Outlaw Star (1998)
A classic space western anime following a reckless bounty hunter, his genius partner, and a mysterious android on a wild race across the galaxy.
Outlaw Star - Series Information
- Original Title: 星方武侠アウトロースター
- First Air Year: 1998
- Last Air Year: 1999
- Created by: Takehito Ito
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Comedy, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 25 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 26
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: January 9, 1998 (United States - TV-14), January 9, 1998 (United Kingdom - 12), January 9, 1998 (Australia - M)
- Networks: TV Tokyo
- Alternative Titles: Seihō Bukyō Outlaw Star (JP), Звездные рыцари Вольной звезды (RU), 성방무협 아웃로스타 (KR), Starward Warrior Knight Outlaw Star (US)
- Production Companies: Bandai Namco Entertainment, SUNRISE
- Production Countries: Japan
Outlaw Star - Plot
Gene Starwind is a jack-of-all-trades responsible for odd jobs and bounty hunting with his partner, Jim Hawking. Stuck on a rundown planet, he's going nowhere fast. But when a bodyguard job goes sideways, he finds himself the proud owner of the Outlaw Star and on an adventure to find the mysterious Galactic Leyline. Facing pirates and dangers galore, can he survive the journey through space?
Outlaw Star - Trailer
See the action unfold in this official look at the series:
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Outlaw Star - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Takehito Ito
Main Cast
- Shigeru Shibuya
- Rica Matsumoto
- Ayako Kawasumi
- Sayuri
- Yuko Miyamura
- Toshihiko Seki
- Kazuhiro Nakata
- Tsutomu Kashiwakura
Outlaw Star - FAQs
Is Outlaw Star based on a manga?
Outlaw Star is adapted from the manga Seihō Bukyō Outlaw Star, written and illustrated by Takehito Ito. The manga was serialized in Monthly Asahi Sonorama from 1996 to 1999, and the anime adaptation aired in 1998, closely following the source material's space western adventure storyline.
What is Outlaw Star about?
Outlaw Star follows Gene Starwind, a scrappy bounty hunter who stumbles into ownership of a cutting-edge spaceship called the Outlaw Star. Alongside his young partner Jim Hawking and a mysterious android named Melfina, Gene races across the galaxy in search of the legendary Galactic Leyline while dodging pirates and rival outlaws.
Where can you watch Outlaw Star?
Outlaw Star is available to buy digitally through Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. For the most up-to-date streaming availability in your region, checking a service like JustWatch will give you the latest options across all platforms.
How does Outlaw Star compare to Cowboy Bebop?
Both series aired in 1998 and share a space western DNA, blending action, humor, and stylish character work. Outlaw Star leans more into classic anime adventure tropes and a quest-driven narrative, while Cowboy Bebop is celebrated for its jazz-infused atmosphere and episodic storytelling. Fans of one almost always enjoy the other.
Who are the main voice actors in Outlaw Star?
The Japanese cast features Shigeru Shibuya as Gene Starwind, Rica Matsumoto as Jim Hawking, Ayako Kawasumi as Melfina, Sayuri as Suzuka, and Yuko Miyamura as Aisha Clanclan. Toshihiko Seki, Kazuhiro Nakata, and Tsutomu Kashiwakura round out the ensemble as Fred, Ron MacDougall, and Harry MacDougall respectively.
Is Outlaw Star worth watching today?
Absolutely worth revisiting. Outlaw Star holds up as a charming, fast-paced space adventure with a memorable cast and a satisfying single-season arc. Its blend of cyberpunk aesthetics, alien encounters, and swashbuckling energy makes it a standout of the late-1990s anime boom, especially for fans of the space western genre.
What genre is Outlaw Star?
Outlaw Star blends animation, sci-fi, fantasy, comedy, and drama into a genre cocktail best described as a space western. It draws on cyberpunk and seinen manga traditions, weaving together bounty hunting, alien politics, biotechnology, and swordplay into an action-packed galactic adventure aimed at older teen audiences.
What are some anime similar to Outlaw Star?
If Outlaw Star hit the spot, Cowboy Bebop and TRIGUN are essential next watches — both from 1998 and sharing that same freewheeling outlaw spirit. For something more recent, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and Dimension W offer that same mix of stylish action and emotional depth that made Outlaw Star a beloved classic.
More About Outlaw Star
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