Celebrating Space Battleship Yamato

In observance of Yamato‘s 50th anniversary, Figure King magazine No. 323 (published December 2024 by World Photo Press) ran a spectacular cover story containing art, interviews, and product history. Here we review all 40 pages with translations of its unique special features.

50th Anniversary Special Feature

On October 6, 1974, a TV animation series titled Space Battleship Yamato premiered. It captivated young audiences and went on to set numerous records, becoming a landmark in animation history.

Concept and Text: Koji Shimada (TARKUS)
Text: Yuji Inoue, Koichiro Tokushige
Editing Assistance: Koji Igarashi
Photography: Tsuruta Tomoaki (WPP)
Material Assistance: Toshio Anagari
Cooperation: Tohoku Shinsha, Anime Tokusatsu Archive Centre (ATAC)
Groundworks: Studio Khara, Bandai Namco Filmworks

AIM OF PRODUCTION

In 1974, 11 years after the start of TV animation, Space Battleship Yamato was more than just a long-awaited SF space anime. Its unprecedented visuals, scale, and epic story overwhelmed viewers. It was revolutionary…but unfortunately, it was a little too early. The SF boom in Japan was still years away, and the fact that it was an original work without famous source material, coupled with the production company’s lack of recognition, led to tough ratings against strong competitors like Girl of the Alps Heidi and the live-action Monkey Army. The planned 39 episodes were cut to 26, and Yamato‘s journey came to an end.

However, the seeds sown by Yamato were steadily taking root. The series had perfectly captured the high-target fan base that had begun to grow two years prior. The movement sparked by those who were deeply moved by the series grew steadily and eventually led to a theatrical release. On August 6, 1977, the theatrical version of Space Battleship Yamato became a huge hit, rewriting the history of animation.

Above all, the success of the theatrical release as a social phenomenon made the world realize for the first time that animation could be a “work of art” worthy of adult appreciation. Until then, TV animation had been referred to as “TV manga,” alongside live-action hero programs, meaning it was something for children up to elementary school age. Yamato overturned that conventional wisdom. From “TV manga” centered on characters, it evolved into “TV animation” that emphasized the worldview supporting the work and targeted a broader audience, including older viewers.

Yamato achieved this evolution. Just as manga had done before, TV animation had entered an era where it was watched by high school and college students. Yamato, which sparked the anime boom, was serialized, and subsequent works were produced: TV series, theatrical films, and OVAs. In 2010, a live-action version was produced, and in 2012, a new series began, remaking the classic works with a modern perspective. The latest installment, Be Forever Yamato REBEL 3199, is currently in theaters.

2024 marks the 50th anniversary of Yamato‘s maiden voyage. To commemorate this, various projects have begun. Currently, there is news that Hideaki Anno, a creator who has been greatly influenced by Yamato, is planning and producing a 50th anniversary screening event, exhibition, and publishing, and that Studio Khara, led by Hideaki Anno, has acquired the rights to produce a new work.

This special feature revisits the charm of the original Yamato TV series, which established the series’ 50-year popularity, using rare paper materials provided with the cooperation of the Anime Tokusatsu Archive Centre, a certified NPO.

Setting Collection

This is Yamato!

The roots of the work lie in Yamato itself. Here, we will explore its appeal through the concept materials created 50 years ago.

The last hope of humanity, a battleship that sank off the coast of Kyushu, was reborn as a space battleship. Originally constructed as a “Noah’s Ark” to evacuate selected humans and organisms from Earth, which had been contaminated by Gamilas’ Planet Bombs, it was transformed into Earth’s first faster-than-light spaceship equipped with a Wave Engine based on blueprints sent from Iscandar. Its mission was to retrieve the Cosmo Cleaner D, a radiation removal device said to exist on Iscandar. With the mission to save Earth, Yamato embarks on an unprecedented journey of 148,000 light-years.

The design was supervised by director and concept designer Leiji Matsumoto, with Studio Nue’s Kazutaka Miyatake and Naoyuki Kato contributing. The ship’s voluminous hull, large bulbous bow, and Wave-Motion Gun at the bow are striking features. The cluster of anti-air pulse laser cannons (listed as phaser beams in the specifications here) surrounding the command tower, give it the appearance of a battleship.

First Bridge

The first bridge, where the captain and department heads gather. Located at the top of the main command tower, this room is also the stage for many dramatic scenes. The rough drafts of the overall design and each console were drawn by Leiji Matsumoto, and the final draft was integrated and finalized by Naoyuki Kato.