Space☆Dandy Episode 2: The Search for the Phantom Space Ramen, Baby [Recap]

Last week I boarded the out of this world ride that is Space Dandy. It was a first episode that introduced us to the wildly colorful, breastaurant containing, downright craziness that made up this new show. At first, I did not know what to make of the episode I had just watched. It left me confused, bewildered, and just plain old lost. But, I came to love the out of control action that pushed the show. Now, after the bout of majestic madness that was episode one, we arrive at episode two: "The Search for the Phantom Space Ramen, Baby."

Considering just how crazy things got last week, I had no idea how things were going to play out this time around, especially with a title like "The Search for the Phantom Space Ramen." But as I learned from Dandy in our previous encounter, sometimes it is best to just go with the flow, instead of fighting the current. I let go of my expectations, and I was ready.

GIF by leasonthomas

Things start out with Dandy and crew, broke as they are, trying to earn some woolongs. That’s right folks, woolongs. In case you aren’t familiar with Cowboy Bebop (from the same director), that is the same form of currency Spike and his crew are constantly trying to get their bounty hunter hands on throughout the show. Whether it was a playful nod to the fans or a hint to something greater, I can’t really say, but it was a pretty cool revelation.

Like a cooking pot of ramen, the episode takes a while to heat up. But as the delicious broth starts cooking, brilliant tunes, one hell of a fight sequence, and visits to a series of comically themed ramen shops (Full Metal Noodle-est was my favorite) held me over. And when I say held me over, I mean kept me thoroughly entertained. From starving in the Aloha Oe,  the Gogol Empire hunting Dandy throughout the stars (with the help of Gogol Galaxy Street View) all the way to being sucked through a wormhole and spit out into another dimension. Timing is everything.  And this episode is cooked to perfection.

GIF by leasonthomas

Busy with action and humor throughout its body, the episode concludes with a somewhat somber finish, dazzling the audience throughout with gorgeous animation. The end sequence, though slow, has some of the best looking scenes in the show so far, and even though it’s only at episode two, that is certainly saying something.

Where episode one left me wondering and lost after my first time through, "The Search for the Phantom Space Ramen" has made things clear. Space Dandy isn’t just another anime full of half-naked, big breasted women who jiggle like Jell-O, and a hero who is impervious to death and danger, overcoming the most impossible of odds. Well okay, it's that too, but it's also more than that. It is an experiment. Raw talent and vision just going as far as it can go, baby. Or maybe that's just me and I’m getting too into this show. Nevertheless, episode two is pretty sweet.