Space Runaway Ideon [Season 1 Episodes 1-39]

Space Runaway Ideon: A Cosmic Tragedy That Leaves You Begging for More

If you’re a fan of classic mecha anime, Space Runaway Ideon is a name you’ve probably heard thrown around—either as a hidden gem or a frustrating relic of the 1980s. Created by Yoshiyuki Tomino (the mastermind behind Mobile Suit Gundam), this 39-episode series aired from 1980 to 1981 and follows the doomed journey of the Solo Ship crew as they battle the Buff Clan over the mysterious and deadly Ideon.

But let’s be real: Ideon isn’t your typical robot anime. It’s bleak, it’s brutal, and by the time you reach the final episode, you’ll either be screaming at your screen or scrambling to watch the follow-up movie, Be Invoked, just to make sense of it all.

The Good, The Bad, and The WTF Moments

1. The Plot: A Relentless Descent Into Chaos

From the first episode, Ideon sets the tone with its apocalyptic storytelling. The Solo Ship crew—humans and aliens alike—are constantly on the run, fighting for survival against the Buff Clan, who are hell-bent on capturing the Ideon. The series doesn’t shy away from tragedy; characters die, alliances shift, and the Ideon itself feels less like a savior and more like a curse.

Fans online are divided on the pacing. Some, like MystGourmet, call it “a widely varying series,” praising its dramatic highs but admitting that “some episodes were very boring and repetitive.” Others, like Hannah_Ana, loved the tension but felt the ending was “rushed,” leaving them with “a little taste in the mouth, as if missing more.”

2. The Characters: Love ‘Em or Hate ‘Em

The cast is a mixed bag. Cosmo, the hot-headed pilot, is a fan favorite for his no-nonsense attitude (one commenter called him “the highlight, constantly talking shit”). Meanwhile, Karala and Bes’s relationship is a central emotional thread, though some fans (Hannah_Ana again) were frustrated that the show didn’t give them more screen time together.

Then there’s Joliver, whose confession to Karala in the final episodes was called “masculine and sweet” by some, while others (idklol) just laughed at the absurdity of it all. And let’s not forget Sheryl, who starts off as unlikable but, as one fan put it, “was sympathetic by the end.”

3. The Ending: A Cliffhanger or a Cop-Out?

Ah, the finale. Without spoiling too much, Episode 39 drops a bombshell (literally and figuratively), but it’s so abrupt that fans were left reeling. Beatnik summed it up perfectly: “A hearty WTF to you, Ideon.” Many agreed that the movie, Be Invoked, is essential to get any sense of closure.

One fan (Comment 18) called the final episode “FANTASTIC” and “one of the best episodes of anime I’ve ever watched,” while another (Comment 22) ranted, “What a coward for not showing more of Bes and Karala… instead, they shove us with typical blow-up explosion battles.”

Why You Should (or Shouldn’t) Watch It

The Pros:

• A Dark, Uncompromising Story: If you love bleak, philosophical mecha anime (think Neon Genesis Evangelion but with less therapy and more explosions), Ideon delivers.
• Strong Character Arcs: Despite the flaws, characters like Cosmo and Karala grow in meaningful ways.
• The Movie Fixes Things: Be Invoked is widely praised for giving the story the ending it deserved.

The Cons:

• Repetitive Battles: As Comment 16 put it, “75% of the runtime was just mindless action sequences padded out like crazy.”
• Dated Animation: It’s a product of its time, and some scenes haven’t aged well.
• The Ending Feels Incomplete: Without Be Invoked, you’ll be left hanging.

Final Verdict: A Flawed Masterpiece

Space Runaway Ideon isn’t for everyone. It’s slow, it’s brutal, and it doesn’t hold your hand. But if you’re willing to stick with it, you’ll find a story that’s as thought-provoking as it is tragic. As one fan (Comment 20) said, “What a ride… despite some spots being bogged down, I had fun all the way through.”

So, should you watch it? If you love classic mecha with a side of existential dread, absolutely. Just make sure you’ve got Be Invoked queued up afterward—trust me, you’ll need it.

Rating: 7.5/10 (Great ideas, flawed execution, but unforgettable in the best and worst ways.)

Now, excuse me while I go rewatch the movie to heal my soul.