AKA: YAT Anshin Uchuu Ryokou, YAT Comfort Space Travel

Genre: Science fiction comedy

Length: Television series, 50 episodes, 23 minutes each

Distributor: Currently unlicensed in North America

Content Rating: 7+ (fantasy violence)

Related Series: YAT Luxury Space Liner 2

Also Recommended: Digimon, Space Pirate Mito, Urusei Yatsura

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YAT Luxury Space Liner

Synopsis

The Yamamoto Anshin (this translates to comfort or luxury) Travel company (YAT) is a space touring company run by your typical gang of misfits, and they set out on what would be just another trip ... except that they are very suddenly warped into an unknown part of space, ruled by the fish-like humanoid Gannon. With their stowaway catgirl Marron, they seek to defeat the Gannon and find a way home.

Review

I happened upon this series at the Fujiya market down the street while picking up groceries. (I know that sounds strange, but it *is* the closest store to my house, believe it or not.) On a whim, I decided to try this series out, despite only having had a couple years of Japanese language under my belt.

First things first - this is *definitely* a kids show. You will -not- find cerebral ruminations on the origins and reasons for life in here, nor will you find slick fight scenes and mecha action sequences. Instead, you will find bishounen shark-men (no, I'm not kidding), a little catgirl that can turn herself into a little pink ball, and a lot of other silly, silly characters. Sight gags are plentiful here (yes, this show's meek li'l lady Katsura wields a six-foot-long wrench!) and the dialogue is pretty darn corny.

The bad guys, by the way, are as silly as they get. Most of the Gannon are humanoid starfish that are about as serious-looking as the Putties from Power Rangers. And the giant Gannon ... looks like Bowser from Super Mario Brothers, only a fish! "Gannon" indeed! And the plot - well, it's there, and it's not too bad, but it's mostly an excuse for lots of slapsticky action and cuteness all around.

The animation quality was that of your typical children's show, about on par with Pokemon. Very cartoony, with bright colors. Acting is typical for its ilk (people yelling very loudly), and it seems about par for what it's supposed to be - cute, fun, and nowhere near taxing on the brain.

That's pretty much what it boils down to. Slapstick science-fiction, done decently enough to be entertaining for its audience. Technically, it's not anywhere near the best in the business, but it's still a lot of fun.

Not earth-shattering, but it's cute. — Carlos/Giancarla Ross

Recommended Audience: On par with your average children's show, with very mild violence, and general wackiness.