Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise is an oft overlooked entry in Gainax' history.

Everyone has heard of Gurren Lagann and Neon Genesis Evangelion, Gunbuster and FLCL are iconic, and while Royal Space Force receives its fair share of love, it pales in comparison to the long lasting impressions left by the titans that came in its wake, and it's not hard to see why. For Gainax's first outing, this is a relatively quaint story. There's war going on, but that's all background noise to the main conflict. There's space, but that's the end-goal and space itself is presented as far away, almost unreachable. The politics take up a good chunk of the running time, how the warring countries react to Honneamise sending its first man into the atmosphere, and if I'm being honest, all of this works.

The story taking this angle, to focus on what the political ramifications of allowing the Royal Space Force to go through with their mission of sending a man into space, are both heavily focused on and incredibly withdrawn from in the film. You'll see other countries plotting to steal the rocket before it can go into space, other branches of the military mocking the Space Force, the characters are made into political figures through their desires, but it never fully takes center stage. A fair few people would call it ball-less for not going all in on the political angle, but I feel this perfectly reflects the mindset of the main character, the mindset of one Shirotsugh Lhadatt.

Shiro doesn't care for the politics, the first time he is shown on a TV in the film is him saying "It really hasn't bothered me" in regards to the ongoings of the world in the wake of his desire to reach the stars. He casually blows off photo ops to do what he thinks is important, he helps the people in need because he feels bad. He is above the politics of his world, and in the climax of the film, instead of running away because of a chance the Royal Space Force's efforts, the culmination of their work up to this point, might be seized by an invading country, he inspires everyone to continue the mission, inspires every to send him to space, not knowing if the project would succeed or fail.

In short, Shiro is a very down to Earth, human character. This isn't to say all the writing is great, and anyone who has seen the film knows I'm glossing over a certain issue. Around the third quarter of the film, Shiro attempts to rape the love interest. He's unable to go through with it, he feels ashamed, but this concept doesn't really go anywhere. I assume it's meant to reinforce his flaws, but I just found the scene to be too much. For anyone interested in the film, don't let this put you off, just know that it's there, and it's weird, and sorry if there is greater meaning to it that I'm missing, but I just felt uncomfortable watching it.

Moving past that, visually, the film is a treat. As you can see from some of the screenshots I've included with this review, it has a very detailed art style, and when you're watching this on your HD TV, lights are off, and it's just you and the movie, it is really just a visually engaging piece. The film has a nice distinct style, bouts of great animation, wonderful use of colours, and it is just pure wallpaper fuel. I can assure most people that they will enjoy even just looking at the film. I wouldn't say aesthetically it has anything on the likes of Blazing Transfer Student, but I can't stress enough how much of a treat it is just to watch it and experience it.

So, in short, despite some weird scenes, I whole-heartedly recommend Royal Space Force. If you can look past the scene I mentioned earlier, it is a great film almost unlike what anyone normally expects from Gainax. It's not especially crazy, it's not deep insight into the human psyche, it's a quaint story about a man reaching for the stars, and you know what, if that isn't the embodiment of what Gainax started out as, I don't know what is.