when you have nothing else to do. Because if you are anything like me whilst I was watching it… you will be finding all sorts of excuses to watch “just one more episode” each and every time the credits roll.

Sam
Sam
Founder of The Otaku's Study. I have been exploring this labyrinth of fandom these last fifteen years, and still nowhere close to the exit yet. Probably searching for a long time to come.

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