When jumping into the world of Irresponsible Captain Tylor, your expectations rarely go beyond thinking this is will a great comedy show. After all, this is exactly what all reviewers and fans of the series seem to focus on in order to appeal to new viewers. At most, you will hear some people talking about the fact that, no matter how far you get into the series, it's never fully revealed whether Tylor's actions are those of a fool or of an utter genius.
And for the first half of the series, this is almost exactly what you get. A charming collage of wacky space adventure starring a madman of a captain, accompanied by just as insane of a crew. He jumbles from exploit to exploit, somehow making it out on top every single time.

However, once you reach the second half of the series, what you find is not only the most utterly fantastic, amazing, and insane final space battle in the history of space operas, but something more grand and contemplative, which elevates the series from a great comedy to a timeless masterpiece. And every moment hits so much harder for it.
The series' at first subtle commentary on politics and philosophy may be dismissed at first. Characters preach of "duty," "dying for your country," "letting go of your desires for the sake of the government." Meanwhile Captain Tylor simply replies, in a goofy tone, "Dying's no fun," "I don't feel like doing that" - much to the dismay of his peers.

As it turns out, it's so, so much more than that. It becomes a beautiful mix between comedy and a meditation on governments, conservatism, collectivism, understanding between nations, and what it ultimately means to be human. Often surpassing series like "Legend of the Galactic Heroes," which people often claim to be the pinnacle of "intellectual anime."
Because it's not just that he is a goofy protagonist that defies norms. Look closer - there's a grander purpose than it. It has much more to say. At first, many viewers may relate to the characters that sternly cling to the ideals of their governments, forsaking their own thoughts, their own choices, everything that makes them individuals. Those who cling to the rules of the past. Those who cling to the familiar. But as the series progresses, it becomes clear that they are the ones in the wrong.
Indeed, it is not that Tylor is insane. It is just that what is blatantly obvious for him is invisible to conversatists and collectivists. Because they focus only on their narrow-minded rules, missing the bigger picture.

And so, the series, above all else, fights for one message and one message alone:

Don't let the past dictate your life. Don't let some fools in the governments offices tell you what is right and wrong - to hell with them! Seize your dreams and chase after the stars. Yes, many will hate you for it, even more will not be able to understand, but those few who do, those few who become inspired by you, will pledge greater loyalty to you than can be found anywhere else.

So long as we fight against the past, so long as we present new ideas to challenge past customs, humanity will never be done for.