There's a lot of positive buzz about Starship Operators, it seems, and while I can understand why, this first episode doesn't work for me personally.

The premise is interesting enough, no doubt, but the execution is simply horrible. Despite a giant cast, we're thrown right into the story without any real character introductions. Furthermore, their immediate reaction to their situation seems awfully implausible. Perhaps if the cast had already been fleshed out some, one could better sympathize with or understand their reasons for acting as they do. But, instead, I'm just left scratching my head, asking, "Why?".

On the production side, the animation is nicely polished, although I don't care much for the character designs (the costumes, in particular). The spaceship itself is fairly dull and dark, offering lots of tight, almost claustrophobic framing of shots. As quick as the cuts are in the battle sequences, it's kind of disorienting.

Being the first episode, the OP is omitted, but the ED is present. It's perhaps the best thing about the show thus far. I actually didn't realize it was Kotoko at first - she usually doesn't sound this good.

I thought that the darkness might have been particular to the release-group...which one did you have?

The OP song is typical Kotoko, and for once it actually matches the sci-fi tone of the series. I was pretty surprised when you mentioned that the ED was her work though; who would have guessed?

I watched Lunar's release.

I've already watched the second episode (I've yet to post about it...wanted to space things out a bit), and I'm REALLY unimpressed with the OP. As far as I've/Kotoko collaborations go, Radiance sounds pretty dull.

The ED is a nice surprise, though.

Are you really Jeff? I remember a few months ago when we seemed to have identical tastes, but lately we're in disagreement with most series (Mai HiME, Genshiken and now Starship Operators). You've been abducted by aliens and replaced by a clone, haven't you?? ;)

After ep2, the background (government-sponsored covert operation) is becoming more clear. And you're considering it so implausible that cadets from a military academy which is about to be dissolved and who have no real way to go are unwilling to go through with this, especially with peer pressure in the background (who wants to be the only one leaving the others)?

And about the ship being claustrophobic - well duh. The show doesn't look like a Kenran Butoh or Gundam copy.

In summary, more power to you, but I like the sober storytelling clearly aimed for a non-kiddy audience. I'll follow it :)

I do have to agree that the series as a whole so far has been underwhelming....

As much hype as it got, it feels like something from an old submarine war movie....

However, you are right about how good KOTOKO sounds in the ED, I'm definitely waiting for the release of that single. Probably the only highlight in this series so far, apart from the wimpy captain....