Of all the "space cowboy" shows that came out of '97 and '98, this is the most space operatic of the bunch, and the most fun. It is set after humanity has settled vast interstellar reaches and the three main powers ruling the stars are the government, the pirates, and the outlaws.

Among the latter is Gene Starwind, a young man who dreams of space, and his younger partner Jim Hawking. Some unexpected adventures leave them in posession of a starship of uncertain origin christened the Outlaw Star. This ship is connected to an important treasure called the Galactic Leyline, which every dangerous major character is after. Starwind and Hawking, with a few companions that pop up, take on the search.

Here is a well-realized and imaginitive space opera setting that also refuses to take itself too seriously. The music is blessed with the composing talents of Kanno Youko, but not quite the diversity one hears in Escaflowne or Cowboy Bebop. The emphasis here is rock, which works quite well to thump through a rousing space yarn for the thrilled at heart.