Debuting in Japan on January 8, 1998, the pulse-pounding anime series
Outlaw Star was set in the future, when to be a space outlaw was considered the
ne plus ultra of prestige. Earthbound mechanic Gene Starwind got his chance to be such an outlaw when he was assigned to commandeer the high-tech space vessel Outlaw Star. Unfortunately, the vessel was stolen by space pirates, who were anxious to ascertain the contents of a mysterious box secreted somewhere on the ship. Partnered with fellow mechanic Jim Hawking and the beauteous Melfina, Gene endeavored to recapture the Outlaw Star and locate the all-important box before the pirates could get their hands on it. Like most such Japanimation efforts, the 26-episode
Outlaw Star was heavily edited and censored before making its American TV bow, courtesy of the Cartoon Network cable service, on January 15, 2001. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide