Review of Astra Lost in Space

This show can basically be split right in half. Episodes 1-6, and episodes 7-12. The first half of the show is a solid 3, and the second half fluctuates between a 6 to a 9. The first half of the series is vapid, shallow, predictable, and cliche. While it's never painful and rarely cringey, it's often incredibly stupid. The main characters often fail to react to things in ways that manage the weight of the situation, and the push for freindship is over the top. It's a little too friendship heavy. Friendship overpowers things that really, people should just take a moment to understand. Lifeand death situations are shrugged off with 'I'm so happy to be on this journey'. Shockingly, this is addressed and relevant in the second half of the series. It's even understandable? But you still have to sit through 6 episodes of this to get there.

As soon as episode 7 hits, the show becomes considerably better. The stakes change, the events become less formulaic and more interesting, it expresses some interest in being more than a generic, forgettable, space adventure powered by friendship. If the first half of the show had the quality of the second half, this would be a stellar series. The plot points are interesting, but more shockingly the character's growth becomes rewarding. The overbearing power of friendship in the first half actually pays off somehow, and the characters become meaningful and enjoyable. It even becomes satisfying to see situations resolved through friendship at points, and the emotional stakes raise considerably.

There are some weaknesses that remain though. The characters are bizarrely uncurious about everything in life. That's somewhat explained, but they barely (if at all) make any effort to explore the Astra or wonder about its origins, or mysterious placement. They don't search the ship for clues, look in records. Even later when the have access to more Astra related things and another person, they really just... Don't care. I think even with the later characterization, that's a bit of an oversight. There are many weaker plot points like that which bring the series down overall.

The end of the series also goes on a bit longer than is earned, and doesn't cover some of the things I would have liked. It resolves all the plot points, and the characters get satisfying enough endings. I would have liked more emphasis on the fates and reactions of the perpetrators though.

I am a big fan of older, space-adventure anime such as Outlaw Star, Nadesico, Gundam, etc. I should be squarely in the target audience for this show. I do think it's worth watching, it's just such a mixed bag. At least make it until episode 7 if you can.

Another point for anyone else who hates romance, the romance; this show doesn't focus on it. It does have it, and it is present now and again, but it never takes away from the focus or becomes a distraction. Characters do not do stupid things just because they're in love. Bizarrely, this isn't a harem anime either? The female characters are actually decent enough even if they're pretty stereotypical.

I ended up watching the Dub, because the Funimation subtitles were pretty blatantly using the English script. The dub is stellar though. I have no idea how close it stays to the original, but the voice acting is pretty good. I say this as someone who is not a huge fan of most dubs. It's probably up there with Nadesico and Outlaw Star. The energy, nuance, and character given to the lines is great. It's not even out of line with the 1 episode i did watch in Japanese either. Plus, you may want to throw on the dub just so you don't have to pay extreme attention for the first 6 episodes.