The Otaku King takes on another Toonami standard this week with “Leyline Rhymes” - - an ode to OUTLAW STAR. To be truthful, the Outlaw Star left orbit before I was able to grab a seat on board it, but I can still appreciate the track even if I don’t know all the references. If you're like me, your experience will likely be the same.
Also, Richie composed something of an open letter with his rap about Toonami last week and, sure enough, that letter got answered. Adult Swim played “Bring Back Toonami” and gave Richie a shout-out during one its recent bumps. Clearly, they’ve got the message - - but will they act on it, now?
As was the case last week, we were able to throw Richie a few Q’s about his latest rap. Listen to it below and see what he had to say.
Suppose that you, Richie Branson the rapper, found the elusive Galactic Leyline before anybody in the show. What would you do with it?
Aside from making the Grammy folks nominate me for 9 or 10 Grammys, I would perform a Tao Magic Spell on the folks at Cartoon Network to bring back Toonami, complete with TOM and some new anime mixed in with the classics.
Seeing as how you likely first saw this on Toonami, you're probably well aware that it was notoriously edited for broadcast. Have you ever felt compelled to seek out the sexier, bloodier uncut version?
Yessir, I've seen the series in its uncut form... complete with the infamous Hot Springs Planet episode.
Playing favorites can be hard sometimes, but c'mon... in your view, if Outlaw Star and the Bebop ever butted heads in outer space, who would come out on top?
Sorry Gene, but I have to go with Spike Speigel on this one. After all, Spike knows Jeet-Kun-Do, and anyone who fights like Bruce Lee is born to win. Remember, Bruce Lee beat Chuck Norris.
Tom Pinchuk’s the writer of HYBRID BASTARDS! & UNIMAGINABLE. Order them on Amazon here & here. Follow him on Twitter: @tompinchuk/outlaw-star/10-238/
Tom, this is a series that I would find really interesting for you to do a Watch and Learn for. It's a fascinating amalgamation of western and eastern culture (not to mention about a half-dozen genres). In synopsis, Outlaw Star seems random and haphazard (this guy's crew includes a young boy, an android, a cat girl, and a samurai, and they're being chased by magical pirates through space) but the themes and tones are ones that you, with your comic book background, I think would find very familiar. And I don't think you've seen a show yet with a character as naturally awesome as Gene Starwind is. The dub is great, and the visuals are really good for the late 90s. This is one of several shows that was far more popular in the US than it ever was in Japan (I'm still waiting for the manga to make it stateside!)
Like the recent Avengers movie, Outlaw Star shouldn't work. But it does. I'd implore you to watch an episode or two.
As always, I love his beats. Personally, I'd rather hear him make rap songs with anime punchlines and metaphors rather than rap songs that are literally about anime. Glad he's having fun doing his thing though.
These are always so cool. Richie deserves honorary staff status. I saw the Adult Swim notice to Richie on Twitter.
I liked Tom (Toonami's Tom) before they gave him that creepy face.
I just don't know if Toonami is really needed anymore. As stated, Toonami only aired heavily edited versions of anime. There are a lot of websites that stream anime legally and unedited. If anything, Toonami did a good job at introducing several anime series to people to get them interested.
@FoxxFireArt: I think they should bring back Toonami but update it for today's youth, remember the original host Space Ghostvillain-turned-producer Moltarat the Ghost Planet Industries building from 1997 to July 9, 1999.
I really like this column, it introduced me to Richie and now I have something to look forward to on tuesdays
I watched Outlaw Star on Toonami back in middle school, but I don't remember what scenes were edited because I never noticed it. The only particular censorship I found strange is the painted bikini on Ayaka and Ryoko (Tenchi Muyo) during the hot springs. I have to go back and rewatch it.
Awesome rap, Richie!
@takashichea: One entire episode was cut out. Other than that, there wasn't much.
I'm cool with things staying edited so that another full generation of 12 and 13 year old people can experience them like I did. I'd really hate to see the revived Toonami be kicked entirely into the Adult Swim corner.