Review of Space Dandy

Space Dandy is something else. It makes sense without making sense. Story - 9/10 The approach on story telling is properly one of the most remarkable features of the show. There is no set time in which the episodes take place. Sometimes you have a few episodes actually taking place after another but sometimes they are timeless and there is no real telling when these events take place. The 'when' does not matter for the plot though. Most episodes are stand-alones though and have a simple main plot. But as I was writing to begin with 'It makes sense without making sense.' the story might be utterly ridiculous. You willenjoy it on one level or the other though and if you stop expecting super serious and deep subjects, you will start to see the stories have a good depth to them.
Some episodes have serious themes but the show finds funny ways to deal with them and might just make you think.
Even if the main plot will be easy to spot for each episode, the show will find a way to twist things up and keep you at the edge of your seat.
Topnotch technology and established methods as common hunting practices and a pretty realistic feel for the true size of space make it a Sci-Fi anime without slapping it into your face all the time. The comedy elements range from enjoyable to simply ridiculous and obviously over-the-top so they are always present but not overtaking.
The ending is no huge finale but suits the show well. It did leave me wanting more and luckily you can go straight ahead with season 2.

Art - 10/10
Seen from an artistic angle you will find dominating Anime elements with some established Western cartoon practices.
From time to time you will be wowed with a bit more experimental style that is well fitted into the story.
Just watching the main cast walk already has a funny feeling. Movements are displayed mostly realistic and smooth.
The character designs are well thought through with waitresses wearing flat shoes instead of high-heels and front-desk workers wearing a plain and non-appealing uniform. Each design could convincingly tell something about the character wearing it.
The design of the main crew stands out enough to make them recognizable but not too much to make the crowd around them disappear.

Sound - 10/10 (addressing the official English dub)
For a while I thought this was indeed a Western cartoon made to look and feel like an Anime.
The voice actors were chosen well for their characters and did a great job truly acting and not just reading translations off a screen.
The music is one of my personal highlights. I have looked up the OST several times and actually decided on one song to keep on my trip playlist.
Every tune adds a little magic to the story and it never felt out off place or like it was interrupting an ongoing scene.

Characters - 10/10
The many characteristics of the main crew are displayed on a regular basis and we get to see believable characters with dreams and fears, strengths and faults.
In this show every character the main cast is involved with for more than a few minutes gets the chance to show off a more complex personality.
I did manage to understand and relate to a lot of the characters in this show even the villains. In a few episodes we learn about a lot about the main villain as well.
The main crew does get the chance to show a bit more of their backgrounds as the rest though.
It is a shame we do not learn the name of the narrator though he does get his own episode (!) and we have a lot of fun with him before and long after that as well. I have never seen a show that interacts with the narrator this smoothly even adding towards the story.

I think this show might be a good start for non-anime fans but it does add to your enjoyment if you have watched an anime before.
The re-watch value of this show is very high. I finished it for the first time other half a year ago and do go back to watching just one episode or even the whole thing from time to time. True, some episodes you will remember every joke and twist after a couple of re-watches but it will never fully lose its magic.