The episode including the legendary Katsuhiro Otomo’s designs arrives at last.
What They Say:
Dandy and his crew head to Planet Grease for a legendary party, only to find themselves walking the streets of a ghost town. Luckily, Dandy’s got the booty that launched a thousand dance parties!
The Review:
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
One of the big mysteries of Space Dandy since the contributor announcements was the role Katsuhiro Otomo, director of Akira and Steamboy, would play in its development. While he does not direct the episode, his designs at the end are unmistakably his.
I mention him first due to his status as a director, but don’t intend to slight the other talents involved. Episode 22 puts together another talented crew, as is the standard for this second Dandy cour. This is the final script provided by Keiko Nobumoto, and probably her best work for the series. Episode director is Masato Miyoshi, episode director for Code Geass, Gundam Seed, and Yumeiro Patisserie. The episode was storyboarded by Yoshitomo Yonetani of Brigadoon, Ghastly Prince Enma: Burning Up, and Nurse Witch Komugi. Animation director is Yoshimichi Kameda, of Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, Kill la Kill, and S.A.
In contrast to the dramatic last episode, episode 22 is full on comedy. Dandy and gang decide to go after an elusive Dancingian that visits Planet Grease every 100 years. When they get to Planet Grease, however, they find an aging and decrepit planet desperate for tourists. The man running the planet’s upcoming dance contest offers Dandy a rare men’s magazine in return for posing as a Dancingian. He agrees, but things are shaken up when it appears a real Dancingian, Tohn Jravolta shows up to add some real life to the party. But Dandy isn’t going to give up his role as star of the show quite so easily. He whips out a time dilating record bought at a thrift shop, and brings on a dance that rips a hole in spacetime.
It’s a madcap romp of an episode, with comic art reminiscent of R. Crumb in some moments and the most spectacular parts of Redline in others. The madness hits its peak when the true nature of Dancingians is revealed and the whole of Planet Grease is sucked into an apocalyptic rebirth straight out of Akira. Except this time, with Disco.
In Summary:
Fans looking for more profound meditations on life and death will be disappointed, but this episode’s great weakness is merely showing up one week later than last week’s series-making masterpiece. It’s stylish and creative, with great designs and music. Dandy’s season 2 winning streak continues. A series not to be missed.
Grade: A-
Streamed By: Funimation
Review Equipment:
Sony VAIO 20″
