This series honour the genre it belongs, sci-fi space opera, it covers very well the comon elements like the growth of the hero (in this case Rai or Thunderjet) the political matters in war times (in this case mixed with feudal Japan and China settings) the action in battles both with spaceships and close combat with swords and the drama implied in a war of winning and losing battles and sometimes losing the life of important or dear persons like the leaders and the love interest or friends. The story never slows down and keeps us always interested even if it change sometimes the mood goingfrom light comedy to serious war drama.
And look out for the opening and ending one being a very heroic animation and song and the other sad and dramatic animation and song.