Anime: Space Dandy Season 2
Released By: FUNimation
Release Date: September 22nd, 2015
Retail Price: $64.98
Space Dandy: he’s a dandy guy in space. He combs the galaxy like his pompadour on the hunt for aliens. Planet after planet he searches, discovering bizarre new creatures both friendly and not. These are the spectacular adventures of Space Dandy and his brave space crew in space.
Each episode begins with this introductory narration, and it accurately depicts the concept of the series. While I didn’t review the first season, I have seen most of it because I’m extremely fond of its creators who are known for the spectacular anime series Cowboy Bebop, my all-time favorite anime series. While Cowboy Bebop walked a fine line of fun and gripping drama, Space Dandy takes a polar opposite approach as an episodic anime with a goofy art of storytelling. That’s not to say that Space Dandy isn’t serious, because it can definitely go there on multiple occasions, but that’s not the overall general goal of Space Dandy.
The series tells the story of Dandy, an alien bounty hunter who works to scrape whatever money he can to get buy and fulfill his appetite for a restaurant called Boobies (much like Hooters) with waitresses in revealing bikinis that people ogle over…mostly, Dandy that is. He has two companions that are always by his side during random adventures, the first being Meow. Meow doesn’t like being associated with cats, but his name and feline appearance should speak for itself. QT is the second companion, a small friendly robot that is the innocent member of the misfit crew. Other characters that can be seen are BooBies employee Honey, who Dandy has a major adoration for and is always known for having a smile. Scarlet is one of the most interesting characters in Space Dandy, who is the rare alien species control who Dandy repeatedly lies to about alien bounties. There is additionally a more minor plot including an evil duo named Admiral Perry and Dr Gel with a desire to capture Dandy, who they believe is crucial to gaining control of the universe. Yes, the universe. The series takes fun and random twists, with the first and last episodes of this season giving ties to a bigger picture.
The first episode sends the crew into various alternate dimensions that show different incarnations of dandy: Space Hunter Dandy, Emo Dandy, Trucker Dandy, that – at one point groups each of the alternate versions in one dimension. This causes ripple effects that require Dandy to send each back and remove any connections to alternate universe. The seemingly nonsensical episode actually brings thing back full circle with its ending when the “villains” hope to use his ties to other realities to travel freely through any dimension. The ending brings Dandy into an opportunity of power that is both unexpected and fun to experience. The series final moments hint at a possible continuation eventually, and I would stand for a return to the travels of the lovely Dandy. Another episode that is a standout is one that takes focus on Scarlet. It changes tone, making it more serious as we realize Scarlet has a former controlling and dangerous boyfriend who is intent of getting her back. When Dandy offers to play the role of her boyfriend, the two fall for each other and love sparks between the two. I won’t completely spoil all of the moments, but it’s a bittersweet episode that touches on more dramatic notions in Space Dandy as well as romance.
Dandy is a great lead for the series and a fun character to get to watch over tow seasons. He’s very different than most of the characters from a Shinichirō Watanabe anime, and that’s what makes him even more enjoyable. Sure he has his pervy moments where he’s got tunnel vision on women, but he is a good-hearted character who doesn’t have desire to harm anyone. His voice actor, Ian Sinclair, brings a perfect match to the suave yet eccentric Dandy and I couldn’t think of a better fit. The additional voice cast brings veteran voice actress Alison Viktroin as QT (Darker Than Black: Gemini of the Meteor.) and Colleen Clinkenbeard as one of my favorites Scarlet, (Black Butler.) The animation is extremely vivid with colorful choices and unconventional character designs that make the series entertaining on a visual scale as well. Space Dandy is a series worth watching, and is definitely an anime that is perfect when you’re looking to anime for fun and amusement, but can also cater to more dramatic inclinations in turn. Space Dandy should have something that can entertain fans of all anime genres, and I can’t stress enough that I definitely recommend it as a series worthwhile.
Overall Grade: 8.5 / 10
Aedan’s Final Thoughts:
-I can attest that Dandy is the best character in the series, and embodies very different traits that show complexity that sometimes feels untapped.
-I love the pairing of Scarlet and Dandy, but it is very brief…If there is ever a continuation I’d hope it is taken more time to showcase.
-QT and Meow make perfect companions; I love the dynamic amongst the three opposite characters.
-Watanabe can do no wrong. Any anime series he has a hand in I’m an automatic fan. (The quality speaks for itself!)
