Outlaw Star

This Sunrise anime series—an alternate reality outer-space yarn based on a manga by Takehiko Ito—was roughly contemporary with the studio's Cowboy Bebop and shares several elements. The hero is Gene Starwind, an arrogant young adventurer whose sidekick Jim Hawking is an 11-year-old tech wizard. Hired as bodyguards by a woman who turns out to be an outlaw, the pair are attacked by pirates, and in the ensuing confrontation gain possession of the highly advanced titular spaceship, along with Melfina, a beautiful bio-android. Gene, Jim, and Melfina then set off on a voyage to track down the pirates Gene believes killed his father, and also to find the Galactic Leyline, where the mysteries of the universe will be revealed and Melfina's origin disclosed. Other misfits join them as they contend with various villains. Presenting all 26 episodes from 1998 in a dual-language Blu-ray/DVD Combo edition, rated TV-14 (but featuring a fair amount of fan service), extras include a pilot episode. Offering a solid remastering of one of the more important anime series of its time, this is recommended. (F. Swietek)