Space Pirate Captain Harlock has built a real following in the US on Crunchyroll among viewers who want their sci-fi to think as hard as it looks. The 1-season run is exactly the right length for what it is doing. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Makio Inoue leads a cast that never lets the concept overwhelm the characters. Put it on tonight on Crunchyroll and see for yourself.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Space Pirate Captain Harlock earns its spot. Space Pirate Captain Harlock treats its concept seriously enough to follow it all the way through. When a mysterious invader from the stars catches Earth unawares, only the legendary space pirate Captain Harlock and the crew of the Arcadia have the will to stand against them. The human element stays intact thanks to Makio Inoue and Akira Kamiya, who anchor every scene. Space Pirate Captain Harlock premiered in 1978–1979. The rules of Space Pirate Captain Harlock's world are consistent enough that the big swings never feel like cheating. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Space Pirate Captain Harlock is satisfying on multiple levels — something to watch and something to think about after. The tonal similarities to Space Cobra are real, though Space Pirate Captain Harlock carves out its own identity quickly. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single week. Watch for Makio Inoue in particular — the performance elevates the material. Satisfying on multiple levels.

Space Pirate Captain Harlock wrapped up in 1979, created by Leiji Matsumoto — and 1 season is available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro's free voice app makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just say the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.