25 years ago, this underrated space western premiered in Toonami

Science fiction and anime fans were eating well into the 90s. from trigun and Ghost in the Shell who Neon Genesis Evangelion and Cowboy BebopAudiences were spoiled for choice, and these series remain popular to this day. The latter, in particular, has often named itself the best space western anime ever, and has even ended up on countless 'greatest anime of all time' lists. Its jazzy soundtrack, memorable characters, and expert blend of suspense and good-time comedy Cowboy Bebop On the map, but another series in the medium quickly became a cult classic after appearing on Toonami in the early 2000s: Outlaw Star.

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Although its influence has been overshadowed in the decades since its run on Western television, Outlaw StarToonami has been added to the lineup On January 15, 2001, marked a major moment for the anime block, introducing eager viewers to something completely fresh and fun. Replaced the sci-fi romp Superman: The Animated Series in the lineup, and circulated like heavy hitters Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moonand Ronin WarriorsEternally cementing it in the minds of young people who remember running home from school to watch the anime's day service.

While its influence on the medium far outstrips those other masterpieces, Outlaw Star Anime has become a curious piece of history and a fun piece of media, full of gun-slinging action, spicy romance, lots of silly gags, and an epic story. a piece– Like a treasure hunt. Its constant use of bright colors and memorable character designs still inspires, and the fast-pace of its first few episodes makes it easy to sink in for the long haul. However, once brought to the West, much of its depth and charm was, unfortunately, lost.

Outlaw Star was a unique addition to the Toonami lineup when it debuted on January 15, 2001, but a ton of content was cut.

in the world of Outlaw StarHumankind has discovered a way to travel faster than the speed of light via spacecraft, thanks to the discovery of a mysterious material on Earth. While the ability to travel the universe is a marvel, mankind tends toward chaos and violence, and soon, the universe was overrun by assassins, pirates, and outlaws, making it difficult for normal, peace-loving people to venture beyond our planet. Protagonist Gene Starwind and his partner Jim run a typical jack-of-all-trades business, but they suddenly come into possession of a powerful spaceship, called the Outlaw Star, which can be used to discover the “galactic leyline”, a mythical place full of treasure, knowledge and latent power. They're not the only ones looking for it, of course, and danger lurks around every corner.

Many machines in Outlaw Star Legendary mecha artist Shoji Kawamori (macros, Gundam) designing some of the series' vehicles and the titular spaceship himself. Additionally, while its music may not have the same profile as Yoko Kanno's Cowboy Bebop The soundtrack, from this often-forgotten sci-fi series Jams, was created by Kou Otani, who provided the music for the legendary action-adventure game. Shadow of the Colossus. Only those who remember Outlaw Star Vaguely will probably still remember its bombastic theme song, which packed a serious punch with both its sound and smooth 90s visuals.

Censorship was common for many anime series that appeared on Toonami, but Outlaw StarIn particular, it saw heavy editing throughout its 26-episode run. Many instances of nudity and more pornographic scenes were changed or removed, abusive language was replaced with more child-friendly language, and violent scenes were greatly cut, all of which changed the overall feel of the space opera. Episode 23, which followed the Outlaw Star crew as they traveled to a hot spring planet, was cut entirely and did not air on Western TV until 2018, when the series was shown on the late-night programming block Adult Swim.

Outlaw Star was overshadowed by Cowboy Bebop, but it distinguished itself from other entries in the genre.

While Outlaw Star Featuring many of the clichéd elements of the typical space western and released in a more oversaturated era of the genre, its characters have withstood the test of time. The ragtag crew is anything but ordinary, with Jean, despite being the captain, having a crippling fear of outer space, making every adventure more stressful. Aisha comes from the Clan-Clan Ctarl-Ctarl race, and boasts feline features and super-strength, while Melfina is a bio-android who was stuffed into a suitcase and Suzuka is a kimono-led ninja-assassin. It's no wonder that this strange mishmash of personalities and backgrounds was created Outlaw Star Popular with foreign audiences, because individuality and independence seemed to be at the forefront of the series' production.

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Shortly after the anime series aired, many eagle-eyed viewers began comparing it to the legendary 2002 live-action space western series. FireflyCreated by Joss Whedon. The two share many uncanny similarities, many have pointed out FireflyThe character of the river Tam and Outlaw StarMelfina has almost identical backstories and revelations. The ships from both shows also look similar, and there are a few other questionable details that have led many to claim a Whedon rip-off. Outlaw Star While creating your masterpiece. The filmmaker denied these claims, saying that he was inspired by reading Killer Angels By Michael Shaara. Still, the rumors persist. Needless to say, Firefly Fans looking for something to watch shouldn't miss out on this piece of anime history.

While the space opera genre isn't as popular these days, some recent series have inspired new fans to check out some of the best releases from the late 90s. of 2014 Knights of Sidonia Nagate follows Tanikaze, who must become a space pilot to protect the last human settlement from a hostile alien species. Those wanting a dose of steampunk in their space western should look no further Apre – Ranman or Gun X SwordBoth of which are currently streaming on Crunchyroll.