Are you sure it's from 2002 and not 2007? Is it this one? https://anidb.net/anime/5025

I might have to pick it up, love me a good space opera.

Random! I wonder if anyone has seen House of Five Leaves https://anidb.net/anime/7248. It's a 12 eps anime with a historical setting. It's almost slice-of-life kind of slow-paced and the art style might be an acquired taste, but once you get used to it, the story is engaging enough, and the background art and ambiance form a nostalgically beautiful combo.

What still stands out the most to me after all these years, though, is the soundtrack. It is absolutely wonderful! A fusion of traditional and tango
Even if you don't watch it or drop it, the OST deserves a chance!

another obscure one is 'Soreyuku! Uchuu Senkan Yamamoto Yohko' the 1999 tv anime, directed by Shinbo
it's..
It's an anime about 20th century high school students fighting in spaceship battle contests in 2999

As from me...

• Banana Fish - Very much exciting, with interesting characters, and it always keeps you at the edge. Definitely 10/10
• Sonny Boy - This one... was interesting. What drew me to it was.. the surreality, and in general, the style.
• Kaiji - Simply said, both excitement and dread of gambling in various games.
• Shinsekai Yori - Quality worldbuilding, sci-fi